Hope and change by the numbers a year later

"The Buck Stops Here" sign that was on President Truman's desk in his White House office which was referred to often by the President. Stated in his 1953 farewell address, "The President--whoever he is--has to decide. He can't pass the buck to anybody. No one else can do the deciding for him. That's his job.

Hope and change on better paying jobs
Today unemployment figures are trending up beyond 10.2% with a U6 figure of over 17% unemployed nationally. A year ago unemployment was 6.6% (source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Hope and change on gasoline prices
At todays average price of $2.639, a gallon of gas runs $.70 higher than last year. Bitterly remembering July of 2008 when gasoline prices topping $4, we forget that by the 2008 holidays, prices had dropped back down to a more palatable $1.929. (source: AAA)

Hope and change on housing
At the end of the third quarter of 2009 US foreclosure activity set a new quarterly record – up 23 percent from the same time last year. September 2009 saw a monthly increase of 29 percent over September 2008. (source: RealtyTrac)

Hope and change on federal debt
Last year the public was outraged at a growing national debt of $10.65 trillion. Today our government debt stands at over $12 trillion. Our new federal debt spread out to every citizen is over $39,000 each. (source: US Treasury) (see below “what’s the difference between debt and deficit?”)

Hope and change on federal deficit
A year ago the administration missed it’s target budget by $455 billion. A huge budget miss compared to $162 billion overspent in 2007. 2009 saw overspending beyond the budget in excess of $1.4 trillion (source: US Treasury)

Hope and change on the wars
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) saw 314 casualties in 2008 while 2009 has seen 144 casualties so far this year. Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF, Afghanistan) saw 155 casualties in 2008 while 2009 has seen 297 so far this year. (source icasualties.org)

Hope and change for smokers
2009 saw the highest federal tax increase on cigarettes from 39 cents to a whopping $1.01. The additional 62 cent increase this year was added to fund the expansion of S-CHIP (State Children’s Health Insurance Program) that was signed into law in February by our President. State taxes range from seven cents to $2.75 per pack additionally. The price of a pack of smokes is now around $4.50 to $9.15 depending on where you live.

Hope and change on the dollar
One dollar — a year later — has nearly the same buying power as dollar in 2008. Annual inflation over this period was about 0.09%. However, the US dollar continues to drift lower against the euro. (source: currency converter)

Hope and change for the citizens
A shift in the United States has moved towards protecting illegal immigrants from prosecution whilst legal citizens may serve up to five years in jail if proposed mandatory healthcare fees aren’t paid. In 2008 the dream was still alive for anyone who worked hard to achieve their goals. In 2009 the government gave free money towards cars and homes for those who “qualified.” 

A year in review
A year ago people felt safe, jobs were abundant, gasoline prices were reasonable, government spending was lower, mortgage payments could be met, and war casualties were less – yet –  the previous administration was held in contempt.

What a difference a year makes.

“What’s the difference between debt and deficit?” – Think of deficit as how much money is overspent annually. Debt is the accumulation of the annual deficits.

October unemployment by state with historical highs and lows

10 year unemployment graph

The October national average for unemployment currently stands at 10.2%. Scroll down  for individual state statistics.

Historical Unemployment

The first chart represents the historic national unemployment rate by month, while the second chart represents historic highs and lows of unemployment by state to date. View unemployment stats in other countries.

Current Unemployment Rates for States and Historical Highs/Lows Seasonally Adjusted
	Oct. 2009p	Historical High		Historical Low
State	Rate	Date	Rate	Date	Rate
Alabama	10.9	Dec. 1982	14.4	Feb. 2007	3.3
Alaska	8.9	July 1986	11.5	Sept. 1999	5.9
Arizona	9.3	Feb. 1983	11.5	June 2007	3.6
Arkansas	7.6	Mar. 1983	10.2	Sept. 2000	4.1
California	12.5	Oct. 2009	12.5	Feb. 2001	4.7
Colorado	6.9	Nov. 1982	9.1	Jan. 2001	2.5
Connecticut	8.8	Jan. 1976	10.0	Nov. 2000	2.1
Delaware	8.7	Oct. 2009	8.7	Oct. 1988	2.9
District of Columbia	11.9	Oct. 2009	11.9	Dec. 1988	4.8
Florida	11.2	Oct. 2009	11.2	July 2006	3.3
Georgia	10.2	July 2009	10.3	Dec. 2000	3.4
Hawaii	7.2	Mar. 1976	10.2	Dec. 2006	2.2
Idaho	9.0	Feb. 1983	9.4	May 2007	2.8
Illinois	11.0	Feb. 1983	12.9	Mar. 1999	4.1
Indiana	9.8	Nov. 1982	12.8	Apr. 1999	2.6
Iowa	6.7	May 1983	8.5	Jan. 2000	2.6
Kansas	6.8	July 2009	7.5	Oct. 1978	2.9
Kentucky	11.2	Dec. 1982	12.1	Mar. 2000	4.0
Louisiana	7.4	Sept. 1986	12.9	July 2006	3.2
Maine	8.2	Mar. 1977	9.0	Jan. 2001	3.0
Maryland	7.3	Aug. 1982	8.3	Mar. 2000	3.3
Massachusetts	8.9	Jan. 1976	10.9	Dec. 2000	2.7
Michigan	15.1	Nov. 1982	16.9	Mar. 2000	3.2
Minnesota	7.6	Nov. 1982	9.0	Apr. 1999	2.5
Mississippi	9.8	May 1983	13.7	Jan. 2001	4.9
Missouri	9.3	Apr. 1983	10.5	Jan. 2000	2.6
Montana	6.4	May 1983	8.7	Mar. 2007	3.2
Nebraska	4.9	Feb. 1983	6.8	Feb. 1998	2.2
Nevada	13.0	Sept. 2009	13.3	Mar. 2006	4.2
New Hampshire	6.8	June 1992	7.7	Apr. 1987	1.9
New Jersey	9.7	Feb. 1977	10.6	June 2000	3.5
New Mexico	7.9	Apr. 1983	9.9	Oct. 2007	3.5
New York	9.0	July 1976	10.5	Apr. 1988	4.0
North Carolina	11.0	May 2009	11.1	Apr. 1999	3.1
North Dakota	4.2	Mar. 1983	6.9	Jan. 1998	2.5
Ohio	10.5	Jan. 1983	13.8	Mar. 2001	3.9
Oklahoma	7.1	Aug. 1986	9.4	Jan. 2001	2.7
Oregon	11.3	May 2009	12.2	Apr. 1995	4.7
Pennsylvania	8.8	Mar. 1983	12.9	Mar. 2000	4.0
Rhode Island	12.9	Sept. 2009	13.0	July 1988	2.9
South Carolina	12.1	Oct. 2009	12.1	Mar. 1998	3.1
South Dakota	5.0	Oct. 1982	5.9	Mar. 2000	2.4
Tennessee	10.5	Dec. 1982	12.4	Mar. 2000	3.8
Texas	8.3	Oct. 1986	9.3	July 2007	4.3
Utah	6.5	Mar. 1983	9.7	Mar. 2007	2.4
Vermont	6.5	June 1976	9.0	Mar. 2000	2.2
Virginia	6.6	Jan. 1983	7.8	Jan. 2001	2.2
Washington	9.3	Nov. 1982	12.2	Apr. 2007	4.4
West Virginia	8.5	Mar. 1983	18.2	Jan. 2008	4.1
Wisconsin	8.4	Jan. 1983	11.8	Apr. 1999	2.9
Wyoming	7.4	May 1983	10.1	Feb. 1979	1.9
Note: Data series begin in January 1976.

^p = preliminary.

See last months figures.

 

 

Obama brother Mark releases book – talks about Obama Senior

President Obama’s younger half brother, Mark, who lives in China, has just released a book about the infamous Obama family.

Barack wrote fondly of his father in what some call a mythical biography, “Dreams From My Father.”

Brother Mark has another story to tell.

Last week, Mark Okoth Obama Ndesandjo self-published the autobiographical novel, “Nairobi to Shenzhen: A Tale of Love In The East.” (Order at Amazon.com)

Never reported in the US by the mainstream media, Mark confirms that Barack Senior was a violent drunk who died in an automobile accident in Africa bringing credibility to a very interesting must read January 2007 article by the DailyMail.co.uk

Barack stayed with his father Barack Senior until he was two while his half brother Mark stayed with his father until he was eight years old.

Baracks’ mother was wife number two. Marks’ mother was wife number three. Both were American women.

President Obama’s father, Barack Senior married his first wife Kezia at 18. Kezia was pregnant with their second child when he received his American-sponsored scholarship in economics. He was 23 years of age when he headed for the University in Hawaii.

While in Hawaii studying he met and married his second wife, who was 18, Barack Jrs mother, Ann.

Within two years of his entry to the US, Barack Sr. was accepted at Harvard whereupon he left behind the Barack Jr and his second wife.

Still legally married to Kezia and Ann, Barack Sr. met his future third wife while at Harvard. Marks mother, Ruth, is an American-born teacher who is still currently residing in Kenya

Obama Senior was born in 1936 in Nyangoma-Kogelo, Siaya District, Kenya and died in a car crash in Nairobi, Kenya in 1982. Yes, he was a goat herder. Technically. Obama Seniors father was a wealthy man who owned goats. But rather was raised a child of privilege, not privation. Obama Senior was a finance minister in Kenya. Read more about the Obama family.

Half brother Mark hopes his brother meets his Chinese wife while the President is in China. “My plan is to introduce my wife to him. She’s his biggest fan,” he said.

Other Obama family articles:

Obama’s Uncle Odinga: Prime Minister of Kenya

Brother Samson and the sex scandal

The Kenyan Ambassador  speaks out about Obama’s birth

The maize (corn) scandal in Kenya

National unemployment at 10.2% — see trend charts

Unemployment rose by 0.4% from last month to 10.2%. With an increase of 558,000 there are now 15.7 million persons unemployed.

The total U-6 unemployment is now at 17.5%

Unemployment statistics for October by state with historical highs and lows will be published when figures are available. See the most recent figures are for September. See also September figures around the world.

Top - historical unemployment by month. Lower - 10-year to date.

Obama’s new immigration: hope, change and HIV

President Obama announced today the elimination of the HIV entry ban into the United States bringing hope and change to thousands of immigrants wanting entry into the United States.

Since 1987, HIV-positive travelers and immigrants have been banned from entering or traveling through the United States without a special waiver.

The ban has now ended.

At the dawn of government run healthcare licking at the pocketbooks of every American this new twist has been introduced by President Obama. In 2004 the average annual medical cost per HIV patient was $25,200.

People who have HIV and are not U.S. citizens will now be able to enter the U.S. for both travel and immigration reasons.

President Obama’s support for immigrants with HIV was evident in his support of the PEPFAR 2 bill when he was in the US Senate.

In an effort to protect the citizens of the United States the government had restricted entry of people with AIDS for the last 22 years.

Among the reasons to restrict HIV infected immigrants was that HIV was considered to be a “communicable disease of public health significance.”

Another reason the United States government restricted HIV infected immigrants was because of the likely result the HIV infected person would become a public charge.

According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed to remove “Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection” from the definition of “communicable disease of public health significance.”

HHS/CDC also proposed removal references to “HIV” from the scope of examinations in its regulations.

Aliens infected with a “communicable disease of public health significance” are inadmissible into the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

According to HHS/CDC, in 2004 the average annual cost per HIV patient was $25.200 with a range of $19,466 to $30,954.

The expenditure estimates could be an underestimate since as treatment options increase, the benefits such as quality of life and lifespan will increase but so will costs.

Though difficult to quantify with precision, there will likely be some additional cases of HIV due to onward transmission from HIV-infected immigrants to others in the United States who are not currently infected. The costs associated with onward transmission include:

Shortened lifespan and reduction in quality of life even with treatment,

The health care costs associated with treating HIV infection,

The costs of social services when individuals are unable to fully support themselves because of their illness, and

Decreased productivity when individuals become too sick to work

A 1.51% onward transmission rate was used in the model to represent the annual estimated number of new infections caused by HIV-infected immigrants to the U.S., or caused by U.S. person infected by HIV-infected immigrants (i.e., annually every 100 HIV-infected persons infect an additional 1.51 persons). The most recent estimate of average onward transmission, when limited to sexual transmission, in the United States is 3.02 per 100 HIV positive immigrants.

In terms of health care expenditures for immigrants, by Year Five there will be a cumulative total of 15,755 HIV-infected immigrants living in the U.S.

Read the full report

A bloggers nightmare

Out of service until the first of December

All activity stopped on a typically consistent blog and I bet you’ve been wondering what happened? Sorry to leave you in suspence for so long. Below are a few things I would LIKE to research. If you find out anything, drop me a line and keep me in the loop? Have a great Thanksgiving!

Topics to research or keep an eye on in cyberworld:

CBS (?) investigated swine flu results in various states — but the results don’t match what the CDC is saying about the outbreak.

What does it mean to the US citizens when our President declares a “National Emergency?” Do we have any constitutional rights?

A H1N1 vaccine video online showing what happened to a 26-year-old when she got immunized.

Watch to see if the feds use the “National Emergency” to loot more tax money from Americans.

Can the government force every American to take the vaccine now that we’re in a “National Emergency?”

Did the “National Emergency” just turn this country into a martial law state?

Madoff measure?

Consider this historical statement made by Martin Niemoller to Congress in 1968…

When Hitler attacked the Jews
I was not a Jew, therefore I was not concerned.
And when Hitler attacked the Catholics,
I was not a Catholic, and therefore, I was not concerned.
And when Hitler attacked the unions and the industrialists,
I was not a member of the unions and I was not concerned.
Then Hitler attacked me and the Protestant church –
and there was nobody left to be concerned.

See you in Demember — unless I mend sooner.

September unemployment by state with historic highs and lows

10 year unemployment graph

The September national average for unemployment currently stands at 9.8% (see October stats)

Historical Unemployment

The first chart represents the historic national unemployment rate by month, while the second chart represents historic highs and lows of unemployment by state to date. View unemployment stats in other countries.

Current Unemployment Rates for States and Historical Highs/Lows Seasonally Adjusted
	Sept 2009p	Historical High		Historical Low
State	Rate	Date	Rate	Date	Rate
Alabama	10.7	Dec. 1982	14.4	Feb. 2007	3.3
Alaska	8.4	July 1986	11.5	Sept. 1999	5.9
Arizona	9.1	Feb. 1983	11.5	June 2007	3.6
Arkansas	7.1	Mar. 1983	10.2	Sept. 2000	4.1
California	12.2	Aug. 2009	12.3	Feb. 2001	4.7
Colorado	7.0	Nov. 1982	9.1	Jan. 2001	2.5
Connecticut	8.4	Jan. 1976	10.0	Nov. 2000	2.1
Delaware	8.3	June 2009	8.4	Oct. 1988	2.9
District of Columbia	11.4	Sept. 2009	11.4	Dec. 1988	4.8
Florida	11.0	Sept. 2009	11.0	July 2006	3.3
Georgia	10.1	July 2009	10.3	Dec. 2000	3.4
Hawaii	7.2	Mar. 1976	10.2	Dec. 2006	2.2
Idaho	8.8	Feb. 1983	9.4	May 2007	2.8
Illinois	10.5	Feb. 1983	12.9	Mar. 1999	4.1
Indiana	9.6	Nov. 1982	12.8	Apr. 1999	2.6
Iowa	6.7	May 1983	8.5	Jan. 2000	2.6
Kansas	6.9	July 2009	7.5	Oct. 1978	2.9
Kentucky	10.9	Dec. 1982	12.1	Mar. 2000	4.0
Louisiana	7.4	Sept. 1986	12.9	July 2006	3.2
Maine	8.5	Mar. 1977	9.0	Jan. 2001	3.0
Maryland	7.2	Aug. 1982	8.3	Mar. 2000	3.3
Massachusetts	9.3	Jan. 1976	10.9	Dec. 2000	2.7
Michigan	15.3	Nov. 1982	16.9	Mar. 2000	3.2
Minnesota	7.3	Nov. 1982	9.0	Apr. 1999	2.5
Mississippi	9.2	May 1983	13.7	Jan. 2001	4.9
Missouri	9.5	Apr. 1983	10.5	Jan. 2000	2.6
Montana	6.7	May 1983	8.7	Mar. 2007	3.2
Nebraska	4.9	Feb. 1983	6.8	Feb. 1998	2.2
Nevada	13.3	Sept. 2009	13.3	Mar. 2006	4.2
New Hampshire	7.2	June 1992	7.7	Apr. 1987	1.9
New Jersey	9.8	Feb. 1977	10.6	June 2000	3.5
New Mexico	7.7	Apr. 1983	9.9	Oct. 2007	3.5
New York	8.9	July 1976	10.5	Apr. 1988	4.0
North Carolina	10.8	May 2009	11.1	Apr. 1999	3.1
North Dakota	4.2	Mar. 1983	6.9	Jan. 1998	2.5
Ohio	10.1	Jan. 1983	13.8	Mar. 2001	3.9
Oklahoma	6.7	Aug. 1986	9.4	Jan. 2001	2.7
Oregon	11.5	May 2009	12.2	Apr. 1995	4.7
Pennsylvania	8.8	Mar. 1983	12.9	Mar. 2000	4.0
Rhode Island	13.0	Sept. 2009	13.0	July 1988	2.9
South Carolina	11.6	June 2009	12.1	Mar. 1998	3.1
South Dakota	4.8	Oct. 1982	5.9	Mar. 2000	2.4
Tennessee	10.5	Dec. 1982	12.4	Mar. 2000	3.8
Texas	8.2	Oct. 1986	9.3	July 2007	4.3
Utah	6.2	Mar. 1983	9.7	Mar. 2007	2.4
Vermont	6.7	June 1976	9.0	Mar. 2000	2.2
Virginia	6.7	Jan. 1983	7.8	Jan. 2001	2.2
Washington	9.3	Nov. 1982	12.2	Apr. 2007	4.4
West Virginia	8.9	Mar. 1983	18.2	Jan. 2008	4.1
Wisconsin	8.3	Jan. 1983	11.8	Apr. 1999	2.9
Wyoming	6.8	May 1983	10.1	Feb. 1979	1.9
Note: Data series begin in January 1976.

^p = preliminary.

See last months figures

News of interest 10.21.09

News of interest – Chinese: Google violating copyrights, authors say (xinhuanet)

News of interest – China’s 2009 GDP growth revised up to 8.2% (xinhuanet)
 
Note of interest  – Real GDP for the US decreased 2.3 percent in the second quarter, compared with a decrease of 8.6 percent in the first.

News of interest – New video: ACORN sting in Philadelphia (Breitbart TV)

News of interest – More misuse of Federal money (WXVT)

News of interest – Mouse grounds plane at New York’s JFK (Telegraph.co.uk)

News of interest – Community service theme for over 100 television programs (LA Times)

Note of interest – Palin to appear on Oprah November 16

News of interest – Spike in Chinese illegally crossing Mexican border (Taiwan News)

News of interest – Newest voter fraud in New York (Fox News)

News of interest – Finland: first to make broadband Internet access a legal right for all its citizens (PC Mag)

News of interest – Obama eligibility: dig and suffer severe consequences (Canada Free Press)

News of interest – Medical malpractice lawsuit alternative proposed (Injury Board)

News of interest – First set of guidelines for network interoperability released (Defense News)

News of interest – US pig confirmed with H1N1 virus (CNN)

News of interest – H1N1 flu vaccine will arrive too late for most (Washington Times)

News of interest 10.13.09

News of interest –  Obama quietly authorizes up to 15,000 more US troops for Afghanistan (Fox News)

News of interest –  Former flight attendant sues Oprah over sex claim (Reuters)

News of interest –  Alert over donor alert over donor organs riddled with cancer, mad cow disease and hepatitis (Telegraph.UK)

News of interest –  Social networking sites like Facebook are ‘gold’ for identity thieves (Courier Mail AU)

News of interest –  Georgia Tech to develop RFID testing protocols for medical devices (Fierce Mobile Healthcare)

News of interest –  Disney’s retail plan is a theme park in its stores (NY Times)

News of interest –  Tests find wood pallets harbor deadly food poisoning bacteria (Reuters)

News of interest –  LA hospital: Error caused 206 radiation overdoses (Business Week / AP)

News of interest –  FD: No record of permit at Sedona sweat lodge where 2 died (ABC15)

Census moves towards healthcare questions

When the 2010 Census worker knocks on your door you will be required to answer more than the customary household questions if the recently introduced Bill is passed. New questions about your daily living may be added.

The “Disability Data Modernization Act” requires that “standard functional ability” questionnaires be used in the taking of any decennial census (the ten year census) of population or American Community Survey.

In any questionnaire distributed or otherwise used, the Katz Basic Activities of Daily Living (ADL) scale and the Lawton-Brody Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scale shall be included to provide a reliable indicator of need for long-term care.

These indexes are said to be two of the most widely accepted and used indices of function by hospitals, researchers, federal agencies and Long-Term Care facilities for 40 years.

This Bill, which has been referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs was introduced by the (now former) Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL), Mel Martinez served a US Senator for Florida between January 2005 and September 2009 and will be resuming his legal career. Martinez rose to the US Senate as the first Cuban-American.

Types of questions included in a Katz ADL scale revolve around an individuals’ ability to bathe, dress, feed, toilette and transfer oneself.

Questions in the Lawton-Brody IADL scale include ability to manage finances, dispense own medication, use a phone, shop, prepare food, perform housework, laundry and transportation abilities.

An internet search on your favorite search engine for “Katz ADL” and “Lawton-Brody IADL” will bring up the activity questions. (or view a sample here)

Read the bill S 1127

China rejects US products

Our media has not fully addressed the initial story, inconvenient details nor the repercussions of our Presidents’ decision to impose special protectionist tariffs on tire imports from China less than two weeks ago.

China immediately responded to the September 11 decision by President Obama citing the U.S. violated World Trade Organization (WTO) and other related rules. Trade protection, which is strongly discouraged — especially during times of economic struggle — is an issue Obama had strongly spoke out against.

China and the United States are both the second-largest trading partners to each other.

China said this move would only slow world economic recovery and ultimately hurt the interests of the businesses and people of all countries.

Two days later China launched anti-dumping and anti-subsidies investigations into some automobile and chicken products originally produced in the United States.

This week China announced prominent PepsiCo and Mead Johnson among the companies blacklisted from a monthly report by a State Council watchdog in charge of product quality. The watchdog names unqualified imported goods which are either returned or destroyed. Does this have anything to do with the tire tariff? Who knows.

According to the list, a quarter of the substandard products came from the US.

PepsiCo: nearly 38 tons of frozen concentrated orange juice that the firm allegedly imported from Louis Dreyfus Citrus Trading LDA in Brazil in July were found with excessive yeast, according to the website of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine. Excessive yeast causes foods to spoil faster.

PepsiCo — which has it’s international branch based in New York — produces a vast array of products including Pepsi, Gatorade, Tropicana, Quaker, Doritos, Lipton, Propel, Ethos Water and Aunt Jemima.

Mead Johnson: allegedly imported 300 kg of baby formula in July with substandard protein content.

Mead Johnson — based in Illinois — is a global leader in infant and children’s nutrition. It’s a baby formula leader in China, the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia and Mexico, five of the six largest children’s nutrition markets.

Congress requests hearings on czars

On September 15, 2009 a Concurrent Resolution was submitted by members of the House of Representatives expressing the sense of Congress that the President should issue, and Congress should hold hearings on, a report and a certification regarding the responsibilities, authorities, and powers of his “czars.”

Whereas Congress recognizes that the Constitution vests in the executive branch the power to appoint Presidential advisers whose communications to the President are protected under executive privilege;

Whereas Congress recognizes the importance of coordinating executive agencies, and recognizes that Presidents often appoint special assistants, commonly referred to as “czars,” to manage this coordination with regard to important areas of national policy, and to advise the President;

Whereas at least 36 czars have been appointed in 2009, raising concerns about the Federal government’s provision of adequate transparency and accountability to the public; and

Whereas members of Congress are concerned that the appointment of these czars and their actions may subvert the legislative and oversight authority of Congress under article I of the Constitution: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),

That it is the sense of Congress that–

(1) the President should–

(A) issue a report to Congress clearly outlining the responsibilities, qualifications, and authorities of the special assistants to the President, commonly referred to as “czars,” that he has appointed; and

(B) certify to Congress that such czars have not asserted and will not in the future assert any powers other than those granted by statute to a commissioned officer on the President’s staff; and

(2) Congress should hold hearings on such report and such certification within 30 days after the date of their receipt.                             

View H Con Res 185 to see if your US Representative sponsored/co-sponsored this Resolution. If you’re not sure who your Representative is, a full list is available by state/district.

The concurrent resolution was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

What is a Concurrent Resolution? Often seen as H.CON.RES. (House Concurrent Resolution) or  S.CON.RES. (Senate Concurrent Resolution).  Concurrent Resolutions are limited in nature. They are not legislative in character, and are not presented to the President for action. They are used to express facts, opinions, principles and purposes of the two houses, such as fixing the time and date for adjournment of a Congress. Annual congressional concurrent resolutions set forth Congress’s revenue and spending targets for the coming fiscal year, and thus have great impact upon other legislation. Upon approval by both chambers, they are published in a special part of the Statutes-at-Large. They do not require Presidential approval, and do not have the force of law.

Immigration requirements may see “change”

On September 17, 2009 an amendment was introduced into the House of Representatives to change the “Immigration and Nationality Act.”

Titled the “Senior Citizenship Act of 2009”  it will exempt certain elderly persons from demonstrating an understanding of the English language and the history, principles, and form of government of the United States as a requirement for naturalization, and to permit certain other elderly persons to take the history and government examination in a language of their choice.

If passed, this Act shall take effect immediately on the date of  the enactment and shall apply to applications for naturalization pending on or after such date.

The Bill was introduced by Congressman Jerrold Nadler* (D-NY). Co-sponsoring the Bill are Representatives Jose’ Serrano (D-NY); Bob Filner (D-CA); Anthony Weiner (D-NY); Barney Frank (D-MA); Pete Stark (D-CA); Jim Moran (D-VA); Luis Gutierrez (D-IL); and Eliot Engel (D-NY).

The “Senior Citizenship Act of 2009″ has been referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Read the Bill: HR 3604 

Jerrold Nadler

*BIO: Democratic Congressman Jerrold Nadler of New York introduced the above bill. Born in 1947, he has served as a US House Representative since 1992. From 1977-1992 he served as a member of the New York state assembly. Nadler denounced a Republican Amendment adopted by the House of Representatives to deny all federal funds to ACORN.

Defunding ACORN — Was your voice heard

On September 17, 2009 a vote was held on the Senate Amendment to Prohibit use of funds for the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN). Below is a list of how each Senator voted. Was your voice heard?

The Amendment was attached to the appropriations for the Department of the Interior, environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes.

The Amendment specifically reads: “Sec. 5__. None of the funds made available under this Act may be distributed to the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) or its subsidiaries.”

The Amendment was introduced by Senator Mike Johanns of Nebraska.

All votes tallied as “yea” with the exception of eleven “nay” and three “not voting”

See below if your voice was heard through your Senators’ vote:

Alabama:
Sessions (R-AL), Yea Shelby (R-AL), Yea
Alaska:
Begich (D-AK), Yea Murkowski (R-AK), Yea
Arizona:
Kyl (R-AZ), Yea McCain (R-AZ), Yea
Arkansas:
Lincoln (D-AR), Yea Pryor (D-AR), Yea
California:
Boxer (D-CA), Yea Feinstein (D-CA), Nay
Colorado:
Bennet (D-CO), Yea Udall (D-CO), Yea
Connecticut:
Dodd (D-CT), Yea Lieberman (ID-CT), Yea
Delaware:
Carper (D-DE), Yea Kaufman (D-DE), Yea
Florida:
LeMieux (R-FL), Yea Nelson (D-FL), Yea
Georgia:
Chambliss (R-GA), Yea Isakson (R-GA), Yea
Hawaii:
Akaka (D-HI), Nay Inouye (D-HI), Yea
Idaho:
Crapo (R-ID), Yea Risch (R-ID), Yea
Illinois:
Burris (D-IL), Nay Durbin (D-IL), Nay
Indiana:
Bayh (D-IN), Yea Lugar (R-IN), Yea
Iowa:
Grassley (R-IA), Yea Harkin (D-IA), Nay
Kansas:
Brownback (R-KS), Yea Roberts (R-KS), Yea
Kentucky:
Bunning (R-KY), Yea McConnell (R-KY), Yea
Louisiana:
Landrieu (D-LA), Not Voting Vitter (R-LA), Yea
Maine:
Collins (R-ME), Yea Snowe (R-ME), Yea
Maryland:
Cardin (D-MD), Yea Mikulski (D-MD), Yea
Massachusetts:
Kerry (D-MA), Yea
Michigan:
Levin (D-MI), Yea Stabenow (D-MI), Yea
Minnesota:
Franken (D-MN), Yea Klobuchar (D-MN), Yea
Mississippi:
Cochran (R-MS), Yea Wicker (R-MS), Yea
Missouri:
Bond (R-MO), Yea McCaskill (D-MO), Yea
Montana:
Baucus (D-MT), Yea Tester (D-MT), Yea
Nebraska:
Johanns (R-NE), Yea Nelson (D-NE), Yea
Nevada:
Ensign (R-NV), Yea Reid (D-NV), Yea
New Hampshire:
Gregg (R-NH), Yea Shaheen (D-NH), Yea
New Jersey:
Lautenberg (D-NJ), Yea Menendez (D-NJ), Yea
New Mexico:
Bingaman (D-NM), Nay Udall (D-NM), Yea
New York:
Gillibrand (D-NY), Nay Schumer (D-NY), Yea
North Carolina:
Burr (R-NC), Yea Hagan (D-NC), Yea
North Dakota:
Conrad (D-ND), Yea Dorgan (D-ND), Yea
Ohio:
Brown (D-OH), Yea Voinovich (R-OH), Yea
Oklahoma:
Coburn (R-OK), Yea Inhofe (R-OK), Yea
Oregon:
Merkley (D-OR), Yea Wyden (D-OR), Yea
Pennsylvania:
Casey (D-PA), Nay Specter (D-PA), Yea
Rhode Island:
Reed (D-RI), Yea Whitehouse (D-RI), Nay
South Carolina:
DeMint (R-SC), Yea Graham (R-SC), Yea
South Dakota:
Johnson (D-SD), Yea Thune (R-SD), Yea
Tennessee:
Alexander (R-TN), Yea Corker (R-TN), Yea
Texas:
Cornyn (R-TX), Yea Hutchison (R-TX), Yea
Utah:
Bennett (R-UT), Yea Hatch (R-UT), Yea
Vermont:
Leahy (D-VT), Nay Sanders (I-VT), Nay
Virginia:
Warner (D-VA), Yea Webb (D-VA), Yea
Washington:
Cantwell (D-WA), Yea Murray (D-WA), Not Voting
West Virginia:
Byrd (D-WV), Yea Rockefeller (D-WV), Yea
Wisconsin:
Feingold (D-WI), Yea Kohl (D-WI), Yea
Wyoming:
Barrasso (R-WY), Yea Enzi (R-WY), Not Voting

August unemployment by state with historic highs and lows

The August national average for unemployment currently stands at 9.7%

Historical Unemployment

The first chart represents the historic national unemployment rate by month, while the second chart represents historic highs and lows of unemployment by state to date.

Current Unemployment Rates for States and Historical Highs/Lows Seasonally Adjusted
	Aug 2009p	Historical High		Historical Low
State	Rate	Date	Rate	Date	Rate
Alabama	10.4	Dec. 1982	14.4	Feb. 2007	3.3
Alaska	8.3	July 1986	11.5	Sept. 1999	5.9
Arizona	9.1	Feb. 1983	11.5	June 2007	3.6
Arkansas	7.1	Mar. 1983	10.2	Sept. 2000	4.1
California	12.2	Aug. 2009	12.2	Feb. 2001	4.7
Colorado	7.3	Nov. 1982	9.1	Jan. 2001	2.5
Connecticut	8.1	Jan. 1976	10.0	Nov. 2000	2.1
Delaware	8.1	June 2009	8.4	Oct. 1988	2.9
District of Columbia	11.1	Mar. 1983	11.4	Dec. 1988	4.8
Florida	10.7	Aug. 2009	10.7	July 2006	3.3
Georgia	10.2	Aug. 2009	10.2	Dec. 2000	3.4
Hawaii	7.2	Mar. 1976	10.2	Dec. 2006	2.2
Idaho	8.9	Feb. 1983	9.4	May 2007	2.8
Illinois	10.0	Feb. 1983	12.9	Mar. 1999	4.1
Indiana	9.9	Nov. 1982	12.8	Apr. 1999	2.6
Iowa	6.8	May 1983	8.5	Jan. 2000	2.6
Kansas	7.1	Sept. 1982	7.4	Oct. 1978	2.9
Kentucky	11.1	Dec. 1982	12.1	Mar. 2000	4.0
Louisiana	7.8	Sept. 1986	12.9	July 2006	3.2
Maine	8.6	Mar. 1977	9.0	Jan. 2001	3.0
Maryland	7.2	Aug. 1982	8.3	Mar. 2000	3.3
Massachusetts	9.1	Jan. 1976	10.9	Dec. 2000	2.7
Michigan	15.2	Nov. 1982	16.9	Mar. 2000	3.2
Minnesota	8.0	Nov. 1982	9.0	Apr. 1999	2.5
Mississippi	9.5	May 1983	13.7	Jan. 2001	4.9
Missouri	9.5	Apr. 1983	10.5	Jan. 2000	2.6
Montana	6.6	May 1983	8.7	Mar. 2007	3.2
Nebraska	5	Feb. 1983	6.8	Feb. 1998	2.2
Nevada	13.2	Aug. 2009	13.2	Mar. 2006	4.2
New Hampshire	6.9	June 1992	7.7	Apr. 1987	1.9
New Jersey	9.7	Feb. 1977	10.6	June 2000	3.5
New Mexico	7.5	Apr. 1983	9.9	Oct. 2007	3.5
New York	9	July 1976	10.5	Apr. 1988	4.0
North Carolina	10.8	May 2009	11.1	Apr. 1999	3.1
North Dakota	4.3	Mar. 1983	6.9	Jan. 1998	2.5
Ohio	10.8	Jan. 1983	13.8	Mar. 2001	3.9
Oklahoma	6.8	Aug. 1986	9.4	Jan. 2001	2.7
Oregon	12.2	June 2009	12.2	Apr. 1995	4.7
Pennsylvania	8.6	Mar. 1983	12.9	Mar. 2000	4.0
Rhode Island	12.8	Aug. 2009	12.8	July 1988	2.9
South Carolina	11.5	June 2009	12.1	Mar. 1998	3.1
South Dakota	4.9	Oct. 1982	5.9	Mar. 2000	2.4
Tennessee	10.8	Dec. 1982	12.4	Mar. 2000	3.8
Texas	8	Oct. 1986	9.3	July 2007	4.3
Utah	6	Mar. 1983	9.7	Mar. 2007	2.4
Vermont	6.8	June 1976	9.0	Mar. 2000	2.2
Virginia	6.5	Jan. 1983	7.8	Jan. 2001	2.2
Washington	9.2	Nov. 1982	12.2	Apr. 2007	4.4
West Virginia	9	Mar. 1983	18.2	Jan. 2008	4.1
Wisconsin	8.8	Jan. 1983	11.8	Apr. 1999	2.9
Wyoming	6.6	May 1983	10.1	Feb. 1979	1.9
Note: Data series begin in January 1976.

^p = preliminary.