Category: #crony capitalism

TheVoiceOfJoyce Once again, labor is not getting the benefits people require. The railroad workers have asked for paid sick leave and schedules of work. That’s not asking too much.

November 29, 2022

If they strike, it’s inflationary. When Corporations raise prices, forcing people to forgo the necessities of life, that’s good business. Why isn’t Corporate unaccountability inflationary? Who is enforcing Corporate anti trust Laws and reigning in usurious profits? If Biden were pro labor, he’d let his chief prosecutor for the NLRB make a deal and not … More TheVoiceOfJoyce Once again, labor is not getting the benefits people require. The railroad workers have asked for paid sick leave and schedules of work. That’s not asking too much.

TheVoiceOfJoyce Another mass shooting in America, this time it’s a Walmart store. There’s lots of Legislative decisions Congress can make to make our lives safer. Extensive background checks, physical and psychological evaluations, Red Flag Laws, automated data base for gun owners ( If you drive a car, boat or plane, we’re registered and carry liability insurance) and ban the sale of automatic weapons and large magazines. Automatic weapons used in mass shootings are used to fight wars. Why should Americans fear for their lives? Why should we be the only Nation with 45, 000 lives lost to gun violence?

November 23, 2022

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/nov/23/multiple-deaths-after-shooting-at-walmart-in-chesapeake-virginia Tuesday night’s shooting in Chesapeake also brought back memories of another at a Walmart store in 2019, when a gunman police say targeted Mexicans opened fire at a store in El Paso and killed 22. A database run by the Associated Press, USA Today and Northeastern University that tracks every mass killing in America … More TheVoiceOfJoyce Another mass shooting in America, this time it’s a Walmart store. There’s lots of Legislative decisions Congress can make to make our lives safer. Extensive background checks, physical and psychological evaluations, Red Flag Laws, automated data base for gun owners ( If you drive a car, boat or plane, we’re registered and carry liability insurance) and ban the sale of automatic weapons and large magazines. Automatic weapons used in mass shootings are used to fight wars. Why should Americans fear for their lives? Why should we be the only Nation with 45, 000 lives lost to gun violence?

TheVoiceOfJoyce Climate Blogger for The Guardian discusses activist hopes for our collective future.

November 10, 2022

Collectively , citizens of planet earth, must adapt to the new Climate reality. We may exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius. We have 7 times more fossil fuels then needed to maintain 1.5 degrees Celsius. I noticed, over the years, we follow simple patterns. In construction, there are lean years. Developers overbuild and then we have more … More TheVoiceOfJoyce Climate Blogger for The Guardian discusses activist hopes for our collective future.

AmericaSpeaks TheVoiceOfJoyce We’re experiencing a slowdown on the Mississippi River as water levels have dropped. Similar to European Nations, our Rivers are no longer flowing under these drought conditions. Barges are the fastest and least carbon intensive way to move grains and heavy products. A 15 barge tow, saves a 1000 trucks from traversing our highways and reduces Carbon emissions. The time for a Climate Emergency is now. When do we start investing in Renewables for our future? How long will we be dictated to by Fossil Fuel Oligarchs? Cut Fossil Fuel Subsidies now. Invest in American entrepreneurs and innovations. Beware the Billionaires who would stifle our future with Climate Deniers, our Democracy and our voices.

October 15, 2022

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/oct/14/mississippi-river-boats-barges-water-levels The water in the Mississippi River has dropped so low that barges are getting stuck, leading to expensive dredging and at least one recent traffic jam of more than 2,000 vessels backed up. Trump reportedly wants to testify before January 6 committee – live Read more The Mississippi River Basin produces nearly all – … More AmericaSpeaks TheVoiceOfJoyce We’re experiencing a slowdown on the Mississippi River as water levels have dropped. Similar to European Nations, our Rivers are no longer flowing under these drought conditions. Barges are the fastest and least carbon intensive way to move grains and heavy products. A 15 barge tow, saves a 1000 trucks from traversing our highways and reduces Carbon emissions. The time for a Climate Emergency is now. When do we start investing in Renewables for our future? How long will we be dictated to by Fossil Fuel Oligarchs? Cut Fossil Fuel Subsidies now. Invest in American entrepreneurs and innovations. Beware the Billionaires who would stifle our future with Climate Deniers, our Democracy and our voices.

TheVoiceOfJoyce Why isn’t online encouragement of violence and harassment prosecuted? Why should members of Congress, the January 6 Committee or other members of Federal or State Legislatures be the target of violence and harassment, on known Social Media Platforms and platforms used by the alt right and the Trump organization? Corporations are now self regulating. All corporations. There were Laws in place giving the DEA the power to prosecute and follow the money in Opioid distribution. Those Laws were overturned by the Marino Law, named for the Republican sponsoring this Law. Now the Law states, if a Corporation says, they had no intention of addicting others, they can’t be prosecuted. Self regulation brought America an Opioid problem, resulting in 100,000 deaths a year. Peoples lives can be saved by Regulating an industry. There is no difference between a “ brick and mortar corporation” and an online Platform. They all require Regulation. Change Section 230 of the Communication Decency Act and eliminate violent and abusive platforms. There are 300 million + guns in our Country, what’s said on Social Media and online platforms, doesn’t stay virtual!

October 13, 2022

http://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/10/12/online-threats-insurrection-witnesses-/ The attacks against Hutchinson are part of a broader pattern of violent threats on fringe social networks directed at witnesses testifying before Congress about the Capitol insurrection. Since the committee began hosting prime-time hearings in June, the nonprofit Advance Democracy has identified a tide of vitriol targeting key witnesses and prominent Jan. 6 committee … More TheVoiceOfJoyce Why isn’t online encouragement of violence and harassment prosecuted? Why should members of Congress, the January 6 Committee or other members of Federal or State Legislatures be the target of violence and harassment, on known Social Media Platforms and platforms used by the alt right and the Trump organization? Corporations are now self regulating. All corporations. There were Laws in place giving the DEA the power to prosecute and follow the money in Opioid distribution. Those Laws were overturned by the Marino Law, named for the Republican sponsoring this Law. Now the Law states, if a Corporation says, they had no intention of addicting others, they can’t be prosecuted. Self regulation brought America an Opioid problem, resulting in 100,000 deaths a year. Peoples lives can be saved by Regulating an industry. There is no difference between a “ brick and mortar corporation” and an online Platform. They all require Regulation. Change Section 230 of the Communication Decency Act and eliminate violent and abusive platforms. There are 300 million + guns in our Country, what’s said on Social Media and online platforms, doesn’t stay virtual!

TheVoiceOfJoyce Phoenix has always been hot, not as hot as last year when 456 people died from the heat. Heat deaths are up 36% from last year and people being evicted and forced to live on the streets is partially causal. The number of people forced out of homes by rising rents, has risen to 1000’s. Honolulu has a similar problem and they’re looking at all the factors contributing to heat deaths with a target of Zero deaths. They’re looking at all the factors leading to heat death: lack of affordable housing, homelessness, substance abuse, inflation,inadequate shade. After assessing the data, Honolulu will provide solutions to reach Zero heat deaths. Community heat deserts can be alleviated with Community involved plantings during cooler months. Cities can negotiate a moratorium on evictions during these economically difficult times. The poor vulnerable heat extremes disproportionately more than those living in more gentrified areas. The poor people deserve a life, too!

October 8, 2022

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/oct/08/phoenix-arizona-heat-deaths-record-year Tackling the complex and interconnected issues that increase the risk of heat emergencies – lack of affordable housing, homelessness, substance misuse, inflation, inadequate shade and rising temperatures – will take time, money and political will. In the meantime, Hondula’s heat team will be diving into the data from 2022 to figure out which services … More TheVoiceOfJoyce Phoenix has always been hot, not as hot as last year when 456 people died from the heat. Heat deaths are up 36% from last year and people being evicted and forced to live on the streets is partially causal. The number of people forced out of homes by rising rents, has risen to 1000’s. Honolulu has a similar problem and they’re looking at all the factors contributing to heat deaths with a target of Zero deaths. They’re looking at all the factors leading to heat death: lack of affordable housing, homelessness, substance abuse, inflation,inadequate shade. After assessing the data, Honolulu will provide solutions to reach Zero heat deaths. Community heat deserts can be alleviated with Community involved plantings during cooler months. Cities can negotiate a moratorium on evictions during these economically difficult times. The poor vulnerable heat extremes disproportionately more than those living in more gentrified areas. The poor people deserve a life, too!

TheVoiceOfJoyce Europe, dependent on Russian oil, will be plunged into recession. China is suffering from a real estate ponzu scheme and Zero Covid policy, crippling its economic output. America, we have short term problems brought on by Corporate Greed. Corporations here are monopolies without competition. They charge whatever they can, while keeping labor wages low. It’s a win win for a few. In the 80’s Volcker raised interest rate to curb inflation and it wasn’t until America was plunged into Recession, that the government raised taxes to get us out of the Recession. Both the US and UK should take a policy lesson from the 1980’s, start taxing Corporations now. Go to 28% and close loopholes. Then, it won’t matter if labor get a long deserved increase in pay and benefits. Labor needs these increases to survive. Americans need Corporations and the top 1% to pay their fair share. A 2% tax on the top 1% assets would add billions to the IRS. A 28% tax on Corporations should be the first step towards taxing Corporations. Their free ride, is making it impossible for too many Americans to survive. Raising interest rates is one tool in the Federal toolbox. Another tool is raising Corporate taxes. Then fund the IRS to collect the tax. I always thought, this country needed to put 1000’s of auditors to work and collect the trillions in tax evasion. America should not be inadvertently plunged into Recession. The poor and the middle class need a social safety net. We can have it “all”.

September 26, 2022

http://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/sep/26/leading-economies-sliding-into-recession-as-ukraine-war-cuts-growth-finds-oecd The world’s leading economies are sliding into recession as the global energy and inflation crises sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine cut growth by more than previously forecast, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). A dependency on expensive gas for heavy industry and home heating will plunge Germany, Italy and … More TheVoiceOfJoyce Europe, dependent on Russian oil, will be plunged into recession. China is suffering from a real estate ponzu scheme and Zero Covid policy, crippling its economic output. America, we have short term problems brought on by Corporate Greed. Corporations here are monopolies without competition. They charge whatever they can, while keeping labor wages low. It’s a win win for a few. In the 80’s Volcker raised interest rate to curb inflation and it wasn’t until America was plunged into Recession, that the government raised taxes to get us out of the Recession. Both the US and UK should take a policy lesson from the 1980’s, start taxing Corporations now. Go to 28% and close loopholes. Then, it won’t matter if labor get a long deserved increase in pay and benefits. Labor needs these increases to survive. Americans need Corporations and the top 1% to pay their fair share. A 2% tax on the top 1% assets would add billions to the IRS. A 28% tax on Corporations should be the first step towards taxing Corporations. Their free ride, is making it impossible for too many Americans to survive. Raising interest rates is one tool in the Federal toolbox. Another tool is raising Corporate taxes. Then fund the IRS to collect the tax. I always thought, this country needed to put 1000’s of auditors to work and collect the trillions in tax evasion. America should not be inadvertently plunged into Recession. The poor and the middle class need a social safety net. We can have it “all”.

TheVoiceOfJoyce Our health Data searches and concerns are no longer private on the Internet. They never were. Android phones have ad privacy that must be used constantly, otherwise, those browsers, like WebMD, Drugs.com and key words like depression or anxiety are passed on to 3 rd party advertisers targeting you. HIPPA Laws don’t apply to the Internet. Our behavior is tracked by Facebook and Google, every time we search. Our searches, identify us , the information is sold to 3 rd Parties and they can use it , as they wish. Our employers can see our searches and data, insurers, credit card grantors or law enforcement. Apple products are less invasive, we can click the “ do not track “ option. However, our internet providers are using the same business model as Social Media Platforms and they , too, are harvesting information on us and selling it for profit. The Solution, redefining Section 230 of the FTC Law granting Internet Companies absolute control over our data. Write new Laws and amend Section 230, to protect our Medical Privacy and all other personal information, we don’t want shared. All our data should belong to us, it’s not for sale to be potentially used against us. HIPPA privacy, I want it! Do you?

September 22, 2022

http://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/09/22/health-apps-privacy/ We click through quickly and accept ‘agree’ without really contemplating the downstream potential trade-offs,” he said. Those trade-offs could take a few forms, like our information landing in the hands of data sellers, employers, insurers, real estate agents, credit granters or law enforcement, privacy experts say. Even small bits of information can be combined … More TheVoiceOfJoyce Our health Data searches and concerns are no longer private on the Internet. They never were. Android phones have ad privacy that must be used constantly, otherwise, those browsers, like WebMD, Drugs.com and key words like depression or anxiety are passed on to 3 rd party advertisers targeting you. HIPPA Laws don’t apply to the Internet. Our behavior is tracked by Facebook and Google, every time we search. Our searches, identify us , the information is sold to 3 rd Parties and they can use it , as they wish. Our employers can see our searches and data, insurers, credit card grantors or law enforcement. Apple products are less invasive, we can click the “ do not track “ option. However, our internet providers are using the same business model as Social Media Platforms and they , too, are harvesting information on us and selling it for profit. The Solution, redefining Section 230 of the FTC Law granting Internet Companies absolute control over our data. Write new Laws and amend Section 230, to protect our Medical Privacy and all other personal information, we don’t want shared. All our data should belong to us, it’s not for sale to be potentially used against us. HIPPA privacy, I want it! Do you?

TheVoiceOfJoyce Trump’s judicial placements, 3 members of the Supreme Court and 250 in theFederal Courts, will impact our Democracy. These placements connect back to Leonard Leo, The Billionaire funding him and his selection of attorneys from Jones Day. The ultra conservative leanings of this group was years in the making. They’re anti a women’s right to choose, against gun regulations, against civil and voting rights. They are chipping away at the freedoms of our Democracy. In response, in Texas, Mothers Against Greg Abbott have their own MAGA group. Which MAGA group do you want to win the midterm elections? Trump’s MAGA or MOM’s? We have a vote, a voice and choice. Don’t forget to Vote!

September 20, 2022

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/sep/18/trump-special-master-mar-a-lago-judiciary-courts

AmericaSpeaks TheVoiceOfJoyce The Republican Party has been crafting State Laws by relying on Industry & Lobbying groups, like ALEC, to craft bills that make it illegal to protest a pipeline or other fossil fuel projects, punishable by 10 yrs in prison? Aren’t these Laws, in 24 States, curtailing our right to protest and freedom of speech? Why would you vote for Laws crafted by industry to curtail your rights under the Constitution? Why aren’t amicus briefs being filed against these industries & Lobbying groups? How many Americans have lost their lives to pollutants? Fires? Flooding? Heat? Do you want non elected officials to craft the Laws of your State? If not, vote out every Republican and preserve your Constitutional rights. Industry control of GOP STATE GOVERNANCE doesn’t end with denying us clean air and water, they also support gun manufacturing over the rights of citizens, they’re against funding education and have harmed women by denying them the right to reproductive healthcare. Do you think Corporations should have more rights than “We the People”?

September 14, 2022

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/sep/14/rightwing-lobbyists-at-heart-of-anti-protest-bills-in-republican-states Republican-led legislatures have passed anti-protest laws drafted by an extreme right corporate lobbying group in a third of all American states since 2018, as part of a backlash against Indigenous communities and environmentalists opposing fossil fuel projects, new research has found. The American Legislative Exchange Council (Alec) helped draft legislation criminalizing grassroots protests against … More AmericaSpeaks TheVoiceOfJoyce The Republican Party has been crafting State Laws by relying on Industry & Lobbying groups, like ALEC, to craft bills that make it illegal to protest a pipeline or other fossil fuel projects, punishable by 10 yrs in prison? Aren’t these Laws, in 24 States, curtailing our right to protest and freedom of speech? Why would you vote for Laws crafted by industry to curtail your rights under the Constitution? Why aren’t amicus briefs being filed against these industries & Lobbying groups? How many Americans have lost their lives to pollutants? Fires? Flooding? Heat? Do you want non elected officials to craft the Laws of your State? If not, vote out every Republican and preserve your Constitutional rights. Industry control of GOP STATE GOVERNANCE doesn’t end with denying us clean air and water, they also support gun manufacturing over the rights of citizens, they’re against funding education and have harmed women by denying them the right to reproductive healthcare. Do you think Corporations should have more rights than “We the People”?