Ugly indeed—When Orange County, California, went bankrupt a decade ago, the bond peddlers scooped up a bundle. Now county officials suggest a repeat performance. They declare they will have to slash $50 million from the present budget. What will be cut? The Los Angeles Times puts it bluntly: “The poor, elderly and troubled youth.” It describes the slated cuts as “ugly.”

Class history—“Long before the invention of payroll accounting software, Malachi and other biblical prophets were condemning employers who, in his words, ‘oppress the hireling in his wages’”—Internet, Accountant’s World.

P.S.—The accountants’ group (apparently those who work for a living, not the big-time corporate crooks) say that when employers get caught chiseling on low-wage workers it usually comes down to civil suits. Instead, the accountants declare, “criminal prosecution seems more appropriate.” For sure. But strong unions with strong enforcement would be much better.

Progress report—“The number of death penalty convictions in North Carolina has dropped in each of the past five years and a prosecutor said it’s because juries have become more sceptical of the justice system.”—USA Today.

Pet peeves?—You don’t have to hold any brief for the Democratic Party to feel creepy. A Denver Rocky Mountain News columnist tagged it, ironically, “McCarthy was right.” Colorado Rep. James Walker e-mailed: “The Democratic Party is controlled by the liberal labor unions, the radical feminists…the radical environmentalists, the Hollywood pro-pornography crowd and the homosexuals/lesbians.”

Brings tears to our eyes—It was headlined, “Study calls for better treatment of workers.” One of several studies pointed to Bank of America offering “subsidized” child care and Levi Strauss offering “emergency” loans. The study notes that a third of the work force gets less than $15,000 a year. Any suggestion of wage increases? Don’t be silly.

All in due time—“Ohio—The federal government will study whether air emissions from a plant that recycles used oil and commercial fuels poses a health risk. A group of residents who live near PermaFix in southwest Ohio asked the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry for the study. They say fumes from the facility causes headaches and nausea.”—News item.

How about a ‘Militant’ subscription?—The percentage of people who believe what they read in the papers is down from 80 percent in 1985 to 59 percent in 2003.  
 
 
Front page (for this issue) | Home | Text-version home