Capitol Hill Blue Forums Hot Topics & Breaking News The RoundTable Round Table For Week Of July 18th-24th, 2010

I know - I can almost feel a job coming on now!


...on the other hand, I'd hate to disappoint our Senate Republican brethren "if" I get off of unemployment and get a job! Their silly stereotype would be exposed as just that!


"Thank you for the job offer, sir. I'd rather enjoy a second helping of unemployment benefits, thanks."

On a more serious note...

...this experience has taught me how difficult low-income people have it.

Seriously, the deck is stacked against them.

For example, no doubt, "if" a low-income person has a checking account, a simple .59¢ subtraction mistake can cost $30.00 in returned check fee.

Yep, that happened to me a few weeks ago.

Chase® assured me that they only debit an account a total of $90 in any one day "if" multiple checks are presented and there is insufficient funds.

Comforting, is that not? No wonder they made a record $73m in profits recently.

..and because I no longer have a regular paycheck "direct deposited," my bank charges my "free checking account" $7.50 a month.


Then, if you can't find your bank's ATM, you pay $3.00 to "use" another bank's ATM, then you are charged $2.00 by your bank.

You could buy 18 eggs, a half-gallon of milk, two russet potatoes, and two apples for $5.00

(...not that I would know that! )

...then there's the gym fees that don't stop unless you're sick, or move away - no provisions for unemployment.

Then, they make you pay for the month, charge you $10 because you're late, and then charge $20 to put your account on "freeze" until you get a job again. Still $20 is less than the $39 that is normally paid.

Oh...

Then you have CareMark sending you a mail-order prescription "as a courtesy" because your doctor just approved a certain medication only to find out you've been charged $90 instead of the usual $45 co-pay for said prescription "because it was mail-order."

Hong Kong at Dusk
Place your cursor at the top of the photo. You will notice it is 6:10 PM.
Bring the mouse down slowly over the photo without pressing the button on the mouse. Do not right or left click.
Night time appears, the lights come on, and at 7:40 PM, it's dark!
Time Lapse Photo technology at its best!
Note the movement of the boats.
Link

Happy 80th birthday Ma! If you were still here, we'd be throwing you the party of your life.

Hey, It - that's cool, thanks!

Happy Birthday to Mellow's mom!

,

Hope you get the job, Rick.

Today at the place we had lunch, I saw the perfect beer for you while you wait for that call:

Thanks Sky, a chocolate malt is more my speed. Let Mellow have the beer.

Happy B Day, Mellow Mom.

My dad died on this day sixteen years ago.

Oops it's also my baby sister's birthday.
It wasn't a happy 30th for her.

I don't like chocolate malt so I'll share that awesome beer with the Mellow.

Good luck, Rick.