Looks better today. We might get some sun. Not sure which way that big glob of rain is going to go.
My electricity is going out in a few minutes, because HELCO is doing some maintenance work, so all my little gadgets are charged: the cell phone, the Kindle reader and the Kindle Fire.
Couple of things I found out in Cyberland:
Remember Michael Moore's program, TV Nation? Here is a segment on how Mississippi ratified the 13th Amendment. In 1995.
And David Vickrey passes on this piece on Amazon's labor practices in Germany. What's really nice for them is that they get free, government subsidized labor. People on unemployment get paid out of public money in an "apprenticeship" program. Gotta go now but will finish posting up later. [Maybe tomorrow.]
At the very least there should be a sales tax on items bought online. This would not be regressive, because people (like me) who can afford to buy consumer goods online can certainly pay a little extra for their purchases.
Hattie -- the reason I buy online is to save money -- as a single woman retiree. I buy online in bulk and individually. Not to have taxes helps. I know that everyone has a different financial package to live on -- please be aware of those who have the smaller packages -- they shop to save online which includes no taxes if it is from another state. Your Michael Moore YouTube is a hoot. -- barbara
Posted by: barbara | February 19, 2013 at 02:01 PM
Barbara: I am always aware that most others are not as well off as my husband and I are. And I don't mind paying taxes so that others can get by who have low incomes. I don't object to food stamps and unemployment and think we ought to raise the minimum wage. This is because I am lucky but not particularly worthy, or no worthier than anyone else. And I have my Social Security and Medicare, for which I am very grateful.
A little off the subject maybe: I got into a discussion with a cashier at the market downtown who gets upset because so many use SNAP to buy their groceries. But if they didn't she would not have a job, because the grocery would not do enough business to stay open! Still, I had to sympathize with her point of view. She has been working there for years and years and is still just doing OK. Has never been promoted or anything. So from her standpoint these are just able-bodied people who don't want to work. What she misses is that only the crummiest jobs are available to them, jobs I certainly would not want, even if I could do them. They don't pay enough to make it worth anyone's while to do them, and they are often part-time or casual in nature.
I'm glad I don't have to work any more for a living and don't have to worry about money, and I am very sympathetic toward those who are not in that position.
Posted by: Hattie | February 19, 2013 at 06:26 PM