Category Archives: Business/Economics

Business/Economics, U.S.

Government Evil: Obama gives bogus reasons for privatizing Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac! Obama forgets his Senate voting record!

07 August 2013 (12:20 UTC-07 Tango)/30 Ramadan 1434/16 Mordad 1391/01 Geng-Shen (7th month) 4711

“For too long, these companies were allowed to make big profits buying mortgages, knowing that if their bets went bad, taxpayers would be left holding the bag.”-Barack Obama, misleading a group of 2000 people in Arizona

What’s wrong with the above statement?  It suggests that Fannie Mae (Federal National Mortgage Association) and Freddie Mac (Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation) were bailed out by taxpayers because they’re pseudo-governmental agencies, and if Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were fully privatize, taxpayers would be spared.  But wait, what about all those fully privatized banks that got bailed out by taxpayers?

Did you forget Bears Stearn?  That fully privatized company got bailed out by the government when it got into trouble with its mortgage securities, then sold to JP Morgan.

Did you forget Goldman Sachs?  That fully privatized company got ‘bailed out’ by the government’s TARP in 2008, even though the company reported big profits from mortgages in 2007!

Did you forget Citigroup?  This fully privatized company got into trouble with the subprime mortgage crisis (by the way, the crisis was created by the banks themselves) and ended up getting bailed out by the government!

Did you forget the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, meant to bail out fully privatized banks due to the mortgage crisis?  Obama voted for it as a Senator!

Did you forget AIG?  Barack Obama, himself, voted for a taxpayer bailout of the fully privatized company as a Senator, even though he knew the company was ripping people off: “How do they justify this outrage to the taxpayers who are keeping the company afloat?” 

Did you forget Bank of America (BoA)?  This fully privatized company got $25 billion in TARP bail out money in 2008, and another $20 billion in TARP money in January 2009, then another $5.2 billion in March 2009!   The last government bail out was snuck through AIG to BoA.  In 2010, BoA agreed to pay a $137 million fine for defrauding schools, hospitals, and dozens of state and local government organizations.  In 2012, BoA was accused of running a scam called Hustle or High Speed Swim Lane.  The scam cost U.S. taxpayers more than $1 billion because BoA sold fraudulent mortgages to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac!  Arizona‘s attorney general says BoA “repeatedly has deceived” mortgagors!   August 2013, U.S. Justice Department and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission accuse BoA of investor fraud in the sale of $850 million of residential mortgage backed securities!

And Obama wants to sell off Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, because he thinks they’re a threat to taxpayers?!

By the way, Freddie Mac just posted a $5 billion profit for its second quarter this year!

Oh, the other bogus reason Obama gave is that the housing market has recovered.  Wrong!  He stated that home prices are going up. Correct.  Several surveys show that home prices are up because of house flippers.  That’s a cutesie phrase for home speculators.  They buy up a house with the expectation that they can sell six months to a couple of years later at a profit.  That is not a sign of a true housing recovery.  When you get a big increase in families buying homes to live in for 20+ years, that’s a sign of recovery, and that is not happening.  (in fact many families trying to buy homes are reporting being out bid by house flippers)

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

Idaho Falls company needs your support to bring Pocatello’s Hoku polysilicon factory back from the dead!

07 August 2013/30 Ramadan 1434/16 Mordad 1391/01 Geng-Shen (7th month) 4711

The following was sent to me by the President of Arco Hills Silica Company:

I am a participant in a company that is considering strongly to purchase the Hoku Property and Plant for the purpose of continuing the operation of the plant (with some major improvements-the real problem with this plant is that because of poor management the plant was not competitive ($40.00 plus per kilo). This plant can be modified and placed into production where it would be making a profit at $20.00 per kilo. There are major changes that need to be done, but with the completion of our funding, those changes can and will be done, thereby saving 200 jobs in the Pocatello area and by additional features and similar industries that are willing to come to Idaho to gain access to the Silica and Silica-related products that would add several hundred other new jobs to the community. This will also bring back some major manufacturing that in the past was shipped to China an other third-world nations because of cheap labor. The real problem was that the United State Business Leaders forgot how important it is for this country to maintain a “manufacturing base” here in the United States by being creative and competitive by using technology to compete. Instead to earn the “quick buck” from the benefit of cheap labor, the majority of companies sold their souls (and all their technology secrets) to China and other countries that offered cheap labor. I am convinced we can be friends with China and can still be competitive. That is why our company, Arco Hills Silica Company (an Idaho Mining Company that owns deposits of over 20 billion tons of some of the purest silica in the world) is joining with Francis Kreais of JCF Funding from Henderson, Nevada (702) 994-1102 to attempt to prevent the Hoku factory from being sold to be dismantled and scrapped by it prior operating company. We know what has to be done to decrease the costs to make Hoku competitive and are presently seeking to make an offer to the Bankruptcy Court to pursue that opportunity. IF THERE ARE OTHERS OUT THERE WHO BELIEVE THAT THE UNITED STATES NEEDS TO RETURN TO BEING A MANUFACTURING COUNTRY WHO USES TECHNOLOGY TO COMBAT CHEAP THIRD WORLD COMPANY’S CHEAP LABOR, AND IS WILL[ing] TO SUPPORT AND ASSIST IN THIS CAUSE, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME OR FRANCIS KREAIS OF JCF FUNDING ([email protected]) AND LET’S GET OUR HEADS OUT OF OUR ” ***** ” AND START MAKING THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WHAT IS SHOULD AND COULD BE WITH A STRONG TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED COMPETITIVE MANUFACTURING BASE.[!]

‘THANKS FOR LETTING ME “SPEAK MY PIECE” AND AT LEAST MAKE A RALLYING CRY TO ATTEMPT TO SAVE A NATION THAT OUR CONGRESS AND PRESIDENT HAVE GIVEN UP ON.”

SINCERELY,
GORDON W. JENKINS, PRESIDENT
ARCO HILLS SILICA COMPANY
TELEPHONE; (208) 589-6503
Email: [email protected]

Business/Economics, U.S.

World War 3, U.S. Economic Front: Job losses & store closings 06 June 2013. No more ice cream in Indy? More health care & school cuts!

400 people lost their call center jobs in Albion, New York!  Too Big Too Jail JPMorgan Chase is to blame!  The Lake Avenue Kodak Plant will layoff 61 employees in August. It’s blamed on crashing photography sales.  In Johnson City, the Christian God can’t stop the closing of the Methodist Grand Care Children’s Center.  United Methodist Homes says they can only afford to focus on their old folks operations. The Food Emporium closed in New York City, 136 jobs lost!

Virginia based life insurance company, Genworth Financial, laying off 400 employees across the U.S.!   Company officials say they need to cut $90 million USD from their yearly budget.

An update to Caterpillar’s massive layoffs in Illinois.  Reports say another 300 layoffs will take place in addition to the 460 announced in April!  To add insult, reports say company officials are having the laid off workers escorted from the factory.

In Iowa, John Deere laid off 65 workers.  The farm, forestry and heavy equipment machinery maker blames it on a bad economy, sales were worse than they expected.

Dollar Rent A Car and Thrifty Car Rental laying off at least 200 employees at their Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group HQ in Oklahoma!  New Jersey based Hertz car rental bought out Dollar Thrifty and is moving their HQ to Florida.

The Christian God can’t stop the closing of the 142 years old First Christian Church in Aurora, Missouri.  It’s blamed on declining membership, only about 20 people were showing up.

The Christian God can’t stop 12 layoffs at Arkansas Baptist College.  It’s blamed on low summer school student enrollment.

In Michigan, Buena Vista School District will layoff at least two teachers.  It’s blamed on declining enrollment.  It was reported that the Bueva Vista high School has only 68 students. More layoffs were hinted at.

The Monadnock Regional School District, in New Hampshire, laying off or eliminating 19 jobs for the upcoming school year.

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.

Wellmont Health Systems laid off 50 employees at their hospitals in Virginia.  Hospital officials expect to lose $25 million next year, no thanks to the Obama/Romney Affordable Health Care Act.

In 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.

In Wisconsin, the Christian God can’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.  Student Transportation of America closed down in Waukesha, 155 people out-o-work!

In California, another drug maker screws up.  San Diego’s Zogenix laid off 55 employees.  The FDA has delayed their ruling on the company’s new pain killing drug.  In Thousand Palms, the Father’s Charter Heart School closed due to losing its charter.  The Modern Romance Boutique closed in Aliso Viejo.  It’s reported that the landlord jacked up the rent, claiming the economy had recovered!  The Palms Bar lesbian club shut down in West Hollywood.  The new owners are redeveloping the property.

In Indiana, ice cream maker Good Humor-Breyers ending its operations in Huntington.  Company officials say they want to move production elsewhere.  140 employees affected!  City officials point out they gave the industrial sized ice cream company a $6 million tax abatement four years ago!

The 30 years old Rittenhouse Square Fitness Club closed down in Pennsylvania.  And RevivalSmith vintage furniture shop closed down as well.  The owners didn’t say why.

VTL Group laid off 12 people in Ladson, South Carolina.

In central Florida, Hancock Bank closing its last offices in August. Evil Hancock Holdings has been closing banks across the southeastern U.S. Pierce Manufacturing laid off 33 people in Bradenton. Settlement Funding laid off 98 people in Boynton Beach.

In Hawaii, the Honolulu Advertiser shut down.  It merged with another newspaper.  400 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, U.S.

World War 3, U.S. Economic Front: Job losses & store closings 05 June 2013. Thousands more in health care and pharmaceuticals laid off! No more dog food? California hit hard again!

In South Carolina, two coal fired electric power plants will be closed, four years ahead of schedule!  Originally SCE&G was going to convert them to natural gas.  At least 70 people unemployed.

Delta Airlines closes its Memphis, Tennessee, hub.  230 unemployed!  Delta officials say it is due to reduced sales and increased fuel prices, they swear it’s not because of their merger with Northwest Airlines.

Florida based trucking company Ryder Logistics laying off 60 employees.  The company is closing its Roanoke, Texas office.  According to stock analysts the company is doing well.  The Ryder Career Center’s slogan is “The road to the future starts here.”  I guess the future ends in unemployment.

Endo Health Solutions ending jobs for 700 people!  It’s blamed on the failure of the drug maker’s latest poison.  The U.S. FDA denied approval of its testosterone injection.  The company also blames expiring patents which allow generic versions of its drugs to be made.  Company officials say as a result they need to cut $325 million USD from their yearly budget.

In California, another drug maker is in trouble with the FDA.  Officials with Impax say they have to layoff at least 110 employees!   Impax makes generic versions of name brand drugs. They recently tried to get FDA approval for their Parkinson’s drug, but failed.  The FDA has inspected the Hayward, California, factory several times, noting violations each time. the company now needs to cut $15 million from its budget.  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.  Also, Actavis (formerly Watson Pharmaceuticals) laid off 17 employees in Corona.  In Los Angeles, Deluxe Laboratories laid off 79 people. Massachusetts based Caliper Life Sciences laid off 47 people in Mountain View.  In Poway, Sysco Foodservice San Diego laid off 70 employees. In Walnut, Sysco Foodservice Los Angeles laid off 100 people!  And Medical Billing Technologies laid off 48 employees in Visalia.

A drug maker in Massachusetts in trouble as well.  AVEO Oncology laying off 140 employees!  Company officials say they underestimated how much ‘restructuring’ they were going to have to do.  They say they underestimated by at least $190 million!

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

In New York, ProHEALTH closing its North Massapequa location in August.  24 people unemployed.  I couldn’t find any published reason for it, but they’ve been cutting back on operations and laying people off in several other states prior to this announcement.

121 people losing their jobs when the Mars Petcare closes its pet food factory in Joplin, Missouri, in September!  Mars Petcare is also closing a factory in Pueblo, Colorado. 40 people unemployed.  Back in 1992 the city of Pueblo essentially gave Mars Petcare $1.6 million to move to town.   Company officials blame it on crashing pet food sales.

In Michigan, the Flint School District announced they will have to layoff even more people.  75 more positions will possibly be eliminated, on top of the 138 announced in May!  And the Midway Roller Rink in Battle Creek closed after 57 years of family fun.  Reports say the owners had to sell out to a local property developer, who is going to tear it down.

After 60 years of operations the privately run Joytime Preschool closed in Lake Forest, Illinois.  The owners said the time was right to retire. In Rantoul, Deena’s women’s clothing store shut down.  It was the town’s oldest store.  The owner blamed it on the casual style trend.

Ivy Tech Community College ending operations at 20 of their Indiana facilities!  The school has $68 million in debt!  School officials do not blame it on declining enrollment, in fact they say enrollment is up, but the state has not come through on the funding to match the increased enrollment!

In Louisiana, eight Whitney Bank offices being closed.  It’s part of evil Hancock Holdings’ closure of 40 bank offices across five states.

Marriott International laying off several hundred employees in Fredrick County, Maryland, by December!  Company officials said they are outsourcing the jobs!

Two people lost their administrative jobs with Historical Society of Western Virginia. It’s blamed on the bad economy which has caused a decline in membership and funding.  In May the Society lost 300 members!

Commercial Metals Company laying off at least 50 people at its Magnolia, Arkansas, steel mill.   Company officials blamed the bad economy: “…it is necessary to align our workforce with the lower current business level that we are experiencing.”-Steven Hughes

California based celebrity bridal gown designer Monique Lhuillier closed her shop in Edina, Minnesota.  The designer blames crashing sales of bridal gowns on the bad economy.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shut down.

 

Business/Economics, U.S.

World War 3, U.S. Economic Front: Job losses & store closings 03-04 June 2013. Krispie Kremes creams jobs in Georgia! NAZI cops kill New Jersey businesses! More companies say there is no economic recovery!

What housing sector recovery?  Mortgage insurer, Alabama based Triad Guaranty, now bankrupt.  Company CEO William T. Ratliff III blamed “Continued high unemployment in the U.S. and the slow economic recovery.”  And after 49 years of business the privately run Sequoyah Caverns and Ellis Homestead shut down.  The owner claims the number of visitors has crashed due to high fuel prices, despite the natural wonder being rated as the number one place to visit in the Heart of Dixie.  On top of declining tourism, the family owners lease the caves to tourism companies and apparently they’re not happy with the way they’re running the operation.

The social gaming company, Zynga, shut down offices in New York, California and Texas.  520 people out-o-work!  company officials say they need to save $80 million USD!

And a mobile ad company, TapJoy, laid off 20 people.

In Texas, the Vineyards Restaurant closed in Garden Ridge.  And a 20 years old Sigel’s liquor store closed down in Dallas.  A spokesman for the store blamed major construction projects by property developers: “I think it’s a situation where the neighborhood is in transition. We’ve had this store for 20 years. They’re tearing down a lot of the older apartments and building new ones, and I think the owner of the center is going to redevelop as well.”-Jasper Russo

Florida based plastic RFID trackable pallet maker, iGPS, now bankrupt.  The company is now for sale.  Brooksie’s Market closed in Seminole Heights, the property is now for sale.

In North Carolina, clothing maker Mortex shutting down its Princeton factory.  More than 100 people laid off!  Mortex makes clothes for several big name brands.

Yet another Office Depot closed in Virginia.  And after 125 years of higher education, the Christian God can’t stop Saint Paul’s College from closing down!  School officials tried merging with another school, but it fell through.  The closing is blamed on declining student enrollment.  School officials hope to reopen if the right “strategic opportunity” comes along.

In Georgia, Triumph Packaging ended operations in Thomaston-Upson County.  Up ’till now company officials were publicly saying they were doubling staffing, but rumors say Krispie Kremes Donuts pulled the rug by cancelling a major contract with the food packaging company.

Maxwell’s Grill closed in New Jersey. The joint hosted famous music bands, but business has crashed to the point that they can’t pay the rent.  It’s possible the decline in business is related to NAZIistic local cops who’ve been harassing patrons (as documented by a local Fox TV news report).

The Indiana Blood Center laid off 45 employees.  Company officials will also close three mobile blood centers, they blame it on a decrease in demand for blood.

In New York, the West Islip Public Schools laid off 20 more teachers.

The city of Norwich, Connecticut, laid off 17 employees. Last month they laid off 33 teachers.  XPect Discounts closed their store in North Haven. 67 people unemployed.  Company officials said they did not like the new rent agreement.

What oil industry boom? In Hawaii, Texas based Tesoro laid off 200 employees after they shut down and put up for sale their Kapolei refinery!

In Michigan, Detroit’s 96 years old Serman’s Clothes Shop shut down.  The owner blames the economy and the relaxed dress standards, despite the fact the clothing shop dressed up every Detroit mayor in the past 50 years.  The Grand Rapids Public Schools laid off 70 employees.  School officials blame it on a decline in enrollment of 700 students!

After one year of operations, Thrifty Tickets thrift shop closed down in Wisconsin.  The owner claims they’re moving to a new location, if the rent is doable.

In Illinois, 206 people out-o-work with Crownline Boats in West Frankfort.  company officials actually blame climate change on a decline in sales!   If water levels are rising wouldn’t that help increase boat sales?

In Clinton, Iowa, OfficeMax closed down.  16 people unemployed. OfficeMax is closing several stores in the U.S. this year.

The Christian God can’t stop 16 layoffs at the Parkview Adventist Medical Center in Brunswick, Maine.  It’s blamed on the state government not paying for Medicare/Medicaid services!

In Oregon, Wynona Studios knitting shop shut down.  In Eugene, Roberts Media has bought KMTR, yet the TV station will be operated by evil Fisher Communications, with reports of layoffs in the works.

Evil hedge fund SAC Capital Advisors forced to layoff evil employees due to a drop in investors, due to SAC’s insider trading scandal.

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, Economic Front: New mass Kmart closings! Tax break for Sears burns local schools & taxpayers!

02 August 2013 (14:59 UTC-07 Tango)/25 Ramadan 1434/11 Mordad 1391/26 Geng-Shen (6th month) 4711

Connecticut’s Big Kmart in Waterbury closing in November, after 40 years of business. Reports say Sears Holdings refused to renew the lease.

In Washington state, the Puyallup Kmart will close down in November.  51 people will be out-o-work in time for the end of year holidays!  Sears Holdings gave their usual BS reason for closing it down: “…store closures are part of a series of actions we’re taking to reduce on-going expenses, adjust our asset base and accelerate the….” blah, blah blah.

Two Kmarts shutting down in Mississippi!  People out-o-work just in time for the end of year holidays at the Waveland and Gulfport Kmarts.

The Howell, New Jersey, Kmart closing in time for Halloween. One long time customer complained that now he has no choice but to shop at the evil Walmart.

In Colorado, a vacant credit union space in the Aurora Kmart is now a public library.  The Aurora Public Library opened a branch office in the Kmart because it turns out that most low income families, with no access to the internet, live near the Kmart.  The library provides internet access.  The question is, how long before the Kmart is shut down?

Sears is now selling $4400 Chanel handbags and $33000 Rolex watches! I guess they’re trying to upscale their image.  It’s the latest brainstorm of evil elitist Eddie Lampert.

In Illinois, a two years old tax break extension for Sears is coming back to haunt struggling individual taxpayers!  Officials with Community Unit School District 300 say local taxes will have to be raised to make up for the huge losses caused by the Sears tax break, which is good for the next 15 years!  The result is that District 300 will lose about $24 million USD in 2014!  And those stupid state politicians didn’t even require Sears to keep Illinois Sears and Kmarts stores open!  (maybe the huge tax break for Sears is how the Lampert is paying for all the new upscale elitists merchandise?)

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).

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).

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: Recently revealed 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).

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.

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 Sears going’ down. Or, maybe it’s preps for Shop within a Shop, or one of those domestic spy data storage centers?

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).

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). 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 (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).

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 Sears (114 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.

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).

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).

Mississippi: Jackson Sears Full line, McComb Sears Full line, Columbus Sears Full line, Gautier Sears (71 jobs lost), recently revealed Waveland Kmart (32 jobs lost), recently revealed one of the Gulfport Kmarts (52 jobs lost).

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).

North Carolina: 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.

North Dakota: Jamestown Kmart (45 jobs lost).

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

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

New York: Depew (Lancaster?) Kmart (68 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).   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).

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).

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).

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).

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.

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.

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).

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), recently revealed Puyallup Kmart (51 jobs lost).

West Virginia: Oak Hill Kmart (59 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).

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 will be closed, see above)

Hawaii: Ala Moana Center (will be 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

Business/Economics, U.S.

World War 3, U.S. Economic Front: Job losses & store closings 01-02 June 2013. Property owners to blame! Federal government conveniently forgets to renew contracts! No more Lucasfilm?

What oil industry boom? Texas based Digerati Technologies, a phone company, made a big mistake when it bought out several oil drilling service companies in Montana and North Dakota. Now the phone company is bankrupt with $62.5 million USD in debt!

Printer of commercial and educational materials, Ohio based BTPO Hess Holdings, now bankrupt.  Company officials blamed it on overproduction, competition and the bad economy.  They have $100 million in debt, with only $50000 in assets!  And the Christian God can’t stop the closing of the Mercy Mount Airy Child/Adolescent Behavioral Health Unit.  The Christian health center started back in the late 1800s.  apparently a new center is being built.  I’ve found articles dating back to 2001 that show the hospital has been shutting down various operations for years.

In Massachusetts, the veterinarian emergency clinic, Vetcision, closed down.  The Vet says he will still do house calls.  And 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)

In Georgia, Mitchell Johnson Building Supply ended their 50+ years of “Strong Traditions” by shutting down.  And after almost 50 years, the Rossville Music and Golf store shut down as well.

The Board at Work skate store closed in Maryland.  The owners blamed it on a bad location for their shop, and the weather.

In Connecticut, The Hair Place closed up shop after almost 44 years of business.  The owner blames the landlord, who jacked up the rent and also added fees for customer parking!

After 30 years of business, Cards of Joy and Gifts store shut down in New Hampshire.  The owners said business sucks!

In Texas, Lubbock Power and Light closed their office on 82nd Street.  Utility officials say it was not their fault: “…Lowe’s Supermarket approached LP&L to terminate the property sublease agreement that was entered into in April 2005.  As a result, LP&L had no choice but to terminate our sublease.  After conducting a thorough business case review, LP&L has decided not to pursue another location since transactions at Southwest Branch have declined 43.1% from 2005 to 2013.  Just since 2010, walk in traffic at the Southwest Branch has declined 30%.”-Chris Sims, Lubbock Power and Light   (in other words, the economy sucks!)

And in Utah the Christian God can’t stop the closing of the Provo Mormon Deseret Book store.

And the Christian God can’t stop the closing of the 100 years old Wapato Community Presbyterian Church, in Washington.

Japanese printer company, Ricoh, laid off at least 70 people in Portland, Oregon.  Company officials said they had to “integrate certain of its business units”.

Federal government contractor Lockheed Martin, laid off 59 employees at their Suffolk, Virginia facility.  Company officials say the federal government failed to renew a training contract.

The East Ramapo Central School District, in New York, laid off 60 people, despite a $12 million increase in the budget!  Apparently even more employees would have been laid off if the $12 million budget increase failed.

In Florida, 261 people lost their jobs with the Marion County School District!  The district is short $29 million!  It’s blamed on state funding cuts.

In California, Gene Watson Construction laid of 316 people! In San Diego, U.S. Navy contractor US Joiner laid off 37 employees.  Lucasfilm closed down their San Francisco operations and laid off 201 people!  Blame it on George Lucas selling out to Disney!  Also, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art laid off 48 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, Idaho, U.S.

World War 3, U.S. Economic Front: Job losses & store closings 30-31 May 2013. Chris Christie gives British Empire corp $80 million tax break, to cut jobs in the United States!!! MetLife says the U.S. is toast!!!

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!!!

In California, Westwood’s Jerry’s Famous Deli closed, 63 employees laid off.  The restaurant owner blamed it on the property owner jacking up the rent.  A Jerry’s Famous Deli also closed in West Hollywood.  In Santa Monica, Rubin Postaer Associates laid off 200 people!  Rubin Postaer Associates is Los Angeles County’s second largest advertising agency. Honda was their biggest client, and Honda just cut back big on their advertising budget.  In Simi Valley, Arizona based Nexicore laid off 108 employees!  The computer company blames it on crashing sales.

Arizona based Pro’s Ranch Markets bankrupt.  The grocery chain focused on Hispanic customers in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. The company blames a decline in sales on several factors, including Arizona’s anti-immigrant laws.

In White Plains, New York, British Empire based Pearsons Education laid off 55 employees. The education publisher has been laying off employees non-stop due to constant “restructuring”, even after New Jersey gov’na Chris Christie gave the Red Coat company an $80 million USD tax break!!!  And the Obama/Romney Affordable Health Care Act is killing another health care provider!  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

Speaking of New Jersey, the city of Linden wants to layoff 31 cops. City officials blame it on the police union rejecting the city’s concession offer. City officials say they need to save $1.2 million. Gee why don’t they ask gov’na Christie for the money?  He gave foreigner Pearson Education $80 million!

In Washington, the Pierce County Jail laid off 20 guards.  The county is short $4.2 million, and 160 inmates are about to go free due to their sentences being up.  There are no new inmates expected because two of the county’s customers, the cities of Lakewood and Tacoma, are sending their inmates to a cheaper facility.

In Colorado, the Upper Pine Fire Protection District cut four jobs: “If we didn’t do this, we wouldn’t have any reserves left after next year. Too many factors led to this. By this time last year, we’d had income coming into the district from fighting wildland fires on federal lands. This year, that didn’t happen.”-Bruce Evans, District Chief

The College of Central Florida got rid of 28 jobs.  College officials blame a $2.4 million shortfall on declining student enrollment.  In Gainesville a Stein Mart is closing, rumors say it’s being replaced with a Hobby Lobby.

In Illinois, the Chicago Sun Times laid off all its photogs, all 28 of them!  Reporters are now required to do their own pics and video (just like in the smaller news markets).  And the Adler Planetarium laid off 15 people. Officials say they are trying to stay ahead of the bad economy by becoming more efficient. Plass Appliance shutting down after 75 years of sales. It’s blamed on the bad economy. At one time there were ten Plass Appliance stores.

The Muncie Public Library announced that it has to cut $400000 from its budget, and that means layoffs in Indiana.

What automotive industry recovery?  Germany based Volkswagen confirmed they will layoff 500 people in their Tennessee Passat factory!!!  They blame it on crashing sales of Passats.

What oil industry boom?  In Texas, Cameron International laid off 88 employees.  The global provider of production and processing equipment for the oil and gas industry is shutting down their factory in Magnolia.

And despite North Dakota‘s oil boom, Finland based cell phone & GPS maker Nokia laid off 50-60 employees in their Fargo factory.  Company official say these latest layoffs are in addition to the 10000 planned layoffs announced at the end of last year!  Nokia officials say they want to streamline their North Dakota operations.

In Pennsylvania, The Common Plea and The Plea Bar closed down after 42 years of business. The owners are selling the restaurant operation and focusing on catering.  The Pocono Mountain School District closed two elementary schools.  School officials blame it on declining enrolment, and the need to save $2 million!  PBS Coals announced a third round of layoffs.  This time the mining company laid off 134 people! In the 2nd round of layoffs 138 people got axed!  Company officials said the economy is that bad, even in China: “…..the 134 layoffs are a result of economic decline. The domestic market is low, and we sell to international markets, the big players are China and India, but there isn’t a lot of economic growth there either!”-Lori J. Mason, PBS Coals

Georgia based payment processor First Data Corp. continues to lay people off as part of its never ending “restructuring”.  This time 40 people in Nebraska got canned.  It was part of the latest round of layoffs country wide, which saw a total of 70 jobs cut. In April they laid off 60 people in Nebraska, and between 2007 and 2010, 800 Cornhuskers got the axe!

In Wisconsin, 72 people lost their jobs because iconic Ball container company closed down operations in Milwaukee.  And 202 people out-o-work at the Kewaunee Power Station!  The operator of the nuclear power plant, Dominion Resources, said this is just the first round of more layoffs to come. The nuke plant is being shut down, in toto 632 employees will be affected!

In Michigan, the Pump House Grille was seized by the Berrien County Treasurer’s Office, for failure to pay property taxes.  And Jill’s General Store closed down.  The family owners said declining sales didn’t justify the amount of time they were putting into the business.

In Alabama, 200 employees at the Russell Athletic/Fruit of the Loom Mill Decorations Plant were told bye-bye!  The clothing company is closing the factory.  It’s blamed on the bad economy.  The Home Fashion Paint and Floor Covering Company closed after 44 years of business. The owner retired to do Baptist missionary work.

Another irony, the Mississippi Department of Employment Security shut down 13 WIN Job Centers!  It’s blamed on federal funding cuts.

In Wheaton, Maryland, the Showcase Aquarium tropical fish store closed after 45 years.  The store owner said his lease expired and a multitude of factors convinced him that it wasn’t a good idea to renew it, mainly that a major redevelopment plan by Montgomery County is going to destroy any parking for customers.

After 30 years of operations the Burr Cooperative Nursery School shut down in Massachusetts.

Idaho based paper company, Boise Inc., closed it Umatilla, Oregon, chipping operations.

In Virginia, Apple computer retailer, CityMac, closed after less than one year in business!  The owner says sales suck, and profit margins for computer retailers is too small to justify trying to stay open.  The store property has been turned over to the city of Bristol.

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 27-29 May 2013. Property owners strike again! California hit hard again!

In New York, Dance New Amsterdam bankrupt.  The people who operate the dance center had to enlist the help of politicians to get the bankruptcy through.  The center has been barley able to pay day to day operating expenses, due to the loss of decreased foundation funding and the loss of a major partner.   And the Albion Public Schools laid off 15 Albion High School teachers, paraprofessionals and administrators, basically the entire staff of the high school.  This after they decided to stop using teaching students and close an elementary school.

The 81 years old restaurant, Pals Cabin, in Wet Orange, New Jersey closed down.  Local news media had asked the owners if the restaurant was closing and the response, every time, was basically NO.  Turns out the owners discovered they can make more money “redeveloping the site”.

In California, after 30 years of business the Presto Magic store in Long Beach now out-o-business.  The store owner blames it on the property owner jacking up the rent.  Reports that a Jack in the Box fast food joint closed in Cathedral City.  In LA, Labcorp-National Genetics Institute laid off 45 employees.  In Rancho Cordova, PennySaver newspaper laid off 43 employees.  In San Jose, Cisco Systems laid off 182 people!  In San Mateo, reports that Mills Health Center will close its 4th floor Senior Health Services operations, 76 people unemployed. In San Diego, the Union Tribune laid off at least ten employees. The newspaper is restructuring.  In Sacramento, the 21 years old 4th Street Bar & Grille closed, the owner blames the bad economy: “…Unfortunately, for me I got the rug pulled out from under me and that is how it goes.”-Ron Fleming

Texas based Highway Technologies finally came out of the job layoff closet.  Company officials finally admitted they are bust and have laid off 740 of their 825 employees, countrywide!  The news was first reported a week ago by Montana news media, but Highway Technologies refused comment.  Montana was hit hard because the road construction company is a major employer in the sparsely populated state.  300 Montanans lost their jobs, with no warning!  Interestingly, Texas news media reported the company notified Texas officials days before the layoffs took place.  Somebodies lying!  In a long winded explanation company officials revealed they had been trying to sell the company off, and basically said their line of operating credit was frozen: “The company had been working to obtain the necessary funding to continue operations and was actively pursuing other alternatives (including sales of assets) to avoid permanently closing its facilities. More specifically, the company anticipated a commitment to finance ongoing operations, as had occurred previously, and attempted to enter into an agreement to sell to a key competitor. Regrettably, the company’s best efforts were unsuccessful. Unforeseeably, financing was denied and the prospective purchaser was not willing to proceed with the sale…..”

In Dallas, Texas, 52 people lost their jobs with Diebold.  It’s part of the corporate realignment.

Chemtura Corp plans as many as 50 layoffs at their Middlebury, Pennsylvania, facility.  In 2007 the chemical company announced they would undergo massive restructuring.

In Michigan, Milan Board of Education will be voting on eliminating at least 12 positions.

In Brownsville, Oregon, the Central Linn Kidco Head Start shut down due to federal funding cuts.

The New Bedford School Department, in Massachusetts, laying off 250 people!  The school had been relying on $11 million USD in federal stimulus money, which expired.  In Lexington, Wild & Woolly yarn store closed after 34 years in business.  The store owner blames it on the property owner jacking up the rent.  In Worcester, Tortilla Sam’s Fresh Mex closed.  After 11 years of operations the owner decided the economy had gotten so bad that it was time to get out of the restaurant business.

In Florida, the Christian God can’t stop the closing of the Saint Mark school.  After 50 years of operations the Catholic school closed due to declining enrollment. And the lease is up on the Cheri Bloom Bridal and Formalwear, and the owner can’t afford to renew it. The sushi restaurant, Bond Street lounge, closed in the Townhouse Hotel, in South Beach. It’s being replaced with a pub.

Georgia based HeritageBank of the South closing its Sylacauga, Alabama, office.  Bank officials said the operating costs of the office were not justified by the revenues coming into the office.

Frank’s Shoe Repair closed down in Illinois.  The owner of the 98 years old store died.

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 24-26 May 2013. California hit hard again! Trucking company lies about massive layoffs!

What automotive industry recovery?  Israel/California based electric car battery maker Better Place now bankrupt.   The problem was that the Israeli owners wanted electric car owners to exchange batteries when they needed to be charged, instead of just plugging them into a power source.

Also in California, massive closures and layoffs!  Ralph’s Grocery closed two stores, 104 people unemployed!  Omnicare in Burbank closed down, 62 people unemployed.  NBTY Acquisition closed in Carson, 256 people laid off!  Green Mountain Coffee in Castroville laid off 74 employees.  LA’s Wally’s Wine & Spirits laid off 63 people.  Affymax in Palo Alto laid off 227 people!  Cascade Logistics closed in Tracy, 36 unemployed.

Trucking company YRC Freight, laid off thousands of people across the country, starting back in March, even after Union members spent the last few years accepting massive pay cuts!  Union workers said they were told the cuts in pay would prevent layoffs, obviously they were lied to!  YRC is shutting down dozens of distribution centers (break bulk) and end of line terminals across the U.S.   In Ohio 541 people losing their jobs!  In Missouri 491 people losing their jobs!  183 people laid off in New Jersey!  In Tennessee, the Memphis terminal will be downsized, 175 people could lose their jobs!  In California, 288 people lost their jobs! Those are just the layoffs that got local news media attention.  A March 2013 report out of Missouri pointed out that the YRC website stated they were laying off only 230 people across the country, another lie!   Another report from 2010, revealed that YRC laid off 21000 people worldwide by March 2010!  YRC Freight is restructuring its network of hubs and terminals.

In New York, network broadcaster NBC laid off an undisclosed number of people as their Rock Center show ended.  Also, Alias restaurant closed in New York City.  The owners decided it was time to quit.  After 30 years Pastime Antiques shut down in Southold.  The owners said the need to retire.

The Christian God can’t stop the closing of the 94 years old Saint Stanislaus Christian school, in Nebraska.  Assumption-Guadalupe and Holy Ghost Christian schools were also shut down in the Cornhusker State.

In Michigan, Calvin College laid off 22 employees.  The college is $115 million in debt!  And the Christian God can’t stop 700 layoffs!  Catholic Ascension Health is laying 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!

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

The Roseland Hospital in Illinois laid off 68 employees.  Another 47 people will have their workweek reduced by one day.  The hospital is in millions of dollars of debt, and the majority of its customers are low income without insurance, and of course the cuts to Medicaid/Medicare caused by the Obama/Romney Affordable Health Care Act could be the final straw.  Also, Cynthia’s Sweets chocolate shop closed, the owner needed a break.  And the Clipper Ship Gallery closed down, the 70 years old owner blames it on the bad economy.

In Maryland, 50 jobs lost as the Maryland General Hospital shut down its obstetrics and gynecology services. They blame it on declining customers and increasing operating costs.

Despite the oil boom, Trinity Health closed its clinic in Parshall, North Dakota.  It’s blamed on the Obama/Romney Affordable Health Care Act, but it could also have something to do with the fact that Trinity Health is being sold to the Mayo Clinic Care Network.

In Virginia, more than 161 employees have been laid off at Southside Virginia Training Center!  More than 200 employees retired early or quit! The institution for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities got into trouble with the U.S. Department of Justice.  A court deal ordered them to pay up $2.4 billion, and they are also being forced to shut down by 2014.  This mean hundreds more employees will be let go, as of May there were 914 people still working at the training center!  But wait, there’s more!  There are three other Virginia Training Centers that will be closed as well!   Not only are thousands of employees affected so are thousands of families who’ve been relying on the centers to help their disabled loved ones.

Too Big to Jail AIG Advisor Group laid off 40 employees.  They’re consolidating their commissions processing functions.

As many as 200 employees were laid off at the Libbey Glass factory in Shreveport, Louisiana!  Production moved to Mexico.

In Delaware, casino owner Dover Downs says they will have to layoff employees if casino taxes aren’t lowered.  Company officials say they will be forced to layoff “hundreds” of employees.

In Utah, No Place Like Home kitchen and home accessory store closed down.  The store owner says the property owner found a new tenant willing to pay more rent!

Gregg Shoes in North Carolina shut down after 30 years in business.  The owner wanted to retire.  And 103 people out-o-work in Gaston County, as Arrow Home Fashions shut down their factory!

The 54 years old Holiday House restaurant closed down in Florida, because of the bad economy: “We didn’t want to do this, but we had no choice…..Right now, we just can’t make it, with such few customers.”-Willa Cook, co-founder & co-owner

In Norwalk, Connecticut, the 29 years old Sassafras boutique out-o-business.  The owner says the main reason is the bad economy: “There has been a general economic malaise overall. I’ve been instituting cost cutting, but it hasn’t been enough.”-John Deorio, owner

Deorio also warned that other local businesses were on the verge of closing: “I told them [other local business owners] that I was closing due to the difficulty in continuing the business, but I was preaching to the choir.”

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.