Land Of The Flea

Poverty Just Ain’t What It Used To Be

"A newly released report by the U.S. Census Bureau indicates that most Americans living below the bureaucratically designated 'poverty line' enjoy most modern conveniences. For example more than 80 percent of U.S. households below the poverty line have a: refrigerator (97.8%); stove (96.6%); television (96.1%); microwave oven (93.1%); air conditioner (83.4%); VCR/DVD player (83.2%); and cell phone (80.9%). In addition, more than half of households beneath the poverty level also have a: clothes washer (68.7%); clothes dryer (65.3%); computer (58.2%); and landline telephone (54.9)." Continue reading →

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US poverty rate steady at 15 percent, but ‘lower class’ is booming

"The share of those who identify themselves as 'lower class' – at 8.4 percent – now stands at its highest level in four decades, according to separate data released this week from the long-running General Social Survey (GSS). Just as surprising, the share of college graduates who describe themselves as lower class has jumped from 2.6 percent in 2002 to 5.8 percent in 2012. According to the GSS, only 55 percent of Americans these days believe things will get better for themselves and their kids – a rather paltry number for a country built on the notion that everyone has an equal chance to get ahead." Continue reading →

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Median Household Income Is Flat

"In 2012, median household income in the USA was flat. Adjusted for price inflation, it was down 9% since 1999: the Clinton era. It is where it was in the late 1980s: early Bush I. All this has happened under Keynesianism. The engine of economic development has gone flat for 80% of Americans. According to Keynesian economic theory, none of this should have happened. The federal government is supposed to be able to manage the economy, so that recessions are short and mild. But that theory was blasted by the recession of 2008-9. The recovery has not done anything for the vast majority of Americans." Continue reading →

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Government-Run Bridges: Guaranteed Erosion

"Many fracture critical bridges were erected in the 1950s to 1970s during construction of the interstate highway system because they were relatively cheap and easy to build. Now they have exceeded their designed life expectancy but are still carrying traffic — often more cars and trucks than they were originally expected to handle. The Interstate 5 bridge in Washington state that collapsed in May was fracture critical. Cities and states would like to replace the aging and vulnerable bridges, but few have the money; nationally, it is a multi-billion-dollar problem. As a result, highway engineers are juggling repairs and retrofits in an effort to stay ahead of the deterioration." Continue reading →

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U.S. to seize New York skyscraper it claims is secretly owned by Iran

"A federal judge ruled in favor of the government’s suit this week, saying the building’s owners had violated Iran sanctions and money laundering laws. Manhattan Federal Prosecutor Preet Bharara said the decision upholds the justice department claims the owner of the building 'was (and is) a front for Bank Melli, and thus a front for the Government of Iran.' Bharara said the funds from selling the building would provide 'a means of compensating victims of Iranian-sponsored terrorism.' Prosecutors allege the building’s owners, the Alavi Foundation and Assa Corporation, transferred rental income and other funds to Iran’s state-owned Bank Melli." Continue reading →

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New Yorker Foodies Pissing Off the Regulatory Bullies

"The article describes heroic foodies in New York who celebrate and arrange unique dining experiences for folks who voluntarily want to partake of these experiences and pay their hosts a worthwhile fee to provide them with a desired service. Great chefs are doing this not just for a profit, but also because of their love for food culture and the desire to foster unique dining experiences for their own enjoyment. Meet-Ups have been forming here in Detroit doing the same sort of thing. I am going to my first 'illegal' event soon." Continue reading →

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Underground — And Illegal — NYC Dinner Parties

"It may look like a dinner party, but it’s really an underground supper club. The diners are a mix of New Yorkers and tourists. CBS 2’s undercover cameras captured one experience — eight people who didn’t know each other eating a meal in a stranger’s home. That hostess, Naama Shafi, writes about food but is not a chef. Leitner found her through a website, which connects amateur foodies and professional chefs in 20 different countries with people who want unique dining experiences. Clandestine dinner parties like the one Leitner attended are completely unregulated. If caught hosting an underground dinner party, the hosts could be fined $2,000 and ordered to shut down." Continue reading →

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California poised to become first state to impose full ban on lead bullets

"California is on the verge of becoming the first state to impose a full ban on hunting with lead bullets -- with environmentalists and gun-rights advocates squaring off as Gov. Jerry Brown decides whether to sign the legislation. The state already has a ban on lead-bullet hunting in eight counties with an endangered condor population. But the new proposal, overwhelmingly approved this month by the Democrat-controlled General Assembly, would impose a statewide ban on all hunting. Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown has until Oct. 12 to decide whether to sign the legislation, which would not be fully implemented for at least several years." Continue reading →

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‘Sovereign citizen’ pays fines with 70,000 pennies

"Fourteen months and about 70,000 pennies later, James Sanders has finally paid off a pair of citations he received last summer in Clinton County. But the most difficult part of paying the fine wasn't coping with the impact it might have on his budget. It was figuring out how to carry it from the car to the courthouse. 'As far as I'm concerned, they are stealing this money from me,' Sanders said. 'If they want it, this is how they are going to get it.' Using two large buckets and a utility dolly usually used for moving furniture, Sanders and a neighbor loaded up the coins and carted them into the courthouse." Continue reading →

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Gypsy Uses Gold for Bail? Judge Says It Seems ‘Fishy’

"There were Liberty gold coins and Krugerrands, and a gold chain so thick that had it been used as a restraining device, it might have done a fair job of keeping Tom Eli behind bars. After centuries of being chased from country to country, the Roma, sometimes called Gypsies, have developed an aversion to traditional institutions, including banks, and have their own internal economy. He said he feared that his client was being treated differently from similarly situated people because of his background. Mr. Kenniff said that many who live in the United States still follow ancient traditions, including passing down gold coins and necklaces as heirlooms, and owning those pieces communally." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGypsy Uses Gold for Bail? Judge Says It Seems ‘Fishy’