Category Archives: Business/Economics

Business/Economics, U.S.

World War 3, U.S. Economic Front: U.S. companies stealing wages from employees! California called Golden State for a new reason!

01 October 2013 (01:22 UTC-07 Tango)/26 Dhu ‘l-Qa’da 1434/09 Mehr 1391/27 Ren-Xu (8th month) 4711

“A phenomenon of the underground economy is the practice of employers who, when caught breaking the law, close down that business in name only and operate another phantom one under someone else’s name.  This practice is intended to avoid responsibilities to workers and undercuts honest employers.  We are conducting in-depth investigations to uncover and put a stop to these abusive practices.”-Julie Su, California Labor Commissioner

Think the wage theft war waged by employers upon their employees happens only in ‘developing’ countries?  It’s happening more and more in the United States despite increased court action against those companies.

The University of California Los Angeles (Institute for Research on Labor and Employment and the Center on Urban Economic Development) estimates that about 26% of employees are paid less than the legally required minimum wage, and 76% are cheated out of legally required overtime pay!

86% of employees are forced to work through legally required meal breaks!  The 2008 study was conducted in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York City.

In August 2013, the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DSLE) revealed that low income wage earners in the Golden State have been earning 462% less than what they should have under the law!  On top of that, people who worked overtime have been ripped off by 642%!!!

The DLSE bases the claims on “record-breaking results for labor law enforcement in California” since 2010.

In June 2013, Los Angeles garment maker, 5 Plus 2, was fined for ripping off at least 19 employees.  The company owner had told those employees they were actually working for a company called Bultina Fashion, which turns out is a false front operation owned by the same person.  No records of employee pay were maintained.

In April 2013, a Los Angeles garment maker, O & K Apparel, was fined for ripping off 110 employees.  The office of California Labor Commissioner, Julie Su, said the company basically falsified its pay statements for its employees, who’re paid by each piece of clothing they complete.  The employees got paid far less than what they should have.

In January 2012, wage theft by employers had become so rampant in California that a new Wage Theft Prevention law was passed.  Then in February 2012, a new Criminal Investigation Unit was created to investigate such crimes, specifically.

According to the latest data, consumer spending (by we the people) accounts for 71% of the U.S. economy.  Economies grow only because we the people have enough money to buy more of the very products we manufacture while employed by the unAmerican corporate America.  Companies that steal their employees wages are enemies of the state (the true state being we the people)!

 

Business/Economics, U.S.

World War 3, U.S. Economic Front: Job losses & store closings 17-19 July 2013. California keeps getting hit!

Incomplete list of announced closings and layoffs:

Georgia based medical transportation provider, LogistiCare, laid off 64 people at its Madison, Wisconsin, call center.  Company officials blame it on Obama Care, saying one of their biggest customers had to cut back because their Medicaid reimbursements were being cut.

California: In Santa Monica Norms Restaurants closed.  62 people out-o-work.  In Mountain View, Symantec laid off 62 employees.  In Bakersfield, Xerox laid off 150 people!  G4S Government Solutions laid of 13 people at the Oakland Airport.  Boeing laid off a total of 129 people in four cities!

In Oregon, CenturyLink closed its Hood River operations.  51 people unemployed.

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.

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

World War 3, U.S. Economic Front: Job losses & store closings 16 July 2013. Hundreds more call center employees now unemployed! Hundreds lose their jobs as a result of government investigations!

The Galena silver mine, in Idaho, laid off 126 employees.  Company officials are taking a 10% to 20% pay cut.  They blame declining silver prices :“The ongoing decline in the price of silver required us to look for further cost savings in order to be profitable and protect our balance sheet going forward.”-Darren Blasutti, CEO

In Arkansas, the Christian God allowed 170 people to lose their jobs with hospitals run by Baptist Health.  Company officials blame Obama Care: “We are undertaking a number of initiatives that will position our organization to address the challenges of health reform and severe federal budget cuts.”-Mark Lowman, company spokeman

California based vascular disease treatment device maker Volcano Corporation laid off 39 employees.  The new Obama Care creates a new tax on medical devices.  In Fresno, Too Big to Jail Bank of America laid off 543 call center employees.  In Redwood City, video game maker Trion Worlds laid off 68 employees.  In Sunnyvale, data collections manager Netapp laid off 235 people. It’s part of the 900 layoffs announced back in May.

Oklahoma based phone company, TerraCom, laid off 700 people across 23 states.  This was a result of the Federal Communications Commission warning phone companies that their sales staff will be investigated for violating FCC rules.

In Oklahoma, The Tulsa World laid off 50 employees.

Government contractor, Lockheed Martin, announced plans to layoff 300 employees (on top of those they’ve already been laying off).  Company officials blame the unstable economy.

In New York, United Airlines laid off 40 employees at the Greater Rochester International Airport.  United Airlines is also ending operations at the airport, as well as in Albany.  Company officials blame the bad economy.  The Harrisville Dry Kiln plant shut down, laying off 30 employees.  In Mineola, Mexican owned Entenmann’s Bakery Outlet closed.  Company officials claim they will open again, if property owners can agree to an acceptable lease deal.  In Mount Kisco, The Farm grocery store closed. The owner says the recession is far from over: “We’ve experienced a big drop off every year since the recession! Business has simply not been good. There’s no other reason to it.”-George Kim

In New Jersey, 80 people lost their jobs with Wagner Spray Tech.  Jobs are being moved to Minneapolis. The Revel casino lad off 75 management staff.  Company officials blame the bad economy: “We are looking at how to run the business given the difficult operating environment.”-Jeffrey Hartmann, CEO

In North Carolina, Wilson County Schools laying off 67 teacher assistants.  It’s blamed on state funding cuts.  Government contractor, General Dynamics, closing its Charlotte Armament and Technical Products operations.  90 employees affected.  Company officials blamed unstable economic conditions.

What automotive industry recovery? In South Carolina, 200 jobs lost as Federal Mogul Friction Products shut down operations.  They make brakes for cars.  Company officials say they are consolidating operations to remain competitive.

Total Quality Plastics shutting down their Waukesha County operations in Wisconsin.  32 people unemployed.

In Washington, Mel’s Nursery shut down after 40 years in business.  The owner said she had to sell the property, but hopes she can open another nursery business.

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.

Business/Economics, U.S.

World War 3, U.S. Domestic-Economic Front: More proof Obama Care meant to reduce U.S. civilian population! Government officials exempt from Obama Care!

23 September 2013 (16:24 UTC-07 Tango)/18 Dhu ‘l-Qa’da 1434/01 Mehr 1391/19 Xin-You (8th month) 4711

“I think Congress should never exempt themselves from a law…..I think John Roberts [Supreme Court Judge], he loves ObamaCare so much, he should get it! Right now….He’s not part of ObamaCare…..he makes us get ObamaCare, but he’s exempt.”-Rand Paul, Senator for Kentucky, Fox News interview

I’ve been writing about the growing numbers of health care workers losing their jobs due to cutbacks caused by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (aka Obama Care), as well as hospitals closing down departments and non-profit clinics closing down completely.  This is resulting in lack of medical care for the general civilian population.

I watched a main stream TV news media interview with an Obama regime spokesman who flat denied that Obama Care was negatively affecting health care jobs!

Barack Obama continues to claim the Congress created Affordable Care Act will provide health care for all ‘mericans!

U.S. Senator Rand Paul has revealed that federal government employees are exempt from Obama Care, they will continue to get taxpayer funded healthcare.  If Obama Care is so good why are federal government employees exempt?

Business/Economics, Technology, U.S.

World War 3, U.S. Domestic-Economic Front: Silent Death, you don’t even know you’re being killed!

“The public cannot comprehend this weapon, and therefore cannot believe that they are being attacked and subdued by a weapon.

The public might instinctively feel that something is wrong, but that is because of the technical nature of the silent weapon, they cannot express their feeling in a rational way, or handle the problem with intelligence. Therefore, they do not know how to cry for help, and do not know how to associate with others to defend themselves against it.

When a silent weapon is applied gradually, the public adjusts/adapts to its presence and learns to tolerate its encroachment on their lives until the pressure (psychological via economic) becomes too great and they crack up.”–Operations Research Technical Manual TM-SW7905.1, May 1979

Business/Economics, U.S.

False Flag Gun Control BS: Navy Yard Shooting, Sandy Hook Shooting caused by prescription drugs gone wrong! Citizens being turned into gun wielding zombies!

23 September 2013 (13:11 UTC-07 Tango)/18 Dhu ‘l-Qa’da 1434/01 Mehr 1391/19 Xin-You (8th month) 4711

“The shooting at the Navy Yard was not the result of absence of gun control.  The shootings in the Navy Yard were the result of irresponsible distribution of Selective Serotonin Receptor Inhibitors [SSRI], or anti-depressant drugs such as Prozac and Zoloft.  This particular man was treated at a naval hospital and was given one of these SSRIs…….This is exactly the same story as the Adam Lanza story in Connecticut.  He too was being treated with these SSRI drugs.”-Eugene Michael Jones, Catholic, former professor, media commentator and the current editor of Fidelity-Culture Wars magazine

Jones has shown that all the recent mass shootings perpetrated by a Lone Gunman, including the Sandy Hook school shootings in Connecticut, the Bat Man movie shootings in Colorado, and the mass killings of Afghans by Lone U.S. military gunman, are all connected by the fact that the shooters were all being given SSRI drugs.

In the case of Adam Lanza he was forced on the drug by his mother (after a psychiatrist took him off the dangerous drug) at school official’s insistence (explaining why he killed his mom and then attacked the school).

Note that in most civilian cases of mass shootings the main stream news media always says the shooter had some kind of mental problem.  They then push not only gun control but mental health care.  But, the fact is these shooters were already under mental health care when they went off the deep end.  It was mental health care in the form of relatively new drugs that caused the mass killings!

One thing still bothers me.  How did the civilian shooters, with mental health problems, come into possession of so many guns and so much ammo in such short amount of time when those things are becoming more and more expensive?

In the case of the Afghanistan massacre, perpetrated by U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Robert Bales, not only was he on anti-depressants he was also given Mefloquine Hydrochloride, a anti-malaria drug that even the U.S. Army has admitted causes people to go nuts.

What’s going on with all these homicidal zombie drugs being given to U.S. citizens?

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

U.S. led free trade pact will drive up prescription drug prices!

23 September 2013 (23:10 UTC-07 Tango 22 September 2013)/18 Dhu ‘l-Qa’da 1434/01 Mehr 1391/19 Xin-You (8th month) 4711

The U.S. led TPP (Trans Pacific Partnership) will cause prescription drug prices to skyrocket, according to New Zealand based head of the Global Asthma Network and Auckland University Professor, Innes Asher: “A lobby group influenced by the pharmaceutical industry is seeking to eliminate therapeutic reference pricing and introduce appeals processes that will allow pharmaceutical companies to challenge formulary listing and pricing decisions. It is also trying to introduce onerous disclosure and ‘ transparency’ provisions that will facilitate industry involvement in domestic decision-making around coverage, reimbursement and pricing of medicines and medical devices…..  The TPP will most likely increase costs and reduce access to affordable medicines….”

Business/Economics, U.S.

World War 3, U.S. Economic Front: Job losses & store closings 13-15 July 2013. Property owners and taxes kill more businesses! California hit hard again!!!

In Pennsylvania, non-profit Excela Health laid off 78 hospital employees, and will not fill 58 vacant positions.  Officials blame a decline in people seeking medical help, and Obama Care.

In Kansas, Hunter Health Clinic warned of layoffs.  The clinic is facing legal and financial problems.  Financial problems started at least two years ago, but amazingly the board of directors claim they only recently learned of the problems!

In Rochester, New York, Rich Products shut down their bakery.  100 people out-o-work.

Government contractor, Pratt & Whitney, bribed 575 people to quit their jobs.  Company officials warned of future layoffs as well.  The parent company of Pratt & Whitney, United Technologies, also warned they will be laying off 3-thousand employees over the next year.

In Marblehead, Massachusetts, Lulu’s Boutique closed.

In Maryland, paint maker Complementary Coatings closed.  52 employees laid off.  Local news media said company officials would not explain why.

After 40 years of business, and without warning, Cindy’s Hallmark closed in Connecticut.   Reports said Hallmark employees were so shocked they ran into neighboring plaza stores, crying.  It’s not clear why the Hallmark store closed, and ironically it is being replaced with another gift card store.

Eaton Regional Education Service Agency laid off 24 employees in Michigan.

In Minnesota, Trish Land closed.  The owner wants to focus on freelance event planning and floral design.

O’Leary’s restaurant closed in Illinois, after 33 years of business.  The restaurant was unable to pay local taxes and went bankrupt.

In Wisconsin, Sentry Food’s shut down their Sun Prairie grocery store.  96 people unemployed.

Alpha Natural Resources laid off 106 employees at four West Virginia mines.  Another 83 employees were offered jobs elsewhere.  Company officials blame it on a glut of coal on the international markets.

In North Carolina, Delta Apparel laid off 135 employees. The company is consolidating its screen printing operations.

In Tennessee, 200 people could be losing their jobs with Pilgrim’s Pride (now known as Pilgrim’s Corporation).  Pilgrim’s is closing down a cold storage operation in Chattanooga.  They already laid off 400 people in 2012.

Virginia based agricultural supplier, Southern States Cooperative, is shutting down eight stores in Alabama.  The city of Prichard laid off six employees.  City officials warned of bankruptcy: “The decision was made in anticipation of a decision that will soon come before a bankruptcy judge…”-Troy Ephriam, mayor

In Jackson, Mississippi, Choctaw Books closed after three decades: “I’ve been open six days a week for 31 years. I won’t know what to do with myself….We’ve always had a double whammy of the lowest per capita spending on books in the country and the highest illiteracy rate….Over the years so many of my good customers have died…I was just a little too stubborn, kept thinking ‘it’ll work; things will get better’.”-Fred Smith, owner

What oil industry boom?  In Magnolia, Texas, global provider of project management and services for the oil and gas industry, Cameron International, shut down.  88 people out-o-work.

In California, Concord Music Group laid off between ten and 20 employees (company officials refused to be specific).  In Carmel Valley, the 30 years old City Kids-Beach Kids closed. It’s blamed on the property owners of Del Mar Highlands Town Center, who refused to let the owners of the children’s clothing store renew their lease.  San Fransisco based advertising agency, Goodby Silverstein & Partners, laid off 51 employees.  Companies are spending less on advertising due to the bad economy.  In Walnut, Sysco Los Angeles laid off 200 people.  Fedex Freight laid off 65 people in Los Angeles and 54 in Vernon.  Southern California Edison laid off 56 employees.  Wolfgang Puck laid off 170 people in Los Angeles.  Sheet metal products maker, USS Postco, laid off 705 people in Pittsburg.  In Citrus Heights, the Lucky Derby Casino laid off 118 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.

Business/Economics, U.S.

World War 3, U.S. Economic Front: Job losses & store closings 12 July 2013. More health care layoffs! Taxes shutting down businesses! Health problems close businesses!

Canada based auto parts dealer, Uni-Select, laying off 600 people in the United States!  The retailer is closing one distribution center and more than 40 stores in the U.S., in a bid to save $30 million USD!

Western Connecticut Health Network laid off 116 health care employees.  They blame state budget cuts.

In Massachusetts, Baystate Franklin Medical Center laid off 23 employees, ten of which are nurses.  Nurses have revealed that the hospital is also not replacing doctors that leave.  The Harvard Medical School laid off 31 contracted janitors.  School officials blamed the school’s “high operating deficit”.

Duke Raleigh Hospital, in North Carolina, laid off 27 employees.  Officials blamed “….a series of financial pressures at both the federal and state levels. The primary effect of these pressures is a reduction in reimbursement to hospitals and providers.”  In other words, Obama Care!

The Christian God won’t stop layoffs at the Catholic Xavier University in Ohio.  School officials warned of coming layoffs, as part of $4 million in budget cuts.

In Minnesota, the 125 years old Mankato Kasota Stone quarry now out-o-business.  The family owners blame construction contractors for buying cheaper artificial stone products.

Nevada based radio station owner, Stephens Media Group, laid off three people in New York.

Video game maker, Capcom, laid off an undisclosed amount of employees in the United States.

350 people lost their jobs in New Jersey!  The Colgate-Palmolive factory in Morris is closing.  Another 200 jobs are being shipped out!

In Georgia, Dante’s Down the Hatch closed after 43 years in business.   The owner, Dante Stephensen, blames city and county taxes: “They kindly have taxed me as if I was a high rise and said, ‘If you don’t like it, get out.’  That’s not a quote, but that’s basically a feeling I got from the county.”

Gigi’s Italian Restaurant in South Pasadena Shopping Center, Florida, closed after 45 years of business.   There are rumors that a Walmart will replace the shopping center.  There are reports that Comcast cable service provider laid off 260 people!  They shut down their Orlando call center.  Company officials claim they will work to find the employees jobs in other departments.

After 83 years, the Aladdin Book Shoppe in Oklahoma shutdown.  The owners blame it on their upcoming surgeries.  They tried to sell the store but “It has taken us six months to get our heads around the fact that if it did not sell we were going to have to close it and it has not sold.”-Paula Walker

The Mars Petcare pet food factory closed in Colorado.  40 people unemployed.  Company officials also warned that they will be closing their pet food factory in Missouri.  121 people will lose their jobs!  Officials blame it on declining sales.

Great Southern Bank closing 11 offices in Missouri.  It’s blamed on the 2011 takeover of Sun Security Bank.

The 40 years old El Parador restaurant shut down in Tucson, Arizona: “It’s time to transition into another phase in life.”-statement from owners

What housing market recovery? In California, GAF roofing materials maker closed down its residential roofing supplies operation in Fresno.  36 people now unemployed.  In Garden Grove, the Money Mailer laid off 75 employees.  Its part of larger layoffs in the area, due to the company outsourcing its coupon printing.  In Vernon, 189 people lost their jobs with Trinity Sports “full package” clothing maker!

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.

Business/Economics, U.S.

World War 3, U.S. Economic Front: Job losses & store closings 11 July 2013. Investor shuts down business! Another call center goes down! No more Pirate Booty chips?

In Kentucky, the Christian God can’t stop Catholic Lourdes Hospital in Paducah from laying off 58 employees.  Officials blame it on consolidation to remain economically efficient with all the government Medicare/Medicaid cuts.

420 people out-o-work in Missouri!  Integrity Solution Services shut down their call center in Cape Girardeau after losing their only contract.

Good Magazine laid off seven employees.  The magazine that supposed to offer good news, laid off employees last year as well.  Company officials say the layoffs are needed to “re-invest” in the magazine.

In Tennessee, the Memphis Fire Department laying of 92 employees over the next 12 months.

Pirate’s Booty chips maker laid off all 55 of its Sea Cliff, New York, HQ employees.  Pirate’s Booty was taken over by New Jersey based company, Parsippany.   Time Warner Cable laid off 120 people in College Point!

After 21 years, La Perla Jewelers closed in Connecticut.  The owner said an investor suddenly demanded their loan be repaid in full immediately.

In New Hampshire, Identity Footwear and Apparel closed down.  The owner blamed high rent, decreased sales, lack of support from city officials and plans for a new addition to the family.

After 40 years, Wilson’s Main Line Antiques shut down in Pennsylvania.

In Wisconsin, the Fred Boutique closed.  The owners blamed it on a crashing economy in Milwaukee.

In Alabama, Tuscaloosa Resources shut down in Brookwood.  67 people unemployed.   In Hollywood, Bechtel Power shut down.  86 people out-o-work.

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.