And still more of America by the numbers
The folks at Gallup tell us that President Obama’s job approval is down to 44 percent. The folks over at the local Republican hangout want to know why it’s still so high. That’s a no-brainer. If you collected 99 weeks of unemployment, are receiving food stamps, and are one of the bottom half of America who is not paying any income tax, you’d also approve of him!
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Seventy-five percent of Americans say they are worried the country will soon fall into another recession. Really? I’m sure that if the question was worded in another way that 75 percent would say that America is already in another recession.
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Time.com tells us that according to current costs, those of you who earn between $59,410 and $102,870 will be spending an average of $234,900 to raise a child from infancy to age 17. That is 3.5 percent higher than last year. Those numbers come from government agency estimates. But according to the Gershbein estimates, which takes tuition and other expenses into consideration, the following eight years will cost a lot more than the first 17. And the Gershbein estimates are based on experience.
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As an avid cruiser — Diamond Plus level on Royal Caribbean — I was a little surprised to learn that only four percent of Americans have taken a cruise. Cruise cabins are like airplane seats. Once the plane leaves, an empty seat is a total loss. Therefore, with a weak economy, and not expecting it to get better sometime soon, the cruise lines are offering sharp discounts on many sailings. If you are one of the 96 percent that has not yet sailed for your vacation and are sincerely looking into taking one, I must warn you: cruising is addictive. I don’t know anyone who has taken only one cruise. Carol and I have sailed on 91 and will be booking number 92 by this afternoon.
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Sixty-six percent of American parents say the risk of concussion would not deter them from allowing their sons to play football, but 26 percent say it would. I had a friend who was the assistant football coach at Canarsie HS many, many years ago. One season, I, along with many Canarsians, were invited down to the ceremonial first day of tryouts. Looking at his clipboard, he made the following announcement.
“When you hear your names, please line up against the fence. Adelson; Applebaum; B. Cohen; L. Cohen; Glazer; Goldberg; Goldman- Jacobs– Markowitz; Pearlman; Rothman; Schwartz; Singer; Wasserman; Weinstein; and Zuckerman. Those of you whose name I just called go home and become doctors, lawyers and accountants. The rest of you come with me.”
The point is, he knew 40 years ago which parents would not let their sons play football.
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Nine months after becoming lawyers, 45 percent of America’s newly licensed attorneys are still not working — not in their chosen field anyway. According to the Wall Street Journal only 55 percent managed to find a full-time job requiring a law degree. Hey, don’t let that discourage you from getting a great education. Some of the most prominent Americans are lawyers by profession but, for one reason or another, made their marks in other areas. How many of the following lawyer’s names do you recognize? Geraldo Rivera, Howard Cosell, David Merrick, Jerry Springer, Bowie Kuhn, John Grisham, John Cleese, and Tony La Russa. Yes. That Tony La Russa, one of Major League Baseball’s best managers.
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Two months ago we were told by Pew Research that public approval of the Supreme Court sunk to a 25 year low. Only 52 percent had a positive view of the court compared to 80 percent less than 18 years ago. I am waiting for a reliable source to tell me what the number is today.
The Pew people asked, “What did you think of the Supreme Court upholding ObamaCare?” Here are the results. Thirty-six percent approve, 40 percent disapprove and 24 percent don’t know. The Supreme Court of the United States calls it a tax, but there are still many that say it’s a mandate. No! It’s a tax! No! It’s a mandate! Tax! Mandate! Tax! Mandate! Horse! Mule! Horse! Mule! Tradition! I am StanGershbein@Bellsouth.net asking, “What’s the difference? Either way it will be hitting you in your wallet.
Read Stan Gershbein's column every Monday on BrooklynDaily.com.
