Another week, and another set of signs that the economy is bad. Let's see what we got.
Rural News
- From what Americans in the U.S. in general spend on food, the share of that which goes to actual farmers is decreasing, according to this story out of The Daily Yonder. This is based on information from the USDA Economic Research Service.
- There is a shortage of farmworkers, or rather people willing to the actual hard work of things like picking the crops. As a result, salaries have gone up, however, there is still a shortage as this is one of those jobs that US Americans are not willing to do no matter how much they need a job. Result is farmers end up having to rely more on foreign workers, workers that they can still pay a lot less than if they had to pay a local American. In other words, the farmers complain there are not enough workers but they are not willing to pay a local (read American) to do it when they can get a cheap exploitable immigrant to do it for a bit more, but still overall less. Got it? Via The Rural Blog, which is reporting on a new paper from an agricultural lobby (or as they label themselves: ". . . a not-for-profit association serving the professional interests of members working in agricultural and broadly related fields of applied economics").
Government News
- The Pendejo In Chief likes to play golf, like a lot. The problem is he is not very good at it, and to top things off, he cheats. Problem with that, in addition to the cheating, is he is not very good at cheating neither. As you know, the U.S. President has a Secret Service detail with him (or her some day, maybe) to keep that person safe. However, the Pendejo In Chief also enlists them for things like "repositioning errant balls." Golf carts are also a major expense. Read more about how the Secret Service is racking up huge bills thanks to the Pendejo In Chief over at Mother Jones.
Health and Medical News
- If you are one those hipsters, hippies, or health nuts who guzzle kombucha like a Hummer guzzles gasoline, we got bad news for you. Turns out according to a new study that "healthy" drink will erode your enamel. Yep, those nice probiotics for your tummy are going to seriously fuck up your teeth. Then again, since you are drinking it, you might be able to do without your teeth and just stick to a liquid diet. Story via Salon.
- In a simple note from the Food Politics blog, turns out Uber Eats has enlisted to help make US Americans even fatter than they are now. You are welcome.
- P.Z. Myers of Pharyngula dares to ask "who [really] benefits from increasing healthcare costs?" I will give you one hint: it ain't the nurses.
Meanwhile back in the US colony
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| US troops invading Puerto Rico, 1898 |
- You have to wonder why the island, still wrecked by the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, under the control of a Fiscal Control Board, and in huge amounts of debt has hired the expensive and very ruthless "consultants" of McKinsey. Now McKinsey may have an innovation or two under their belt and a lot of influence, but they are ruthless and overall not nice people, plus seriously expensive. Read more in this report from Latino Rebels.
In Other News of the Bad Economy
- You would think in seriously hot and sunny urban areas, trying to have access to shade would be a priority. Well, not quite. Los Angeles is an example of when government gets cheap, lazy, and they outsource basic things where to put things like bus shelters to companies more interested in ad revenue than serving the people. Via Places Journal.
- Not quite a sign the economy is bad, but an interesting item of news. What happens when you decide to get a few chickens because you want to have fresh eggs? Sounds great, you get a couple of chickens, they lay eggs, you get fresh eggs, less expense for buying eggs. However, the problem is when you end up with way too many eggs. Story via NPR.
- Recent bookstore sales have been slipping down. Via Publishers Weekly. According to the article, "among the reasons for the 2019 decline, last year's strong interest in political books helped to drive store gains, but no must-have book has emerged in 2019."
- A new study looks at Uber drivers. Sure, they face many challenges in terms of wages and working conditions. Amazingly, many of them still say despite that they would keep driving for the company. Report via City Lab.
- San Francisco has a record problem with poop. No, it is not dog owners not curbing their pets. It's human feces in public streets and spaces. Why? They have a massive homeless population. Story via VICE.
- The newspaper industry continues its woes in the bad economy. The latest is their serious lack of cash liquidity. Read more why this is a problem at Newsonomics.
- Across the pond in jolly England, a lot of pubs are closing. Via BBC.
Hustlin' in the Bad Economy
- It is common for African Americans who live in the hood to hear from their families and elders that they need to get out of the hood, make something of themselves, and stay out. Well, a young Black man had an idea: sure, get out, get an education and make something of myself, but what if instead of staying out, I go back and BUY that hood and then make something out of it? This is the kind of thinking that can be a game changer. Story via Salon. On a side note, reminds me of the scene in the film Boyz N The Hood where Tre's father teaches him and his friend about gentrification (link to YouTube video for clip).
- In another story, a couple of former miners fall in love, and after losing their jobs in the mine have to find a new way to make a living. The solution? Woodworking and wood kitchen utensils. Read more about them in the story out of Inc.
Uber rich
- The military industrial complex is doing great. Lockheed just got another juicy contract, $362.7 million, for new rocket systems for the U.S. Army. Via UPI.
- Well, as for other rich people, I am sure they will have a great time eating at one of these 30 restaurants recently listed as the best in America. Story via USA Today. Given the average entree price for one person is about what my family and I spend for groceries for a month, you won't see me in any of those any time soon. I feel rich when I can get a $5 box deal at Taco Bell that includes the cinnamon twists.
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