An article in USA Today (More Americans’ credit scores sink to new lows) article details the downward spiral of consumer credit during what it calls the “Great Recession.” From the article: Figures provided by FICO show that 25.5% of consumers — nearly 43.4 million people — now have a credit score of 599 or below, [...]
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An article in the New York Times (Europeans Fear Crisis Threatens Liberal Benefits) discusses looming economic changes for Europe.
The DC Agenda reports (Fenty signs marriage bill) on the enactment of the Religious Freedom & Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009 pending congressional review. From the article: “My parents know a little something about marriage equality,” [Mayor Fenty] said. “They married almost 40 years ago and in a country at the time where [...]
The Washington Post (Lobbyists pushed off advisory panels) reported on the Obama Administration’s new policy to prohibit lobbyists from serving on federal advisory panels. It will be interesting to see the way the committee system restructures to return to its previous state.
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USAToday reports (Census Bureau severs ties with ACORN in 2010 count) on the dust kicked up by ACORN and the GOP. The article calls the 2010 Census a “high-stakes population count.” Numbers really are political.
Last night I saw the visually striking film Manufactured Landscapes. The film’s depiction of the extent of global pollution definitely gave pause.
USA Today (U.S. making doubly sure Census isn’t overcounted) reports on known U.S. Census data collection errors. Reliant on forms (change of address) and identity verification (birth certificates, social security numbers), the Census is sure to miss more of those without a paper trail.
The Post reports (Same-sex unions a challenge for Census) the U.S. Census “has said that the 2010 Census will report the number of married same-sex couples for the first time.” Among the challenges cited, and this is why I always say numbers are inherently political, is “The federal marriage act may not apply to the Census [...]
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Today’s Times (Work-Sharing May Help Companies Avoid Layoffs) reports on the “novel but unheralded” employment reduction program where hours and pay are reduced. This is novel? Rather than moving to full unemployment to receive state unemployment benefits, workers within 17 states can qualify to receive partial benefits for part-time reductions. Rather than squeezing, it’s called [...]
Back up your hard drives kids. . .cyberwars are coming. The Times (U.S. Plans Attack and Defense in Cyberspace Warfare) reports malicious code, spying, and attacks can lead to an all-out virtual war. Sounds like my friend’s recent divorce.