A Tale of Two Women

A Tale of Two Women:

Capturing the news this week is Harvard law professor Elizabeth Warren, who has proposed a bureau called the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.  The purpose of this protection bureau, is to do exactly that, "protect consumers".  In a sense, a watchdog for the people, the bureau would implement and enforce consumer financial laws, protect the people against the big banking industries and risky mortgages, credit card issuers and payday loans.  Since the ideas for the bureau initially came from Ms. Warren, it makes sense that she would lead the bureau, but not so fast.  It seems 44 senators (not naming names) signed a letter stating they wouldn't vote to confirm a head of the bureau.  It seems these senate members would like the idea to fade out of history, but why?

Big banks are scared of Warren, cause she has spent her career learning their evil ways.  Warren learned that banks were willing to bankrupt their customers for short-term profits. The banking industries excessive fees, foreclosures, defaults and bankruptcies, led Warren on a quest to shape us the financial system.  So who is blocking Warren's appointment?  Well you may have heard of one name before…….GOLDMAN SACS??  Yeah, I thought that might ring a bell.  From lobbyists donations, to editorial "Wall Street Journal" pieces, Goldman has devoted to pay what it takes, to keep Warren out.  Bank of America is not too thrilled either, sicking their dog Patrick McHenry on Warren's throat, during a committee oversight panel hearing.

Well, it seems that everyone has a price, and our price as it stands is the overall well being of our citizens, versus big money.  To not have regulations in place to protect the people against the big businesses, is toxic.  When 50% of Americans don't even have $2,000 for emergency savings, the lack of these regulations, could lead to the demise of our working class.  

Do your part and go to www.citizen.org/warren  and sign the petition to support Ms. Warren as the Head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

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In case you missed it, Sarah Palin is a breath away from running for president for 2012.  Reality star queen/mama grizzly, is expected to make a bus tour across the United States, as many suspect this will lead to her candidacy announcement.   A two-hour documentary movie was made about Sarah, which is expected to show in Iowa where caucuses will be held in February.  Ms. Palin has also bought a home in Arizona, possibly a move to make campaign headquarters closer, and she has rehired previous staff members.  

Citizens of America and future voters, please remember history, or we are doomed to repeat it.  Less than four months ago, we were tortured through Ms. Palin's "blood libel" speech in response to the Arizona shootings.  Sarah Palin, I fear, would be no more than a talking head for corporation and business interests.  A pretty face to shake her head up and down in agreement, to bat her eyelashes, and to use cutesy little anecdotes to distract the public.  As a woman, I am embarrassed by what Palin represents symbolically in America.  Palin is the reality tv darling , the channel surfers dream child, and there is no difference between her running for president and  VH1's Tila Tequila.  Remember, get up, stand up, but most importantly, do something!

Too Funny

Jobs

Jobbie, Job, jobs!  Where are they?  I look through the paper every day, and even go online looking, but seems they are few and far between.

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Here's some numbers:

As of April 2011, unemployment numbers grew 244,000, edging the unemployment rate to 9.0 percent.  This number looks different  when clocked in at 13.7 million people.

Good news is long term employment (unemployed for 27 weeks or more), declined by 283,000 to 5.8 million people.

Huge numbers filed were from sectors of construction and manufacturing trades.

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The flip side to this number, is the "who's hiring" number.  So who is hiring?  According to a government release, April added 57,000 jobs in retail trade.  There were gains in electronics, appliance stores, building materials and auto dealers.  

The health care industry, continues to add jobs consistently each quarter, noting an almost 70,000 new jobs in the industry.  (people get sick and people will always get old!)

Surprisingly, employment in leisure and hospitality gained 46,000, where as construction employment showed little movement since early 2010.

Average working week was clocked at 34.3 hours.

Okay enough with the numbers…………..

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Reason why these numbers are grim for the middle class….

Since the 70s, having two incomes in the family, was a means to stay in the middle class.  If one of the spouses loses employment, this threatens their stance, and with minimal jobs available, they may not get back into the workforce to reclaim their status!

Middle class paying jobs always supplied a means to having a decent home, a savings account, taking a family vacation, sending your kids to college, owning a vehicle or two and buying your family's necessities without worry.  Living the American dream with backyard barbecues.

So how are we supposed to buy into the American dream with a retail job at Costco, that pays $8 per hour?

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McDonalds, responded to the employment situation, by having a National Hiring Day on April 19th to fill 50,000 jobs nationwide.  McDonalds could never of predicted they would have to turn away an astounding 983,000 people who applied for employment.  

According to reports, there are 4.4 million people working minimum wage paying jobs paying in ranges of  $7.25 to $8.67 per hour.

I would say this is going to be hard to buy all the things corporations try to market to us daily, on these wages.

Oh but some will argue that this is due to the lack of education and training, but 53% of minimum wage workers are high school or college graduates.  As a matter of fact, 85% of college graduates are graduating, then having to move back in with mom and pop.

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I don't want to sound ungrateful for employment.  Those who do have employment, be thankful, but to those angered by recent job loss, consider this at election time.  We should be choosing a candidate who seeks to put a stop to offshore outsourcing of jobs, that Americans could be doing. (fast food industries are even trying to outsource drive through orders in foreign countries). You shouldn't be able to have your main office sit in our cities, but the labor done in another country.  Get up, stand up, but most importantly, do something!

Health Care Outrage

Are you paying outrageous premiums for health care insurance?  Have a pre-existing condition and can't get coverage?  Well....you may want to take a closer look into what drives the high cost of the United States health care providers.

CEOs and their greed:

Famous health care provider United Health Group's CEO Stephen Hemsley, had a 198% increase in compensation last year.  Reportedly collecting $102 million in compensation.
In fact, when you mail in your monthly premiums, keep in mind, that United Health Care reported profits at an astounding 1.2 billion dollars.
Investigating into the matter has shown, that Stephen Hemsley was earning $102,000 per hour.
Other greedy piggies on the list include Richard Bracken CEO of the largest hospital chain in the United States, earning almost 9 million; Eli Lilly pharmaceutical CEO John Lechleiter earned $20.9 million and Pfizer's CEO Jeff kindler earned $14.8 million.
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That costs what?!?!?!?!

CEOs aren't the only ones making money!  Here is a closer look at what your next hospital stay could entail.
Reports on one patient's bill, included a charge of $140 for one tylenol pill.  Another bill included a $1000 toothbrush, a $52 pair of latex gloves, alcohol prep swabs at $23 each and tongue depressors at $25 each.
Besides overcharges, reports state that there is a error of over a trillion dollars a year on individual hospital bills, and insurance companies pay without even questioning billing!

If hospitals and the insurance companies aren't conspiring best friends, I'll eat my boots!
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You are too costly to insure!!

Pre-existing conditions can be a huge burden for many american families (including my own).  Besides the huge cost of providing private insurance for your family, pre-existing conditions, can keep the insurance companies from giving you coverage you need to avoid catastrophic debt.
After diligently paying your premiums every month, you may find that your insurance has found a loop to avoid payment.  A closer look into what qualifies as pre-existing condition, may astound you.

If you have had one C-section, you are more than likely to have another, and the insurance companies know this too.
If you had a domestic violence occurrence, you could end up with another abusive relationship, and the insurance companies know this too.
Headaches, asthma, allergies, being too thin and generally being a female make for health coverage denial.

In fact, 129 million Americans have pre-existing conditions and could be denied health coverage.  Only 8,000 uninsured Americans with pre-existing conditions, have gotten new coverage.
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Great and Powerful Drug Companies!!

Since 1995, drug companies have tripled their efforts in their advertising campaigns.  Every channel you surf, you'll see a drug commercial from Zoloft to Viagra.
Drug companies have spent $2.5 billion on advertisements, to persuade us we need their dope.
Due to incentives and pressure from the drug companies, doctors across the United States are eager to scribble on their pads whatever the patient names off the commercials.
In fact, only the United States and New Zealand, allow drug maker's commercials to air in their countries.

With $397 billion dollars spent in the United States on prescription drugs in 2010, drug companies know who to market their products to.  If you have an ache, they have a cure, but your side effects could include: difficulty breathing, heart attack, bone loss, stroke, diarrhea, intestinal bleeding, muscle pain, skin rash and possibly death.