Category Archives: Business/Economics

Business/Economics, U.S.

Exceptional Failed State: Obama Care Layoffs 2013, part 5!

Incomplete list of publicized healthcare layoffs and closings 01-14 June 2013.

Alabama:  The Christian God couldn’t stop Catholic Providence Hospital from laying off 35 employees.  Hospital officials say they’ve lost $2 million USD in Medicare funding!

California:  In San Diego, Palomar Health laid off 84 hospital workers.  They blame cuts to Medicaid/Medicare caused by the Obama/Romney Affordable Health Care Act.

Connecticut: The Christian God couldn’t stop Saint Vincent Medical Center from laying off 50 employees, and eliminating 100 other positions!  Catholic hospital officials blamed it on competition and decreased federal funding due to the Obama/Romney Affordable Health Care Act.

Florida: The Christian God couldn’t stop 150 people from losing their jobs with Sacred Heart Health System.  Hospital officials blame it on Obama: “….facing daunting challenges because of a decline in revenues caused by government cuts in Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement.”

Louisiana:  Health care staffer Schumacher Group laid off 32 employees.  This after laying off 41 employees in May.  Company officials blamed in on changes to Medicare/Medicaid due to the Obama/Romney Affordable Health Care Act.

Maryland:  The University of Maryland Medical Center laying off an undisclosed number of employees.  Hospital officials are directly blaming the Obama/Romney Affordable Health Care Act.

Massachusetts: The Jordan Hospital closed the third floor of its East Wing.  64 jobs affected.  Hospital officials blamed it on declining customers and the Obama/Romney Affordable Care Act cuts to Medicaid/Medicare.  (the ‘Obama Care’ was co-written by the same guy that wrote Romney’s ‘Romney Care’ when he was gov’na of Massachusetts)

Missouri: The non-profit Boone Hospital Center laid off 13 employees, and reduced hours for seven others.  It’s part of non-profit BJC Healthcare’s 160 employee layoffs at several of its hospitals!  It’s blamed on Obama/Romney Affordable Health Care Act: “…experiencing reductions in our reimbursement for the healthcare services that we provide…”-June Fowler, BJC Healthcare

New York:  ProHEALTH closed its North Massapequa location.  24 people unemployed.  In Johnson City, the Methodist Grand Care Children’s Center shutdown.  Lakeside Memorial Hospital Emergency Department and Inpatient Unit shut down, 343 people unemployed!

Ohio: The Christian God couldn’t stop the closing of the Mercy Mount Airy Child/Adolescent Behavioral Health Unit. 

Virginia: Wellmont Health Systems laid off 50 employees, officials expect to lose $25 million next year, no thanks to the Obama/Romney Affordable Health Care Act.   Virginia based Inova Health Systems laid off 147 people throughout their hospital network.  Inova is considered one the most financially sound hospital systems in the U.S. Hospital officials are preparing for loses next year due to the Obama/Romney Affordable Health Care Act.

Wisconsin:  The Christian God couldn’t stop Saint Joseph’s Hospital from  closing its drug and alcohol addiction treatment center.  40 employees affected.  It’s blamed on changes to Medicare/Medicaid due to the Obama/Romney Affordable Health Care Act.

“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

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 18-19 October 2013. More hospitals killing jobs! Obama Care killing health insurance jobs! GMO seed maker kills jobs! Golf course killed to make room for homeless children!

Incomplete list of announced closings and layoffs:

Arizona: In Tucson, tax sucker and baby killer, Raytheon Missile Systems, warned of an undisclosed amount of layoffs.  It’s blamed on reduced government spending.

California: In Sylmar, Ralph’s (Kroger owned) grocery store shutdown, 58 jobs lost.  In Laguna Beach, Sundried Tomato American Bistros and Catering shutdown, the owners say business isn’t good enough to keep up with the rent!  In Thousand Oaks, evil GMO seed maker Ceres laid off 18 people (some in Texas) and will probably layoff more.  The GMO seeds they make are mainly for bio-fuel production, which isn’t really taking off  like everybody thought it would. In El Segundo, it was revealed that Direct TV laid off 100 employees! Company officials said it was necessary “…to remain healthy and competitive”.  Who said the internet is killing video rental stores? In Los Angeles, on demand video service Chill laid off 40% of its employees and canceled their “self serve” premium movie service. This just days after getting good reviews. Company officials said “We discovered that the sales/acquisition cycles around premium content to be somewhat inconsistent……”  What housing market recovery? Real estate data and consulting service, CoreLogic, closed two offices, killing 150 jobs! In Irvine, more layoffs for Labcorp, this time 24.

Connecticut: In New London County, Big Brothers Big Sisters shutdown.  United Way said it could no longer fund the operation due to crashing donations, caused by the bad economy.

Florida: In Orlando, the Holiday Inn laid off 63 employees.  The new owners claim they are remodeling the hotel.  In Tampa, health insurance company WellCare Health Plans killed 150 jobs! They focus on Medicare and Medicaid managed care, which is affected by Obama Care. In Captiva, reports that Joey’s Hot Dog Boat shutdown.

Georgia: In Macon, Bowen Brothers men’s clothing store shutdown after 31 years.

Illinois: In Elmwood Park a Blockbuster video store shutdown.

Michigan: In Lansing, McLaren Greater Lansing hospital laid off an undisclosed amount of employees.  Hospital officials also cut work hours and are reducing the amount of supplies they buy.  They blame Obama Care saying they need to “…position our hospital for long-term sustainability in the face of these unprecedented changes in health care.”

Minnesota: In Lafayette, after 54 years of service the Good Samaritan Society old folks home shutdown. Officials blame the last three years of the suck ass economy!

Missouri: In Jackson, Pioneer Orchard’s Market shutdown.

New Hampshire: In Berlin, Catello and Sons Music Store shutdown after several decades of sales.  The owners say that the past three years of the bad economy killed them.

New Mexico: In Farmington, after 33 years Zia Sporting Goods shutdown.

New York: In Newburgh, Saint Luke’s Cornwall Hospital eliminated 60 jobs.  Hospital officials expect to lose $10-million USD in 2014, no thanks to Obama Care.  In Amherst, the Frog Hair Grille shutdown, despite $500-thousand in renovations in 2012!  In Elmira, American Customer Care call center shutdown, 43 jobs lost.

Oklahoma: What housing market recovery?  Mortgager Adfitech laid off 320 people! Company officials called the crashing demand for home loans “abrupt changes in customer needs”.

Pennsylvania: The Hersey Links golf course shutdown to make room for grade school student housing for low income and homeless children attending the Milton Hersey School.  Yeah, there’s that much need folks!!! More proof the economy sucks!

Wisconsin: In Madison, health insurance company WPS Health Insurance continues to slash and burn jobs despite Obama Care. This time 175 jobs killed!  In January 2013 they announced 415 layoffs, and in November 2012 they killed 600 jobs!!!  The reason is that WPS focused on providing health insurance to people who were refused coverage by other insurance companies because of preexisting health problems.  Obama Care now forces insurance companies to cover anybody with the money to pay, regardless of health problems.

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 17 October 2013. Spice prices going up! The Big banks just keep killing jobs! More British empire caused job cuts! No more led?

Incomplete list of announced closings and layoffs:

Too Big to Jail, Wells Fargo, laid off an additional 925 people!  This brings the total announced layoffs since July 2013 to 6511!  Bank officials finally acknowledge the bad economy: “We are reducing staff as we continue to align our workforce based on current market conditions…”-Angela Kaipust, Wells Fargo spokeswoman

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association laid off 12 employees. Officials acknowledged the bad economy saying they need to bring “…expenses in line with revenue.”

U.S. spice seller McCormick announced drastic closures or cut backs to its European, Middle East and Asian operations.  The company warned it will mean layoffs.  Company officials said they need to consolidate operations.

California: Yet another video game maker goes down.  2K Marin laid off a “majority” of employees, and some unnamed inside sources say the company actually shutdown.  In Oakland, Sutter Health laid off six more employees.

Connecticut: 85 jobs lost as the 160 years old Stafford Springs Warren Corporation textile mill shutdown.

Florida: In Jacksonville, evil British empire owned school bus service First Transit shutting down.  138 jobs lost.  First Transit is owned by the British First Group. First Group also owns another school bus company called First Student.  The British empire is the mortal enemy of the United States, if you work for them you’re a traitor.

Georgia: In Augusta, Rooster’s Beak restaurant shutdown.

Kentucky: In Butchertown, Blind Pig restaurant shutdown. The property owner kicked out the restaurant owner.  The restaurant owner says for some reason the property owner began refusing to accept his rent checks. Sounds like another case of a greedy property owner looking to sell out to a property developer.

Michigan: Recently formed Catholic Health East Trinity Health laid off another 45 employees.  CHE Trinity Health was behind the layoffs at the non-profit Crittenton Hospital. Pennsylvania based CHE merged with Michigan based Trinity Health, and now they’re drastically cutting costs to deal with Obama Care.  Mount Clemens Community Schools laid off 12 teachers: “When you lose students, you’re going to lose teachers.”-Deborah Wahlstrom, superintendent

Minnesota: In Minneapolis, Heidi’s restaurant shutdown.

Missouri: In Herculaneum, the last led [sic] smelter in the U.S. has shutdown!  145 jobs lost! Doe-Run says the cost of meeting the latest U.S. EPA regulations will kill them, anyway.

New York: Too Big to Jail, International Foreign Exchange Concepts Holdings, has failed.  Now bankrupt.  Company officials are blaming the San Francisco Employees’ Retirement System for pulling more than $450-million USD from one of their investment funds.

Pennsylvania: In Scranton, The Bon-Ton department store shutdown.  50 jobs lost. Company officials said it was not worth it to renew the lease. In Manor Township, 53 years old Furniture World Carpet One shutdown two stores (one is in Indiana)! The owner blamed the bad economy and greedy landlords: “We lost the lease…..and we couldn’t afford to buy it.”-Andrea Solomon-Eller

South Carolina: In Charleston, La Fourchette restaurant shutdown. The property owner sold the space out from under the restaurant owner.

Texas: Tax sucker Port San Antonio eliminated 17 jobs, blaming declining U.S. Air Force spending.  In Pasadena, an ALCO store shutdown: “The economy has clearly had an impact on store sales, and we’ve made the very difficult decision to close.”-Ricardo Clemente, Store Operations

Virginia:  The newspaper Virginian-Pilot laid off 32 employees.

Washington: In Bellingham, game and model kit hobby store Eagles Games shutdown.

Wisconsin: In Racine a Sears will close down, 52 jobs lost.

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

Exceptional Failed State: Kmart shuts em down! Sears bankruptcy next? Sears pipedream of hiring 6500 new employees!

24 January 2014 (10:03 UTC-07 Tango)/22 Rabi ‘al-Awwal 1435/04 Bahman 1392/24 Gui-Chou (12th month) 4711

A Washtenaw County Kmart in Michigan, to close by April. Two Kmarts shutting down in Pennsylvania, hundreds of jobs killed.  A Westlake, Ohio, Kmart-Sears closing in April, as well as a Kmart in Xenia.  Another Kmart shutting down in Iowa, this one in Mason City.  Another Kmart in North Carolina closing down.  A Sears closing in South Carolina.  In Illinois, two Sears going down by April.

In Pennsylvania, the Sears at the King of Prussia Mall has rented out its upper floor to Dick’s Sporting Goods.

There are rumors that Sears Holdings is about to file for bankruptcy.

Despite rumors of bankruptcy, continued store closings and record losses, Sears Holdings officials claim they are going to hire 65-hundred military veterans or military spouses in 2014!   Sears even claims they somehow hired 6-thousand veterans/spouses in 2013!  Sherry Nolan-Schultz, of Sears Holdings, says they were hired for “…logistics, store management, loss prevention and home services.”  That’s hard to believe when you know how many stores they’ve shutdown.

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).

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), recently revealed Mattoon Sears (more than 40 jobs lost), recently revealed 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), recently revealed 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), recently revealed 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).

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), recently revealed 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), recently revealed Westlake Kmart/Sears (at least 57 jobs lost), recently revealed 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), recently revealed Philadelphia Gallery Mall Kmart (120 jobs lost), recently revealed 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), recently revealed 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, U.S.

Exceptional Failed State: 2013 sees record high U.S. corporate profits & record low U.S. worker wages?

24 January 2014 (09:05 UTC-07 Tango)/22 Rabi ‘al-Awwal 1435/04 Bahman 1392/24 Gui-Chou (12th month) 4711

The U.S. Federal Reserve Bank of Saint Louis is reporting that at the end of 2013 unAmerican Corporate America has made record after tax profits!  $1-trillion 868-billion USD!

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median wage at the end of 2013 was $786 USD per week.  Keep in mind that was for full time employment.  The Bureau points out that only 104.8-million U.S. workers are considered full time or on salary, and there’s almost 318-million people in the United States.

In December 2013 there were 7.8 million part time workers, mostly for the holiday season which means they’re very likely unemployed now.  There were 10.4-million officially unemployed people in December, and 1.5-million had quit looking for work!  Another 2.4-million people are counted as “not in the labor force”, but looking for work (many who did not qualify for unemployment assistance).

The Bureau also reports that actual earnings for those who had a job in December 2013, went down slightly.  Yet worker productivity went up by a full 3%!  These are some reasons why corporations made bigger profits while the average worker made less “Real” wages.

How can unAmerican Corporate America continue to claim it cannot afford to raise wages, or hire more people, when it’s making record after tax profits?

“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 15-16 October 2013. ObamaCare kills ice cream factory? Crashing home loan demand continues to impact housing market! No more bras?

Incomplete list of announced closings and layoffs:

Tax sucker and Big Brother ass kisser, FLIR (forward looking infrared) Systems to consolidate ops in Europe and the United States.  Company officials said they need to reduce staffing to save $20-million USD, due to reduced government spending on their thermal spying optics.

Tax sucker Lockheed Martin laid off 600 employees at their Mission Systems and Training business!  This is on top of the already 367 layoffs announced two months prior!

Mobile phone application maker, Path, laid off 13 employees.  Company officials said it was necessary to “support continued innovation”.

 California: In Poway, Chicken Pie Diner shutdown. The owner tried to sell the restaurant, but the sale fell through and he couldn’t afford to keep it open.

Colorado: In Fort Collins, Famous Runza Sandwich shutdown.  The owner, sensing the deteriorating economy, said he wanted to finish on top.

Florida: What housing market recovery? Mortgage Investors Corporation, which targets military personnel and  veterans, laid off 476 employees!  It’s blamed on crashing demand for home loans.  The company also had to pay a $7.5-million USD settlement to the FTC for harassing military personnel in violation of a Do Not Call List.  In Jacksonville, Hardee’s fast food joint shutdown after more than 20 years in business.

Illinois: Nonprofit Elgin Opera shutdown.  Operators said donations and ticket sales crashed.  In Belvidere, a Kmart shutdown, 91 jobs lost.

Indiana: In Elkhart, Bonnie Doon ice cream factory shutdown. Company officials said Obama Care health insurance rules will jack up their operating costs so high that it’s not worth it to stay in operation.  Elkhart city officials told local news media that Obama Care is threatening dozens of big employers in the area.

Louisiana:  The University of New Orleans shutdown its daycare center.  It’s blamed on taxpayer funding cuts and declining student enrollment.

New Jersey: Bra maker Maidenform shutting down their HQ, and killing  1330 jobs over the next year!  It’s blamed on the takeover by Hanesbrands.

Nevada: In Yerington, Marathon Equipment shutdown.  35 jobs lost. They’re moving to Arizona.  In Green Valley, Bank of the West shutdown their local office.  The California based Too Big to Fail bank blamed it on lack of business.

North Carolina:  What housing market recovery? Too Big to Jail SunTrust Bank laid off 800 employees!  It’s blamed on crashing demand for home loans.

Ohio: In Trotwood, Sears is shutting down, at least 67 jobs lost.  In Bidwell, BEF Foods shutdown, 52 jobs lost.

Oregon: In Reedsport, Pennsylvania based American Bridge steelworks shutdown, 51 jobs lost.  The company opened their Reedsport ops in 2005, helped by massive local tax breaks, and promised to hire 120 people.  In 2006 a rail line crucial to the steel plant’s operations was shutdown, but then re-opened in 2011.  But it was too late, American Bridge was able to get only one west coast contract to build a bridge, not enough to justify keeping the factory open.

South Carolina: A Mount Pleasant Kmart will shutdown.  43 jobs lost.

Texas: San Antonio, Trinity Mining & Construction Equipment laid off 86 people as part of their shutdown.  In Conroe, US Foods shutdown a distribution center.  84 jobs lost.   In Sealy, Bilderberg British empire tax sucking company, BAE, shutdown it’s M2 Bradley IFV factory.  325 jobs lost, but good riddance to the evil Red Coats: “Through its [BAE] acquisition of American companies it has increased its penetration of the U.S. market and has become the prime contractor for the M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle….”-Defense Procurement News

Washington:  TOP Food and Drugs shutdown three stores throughout the Evergreen State. In Yakima, Bemis Stereo First and TV shutdown after 34 years.  The owner blamed crashing sales on the internet, even though there are plenty of examples that even internet stereo and TV sales are crashing (it’s just a bad economy).

Wisconsin: MetJet shutdown, all flights canceled, many passengers stranded.  Company officials blamed it on crashing ticket sales.

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.

Idaho call center shutting down, or just more of the same BS game by Center Partners?

23 January 2014 (04:47 UTC-07 Tango)/21 Rabi ‘al-Awwal 1435/03 Bahman 1392/23 Gui-Chou (12th month) 4711

“Awesome products extremely bad job. Management sucks and the people your trying to help take things overboard crying about there gaming systems. It’s almost a pointless job.”–Customer Support Technician (Former Employee), Idaho Falls – January 20, 2014

“I wouldn’t recommend anyone working for this corporation.”-Inbound Sales Associate (Former Employee), Fort Collins, CO – January 2, 2014

Local east Idaho news reporting that Center Partners’ call center in Idaho Falls has told employees they will be losing their jobs.

Unnamed employees immediately called local news sources after they were ordered by Center Partners not to talk to the news media.  The layoffs begin now and run through to the end of March, because word is the place is shutting down by 31 March.  Apparently the company is consolidating operations.

Center Partners refuses to respond to local news media inquiries. But you can find plenty of bad comments from former employees on the internet.

“….I joked with a coworker during training saying, 'I like it here to an extent, but it seems that it's just a bunch of uneducated Idahoans vying for the few semi-decent paying jobs that are here.' We laughed of course, but I didn't realize how true it was until after I finished training.
I also think this is where the unprofessionalism and nepotism come into play. Perhaps if some of the supervisors or managers had experience with other work environments the site would have a more professional tone. But it doesn't. And I think it's particularly unprofessional and UNETHICAL to have a married couple be management level employees, both employed at the same site, and working in the same project.“–SCEA Tier One Agent (Former Employee) Idaho Falls, ID

The Colorado based company touts itself as being a top contracted call center operator, first going into business in 1997.  It has operations in Colorado, Idaho and Washington.

There is little info about the company out there.  The company contracts with major corporations to handle calls from their customers.  Center Partners say they specialize in the following “customer touchpoints”:  Inbound/Outbound calling, Chat, Email, Social and @Home.

“I have worked at multiple call centers in different cities, and I have NEVER encountered a call floor as loud as theirs in Idaho Falls. It’s not the agents that are loud, it’s the trainers and the managers and the helpers who REFUSE TO BE QUIET while they are on the floor. It’s the Trainers and their buddies who carry on full-blown non-work-related conversations (gossip) behind the agents who are trying to deal with (for the most part) upset consumers. The agents need back-up who understand the need for a quiet work area. Consumers who call in deserve to have the full attention of the agent they are speaking with, not one who is constantly distracted by the people that wander the floor.”-CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENT (Former Employee), Idaho Falls, ID – December 5, 2013

“I worked for this company for over 2 years….Management…were extremely egotistical, and socialized only with each other…..Benefits are overpriced and a joke….Some employees and management were clearly inebriated at work, and some were known convicted felons…….”-Sales Representative (Former Employee), Liberty Lake, Washington – December 3, 2013

Basically most Center Partners employees report, on internet employer rating sites, the same news that you hear from employees of other call centers; overall it’s a lousy job.

In 2013, Center Partners began laying off and shutting down it’s few call centers, or so it said.  In July 2013 the company announced it would layoff 578 employees in Washington, and 600 employees in Colorado.  Company officials blamed “changing business needs”.

At that point they were not sure what they would do with their Idaho operations.

In August 2013, it was revealed that Center Partners lost their contract with Capital One.  That contract apparently covered the pay for 42% of the company’s employees.

Then, suddenly in October 2013 Center Partners said not only were they not shutting down their Washington operation, but they would hire almost the same amount of staff they were going to fire!  Company officials credited “internal restructuring”.  It turns out that many employees had left the Washington office anyway!  The company also admitted they were still cutting management jobs.

Also in October 2013, Center Partners reported that thanks to “…efforts to reposition people internally…” they were actually going to add 400 jobs in Colorado, instead of layoff 600.  That’s a clear sign of inefficiency and incompetence when on one hand you say you have to kill 600 jobs, then magically on the other hand with some simply repositioning of employees you can suddenly add 400 jobs?  Oh but wait, it turns out that many employees in Colorado had already left as well.

It’s interesting that employees quit simply because they heard they were going to be laid off.  A local Spokane, Washington-Coeur d’Alene, Idaho TV station did interview management for the call center there and they confirmed that many employees quit just because they heard there would be layoffs.  So what this means is the company didn’t really create any new jobs they’re just replacing the people that quit.

The company also says they got new contracts, but didn’t specify.

It sounds like what’s happening is Center Partners is using the threat of impending layoffs to scare some unwanted employees away.  It’s an old trick, if you have a number of employees who’ve been with you long enough to pester you for a raise and benefits or a promotion, you lay them off for whatever reason.  And under Idaho’s Right to Work you over laws an employer is not required to give a reason for laying you off.  And by the way, In Idaho if an employer times their layoffs just right then they can get out of paying unemployment assistance!  They just need to make sure the employees never worked over a certain amount of hours, or never went over a certain amount of pay under Idaho Department Of Labor’s “reporting period”, and the laid off employees don’t get any unemployment assistance!  I know, it’s happened to me.

Business/Economics, U.S.

Exceptional Failed State: ObamaCare Layoffs 2013, part 4!

Incomplete list of publicized healthcare layoffs and closings 16-31 May 2013.

The biggest insurance company in the U.S., MetLife, has laid off 2500 people since 2012!  The insurance and investment company said the United States is no longer the place to do business and will focus on other countries for growth opportunities!!!

California: In San Mateo, reports that Mills Health Center closed its 4th floor Senior Health Services operations, 76 people unemployed.

Connecticut: The Christian God can’t stop an undisclosed amount of layoffs at Saint Vincent’s Medical Center!  It’s blamed on the Obama/Romney Affordable Health Care Act!

Delaware: The McCready Memorial Hospital/Alice Byrd Tawes Nursing Home laid off 18 employees, and turned five full time jobs into part time jobs.

Illinois: The Roseland Hospital laid off 68 employees.  Another 47 people had their workweek reduced by one day.

Kansas: 400 layoffs at the Christian health care organization known as Via Christi Health!  They blame it on declining hospital admissions and physician visits, as well as the Obama/Romney Affordable Health Care Act cuts to Medicare/Medicaid.

Maryland:  50 jobs lost as the Maryland General Hospital shut down its obstetrics and gynecology services.

Michigan: Catholic Ascension Health laid off 350 people at Saint John Providence hospital, and 350 people at four other operating units and seven hospitals throughout Michigan!  Officials with the largest Catholic health care system in the United States blamed it on declining customers and “lower reimbursement from Medicaid and Medicare” caused by the Obama/Romney Affordable Health Care Act!

Minnesota:  500 people lost their jobs with medical device maker Medtronic!  It’s blamed on a decline in demand for heart devices, and, the new Obama/Romney Affordable Health Care Act medical device tax doesn’t help either.

Nebraska: Novartis Consumer Health laid off 72 employees, and closed 41 open positions in their Lincoln factory.  Apparently these new job cuts are in addition to the 300 layoffs announced in April.

New Jersey: Toms Rivers Hospital laid off 68 employees and eliminated 85 positions!  They blame it on the Obama/Romney Affordable Health Care Act!

New York: The Orange Regional Medical Center laid off 80 employees.  They blame it on the Obama/Romney Affordable Health Care Act!  The Catskill Regional Medical Center laid off 60 employees.  They blame it on the Obama/Romney Affordable Health Care Act!  Sound Shore Health System now bankrupt: “As is true with many community hospitals serving a working-class constituency, the Medical Centers have been beset by the financial pressures caused by cuts in Medicare and Medicaid funding.”-Court filed bankruptcy statement

North Dakota: Trinity Health closed its clinic in Parshall.

Oklahoma:  The Christian God can’t stop 210 layoffs at the non-profit health care organization known as Saint John Health System!  Governor Mary Fallin is being blamed for refusing to expand Medicaid coverage, and they also blame the Obama/Romney Affordable Health Care Act cuts to Medicare/Medicaid.

Rhode Island: Lifespan healthcare system laid off 107 employees! They blame a $150 million shortfall on the Obama/Romney Affordable Health Care Act!

Wisconsin:  250 layoffs at the Christian hospital system known as Ministry Health Care!  They blame it on the Obama/Romney Affordable Health Care Act!

“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

ObamaCare Layoffs 2013, part 3! 

ObamaCare layoffs 2013, part 2!

 ObamaCare layoffs 2013, part 1:

Business/Economics, International

Do you like working for the 1%? New study says only 85 people control half the World’s wealth! U.S. recession a False Flag used by the 1% to take your money! EU austerity False Flag used to make the 1% even richer!

20 January 2014 (12:25 UTC-07 Tango)/18 Rabi ‘al-Awwal 1435/30 Dey 1392/20 Gui-Chou (12th month) 4711

As the economy continues to contract did you ever wonder “Where’s all the money going?”  According to a new study out of the Bilderberg British empire member known as United kingdom, almost half the World’s wealth is being funneled into the pockets of just 85 people!

Oxfam International says “The wealth of the one percent richest people in the world amounts to $110 trillion. That’s 65 times the total wealth of the bottom half.”

In the United States, the top 1% used the 2009 recession to capture 95% of wealth in the U.S., making the majority of U.S. citizens poorer: “…the wealthiest one percent captured 95 percent of post-financial crisis growth between 2009 and 2012, while the bottom 90 percent became poorer.  The Great Recession did not change the trend in concentration of income: the share of US national income going to the top decile stands at 50.4 percent – its highest since World War I.”

The Oxfam study, Working for the Few, says the austerity (government spending cuts and increased taxes) is a scam run by the rich: “…..the combined wealth of Europe’s 10 richest people exceeds the total cost of stimulus measures implemented across the European Union (EU) between 2008 and 2010 (€217bn compared with €200bn). Furthermore, post-recovery austerity policies are hitting poor people hard, while making the rich even richer. Austerity is also having an unprecedented impact on the middle classes.”

Oxfam blames the growing disparity on tax policies and anti-competition laws that favor the rich.  Oxfam also admitted “It is likely that the full concentration of wealth is in fact even worse, as a significant amount of wealth among those at the top of the scale is hidden away in tax havens. It is estimated that $18.5 trillion is held unrecorded and offshore.”

The laws favoring the 1% is the result of outright bribery of your ‘elected’ officials. Oxfam gave several examples, here’s one: “In 2010, President Obama signed into law the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (known as the Dodd-Frank Bill). The objective of this legislation is to regulate financial markets to protect the economy from a second major crash. However, the financial industry has spent more than $1bn on hundreds of lobbyists to weaken and delay the Act’s full implementation. In fact, in 2012 the top five consumer protection groups sent 20 lobbyists to defend Dodd-Frank, while the top five finance industry groups sent 406 to defeat it. Even though Dodd-Frank was signed into law more than three years ago, only 148 of its 398 rules have been finalized….”

Oxfam discovered that the true shadow government and banking system is that which belongs to the global 1%: “….a global network of tax havens has evolved that has far-reaching implications for increased economic inequality. Large amounts of wealth are hidden from view, and are largely untaxed, denying national treasuries vital resources that could be used to benefit society………This network of secrecy and low tax rates facilitates the illicit flows of large amounts of capital from the poorest countries. It is estimated that between 2008 and 2010, sub-Saharan Africa lost on average $63.4bn dollars this way each year, or more than twice what it received in aid.”

The study also confirmed the adage that the rich get richer, pointing out that it’s children of wealthy parents who get richer, while children born into families of middle and lower classes get poorer.  Oxfam says it’s the result of an effect they call the “privilege cascade”.

Unfortunately the report does not name names, but the biggest share of the global wealth stealing is being done by the 1% of the United States.

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

More Economic Decline: Idaho’s Coldwater Creek shuts down first store in 2014! As leases expire stores will close! Warning from NASDAQ!

20 January 2014 (11:38 UTC-07 Tango)/18 Rabi ‘al-Awwal 1435/30 Dey 1392/20 Gui-Chou (12th month) 4711

The Sandpoint based women’s clothing retailer Coldwater Creek is shutting down a store in the NorthPark Mall in Davenport, Iowa.   It’s all part of their plans to layoff at least 100 employees in 2014.

In December 2013, company officials stated they had shutdown 50 stores since 2011.  They also said they are adopting the Sears Holdings plan of action, as leases expire stores will close: “the actual number and timing of planned store closures depends on a number of factors that cannot be predicted, including among other things the future performance of our individual stores and negotiations with our landlords“-Third Quarter of Fiscal 2013 Operating Results

NASDAQ has given Coldwater Creek until 01 July 2014 to get its stock price back above $1 USD per share, or the company will be de-listed from the stock exchange.  Being de-listed will allow stock holders to buy and sell Coldwater Creek shares anywhere, not just the NASDAQ.  It could be possible to buy a share for less than one penny!

Company officials also said they are halting all quarterly “guidance” until their financial situation becomes more “predictable”.   That’s funny, because it is very predictable, as in 13 consecutive quarterly losses!  I predict sales will continue to go down.