Category Archives: Business/Economics

Business/Economics, U.S.

Exceptional Failed State: U.S. job losses & store closings 22 October 2013. Don’t blame the internet for crashing brick & mortar sales! More company officials say ‘No way has economy recovered’!

Incomplete list of announced closings and layoffs:

Arizona: The rip off internet based University of Phoenix will layoff an undisclosed number of employees.  Unnamed employees broke the news to local Arizona media.  The company is facing declining enrollment and is under investigation for the way it recruits online students. University of Phoenix laid off 1-thousand employees back in 2012!  In Flagstaff, Obama Care taxes forcing a medical device maker to layoff 20 employees.  Officials with Machine Solutions also blamed an unexpected crash in medical device sales.

California: More proof you can’t blame the internet for brick & mortar store loses; the second biggest internet network products maker in the U.S., Jupiter Networks, laid off 280 people! Company officials blame “inconsistent demand” for their IT products. In San Francisco, cell phone app maker TinyCo laid off 27 people. Company officials said they are forced to consolidate operations.  In Hollywood, NBCUniversal’s Focus Features is letting an undisclosed number of employees go.  It has something to due with the new Focus Features boss, Peter Schlessel.

Connecticut: Stamford based Too Big to Jail SAC Capital fired at least two managers and shutdown their London, United Kingdom, office.  The investment company has been accused of illegal insider trading.

Maryland: Hunt Valley based TV station operator, Sinclair Broadcast Group, laid off at least 30 news/production department people in the states of Washington and Oregon.  The news was leaked by a company insider, who gave no reason for the layoffs.  It also included employees who maintained the internet websites for the affected ABC affiliated TV stations.

Minnesota: In Saint Paul, after 103 years Jerabek’s New Bohemian Bakery shutdown.  The owners blamed the bad economy and health issues: “Numerous physical, financial and emotional challenges have made us unable to properly lead and run the business.”-Facebook posting

Montana: In Billings, Bones Brewing Company shutdown.  At least 12 jobs lost.  Manager Tom Williams blamed the bad economy saying “We were just losing too much money…”

Nevada: In Gardnerville, Scolari’s Food & Drug shutdown its pharmacy: “It was an economic decision we had to make based on a competitive market…”-Jan Gilbert, marketing director

New York: Insurance giant, Travelers, said it would layoff 159 employees in January 2014!  Back in July 2013 they announced 450 layoffs across the country.  Company officials say they expect to lose $140-million by 2015, but gave no details!  The Latham Circle Mall JCPenney to shutdown in January 2014. In Rockland, Laraia’s Cheese Shop shutdown due to crashing sales, five jobs lost.   In Sea Cliff, Pirate Brands/Robert’s American Gourmet Food shutdown, 55 jobs lost.

Oregon: Electronic testing equipment maker, Tektronix, laying off undisclosed number of employees.  Company officials say they must “reorganize”.  In Milwaukie, power equipment maker Blount International laid off 200 employees! Factories are being consolidated. Company officials blame the bad economy: “….we continued to be challenged by difficult economic conditions, as all of our major markets were soft compared to last year.”-Josh Collinss, CEO

Pennsylvania: 92 years old Furmano Foods laid off 18 employees.  Company officials are pissed at the claims by government leaders, and the government ass kissing news media, that the economy has recovered: “The slow growth in our industry has extended our recovery from the floods of 2011. We were hopeful that we could withstand the current economic environment and overcome the challenges the flood created by making cuts to our expenditures without affecting our team. Unfortunately continued slower growth requires further corrective actions.”-company statement

Virginia: In Clarendon, FatShorty’s restaurant shutdown.  The owner had to sell the property.

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.

ObamaCare layoffs 2013, part 6: U.S. healthcare jobs recession proof? That’s a lie, here’s more evidence!

02 February 2014 (02:59 UTC-07 Tango)/01 Rabi ‘ath-Thani 1435/13 Bahman 1392/03 Bing-Yin (1st month) 4712

According to Challenger, Gray & Christmas career consultant company, 2013 saw more health care workers lose their jobs than in 2012.

There were 52638 publicly announced health care layoffs in 2013, 45% more than in 2012!

“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

Obama Care Layoffs 2013, part 5!

ObamaCare Layoffs 2013, part 4!

ObamaCare Layoffs 2013, part 3! 

ObamaCare layoffs 2013, part 2!

 ObamaCare layoffs 2013, part 1:

Business/Economics, U.S.

Exceptional Failed State: U.S. job losses & store closings 20-21 October 2013. No more Coors? More big bank layoffs! High rents killing businesses!

Incomplete list of announced closings and layoffs:

The second largest beer brewer in the United States, MillerCoors, laid off 360 people across the country!

Alabama: In Homewood, Too Big to Jail Wells Fargo laid off 374 employees!

California: Too Big to Jail Wells Fargo laid off 465 people across the Golden State!  In Riverbank, Silgan Containers laid off 63 employees.

Connecticut: In Stonington, Skipper’s Dock restaurant shutdown.  The property owner kicked the restaurant owner out because the property owner found somebody willing to pay higher rent.

Florida: In Orlando, Sherman-Williams owned paint store Color Wheel shutdown. 36 jobs lost.

 Iowa: Farm equipment maker, John Deere, laid off 100 employees at their Ankeny factory!  The prior month they laid off 40 employees.

Kansas: In Newton, non-profit gift shop Ten Thousand Villages shutdown after 30 years in business. The owner blames the bad economy.

Maryland: Tax sucker U.S. DoE nuclear contractor, United States Enrichment Corporation, laid off 99 employees.  This is USEC’s second round of layoffs.

Montana: In Missoula, Community Medical Center eliminated 20 jobs. Hospital officials blamed Obama Care, calling it a “national” issue.

New Hampshire: Cooking Matters gourmet restaurant shutdown. The owner of the ten years old eatery blames the bad economy.

North Carolina: In Lexington, Henry James Family Dining shutdown.

Ohio: In Bowling Green, Dave’s Cosmic Subs shutdown.   Local news reports say it is the 15th store to close in the area.

South Carolina: In Charleston, Big John’s Tavern shutdown without warning.  Employees were angry.

Tennessee: In Memphis, long time Ike’s Optical shutdown.  Local news reports say no reason was given.

Texas: In DeSoto, Westlake Ace Hardware shutdown.  Company officials say the store’s revenue was not enough to justify the new rent demanded by the property owner.

Wisconsin: In Madison, iconic Savidusky’s Furquarters shutdown despite growing business.  The owners say they want to retire, and their children do not want to take over the business.  In Milwaukee, 80 years old Stein’s Jewelers shutdown.  The jewelery store actually went bust in March, due to being $2.2-million USD in debt!

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.

Global Food Crisis: Food prices to skyrocket as Mega Drought hits western U.S. Redux of 1920-30s Dust Bowl Drought?

02 February 2014 (20:00 UTC-07 Tango 01 February)/01 Rabi ‘ath-Thani 1435/13 Bahman 1392/03 Bing-Yin (1st month) 4712

“If groundwater was your only supply, you would potentially have no income this year.”-Tim Luke, Idaho Department of Water Resources

“This is the first time in the 54 year history of the State Water Project that projected water supplies for both urban and agricultural uses have been reduced to zero.”-Mark Cowin, California Department of Water Resources

California: For the first time in the Golden State’s history the State Water Project could cut off water to cities.  Farmers in the Sacramento and San Joaquin river basins are being told not to expect any water this year.  Farmers under the federally controlled Central Valley Project are expecting to be cut off from water as well.  California residents must reduce water usage by at least 20%.  17 communities in central California are facing zero water supply.  About 75% of water usage in California is by the agriculture industry.  Citrus growers say they could lose their 30 years old orchards, meaning it would be years before California could supply citrus fruits to market!

California is the number one state in terms of cash farm receipts, accounting for 15% of the entire United States agricultural industry.  The Golden State also accounts for half of all fruit, nut and vegetable production in the U.S.!

Idaho: Climatologists at the University of Idaho say the Gem State hasn’t been this dry since the 1920-30s drought that created the Dust Bowl in the Plain States. Blaine County has been declared by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to be in extreme drought.  Irrigation farmers from southern to eastern Idaho have been told by the Department of Water Resources to expect no water during summer.  It’s blamed on the fact that fish hatcheries are running low on water, and state officials have decided that fish hatcheries come before farmers who bought water rights to the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer after 1974.  Southwestern Idaho is under extreme drought conditions.  The summer water cut off could also apply to cities across Idaho.

The top agriculture products from Idaho are dairy, cattle, potatoes, wheat, and hay.

Montana: Local news reports revealed that evil Carlyle Group has rejected the city of Missoula’s offer to buy Carlyle owned Mountain Water Company, for $50-million USD.  The people of Montana will seek legal action to kick out the evil for profit Carlyle Group.  Mountain Water Company is the only privately held water supplier in Montana.

Nevada: About half the state under extreme drought conditions.

Oregon: Officials in the Beaver State are hoping a wetter than normal spring will make up for the dryer than normal winter.  75% of the state is under severe drought. Last year only 4.8% of the state was under sever drought conditions.

Washington:  Under moderate drought conditions.

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

More Economic Decline: Idaho Christian Republican rips off taxpayers then gives flippant explanation!

02 February 2014 (18:56 UTC-07 Tango 01 February)/01 Rabi ‘ath-Thani 1435/13 Bahman 1392/03 Bing-Yin (1st month) 4712

“We stand behind my report and my auditors’ conclusions.”-April Renfro, Certified Public Accountant for Idaho’s Legislative Audits Division

The latest audit of the Idaho State Treasurer’s Office revealed widespread abuse of state taxpayer funds.  The Office has been headed by Republican Christian Ron Crane since 1998!

Legislative auditors discovered that Crane oversaw the loss of $10.6-million USD in bad investments of taxpayer money! Auditors expect the loss to climb to $27-million!  The long overdue investigation is late to the game, because such claims of huge loses came as early as 2008!

The investigation says Crane ignored state laws meant to reduce financial risks!  Crane is currently playing around with $2.9-billion in state funds!

Of course Crane denies everything, and even questioned the state auditors’ competency saying they “…second guess our decision by using ‘hindsight’…”

And this guy keeps getting re-elected!  Like George Carlin said, “You voted them in. You caused the problem.” 

Business/Economics, Idaho, Technology, U.S.

More Economic Decline: Red State Idaho ripped off by Blue Blood Washington DC? Or is it that Red State politicians got caught cheating? Idaho schools shorted by $7-million & growing!

01 February 2014 (16:44 UTC-07 Tango)/30 Rabi ‘al-Awwal 1435/12 Bahman 1392/02 Bing-Yin (1st month) 4712

“All contracts made in violation of these statutes are void and any money advanced by the state, must be repaid.”-Justice Jim Jones, Idaho Supreme Court

Old mister poopy diaper pants supposedly for improving education, Barack Obama, is once again living up to his lying liar reputation!  Or is it the lying liar Republican officials in Idaho?

The Idaho legislature has just been informed that the Obama regime’s FCC (Federal Communication Commission) has withheld $7-million in tax dollars from Idaho’s high speed internet system for the Gem State’s High Schools!

It took Idaho’s Department of Administration’s Teresa Luna (a Mormon) this long to tell ‘elected’ officials about the missing funding!

Luna has known that the primary contractors, CenturyLink and Education Networks of America have not been paid, by the Obama regime, since March 2013!  Teresa Luna just happens to be the sister of Tom Luna (a Mormon), former George W. Bush regime official and Idaho’s current State Department of Education boss!

Oh but wait, there’s more to this story:  Turns out that Syringa Networks is suing the Gem State on the grounds the CenturyLink contract for the Idaho Education Network is illegal!  The case has been stuck in the Idaho Supreme Court since last year, and the Obama regime’s FCC says they are not going to pay their share of the funding until the case is settled! (it’s expected that Idaho schools will lose another $7-million during the 2014-15 school year)

So maybe this is actually another case of corrupt Idaho ‘elected’ officials screwing things up by playing favoritism and awarding contracts under the table?  It wouldn’t be the first time.

By the way, Teresa Luna was appointed to her position by corrupt governor Butch Otter in 2011, to replace the guy that suspiciously awarded the contract to CenturyLink.   Tom Luna miraculously won elections after the fact in 2007 (and suddenly Tom Luna has announced he won’t run for re-election!).  I could’ve sworn that Tom Luna was initially appointed to the position by Otter, but everything on the internet says he was ‘elected’.  Like George Carlin said, “You voted them in. You caused the problem.”

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

More Economic Decline: Idaho bank becomes 3rd to fail in 2014!

01 February 2014 (16:25 UTC-07 Tango)/30 Rabi ‘al-Awwal 1435/12 Bahman 1392/02 Bing-Yin (1st month) 4712

Syringa Bank of Idaho has become the 3rd U.S. bank to officially fail in 2014! On 31 January 2014, the bank was seized by the by the Idaho Department of Finance and turned over to the FDIC.

No explanation was given as to why the bank failed.  Also, no warning of bank closures are legally required.

The FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) took the Gem State’s Syringa Bank assets and gave them to a California bank, Sunwest Bank.  FDIC officials say Syringa’s failure will cost them $4.5-million USD!   The FDIC is also warning that more banks will fail, saying by 2016 that $10-billion could be spent on failed banks!

DuPage National Bank, in Illinois, was the first bank to fail in 2014.  The Bank of Union, in Oklahoma, was the second.

In 2013, 24 U.S. banks failed and were shut down.

Business/Economics

Exceptional Failed State: Sears to kill 600+ more jobs!

30 January 2014 (09:57 UTC-07 Tango)/28 Rabi ‘al-Awwal 1435/10 Bahman 1392/30 Gui-Chou (12th month) 4711

A Kmart in Missouri will close by April.  Reports that the Kmart at the FairOaks Mall in Indiana to close down.

Sears Canada has announced that an additional 624 jobs are being killed, this is on top of the 16-hundred call center cuts announced a few weeks ago, and on top of the 800 job cuts announced back in November!  Sears Holdings controls 51% of Sears Canada.

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).

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.

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).

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).

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), recently revealed FairOaks Mall Kmart.

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).  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).

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).

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).

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), recently revealed Ellisville Kmart (55 jobs lost).

Montana: Missoula Kmart (50 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).

New Mexico: Las Cruces Kmart (58 jobs lost).

New York: Depew (Lancaster?) Kmart (68 jobs lost), Colonie Kmart (72 jobs lost),  Fulton Kmart (51 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).

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).   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).

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).

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).

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:  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.

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).

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).

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: The Hell of ObamaCare Lies! Secret court documents reveal plan by Idaho hospital and Blue Cross to jack up costs by 60%! Reveals Idaho insurance payments higher than national average!

30 January 2014 (09:22 UTC-07 Tango)/28 Rabi ‘al-Awwal 1435/10 Bahman 1392/30 Gui-Chou (12th month) 4711

“By 2012, Saint Luke’s had three of the top five highest paid hospitals, and its top hospital was receiving reimbursements 21% higher than the average Idaho hospital.”-statement made during secret federal court trial

A federal judge ruled that Boise’s Saint Luke’s Regional Medical Center violated antitrust laws when it took over the Nampa’s Saltzer Medical Group.  On top of that, the now public court documents show the takeover was part of a sinister plan by the ‘Christian’ Saint Luke’s to jack up health care costs by as much as 60%!

The scam was revealed by a lawsuit filed against Saint Luke’s by Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, and the Federal Trade Commission.

The secret trial revealed that Saint Luke’s had been advised by consultants (from health insurance company Blue Cross) that if they killed off Saltzer Medical Group, thereby forcing many Idahoans in the area to go to Saint Luke’s, they could increase their billing rates.

The trial was kept secret at the request of Saint Luke’s and Blue Cross.  Both Saint Luke’s and Blue Cross begged the court keep the details of the trial secret once the trial concluded, but U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill ignored that request and “unsealed” the court documents!

The trial also revealed that for some reason Blue Cross pays Idaho hospitals and doctors much more than the national average: “Across the United States, the average commercial insurance plan pays about 120% of what Medicare pays. For overnight hospital stays in Idaho, (Blue Cross) pays between 150% to 200% more than Medicare pays. For outpatient hospital services, (Blue Cross) pays 300% more than Medicare. For routine office visits, (Blue Cross) pays 140% more than other commercial plans.”

Blue Cross and Saint Luke’s have appealed the ruling.

“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.

Exceptional Failed State: Idaho news media misleads public on unemployment! Is it all part of your ‘elected’ officials’ plan to justify ending unemployment assistance?

28 January 2014 (17:00 UTC-07 Tango)/26 Rabi ‘al-Awwal 1435/08 Bahman 1392/28 Gui-Chou (12th month) 4711

For the past few days Idaho news media have been painting a rosy picture, saying Idaho’s unemployment rate dropped by one percent.  And some even went as far as declaring the bad local economy dead!

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that Idaho’s unemployment rate for December fell to 5.7%.   Some Idaho news sources must’ve got hit with complaints about their initial interpretation of the unemployment rate, because some local news sources went on to admit, in later reports, that December’s jobs were almost all temporary end of year holiday hires.

(An east Idaho TV station actually re-edited their initial report.  The initial report had Idaho Department of Labor employee, Will Jensen, saying the unemployment rate went down because “more people found work and there was an increase in people filing for first time unemployment benefits”.  A seeming have your cake and eat it too scenario.  The new version of their report, which is now on their website, not only edits out that comment, but also points out the temporaryness of December’s jobs.)

Here’s a reality check:  The ‘official’ unemployment rate reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the one that the news media and politicians love to point to, is called U-3.  This stat does not include everybody who is unemployed or underemployed.  The stat that tries to included all the unemployed (usually meaning those not getting unemployment assistance and those who quit looking for a job) and underemployed (meaning those working part time when they should be enjoying retirement or those working part time but needing full time hours/pay) is called U-6.

For Idaho, at the end of the 3rd quarter 2013 the U-3 rate was 6.9%, hence why so many ignorant Gem State news sources were virtually declaring the bad economy over when December’s U-3 rate came in at 5.7%.  But what about the U-6 rate?

At the end of 3rd quarter 2013, Idaho’s U-6 rate was at 13.2%!  The U-6 rate for December has not been published, yet.

‘Elected’ Idaho politicians in Washington DC are calling for a halt in an emergency extension of federal unemployment assistance.  They claim it will cost “taxpayers” (keep reading to see who those taxpayers really are) $6-billion USD if it passes.

The unemployment system in Idaho (aka Idaho Job Service) is actually paid for by employers, who’re charged a tax based on how many successful (that’s the key) unemployment claims are made against them.  Some companies even end up getting a tax rebate!

This creates an incentive for companies to lie about the person filing for first time unemployment claim.  In 2011, a PBS program, called Need to Know, reported on the growing problem of TPAs (third party administrators) working to deny unemployment benefits for those who qualify.  Many unemployment  benefits are being denied because the employers are falsely claiming the employee was fired, when they were actually laid off.  Or, in the case of wrongful firings, the TPAs are appealing those cases, even when it is obviously the fault of the employer.

Now realize that federal unemployment assistance is also paid for by unAmerican Corporate America, not employees or individuals paying their individual income tax!  Now you know the real reason Idaho politicians (who actually work for unAmerican Corporate America, the real “taxpayers” they are talking about) want to kill unemployment compensation!

People should be out in the streets with torches and pitchforks!  UnAmerican Corporate America created the mess, and they continue to find new ways to weasel their way out of paying for it, and your ‘elected’ officials are their lapdogs!