Beneficiaries exceed 46 million for 38 straight months
(CNSNews.com) – The number of beneficiaries on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)—AKA food stamps–has topped 46,000,000 for 38th straight month, according to data released by the Department of Agriculture (USDA).
In October 2014, the latest month reported, there were 46,674,364 Americans on food stamps. Food stamp recipients have exceeded 46 million since September 2011.
The 46,674,364 on food stamps in October was an increase of 214,434 from the 46,459,930 on food stamps in September.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Thursday, January 15, 2015
A Viewer Writes: WAR MEMORIAL IN SALISBURY
The flag is always on the right, as you are facing out from the objective or subject. If you are on a podium facing an audience, it should be on your right, the observers left. If it is in front of a building with other flags, and if you are standing on the steps facing out, it would be on your right, the observers facing toward the building would see it on the left. The zoo is a good example, as is the Elks Lodge, Wor-Wic College and many others locally.
Considering that the monument in question is the subject, and if you are standing in front of it facing out toward the flags, the American flag should be on your right.
92.9 Million Americans Are Out Of The Labor Force
WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION HITS FRESH 38-YEAR LOW
America’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 5.6 percent in December (its lowest level since June 2008). Meanwhile another quarter million new jobs were created in December, according to the monthly job report released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Good news, right? Sure … if you’re not paying attention.
Mainstream media outlets like The Wall Street Journal touted America’s “strongest year of job growth in 15 years” and a new “postrecession low” in unemployment as “evidence of momentum for the labor market.”
The only problem? The labor pool continued to shrink, wages also declined and the quality of jobs continued to diminish – a sad testament to the “recovery” created by the economic policies of presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
Most important for those of you keeping score at home, America’s labor participation dropped in December to 62.7 percent – its lowest reading since December 1977. Translated into hard numbers? A total of 92.9 million working age Americans were not part of the labor force – a new record.
“Only 111,000 more Americans were employed in December than the month before, while 456,000 people abandoned the workforce entirely. That is how the unemployment rate dropped to 5.6 percent in spite of extremely disappointing job growth numbers,” said Rick Manning, vice president of public policy and communications for Americans for Limited Government.
More
Good news, right? Sure … if you’re not paying attention.
Mainstream media outlets like The Wall Street Journal touted America’s “strongest year of job growth in 15 years” and a new “postrecession low” in unemployment as “evidence of momentum for the labor market.”
The only problem? The labor pool continued to shrink, wages also declined and the quality of jobs continued to diminish – a sad testament to the “recovery” created by the economic policies of presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
Most important for those of you keeping score at home, America’s labor participation dropped in December to 62.7 percent – its lowest reading since December 1977. Translated into hard numbers? A total of 92.9 million working age Americans were not part of the labor force – a new record.
“Only 111,000 more Americans were employed in December than the month before, while 456,000 people abandoned the workforce entirely. That is how the unemployment rate dropped to 5.6 percent in spite of extremely disappointing job growth numbers,” said Rick Manning, vice president of public policy and communications for Americans for Limited Government.
More
Will Wicomico EVER Get An Elected Board of Education?
Not Unless County Council Gets Off the Dime
As long as Wicomico County voters aren’t allowed to have a say in who runs their public schools they will continue to see a school system that grows in bureaucracy and borrows to build new schools rather than adequately maintain existing buildings. All anecdotal evidence indicates that a majority of voters favor a school board elected in the same manner as the county council – five members by district and two members at large. The only way to receive objective evidence is a vote at the polls; something that certain special interest groups want to deny Wicomico voters.
An elected school board will not be a silver bullet to correct the problems our public schools face; it certainly won’t yield worse results than we’ve seen to date. However, the powers that be continue to stonewall the county’s voters.
How can we get an elected school board? It all starts with the County Council. They need to pass a resolution which would (hopefully) be signed by newly elected County Executive Bob Culver. Members of the county’s legislative delegation would then be asked to sponsor a bill in Annapolis calling for a question to be placed on the 2016 ballot. If the question received a majority vote of Wicomico voters, it would then fall on the legislature to approve a bill allowing for an elected school board.
More
Maryland officials to discuss starting school after Labor Day
Franchot is scheduled to hold a news conference Thursday with Gov.-elect Larry Hogan, state Sen. James Mathias and Ocean City Mayor Richard Meehan.
A state task force recommended in May that schools delay opening until after Labor Day, while continuing to end by the current time in mid-June. The task force voted 11-4 in favor of the later start date.
More
Wicomico County Sheriff's Office Unfortunately Loses One Of Their Own
At this time we will refrain from any details and await a possible Press Release from the WCSO. R.I.P.
Caesar Rodney wrestling coach charged with teen sex abuse
Howell, 50, of Wyoming, was involved with a 17-year-old girl, police said, as early as March and until late December of 2014.
The two engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior at least nine times on school grounds as well as a number of times at his home, police said.
More
IKEA Recalls 169,000 Crib Mattresses After Reports Infants Became Trapped Between Mattress And Crib
When parents put their child to bed they likely have a reasonable expectation that their kiddo will sleep comfortably and safely. Hundreds of thousands of customers who own certain IKEA crib mattresses might not sleep so soundly, however, after the company issued a recall following reports that the product poses a hazard to infants.
Pres. to Propose Paid Sick Leave for Workers
WASHINGTON -- President Obama will call on Congress to require companies to give workers up to seven days of paid sick leave a year, a senior adviser said Wednesday.
Obama will also take executive action to give at least six weeks of paid leave to federal employees after the birth or adoption of a child, Senior White House Adviser Valerie Jarrett said.
And Obama wants Congress to spend $2.2 billion to help states and cities develop paid family leave programs.
Jarrett announced the new initiatives in a post on the job networking site LinkedIn -- a venue chosen, she said, because its audience was best positioned to drive change in their own workplaces.
"As our workforce and our families have continued to evolve over time. too many of our workplaces have failed to keep pace," Jarrett told reporters.
Obama, who will travel to Baltimore tomorrow and return to Washington for dinner with British Prime Minister David Cameron, will make the proposal at a roundtable with working women Thursday.
More
Obama will also take executive action to give at least six weeks of paid leave to federal employees after the birth or adoption of a child, Senior White House Adviser Valerie Jarrett said.
And Obama wants Congress to spend $2.2 billion to help states and cities develop paid family leave programs.
Jarrett announced the new initiatives in a post on the job networking site LinkedIn -- a venue chosen, she said, because its audience was best positioned to drive change in their own workplaces.
"As our workforce and our families have continued to evolve over time. too many of our workplaces have failed to keep pace," Jarrett told reporters.
Obama, who will travel to Baltimore tomorrow and return to Washington for dinner with British Prime Minister David Cameron, will make the proposal at a roundtable with working women Thursday.
More
Throwing Rubbing Alcohol During A Robbery Constitutes Use Of A Dangerous Weapon
There are a number of things we couldn’t imagine a would-be thief using during an attempted robbery. One of those things is rubbing alcohol. But that’s exactly what police say a man used to rob a Oklahoma Walgreens on Monday.
GAS TAX “TRICKERATION”
PAY NO ATTENTION TO THE MONEY COMING OUT OF YOUR POCKET …
South Carolina’s “Republican-controlled” House of Representatives wants to cut the state’s gas tax in half …
Good news, right? Well yeah … if that was the extent of the plan.
Unfortunately, it isn’t. After cutting the state’s gas tax from 16.75 percent to 8.75 cents – they would start applying sales tax to all gasoline purchases (which are currently exempt from sales tax in South Carolina).
Rather than “cutting the gas tax,” this would actually result in a $200 million a year tax hike.
It’s pure smoke and mirrors, in other words …
That’s not all, though. In addition to this $200 million trickeration, lawmakers want voters to approve a separate statewide sales tax hike – a “one penny” increase that they say will bring in another $643 million annually for roads.
Add it all up and we’re looking at $843 million (at least) being sucked out of the state’s consumer economy each year … from consumers who are already paying the nation’s second-highest percentage of their incomes on gas (only Mississippians pay more).
Can the state’s economy (which is suffering from flat incomes and record low labor participation) really afford that?
Hell no …
More
South Carolina’s “Republican-controlled” House of Representatives wants to cut the state’s gas tax in half …
Good news, right? Well yeah … if that was the extent of the plan.
Unfortunately, it isn’t. After cutting the state’s gas tax from 16.75 percent to 8.75 cents – they would start applying sales tax to all gasoline purchases (which are currently exempt from sales tax in South Carolina).
Rather than “cutting the gas tax,” this would actually result in a $200 million a year tax hike.
It’s pure smoke and mirrors, in other words …
That’s not all, though. In addition to this $200 million trickeration, lawmakers want voters to approve a separate statewide sales tax hike – a “one penny” increase that they say will bring in another $643 million annually for roads.
Add it all up and we’re looking at $843 million (at least) being sucked out of the state’s consumer economy each year … from consumers who are already paying the nation’s second-highest percentage of their incomes on gas (only Mississippians pay more).
Can the state’s economy (which is suffering from flat incomes and record low labor participation) really afford that?
Hell no …
More
3rd Friday: January 16
|
|
|
|
DONALD TRUMP MULLS A 2016 BID
EARLY STATE VISITS PLANNED …
After (wisely) refraining from a 2012 presidential bid, New York real estate mogul and reality television star Donald Trump is “very seriously” considering running for president in 2016. Trump told New York City radio station 970 AM’s “The Cats Roundtable” this week that he will be appearing in several early voting states as he makes up his mind.
“I’m going to Iowa. I’m going to South Carolina. I’m going to New Hampshire. I’ve been invited by everybody,” Trump said. “Maybe because they know my views. Maybe because of the great success of ‘The Apprentice.’ I don’t know what it is but I will tell you I do very well in the polls.”
More
After (wisely) refraining from a 2012 presidential bid, New York real estate mogul and reality television star Donald Trump is “very seriously” considering running for president in 2016. Trump told New York City radio station 970 AM’s “The Cats Roundtable” this week that he will be appearing in several early voting states as he makes up his mind.
“I’m going to Iowa. I’m going to South Carolina. I’m going to New Hampshire. I’ve been invited by everybody,” Trump said. “Maybe because they know my views. Maybe because of the great success of ‘The Apprentice.’ I don’t know what it is but I will tell you I do very well in the polls.”
More
Accident On Route 50
They are not saying the accident is in the area of Forest Grove Road.
They are asking for fire police so that they can detour traffic. Please avoid this area if possible.
Route 50 westbound is being shut down at Forest Grove Road. Traffic being detoured to Old Ocean City Road.
7:11am One lane of Route 50 is now being opened.
All lanes of Route 50 are now open
Defense Department says 5 more Guantanamo Bay detainees transferre
The Defense Department announces that four terror suspects held at Guantanamo Bay have been transferred to Oman, while a fifth has been transferred to Estonia, bringing the number of detainees at the facility down to 122.
MITT ROMNEY IS SERIOUS …
… UNFORTUNATELY (OR PERHAPS FORTUNATELY)
Earlier this week we weighed in on the news that fiscally liberal former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney was seriously considering another run for the White House.
Our conclusion?
“A Romney reboot in 2016 would only exacerbate the existing fractures within the GOP … which is coming apart at the seams due to the fiscal betrayals of its ‘establishment’ leaders,” we wrote.
(Read our whole report HERE).
We’d hoped Romney 3.0 was going to be quickly dismissed … but no such luck. Romney, it appears, is deadly serious about a 2016 bid … which would be his third campaign for president. In fact like former Florida governor Jeb Bush – the establishment favorite and current frontrunner for the GOP nomination – Romney is already plotting strategy with his advisors.
“Romney, who made a fortune in the financial sector and was cast by Democrats in 2012 as a heartless businessman, wants to make tackling poverty … one of the three pillars of his campaign,” reporters Maggie Haberman and James Hohmann of Politico report.
You know … because government “wars on poverty” are so successful …
More
Earlier this week we weighed in on the news that fiscally liberal former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney was seriously considering another run for the White House.
Our conclusion?
“A Romney reboot in 2016 would only exacerbate the existing fractures within the GOP … which is coming apart at the seams due to the fiscal betrayals of its ‘establishment’ leaders,” we wrote.
(Read our whole report HERE).
We’d hoped Romney 3.0 was going to be quickly dismissed … but no such luck. Romney, it appears, is deadly serious about a 2016 bid … which would be his third campaign for president. In fact like former Florida governor Jeb Bush – the establishment favorite and current frontrunner for the GOP nomination – Romney is already plotting strategy with his advisors.
“Romney, who made a fortune in the financial sector and was cast by Democrats in 2012 as a heartless businessman, wants to make tackling poverty … one of the three pillars of his campaign,” reporters Maggie Haberman and James Hohmann of Politico report.
You know … because government “wars on poverty” are so successful …
More
Closings and Delays 1-15-15
Wicomico Co Schools -Thu Jan 15 Wicomico Schools opening with 2-hr delay, no AM Prek.
Dorchester County Public Schools - DCPS will open 2 hours late with no AM PreK on January 15, due to icy areas in the northern part of the county. Be safe!
Laurel School District -LSDS and Administrative Offices will open on a two (2) hour delay today, Thursday, 1/15/15 due to ice and road conditions
Somerset County - 2 hour Delay. No Am Pre-k
Delmar Middle & High School - Closed
Salisbury Christian School - 2 hours delay
Salisbury School - 2 hour delay
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)