April 13, 2018

First-ever evictions on the rise in the U.S.

"For many poor families in America, eviction is a real and ongoing threat. Sociologist Matthew Desmond estimates that 2.3 million evictions were filed in the U.S. in 2016 — a rate of four every minute.

"Eviction isn't just a condition of poverty; it's a cause of poverty," Desmond says. "Eviction is a direct cause of homelessness, but it also is a cause of residential instability, school instability [and] community instability."

"Incomes have remained flat for many Americans over the last two decades, but housing costs have soared. So between 1995 and today, median asking rents have increased by 70 percent, adjusting for inflation. So there's a shrinking gap between what families are bringing [in] and what they have to pay for basic shelter."

https://www.npr.org/2018/04/12/601783346/first-ever-evictions-database-shows-were-in-the-middle-of-a-housing-crisis

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Totally shameful that this goes on in our country. I cannot imagine the trauma and feeling of hopelessness of being evicted from my home. I sure don't think the current regime thinks this is much of a priority, though. They will just say they are deadbeats that didn't make good choices.

April 12, 2018

The ten-year pay gap for moms

From the NYT.

There are some interesting comments in the comment section.

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"Today, married couples in the United States are likely to have similar educational and career backgrounds. So while the typical husband still earns more than his wife, spouses have increasingly similar incomes. But that changes once their first child arrives.
Immediately after the first birth, the pay gap between spouses doubles, according to a recent study — entirely driven by a drop in the mother’s pay. Men’s wages keep rising. The same pattern shows up in a variety of research.

But the recent study reveals a twist. When women have their first child between age 25 and 35, their pay never recovers, relative to that of their husbands. Yet women who have their first baby either before 25 or after 35 — before their careers get started or once they’re established — eventually close the pay gap with their husbands."

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/09/upshot/the-10-year-baby-window-that-is-the-key-to-the-womens-pay-gap.html?em_pos=small&emc=edit_up_20180411&nl=upshot&nl_art=0&nlid=74838209emc%3Dedit_up_20180411&ref=headline&te=1

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One commenter pointed that in the post-Reagan economy of the United States, all of a sudden it took two full-time incomes just to keep one's head above water, and that businesses never caught up with (or WANTED to catch up with) the new normal for working parents. I thought that was an interesting point. And research today shows that fewer and fewer babies are being born in the United States. Most couples just can't afford to have children, maybe? Or lack of adequate and affordable health care or day care for kids?

April 10, 2018

When the Democrats regain control of the government

....boy, are they gonna have a HUUUUGE mess to clean up!

April 9, 2018

Anyone notice the price of gas keeps going up?

I just heard on the news that gas prices are the highest they've been in 3 years. In my area it's $2.50/gal and I know it's much higher elsewhere.

April 9, 2018

Tonight's Vinyl Selection

Willy and the Poor Boys

Credence Clearwater Revival

1969

(thanks to the poster who triggered this idea for me earlier)

I'm in a good mood thanks to the FBI raids going on today and wanted something rockin' and joyful, so this fits the bill!

Includes "Down on the Corner", "Cotton Fields," "Fortunate Son," and "The Midnight Special".

April 9, 2018

Any DUers here

planning on reading Comey's book? It comes out next week, I hear.

April 9, 2018

The nose knows ....

April 8, 2018

I have a question

for any of you DUers who are knowledgeable about tariffs and how they work.

For example .... the tariff China is going to impose on American soybeans. That means that American farmers will be selling a lot fewer soybeans to China, correct? As for the Chinese businesses that still continue to purchase American soybeans .... they will have to pay a higher price for them. Who ends up pocketing the difference in price? Is it like a tax that goes to the Chinese government? I have a hard time believing that the extra $ goes to the American farmers. Thanks for any input, I apologize for sounding ignorant.

April 7, 2018

Watch this puppy "help" pedal the bike

https://www.msn.com/en-us/video/animals/puppy-moves-paws-while-riding-bicycle/vi-AAuV2Jz?ocid=mailsignout

April 7, 2018

Not again!

Woke up to yet another winter wonderland in my yard.... This time there's enough to shovel.

Sigh ......