Redistricting Tennesse District#9 & #8 ~ District#9 Constituents Lose !

Redistricting in Tennessee ~ Rubber Stamped by Tennessee Republican Legislature

Contact Rep. Cohen here > http://www.cohen.house.gov/

Contact Rep. Fincher here > http://www.fincher.house.gov/officewashington-dc

To find your Congressman click on title above !

Click below for more information >

Last week the Tennessee Senate rubber-stamped the Congressional redistricting plan passed by the State House.

I am disappointed that the General Assembly chose to split the City of Memphis, dividing citizens with common interests, by moving longtime 9th Congressional District citizens along the Poplar corridor into the largely rural 8th Congressional District which stretches up to the Kentucky border. I have long touted Team Memphis because we must work together to represent our city’s best interests. While the General Assembly’s actions in dividing our city seem to callously disregard our shared history and needs, I refuse to abandon my long-time constituents along the Poplar corridor whom I’ve represented for many years in both the State Senate and while in Congress. For the remainder of my third term, I will continue to fully represent those citizens and, thereafter, I will continue to look to their needs in every way possible. I will never abandon the Memphians who have been drawn out of the 9th Congressional District and welcome all new 9th District residents including those in Cordova and Millington. All Memphians share the best wishes for our city and we shall remain Team Memphis.

Editorial : Rep, Steve Cohen (D) 9th. District Tennessee, one of the few remaining servants in the state of Tennessee. For those of you who have been moved to District#8. I`m so sorry ! Your Rep. is now Stephen Fincher (R) Goodluck.

Fiat Lux

Titan Tire ~ Union City TN. The New Way to do Business ! You Bet`Cha !

Titan Tire Union City Tennessee Expects to Hire 300 by End of This Year !

By KEVIN BOWDEN~Staff Reporter

Read more here > http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2010/12/17/titan-tire-steelworkers-union-face-deadline-tonight/

By the end of this year, Titan Tire plans to have 300 jobs created at the Union City plant, according to Titan Tire chairman Bill Campbell (upper left).

He told The Messenger (Union City Paper) during an interview this morning that Titan Tire plans to create a “condo factory” that will involve a Titan Tire operation at the plant as well as several other industries operating in the facility.“We’re going to create businesses within the plant,” Campbell said. He explained Titan Tire will use the local plant to produce and redistribute materials to other Titan Tire plants.The local plant will be involved in utilizing a process that squeezes rubber onto fabric (nylon and polyester) and blends rubber and steel strands that will be used as tire belts for Titan Tire.“We’ll have a distribution company come in and set up and they’ll handle logistics,” Campbell said.What that means for the local plant is jobs will be created, but Titan Tire will play only a minimal direct role in actual job creation. The subcontractors that will work with Titan Tire at the local plant will be creating jobs by the end of the year. As for the transition process, Campbell said everything is going smoothly. In fact, he had to cut this morning’s interview short in order to meet with a group of contractors.“Things are going extremely well. We’re very happy,” he said. He was recently named chairman of Titan Tire and is also vice president of Titan International. Campbell stressed Titan Tire is interested in working on keeping work local at the plant.“We want local people to benefit from this,” he said. Campbell said he couldn’t provide any more specific details about how many companies would be set up inside the plant or when actual production would begin. He said the transition is a “work in progress.”“We are looking to penetrate the local agricultural and construction markets down here,” he said. As for local economic development officials, they continue to monitor the plant’s transition from Goodyear to Titan Tire.“Titan Tire has indicated to me they are not interested in any local incentives at this time,” Obion County Mayor Benny McGuire told The Messenger today. He said he was pleased to hear about the job creation news coming from the local plant. It was in mid-September 2011 that Titan Tire officially purchased the local Goodyear plant, which was shut down earlier in the year.It was in mid-November 2011 that Titan Tire announced it had paid about $9 million for the former tire plant. Maurice Taylor is the CEO of Titan Tire.Under the purchase agreement between Goodyear and Titan Tire, the Des Moines, Iowa, company bought about 480 acres and the 2.1 million square-foot Goodyear plant. Art Sparks, chairman of the Obion County Joint Economic Development Corporation, said Obion County is fortunate to have a company like Titan Tire moving into the county.“We are pleased to have Titan as a new citizen of Obion County,” he said. “Their reputation for turning around facilities is well known in the industry. I believe that they will contribute greatly to our community by providing much- needed jobs.”Sparks added that much needs to be done moving forward — specifically the completion of I-69.“I would challenge our representatives — Congressman Stephen Fincher, state Sen. Roy Herron, state Rep. Bill Sanderson and state Rep. Andy Holt — to continue to fight for funding for the completion of I-69 in our area,” he said. “That transportation system would seem to be very important to Titan as well as our other manufacturing and wholesale facilities as well as our retail community.”

Staff Reporter Kevin Bowden may be contacted by email at kmbowden@ucmessenger.com. Published in The Messenger 1.19.12

Editorial : I really hate to be so cynical, however if you read between the lines, a not to pretty picture emerges. The key word is > Create Condo`s !

(1.)Business`s within the plant = You will work in the plant, but be paid by and work for "Job Agents"...You give them a portion of your check. No benefits. no Union ! You work for everyone but Titan.

(2.) Distribution company to handle logistics = Sub contractors will handle all people related jobs. Titan will hire no one hourly.

(3.) My guess, no former UNION workers will be hired !

(4.) The Titan Des Moines Iowa plant, Titan Tire, Steelworkers union face deadline tonight.
Titan Tire of Des Moines, which makes agricultural tires, and the 500-member United Steelworkers, are in their last day of negotiations before a deadline expires at midnight tonight.A notice signed by Titan Tire president Bill Campbell that was posted in the plant said the facility will be closed at 11 p.m. if no agreement is ratified. Negotiations meanwhile continue between Titan and United...

ReadMore >>>>http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2010/12/17/titan-tire-steelworkers-union-face-deadline-tonight/...My guess, no contract at Titan Des Moines Iowa.

(5.) Not withstanding all of this. Things look pretty Rosy ! And Pigs Fly ! You know, I hope I`m wrong about this.

Fiat Lux

I AM FREEMASONRY !

I AM FREEMASONRY
Grand lodge of Tennessee > http://www.grandlodge-tn.org/

Al Menah Shrine Temple Nashville TN> http://www.almenahshriners.org/

Don Jones Masonic Resume > http://www.mastermason.com/dresden/donjones.htm <

I was born in antiquity, in the ancient days when men first dreamed of God. I have been tried through the ages, and found true. The crossroads of the world bear the imprint of my feet, and the cathedrals of all nations mark the skill of my hands. I strive for beauty and for symmetry. In my heart is wisdom and strength and courage for those who ask. Upon my alters is the Book of Holy Writ, and my prayers are to the One Omnipotent God, my sons work and pray together, without rank or discord, in the public mart and in the inner chamber. By signs and symbols I teach the lessons of life and of death and the relationship of man with God and of man with man. My arms are widespread to receive those of lawful age and good report who seek me of their own free will. I accept them and teach them to use my tools in the building of men, and thereafter, find direction in their own quest for perfection so much desired and so difficult to attain. I lift up the fallen and shelter the sick. I hark to the orphans' cry, the widows tears, the pain of the old and destitute. I am not church, nor party, nor school, yet my sons bear a full share of responsibility to God, to country, to neighbor and themselves. They are freemen, tenacious of their liberties and alert to lurking danger. At the end I commit them as each one undertakes the journey beyond the vale into the glory of everlasting life. I ponder the sand within the glass and think how small is a single life in the eternal universe. Always have I taught immortality, and even as I raise men from darkness into light, I am a way of life.

Prescription Drugs ~ Need YOUR Input !

PRESCRIPTION DRUG$...Is it a Co$t Problem ? IS TO ME.

We at RxRights were heartened by your dedication to protecting access to safe and affordable medicine in 2011. We asked you to take action and speak out--and you did! Since you listened to us, now we want to start the year off right by listening to you.

Please take a few minutes out of your busy day to tell us about yourself and your thoughts relating to safe and affordable prescription drug importation. The better we know you, the better we can tailor our messages and actions to engage you and others around the country. The more engaged our supporters are, the greater our influence will be on our policy makers. Thank you in advance for sharing your valuable insights through our brief survey. Together we can make a difference in 2012 ! Click below for Canadian Drugs > http://www.canadadrugs.com/ <

Thanks for all you do,

Underdog = Don Jones

Fiat Lux

Keep It Made in America !

The TSA used Taxpayer Dollar$ to buy Commemorative 9/11 Bracelets…that were MADE IN CHINA

Tell your member of Congress it’s time to stop outsourcing federal purchases

Tennesse District#8 Congressman Fincher(upper left)(R) here> http://www.fincher.house.gov/office/washington-dc

Contact your Rep here> http://capwiz.com/americanmanufacturing/issues/alert/?alertid=58758526&MC_plugin=2801

Though we’ve long been frustrated by the fact that the federal government spends taxpayer dollars on foreign-made goods, we found one recent example of this practice particularly infuriating.

During last year’s 10th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) purchased 70,000 commemorative bracelets for their workers. Unfortunately, these bracelets, which were intended to honor lives lost here in America, were made in China. The 9/11 bracelets are just the tip of the iceberg. Due to glaring loopholes in existing Buy America legislation, federal agencies have spent billions on foreign goods and services, including $500 billion in the past five years alone. This is unacceptable, and we need your help to make sure things change. Luckily, a bill was recently introduced to Congress that is a step in the right direction: The Invest in American Jobs Act (H.R. 3533) will help ensure that taxpayer dollars are used to buy American-made goods for federally funded highway projects by giving preference to American-made steel, iron and other materials. Click HERE to tell your member of Congress to support the Invest in American Jobs Act. ACT NOW. Tell your representative that it’s time to stop outsourcing federal purchases, and to focus on creating American jobs. Urge them to cosponsor the Invest in American Jobs Act, a great first step toward keeping federal purchases American-made.
Together We Can Keep it Made in America. It is NUTS, that I should be writing this !

Fiat Lux

Thanks for all you do,















Underdog = Don Jones

Reshoring ~ Insourcing ~ Not Outsourcing !

Insourcing~Our Race to the Bottom !~Outsourcing

Bringing the Jobs Home: How WE Get There ?
By Scott N. Paul, executive director, Alliance for American Manufacturing -

1/11/12

Insourcing seems to be at the top of the trending list for 2012. But, how do we make reshoring—bringing jobs back from overseas—a real phenomenon ? For America to have a thriving economy and lower unemployment, we need to create more good-paying jobs. And to do that, we’ll have to win back some of the jobs that have been shipped overseas for the past decade. President Obama, to his great credit, gathered about a dozen businesses and many more experts at the White House to strategize on how to bring manufacturing jobs back to America. Within the past year, major consulting firms have published a litany of reports urging businesses to take a look at reshoring. This week, the White House issued its own report.
There is no doubt that some progress has been made. American manufacturing jobs have grown over the past two years—the first time that’s happened in more than 15 years. Our nation gained 23,000 manufacturing jobs in December alone. Other manufacturing indicators—sales outlook, growth in output—have also been in consistently positive territory. The Center for Automotive Research predicts that the auto industry and its suppliers alone could add 167,000 American jobs over the next three years. Here are five things the President should highlight in the State of the Union address to ensure that the significant trickle of reshored jobs becomes a genuine trend: 1. Adopt insourcing tax incentives, such as extending a domestic manufacturing tax credit for clean energy and enlarging a deduction for U.S. manufacturing activity. Also, improve the research and development tax credit by making it more generous for innovation that is actually made in America. Finally, adopt a federal tax incentive for companies that reshore high-paying jobs. 2. Work to balance our trade account by continuing aggressive trade enforcement, where a major hat tip should be given to the Obama Administration for supporting domestic industries, such as the U.S. tire sector. But, the Administration must also work to stop China’s currency manipulation and lower our record trade deficit with that nation. 3. Invest in infrastructure, to make our economy more efficient, our businesses more competitive, and to create some new demand for manufactured materials. 4. Apply Buy America laws to make sure that our manufacturers get a reasonable preference for federal procurement on everything from commemorative wristbands to major bridge reconstruction. The Department of Transportation does a good job of applying the Buy America laws on the books, but other agencies need to step up, and loopholes need to be closed. 5. Invest in our workers to ensure we have skilled human capital on the factory floor, in the research lab, and in the executive suite. Our educational system is built towards guiding every child into a four-year college and every MBA onto Wall Street. That shouldn't be the case. We must rebuild our vocational education system from the ground up, or we will never make manufacturing great again.There are also factors beyond our control that can help—or hurt—these efforts to reshore jobs, namely the value of the dollar, shipping costs, and consumer preferences. But, if you think we can’t be a manufacturing powerhouse as a high-wage nation, then think again. Germany, where average manufacturing wages are in some cases double that of American wages , has balanced trade with China (whereas we have an annual $272 billion deficit) and over 20% percent of its economy in manufacturing (while we have only 11%). It’s clear from the job numbers, as well as voter sentiments, that Made in America is starting to make its way back. But we want Reshoring to be more than a slogan—we want it to be our national policy.

Scott N. Paul is Executive Director of the Washington, DC-based Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM)

Editorial : This writer has been writing this same message now, for almost 10 years. I could`nt agree more ! If you find this article political, You have a real problem ! I would love to sit down at a negotiating table with this guy ! We`d have a contract in about 5 minutes. Insourcing beats Outsourcing any day of the week. Are you reading Mr. President ?

Republicans Taking Away Rights ! You Bet`Cha !

Republicans Douse ‘Light of Democracy’ and Ram Through Right To Work Bill
by Mike Hall, Jan 10, 2012

The Republican-controlled Indiana House Employment, Labor and Pensions Committee, muzzled Democrats and, in a five-minute “charade” of a hearing this morning, passed a so-called right to work (RTW) bill by an 8-5 vote. Not only were Democrats barred from offering any amendments, no discussion of the bill was allowed and, immediately after the vote, the hearing was adjourned. Rep. John Bartlett (D) told reporters that he’d “never seen a charade like this in my life.”
Said Rep. Clyde Kersey (D): I think the light of democracy just went out in the Indiana House. As they have been since the legislature went into session last week, Indiana workers packed the statehouse and hearing room and roared “shame” as the bill was rammed through. IBEWLU21 tweeted “SHAME, SH#*&, SH#*&, Republicans send “right to work” to full House tiny.cc/tqk18 #inunion #ibew #1u #shame” The Indiana AFL-CIO (#In Union) tweeted, “Hoosiers just witnessed a stunning display of arrogance as House Republicans ram thru RTW committee vote in under 6 mins. Shameful.” Read more on Twitter with the hash tag #In Union and at the Stand Up for Hoosiers Facebook page here.
An identical Senate bill was approved by committee last week and both chambers could vote on the legislation by the end of this week.

Editorial : This writer is appalled at the very un-American activities`s and the denying basic rights to Americans, by Republicans ! The Republicans cry Obama/Conspiracy all of the time. Hey, we middle class Americans cannot hold a light to the Republican Conspiracy ! They tell us they are going to shaft us, we elect them. They shaft us ! Wake up America !

Fiat Lux

I Get Letters ~ President Barack Obama on Social Security

Committed to Social Security & Medicare !
January 9, 2012

More information here > www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/seniors-and-social-security.

Dear Don :



Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. I have heard from many Americans who are worried about the future of their retirement savings, and I appreciate your perspective. Retiring with dignity is a promise we must keep to all Americans, and I am working hard to strengthen our retirement system. That is why I am committed to protecting Social Security and addressing Americans' concerns. Social Security cannot be subjected to risky privatization plans because the future of hard-working Americans should not be left to the fluctuations of financial markets.To better secure their retirement and prepare for unforeseen circumstances, Americans must also save for their future in other ways. We are laying the foundation for all individuals to participate in workplace retirement accounts. Employees would be automatically enrolled in pension plans and could opt out if they choose. Simple and automatic enrollment makes it easier for people to plan for retirement. This would assist the 75 million working Americans-about half the workforce-who lack access to retirement plans through their employers. Please join me online to learn more at: www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/seniors-and-social-security.

Thank you, again, for writing.



Sincerely,



Barack Obama

Fiat Lux

Heart~Transplant, From Out of the Past ! Underdog !

Jones' Waiting Game Ends With Transplant
By Joe Lofaro Editor, Weakley County Press ~ Martin TN.

8/19/1994

Become a Donor here > http://www.donatelifetn.org/

The wait is over for a 55-year-old Martin man, thanks to a giving person.

Don Jones received a heart transplant Wednesday night at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville and is currently recovering at Vanderbilt in the cardiac recovery unit. Jones, who suffered from cardiac myopathy, a disease in which the heart gets bigger every day, was notified on Wednesday at 4:45 p.m. that a heart was available. "We left Martin at 5:15 and got to Nashville in two hours and 15 minutes and at 9 p.m. Don went into surgery," Jean Jones, Don's wife said. "At 4 a.m. Thursday they called us and said everything was fine. At 7 a.m. we got to see him for the first day and he really looked good. The doctors said he was making good progress." Jones suffered a minor setback on Saturday and had to be put back on a ventilator, but Jean said he was doing fine."He had some fluid build up in his lungs and he was having a little trouble breathing. The doctors did not want to take a chance," Jean said. Even with the setback, Jones was able to maintain his optimistic outlook."Saturday when he was on the ventilator he was conscious and he gave me the thumbs up sign," Jean Jones said. Jean Jones has not been enduring the process alone. From Wednesday to Sunday, more than 10 family members were at Vanderbilt. On Monday, Jean Jones and her son were at Vanderbilt, along with one of Don's brothers. 'This has been a very exciting process," Jean Jones said. "This is what we've been praying for. We never prayed for anybody to die, but we have prayed for a donor and the family of the donor."
At this time, all Jean Jones knows about her husband's new heart is that it's young. "I haven't asked any more questions about it," she said. "If Don wants to know more about it, he has to ask the doctors himself."Prior to receiving his new heart, Jones spent his time working on donor awareness. He formed the West Tennessee Heart Connection and spoke to any group that would listen. Jones said his goal is to regain "quality life." He worked for 22 years at Goodyear in Union City and was diagnosed with the heart problem in July of 1992. He spent two years on the United Network for Organ Sharing and Tennessee Donor Services lists.

Editorial : Don Jones = Underdog...Hey, That`s me ! "The Gift of Life", what a wonderful/loving thing to do ! Bewcome a Donor Here > http://www.donatelifetn.org/ The life you save, may be your very own ! I hope this gives you a better insight to Underdog =Don Jones...Hey That`s Me !

Fiat Lux

Right to Work...Bad Economics !

Right To Work Law: ‘Bad Economics and Cynical Politics’
by Tula Connell, Jan 9, 2012

Minimum Wage...Good for Employer`s~ who ? Not the Middle Class !

A New York Times editorial hit the mark Sunday when it castigated Republican lawmakers for pushing so-called right to work (RTW) laws in states like Indiana and correctly connected this anti-worker agenda with a similar assault on voting rights. Both moves are financed by a little-known organization funded by extremists like the Koch brothers. Many Republican leaders are adopting model legislation proposed by the American Legislative Exchange Council, a national corporate-financed conservative organization that is also assisting the Republican push to require voter identification cards to suppress the vote of minorities, young people and other constituencies that tend to favor the Democratic Party.The editorial points out how the assault is one that undercuts workers’ most valuable asset: their strength in numbers to bargain collectively for a fair deal at the workplace and to mobilize together to elect lawmakers who will back working families. RTW laws undermine all that and, in doing so, cut at the economic underpinning of America’s middle class.…over the last three decades, economists have found that unionization has a minimal impact on growth and employment in an entire state or country. In fact, six of the 10 states with the highest unemployment have right to work laws. North Carolina, a right to work state, has a private-sector unionization rate of 1.8 percent, the lowest in the nation. It also has the sixth highest unemployment rate: 10 percent.
Unionized workers earn more and get more generous benefits. In 2010, wages of workers in unionized manufacturing companies in Indiana were 16 percent higher than in nonunion plants. One study concluded that the decline in unionization since the 1970s is responsible for one-fifth to one-third of the growth in inequality in this country. Voters, unionized or not, should recognize the new “right to work” push for what it is: bad economics and cynical politics.

Fiat Lux

Blue Viewed Girl ~ In a Red State !

Blue Viewed Girl in a Red State...You Bet`Cha !
by : Underdog = Don Jones
1/09/12

Her Blog is here > http://blueviewedgirl.blogspot.com/

It is not often, that I recommend a blog. However, try this one, by Heather Mummert. It is called "Blue Viewed Girl in a Red State". I think you will find it not only informative, but factual ! At least she signs her work. So many do not.

Heather, just let me say this, keep it factual and informative and as time goes on, you will not only get better, you may surpass Underdog ! I consider your blog, now mandatory reading. And, oh yes, thank you for all you do ! You can also click on the title of this blog, it carry you to http://blueviewdgirl.blogspot.com/

"Democracy...is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch.

Liberty...is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote" (bf)

Fiat Lux

Her blog is Here >http://blueviewedgirl.blogspot.com/

Tennessee Re-Districting Results...Better Check it Out !

Tennessee`s New RE-Districting Lines !

Maps here > http://www.capitol.tn.gov/DistrictMaps/index.html

West TN House ~ Weakley here > http://www.capitol.tn.gov/DistrictMaps/Housewest.html

Contact Rep. Holt here > http://www.capitol.tn.gov/House/members/h76.html

Tennessee Here > http://www.capitol.tn.gov/DistrictMaps/index.html

West TN Senate ~Weakley here > http://www.capitol.tn.gov/DistrictMaps/Senatewest.html

Here are the links that will take you to both the House and Senate redistricting concept maps.

http://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/committees/redistricting.html

http://www.capitol.tn.gov/senate/redist/redistricting.html

Thanks,

Donna Anderson, Assistant to Rep. Andy Holt District#76
205 War Memorial Building
Nashville, TN 37243
615.741.1100 <> X44164 phone

State Rep. Andy Holt#76 District <> 615.741.7847 phone

615.253.0293 fax

Fiat Lux

The Right to Work Law ! Who is it Good For ?

The Right to Work Law = Definition-Explanation

The Right to Work for Less !

By Don Jones = Underdog

1/06/12

Click here for exclusive/independant explanation > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right-to-work_law

Almost everyone in the country has heard the phrase, "My state has the right to work law". My state of Tennessee has this law. I don`t like it. However being a law abiding citizen, I obey this law. What it translates to is the following. If you work at a job where there is a union already in existence for that job, you are not required to join that union or any union for that matter. That is the law. However, if you`re union(remember the union is you) in that facility negotiates a contract between you and your employer, whether it be hourly/money increases or benefits, by law you must and will receive those negotiated increases. In other words, you reap all of the benefits and pay no tax`s/dues. Kinda like in today's world, the millionaires and billionaires pay no tax`s and the middle class picks up the tab. I call the Right to Work law, "The Right to Work for Less" Where there is no union (that`s you) you have no rights. You cannot negotiate for anything. Your voice is non-existent. The company you work for dictates all. That is provided you work for that company ? You might work for a Job Finder, oh you go to work at a manufacturing facility, but you work for Job Finder. Low hourly pay and no benefits. "Right to Work Law" is now and always has been anti-worker. I have a Right to Work, sounds good, does it ? In most legislatures, who pass these obscene laws, they make it sound like, it is such a wonderful thing ! It is NOT ! It is pandering to manufacturers. It is the suppression of workers. Prior to the passage of the Taft–Hartley Act by Congress over President Harry S Truman's veto in 1947, unions and employers covered by the National Labor Relations Act could lawfully agree to aclosed shop, in which employees at unionized workplaces must be members of the union as a condition of employment. Under the law in effect before the Taft-Hartley amendments, an employee who ceased being a member of the union for whatever reason, from failure to pay dues to expulsion from the union as an internal disciplinary punishment, could also be fired even if the employee did not violate any of the employer's rules.The Taft–Hartley Act outlawed the closed shop. In some states, there is still closed shop, which means you must join the union. Click here for non-biased explanation. >>>>>>>>>>>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right-to-work_law If you are employed in one of the 22 states that has a Right to Work law, you are probably protected by the state's Right to Work law and cannot be required to join or pay dues or fees to a union. (There are a small number of exceptions to the basic rule that individuals who work in Right to Work states cannot be required to pay to join or pay dues or fees to a union. Employees of airlines and railroads, and employees working on property subject to exclusive federal jurisdiction, cannot be required to join a union, but may be required to pay union fees. If you are an airline or railroad employee, click here for an explanation of your rights. If you work on property subject to exclusive federal jurisdiction, call the Foundation for further information.) These politicians who advocate Right to Work Laws,, who do they represent ? MONEY ! BIG MONEY ! NOT YOU AND I !

DETROIT A CITY in DECAY !

Detroit A City in Decay~ Can it be Resurrected ?
By : Steve Sauter & Don Jones
1/05/12

Web-Site City of Detroit > http://www.detroitmi.gov/

The words 'Détroit' and 'Détroits' mean strait or straits. For a strait is a 'narrow navigable channel that connects two larger navigable bodies of water'.

I don't believe any other city in the USA is anywhere near the condition of Detroit, MI. Or Should I say the former Detroit. ... Steve Sauter

In 1970, when I departed from Detroit/Westland, there were over 2 1/2 million people within the city limits of Detroit. I was employed by the Detroit School System, Cooley High School. Today, there are less than 700,000 people remaining. When you lose this much of your tax base, you are going to have problems. Cooley H.S. is closed.This former capitol of the auto industry and arsenal of democracy is now a ghost town. There were 26 high schools, when I left. Today there are 13. Detroit`s secondary school system was second to none. Today, Detroit`s school system is all but shut down. 40% to 50% of those students who enter high school, never finish, they just drop out. Contact School Borad members here > http://detroitk12.org/board/members/ My former student and friend Mr. Steve Sauter sent me a film clip put together by the Detroit News (news paper). The giant empty skyscrapers are like tombstones marking the death of the city.(empty buildings on the landscape). Click here: Downtown Detroit's empty edifices The Detroit News ! I cried. When I viewed these pictures. If we lose this once great city, we lose a part of ourselves. I remember Detroit as a once center of JOBS. A center of ART. A center of EDUCATION. So sad, and a testament that, we must save this city ! Why ? If we allow this former industrial giant city to disappear, we not only lose a great city, but we lose a part of ourselves. Who is to blame ? There is probably enough blame for all. Playing the blame game is really of no value. What and how and where do we begin. I`m not sure ? But, surely there is a place to sit down and reason together. One thing, I do know, no one should be trying to implement idea`s to benefit themselves alone ! Miles and miles of this city has already been demolished. Neighborhoods that were once vital and flourishing are now gone Torn down. (upper right). There has been talk about starting farms on these now gone neighborhoods. It seems to this writer, that more and better innovative ideas are and need to be listened too. The Detroit Tigers Baseball stadium(co-America Park) is now downtown. Detroit now has Casinos downtown. The Detroit Lions play at Ford Field, downtown. The Detrit Red Wings play hockey at the Joe Lewis arena, downtown. Mayor Dave Bing (former star basketball player) seems to be working hard and diligently to save Detroit. He makes a whopping $0.90 cents per year. Perhaps Detroit is going to be an example for the rest of the country. One idea is. I might suggest that the property tax structure be that of Whatever you pay for a building remains the tax base until it is resold. Any repairs (not including additions), are encouraged and do not add to the tax assessment. get rid of all other tax breaks and grants . You buy the property and you spend YOUR money to fix it up. As a business person, where could I get the Square feet that are in some of the buildings in Detroit so cheap, even with the renovations. This would go for all properties residential and commercial.Windsor Canada is just across the river. How are they doing ? Can we learn from them ? When the auto industry began its move to other country`s for cheap labor. Detroits problems began and have continued still today. These auto workers were tax-payers. When you no longer have a job, where do you go ? A million and a half people are now gone. Whare are they ? What are they doing ? Detroits labor unions have given and given. I don`t think anyone can fault the unions, at least not all the fault. So what/who is the culprit that has caused this Detroit demise ? Folks, it`s simple. GREED ! Mostly by the large auto makers. I make no apology for that statement of fact. Are those captains of industry now gone ? Is there a new breed with new thinking in place ? I understand, that the Michigan Governor, Rick Snyder (R) is now contemplating taking over the City of Detroit ? I`m sure that will solve all of Detroit`s problems, (only add to them.) My best advice Governor Snyder, Do not become a dictator. Stay out of it, unless you are asked. Mayor Dave Bing and the City Council can be contacted here > http://www.detroitmi.gov/DepartmentsandAgencies/MayorsOffice/AbouttheMayor.aspx

Have ideas, submit them. Detroit, is this a direction the remainder of the country is going ? Frightening thought, isn`t it ! Everything in the past is not bad. Everything in the present only seems to be. Everything in the future depends on both ! I`m an old Detroiter, I can remember when it was Great ! I believe it can be again. It must be again or we all lose ! Contact Mayor Bing here > http://www.detroitmi.gov/DepartmentsandAgencies/MayorsOffice/AbouttheMayor.aspx Pray for the City of Detroit !

"There is only one thing worse than unanswered questions...unquestioned answers." "SS"

Fiat Lux

RIGHT to WORK LAW = RIGHT to WORK for LESS

So-Called Right to Work Law Would Reduce Wages
by Mike Hall, Jan 3, 2012

More evidence that backers of Indiana’s ”right to work” for less (RTW) legislation are wrong when they claim so-called right to work promotes economic growth.
A new report out moments ago from the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) finds that if a “right to work” law was adopted in Indiana it would be far more likely to reduce workers’ wages and benefits. It follows the release this morning of similar findings by University of Notre Dame economic professor Marty Wolfson.
In “Working hard to make Indiana look bad: The tortured, uphill case for ‘right to work” political economist Gordon Lafer writes: In Indiana and elsewhere, large sums of money have been devoted to backing RTW bills, with lobbyists claiming that RTW significantly improves both the number of jobs in a state and the wages people earn because companies that had avoided the state will flock there. The evidence shows that these claims are completely without scientific foundation.
Lafer, who is also a professor at University of Oregon Labor Education and Research Center, says rigorous, properly designed studies have found that ”right to work” laws reduce wages by $1,500 a year, for union and nonunion workers, and lower the likelihood that union and nonunion employees get health care coverage or pensions through their jobs. They have also found that “right to work” laws have no impact on job growth in states that adopt them. He takes to task the National Right to Work Committee for its twisted interpretation of job growth data. Lafer also highlights the economic distortions in reports from the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and the Chamber of Commerce.
Legislators should decide this issue on the basis of economic facts rather than political ideology.

Click here for the full report.

Editorial : Tennessee has the right to work law. So, where are all the JOBS ? Right to Work law = Right to Work for Less ! No Jobs !

CEO`$ & LAWMAKER$...SAME 1%...You Bet`Cha !

It’s Not Just CEO`$. Lawmaker$ Are the 1%, Too.
by Mike Hall, Dec 27, 2011

http://www.aflcio.org/corporatewatch/paywatch/

Every wonder why it’s so hard to get a millionaires’ tax passed ?

We all know that the gap between 1% percent and the rest us(99%) has grown to obscene proportions. Their wealth has soared while ours has stagnated or fallen over the past decade and more.We picture Wall Street stockbrokers, bankers and CEOs as the top winners in our out of whack economy. But new figures from the University of Michigan and the Center for Responsive Politics (CRP) show that members of Congress—where 250 lawmakers are millionaires—are doing better than anybody. In a story today on the new data in The New York Times, Eric Lichtblau writes: Members of Congress are getting richer compared not only with the average American worker, but also with other very rich Americans.While the median net worth of members of Congress jumped 15 percent from 2004 to 2010, the net worth of the richest 10 percent of Americans remained essentially flat. For all Americans, median net worth dropped 8 percent, based on inflation-adjusted data from Moody’s Analytics. A Washington Post article points out that between 1984 and 2009, the median wealth of House members grew two and half times (adjusted for inflation), while the wealth of the average American family actually declined. CRP Executive Director Shelia Krumholz told the Times that rising congressional wealth cast doubts in voters’ minds about whether lawmakers have a grasp on the struggles average families face.There’s always a concern that they can’t truly understand or relate to the hardships that their constituents feel—that rich people just don’t get it.The Times contacted all current House and Senate members and asked if they had any close friends or families who lost their jobs or homes in the great recession. Only 18 responded and only nine said yes.

Click here for the full Times article and here for more from the Post.

Fiat Lux

Editorial : Our Congressmen/Women are well compensated. I have a question ? Why do we elect millionaires ? If they are not millionaires, they soon will be, after assuming office ! Duh !

America Seperated...You Bet`Cha !

The disuniting of America
Thursday, December 29, 2011 Posted by Jim Hightower

http://www.jimhightower.com/

Listen to this Commentary

The Bible doesn't say that money is the root of all evil – rather, it condemns the love of money.

Today, that insidious love (taking the form of greed and excess) is celebrated in our country and has even exalted into official public policy, marring our economy with inequality and injustice. The reigning ethos of our nation's upper crust is that too much is not enough. They're not merely out to make loads of the money they love, but to make a killing, everyone else be damned. New numbers from the Congressional Budget Office confirm that as the moneyed elites have been making their killing, wealth disparity has become extreme in a country that once prided itself on trying to build a more egalitarian society. Analyzing 30 years of income data, the non-partisan CBO reports that the richest one percent of our population has enjoyed a stunning 275 percent increase in their income during that time. As a result, these privileged few have more than doubled the slice of America's income pie that they consume, going from eight percent to 17 percent of the whole in just three decades. From whom did these richest one-per centers get their extra-big slice? From us, the 99 percent. The share going to middle class and poor families shrank in this period, which is why there is such broad support today for Occupy Wall Street's "We are the 99%" movement. At the tippy-top of America's wealth pyramid are the multimillionaire CEOs and billionaire Wall Streeters. They are the richest one one-hundredth of the one-percenters (a mere 14,836 households). These few now take six percent of all U.S. income – the biggest piece ever consumed by America's mega rich.
The widening chasm between the rich and the rest of us is transforming our country from a society to a jungle – and not even billionaires will enjoy living there.

"It's Official: The Rich Get Richer," The New York Times, October 26, 2011.

"The Wall Street Protesters May Have Picked The Right City for Their Campaign," The New York Times," October 26, 2011.

"New Poll Finds A Deep Distrust Of Government," The New York Times, October 26, 2011.

Editorial : Jim Hightower, telling it, like it is ! Better wake up America ~ ! And you thought everyone in Texas was NUTS !

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