In Search of the Yuppies!!!

Shalom Chosen People and Goyim!

Recently, Forbes magazine published their annual list ranking 40 major American cities by their attractiveness to "Yuppies"; Young Urban Professionals ages 20 to 34. To my surprise Tampa was dead last in the rankings following Detroit! Not surprisingly, New York, San Francisco, and Atlanta were in the top three slots. Being the obsessive monkey I am, I decided to do my own analyses using the most recent census bureau data from 2005. I selected 10 major metropolitan areas that some of my readers may find particularly interesting, including: Tampa Bay, Detroit, New York, Denver, Los Angeles, Boston, Atlanta, San Francisco, Chicago, and at the last minute I threw in Salt Lake City just for yucks.

Yuppie Who?
The national percentage of yuppies in the total population is 20.2%. With that said, it's surprising that the metropolitan area with the highest Yuppie population per capita is Salt Lake City, UT! "S.L.C." as I like to call it when I'm hangin with my street peeps, has a yuppie population that is 26% of its 1,017,572 total population. Jockeying behind Detroit (18.5%), the big ole' Tampa Bay came in last with only a 17.7% yuppie population; strike one for the bay...

"Hookup" potential...
If there's one thing yuppies like to do, it's to screw... hmmm, maybe I'm projecting my own preferences through some mad weak rhymes... Anyway, the national percentage of yuppies who are currently married is 38%; 5.4% are divorced or separated, and 56.5% have never been married. Although they have the highest yuppie population per capita, you probably shouldn't go to Salt Lake City because 48.3% of them are currently married and 7.2% of them are either separated or divorced; the highest percentages in both categories. What's going on out there Mormons?!? If you're looking to hookup with a fellow yuppie, I recommend going to New York, where only 30.9% are currently married and 66.1% have never been married. If you don't like New York, why not fly to Boston, L.A., or San Francisco, as they all followed New York with low "married" and high "never married" category percentages. So, why not take a bite out of that Big Apple and enjoy the sin!

Edju-mi-cated
The national percentage of yuppies that have earned a bachelor's degree or higher is 29.9%. I've always read that Colorado is the most educated state in the country, but apparently all those sheepskin scholars must be hiding up in the mountains, because it was Boston that ran away with 50.9% of its yuppies earning a bachelor's degree or higher. If BU and Harvard intimidate you, perhaps you should take a trip to San Francisco (47.2%) or New York (42.4%) for some intellectual stimulation. Salt Lake City? Well, I'm not sure whether Joseph Smith would be pissed or elated, but they came in with the lowest percentage at 27.3%; but don't worry, Tampa bay was schlepping right behind with 29.9%.

Jobby-Job
The national unemployment rate for yuppies is 6.1%, median income is $51,314, and average work commute time is 25.1 minutes. Salt Lake City takes the cake with the lowest unemployment rate at 4.2%, as well as the lowest average commute time at 21.9 minutes! Utah's "Golden Arches" must always be hiring and just be a stones throw away; given the education deficit. It's only fair to mention that Detroit runs away with the prize for highest unemployment rate at 9%, followed by its Mid-west buddy Chicago (6.9%), and New York had the longest average commute time of 34.2 minutes, trailed slightly by Atlanta (31.1 minutes) and Chicago (31 minutes). In regards to income, it's kind of a "no-brainer" that San Francisco ($73,755), Boston ($70,863), and New York ($63,030) had the highest median incomes; but then again, if you make that much in any of those cities, you're probably receiving food stamps and live in your cubicle. Tampa Bay ($49,584) is saved by the hair of its goatee, cause good ole' Salt Lake City swiped the lowest median income from them at $48,666. It's only fair to mention that "cost of living" is a huge factor in regards to income level; despite that fact, we do start to see some superficial support as to the relationship between education levels and income (New York, Boston, & San Francisco vs. Salt Lake City & Tampa).

Sum it up already...
It appears at first glance that The Big Apple is where a yuppie would want to hookup with other well-educated, single, higher-paid professionals while sitting on the train for 34.2 minutes. However, Boston and San Francisco are very competitively close and each has its own unique flavor. Unfortunately, the only thing that Detroit can really brag about is the highest unemployment rate, top ranked professional basketball, hockey, and baseball teams that have not been able to follow through with a championship, the "Murder Capital" title, and the fact it came in third to last in the rankings.

It's dissapointing that Chicago, Atlanta, and Denver did not rank as high, but obviously there are a lot of environmental variables that are not quantified such as beaches, mountains, parks, weather, cost of living, racial/cultural diversity, economic growth trends, taxes, and other quality of life factors.

I concede. Based solely on the aforementioned data, Tampa Bay really does fucking suck; but hey, at least it's not Salt Lake City!


The questions for the Yuppies and other demographics:

What's important to you in determining where you would like to live?
Do you think these numbers really do Salt Lake City & Tampa Bay justice?
Do you think New York should reign supreme?


All right, click the "comments" link below to read the responses of others, as well as share your own responses. "NO" you don't have to be a member of Blogger to put in your $0.02; Just select "Other" for your identity, type in your name, and post your comments... that's it.... it's as easy as sin!

If you're interested in checking out the Forbes.com story on the Top 40 cities for yuppies, you can do so here: http://www.forbes.com/video/?video=fvn/lifestyle/mw_re062107_jal

The Continuum of Human Attitude

Top of the morning to you!

There is a 12oz glass containing 6oz of liquid on a counter in front of you. Is the glass half full or half empty?

A) It's half full of course!
B) It's half empty.
C) Is there really a glass in front of me?
D) Who drank half of my fucking whiskey?!?

If you answered (A), you're probably an Optimist or a Humanist. If you preferred (B), most likely you're a Cynic or perhaps even a Misanthrope. If (C) suits you; the cold logic of Existentialism, Empiricism, or Rationalism may be your bag. However, if you answered (D), well, you're just an alcoholic...

You define me....
Just so we're all on the same page here are some definitions; courtesy of Dictionary.com:

Optimist: a disposition or tendency to look on the more favorable side of
events or conditions and to expect the most favorable outcome. The belief
that good ultimately predominates over evil in the world.

Humanist: a person having a strong interest in or concern for human welfare, values,
and dignity. A student of human nature or affairs

Existentialist: a philosopher who emphasizes freedom of choice and personal responsibility but who regards human existence in a hostile universe as unexplainable

Empiricist: The view that experience, especially of the senses, is the only source of
knowledge

Rationalist: The principle or habit of accepting reason as the supreme authority in
matters of opinion, belief, or conduct

Cynic: A person who believes all people are motivated by selfishness. A person whose
outlook is scornfully and often habitually negative.

Misanthrope: One who hates or mistrusts humankind

Born into Attitudes
Despite what most people think, our attitudes are not innate. Although people are born with varying temperaments and dispositions, the significant driver of attitudes is socialization. What's the magic equation between disposition and socialization? Hell, if I knew that I would be very rich. However, the reality is that the number of variables involved in forming human attitudes and behavior make it very difficult to calculate with precision. Furthermore, the necessary research to adequately understand those factors would most likely not be considered "humane."

Altruism; yea right...
Most who know me would consider me a cynic. On the contrary, I am not habitually negative or scornful. However, I believe that all people are naturally selfish and that there is no such thing as altruism; "the principle or practice of unselfish concern for or devotion to the welfare of others” I don't believe that being selfish is a negative thing. I volunteer to help the homeless, disabled, unfortunate, as well as my friends, etc. for no one but my self; does that devalue my positive contributions? Being selfish is only questionable when one looks to benefit while knowingly causing negative impact on another person or animal.

Personal responsibility...
I support the existentialist emphasis on personal choice and responsibility; however, I think the universe is neither hostile nor unexplainable. I believe that every single person must be the writer of his or her own destiny. You write the pages of your book of life by the actions and lack of action you take every second, hour, day, etc. No excuses. I don't respect those who blame other people, gods, or anything else for their misfortunes or successes. Don't just talk the talk; walk the fucking walk; that's the only way you can get where you want to go...

Humanist, no sir....
As opposed to humanists, I care about the wellfare, value, and dignity of all in the natural world. I believe that nature is our resource of life, so therefore it's much more valuable than any individual or group of humans. It's not enough to appreciate nature through pictures and the occasional park; it's our responsibility to appreciate nature through behaviors in governmental policy, personal conservation, volunteering, as well as through the proper treatment of all parts of the natural world; water, air, land, plants, animals, etc.

Logic & Emotion...
I strongly believe in the pursuit of logic and scientific research. However, cold, hard logic is pointless without values and meaning. Things are innately difficult to understand because we have a very cognitively logical, yet highly emotional brain. The premise that an all-knowing, all-powerful higher being consciously created existence is very improbable; basically, it's downright philosophically and scientifically ridiculous. However, the fables that help children understand how to respect and interact with others in an ethical and socially acceptable way are invaluable; every culture has them, and there are many social and psychological benefits as a result. My point here is that I believe it's important that we distinguish between logical approaches to understanding, such as "science," from ethical philosophies of society, as found in "spirituality" and "ethics” One without the other is doomed to collapse, as they are both are needed for a functional society; but we must not confuse the purpose of each.

Evolution of attitudes
My curiosity in this particular topic is in regards to those socialization factors and types of attitudes that develop throughout one's life. Perhaps you started out as an optimist and now you're a misanthrope? Or maybe, you were a cynic in high school and as you've grown older you've become more of a humanist? Either way, I'm curious as to why; or rather, what you think as to the reason why your attitudes have shifted.

Take a couple of minutes and share with us your attitudes. What are they? Have they changed over time? and if so, why do you think that is?

All right, click the "comments" link below to read the responses of others, as well as share your own responses. "NO" you don't have to be a member of Blogger to put in your $0.02; Just select "Other" for your identity, type in your name, and post your comments... that's it.... it's as easy as getting hit in the head!

Okay here's a bonus question for extra credit.
You have a 3 gallon bucket, a 5 gallon bucket, a drain, and a water faucet. I need exactly 4 gallons of water. How do you go about meeting this task given the mentioned items? Discuss...

Hijacking Property Tax!

Good Afternoon!

It's about that time again. Tumultuously humid days, followed by sweaty pillow nights. Daily torrential downpours, followed by steamy sunsets. Shark sightings. Shark bitings. It's all fun under the scorching, unrelenting, conflagrant beast that is the sun. Ah yes my friends, it's summer in Florida! Along with the incapacitating heat of the summer's sun, is the boiling rage of Floridians who receive their property tax bills.

I am one of approximately 5 million homeowners in the Sunshine State. Ask any home-owning Floridian about his or her feelings about property tax, and you're bound to receive a glimpse at the primal nature of man. I have a 1,158 sq. ft. condo in Ybor City and my property tax bill this year sums a horrid $5,190... An optimist would frame this atrocity in terms of my great fortune in enjoying ideal weather and some of the country's best beaches 8 months out of the year at an insignificant average of $14.22 a day in property tax..

Where does the money go?
1/3 - City of Tampa Government
1/3 - Hillsborough County Government
1/3 - Hillsborough County School Board

Notice the money isn't going to the State of Florida; however, it is the legislators in Tallahassee that are deliberating on correcting the property tax situation. As to be expected, every city and county government official is blanketing the airwaves with "woe is me" speeches that use fear tactics from "government workers will lose jobs" to "the sky is falling and we'll have no police and firefighters left to prevent the chaos that will ensue!"

Cash Money!
In a nutshell, there are three options; obviously, all three of them negatively impact local government funds. Bottom line: the impact of the three proposals in the legislature will cut between $46 to $217 million dollars of funding for Hillsborough County Government; directors and county leadership prefer to illustrate that this represents the loss of 100 to over 500 jobs in county government. Just for reference, the county's budget is normally $800 million and it employs 11,000 monkeys; for those mathematicians out there, that's potentially a 27% cut in budget and about a 5% cut in the workforce. Since there will be a loss of funding and workers, our great county leaders warn that there will be a decline in many public services; keep in mind county government includes the water resources, parks & recreation, aging services, children's board, property appraiser, fire rescue, sheriff's office, planning & growth management, public works, health & social services, library services, among many others. As tax payers in this country, we expect the government to provide services and programs for the benefit of our communities. However, we don't want to waste our money on the bureaucracy and inefficiencies associated with government; we want more bang for our buck.

Don's Smackdown
If there is a vote for this property tax reform, I will vote for the largest cut possible. The inefficiencies and bureaucracy of government have bittered me to the very core. The attitudes of deservingness, "use it or lose it" budgeting, and supervisory ego, have built a culture of low-educated, low-paid, mediocre employees who are led by even more mediocre supervisors that have created a departmentalized hydra of dysfunctional government.

I believe we can do better than 11,000 mediocre employees. If government had higher quality employees at higher salaries, supported with appropriate and integrated technology, we could provide the same or better quality service with fewer people. Although higher pay and better technology would cost money, the increased savings in efficiency, quality of service, and employee health care with fewer employees would outweigh the costs; saving millions. It's time for local government to start running this bitch like a business and stop pissing money away on inept out-of-date employees. I don't mind paying property tax, I just want the most impact for my money.

My questions for y'all:
For those homeowners, how much is your property tax bill?

Do you believe in big government that employs more people, has more departments, and provides more services to the general public? Or do you prefer small government with fewer employees, departments, and services?

What traits, personalities, knowledge, skills and abilities come to mind when I say "government employee?"

Come on people, let me hear you...

All right, click the "comments" link below to read the responses of others, as well as share your own responses. "NO" you don't have to be a member of Blogger to put in your $0.02; Just select "Other" for your identity, type in your name, and post your comments... that's it.... it's as easy as indigestion!

P.S. - if you're a Floridian, here is a link to some really good information about the property tax issue and its context: http://www.floridataxwatch.org/news/propertytax.php