Salisbury News: 01/06/17

Friday, January 06, 2017

Local Snow Emergency Information

TRAFFIC ALERT! Maryland State Police in Berlin have activated a Snow Emergency Plan beginning at 2am on January 7th. This is done in anticipation of the upcoming storm approaching. A Snow Emergency Plan means that vehicles must be equipped with tire chains or tires rated for Snow. Disabled vehicles will be removed immediately instead of the normal 48hr grace period. Please do not drive during this time unless absolutely necessary. This will allow the County and State Highway crews to remove the snow more effeciently.

Princess Anne Snow Emergency Route Information

Snow Emergency routes in Princess Anne are Somerset Avenue and Mt. Vernon Road. No parking will be in effect on those routes. Abanoded and or parked vehicles on those routes will be towed at owners expense.

Snow Emergency Plan for Somerset County, MD
January 6, 2017

Somerset County, MD: The Maryland State Police Princess Anne Barrack will activate the Snow Emergency Plan for Somerset County at 2 A.M. on Saturday, January 7th, 2017. The plan will remain in effect for the duration of the inclement weather which is scheduled to hit the lower eastern shore of Maryland.

What the Snow Emergency Plan means for motorists:

Vehicles traveling on highways designated as snow emergency routes must be equipped with chains, snow tires or all season radials.
Special hauling permits for commercial vehicles are not valid.
Law enforcement can clear abandoned vehicles left on the road or on the shoulder. These vehicle will be towed to a local tow lot until picked up by the owner.
A parking ban is imposed on all Snow Emergency Routes during a snow emergency. Vehicles parked on designated Snow Emergency routes are subject to removal.

If any additional information is requested please contact your local State Police Barracks.

Communist China Moves Against Trump, Asserts Control Over Strategic Ports

The Communist Chinese government, through state-controlled corporations masquerading as private entities, is accelerating its plan to acquire control over deep water ports and major shipping lanes across the world.

The Sri Lankan government, heavily indebted to China, recently agreed to lease approximately 80% of a strategic port in the southern part of the country to a state-owned Chinese company for $1.1 billion.

The port of Hambantota lies along an important trade route connecting Asia and the Middle East, and is a key part of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s “one belt, one road” plan to expand Chinese control over key shipping lanes.

More

Report finds improvements in Chesapeake Bay’s overall health

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Water clarity in the Chesapeake Bay is the best it’s been in decades, and native rockfish, oyster and blue crab populations are rebounding as the overall health of the nation’s largest estuary improves, a report released Thursday found.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s biennial State of the Bay report gave the estuary a C-minus grade, an improvement from a D-plus two years ago and the highest score issued since the inception of the report in 1998.

Still, the report notes that the bay — an economic driver that supports fishing, farming, shipping and tourism — remains “a system dangerously out of balance, a system in crisis,” and says progress has been uneven across the region. The Chesapeake Bay watershed spans 64,000 square miles in parts of Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.

“The bay is getting better,” foundation President William Baker said in a conference call with reporters. “This is good news, but the recovery is fragile. There’s a long way left to go.”

More

Philly Thieves

Check out this receipt and you realize why the country just elected Donald Trump. Liberal Democrat scumbag mayor Jim Kenney and his entirely Democrat city council thought it was a brilliant idea to ram a beverage tax down the throats of Philadelphians last year. They were doing it for the chilruns. It’s always for the chilrun. The ignorant masses bought the load of bullshit because they don’t understand maff. They understand it now. The tax went into effect on January 1 and the sticker shock is infuriating the ignorant masses.

This receipt for a 10 pack of flavored water shows a 51% beverage tax. It gets even better. PA has a sales tax of 6%. Philly already charges another 2% (for the chilruns) to make the sales tax 8%. These bastards now charge the 8% on the original price plus the beverage tax. Last week this purchase came to $6.47. Today it is $9.75.

More

WEATHER UPDATE: Winter Storm Warning

Effective:

21:41 EST on 01-06-2017

Expires:

01:00 EST on 01-08-2017

Event:

Winter Storm Warning

Alert:

...A POWERFUL WINTER STORM WILL AFFECT CENTRAL AND EASTERN 
VIRGINIA...THE LOWER MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE AND NORTHEAST NORTH 
CAROLINA FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY... 
 
...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM SATURDAY TO 
1 AM EST SUNDAY... 
 
* AREAS AFFECTED: LOWER MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE. 
 
* HAZARDS: SNOW. 
 
* ACCUMULATIONS: 3 TO 8 INCHES OF SNOW. 
 
* TEMPERATURES: MID TO UPPER 20S. 
 
* WINDS: NORTH 10 TO 20 MPH...INCREASING TO 15 TO 25 MPH WITH 
GUSTS TO 30 MPH. 
 
* TIMING: SNOW IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN AFTER MIDNIGHT...THEN CONTINUE 
INTO SATURDAY EVENING BEFORE ENDING SATURDAY NIGHT. SNOW WILL 
BECOME HEAVY AT TIMES ON SATURDAY. 
 
* IMPACTS: HAZARDOUS TRAVEL EXPECTED DUE TO SNOW COVERED ROADS 
AND REDUCED VISIBILITIES.

Instructions:

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW... SLEET...AND ICE ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

Target Area:

Dorchester
Inland Worcester
Maryland Beaches
Somerset
Wicomico

Dreaded ‘stomach flu’ wreaks havoc on families — and it’s only going to get worse

Once the virus hits, the attacks are often swift and brutal. The stomach and intestines become inflamed. Bouts of vomiting and diarrhea follow that leave victims weak and exhausted. And since the bug is extremely contagious, it can spread easily to others, especially in places like day-care centers, schools, cruise ships and nursing homes.

If all of this sounds familiar to those of you who were laid viciously low over the holidays, it’s because the arrival of cold weather usually coincides with an increase in one of winter's most dreaded horrors: norovirus. Although norovirus is often referred to, incorrectly, as stomach flu, it has nothing to do with influenza, which is a respiratory virus. While you can get sick from norovirus at any time during the year, it’s most common in the winter.

That’s when people tend to congregate more, and the closer you are, the more you tend to share your germs. Colder temperatures also seem to make it easier for the germs “to stick around on surfaces a little bit longer,” said Aron Hall, an epidemiologist who tracks norovirus at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

More

Rand Paul Goes Off On Republican Party Over New Budget Resolution

On Wednesday afternoon, one day after reintroducing his Federal Reserve Transparency Act, Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) took to the Senate floor to slam his fellow Republicans for the $9.7 trillion of debt that a newly introduced budget resolution will tack on to the country's already out of control debt total.

Senate Budget Committee Chair Michael Enzi (R-WY) introduced a budget resolution on Tuesday that is being touted as the first step the newly sworn in congress is taking to repealing Obamacare. The legislation includes “reconciliation instructions” that would allow congress to dismantle the health care law as part of reconciling taxes and spending with the budget blueprint.

According to Paul, “there is a time and a place to debate Obamacare” but this new piece of legislation is a budget and he is unwilling to support the debt it will accumulate.

“Republicans won the White House. Republicans control the Senate. Republicans control the House. And what will the first order of business be for the new Republican majority?” Paul asked.

“To pass a budget that never balances,” the Kentucky Senator answered his own question. “To pass a budget that will add $9.7 trillion dollars of new debt in tens years.”

“Is that really what we campaigned on?” Paul asked on. “Is that really what the Republican party represents?”

After stating that he is with his fellow Republicans for the repeal of Obamacare, Senator Paul went on to ask “why should we vote on a budget that doesn’t represent our conservative view?”

More

Ahead of the snow, toll for Express Lanes in Virginia rises over $30 during evening rush hour

WASHINGTON - We all know traffic in the D.C. region can be a trying experience with long commutes and delays, especially with precipitation falling in the area. But as the first snowfall arrived in the D.C. region Thursday evening, commuters driving during the evening rush hour in Northern Virginia found using the Express Lanes would be very costly.

A FOX 5 staff member driving on Interstate 495 found a sign showing the toll for the Express Lanes starting from nearby the Tysons Corner area to the I-395/95 exit would cost a whopping $30! Using the lanes to I-66 would be just shy of $10.

More

Breaking: Feds Announce Takeover of US Electoral Process

DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson designates elections ‘Critical Infrastructure’

US election systems will henceforth be treated as “critical infrastructure,” the Department of Homeland Secretary Jeh Johnson decreed Friday in a move some are describing as a major federal overreach.

In a letter to the Associated Press, Johnson revealed the US government would monitor and intervene in future elections, a process previously handled on a state-by-state basis.

“Given the vital role elections play in this country, it is clear that certain systems and assets of election infrastructure meet the definition of critical infrastructure, in fact and in law,” Johnson stated. “Particularly in these times, this designation is simply the right and obvious thing to do.”

More

FBI Knew Florida Airport Shooter Fought for ISIS -- And Did Nothing

Was he another FBI patsy or just a lone wolf?

Esteban Santiago has been identified by NBC News as the gunman who shot around twenty people, killing at least five, at Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida.

CBS News sent out a tweet claiming the suspected shooter told the FBI last year that he was forced to fight for ISIS.

ABC News also reported on the FBI’s knowledge of the suspect’s history.

It appears the suspect was also investigated on charges of child pornography in the past.

Below is an image of the alleged shooter.

Deer poaching and drug possession cases highlight recent enforcement actions taken by the Maryland Natural Resources Police.

A Delaware man stopped Monday evening in Worcester County for negligent driving and using a light to illuminate a farm field was arrested for drug possession.

Thomas Alan Peacock, 22, of Selbyville, was seen driving erratically on Swamp Road near Blueberry Road in Whaleyville, causing deep ruts in the dirt surface and making the road impassible for other motorists. He was shining his headlights onto the field.

A records check indicated that Peacock’s driver’s license was suspended. Officers found a hypodermic needle and spoon used for heroin on Peacock and a pipe used for marijuana in the vehicle.

Peacock was issued five citations: possession of heroin, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving on a suspended license, spotlighting without implement and negligent driving.

His passenger, Matthew Alan Meals, 22, also of Selbyville, was charged with marijuana possession and malicious destruction of property.

A court date has not been set.

Ruled by DC: Get The Feds Out Of Western Lands

In the final days of his administration, President Obama has decided that with the stroke of pen, he shall further consolidate direct federal control over lands within Western states. Specifically, Obama created the Bear Ears National Monument and the Gold Butte National Monument in Utah and Nevada, respectively. The Obama Administration claims that Obama's unilateral edict was necessary because Congress had not passed any legislation on the matter.

Indeed, the Obama-appointed Interior Secretary stated that "protecting the area using legislation would have been preferable" but that in the absence of legislation, it was necessary to simply declare the lands to be National Monuments.

In other words, the democratic, constitutional process of Congressional lawmaking was inconvenient for the President. So, he decided to rule by proclamation instead, giving the Governor of Utah barely an hour's notice before the proclamation was made public.
It's Not About Conservation — It's About Federal Control

Now, we should first note that the overwhelming majority of lands newly designated as National Monument lands were already federal lands to begin with, and have been controlled largely by the US Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service.

Moreover, it is not the case that opponents to the new designation are mostly people who want to privatize the land or make it easier to mine or develop the land. In fact, many opponents of the designation oppose it because they fear Monument status will lead to greaterdevelopment of the area as a tourist mecca.

In other cases, members of Indian tribes object to making sacred lands part of a federally-controlled National Monument area.

And, of course, throughout Western states, public lands continue to be a lucrative source of tourist dollars and eco-tourism. The old caricature of pro-conservationist leftists and strip-mining conservatives has long been just that: a caricature.

The reality is that nowadays many private firms and local governments depend on public lands for their livelihood and revenue, and these groups have quite a bit of influence at the state legislatures in question. Preserving natural spaces from development can mean big business and Western-state politicians know it:

More

Pistol-wielding Texas grandma runs off armed intruder

(BOWIE COUNTY, Texas) — A 74-year-old Texas grandmother stood down an armed intruder with the help of her .38-caliber pistol, ABC affiliate KTRK reports.

Rebbie Roberson, of Bowie County, was seated in her recliner getting ready to watch the evening news when she saw a man wearing a mask and gloves break into her home.

“And when I started to get up, he was in here on me with a gun facing me right to my face,” Roberson said.

To the intruder’s shock, Roberson calmly walked over to a table and picked up her gun.

“So I had to walk right out in front of him,” Roberson said. “I didn’t know if he was going to kill me or what. I reached over there and grabbed this gun. And when I swerved around, I pointed it at him and he ran.”

More

FBI Claims DNC 'Inhibited' Investigation Of Stolen Emails

The Democratic National Committee “inhibited” the FBI’s investigation of email hacks by refusing to grant investigators access to the party’s computer servers, the bureau is claiming.

“The FBI repeatedly stressed to DNC officials the necessity of obtaining direct access to servers and data, only to be rebuffed until well after the initial compromise had been mitigated,” an FBI official said Thursday, according to BuzzFeed News.

“This left the FBI no choice but to rely upon a third party for information. These actions caused significant delays and inhibited the FBI from addressing the intrusion earlier.”

More

Cops And Courts – January 6, 2017

Assault Over NYE Food

OCEAN CITY — A Belair, Md. woman was arrested on assault charges last weekend after allegedly throwing a beer can at the back of a man’s head during an early New Year’s Day morning argument over late night food.

Around 2 a.m. on Sunday, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers responded to a midtown hotel for a reported domestic dispute that had already occurred. One officer met with a male victim in the reported hotel room, while another officer met with the suspect, identified as Jessica Pasko, 31, of Belair, in the hotel lobby.

Pasko told police the couple had dated on and off in the past, but that she had broken off their relationship about a year earlier. However, they remained friends and came to Ocean City last weekend for a New Year’s Eve celebration. Pasko told police the pair had been out drinking off and on throughout the day and then returned to their room.

Continue/More Cases

Chicago Police Downplays Torture: Kids Make "Stupid Decisions"

Politically corrupt department withers under pressure

Chicago police have come under fire for their handling of what seems to be an obvious hate crime and possible case of domestic terrorism.

Following the arrests of four black suspects involved in livestreaming their physical abuse, knifing and persecution of a disabled young white man, Chicago police held a press conference in which they gave lukewarm, politically correct answers to questions from reporters regarding evidence already available in widely distributed videos.

“Kids make stupid decisions – I shouldn’t call them kids, they’re legally adults, but they’re young adults and they make stupid decisions,” responded CPD Commander Kevin Duffin when asked if perpetrators in the video shouting, “F**k white people. F**k Donald Trump,” at their victim was sufficient indication that a hate crime had taken place.

More/Video

OC Fire Captain Retires, Takes Post In Florida

OCEAN CITY — Ocean City Fire Department Captain Trevor Steedman has retired from his position after serving the resort for nearly three decades to become the new fire chief in Palm Beach Shores, Fla.

Steedman began his career in the fire service in 1987 as a cadet firefighter in Ocean City. After nearly three decades in the service of Ocean City, he is retiring as a career captain and most recently commanded the department’s Office of Training, Health and Safety.

Throughout Steedman’s career in Ocean City, he has served as shift commander, Special Operations commander and training officer. He has developed many of the special operations teams and training programs in Ocean City including the Dive Rescue unit, the HEAT team, SCBA re-certification program, a state-recognized fire training academy, recruit testing and training, the Office of Training, Health and Safety and a variety of internal policies, programs and initiatives.

More

HALO Opening for Cold Weather

HALO will provide additional beds tonight for both men and women’s shelter. HALO Day Facility will be open Saturday and Sunday. There will be no down time for anyone to be out in the elements unless they chose to be during this severe weather event.

This Picture Says A Lot About What's Coming

Trump: Mexico still paying for the wall

President-elect Trump tweeted Friday that the media was lying again about who would pay for the wall, after late Thursday reports said he was pushing Congress to pay for it.

Trump indicated that Congress may end up appropriating money to build the wall, but insisted that Mexico would ultimately pay the U.S. back. He said doing it this way would let the U.S. immediately start building the wall, instead of waiting for Mexico to pony up billions of dollars first.

"The dishonest media does not report that any money spent on building the Great Wall (for sake of speed), will be paid back by Mexico later!" he tweeted.

More

WEATHER UPDATE: Weather Bulletin--January 6, 2017--4:00 pm

WINTER STORM WARNING SATURDAY, JANUARY 7 FROM 1:00 AM TO SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 2017 1:00 AM

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN EMERGENCY.

*TIMING: Saturday, January 7 early morning after 1 am with snowfall continuing until evening hours

*SNOWFALL: 6 to 8 inches possible—(at times snowfall rate could be 2 inches per hour)

*TEMPERATURES: Mid 20’s-—remaining below freezing until Tuesday, 1/10

*WINDCHILLS: Single Digits on Sunday evening

*WINDS: Northwest 15-20 with gusts to 30 mph

We encourage citizens to limit travel during the snowfall event. This allows the road crews to efficiently and safely clear the roads. Vehicles should be equipped with snow tires, all weather rated radials or chains. Please refrain from parking or abandoning vehicles on county roads.

Wicomico County Department of Emergency Services (DES)

The DES is continuing to monitor the current weather in conjunction with the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and the National Weather Service.

Information based on NWS Wakefield Winter Storm Briefing - Friday, Jan 6—3 pm

Well Armed Chicago Gangs

Kittleman Promises To Veto "Sanctuary County" Legislation

Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman says he will veto legislation that would prevent police and other county agencies from inquiring about the status of undocumented immigrants.

In a statement issued Thursday night, Kittleman called the bill a, "hollow political statement."

Kittleman says because it doesn't supersede federal law so it does not stop federal immigration officers from coming into the county to deport undocumented immigrants.

Kittleman also fears the bill would jeopardize police investigations into gang activity, in which county police deal with federal agents.

He also fears the county may lose federal money.

More

LANDFILL & CONVENIENCE CENTER SCHEDULE

Salisbury, MD … The Newland Park Landfill and all Public Works Solid Waste Convenience Centers will be closed Saturday, January 7, 2017, due to inclement weather.

For more information, please contact the Newland Park Landfill at 410-548-4935.

UPDATE: The Wicomico County Landfill and ALL Convenience Centers, (transfer stations) will be CLOSED tomorrow.

Wicomico County Executive Updates Storm Prediction

Salisbury, MD … Wicomico County Executive Bob Culver and staff attended a 10:30 AM weather update briefing from the National Weather Service’s Wakefield Office. The current weather forecast anticipates snow beginning around 4:00 AM Saturday with the heaviest snowfall occurring between daybreak to late morning. Wicomico County is estimated to receive between 4 to 8 inches with the southeast area receiving more than the northwest. The forecast is calling for freezing temperatures until Tuesday with the wind chill dipping into the single digits both Saturday and Sunday night. Citizens are urged to drive with extreme caution during this time as the Wicomico County Roads Division will be out plowing and salting. There will be further conference calls with the National Weather Service at 1:30 PM and 4:00 PM today. If the forecast changes based on those calls, we will issue updated information.

UPDATE: 1:30 PM Update: Salisbury, MD … the 1:30 PM weather update briefing from the National Weather Service’s Wakefield Office states that most likely the range of snow has increased to 6 to 8 inches with snow starting at approximately 2:00 AM. We will have another update from the National Weather Service at 4:00 PM.

When Your Voice Isn't High Enough

Man led OCPD on high-speed chase

A high-speed pursuit that started in Ocean City last week ended near Ocean View, Delaware after police there disabled the vehicle and arrested the driver.

Police said that around 4:30 a.m. on Dec. 30, a black SUV was spotted traveling north in the southbound lane of Coastal Highway. The driver, later identified as Timothy J. Drabic, 54 of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, was reportedly driving at speeds up to 100 mph.

According to an Ocean City Police department statement, the SUV swerved and nearly struck an OCPD cruiser that was parked in the shoulder of the highway.

“It seemed as if the vehicle’s driver attempted to ram one of our officers who stopped in the bus lane near Gold Coast Mall with his lights flashing,” Ocean City Police public affairs specialist Lindsay Richard said.

More

BREAKING NEWS: 'Multiple dead,' at least 6 injured in shooting at Fort Lauderdale airport

DEVELOPING – There are "multiple people dead" and at least six injured Friday after a shooting at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida, the Broward County Sheriff says.

The shooting took place around 1 p.m. local time and a suspect is in custody. The city's mayor said there was only one shooter involved.

The airport tweeted that there is an “ongoing incident” at the terminal 2 baggage claim and that all services are temporarily suspended.

Click 'READ MORE' for the live news feed at the airport

Saving Smith Island: A Vision Plan to Save the Future

“Welcome to Mayberry,” jokes Eddie Somers as our boat docks at Smith Island’s Ewell—his hometown. With a total population of 276 year-round residents, it’s safe to say everybody knows everybody, even when part-timers arrive, swelling the population to upwards of 600.

A Department of Natural Resources hydrographic engineer, Somers serves as my tour guide on this one-day visit. Though he and his wife now live in Crisfield, they plan to retire to their beloved island.

If you have lived in Maryland for any length of time, you have probably heard of Smith Island: a community first charted by Captain John Smith more than 400 years ago.

More

BERLIN MSP Press Release- Snow Emergency Plan 1/7/17

For more information on snow emergency plans: http://www.chart.state.md.us/StormInfo/snow_emergency_plans.asp

Liberal churches are dying. But conservative churches are thriving.

A Canadian study found that conservative churches are still growing, while less orthodox congregations dwindle away.

Mainline Protestant churches are in trouble: A 2015 report by the Pew Research Center found that these congregations, once a mainstay of American religion, are now shrinking by about 1 million members annually. Fewer members not only means fewer souls saved, a frightening thought for some clergy members, but also less income for churches, further ensuring their decline.

Faced with this troubling development, clergy members have made various efforts to revive church attendance. It was almost 20 years ago that John Shelby Spong, a U.S. bishop in the Episcopalian Church, published his book “Why Christianity Must Change or Die.” It was presented as an antidote to the crisis of decline in mainline churches. Spong, a theological liberal, said congregations would grow if they abandoned their literal interpretation of the Bible and transformed along with changing times.

More

Paul Joseph Watson vs Leftists (Best Moments)

Retail stores are getting crushed after reporting disappointing holiday sales

Holiday sales weren't too hot at two of America's largest retailers.

Both Kohl's and Macy's reported lower sales during November and December 2016 than the year before. Both retailers announced sales declines of 2.1% from the same two months in 2015.

Additionally, both Kohl's and Macy's said that sales at owned and operated stores were down by 2.7% this holiday season.

"Sales were volatile throughout the holiday season. Strong sales on Black Friday and during the week before Christmas were offset by softness in early November and December," Kohl's CEO Kevin Mansell said in a press release.

Macy's CEO Terry Lundgren cited similar patterns for the sales disappointment.

"While our sales trend is consistent with the lower end of our guidance, we had anticipated sales would be stronger," Lundgren said in a release. "We believe that our performance during the holiday season reflects the broader challenges facing much of the retail industry."

More

Union: Baltimore City Police in ‘Crisis’ Due to Officer Shortage

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Baltimore City’s Police Union is sounding the alarm because they say the department is in crisis due to the fact that it has too few officers.

According to a new report, there are more than 100 fewer Baltimore City PD officers than last year, with the union saying this poses a safety concern as officers are being overworked.

The police union president calls the situation “dire.”

“You get in a crisis mode like we’re in right now with crime out of control and not enough uniformed officers on the street,” said Lt. Gene Ryan, president of the Baltimore City Fraternal Order of Police. “I would say it’s at a crisis point.”

More

Here's the massive gap in average income between the top 1% and the bottom 99% in every state

The Economic Policy Institute calculated income inequality in the US by state, metropolitan area, and county. This map shows the difference in annual income between the top 1% and the bottom 99% of individuals in each state.

Video

The economist behind Universal Basic Income: Give all citizens free money to help combat a 'neofascist wave of populism'

In 2011 Guy Standing, then an economist at the University of Bath, prefaced his new book with a warning.

He described a growing class of "precariat" workers, alienated by a western political agenda which had, since the 1970s, promoted market-led competition above job security. Real wages across the west had stalled for decades and "flexible" work was becoming the norm, leaving many millions around the world "without an anchor of stability."

This precariat, he said, "are prone to listen to ugly voices, and to use their votes and money to give those voices a political platform of increasing influence." Such conditions had created "an incipient political monster," and action was needed "before that monster comes to life."

Five years on, Standing says, "that monster has arrived."

"The precariat I’ve written about consists of several factions," he told Business Insider from his home in Switzerland.

More

Trump’s Plan For Obamacare Finally Revealed- It’s Done For

Republicans have been promising to repeal and replace Obamacare since the day it was signed. After years and years of being unable to act, Republicans now have the majority of both House and Senate, as well as the White House.

President-elect Trump has made it very clear that he plans to destroy Obamacare without any second thoughts and I gotta say I like that.

Mike Pence had a meeting with House GOP lawmakers Wednesday morning where he vowed that he and President-elect Trump would do everything in their power to repeal and replace the Obamacare law that has forced so many people out of perfectlygood healthcare plans.

“The first order of business is to repeal and replace Obamacare, and that was our message today and it will be our message on Capitol Hill, and it needs to be done,” Pence told reporters. “Not just as a promise kept, but because in the course of this election, the American people have a choice.”

More

Make Government Schools Compete or Die

If you pay taxes and take responsibility for getting your own children to and from school, you may be interested in learning that the government spent $23,233,698,000 in the 2012-2013 school year transporting other people's children to and from public schools around this country.

When those students got off the bus, taxpayers spent even more money on them — for things other than education in a classroom.

For example, according to the Digest of Education Statistics published in December by the federal government's National Center for Education Statistics, the government spent $21,862,081,000 in the 2012-2013 school year on food services in public schools.

That included $10,110,833,000 on supplies for these food services, $6,607,701,000 on salaries for the people working in them, and $2,529,156,000 on their employee benefits.

Students in public schools today can get both a free ride and a free (or subsidized) lunch.

But taxpayers cover the costs.

More here

Stanley Black & Decker buys Craftsman Tools

WASHINGTON — Stanley Black & Decker will buy Sears’ Craftsman tools division in a deal worth about $900 million.

Stanley Black & Decker said it will expand production of the iconic Sears tool brand, create new manufacturing jobs in the U.S. and further expand sales of Sears tools outside of Sears stores.

“Craftsman is a legendary, American brand with tremendous consumer awareness built on a legacy of producing quality products at a great value,” said Stanley Black & Decker Chief Executive James Loree.

More

Attention

Friday, January 06, 2017

Was he another FBI patsy or just a lone wolf?