Phil Ochs -- I ain't marchin anymore...

Phil Ochs --Joe Hill

new banking policy?

US explores converting stakes in banks

US officials are examining ways gradually to convert government stakes in banks into ordinary shares as banks accumulate losses, according to people close to the discussions.

The point would be to provide a drip-feed of additional common equity as needed to cover losses – without the government owning a larger stake in the banks than is necessary.

catching up...

I've been swamped. Much to post on and will hopefully get some time today.

Been having fruitful debate with @JaseLP who blogs over at Jasonpye.com. If you twitter, join the debate!

Had a great meeting with the new national feild organizer for moveon.org. They are talking big things which would be great for people on the ground here in Henry who would be empowered with the tools to advocate for their concerns and interests.

Homeless guy ganked my soda the other day... more on this to follow.

step in the right direction for equality..

Georgia Equality Commends Clarkston City Council
for Supporting Non Discrimination

February 4, 2009 (Atlanta) - Georgia Equality applauds the Clarkston City Council for voting unanimously to include sexual orientation and gender identity in the city’s nondiscrimination policy. Clarkston joins a growing number of municipalities in Georgia to extend such protections to current and prospective city employees.

“I’m proud of my hometown for taking a stand to support equality,” said openly gay State Representative Karla Drenner, who worked with city leaders on passing the ordinance. Drenner, who represents Clarkston in the Georgia General Assembly, added, “Clearly the leadership of Clarkston understands the importance of respecting diversity. This truly is the small city with a big heart. Hopefully this action will serve as an example for other municipalities around the state.”

Georgia Equality executive director, Jeff Graham also commended city leaders. “While we may have a way to go before employment nondiscrimination is protected by federal or state statute, actions such as that taken by the City of Clarkston prove that these protections have become a standard part of operating any municipality or business. Discrimination in any form is simply unacceptable in the workplace.” Graham went on to add, “Although the vote was unanimous and all council members should be recognized for their leadership and vision, we’re especially pleased with Councilwoman Rosemarie Nelson for introducing the ordinance and Councilman Warren Hadlock for ensuring that gender identity was included in the final ordinance.”

Noting that employment protections against discrimination based on gender identity are still relatively rare among Georgia’s municipalities, Graham went on to say, “I am especially proud of city leaders for choosing to create a policy that is as inclusive of transgender individuals. Study after study has shown that this group is especially vulnerable to employment discrimination. Standing up for full-equality is clearly the right thing to do.”

Georgia Equality is a statewide organization whose mission is to advance fairness, safety and opportunity for Georgia’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender communities.

Great Depression and workforce...

Understanding the Great Depression Blogging: Labor Input and Its Trend

The immediate answer to questions about Lee and Ohanian is that all the institutions they blame for high structural unemployment during the Great Depression were still there after World War II--yet no high structural unemployment then at all.

The hasty answer to Lee and Ohanian is that they are playing two jokers:

(1) They define "before Roosevelt" as the average of 1930-32 rather than as 1932.

(2) They assume that all of the declines in hours of work per week is due to deficient demand rather than to a much-desired increase in the bargaining power of workers who then choose to bargain for more leisure.

education spending...

A good reminder spending isn't a sure fire soltuion for every problem...

are you addicted?

Internet Addiction Update

housing bubble in action...

Here’s yet another angle on why Home prices haven’t bottomed yet: Falling Rents.

8 years of bad policy...

Where Did All the Republicans Go?

Yesterday Gallup released a report on its survey of political party affiliation by voters at the state level. The results, depicted in the map above, show that only five states have a statistically significant majority of voters who identify themselves as Republicans. The data come from interviews last year with “more than 350,000 U.S. adults as part of Gallup Poll Daily tracking.”