White House and Congress Agree on Stimulus Plan

After President Barack Obama went on television emphasizing his point about how serious the financial crisis is, a response was brokered by Congress to get the stimulus plan rolling and signed into law. President Barack Obama said that NOW is the time for ACTION.  Now is NOT to time tobe sitting around bickering and taking bipartisan stances. Not when the American people need us to help get the country moving in the right direction again. Thouands of jobs are being lost all across the country and businesses are shutting down and/or going bankrupt in record numbers. The desired objective/outcome of stimulus plan is to create new jobs, put money in taxpayers hands and jumpstart the economy.

For more on this story, please visit Yahoo! News.

Yours in news that matters to YOU,

Joseph R. Mays

New Fair Pay Act Signed into Law

President Barack and Michelle Obama shed the spotlight on a new bill called the Fair Pay Act that is intended to ensure that fair pair is given to workers for performing a job. All too often women are paid less than their male counterparts to their detriment. If a woman (sometimes the situation is reversed and it is a man) is working as an engineer, she might receive less pay for the SAME work. This bill was crafted to ensure that if she (or he) does the same work as a man (or woman) then they should be paid the same/equal pay. For more details on this story, please visit the Christian Science Monitor.

Yours in equal rights for all,

Joseph R. Mays

Starbucks to Cut 6,000 Jobs and Close Stores as their Earnings Drop 69%

As if we needed to hear more economic bad news, Starbucks joins other companies with sagging and or negative growth. This has resulted in a move to eliminate 6,000 jobs (layoffs) and close 300 more stores. They join Circuit City and National Wholesale Liquidators. These retailers are shutting down all their stores. Office Depot announced back in December that it was closing 10% of it’s stores. The story link here is from USA Today.

For more information on this story please visit MarketWatch.com.

Yours in economic news,

Joseph R. Mays

US Postal Service Proposes a Five-Day Delivery Week Due to Budget Shortfall

The United States Postal Service is running a proposal for approval past Congress for eliminating one delivery day to help stave off the costs of operating under the current economic conditions. The post office says it losing money by operating on these slow delivery days.
For more on this story visit the LA Times.

Yours in economic news that affects you,

Joseph R. Mays

House Defeats Bill to Delay Digital Television Transition until June

In a stinging slap to the face of American citizens and President Barack Obama, the House selfishly defeated a bill that would have delayed the transition to digital television from February to June. All praises to the Senate for trying to put the needs of the country FIRST and being compassionate. Members of the House need to sit out for a while without jobs, with a foreclosed home and without a working TV set to see how they would feel. Money is being dealt out to all these financial institutions and consumers are getting shafted even more. More CHANGE is needed to ensure that citizens have a government that is truly FOR the people and BY the people. Many people cannot afford the cost of the digital TV transition and need some more time to get ready. Additionally, the Digital TV Converter Coupon Program had run out of money and many people are on the waiting list for coupons.

For more on this story visit the Washington Post.

If this affects you or someone you know, please take action and write our elected officials and express your opinion on matters that are near and dear to you or someone else you care about.

Yours in fairness in government policy and decision making,

Joseph R. Mays

Happy Birthday Dr. Martin Luther King

Happy Birthday to a man who helped to shape the course of the civil rights. He preached non-violence and respect for one another. He wanted us to work together in brotherhood no matter what race, creed or color we are. He wants us to judge each other by the content of our character and not on skin color or religious preferences. He stood  for unity for ALL races and ALL mankind.

If he were here today, he would be grinning ear to ear with pride at our newly elected President, Barack Obama. I am sure he is in heaven smiling down with tears of pride and joy streaming down his cheek. America finally did it and the world is rejoicing. We can change. America demonstrated that in November 2008 on Election Day and will take it to the next level tomorrow at he Inauguration Ceremony.

Go out today and ask yourself “What difference can I make in my world today?” Shake someone’s hand, share a smile and have a good time. Temporarily forget about bills, traffic and other things that bother us and take in this moment in history. The celebration of a life now passed, but not forgotten and the beginning of a new era/chapter in American history.

Happy BirthdayDr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. Martin Luther King, I honor you on this day for the victories you accomplished to make my life better today. Thank you very much. I know you paid the ultimate sacrifice, but I am here to tell you that it was NOT in vain. Your purpose was well served and I will honor your name and heritage until the day I die.

Thank you for your part in shaping American/African-American history.

Joseph R. Mays

President Obama Supports Postponing Digital Television Switch until June

President Barack Obama urges passage of legislation in Congress that would revive the Digital TV Converter Coupon Program and give more time for citizens to get their digital converters in preparation for the switch from analog TV to digital TV signals.

For more on this story go to wsj.com

Yours in the digital age,

Joseph R. Mays

Previous Post: http://josephrmays.wordpress.com/2009/01/08/barack-obama-asking-congress-to-delay-digital-tv-switch/

More Financial Trauma; Electronic Retailer Circuit City to Shut Down

Electronic Retailer Circuit City is going to shut down it’s stores. Just when we thought we’ve heard enough financial bad news another retailer is closing it’s doors. This means more jobs lost (layoffs) and a big impact on loyal Circuit City customers and suppliers. Circuit City provides consumers with electronic goods like cameras, iPods, steros, televisions, computer software and movies to name a few. Even I was shocked as I read the news. For more on this story, please go to cnn.com for the full story.

Here’s to keeping you informed on what’s going on,

Joseph R. Mays

More Inauguration Day Traffic and Road Closure Information

From January 19, 2009 to January 21, 2009 it will be understatement to say it will be hard to get around (drive) DC near the Inauguration ceremonies. Just say “No”! If you absolutely must (i.e. part of the Inauguration Day ceremonies), then here is more helpful information to help you get around during Inauguration Day.

NBC – Information on Inauguration Day Road Closures with detailed maps

Appomattox News – Inauguration Day Traffic to Affect Entire State

The Gazette.net – Telecoms Brace for Wireless Traffic

WUSA9.com – Updated Maryland Inauguration Day Road Plan

MSNBC/Associated Press – Inaugurations Tests Troubled Transportation Grid

Potomac Riverboat Company – Avoid the Roads – Take a Boat

BellaOnline – Obama Inauguration 2009 – Avoiding Metro Crowds

Our Inauguration Information Page 1 – Avoid Driving into Washington DC on Inauguration Day if You Can

Thank you to all the visitors to my blog. I am privileged to present this information to you. Please use it to your enjoyment and have a wonderful day on Inauguration Day. Congratulations again to President Barack Obama.

Yours in Inauguration Day information,

Joseph R. Mays

Congress Seeking a Pay Raise while Thousands of Workers are Losing their Jobs

At a time when they were grilling automotive executives about their bonuses and raises our own congressmen and women are voting for their own pay raise. I am not saying that they don’t deserve to get paid for what they do, but I would think it would be wise to forego a pay increase when a lot of America doesn’t know where their next paycheck is coming from or when. It doesn’t show a sense of compassion for these people of whom many lost their jobs due to the economic downturn and they were let go as a result. My heart goes out to the men and women who were victims of this. I wish you much success in finding new employment soon.

For more on this story go here and here.

Yours in support of the American Worker,

Joseph R. Mays