We know that water shortages are not just looming- they are here. (Check out this blog post.) But, we are not only running out of water, desertification is occurring – around the world.
Continue reading This is not something we want to have grow!
║This is the fifth and final segment in this mini-series on minimum wage, living wages, the middle class, and taxes that I started this year, beginning on 7 January 2014.║
Continue reading Living Wages. The End of the Discussion- for now.
Here in the DC area, we are about to engage in a new kind of experiment. The minimum wage in the Maryland suburbs is going up to $ 11.50 an hour. As it will be in the city of DC. But, in Northern Virginia, the minimum wage will be the Federally mandated one of $7.25. Do you really think the jobs will leave the northern suburbs and move to Virginia?
Continue reading Living Wages. The Very Bottom Line.
So, we’ve talked (this is the 3rd part in the daily series about current economics) about who is funding the US treasury. Mostly workers, which surprised most of you. Mostly the poor and the middle class, which clearly confounded you. (Remember- it’s payroll taxes that provide about 45% of the federal take, and the income taxes of the non-rich provide another 15% of the federal take. The rich (top 10%) provide 30% of the annual federal receipts via income taxes and corporations finish off the totals by contributing about 10%.)
Continue reading Living Wages- Take 3
So, yesterday, I spoke about how taxes make a difference to the various folks in America. From the working poor to the middle class, to the rich and super-rich.
Continue reading Living Wages- redux
Do I really care about the minimum wage per se? (I know, I’ve written about it before- as recently as 45 days ago or so: Wage Follies.) No, I worry about living wages and the middle class.
I’ve written about B corps before. These are conventional, for-profit entities- kind of. Kind of, because they are supposed to be ‘Benefit Corporations’. Instead of being totally capitalistic entities, they use their profits for the good of the community, their employees, and others, as well as their owners.
Continue reading Is your next one a B?
I’ve written before how Jared Cohen of Google Ideas has been trying to discern how to stop terrorism. By determining the similarity how gangs recruit and initiate members to those methods employed by terrorists. And, given those similarities, how to stop folks from belonging to either. That’s a great idea to me.
Continue reading Gun Violence as an Epidemic?
As a financial and management consultant, I’ve been confronted with situations that would turn your stomach. (Well, I guarantee you they certainly turned mine!)
Continue reading Diversions. (This is not about my favorite card store!)
I can remember a time, not so long ago…
Yup, when Congressmen (there were maybe 1 or 2 women, who ‘inherited’ their spouses’ seats) were held in relative high regard. And, car salesmen were the low men (again- same statement) on the totem pole. Now, Congressfolks have a public approval rating that would make Idi Amin (go ahead, look him up!) blush- and car salesman have vanished (almost) from the face of the earth.
Continue reading Another one (ok, a whole bunch of them) bites the dust…