Blog for Boomers

Sacramento Christmas Tree 2009

Enjoy some pictures of the Christmas Tree at the Capitol in Sacramento!

Sacramento Kings get 2nd Road Win!!!

Tyreke Evans took over offensively in the final 5 seconds of the game  and drove right to the basket to win this one for the Kings in Milwaukee. Way to go Kings!!!

Video from The Sacramento Kings web site. Keep it up Kings!!!

Damp December Furlough Friday

It is a damp furlough Friday in the State Capitol.  Most state workers are eager to hear from the Judge in Alameda, California reviewing and about to make a ruling on one of the furlough suits.

Judge what is taking so long? I know the case is complicated, very political, and the courts are very busy. But seriously, what is taking so long? Most of us State workers also understand you want to be thorough and provide a ruling that is not easily challenged, no matter what you decide. We also know that an appeal of any ruling is inevitable. Darn it, what is taking so long!!!?

This blogger is not into conspiracies, but it sure seems like anything and almost everything that may be in favor of employees takes a very, very long time to be considered and decided upon. This phenomenon is not confined to the courts. On the other hand, Furlough Fridays and disappearing Holidays sure did happen fast and suddenly!

Your honour, did I ask what is taking so long? How about a ruling so we can move forward?  Thanks!

Some Employees Like Furloughs

Some State workers are happy about furloughs These employees don’t need the money because they have spouses who bring in a second and often much larger pay checks. Some are so unhappy about their actual work they are down right giddy about having another day off.  All of this is fine. I am not too unhappy about the time off myself.

However, some employees have no empathy for co-workers who are being forced to pull kids out of day care, are having trouble making car payments,  or can not make mortgage payments.  Team work means covering each others back and thinking outside of our own small Worlds.

Economy and Good News

Good news! The November unemployment rate did not go up! Reports show unemployment went down to 10%. This percentage figure is awful, especially if you factor in all the people who are working part time because they can not find full time employment, those who are under employed, and all who have given up finding a job after exhausting their unemployment insurance. Unemployment is much higher than the 17% figure spewed out in government statistics.

The state of our economy has us celebrating anything positive. We have many opportunities to improve the economy for the long term:

• Keep improving education so our students have a solid foundation in math, science, and technology.
• Build American infrastructure for future generations. Roads, public transportation, efficient energy development, information highway improvements are all important.
• Spend resources on loans to small and mid-sized business to create jobs. We need the same URGENCY in creating jobs as we had in saving the big banks. Small and medium size business creates most jobs in the American economy.
• Stop being the Worlds policeman. Spend defense dollars on defense. We can not afford to rebuild other countries when our own infrastructure is in disrepair.
• Spend Federal dollars helping the numerous states facing huge deficits. Demand they create rainy day funds for the next recession.