McCain’s Two Step - Unemployment Consequences In Ohio

Posted on August 8th, 2008 by bosskitty

McCain Tied to Job-Killing Ohio Merger

2003 Airborne Acquisition Jump-Started DHL to No. 3 U.S. Position

DHL suddenly became a substantive player in the $50.2-billion U.S. air- and ground-parcel-delivery market.
The company bought Seattle-based Airborne Express for $1.05 billion in April of 2003.

The merger provided U.S. customers with a strong alternative to Federal Express and United Parcel Service, the American market’s Big Two.

Airborne Buy Created Redundant Hubs

The 2002 Ohio hub consolidation was be the expansion plan’s largest job generator.
DHL owns the Wilmington Air Park, which it acquired when it bought Airborne Express. Airborne had purchased Clinton County Air Force Base in 1980, following the U.S. Department of Defense’s decision to close the facility in 1971. That buy created the largest privately owned airport in the U.S. Subsequently, Airborne converted the base, making it the centerpiece in its hub-and-spoke U.S. distribution system. DHL’s merger scenario created an obvious operational inefficiency. The company had two major hubs only about 50 miles (80 kilometers) apart.

A bidding war ensued between Ohio and Kentucky. DHL had to consider which hub to close for over a year. Both Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher (R) and Ohio Gov. Bob Taft (R) got personally involved in trying to convince the company to consolidate within their states.

Kentucky offered $41 million in incentives in 2002.

Ohio countered with an incentive package that was valued at more than $422 million. State subsidies include $300 million in tax-exempt bonds. Those state-backed bonds allow DHL to secure lower-than-normal interest rates.

DHL’s Kentucky operation, 300 full-time workers, to remain at the site, will serve as a “back-up hub,” 800 part-time positions will be eliminated through attrition over the following months.

DHL’s U.S. push comes as parent Deutsche Post AG is in the midst of a reorganization. The reshuffling comes as Europe’s largest postal service is preparing for the loss of its German mail monopoly at the end of 2007.

Shedding jobs is another part of the reorganization. Deutsche Post announced on June 24th that it will cut about 1,600 current positions of its German logistical units into DHL’s courier division. Those jobs are being eliminated because of consolidation-created role duplications, Deutsche Post officials said. The cutbacks will be the German company’s first in 10 years.

Wilmington air park a symbol of what’s at stake in 2008 presidential election

DHL deal gone sour haunts McCain in Ohio

McCain says he’ll try to save jobs in Wilmington

McCain calls for DHL investigation

This truly looks like McCain is trying to patch a wound he helped create. This is what happens when there is disconnect between cause and effect. Call these consequences! The whole lesson of the Bush Administration is that consequences follow actions. Politicians that fail to hold themselves accountable for their actions, votes, or endorsements are NOT representatives of THE PEOPLE. This country was founded on the principle that it’s elected officials actually represent the will and/or welfare of THE PEOPLE. People are the components of CORPORATIONS, from the bottom to the top. Bowing to the will of corporations does not always reach the people components. In fact, it appears that the people components are the most expendable part of a corporation … Perhaps McCain has a conscience after all. He sees the consequences of his actions and wants to make repairs, because it’s election year? He is Republican, he bought the Bush attitude, and he is pandering.

With Democrats and labor groups blaming McCain and his campaign manager Rick Davis for their role in the threat to local jobs, McCain moved to demonstrate his concern about possible job losses in this critical swing state that gave President Bush the electoral votes needed for re-election in 2004.

The Republican presidential candidate called on the Justice Department to begin an antitrust investigation into DHL’s plans to puts its packages aboard the planes of a rival, United Parcel Service, before delivering them in DHL trucks. Because UPS flies out of Louisville, Ky., the plans call for shutting the DHL shipping hub here that uses the Wilmington airport and eliminating up to 10,000 jobs.

10,000 unemployed PEOPLE, their families, their homes, and the taxes they pay are nothing to sneeze at. Today the unemployment rate is the highest in SIX years.

Aug. 7 (Bloomberg) — The number of Americans filing first- time claims for unemployment benefits unexpectedly rose last week to the highest level in six years, signaling the labor market continues to weaken.

This, of course, does not include those who have run their benefits out and continues to live with friends and family while hitting the pavement for whatever work they can find. “You are overqualified”, appears to be the most frequent excuse given to middle aged white collar workers who are new at the job search game. They cannot admit that “you are too old”, so they must supply creative rejections. There are too many that have just fallen off the labor department radar … they have no resources, family can’t afford them anymore, they’ve lost their car, or live in their car, home and self-esteem. These numbers, conveniently, are not included in most government statistics. They scavenge while applying for Social Security. This is so reminiscent of the Great Depression, it’s depressing.

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Filed under: Collateral, DHL, John McCain, Labor Laws, Ohio, Politics, Presidential Candidates, consequences, credit crunch, depression, displaced persons, domestic policy, downsize, economics, ethics, foreclosures, injustice, markets, responsibility

Obama Answers Union Questions But McCain Declines

Posted on August 8th, 2008 by nytexan

As the media continues to focus on a Clinton convention upset and Paris Hilton’s slam on McCain, a large voting group have their issues ignored by the media; unions. Shocking, I know. Unions, yes that dirty corporate word. You know the evil unions, who have cast the spell over Wal-Mart employees and have Wal-Mart executives up in arms, telling them how to vote.

Scared and nervous, they should be. Since the days of Reagan busting the unions, corporate America has stripped the American worker of their pride, outsourced jobs, diminished benefits/pensions and lobbied Congress on behalf of their bottom line. The result corporate profits up and the American dream down.

So, it’s no wonder the NTEU (National Treasury Employee Union), has endorsed Obama. NTEU represents not only Treasury employees, but also represents 31 federal agencies and departments. Recently, the NTEU sent five questions to Obama and McCain, and to no surprise McCain declined to answer. A prime example of the GOP’s constant disregard for working Americans, and their high regard for Corporate America with their sweetheart contracts.

The issues in the questionnaire not only effect federal employees, but all Americans as they relate to the outsourcing of IRS debt collection to private agencies. This, of course, was done by the GOP 108th Congress in their continuing effort to out source America, with complete disregard for the security of your personal information.

  • The National Taxpayer Advocate, an independent voice within the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), has found serious new problems with the agency’s use of private tax collectors—including an issue that sharply undercuts the fundamental premise of the program.
  • In a mid-year report to Congress, Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson—who has previously called for the program’s end—said the IRS is now giving to private tax collectors outstanding cases involving complex issues that IRS employees are currently working to resolve. Further, the report found that IRS costs are underreported and that the IRS’s own collection actions account for a significant portion of the revenues attributed to the private collection program

While many areas of the federal government have failed under the Bush administration, through lack of over sight, out sourcing and cronyism, federal employees continue to do their job in a hostile administration.

NTEU QUESTION:

3) In 2004, corporate tax legislation gave the IRS the authority to hire private collection agencies to collect federal income taxes. Private tax collectors are paid up to 25% of what they collect. Collecting taxes is a basic government function and should not be assigned to profit-making businesses. Outsourcing IRS tax collection carries an unacceptably large risk that taxpayer rights will be trampled and personal information
stolen. NTEU is working with allies in Congress to repeal the IRS’ authority to contract out collection. What are your views on using private collection companies to collect federal income taxes?

OBAMA ANSWER:

In recent years our government has contracted out too many government services, often at the cost of efficiency and quality and to the detriment of federal employees. We should be particularly concerned about the contracting out of something so essential to the functioning of our government as tax collection, with large risks for the violation of taxpayer privacy if the highest standards are not met.

This case in particular is troublesome because IRS Commissioner Everson has indicated that private debt collection firms may actually cost more to the government, and hence to American taxpayers, than hiring additional IRS staff. I would thus support efforts to repeal the authority of the IRS to use private debt collectors. I was happy to see that the Tax Collection Responsibility Act of 2007 was passed out of the House and will support it in the Senate. As President, I will use strict guidelines to determine if and when the contracting out of services by any agency is necessary.

McCain Answer: McCain declined to answer NTEU’s candidate questionnaire.

NTEU QUESTION:
4) Legislation enacted in the 108th Congress gave the Department of Homeland Security the right to waive many important employee protections, including meaningful collective bargaining rights, from the employees of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). NTEU seeks the reinstatement of the statutory right for employees to organize, bargain collectively and participate, through labor organizations of their own choosing, in decisions which affect them. NTEU also seeks to reinstate a fair due process system for employees of DHS to ensure that their rights are protected. Would you support reinstating these important safeguards for employees of DHS?

OBAMA ANSWER:

The Bush administration has aggressively sought to undermine the ability of federal workers to have a voice in the workplace. From the revoking of Executive Order 12933, which mandated Labor-Management partnerships in all federal agencies, to the revoking the right of DHS employees to bargain collectively, the Bush administration has consistently and forcefully made it clear that it does not think workers should have a substantive voice in the workplace.

Collective bargaining plays a vital role in giving workers a voice in the work they do. When workers have a voice, they are able to increase productivity and reduce costs. We know from an Office of Personnel Management report that when labor and management cooperate in the federal government, productivity increases and costs are cut. These actions by the Bush administration have only sought to aggravate labor-management relations, reducing worker productivity and increasing costs to American taxpayers.

McCain Answer: McCain declined to answer NTEU’s candidate questionnaire.

They Work for U.S.
Medium: www.youtube.com
Link: www.youtube.com

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Filed under: McCain, Obama, Politics, unions

H.R.800 Wants You To Have Choices, McCain Doesn’t

Posted on August 8th, 2008 by bosskitty

Unlikely HR 800 will be addressed during the 110 Congress, Bush would Veto it anyway.  McCain will Veto it if elected.

H.R.800 SUMMARY AS OF: 3/1/2007–Passed House amended.

(There are 2 other summaries)

Employee Free Choice Act of 2007 - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to require the National Labor Relations Board to certify a bargaining representative without directing an election if a majority of the bargaining unit employees have authorized designation of the representative (card-check) and there is no other individual or labor organization currently certified or recognized as the exclusive representative of any of the employees in the unit.

Sets forth special procedural requirements for reaching an initial collective bargaining agreement following certification or recognition.

Revises enforcement requirements with respect to unfair labor practices during union organizing drives, particularly a preliminary investigation of an alleged unfair labor practice which may lead to proceedings for injunctive relief.

Requires that priority be given to a preliminary investigation of any charge that, while employees were seeking representation by a labor organization, or during the period after a labor organization was recognized as a representative until the first collective bargaining contract is entered into, an employer: (1) discharged or otherwise discriminated against an employee to encourage or discourage membership in the labor organization; (2) threatened to discharge or to otherwise discriminate against an employee in order to interfere with, restrain, or coerce employees in the exercise of guaranteed self-organization or collective bargaining rights; or (3) engaged in any other related unfair labor practice that significantly interferes with, restrains, or coerces employees in the exercise of such guaranteed rights.

Adds to remedies for such violations: (1) back pay plus liquidated damages; and (2) additional civil penalties.

Related Bills: H.RES.203, S.1041

2008 Presidential candidate for the Republicans, Senator John McCain (R. AZ) opposes the EFCA saying:  “I am strongly opposed to H.R. 800, the so-called Employee Free Choice Act of 2007. Not   only is the bill’s title deceptive, the enactment of such an ill-conceived legislative measure would be a gross deception to the hard-working Americans who would fall victim to it.”

McCain co-sponsored the Republican opposition bill, The Secret Ballot Protection Act (S. 1312) which eliminates the use of the currently optional card check procedure.

Corporate America Prepares for Battle Against Worker Campaign to Roll Back Assault on the Middle Class

There will be many heated legislative battles if 2008 shakes out with larger Congressional majorities for Democrats and an Obama White House — fights over war and peace, energy policy, health care reform and immigration. But it may be a bill that many Americans have never heard of that sparks the most pitched battle Washington has seen since the Civil Rights Act. It’s called the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) — a measure that would go a long way toward guaranteeing working people the right to join a union if they so choose — and it has the potential to reverse more than three decades of painful stagflation, with prices rising and paychecks flat, for America’s middle class and working poor.

Unions are actively promoting this bill as resurrecting America’s middle class.  There are interesting arguments for both sides.  The context of this bill will determine if the spirit of this bill gets exorcised or empowered.  Media attention has been suppressed because the Bush Administration just won’t allow the discussion.

Against ~~~~~~ For

Either way, this bill must not be ignored.  The issue is so important that it deserves everyone’s attention.  How you are treated in the workplace is the whole reason for unions, to begin with.  Over the years, unions and companies have engaged in a tug of war for control over employee rights vs company rights.  Both sides have a history of extortion and bad behavior, when it comes to controlling workers.  The wording in H.R. 800 will determine if Congress can level the playing field and allow both sides a fair set of defined regulations.  It should never be a choice of victims.  It should be a choice for prosperity for all by making companies and workers a team with equitable rewards.

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Filed under: AFL-CIO, Accountability, Corporate corruption, H.R. 800, Human Rights, John McCain, Labor Relations, McCain, Politics, Views From Texas, economics, profiteers, responsibility, social policy, taxpayers, unions, unions. Tags: Corporate Corruption

Illegal In America? Don’t Get Hurt

Posted on August 6th, 2008 by bosskitty

Immigrants Facing Deportation by U.S. Hospitals

Many American hospitals are taking it upon themselves to repatriate seriously injured or ill immigrants because they cannot find nursing homes willing to accept them without insurance. Medicaid does not cover long-term care for illegal immigrants, or for newly arrived legal immigrants, creating a quandary for hospitals, which are obligated by federal regulation to arrange post-hospital care for patients who need it.

American immigration authorities play no role in these private repatriations, carried out by ambulance, air ambulance and commercial plane. Most hospitals say that they do not conduct cross-border transfers until patients are medically stable and that they arrange to deliver them into a physician’s care in their homeland. But the hospitals are operating in a void, without governmental assistance or oversight, leaving ample room for legal and ethical transgressions on both sides of the border.

Josh Haner/The New York Times Luis Alberto Jiménez, an illegal immigrant injured in a car accident in Florida, was treated at a community hospital, which eventually sent him back to Guatemala. He spends most of his days inside a one-room house; only the presence of visitors, who can help him into his wheelchair, gives him the rare chance to get out of bed.

See the story: Mr. Jiménez’s benchmark case exposes a little-known but apparently widespread practice. Many American hospitals are taking it upon themselves to repatriate seriously injured or ill immigrants because they cannot find nursing homes willing to accept them without insurance. Medicaid does not cover long-term care for illegal immigrants, or for newly arrived legal immigrants, creating a quandary for hospitals, which are obligated by federal regulation to arrange post-hospital care for patients who need it.

This is one of those life or death situations that challenge the system America has implemented. This is the LOOPHOLE where the federal system allows medical profiteers to control. Because Americans are hopelessly divided about immigration, inequities will prevail. American criminals get more humanitarian treatment than “illegals”. The attitude that “illegals” don’t exist, therefore, don’t deserve consideration for healthcare, etc. There is a disconnect here. Some hateful Americans accept the surface of a story, then they are done with it, they accept that the victim got what he deserved … we should not have treated him for so long, anyway. Fortunately, not all Americans are hateful. The mind boggling solution to our immigration issue requires in depth and equitable study. America’s Immigration Service has no authority for this situation. The INS has not been given the resources or authority to enforce equitably, because the laws are too broad and skewed toward controlling criminal/drug/terrorist “invasion”. We seldom see in depth headlines addressing individual case by case issues, Hat Tip to NY Times and DEBORAH SONTAG for describing the personal element of disparity. Broad brush strokes of American immigration policies miss too many poignent human stories. To catch a few, many must suffer. Again, the ‘baby with the bathwater’ story still applies.

The underground economy in America is flourishing as a result of Federal Policies. The poor, disenfranchised, illegal immigrants and just un-insured Americans, are forced to seek medical assistance from un-licensed practitioners and shamans. This segment of America’s population is forced to roll the dice and pray the help they receive works. They have no recourse … they are not covered by a fair and impartial justice or medical system. They are the best target for con artists and criminals. They are extorted into participating in crime as payback for any help they receive. Best example, they are targets for shady tax practitioners, who use their Tax ID Numbers to forge tax returns. The tax preparers get the bulk of the bogus refund (several thousand dollars) and leave the illegal to face the consequences from the IRS.

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Filed under: Health Care, Immigration, Medical System, immigrants

Texas Progressive Alliance Weekly Round Up Aug 4, 2008

Posted on August 4th, 2008 by nytexan

It’s Monday, and that means it is time for another edition of the Texas Progressive Alliance’s Weekly Round-Up.

Last week on Bluedaze , Big Oil threatened TXsharon. In “Big Oil” Threatens Harm to My “Lovelies” and Me she calls out the abuser and includes a new PR plan that will save Chesapeake Energy millions of dollars and help clean up Big Oil’s act.

Mike Thomas of Rhetoric & Rhythm is critical of a campaign to knock off Blue Dog Democrats , even if it means electing Republicans, all in an effort to punish Democrats for failing to hew the line on certain progressive issues.

refinish69 from Doing My Part For The Left has always heard that What happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas or does it for Pete Sessions?

Burnt Orange Report went on strike last week to raise $1000 for Chris Bell’s State Senate campaign. 12 hours later, 15 donors raised $1,075 for Bell and the BOR team is back to blogging.

jobsanger opines about the lack of Democratic leadership from Speaker Nancy Pelosi in Pelosi: Where’s The Leadership?, and lets us know the Nanny State is alive and well in The “Nanny State” Strikes Again.

The Texas Cloverleaf is on a strike for change! Help raise money for selected candidates. What do we want? Donations! When do we need them? Now!

Texas Liberal suggests that life is like a harbor where ships come and go.

Off the Kuff calculates how many eligible but unregistered voters there are in Harris County, and compares it to 2004.

Obama came to Houston but only for a few high-dollar fundraisers in River Oaks, a trend sadly that is repetitive of past Democratic presidential nominees. PDiddie at
Brains and Eggs had the report, and the total take was $1.5 mill.

Mean Rachel gets a response from Rep. Elliott Naishtat to her modest proposal from last week, and at dinner discovers just how unwired the Yankee in the Texas House really is.

Over at TexasKaos, lightseeker makesthe case for a Republican straight ticket ballot, for the Democratic slate (with Video)! It may be the only way to save the Republican Party from its present delusional masters!

CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme wonders which will come first - the death of the Republican Party or a full blown police state. CBT, ever the optimist, predicts the former.

Vince at Capitol Annex notes that Railroad Commissioner Elizabeth Ames Jones is going to run for U.S. Senate if and when Kay Bailey Hutchison vacates her seat to run for Governor.

Aimlessness at WhosPlayin got one too many email forwards about “Why Men are Republicans”, and decided to retort with “Why Men Prefer Democrats”.

McBlogger takes a look at the ability of DHS to snoop on you. And you thought the FISA stuff was bad…

BossKitty at TruthHugger wonders about “What is Adrenarche and Why Are America’s Services Sexually Immature“

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Obama-maniacs Accused Of The “S” Word, Cyber Attacks, etc.

Posted on August 3rd, 2008 by bosskitty

Blog Shutdowns: Spam Attack Came from barackobama.com

At least one of the attacks in the latest wave of blog shutdowns this past week came from IPs assigned to barackobama.com.

We have reported twice in the last two weeks about the attacks on anti-Obama websites. [“Google, Blogger, Obama: Obamanation Shut Down My Blog!”]] & [BabbaZee’s “Anti-Obama Blogs Shut Down by Google, Obamabots“]

Speculation on who was behind the attacks has ranged from “Obama supporters” to “it’s no one, just a glitch” “to “it’s a browser problem”. [Site Meter causing Internet Explorer failure ]. This latter is a completely different issue from the blogs that got shut down by Google/Blogger.

A few liberal blogs and Instapundit have reported there is no connection between this latest wave of blog shutdowns and the Obama camp.

Speculation can now be set aside–at least, in one instance.

We came across this post by MacRanger at MacsMind [Macsmind Hacking UPDATE] yesterday, where Mac presents “one fact that can’t be explained away”.

Politics can be very nasty.  Right and Left wing bloggers are doing everything they can to demonize the “other side”.  Creating a spam shutdown, of a political blog, will always pount the accusing finger at their opponent. Right now, Barack-Omaniacs may be behind this spam invasion, but, then again, maybe this is another manufactured insult.  Reverse attacks are a great strategy. The surface image is designed to paint an evil face on Obama-maniacs. For those who are too lazy to peek beneath the surface, this is a no-brainer … Barack is evil.  McCain, has morphed into an angel. OH! PULEEEZE!

GIVE THE CONSPIRACY THEORIES A REST, PLEASE: I mentioned earlier that the Insta-Wife has been locked out of her blog by Blogger. That’s happened to a lot of other people, and it’s given rise to various theories that it’s an anti-left, anti-right, even anti-catholic blog campaign. I think, though, that it’s just a Google glitch, and that people think that blogs like theirs are disproportionately affected because those are the blogs they read. Anyway, I’d advise not getting carried away.

Site Meter causing Internet Explorer failure

This is the official cause for these site failures … who will you believe?

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Filed under: Accountability, Agendas, Attack bloggers, Barack Obama, McCain, Spam, bloggers, campaigns, candidates, conspiracy

Job Loss Helps Economy, Great - Now We Have A Displaced Voter Crisis

Posted on August 1st, 2008 by bosskitty

THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION: JULY 2008 - Bureau of Labor Statistics

The unemployment rate rose to 5.7 percent, and nonfarm payroll employment continued to trend down in July (-51,000), the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. Employment continued to fall in construction, manufacturing, and several service-providing industries, while health care and mining continued to add jobs. Average hourly earnings rose by 6 cents, or 0.3 percent, over the month.

Unemployment (Household Survey Data)

Both the number of unemployed persons (8.8 million) and the unemployment rate (5.7 percent) rose in July. Over the past 12 months, the number of unemployed persons has increased by 1.6 million, and the unemployment rate has risen by 1.0 percentage point. (See table A-1.)

Over the month, the unemployment rates for adult men (5.3 percent) and whites (5.1 percent) edged up while the rates for adult women (4.6 percent), blacks (9.7 percent), and Hispanics (7.4 percent) were little changed. The jobless rate for teenagers increased to 20.3 percent in July. The unemployment rate for Asians was 4.0 percent in July, not seasonally adjusted. (See tables A-1, A-2, and A-3.)

Among the unemployed, the number of reentrants to the labor force in July rose by 207,000 to 2.7 million. The number has increased by 623,000 over the past 12 months. The number of unemployed persons who had lost their last job was about unchanged over the month at 4.4 million, but has risen by 778,000 over the year. (See table A-8.)

Total Employment and the Labor Force (Household Survey Data)

The civilian labor force, at 154.6 million, was little changed in July, and the labor force participation rate remained at 66.1 percent. Total employment, at 145.8 million, was about the same as in June. The employment-population ratio, at 62.4 percent in July, was the same as in the prior month but was down from its most recent high of 63.4 percent in December 2006. (See table A-1.)

In July, the number of persons who worked part time for economic reasons rose by 308,000 to 5.7 million and has risen by 1.4 million over the past 12 months. This category includes persons who indicated that they would like to work full time but were working part time because their hours had been cut

back or they were unable to find full-time jobs. (See table A-5.)

Economy rebounds; recession is unlikely

Growth doubles to 1.9 percent from April to June; still, experts see sluggishness through year’s end -

The U. S. economy doubled its first-quarter rate of growth to 1.9 percent from April through June, the Commerce Department reported Thursday, and some signs emerged that the U. S. economy may have bottomed out.

U.S. companies convert full-time jobs to part time

A huge work force of the U.S. companies is now taking another brunt of the economic downturn, with their full time job being chopped to part time. The number of such hapless employees has already crossed 3.7 million mark, the largest figure in this regard since the government began tracking such data more than half a century ago, reported New York Times.

The shrinking paychecks that come with this job-time-conversion have been adding to the worries of the employees in the U.S. who are already reeling under the pressures of the downturn gripping the economy.

This work time (and paycheck) chopping is rendering the U.S. job market an apparently modest outlook. Layoffs are less frequent than in many slowdowns, while the unemployment rate is a relatively modest 5.5 percent. But that figure masks the strains of those who are losing hours or working part time because they cannot find full-time work.

Jobless rate highest in 4 years

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. unemployment rate hit its highest level in four years during July as employers cut non-farm jobs for a seventh straight month, though less severely than predicted, a Labor Department report on Friday showed.

The jobless rate climbed to 5.7 percent from 5.5 percent in June as 51,000 jobs were eliminated in July, bringing losses for the year to 463,000. Analysts polled by Reuters had expected 75,000 jobs would be cut last month but had forecast the unemployment rate would rise only to 5.6 percent.

Rising exports and stimulus checks gave an anemic U.S. economy a shot in the arm last quarter. The question remains whether they’re having a measurable effect on employment.

The tax rebates the federal government granted in the spring also helped. However, they also feed the suspicion that the U.S. economy isn’t out of the woods yet. The stimulus effect will inevitably wane, leaving consumer spending at the mercy of still-high energy prices and a jobs market that has been undermined by the housing slump and credit crisis. A Labor Department report Thursday showed the number of U.S. workers filing new claims for unemployment benefits jumped to a five-year high last week.

U.S. stock futures trade higher after jobs report

S&P 500 futures rose 3.6 points to 1,270.30 and Nasdaq 100 futures rose 2.5 points to 1,856.50. Dow industrial futures rose 46 points.

U.S. stocks stumbled on Thursday, with a big rise in jobless claims taking the air out of the market. The Dow industrials fell 205 points, the Nasdaq Composite dropped 4 points and the S&P 500 lost 16 points. Nonfarm payrolls fell for the seventh straight month in July while the unemployment jumped to 5.7%, a four-year high, the Labor Department reported Friday.

Nonfarm payrolls fell by 51,000 in July, led by losses in manufacturing, construction, retail and temporary help. Since December, 463,000 jobs have been lost, the strongest signal that the economy is in a recession. Economists surveyed by MarketWatch expected payrolls to shrink by 70,000 and for the unemployment rate to rise to 5.6% from 5.5% in June.

However, reality on the ground appears to contradict the confusing headlines reported from financial news. The connection with joblessness and stock growth is disgusting. Job loss helps stock prices … that’s because companies are saving money by reducing their workforce. Outsourcing is always cheaper.

The jobs people are picking up are desperation jobs to put food in the mouths of their family. They loose their homes, cannot afford transportation and do not have the resources to get secure, reliable employment. Secure and reliable employment requires a place to eat, rest, clean up and change clothes. Life skills must have a home base. When real jobs are not available, how else do you feed your family? Desperation leads to “any way you can” attitude. The underground economy flourishes when times are bad. Illegal actions can put food on the table until you are caught. Robbery, extortion and drug sales will rise. When you give up, there’s always alcohol. Jails will fill with people who just want a meal. This is not the Great Depression yet. But, clueless politicians and fake statistics will fall apart when enough people hit the skids. These are no longer just poor farmers migrating to California. These are white collar workers who have adjusted their lives to a more flush style of living. Their urban survival mechanisms are not developed like the 1930s, when farmers families knew how to live off the land. They had no TV, Computers or Laptops. Today’s unemployed were assured their education was a guarantee of employment and a future for raising their families. Their mindset did not include washing dishes or mowing lawns as a means for survival. Standing in line at the unemployment office bashes their ego. When unemployment runs out, they fall off the unemployed list. They fall off the government statistics for many reasons. They take early, reduced benefit, retirement. They become disabled, mental meltdown is likely. They cannot relate to a lower standard of living. Adjustment is too cruel for some, so they end it all.

Unemployed will grab at anything to tread the stormy waters … they work off the books and get caught by the IRS two years later. They end up owing more than they will ever get to repay. This is what poor management of the United States of America has wrought. Government services cannot keep up supporting these NEW victims of our socio-economic earthquake. The Golden Goose, America’s middle class, is dying. As children, we were taught not to kill the golden goose …

How do displaced unemployed people vote? Are they going to be denied their rights because they no longer live in their district and cannot travel back to be counted? Any suggestions will be posted as a follow up.

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H.R. 5843: Are Americans Responsible Adults, Try H.R. 5842

Posted on July 31st, 2008 by bosskitty

H.R. 5843, The Act to Remove Federal Penalties for the Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults

Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts (for himself and Mr. PAUL) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

To eliminate most Federal penalties for possession of marijuana for personal use, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the `Act to Remove Federal Penalties for the Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults’.

SEC. 2. ELIMINATION OF CERTAIN MARIJUANA-RELATED PENALTIES.

    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no penalty may be imposed under an Act of Congress for the possession of marijuana for personal use, or for the not-for-profit transfer between adults of marijuana for personal use. For the purposes of this section, possession of 100 grams or less of marijuana shall be presumed to be for personal use, as shall the not-for-profit transfer of one ounce or less of marijuana, except that the civil penalty provided in section 405 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 844a) may be imposed for the public use of marijuana if the amount of the penalty does not exceed $100.

Committee Assignments

This bill is in the first stage of the legislative process where the bill is considered in committee and may undergo significant changes in markup sessions. The bill has been referred to the following committees:

Each marijuana related arrest costs the federal government $10,400 on average. For this cost, a decrease in marijuana use would be expected, but instead marijuana use continues to increase. Legislators like Barney Frank and Ron Paul are breaking new ground that could take the drug war in the direction it needs to go. Arresting people for marijuana is a misuse of resources, and the money saved could be used to combat real threats to Americans.

Besides Representatives Barry Frank and Ron Paul, there were two other major organizations that helped write the bill. The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) had a large hand in the formation of bill, working closely with Rep. Frank. The bill also relied heavily on information and advice from the federally-funded National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse.

House Bill 5842 is also a very important decriminalization bill that will be voted on during this session. Also introduced by Rep. Frank, this bill would allow the states to choose if they will allow decriminalization and/or medical marijuana. It would prohibit any judicial action by the federal government in states where marijuana is decriminalized. Basically, the bill would make the Controlled Substance Act null and void in certain states because of their medical marijuana laws. It would allow medical professionals to prescribe marijuana; authorized users to grow, transport, and consume marijuana; and it would allow pharmacies to distribute marijuana.

H.R. 5842: Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act

To provide for the medical use of marijuana in accordance with the laws of the various States.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the `Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act’.

SEC. 2. CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT.

    (a) Schedule- Marijuana is moved from schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act to schedule II of such Act.
    (b) Prescription or Recommendation-
    (1) IN GENERAL- No provision of the Controlled Substances Act shall prohibit or otherwise restrict in a State in which marijuana may be prescribed or recommended by a physician for medical use under applicable State law–
    (A) the prescription or recommendation of marijuana by a physician for medical use;
    (B) an individual from obtaining, possessing, or transporting within their State, manufacturing or using marijuana in accordance with a prescription or recommendation of marijuana by a physician for medical use by such individual hereinafter in this section referred to as `an authorized patient’;
    (C) an individual authorized under State law to obtain, possess, transport within their State, or manufacture marijuana from obtaining, possessing, transporting within their State, or manufacturing marijuana on an authorized patient’s behalf; or

SEC. 3. FEDERAL FOOD, DRUG, AND COSMETIC ACT.

    (a) In General- No provision of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act shall prohibit or otherwise restrict in a State in which marijuana may be prescribed or recommended by a physician for medical use under applicable State law–
    (1) the prescription or recommendation of marijuana by a physician for medical use;
    (2) an individual from obtaining, possessing, or transporting within their State, manufacturing, or using marijuana in accordance with a prescription or recommendation of marijuana by a physician for medical use by such individual, hereinafter in this section referred to as `an authorized patient’;
    (3) an individual authorized under State law to obtain, possess, transport within their State, or manufacture marijuana from obtaining, possessing, transporting within their State, or manufacturing marijuana on an authorized patient’s behalf; or
    (b) Production- No provision of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act shall prohibit or otherwise restrict an entity authorized by a State or local government, in which marijuana may be prescribed or recommended by a physician for medical use, for the purpose of producing marijuana for prescription or recommendation by a physician for medical use from producing,

    processing, or distributing marijuana for such purpose.

SEC. 4. RELATION OF ACT TO CERTAIN PROHIBITIONS RELATING TO SMOKING.

    This Act does not affect any Federal, State, or local law regulating or prohibiting smoking in public.

Pot for Pain: Congressman Ron Paul Introduces Medical Marijuana Legislation

Paul has introduced the “Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act”, H.R. 5842, which would bar the Federal Government from intervening in doctor/patient relationships that violate no state law. This, by the way, is the second legislation co-sponsored by Congressman Paul dealing with the cannabis plant. More on that later.

Would you say that the House is more in touch with their constituents than the Senate? Pros and Cons about Medical Cannabis are very interesting. The bottom line is that Cannabis and Alcohol are in the same boat … the alcohol lobby represented the will of the people to over turn prohibition. The Medical Marijuana lobby represents doctors and patients. Ron Paul is a medical doctor, who happens to be a Congressman. Most members of congress have ties to lobbyists … and pretty much any other industry. If Big Pharma can find a way to profit from these bills, they would pass in a heartbeat. The most recently published scientific research (2000-2008) on the therapeutic use of cannabis and cannabinoids for 17 separate clinical indications are remarkable. Government Agencies from Federal down to your local Sheriff consider “Marijuana Busts” their bread and butter. Lotsa mileage from little effort. Yes, there is a LOT of money to be made while Marijuana stays illegal. From your local grower to the big marijuana fields, their profit margin would face a big hit (pardon the pun). Going Legal would bring government regulation into the mix. The government would actually make money from taxation and regulation instead of wasting time and money treating users and growers as terrorists. Funny, Homeland Security Terrorism Committee has the bill right now. Drug lords don’t want POT legal. Ever wonder who gets their kickback to oppose legalization? Cannabis should have the same treatment as Alcohol. I personally consider alcohol more evil and dangerous. If you are interested, Texas NORML, Marijuana Policy Project, National NORML, and Texans For Medical Marijuana follow the progress for these bills.

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Filed under: Alcohol, Barney Frank, H.R. 5842, H.R. 5843, Marijuana, Medical Cannabis, Medical System, Politics, Preventative medicine, Prohibition, Ron Paul, pharmaceuticals

Hat Tip To Citizen Activism Against Sleazy Texas Politics

Posted on July 28th, 2008 by bosskitty

Man takes law into his own hands

Dripping Springs resident shows how citizens can bypass law enforcement.

Gary Conner

Gary Conner … ignited a Travis County grand jury investigation into so-called “ghost voting,” the practice of lawmakers at the Texas Capitol voting electronically for colleagues who are not at their desks.

The investigation wrapped last month with the grand jury issuing a report, condemning the practice and calling on the legislators to stop or change their rules, which prohibit members from voting for each other.

Conner got his criminal complaint considered by a grand jury, bypassing law enforcement and the district attorney’s office in the process. He relied on a seldom-utilized Texas law that allows grand juries, bodies that meet in secret and decides whether there is probable cause to issue indictments charging a crime, to take up criminal allegations from ordinary citizens. Usually, the district attorney chooses the cases presented to the grand jury.

Conner’s effort required persistence with the Travis County district attorney’s office and help from a state judge. It appears to reveal avenues for citizens to have criminal complaints investigated and evaluated directly by a panel of fellow members of the community.

“Now, people realize that the grand jury belongs to us. It doesn’t belong to the DA,” Conner said. “If we’re ever going to get our government back — if it’s a government of the people, by the people and for the people — at some point in time, the people have to be respected.”

Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle

… the issue was “too political” to be investigated by the Travis County district attorney’s office, which has the authority to investigate state officials through its public integrity unit.   Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle has been accused by some lawmakers of allowing politics to dictate whom he prosecutes, a charge that he has denied.

… a rarely-used part of the Texas Code of Criminal procedure that charges grand juries with investigating matters brought to them by any “credible person.”

Article 20.09 of the code states: “The grand jury shall inquire into all offenses liable to indictment … of which they shall be informed by the attorney representing the State, or any other credible person.”

He approached Nancy Gayle, a longtime grand jury bailiff, and said he wanted to hand his complaint to a member of the grand jury when they were not deliberating. Gayle refused, Conner said, and sent him to the district attorney’s office. (Gayle no longer works as a bailiff and could not be reached for comment.)

Conner said assistants to Earle would not allow him to give his complaint to the grand jury and encouraged him to make his complaint with them.  On Feb. 7, Assistant District Attorney Gregg Cox, head of the public integrity unit, wrote Conner stating that his complaint is under review and that “this office will not make any further comment … until the review is completed.” Prosecutors later determined that no crime was committed.

299th District Court Judge Baird

299th District Court Judge Baird

State District Judge Charlie Baird, has been applauded by defense lawyers for what they call standing up to prosecutors, reviewed Conner’s complaint and determined that he had a right to give it to the grand jury.

Baird said it would be ideal for such citizen complaints to go through the district attorney’s office, or at least to be passed by the district attorney’s office to the grand jury members. But in cases when citizens feel they are being denied the ability to make their complaints, he encourages them to approach the judge that has empaneled a sitting grand jury.

A pro-active citizen with determination is what this country needs more of.  This is a proud statement for what the Constitution really intended.  Law enforcement remains at the mercy of elected politicians, whether those politicians are ethical and law abiding or not. Sometimes it is absolutely necessary to bypass the hands that are ties by politics. Justice is more and more trumped by politically motivated agendas.  Money and power must be planted in the right pockets before justice is considered … unless of course, the media can be convinced to intervene.  Even the media is at the mercy of politically motivated advertisers, who also buy the politicians.  Ordinary citizens can become extra-ordinary if they persist.  Get the word out.  There are those who will support your efforts to shine a harsh light onto the shadows of sleazy politics.

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Filed under: Accountability, Charlie Baird, Gary Conners, Politics, grand jury, lawmakers

Texas Progressive Alliance Weekly Round Up July 28, 2008

Posted on July 28th, 2008 by nytexan

TXsharon challenges you to view these pictures of Domestic Drilling Armageddon in the Barnett Shale and still support the Drill and Burn Domestic Drilling agenda.U.S. Rep. Ciro Rodriguez’ Republican challenger for the 23rd Congressional seat is taken to task by Mike Thomas of Rhetoric & Rhythm for shirking his responsiblity on a critical hospital expansion vote before the Bexar County Commissioner’s Court.
WCNews at Eye On Williamson posts on the GOP’s “latest” energy plan in Carter, Oil, & Hair Of The Dog.Neil at Texas Liberal asks what would be the impact if Polar Bears could vote.

Off the Kuff looks at a Texas Monthly overview of the effects of the Presidential race on downballot elections in Texas and offers his criticism of it.

Guest Columnist JR Behrman at Texas Kaos has a few strong words about Energy Policy: Democrats Routed. He also has a