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FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN
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Opinions expressed on editorial pages of this newspaper by Columnists or Guest Writers, do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance of The Florida Sentinel Bulletin or the Publisher.
Brady Gets One For The Thumb
ell, here we are,
Super Bowl weekend. It seems like just yesterday that we were celebrating the return of the football season.
And now it's over already. This year's contest pits the Atlanta Falcons against the New England Patriots. And the question everyone wants an- swered, particularly those planning to place a wager, is
who's going to win? At first glance this pick
seems like a no-brainer. The Falcons have the most potent offense, the most efficient quarterback and, when you look at the current trend of lovable losers finally winning championships (the Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Cubs, etc...) they fit the profile of the next franchise destined to break an organizational curse.
The only glitch in a poten- tial Falcons redemption story is the fact that they have to play a team that has made it a habit of bringing titles to the Boston Area. A team led by, ar- guably, the most successful quarterback/coach tandem in NFL history... Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.
Together, these two have won 4 of the last six Super Bowls they've competed in over the last 15 years. The only blemishes on their, otherwise, flawless record coming cour- tesy of the Eli Manning led New York Giants.
And, since Manning's team won't be suiting up to play on Sunday, it's hard for me to bet against a New Eng- land team that has had this kind of unprecedented success on the league's largest stage.
This isn't to say that At- lanta doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell of winning (I mean that's almost what I'm saying). But even with all of the offensive fire power they possess, and the nuclear threat of the man-child Julio Jones, their defense has proven to be a liability. And, as we've witnessed so many times before in these situations, a lack of a good defense usually leads to major disappointment when the clock strikes zero.
But, even with all of that being said, the biggest X-factor for me in this game will, ulti- mately, come down to what the NFL wants to see happen?
As big as it would be for At- lanta to win its first Super Bowl in its 51 years of exis- tence, I think the NFL would much rather crown Brady as the first quarterback to claim possession of 5 Super Bowl rings. As the NFL "shot callers" probably see it, the Falcons, with their young nu- cleus, have another 50 years to win their first championship.
As far as Brady's chances? At 39, this could be his final shot to do something the world has never seen. Do you actually believe the NFL, as much as they love creating great storylines, would let this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity pass them by? I don't think so.
With all of this being the case, my call is for a New Eng- land victory. If I'm right, not only will Brady get one for the thumb, but, It'll take my record of predicting to 5 in a row as well.... Glove status.
Of course, there's always a chance that things could go the other way (My guess of what's really going to happen is as good as anybody's). But, if I'm right, like I always say, don't blame me Monday morning when you miss picking up an easy check at the window. Enjoy the game.
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Do Republicans Really Care About Jobs?
“
epublicans in Congress have blocked every serious
idea to strengthen the middle class.” Sound familiar? Pres. Obama made that statement on July 12, 2014.
Meanwhile, David Johnson, in OurFuture.org, writes, “In the House, Republicans have refused to allow votes on any- thing that seriously would have helped the economy, instead passing only tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations, spending cuts on essential things like maintaining our infra- structure and scientific research, and cutting regulations that protect people and the environment from being hurt by corporations seeking profit.”
These two quotes explain why it’s difficult to believe Re- publicans really care about jobs for lower income and middle class Americans.
Over the past eight years, Republicans opposed at least seven job stimulating legislative acts that would have created jobs to repair and maintain America’s infrastructure (roads, highways, bridges, etc.); that would hire 400,000 teachers, firefighters, police officers and paramedics, and that would provide job training for veterans as national park workers, historic preservation workers, police and firefighters.
Moreover, Republicans in Congress blocked efforts to raise the minimum wage, give equal pay to women, to stop special tax breaks for millionaires and oil companies, to stop tax breaks for sending jobs out of the country; to help the long-term unemployed, and to repeal big oil tax subsidies.
As quiet as it’s kept, repeal of the job-creating Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) could result in the loss of up to 3 million jobs according to a study by the Commonwealth Fund. Yet, Republicans turn around and make Americans think Republicans care about jobs.
By the way, how many jobs have Republicans created in the past four years since they have held a majority vote in Congress? The proof is in the pudding, no matter how bad it tastes.
imum wage. What about a person making $15 per hour, $600 a week, $2,400 per month, or $31,200 per year?Assuming a person is single, using IRS National standards for food, house- keeping supplies, clothing and personal care, the single person would need a minimum of $570 per month. Apartment rental or mortgage, payments would be at least $1,462 per month and transportation ownership/public transportation costs of $783/ $173 are allowed.
By our calculations, a single person would not be able to own a home and a car at the same time, nor would they be able to afford market rate health insurance. A family of four would surely need assistance. You might not be a rocket scientist. But in a situation like this, a rocket scientist (or a GOP/Trump assistant spin doctor) who earns $82.69 per hour would really come in handy.
Can You Live On Fifteen Dollars An Hour?
urprisingly, the 2.6 million American workers who earn
the prevailing federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour or less have been quiet about the push to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour. If the past actions of Congressional Conservatives are any indication of the future for minimum wage workers, we would tell them not to expect any support from GOP’ers any time soon. Traditionally, Republicans have fought minimum wage increases tooth and nail, deferring to state and local governments while claiming an increase in mimum wage would kill jobs.
However, the fact that there has not been any increase in the $7.25 per hour minimum wage for the past 8 years speaks volumes as to the level of concern lawmakers in Congress hold for the working poor. The only reason minimum wage workers are not living on the street is because of federally subsidized housing, the generosity of parents and other rel- atives, and the blessing of pooling housing and food re- sources with other minimum wage workers.
Everyone knows a person can’t live independently on min-
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