JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
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- English Instructor (Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe)
- Berlitz Japan, Inc. (ベルリッツ・ジャパン株式会社), Kansai
- Salary: ¥125,000 ~ ¥250,000 / Month
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- FT English Teachers for Kids - Osaka
- Kohgakusha Co., Ltd. （株式会社興学社）, Osaka
- Salary: ¥255,000 ~ ¥275,000 / Month Travel Expenses, Encouragement of Japanese learning*
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- Translator
- ZAIHON, Inc. (日本財務翻訳株式会社), Tokyo
- Salary: ¥6.0M / Year Negotiable
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Alphaape
No it doesn't all I did was give a personal story of what can happen. Of course there are different circumstances, but what people seem to be posting here are only one-sided points, and not thinking things through. YOu cited the one case, and it may have proved your point, but there are other cases also that proves my point. So there is precedent on both sides.
The WI Gov. is not asking for the opportuniyt to take all of the gainst the union has made, only asking that they can be dealt with (i.e. in union negotiations) a bit more fairly than they are now. Where does it say in the WI bill that he wishes to disband the unions? They will still have the right to organize and join unions.
Posted in: 70,000 protesters surround Wisconsin Capitol
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Alphaape
I'll go one step better, instead of firing the teachers and employees, Gov. Walker should tell those Dem legislators that if they are not back within 24 hrs, they will be dismissed from the state senate. In one week's time, elections will be held in each district that they represent, and the people can choose new legislators.
No need for a long, costly political process, candidates can file, then campaign for 1 week only, and let the people decide who they want to represent them. If the same people get elected the people of that particular district have spoken. But if a new person gets elected, then that will be the case and the people of that district would have said that they want someone to represent them, not run and hide like a spoiled kid.
Posted in: 70,000 protesters surround Wisconsin Capitol
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Alphaape
There are provisions in the EEOC and workplace laws that prevent that from happening in America. My brother was let go from an exeuctive job of over 20 years, never had a negative review. He fought it, and got the company to admit wrongdoing and won a settlement. Also, he was non-Union so you can make it without a union.
I believe that when he ran, none of the unions really supported him. He made his plan clear when he ran on what he would do, and the people elected him. So, you want an elected leader who responds to what his big donors want, or what the will of the people want.
Posted in: 70,000 protesters surround Wisconsin Capitol
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Alphaape
Isn't that what the whole issue is here. The unions have the right to determine policy over management. I sugest you watch "Waiting for Superman" and how they explained in Milwaukee each year the principles of the schools have what is called "The Dance of the Lemons." Where each principle moves his worse teacher to another school and so on until all the bad ones in one school are replaced with other bad ones, hoping that the one you end up with is not as bad as the one you moved. Why do they do this? Because under their contract, they can't fire any teacher for bad performance. WI taxpayers have to keep paying for these teachers and all of their benefits while they do a poor job at teaching.
Also, if they wanted to reward teachers for doing well and make a merit pay system, they can't. The union says that would be "unfair" to other teachers, so bad teachers, who can't gt fired, wind up making more money by having tenure, and maybe a good teacher with not as many years can't get rewarded, and thus leave the profession or go teach at a private school.
That is the problem (among others) that the Gov. is facing. There are workplace laws in affect in the USA through the Fair Labor Laws and others that present employees from outright just dismissing workers. I don't mind unions being around to assist these employees in their cases.
But when you come to the table, with an automatic "you can't touch me" card with what they have in place now is not fair. What those Dems who are missing in action should do is present a compromise and try to work it out. If they presented a fair comprimise and it is out right rejected, then you can protest. But to run away like a bunch of spoiled brats shows that they are not really there looking out for the people but themselves and their union donations.
Posted in: 70,000 protesters surround Wisconsin Capitol
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Alphaape
Don't forget, Jesse Jackson is there too, adding his voice in solidarity and saying that this is the same movment just like it was in Egypt (his words not mine).
Though I may not agree with the Dems and their plan, it just shows a bad performance for them to run away. If they can't get their points across in a reasoned manner for stating their claims, and all they can do is run away, that says that they really have a weak point.
I wonder if any of those Dems will get reelected in the next WI election. All their oppents (including in their own party) have to campaign on is that when things got tough, they ran away. They will not be able to live that one down.
Posted in: 14 Wisconsin lawmakers flee state to block anti-union bill
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Alphaape
I read and heard that also. What is really missing and it shows how gullible we Americans are, if based on those reports about the average teacher salary in WI, that total compensation will be reported on their W2's (tax statements) in 2014. They will not be taxed on them, but in 2018 it will help the IRS more easily collect a tax on the so-called "Cadillac" health insurance policies, those that cost significantly more than the national average. The Cadillac tax goes into effect in 2018.
So, the teachers will be getting better health benefits compared to the private sector, but come 2018, they will have to pay a new Federal Tax.
Obamacare was backed by the National Teachers unions, so they basically sold them out.
Posted in: 14 Wisconsin lawmakers flee state to block anti-union bill
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Alphaape
Watching a few clips on the news and listening on the internet radio, a few protestors have the gov. of WI compared to Hitler. Before this devolves into a Rep (Tea Party) vs. Dems, why is it fine for the Dems and unions to label people as Hitler or Mubarak, when their main argument is that those are the tactics of the right and we should have more civil discourse.
I don't mind them protesting, but keep it civil and to the point.
Posted in: 14 Wisconsin lawmakers flee state to block anti-union bill
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Alphaape
@paulinusa: Look at the last sentence. Suppose you were a teacher and you had a choice to vote for candidate A or B. You firmly believe in the principles of candidate A, and decide to vote for him. But the union is backing candidate B. They are contributing to his campaign fund. How do they get this money? From your dues, since the union is not a business in a since it raises capital. It raises funding by member donations. Donations which teachers have to pay regardless. Sure they may have a convention and express an opinion, but when was the last time you saw a unioin back a candidate based on the actual desires of its members.
Looking at the first sentence. It does not mean that the union members will not get pay raises, but that they are tied to the CPI, as is the case with most private sector jobs. So they could get the full CPI amount or less, depending on the budget of the state amd it's ability to pay.
Unions force members to pay dues. Tell me, if you worked for a company and they backed a candidate that you did not like, and believed in policies you did not care for, do you really want to keep funding them? Also, with the amount of workforce laws in place and the number of lawyers, it is not like in the old days of sweatshops and horrible working conditions. Businesses can be fined by the government for not having a safe work environment and for other cases of employee abuse. As a matter of fact, the unions main point is to bring these exact laws to empoyers when members file a grievance.
Posted in: 14 Wisconsin lawmakers flee state to block anti-union bill
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Alphaape
Not true, when the states try to negotiate new contracts, because of the barganing agreement, the union comes in with the upper hand. In other words, one side has an advantage and if they don't like how the game is played they can take their ball home and end the game. All the states want to do is to be able to renogiate all terms. Nothing said about taking away their right to unionize.
Nothing to do with Rep or Dem. In CA, you pay your city and county taxes for garbage collection and other city upkeep. In cities like LA, ou have to pay an additional "trash pickup fee" so your garbage can get picked up. That is not right since you already pay for garbage collection from paying your city and county taxes. The extra "fees" (nice name for tax) are levied to help reduce budget deficits due to labor costs.
Posted in: 14 Wisconsin lawmakers flee state to block anti-union bill
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Alphaape
Headline to the article is a bit misleading, but this is the real crux of the protests. The state is not trying to do away with the union, but trying to gain back control from the union on certain areas. We have all heard the stories of how teachers can't be fired due to their union contracts (watch the documentary "Waiting for Superman" and it explains it in detail). What the governor is trying to do is to strike this clause. Then they will be able to go into contracts with teachers that will allow the state to fire underperforming teachers, instead of having them on the payrolls just collecting a check and not doing anything for their students.
The other issue, having to pay a modest amount increas in their healthcare premium is just taking some of the burden off of the rest of the taxpayers. The teachers are still getting a great deal in terms of healthcare. In the private sector, you are paying much more than the teachers are.
Also, just a question. If the unions fought long and hard for Obamacare, why then are they upset that their members may have to pay an icrease in rates? Afterall, they were saying how Obamacare would provide coverage for the 40 million who dont' have it. If the teachers don't want to increase their costs, then the union should tell them to use Obamacare; but they seem not too interested in doing that.
Posted in: 14 Wisconsin lawmakers flee state to block anti-union bill
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Alphaape
@Badsey: If it was a bunch of Lib/Globalist hype, it wouldn't be a concern. It would be more of the opposite side.
Warships routinely do pass through the canal, but the significance of Iranian warships passing through would be significant. First, they don't normally operate that far away from home. They will traverse the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea, and maybe go as far as Yemen on the Red Sea, but they don't go that far west.
Second, before any warship can go through the canal, Diplomatic Clearance needs to be granted by Egypt. All nations have to comply. What was the only Islamic country Egypt did not have diplomatic relationship with: Iran. Due to the fact that a street in Tehran was named after one of the assians who killed Sadat (a Muslim brotherhood member, and a differnt topic altogher).
So for Iran to try to get a diplomatic clearance to send warships through the canal could be seen as a way to see how stable the Egyptian govt. is and if things will remain the same. Also, if Iran gets their nuclear program together, once they manage to get nukes small enough (tactical ones) to go on missiles in their inventory, it would be just another step at developing a method to a possible WMD strike in Israel. I know that is a stretch, but the planners in Israel have to look at these things.
Posted in: Israel claims Iran warships planning to transit through Suez Canal
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Alphaape
@888naf: Doing a bit of research as you suggest, I came across the following:
Egypt is a predominantly Sunni Muslim country with Islam as its state religion. The percentage of the adherents of various religions is a controversial topic in Egypt, with different sources citing different figures. Around 90% are identified as Muslim. Cairo is famous for its numerous mosque minarets and is justifiably dubbed "the city of 1,000 minarets"
There is a significant minority of Christians in Egypt, who make up between 5% and 10% of the population.
According to the constitution of Egypt, any new legislation must at least implicitly agree with Islamic law; however, the constitution bans political parties with a religious agenda
@Foxie: Look at what I wrote above. Ans yes I am aware that wherever yo ugo, you have the chance to get robbed or attacked. It's an international problem. But at least in Fla, if you get robbed, it is by a person who is looking for money or valuables; and not by an organized group that wants to hold you for ransom, or attack you simply because you may be a different religion.
Posted in: Mubarak quits, hands over power to military
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Alphaape
@Foxie: When I posted, I did not say that Muslims will start kidnapping tourist in Egypt, but let's just face a few facts. If you go to Egypt, where the population is 90% or greater Muslim, if you get kidnapped, it will probably be by a Muslim. As your post suggeste, it will only be a handful, but the odds are they will not be a Christian or Hindu.
The acts of the Muslim Brotherhood, but shooting a group of tourist in 1999 is what concerns people. The fact that no massive blood shed occured during this time is good, but let's let the dust settle, and start seeing what group will start setting off bombs across Egypt to get their point across.
Posted in: Mubarak quits, hands over power to military
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Alphaape
@smithinjapan: No it is not a result of Obama but he is the man in charge in America, and it is on his watch. Just like they said Bush was asleep at the wheel when the financial crisis happend (it was not his job ot watch every financial transaction), but it was on his watch.
Funny, how two years ago, Obama went to Cario to give his first speech. If we had such a bad taste for Mubarak then, why go to his home town? If I remember the speech, no mention was made about the need for change in Egypt at the time. So, it does make him look bad, just as it was when Bush said we will bring democracy to Iraq, and look at the mess we are in there.
Posted in: Mubarak quits, hands over power to military
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Alphaape
@thorgrimfile: I too have been to Malaysia, and true one can have a great time there, provided you stay in the main tourist areas and don't get too far in the weeds. After all, they had a protest there (article was posted here too) about a person who wanted to get the relgion changed from Muslim to Christian, and many wanted her put to death under the blasphemy charge, or the case where the woman was to get lashes (again posted on thie forum), who was a Muslim and decided to drink a beer.
The difference is the radicals will probably have more of a voice in the aftermath of what has happened in Egypt. The question to ask is would you insure a vaction tour going to Egypt in the next few months? If you did, you would probably charge high rates, and that is what will drive the tour companies to try to stay away. I am sure the resorts along the Nile/Red Sea will probably beef up security, but I still wouldn't go.
Posted in: Mubarak quits, hands over power to military
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Alphaape
Partisan politics aside from my point, Obama is in trouble with this event.
During the 2008 elections, his opponents were making the claim that he had no foreign relations experience and that this was his weak point. It seems that for the next election, whoever runs agains him in his party of rht Rep. will dub him as the "man who lost Egypt."
Also, if from now until Sept. when elections are to be held in Egypt, and it seems like the radicals may gain a huge bloc in whatever government forms in Egypt, this will crush Obama in the polls, and also will have a negative affect on Hillary Clinton. If she decides to quit her post (I say that decision will probably be made by mid summer), she too will also be hit with incompetence in handling the Egypt situation. I am sure if she runs for the Democratic nomination, she will say she was :only following orders" but this does not look well for her.
It should be interesting to watch, and I hope that the people of Egypt can solve out their issues.
Posted in: Mubarak quits, hands over power to military
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Alphaape
@Bgood41: take a look at skipthesong's previous post.
If the military has taken over, I am not so sure that there will be free elections in Sept. But at least from the military ranks there was not too much extremism, since you haven't heard of a revolt of the officers in the military for the past 30 years.
I too had wanted to see the pyramids, but now I guess I just have to watch them from the National Geographic channel.
Posted in: Mubarak quits, hands over power to military
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Alphaape
Back in my hometown in the states in the 80's there was a rash of these types of robberies. What did the local sheriff do? He put deputies in random convenience stories with shotguns and they made a few arrests. Pretty soon, these types of robberies slowed down. Thieves didn't want to take the chance of the place being armed with a deputy.
I guess maybe more J-cops need to set up sting operations, or at least make it known that is what they are doing to at least make it appear that they are surveiling these types of stores.
But, I guess with the high number of these types of stores, that may not work either.
Posted in: Knife-wielding man steals Y300,000 from convenience store
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Alphaape
A few years ago, when the MVP of the Superbowl was Hines Ward (Steelers), he brought up this story of how he had a Black father and a Korean mother, and how he and his mother were cast off from Koreans for him being mixed and her marrying outside her race. But when he made Superbowl MVP, all of a sudden he was cast as a "shining example" for Korea. He went back and visited an orphanage and gave speeches to inspire them.
I say this becuase I think that the whole issue really shows the mentality of both countries. Korea and Japan both have orphanages where children need to have homes. But the common belief is that they are not "blood related" and so that they can't be real family. Yet, they get all hyped up about a guy who lived in Japan since he was born, and still he is not accepted as being truly Japanese (by some not all) and he can't be accepted of his Korean heritage by Koreans.
This is pretty silly I think. I get the whole concept of a National Identity, but I think both countries take it too far at some times. If National Identity is so strong in Korea, then any couple that is childless should be able to go to an orphange and adopt. After all, it doesn't matter who the parents were, as long as they are Korean (as you would get from their arguments), and they should be accpeting of this guy.
Posted in: Hero of Asia Cup final at ease with his Japanese-Korean identity
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Alphaape
QSmorkian: Mubarak is a Muslim also, as are many in his government, and I would assume that the protestors aer Muslim also. So, it is not the fact that the Muslim brotherhood are muslims, but the fat that they are extremist who want to establish a fundamentalist government instead of the secular one Mubarak has now. True, many of the tenets of Islam are practiced in Egypt daily, and itis still more "conservative" in terms of the openness one finds in a non-Muslim nation, but the government doesn't force religion on the populace as the Muslime Brotherhood would.
That is one reason why people in the west are concerned.
Posted in: Message for Mubarak