Category Archives: Business/Economics

Business/Economics, U.S.

Exceptional Failed State: U.S. job losses & store closings 22-26 November 2013. Prison layoffs! Internet advertising company cut backs!

Incomplete list of announced closings and layoffs:

California:  Taxsucker Boeing continued layoffs, this time 22 employees let go.  In El Centro, International Paper continued layoffs, this time three people fired.  In Pocoima, clothing store Juicy Couture laid off 17 employees.  The company was sold off.  In West Sacramento, Xyratex International laid off 17 people.  In California City, the Correctional Center (prison) laid off 296 people!  It’s blamed on the bad economy and a federal court order.  In Riverbank, Silgan Containers continues layoffs, this time 25 employees kicked out.   In Long Beach, transportation company Keolis Transit America laid off 77 people.

Indiana: In Indianapolis, metal fab company CMW International shutdown, 100 jobs lost!  The company was trying to sell off the factory, due to lack of cash.  A lawsuit filed in New York indicates the company hasn’t been paying its suppliers.  Company officials blame the bad economy: “The company has been actively seeking capital, actively seeking additional business……”-CMW statement

New Jersey: In Barnegat, Healthcare Services Group laid off 100 people!

New York:  More proof you can’t blame the internet for brick & mortar shutdowns! In NYC, internet pop-up ad company Fab.com laid off 79 employees.  It’s blamed on the bad economy.  Tax service provider, PricewaterhouseCoopers, laid off 27 people.  It’s blamed on the bad economy.  Clothing store Juicy Couture laid off 61 employees.  The company was sold off.

Virginia: In Glen Allen, cancer screening lab Bostwick Laboratories laid off 34 employees.  This after the company paid a $503,668 USD fine for “inducing” doctors to send their lab work to Bostwick labs only.

 According to employment consultant Challenger, Gray & Christmas, employers in the United States issued 45314 “planned” job cut notices in November 2013.  This does not count the small mom and pop operations.

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 shut down.

“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

Business/Economics, U.S.

Exceptional Failed State: U.S. job losses & store closings 16-21 November 2013. More bank layoffs!

Incomplete list of announced closings and layoffs:

California:   Accurate Metal Solutions shutdown, 426 jobs lost!  In Chatsworth, Too Big to Jail JP Morgan Chase-Mortgage Bank laid off 88 employees.  In Emeryville, evil legal drugs maker Novartis Vaccines & Diagnostic laid off 54 employees.  In Los Angeles, The Proud Bird shutdown, 96 jobs lost.  In Pittsburg, Quad/Graphics shutdown, 88 jobs lost.  In Valencia, King Brothers plastic plumbing fixtures maker shutdown, 83 jobs lost.

Florida: In Jacksonville, Too Big to Jail Wells Fargo laid off 17 people, for “unknown” reasons.

Illinois:  In Chicago, Too Big to Jail JPMorgan Chase laid off 145 people!  In Montgomery, Caterpillar let go the last of their employees, 22, as they shutdown their factory.

Indiana:  In Carmel, Frontier Communications laid off 54 people.  In Indianapolis, Too Big to Jail JPMorgan Chase laid off seven people.

New York:  In Melville, Too Big to Jail First National Bank of New York laid off 36 employees.  It’s blamed on a merger with another bank.  

According to employment consultant Challenger, Gray & Christmas, employers in the United States issued 45314 “planned” job cut notices in November 2013.  This does not count the small mom and pop operations.

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 shut down.

“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

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

More Economic Decline: General Mills abandons East Idaho!

04 March 2014 (17:04 UTC-07 Tango)/02 Jumada l-Ula 1435/13 Esfand 1392/04 Ding-Mao 4712

Minnesota based cereal maker General Mills selling off all its eastern Idaho grain elevator operations.  It will affect the cities of Newdale, Blackfoot, American Falls, Rockford, Idaho Falls and Pocatello.

General Mills has been experiencing crashing sales.  Awake consumers will tell you it’s because General Mills uses GMO (genetically engineered) crops.  Also, Oxfam International ranks General Mills in last place for sustainability and human rights, including treatment of women and farm workers.   This has led to a boycott of General Mills products by awake consumers.

But that’s not how General Mills sees it: “The slowdown in category sales……isn’t a consumer issue, it’s due to insufficient product news and advertising….”-Ken Powell, CEO

The new owner of the east Idaho grain elevators, Agspring, claims they have plans to expand their new operations in Idaho, by using a “…a new combination of existing resources with a different business approach….”

Business/Economics

More Kmart closings! Sears boss says entire U.S. retail industry will end up like Sears & Kmart!

04 March 2014 (22:40 UTC-07 Tango 03 March 2014)/02 Jumada l-Ula 1435/13 Esfand 1392/04 Ding-Mao 4712

“I believe the entire retail industry is headed to where we already are.”-Eddie Lampert, CEO Sears Holdings, and he meant that in a good way

Another Raleigh Kmart to close, in May.  A 26 years old Tennessee Kmart closing in May.  A Berlin, New Jersey, Kmart shutting down, no other details given.   Virginia losing two more Kmarts, in June.  Minnesota losing a 40+ years old Kmart in June.

The U.S. Secret Service is investigating a possible secret data breach at Sears.

Here’s the updated list of U.S. Sears/Kmart store closings since the end of 2011:

Arizona: Scottsdale Sears/Great Indoors, Chandler Sears/Great Indoors.

Alabama: Gadsden Kmart (50 jobs lost), Mobile Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Auburn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Anniston Kmart (no word yet on how many jobs lost), Birmingham Eastwood Kmart (70 jobs lost),  Decatur Mall Sears (91 jobs lost), Fort Payne Kmart.

California:   El Monte Sears (at least 40 jobs lost. Damien Arrula, El Monte’s economic development director, said the store manager had lied about what was going on: “The general manager of the store had just indicated to me that they were remodeling.”), two San Diego Sears (at least 80 jobs lost), Pleasant Hill Kmart (more than 50 jobs lost), Torrance Kmart,  Fairfield Kmart (63 jobs lost),  Lampert owned OSH taken over by Lowe’s home improvement in bankruptcy court, at least 17 of 99 stores to be closed down (935 jobs lost!), Rancho Cordova Kmart (97 jobs lost), San Clemente Kmart/Sears/Kmart on Camino de Estrella (58 jobs lost), placed on an official hit list in 2011 the Oceanside Kmart on College Boulevard finally being shut down, Banning Kmart (91 jobs lost).

Colorado:  Broomfield Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Glenwood Springs Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lone Tree Sears/Great Indoors, Longmont Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Pueblos’ South Side Kmart (52 jobs lost),  Denver Kmart (number of jobs lost have not been made public at this time, but could be at least 40), Colorado Springs Kmart at Powers and Palmer Park boulevards (57 jobs lost).

Connecticut:  Waterbury Big Kmart.

Georgia: Macon Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Buford Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Douglasville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Atlanta Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Columbus Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Jonesboro Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Cartersville Kmart (74 jobs lost),  Hiram Kmart (53 jobs lost), Marietta-East Cobb Kmart.

Guam:  Sears Hometown Store.

Florida: Fernandina Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Callaway Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Orange City Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost),  Deland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Stuart Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), West Palm Beach Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Port St. Lucie Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Crystal River Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), New Smyrna Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint Augustine Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Pompano Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost),  Jacksonville Kmart on 5751 Beach Boulevard (71 jobs lost), second Kmart in Jacksonville on 4645 Blanding Boulevard (83 jobs lost), Ocoee Sears (102 jobs lost), Pensacola Kmart on Airport Boulevard closed in 2011, Pensacola Kmart on Mobile Highway closed in February 2013 (69 jobs lost),  Pensacola Kmart on East 9 Mile Road will close in May (73 jobs lost), Hialeah Kmart (67 jobs lost), Bonita Springs Kmart (67 jobs lost), Mount Dora Kmart (100 jobs lost), Lake Mary Kmart, Panama City Beach Kmart (54 jobs lost), Winter Park Kmart (100 jobs lost).

Hawaii: Honolulu Sears (owned by GGP, 372 jobs lost!!!),  Kauai Sears (41 jobs lost),  Iwilei-Honolulu Kmart for lease (no confirmation of store closing).

Vacant bedroom/bathroom section.

One corner of the half vacant Chubbuck, Idaho, Sears. No official closing announcement was made.

Idaho: Lewiston Sears (at least 60 jobs lost).  No official announcement, but it’s painfully obvious the Chubbuck Pine Ridge Mall Sears going’ down. Or, maybe it’s preps for Shop within a Shop, or one of those domestic spy data storage centers?  On 07 November 2013, GGP sold off the Pine Ridge Mall for a paltry $9 million USD.

Ever since the Kmart bankruptcy, this pad site for sale sign has been seen in the Pocatello, Idaho, Big Kmart parking lot. The Kmart is the only building on the lot.

Ever since the Kmart bankruptcy, this pad site for sale sign has been seen in the Pocatello, Idaho, Big Kmart parking lot. The Kmart is the only building on the lot.

Indiana:  Anderson Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint John Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Indianapolis Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Richmond Sears (49 jobs lost), South Anthony Kmart (70 jobs lost), Fort Wayne Kmart on South Anthony Boulevard (70 jobs lost), FairOaks Mall Kmart, Logansport Sears (43 jobs lost).

Illinois:  Alton Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Melrose Park Sears parts and repair center (50 jobs lost), Zion Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Lawn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), McHenry Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Peru Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lombard Sears/Great Indoors (at least 40 jobs lost), Fairview Heights Kmart (81 jobs lost), Freeport Kmart (45 jobs lost), Pontiac Kmart (more than 47 jobs lost), Homer Glen Kmart (82 jobs lost), Streator Kmart (45 jobs lost), Lombard Kmart (70 jobs lost), Naperville Kmart (98 jobs lost), Calumet Sears (164 jobs lost), two Sears stores in Grand Crossing area of Chicago (247 jobs lost!), Mount Vernon Sears (68 jobs lost), Moline Sears (at least 60 jobs lost),  Homewood Kmart (185 jobs lost),  Belvidere Kmart (91 jobs lost),  Champaign’s Market Place Mall Sears (56 jobs lost), Sterling Kmart (60 jobs lost), Montgomery Kmart (81 jobs lost), Mattoon Sears (more than 40 jobs lost), Chicago Sears on North State Street (160 jobs lost), Chicago Sears Craftsman Experience store, Galesburg Sears (46 jobs lost).  58 Chicago area stores up for lease or sale.  By the way, Illinois elected officials gave Sears Holdings/Hoffman Estates a $150 million USD tax break to keep their headquarters in the state.  The tax break was not tied to any promise not to close stores.

Iowa:  Cedar Rapids Kmart on 16th Ave (at least 40 jobs lost), Davenport Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Burlington Kmart (50 jobs lost), Coralville Sears (94 jobs lost, this is a store sold to GGP earlier in the year), Cedar Rapids Kmart on Collins Road NE (56 jobs lost),  Mason City Kmart (50 jobs lost).

Kansas: Lawrence Sears (at least 40 jobs lost).

Kentucky: Middlesboro Sears (in September 2012 the Sears store re-opened under independent ownership, official grand re-opening scheduled for November), Winchester Kmart (back in May, Rankin Paynter bought out what was left of the inventory and gave it to charity), Hazard Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lexington Fayette Mall Sears (114 jobs lost!),  Newport Kmart (81 jobs lost), Cannonsburg Sears and Sears Auto Center (no employee info given).

Maine: Lewiston Sears (60 to 70 jobs lost), Presque Isle Sears (80 jobs lost).

Maryland: Ellicott Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Gaithersburg Sears/Great Indoors, Landover Sears (115 jobs lost).

Massachusetts: North Reading Sears Hardware store closed, lease not renewed.

Michigan: Novi Sears/Great Indoors, Brighton Sears Grand/Essentials,  Harper Woods Sears Full line, Monroe Sears Full line, Adrian Sears Full line, Washington Township Kmart, Chesterfield Kmart, Woodhaven Kmart, Flint Kmart (46 jobs lost), Gaylord Kmart (48 jobs lost), Sterling Kmart (58 jobs lost), Bloomfield Township Kmart and Sears, Bad Axe Kmart (61 jobs lost),  Ypsilanti Township Kmart (83 jobs lost), Petoskey Kmart (45 jobs lost).

Minnesota: Willmar Kmart, Duluth Kmart, New Hope Kmart, White Bear Lake Kmart, Bemidji Kmart, Monticello Kmart, GGP owned Sears Auto Center in the Apache Mall closed (10 jobs lost), the entire Sears store in the Apache Mall being sold off, Fergus Falls Kmart (40 jobs lost), Fergus Falls Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Alexandria Kmart (46 jobs lost), recently revealed Grand Rapids Kmart (61 jobs lost).

Mississippi: Jackson Sears Full line, McComb Sears Full line, Columbus Sears Full line, Gautier Sears (71 jobs lost), Waveland Gulfport Kmart (32 jobs lost), Pass Road Gulfport Kmart (52 jobs lost),  Pascagoula Sears at the Singing River Mall.

Missouri: Lee’s Summit Sears Grand/Essentials, Saint Louis Sears Full line, High Ridge Kmart (59 jobs lost), Ellisville Kmart (55 jobs lost).

Montana: Missoula Kmart (50 jobs lost).

Nebraska: Grand Island Kmart (55 jobs lost).

New Hampshire: Nashau Sears Grand/Essentials, Keene Sears Grand/Essentials,  Portsmouth Kmart (30 jobs lost).

New Jersey:  Lawnside Kmart (about 80 jobs lost), Howell Kmart (57 jobs lost), recently revealed Berlin Kmart.

New Mexico: Las Cruces Kmart (58 jobs lost), Albuquerque Kmart on Central SW (80 jobs lost).

New York: Depew (Lancaster?) Kmart (68 jobs lost), Colonie Kmart (72 jobs lost),  Fulton Kmart (51 jobs lost), Clifton Park Kmart (74 jobs lost), Latham Kmart (61 jobs lost), East Greenbush-Rensselaer Kmart (70 jobs lost).

North Carolina: Cary Kmart (71 jobs lost), High Point Sears, Moorehead Sears, Rocky Mount Sears, Statesville Sears, Durham Kmart (79 jobs lost), Asheville Kmart (53 jobs lost),  West Smithfield Kmart (59 jobs lost), Winston-Salem Kmart (69 jobs lost), Hendersonville Kmart (58 jobs lost), South Ashville Kmart on Hendersonville Road, Raleigh Kmart (88 jobs lost), Garner Kmart, Cleveland County mall Sears (56 jobs lost), Charlotte Kmart (89 jobs lost), Conover Kmart (74 jobs lost), recently revealed Raleigh Kmart on Capital Boulevard (53 jobs lost).

North Dakota: Jamestown Kmart (45 jobs lost).

Ohio: Chagrin Falls Kmart, Springfield Kmart, two Toledo Kmarts, Medina Kmart, Columbus Kmart, Columbus Sears/Great Indoors, Zanesville Sears (67 jobs lost), Trotwood Kmart (71 jobs lost), Austintown Sears auto parts and service on Interstate Boulevard,  London Kmart (no word on number of jobs lost),  Trotwood Sears (67 jobs lost),  Westlake Kmart/Sears (at least 57 jobs lost),  Xenia Kmart (at least 57 jobs lost), Norwalk Kmart (52 jobs lost), Blue Ash Kmart (77 jobs lost).   Also, Van Wert Sears franchise bought out by Kirk Berryman, owner of Computer & Networking Technologies (CNT), who plans on moving the store to a new location.

Oklahoma: Oklahoma City Sears (98 jobs lost, GGP owned, GGP wants a $2 million sales tax rebate, claiming it’s needed to offset capital investments needed to bring the space up to the standards for potential new tenants), Shawnee Sears (31 jobs lost).

Oregon: Roseburg Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Tualatin Kmart Center (new property owner from California is tearing everything down for new shopping center, so far no indication the Kmart will be part of the new shopping center), Milwaukie Kmart (61 jobs lost), Coos Bay Kmart (25 jobs lost), Bend Sears (48 jobs lost), Klamath Falls Kmart (64 jobs lost).

Pennsylvania: Upper Darby Sears Full line, Pottstown Sears Full line, Pittsburgh Kmart, Wilkins Sears, Warminster Kmart (85 jobs lost), Shippensburg Kmart (46 jobs lost), Moon Kmart (143 jobs lost), Bethlehem Township Kmart (62 jobs lost), Philadelphia Gallery Mall Kmart (120 jobs lost), Philadelphia Kmart on Orthodox Street and Castor Avenue (169 jobs lost).

South Carolina: Sumter Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Orangeburg Sears (57 jobs lost), Columbia Kmart on Fort Jackson Boulevard in 2012, Columbia Kmart on Bush River Road in 2009, Columbia Kmart on St Andrews Road (66 jobs lost), Irmo Kmart (no info on how many jobs lost),  both Greenville Kmarts (140 jobs lost between the two),  Mount Pleasant Kmart (43 jobs lost), Harbison Sears & Sears Auto Center in the Columbiana Centre mall (97 jobs lost), Aiken Sears & Sears Auto Center (at least 54 jobs lost), Inlet Square Mall Kmart (50 jobs lost), West Ashely Kmart (69 jobs lost).

Tennessee: Antioch Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Cleveland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Ridge Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Hendersonville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Morristown Sears (about 70 jobs lost), Clinton South Kmart, Franklin CoolSprings Galleria Sears (92 jobs lost), Memphis Hickory Ridge mall Sears (job loss data not revealed), 48 years old Nashville Kmart on Nolensville Pike to close by January 2014 (57 jobs lost), recently revealed Franklin Kmart (33 jobs lost).

Texas: Two Sears parts and repair centers closing in The Woodlands (117 jobs lost), rebuild center in Garland (58 jobs lost), Farmers Branch Sears/Great Indoors, Houston Sears Great/Indoors.

Utah:  Murray Sears (for some reason Mormon control news media in Utah never reported the closure, but they’re reporting that the building has just been demolished), Orem Kmart (no details reported).

Virginia: Norfolk Sears (at least 40 jobs lost),  Midlothian Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Richmond Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lynchburg Sears (84 jobs lost), Fairfax Kmart (no word on how many jobs lost), Christiansburg Sears (59 jobs lost), Norfolk Kmart on East Little Creek Road (77 jobs lost), Manassas Kmart (71 jobs lost), Stafford Sears Hometown, Newport News Kmart (at least 50 jobs lost), Wise Kmart (58 jobs lost), recently revealed Harrisonburg Kmart (79 jobs lost), recently revealed Wincester Kmart (91 jobs lost).

Washington: Walla Walla Sears Full line (in August 2012, it was reported that an independent owner of Sears Hometown stores will open a store in Walla Walla), Lacey Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Kelso Sears (47 jobs lost), Lakewood Kmart (59 jobs lost), Bellingham Sears (92 jobs lost),  Seattle Kmart (85 jobs lost), East Wenatchee Sears (59 jobs lost), Puyallup Kmart (51 jobs lost), Oak Harbor Kmart (68 jobs lost), Sodo Sears and Sears Auto Center (79 jobs lost).

West Virginia: Oak Hill Kmart (59 jobs lost), Morgantown Kmart (100 jobs lost).

Wisconsin: West Baraboo Sears (at least 40 jobs lost, local village officials say the store generated 3% of local tax collections), Rice Lake Kmart (about 71 jobs lost),  Brookfield Kmart (56 jobs lost), Racine’s Regency Mall Sears (52 jobs lost), Fort Atkinson Kmart (51 jobs lost), Greenfield Kmart (107 jobs lost), Portage Kmart (78 jobs lost) and Hales Corner (129 jobs lost),  Chippewa Falls Kmart (79 jobs lost), Menomonie Kmart (at least 50 jobs lost).

On top of that, Sears Holdings sold stores to General Growth Properties (GGP), of which it has been reported that most of those stores will be closed.

Here’s the list of 11 Sears stores now owned by GGP:

Iowa: Coral Ridge Mall (it’s official the Sears is closing, see above), and Mall of the Bluffs

Texas: The Woodlands Mall (this does not involve the two repair centers being closed by Sears)

Florida: West Oaks Mall

Utah: Fashion Place, and Provo Towne Centre (note the evil British empire way of spelling town & center. Due to a favorable lease agreement the GGP owned Provo Sears will continue to stay open under Sears Holdings management)

Oklahoma: Quail Springs Mall (it’s official, the Sears closed, see above)

Hawaii: Ala Moana Center (closed, see above)

Washington: Bellis Fair Mall (Bellingham store, see above)

Minnesota: Apache Mall  (see update above, GGP will close Sears store by 2014)

Illinois: Market Place Shopping Center (see update above, GGP closing store)

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

Exceptional Failed State: U.S. job losses & store closings 10-15 November 2013. Once again, more ObamaCare layoffs!

Incomplete list of announced closings and layoffs:

Alabama: In Jasper, Twin Pines Resort & Conference Center shutdown.  60 jobs lost.  In Birmingham, Rock Mountain Mining laid off 53 employees.

California:  Intuit laid off 13 employees.  Symantec laid off seven people.  In Riverbank, more layoffs by Silgan Containers, this time 30.  In Los Angeles, Investors Business Daily laid off 15 employees.  NBC Universal laid off 97 entertainment industry workers.  In San Bernardino, McLain/Suneast laid off 53 workers.   In El Centro, International Paper laid off two employees.  At Fort Irwin U.S. Army National Training Center, taxsucker Northrop Grumman laid off 55 employees.  At Yosemite National Park, taxsucker DNC Parks & Resorts laid off 1396 people!  In Santa Anna, PSS World Medical laid off 38 employees.  In San Diego, US Security Associates laid off 53 security guards.

Idaho: In Idaho Falls, Mattress Country “Calls it Quits!”, and shutdown.

New York:  Atlantic Express Transportation went bust and shutdown.  At least 199 jobs lost!  Too Big to Jail, Sterling National Bank laid off 16 employees.  12th Restaurant began shutting down some of its operations (such as Nathan’s/ Roy Roger’s/Tim Horton’s/Lindy’s).  So far 46 jobs lost.  In Rouses Point, legal drugs maker Pfizer shutdown its drugs factory.  51 jobs lost.  In Brooklyn, Interfaith Medical Center shutdown.  1542 jobs lost!  In the official WARN statement they blamed Obama Care for funding cuts.  In Yonkers, Excelsior Packaging shutdown.  112 jobs lost to the bad economy!  In Buffalo, Budwey’s Supermarket shutdown, 156 jobs lost!  The grocery store was sold to a competitor. 

Wisconsin: What automotive industry recovery?  In Oshkosh, AxleTech International laid off 63 workers.

According to employment consultant Challenger, Gray & Christmas, employers in the United States issued 45314 “planned” job cut notices in November 2013.  This does not count the small mom and pop operations.

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 shut down.

“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

Business/Economics, U.S.

Exceptional Failed State: U.S. job losses & store closings 04-09 November 2013. 45-thousand plus lose their jobs! Blame ObamaCare?

According to employment consultant Challenger, Gray & Christmas, employers in the United States issued 45314 “planned” job cut notices in November 2013.  This does not count the small mom and pop operations.

Incomplete list of announced closings and layoffs:

California:  Brocade Communications laid off 130 people!  John Muir Health-Core shutdown its hospital laboratory ops in Concord. 513 health care jobs lost!  Company CEO Cal Knight blames it directly on Obama Care saying “Due to the changing health care environment, the health system could no longer afford to subsidize MuirLab’s operations, which pulls financial resources from other strategic initiatives and services…..”   Japan based Toshiba laid off 56 employees in Irvine.  Coca-Cola shutdown a Sand Diego bottling op, 92 jobs lost.   Mexico based Bimbo Bakeries shutdown their Elk Grove op, 112 jobs lost!  In South Gate, Brookshire Tools laid off 20 workers. In San Bernardino, Dedicated Management laid off 50 people.

New York: In Glendale, Sylvania shutting down their lighting factory.  47 jobs lost.  In Melville, PJP Health Agency lost its license and must shutdown.  55 jobs lost.   Too Big to Jail NCO Financial Systems laying off 104 people! The professional debt collector blames the bad economy.   In Rochester, The Bon Ton retail store closed down due to the lease not being renewed.  73 jobs lost.

Ohio: In Columbus, Aramark shutdown, 70 jobs lost.

South Carolina: Pee Dee Regional Transportation Authority laid off 70 employees.

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 shut down.

“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

Business/Economics, U.S.

Exceptional Failed State: U.S. job losses & store closings 02-03 November 2013. More News Department layoffs! Massive lumber store shutdown!

Incomplete list of announced closings and layoffs:

Alabama: In Mountain Brook, a Piggly Wiggly grocery store shutdown.  Local news reports say customers actually demonstrated against the closing.

California:  In Los Angeles, France based food service company Sodexo shutdown, 130 jobs lost!  Southern California Edison laid off more people, this time 100!  In Cupertino, Andrews International laid off 66 employees.   MC Communications laid off 120 people!   In Riverbank, Silgan Containers continues its hemorrhaging of jobs, this time 34 people let go.

Louisiana: University of Louisiana Monroe eliminated 25 positions.  It’s blamed on reduced taxpayer funding and declining student enrollment.

Maine:  Cape Cod Times eliminated 17 positions.  It’s blamed on the bad economy, although the news media source was recently taken over by  Newcastle Investment Corporation.  Taxsucker Bath Iron Works laid off 39 employees.  It’s blamed on reduced military spending.

Massachusetts: Brucker Corporation laid of 150 people!  This is on top of previous layoffs.  Officials with the scientific instruments maker said the bad economy is forcing them to contract out their work.  The SouthCoast Media Group laid off eight employees.  It’s blamed on crashing revenues.  Building #19 “The Humble Department Store” shutdown 10 stores after 50 years of business.  Company officials blamed their loss of revenue on the internet!

New York:  Endicott Interconnect confirmed they will start laying off their remaining 575 employees!  The company went bankrupt in July 2013, and will be sold off.   In Batavia, Arnold’s Bakery Outlet shutdown.  The owners refused to comment.

Ohio:  What housing market recovery?  81 years old Carter Lumber shutting down 26 stores!  Company officials say those stores are not making enough money, due to the downturn in the housing market. Their remaining stores will focus on contractor sales only.

Pennsylvania: The Titusville Area Hospital eliminated 18 full time jobs.  Hospital officials blame the Obama Care insurance industry for actually preventing health care: “We also realize that due to higher co-payments and deductibles being imposed on patients, many avoid seeking services or may put them off altogether.”-Anthony J. Nasralla, CEO

West Virginia:  In Follensbee, Koppers coal tar plant laid off 25 people.  It’s blamed on the bad economy.

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 shut down.

“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

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Corporate Evil: Monsanto’s Roundup proven to cause kidney failure! Cause of gluten allergies! Been going on since the 1970s, wake up you idiots and stop using glyphosate!

27 February 2014 (05:57 UTC-07 Tango)/26 Rabi ‘ath-Thani 1435/08 Esfand 1392/28 Bing-Yin (1st month) 4712

The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health has published a new study that says Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide is the cause of fatal chronic kidney disease of unknown origin (CKDu) epidemic in humans!

It has become the second biggest killer of men in El Salvador!

Roundup does this after coming into contact with certain minerals in the soil or aquifer: “Glyphosate and its primary metabolite AMPA can directly leach into the ground water and easily chelate to Ca, Mg and Sr copiously present in ground water…..Many farmers use hard water to dissolve glyphosate to prepare the spraying solutions as well……..Other modes of ingestion of glyphosate are dermal and respiratory. Low levels of glyphosate have frequently been detected in the urine of farm workers shortly after the glyphosate application….Glyphosate preparations are easily dissolved in sweat and absorbed transdermally…..the majority of farmers do not use any protective gear….Recent findings have revealed that rice, vegetables and raw tobacco…are contaminated with Cd and As…..Spanish researchers reported that glyphosate was present above the limits of detection in 41% of the ground water samples….the liver cannot metabolize the GMA lattice due to its unique configuration………confirmatory evidence
of the exposure and accumulation of As and Cd in the body as the kidneys become increasingly incapable of excreting them. Destruction of the tubular necks following long term exposure to GMA lattice also brings about a sudden decrease of renal functions in the later stages of the CKDu which result in the death of the patient if dialysis or renal transplantation is not done.”-Glyphosate, Hard Water and Nephrotoxic Metals

The Journal of Interdisciplinary Toxicology says Roundup is the cause of growing gluten allergies around the globe: “Celiac disease, and, more generally, gluten intolerance, is a growing problem worldwide, but especially in North America and Europe, where an estimated 5 percent of the population now suffers from it. Symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, skin rashes, macrocytic anemia and depression. It is a multifactorial disease associated with numerous nutritional deficiencies as well as reproductive issues and increased risk to thyroid disease, kidney failure and cancer. Glyphosate, the active ingredient in the herbicide, Roundup, is the most important causal factor in this epidemic.”

This crap is on your veggies!  When are you people gonna wake and realize that your exalted ‘christian’ corporate and political leaders are gottdamned evil?

We can’t blame it all on Monsanto.  There are dozens of brands out there containing glyphosate, here’s a few: Cheminova, Clearout 41, Nufarm, IPCO, Glyphogan Plus, KnockOut Extra, Maverick 3, MPower, R/T 540, Viterra, Sharpshooter, Touchdown Total, Traxion, Vantage Plus Max 2 and Wise Up.  Yeah people, it’s time to wise up!!!

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

The lies about gas prices! Southeastern Idaho sees 50 cent increase in 2 weeks, and drivers don’t notice!

27 February 2014 (01:56 UTC-07 Tango)/26 Rabi ‘ath-Thani 1435/08 Esfand 1392/28 Bing-Yin (1st month) 4712

I’ve seen many a news report trying to explain why fuel prices suddenly jumped, and once again they’re mierda de toro!  Reports say the average price increase for low octane gas, for the United States, increased 12 to 14 cents in the past two weeks.  Well in the cities of Pocatello and Chubbuck, Idaho, we’ve seen a 50 cent increase!

At this popular Pocatello fuel station the price of low octane was $2.79 two weeks ago. It's now $3.25. Low news reports revealed that many Idahoans are oblivious to the price hike!

At this popular Pocatello fuel station the price of low octane was $2.79 two weeks ago. It’s now $3.25. Local news reports revealed that many Idahoans are oblivious to the price hike!

Some Idahoans have noticed the increase, but apparently most have not.

A week ago, when the price jumped to $3.19 per gallon, a local TV station did an explainer report.  Of course the reason they gave was bogus (blamed on the switch to summer grade gas, which is a bogus claim because the same claim is made when they switch to winter grade gas), but what caught my attention was that the reporter discovered that most east Idahoans filling up at the pump were not aware of the price increase!

One guy she interviewed was standing right in front of the gas pump, filling his car, and admitted he didn’t know that the price went up and thought it was still $2.79 per gallon!  Hello, you idiot drivers how can you not notice such a big jump in gas prices?  You’re the reason the oil industry gets away with ripping us off!

“Between now and April we’re likely to tack on another 40 cents a gallon, in some areas it could be 30 in other areas it could be 50!”– Patrick DeHaan, GasBuddy.com

There are reports that the national average of low octane gas will be $4.00 per gallon by summertime.

Oil industry stooge, Trilby Lundberg, tired to use a red herring and  blamed fuel price increases on Obama regime backed violence in Venezuela and South Sudan.  Why is this bogus?  Because the United States is no longer an oil importer, we have a glut of extracted oil sitting around waiting to be refined!  The United States is on the verge of becoming the World’s number one oil exporter!   So why would problems in other oil producing countries affect our fuel prices?

Another excuse for high gas prices is that refineries are shutting down for maintenance.  So what, they always do that.  That’s why some areas have tank farms, where fuel is built up for storage for something like a refinery shutting down for maintenance.

Another oil industry stooge, Andrew Lipow of Lipow Oil Associates, claims gas prices are up because “…..that crude oil prices have been rising, as well as prices of gasoline futures.”

Here’s what Oil&GasJournal said about that: “Crude oil futures prices and natural gas prices fell on the New York market on Feb. 25 while analysts awaited a weekly government report that they correctly expected to show a sixth consecutive increase in US crude oil inventories.  The US Energy Information Administration said Feb. 26 that estimated crude oil inventories, excluding those in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, increased…..”

In other words, and what the U.S. EIA has been reporting for years now, is that there is plenty of petroleum in the United States!

The U.S. EIA has also been reporting a consistent drop in fuel demand, for years now!  But, here’s where fuel price increases come into play.  The U.S. EIA is reporting a drop in available refined fuels for the U.S. market.  This is also a consistent trend in the U.S. fuel market, and I’ve explained it before: Most of the fuel refined in the U.S. is being exported to other countries, creating an artificial shortage for those of us in the U.S.   So even though demand has gone down, available supply of refined fuel is also down, hence the industry justifies charging us more.

This is apparently the price we U.S. fuel consumers have to pay as the U.S. petroleum industry returns to the number one spot as the World’s oil/fuel supplier.   And you thought all that rhetoric about ending U.S. dependence on foreign oil would be a good thing for your middle class/lower class pocketbook.

Business/Economics, U.S.

Exceptional Failed State: U.S. job losses & store closings 01 November 2013. More ObamaCare cuts! Massive grocery store shutdown!

Incomplete list of announced closings and layoffs:

California: In San Clemente, two Kmarts made the hit list, about 100 jobs lost!   Southern California Edison laid off 27 employees.

Florida: The Home Shopping Network (HSN) laid off 59 workers.  Company officials said they need to become more efficient.

Illinois:  All Dominick’s grocery stores shutdown!!!  The owner, California based Safeway, said any Dominick’s stores that have not been sold off will be closed by the end of 2013.  So far only four of the 72 Dominick’s have been sold, potentially a thousand jobs will be lost!

Iowa: In Mason City, the Kraft’s Foods factory laid off 19 employees.  It’s blamed on declining company revenues.

Kansas: In Topeka, Hill’s Pet Nutrition Company laid off 39 employees.  Company officials said it was part of their re-focus on their finance operations in dealing with creditors and bill collectors.

Maine:  The Maine Coast Memorial Hospital warned they will be laying off employees.  Officials are expecting a $3-million loss of revenue under Obama Care.

New York:  In Garden City, CoreLogic Credco shutdown, 20 jobs lost.

North Carolina:  In Raleigh, a Kmart made the hit list, 88 jobs lost.   Also, two Fred’s Beds stores shutdown, in Raleigh and Wake Forest.  One store manager says the company has been “struggling” with the bad economy.

Ohio: In Springboro, tax sucker General Dynamics laid off 23 people.  This is on top of the 31 people laid off in October.   In Youngstown, the Northside Medical Center eliminated 56 full time medical jobs.  It’s blamed on Obama Care.  In Dublin, a Cord Camera store shutdown.  In Graceland, a Cord Camera store shutdown.  The owners of Cord Camera blame the bad economy.

Pennsylvania: In Philadelphia, Robinson Luggage shutdown.  The company vice president blames the bad economy: “…the change in the retail environment unfortunately has forced the closure.”-Nancy Center

South Dakota: In Aberdeen, 38 years old Noah’s Critters pet store shutdown.

West Virginia:  Oregon based Special Metals (formerly Inco Alloys) has warned of massive layoffs.  580 jobs cold be affected, but this is not the first time the company laid off employees.  Layoffs took place in 2012, as well.   It’s blamed on the bad economy.

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 shut down.

“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