And the 2020 Olympics goes to the city of....... Rio de Janeiro? As I was on the shuttle headed to my office last week, I engaged in an interesting debate about the fate of the 2020 Olympics. There were riders who absolutely knew that Chicago was going to win it's bid for the 2020 Olympics. After all, it's ideal location along Lake Michigan, star power (I mean Oprah is known just about everywhere and let us not forget our esteemed president Barack Obama), and it's well known reputation for being a town run by gangsters (I'm sure there are some greasy palms somewhere connected to this Chicago bid. I mean after all Chicago can't be shown up by Utah when it comes to the bribery game.) There was the other group on the bus who were staunchly in the Madrid corner. It seemed absolutely ludicrous to them that the Olympics would ever go to Rio or Chicago (there is nothing but thugs in these places for pete's sake which is code word for....). At the end of the day I and one other woman were the only people who believed that Rio was definitely going to be the city. I suppose the fact that the Olympics have NEVER been held in South America before doesn't resonate with people. The fact that Brazil is a part of a handful of countries that could actually put on a half way decent opening ceremony (No one will ever show up China, but can we get a country that at least has great costumes?) doesn't make a difference to some people. Most importantly, the opportunity for jobs that the Olympics brings to a country teeming with poor people just doesn't pull at the old heart strings.
Now, don't get me wrong, putting on the Olympics isn't a cheap task. It will require huge sums of money, and it has been known to back fire on cities before (I adore Montreal, but they were broker than a joke after hosting the Olympics). However, it seems to me this is a gamble that a city has to take. It is the same gamble that President Obama decided he had to take in order to help Chicago. There is no telling how many jobs may have been created by the Olympics coming to Chicago. I am tired of hearing people say it was a mistake for President Obama to go to Copenhagen to make the case for the United States. Although he had other pressing matters, he had to try for every person who is jobless, furloughed, or facing a potential job loss in this country. Now, Brazil gets it's chance to help it's citizens, and we should be glad to see that for once the underdog finished first. It seems to me that we talk a good game about wanting to see change in this country and the world, but it is just that.... talk. On the shuttle last week, I said to everyone sitting there that Brazil getting the Olympics could be their "change" moment (who would ever believe that a nation with so many impoverished people would be allowed to host such a prestigious global event). Moments like winning the Olympics for the first time in your continent's history or electing the first black president in a country's history are inspirational for many. These "moments" remind us that there is always something better waiting around the corner if we just exercise a little patience and a whole lot of prayer, devotion, and meditation. Therefore, although Chicago lost it's bid for the Olympics, I still give President Obama and his lovely wife Michelle (who we all know is the real brains behind this operation, lol) an A for effort.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
You got me going in circles...
Stop the Freakin' Presses! I can't believe it, but I am hearing that Al Sharpton and Lisa Raye may actually be a couple. I'm probably late to this news, but what is really going on here? More importantly, aren't they both still legally married?? This is hilarious to say the least, and down right frightening at best ( I swear hades is getting colder by the day). Well, I guess we have finally hit that stage in our economy where women have to start dating older men who are at least guaranteed social security because anybody working for a living is on shaky ground. However, social security itself is on shaky ground. Unfortunately, there is most definitely a grim outlook for social security as it relates to those of us who are 45 and under.
As the 80 million Baby Boomers reach retirement age, the social security system is going to receive it's biggest test yet. The current "phenomenon" of retirement in this country is rather interesting. The American economy is currently in a recession. Thousands upon thousands of retirement age workers lost huge sums of money in the stock market only a year ago. Putting the dream of a nice golden retirement years versus only months away. Therefore, you a have a certain segment of workers who are continuing to work because they simply can not afford to retire. This puts fresh college graduates and younger workers in an interesting position. Many jobs that they would have normally occupied because someone matriculated out of the workforce are nonexistent so what are they supposed to do? Do they continue on with their studies in graduate school until a job becomes available? Do they look outside of the United States for employment? Do they redirect their focus and take a lower paying job in another employment sector?
Conversely, there are companies who are starting to target older workers simply because they do make the big salaries (however, these same companies are not necessarily hiring employees to replace exiting workers). As these older workers are losing their positions(due to the natural slow down of the economy or companies trying to trim their bottom line), they are applying for early retirement which puts more of a strain on the current system. As it stands right now, social security is solvent and is projected to stay that way at least through 2037 (which means most of us "young" workers won't be preparing our farewell or for some " you can kiss my BEEEEEP" speeches until we are darn near 70). Interestingly, the problem with social security has a lot to do with Medicare (which is projected to go bust by 2017, a full 20 years before social security). The bottom line is that as the cost of healthcare continues to skyrocket, medicare costs will continue to climb. Thus, more senior citizens will see larger portions of their social security checks going to cover these costs. More importantly, healthcare costs are a leading reason why so many senior citizens are still working.
It is a vicious cycle, and this is yet another reason why healthcare reform has to happen sooner rather than later. Therefore, I am not understanding the lack of urgency that I am beginning to sense with some of our current elected officials in dealing with this issue. My thinking may be a little off in this area, but it seems to me that if you could fix healthcare, more people could afford to retire which would ultimately open up more jobs to younger unemployed workers or simply better paying jobs overall. It could also take the burden off of some smaller businesses who are straining under the pressure of having to provide healthcare for their workers. We are currently stuck in a very dangerous cycle, and President Obama, to his credit, recognizes the problem and is trying to fix it. However, we have to do our part by writing our local congressmen/women and senators, and letting them know that we support healtcare reform, and we want it done correctly. Ultimately, for our parent's sake, our sake, and our children's sake, we can not afford to keep going in circles.
As the 80 million Baby Boomers reach retirement age, the social security system is going to receive it's biggest test yet. The current "phenomenon" of retirement in this country is rather interesting. The American economy is currently in a recession. Thousands upon thousands of retirement age workers lost huge sums of money in the stock market only a year ago. Putting the dream of a nice golden retirement years versus only months away. Therefore, you a have a certain segment of workers who are continuing to work because they simply can not afford to retire. This puts fresh college graduates and younger workers in an interesting position. Many jobs that they would have normally occupied because someone matriculated out of the workforce are nonexistent so what are they supposed to do? Do they continue on with their studies in graduate school until a job becomes available? Do they look outside of the United States for employment? Do they redirect their focus and take a lower paying job in another employment sector?
Conversely, there are companies who are starting to target older workers simply because they do make the big salaries (however, these same companies are not necessarily hiring employees to replace exiting workers). As these older workers are losing their positions(due to the natural slow down of the economy or companies trying to trim their bottom line), they are applying for early retirement which puts more of a strain on the current system. As it stands right now, social security is solvent and is projected to stay that way at least through 2037 (which means most of us "young" workers won't be preparing our farewell or for some " you can kiss my BEEEEEP" speeches until we are darn near 70). Interestingly, the problem with social security has a lot to do with Medicare (which is projected to go bust by 2017, a full 20 years before social security). The bottom line is that as the cost of healthcare continues to skyrocket, medicare costs will continue to climb. Thus, more senior citizens will see larger portions of their social security checks going to cover these costs. More importantly, healthcare costs are a leading reason why so many senior citizens are still working.
It is a vicious cycle, and this is yet another reason why healthcare reform has to happen sooner rather than later. Therefore, I am not understanding the lack of urgency that I am beginning to sense with some of our current elected officials in dealing with this issue. My thinking may be a little off in this area, but it seems to me that if you could fix healthcare, more people could afford to retire which would ultimately open up more jobs to younger unemployed workers or simply better paying jobs overall. It could also take the burden off of some smaller businesses who are straining under the pressure of having to provide healthcare for their workers. We are currently stuck in a very dangerous cycle, and President Obama, to his credit, recognizes the problem and is trying to fix it. However, we have to do our part by writing our local congressmen/women and senators, and letting them know that we support healtcare reform, and we want it done correctly. Ultimately, for our parent's sake, our sake, and our children's sake, we can not afford to keep going in circles.
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