Money Making Schemes

Is the “economic recovery” we keep hearing about actually a college bubble?

http://www.economist.com/node/16941775

FIFTY years ago, in the glorious age of three-martini lunches and all-smoking offices, America’s car companies were universally admired. Everybody wanted to know the secrets of their success. How did they churn out dazzling new models every year? How did they manage so many people so successfully (General Motors was then the biggest private-sector employer in the world)? And how did they keep their customers so happy?

Today the world is equally in awe of American universities. They dominate global rankings: on the Shanghai Ranking Consultancy’s list of the world’s best universities, 17 of the top 20 are American, and 35 of the top 50. They employ 70% of living Nobel prizewinners in science and economics and produce a disproportionate share of the world’s most-cited articles in academic journals. Everyone wants to know their secret recipe.

Which raises a mischievous question. Could America’s universities go the way of its car companies? On the face of it, this seems highly unlikely. Student enrolments are higher than ever this year, as Americans who cannot find jobs linger or return to education. Cambridge, Massachusetts, shows no outward sign of becoming Detroit. Yet there are serious questions about America’s ivory towers.

Two right-wing think-tanks, the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) and the Goldwater Institute, have both produced damning reports about America’s university system. Two left-wing academics, Andrew Hacker and Claudia Dreifus, have published an even more damning book: “Higher Education? How Colleges are Wasting Our Money and Failing Our Kids and What We Can Do About It”. And US News & World Report, a centrist magazine, says in its annual survey of American colleges that: “If colleges were businesses, they would be ripe for hostile takeovers, complete with serious cost-cutting and painful reorganisations.”

College fees have for decades risen faster than Americans’ ability to pay them. Median household income has grown by a factor of 6.5 in the past 40 years, but the cost of attending a state college has increased by a factor of 15 for in-state students and 24 for out-of-state students. The cost of attending a private college has increased by a factor of more than 13 (a year in the Ivy League will set you back $38,000, excluding bed and board). Academic inflation makes medical inflation look modest by comparison.

As costs soar, diligence is tumbling. In 1961 full-time students in four-year colleges spent 24 hours a week studying; that has fallen to 14, estimates the AEI. Drop-out and deferment rates are also hair-curling: only 40% of students graduate in four years.

The most plausible explanation is that professors are not particularly interested in students’ welfare. Promotion and tenure depend on published research, not good teaching. Professors strike an implicit bargain with their students: we will give you light workloads and inflated grades so long as you leave us alone to do our research. Mr Hacker and Ms Dreifus point out that senior professors in Ivy League universities now get sabbaticals every third year rather than every seventh. This year 20 of Harvard’s 48 history professors will be on leave.

America’s commitment to research is one of the glories of its higher-education system. But for how long? The supply of papers that apply gender theory to literary criticism remains ample. But there is evidence of diminishing returns in an area perhaps more vital to the country’s economic dynamism: science and technology. The Kauffman Foundation, which studies entrepreneurship, argues that the productivity of federal funding for R&D, in terms of patents and licences, has been falling for some years. Funding is spread too thinly. It would yield better results if concentrated on centres of excellence, but fashionable chatter about the “knowledge economy” stirs every congressional backwoodsman to stick his fingers into the university pie.

The Goldwater Institute points to a third poison to add to rising prices and declining productivity: administrative bloat. Between 1993 and 2007 spending on university bureaucrats at America’s 198 leading universities rose much faster than spending on teaching faculty. Administration costs at elite private universities rose even faster than at public ones. For example, Harvard increased its administrative spending per student by 300%. In some universities, such as Arizona State University, almost half the full-time employees are administrators. Nearly all university presidents conduct themselves like corporate titans, with salaries, perks and entourages to match.

Is it really this bad? Please help!?

So I had this really weird dream that’s actually really depressed me.

Now I need to inform you of some back story first that MIGHT be the cause of the dream.

About a year ago, I had a fiance’, we were living together and he proposed to me at the same time he asked me to move in with him. This was extremely fast considering we had only been together for 4 months. Well like a total dumbass I said yes. One night a month later we got into an argument, and the next day he comes home from work and tells me that it is over. I’m heart broken and just lose it when I hear this. I deeply deeply loved him and cared for him with all my heart. Well without letting me pack any of my things, he takes me to my moms house. A few days later I attempt to commit suicide, but strangely, I stop because of my cat who is like a child figure in my life. She and I really do have a mom/daughter type of relationship. I know it sounds strange but that’s just the way it is. Well I left him an offline suicide note before attempting, and later that day a cop comes to my home. I’m sent to a psychatric hospital on suicide lock down for a few days. I get out and all is well for a while, me and my ex talk to one another, he still even tells me that he LOVES me! Well about a month after that he tells me that he’s found someone else… And again, I just lose it. I tell him goodbye permanently, and to never speak to me ever again. Which thankfully we haven’t spoken since. However months go by and I’m still depressed from the breakup, each month gets better and better though. Hell to be honest Im still a teensy bit sad over the whole thing, but I feel almost completely back to normal too. Ive also come a long way since then. Im a Straight-A college student, making pretty good money, and I’m about 230 pounds, but I work out 3 times a week. However my weight doesn’t bother me. I see myself as a beautiful person both inside and out. Now I also need to add that I am a confident person, yet I am very shy. I’m confident in myself and what I’m doing with my life, but someone can be confident and not be a people person at the same time I guess. I also need to add that the ordeal with my ex has left me LESS trusting of people and love in general. Ive remained single since the ordeal, and Ive actually made a vow with myself to be single for the entire remaining period of my life. Stupid I know, but as I said, the whole experience with my ex just left me completely distrusting of men and love in general. Ive pushed people away simply because I don’t want them to hurt me in the end. -sigh- Lol now onto the dream. xD

Now I’ve had a BIG huge crush on David Spade since I was little. I don’t know why, I just have, and it fills my heart with joy that he was the subject of this dream.

Well it starts out kind of like a movie, lol. I was living in a nice neighborhood like I am now, however it was MUCH much nicer than my own. And one day I notice I have new neighbors. David Spade was moving in next to me along with a grandmother type figure. (btw it takes place in the summer) Well both families introduce themselves blah blah blah. Well I remember fast forwarding to a year after they move into the neighborhood. He and I are friends, but not TOO close, more like aquaintances, and I know it is because of, like usual, me pushing everyone I meet away, however I’m closer to his grandmother and I remember thinking fondly of all the times I would sit on their front porch with her and just talk. Well random stuff continues to happen like both families go to amusement parks with each other, we go out to eat, blah blah blah. Next thing the dream fast forwards to is the next day, I go to their house to yet again just talk with his grandmother. They have a pretty high foundation on their house, as well as wooden railings on the steps to their house, so no one could really see me if I were coming around a corner. Well I hear David tell his grandmother that he has this really big crush on me, and thinks that he might even be in love with me. Im really shocked to hear this since 1. while I do see myself as a beautiful person, ive never imagined attracting someone as good looking as him (hey, its my opinion and my crush! =P ) 2. in the entire year ive been single, not one person has shown interest in me, hell I only have 1 really good friend too, so even in real life, anyone showing any interest in me would be very surprising. Well confused I run back home and just think about a for a few days. Now like in real life, in the dream ive developed a small crush on him, but ive always pushed it in the back of my mind because, dun dun dun, I’m afraid of getting hurt. So again, I think it over for a few days, then something pops into my head. Ive known him for a pretty good length of time, and really what would be so wrong with letting someone in again?

What do you think it takes to become a successful Real Estate Agent?

So, let me start off by explaining to you my situation. As of right now I am 17 years old. I am fixing to graduate high school a year early and graduate my associates degree in business management from being a concurrent student at the local community college. I have had the privileged of growing up around my mother whom owned her own office supply company until she retired about 4 years ago. In my opinion I have excelled in school a lot faster and more successfully then others. Now to my question. In September when I turn 18 I plan on going to Real Estate school and obtaining my required 45-clock hours so that I can test for my license. I understand that when it comes to real estate, especially when you are brand new and as young as I am.. the flow of an income is slow if not non existent for awhile. The upper hand I have is my mom is willing to support me through the first few years, that way any money I do make I will put away so that in the next five years I can proceed with the rest of my plan. I was just wondering what you think it takes to be a successful agent. I have always had a passion for real estate and a people person. I think I have good qualities, but I feel as if my age is a draw back. What do you think?

Why do colleges lie so much to students by saying a degree will lead to success?

I used to not pay much attention to the lawyer and medical TV shows when I was a kid. I liked watching them sometimes, but I always knew I wanted to be a doctor. Well, things didn’t work out that way. It seems like who you know is more important than what you know. I’m currently trying to play catch up and get a good-paying job that will pay a living.

I cannot believe how ignorantly some TV shows are written. Damages, a TV show on FX, is complete propaganda. This woman, Ellen, is the daughter of two blue-collar parents who gets multiple six-figure jobs out of law school. She takes a job with Patty Hewes and immediately takes the helm of a multi-million dollar class action suit with the head of the law firm at her side. Didn’t she just join the company? How the hell would she anchor a major case as soon as she started working there? To top it off, she’s engaged to a doctor. Her sister-in-law is a drug addict, but apparently a good enough chef to convince a billionaire to open up a restaurant for her. After settling the case, Ellen collects a $2 million dollar check.

Congratulations to all those colleges and law schools, you’ve just convinced a new generation to waste their money!

I actually saw one law school devote a webpage to refuting a blog that tried to warn students not to become a lawyer. These people are worse than car salesmen! Just search “Don’t go to law school” in google or Yahoo and see what you find. These days, you’re in the same boat as the basket weaving undergrad major with a law degree, with exponentially more debt.

Going to college with the aim of becoming a doctor is a pretty bad idea too. I had a biology teacher that went to a big university that probably makes as much as a fast food shift manager at Catholic school. I’ve seen too many people stonewalled by Med school admissions…they don’t even get to the second round of apps!

How do colleges still get away with this? My alma mater begs me for money all the time? I swear, they have spent more on construction than the NBA has spent on arenas in the past ten years! Yes, it’s a famous Big Ten school. What a bunch of scheisters.
I used a TV show because it is propaganda for colleges.

$5,100 to Repair 1997 Mustang? Help!! I don’t want to lose my Car!?

To begin, I own a 1997 Automatic Ford Mustang Convertible (If you need to know anything specific, let me know). I absolutely love my car.

Background:
About a month and a half ago, my coolant tube broke while I was driving. Had to get it towed to a shop which then replaced the tube and cleaned up my engine a bit.

About a week after that, I noticed I was having some heating problems. I then took it in and I was told that the coolant leaked into this area and a certain seal needed to be replaced. Being a cheap part, and a pain in the ass to install it, that cost 800 dollars for mostly labor.

Currently I’m having even more issues with this car.

First issue:
When I drive, I notice that my heating gauge on my dashboard will go up towards the red “danger” bar, then will go back down to the “M” in “Normal.” It will repeat this when I am driving, and will go slowly towards that red bar even when idling (very slow, but it does). After running a test, however, I found that when I am going ~80MPH on the highway that it will be on the “N” in “Normal” on the heating gauge – so it stays very cool. But as soon as I’m going ~50MPH on the street, it starts to have the same issue.

Second issue:
Upon starting up the car these past two weeks after I haven’t driven it for a while, it makes a very odd sound. When I’m inside the car, the best way to describe it is that it sounds like a Semi-Truck. You know that very loud noise that Semi-Trucks make when they are parked? It’s like that, but mini-version. My car never has made this noise in the past 6 months that I have owned this car, but now it is.

Third issue:
You should know that I have a very small leak in my oil gasket. I do mean very small. The car places want ~400 Dollars to replace this, but it has been running fine with me just filling up the oil every 3-4 months. I’ve known about this issue since I bought the car. Once I have the money means to fix it, this is on my to-do list.

Fourth (very small) issue:
When I open the door, it makes the sounds as if my keys are in the ignition. I believe this is just a small spring inside the key insertion spot that isn’t working right or something. Very minor – will have it fixed next time I take it in.

Fifth Problem(?):
My car gets 13-15MPG. I believe it’s a 3.6L Car with a V6. I looked up what my car should get, and it’s 18-27. I drive on the highway a lot to get places, so it shouldn’t be at the 18 mark. And I don’t speed or race excessively either. I sometimes accelerate a little fast, but not a lot. I baby the car. What would cause this issue?

Conclusion:
After they inspected my car, the car place told me I had/wanted to do:
-They think there is a blockage in the Cooling System (They are guessing it’s in the heater core. Want to replace heating core).
-Flush radiator.
-Head Gasket has a leak.
-Something wrong with the lifters. Hitting the pistons when they come up.
-They said they want to replace the engine because of the cost of fixing lifters/gasket.

The price they want is 5,100 Dollars!!

You should know this about me – I am an 18 year old college student with no extra money as all of it goes towards my apartment bill, wireless bill, and my 17 credit hours that I am enrolled in. My parents are probably OK to cover around 2k, but I wish this problem could be resolved for less than that.

My parents said that this car is becoming a money dump, and that we cannot pay the 5,100 Dollars.

So far, here is what has been paid for it:
-Car Itself: 2,900 (Not a bad deal, if you ask me).
-New Top: 1,400 (It needed it for sure).
-Coolant Tube Replaced: 200.
-Seal Replaced: 800.
-New Tires + New Bar: 1000.

Total Spent so Far: 6,300

As you can see, I’m not happy with spending 5k more.

So, my final question, is what is causing the issues I described? Would it really cost that much to fix? Any suggestions will be accepted. Please help me out, as my parents said I will be getting a 1999 Jeep (Mom’s Car) or a 2000 Mazda (Dad’s Car) if this 5,000 dollar price is correct.

Sidenote:
I live in an apartment. Fixing these things by myself would be impossible as I have no tools, no garage, etc.