So this is what it's come to...

[GRG55]

Try Dumpster-diving, airline tells workers

Baggage handlers facing layoffs get 101 money-savings tips from employer Northwest Airlines, like moving to a cheaper place or never grocery-shopping while hungry.

Northwest Airlines, which has slashed wages and jobs and is looking to lay off more workers as it exits bankruptcy, has apologized for distributing a booklet of money-savings tips for workers that includes advice that they go dumpster-diving.

The fifth-largest U.S. carrier put the tips in a booklet handed out to about 50 workers and posted for a time on its employee Web site. The booklet was part of a 150-page packet to ground workers, such as baggage handlers, whose jobs will likely be cut after their union agreed to allow the airline to outsource some of their work.

Prepared with the help of an outside company, the booklet encourages employees to manage their money better and prepare for financial emergencies. In one section, called "Preparing for a Financial Setback," Northwest suggests that workers can take "a date for a walk along the beach or in the woods." It also says they should not be "shy about pulling something you like out of the trash."...

[GRG55]

Re: So this is what it's come to...

Airline crews call LAX parking lot home

Posted Jul 23 2009, 05:44 PM by Karen Datko

Here's the strangest proof we've seen to date that the airline industry ain't what it used to be. According to the Los Angeles Times, airline pilots and other employees are living in a collection of 100 campers and RVs in Parking Lot B of Los Angeles International Airport, less than 3,500 feet from the south runway.

It has the feel of a modern-day shantytown, replete with the sounds and smell of jets coming in for a landing at the nation's third busiest airport. Parking the motor home at a Wal-Mart sounds glamorous compared with this...

[GRG55]

Re: So this is what it's come to...

California closes budget gap, worries about next

Sat Jul 25, 2009 1:52am EDT

SACRAMENTO, California (Reuters) - California's legislature on Friday approved a $24 billion package of bills to close a deficit that had driven the state to the edge of financial ruin, although Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said the weak economy could create new budget holes.

Forced to pay with IOUs as coffers ran nearly dry, battling record 11.6 percent unemployment and a lingering housing crisis, the so-called Golden State is still struggling, but the agreement should let it return to debt markets.

Exhausted legislators in the state Assembly passed their package late on Friday after working through the night...

...California's budget also faces threats from opponents of the bills before the legislature. Unions for state workers have said they would challenge the bills in court because they contain more than $15 billion in spending cuts.

Under the legislation, public schools would lose nearly $6 billion, higher education about $3 billion and prisons more than $1 billion. Social services would lose more than $1 billion and health programs would lose $2 billion.

In addition, furloughs will continue for state workers for three days a month, cutting their pay by 15 percent...

[Raz]

Re: So this is what it's come to...

This sad situation in California has been a long time coming, and to some degree it is richly deserved.

I have relatives in California whose parents and grandparents moved there in the late 1930s. They began to moan about what was happening to the state back in the early 1970s, saying that the public employees unions and tax eaters would eventually ruin California.
By the 1980s they were giving up hope.

I remember telling them that we had some Democratic congressmen and legislators from the South who were reasonable and made an attempt to be fiscally responsible. They would laugh and say that "California Democrats come from another galaxy".

I guess they were talking about Waters, Willie Brown and Pelosi.

[metalman]

Re: So this is what it's come to...

California closes budget gap, worries about next

Sat Jul 25, 2009 1:52am EDT

SACRAMENTO, California (Reuters) - California's legislature on Friday approved a $24 billion package of bills to close a deficit that had driven the state to the edge of financial ruin, although Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said the weak economy could create new budget holes.

Forced to pay with IOUs as coffers ran nearly dry, battling record 11.6 percent unemployment and a lingering housing crisis, the so-called Golden State is still struggling, but the agreement should let it return to debt markets.

Exhausted legislators in the state Assembly passed their package late on Friday after working through the night...

...California's budget also faces threats from opponents of the bills before the legislature. Unions for state workers have said they would challenge the bills in court because they contain more than $15 billion in spending cuts.

Under the legislation, public schools would lose nearly $6 billion, higher education about $3 billion and prisons more than $1 billion. Social services would lose more than $1 billion and health programs would lose $2 billion.

In addition, furloughs will continue for state workers for three days a month, cutting their pay by 15 percent...

who could have known?

[Slimprofits]

Re: So this is what it's come to...

Lot B goes back to 2001. The reporter tells the story of one pilot who accepted a drastic pay cut and is a new resident, but doesn't tell us how many of the residents are new. It reads as if most of the residents maintain homes elsewhere and use this instead of renting a local apartment.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la...758,full.story

[GRG55]

Re: So this is what it's come to...

I wonder about the future of a nation where taxpayer cash is available to subsidize the purchase of hundreds of thousands of new cars but not enough to educate the kids?

In the old days GM and Chrysler had to fund their own rebate and cash incentive programs. Now that they are owned by the people's government, it's "the people" that provide the incentive cash. Seems logical, non?

House approves $2B more for 'cash for clunkers'
By KEN THOMAS, Associated Press,
Fri Jul 31, 4:15 pm ET

WASHINGTON – The House has voted to rush an additional $2 billion into the popular but financially strapped "cash for clunkers" car purchase program.

The bill was approved on a vote of 316-109. House members acted within hours of learning from Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood that the program was running out of money...

If I were a low income, bottom-bracket taxpayer in the USA I would be livid about a program that uses my money and gives it to people that are well off enough to afford a new car...especially if I woke up morning after morning to read news like this...

Ala. education cuts are deeper
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Gov. Bob Riley has increased cutbacks in the state education budget because of declining tax collections...


Higher Education Leaders Slam House Budget Cuts
On Tuesday, Republicans on the House Appropriations Committee put together the bill as a way to address a $328 million budget deficit for the fiscal year that starts July 1. The proposal was scheduled for debate before the full House later today.

The measure would also cut public schools by approximately $150 million, or 4.75 percent .

The Kansas Association of School Boards issued a release that said the proposal “makes the deepest cut in education funding so far.”...

Proposed UC, Cal State budget cuts decried

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's plan to slash higher education funding by about 10% would deny education to tens of thousands of qualified students and have a devastating long-term effect on the state's economy...

Sales Tax Increase Critical to Surviving Education Cutbacks
Florida school boards are scrambling to make ends meet in the wake of a 355-million dollar cut in the state education budget. This latest round of cuts leaves many districts with multi-million dollar shortfalls, searching for cutbacks in a system already nearly cut to shreds.

The easy reductions to district budgets have already been made, and their reserves have been nearly exhausted. Now, they're faced with such difficult choices as closing schools, reducing transportation, and laying off teachers...

130,000 Illinois college students denied financial aid

The state will deny the financial aid applications of an estimated 130,000 students -- the most in Illinois history.

They were denied because they applied for state aid after May 15, a cutoff months earlier than in years past, thanks to Springfield's budget woes...

Rendell plans 13% cut in higher-education budget

Pennsylvania's higher-education budget would shrink more than 13 percent under Gov. Rendell's latest spending proposal...

State Senate budget plan would cut $3.8B — education takes a hit

OLYMPIA [Washington] — Senate Democrats delivered on a promise to slash state spending, unveiling a proposed budget this morning that includes more than $1.3 billion in cuts to public schools and higher education...

Gorman Talks Difficult Budget Cuts
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Peter Gorman said parents should expect to see an immediate difference when classes start this fall...

...Without a state budget being finalized, more cuts could be coming...
Cutbacks threaten public education across U.S.

According to the National Governors Association Web site, in just 11 years—from 1995 to 2006—the percentage of college-age people who obtained a bachelor’s degree in the U.S. dropped from first place in the world to 14th. By 2006, the U.S. had the highest college dropout rate of 19 industrialized countries. And eighth graders here have been losing ground in mathematics and science.

Nevertheless, huge cutbacks in school funding are now being announced at every level of public education across the U.S...

[Jim Nickerson]

Re: So this is what it's come to...

I wonder about the future of a nation where taxpayer cash is available to subsidize the purchase of hundreds of thousands of new cars but not enough to educate the kids?

In the old days GM and Chrysler had to fund their own rebate and cash incentive programs. Now that they are owned by the people's government, it's "the people" that provide the incentive cash. Seems logical, non?

House approves $2B more for 'cash for clunkers'
By KEN THOMAS, Associated Press,
Fri Jul 31, 4:15 pm ET

WASHINGTON – The House has voted to rush an additional $2 billion into the popular but financially strapped "cash for clunkers" car purchase program.

The bill was approved on a vote of 316-109. House members acted within hours of learning from Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood that the program was running out of money...

If I were a low income, bottom-bracket taxpayer in the USA I would be livid about a program that uses my money and gives it to people that are well off enough to afford a new car...especially if I woke up morning after morning to read news like this...

Ala. education cuts are deeper
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Gov. Bob Riley has increased cutbacks in the state education budget because of declining tax collections...


Higher Education Leaders Slam House Budget Cuts
On Tuesday, Republicans on the House Appropriations Committee put together the bill as a way to address a $328 million budget deficit for the fiscal year that starts July 1. The proposal was scheduled for debate before the full House later today.

The measure would also cut public schools by approximately $150 million, or 4.75 percent .

The Kansas Association of School Boards issued a release that said the proposal “makes the deepest cut in education funding so far.”...

Proposed UC, Cal State budget cuts decried

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's plan to slash higher education funding by about 10% would deny education to tens of thousands of qualified students and have a devastating long-term effect on the state's economy...

Sales Tax Increase Critical to Surviving Education Cutbacks
Florida school boards are scrambling to make ends meet in the wake of a 355-million dollar cut in the state education budget. This latest round of cuts leaves many districts with multi-million dollar shortfalls, searching for cutbacks in a system already nearly cut to shreds.

The easy reductions to district budgets have already been made, and their reserves have been nearly exhausted. Now, they're faced with such difficult choices as closing schools, reducing transportation, and laying off teachers...

130,000 Illinois college students denied financial aid

The state will deny the financial aid applications of an estimated 130,000 students -- the most in Illinois history.

They were denied because they applied for state aid after May 15, a cutoff months earlier than in years past, thanks to Springfield's budget woes...

Rendell plans 13% cut in higher-education budget

Pennsylvania's higher-education budget would shrink more than 13 percent under Gov. Rendell's latest spending proposal...

State Senate budget plan would cut $3.8B — education takes a hit

OLYMPIA [Washington] — Senate Democrats delivered on a promise to slash state spending, unveiling a proposed budget this morning that includes more than $1.3 billion in cuts to public schools and higher education...

Gorman Talks Difficult Budget Cuts
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Peter Gorman said parents should expect to see an immediate difference when classes start this fall...

...Without a state budget being finalized, more cuts could be coming...
Cutbacks threaten public education across U.S.

According to the National Governors Association Web site, in just 11 years—from 1995 to 2006—the percentage of college-age people who obtained a bachelor’s degree in the U.S. dropped from first place in the world to 14th. By 2006, the U.S. had the highest college dropout rate of 19 industrialized countries. And eighth graders here have been losing ground in mathematics and science.

Nevertheless, huge cutbacks in school funding are now being announced at every level of public education across the U.S...

On most days, I reckon there is no instant gratification from education. The less the voters receive in education, the more appealing are such deals as Cash for Clunkers, that is, there is something near instant gratification.

The answer to drug abuse is more of the drug, or so it seems many leaders and drug abusers believe.

[GRG55]

Re: So this is what it's come to...

On most days, I reckon there is no instant gratification from education. The less the voters receive in education, the more appealing are such deals as Cash for Clunkers, that is, there is something near instant gratification.

The answer to drug abuse is more of the drug, or so it seems many leaders and drug abusers believe.

Sadly you are right, Jim.

I doubt there was much instant gratification when the USA undertook to institute a public education system in the first place, or build the transcontinental railway, or embark on a program of rural electrification, or construct the interstate highway system, or any number of other programs that became essential elements to creating such a powerful nation.

Instead today we have "...House members acted within hours of learning from Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood that the program was running out of money...".

Now that's instant gratification...

[LargoWinch]

Re: So this is what it's come to...

What about the Government self-gratification with the information contained in your computer?

[doom&gloom]

Re: So this is what it's come to...

"share the wealth" has become "share the data" too...

[GRG55]

Re: So this is what it's come to...

I wonder about the future of a nation where taxpayer cash is available to subsidize the purchase of hundreds of thousands of new cars but not enough to educate the kids?

In the old days GM and Chrysler had to fund their own rebate and cash incentive programs. Now that they are owned by the people's government, it's "the people" that provide the incentive cash. Seems logical, non?

House approves $2B more for 'cash for clunkers'
By KEN THOMAS, Associated Press,
Fri Jul 31, 4:15 pm ET

WASHINGTON – The House has voted to rush an additional $2 billion into the popular but financially strapped "cash for clunkers" car purchase program.

The bill was approved on a vote of 316-109. House members acted within hours of learning from Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood that the program was running out of money...

If I were a low income, bottom-bracket taxpayer in the USA I would be livid about a program that uses my money and gives it to people that are well off enough to afford a new car...especially if I woke up morning after morning to read news like this...

When you couple this sort of thing with information such as the table in this post by EJ on another thread [in the select area] the behaviours from our leaders display the best attributes of the third world.

Last spring I was back in the Middle East and had a long casual Friday afternoon discussion with the Finance Minister of one of the Gulf States. He was describing the difficulties of persuading his fellow Ministers of the need for budget restraint in light of the fall in oil prices, and used the national electricity subsidy to illustrate his dilemma. The subsidy was ostensibly for the benefit of low income residents, but the people who derived the biggest benefit were those who used the most electricity...a cohort that included himself and his fellow Ministers with their massive villas. Hence no possibility of obtaining any consensus to change the format of the subsidy.

Watch how USA national resources are being allocated. As I said...third world behaviour...

The USA looks more and more like Russia every day...

[Ann]

Re: So this is what it's come to...

When you couple this sort of thing with information such as the table in this post by EJ on another thread [in the select area] the behaviours from our leaders display the best attributes of the third world.

Last spring I was back in the Middle East and had a long casual Friday afternoon discussion with the Finance Minister of one of the Gulf States. He was describing the difficulties of persuading his fellow Ministers of the need for budget restraint in light of the fall in oil prices, and used the national electricity subsidy to illustrate his dilemma. The subsidy was ostensibly for the benefit of low income residents, but the people who derived the biggest benefit were those who used the most electricity...a cohort that included himself and his fellow Ministers with their massive villas. Hence no possibility of obtaining any consensus to change the format of the subsidy.

Watch how USA national resources are being allocated. As I said...third world behaviour...

The USA looks more and more like Russia every day...

I enjoy each and every one of your posts. Do not take this as anything but a rhetorical exercise.

What if Bernanke had no choice? What if he had no "tools" as he put it to break the contracts that resulted in these obscene bonuses?

I bet that this was the case. Yet, I do not understand why did he not find a way to get to the media to warn us about it.

[GRG55]

Re: So this is what it's come to...

I enjoy each and every one of your posts. Do not take this as anything but a rhetorical exercise.

What if Bernanke had no choice? What if he had no "tools" as he put it to break the contracts that resulted in these obscene bonuses?

I bet that this was the case. Yet, I do not understand why did he not find a way to get to the media to warn us about it.

Thank you for your gracious compliment Ann. You post infrequently; today a bit more than usual...I have spent the last hour or so searching out and reading each of your new posts...for much the same reasons.

As for Bernanke, although you said rhetorical, I might speculate that the Fed is acutely sensitive to its independence [or at least the appearance of same]. The quid pro quo is probably a reluctance to comment on anything outside of "Fed jurisdiction". Although the Fed was no innocent bystander [witness Bernanke's petitioning Congress alongside Paulson at the time] perhaps he prefers that TARP remain a creature of the US Treasury and Congress?

[Ann]

Re: So this is what it's come to...

Thank you for your gracious compliment Ann. You post infrequently; today a bit more than usual...I have spent the last hour or so searching out and reading each of your new posts...for much the same reasons.

As for Bernanke, although you said rhetorical, I might speculate that the Fed is acutely sensitive to its independence [or at least the appearance of same]. The quid pro quo is probably a reluctance to comment on anything outside of "Fed jurisdiction". Although the Fed was no innocent bystander [witness Bernanke's petitioning Congress alongside Paulson at the time] perhaps he prefers that TARP remain a creature of the US Treasury and Congress?

Perhaps that is so. But if his people were looking out for him, they could have foreseen the outcome? That the bonus scandal may stick to him? (Thank you for the kind words.)