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Changing spending habits is now essential |
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Monday, 19 May 2008 |
The words of an African American man purchasing gas at a North Miami gas station were reflective of the situation faced by most South Florida residents, and, really, residents across the entire United States. As he paid for the gas the man said, “How are we going to manage? The prices of gas, food, electricity and rent keep rising; but salaries remain fixed.”
It is a fact that the perpetual rising cost of food, gas, utilities, and now, even postage stamps, is taking a severe toll on the pockets of most citizens. According to the U.S. Labor Department the average price of groceries is climbing at an annual rate of approximately five percent – the sharpest increase in 18 years. Gas prices have increased by well over 20 percent within the last year. However, average weekly earnings are rising at only 3.3 percent. With salaries being far outstripped by rising food and gas prices, consumers are being left in a very serious quandary. |
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Monday, 19 May 2008 |
The debate started as a casual observation. The dreadlocked young lady commented that she was disgusted at the manner in which some members of the dancehall fraternity appeared to have no respect for women. She continued to say that the lyrics to many of their songs were very abusive, violent and quite explicit, as many bragged about their sexual prowess, some even threatening physical damage to various body parts through intercourse.
"What kind of men are these?" She queried, "at least they should have respect for their mothers. What makes it worse is that these songs are played on the radio at any hours of the day." The quiet gentleman who was listening attentively chimed in with a response so basic. "Den if you don't want to hear it, change the station or turn off de radio." She fired back a response, on target as if she knew his was coming. "What about when a mini-bus pulls up with the songs blaring and I have my children in the car? I can't turn that off or change that station. |
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Balancing living standards |
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Sunday, 11 May 2008 |
The Florida Legislature was very proud at the end of its session last
week for approving the state’s 2008/2009 expenditure of $66.2 billion,
without having to resort to raising taxes. At face value, that could be
regarded as commendable. However, in order to balance the budget the
state made drastic cuts of over $4 billion. Looking at these cuts it is
apparent that many valuable social services have been eliminated so
that the Legislators can be proud of not raising taxes.
The budget cuts 695 jobs, eliminates pay raises for all but state
troopers, forces layoffs of teachers, nursing home and child welfare
workers and affects hundreds of private businesses that perform work
for the state.
But its is South Florida public schools that are among the biggest
losers, losing $120 million out of $332 million across the state. As a
result of the cuts, summer-school and after-school programs and the
services reading coaches have been reduced. Meanwhile, there has been a
six percent raise in state-owned college tuition fees. Moreover, as a
late minute surprise the much anticipated one week tax-holiday that was
originally approved for back to school shopping was chopped because the
legislatures claimed that April’s sales tax revenue came in much lower
than was anticipated.
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Sunday, 11 May 2008 |
According to a new nationwide survey commissioned by LEADS at Spelman
College, African-American female Democrats across the country say
leadership abilities, not race or gender, is the primary motivator for
their selection of Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama as the Democratic
presidential nominee.
The first survey conducted to explore the political interests and
mindsets of minority female Democrats reveals that few African-American
female Democrats admit race (3.9 percent) or gender (5.6 percent) are
the primary motivators for selecting the next presidential candidate.
Nine out of 10, say they will choose the Democratic nominee based on
leadership abilities.
“Contrary to sensational headlines, this survey shows that
African-American women are looking beyond the surface of race and
gender,” said Jane E. Smith, Ed. D., executive director of LEADS at
Spelman College, a leadership development center for women.
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The media’s awesome influence |
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Sunday, 04 May 2008 |
It wasn’t too long ago US mainstream electronic media was three major
television networks, NBC, CBS and ABC and later, Fox News. Then, the
public depended heavily on newspapers and radio stations to get details
of major news events. There weren’t the continuous, repetitive, never
ending televised newscasts that exist today.
Repetitive newscasts started with the advent of major cable television
stations like CNN, followed by MSNBC and Fox Cable News. The explosion
of cable news channels that broadcast round-the-clock news, and views
on the news, has changed the media, particularly television, from the
primary role of informing to influencing. Nowhere is this more evident
than in the current presidential election campaign.
When the media was limited to a few television and radio stations,
voters were largely influenced by political ads through the media, and
media interviews by influential broadcasters. It was the responsibility
of the politician to influence his constituency. Not so today.
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