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Atlantic City losing to Pennsylvania, the need to attract new business

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NJ internet gambling

New Jersey’s casino industry on decline with plenty of help from neighboring Pennsylvania. In just 6 years after opening their first casino PA has surpassed Atlantic City in revenue and now ranks second in the nation behind Las Vegas. In 2012 PA saw a revenue increase of 4.45% bringing their revenue to $3.16 billion. Atlantic City saw a decline for 2012 of 8% with revenue totals of $3.05 billion, the sixth straight year of decline. When the first casino opened in PA little was done by New Jersey to respond to what had to be an expected challenge. Governor Christie [...] Read more »

New Jersey’s unemployment rate lowest in four years

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unemployment

  Governor Christie is claiming victory as the state’s unemployment rate has fallen to 8.7%. This is the first time it has fallen below 9% since 2009. Creating 60,000 jobs last month, the largest one month gain in seven years. The decline in the rate has been aided by 4400 New Jerseyans leaving the work force discouraged. According to Gordon MacInnes of New Jersey Policy Perspective most of the job creation has been low-wage employment. Looking toward the future, ELECTION TIME, one must focus not on the declining number. Christie’s record on jobs is horrid when comparing to the rest [...] Read more »

Senate sub-committee versus Apple, John McCain, Rand Paul quotes

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Congress

More on Apple: Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., accused the company of violating the spirit of the tax-code Senator McCain, what is the spirit of the tax-code? Have you read the entire code? With most American’s in favor of a fair tax-system how about taking this path for tax-reform or even better a progressive flat-tax! Is Senator McCain a MORON? The tax-code has now become a document that should be first vetted through your heart prior to using a pen?   The quote I cannot believe I agree with: Rand Paul, R-Ky, went even further, charging the subcommittee with conducting a [...] Read more »

Apple’s Timothy Cook to answer questions today

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Congress

Watching yesterday Senator Carl Levin (D-Michigan) speak on the investigation surrounding Apple’s tax strategy or avoidance plan what are Levin’s and Washington’s plan? Apple who is being accused of setting up off-shore entities with no resident anywhere and the result no taxes, filings or record keeping. Apple claims that they are the largest taxpayer in America, contributing $6 billion to Uncle Sam.  Today Apple CEO Timothy Cook will speak to the Senate Sub-Committee in what is expected to be an explosive event. While lawmakers have not accused Apple of breaking any laws, the company is basically in a public relations battle (Along [...] Read more »

Full-Service gas not a 2013 New Jersey election issue

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In August 2012 Defender of the Middle-Class contributor Shane Johnson posted an article “Why New Jersey Has Full Service Gas” http://defenderofthemiddleclass.com/why-new-jersey-has-full-service-gas-stations . The article provided insight into the safety and economics of the importance of Full Service Gas. With the campaign for Governor heating up the question of passing legislation on allowing for pump your own has been brought up and Governor Christie has said NO. “The people do not want it”. Christie’s position today not his original position when he first ran for governor in 2009 but at least he gets it. When you read some opinions (NJ.com) on the subject [...] Read more »

Voluntary tax, Power Ball $595 million winning ticket

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Romney campaign money comes from Wall Street

10-13-14-22-52+11  The winning Power Ball numbers from Saturdays $595 million dollar drawing. As of this moment one winning ticket was sold in Florida. Hooray for them, okay it reads as it sounds I am not excited for them. And why should I/we? Stealing your dreams until the next big game? Lotteries are about dreams and hope and also viewed by many a waste of money and “the poor man’s tax”. People from all financial capabilities buy lottery tickets each and every day. If they can afford it, most of us cannot but it is about priorities and CHASING DREAMS is [...] Read more »

Media coverage of trials, thanks to the “Monkey Trial” we have compromised courtrooms

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source:http://docbonn.wordpress.com/2012/11/30/jodi-arias-casey-anthony/

  Credit or Blame, the evolution of the media in America and what is deemed entertaining. The Jodi Arias trial certainly was not the first of its kind and will not be the last (sadly). I myself only saw passing pieces of the coverage and “other” shows that latched on to the trail (Nancy Grace, Dr. Drew, etc). Finding the programs offensive, they provide nothing beneficial to society, they are intended for ENTERTAINMENT and RATINGS. Nancy Grace, Dr. Drew and the media who spin trials such as these for personal benefit (ratings) where are they when cases on the lines of [...] Read more »

The Johnstown Flood: Are the Waters Still Flowing?

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http://www.google.com/imgres?q=johnstown+flood&hl

The sky was dark. The ominous, black clouds hung like cigar smoke from the nearby South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club, where the masters of the Pennsylvania steel world enjoyed the good life. It was Memorial Day, 1889, and the working class city of Johnstown, PA was sick of the rain. The city lived under constant fear of flooding, living in a valley 14 miles downstream from Lake Conemaugh. They reassured themselves, though, that the South Fork Dam would keep the waters at bay. For years this structure provided security for the people below. That was until the wealthy elite [...] Read more »

The millions you will need to retire

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facebook losses

The USA Today recent published an article praising the new savings attitude of young Americans. Discussing retirement and the 401-K, offering amounts saved along with ages of savers. The amounts, well  40 grand in your forties you are in trouble. Saving the right amount? If the 401-k is your only vehicle your number should be in the millions when you retire. Rates paid in safe investments (where your money should be when you retire) currently do not pay 2% making income in your retirement years difficult. Another example of the income divide in America and one that will leave many dependent [...] Read more »

Home ownership in U.S. on decline, no more American dream?

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foreclosed

The decline of the middle-class, numbers do not lie, or do they? Census Bureau numbers on homeownership rates have fallen to 65.4% the lowest since 1997. The decline which directly can be attributed to the housing bubble, peaked in 2004 at 69.2%. Is it that Americans lack the confidence or that tight credit has caused the decline? Sinking home values, bankruptcy, foreclosure and JOBS, all played a part in the decline and will impact future numbers. Should the American dream of homeownership be on the minds of those starting out? After watching the decline in housing prices and knowing many under [...] Read more »

Camden, New Jersey take-over part two

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image source: www.motifake.com

“Because united we will change Camden are you with me?” Camden Mayor Dana Redd This quote from Mayor Redd came in January 2010 after the state take-over of Camden ended. Governor Christie ended Trenton’s more-than 7 year take-over returning the governing back to the elected officials and with it much has not changed. Cash-strapped after Christie’s budget-cuts Camden began to do what nearly every other town and city did, make cuts of their own. Laying off public sector workers (police, fire) trimming payroll to balance the budget. The result being the obvious, more crime. In response to the “crime increase” the Camden City Police was replaced [...] Read more »

Invest a half million in America, get yourself a VISA

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state of the union

While Washington continues to debate immigration and a path to citizenship some are buying their way in. Investor Visa’s, (EB-5 program) nothing new as they have been available since 1990. The application process, invest $500,000 to $1 million demonstrate the investment create or preserved at least 1o full-time jobs and you are in. Applicants may also apply for additional visa’s for family to live, go to school and work in the United States. Last year around 6000 visa’s were issued for this program. According to  U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services since the program began it has created 46,810 jobs and generated [...] Read more »

Working Families Flex Act passed by House, GOP rebranding itself?

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right-wing crap

Along party lines the House yesterday passed the Working families Flexibility Act (223-204). It is not expected to be passed or taken seriously by the Senate or President. The legislation under the smoke screen of “families” is intended to undermine the ability for the hourly worker to earn overtime, allowing for compensatory time as an alternative (time-off). Thankfully we have a Democrat controlled Senate where this legislation will not become law. The attempt by the GOP to rebrand themselves as family friendly? (this is what the GOP media is pushing) This legislation would take earnings out of the pockets of [...] Read more »

Governor Christie opts for weigh loss procedure

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christie hamb dog

Today a Christie spokesman confirmed that the governor had a gastric band placed around his stomach to limit the intake of food. Christie has stated that he did the procedure for his family and not what opponents have and will continue to say is for national political aspirations. Lets for laughs take Governor Christie at his word that it has nothing to do with politics just for a brief few sentences. (though the silence around the procedure sort of says different). Taking this drastic step toward weight-loss is without question the last option one should be taking. The personality type [...] Read more »

Harrisburg settles with Securities Exchange, “follow the laws”

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Lawmakers in Harrisburg take a raise

The City of Harrisburg sued by the Securities Exchange commission (SEC) for fraud settles case. “Requiring the city to comply with securities laws” the penalty. This after the city was charged with misleading investors on the financial health of the city that potentially would have impacted municipal bond purchases and costs to the city. The charge came from statements made outside of securities filings. Harrisburg is currently under state receivership. Would the SEC (and have they) have treated this fraud differently if it was a private business or individual? If Martha Stewart gave misleading information to investors verbally as did the city of Harrisburg would she [...] Read more »