Worried about losing your job?
From CNN's Jack Cafferty:
The U.S. economy is hemorrhaging jobs. Almost 2 million have been lost in the last three months, but it turns out most Americans are not worried about losing their job.
Job seekers fill out applications at a California job fair.
A new USA Today-Gallup poll shows 68% of workers polled say they haven't been laid off in the last 6 months and aren't worried about getting a pink slip in the near future. Two percent say they have lost their job in that time - while 29% are worried about that happening. Also, 41% say they have family or close friends laid off in the last 6 months.
Meanwhile – there are some who suggest there can be an upside to losing your job. The Bishop of London says it actually might be a blessing in disguise. "Sometimes, people seem to be relieved to get off the treadmill and to be given an opportunity to reconsider what they really want out of life," said the bishop. He describes the so-called "crackberry" culture as being dangerously addictive.
The online magazine Mental Floss writes about 8 successful people who were actually grateful when they lost their jobs - including Jerry Seinfeld, Michael Bloomberg, Robert Redford and Bill Bellichick. After getting the boot from one gig, each of these folks was inspired to reach even higher levels of success.
Still, may not be totally convincing for the millions of Americans out of work and struggling to make ends meet.
Here’s my question to you: How concerned are you about losing your job?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Should Senator Burris resign?
From CNN's Jack Cafferty:
There's a growing chorus of voices who want to take a closer look at how Roland Burris was appointed to the U.S. Senate by now-ousted Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich.
Many officials in Illinois want to take a closer look at how Burris was appointed to the Senate.
An affidavit recently filed by Burris shows he had more extensive contact with the former governor's people than he previously acknowledged. The affidavit shows Burris spoke on several occasions with Blagojevich's brother, who hit him up for $10,000 in campaign money. Burris says he didn't raise or donate any money after June and insists there's nothing inconsistent in what he said during Blagojevich's impeachment trial and the affidavit. The Illinois senator says he has "absolutely nothing to hide" and that he'll testify in front of anyone to prove it.
But that might not cut it. Illinois Republicans started calling for a perjury investigation by a county prosecutor. And now Democrats are getting in on the action too. The Democratic Attorney General is calling the affidavit a "particularly frustrating revelation" and wants a deeper investigation into his actions.
Meanwhile, the Democrats on Capitol Hill have probably had their fill of this sideshow in Illinois. Majority Leader Harry Reid apparently knows about the affidavit and is looking into it. Reid's office says "clearly it would have been better" if Burris had provided this information when he first testified. No kidding.
Burris was appointed by Blagojevich 3 weeks after the governor was arrested on corruption charges, including an attempt to sell Obama's Senate seat.
Here’s my question to you: Should Roland Burris resign from the U.S. Senate?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Stimulus bill too little too late?
It is not clear if the almost $790 billion in the stimulus bill will be enough to do the trick. (PHOTO CREDIT: MARK RALSTON/AFP/GETTY IMAGES)
From CNN's Jack Cafferty:
President Obama may have signed that massive stimulus bill into law today, but the scary part is it's not clear if the almost $790 billion in government spending will be enough to do the trick.
The stock market tanked this morning, dropping 230 points in the first 90 minutes of trading. The stock market is now close to its lowest level in ten years. Investors are nervous that the stimulus plan won't have the kind of impact it needs to begin to turn the economy around. Wall Street also gave a thumbs down to Treasury Secretary Geithner's banking plan last week.
Then there's Detroit. GM and Chrysler are set to tell the government today how they plan to stay afloat, they've already gotten more than $17 billion in government loans. If they can't prove how they'll survive in the future, they may not get any more.
Some states are treading water even before the stimulus plan has a chance to trickle down to them. If California lawmakers don't pass a budget soon up to 20,000 state workers could lose their jobs. The state faces a $42 billion deficit and lawmakers can't seem to agree on a budget, particularly on more than $14 billion in tax increases. California may also halt nearly 300 state funded public works projects. That would mean more layoffs.
In Kansas, the state government has run out of money to pay its bills. They've suspended income tax refunds and may not be able to pay employees on time. Officials say the state might also have to delay payments to public schools and to doctors who provide care to the needy under Medicaid.
Here’s my question to you: Is the stimulus bill too little too late?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
@jackcafferty on Twitter
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