Messrs. Carper, Coons and Carney are inviting you to a job fair which they did not organize, nor did they fund. They have delivered this bit of propaganda intending to have you believe that this was their collected effort to deliver on that all-important political hot-potato — “it’s the jobs stupid!” at your expense. Apparently, none of them have a clue how Washington can possibly enhance job creation or at least not slide the economy into another financial disaster-led recession. Their principle capability is offering legislation they know nothing about – or – producing legislation fully supported by their primary donors, Wall St.

The evidence of this is the so-called J.O.B.S. Bill, H.R.3606 (Jumpstart Our Business Startups) passed by over-whelming decree in March; much to the delight and applause of their Wall Street donors; sets the stage for a new (old-timey) financial bubble. Not since the roaring 20′s have equity (stock) shares been easier to issue without much of any kind of regulator oversight. It has absolutely nothing to do with job creation. As an example, one of the largest enterprises on the face of the Earth is Facebook, a privately held company who hopes to muster up the courage to have an initial public offering this Summer. They did not need any type of financial deregulation to develop their company into a nice little venture. So it begs the question how a legitimate start-up company will be aided by selling up to $50 million in stock to the public, all the while not required to produce documentation what-so-ever in support this valuation claim. Just shut your eyes and believe what your investment banker tells you about the company. What could go wrong? Things didn’t turn out very well in October of 1929 either.

This bill has been opposed by some securities regulators and consumer and investor advocates, including the AARP, the Consumer Federation of America, the Council of Institutional Investors, and others. Among the complaints were that the loosening of investment protections would expose small and inexperienced investors to fraud. The Consumer Federation of America characterized an earlier version of the legislation as “the dangerous and discredited notion that the way to create jobs is to weaken regulatory protections”. Criminologist William K. Black had said the bill would lead to a “regulatory race to the bottom” and said it was lobbied by Wall Street to weaken the Sarbanes–Oxley Act (which Congress and the Executive Branch are loath to enforce). It is also opposed by labor unions, including the AFL-CIO, the AFSCME, and the National Education Association.

Criticisms were levied against the House version of the bill as “gutting regulations designed to safeguard investors”, legalizing boiler room operations, “reliev[ing] businesses that are preparing to go public from some of the most important auditing regulations that Congress passed after the Enron debacle”, and “a terrible package of bills that would undo essential investor protections, reduce market transparency and distort the efficient allocation of capital”.

So, to summarize: the way to create jobs is to tag along with a local program by making it appear to be your own, and pass legislation that further deregulates investment banking and inviting investment scams to bilk small investors of more of their retirement savings. Good work guys! ………..clueless

The only time I have seen Rodney Square with more people in it was during a July 4 fireworks celebration. Tonight, the Wilmington community came out to honor the memory of Trayvon Martin and the lack of justice in his murder case. Lately, Wilmington has been receiving attention for the number of violent attacks and shootings in its neighborhoods. What is often under-reported are the efforts of community activists to help quell this violence and find solutions for the rampant unemployment and poverty that are taking over our cities. Living costs are rising for us all; and as big of a challenge that is to all Americans, the poor are particularly hard hit and find it nearly impossible to find employment as higher educated and experienced workers are settling for lower paying and lower ranking jobs all the way down the pay scale.

It was interesting, that in this election year, the only political leaders in evidence were city council members. No state-wide officials were in attendance; even though the cries for justice were focused on a national issue. As usual, Wilmington City is on its own.

No one is looking for a hand out or a free ride. Just an opportunity to contribute, to work, to hold one’s head high. Tonight a peaceful and spirited community came together to request two simple and highly American things – Justice and Peace.

I care, I won’t forget.

It was a beautiful day at the St. Patrick’s parade in Dover today. I shook a lot of hands and let as many people know that I was an independent candidate opposing Tom Carper this Fall. This young fella rode the entire parade route on an antique 3 wheeler. He was a little tired at the end and I congratulated him on this feat. His Grandfather was there to steady his resolve. They graciously allowed me to memorialize the event here.