Incomplete list of announced United States food supply shutdowns for the month of May, 2014: Many food suppliers/distributors are consolidating operations and killing jobs due to the collapsing grocery store and restaurant industries, as well as rising costs of food production.

California: In Atwater, Mi Pueblo Foods shutting down in August, 279 jobs lost! In San Francisco, Grand Cafe shutting down in July, 63 jobs lost.  In West Covina, California Pizza Kitchen announced they are laying off 60 employees in August.  Also,  San Francisco based Golden Gate Capital could be the new owner of Red Lobster restaurants. The agreed to buy it for $2.1-billion USD! However, the sale won’t be finalized until the first half of 2015. No word on what Golden Gate Capital has in plan for the restaurant. The executives of the original owner, Darden Restaurants, blames the sale on pressure from stockholders.  In Riverside, Kroger owned Ralph’s grocery store announced they will shutdown in July, 80 jobs lost. In La Quinta, Kroger owned Ralph’s grocery store announced they will shutdown in July, 60 jobs lost.   In Laguna Niguel, Kroger announced it is shutting down their Ralph’s grocery store in July, 66 jobs lost. In Ventura, New French Bakery/Starbucks Coffee announced they are shutting down in July, 90 jobs lost.

Georgia:  In Tybee Island, after six years Doc’s Bar shutdown due to rent issues.

Illinois:  In Chicago, after only four years Ing restaurant shutdown.  In Bolingbrook, meat processor Quantum Foods lost a major contract. Company officials told 11-hundred employees not to come to work! The company has been losing revenue since 2012.   In Rockford, Schnuck Markets killed 163 grocery store jobs! Schnucks began “restructuring” operations at its two largest stores, and shutdown two smaller stores that were suffering from crashing sales.

Michigan: In Lansing, Cup of Dessert (aka Decker’s Coffee) shutdown.   In Ann Arbor, Kroger grocery store on South Industrial Highway shutting down in June, 103 jobs lost! It sounds like the property owners jacked up the rent, they claim they had rented the property out to Kroger at “dramatically under market” rates for decades and it was time they made a profit.  A 35 years old Le Dog hot dog stand shutdown.   After only four years Mercy’s Restaurant shutdown. The owners blamed the bad economy for creating inconsistent business.  In East Lansing, after 50 years (some reports say 77 years) Goodrich’s Shop-Rite grocery store shutting down in July, 80 jobs lost. It’s blamed on the property owners who have new plans for the property.  In Saline, after 22 years The Drowsy Parrot coffee shop shutdown without notice. Local news reports said employees were just as shocked as customers. There was no explanation from the owner, only confirmation via text message (the owner didn’t even have the guts to tell employees in person).

Minnesota:  Grocery store operator Roundy’s sold off 18 Rainbow grocery stores, 1-thousand jobs affected! At this point the new owners say they will continue operating the stores, but the names might change. The owner of dozens of Minnesota Taco Bells and Pizza Huts is now chapter 11 bankrupt busted! 140 jobs threatened! Border Foods and Sky Ventures already sold off 54 Pizza Huts back in December. They’ve already been sued for $8-million in back due rent! The company is asking the bankruptcy court to allow them to sell off more restaurants. Company officials cry ‘What economic recovery?’: “Sales have remained stagnant, costs have increased….The combination of the factors has led to a condition where the….margins have decreased and making additional capital investments….is not prudent.”-Barry Zelickson, VP

New York: In NYC, Dallas Restaurant Management renovating Fireside Restaurant and Lounge, 38 jobs lost until the renovations are completed.  National 42nd St. Realty/LIR Management shutting down their TGI Friday’s Restaurant, Tim Horton’s/KFC Food Court restaurants in August, at least 130 jobs lost! Company officials blame the bad economy.

North Carolina: In New Bern, after 79 years Maola Milk & Ice Cream announced they will shutdown in July, 98 jobs lost.

North Dakota: In Harvey, after several years of operations (and several shutdowns) the Branded Beef & Pack is being auctioned off on 04 June. The owner, Minnesota based Maas Companies, says the operation cost them more money then they were making: “Due to challenging economic conditions during the start up phase, the plant was forced to cease operations.” 

Ohio: The new company created by the merger of Anchor Hocking and Oneida kitchen ware, EveryWare Global, is in big trouble. Even with huge layoffs and factory shutdowns in Ohio the company is reporting it lost $38.4-million in its first quarter of 2014!  EveryWare Global is based out of New York, and was created by Monomoy Capital Partners.   In Dayton, Ringo’s North Star Mobile Eatery shutdown. The owners admitted that running a food truck doesn’t jive with raising children.

Pennsylvania:  In Monaca, kitchen utensil maker Anchor Hocking laid off 400 employees “temporarily”! Company officials say it is a money saving move. Anchor Hocking was consolidated with Oneida under the new EverWare Global name.

Texas: In Houston, after 19 years Crapitto’s Cucina Italiana shutdown. The property owner sold off the property to a developer who wants to tear everything down.  In Austin, after 36 years the Tamale House shutdown, the owner died.

Vermont: Keurig Green Mountain (aka Green Mountain Coffee) laid off 12 people: “Over the past several months, we have combined our Massachusetts and Vermont-based consumer-facing teams, allowing us to have a single approach to our consumer care. As a result, we expect a reduction in the number of incoming calls the team will handle directly…”

Wisconsin: In Denmark, after more than 32 years butter/cheese maker Land-O-Lakes shutting down their soft cheese factory in July, at least 90 jobs lost. Company officials say soft cheeses are no longer profitable. An employee who worked there since 1982 called it “a kick in the gut”.

U.S. Food Crisis, April 2014

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Georgia: Troubled Paine College warning of layoffs.  The school is facing accreditation violation charges and what I call DSS (Disappearing Student Syndrome).  The college is short at least $2.4-million USD, and they blame state and federal governments: “These tough economic times are posing unprecedented challenges for colleges and universities like Paine College that have seen changes in federal aid, which include Parent Plus loans, Pell Grants and some state funding.”-George C. Bradley, president

Hawaii: Obama Care killing off 35 healthcare jobs with Hawaii Health Systems Corporation. Hospital administrators said the layoffs will take place in December.  They say Obama
Care (Affordable Care Act) caused them to lose at least $48-million!

Indiana: In Franklin, Indigo Duck restaurant announced they’re shutting  down in September.  The family owners blame the death of the founder last year, and the fact that their lease is expiring and they can’t renew.

Louisiana: In New Orleans, after 22 years the House of Shock haunted house complex announced they’re shutting down after Halloween 2014.  The operators said it’s not worth it to continue: “It’s hard work, brother! People think we’re minting money over there….it doesn’t make sense to do it….We invented the idea of the interactive haunted house. It’s time to call it quits.”-Ross Karpelman, co-founder

Massachusetts: In Springfield, JT’s Sports Pub shutdown: “Unfortunately we have not been able to secure a new lease with our landlord so it’s brought an unfortunate end for us. With the casino coming, he has bigger aspirations and feels he could get far more rent.”-Keith Makarowski, owner

Missouri: 66 dairy workers suddenly unemployed after Hazelwood Prairie Farms Dairy laid them off without notice.  Company officials say the bad economy is forcing them to change their business ‘model’.

Ohio: Middletown has laid off 11 firefighters.  It’s blamed on the Union’s rejection of a generous contract.  A firestation was also shutdown.  Local news reports say the city offered a contract that actually was going to hire on more personnel, the Union rep said he didn’t understand why the Union members voted against the deal.

Texas: In Houston, J Sussan Interiors shutdown.  Local news reports said the owner retired, however, it turns out the entire area is being drastically affected by a huge apartment “tower” building project that’s resulting in many businesses and existing apartments being shutdown!

28-29 August 2014

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.

“Our ideals and principles, as well as our national security…That’s what makes America different. That’s what makes us exceptional.”-Barack Obama, 10 September 2013

Incomplete list of announced United States food supply shutdowns for the month of April, 2014: Many food suppliers/distributors are consolidating operations and killing jobs due to the collapsing grocery store and restaurant industries, as well as rising costs of food production.

Alabama: In Florence, Hillshire Brands announced they will shutdown their sausage factory in December, 11-hundred jobs lost just in time for Xmas! It’s blamed on skyrocketing meat prices.  In Dothan, Wayne Farms kills 560 jobs! The poultry processing company made a deal with its largest customer to supply chicken without deboning it. Turns out the number of people it takes to debone chicken made up more than half its employees!

Arizona: In Tucson, after 55 years Fruit Land Market shutdown. The property owners kicked out the Market owners, so they could sell the land to speculators.

California: In Los Angeles, Contessa Foods failed to file a proper WARN. According to state employment officials the food packager notified the state of a massive layoff the day after it killed 239 jobs! The company shutdown without warning.   In Antioch, Stonyfield Farm laid off 58 employees.  In Bell Gardens, McDonald’s shutdown, 69 jobs lost. In Cudahy, McDonald’s shutdown, 49 jobs lost. In Los Alamitos, McDonald’s shutdown, 90 jobs lost.  In Del Mar, after 46 years Pannikin Coffee & Tea shutdown, the owner blames the landlord: “We’ve been here a long time and we just couldn’t come to an agreement with the mall management on a fair rent so we didn’t renew our lease.”-Shawn Holder

Colorado:  In Delta, Dean Foods announced they must shutdown their Meadow Gold Milk plant, 38 jobs lost. It’s blamed on the lost of a major grocery store customer.

Connecticut:  In New Canaan, after 21 years Forest Street Deli shutdown. The deli owner blames the property owner, who sold the property out from under his feet!

Florida: In Boca Raton, after only nine months 101 Cantina bar shutdown. It’s blamed on constant confrontations between college students and police.

Georgia: In Newnan, Mexico based Bimbo Bakeries shutdown their Colonial Bread Store. The wimp-ass company officials delegated the authority of making the announcement to the store’s cashier!  In Savannah, after ten years Paula Deen’s Uncle Bubba’s Seafood & Oyster House shutdown without notice. It’s blamed on a racism lawsuit brought by a former employee, however, the lawsuit was “dismissed with prejudice and without any award of costs or fees” by the court. Despite that, being called a racist in the United States is worse than being called a terrorist, so down goes the Deen empire. Employees of the restaurant found out when they showed up for work and witnessed everything inside the restaurant being taken away.

Hawaii: In Maui, after more than 20 years Stella Blues Cafe shutdown. The restaurant owner stated that his landlord could no longer cut him a break on the rent.

Illinois: Kraft Foods announced they are killing 285 jobs! Most of those jobs will be in-house trucking jobs, which will now be contracted out.  In Evergreen Park, after 60 years Snackville Junction shutdown. The eatery’s signature was delivering your food on model train cars along a railroad track: “Unfortunately our last days are ahead…..We hope that somewhere somehow the Snackville Junction choo-choo will return…”-Facebook posting

In Urbana, maker of plastic eating utensils Dart Container Company laid off 36 employees.  In Champaign, after less than two years Prairie Fire restaurant shutdown without notice: “If we had days like Sunday every day, we’d still be open. But you will not be a success if your biggest day of the week is Sunday……No more ventures for me!”-Dave Block, burned out restaurant investor

Iowa:  In Beardstown, after more than 30 years IGA (Independent Grocers Alliance) hometown grocery store shutdown, 27 jobs lost: “You know Walmart came to Beardstown about five years ago and the business climate, at least for us, has declined because of that big box store. It’s just deteriorated to the point that it’s not profitable to keep the store open.”-Steve Kremer, owner

Kansas:  In Leawood, after 25 years Hy-Vee grocery store announced it will shutdown in June. Company officials said the store needed $4-million+ in remodeling but the city council actually passed ruling that forces them to shutdown: “In light of the city of Leawood’s recently passed moratorium on new development along the 135th corridor, it is clear that the current business environment in Leawood is one in which Hy-Vee cannot be successful. Two attempts to find a solution acceptable to both parties –one that allows us to continue serving our customers with the products, services and amenities that they deserve and expect — have been resisted by city officials. The first was in May 2013, when we attempted to remodel the store at its current location, and now, our most recent application to build a new store at the corner of 135th Street and Roe Avenue. Because lack of city support prevents us from providing customers with the best shopping experience we have to offer, we will be closing….”

In Lawrence, after 37 years Buffalo Bob’s Smokehouse shutdown: “…the restaurant market in Lawrence is fully saturated.”-Bob Schumm, founder

Kentucky: In Louisville, after only 18 months the relish restaurant shutdown without notice. The owner blamed the small fire safety dictated maximum seating capacity, saying serving a maximum of 53 people at a time wasn’t enough to pay even for overhead.  In Dover, the last grocery store in town shutdown! After more than 45 years Don’s Place (home to the Rock-n-Roll liars bench) closed for good. The owner is going blind, and nobody wants to take over the business.  In Paducah, The Pasta House Italian Restaurant shut down without notice: “…I am unable to continue. Please pray for me, my family and my employees.”-statement posted to front door

Michigan: In Keego Harbor, Jeremy Restaurant & Bar shutting down in May. But this is a success story! The owner said he made so much money that he is going to open an even bigger restaurant.    In Wyoming, after more than 35 years Gordy’s Market & Deli grocery store shutting down in May. 18 family-like employees now unemployed. The owner blames the new Walmart that’s about to open down the street from his store.

Minnesota:  In Mankato, after 33 years Mexican Village restaurant announced it will shutdown in May.  Upscale Fresh Seasons Market grocery store shutdown two stores, one in Victoria and one in Minnetonka. The arrogant owner admitted there isn’t enough rich people to make their format work: “The idea was that it was supposed to be an upscale market, to be able to offer fresh goods and unique ingredients to people and this great shopping experience. We didn’t get a big draw.”-Tom Wartman

Mississippi: In Pontotoc, Southern Quality Meats announced they will shutdown in June, 110 jobs lost! Operations are being consolidated to Alabama.  Abner’s Famous Chicken Tenders now chapter 11 bankrupt busted. In 2004 it was named one of the fastest growing businesses in the Magnolia State. Company officials say sales are not the issue, but necessary daily operating capital from debt financing is being cut off, so they’ve been forced to file bankruptcy by the Too Big to Jail banks.

Missouri: In Saint Louis, a Schnuck Markets grocery store shutting down in May. Company officials said it wasn’t worth it to renew the lease, and they will try to find jobs for the 65 employees.  In Saint Louis, after 53 years property speculators killed the Majestic Restaurant and Bar.

New Jersey: In Medford, Murphy’s Market shutdown a 17 years old grocery store. Company officials blamed the greedy property owner: “After great expense and effort it comes with much heartache, we as a company, were unable to reach a reasonable agreement with the building’s landlord.”

New York:  After ten years the Beast Bar shutdown.

North Carolina: In Gaston, after 42 years Mr. T’s Place restaurant shutting down in May. The owners are demanding to know when the economic recovery is going to take place! In Hendersonville, after 18 years Cypress Cellar restaurant shutdown. The owner said it’s no longer worth the amount of time she puts into the business.

Ohio:  In Riverside, Ponderosa Steakhouse restaurant shutdown without notice. Company officials blamed the property owner for jacking up the rent. They also shutdown a restaurant in Urbana in December. In 2008 Ohio based Ponderosa and Texas based Bonanza restaurants merged (controlled by Homestyle Dining).   In Mason, after 24 years Bob Evans Restaurant shutdown. The corporation is remodeling all Bob Evans restaurants, but a survey of the Mason store revealed it was too old and too costly to remodel so they decided to shut it down. Company officials claim they’ve found jobs for the 40 employees.

Pennsylvania:  In Pittsburgh, Wall Street wunderkind Warren Buffet killed more Heinz jobs. 775 people have been offered buyouts! Reports say the offer is being made to other Heinz operations. Local biased Pennsylvania news media failed to point out that Heinz is now co-owned by Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway. They only mentioned Brazil’s 3G Capital. Hey Pennsylvania news media, why didn’t you mention Warren Buffet’s involvement? By the way, the June 2013 takeover of Heinz by 3G and Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway resulted in an instant killing of 600 U.S. and Canadian jobs, followed by the announcement of several food factory shutdowns and hundreds of more layoffs for the 1st quarter of 2014!   In Intercourse, after who knows how long the iconic W.L. Zimmerman & Sons grocery store shutdown. The store was used in the movie Witness. The owner, Kristine Shirk, blames the bad economy saying “there wasn’t enough margin to work with any more.”

Tennessee:  In Hixson, Nana’s Frozen Custard brick & mortar store shutdown, now for sale. They’ve switched to a mobile truck frozen custard shop. The award winning owners blamed the suck ass economy: “High fixed costs and lower revenue make the current business model unworkable. Our re-opening day sales were disappointing, down approximately 25% as compared to the same date last year.”

Texas: In Houston, after 15 years Dirk’s Coffee (aka Diedrich Coffee) shutdown without notice.

Virginia:   In Lightfoot, after 40 years The Candy Store shutdown.

Washington: In Kelso, after only nine years Chuck E Cheese pizza place shutdown. Company officials said it was a “strategic decision”, meaning the economy sucks. In Seattle, after 25 years Maple Leaf Grill announced it will shutdown in May.

U.S. Food Crisis, March 2014

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Arizona: What housing market recovery?  British empire Australia based real estate company Colliers International says land sales in Phoenix have crashed 40% in the first half of 2014!

California: Yet another video game company killing jobs.  In San Francisco, CCP Games shutdown an office and laid off at least two executives (although CCP swears the execs voluntarily quit).  Los Angeles International airport (LAX), Menzies Aviation warned it will kill 65 jobs in November.   In San Diego, Stingaree nightclub warned it will shutdown in November, 111 jobs lost!  Owners claim it’s only temporarily, for six months of renovations.  In Mountain View, tech company Symantec laid off another two employees.  In Laguna Beach, The House of Big Fish and Ice warned it will shutdown by the end of October, 58 jobs lost.

Connecticut: In Norwalk ,  after 29 years the Appliance Servicecenter shutdown.  The owner is losing his eyesight.

Florida: In Orlando, Too Big to Jail SunBank shutting down their fraud call center, killing 105 jobs by the end of October!  After 81 years (surviving the Great Depression and numerous recessions) Pearl Artist & Craft Supply shutdown.  The store went bankrupt busted and never recovered.

Illinois: In River North, after only two years the Tavernita restaurant shutdown, without notice.  The owners lost their booze license, and allegedly owe hundreds of thousands in unpaid taxes, although restaurant reps claim the taxes were paid.  In Streeterville, after a year of promises ‘organic’ grocery store Mrs Green’s Natural Market canceled plans to open a new store.  Company officials blamed the bad economy for “timing and logistical” problems.

Iowa: After 57 years God refuses to stop the Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian Church from shutting down.  It’s now for sale, the pastor blaming the rapture of people and money: “…we’ve run out of money. We’ve run out of money and we’ve run out of people at the same time.”-Gregory Cluts

Kansas: In Hesston, maker of farming equipment AGCO laid off 24 factory workers and cut the hours for everybody else.  It’s blamed on crashing sales. Company officials warned that more layoffs will be forthcoming.  Union officials believe 80 more workers will become unemployed.

Maine: In Bangor, God refuses to stop the Christian Life Academy Daycare from shutting down.  The church pastor blames crashing donations: “We have cut everywhere we can cut, we are heartbroken that the daycare has to close too.”-Russ Hewett

Michigan: What housing market recovery?   British empire Australia based real estate company Colliers International shutdown their Detroit office.  Company officials blame it on the loss of their brokers.

Montana: In Columbia Falls, F.H. Stoltze Land and Lumber laid off ten sawmill employees.   It’s blamed on a federal court ruling that says no logging can be done in ‘protected’ grizzly bear habitat.

Nebraska: In Grand Island, farm equipment maker CNH Industrial America announced it will kill 238 jobs by November! They blame crashing sales.

Nevada: In Reno, Morrison University warned it will shutdown after the 2014-15 school year!  It’s due to the allegedly criminal actions of the owner, Anthem Education.  To make things worse for the students, they were told the university’s transfer credits are no longer recognized!

New York:  What housing market recovery? In Brooklyn, pre-fab building maker FC + Skanska Modular warned they are shutting down in October due to a lost contract, 157 jobs lost!  In Salamanca, a Parkview Supermarket grocery store shutting down in December, 72 jobs lost in time for Xmas.

Pennsylvania: Atlantic County lost 36-hundred jobs in July!

Tennessee: Memphis based Fred’s Super Dollar announced they will shutdown 70 stores by the end of 2014, hundreds of jobs lost!  Company officials said it’s their way of raising cash to buy up pharmacies!

Wisconsin: Fidelity National Information Services (FIS) shutting down their print and mail ops, 32 jobs lost.

26-27 August 2014

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.

“Our ideals and principles, as well as our national security…That’s what makes America different. That’s what makes us exceptional.”-Barack Obama, 10 September 2013

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Alabama: The city of Hartselle laid off three employees, blaming the  the iconic taxpayer subsidized TVA.   Taxsucker Document and Packaging Brokers (Docupak) lost a major contract with the National Guard Bureau and will kill an undisclosed amount of jobs.  Birmingham based Simply Fashion has taken over New York based bankrupt busted Dots women clothing retailer.  Dots had already shutdown 400 stores!  Simply Fashion claims they will re-open 120 Dots stores.

Arkansas: Obama Care was the final straw that killed off the Crittenden Regional Hospital and clinic system!  However, there are charges that administrators mismanaged the healthcare system, lawsuits and possible criminal charges are pending.   In Marion, Texas based Clark Freight Lines shutdown.  Company officials say there are too many trucking companies to compete with.

California: In Cayucos, after more than 20 years highly praised Hoppe’s Garden Bistro shutdown.  In Palo Alto, Disney killing off more jobs, this time 55 Disney Interactive employees were laid off.  In Sunnyvale, Aruba Networks killed off 116 jobs!  In Los Angeles, healthcare management company Precyse Solutions warned they will kill 61 jobs in November.  Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital killing 120 healthcare jobs! Hospital administrators say insurance written Obama Care (Affordable Car Act) is forcing them to cut back in the name of being “efficient”.  However, like frogs in a boiling pot, it’s obvious that the ignorant healthcare workers are still oblivious to what Obama Care is doing to them, instead blaming the hospital for reducing access to medical care:  “There’s no way they can propose this plan without threatening patient care!”-Damian Tryon, California Nurses Association

Florida: After 24 years elitist residential Marcus Pointe Golf Club announced they’re shutting down in time for Xmas.

Illinois: In Palantine, after 14 years non-profit cancer center Wellness Place shutdown.  Officials blame the bad economy for reduced donations.

Indiana: Trucking company Talon Logistics Services announced they will kill 60 jobs in September.

Iowa: In Sioux City, after 85 years (and surviving the Great Depression and numerous recessions) the Green Gables restaurant shutdown.  The family owners say they cannot survive this so called ‘recovery’.

Kentucky: T-shirt shop Cafe Press shutdown their store in the Mall Saint Matthews.

Nebraska: In Omaha, McKenna’s Blues Booze and BBQ shutdown.

New Mexico: According to the New Mexico Hospital Association (NMHA) Obama Care is destroying access to healthcare!  20 of New Mexico’s 44 hospitals have killed jobs and cut services as a direct result of insurance payment reductions mandated by Obama Care: “…. key services are being eroded around the state at the very time when services are needed to respond to the growing demand resulting from coverage expansion.”-Jeff Dye, NMHA

New Jersey: Atlantic City is blaming the massive casino shutdowns for forcing them to kill off 300 city jobs!

New York: In NYC, Food Emporium #36-719 shutting down in November, 76 jobs lost.  Due to Obama Care Eastern Niagara Hospital ceased its inpatient care services at its Newfane hospital, and ceased its ER ops at its Lockport hospital, 185 jobs lost as a result! Hospital administrators say they’ve lost $1.7-million USD since Obama Care went into effect!

North Carolina: Dosher Memorial Hospital now asking that all healthcare workers who’re 60 years of age and had five years of employment, to take early retirement!  If that’s not enough they’ll be forced to outright layoff healthcare workers. Hospital officials blame the bad economy made worse by reduced insurance payments due to Obama Care.  Administrators with giant Vidant Health are directly blaming Obama Care for crashing revenues, which are forcing them to kill 175 healthcare jobs!  Vidant Health runs eight hospitals in-state and was planning on spending $128-million for upgrades, but officials say if the Obama Care insurance payments reductions get worse then the upgrades are off.

Ohio:  The Buckeye State lost 12400 jobs in July!

Pennsylvania: After 31 years all Fun Party Stores being shut down!  Once there were five, but now none.  Fun Party Stores joins a competing party store chain which shutdown three stores, in all eight party stores shutdown over an eight months period!  The owners of Fun Party blames ‘big box’ stores and the internet (even though many ‘big box’ stores are shutting down ops, and internet businesses are suffering crashing revenues as well.  After all, Fun Party could sell on the internet as well).   The oldest public library in the United States, the Darby Free Library, warned it could shutdown due to state taxpayer funding cuts.  Library officials say the funding cuts come at a time when their costs of operations are skyrocketing.  The library was built in 1743!

Texas: Denmark based Maersk Oil revealed they killed off 215 jobs!  Company officials basically said the Gulf of Mexico doesn’t have the oil that it was first thought to have, and they’ve lost money on trying to extract it.  Houston based Waste Management warned of massive job cuts across the country.  The hazardous waste mis-management company is facing $2-billion in fines for failing to properly manage dioxins!

Washington: More proof the internet is not killing brick-n-mortar stores.  Social media company Simply Measured laid off 15 employees, just five months after getting $20-million from venture capitalists.   Washington state’s Employment Security Department killing off 149 jobs in October!

23-25 August 2014

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.

“Our ideals and principles, as well as our national security…That’s what makes America different. That’s what makes us exceptional.”-Barack Obama, 10 September 2013