This is fantastic and horrifying all at the same time. Sadly, I don't know how to embed vimeo, so you're just going to have to click the link to check it out.
But it reminds me of a post I intended to make a couple months ago - I had to estimate a yearly budget for a grant I was applying for and was shocked to discover that, as simple and barebones of a life as I think I lead (and I think by most American standards, I'm living pretty simply), it still takes $29,000/year just to keep myself sheltered, insured, transported, fed, and clothed.
In MN the federal poverty line for a family of 4 is $22,350.
How in the world are people supposed to make that happen?
Thanks to Nick Clark for the video and Mary Hess for pointing me to it. In her frustration with the state government shutdown, Mary is going to continue posting videos from this Minnesota Without Poverty class assignment, so keep checking her blog if you'd like to see more.
Showing posts with label economy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label economy. Show all posts
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
The Economy of God
Nick preached this brilliant sermon a couple of weeks ago, in the height of the demonstrations going on in Madison. I've kept intending to post it - seems especially pertinent in light of the WI Senate's actions today.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Jesus the Liberal Democrat
Spot. On.
Many quotable lines in this, but here's my favorite:
"If this is gonna be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we've got to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that he commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition, and then admit that we just don't want to do it."
Many quotable lines in this, but here's my favorite:
"If this is gonna be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we've got to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that he commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition, and then admit that we just don't want to do it."
| The Colbert Report | Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
| Jesus Is a Liberal Democrat | ||||
| ||||
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Signs of the Times
While I can reliably arrive at the Harrisburg airport a mere hour before my flight is scheduled to leave and confidently make it through check-in and security, and arrive at my gate with time to spare, the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport is much larger and much busier, so I normally give myself the full recommended two hours to negotiate it. And there have been times when MSP was so busy, even two hours was cutting it close, and I found myself racing to the gate just in time to begin boarding.
But last Tuesday evening was not one of those times. In fact, the airport was eerily unbusy. I didn't have to wait in line to check in or to get through security, which has never happened to me before. I mean, even Harrisburg at the crack of dawn has a line - not a very big line (hence the ability to arrive only an hour early) - but a line all the same. I've gotta say, while the experience was admittedly convenient, it was also kind of creepy because it was so unusual. And I can only chalk it up to the current state of the economy combined with the rising cost of airfare and baggage fees - people just aren't flying.
On other fronts, All My Children has been pimping V8 juices, Prego sauces, and Campbell's Soup for the past two weeks, in glaringly obvious, whack-you-over-the-head kind of ways. I know product placement has been common in movies for many years already, but it hasn't been as predominant on television, and especially not on the soaps. On the one hand, the way the characters bring up the products in their dialogue is so random it's kind of funny, and became a running joke between my mom and I, as I would randomly offer her a V8 throughout the week I was home. But, seriously, I'm hoping it's just a temporary thing as part of their promotion of women's heart health awareness, and not the latest, greatest way for them to stay financially solvent, because the humor is wearing thin at this point.
Happy Valentine's Day,
C.
But last Tuesday evening was not one of those times. In fact, the airport was eerily unbusy. I didn't have to wait in line to check in or to get through security, which has never happened to me before. I mean, even Harrisburg at the crack of dawn has a line - not a very big line (hence the ability to arrive only an hour early) - but a line all the same. I've gotta say, while the experience was admittedly convenient, it was also kind of creepy because it was so unusual. And I can only chalk it up to the current state of the economy combined with the rising cost of airfare and baggage fees - people just aren't flying.
On other fronts, All My Children has been pimping V8 juices, Prego sauces, and Campbell's Soup for the past two weeks, in glaringly obvious, whack-you-over-the-head kind of ways. I know product placement has been common in movies for many years already, but it hasn't been as predominant on television, and especially not on the soaps. On the one hand, the way the characters bring up the products in their dialogue is so random it's kind of funny, and became a running joke between my mom and I, as I would randomly offer her a V8 throughout the week I was home. But, seriously, I'm hoping it's just a temporary thing as part of their promotion of women's heart health awareness, and not the latest, greatest way for them to stay financially solvent, because the humor is wearing thin at this point.
Happy Valentine's Day,
C.
Friday, January 30, 2009
The Audacity of Nope
I find myself increasingly irate these days, every time I hear Rep. John Boehner and company talking about how deeply concerned they are about the debt load we'll be leaving for future generations.
It's not the concern itself that makes me angry, it's the johnny-come-lately quality of their schtick.
For where was this deep concern about the burden to future generations when they were rubber-stamping the billion dollar a day war in Iraq?
And where was this deep concern when they were rubber-stamping huge tax cuts for the very wealthiest citizens of our country?
And where was this deep concern as they consistently pushed an ethic and program of de-regulation, policies which created and exacerbated the climate conducive for our current crisis to develop?
I don't think I'd be quite as mad if there was a genuine mea culpa attached to these concerns, you know, an authentic "Gosh, we've really made a mess of things these last 8 years. . .sorry about that. We were wrong, maybe it's time to try some new tactics."
But I'm not hearing anything close to that. All I'm hearing is this newfound "deep concern" coupled with proposals to keep on doing what we've been doing the last 8 years (isn't that a definition of insanity - doing the same thing but expecting different results?), and a refusal to work with people who are actually trying to get us out of this mess. . .so pardon me if I find their stated attitude a little unconvincing and insincere.
Stephen Colbert, God bless him, had fantastic commentary on all this in last night's "The Word" (from which I nabbed the title of this post). True to his persona, he lauded Boehner and company for taking a stand and turning the Economic Stimulus bill into a symoblic, not merely substantive, vote. He then challenged them to take their defiance a step further, and "put no money where your mouth is" - that is, refuse to accept any of the stimulus money for your own district - likening such action to a hunger strike. It was beautiful, if you didn't see it, go find it on the Comedy Central site, it's worth watching.
On a totally different note, an update from the deer incident last night: turns out Peg's car did lose the passenger side mirror, which she did not realize until she was running errands this morning. But that's the extent of the damage. I'm thinking our furry friend is not too bad off after the experience, either, because there was no body or blood or skin or any sign of our collision when I drove by the spot on the way to church this morning. Hopefully next time the deer will look both ways before stepping into the street!
It's not the concern itself that makes me angry, it's the johnny-come-lately quality of their schtick.
For where was this deep concern about the burden to future generations when they were rubber-stamping the billion dollar a day war in Iraq?
And where was this deep concern when they were rubber-stamping huge tax cuts for the very wealthiest citizens of our country?
And where was this deep concern as they consistently pushed an ethic and program of de-regulation, policies which created and exacerbated the climate conducive for our current crisis to develop?
I don't think I'd be quite as mad if there was a genuine mea culpa attached to these concerns, you know, an authentic "Gosh, we've really made a mess of things these last 8 years. . .sorry about that. We were wrong, maybe it's time to try some new tactics."
But I'm not hearing anything close to that. All I'm hearing is this newfound "deep concern" coupled with proposals to keep on doing what we've been doing the last 8 years (isn't that a definition of insanity - doing the same thing but expecting different results?), and a refusal to work with people who are actually trying to get us out of this mess. . .so pardon me if I find their stated attitude a little unconvincing and insincere.
Stephen Colbert, God bless him, had fantastic commentary on all this in last night's "The Word" (from which I nabbed the title of this post). True to his persona, he lauded Boehner and company for taking a stand and turning the Economic Stimulus bill into a symoblic, not merely substantive, vote. He then challenged them to take their defiance a step further, and "put no money where your mouth is" - that is, refuse to accept any of the stimulus money for your own district - likening such action to a hunger strike. It was beautiful, if you didn't see it, go find it on the Comedy Central site, it's worth watching.
On a totally different note, an update from the deer incident last night: turns out Peg's car did lose the passenger side mirror, which she did not realize until she was running errands this morning. But that's the extent of the damage. I'm thinking our furry friend is not too bad off after the experience, either, because there was no body or blood or skin or any sign of our collision when I drove by the spot on the way to church this morning. Hopefully next time the deer will look both ways before stepping into the street!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Deep Economic and Philosophical Question Part II
I keep seeing commercials lately deriding Obama's "lack of executive experience."
Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't it unquestioned "executive experience" (in the White House, on Wall Street) that got us into the current economic nightmare (not to mention the war in Iraq)?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't it unquestioned "executive experience" (in the White House, on Wall Street) that got us into the current economic nightmare (not to mention the war in Iraq)?
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Deep Economic and Philosophical Question for the Night
Why is it only labeled "class warfare" when the poor and middle class ask for a fair and equal share of wealth and power, and not when the wealthy consistently exempt themselves from sacrifice and abuse their power and wealth to oppress the majority of the world?
Monday, September 22, 2008
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Everybody Wake Up
Well, if nothing else, Sarah Palin certainly proved tonight that she can be just as catty and snarky as many steeped in the culture and establishment of DC.
She also affirmed what I suspected from the moment she was announced - that a McCain/Palin administration will be another 4 years of the same as far as energy policy, and I quote "we will lay more pipeline, build more nuclear plants, burn more clean coal, and move forward on [renewables]." Once again, as we've heard repeatedly over the past 8 years, the plan is direct action to ramp up our consumption of non-renewables, with vague lip service paid to developing renewable energy. . .some day. Yet she supposedly stood up to big oil as governor.
This is the top issue for me in this election - more so than the war and the economy, though those are also very strong concerns - but if we don't get on top of this and shift to a more renewable and sustainable energy policy now, we're going to have a lot more war and a lot deeper economic problems in the future. Yes, it's going to cost money, but it's also going to save money in the long run (once you've got the technology to utilize them, sunlight and wind are abundant and free), and it's going to create money for all the scientists and skilled laborers and venture capitalists who make the shift into this field, those who will develop the technology, learn how to build and maintain it, and front the money to get the stuff built. Yes, that in-between time of transitioning between an oil/coal/carbon-based economy and a renewable/sustainable economy may be a little rough, and being the good progressive that I am, I'd say we ought to anticipate who will be hit the hardest and do what we can to make that transition smoother and easier for them.
But I'd also say we need to take a page out of the Silent Generation's playbook and learn to just suck it up and be willing to make some economic sacrifices for the good of this country. During WWII they rationed staples and gasoline and grew victory gardens, women stopped wearing pantyhose, they recycled as much as possible, it was anathema to waste anything. Here we are five years into a war, a quagmire with no end in sight (despite all the talk of immanent "victory" tonight**) that has now lasted longer than WWII, and what sacrifices have we as a people made through its duration? Oh, I forgot, our commander-in-chief recently gave up his golf game in honor of the troops. But what about the rest of us? Some folks are now finally giving up their unnecessary and inefficient SUVs or striving to consolidate trips since it seems gas will never go under three and a half bucks a gallon again. But just as many are refusing to change their habits, rather, they are clamoring for us to exhaust any and every potential drill site, foolishly believing that American oil companies (heavily subsidized by the American government, incidentally - in other words, corporate welfare funded by your tax dollars) will actually sell American oil to Americans, as opposed to the highest bidder, once they pull it out of our ground. Even in a Pollyanna world where they manage to safely, efficiently, and cleanly get every last drop and actually sell it to Americans at a reasonable price, it's enough to meet 5% of our current demand. That's not even a band aid. We need to start changing NOW, and be willing to make some sacrifices in the process.
As Dave would say, EVERYBODY WAKE UP!
Peace,
Catrina
**Just wondering - when Gov. Palin says "victory" does she mean it in the same way that a jump-suited Pres. Bush meant "mission accomplished" on the decks of the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln five years ago?
I know - she's not the only one proving she can be catty and snarky tonight. . .
She also affirmed what I suspected from the moment she was announced - that a McCain/Palin administration will be another 4 years of the same as far as energy policy, and I quote "we will lay more pipeline, build more nuclear plants, burn more clean coal, and move forward on [renewables]." Once again, as we've heard repeatedly over the past 8 years, the plan is direct action to ramp up our consumption of non-renewables, with vague lip service paid to developing renewable energy. . .some day. Yet she supposedly stood up to big oil as governor.
This is the top issue for me in this election - more so than the war and the economy, though those are also very strong concerns - but if we don't get on top of this and shift to a more renewable and sustainable energy policy now, we're going to have a lot more war and a lot deeper economic problems in the future. Yes, it's going to cost money, but it's also going to save money in the long run (once you've got the technology to utilize them, sunlight and wind are abundant and free), and it's going to create money for all the scientists and skilled laborers and venture capitalists who make the shift into this field, those who will develop the technology, learn how to build and maintain it, and front the money to get the stuff built. Yes, that in-between time of transitioning between an oil/coal/carbon-based economy and a renewable/sustainable economy may be a little rough, and being the good progressive that I am, I'd say we ought to anticipate who will be hit the hardest and do what we can to make that transition smoother and easier for them.
But I'd also say we need to take a page out of the Silent Generation's playbook and learn to just suck it up and be willing to make some economic sacrifices for the good of this country. During WWII they rationed staples and gasoline and grew victory gardens, women stopped wearing pantyhose, they recycled as much as possible, it was anathema to waste anything. Here we are five years into a war, a quagmire with no end in sight (despite all the talk of immanent "victory" tonight**) that has now lasted longer than WWII, and what sacrifices have we as a people made through its duration? Oh, I forgot, our commander-in-chief recently gave up his golf game in honor of the troops. But what about the rest of us? Some folks are now finally giving up their unnecessary and inefficient SUVs or striving to consolidate trips since it seems gas will never go under three and a half bucks a gallon again. But just as many are refusing to change their habits, rather, they are clamoring for us to exhaust any and every potential drill site, foolishly believing that American oil companies (heavily subsidized by the American government, incidentally - in other words, corporate welfare funded by your tax dollars) will actually sell American oil to Americans, as opposed to the highest bidder, once they pull it out of our ground. Even in a Pollyanna world where they manage to safely, efficiently, and cleanly get every last drop and actually sell it to Americans at a reasonable price, it's enough to meet 5% of our current demand. That's not even a band aid. We need to start changing NOW, and be willing to make some sacrifices in the process.
As Dave would say, EVERYBODY WAKE UP!
Peace,
Catrina
**Just wondering - when Gov. Palin says "victory" does she mean it in the same way that a jump-suited Pres. Bush meant "mission accomplished" on the decks of the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln five years ago?
I know - she's not the only one proving she can be catty and snarky tonight. . .
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