Stuff in the News--July 31, 2008

Now that my summer internship is done and over with, I think I will continue to use this blog for advocacy.  What can I say, I am a sociologist.

BBC news is reporting that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will be cutting 22,000 state jobs and 200,000 will be receiving pay cuts.  When I say pay cuts I mean everyone receiving a salary cute will be paid minimum wage.  California's state financial controller, John Chiang, a Democrat, said he is refusing to pay employees the new salary saying it could cause legal actions.  The Governor said he is willing to sue the Controller’s office in order for the pay cuts to go into effect.  And the Republicans say we are not in a recession.  Banks are failing, State Governments are cutting jobs and salaries, the stock market is loosing more shares every day; screw a recession, I say we are on the brink of a depression.

Exxon-mobile, the country’s leader in oil production, made a record nearly 12 billion dollar profit.  Profit people!!!!!!!  While Americans are having to make the decision or whether or not to eat or drive to work, Exxon is taking in record profits.  We do not need to drill in the Golf, we need to drill these energy companies.  We need to take the hell out of them and give back all the money they have stolen from Americans and give it back.  Since July 11th, gas prices have fallen roughly 20 dollars a barrel.  It is a roughly 14% drop in price.  However pump prices have only come down about about 3%.  If pump prices were to reflect the drop in oil, we should be paying roughly 3.53 a gallon, a 42 cent difference.  I know Lutherans believe in Justification by faith, but I hope to God these oil executives burn in hell.

A prayer for our country...Oh God, help us.  Amen.