OHIO: THE STATE OF CRIMINALITY: The State of Ohio Judicial branch has now proven itself to be consistent with the rest of the behavior of other Ohio government officials. A recent Ohio State Supreme Court ruled against an individual who nearly died after eating a “boneless chicken wing” THAT WASN’T BONELESS–as advertised. He was hospitalized after the “boneless” wing became lodged in his throat. The court reasoned that even though the product was advertised as boneless the man should have known that chickens have bones and it was his fault for not being careful. This is a ridiculous decision but one that favors business as opposed to consumers. The implication of this precedent decision is that no consumer can rely on advertised information IF, IN THE COURT’S OPINION, A PERSON SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THAT THE ADVERTISED CLAIMS ABOUT THE PRODUCT OR SERVICE WERE INACCURATE BASED ON THEIR OWN REASONING. Remember that the next time you buy any product or service. It is, in the legal precedent books, your responsibility to judge whether to believe the advertised info or not. If you proceed to buy the product/service and it fails to meet its advertised claims you have no claim regardless of any harm you experienced. You should have used your own reasoning to decide that the product MIGHT NOT be as advertised. Question: does this mean that “truth in advertising” rule no longer exists? The State also announced a sales tax holiday which has always been intended to help parents buy back-to-school items for their kids. But this year it has been extended to cover TV’s, cars and other non-essential items that economically-challenged families can’t afford. Is this a gift for the middle class voters? Also, while Governor DeWine wants to project a concerned-about-the-disadvantaged look he has turned down the free Federal Summer Food for Children program that would have provided $40/month/child during the months when free meals at school are unavailable. So, a tax holiday that comes out of the Ohio voters pockets is OK but a free food program (for people who may not vote) is turned down. Some people would consider it a crime when you’re offered free food for the underprivileged but don’t take it. Welcome to Ohio.
MISMANAGED GOVERNMENT FUNDS: Two examples: (1) A former California public school official was sentenced to 5 years in prison after stealing nearly $17 million. Apparently he was the ultimate decision-maker on expenditures of funds for the school district that serves Anaheim and Stanton California. (2) A woman was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for stealing over $100 million from grant funds that were designed to help military children and families. During the time she stole the grant money she purchased lavish properties and 82 vehicles including a Maserati, a Mercedes, and a Corvette. She set up a fake business and directed the stolen funds to her own company. These are your tax dollars. Shouldn’t someone be watching?
TRUMP-HITLER: ANOTHER COMMON DENOMINATOR: Another accurate similarity is that Trump and Hitler are the only two people in history who became candidates for the presidency of their country as convicted felons. Hitler was jailed in 1924 for his failed attempt to overthrow the German government. 20 people were killed. He was sentenced to 5 years in prison. Unfortunately, he was released after only one year. At least the Germans allowed their legal system to work. That’s more than we can say about our system.
ENGLAND ATTACK ON A CHILD-CARE CENTER: The horrific stabbing attack that left multiple deaths and life-long trauma scars on many children could have been much worse. If the assailant had had access to an AR 15 the carnage could have been much worse. That’s the possibility we face every day in thousands of similar situations.
MISLEADING HEADLINES: The media insists on playing mind games with its news. Examples: HEADLINE: STOCKS RISE AS INVESTORS EYE TRUMP VICTORY…appeared on July 17, 2024 in the Cincinnati Enquirer. On the very next day, HEADLINE: Nasdaq, S&P END SHARPLY LOWER…no mention of Trump being responsible for the drop in those indexes.
CHIPPING AWAY AT YOUR WELFARE: The Trump team is leading a move to eliminate investment rules that were put into place by the Biden Administration. Currently a financial adviser must offer advice that they honestly believe will benefit you, the client, most. But, under the GOP proposal, the advisor is NOT required to follow that standard. Under GOP rules they can advise you to accept advice that will benefit the adviser. It’s called the “fiduciary rule”. Annuity insurance sellers and their agents make huge commissions when they are able to “sell” annuity products–even when annuities are not the best course of action for their client. Just another way to get the insurance industry to line up behind your pay wagon at your expense.
CLIMATE UPDATE: We beat this drum often because we fail to get anyone’s attention. All the weather extremes, high temps, excessive rainfall, flooding, excessive number of tornadoes, a prediction of a very busy hurricane season, raging and unprecedented wildfires,–all these occurrences indicate a world on the brink. Last month we beat the record for the highest global temp ever–TWO DAYS IN A ROW!! If you want your grandkids to inherit a livable world do the little things that can make a difference. The internet is full of ideas. And we can’t rely on government to solve the problem for cost, political, technical and foolish reasons. If charity begins at home–SO DO SOLUTIONS. As John Kennedy said “each journey starts with but a single step–let’s take that step.”
PRISONER SWAPS: The recent swap of prisoners that returned several Russian prisoners to the US and other allied countries is a tribute to the Biden Administration. Imagine the atmosphere between Russia and the US/NATO countries as the Ukraine war escalates and we continue to provide funds and war materials to Ukraine. Despite that dismal picture the Biden team was able to separate Ukraine from the plight of those individuals and work behind-the-scenes to free them and bring them back to their families. Of course Trump criticized the Biden team and congratulated Putin on his “win”. We couldn’t find any example of prisoner swaps during the Trump presidency. He may have just considered them like Senator John McCain as “suckers and losers” because they got caught. Do you think those prisoner families will vote Trump?
MADE IN AMERICA–YEA RIGHT!!: The latest jobs report (July) shows a slowing of the job creation market. But economists will tell you that’s to be expected at this time of the year. The really worrisome aspect is that–over the past months–less than half of the new jobs were created in the manufacturing sector of our economy. In July only 48% of new jobs were in that sector. Like it or not we are becoming a service-oriented economy with increasing dependence on foreign made products. And when that fact is combined with the fact that we import more from China than any other country–well, let’s just say it’s a concern. Winning a trade war with China looks less probable every day.
COLLEGE TUITION: A recent news item headlines “MIDDLE CLASS STUDENTS FEEL PINCH OF COLLEGE COSTS”. Student debt exceeds $1.7 trillion. That debt was created by increasing tuition, fees, books, and other costs like dorm rooms and food. When President Biden–in his second month in office–tried to eliminate debt for a number of graduated adults he was stymied by the GOP and its judges. He has since tried to re-instate an executive order to give at least some relief to young adults who are trying to get a foothold on their future. Ask yourself: is that $1.7 trillion better off in the pocket of the Federal Government or in the hands of the future generations who will buy homes, cars, appliances and create jobs as they grow the economy? The GOP isn’t concerned. Many of their folks have the means to pay for a college education without debt. Suggestion: all colleges and universities should be limited to tuition and fee increases at 50% of the most recent inflation benchmark as of June 30 each year. And the Biden debt plan needs full go-ahead so young people can become purchasers of products not slaves to student debt payments.
FOX NEWS LIES AND PEOPLE DON’T SEEM TO CARE: During the Dominion Voting Machine trial Rupert Murdoch, the owner of Fox News, admitted that his on-air personalities lied to their viewers to keep them happy and to keep ratings up to please advertisers. Even with this admission, millions of people still turn to Fox news to get their daily information updates. We don’t understand. If you know the person you’re listening to is a liar and they will tell you whatever you want to hear–as opposed to the truth–why are you wasting time with them? You know you’ll probably be told a lie and yet you believe what they say. That makes no sense.
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