[RickeyD]

Originally Posted by justjim

Rickey, with all due respect, where did you get your data that those born before 1950 had the American Dream and those after 1950 don't? My observation is somewhat different. I was born a decade before 1950. Many my age grew up without Father's because they didn't make it back home following the Big War.

Many fathers came back wounded, hardly able to work And there was no housing available. It was tough for many families. Many of the children from that generation were the first to graduate from college---some after they were married and had children.

Bottom line----every age group has it opportunities and it's stories. The silent generation, baby boomers, generation X, generation y or Millennium generations all have opportunities living in this great country of ours. But---it's not easy and you may have to sacrifice during some of those early years, work hard, save, and never give up and you can capture at least part of the American dream.

Our age group are far from blind, rather we still believe the American Dream still exists but you still must take advantage of the opportunities that come your way and you don't give up because everything isn't given to you on the silver platter.

My point is this. Those born during the sweet spot era rode the bell curve up towards the American dream. Those born after, are riding the curve down. This dream is becoming unreachable for millions of people year after year. Many reasons exist for this which would make for another thread.

[RickeyD]

Originally Posted by gomoho

Well the bonus was paid by the employer - not the customer - and only in the good years. The difficult years yielded no bonus. Apples and oranges.

The employer paid it, not the customer ? Come on now.

[goodtimesintv]

Originally Posted by Diver

Most of the people who are service workers in the Villages are paid only $9 to $10 per hour. I am working two jobs,one of which is cleaning a rec center. I don't expeict to be tipped, but I would not say no to anyone who did. We are Villages homeowners and are just paying our bills.

Thank you for a statement of fact and reality. (I read it a couple of times, unsure if the $9-$10 per hour is considered unjust, but I'll take it as just a statement of fact--not a complaint). I admire you for working two jobs and living within your means.

I respectfully ask:

a) As Villages homeowners, could you afford to live here as homeowners if our monthly amenities fees were raised to $450/mo instead of $145/mo, so that cleaning/janitorial and other maintenance workers employed by our community development district (our "city government") could be paid minimum $19/hour?

b) Could elderly residents of TV living on the lowest incomes here continue to afford to live here if our amenities fees were $450/mo instead of $145/mo so that cleaning/janitorial and other maintenance jobs here could pay minimum $19/hour?

Personally, I don't think so. There are reasons why wages are lower here, and one key reason is the affordability the developers planned so that homeownership is possible for people of ALL income levels, and so they "can live like a millionaire" without paying dues to country clubs, public golf course seasonal passes, YMCA and other fitness facilities, personal fitness trainers, paid fitness/sport instruction/clinics, etc. etc.

I think this quote below rings true, and affordability for all income levels is what makes TV uniquely inclusive with "diversity" of personal income. That affordability would not be available to the lowest income residents here if the amenities fees had to be twice as high so workers could be paid twice as much.

"“The nice thing about The Villages is that you have that small, hometown feel,” said Bock, who earned a silver medal in the Senior Games women’s doubles pickleball competition. “Harold Schwartz, who was the founder, said his idea for The Villages was that the common person could live like a millionaire, and he’s made that possible.”

Florida community well represented, well prepared at Senior Games - StarTribune.com

[graciegirl]

This thread has managed to make a good many people feel terrible and has hurt some feelings and even made a few angry.


I don't think that talking about giving is meant to do that.


Christmas is the birthday of a king born long ago and is meant to be a happy time and a time for giving and feasting and sharing good things.

[dbussone]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I think it is an ideological debate. I think it goes further than the surface. I think that many of us really DON'T know others on this forum well enough to judge whether they are right or wrong in their values, and who can judge another's values anyway.


I don't want to outlive my money. I could do with very little and still be happy. Most of us are like that. I know one thing. No one I know has stolen or connived or cheated to get the money they have. We have not harmed others to get where we are. Many of us have children and grandchildren who are heading in the right direction and that we can take a little credit for. If we take care of our own, that is the first responsibility we have. Teach them and turn them loose unless they are disabled.


Our lives teach us many lessons, and bragging about the good we do is usually not something that others admire.


Some of us are very good at reading between the lines in life and on this forum. We know who are decent folks and who are bull ****ters.

Gracie - sage just doesn't cut it. I am officially requesting that TOTV create a new category: "perspicacious sage". And I hereby nominate you for the sole member of that category!

Merry Christmas and my very best wishes for you and yours throughout 2016.