New York City was granted $1 billion to compensate rescue and cleanup workers who became ill after 9/11.
The WTC Captive Insurance Company was given the task of making sure those suffering were properly compensated.
Instead of distributing these funds to those in need this company decided to invest the money and pay lawyers to fight every claim submitted.
As reported by Sue Edelman in the NY Post they have lost millions in the stock market, while paying lawyer and administrative fees of nearly $200 million since 2004.
Over that same period they have only paid out $320,000 in actual compensation.
Over 10,000 filers have either been denied compensation or received little.
Although it was promised that things would get better after Christine LaSala the president and CEO submitted her resignation in January (after collecting nearly $1.5 million in salary over 4 years) little has changed.
Back in January Rep Carolyn Mahoney said "If the Captive is going to keep refusing sick workers' claims, it would be cheaper just to buy a rubber stamp"
Rep. Jerrold Nadler blasted "a process that has been too slow and cumbersome to help those who need help."
And Manhattan federal judge Alvin Hellerstein said he was going to step up efforts to settle 8,600 claims of respiratory or toxic injuries.
And what has happened over the past 10 months? NOTHING
Since January over $50 million has been paid in lawyer and administrative fees with little compensation paid to any filers.
The fund has lost nearly $7 million in investments between July and September of 2008 alone.
Reporters that I have been in contact with state that getting a full accountability from the WTC Captive Insurance Company is nearly impossible.
A not for profit governed by officials appointed by the mayor and major newspapers get little cooperation when they investigate.
With the current state of the economy God only knows what they have lost since September 30.
It would not surprise me if the Federal government required that the remaining funds be returned as they are not being used for the purpose for which they were granted.
And once again the only ones to make any money would be the lawyers and the administrators appointed by the mayor.
A glaring example of how things have and continue to be mismanaged when it comes to Ground Zero.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
YOU HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE
The current economic situation is not going to be solved with a quick fix.
We need to put together a long term plan.
Most of the people making the decisions that led us into this situation were in office when we went through the same thing with the Savings and Loans
We need to learn from our mistakes and not allow ourselves to get into this situation again.
The following are a few suggestions.
Many are pretty simple but it appears that the complicated solutions haven’t worked to well so why not try simple.
Can You Hear Me Know?
For years we have been relying on the same experts and look at where that has gotten us.
The internet is a fantastic tool one only has to look how our candidates have used it to raise money for their campaigns.
Why can’t the current administration use it to solicit advice?
Get some ideas from outside the box.
While many of these ideas might not worth the e-mail they are sent on why do we think that the brain trust in Washington is the only with an intelligent thought?
For too long the intelligence of the American public has been ignored.
They have only been looked upon as a source for campaign contributions not ideas.
It is time for a change.
Everyone is aware that job losses are only going to increase. At the same time funding for service programs are also going to be cut.
Many people are going to be forced to retire and we all know the condition of a lot of retirement plans and 401 K plans
Many are going to retire with much less than they expected and almost all will not have medical benefits.
Here is our plan to address that portion of the population.
Volunteer for Medical Benefits
Many new retirees will be retiring with many of the job skills that service organizations currently have to fund through grants.
As we know the first thin cut will be government grants.
Our recommendation is that we ask retirees to volunteer 20 hours a week at local not for profits.
This will provide the not for profits with the skilled staff that they will be losing due to budget cuts.
In return the volunteers will have a portion of their medical benefits paid for from a fund set up by the government.
In the long run the cost will be significantly less than what has been paid out in previous grants.
As we bring more people into the program the cost of the coverage will also decrease.
(We have submitted this idea to both our State and Federal Senators and are awaiting feedback)
Measure Twice Cut Once
Too often decisions have been made right after a disaster out of necessity.
Too often these are band aid solutions and not clearly thought out.
One only has to remember what happened in Mississippi and Louisiana after Katrina.
Billions of dollars of supplies never got to their intended recipients.
For example contracts were given to questionable companies and we still have people living in government provided trailers with formaldehyde as insulation
FEMA has shown time and time again that they need to recreate the wheel with every disaster.
Many areas of the country are prone to natural disasters (floods hurricanes etc).
We need proactive plans that include a census of the people in these areas so that we will be prepared for the next disaster.
In the long run we will save billions by planning ahead and making contacts with local non profits in advance.
(We are currently developing a plan where Staten Island schools will adopt schools in disaster areas. Direct contact between these schools will be established in advance and Staten Island schools will collect needed supplies and materials for their adopted school in the event of a disaster)
Fool Me Once Shame on You……..
Year after year the same companies are granted no bid or questionable bid contracts.
Hundreds of billions of dollars are paid out to companies affiliated with current or former elected officials.
One only has to do an audit on what was spent on the current war.
And track back to the people getting these contracts.
But these audits need to have some teeth to them and the results should be made public as should be how the recommendations were met or not met.
We look forward to your ideas
We need to put together a long term plan.
Most of the people making the decisions that led us into this situation were in office when we went through the same thing with the Savings and Loans
We need to learn from our mistakes and not allow ourselves to get into this situation again.
The following are a few suggestions.
Many are pretty simple but it appears that the complicated solutions haven’t worked to well so why not try simple.
Can You Hear Me Know?
For years we have been relying on the same experts and look at where that has gotten us.
The internet is a fantastic tool one only has to look how our candidates have used it to raise money for their campaigns.
Why can’t the current administration use it to solicit advice?
Get some ideas from outside the box.
While many of these ideas might not worth the e-mail they are sent on why do we think that the brain trust in Washington is the only with an intelligent thought?
For too long the intelligence of the American public has been ignored.
They have only been looked upon as a source for campaign contributions not ideas.
It is time for a change.
Everyone is aware that job losses are only going to increase. At the same time funding for service programs are also going to be cut.
Many people are going to be forced to retire and we all know the condition of a lot of retirement plans and 401 K plans
Many are going to retire with much less than they expected and almost all will not have medical benefits.
Here is our plan to address that portion of the population.
Volunteer for Medical Benefits
Many new retirees will be retiring with many of the job skills that service organizations currently have to fund through grants.
As we know the first thin cut will be government grants.
Our recommendation is that we ask retirees to volunteer 20 hours a week at local not for profits.
This will provide the not for profits with the skilled staff that they will be losing due to budget cuts.
In return the volunteers will have a portion of their medical benefits paid for from a fund set up by the government.
In the long run the cost will be significantly less than what has been paid out in previous grants.
As we bring more people into the program the cost of the coverage will also decrease.
(We have submitted this idea to both our State and Federal Senators and are awaiting feedback)
Measure Twice Cut Once
Too often decisions have been made right after a disaster out of necessity.
Too often these are band aid solutions and not clearly thought out.
One only has to remember what happened in Mississippi and Louisiana after Katrina.
Billions of dollars of supplies never got to their intended recipients.
For example contracts were given to questionable companies and we still have people living in government provided trailers with formaldehyde as insulation
FEMA has shown time and time again that they need to recreate the wheel with every disaster.
Many areas of the country are prone to natural disasters (floods hurricanes etc).
We need proactive plans that include a census of the people in these areas so that we will be prepared for the next disaster.
In the long run we will save billions by planning ahead and making contacts with local non profits in advance.
(We are currently developing a plan where Staten Island schools will adopt schools in disaster areas. Direct contact between these schools will be established in advance and Staten Island schools will collect needed supplies and materials for their adopted school in the event of a disaster)
Fool Me Once Shame on You……..
Year after year the same companies are granted no bid or questionable bid contracts.
Hundreds of billions of dollars are paid out to companies affiliated with current or former elected officials.
One only has to do an audit on what was spent on the current war.
And track back to the people getting these contracts.
But these audits need to have some teeth to them and the results should be made public as should be how the recommendations were met or not met.
We look forward to your ideas
"Alice's Restaurant"
Now that you have finished your Thanksgiving Dinner and the guests are gone and you are on you computer just to check to see if you got any urgent e-mails
Take a few minutes and enjoy an old Thanksgiving tradition and listen to “Alice’s Restaurant”
For those to young to remember it’s worth the listen.
Thank Arnie for passing this on
And I hope everyone had a Great Thanksgiving
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_7C0QGkiVo
To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven.
Johannes A. Gaertner
Take a few minutes and enjoy an old Thanksgiving tradition and listen to “Alice’s Restaurant”
For those to young to remember it’s worth the listen.
Thank Arnie for passing this on
And I hope everyone had a Great Thanksgiving
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_7C0QGkiVo
To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven.
Johannes A. Gaertner
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
CREATIVITY 101....REFORM STARTS AT THE TOP
The problem that faces the country today can be tied to greed and lack of oversight
Greed not only in our corporate executive but throughout government as well.
If our Federal Government was an actual business it would be looking for a bailout as well.
Here are a few ideas for reform at the top
Campaign Finance Reform
During the last campaign over $5 Billion was spent by candidates to basically buy their way into office.
The two candidates running for President spent $1.2 Billion on their campaigns alone.
Now what type of example does that set?
People do not have enough money to put food on the table but we can afford to spend $5 Billion on campaign expenses.
And to add insult to injury many local campaigns actually receive matching funds that come from you guessed it the taxpayers.
Matching funds were originally instituted to even the playing field but obviously that has not worked.
Maybe we should limit the amount of money allowed to be spent on campaigns at various levels.
Don’t you think that $5 Billion is a little excessive?
If they are going to go after corporate executives for excessive spending they should hold the mirror up to themselves as well.
Between the spending and the time spent away from their official responsibilities our elected officials are no better then their Wall Street counterparts.
Reform has to start at the top.
Government Spending
Do you remember the scene in “Dave” where he sits with his cabinet to come up with money to save a day care center?
He asks the question “Why do we keep paying companies for services not delivered”?
That’s what we need to do at all level of government.
Discontinue contracts to companies that have not delivered and distribute them to other eligible companies.
The same needs to be done with grant recipients
Don’t let these companies and recipients walk away without delivering.
Once we begin showing more accountability in government maybe we will get some in corporate America.
Do As I Say Not As I Do
Unfortunately many of our elected officials do not practice what they preach.
We have Congressman who besides two private homes also has multiple rent stabilized apartments
We have an Attorney General who is going after corporate excesses while accepting up to $50,000 contributions from these same people to attend his birthday party.
These are just two examples.
There are many others
How are people supposed to take what they say seriously?
Who Has The Authority?
Government has created so many agencies that operate with little or no oversight.
In New York we have the Authorities,
From the MTA to the PA these independent agencies basically make up there own rules.
They expand way past their original responsibilities and when they get into fiscal trouble the taxpayer is the one who pays.
The MTA is a perfect example as to why we need to eliminate the Authorities.
Just last year they raised fares with the promise of extra service.
Having not delivered on any of the promises they are now asking for additional fare increases as well as subsidies from the city.
An agency that has repeatedly been accused of hiding profits with questionable bookkeeping practices is basically allowed to do what it pleases and answers to no one.
You can get similar stories from all of the Authorities and government created agencies.
Where do the billions in tolls collected by the TBA go?
Why is the PA even involved in buildings such as the World Trade Center?
And we would love to talk about all the other agencies such as the LMDC but we just don’t have the time.
Where Do We Go From Here
We all know that we are in for some tough times.
Most of us are resigned to the fact that taxes will rise.
Paying taxes is a fact of life but when your taxes are raised to cover mismanagement and governmental excess it is a bitter pill to swallow.
Why should we be called on to bail government out if they are not doing their part?
Tomorrow Some Possible Solutions
Greed not only in our corporate executive but throughout government as well.
If our Federal Government was an actual business it would be looking for a bailout as well.
Here are a few ideas for reform at the top
Campaign Finance Reform
During the last campaign over $5 Billion was spent by candidates to basically buy their way into office.
The two candidates running for President spent $1.2 Billion on their campaigns alone.
Now what type of example does that set?
People do not have enough money to put food on the table but we can afford to spend $5 Billion on campaign expenses.
And to add insult to injury many local campaigns actually receive matching funds that come from you guessed it the taxpayers.
Matching funds were originally instituted to even the playing field but obviously that has not worked.
Maybe we should limit the amount of money allowed to be spent on campaigns at various levels.
Don’t you think that $5 Billion is a little excessive?
If they are going to go after corporate executives for excessive spending they should hold the mirror up to themselves as well.
Between the spending and the time spent away from their official responsibilities our elected officials are no better then their Wall Street counterparts.
Reform has to start at the top.
Government Spending
Do you remember the scene in “Dave” where he sits with his cabinet to come up with money to save a day care center?
He asks the question “Why do we keep paying companies for services not delivered”?
That’s what we need to do at all level of government.
Discontinue contracts to companies that have not delivered and distribute them to other eligible companies.
The same needs to be done with grant recipients
Don’t let these companies and recipients walk away without delivering.
Once we begin showing more accountability in government maybe we will get some in corporate America.
Do As I Say Not As I Do
Unfortunately many of our elected officials do not practice what they preach.
We have Congressman who besides two private homes also has multiple rent stabilized apartments
We have an Attorney General who is going after corporate excesses while accepting up to $50,000 contributions from these same people to attend his birthday party.
These are just two examples.
There are many others
How are people supposed to take what they say seriously?
Who Has The Authority?
Government has created so many agencies that operate with little or no oversight.
In New York we have the Authorities,
From the MTA to the PA these independent agencies basically make up there own rules.
They expand way past their original responsibilities and when they get into fiscal trouble the taxpayer is the one who pays.
The MTA is a perfect example as to why we need to eliminate the Authorities.
Just last year they raised fares with the promise of extra service.
Having not delivered on any of the promises they are now asking for additional fare increases as well as subsidies from the city.
An agency that has repeatedly been accused of hiding profits with questionable bookkeeping practices is basically allowed to do what it pleases and answers to no one.
You can get similar stories from all of the Authorities and government created agencies.
Where do the billions in tolls collected by the TBA go?
Why is the PA even involved in buildings such as the World Trade Center?
And we would love to talk about all the other agencies such as the LMDC but we just don’t have the time.
Where Do We Go From Here
We all know that we are in for some tough times.
Most of us are resigned to the fact that taxes will rise.
Paying taxes is a fact of life but when your taxes are raised to cover mismanagement and governmental excess it is a bitter pill to swallow.
Why should we be called on to bail government out if they are not doing their part?
Tomorrow Some Possible Solutions
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Creativity can solve almost any problem
Creativity can solve almost any problem
The creative act, the defeat of habit by originality, overcomes everything.
George Lois
As every new day seems to unveil another major financial collapse many have become increasingly worried.
Banks, financial institutions, the major auto manufacturers one by one they are failing.
Executives of these companies have walked away with millions and left their employees and investors holding the bag.
The ones that remain are now counting on the government to bail them out.
A government that is already trillions of dollars in debt.
If this was any other country in the world, the end would surely be in site
But if the history of America has proven anything it is that you can never underestimate the ingenuity and resolve of Americans.
And while we have allowed a small percentage of our population bring us to the edge of financial ruin it will be the majority of the hard working people that will bring us back.
It’s not going to be the executives, it is not going to be the elected officials and it is definitely not going to be the bankers
As Mark Twain once said “A banker is a fellow who lends you his umbrella when the sun is shining, but wants it back the minute it begins to rain.
For too long we have allowed bankers and banker types run this country.
And they have run it into the ground.
It is time for the American people to demand a change.
We need to stop the recycling of executives and elected officials.
By the way we keep bringing the same people back one would think this was the NBA or the NHL.
Hey here’s a guy who just ran Home Depot into the ground lets hire him to run Ford.
Over 75% of Congress has been in place during this debacle and what do we do?
We elect them all again and watch them point fingers at each other as the Dow hits lows it hasn’t seen in years.
We need to change the mentality from Washington to Wall Street.
If the government is bailing companies out then limit the salaries of the executives.
If they complain let them find other jobs as there are certainly thousands of others who would gladly step in.
Bonuses for these Government subsidized companies should only be granted if the company turns a real profit.
And all bonuses should be paid in stock options exercisable after five years to encourage sustainability.
Also any government subsidized company should not be allowed to pay for lobbyists as that would definitely create a conflict of interest.
And back on Capital Hill.
We should push for a “Political Pre-Nup” to hold our elected officials accountable. (See below for details)
And hold all government agencies to the same scrutiny.
And you can start with Few Emergencies Managed Adequately
As this agency has been following the same corporate strategy as our friends on Wall Street.
With no bid contracts and mismanagement millions have been denied the disaster assistance they needed.
And if it weren’t for the unlimited government checkbook they would be bankrupt as well.
Let the local grassroots get involved as they know what is need where it is needed and when it is needed.
There are thousands of great organizations that have helped millions while operating on shoe string budgets.
When is the last time the government even considered some of these programs?
If we are going to get back on track this is where it needs to start.
But it will only work if “We the People” are involved.
Tune in tomorrow for some creative ideas.
It's Time For A Political Pre-Nup
http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=43838
The creative act, the defeat of habit by originality, overcomes everything.
George Lois
As every new day seems to unveil another major financial collapse many have become increasingly worried.
Banks, financial institutions, the major auto manufacturers one by one they are failing.
Executives of these companies have walked away with millions and left their employees and investors holding the bag.
The ones that remain are now counting on the government to bail them out.
A government that is already trillions of dollars in debt.
If this was any other country in the world, the end would surely be in site
But if the history of America has proven anything it is that you can never underestimate the ingenuity and resolve of Americans.
And while we have allowed a small percentage of our population bring us to the edge of financial ruin it will be the majority of the hard working people that will bring us back.
It’s not going to be the executives, it is not going to be the elected officials and it is definitely not going to be the bankers
As Mark Twain once said “A banker is a fellow who lends you his umbrella when the sun is shining, but wants it back the minute it begins to rain.
For too long we have allowed bankers and banker types run this country.
And they have run it into the ground.
It is time for the American people to demand a change.
We need to stop the recycling of executives and elected officials.
By the way we keep bringing the same people back one would think this was the NBA or the NHL.
Hey here’s a guy who just ran Home Depot into the ground lets hire him to run Ford.
Over 75% of Congress has been in place during this debacle and what do we do?
We elect them all again and watch them point fingers at each other as the Dow hits lows it hasn’t seen in years.
We need to change the mentality from Washington to Wall Street.
If the government is bailing companies out then limit the salaries of the executives.
If they complain let them find other jobs as there are certainly thousands of others who would gladly step in.
Bonuses for these Government subsidized companies should only be granted if the company turns a real profit.
And all bonuses should be paid in stock options exercisable after five years to encourage sustainability.
Also any government subsidized company should not be allowed to pay for lobbyists as that would definitely create a conflict of interest.
And back on Capital Hill.
We should push for a “Political Pre-Nup” to hold our elected officials accountable. (See below for details)
And hold all government agencies to the same scrutiny.
And you can start with Few Emergencies Managed Adequately
As this agency has been following the same corporate strategy as our friends on Wall Street.
With no bid contracts and mismanagement millions have been denied the disaster assistance they needed.
And if it weren’t for the unlimited government checkbook they would be bankrupt as well.
Let the local grassroots get involved as they know what is need where it is needed and when it is needed.
There are thousands of great organizations that have helped millions while operating on shoe string budgets.
When is the last time the government even considered some of these programs?
If we are going to get back on track this is where it needs to start.
But it will only work if “We the People” are involved.
Tune in tomorrow for some creative ideas.
It's Time For A Political Pre-Nup
http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=43838
Monday, November 24, 2008
WHAT'S $20 MILLION AMONG FRIENDS?
Another day another bailout.
As you have probably heard Congress has agreed to extend the bailout to Citigroup and will be taking over their toxic investments to the tune of $21 Billion.
I might be a cynic but I would have to think that the $20 million that Citigroup pays its Washington lobbyists every year might have something to do with them making the cut.
Maybe the Big Three auto firms need to get themselves better lobbyists.
The whole thing just continues to spin out of control.
One by one these corporations that have never given the consumer a break are getting bailed out.
Maybe Citigroup, Amex and all the other credit card companies might have thought about lowering their rates to give their clients a chance to get back on their feet.
No not them, and these are the same people asking and getting bailouts from the Government.
When did we lose control?
New York State is just as bad.
It continues to let the Authorities to run amok with little or no oversight.
Now it’s the MTA cutting service and raising rates with a tin can in hand up in Albany.
How soon before the TBA and the PA follow suit?
Authorities that were created to circumvent the system with specific objectives.
The MTA to manage subways and buses.
The PA to manage the ports.
The TBA to manage the bridges.
But we allowed these Authorities to branch out into real estate and investments with public money.
What has that have to do with bridges, subways and ports?
Why is the World Trade Center part of the Port Authority?
What does the tallest structure in New York have to do with the ports?
But in the future if they ever get it rebuilt and find that they have no tenants the government will be asked to either subsidize the building or move government employees from perfectly fine buildings into the site.
And the carousel of insanity continues.
And they wonder why we are going broke.
As you have probably heard Congress has agreed to extend the bailout to Citigroup and will be taking over their toxic investments to the tune of $21 Billion.
I might be a cynic but I would have to think that the $20 million that Citigroup pays its Washington lobbyists every year might have something to do with them making the cut.
Maybe the Big Three auto firms need to get themselves better lobbyists.
The whole thing just continues to spin out of control.
One by one these corporations that have never given the consumer a break are getting bailed out.
Maybe Citigroup, Amex and all the other credit card companies might have thought about lowering their rates to give their clients a chance to get back on their feet.
No not them, and these are the same people asking and getting bailouts from the Government.
When did we lose control?
New York State is just as bad.
It continues to let the Authorities to run amok with little or no oversight.
Now it’s the MTA cutting service and raising rates with a tin can in hand up in Albany.
How soon before the TBA and the PA follow suit?
Authorities that were created to circumvent the system with specific objectives.
The MTA to manage subways and buses.
The PA to manage the ports.
The TBA to manage the bridges.
But we allowed these Authorities to branch out into real estate and investments with public money.
What has that have to do with bridges, subways and ports?
Why is the World Trade Center part of the Port Authority?
What does the tallest structure in New York have to do with the ports?
But in the future if they ever get it rebuilt and find that they have no tenants the government will be asked to either subsidize the building or move government employees from perfectly fine buildings into the site.
And the carousel of insanity continues.
And they wonder why we are going broke.
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