US Poverty

Last year, only 51% of personal income was derived from working salaries, the lowest since 1929, according to an analysis by USA Today. The problem stems from the lingering effects of the recession and the high number of unemployed. Wages declined even more during the beginning of 2011, slipping to another historic low of 50.5% in February for personal income. The newspaper also found Americans in 2010 relied more on government assistance than at any other time in the nation's history. A record 18.3% of total personal income was a payment from the government last year for Social Security, Medicare, food stamps, unemployment benefits and other programs. To demonstrate just how high the rate is, government aid averaged about 12.5% annually from 1980 to 2000.

A recent report by the University of Buffalo School of Social Work says single workers in the U.S. need more than $30,000 a year for economic security. Single-parents with two children need nearly twice the income ($57,756) to cover basic expenses and save for emergencies and retirement, while dual-income households with two children require $67,920. The 2010 national poverty level is $10,830 for a single-person family and $18,310 for a family of three.

http://www.presstv.ir/usdetail/177335.html

US oil corruption

Some US government employees have tried to hide their close association with the industry they were supposed to be regulating, the report says.

The investigation appears to have been prompted by an internal whistle-blower's report in 2006, and concerns activity from 2002 to 2006 by the department responsible for selling the oil and gas the government collects as rent from companies drilling on federal lands.

The report alleges inappropriate behavior by 19 members of the Royalty in Kind program -- about one-third of the department. Some have since left the department, making it unclear what kind of disciplinary action they could be subject to.

The Department of Justice declined to prosecute two former employees named in the report, the inspector general said, without saying why. Another pleaded guilty to a criminal charge.

The investigation turned up e-mails in which MMS employees "preparing to attend industry events used such language as 'this trip is to be kept quiet,' or were asked to RSVP 'in private' by their supervisor," the report says.

One of these employees when asked why they needed to avoid discussing their social activities with industry, he responded with a slight chuckle, 'They might have, you know, contacted the [inspector general],' the report says.

For those in Denver , Colorado , USA

Fridays , 7:30 , January 11, 18 and 25 , 2008

Marx in SOHO

Marx is back! The premise of this witty and insightful "play on history" is that Karl Marx has a chance to clear his name and is mistakenly sent to Soho in New York.
To be held @ Mercury Cafe

mercurycafe.com
2199 California St.
Denver CO,
Mercury Café presents “Marx in SOHO” A play on history by Howard Zinn , Starring Chris Kendall, directed by Bob Buckley

Friday’s January, 11 18 and 25 at 7:30 The Mercury Café presents “Marx in SOHO”, a play by Howard Zinn (author of “People’s History of the United States) starring Chris Kendall and directed by Bob Buckley.

Marx is back!

"Don't you wonder: why is it necessary to declare me dead again and again?"

The premise of this witty and insightful "play on history" is that Karl Marx has agitated with the authorities of the afterlife for a chance to clear his name. Through a bureaucratic error, though, Marx is sent to Soho in New York, rather than his old stomping ground in London, to make his case.

Originally produced at the Mercury in 2005, the performance (directed by Bob Buckley) drew laughter, tears, standing ovations and sold out houses. Returning star Chris Kendall was nominated for a Denver Post “Best Solo Performance” award for his portrayal of Marx .

January, 11 18 and 25 at 7:30 Tickets $10
2199 California Street, Denver 80205
Reservations: 303-294-9258
www.mercurycafe.com