More things to get my blood pressure up with. I wish we'd wake up and start demanding the things we need and that matter. But this first piece took the cake, from the rag Wall Street Journal, which I happened upon by pure accident.
While it could be said that many Americans could definitely stand to miss a meal, this headline suggest that the economy is so bad that we should skip breakfast to save money. Great idea!! I'll bet we could also save a fortune if we were homeless, didn't use air conditioning, didn't go to the doctor or buy expensive prescriptions. In fact, we might as well skip cellphones and computers, right? This is Wall St Journal's attempt to normalize hard times. Otherwise known as the Alzheimer's-laced Reaganomics, which many served the rich while the working class waited for the trickle-down economic gains which never actually trickled down...only up. Which bring me too...
This graph shows how rent prices have soared and mostly kept on soaring since 1985-2023 in relation to household income...which neither party has seen fit to raise the minimal wage since Geroge W Bush in 2007. Did it keep going up no matter which corporate politician was in, or whichever corporate parties were elected? If so, why are we still voting for either of them, and the same old individuals???
I recently caught a speech given by 2024 Dem candidate Marianne Williamson, who is running to Biden's left. But have you noticed we don't hear about her or her voice in debates, since the Dem party isn't having any. But Marianne was a public speaker by trade, and she's been getting a lot of practice. She was really good when I caught her rally online, and quite right to call out the unholy matrimony of corporate politicians enriching weapons manufactures. She spoke about LGBTQ rights, rising the minimal wage, and many other topics I think need done ASAP!!! But we aren't seeing her in debates, and we don't see her even being interviewed on the news much. She's basically running on an old platform, as a progressive, and progressives are pretty much blackballed by corporate media, and the Dem party. I would have to hear more, if I would indeed vote for her, but my point is why are we not being given other options of people to see and vote for, and why are they discounted just because they don't fit into either party 100%? Especially by dems. Funny how my party is the party of women, and yet they dismiss Williamson as "unserious" or as the crystal's lady. I quite frankly didn't find anything dippy about this woman or her speech.
This article made a good point. If one of the damn parties would raise the fucking wage this wouldn't be happening. Are strikes going to become the new every other week thing??? But when your wage hasn't kept up with the rising cost...of everything...including inflation and being indoors in public with ungrateful people and you get sick with covid, I guess people no longer think it's worth it. Remember the GOP definitely does not want to raise the minimum wage because they rep business owners, not employees. Progressives call for wages to be raised, Biden then added it to his agenda, but then Manchin, Sinema and two others joined the republicans to kill it. But then I wonder did they really want to? We need to fight harder on this. Writers, actors, UPS drivers, hotel workers, Starbucks, American Airlines, and gulp, even Amazon have all demanded wages which meet the costs of living.
It's not rocket science. I fear if these basic needs like minimum wage, and healthcare issues are delt with soon, it's going to get ugly. Or we can just be milky toast, and just "accept" our dealt hand of cards -yet again.
I used to question when I moved from the US. And yes, I did make the right decision. And people just seem to accept their choices to vote for. A shame that there's not more room at the table for others.
ReplyDeleteMy niece lives in CA. She's working three jobs to keep above water. Every time I call...she's working.
I can't help but think, when my mother passes on one day, and me the end of the line for this branch...a decision. Will I stay here, or move from the US altogether?? Warbucks has pestered already.
DeleteGurl
ReplyDeleteYou're preaching to the choir. It's good that people hear it, though. I do fear that until this country stops electing people like Sinema, Manchin, Bobo Groper, Large Marge and Rapey McForehead nothing will get done. Didn't the Repugs just spent nine hours in a circus performance looking for shit on Hunter Biden while the deadline for the budget looms?
Both parties are not the same.
XOXO
The only thing they have in common in being bought by corporations. The Dems still need to get more vivacious and cram things through and let more progressives in. It's getting to center left. Also in the case of Williamson. Yeah, she won't get off the runaway, but the party or the media doesn't even give her a chance. Sooooo many good people could do good do things, but anymore, unless you're a millionaire you can't even get a seat at the table. I think I'm sticking to local seats from now on. And I just loved recently Gavin Newson, a mostly “progressive” for some reason... praising GOP president Reagan, Reaganomics and how Reagan treated gays. Gavin says “Forget about what he said about AIDS.” WHAT?!?!?!
DeleteAgreed. I actually liked Marianne Williamson the first time along with Mayor Pete. The media loves portraying her as anti-vac.. which she is not… and even gay media misconstrued her viewpoints when she actually has a clear legacy of helping people with HIV/AIDs. I’ve had to educate so many of my friends to actually go and read her actual quotes in context and not the headlines that dismiss her so quickly. She’s, and Pete, well-spoken and had clearly formulated ideals and principles… something democratic leadership has lacked for a very long time.
ReplyDeleteThere was a point in my life, where i was hungry and there was no money. It's such a terrible feeling, not knowing when you'll eat again. You can't think about anything else, other than eating. So for people in the government who has no problem affording their next meal, or never experienced the pain of your stomach eating itself, or barely making the rent.... Just wow. Thanks for not caring about Congress.
ReplyDeleteWilliamson is a Spoiler. She knows she'll never be nominated, but she sure gets a lot of suckers to donate to her campaign. She's this generations version of Ralph Nadar, nothing more.
ReplyDeleteTrue. She gives a great speech and fire, but she'll never get enough support. But my point is, why is she not given any time or interviews or a date forum if she's not a threat? I am just tired of being offered the same old people over and over, that do many things, but not the major basic things everyone seems to want. But one day a progressive to going to come along and turn the parties on their asses. I just hope I'm alive to see it.
DeleteYou tell 'em, Mistress!
ReplyDeleteI don’t eat breakfast 9/10 days and I’m still poor... so. Out here, there are so many retail job vacancies and I don't blame the workers one bit. Nothing will happen till the public walks into a store one day, and there's no one to help anyone.
ReplyDeleteHell no! That's why there are no cashiers now....its all self-check out and growing. Soon, there may be a few for security purposes and that's it.
DeleteThe rich and poor gap gets wider.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting watching the US slowly becoming a third world country.
Tax laws to benefit the rich and corporations were passed years ago. Majority of Congress doesn't want change, trust me, the wealthy help them and keep them in power. Check out Robert Reich on social media, he explains it. Numbers don't lie.
ReplyDeleteI believe it.
DeleteMost Americans still do the only thing they know how to do. Repeat party talking points and vote the exact same way in election after election after election... they were taught and swayed by their media. It's a shame we HAVE to vote just because they or red or blue, no matter if they are good or not. I want to vote for the best person, who will work and get the job done. When it comes to local, I vote for the best person and have indeed crossed the aisle in big elections.
ReplyDeleteIt’s hard to teach Americans Critical Thinking skills Mistress.
I hear ya! If a person can and will do the job and get these things past, I have no problem if it's a D wish is my wish or an R, say like Adam Kinsinger. But let's face it...a sane well intended R is a very rare endangered species. And the D's are moving to center for my liking.
DeleteThis country is completely out of control.
ReplyDeleteIf we can't even get more affordable healthcare, prescriptions, minimum wage, and gun control through. Basic and common-sense things, like you say, not rocket sceinece....we're screwed, and this tells me that politicians don't really care.
That's my point!!!!!! If we the people have expressed this and want this then why are we settling and not demanding more choices????? Shit, people are pickier when it comes to buying a car and shopping around. If we aren't happy, we need to starting swaying votes to the candidates that deserve it!. Instead of funding wars and playing in space, let's take the damn money and repair our issues first!!!!! Then we can play.
DeleteThe way the minimum wage has stayed down and rents and inflation going up....Damn that shit fell harder than my grades in 99'!
ReplyDelete🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
DeleteI agree with all your points....but there is not enough of us, and most people just vote without doing any of their own research on candidates. and if you’re not making $50/hour how are you surviving? Now that's a shame.
ReplyDeleteThat was like when I lived in Philly. We had a democratic rep who did absolutely nothing. Zelch. I had no problem voting her out. You and your big ass are not there to take up space.
DeleteAll good points Maddie. There’s work to be done for sure to make it happen…and the time to dig in is now.
ReplyDeleteAbout my gov, Gavin…a mixed bag…he has definitely disappointed at times (French Laundry party at the height of Covid) but does seem to be reaching out nationally and willing to make republicans squirm. Not sure I’d waste my time debating with DeSantis…but wouldn’t be surprised if Gavin wouldn’t trash him….not that DeSantis is going anywhere, anyway…
I don't dislike Gavin, but at times, I'm like, what are you doing??? He could be a good choice for a run next election. I don't know what his chances would be though.I still hope Mayor Pete will run one day.
DeleteAll great points...but the problem is neither the repubs or the dems are not the parties they once were. The Repubs are not plain whacko and sick and just fuck up everything, and the dems are now more center then left.
ReplyDeleteA nation stuck in the bystander effect I say.
Very true. A vote-for-the-lesser-of-two-evils political system just plays into the hands of Big Money.
ReplyDeleteI think so, since 90% seem to be bought and puppeteered by big corporations anyhow.
DeleteI THINK the title of the WSJ article was just a bad choice and that the crux of the text was the soaring price of many breakfast staples (although I haven't seen a response from WSJ or the writer to the reaction the title elicited). Still, I’ve read that advice before. I just read that the 2-room apartment I paid $200 a month for in Brooklyn in 1980 is now a condo currently for sale for $350,000 while starting salaries in NY have at most tripled. Since I made next to nothing as an entry level graphic artist, my old job now pays next to nothing times 3.
ReplyDeleteit's nuts! I still have a few very few, friends left living in NYC...and those few have left Manhattan, for say Astoria or Brooklyn...and now even those are crazy. One close friend is paying close to 2,900 a month and has to have two other roommates! But in the last 10 years, just about everyone I knew has left NYC altogether. And any can't stand having roommates, but what the alterative if you want to live there? And controlled rents seem hard to come by anymore. One friend was in Hells Kitchen when it got regentrified. He had a rent of 950 a month and it was controlled for years. But then the landlord sold the building after 65 years...the rent soared every year, and he had to take in two roommates, in mind you, 850 square foot apt. And with the rents, it's not like one can afford to do much else. He finally after 30 years moved back to Harrisburg.
DeleteNever much choice in the UK either. Wait til they tell you to get on your bike!
ReplyDeleteSx
Don't give them any ideas Scarlet!
DeleteYou should run for Congress.
ReplyDeleteThat first article sounds like it was written by some elitist snob who doesn't ever have to worry about money.
ReplyDeleteRather than telling people to starve try paying a decent wage.
That's why I can't stand the Wall Street Journal.
DeleteAt my psychiatrist's office they can't find a receptionist in spite of offering $25 an hour, so they're offering $35 an hour. Still can't find anyone, so the wife of the psychiatrist, who is a nurse and would prefer to work as a nurse, is instead working as the receptionist in addition to being the nurse for the practice. Sometimes even when the money is there, the employees are not.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
That is shocking because 25 and $35 for poor time is not that bad. Do people just not want to work?
DeleteI was only wondering this morning what had happened to that idiot Cinema woman; is she still in politics? And yesterday evening I was discussing the myth of of wrongly named trickle down economics, which, as you say, certainly do NOT trickle downwards. People are getting to the point where they cannot afford to work and I am embarrassed to live in a county where food banks are essential even for those in work, let alone those on benefits.
ReplyDeleteThat's so funny that you mentioned that. Our full-time guy that works in the back in the warehouse he's only 21. I believe it's pays probably maybe 14 an hour and some weeks he can barely get gas money to get to work. I usually offer him to drive a couple times a week. And since our showroom Associates our commission only, some weeks they say they can't even afford to work here.
DeleteTo combat pollution, maybe it's time to stop breathing -- Future WSJ article headline
ReplyDeleteRents are absolutely ridiculous right now, especially in the less affluent 'hoods like the one I used to live in. I have no idea how people can afford them and live a decent life. It's like they're indentured servants to their landlords.
These younger people starting out the living cities I have no idea how they can do it all. But I know many are living just to pay their bills and rent. Forget about enjoying quality of life.
DeleteYou certainly hit all the nails on their heads!!
ReplyDeleteIt's tough out there for everyone who is struggling to make ends meet --- even if they're getting double the minimum wage. Williamson would be taken more seriously if she'd been more...down to earth(?) during the 2020 debates. Her message then was pretty laughable.
ReplyDeleteAs is normal with both parties, the incumbent is the official nominee (unless they choose not to run for reelection) and there won't be any debates. I get that we really need to shake things up to get things done and it can only be done by a younger person. BUT at this juncture, any vote other than Biden will be a vote for the Republican (whoever it is). And those schmucks have been telling us for 8 years now exactly what their agenda is: Burn it all down and reform the nation into a Christian Theocratic Autocracy.
And almost seems like a no-win situation.
DeleteImplode the lot of them I say.
ReplyDelete