wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

Comments

• [1] j from nyc May 28, 2008 - 12:07PM

  does futures trading and the housing scandal, and all of the liquidity problems with corporate cash flow, not to mention potential lawsuits, affect this part of corporate loyalty to former workers? because in the end, it is all about money.

  maybe a bit off topic, but would closing the Gramm Enron Loophole put through by McCains' economic advisor Phil Gramm in 2001, help this problem not be so severe as it is?

  
  
• [2] hjs from 11211 May 28, 2008 - 12:13PM

  and the war on the middle class continues

  
  
• [3] mc from Brooklyn May 28, 2008 - 12:17PM

  Could you have your guest explain the difference between a "defined benefit" and a "defined contribution?"

  This was a fleeting issue during the last NY gubernatorial race vis a vis public sector funds.

  
  
• [4] eugene from NJ May 28, 2008 - 12:24PM

  Not only are pensions being frozen (e.g., Verizon, IBM, HP), but many companies are essentially freezing pensions for middle age workers by converting them to hybrids called "cash balance" pensions. Companies "benchmark" against each other so it benefits those at the top - doling out extravagant compensation to executives, but at the same time cutting benefits like pensions.

  
  
• [5] Chris O from New York City May 28, 2008 - 12:29PM

  mc,

  just tuning in so don't know if your question was answered...

  A defined contribution is a 401(k) plan and a defined benefit is a pension plan. The idea is that we know exactly what we contribute to a 401(k), the contribution is defined, but the benefit is a little unclear, uncertain. The pension defines the benefit, exactly what you will get per month until you die.

  
  
• [6] hjs from 11211 May 28, 2008 - 12:35PM

  why does the author blame the unions and not "extravagant compensation to executives" for the fall of america

  
  
• [7] mc from Brooklyn May 28, 2008 - 12:42PM

  Chris O,

  Thanks for that, but I already knew. I was hoping he'd explain it on the air. Most people don't know.

  Spitzer's opponent in '06, whose name I cannot even recall wanted to convert all state pensions to defined contribution. This barely registered a blip on the public conciousness.

  
  
• [8] DFM from Lost in NJ May 28, 2008 - 12:43PM

  Please explain the comment about Peter Kalikow having a lifetime EXPass... Was that a cheap shot? The guy did a tough, thankless job for a buck a year. Free EZPass is a small price to pay when you figure out what the salary for an equally qualified individual would have been.

  
  
• [9] ellen from ny May 28, 2008 - 12:57PM

  Mr lopate--i am listening to interveiew with Lowenstein, and notice a habit you have. This happened just before his mention of lattes, almost at the end. At the end of your comment or question to the guest, you seem to end the question by use of your voice, which normally signals you're finished talking, and it's time for other person to answer. You hear Lowenstein take a breath to talk, but you cut him off with an additional comment. Then you stop talking and Lowenstein starts his answer again, getting out a few words, but you're still not done -- You start another short comment, so that you interrupt Lowenstein in mid sentence. Now Mr. Lopate, you do this with many guests,they start an answer and you cut them off. It's time you became aware, and stop this. It implies your comment is so important, it takes precedence over the guest's answer. It's annoying, and rude.It suggests some arrogance and egotism on your part. I wonder if you have a bit of unconscious jealousy of the guest, and wish you were the person worthy of being interviewed instead of the interviewer! We know you're a good interviewer and very intelligent and informed on everything. So if you would only shut up and let 'em talk! Thank you.

  
  
• [10] hjs from 11211 May 28, 2008 - 02:53PM

  but yet ellen still listens. odd...

  
  
• [11] Kevin Sexton from Home May 28, 2008 - 03:29PM

  I tuned in during the talk about Mike Quill and the TWU. During the early days of Quill's sucess, the IRT and BMT were private concerns and their relationship with Local 100 had nothing to do with public sector collective bargaining.

  Also your guest stated that Quill staged strikes "again and again" to get what he wanted. Later he stated that there were three (3) transit strikes. Well? What is it? Again and again or just three?

  If your guest is wrong about the minor details then I'm suspicous of his other assertions.

  Finally, early NYC retirees often take on 2nd careers. In these 2nd careers, they're tax payers supporting the agencies that are pensioning out municiple employees at younger ages. They're not simply draining the system. Often they're putting $$$$ back into the city's coffers.

  
  
• [12] hjs from 11211 May 28, 2008 - 04:20PM

  Kevin

  i got the feeling Lowenstein’s central idea is the problems of the USA are caused by unions alone. not sure if that was his point but that's what i got of what i heard. thanks for the fact checks

  
  
• [13] mc from Brooklyn May 28, 2008 - 04:53PM

  Kevin,

  I too was disappointed that this discussion did not venture further. As far as transit strikes: I was present for two, April, 1980 and December 2004. Roger Toussaint was president of Local 100 in 2004, so you can't pin that on Quill. I'm not sure about 1980. I think there was a previous one in 1965.

  You are right about second careers. I personally worked with an ex-cop in a second and very long lived career where he put plenty of tax money into the coffers.