littleblackbow

One of my co-workers wants to start a crusade against religion.

Nice.

And I've been listening to the most amazing CD I've heard in years. Pretty much constantly for the past four days.

Chumbawamba: A Singsong and a Scrap

Now, some of you may know that I have a secret soft place in my heart for the memory of Joe Hill. He's mentioned on this CD, as well. I had to love it!

They're all songs about activism, activists, and people who live their lives fighting for the greater good, or whatever else they can manage in their own ways.

I want to start a movement to change the way our government defines "poverty." Did you guys know that they figure it out based on census numbers from several years ago, then multiplied by the inflation rate of 2.8%?

Since when were we at an inflation rate of 2.8%??? I mean, really, cost of living has gone up way more than that for the past couple of years. Every year my utility costs go up about 12%, groceries 15%-30%, gas has gone up 50% in one year, and clothing about 8%-10%...

So, where do they get this number? 2.8%?

Okay, figure in wage increases, right? Well, last year when I was working at Joann, I got a wage icrease of about 4%. This year, at Trader Joes, about 6%.

Hmmm...

Still nowhere near the cost of living increases.

but we're not in a recession. We're not in a depression. There's no inflation. The economy is fine. As long as we get our stimulus packages, people will start spending money again, and everything's okay, right?

Pass the Moet&Chandon, Mr. President.