Report: Region Sags In Societal Issues

[Swimmy]

Report: Region Sags In Societal Issues

Anyone else find the irony in roefaro's comment about the region's economic woes? The region's economy has been in steady decline since Griffiss closed. With the median salary being $23,000, it's hard for the area to experience the rapid economic decline of other areas because we've already seen what the rest of the country is experiencing. Those with the capability to leave do so in flocks, hence the decreasing population. In fact, if it was not for the influx of refugees, this area would be a literal ghost town.

We don't have much more to decline from so of course it will appear that we are experiencing a slower economic decline.

[dgriffin]

The American Human Development Project is a part of Oxfam. Here is background on Oxfam from their FAQ page.

tinyurl.com/5kbszw

" "Oxfam" was the original postal abbreviation for the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief, which was started in England during World War II to provide relief to war victims in Europe. Since then, Oxfams have been established in 12 countries.

In 1942, a group of Quaker intellectuals, social activists, and Oxford academics formed the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief in response to the plight of refugees in Greece. After the war, Oxfam (a name derived from its postal code abbreviation) continued its work, sending materials and financial aid to groups aiding the poor throughout Europe. As the situation in Europe improved, Oxfam's attention shifted to the needs of people in developing countries.

Twenty-eight years later, a group of volunteers founded Oxfam America in 1970 in response to the humanitarian crisis created by the fight for independence in Bangladesh. Oxfam Great Britain provided a loan for the group and, at first, Oxfam America funneled funds exclusively through Oxfam Great Britain. Originally located in Washington, DC, Oxfam America relocated to Boston in 1973. "

Interesting organization. Here are a few US Maps, States-At-A-Glance with Human Development Indexes.
www.measureofamerica.org/file/State_Maps-At-A-Glance.pdf

I find it interesting that New York State leads in most of the measurements, while the "Sun Belt," where our jobs and economic growth are supposedly headed, fare much worse in the measurement of human development. The measures are income, education, and life expectancy. The congressional district composite map shows New York faring well in it's eastern and and southeastern regions, plus Buffalo (interestingly), with the Mohawk Valley, Southern Tier and all the rest of the state doing worse.

So, Clipper come home! You'll live longer, make more money and be smarter.

[wilum47]

Jul 19, 2008 11:38:39 GMT -5 @dgriffin said:

So, Clipper come home! You'll live longer, make more money and be smarter.

Ok, Clip, start practicing:

"Howdy folks, welcome to Wally-World; Here's you're cart!"

[Ralph]

Jul 19, 2008 15:19:00 GMT -5 wilum47 said:

"Howdy folks, welcome to Wally-World; Here's you're cart!"

Mmmmm.........You can go to work there all week (part-time hours of course), cash your check there on Friday and spend it all there (along with your Foodstamps) as well.

[rickolney]

I'll starve and eat pine boughs before I work for any company that makes its money by importing over 75% of its merchandise. And then the majority of crap sold are seconds.

Time to invest in the bicycle industry! ;D

[dgriffin]

After Tienanmen Square, I refused to buy anything from China. I quickly learned that it was going to be almost impossible to not do so. But I persevered and today my home is filled with .... nothing. Even the computer I'm typing this on is pre-Asia. It costs me a lot to run, is water cooled and takes up 300 square feet, but that's OK because otherwise the living room would be empty.

[dan]

Ahh, a trusty UNIVAC, made right here in Utica at the Charlestown plant. Good choice dave, but for the life of me I can't figure out where you got the punchcards to run it. I thought we burned all of those.