Thursday, September 04, 2008 Oh no, not Peggy Hill... POST A COMMENT Poor poor John McCain...'got us all stuck in a bad rerun of 'King of the Hill --(problem is this isn't a cartoon we could just laugh off)... And In the end I might up choosing the lesser of the evils...'As with any wacky-extremist, the more I read, the more the Palin choice got me pretty scared right about now. I wrote on here that neither presidential candidate rocks my world. In that interest of full disclosure, I'm in that allusive-undecided-club -- (a former Pro-Hillary...'moderate on most issues, conservative on others. But yet socially liberal on important stuff like health care and the growing poverty divide). I'm closest in philosophy to our great New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Photo credit: TMZ.com Labels: News Trends, Politics, Poverty Divide, race relations posted by Henry Cruz at 2:13 AM Saturday, August 16, 2008 It's the teachers, stupid! POST A COMMENT As a survivor the public school system -- including a bout at one of the most dangerous High Schools in the Bronx - (NYC)... 'I can testify that the biggest problem at inner-city schools -- (aside from threat-to-life issues) is what you don't see -- all the dropouts.... but, for those that stick it out, it does become so much about the quality of the teachers; which is why I think "Teach for America" might have something. Let's face it, there is no easy band-aid fix; as this Newsweek article points out: "the American system of education is broken..." -- poor kids without money are basically screwed. Repairing it, begins with better teachers: "The single most important factor in student achievement is the quality of the teacher. And yet, we have no effective system to attract, train, retain and promote high-caliber candidates for our schools. Today's teachers score in the lowest quartile of college grads and too many of the schools that train them are diploma mills." - Teach for America basics: The two-year program "recruits high-performing college grads to teach in low-performing public schools." And while the teachers are paid the same as other new teachers, Teach for America actually helps to pay off the participants student loans. More than that is how this program has raised the stakes by sparking a join-the-cool-club-mentality among recent grads: "Among the candidates: 11 percent of seniors at Yale, 10 percent at Georgetown and 9 percent at Harvard. This summer, 3,700 corps members who were carefully culled for their leadership skills through TFA's data-driven, envy-of-Wall Street selection model underwent an intensive, five-week crash course in teaching." I know for myself, the difference between ending up locked up in jail or finishing college -- came down to a few memorable teachers showing me some of life's possibilities. Source: Newsweek Labels: College Students, economy, Education, Poverty Divide, race relations, Teach for America posted by Henry Cruz at 4:34 PM Wednesday, August 13, 2008 Melting Pot, USA POST A COMMENT Watching the Olympics coverage started a conversation on how diversity benefits the U.S. teams. I grew up in New York City...'so, I might be a bit spoiled by that melting pot theme. But, join me in being the forever-optimist and seeing the good in this New-York-microcosm trickling down-south. And how this will be even better for the Team USA of the future -- 'cause sorta like the six million dollar man, we'll get the best of all worlds in one place...and kick some major butt -- (seems to work just fine here in New York). "The white population, I wouldn't say is fading into the background, but it is becoming the older, less fertile part of the population," offers CBS news. Consider this: 10 percent of Americas population still control 70 percent of our countries wealth...it's pretty clear who really wears the clout in this country -- (the rest of us are just here to clean up the mess...I mean look at who they shipped out to Iraq; 'don't think too many rich folks ever even heard the words "basic training"). "Whites still make up 66 percent of the population. But their numbers have grown only two percent since 2000, compared to eight percent for blacks, 29 percent for Hispanics and 26 percent for Asians." In that same report it was suggested that such change in a community could have a "train wreck" effect -- really, I couldn't disagree more. Worse case scenario: we might all need to learn to sing the star spangled banner in English, Spanish, Chinese, and maybe French -- (Gaaak, well hopefully not french)... 'what's the big-whoop? Source: CBS News Labels: Business-101, latino watch, News Trends, Olympics, Poverty Divide, race relations, rich and poor divide posted by Henry Cruz at 10:09 PM Sunday, August 10, 2008 U.S. plan they don't want us to hear about POST A COMMENT It's been called the digital "national embarrassment" -- how other nations' residents have high-speed at home, while the U.S. numbers keep slipping; An FCC proposal, on the table this month, hopes to "boost U.S. competitiveness by giving each household (Free) high-speed Web access..." however, the duopoloy wants to stop it. It sounds like a no-brainer: With more and more businesses shifting towards the web, such a huge-digital-divide can definitely effect how good -- (or how badly) -- the future U.S. economy performs on that bigger global arena... FCC chairman's Kevin J. Martin free-high-speed plug votes this month -- basically says "any household in the country -- (would be able to) -- cruise the Net at broadband speeds, at absolutely no cost." Says Business Week. "But his idea faces heated opposition from companies such as AT&T that worry their profits will be threatened by a free alternative." The facts: "Only 60% of American households have speedy Net access). And that huge gap " puts the country in 15th place among developed nations..." -- a huge drop from 2001 when the U.S. ranked fourth. The plan: "create incentives for private companies to roll out more broadband..." much like basic Television, it could "make money by selling advertising and advanced services." --(with a premium no-ad option for those that can afford to pay more). Just think, a free web model could actually create more competition to get an even faster web out there, and help those helpless resentful-ignorant people -- (who don't get high-speed) -- so, we'd all actually be on the same high-speed-playing field... 'and then we'd all be able to watch Ceasar and Chuy talk about Amy Winehouse --('in the end doesn't it sounds like a win-win-win for all?): Source: Business Week Labels: Business-101, ceasar and chuy, freeconomics, net neutrality, News Trends, Poverty Divide, rich and poor divide, web trends posted by Henry Cruz at 4:01 AM Friday, August 08, 2008 An Inconvenient Housing Twist POST A COMMENT "Eat all your food," my Mom would say when I was little. "And be lucky, because there are starving kids in Africa." -- which was her way of pointing out, as poor as we were, others had it much worse. Which is what came to mind when reading about the "real-estate bust" - See if you can follow this one: Chronic homelessness has actually dropped 30 percent, a new report says. But now family homelessness is on the rise. It seems the foreclosure mess had an unexpected twist in that we will see more available "housing for the homeless." -- with a sour note for for families who just lost their homes... Because - "foreclosure crisis pushes some low income families into shelters, chronic homeless rates are shrinking thanks in part to the foreclosed and vacant buildings social-service agencies can now afford to buy." Seems more nonprofits are turning those homes and "seized apartment buildings and run-down motels" into places "with access to addiction treatment and health care." -- so, people now getting kicked outta their homes might have more places to crash...but, it will actually be other-peoples-reconverted-foreclosed-homes we are using to house them...'confused yet? "Historically, economic downturns are good for the homeless," points out Newsweek. "just as booms tend to be bad. During the 1990s, despite record spending and increases in shelter beds under the Clinton administration, homeless rates jumped 50 percent." Doesn't it sounds like a Real Estate Catch-22? -- Because in a strong economy -- and in turn -- a stronger real estate market -- wouldn't it actually make it harder to house our homeless? Source: Newsweek Labels: An Inconvenient Truth, Business-101, capitalism, Poverty Divide, Real Estate, rich and poor divide posted by Henry Cruz at 1:04 PM Tuesday, August 05, 2008 Finally the rich join our nation of whiners POST A COMMENT Sen. Phil Gramms' mental recession can add a bunch of wealthy folks to that "nation of whiners." Yep, even those swimming in cash have been tightening their Gucci-belts. Before you go out and call the tiny violins...'or clap your hands 'bout that rampant consumption in our culture coming to a end... 'let me point out the how the "upper-crust thriftiness could reverberate across the economy..." Because - "The 10 percent of households with the highest incomes account for nearly a quarter of all spending..." We kinda do really need the rich flaunting their cash -- (Like one big tail gate party of rich folks 'out-doing-the-Jones...how 'bout a keep on-honkin' for Prada and Gucci Bags). On most days I'd be first on that line to argue the imbalances -- and why only a small percent of the population can actually afford to spend right now -- the point here is that imbalance "gives the wealthy immense economic clout" -- and not spending in the already slumping economy...well... Let's toss out there another couple of nuggets to chew on: "Consumer spending makes up 70 percent of gross domestic product...and that "economic activity...creates (new) jobs" Soooo, we don't need to hear right now that rich people are -- "seeking the best deals" rather than the "over-the-top extravagances that's expected!" Or we really don't need to hear that "Luxury spending fell 4 percent last year, and this year's decline is expected to be steeper, particularly for luxury handbags and clothing that don't hold value" Don't the rich people know Phil Gramm was talking about poor slobs like us when he was talking about mental problems...don't be insane. If you're one of the 10 percent with all that available cash on hand get over your whining and go out and buy one of them luxury gas-guzzling HUMMER SUVs...and hell, why not go out for a nice loooong drive...'go on and make Phil Gramm proud again. Source: Denver Post Labels: economy, News Trends, Poverty Divide, race relations, rich and poor divide posted by Henry Cruz at 1:41 AM Monday, August 04, 2008 Don't call 'em "Whole-Pay-Check" POST A COMMENT A couple of years back I had a friend over -- complaining as usual about his job -- and then he spotted my Whole Foods shopping bags laying out in the kitchen. "Oh man, you shop at whole-pay-check?" He says with a touch of disdain. "Only 'rich people shop there." -- Whole-Pay-Check, is what people have labeled the upscale market, -- meaning "shop at Whole Foods...'you'd better expect to spend your Whole-weekly-Paycheck there." I remember I got a tinge of being "too uppity," for wanting quality foods...hey, it was really hard at the time to get fresh fruits and veggies....so, I especially understood the recent NY Times article outlining -- in these tough times -- Whole Foods needs to remake itself: "convincing people that Whole Foods Market can be an economical place to shop." -- Um, Yeah, good luck with that one. "The company was once a Wall Street darling, but its sales growth was cooling even before the economy turned. Since peaking at the beginning of 2006, its stock has dropped more than 70 percent." “I came for something else one day and was shocked to find the meat on sale, so I bought it and put it in the freezer,” adds one customer. I'll be checking them out again this week to monitor the price changes, and see if I come home with at least half my paycheck -- (and I'll write a follow up here). A-Real estate side bar -- 'interesting thing about having a Whole Foods Market open up near you -- I learned watching HGTV -- are property values goes up. Mainly because whole foods will smartly only open up in college-friendly and areas where the average income and education level skews higher than the norm... I know when I buy my new place...it's gonna be near a whole foods so, it'll hold that resale value -- (assuming they can keep their asses in business long enough). Check out this Whole Foods video -- "inviting customers to show up for budget-focused store tours..." Source: NY Times Labels: economy, green living, Healthy Foods, News Trends, Obesity, Poverty Divide, rich and poor divide, Well-Balanced Life, Whole Foods posted by Henry Cruz at 1:35 PM Thursday, July 31, 2008 College Students on Food Stamps POST A COMMENT When I think back to my 20's and working my way through college with a part time job...(* sighs) I do remember learning to stretch each dollar...'doing more with less. And yeah, even going hungry a few times. 'but thankfully, it never got so bad that I would imagine ever forming a Facebook group called "I Ain't Afraid to be on Food Stamps." - so, times have changed. With inflation fears mounting -- due in large part to the crippled housing market; 'we can expect to see growing gas prices & food costs... 'Even heard last night on ABC's Nightline that even 'rich-folks -- with plenty of available cash on hand -- are not spending right now. So much for that theory of trickle-down economics that says if you give Tax breaks to the rich they'll keep spending to grow the economy. Seems everybody's cutting their spending bracing for the worst-yet-to-come-ahead. So not so crazy to read "with things the way they are, a lot of students just can't afford to eat," reports the Gainesville Gardian. And they are lining up to local food banks just to get something to eat. "There is a stereotype that well, if they're in college, they can afford to eat," said a food pantry director. "But there are some - (college) - students who have hardly any disposable income, and because of that, the food budget suffers. They either eat really badly, or they just don't eat enough." I want to say learning to do more with less helps build character --for the generation ahead -- but, it's really hard to listen to any rosy theories on a empty stomach. Source: Gainesville Guardian Labels: College Students, economy, Facebook, Food Banks, Poverty Divide, rich and poor divide posted by Henry Cruz at 12:20 PM Monday, September 24, 2007 Fencing In Poverty! POST A COMMENT While unequal justice divide folks (down in Jena) -- how 'bout -- putting a fence put up -- along poverty lines (Source Washington Post): In Washington DC when a "fence" suddenly appears between two neighborhoods -- "low-income and subsidized townhouses called Picton" and -- right "Next door, houses of East Village (a degree more affluent)" -- the division becomes polarized by income and self worth! "The six-foot-high black metal barrier tipped with spikes stretched across the asphalt trail that had long connected Watson's Montgomery Village neighborhood with the neighborhood next door." Before the fence, the poorer residents of Picton used the paths to reach the bus stops and swimming pools on the far side of East Village...One wonders if putting up fences (along economic lines) serves to box in both the "have nots" and the "have mores." Labels: Culture, Poverty Divide posted by Henry Cruz at 3:14 AM     ARCHIVES October 2005 . November 2005 . December 2005 . August 2007 . September 2007 . October 2007 . November 2007 . December 2007 . March 2008 . April 2008 . May 2008 . June 2008 . July 2008 . August 2008 . September 2008 .