Happy Graduation?

May and June are traditional months to congratulate and celebrate graduation. For over two decades, I worked at an institution of higher education and participated in the joy felt by those achieving their diplomas and credentials.

Today, I had a sad thought, realizing how much I missed being part of the big event, but then even sadder when I read, The number of unemployed persons increased by 563,000 to 13.7 million in April, and the unemployment rate rose to 8.9 percent. Over the past 12 months, the number of unemployed persons has risen by 6.0 million, and the unemployment rate has grown by 3.9 percentage points.

These hopeful young men and women are coming out of college with expectations that might not be met. There are no jobs to be had, and certainly no one spent thousands of dollars and hours on a degree only to land a fast food position.

President Obama has put a big emphasis on the importance of education, but I think the bigger issue is where do the thousands of graduates coming from the hundreds and hundreds of graduating college classes all over the country fit into the grim employment picture? Sadder now for our family, my unemployed husband and sister now have even more 'over-qualified' people with whom to complete. Thank goodness for the big $25.00 per week boost the unemployed recently received. Perhaps it might cover the 19 cent per gallon increase in gasoline over the past week. :)

Regardless of the grimness. My congratulations to all who have completed their educational endeavors. And my very best wishes. You've done yourself and your parents proud.

Saturday Simperings

On Wednesday, April 15th, Tax Day, Tea parties are being held across the nation. This map shows the number orchestrated as of last week, I'm sure the numbers have grown.

I never expected to become a sign-toting attendant, but I'll be in Nashville on that day, letting the government know that I've had enough. I'm going to stand up and be counted as someone who unburied my head, took notice, and did something positive. I can't say anything will come of it, but I do know that the more people who take part, the more attention we can garner.

President Obama promised change and hope, but the changes he's making are not promising positive outcomes for us or our children and grandchildren. In my opinion, he's shamed us before the world by apologizing for us without even knowing our own personal feelings. I've never been dismissive, derisive, or arrogant about others living anywhere, and I resent his implication that I have. How about you?

I've had enough of his inability to present himself as an educated and knowing leader of our country. As someone recently said...this is the USA, not an OBAMA-nation. Those who lead America should not bow down to Saudi Arabian kings, nor should they insult leaders of other nations which ridiculous gifts. When the people of your own country are suffering, worried, and killing one another because they've reached the end of their ropes, you don't point fingers on your predecessor, nor do you hand out billions to Pakistan, Mexico, or the Palestinians. You take care of your own first, then do what you can for the rest. Am I wrong? Someone must agree because "Charity begins at home," has been a saying for as long as I've been alive.

As to the bow...I borrowed this from "Atlas Shrugs" a blog I follow. It's really eye-opening, and scary at the same time.

The bow wasn't a "mistake". If it had been merely protocol, he would have bowed to the Queen of a country that is our staunchest ally. Instead, he bowed to the Muslim king of the most violent, misogynistic strain of Islam. That's no accident.

Obama was born a Muslim. Period. His father was a Muslim, and according to Islamic law, if your daddy is a Muslim, you are a Muslim. He claims to have converted to Christianity, but there is no record. No baptism - he admits to that. He joined a Nation of Islam-inspired church of black liberation theology.

Ladies and Gents...this has nothing to do with color, but everything about Islamic power seeping into our nation and their dastardly habits being overlooked because they are protected by sharia law. Just google how many incidents take place in the United States everyday and you'll be appalled. Children are tortured, women are maimed...take into the account the recent beheading of a woman by her husband over her wanting a divorce. It's not so much that he DID it, but the he considered he was ENTITLED to DO it. Is this what we want for our country? Not me. Women fought too hard and too long for equal rights in this country to ignore these atrocities.

I've always been of a mind there is little one person can do, but Tea Parties give us a voice louder than just our own. So, I've decided the sign I'll carry will say, "Obama promised HOPE and CHANGE, but I didn't expect I'd be HOPING to find enough spare CHANGE in my purse to buy food."

Yes, my husband is being laid off along with the millions already unemployed. My son lost his job too, but by the grace of God, found another. For some it isn't that easy. My sister has been searching, and willing to take pretty much anything that she can physically do, since October--nothing found! The fact that 170 people showed up to apply for a janitorial job here in TN is a sad forecast of our future. Now he's bringing troops home to flounder in this sea of lost jobs and cutting their lifelines in the process.

I don't blame the President alone. Congress if filled with people who are in the pockets of special interest groups. They've become greedy and need to be replaced. The pork in the Omnibus bill didn't just walk in and jump on the pages...they were purposely placed there so someone in Congress could fatten their own wallet. It's time to get out the broom and clean house. These people have made this a career for long enough. There's a mandatory retirement age for most jobs...why not for those in government who have become old and ineffectual? Check out the records of some of these political warhorses and be amazed at how long they've been around. When you point at the current administration...make it a wide sweep.

So, yes, I'm encouraging you to find a Tea Party in your area and let yourself be counted as those who find our current situation appalling. It isn't going to improve anytime soon unless we do something, and do it NOW! Tea anyone???

Saturdays Simperings

Some people prefer not to discuss politics, and I've been one of them...up until recently. I finally grew tired of keeping my head buried in the sand because there was nothing I could do to change things as only one person. Now, I'm taking a new stance... Saturdays are going to be my day to bitch, complain, alert, discuss, cuss, and rue our administration. Just a warning to steer clear if political discussions aren't your bag. The rest of the week, I'll devote to more pleasant topics. :) But for Saturdays...my new emblem concerning political discussion is:

What the heck is going on? I realize the majority voted and elected our President, but I don't recall giving him permission to speak on my behalf in an insulting apology to Europe. I never disregarded them or thought badly of any specific country, and I resent him inferring that I did.

Some of the recent decisions made by the new administration puzzle me. For instance: Recently 1.5 Billion per year has been ear-marked for Pakistan for the five years, and 900 Million has been pledged to the Palestinians to help rebuild Gaza. While I consider these humanitarian deeds and appropriate for more flourishing times, I question why when the following statistics were just announced:

Jobs lost in March 2009 - (Note...under Obama's administration, not Bush's - 694,000
This added to the already 13.2 million unemployed, making the national unemployment rate the highest it's been in 25 years...8.5% Do you realize this doesn't represent those 'underemployed' because their hours have been cut back to save their employers money?

Yes, some people were given emergency extensions for thirteen weeks, but what then? The whopping $25.00 per week increase will eventually cease and many people will still be without jobs, and then without any income. What then? Well, the news is reflecting that. People snap and start killing others. Why not take 900 million dollars and split it among the tax payers rather than supporting people in other countries. Sorry it that sounds uncaring, but I'm all for "charity begins at home."

I know I was so touched by the $66.00 more I received on this month's paycheck as part of the stimulus, but I'm just torn on what I can actually do with that to enhance the economy. I think $250,000 would have gone a lot further to me paying off my debt, buying a new car, maybe even having a down payment on a house I couldn't afford without paying off the added expense. I could have helped both the auto and housing industry as I'm sure others could have, too.

So...I guess my question to those who care to answer...If we fix the auto industry and they keep pumping out cars, who can afford to buy them? An add on to that question...Why do we value saving the jobs of auto works over the millions of other trades in America. Aren't we all created equal? Right!

From Leno to Dancing with the Stars

It doesn't appear that the economic downturn has affected the exorbitant wages paid those who "entertain." Does anyone else find this appalling?

I have two family members who have lost their jobs, one unable to find another and facing expiring benefits. No longer will she be able to take advantage of that luxurious $25.00 increase recently approved by the President. She's not eligible for Dancing with the Stars, and even if she becomes so depressed she turns to drugs and alcohol, she can't qualify for Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew because she's basically a 'nobody.'

But the good news...I hear President Obama's appearance on Leno was so impressive, he may be appearing on Dancing with the Stars next season. Maybe he can "wow" the world leader's he's offended and win back some of their respect. Ya think?

But hey, the wages are great even if he gets booted. He might be able to fill a gap in the budget deficit with his earnings.

Borrowed from Andrew Gumbel - The Wrap | Thursday, March 19, 2009, 5:45 PM

Stars on a multi-character scripted drama can make upwards of $50,000 an episode – sometimes way upward. On reality shows, celebrities get what is referred to as Most Favored Nation status -- which means nobody gets more than anybody else. The celebs on "Dancing With the Stars," for example, get $200,000 for the entire season, [See celebrity reality TV payments on The Wrap] whether they're booted or not, a bonus of $100,00 if they're number one, a smaller bonus if they're number two, an even smaller bonus if they're number 3, a top TV agent told The Wrap.

So Marie Osmond made what Emmitt Smith made, what Cloris Leachman made, what Belinda Carlisle made this season -- and she was the first celeb booted off.

Friday, "It's a Fact."

What's wrong with this picture? President Obama sent millions of dollars to the Palestinians, for damage we didn't cause, yet granted only a $25.00 increase in unemployment to those in this country struggling to survive until they can find a new job--if there is a job to be had. Oh, I know the Omnibus bill will create some jobs, but putting a World Trade Center in Montana doesn't much help the jobless here in Tennessee.

Twenty-five dollars. Consider that my sister has been receiving the maximum of $240 every two weeks. She's living here with us, managing to pay her own way, but she's single and responsible for only herself. Now imagine a family of four trying to live on that...especially if the wage earner previously held a job that paid a substantial salary.

Sadly, even the meager sum ends with no further hope of assistance. My sis has faithfully applied for hundreds of positions, availed herself to the few interviews scheduled, and still has had no luck in finding a job. In two weeks, her benefits will be exhausted, leaving her with no avenue of assistance. Since she has no children living at home, she's not eligible for welfare, but even if she was, she wouldn't be considered because she hasn't been in this state long enough. It's impossible to declare residency anyhow, unless you can provide two utility statements in your name, a TN driver's license, and a rental agreement or mortgage contract.

Assuming from publicized statistics that she is just one in millions in this predicament and, with unemployment growing day by day, there are going to be even more left helpless and hopeless. What say President Obama consider taking care of the tax-paying Americans before he sees to the needs of foreigners??? I say tax-paying because even unemployment wages are taxed. With any luck, my sis'll get to take advantage of the whopping $25.00 increase granted in February retroactively. After taxes, she might just get another $100.00. Wow!

Hey, Obama promised change...we just forgot to ask what kind. I'm thinking it's the silver kind that tinkle (nickels, quarters, dimes.) It's bad enough that he's spending money that has yet to be earned, does he have to use such poor judgement. Is it just me or does anyone else think he's become drunk with power?

I'm Definitely Going to Stop Watching The News

I'd barely finished the post on closing "Gitmo," when I read the 'socialistic' views being shared by Obama's Economic Adviser, Robert Reich. I realize we are in dire straights and sorely in need of rescuing, and I don't have an inkling how to stop all the businesses closing, the failing real estate market, and the extreme loss of jobs in this country. I do however, think that an Economic Adviser should limit his opinions to money issues and not delve into areas where he isn't qualified...at least in matters that involve employment.

Here's only part of a transcript from Mr. Reich's recommendations: (Source,http://michellemalkin.com/2009/01/22/robert-reich-keep-stimulus-money-away-from-skilled-workers-and-white-male-contractors/)

"People can be trained relatively quickly for these sorts of jobs, as well as many infrastructure jobs generated by the stimulus — installing new pipes for water and sewage systems, repairing and upgrading equipment, basic construction — but contractors have to be nudged both to provide the training and to do the hiring.

I’d suggest that all contracts entered into with stimulus funds require contractors to provide at least 20 percent of jobs to the long-term unemployed and to people with incomes at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. And at least 2 percent of project funds should be allocated to such training. In addition, advantage should be taken of buildings trades apprenticeships — which must be fully available to women and minorities."

NOW...here's the good part:

REICH: …”I am concerned, as I’m sure many of you are, that these jobs not simply go to high-skilled people who are already professionals or to white male construction workers…I have nothing against white male construction workers, I’m just saying there are other people who have needs as well.”

Now bear in mind that he's discussing the retrofitting of bridges, buildings, and roadways. I'm all for offering positions to women and minorities as well as other unemployed people, but there are many of these so-called professionals who are also sitting on the sidelines, with no paychecks, and they've worked many years to gain the status they've achieved. So now, because they've reached a level that can be considered professional, we're going to punish them? There have to be better places to even up the playing field. I don't know about you, but if I drive my car across a bridge or take an elevator up to the 55th floor of a building, I'm more concerned that the person who did the repair work was highly trained more than I am about the color of their skin or their gender. Is it just me or has everyone lost their minds????