Category Archives: U.S.

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

Details about Allstate Chubbuck Call Center jobs

It seems the local East Idaho television news didn’t tell the story clearly concerning the Allstate Customer Information Center (CIC), planned to be built in Chubbuck, Idaho.

It is not part of the Pine Ridge Mall property.  It will be built on a vacant lot that is part of the Home Depot plaza, aka The Crossings.  The vacant lot was originally intended for smaller retail spaces, but, no contracts were signed so it sat vacant for several years.

The Crossings, Hawthorne Road, Chubbuck, Idaho.

In reading several articles in the Idaho State Journal newspaper, it became clear that the claimed 500-600 jobs is just an optimistic goal.  Only 25 people will be hired in February 2011.  More people will be hired closer to the opening date, and the total amount of employees will depend on how many calls the CIC gets.

For those worried about making sales calls, Chubbuck Mayor Steve England says there will be no “soliciting calls”.  However, employees will be required to get a state insurance license.  Sorry, state law.  Also, employees will have to get a license from every state they handle calls from.  Allstate says part of their training will include prepping for the license exam.

Training will be 6 weeks, plus one week for the license prep.  Allstate encourages college courses, and, after one year of employment, they will reimburse employees for college courses that pertain to the job.

Pay will start at $27,000 per year.  The maximum you could get is $50,000.  There are no details about how you could get the maximum, other than bonuses, but the number of licenses you have, and college courses, probably factor in.

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

Chubbuck, Idaho, to get 500 Allstate Jobs?

Allstate announced that Chubbuck, Idaho, will be the home of a new call center.  The building will go up across from the Chubbuck Home Depot, and could employ more than 500 people (if call volume supports that many jobs).

Lot where Allstate will build a Customer Information Center, in Chubbuck, Idaho.

They hope to have the 75,000 square foot building open by September 2011.  The Customer Information Center will handle not only incoming calls, but conduct outgoing customer calling.  This will make the fourth center for Allstate.  They have call centers in Texas, Illinois and North Carolina.

The Crossings, home to Chubbuck Home Depot, and now Allstate Customer Information Center.

There is some conflicting information about when hiring will start, and how much the starting pay is.  Some local media reports have stated that hiring will begin in November 2010, yet, the official Allstate press release says hiring will not begin until February 2011.  Allstate will post job openings for the call center “At the beginning of the New Year.”  Also, local media reports say starting salary will be $25,000 per year, some say $27,000.  The official press release does not indicate how much starting salaries will be.

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Here we go again, Toyota recalls Millions of Vehicles

Today, Toyota announced that they are recalling 1.5 million cars and sport utility vehicles, in Japan and the United States, for faulty power brake systems and faulty fuel pumps.

NEW YORK - JANUARY 21: A Toyota Avalon is seen in a dealership lot in the Bay Ridge neighborhood of the Brooklyn borough of New York City on January 21, 2009. Toyota has toppled General Motors as the world's largest automaker for the first time in more than 70 years. . (Photo by Ramin Talaie/Getty Images)

The US recall includes 2005 and 2006 Avalon, 2004 to 2006 non-hybrid Highlander and Lexus RX330, and 2006 Lexus GS300, IS250, and IS350.

A Lexus sign seen at the Pohanka Lexus dealership in Chantilly, Virginia, on April 14, 2010. Toyota Motor Corp. suspended sales of the car after Consumer Reports warned shoppers not to buy the sport utility vehicle because of roll over concerns on sharp turns. UPI/Roger L. Wollenberg Photo via Newscom

The brake master cylinder leaks fluid, causing reduced brake performance.  The electrical fuel pumps can shut off, stalling the engine.  Get with your local Toyota or Lexus dealer to have the problems fixed (at Toyota’s expense of course).

International, U.S.

Did You Know About the (U.S. Backed?) Coup in Ecuador?

On September 30th, there was what some call a U.S. backed coup attempt in Ecuador.  It failed.  Did the U.S. TV media cover it.  No.

Army soldiers run as they clash with striking police outside a hospital, where Ecuador's President Rafael Correa was holed up inside, in Quito September 30, 2010. Army troops stormed a hospital in Quito late on Thursday and rescued Correa, who had been trapped inside and surrounded by renegade police protesting against government austerity measures. REUTERS/Guillermo Granja (ECUADOR - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST MILITARY)

According to several western media sources, the violence happened as a result of the Ecuadorian government making tough economic decisions that affected many workers, including police.  However, Russia Today interviewed several people who said many of the disaffected groups, involved in the coup, get money from U.S. agencies.  Also, police said they were rebelling because their benefits were being cut, but, according to Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa, benefits have not been cut, and police pay has actually been increased; “Presumably, a certain part of society – in this case, armed people, national police – expressed their discontent with the new law they haven’t even read to the end.”

Army soldiers run as they clash with striking police outside a hospital, where Ecuador's President Rafael Correa was holed up inside, in Quito September 30, 2010. Army troops stormed a hospital in Quito late on Thursday and rescued Correa, who had been trapped inside and surrounded by renegade police protesting against government austerity measures. REUTERS/Guillermo Granja (ECUADOR - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST MILITARY IMAGES OF THE DAY)

The Ecuadorian Army put down the coup attempt by, what some say were police officers backed by U.S. interests.  President Correa said they have intelligence that shows that several groups went to the United States just days before the coup.  Those groups met with right wing political groups in the U.S., where it’s believed they received funding for a coup attempt.  Mmmm, isn’t that sponsoring international terrorism, by the very country leading the War on Terror?

Military personnel patrol the street in armoured vehicles, in Quito October 5, 2010. Ecuador's President Rafael Correa issued a decree on Tuesday extending the country's state of alert, which lets the army patrol the streets, until October 8. REUTERS/Guillermo Granja (ECUADOR - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST MILITARY)

There is a state of emergency in Ecuador. The streets are being patrolled by the Army.  Question: If so many Ecuadorians didn’t like their President, why did so many unarmed civilians come out in defense of him?

People stage a rally in support of Ecuador's President Rafael Correa in Buenos Aires October 1, 2010. Latin American leaders condemned unrest in Ecuador Thursday and threw their support behind Correa as he faced crowds of police protesting over austerity plans. REUTERS/Enrique Marcarian(ARGENTINA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

Who is President Rafael Vicente Correa Delgado? He is what greedy neo-con right wingers in the United States hate: An Economist, and Socialist, who fought against (mainly U.S.) creditors, claiming that the many debts against Ecuador were illegal.  He also kicked out the World Bank’s Ecuadorian manager.  He is the current President of the Union of South American Nations (bet most people in the U.S. don’t know the South American countries united back in 2008).  In other words, take out Correa and you kill two birds with one stone.

Ecuador's President Rafael Correa gives a news conference inside the Carondolet Palace, after army soldiers rescued him from the hands of striking police, in Quito September 30, 2010. Army troops stormed a hospital in Quito late on Thursday and rescued Correa, who had been trapped inside and surrounded by renegade police protesting against government austerity measures. REUTERS/Guillermo Granja (ECUADOR - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST MILITARY)

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Venezuela & Iran Working to Create New, New World Order

On Wednesday, October 20th, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, announced they had signed several energy deals, and, that they are working towards a new world order of their own.   Ahmadinejad stated; “We are united and determined to end the current injustice which dominates the world and replace it with a new world order based on justice.”

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad embraces Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez during a welcoming ceremony for Chavez in Tehran, Iran on October 19, 2010. UPI/Maryam Rahmanian Photo via Newscom

Ahmadinejad also said; “If one day, my brother Mr Chavez and I and a few other people were once alone in the world, today we have a long line of revolutionary officials and people standing alongside each other. The enemies of our nations will go one day. This is the promise of God and the promise of God will definitely be fulfilled.”

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez during a welcoming ceremony for Chavez in Tehran, Iran on October 19, 2010. UPI/Maryam Rahmanian Photo via Newscom

An example of how ignorant our government, and U.S. political advisers, have gotten, foreign policy analyst, Rick Casper said this deal between Iran and Venezuela was proof that U.S. sanctions are working.  What an idiot!  He also said; “There is no other country willing to do business with Iran except Venezuela.” Idiot!  Who do you think is building Iran’s nuclear power plant?  Russia!  Iran also has deals with China, and many Central Asian countries, as well as European countries.  This is the level of intelligence of U.S. foreign policy analysts?

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Venezuela Building Nuclear Plant, says Yankee Empire Behind World Aggression

It’s interesting how our government, and main stream media, is so rabid about going after Iran’s nuclear power ambitions.   And now, in the back yard of the United States, Venezuela has signed a deal with Russia to build a nuclear reactor. I’m not seeing any rabid war mongering coming from our government, or media, about it.  Mmmm.  Here’s what U.S. State Department spokesman Philip Crowley had to say about it; “It is certainly a right of any country to pursue civilian nuclear energy, but with that right comes responsibilities,”.  Not as tough sounding as with Iran.

ITAR-TASS: MOSCOW, RUSSIA. OCTOBER 15, 2010. Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, Venezuela's president Hugo Chavez (R-L) sign agreements at the Kremlin. (Photo ITAR-TASS/ Mikhail Klimentyev) Photo via Newscom

Hugo Chavez, President of Venezuela, is traveling the world.  His first stop, Russia, where he gave a speech denouncing the United States, and expressing sorrow for the fall of the Soviet Union.  The nuclear plant deal was part of a larger economic deal with Russia.  Another part of the deal involves the sale of Venezuela’s stake in four oil refineries that are co-owned by a German company.   Other petroleum deals with Russia involve the sale of Venezuelan assets co-owned by British Petroleum (BP, remember those guys).  Gee, that doesn’t sound like a communist thing to do?   Chavez stated; “I’m a socialist, but also a good merchant.”

KIEV, UKRAINE. OCTOBER 18, 2010. Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez (C) touring the Antonov aircraft assembly plant in Kyiv, accompanied by its President and General Designer Dmitry Kiva (L). Photo ITAR-TASS / Vladimir Sindeyev Photo via Newscom

Chavez also stopped in Ukraine, and had a tour of the famous Antonov aircraft factory.

In a Russia Today interview, President Chavez blamed the current violent state of the world on the “…Yankee Empire.” (I wounder how many U.S. citizens know that ‘Yankee’ refers to them).  Russian President Medvedev said Russia and Venezuela are working to create a world order not dependent on the United States; “…a world order where our future would not depend on the will, desire, or mood of some country, but on joint efforts of the international community, and, indeed, internal development.”

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

French Strikers Blockade Airports. Don’t Get It?

The anti-government strikes continue in France. Strikers are now blockading airports.  French police opened access to most oil depots, although strikers managed to re-blockade one oil depot.  Liquid Natural Gas workers are now refusing to unload ships carrying LNG.  The French Government is saying they have things under control, and that strikers, like the high school students, will stop, because of an upcoming school holiday.

French striking workers block the Charles-de-Gaulle airport in Roissy near Paris October 20, 2010. Striking public sector workers disrupted travel across France as trade unions kept up their resistance on Wednesday to an unpopular pension reform due for a final vote in the Senate this week. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes (FRANCE - Tags: CIVIL UNREST EMPLOYMENT BUSINESS TRANSPORT POLITICS)

Why is the retirement age increase so important to French workers? Basically because it was a long hard fight to get a retirement system, and now they see this as baby steps to taking it away.  It is a quality of life issue for the French.    Here’s what retired French policeman, Michel Fourgues, had to say: “I am a retired police officer, and we have known times when we earned very little money, but it did not bother anyone. Today we have a pension, we deserve one, and we wish the same thing for the younger generation.”

Demonstrators march through the streets to protest the French government's attempt to raise the minimum retirement age in Paris on October 19, 2010. Trade unions and students have staged nationwide street marches and disruptive strikes throughout France over the last few weeks. UPI/David Silpa Photo via Newscom

Another issue is jobs.  France has an unemployment rate of almost 25% for workers under 25 years of age.  So, naturally the youth feel threatened by an increase in the retirement age.  One protester’s sign read: “Grandpa took my job.”

A demonstrator marches through the streets to protest the French government's attempt to raise the minimum retirement age in Paris on October 19, 2010. Trade unions and students have staged nationwide street marches and disruptive strikes throughout France over the last few weeks. UPI/David Silpa Photo via Newscom

I don’t get it. People in the United States are facing increasing retirement age, yet no one seems to care as much as the French care.  Isn’t quality of life important?  You really want to work most of your life at jobs you hate, and, compete with your own children, or even your grand children?  I don’t get it.

Business/Economics, U.S.

Wells Fargo Making Profits, How? Magic?

Another big bank involved in foreclosing on homeowners, is reporting record profits.

OAKLAND, CA - JULY 22: A customer uses an ATM at a Wells Fargo Bank office July 22, 2009 in Oakland, California. Wells Fargo reported an 81 percent increase in second quarter profits with earnings of $2.58 billion, or 57 cents per share compared to $1.75 billion, or 53 cents per share one year ago. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

According to the Mercury News, Wells Fargo posted a $3.3 billion profit for the 3rd quarter.  That’s 3.1% higher than last year, and yet, the bank’s actual revenues were down from the previous year, by 7.1%.  How do you get profits that are up from the previous year, when your revenues are down from the previous year?

Time for some math.  The formula for figuring profits is:

Profit = Revenue – Costs, or, Revenue – Costs = Profit

However you look at it, basically you can not have an increase in profits with  decreased revenue.  Unless you’ve somehow come up with a way of eliminating your costs, or some other accounting Magic?  (take some economics or accounting courses and you will find lots of Magic being used)

As far as foreclosures go; John Stumpf, Wells Fargo’s chairman and chief executive, says they are following the rules.

SAN FRANCISCO - APRIL 27: A Wells Fargo security guard attempts to move a protestor from the front of the building during a demonstration outside of the Wells Fargo Bank shareholders meeting April 27, 2010 in San Francisco, California. Hundreds of people held a demonstration outside of the Wells Fargo Bank shareholders meeting to protest Wells Fargo's alleged involvement in the financial collapse and excessive CEO and executive bonuses. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

In a CNN/Fortune article Wells Fargo tries to make themselves look like the lesser evil in the housing foreclosure conspiracy.   Wells Fargo claims they are foreclosing only 1 in 12 mortgages (oh that’s not a lot?), compared to Bank of America with 1 in 7 mortgages being foreclosed.

CHICAGO - APRIL 09: A Wells Fargo sign hangs on the door of a Wells Fargo home mortgage office on April 9, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois. Wells Fargo & Co said it expects to post a record $3 billion first-quarter profit exceeding analysts� expectations. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Business/Economics, U.S.

Housing Start Numbers BS say Contractors

According to a CNN report, despite housing construction start numbers being up, contractors says actual construction is flat.

The official Federal government housing start numbers only indicate the number of construction permits approved by local governments.  Contractors say that banks are refusing to finance most new construction.

NORTH LAUDERDALE, FL - AUGUST 11: A building permit is seen on the wall as workers refurbish a home that Habitat for Humanity bought in a foreclosure sale on August 11, 2010 in North Lauderdale, Florida. In the nationwide program the organization purchases bank-owned homes and turns them into safe, decent, affordable place to live. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

“Remember a couple of weeks ago when they came out and said guess what the recession was over? That rumble you heard was the construction industry laughing their ‘friggin’ brains out,” says contractor Paul Kinney, owner of a top 500 home building company in the United States.  Another problem is that some U.S. banks agree to fund a project, then, as the project is about to start, they cancel the funding.

Contractors are saying that most big construction projects that do get built, are being built with foreign money.

Idaho, Opinion, U.S.

U.S. Youths Apathetic, the True End of the United States

I was talking with my adult kids, and my 14 year old, about what was going on in France.  They didn’t care.  I tried to relate the basic issues of the people feeling ripped off by their government, and corporations, to what is happening here in the United States.  They didn’t care.  I asked my 14 year old what her fellow high school students think.  They don’t care.  What the hell?

She explained that most high school students, at least in East Idaho, feel powerless and are blaming everything on anybody that looks different (most people in Idaho are non-Hispanic whites).  That includes blaming President Obama.

My adult kids backed up that explanation, with the addition that most youths feel that even violence wont change things.  Their co-workers feel powerless and would rather get away from the U.S., than waste any effort to try and change it for the better.  Part of that attitude comes from seeing what their parents have, and are, dealing with.  Hearing from their parents how nothing changes no matter who gets elected, or how many people protest.  Seeing that everything their parents worked for has been lost, or could be lost so easily.

A demonstrator and his daughter march through the streets to protest the French government's attempt to raise the minimum retirement age in Paris on October 19, 2010. Trade unions and students have staged nationwide street marches and disruptive strikes throughout France over the last few weeks. UPI/David Silpa Photo via Newscom

In other words, the future generations of the United States believe they have no say in how the U.S. is governed.  No say in the direction of corporations.  They feel that, essentially, they have no say in their own lives, as long as they stay in the U.S.  This is the true end of the United States.

It’s obvious the French youth still believe in their future, a future in France, because they are fighting for it.

A demonstrator marches through the streets to protest the French government's attempt to raise the minimum retirement age in Paris on October 19, 2010. Trade unions and students have staged nationwide street marches and disruptive strikes throughout France over the last few weeks. UPI/David Silpa Photo via Newscom