Higher education is no konger the great equalizer

EQUAL PAY 2020: MYTH OR REALITY?

It has been 57 years since President Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act into law, and yet, the needle has barely moved on equal pay. In fact, between 2010 and 2018, the aggregate gender pay gap widened. Women currently earn 80 cents for every dollar their male counterparts earn—and that’s the average for all women across the U.S. For women of color, the gender pay gap is generally larger. Latinas, for example, earn 53 cents on the dollar and more than half of Latina mothers are the breadwinners of their families. That 53 cents on the dollar adds up to $1.1 million in lost wages over the course of a Latina’s full-time, 40-year career.

But the issue of pay inequity doesn’t “stop” at the household level. It affects everyone. Closing the gender pay gap alone would increase GDP by $512 billion. How? Let’s examine three issues—higher education, criminal justice, and international trade—to get a glimpse of how and why the gender pay gap cuts straight through the economics of America.

HIGHER EDUCATION IS NO LONGER THE GREAT EQUALIZER

When we tell our youth that higher education is the path to economic mobility, we are only telling them half of the story. We cannot forget about student loan debt and the female graduates who disproportionately shoulder its burden. Women represent 57% of undergraduates yet hold 67% of all student loan debt. In 2000, they made up 45.1% of the college-educated workforce. Today, they are 50.2%—meaning they are the most educated cohort in the workforce.

And yes, educational attainment correlates positively with income. However, educational attainment also correlates positively with the gender pay gap. Not only do women carry more student loan debt, but their return on education also diminishes in proportion to men’s with every degree they earn. Women with bachelor’s degrees earn 71.4% of what men with bachelor’s degrees earn. Women with graduate degrees earn 69.1% of what men with graduate .The wage gap makes it harder for womento pay back their loans, and defaulting on loans is expected to cost taxpayers $31.5 billion in the next 10 years. Any reform to higher education must account for these inequities. Punishing half of the labor force, our future talent, for receiving an education is not in our economic best interest, especially on the heels of a labor force shortage of five million skilled workers.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND THE GENDER BAIL GAP

Incarceration rates overall have been fallingsince 2008. When gender-disaggregating the numbers though, we find that the drop only applies to men. For women, the rates are going up. In 1983, women represented 9% of jail admissions. By 2016, their share jumped to 23%. It might appear, then, that women’s behaviors are becoming more of a threat to civil society—until we factor in how the gender pay gap influences bail.

The population of female prisoners in state prisons has grown by more than 800% in the past 40 years. Many of these women are incarcerated due to non-violent offenses and haven’t been convicted of a crime. Rather, they simply cannot post bail as they await their trials. Women who cannot make bail earn a median income that is nearly 30% lower than the median income of men who cannot make bail. As a result, the gender pay gap has effectively created the gender bail gap.

Beyond issues of fairness, the gender bail gap is a threat to our future generation, democracy, and economy. Of the 102,000 jailed women, 80% are mothers. Children with incarcerated mothers experience increased risk of violence, health problems, and school dropout. Jail time also weakens our democracy, as the probability that someone will exercise their right to vote decreases after spending time in jail. And from a fiscal policy perspective, we allocate between  $63 billion and $75 billion every year to maintain our prison system.

These are our tax dollars at work. Let’s invest them into resources that provide people with a path to economic self-sufficiency and prosperity.

Senior adult scams to watch out for . Let’s protect our loved ones. They protected us when we needed help

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SUPPOSE YOU HAVE A PARENT or grandparent who's living alone. She hires someone to replace the roof on her aging house and gives him half the money up front. And that's the last she sees of her roofer. No matter how close your relationship, can you be sure she'd let you know what happened?

Elder fraud is on the rise, but it remains a vastly underreported crime. "Older people are often reluctant to complain about being duped," says Tom Blomberg, dean of Florida State University's College of Criminology. "They may fear appearing foolish or worry that well-meaning relatives will pressure them to move to a retirement community, depriving them of their independence." Even so, by 2020, more than 20 million Americans 65 and older will fall victim to some form of financial fraud.

Here are some of the most common elder scams, along with strategies you can use to help protect your loved ones.

Pros who aren't legit: Con artists often advertise "foolproof" investments, or claim special expertise in working with retirees or older clients. One California thief advertised inexpensive will-preparation services. After gaining clients' trust, he talked them into investing with him by promising 12% annual returns. Checks from investors went straight to his personal offshore account, and he made off with $11 million before he was finally caught.

What you can do: Remind family members that legitimate businesses will happily wait while you check their references. If they're unsure about a company, it's also wise to ask for a second opinion from someone they trust.

Unbelievable billing practices: After storms or other natural disasters, scam artists often go door to door, telling homeowners that their properties have been damaged and offering to make repairs at a big discount, Then they may only pretend to do the work and demand payment. Similarly, auto mechanics may charge for parts not installed and work not performed, he adds.

What you can do: Help older relatives keep their properties and cars in good repair and urge them not to hire anyone who can't provide clear identification and references.

Internet and telephone fraud: These scam artists may be thousands of miles away, and they often play on people's trusting nature and desire to help others. A caller may ask for a donation for a worthy-sounding cause. And yet another congratulates you for winning a $1 million prize—and says all you need to do to claim it is provide your Social Security number to confirm your identity and pay a special 

collection fee.

What you can do: Set a firm policy not to give personal information over the phone and remind older relatives to do the same, And if you want to make a pledge to a charity, ask to receive something in writing first," Ignore Internet offers with obscure origins and prizes that come out of the blue and require a fee to collect.

Not-so-free lunches: Older Americans are often targeted by unscrupulous salespeople offering a free lunch or dinner in return for listening to a sales pitch. As often as not, that pitch turns out to be a very hard sell. They can find themselves being pulled into a dubious purchase before the "free" meal is over.

What you can do: Make sure that family members know not to sign a contract, make an agreement or pay out any money unless a trusted friend or family member is involved, says Blomberg.

iends" with ulterior motives: Good friends are priceless, but con artists posing as friends can cost you dearly. Someone who lives nearby may offer to assist with chores and errands, or even to serve as a home health aide—and soon begin "helping" with financial transactions, gaining access to accounts.

What you can do: These cases can be among the most difficult to prevent, with lonely victims forming an emotional attachment to the perpetrator. Try to get your retired parents or grandparents to talk openly with you about their finances, especially if you know there are cognitive issues, and offer to review checking accounts for signs of trouble. If you see a lot of checks made out to cash, or to someone you don't know, consider that a red flag.

Other red flags: Suspect signatures on checks, financial or legal documents, or sudden, unexplained changes to powers of attorney, wills or trusts. Maybe a certificate of deposit is redeemed early, despite penalties, or there could be unusual wire transfers. Are checks bouncing or bills going unpaid? Is there suspicious ATM activity—such as withdrawals that took place when the account holder was bedridden? All could be clues that something isn't right.

One way for family members to get an early warning about potential red flags 

Family fraud: Perhaps the most distressing form of fraud involves other family members. Problems may start innocently, when a son or daughter gains control of a retired parent's accounts to help pay bills. After a while, the line between the finances of the parent and the child may become blurred and the temptation to dip into the funds becomes irresistible. When the parent dies, other siblings could find that their expected inheritance has vanished.

What you can do: Even if one sibling takes on the job of helping with a parent's finances, try to build transparency into the process from the beginning, with other family members staying involved through regular, open conversations. You might also consider asking your financial advisor to set up a multigenerational family meeting to discuss financial concerns.

Another useful precaution may be to have parents assign power of attorney to a trusted lawyer. If the parents become unable to handle their own affairs, this can add legal formality to the process and may help prevent abuse.

In all of these cases, the best offense is usually a good defense. Criminals usually look for the path of least resistance, so if you make it clear you won't be fooled, chances are they'll move on.

3 Questions to Ask Your Advisor

1. Would a custodial IRA help protect my mother's retirement assets from mistakes, or from people who want to take advantage of her?
2. How can a financial advisor help spot signs of trouble?
3. What can I do to avoid disputes with my siblings about how we help our parents with their finances?

#the canadate #Gidget Groendyk 

Report: State took $4.5 billion from K-12 funds to plug budget holes

Michigan has shifted $4.5 billion from K-12 education funding to universities and community colleges since 2010. That's according to a new report from the Michigan League for Public Policy.

The funds have been appropriated from the School Aid Fund, established in 1955 as an amendment to the Michigan Constitution. The School Aid Fund is used exclusively to fund K-12 schools. Funds for post-secondary education, on the other hand, come from the General Fund.

The fund shifting started under Governor Jennifer Granholm's administration as a one-time appropriation of $208 million to plug a hole in the budget created by the Great Recession.

It was supposed to be paid back. The bill included language requiring funds to be repaid to the School Aid Fund to the General Fund between fiscal years 2011/12 and 2015/16.

But the legislature never paid it back. Instead, starting with his first budget in 2012, Governor Snyder removed language requiring the funds to be repaid and made the appropriation a regular part of the state budget. The state took $400 million from the School Aid Fund that year, and cut per pupil school funding by $470, and that same year, the legislature passed a $1.6 billion tax cut that was only partially covered by increased individual income taxes.

According to Peter Ruark is with the Michigan League for Public Policy. “There was a very large tax cut, $1.6 billion given to businesses the same year that we diverted money from public education. So we're paying for those tax cuts with money that is meant for public education,” says Ruark.

The state has continued the appropriations every year since then, and is expected to take more than ever before in the coming budget year -- 

in order to return schools to inflation-adjusted 2011 funding levels, the legislature will have to raise additional funds. That’s because its current budget is dependent on those appropriations. And even that wouldn’t be enough to meet the base level of $9,590 per pupil recommended by the Michigan School Finance Research Collaborative.

The missing School Aid dollars, if restored, could also help to fully fund some other school programs like Early On, Michigan’s early intervention program for developmentally delayed infants and toddlers. The program is funded with $12.4 million each year in federal funds. Michigan has committed $5 million from the School Aid Fund for the program in 2019, but it would take $63 million in state funding dollars to fully serve all children who need intervention

in 1994, voters passed a sales tax hike from 4% to 6% to fund public K-12 education.

“Voters do agree with tax increases when they know it’s going to go to a good cause. To divert money from the school aid this way to ultimately pay for other tax cuts is kind of a broken promise to the taxpayers that voted for Proposal A back in 1994,

West Michigan Girl talks about Bullying

School Bullying 

I had the privilege of listening to a girl from Sparta Michigan. I enjoyed our conversation and it was about School Bullying. Linda was going to elementary school . On her desk sits a pitcher of a girl that is not smiling like the rest . She looks at the photo every day, With a semi serious face she explains. I start to think there really is no cure for depression, that happiness is an ongoing battle, and I wonder if it isn't one I'll have to fight for as long as I live. I start to think there really is no cure for being Bullying, most teachers act if they don’t acknowledged what’s is happening , this is an ongoing battle, and I wonder if it isn't one I'll have to fight for as long as I live. I wonder if it's worth it.my stomach is a little flap no not so much that little girl is me but because this little girl is me on the first day of preschool at about four in the age of four it was my first experience with being bullied and all the shame and fear that the carpet it did they started out pleasantly enough in my yellow kitchen in My small home I grew up in at Sparta  Michigan. my mother kneeling in front of me but in my white sweater . My mother Give’s me up in a bear hug kiss in the lips of my nose around member my father taking me by the hand Asher me out to the front door with  Julian until we walked up to the school stairs my father kiss the top of my head and gave me a for a fuzzy hair a quick prayer and loving stroke then there was an awful slippery sensation of the 8 am ,  beginning so it pushed away on my name as he walked away  I also remember my first class what came next the sun shockin flame of pain burning my upper arm felt like my second saw so painful I thought my thought the sky may have opened up and found on top of me is the first time I’ve ever been pinched in the boy who who did it moved with such lightning fast speed in alarming Percussion.   I start to feel like I can't maintain the facade any longer, that I may just start to show through. And I wish I knew what was wrong. Maybe something about how stupid this may sound I didn’t even recognize my own self  at least nine sensually and justice quickly he was gone between two is hiding place where not even a teacher could see him I remember how he sneered at me sadly we came to pick up. There is a classic moment in ‘The Sun Also Rises’ when someone asks Mike Campbell how he went bankrupt, and all he can say in response is, “Gradually and then suddenly.” When someone asks how I lost my mind, that’s all I can say too.Just about every day there after shortly after job Soon it  became very apparent to me just for every day there after shortly after drop off he so he settle around me I guess won’t be staying in me over my little shoulders and my back without anyone noticing how could a child that young even know that the deficit different forms of punishment he threatened to fight upon me and my family if I have a shared how he would torture me of course I figured I would shoot for him to tell  please help teacher , my parents not even one of my older siblings to home siblings to home with taking a small step to take me sleep because I was a baby in the family do you love me more than sunshine do you only known they would have to save me from the pain they have only they have only known for boiled down to was this I didn’t speak up or stand up with because I scared myself and continued simple as that was so cool where was larger than he was no kids and scuffle kids and washed out dangers should over the over have encountered the darkness  I have studiously tried to avoid ever using the word 'madness' to describe this . Now and again, the word slips out, but I hate it. 'Brutally is too glamorous a term to convey what happens to most people who are losing their self esteem. That word is too exciting, too literary, too interesting in its connotations, to convey the boredom, the slowness, the dreariness, the dampness 

I am Magent it to parents everywhere particularly of little ones who may not have the Kerge to use their words urge you to tell your children to speak clearly and loudly if trouble of the sands of time them A human being can survive almost anything, as long as she sees the end in sight! and I understand that the fear of talking about scary stuff   In my case, I was frightened thought that I might live this nightmare forever, because I was certain, quite certain, that I was already dead. issome times as scary as the stuff itself the first day of school is filled with excitement and fear both real him imagine shower your children would love cover them with understanding teach them to be kind tell them that someone hurts them speaker cents is what gives my answers their powers it covers them up with a cloak of darkness allows them to get to their dirty work on the list I would get the photos again my tactilely from and my frame for brow he just can’t put away seconds before the four of us take him after rain down on me well I was her pinches when he was when my teacher pro second square with her camera and cheery time deep picture I can measure was turned down from I’m still felt like fire she never saw thing she was that quick I’m happy to be back in schoolThe new one is gold and blue I guess that means I am no longer hold on to swim or steam bees that used to be circling me after years of feeling disappointed in myself for not being brave enough to share my chair I finally forgive myself he tried his best to kayak for me,  give me a roll my prayer is that eventually character is on demons whatever they may be today I look at my picture and smile I smile because I was able to move around and my heart was finally forgiven him

West Michigan Back to School

West Michigan Back to school

Here’s how cash strapped teachers find a way to pay per classroom supplies if there if the swarms of families crowded Walmart OfficeMax or any indication new school year is upon us parents and students are looking for the best feels bad to school clothes and supplies and teachers were prepping to greet students with high hopes of successful school year part of the prop included extra money to buy classroom supplies I paint houses to make extra money to survive the summer and the school year Mom give us your teacher teacher say that the average salary is $51,818 can’t keep up with the rising cost of living in buying class your surprises go as far as it used to record the survey out of the classroom that word and I am proficient around that helps teachers purchased classroom supplies through outside donation teachers spent an average of $740 a year I question material that’s 2023% increase for 2015 the survey was shared with our teachers and organizations were 4400 he just responded and I am proud Stebbins in their paychecks or a berry burst for this space purchased since 1982 phones and partnerships with schools supply vendors now I’m out are you school district is given by the legislature is based on how many students are in rolled in the district public schools the moment I will care for each teacher in school is dependent on how many public school teachers are employed by the sparta schools to adapt a classroom.or The average classroom budget receives across the country is 200,221.00$ a year schools receive more than that from the assistance program but  we do we definitely need to spend more than what we yeah we always get students who cannot afford the basic supplies so we end up buying extra supplies teachers also say that the money is also given out to eat we always see them until later on in the school in the fall it’s really quite sure he spent so much of a hoe money and we’re trying to get the best deals pass through the 27th 2017 2018 school year online classes what Walmart distribution desisted phones before the teacher had to give receipts to the district and they been reversed teachers cannot upload receipts through the class wallet mobile app or other computer some teachers say there’s no shoes for the year struggle I raised over $4000 in the past three years adopt a classroom setting Marie who teaches gifted classes at Rockford says she spent an average of $1000 and each year for classroom supplies it’s neat it’s need to know that adopt a classroom is helping teachers like others across the country offer supplies the students who cannot afford school supplies

Thank you West Michigan

Friends, 

Let me take  the time to thank you very much for inviting me to run for State Senator in 2018 West Michigan . Our wonderful state here in the great heartland of America  West Michigan. . It was an honor to speak to each one of you during this election where so many profound legal arguments were handed down that they more or less canceled each other out.

I am a simple person with a College degree and a solid understanding of people. When I was a young my Grandfather took me on his knee and told me the principle that has guided my life ever since: “Agree with some things, disagree with other things.” His was truly the Greatest Generation, along with a few that came before and a couple that have come since

Why did I running for West Michigan  State Senator of the United States of America? That’s a good question, I was taught that we are Americans ,not Republicans, Democrats, independence. I love America and  we all deserve the chance of the American dream. 

I want to talk a little bit about our nation’s children. Before this speech, a young man named Stanley came up to me. Stanley is a mechanic, a noble profession if there ever was one. Or perhaps he is a chemistry professor, also noble. He was holding his small daughter, Emily, an adorable 3-year-old who was recently diagnosed with leukemia. Stanley is a straight shooter, and he came up to me and asked me a question I’ll never forget: “Do you like children?” And I looked him straight in the eye and said, “Yes, Stanley, I very much like children.” Maybe that’s not a popular opinion, but it’s what I believe. And to those of you who would say, “I don’t think children are our future,” I must reply in the strongest of terms: “I disagree.” Sometimes you have to take a stand for what you believe in.

Our country is sharply divided over a war that is being waged among us   My views on this war are clear: it is happening, it is happening in Cilvl war and it will continue to happen until it stops. Some people believe we should go to the left wing . Or the right . Some people believe we should stay and protest until we’ve established a stable nation. Some people believe we should gradually hand over control to the Russian government. I feel blessed to live in a country with so many beliefs.

On the subject of Doing away with Social Security,  and affordable health care .I strongly, strongly, strongly oppose it. I’m glad it’s still here and I hope it never gets repealed 

The state of our economy is in flux. Every single day, the stock market goes up or goes down or stays the same. If elected president, I will ask the Federal Reserve to take a good long look at the interest rate and decide whether or not to change it. If elected president, I will create jobs where there are none, and where there are jobs, our future political parties need to create internships.

Let us take actions that will make people happy.

Let us take actions that will make people healthy or perhaps have the private sector do it.

Let us take actions regarding taxes.

And let us move boldly so that our children and our children’s children can look back and say, “I’m glad they moved boldly on this, this, and that.”

Thank you all for your support your voice was heard.

I especially wanted to  thanks to these companies who share this dream , who believe in our America Dream and reached out with there kind support 

United Way

MVFPAC

Michigan Association for Justice, 

Michigan Education Association, 

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, IBEW COPE, 

SEIU Healthcare Local 79,

United Auto Workers, UAW Michigan Voluntary 

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan 

DTE Energy Co.

Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters 

Auto Dealers of Michigan 

Michigan Health & Hospital Association, Health PAC,

CMS Energy Employees for Better Government

Michigan Laborers Political

Michigan State Utility Workers Council  

Thanks to your vote my Dream , our Dream continues   Until our next election 

Love u all 

Gidget Groendyk 

why I love 💕 America

michigan 28 district state senate 2018 Gidget Groendyk https://mobile.twitter.com/GroendykGidget

West Michigan is a part of me. And the community is a part of America, that I love.

Michigan, a U.S. state in the Midwest, began with settlement of the western Great Lakes region by Native Americans founded a settlement called Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit, now the city of Detroit.When New France was defeated in 1805, when the Territory of Michigan was established.the spirit which its community has never disappeared from or from America. 

From the Motor City , to Beer City . I come here #West Michigan today to summon those same qualities of courage and strength and determination to the conquest of America's new Michigan- Michigan has a new beginning and we call it here together #Clear Michigan.

https://m.facebook.com/BlueWave2018.ChangeMichiganStateSenate/?ref=bookmarks

Michigan is one of the strongest states , largest national resources “The Great Lakes”We are - perhaps the greatest and strongest in the history of the world. But greatness and strength are not our natural right. They are not gifts which are automatically ours forever. Our community  has the tools the courage and determination however to maintain the standards ,we must maintain it or it will be taken away.

West Michigan community are tired of standing still - and that we do not intend to be left behind.

But effort and courage are not enough without purpose and direction. For, as Socrates told us, "If a man does not know to what port he is sailing, no wind is favorable." 

But today we Democrats know to what port we are sailing - we have mapped our destination and we know what kind of community we want.

Today our economy is growing more slowly than that of almost any other industrial nation in the world. We have more than 4 thousands unemployed - small businesses are failing at a record rate - our affordable health  care is at a loss, our future of poverty and distress on our farms will become a reality.

These are failures of the Republican Party - a party which lacks faith in our capacity to grow - and which has adopted policies designed to protect what we have rather than to add to our abundance. These failures must and will be reversed.

Michigan wants an American whose ability to meet its responsibilities at home makes it a model for all the states of the Union 

Today our slowed down economy, our overcrowded schools,jails  our poor and our unemployed, our spreading homeless and our struggling  farms are visible, tangible evidence of our failure to meet those responsibilities.And those failures are defeats for the cause of freedom. 

West Michigan is living proof , that the road to abundance is freedom's road. And we intend to build a still greater State where every man has a chance to work, a decent house to live in, and decent schools for his children because we believe in a decent life for all our citizens - and because our hope remains hope for the good life are determined that freedom shall continue to show the way to progress.

For all those who scratched and clawed their way to get a piece of the American Dream, there were many who didn't make it — those who were ultimately defeated, in one way or another, by discrimination. That legacy was passed on to future generations — those young men and, increasingly, young women who we see standing on street corners or languishing in our prisons, without hope or prospects for the future  

But I have asserted a firm conviction — a conviction rooted in my faith in God and my faith in the American people — that, working together, we can move beyond some of our old racial wounds, and that in fact we have no choice if we are to continue on the path of a more perfect union. West Michigan demands #equal pay for Women , #clean energy, #Affordable health care, # Safe Schools, Educated educators who don't leave our students behind. and Security for the Elderly .these are the few things West Michigan demands and these will be my first priority in office.West Michigan demands results and for our elected  officials to be accountable , I agree. 

our own greatness is living proof that the road to abundance is freedom's road. And we intend to build a still greater State where every man has a chance to work, a decent house to live in, and decent schools for his children because we believe in a decent life for all our citizens - and because our hope remains hope for the good life are determined that freedom shall continue to show the way to progress. 

But I have asserted a firm conviction — a conviction rooted in my faith in God and my faith in the American people — that, working together, we can move beyond some of our old racial wounds, and that in fact we have no choice if we are to continue on the path of a more perfect union. all Americans must realize that your dreams do not have to come at the expense of my dreams; that investing in the health, welfare of children will ultimately help all of Us working together for our own greatness is living proof that the road to abundance is freedom's road. 

I cannot assure you that the road ahead is an easy one - because I know it will not be easy, and our journey will require effort and sacrifice. But I believe that the people of this State - and the people of Michigan are ready to work together so that #Kent County can again build its future together 

I chose to run for State Senator i believe deeply that we cannot solve the challenges of our time unless we solve them together, unless we perfect our union by understanding that we may have different stories, but we hold common hopes; that we may not look the same and we may not have come from the same place, but we all want to move in the same direction — toward a better future for our children and our grandchildren.

Gidget Groendyk