Lucky, Lucky Us!
Home alone.
Another day to face. What to do. Laundry, shopping, cooking, cleaning and looking for work.
Like so many American’s I wake up to face another day at home, by myself and I’m mad.
I can’t believe how this country has turned it’s back on it’s own people. Companies are refusing to hire people, instead making the people they have work harder and longer and for less. Many companies are not paying their workers a fair living wage as well, they are not extending any benefits. Their excuse is the horrible economy – And we buy it.
The American Dream is dead replaced by the new American mantra “I’m lucky to have a job,” and I for one am sick to death of hearing the new chant.
I’m sorry I just don’t buy it.
After the statistics that were put out after the Christmas holiday I don’t believe that these companies aren’t making off like bandits.
According to the New York Times:
“In Nov. 2011, spurred by aggressive promotions from retailers, American consumers opened their wallets over the holiday weekend in a way they had not since before the recession, setting records in sales and traffic. The National Retail Federation stated that spending per shopper surged 9.1 percent over 2010 — the biggest increase since 2006 — to an average of almost $400 a customer. In all, 6.6 percent more shoppers visited stores on the Thanksgiving weekend than in 2010.” - November 28, 2011
photo courtesy of Basic LA
We see companies raking in record profits while telling their employees that they will have to pay more this year for their health benefits that they are “lucky enough to have” not to mention the job that they are “lucky enough to have”. All the while I have a hard time believing that there are coddled companies that pay NO taxes the big question is, are these companies creating any jobs. Funny how there are dozens of articles touting the statistics of billion dollar profit earners, top CEO earners – where are the articles covering those wonderful huge companies that are creating jobs, isn’t this the reason these companies get these ‘tax breaks’. I would imagine the reason no one is writing about it is because it just ain’t happening. In fact it’s nearly impossible to find any statistics on the companies that are creating jobs.
I can’t help thinking that if every company as well as the super rich in this country paid their fair share of taxes, that we could more than afford health care for everyone in America. I dare even say that and a world class education.
photo courtesy of Basic LA
According to CNN Money – A Service of CNN, Fortune & Money: Here are the biggies by the way, these numbers are in millions:
Wal-Mart Stores: Revenues ($ millions) 421,849.0 / Profits ($ millions) 16,389.0
Exxon Mobil: Revenues ($ millions) 354,674.0 / Profits ($ millions) 30,460.0
Chevron: Revenues ($ millions) 196,337.0 / Profits ($ millions) 19,024.0
ConocoPhillips: Revenues ($ millions) 184,966.0 / Profits ($ millions) 11,358.0
Fannie Mae: Revenues ($ millions) 153,825.0 / Profits ($ millions) -14,014.0
General Electric: Revenues ($ millions) 151,628.0 / Profits ($ millions) 11,644.0
Berkshire Hathaway: Revenues ($ millions) 136,185.0 / Profits ($ millions) 12,967.0
8.General Motors: Revenues ($ millions) 135,592.0 / Profits ($ millions) 6,172.0
9.Bank of America Corp.: Revenues ($ millions) 134,194.0 / Profits ($ millions) -2,238.0
10. Ford Motor: Revenues ($ millions) 128,954.0 / Profits ($ millions) 6,561.0
We are paid less then ever before, while working harder and longer. According to US News and World Report:
“Inequality is also on the rise; the lowest quintile of Americans in terms of income makes 3.3 percent of the nation’s income, the lowest ever measured under the bureau’s current measurement system for that data, instituted in 1967. Meanwhile, the top 20 percent of earners make 49.3 percent of the nation’s income, a near-record high.” (September 13, 2011)
We are discouraged from asking for our earned time off. We don’t take it, especially knowing what we’d be coming back to – more work.
“In the last twenty years the amount of time Americans have spent at their jobs has risen steadily. Each year the change is small, amounting to about nine hours, or slightly more than one additional day of work. In any given year, such a small increment has probably been imperceptible. But the accumulated increase over two decades is substantial. When surveyed, Americans re port that they have only sixteen and a half hours of leisure a week, after the obligations of job and household are taken care of. Working hours are already longer than they were forty years ago. If present trends continue, by the end of the century Americans will be spending as much time at their jobs as they did back in the nineteen twenties.” – The Overworked American: The Unexpected Decline of Leisure (1991) by Juliet B. Schor, professor at Harvard University, Senior Lecturer on Economics and Director of Women’s Studies. For more please visit: http://users.ipfw.edu/ruflethe/american.html
The sad fact is the American worker has become little more than a commodity that can be bought for less and I would bet, overall, are better educated than ever. We have been forced to accept less…and we settle for less. Our unions have been demonized by the very middle class they were initiated to protect. The middle class that basically no longer exists. There are two classes now in America, the rich and the working poor, one paycheck away from homelessness.
How many friends, co-workers, and family members have we heard over the last few years say, yeah, I have to pay more for my health benefits this year but at least “I’m lucky enough to have a job”. I didn’t get a bonus this year, but at least “I’m lucky enough to have a job”. I didn’t get a raise this year, but at least “I’m lucky enough to have a job”. I didn’t get to take a vacation this year, but at least “I’m lucky enough to have a job”.
Here are a few American’s who are lucky enough to have a job:
2010 earnings care of CBS News Money Watch: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505123_162-57343611/highest-paid-ceos-top-earner-takes-home-$145-million/
1. John H. Hammergren, McKesson Corporation (Health Industry) $145,266,971
2. Joel F. Gemuder, Omnicare, Inc. (Health Industry) 2010 earnings: $98,283,242
3. John C. Plant, TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. (Auto Components) $76,841,646
4. Frank Coyne, Verisk Analytics, Inc. (Professional Services) $69,416,726
5. Thomas M. Ryan, CVS Caremark Corporation (Food & Staples Retailing) $68,079,823
6. Adam Metz, General Growth Properties, Inc. (Real Estate Investment Trusts) $66,707,460
7. Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation (Apparel & Luxury Goods) $66,651,515
8. Michael D. Fascitelli, Vornado Realty Trust (Real Estate Investment Trusts) $64,402,468
9. Ronald A. Williams, Aetna Inc. (Health Industry) $57,787.786
10. Mario J. Gabelli, GAMCO Investors, Inc. (Capital Markets) $56, 608, 736
Yeah, I’m lucky enough to have a job.
Interview with Robby Takac – Goo Goo Dolls
Robby Takac, bassist for the Goo Goo Dolls, has to pause for a split second and think, “Where am I? Oh, Grand Rapids,” he replied with a laugh. But ask him again in a few more weeks, the answer may come harder.
This summer the Goos, as they are affectionately known, will be making a whirlwind tour that includes stops in Scotland, Ireland, Japan and England. Perhaps this tour should have been called “Dizzy up the Boys.”
Continue reading Interview with Robby Takac – Goo Goo Dolls…
Littly Italy in the Palm Beaches – FORGEDDABOUDIT!
Mama Mia, for a few special days, Abacoa Town Center will be transformed from the trendy little Mediterranean-style, upscale shopping center to what resembles a corner of New York City’s Little Italy complete with an outdoor market, strolling according players and opera sung from the balconies above, all in preparation for the three-day event known as the Feast of Little Italy from November 7-9.
The Feast allows participants the opportunity to immerse themselves, experiencing the sights, sounds and smells of a bustling Italian neighborhood.
Continue reading Littly Italy in the Palm Beaches – FORGEDDABOUDIT!…
Acoustic Remedy: A Cure From The Usual Club Blues
Acoustic Remedy has the cure for the ailing soul. Those who long for a break from the usual weekend club crawl, relax, you’ve been saved. Catch this band in action; you won’t be sorry you did.
The old adage, don’t judge a book by its cover truly applies here. Although the name conjures images of soft weeping guitars and light background music to fill the venue while old friends catch up over beers, there’s no doubt about it – Acoustic Remedy rocks, or as they like to say “Acoustic Rock with a Punch.”
The band surly can manage soft rock but when they strike the first chords to songs from Pink Floyd, Jefferson Airplane, Jimi Hendrix or Led Zeppelin, you will soon forget that this is an “acoustic” group.
Three well-seasoned musicians, each with different back grounds and experiences have come together, complimenting and contrasting each other. The music ebbs and flows between them magically, defining just what “chemistry” is.
Continue reading Acoustic Remedy: A Cure From The Usual Club Blues…
EXTEND YOUR SUMMER HIATUS WITH A TRIP TO PARADISE WITH JAFIRE
With the dog days of summer dragging by, there’s still time to have one last summer fling. Nothing screams summer like dancing to Calypso, Reggae and Soca music. To get your fill, go hear Jafire who will stir the soul with that Caribbean beat.
A tart margarita in hand rimmed with course salt, and the sound of steel drums echoing on a soft breeze off the water is all one needs to be in the throes of summer again.
Continue reading EXTEND YOUR SUMMER HIATUS WITH A TRIP TO PARADISE WITH JAFIRE…
TV GOD
Who said religion is down and out? One has only to enter the living room to see that worship is alive and well, and glowing.
Any given night of the week, I can tell you exactly where I might find you at 8 PM — watching television.
What is it about that box that we seem to have a complete love affair with?
It’s our universal pimp.
The Rock Doctors – A Cure for What Ails You
Those in desperate need of a cure for the ordinary weekend have a remedy. Ailing spirits who could use a good dose of fun can be healed with a prescription written by the Rock Doctors.
Although they don’t make house calls, an appointment isn’t necessary. They can be found at their office – Charlie’s Bar and Grill in Stuart, where the dance floor was crowded with people injected with an infectious enthusiasm for their music on a stormy Saturday night.
It may have been thundering outside, but the nasty weather was obscured by rhythmic drums, heavy bass and raucous guitars inside, as the audience was treated to the Doctor’s own homegrown rock-n-roll style. The spirited group covered everything from AC/DC to ZZ Top.
The four-man band is comprised of a group of regular working guys who have learned how to balance out their lives by performing. This has given them a much-needed creative outlet.
“I’m an IT guy all day long, and at night I’m studying real estate. I’ve got to be somebody else for awhile, that’s the real me,” said lead guitarist Clark Rodriguez about performing.
Continue reading The Rock Doctors – A Cure for What Ails You…
Rock Doctors Remedy for the Critically Rock Deprived
Those in desperate need of a cure for the ordinary weekend have a
remedy. Ailing spirits who could use a good dose of fun can be healed with a
prescription written by the Rock Doctors.
Continue reading Rock Doctors Remedy for the Critically Rock Deprived…
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