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Why are women being told to forgo cervical cancer screenings? (Obama Backs Insurancy Co's Profits)

Only days after a government panel recommended cutting back screenings for breast cancer, another body has advised that women undergo less frequent screenings for cervical cancer, and begin them at a later age. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) published guidelines Friday recommending that women not have Pap smear screenings until age 21, and that the frequency of Pap smears be scaled back after that.

The Pap smear is a highly effective screening procedure that has been credited with reducing deaths from cervical cancer by more than 70 percent since its introduction 50 years ago. Through the collection of cells from the cervix and their examination for abnormalities, Pap smears can detect cancer at its earliest stages, when it is most easily treated. The American Cancer Society estimates that 11,270 new cases of cervical cancer will be diagnosed in 2009, and 4,070 women will die from the disease.

What, then, lies behind these new recommendations that will radically alter the administration of a screening test that has been proven to save the lives of tens of thousands of women in the US? Promoters of the new guidelines argue that they are “science-based.” In reality, the recommendations are in line with a wholesale restructuring of the health care system aimed at defending the profits of the health care industry at the expense of the well-being and lives of ordinary Americans.

What is being developed is an institutionalized rationing of health care, in which the wealthy will have access to the most advanced and effective tests, procedures and drugs, and the working class majority will be denied them. Behind the attempt to present these recommendations as impartial and objective science is massive pressure from the corporate-financial elite and the Obama administration to solve the crisis of American capitalism at the expense of the living standards and lives of working people.

Women and the public at large have been shocked and outraged by these proposals to cut back on cancer screenings, and rightly so. They come as the US Senate is set to debate the latest version of health care legislation promoted by the Obama administration. Both the House and Senate health care bills are based on drastic cuts to Medicare and aim to slash medical costs for the government and the health care industry.

Despite claims that the new ACOG guidelines, as well as the recommendations of the US Preventive Service Task Force (USPSTF) to cut back on mammograms, are advisory, they will undoubtedly in due course be seized upon by government agencies and private insurers to deny these vital screening procedures, or require patients to pay for them out-of-pocket. As a spokesman for America’s Health Insurance Plans, the main health insurance lobby, told CNN on Wednesday in relation to the USPSTF’s new recommendations on mammograms, “Most of our member companies look at the task force guidelines as the standard.”

The ACOG had up to now recommended that women begin having Pap smears three years after their first sexual intercourse, or at age 21, whichever came first. This was to be followed by annual screenings. They now advise moving baseline cervical screening to age 21, regardless of sexual activity. For women age 21 to 30, the ACOG now advises screening every two years, instead of annually. For women age 30 and older who have had three consecutive negative tests, they recommend screening once every three years. Women with certain risk factors are advised to undergo more frequent testing.

Alan G. Waxman, MD, of the University of Albuquerque, who drafted the document developed by the ACOG, stated: “The tradition of doing a Pap test every year has not been supported by the scientific evidence. A review of the evidence to date shows that screening at less frequent intervals prevents cervical cancer just as well, has decreased costs, and avoids unnecessary interventions that could be harmful.”

Among the potential harms cited by the ACOG are anxiety caused by false-positive results and procedures to treat what may turn out to be non-cancerous lesions. While not to be discounted, such anxiety is hardly life-threatening. Many women would counter that the annual peace of mind on receiving a negative test result far outweighs such anxiety.

Having an annual Pap smear, along with getting a prescription for a mammogram, is one of the main reasons women go to their obstetrician-gynecologist or family practitioner on an annual basis. As a result of the new guidelines, some doctors justly fear that many women will skip their preventive health care visits altogether.

In relation to the new guidelines for adolescent women, the ACOG states that moving up the age to 21 “is a conservative approach to avoid unnecessary treatment of adolescents which can have economic, emotional, and future childbearing implications.” They argue that precancerous lesions (dysplasia) related to HPV (human papillomavirus) occur at a higher incidence among adolescent girls, and that most of these HPV infections clear up on their own within one to two years. They also cite as a risk of adolescent screening “a significant increase in premature births… documented among women who have been treated with excisional procedures for dysplasia.”

Again, such concerns do not justify forgoing screening for young women that might detect cancer which could be lethal if left untreated. Dr. Carol L. Brown, a gynecologic oncologist and surgeon at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, said that a not insignificant number of girls beginning to have sex at age 12 or 13 might be prone to develop cervical cancer at an early age. She told the New York Times, “I’m concerned that whenever you send a message out to the public to do less, the most vulnerable people at highest risk might take the message and not get screened at all.”

At present, 11 percent of women in the US report that they do not have their regular Pap smear screenings. There is nothing in the new recommendations about reaching out to this section of the population to ensure that they be tested.

These women¯disproportionately poor and without access to adequate medical services¯stand to suffer most from the ramifications of the ACOG’s new recommendations. No small number of them who heed the advice of this body will undoubtedly pay with their lives as a result of a disease that has a 96 to 99 percent five-year survival rate if caught in its earliest stages.

A 1996 report on cervical cancer from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) of the US Department of Health and Human Services showed that one-half of women who had been newly diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer had never had a Pap smear, while another 10 percent had not had the screening in the previous five years. They wrote: “The unscreened populations include older women, the uninsured, ethnic minorities, especially Hispanics and elderly blacks, and poor women, particularly those in rural areas.”

Centers for Disease Control data on HPV-associated cancers and poverty levels, for 1998-2003, showed that in US counties where fewer than 10 percent of residents live below the federal poverty level (FPL), about 10 in every 100,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year. By contrast, in counties where more than 20 percent live below the FPL, almost double the rate¯or about 19 women in 100,000¯are diagnosed with cervical cancer.

For women in the world's poorest nations, the situation is even more dire. According to the National Cervical Cancer Coalition (NCCC), women in developing countries account for about 85 percent of the estimated 473,000 yearly cases of cervical cancer worldwide, and the 253,300 deaths annually from the disease.

In the face of such evidence, the recommendations of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists will ultimately result in an overall decrease in screening for cervical cancer and have deadly consequences. Those who suggest that opposition to the panel’s recommendations amounts to crisis-mongering and “politicization” of the issue are serving, whether intentionally or not, cynical and reactionary motives.

In a New York Times News/Analysis on Friday, Kevin Sack writes of the new recommendations on breast and cervical cancer screenings: “This week, the science of medicine bumped up against the foundations of American medical consumerism: that more is better, that saving a life is worth any sacrifice, that health care is a birthright.” According to this reasoning, procedures proven to save lives are a wasteful exercise in overindulgence.

The Times has conducted a relentless campaign in support of the Obama administration’s health care proposals. In scores of articles and editorials, the chief organ of the American liberal establishment has championed legislation taking shape in Congress that it knows will erode health care for millions. Central to these proposals are the outright slashing of hundreds of billions of dollars for Medicare and the development of panels of “experts” to conduct comparative effectiveness research to justify deep cuts in services.

This research will be aimed at curtailing and eliminating “unnecessary” tests and procedures. Undoubtedly high on the list will be precisely the type of cancer screenings that are now being recommended be cut back and eliminated for entire segments of the population. According to the article by Sack, the widespread opposition that will inevitably arise to such attacks on basic health care must be countered by what he refers to as “science-driven medicine.” For too long, he says, “the mantra of early detection” has mandated over-testing and overspending.

In the case of the new guidelines on cervical screenings, the purported science is full of holes. Utilizing virtually the same statistics on Pap smears that have shown a dramatic decrease in cancer deaths due to the test, the data is now being used to recommend a radical change in the way it is administered. The ACOG offers no analysis of the socioeconomic conditions of the women they include in their data pool. The estimated one-tenth of the female population that never has a Pap smear is not discussed.

In making these recommendations, not a word is said of the insurance companies that stand to save billions from reduced outlays, while ordinary Americans are relegated to a class-based system in which they will receive cut-rate, inferior care. This week’s recommendations to cut back screenings¯for breast cancer, and now for cervical cancer¯serve as a warning on the future of health care in America.

See Also: Imperialism Starves World’s Poor Behind the Hunger Crisis: Capitalist Profits http://www.icl-fi.org/english/wv/919/hunger.html

Avoid GREGORY'S HOUSE OF PIZZA (Belmont)

Want to be treated like an invaluable customer, be sure to eat there explain that the food is not properly prepared and then enjoy the jerk around of a lifetime. Tried to explain, guy basically called me a liar. Wow! Then he decides to punish me and will not refund, or give credit because I stood up to him. They kept my money and offered no solution. Really bad business. Ever heard of Karma buddy? I totally believe in Karma and feel sorry for you Tony.

Located at 27-29 Leonard St. Belmont. 617-489-0331

Stop by and tell them how much you enjoy those who rip others off in a tough economy.

PACKRATS CONSIGNMENT ~ new consignment shop (West Bridgewater)

New consignment shop open

PackRats Consignment
482 East Center Street ~ ~ RT 106 near the West and East Bridgwater line ~ ~ in the Ira Smith/UHaul building
West Bridgewater

New and Gently used merchandise
clothing ~ purses ~ home decor items ~ Christmas room ~ ETC

New items always arriving


Hours:
Monday - closed
Tuesday - Friday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday 12 noon - 4 p.m.

accepting consingments by appointment
508-580-8779
FAX 508-697-2120


www.packratsconsignments.com

Licensed Commercial Kitchen (Near Worcester)

Please only respond if you serious about it. Call or e mail for an interview.


This kitchen is 2400 sq food
1. Plenty of storage room
2. Perfect for mass production or small paste
3. Licensed by the State and Local Health Dept
4. Over 8 Convection Ovens
5. Over 8 Stainless Steel Tables
6. Commercial Dishwasher
7. Loading Area
8. All the equipment available to you
9. Perfect for small caterers, bakers and personal Chefs
10. Great net working and opportunity to growth your business
11. Kitchen fully insured
12. Prime Location right off 495 290 Mass Pike Rt 9 Rt 20
13. Affordable Rent. Owner willing to work with you ( Depending on what you are looking to do
14. Please serious only, let’s not waste each others time. If you always wanted to growth your business or start a business this is your opportunity.

Thank you,
Reply back with a number and a good time to call you.

Jazz/PopSinger, Harvard Grad Heads Scholarship for Blind Performers

The daughter of a professional military musician, Lisa Ostrow (Franklin, MA) was immersed in the guidance, encouragement and emphasis on precision associated with military bands. It was an ideal environment for this gifted vocalist and pianist. But, life has not been easy for Lisa. Born with Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis a rare genetic condition, she has been blind all of her life. In addition, two of her daughters struggle with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD).

Whether it was hiking the rugged, 60-mile West Coast Trail or going on an African safari, blindness would not hold her back. A Harvard grad and recording artist, Lisa recently accepted a volunteer post as coordinator of the Mary Ann Parks Performing Arts Scholarship fund, a project of the nonprofit Performing Arts Division of the National Federation of the Blind (PAD, NFB, www.padnfb.org) which supports blind students majoring in the performing arts.

Ostrow’s association with PAD began in 2007 when she was asked by President Dennis Holston (Manhattan talent recruiter and computer teacher) to contribute a track to the "Sound in Sight" project. The "Sound in Sight" CD is an interracial, multi-genre compilation of original music and covers by the nation’s most promising blind recording artists. Lisa donated her version of "Once Upon a Time" from the musical "Brooklyn." Hear clips at www.cdbaby.com/cd/padotnfotb.

Music was destined to play a significant role in Lisa’s life journey. Her father spent 35 years in the Canadian Armed Forces Music Branch, first as a clarinetist and eventually retired as a major at the peak of his musical career. Born in Colorado Springs while her father was stationed with the NORAD band, Lisa holds dual citizenship in the US and Canada. At age ten she began intensive training with the Royal Conservatory of Music, advancing through their rigorous program at an accelerated pace, performing in a wide variety of venues and television broadcasts, and winning awards and recognition throughout the Maritime Provinces and Western Canada.

Lisa and husband Peter have three daughters, Laura, Jennie and Alina. The whole family sings back-up on "Once Upon a Time." Laura & Jennie, the Ostrowe’s fourteen-year-old identical twins, are afflicted with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), a life threatening genetic condition affecting 600,000 Americans and 12.5 million children and adults, worldwide -- more people than Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, and sickle cell anemia combined). There is no treatment or cure.

Lisa earned a cum laude degree in Slavic Languages and Literatures from Harvard. Honored for her excellence as a pianist and vocalist in the U.S. and Canada, Lisa is donating the proceeds from her first CD, "Unconditional" to the PKD Foundation. Peter, the twins and Alina participated in the Boston Walk for PKD in September, where Lisa performed live for the cause.

Lisa’s album has appeared on the iTunes Top 100 Downloads chart for Easy Listening. One of the songs, "Maybe I Like It This Way," appeared at #20 on the iTunes Easy Listening chart. The album itself has climbed to #8 on CDBaby's Top-Selling Easy Pop and Vocal Pop charts.

E mail Lisa under Cabinet Posts/Scholarship Coordinator at www.padnfb.org/contact.html.

*About the National Federation of the Blind: With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the United States. The NFB improves blind people’s lives through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence. It is the leading force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's blind. In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.

New Law(used kid toys) (South Shore)

There is a new law,that will take affect Feb.10th regarding the sale of used toys.We have a used toy store in Plymouth(alot of people have complained about!)Former Favorites is the name of the store,it sells nothing but old toys and clothes.God knows where these toys come from,so this law is a good thing...it protects our children!

Flea Markets or place to sell items (massachuestts)

Hello,
I am looking for a place to sell my products. As a new vendor, i am not firmiliar with flea markets and vendor fairs. If you have any info. about upcoming events, that would be greatly helpful!! Thank you.

NEW TASTE IN ROCKLAND (Rockland-MA)

New Restaurant & Lounge is now open in downtown Rockland-MA.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Late breakfast on friday and sunday.
Karaoke every wednesday

Thanksgiving Eve No Cover Charge (Lynn)

You only get one shot at this so don't waste the night!
Spend your Thanksgiving Eve at 47 Central in Lynn, North Shore's Hottest Gay Bar & Night Club
Featuring Dueling DJ's
www.pub47central.com

do you have any old bikes? (anywhere in and around boston)

hey everyone!! im here to ask you people if you could donate ur old dusty and rusty bikes that have been sitting in your basment or garages forever. i have a small collection that i hope gets bigger.. i have fun meeting you people and cleaning up and fixing these old bikes to ride around boston. ill take any old bike. and ill come get them. my email is adamfryer@gmx.com and my phone number is 508 785 5973 thanks everyone adam

Black Boston online input wanted (Greater boston)

We've got sixteen spaces of frontal space to showcase photos of people, your cultural artwork and more.
The destination is http://www.blackboston.com

Our purpose is to highlight diversity and African American culture in Boston.
You're invited to send a file for review and potential post.

www.blackboston.com
contact us

MixStirs in Wellesley offers Smoothies, Protein Shakes and Snacks

MixStirs in Wellesley offers Smoothies, Protein Shakes, Snacks

Question: What does MixStirs offer?
Answer: Fresh-blended smoothies, fresh juices, organic wheatgrass, salads, wraps, energy drinks, snacks like pretzels, hot oatmeal, cookies and bagels and more.

When did it open?

May, 2008.

How has the location in the Wellesley, Boston Sports Club been?

We love our location in the Wellesley, Boston Sports Club. The club management is great and has done an outstanding job getting the word out to the members. The personal trainers love our products and encourage the members to enjoy a fruit smoothie or a delicious protein shake as a meal replacement.

How has business been in the current recession?

As surprising as this is going to sound we have actually benefitted from the recession. More people are coming to the gym as people want to get their money’s worth. The more people that visit the gym, the more potential customers. Even if they just buy a bottle of water or a Gatorade it helps.

How does your business differ from Jamba Juice?

We buy the highest-quality ingredients, like organic wheatgrass that's locally grown. We feature exotic fruits like Acai, Goji and Mangosteen in our smoothies. These fruits are often referred to as "super foods" and are the highest in antioxidants. Our other fruits are flown in from California and flash frozen so that every smoothie has the perfect ripeness of fruit in it giving it the perfect taste every time.

What is the average cost of a juice?

The average cost of smoothie is about $4. We also have a variety of "boosts" in many of our smoothies. The customer can choose from a number of different boosts like protein, fat burner or energy. When you add a protein boost, it makes a great midday meal or snack.

What is the most popular product?

Our most popular product would have to be our Peanut Butter Blast. It is our number one selling protein shake. It is made from non-fat milk, non-fat vanilla yogurt, peanut butter, and chocolate whey protein. Once you try it ... you'll be hooked. Our Wheat Grass is very popular as well. Our Wheat Grass customers are some of our most loyal since they know that a wheat grass shot a day, keeps the doctor away.

Kabilians Car Care (Marshfield)

They fixed my car, riffled through my glove box and stole an engagement ring from me. Paul says he's a man of his word and he doesn't offer anything in return. Beware a crooked business

handyman specializing in all types of construction (ma,nh,me)

no job too big or too small we do it all very reliable 25 years of experience fully insured and licensed like i said anything interior and exterior we do it all call dave 978 758 1555

Do you have marketing tools? (North Billerica)

Looking for someone to help in marketing. Knows power point, has digital camera, and laminating machine. I'm looking to start a cause and basically trying to do this with as little money as possible. Great oppurtunity if your a student and can apply this as credit toward a school project.

Worried about the flu season this year? (look here)

Are you worried about H1N1?

Would you like to know about an FDA approved product that KILLS the swine-flu virus as well as
over 99.9%* of other common household germs on hard, nonporous surfaces, and leaves behind just a mild herbal scent
without
caustic bleach and other harsh chemicals that can be unhealthy for you and your family?

Come watch a webcast about our company and we can show you this product as well as so many more that are safer and healthier for your home!!
As well as a business opportunity for those who wish it.

Come benefit from the products now as a customer and later you can benefit from the company as a business owner if you choose!

Helping people enhance the lives they touch.
Helping people live healthier, happier lives.

http://www.teamvitality.com/mkyoung

(508) 559-0363

being used for fraud

Look @ us*** New detail shop around (781 534 5602)

• 20YRS OF EXPERIENCE ****

MIRRORS IMAGE DETAIL SHOP
1829 MAIN ST. BROCKTON MA 02301
STARTING PRICES OF $ 99.95
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FREE PICK UP & DELIVERY TO LOCAL TOWNS
CALL DEE @ 781-534-5602

brockton tel num fraud? (ken mclean )

.....................says he is from germany lives in u.s weymouth to some brockton to others vacationing in africa when his daughter was burned in hotel fire and asks for money


says he is a widow and wife died in car crash last name mclean and his dad and step mom live in germany people in photo if you know them they are being used in scam kenmc771


at yahoo he uses but is using this tel number in brockton if you know people in photo contact them they are being used in a fraud

re: donna or ken mclean urgent does anyone know them
...
Wed, November 18, 2009 11:26:59 AM
From:

...
Add to Contacts



THIS IS A SCAM! RUN! This guy had contacted me with the same story, except he lived in Weymouth. I sent him money $200.00, trying to help him get his daughter home after the fire. He is good though. I actually called what I thought was the hospital in W. Africa, obviously not, just a friend. Dan actually sent me another email only a week or so ago and told me his daughter had died! What a sicko! Anyway, I saved all corespondence with him and hope somebody can find a way to prosecute him! Please don't feed into his lies!
Susan

More Stimulus, More Government Jobs Programs, More Debt Relief (Let's Get Fiscal )

By MIKE WHITNEY

"Our greatest primary task is to put people to work. This is no unsolvable problem if we face it wisely and courageously. It can be accomplished in part by direct recruiting by the Government itself, treating the task as we would treat the emergency of a war, but at the same time, through this employment, accomplishing greatly needed projects to stimulate and reorganize the use of our natural resources."

Franklin D. Roosevelt, Inaugural Address, March 4, 1933

There's no reason why a sharp-witted politico like Barack Obama can't survey the wreckage around him and draw the same conclusions as FDR. The unemployment crisis should be the president's first order of business; Job 1. Instead, Obama is paralyzed by indecision, unable to settle on a policy that he's willing to stick with through Hell-or-high-water. His lack of resolve shows that he's got his priorities mixed up and that he's getting bad advice from his lieutenants. The economy needs more jobs to get back on track and make up for flagging demand. Those jobs are not going to come from the private sector which is struggling just to stay afloat. They'll have to be created by the government; major public works programs expressly designed to put millions of people back to work. These are precisely the kind of programs that conservatives and Libertarians despise, which is important, since it lays the groundwork for a national debate on the role of government. This is a debate that Obama can win, provided he stops waffling and shows some moxie.

Unemployment has reached a 26-year high of 10.2 percent, but the "real" rate of joblessness (underemployment) is now hovering at 17.5 percent. These are Depression-era numbers. The Fed's zero-rate policy and liquidity-injection programs have sparked a 62 percent rally in the stock market since early March, but had no material effect on unemployment which is headed higher. A growing number of economists, including Paul Krugman, Nouriel Roubini and Marshall Auerback, are calling for bold action to stop the bleeding and put the country back to work. But the poll-driven Obama administration is afraid to break with the "pro growth" small-government dogma which has guided state policy for the last 30 years. Obama knows the economy needs another round of stimulus, but he's afraid to move forward for fear of offending Wall Street and fatcat party donors who see any expansion of government as a threat private profit-making. As a result, the economy continues to be whipsawed by rising joblessness, soaring defaults, and tighter credit. Here's a quote by Obama's chief economic advisor, Lawrence Summers, which helps to clarify the point:

Indeed, in the current circumstances the case for fiscal stimulus -- policy actions that increase short-term deficits -- is stronger than ever before in my professional lifetime. Unemployment is almost certain to increase -- probably to the highest levels in a generation. Monetary policy has little scope to stimulate the economy given how low interest rates already are and the problems in the financial system. Global experience with economic downturns caused by financial distress suggests that while they are of uncertain depth, they are almost always of long duration.

The economic point here can be made straightforwardly: The more people who are unemployed, the more desirable it is that government takes steps to put them back to work by investing in infrastructure or energy or simply by providing tax cuts that allow families to avoid cutting back on their spending. ("A Bailout Is Just a Start", Lawrence Summers, Washington Post)

The article was written by Summers in September of 2008, which shows that he knew what needed to be done more than a year ago. That's impressive, but where are the infrastructure and green technology projects that were promised? Where are the new jobs?

Originally, Obama assured the public that the $787 billion stimulus package (aka--The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) would create 3.5 million new jobs. But--even by the administration's own calculations--less than 1 million jobs have been created so far. Too much of the ARRA money was devoted to tax cuts (to appease Republicans and Bluedogs) which diminished its overall effectiveness. Here's an excerpt from an article by Alec MacGillis in the Washington Post which gives a breakdown of the costs:

"Two-thirds of the stimulus went toward tax cuts, fiscal aid to states, and expanded unemployment benefits and food stamps. These efforts helped cushion the recession’s blow, saved public jobs and, by injecting demand into the economy, bolstered employment indirectly.

The remaining third of the stimulus, however, was expected to be the real jobs generator: $250 billion for infrastructure — roads, transit, water treatment — and for investments in energy efficiency, broadband access and other areas. But it is becoming clear that much of that spending is not producing many new jobs." ("Unlike the New Deal, Obama’s plan does not put people on the public payroll", Alec MacGillis, Washington Post)

So, while $11.4 trillion has been used to prop up the financial system, a paltry $250 billion has gone to creating jobs. No wonder unemployment has zoomed to 17.5 percent.

Here's Summers again:

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) will do some of the work that the nation has needed done for a long time—doubling renewable energy capacity in the next 3 years, supporting middle class incomes, modernizing ten thousand schools, and making the largest investment in the spine of our national economy – the nation’s infrastructure – since Dwight Eisenhower’s investment 50 years ago...

Between 2000 and 2007 – a period of solid aggregate economic growth – the typical working-age household saw their income decline by nearly $2000. The decline in middle-class incomes even as the incomes of the top 1% skyrocketed has a number of causes, but one of them is surely rising asset prices and the fact that financial sector profits exploded to the point to where they represented 40% of all corporate profits in 2006.

Confidence today will be enhanced if we put measures in place that assure that the coming expansion will be more sustainable and fair in the distribution of benefits than its predecessor.

Summers sounds more like Huey Long than Milton Friedman, spouting populist blather about the growing inequality and the "fair distribution of benefits". What rubbish. Nearly all of the emergency government funding has been pumped into financial markets where the investor class is raking in bigger profits than ever before. Even worse, according to an article released last week by Politico.com, Team Obama is about to lunge even farther to the right. Here's a quote from Politico:

"President Barack Obama plans to announce in next year’s State of the Union address that he wants to focus extensively on cutting the federal deficit in 2010 – and will downplay other new domestic spending beyond jobs programs, according to top aides involved in the planning.

The president’s plan, which the officials said was under discussion before this month’s Democratic election setbacks, represents both a practical and a political calculation by this White House." (politico.com)

Uh, now who exactly is telling Obama that trimming the deficits (which involves raising taxes or cutting spending) in the middle of a severe economic downturn is a good idea? Summers, perhaps?

This excerpt from Politico just highlights the yawning chasm between blabber and policy. If Obama decides to cut the deficits and jettison the jobs programs, the economy will slide right back into recession. Is that what he wants, or is he just an unwitting victim of Summer's crummy advice?


Summers knows that the 3.5 percent surge in GDP in the 3rd Quarter was entirely the result of Obama's fiscal stimulus. He also knows that government jobs programs will increase demand, boost consumer confidence, add to state revenues, and spur growth. So why is he caving in to the deficit hawks and the dollar demagogues instead pushing Obama to rally the country to use the nation's vast resources to put its people back to work?

The Fed can't do it. In fact, the Fed already has its back against the wall. It's balance sheet has ballooned to more than $2 trillion in the last year alone. It's getting no traction from its zero percent interest rates, and its $1.75 trillion quantitative easing program is set to end by the end of the 1st Quarter 2010. Fed chair Ben Bernanke has stabilized the financial markets, but the liquidity is still not getting to the people who need it most because the credit system is still gunked up with toxic paper. That's taken the "trickle" out of trickle-down, which is why the economy needs a lift, a direct infusion of stimulus to the jugular; to patch household balance sheets and perk-up consumer spending. The stimulus should be part of an aggressive reform agenda aimed at job creation. Otherwise things will only get worse.

How bad will it get? Here's a clip from Nouriel Roubini's RGE Monitor, "The Worst is yet to Come":

Think the worst is over? Wrong. Conditions in the US labor markets are awful and worsening....

The long-term picture for workers and families is even worse than current job loss numbers alone would suggest. Now as a way of sharing the pain, many firms are telling their workers to cut hours, take furloughs and accept lower wages. Specifically, that fall in hours worked is equivalent to another 3 million full time jobs lost on top of the 7.5 million jobs formally lost.

This is very bad news but we must face facts. Many of the lost jobs are gone forever, including construction jobs, finance jobs and manufacturing jobs. Recent studies suggest that a quarter of U.S. jobs are fully out-sourceable over time to other countries...

So we can expect that job losses will continue until the end of 2010 at the earliest. In other words, if you are unemployed and looking for work and just waiting for the economy to turn the corner, you had better hunker down. All the economic numbers suggest this will take a while. The jobs just are not coming back.

There's really just one hope for our leaders to turn things around: a bold prescription that increases the fiscal stimulus with another round of labor-intensive, shovel-ready infrastructure projects, helps fiscally strapped state and local governments and provides a temporary tax credit to the private sector to hire more workers. Helping the unemployed just by extending unemployment benefits is necessary not sufficient; it leads to persistent unemployment rather than job creation." ("The Worst is yet to Come", Nouriel Roubini's RGE Monitor)

This isn't the time for hemming-and-hawing. Obama should be using his clout to launch a trillion dollar "Get America Back to Work" campaign with all the public relations rigmarole to go along with it. 17.5 percent "real" unemployment is only part of the story, too. There's also 300,000-plus foreclosures every month, record personal bankruptcies, plummeting state revenues, and countless maxed out homeless shelters and food banks. We're in the throes of a low-grade depression that requires emergency mobilization aimed at expanding the public workforce and increasing wage-and-benefits packages to spark greater demand. The states should be given open-ended funding to cover losses in annual tax revenue as long as they agree to an across-the-board firing freeze for all state and local employees. Government resources should be provided in block grants to states for green technology, infrastructure projects, foreclosure relief, low income housing, and public health care facilities. Whatever it takes to rev up the industrial flywheel that keeps the economy purring; Do it!

The Fed's monetary remedies have flopped. It's onto Plan B, which means bold New Deal-type jobs programs; direct public-service employment which eliminates the waste of tax credits for private sector hiring and misdirected stimulus which disappears down a black hole. Put money back in the hands of the people who will spend it (workers) and build a stronger economy where everyone benefits. The system needs to be rejiggered; everyone knows it. The essential balance between supply and demand has been upset and can't be restored without a larger public workforce. Much larger.

Larger public workforce. Larger bureaucracy. Big government.

See Also Capitalist Economic Crisis: Bosses Make Workers Pay! Break with the Democrats! For a Workers Party! http://www.icl-fi.org/english/wv/927/economy.html

Any recovering heroin or oxy users needed for a story (Boston)

Hello. I am a reporter with a major Boston daily newspaper working on a story about OxyContin and heroin use. A report came out last week detailing how much of a problem this is in Massachusetts and how limited services are, especially with budget cuts on the way. I would love to talk to an actual user, or one who has recovered, to put a face on the story. We can protect anonymity, of course, if that is important to you.

Thanks. Hope to hear from you.

***Leaf cleanup****/Bush Trimming/Prunning (central ma)

Landscape Service offers



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call or email for a free estimate today.

Thanks (774)-285-6641 We offer services to Northboro-Hudson-Marlboro-Framingham-Westboro-Hopkington-Upton-Southboro-Ashland-Wayland-Stow

Revolutionary new product called Green Smoke.

I wanted to take just a moment to share with you a revolutionary new product called Green Smoke.

Green Smoke is an electronic cigarette that looks and functions much like a tobacco cigarette with one exception: it contains no tobacco and none of the cancer-causing chemicals that smokers are exposed to with tobacco cigarettes. With Green Smoke, one can get the most realistic smoking experience available without all the harmful effects attached to tobacco cigarettes.


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Boat/Trailer Lock: New Business (North Shore)

NEW TRAILER LOCK; The Trailer GAtor mas made a locking device that was virtually indestructible, affordable and easy to install. That strategy, along with the growing market of trailers throughout the United States, provided a need and desire to get into trailer coupler locking device manufacturing. Trailer Gator is considered the vanguard of trailer protection. This was invented in NH.
www.TrailerGator.com

POTENTIAL DANGER IN HOLLISTON, MASSACHUSETTS (HOLLLISTON, MASSACHUSETTS)

YOUR NEW WATER METER MAY POSE SERIOUS DANGERS AND/OR RISKS YOU SHOULD BE AWARE OF!

Security Risk, Safety Hazard, Violation of Constitutional Rights, Invasion of Privacy and more!

These new electronic devices subject residents to potential exposure of theft by remote monitoring, potentially harmful radiation, invasive remote observation and scrutiny, and more!

Concerned citizens kindly reply by e-mail for more details. Thank you.

Christmas Craft Fair (Sharon, MA)

Start your Christmas Shopping early at the Christmas Crafts Fair.

Elizabeth's Corner will be there with homemade soaps, shampoos & bath products. Lots of Gift Baskets to choose from. Get an advance look at our products http://www.ElizabethsCorner.com

Don't forget to come to the Fair and smell all our fantastic fragrances.

See you there! Mention this Ad and receive a free sample.

TEMPLE SINAI

Annual Craft & Gift Fair

25 Canton Street, Sharon, MA

The "Reel" men's cut at The Director's Cut Hair Studio (Newburyport, MA)

Lights, Camera, Action!

The "Reel" mens cut at The Director's Cut Hair Studio

Includes: Shampoo and conditioning treatment
warm facial towel
Hair cut and blow dry
Beard and mustache trim
Shoe Shine

Complimentart drinks are always available

Gift Certificates available

To book your next appointment call 978-462-6556

Located at: 34 1/2 Market Street, Newburyport, MA

That's a Wrap!

Domestic doctor available (anywhere in Mass.)

Former teacher will cure all your domestic/household needs. I offer babysitting, housecleaning, tutoring, homecooked meals, help with homework, ironing and loundry, errand running, packing and unpacking, assistance with holiday parties, pick up, and drop off of any items on consignment. Let me make some money for you, if you dont have time! This is my business and I work solo. Iam OFC certified. I have a clean CORI record. I have a car and will travel. I have a professional resume and excellent references. Please feel free to contact me anytime. Thank you. Looking forward to hear from you!

THE PATRIOTS REALLY WON (LAS VEGAS)

THEY COVERED THE SPREAD AND THATS WHAT COUNTS.
http://www.sportsbookpals.com/MONDAY_NIGHT_FOOTBALL.html

APPOINTMENT SETTING/TELEMARKETING SERVICES!!!! (North Shore)

I WILL DO TELEMARKETING AND APPOINTMENT SETTING FROM MY HOME FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS TO GET THEM NEW PATIENTS. I HAVE 5 YEARS OF TELEMARKETING AND APPOINTMENT SETTING EXPERIENCE.



PAM
978-882-1260

Kabillihan Car care (Marshfield)

BE careful getting work done at this place. I thought Paul was a stand up guy and when I bought my car in there I had an engagement ring stolen out of my glove box and all change and papers were all over the seat. Of course they deny seeing this, but as a STAND up guy you think he would have at least given me something towards a new ring. If you have any stories about this place please let me know as I'm in the process of filing charges. ALL I wanted was a little something in return... BAD place to have your work done....

Annual Thanksgiving Homemade Pie-Baked Goods and Gifts (Chelmsford, MA)

Central Baptist Church - 9 Academy Street, Chelmsford, Ma. - Starting at 9:00 A.M. - Saturday November 21st. is
having a Annual Thanksgiving Homemade Pie-Baked Goods and Gifts sale.
DON'T MISS IT!!!.

Calling All Drag Kings & Queens! (Lynn)

47 Central in Lynn, North Shore's friendliest gay bar and night club
If you enjoy dressing up we would love to see you!
We have been preparing for our Holiday Show and would still love to have more people participate
47 Central Ave, Lynn
www.pub47central.com

GRAND OPENING OF A FURNITURE WAREHOUSE (IPSWICH, MA)

NEW FURNITURE WAREHOUSE OPENING THIS WEEK!!!! GREAT BUYS FOR THE PUBLIC AND DEALERS ALIKE!!!!!!!!

We Sell a little bit of everything, so please come and see us. MULTIPLE dealers, filling up over 5,000 square feet of space.

Everyday we are getting more things in and many unusual and ONE OF A KIND items.

We have a LARGE VARIETY of items from ANTIQUES, USED FURNITURE, LAMPS, PICTURES, SIGNAGE, VINTAGE FURNITURE, TEXTILES, CHANDELIERS, AND SO MUCH MORE!!!!!!!!!

Please call April for details if you are interested in renting a space... 978-429-6220

We look forward to seeing you there! Open 10-5 Sunday, Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Open by appointments or by change on Tuesdays and Wednesdays!

See you Soon!

NO for New High School Vote in Wayland (WAYLAND)

Here are the main reasons NOT to Vote YES on this "question" to build a new High School in Wayland:

Taxes hiked = Loker Elementary School Closed
Taxes hiked = Class size went from 20 to over 25
Taxes hiked = Total inept, inferior and lousy bus service for kids - Late, dropping off kids at the wrong stop, lost kids, etc.
Taxes hiked = Tltal mismanagement of busing kindergarten students to Loker and elsewhere
Taxes hiked = school services cut, but of course a nice increase in pay for school administration, who are quike frankly extremely overpaid and are generally incompetent
Taxes hiked = a school committee that doesn't know ................. from shinola. Ask them a general question at a meeting, they say, "dah?"
Taxes hiked = a botched Town Building project with failing septic system, failing walls and overall poor construction, all because of mismanagement
Taxes hiked = a botched offort to try and get the town center project going

Instead, try flushing out the inept School Committee, firing incompetent and rude school administration who are the second highest paid in the state, and total financial reform in this town to save wasted tax $ before voting in this mess that we cannot afford. Try telling the truth to the residents, dear YES4WHS committee. Our taxes are among the highest in the state already. $70M for a new school? Ever heard of the Newton North HS project? Try over $90M after figuring in political mismanagement, a completion date of 2016 at the earliest, never mind the pipe dream of 2012.

Ever heard of trying to maintain the existing High School properly? It might have helped. Ever heard of improving school administration? that might help also.

NO, NO, NO, NO, NO on New High School Vote on 11/17

M4M Looking For Something To Do On A Sunday? (Lynn)

We at 47 Central, North Shore's Hottest Gay Bar & Night Club, in Lynn feel the weekend is way tooooooo short!
Please feel free to join us every Sunday for T Dance hosted by DJ Alan C.
Alan kicks off every Sunday afternoon @ 5:00
For your convenience our kitchen is open from 6-11
Check us out at www.pub47central.com

Celebrate the upcoming holiday with us. Thanksgiving Eve we have dueling DJ's!