Category Archives: unemployment

A holiday fairy tale about lame ducks


It’s depressing to think that there was no way to win that would not have involved giving away billions of dollars to people who don’t need it. But it’s kind of cheery to think we have a president who actually … Continue reading

Posted in Congress, economic collapse, Great Recession, mainstream media, mid-term elections, New York Times, Obama, Politics, unemployment, Wall Street | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Martians land in Meadowlands!


There it was in big bold caps, the main headline on the front page of Monday’s Philadelphia Inquirer: BEYOND BELIEF. Had Obama created a jobs program? Had Martians landed in New Jersey, or among Florida’s frozen oranges? No, it was … Continue reading

Posted in mainstream media, Obama, Philadelphia, Politics, sports, unemployment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The beauty of Xmas be upon you, Dick


An old friend sent me a holiday e-card — an animated cartoon, actually, with an angel and the baby Jesus in a Christmas tree, and a bit of text at the end. Enjoy the beauty of Christmas, and so on. … Continue reading

Posted in economic collapse, Great Recession, mainstream media, mid-term elections, Politics, unemployment, world-wide economy | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

More mumbo jumbo from Ishmael Reed


Unlike white progressives, blacks and Latinos are not used to getting it all. They know how it feels to be unemployed and unable to buy your children Christmas presents. They know when not to shout. The president, the coolest man … Continue reading

Posted in Congress, fiction, mainstream media, mid-term elections, New York Times, Obama, Politics, Uncategorized, unemployment | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Obama’s bottom line: No, we can’t


If life were a Frank Capra movie, Barack Obama would have looked across the table at Mitch McConnell and said, “OK, Turtle Face, I’ll take this issue to the people and lay out the facts. You’re trying to blackmail Democrats. … Continue reading

Posted in Congress, economic collapse, Great Depression, mainstream media, Obama, Politics, taxes, unemployment, Wall Street | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ugly old white men still rule!


It is hard to believe, as the holidays approach yet again amid economic hard times, but Congress looks as if it may let federal unemployment benefits lapse for the fourth time this year. — Nov. 28 New York Times editorial … Continue reading

Posted in Congress, economic collapse, mainstream media, mid-term elections, New York Times, Obama, Politics, taxes, unemployment, Wall Street | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Tow-truck vultures vie for feeding rights in Philly


I’m wondering who else got a laugh watching the convoy of shiny tow trucks that circled City Hall like mechanized vultures a few days ago. The drivers were protesting a proposed city law that would place all local towing companies … Continue reading

Posted in City Hall, livable cities, Philadelphia, Politics, taxes, unemployment | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wingnuts to Daddy Limbaugh: Lie to us


C.E.O.’s of the largest American companies earned an average of 42 times as much as the average worker in 1980, but 531 times as much in 2001… Perhaps the most astounding statistic is this: From 1980 to 2005, more than … Continue reading

Posted in economic collapse, Great Depression, mainstream media, mid-term elections, New York Times, Obama, Philadelphia, Politics, unemployment, world-wide economy | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Kristof to Obama: Do you sweat?


“Mr. Obama has a far better product to sell than Tea Partiers like Mr. [Jim] DeMint. But Mr. Obama needs to connect better with American voters. He needs to lose the cool and start sweating — and slugging.” — Nicholas … Continue reading

Posted in Congress, economic collapse, Great Depression, Gulf, mainstream media, mid-term elections, New York Times, Obama, Philadelphia, Politics, unemployment, Wall Street | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

She voted to burn down her house


“‘I voted Republican, which is unusual for me,’ said one woman… ‘My main concern is the economy. I couldn’t stand by and watch it continue to crumble.’” — from the Nov. 3 Philadelphia Metro. You have to love the logic. … Continue reading

Posted in Congress, economic collapse, globalization, Great Depression, mainstream media, mid-term elections, Obama, Philadelphia, Politics, unemployment, Wall Street | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment