While you were sleeping

[lynettebro440]

I work for a company (thank god it is not an american company) where I talk to people all day about their investments. Because of company protocol, I am limited in what I can say to these people, and after surviving the last several days with terrified people calling in because they are losing their money, I need to vent and speak the truth here.

One after another of the calls were people asking why they were losing money (crazy I know due to the fact I work in a variable market, where their money is invested IN the market.) Most of the people don't have a clue to where their money is invested, haven't spoken to the agent who sold them the product since they bought it, and feel the need to scream at me because their investments are tanking. Now, if I HAD a nest egg, I'm pretty damn sure I would know where every penny of that money was invested. I'm not a college graduate, instead I was a stay at home mom 30 years ago and am just now catching up (hence the reason I have no nest egg). But here are some of the things that I truly wish I could say to these people that call.

THE REASON YOU ARE LOSING YOUR MONEY: because you expected someone else to make the money for you, and unfortunately there are not enough good brokers out there that truly care about you, it's like picking a doctor, if he sucks find a new one.

THE REASON YOU ARE LOSING YOUR MONEY: is probably because you were one of the many people who voted george Asshole into office, probably twice, because you didn't take the time to research exactly who you were placing at the wheel of the nation.

THE REASON YOU ARE LOSING YOUR MONEY: is because you also were one of those people that voted for us to go to war, screaming at those of us that didn't want to go as being unpatriotic and un-american. You figured by putting a ribbon magnet on your car telling us all that you supported the troops was just enough.

THE REASON YOU ARE LOSING YOUR MONEY: because you still believe that voting for another asshole into the white house is the correct decision, yet you yell at me because you believe that MY company is stealing all of your money.

THE REASON YOU ARE LOSING YOUR MONEY: is because you really thought that the market was as of yesterday, like everything else that you hold so near and dear to yourself. The problem with that kind of thinking is that the world just keeps on going, leaving you in its dust.

WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING, the rest of us out here have been paying very close attention to your stupid mistakes. Those that have the money and read up on current events (and no I'm not talking about American Idol or Survivor) I'm talking about the real events, market trends etc are very sick of you blaming the rest of us for your stupid mistakes.

I don't have a magic cure to wake all of you up, and as I watch as stupid people are losing millions, I sit back and wonder why 99% of you aren't jumping on the first band wagon you see to support Obama. I have a saying that I am using till November 4th, if your not voting for Obama you either are stupid or a racist. I make them tell me which one they are. I'm tired of stupid people, I'm tired of hearing people scream at me for their stupid mistakes, and I am grateful as hell for DU so that I can listen to intelligent people. Thanks for hearing me out.

[bmbmd]

1. Bravo.

Just bravo.

[lynettebro440]

2. Americans are fundamental idiots

thanks for responding....wasn't sure if anyone would:)

[OneGrassRoot]

3. K&R. Righteous rant, full of truth and wisdom.

"If you're not voting for Obama, you either are stupid or a racist."

Beautiful. I'm going to use that, too, but add "or extremely wealthy." :)

[lynettebro440]

6. Agree with the wealthy

but those aren't the ones I run into, usually just stupid poor folk like myself:)

[Beregond2]

4. I hear you, sister!

I am fed-up to the gills with stupid people, and my compassion for them has stretched beyond the breaking point. There is no excuse for ignorance in today's world, and if one is simply stupid, one could at least recognize it, and stop blaming other people.

[lynettebro440]

5. I have lost the contest on patience

I just figure I have 49 days to call them on their stupid decisions and make them explain to me why I should listen to their logic. I have been calling them out left and right, just not able to do it when I'm at work. Biting my tongue all day makes for a sore tongue. :)

[enlightenment]

7. So, just out of curiousity, what do you want to say to the

people who are simply workers in companies that "offer" them pensions funds and 401Ks and what-all. Funds that they, as individuals have no control over in terms of investment, but accept because they are given very little choice by said employers. Many of these people may not be college grads - or maybe they are, but their field wasn't then and isn't now finance or banking or anything remotely related to the market, so like many, many others, they rely on the people who do work in that field - just like you relied on your paediatrician to take care of your child's health. If relying on the training of others is a measure of stupidity, then we're ALL idiots in some form or fashion. Many of those people are also probably liberals who didn't do any of the things you want to accuse them of; they may be your neighbour or a relative or a friend - and in-between worrying whether or not they've just had their future ripped out from under them, they are hoping that Obama is going to be able to help them before it's too late.

It must be comforting to know that you have it all figured out; that every single person out there that you don't like to deal with in you job is either stupid or racist. I'm sure the world looks much simpler without all those pesky shades of grey complicating the picture.

If you were to have the opportunity to talk with Obama, one-on-one, I can almost guarantee he would tell you two things: one, he's not magic and he's not going to be able to make everything all right. He'll do the best he can, but that's all he can promise you, or any of us. He would also probably tell you that your attitude toward people you disagree with is divisive and thoughtless - and not the sort of thing he appreciates having associated with him or his campaign.

I'm sorry you're frustrated. There are a lot of frustrated people out there right now. But these sort of broad brush smears are counter-productive - and very, very ugly.

[lynettebro440]

8. Bullshit

If you are too lazy to find out if your 401k is in a fixed or in the market then you deserve what you get. Don't become righteous, if it's YOUR money it's YOUR responsibility, just like if it's your health you are responsible for that also. Just because your employee matches your contribution, you still have full control over your own investments. That's bullshit.

If you had cancer and you went to one doctor and he said oh you'll be fine, would you just say, "well he said so." No, it's YOUR responsibility to know where your money is going, plain and simple. And it sure the hell isn't mine, because I have the same 401k plan and I put it in a fix account awhile back. Not my problem if you didn't.

[enlightenment]

10. You know what -

You have made a series of assumptions about me that don't even deserve a response.

I will say this - I hope to hell that I never have to deal with you and I hope that your employer catches on to what a complete and total ass you are to their clients.

[lynettebro440]

11. No that's just it

I'm not an asshole to you, in fact I'm one of the nicest people you will meet. I'll make sure that you have all the information, but what I want to scream, and I can't in any way shape or form, is that this is YOUR responsibility. I came on DU to shout instead of on the phone to you. If you don't like the tone, hang up, I wont be offended at all.

Sorry I hurt your feelings.

[SmokingJacket]

9. Yeah, I'm pretty sure I'm losing money, and I didn't vote for those people.

My husband's company's "socially aware" 401K has been leaking money for months. We don't know where every penny of it is invested because we don't know enough to invest wisely -- I trust the company to do it for us.

Of course, I'm not calling up the OP and yelling at her, either.

[lynettebro440]

12. Hey all I'm saying

is find out information about your funds. It's your money, know what'a happening with it, because I guarantee you most employees aren't overseeing it for you.

[SmokingJacket]

13. Thing is...

Even if I did know, I don't think I'd be able to make an intelligent decision to improve matters, you know? Oops, those investments were no good. So which ones are better?? I have no idea. My husband has only had a 401K for about a year. Great year he picked! :eyes:

I'm such a financial ignoramus that I keep all my OWN money in CDs. Hey, works for me! None of this roller coastering, just a small but steady increase every single month.

[lynettebro440]

14. How I see it

and believe me I'm no genious on this, if your in a variable (means attached to the stock market) put your money in a liquid asset or money market. You can call up and ask them for a fund performance, I offer those as much as I can. See how the funds are doing, pick one who isn't losing as much or put it in a fixed fund, something that is making a certain percent, although they aren't offering much. It a little less scary then just trusting nothing.

[vanlassie]

15. Uhhh. just a minute. If they are yelling at the OP, they are assholes.

[lynettebro440]

16. If you mean they are yelling at me

and they are assholes, hey thanks.....if your not, take back my thanks....LOL

[vanlassie]

19. I mean if they are yelling at you, yes- I am also a "customer service" person

and I get yelled at too. It is inexcusable, and just as you describe, most of the time it is ignorant people who are lazy and have to be spoon fed the simplest of facts, in spite of the fact that they are perfectly able to walk and chew gum.

If you are someone who never bothers to find out ANYTHING on your own, what makes you think it's OK to call and yell at someone you don't even know? Is it my fault you are suddenly scared because LIFE just slapped your face?

Another option would be to BE NICE and most of the customer service people in the world will be happy to help! As long as you let us help rather than making us wrong. My rant is done.

For now.

:loveya: vanlassie

[lynettebro440]

20. Thank You Vanlassie

as you can see below (sicksicksick_N_tired ) doesn't feel the same way.

I do everything I can to help these people, but as you know getting ripped into on a daily basis because they are too lazy...nice to know some else understands...

[vanlassie]

21. We know how to deal with them, don't we ?

When I think of all the people I could have helped, if they hadn't been jerks to me.......it's called descretionary effort!!! HAHAHAHA!!!!

[lynettebro440]

22. You got that right sister

their momma's never taught them that if they are nice you will get nice back. Obama's tone, treat others like you would like to be treated, guess most people like not getting the best they can get by just trying harder....

[dgibby]

27. Kinda like pissing off you waitress

You'll never know what extras you'll get with your order, and I'll bet there are some posters here that have been treated to some of those extras, too!:rofl:

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

17. Fascinating.

Such a complex dichotomy with no substantive end.

"stupidity" versus "ignorance" and "trust

OR could be

"thoughtlessness" and "denial" asserts "stupidity" versus "ignorance" and "trust"

:shrug:

I love when shit like this is particularly posted to challenge (mostly to reveal) people's unconscious weaknesses.

[lynettebro440]

18. Opinions are like assholes

we all have one. See you have yours too.

[Quantess]

23. I liked your rant.

I know I'd be posting something similar if I came home from that job today.

[lynettebro440]

24. You know when they break out

Dairy Queen dilly bars because people were having to deal with all the heat from people, it was going to be a bad day. And there doesn't seem to be any calmness in the future. We should all gain 20 pounds before this is all over.....LOL

[bdamomma]

25. again, whatever happens in the US is going to have a

severe affect in other countries. off topic.

[lynettebro440]

26. Yes this I know

we have a hiring freeze, after we were hiring like crazy. The company I work for is pretty intelligent, we are pretty safe but no new people coming on till the end of the year. But yeah, I'm afraid the US unitelligence may effect even us:)