Jobs: Gifts We Really Need
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Edith Rasell, Ph.D., is minister for economic justice in the Justice and Witness Ministries of the United Church of Christ and serves as vice president of Interfaith Worker Justice. She reminds us that what millions of Americans really want for Christmas is a job.
This is the season of gift giving and, for millions of us, the present we really need is a job.
We know that American families need jobs. But American businesses also need jobs—rather, they need customers with jobs. When millions of unemployed workers and their families have little money to spend, businesses, big and small, have few customers. Production stalls, hiring is frozen and investments are put on hold. Firms cannot thrive and the economy will not return to health until people can afford to buy the things they need.
The nation also needs jobs—it needs people with jobs who are paying their income taxes, sales taxes and property taxes. Tax revenues have fallen and government budget deficits have exploded because people are not working. To get deficits under control, we must put people back to work, back to earning money and back to paying taxes. Job creation must be our nation’s highest priority.
The nation’s official jobless rate is 9.8 percent, or nearly one in 10 workers. But the official count only includes people who are actively looking for work. Someone who has given up and stopped looking is not counted. Older workers who have declared themselves “retired” when they had planned to continue working are not counted. Another 9 million people are working part-time when they want full-time work. All together, more than 28 million people, or more than one in six potential workers, are either unemployed or under-employed. This more comprehensive, “real” count is nearly twice the official one.
A federal program to create millions of needed jobs will be costly. But in this very wealthy nation, the money could be found if jobs were our highest priority. Congress could have ended the Bush tax cuts for the 2 percent of taxpayers with the highest incomes, or raised the estate tax to the level it was in previous years. But a Congress that chooses instead to extend these tax breaks for the wealthy cannot honestly claim there is no money for jobs. There is money. But it is funding tax breaks for the rich, not jobs for the unemployed.
There are other potential sources of money for jobs, ways to raise money that also strengthen the economy and close tax loopholes. We could put a tax on financial transactions that would bring in money while also reducing speculation and strengthening the financial system. We could tax capital gains (money made from selling stock and other investments) at the same rate as we tax wages and salaries. We could tax hedge fund managers at least at the same rate as we tax their secretaries.
Working people have a clear choice. We can either beg Santa for jobs (and many of us have already tried that one) or we can come together and demand that our elected officials do what’s right for working families, businesses and our nation: Create jobs.
“Your [Christmas] fireworks will act as an alarm for the time of our devices to blow up — devices that we, not Santa Claus, are going to offer to you as gifts, to turn your night into day and your blood into rivers”
For the Islamic jihadist, Christmas is evil, but mass murder isn’t. “Yule ghouls’ jingle bombs,” from AFP, December 25:
WASHINGTON — An Islamic extremist has threatened in an audiotaped message to set off bombs in countries celebrating Christmas.
“Your [Christmas] fireworks will act as an alarm for the time of our devices to blow up — devices that we, not Santa Claus, are going to offer to you as gifts, to turn your night into day and your blood into rivers,” said a member of the Shumukh al-Islam forum.
Hours later, a bomb blast wounded six people today during Christmas Mass at a church in the Philippines.
And in northern Nigeria last night, Islamist sect members launched a failed attack on a church during Christmas Eve services.
“Your [Christmas] fireworks will act as an alarm for the time of our devices to blow up — devices that we, not Santa Claus, are going to offer to you as gifts, to turn your night into day and your blood into rivers”
For the Islamic jihadist, Christmas is evil, but mass murder isn’t. “Yule ghouls’ jingle bombs,” from AFP, December 25:
WASHINGTON — An Islamic extremist has threatened in an audiotaped message to set off bombs in countries celebrating Christmas.
“Your [Christmas] fireworks will act as an alarm for the time of our devices to blow up — devices that we, not Santa Claus, are going to offer to you as gifts, to turn your night into day and your blood into rivers,” said a member of the Shumukh al-Islam forum.
Hours later, a bomb blast wounded six people today during Christmas Mass at a church in the Philippines.
And in northern Nigeria last night, Islamist sect members launched a failed attack on a church during Christmas Eve services.
Beware Harvard law students bearing gifts
So long as I’m annoying doctors, I may as well annoy lawyers, too. D. James Greiner and Cassandra Wolos Pattanayak ran a series of controlled experiments to test whether free legal representation really helped claimants who were suing to receive unemployment benefits. “The results are startling,” they write. “A service provider’s offer of representation to a claimant had no statistically significant effect on the claimant’s probability of a victory, but the offer caused a delay in the proceeding.” Because that meant a delay in benefits, it actually left the claimant worse off. And for you Yalies out there, Maya Sen’s spin on this will make you happy:
A basic summary of the results: an offer of free legal representation by an elite cadre of Harvard Law Students does not increase the probability that a client will prevail in his or her claim. (There was a .04 increase in probability of prevailing, not statistically significant.) What the offer of free legal representation does do, however, is increase the delay that clients experience in the adjudication. (The mean time to adjudication for the treated population was 53.1 days versus 37.3 days for the control group, a statistically significant sixteen-day difference.)
This doesn’t say much about legal representation in other contexts, but it is interesting. It also reminds me of a story I read earlier today, in perhaps the greatest Wikipedia entry ever:
In common with many misers, [John Elwes] distrusted physicians, preferring to treat himself in order to save paying for one. He once badly cut both legs while walking home in the dark, but would only allow the apothecary to treat one, wagering his fee that the untreated limb would heal first. Elwes won by a fortnight and the doctor had to forfeit his fee.
Expertise isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be.
(Study via John Sides.)
AAM Highlights Safe Toys and Made-in-America Holiday Gifts
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Do news stories of tainted toys imported from China have you thinking twice about what you’re putting under the tree? The Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) suggests parents take a look at the wide range of toys and games offered by NMC Toys.
NMC Toys was founded in 2007 by Kerry and Andrew Menger, the parents of two small children who say the rash of recalls and reports of toxic and dangerous toys made in China, along with shoddy quality, spurred them to establish NMC.
NMC is not the maker of the toys but the retailer, and all the toys on NMC.com meet or exceed U.S. safety standards and include the country of origin. The toys are designed for children eight years old and younger. Say the Mengers:
“When it comes to our own home we choose to keep Chinese Made Toys out of our children’s hands. Many of the toys in our home wind up in our children’s mouths and we did not want to gamble with their future….The toys of NMCtoys.com are designed to foster your child’s imagination, improve their motor skills and bolster their self-esteem.”
Click here to see the entire line of toys and games.
For more gift ideas, check out the AAM’s blog, Manufacturethis. The blog is running items daily on made-in-America kid and adult gift ideas, from bicycles and games to clothes, snowshoes and picture frames. Says AAM Executive Director Scott Paul:
“When you buy an American-made toy, you’re not only helping to employ a U.S. factory worker, but you’re also choosing a safe option. There are many, many instances of toxic and lead-painted goods from China. Our children’s health isn’t worth the risk.
“My twin boys are getting made-in-Ohio Little Tikes trikes for the holidays. The sense of satisfaction that I had assembling the trikes was beyond description. I know our boys will be thrilled. But I also know that somewhere in Ohio, there are factory workers who made and assembled these toys. And, in a very small way, I’m supporting their jobs.”
Another great place to find a wide assortment of union-made products is the AFL-CIO Online Store, where you will find unique apparel, buttons, mugs, decals and other outstanding union items.
FLOTUS Takes Gifts Suggestions for POTUS From Kids
ABC News’ Sunlen Miller reports: First Lady Michelle Obama today wouldn’t divulge any secrets as to what she is getting her husband for Christmas, but took a few suggestions from kids this afternoon during her annual visit to the Children’s Hospital in Washington, DC.
Political Punch
Broward warns vendors: Don’t give gifts to county staff
Companies doing business with Broward County got letters this week warning them: Please do not give gifts this holiday season to county staff or their family members.
The letter has the subject line “Broward County’s ‘Code of Ethics — No Gift Policy” and is dated Dec. 6.
It alerts recipients that the County Commissioner “recently approved landmark ethics reform” that includes a prohibition on “gifts of any kind” being given by a vendor or potential vendor to “any county employee or their immediate family.”
“With the holiday season upon us,” the letter says, vendors are respectfully asked NOT to deliver any gift(s) to an individual, department, office or division of the county government or the immediate family of same.”
Read the full Broward gift-ban letter here.
Holiday Gifts for Political Junkies
A few gift suggestions for political junkies on your shopping list:
Large-scale prints
that take an interesting look at the history of major political
institutions, including the American presidency, the U.S. Supreme Court, and the U.S. Senate.
Some stocking stuffers: George W. Bush Toilet Brush, Bill Clinton Corkscrew (also available as part of the Bill and Hillary Combo Set), Sarah Palin Bobblehead and Chia Obama.
Or take a look at the latest bestselling political books and movies.
Taegan Goddard’s Political Wire
Green gifts and green apps for the holidays
An Applie iPad is PVC-free, and it has arsenic-free glass, a mercury-free LED display, and an outer case of recyclable aluminum and glass — and can run a bunch of great “green apps.”
Its early December, which means the holiday shopping season is upon us. Black Friday and Cyber Monday have come and gone but many of us still have more gifts to get for the holidays.
This CAP cross-post has seven gift ideas — and 7 green apps — that are sure to make your family and friends happy while still helping out the environment:
1. Organic Bikes biodegradable water bottle. Drinking water is key to staying healthy but most water bottles are made of plastic, which isn’t good for the environment. This water bottle from Organic Bikes is completely biodegradable and, as a result, more environmentally friendly.
2. Azuri organic cotton scarf. A scarf is a wonderful way to keep warm, and it can serve as a great fashion accessory. This scarf from Azuri comes in 110 different colors, and it’s also made out of organic cotton. You can look good, stay warm, and help the environment all at the same time.
3. Sony Ericsson Elm mobile phone. Everybody has a cell phone these days but how many people have one made from recycled materials? Sony’s Elm phone is made from recycled plastic, and it’s constructed without toxic chemicals. The phone’s manual also is stored inside the phone, which saves paper by eliminating the need for printing.
4. Epson Perfection V500 photo scanner. Having a scanner instead of a copier helps the environment because it cuts down on the need for paper. This Epson scanner not only does that but it’s also Energy Star qualified, so it meets strict energy efficiency standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency.
5. Volt-Star EcoCharger. A great way to save energy is to unplug your electronics after they’ve fully charged. Many of us forget to do this, but the EcoCharger remembers for you. It consumes no idle current once the device it’s connected to is fully charged. And like the Epson Perfection V500 it’s also Energy Star qualified.
6. Voltaic Amp solar charger. Speaking of chargers, how great would it be to have a standalone solar charger for your electronics? Well, the Voltaic Amp does just that. According to the product’s website, using the charger for “4-5 hours in the sun will fully charge a typical phone, 1 hour will provide about 3 hours of talk time.” But it works with more than just phones. The charger is also compatible with digital cameras, handheld game systems, and many other electronic devices.
7. Apple iPad. The iPad is undoubtedly one of the most sought-after gifts this season but it’s also great for people who want to be green. The iPad itself is PVC-free, and it has arsenic-free glass, a mercury-free LED display, and an outer case of recyclable aluminum and glass. What’s more, there are a bunch of great “green apps” for the iPad that make it easier for you to live in an eco-friendly way.:
1. Ecorio
Use: Carbon Footprint
Cost: Free for G1 phone users
Platform: Android; coming soon for iPhone and Blackberry
Ecorio utilizes the GPS system on the phone to track your carbon footprint as you travel. It calculates what kind of impact you make on the move, and gives you what kind of footprint you’re making right then, and what kind of footprint you may make annually if your habits stay consistent. Once you see what your footprint looks like, the application then gives you ideas for taking action through reducing heavy impact travel, inspiring you to try greener options, or by purchasing carbon offsets through Google Checkout. You simply click on the field “What if I….” and by selecting an option, you can see by how much you’re able to reduce your footprint right then.2. 3rd Whale
Use: Shopping
Cost: Free
Platform: iPhone
A free iPhone app from 3rdWhale is bent on making your shopping trips easier and greener. You can search for the greenest businesses near you so that you know just which stores to patronize. Over 20,000 business listings for over 30 major cities in Canada and the US are already hooked in to the app, with more being listed every day. 3rdWhale finds green businesses for its listings by going through directories that certify and accredit green products and services, then comparing them to their own green criteria to see if the businesses make the 3rdWhale cut. If they do, they’re added into 3rdWhale’s directory. But they’re also very dependent on users to visit and review the businesses to make sure they’re up to snuff. Think of it like a green Yelp on your phone.3. greenMeter
Use: Tracking vehicle efficiency
Cost: $ 5.99
Platform: iPhone or iTouch
GreenMeter tracks your vehicle’s fuel and power efficiency, but it also helps to evaluate how you’re driving to maximize that efficiency. Adjusting driving habits helps cut cost, consumption, and carbon footprint. And this app has some cool tricks for helping you track habits. GreenMeter measures acceleration and computes engine power, fuel efficiency and cost, your carbon footprint and how many barrels of oil you’re consuming. You don’t even have to be driving to learn how to drive better. You can tip your iPhone forward and backward to simulate your acceleration, learn what the app teaches about that driving habit, and implement what you’ve learned next time you’re behind the wheel. The coolest part of GreenMeter is that a user can be very specific about driving conditions to get the most accurate information about driving habits, inputing the specific vehicle make and model, weather conditions, and fuel type.4. Carticipate
Use: Carpooling
Cost: Free
Platform: iPhone
This cool app hooks you up to a social network of folks who want to share rides. With this app, you can plug in where you’re going and find others in your social network who are headed in the same direction. You can hitch a ride with them, or open up your vehicle to share a ride. While limited right now to the small number of users, it is growing and will hopefully soon be a catch-all for ridesharing.5. Good Guide
Use: Shopping
Cost: Free
Platform: iPhone, or text messages through any mobile phone
Identify greenwashing in the isles to make better purchase decisions
GoodGuide is a growing database of detailed product information that helps users make informed decisions about what they’re buying. There may be 14 different toothpastes to choose from, including those that tout a green make-up, but do we really know what’s behind each one? GoodGuide gathers detailed information about products and ranks them according to their greenness. Think: Greenpeace’s Guide for electronics, only much bigger and for every day things. While not yet comprehensive, GoodGuide is rapidly growing, and they will soon offer an iPhone app so that you can quickly look up what option is the greenest, helping you make informed decisions you can feel good about.6. PedNav
Use: Trip Planning
Cost: unsure
Platform: Android and iPhone
PedNav makes getting around the city easy and efficient, which means walking or biking can be faster and more convenient than using a vehicle. Just plug in your plans for the day, such as stores you need to get to, lunch dates, the notion to go see a movie or visit a museum. PedNav has the locations and schedules of the relevant venues at hand, and will create a personalized itinerary, including mass transit options if you’d prefer using that. Your instructions will include when you have to get to a certain bus stop, where to get off, how to get to the venue, and when you need to finish up your tasks at that location in order to get to your next event. With such convenience for planning, getting around town without driving is simple!7. Locavore
Use: Food Shopping
Cost: $ 2.99
Platform: iPhone
The Locavore app is a great solution for someone who wants to switch to local eating and doesn’t want to spend an hour on the computer researching food each time they want to make a meal. It offers government and NGO data for each state, and when you click on a food item, it brings up Wikipedia information and Epicurious recipes. It lacks a market-finder feature specific to in-season foods, but even with out this, the app sure beats printing out a list of in-season foods to cart with you to a farmer’s market, spending way too much time online figuring out what to do with the food that is in season, and getting frustrated that you can’t keep straight which farmer’s market is on which date.
JR: As a bonus app, don’t forget What you need the next time you’re talking to a doubter: Skeptical Science’s Android or iPhone app.
White House Unveils a Muted Holiday Theme and Decorations: “Simple Gifts”
ABC News’ Sunlen Miller, Ann Compton, and Elisha Beard report: Reflecting the economic mood of the country this holiday season, the White House has unveiled a muted theme and decorations at the White House as “Simple Gifts.” Reflected in the décor the theme celebrates the everyday gifts around – in family, nature, music and food, the White House says.
Political Punch
The Best Gifts
Dan Ariely's rule of thumb:
I think that the best gifts circumvent guilt in two key ways: by eliminating the guilt that accompanies extravagant purchases, and by reducing the guilt that comes from coupling payment with consumption. The best advice on gift-giving, therefore, is to get something that someone really wants but would feel guilty buying otherwise.
The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan
Beware of Greeks Bearing Gifts
Speaking to the media this weekend, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told CBS’s Bob Schieffer that at NATO’s Lisbon Summit this weekend, many European states including Germany, Poland and the Baltic states had pressed the Administration on the ratification of New START. During one of the summit’s many news conferences, President Obama also stated, “Unprompted, […]
The Foundry: Conservative Policy News.
Outgoing Broward Mayor Keechl didn’t get traditional sack of gifts
Thanks to ethics reform, Broward’s departing mayor, Ken Keechl, did not get the traditional sack of gifts from the vice mayor, Sue Gunzburger.
This tradition cannot be underestimated in its importance, judging from the past. As you might recall from the 2008 “I didn’t get a plaque” incident, any omissions can be considered a blatant snub. In that case, then-incoming Mayor Stacy Ritter bought an interesting sack of gifts for outgoing Mayor Lois Wexler. But she did not buy her a plaque with a gavel on it.
Click on the jump to have your memory refreshed about what was in Ritter’s bag of gifts to Wexler, and to read our story about that perceived slight. Ritter received a crystal vase and a donation on her behalf to the charity Family Central, when Keechl took over as mayor.
But the tradition is gone, apparently. This year, Gunzburger said that because of the new ethics rules — which say commissioners can’t accept gifts in their official capacity that are worth more than $ 50 — she was only giving Keechl a plaque. The photo above shows her handing Keechl the plaque, and kissing him.
New rules would require county employees to share food, candy gifts with you
Soon after sitting down as the Broward County Commission today for the first time, our newly reconfigured group of nine will set a date to vote on a major rule change for county employees. The rules all fall under the umbrella of ethics reform.
Like the ethics reform that has come to County Hall already, the new rulebook is full of restrictions on accepting gifts and food, and carries new requirements about revealing contact with lobbyists. But unlike the rules that apply to county commissioners, the employee rulebook has a lot of exceptions, exemptions and outs.
If someone sends a box of chocolates to, say, the county purchasing director, it could be accepted. But the box would have to be set out on a counter to be shared with other employees and the public, and the director would have to send a letter to the donor explaining that gifts are forbidden.
And there’ll be a list of employees who are allowed to accept free “meals, refreshments or other gifts.” Also, employees can go ahead and accept freebies if rejecting them “would be detrimental to the interests of the county.”
Commissioners imposed new ethics rules on themselves this summer. (Had they not, the proposed Code of Ethics would have been on the November ballot.) Now they’ll be spreading some of the rules to the employees. The concept got voter approval in November, as part of the new Inspector General office.
Here’s the official reason for the new proposed rules, according to the county:
The proposed ordinance creates a Code of Ethics for all Broward County employees in order to promote public trust and confidence in government with complete transparency and honesty in their services and to avoid even the appearance or perception of impropriety.
The vote will take place on Dec. 14.
Read more about it on the jump. And you can read the proposed Broward County employee ethics law in full here.
Obama Comes to Japan Bearing Gifts: Support for Japan Taking Permanent Seat on UN Security Council and Invitation to Washington for Prime Minister Kan
ABC News’ Karen Travers reports: Trade was at the top of the agenda when President Obama sat down with Japanese Prime Minister Kan this morning in Yokahama. The two leaders made brief remarks after their meeting, but took no questions….
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