I want to know how the government expects its citizens to live off of minimum wage.
In this post I will break down a few States/Provinces in The United States and Canada’s minimum wages and the cost of living in each place. I base the cost of living on the average rent in those places. Let's face it if you can’t pay the basic rent – then you are homeless.
Let’s start with my home State. Ohio’s minimum wage is $7.25 - $7.30. See the link and it will quickly break it down for you. At that rate (if you actually find a job that will give you 40 hours a week) you will gross $229.00 a week. That is not counting taxes withheld from you. That is not counting missed days due to illness, or missed days due to your children being ill or missed days due to Doctors appointments for yourself or children.
Let’s base this on a single person without children. One would gross $916.00 a month. You may be able to find a rental property (see this link) for $400 a month. 1 bedroom.
It’s time for us to do basic Math: $916.00 - $400 = $516.00. Now your rent is paid. Time to pay your basic utilities - which are water, heat and electric. You have to eat too! Plus, you need gas to get back and forth to your job, not to mention your toilet paper, shampoo, conditioner, soap, etc. I do not have all the numbers for the cost of utilites but use your common sense and you will realize people can not live off of mininum wage in Ohio! Some may think: can I get any help from the government such as ‘welfare’ to help with the cost of food? Since we are basing this on a single person – hell no! If we base this on a family of 3. Two Adults working with 1 child, both adults making minimum wage, again no. They will "make too much" to qualify. Which, I agree with that – those programs are in place for people that can not find a job. But, with that said something needs to change.
1)The cost of living needs to decrease
Or
2)The minimum wage needs to increase (without the cost of living increasing.)
As I am complaining about the State of Ohio. I can say that I do know Green County, Ohio does help the 'poor families' and I applaud them for it. They help train them for interview, etc. etc. But, the government needs to put a program in place to assist the working poor. The ones that do get off their asses everyday and flip hamburgers to only gross $916.00 a month.
If they DO have programs that assist these people. Then, you are doing a LOUSY job of promoting these programs. Maybe you need to spend more on letting your residents know they are not alone. Something needs to change, and quickly.
I know there has to be people out there reading this and they are thinking: "why didn't this individual" go to college? Well - this individual was raised in that family of 3 I mentioned. They couldn't afford paying school fees, which was a constant embarrassment - not to mention the embarrassment of not having school supplies, clean clothes, soap. They would go to school hungry, etc. Our individual dropped out of High School ...
I planned on breaking down a few locations in this post but, I wasn't aware it was going to take this much time. So, I will post a few with the same subject just different locations.
Until next time----
Kel ... out ...
lol
Showing posts with label canada. Show all posts
Showing posts with label canada. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
President Obama
I voted for him. And, if I had it to do over again – I would give him my vote. He seems to be an amazing Father and Husband. And, I am sure he is a pretty cool friend to have.
I hear people talk about how he has ruined our economy - our way of life and our country. I listen to these people’s opinion – and then I quickly realize they were Bush supporters. That or I realize they are prejudice. It’s funny how people quickly forget Bush moving tons of our businesses to Mexico. How Bush attacked a country and tried to fool us into believing we were fighting for 9-11. How about all the men and women we have lost in that war. There is so much blood shed on that mans hands – it’s crazy! But, yet Obama has been blamed for the downfall America has gone through recently. I don’t think it’s fair.
My thought is this – Yes, when Obama got into office the shit hit the fan. Why? Not because this is his fault. It’s because he allowed the people to see all of Bush’s mistakes. He started taking monies that Bush’s government put in place with different programs that were not helping anyone get ahead. And, unfortunately some of that money was being used in programs that held pieces together with scotch tape. The whole bottom was falling out underneath Bush and his government’s feet for a few years. It’s all common sense really if you think about it.
It’s going to take Obama 4 years to clean things up and another 4 years to put things in place. (If he gets a chance) This brings me to another conversation.
DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) This topic means a lot to me as a citizen and voter. I live in Canada with my wife. I am an American and she is Canadian. (I have to quickly Thank Canada for allowing me to become a Permanent Resident and seeing our marriage. If it wasn’t for this she and I would be living separate lives. So, Thank You Canada.)
It makes me sick to my stomach to know that I can not live with her in my home country because of the DOMA act. I planned to apply to get her a green card when I was stopped in my tracks.
I read through the process and I see a section called ‘Gay Marriage’ (note they offered that title in blue bold cause that makes us see clearer!) and I quote: “Can a gay marriage (even in a state where these are legal) be the basis for a Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, for purposes of immigration? For the purposes of immigration, a marriage’s validity is a question of Federal law, not of State law. In 1996, Congress clarified the Federal law concerning recognition of marriage by enacting the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), Pub. L. No. 104-199, 110 Stat. 2419 (1996). The DOMA contains a statutory definition of "marriage," and of the related term, "spouse." Pursuant to the DOMA, in order for a relationship to qualify as a marriage for purposes of Federal law, one partner must be a man, and the other must be a woman. This definition applies to the construction of any Act of Congress and to any Federal regulation. USCIS must, therefore, administer the Immigration and Nationality Act in light of the DOMA, and cannot recognize the validity of any same sex marriage.”
My blood boils when I read this! Again, where the hell are my Human Rights!
It’s getting harder and harder to remind myself that Obama has only been in office for almost 6 months but, this is the fact and I try not being as hard on him as everyone else has been when it comes to gay rights. I will support him in all his doings because I am an American and that’s what we do for our President. But, with that said I will expect a change in this “law” I demand that the DOMA be repealed!
This is against everything America stands for and it is quite embarrassing that we are known to still judge our own citizens – whether we are gay or straight... Whether we are black or white... Whether we are rich or poor. None of these things matter. We are all Americans and we need to stand together!
I hear people talk about how he has ruined our economy - our way of life and our country. I listen to these people’s opinion – and then I quickly realize they were Bush supporters. That or I realize they are prejudice. It’s funny how people quickly forget Bush moving tons of our businesses to Mexico. How Bush attacked a country and tried to fool us into believing we were fighting for 9-11. How about all the men and women we have lost in that war. There is so much blood shed on that mans hands – it’s crazy! But, yet Obama has been blamed for the downfall America has gone through recently. I don’t think it’s fair.
My thought is this – Yes, when Obama got into office the shit hit the fan. Why? Not because this is his fault. It’s because he allowed the people to see all of Bush’s mistakes. He started taking monies that Bush’s government put in place with different programs that were not helping anyone get ahead. And, unfortunately some of that money was being used in programs that held pieces together with scotch tape. The whole bottom was falling out underneath Bush and his government’s feet for a few years. It’s all common sense really if you think about it.
It’s going to take Obama 4 years to clean things up and another 4 years to put things in place. (If he gets a chance) This brings me to another conversation.
DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) This topic means a lot to me as a citizen and voter. I live in Canada with my wife. I am an American and she is Canadian. (I have to quickly Thank Canada for allowing me to become a Permanent Resident and seeing our marriage. If it wasn’t for this she and I would be living separate lives. So, Thank You Canada.)
It makes me sick to my stomach to know that I can not live with her in my home country because of the DOMA act. I planned to apply to get her a green card when I was stopped in my tracks.
I read through the process and I see a section called ‘Gay Marriage’ (note they offered that title in blue bold cause that makes us see clearer!) and I quote: “Can a gay marriage (even in a state where these are legal) be the basis for a Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, for purposes of immigration? For the purposes of immigration, a marriage’s validity is a question of Federal law, not of State law. In 1996, Congress clarified the Federal law concerning recognition of marriage by enacting the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), Pub. L. No. 104-199, 110 Stat. 2419 (1996). The DOMA contains a statutory definition of "marriage," and of the related term, "spouse." Pursuant to the DOMA, in order for a relationship to qualify as a marriage for purposes of Federal law, one partner must be a man, and the other must be a woman. This definition applies to the construction of any Act of Congress and to any Federal regulation. USCIS must, therefore, administer the Immigration and Nationality Act in light of the DOMA, and cannot recognize the validity of any same sex marriage.”
My blood boils when I read this! Again, where the hell are my Human Rights!
It’s getting harder and harder to remind myself that Obama has only been in office for almost 6 months but, this is the fact and I try not being as hard on him as everyone else has been when it comes to gay rights. I will support him in all his doings because I am an American and that’s what we do for our President. But, with that said I will expect a change in this “law” I demand that the DOMA be repealed!
This is against everything America stands for and it is quite embarrassing that we are known to still judge our own citizens – whether we are gay or straight... Whether we are black or white... Whether we are rich or poor. None of these things matter. We are all Americans and we need to stand together!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Sarkozy Says Burqas Are 'Not Welcome' in France
Sarkozy Says Burqas Are 'Not Welcome' in France
I – myself agree with President Sarkozy and I wish the U.S. and Canada would adopt the same belief. Or rather I wish Obama and Harper would have enough balls to say it too! I applaud Mr. Sarkozy! Good for you and your government.
I’ve been following this story for a couple days. I’ve read comments after comments. Some say: “It’s just like the Christian religion – the nuns cover themselves” Which is somewhat true but let me correct you. Nuns are Catholic. Not all Christians dress that way, clearly. And, I also want to add that is our religion. You are in our countries. Do you think for one single second we would be welcome in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan if our men did not wear your headgear or our women did not cover themselves? Not only would that not be tolerated - We may even run the risk of being shot and killed if we did not live by your rules.
So, with that said - What gives you the right to come into our countries and demand to live your way. You say it is against your Human Rights if we don’t accept you and your ways. But, you need to remember you chose to live in our countries. We never asked for you to come live here. We aren’t holding you hostage.
Again, if we were in your home country and demanded for us to be allow to wear our cross around our neck, to wear our star of David - or wear our yarmulke (excuse the spelling if it isn’t correct) Or even the simple thing as our baseball hats - it would be forbidden! Your people need to accept the country you CHOSE to live in. And the country that allowed you to live there.
If you stop complaining about how awful we all are for not accepting your religious clothing and open your mind you may see we are welcoming. We aren’t asking you to stop praying to your God or raising your children to believe the way you believe. We even allow you to build your Mosque and pray the way you believe.
The "developed" countries welcome you. We help you get jobs, homes, and an education. Why can’t you embrace our culture and our communities? We would never demand that you change your religion. We would never demand that you wear the cross around your neck while you visit or live here.
The Burqa is a threat, in my opinion. Anyone could be under that! And with the state of the World today we should be forgiven that it is a threat to us.
I feel a lot of the Muslim (not all) community takes us for granted – I feel they use us and know all they need to do is complain and bitch about Human Rights and we’ll give in.
All I have to say is stand in line! I am gay and can not live in MY home country with my wife. What about my damn Human Rights? To this day there are Black people who are mistreated. What about their Human Rights? The Jewish community are still threatened. What about their Human Rights? There are millions of people who go hungry everyday. Eating is a Human Right. No?
Our governments need to look around and see there are MANY people who are born and raised in America, Canada, and France who suffer. We need to take care of our people. Feed our people. Truly give Human Rights to our people before beginning any other conversations.
My Generation is coming along quickly with many opinions – with many priorities that are selfish … which is long overdue. After we help our people – we may begin to help others that are grateful.
Have fun taking advantage of us all now – you have a max of 10 years until my generation is running our countries!
I – myself agree with President Sarkozy and I wish the U.S. and Canada would adopt the same belief. Or rather I wish Obama and Harper would have enough balls to say it too! I applaud Mr. Sarkozy! Good for you and your government.
I’ve been following this story for a couple days. I’ve read comments after comments. Some say: “It’s just like the Christian religion – the nuns cover themselves” Which is somewhat true but let me correct you. Nuns are Catholic. Not all Christians dress that way, clearly. And, I also want to add that is our religion. You are in our countries. Do you think for one single second we would be welcome in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan if our men did not wear your headgear or our women did not cover themselves? Not only would that not be tolerated - We may even run the risk of being shot and killed if we did not live by your rules.
So, with that said - What gives you the right to come into our countries and demand to live your way. You say it is against your Human Rights if we don’t accept you and your ways. But, you need to remember you chose to live in our countries. We never asked for you to come live here. We aren’t holding you hostage.
Again, if we were in your home country and demanded for us to be allow to wear our cross around our neck, to wear our star of David - or wear our yarmulke (excuse the spelling if it isn’t correct) Or even the simple thing as our baseball hats - it would be forbidden! Your people need to accept the country you CHOSE to live in. And the country that allowed you to live there.
If you stop complaining about how awful we all are for not accepting your religious clothing and open your mind you may see we are welcoming. We aren’t asking you to stop praying to your God or raising your children to believe the way you believe. We even allow you to build your Mosque and pray the way you believe.
The "developed" countries welcome you. We help you get jobs, homes, and an education. Why can’t you embrace our culture and our communities? We would never demand that you change your religion. We would never demand that you wear the cross around your neck while you visit or live here.
The Burqa is a threat, in my opinion. Anyone could be under that! And with the state of the World today we should be forgiven that it is a threat to us.
I feel a lot of the Muslim (not all) community takes us for granted – I feel they use us and know all they need to do is complain and bitch about Human Rights and we’ll give in.
All I have to say is stand in line! I am gay and can not live in MY home country with my wife. What about my damn Human Rights? To this day there are Black people who are mistreated. What about their Human Rights? The Jewish community are still threatened. What about their Human Rights? There are millions of people who go hungry everyday. Eating is a Human Right. No?
Our governments need to look around and see there are MANY people who are born and raised in America, Canada, and France who suffer. We need to take care of our people. Feed our people. Truly give Human Rights to our people before beginning any other conversations.
My Generation is coming along quickly with many opinions – with many priorities that are selfish … which is long overdue. After we help our people – we may begin to help others that are grateful.
Have fun taking advantage of us all now – you have a max of 10 years until my generation is running our countries!
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