Well, I am graduating first thing in the morning and while I should turn in early, it probably will not happen as usual. Anyhow, I'll be the proud recipient of a Certificate in Business Analysis and a Certificate in Project Management. Yeah! However, the resulting job offer that I expected to snag due to this dual achievement has not materialized yet. I still believe that I will find something but as I stare deeply into the abyss of an aging job search, it is hard not to get discouraged.
I do believe that everyone is allowed to be discouraged sometimes just as long as despair does not become our modus operandi. We should get mad and we should get angry sometimes so that we can dispel the internal stresses that are bound to build as we constantly assess our jobless situation. Then we must dust off our boots, strap on a new outlook and continue the search.
Tomorrow morning, I am to show up in professional dress looking the part. Though they call it a graduation, it is a lot more than handing us our certificates, patting us on the back and sending us on our merry way. There will be representatives from area companies and career development professionals to give us another huge helping of job search guidance. Maybe some of us will get lucky and make a beneficial contact that leads to employment.
But just in case, I will be taking a civil service test on Saturday morning. It is for a position that pays half as much but I have to create opportunity and options for myself. We are being told to think outside of the box when it comes to seeking employment these days which essentially means we must pursue every lead even if it is for less money. So, I will do it.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
The State of New York: Part Two
Governor Paterson is talking budget again. Today he revealed in a public meeting with state legislators that the deficit has reached $3,000,000,000, some $900,000,000 more than was initially projected. Though he urged legislators to find spending cuts to help balance the budget, no date was set for them to return to Albany to do so. Reporters were much more concerned about Paterson's election bid rather than issues with the state deficit. Typical. I guess we have all been so deluged with budget deficit numbers and projections that this is simply not news?
Meanwhile, hundreds of MTA employees protested outside of MTA headquarters today against the MTA's decision not to accept a binding arbitration ruling that granted them an 11% raise over the next 3 years. The MTA is appealing this decision because they claim that they simply cannot afford it. In fact, New York State definitely cannot afford it. It is interesting that an arbitrator could grant such a generous raise given the financial woes of the state. But, even if the state has no money, all of the various unions still expect to get their just desserts as usual.
Today Paterson stated that he was not going to offer any suggestions for budget cuts because he did not want to hear any flack from the unions until the legislators meet again. In the most budget showdown, the unions won out and the budget actually went up several billion dollars despite the fact that tax revenues would continue to decline. Attempting to roll back what has been granted to the various unions is going to get nasty again. But, none of this will really be big news now, will it?
Meanwhile, hundreds of MTA employees protested outside of MTA headquarters today against the MTA's decision not to accept a binding arbitration ruling that granted them an 11% raise over the next 3 years. The MTA is appealing this decision because they claim that they simply cannot afford it. In fact, New York State definitely cannot afford it. It is interesting that an arbitrator could grant such a generous raise given the financial woes of the state. But, even if the state has no money, all of the various unions still expect to get their just desserts as usual.
Today Paterson stated that he was not going to offer any suggestions for budget cuts because he did not want to hear any flack from the unions until the legislators meet again. In the most budget showdown, the unions won out and the budget actually went up several billion dollars despite the fact that tax revenues would continue to decline. Attempting to roll back what has been granted to the various unions is going to get nasty again. But, none of this will really be big news now, will it?
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
The Plight of the Middle Class Continues
The plight of the middle class continues:
"For average Americans, the last 10 years were a lost decade. At the end of President George W. Bush’s eight years in office, American households had less money and less economic security, and fewer of them were covered by health care than 10 years earlier, the Census Bureau reported in its annual survey. The poverty rate in 2008 rose to 13.2 percent, the highest in 11 years, while median household income fell to $50,303. Ten years earlier, adjusted for inflation, it was $51,295." (from Timothy Egan article, New York Times, 9/16/09)
The middle class has much to ponder. Statistics show that many are falling from the ranks. The lifestyle to which they have been accustomed is in jeopardy. These are the people who pay a greater percentage of their income in taxes but are generally forced to foot the bill for themselves. Unfortunately, as our fortunes wane through job losses, home equity depreciation, and purchasing erosion through loss of credit, the increased budget deficits created by current government spending and stimulus initiatives, bank bailouts and now the soon to be unleashed healthcare reform seem like dangerous ground. At the end of the day, the increased tax burden usually falls on the middle class; the rich will find loopholes and the poor just won't pay anyway.
The middle class is struggling to hold onto its ideals; the quintessential American dream. Homes, jobs and lifestyles need saving so they don't have time to band together and fight. They don't even know what would be their common ground. Middle class means different financial classifications and values depending on what region of the country you reside in. Yet, the middle class needs to start fighting back somehow, for the current economic ills of America are disproportionally affecting them. I know it, I am staring the reality in the face, daily.
"For average Americans, the last 10 years were a lost decade. At the end of President George W. Bush’s eight years in office, American households had less money and less economic security, and fewer of them were covered by health care than 10 years earlier, the Census Bureau reported in its annual survey. The poverty rate in 2008 rose to 13.2 percent, the highest in 11 years, while median household income fell to $50,303. Ten years earlier, adjusted for inflation, it was $51,295." (from Timothy Egan article, New York Times, 9/16/09)
The middle class has much to ponder. Statistics show that many are falling from the ranks. The lifestyle to which they have been accustomed is in jeopardy. These are the people who pay a greater percentage of their income in taxes but are generally forced to foot the bill for themselves. Unfortunately, as our fortunes wane through job losses, home equity depreciation, and purchasing erosion through loss of credit, the increased budget deficits created by current government spending and stimulus initiatives, bank bailouts and now the soon to be unleashed healthcare reform seem like dangerous ground. At the end of the day, the increased tax burden usually falls on the middle class; the rich will find loopholes and the poor just won't pay anyway.
The middle class is struggling to hold onto its ideals; the quintessential American dream. Homes, jobs and lifestyles need saving so they don't have time to band together and fight. They don't even know what would be their common ground. Middle class means different financial classifications and values depending on what region of the country you reside in. Yet, the middle class needs to start fighting back somehow, for the current economic ills of America are disproportionally affecting them. I know it, I am staring the reality in the face, daily.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Oh No He Di'n't!
It has been widely reported that the White House has requested that Governor Paterson not seek election in 2010. Who does Barack Obama (and his Administration) think they are to stretch the long arm of interference into New York politics? Oh no he di'n't! Despite the fact that this tactic is straight out of the Karl Rove playbook, the fringe conservatives are having a field day. They will use anything that they can to cement their scare tactic case against the President, as they have been recently portraying him, among other things, as a socialist dictator wanna be. Nevermind that Paterson has incredibly dismal approval ratings and the Democrats, from a party standpoint, need to secure their current majority.
Then again, you can't blame Paterson for refusing to step aside. After all, he ascended to Governor of New York after Eliot Spitzer, popular crusading Attorney General-turned-Governor, was upended by a prostitution scandal thus Paterson has not earned his post by his own merits and would like the opportunity. Sadly, he has not been able to marshal his political fortune into political fortitude. While I initially championed Paterson's ascendance, he quickly capitulated to special interests and fell from grace. New York could have used a hero but instead he squandered his political capital for votes, (read curry favor with the unions) and it all backfired anyway. This method usually works, pleasing the right people, but for this Governor desperate times called for adept political measures and he simply did not/could not deliver.
Polls show that current Attorney General Andrew Cuomo would be the favorite in a Democratic primary against Paterson. Cuomo has yet to tip his hat but it is just a matter of time before he declares. After all, if you indirectly have the White House on your side, you might as well jump into the race. It is no accident that Andrew Cuomo is following the well-worn track of star New York Attorney General to Governor routine most recently practiced successfully by Eliot Spitzer. Besides, New Yorkers know the name Cuomo, Mario Cuomo, esteemed father of Andrew, was governor of New York from 1983 to 1994 and New Yorkers like to elect who they know. I say let the Democratic Gubernatorial primary decide. If Cuomo really is the favorite, let him win on his own merit by having a fair race against Paterson.
Then again, you can't blame Paterson for refusing to step aside. After all, he ascended to Governor of New York after Eliot Spitzer, popular crusading Attorney General-turned-Governor, was upended by a prostitution scandal thus Paterson has not earned his post by his own merits and would like the opportunity. Sadly, he has not been able to marshal his political fortune into political fortitude. While I initially championed Paterson's ascendance, he quickly capitulated to special interests and fell from grace. New York could have used a hero but instead he squandered his political capital for votes, (read curry favor with the unions) and it all backfired anyway. This method usually works, pleasing the right people, but for this Governor desperate times called for adept political measures and he simply did not/could not deliver.
Polls show that current Attorney General Andrew Cuomo would be the favorite in a Democratic primary against Paterson. Cuomo has yet to tip his hat but it is just a matter of time before he declares. After all, if you indirectly have the White House on your side, you might as well jump into the race. It is no accident that Andrew Cuomo is following the well-worn track of star New York Attorney General to Governor routine most recently practiced successfully by Eliot Spitzer. Besides, New Yorkers know the name Cuomo, Mario Cuomo, esteemed father of Andrew, was governor of New York from 1983 to 1994 and New Yorkers like to elect who they know. I say let the Democratic Gubernatorial primary decide. If Cuomo really is the favorite, let him win on his own merit by having a fair race against Paterson.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Happy Days Are Here Again?
Happy days are here again. This is the famous refrain from the Great Depression when economic indicators pointed to a turnaround in the economy. Of course it took nearly twenty years after this declaration for the stock market to actually recoup the depression-era losses. But, since we have no patience this time around, we have seemingly fixed everything in a matter of 18 months.
I read a couple of days ago in the Times that average wages for 80% of the workforce had risen from $612 a week to $618 a week in the last few months. Let's not all jump for joy at once. Credibility for this factoid was attributed to the number-crunching of two (unnamed) government agencies. Is this a case of government spin at work? Perhaps not. A majority of the economists, optimists, people that matter and people wanting to matter have declared that this recession is over.
Though they all cite facts that the rebound will most definitely be tepid at best, the general consensus is that the economic crashing has leveled off; we are no longer falling of a cliff, we are just falling. And now that the lesser of bad news is treated as good news, as it has been since this spring, we should all be happy. Must we remind them that we, the millions of unemployed or underemployed, can't seem to overcome our cognitive dissonance?
I read a couple of days ago in the Times that average wages for 80% of the workforce had risen from $612 a week to $618 a week in the last few months. Let's not all jump for joy at once. Credibility for this factoid was attributed to the number-crunching of two (unnamed) government agencies. Is this a case of government spin at work? Perhaps not. A majority of the economists, optimists, people that matter and people wanting to matter have declared that this recession is over.
Though they all cite facts that the rebound will most definitely be tepid at best, the general consensus is that the economic crashing has leveled off; we are no longer falling of a cliff, we are just falling. And now that the lesser of bad news is treated as good news, as it has been since this spring, we should all be happy. Must we remind them that we, the millions of unemployed or underemployed, can't seem to overcome our cognitive dissonance?
How much more cynical are we going to get of the economic good news? I should not be so ungrateful for the $6 extra dollars a week that I would be earning if I were employed. I must always remain positive, I must always make lemonade, I must always believe that things can/will be better. Only a positive attitude can boost my spirits and keep me above the negative fray. Only I can be responsible for making the choices that ultimately led me to be unemployed in the first place.
All things being unequal, if the shoe was on the other foot, I would want to be holding on to that shoe and therefore I shouldn't begrudge an economy that appears to be moving on without me. If I get my foot back in the door, that would shift my compass, wouldn't it?
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
The Facts Are These
"As is now painfully evident, the economic growth of the Bush era was largely an illusion. Poverty worsened during most of the boom years and middle-class pay stagnated, as most gains flowed to the top. In a recent update of their groundbreaking series on income trends, the economists Thomas Piketty and Emmanuel Saez found that from 2002 to 2007, the top 1 percent of households — those making more than $400,000 a year — received two-thirds of the nation’s total income gains, their largest share of the spoils since the 1920s." (from The New York Times editorial, 9/15/09)
The data is finally in; definitive proof of what we have long surmised through our own anecdotal evidence. We the middle class gained nothing over the last ten years. Instead, we were living large on cheap credit and/or home equity gold and as the editorial goes on further to say, "Because many if not most Americans gained little to nothing from the Bush “growth” years, they have found themselves especially vulnerable to the recession." Yes many of us have colossal debt and many of us have lost our jobs. Double Whammy.
Too bad it takes so long to compile the data required to validate our observations. We are the people on the ground, we know what is going on. Now, the economy is supposedly turning around and whether we believe it or not, it appears to be leaving many of us behind. Not good, I say. Not good, at all.
The data is finally in; definitive proof of what we have long surmised through our own anecdotal evidence. We the middle class gained nothing over the last ten years. Instead, we were living large on cheap credit and/or home equity gold and as the editorial goes on further to say, "Because many if not most Americans gained little to nothing from the Bush “growth” years, they have found themselves especially vulnerable to the recession." Yes many of us have colossal debt and many of us have lost our jobs. Double Whammy.
Too bad it takes so long to compile the data required to validate our observations. We are the people on the ground, we know what is going on. Now, the economy is supposedly turning around and whether we believe it or not, it appears to be leaving many of us behind. Not good, I say. Not good, at all.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
One Hundred Dollar Pill, Y'all
What if you were about to be released from the hospital after major surgery and complications due to a major abdominal infection and they tell you that the only antibiotic that you are responding to costs $200 a day for two pills? In fact this not so good news is prefaced by the platitude, "I hope you have good insurance." Thankfully, the insurance company did agree to cover this medicine for seven days because it was better than the alternative, paying for an additional week of hospital stay so that this medicine could be administered intravenously. This is a true story. It happened to a family member today.
Of course the real travesty here is the cost of the medicine. One hundred dollars for one pill is an outrage. There is nothing to stop pharmaceutical companies from charging whatever they want for certain drugs. Drug prices are one part of the healthcare equation, and as we know with Medicare Part D, affordable medicine is a necessity. Too bad it is costing the taxpayer a fortune because there is no provision to negotiate drug prices. We should be demanding drug price negotiation as part of this healthcare reform for it would be a key step in helping to control Medicare costs, savings from which are supposed to help defray the costs of reform in the first place.
Rational minds agree that without a public insurer to compete with private insurers, the cost of healthcare coverage will continue to escalate. Without a public option, there will be an enforced 46,000,000 more customers for the private insurers to gouge. Yeah! So, in effect the Republicans are fighting against a public option that would help to bring down coverage costs in the same way that they fought against a provision to include drug price negotiation when they and President Bush passed Medicare Part D. With the Republicans and the fringe protesters shouting so loud as to effectively cloud our judgment, we are on our way to healthcare reform that will further enrich private insurers and pharmaceutical companies.
Everybody has an expensive healthcare story, that alone should tell us all something.
Of course the real travesty here is the cost of the medicine. One hundred dollars for one pill is an outrage. There is nothing to stop pharmaceutical companies from charging whatever they want for certain drugs. Drug prices are one part of the healthcare equation, and as we know with Medicare Part D, affordable medicine is a necessity. Too bad it is costing the taxpayer a fortune because there is no provision to negotiate drug prices. We should be demanding drug price negotiation as part of this healthcare reform for it would be a key step in helping to control Medicare costs, savings from which are supposed to help defray the costs of reform in the first place.
Rational minds agree that without a public insurer to compete with private insurers, the cost of healthcare coverage will continue to escalate. Without a public option, there will be an enforced 46,000,000 more customers for the private insurers to gouge. Yeah! So, in effect the Republicans are fighting against a public option that would help to bring down coverage costs in the same way that they fought against a provision to include drug price negotiation when they and President Bush passed Medicare Part D. With the Republicans and the fringe protesters shouting so loud as to effectively cloud our judgment, we are on our way to healthcare reform that will further enrich private insurers and pharmaceutical companies.
Everybody has an expensive healthcare story, that alone should tell us all something.
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