Americans work longer and harder than our peers in almost every industrial nation. On average Americans are working 1800 hours per year, beating out Germany, France, Denmark, Ireland, Sweden, Spain, United Kingdom, Australia and Finland. According to The International Labour Organization American released a report stating that “workers in the United States on average produceContinue reading “Work, Productivity, Play and Compensation in America”
Tag Archives: recession
Low-Wage Workers Not Covering Basic Needs
Today’s minimum wages are a far cry of what it actually takes to survive. Last Thursday, thousands of fast food workers staged a strike in 50 cities across the country to draw attention to corporate wage gaps. Fast food workers are demanding $15 hourly wages; currently, the federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour. PerhapsContinue reading “Low-Wage Workers Not Covering Basic Needs”
Tax Havens for Big Business? Small Business Owners Say ‘Not so fast’
Multi-Partisan small business owners spoke out earlier this month, further distinguishing their interests from those of Big Business. Wednesday, in his post “Has the Budget Crisis Du Jour Got You Down?” Bill Daley pointed out that if Congress were to close one tax loophole on offshore accounts, it could be enough to create a ‘jobContinue reading “Tax Havens for Big Business? Small Business Owners Say ‘Not so fast’”
The Housing Crisis in Pueblo, Colorado
Community Rally Hits One Consistent Message: Get Rid of Ed Demarco Fred and Sophia Patterson have a mortgage that was bought from Bank of America by Freddie Mac. When Mr. Patterson had his identity stolen, he lost everything, and asked for some assistance. The Pattersons accepted a temporary loan modification and continued to payContinue reading “The Housing Crisis in Pueblo, Colorado”
Direct from Main Street: Maine Small Business Views on Credit and Lending
This report shares the findings of a survey of Maine small businesses, focusing on their experiences with credit and their reactions to one current proposal to support small business and economic growth: the creation of a state bank. This report contributes to the discussion of such a proposal by sharing the perspectives of Maine’s MainContinue reading “Direct from Main Street: Maine Small Business Views on Credit and Lending”
Big Banks Must Step Up to Address the Revenue Crisis
The big banks live in a parallel universe. In their universe, the financial meltdown was beyond their power to stop. The recession that left more than 1/10th of the American workforce unemployed is a shame they had little to do with. The massive government bailout of the financial system was an opportunity to make aContinue reading “Big Banks Must Step Up to Address the Revenue Crisis”
On the State of the Union: Where Are We Going? A National Mystery
After watching the President’s State of the Union Address, I must confess that I am puzzled. I have no idea where our country is going.
Direct from Main Street: Washington Small Business Views on Credit and Lending
This report shares the findings of a survey of Washington small businesses, focusing on their experiences with credit and their reactions to one current proposal to support small business and economic growth: the creation of a state bank. This report contributes to the discussion of such a proposal by sharing the perspectives of Washington’s MainContinue reading “Direct from Main Street: Washington Small Business Views on Credit and Lending”
Oregon Small Business Owners Show Support for State Bank
This post was written by Dan Lombardi, small business organizer for the Main Street Alliance of Oregon. On Wednesday, January 12, the Main Street Alliance of Oregon held a press conference in the state capitol of Salem to announce the release of a report: Direct from Main Street: Oregon Small Business Views on Credit andContinue reading “Oregon Small Business Owners Show Support for State Bank”
Direct from Main Street: Oregon Small Business Views on Credit and Lending
This report shares the findings of a survey of Oregon small businesses, focusing on their experiences with credit and their reactions to one current proposal to support small business and economic growth: the creation of a state bank. This report contributes to the discussion of such a proposal by sharing the perspectives of Oregon’s MainContinue reading “Direct from Main Street: Oregon Small Business Views on Credit and Lending”