Media

Even as the politicians in Washington -- of both parties, alas -- talk about cutting Social Security benefits, more evidence keeps piling up that tomorrow's retirees will have higher financial needs than today's seniors. While nobody wants to admit it, the truth is that we should be talking about how to increase Social Security benefits in coming years, not decrease them. 

Last week, over 80,000 gallons of crude oil spilled from an ExxonMobil pipeline in Arkansas. Twenty-two homes were evacuated and the cost of cleanup will be high. So, who will foot the bill? ExxonMobil? Taxpayers? Unfortunately, the answer looks like it will taxpayers will pay for cleanup for a reason that we should be very concerned about as discussion continues over the Keystone pipeline.

A few weeks ago I wrote about a part-time employee at Urban Outfitters who went to work with the flu in New York City becase she didn't have paid sick time and couldn't afford to stay home from her job as a cashier. So, for eight contagious hours, she dealt with the public. 

Edwin Guzman already lost his job once for union-organizing. But today, he and several hundred fast food workers across New York City are on strike anyway.

NEW YORK, NY – In advance of the release of this month’s job figures, national public policy center Demos today issued a new report analyzing the lasting economic effects of youth unemployment.

The 5.6 million young adults who are willing and able to work but cannot find a job make up 45 percent of America’s unemployed workforce, while another 4.7 million are stuck in part-time jobs when they are seeking full-time employment, according to a new report from Demos. In total, the U.S. needs to add 4.1 million jobs for young workers — ages 18 to 34 — to return to pre-recession levels of employment.

today’s New York Times has news of another secretive, unverified and unverifiable database that is shutting American workers out of jobs.

A funny thing happened on Fox Business News last night, where I appeared on a panel to discuss President Obama's new initiative to map the human brain, spending $100 million next year to get started: Everyone on the show gave a thumbs up to the plan, including my two conservative co-panelists and the host. 

That's the first time I've ever been on the same side as everyone else on Fox. 

In an country where there are 3.3 job seekers for every one available job, one would hope that those lucky enough to have a full time job would be earning a salary they can live on. Unfortunately, according to new data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it's just the opposite. America's most common jobs are usually the worst paying ones.