Hi Everyone,
There are weeks when there are a few good stories happening at the same time. Usually I pick one to blog about. Today will be different. Today I couldn't choose so I am doing a double header for you. This is a first for me.
The first true story is about Westchester Medical Center, located in where else, Westchester County, NY. It used to be partnered with Westchester County and the county poured hundreds of millions of dollars over time to keep the mismanaged hospital afloat. A new management team was brought in and finally in 2009, Westchester County ended its financially draining relationship with the hospital. Since then, the hospital still hemorrhaged money, even after numerous layoffs. Finally, last year the hospital saw a profit of $226,000.
So what happened next? In the never ending world of companies without any common sense, they doled out a whopping $940,000 in bonuses to 22 employees. The top bonus received was $62,530. Keep in mind that 13 of the recipients of these bonuses are no hourly employees. Their pay runs from $287,000 to $1,035,000. But the real issue here is that if the hospital was in the black by $226,000, doesn't paying out $940,000 in bonuses, put them in the red by $714,000. But let's not forget the amount of payroll taxes the hospital had to pay for each bonus check. By my account, that puts the hospital in the red by about $1,000,000. Boy that really is something to celebrate and go figure that these top employees are still employed even when they paid out at the minimum of $714,000 more then the hospital took in. Must be nice. Common sense should rule over greed but I guess not in this case.
The second true story is about, who else but, politicians. Politicians must be brainwashed to erase any sense of common sense in their bodies. As usual and customary, the Republican controlled U.S. House of Representatives has voted for the 38th time, yes I said 38th time, to try to gut Obamacare. What don't Republicans get? What don't they understand? First of all, they lost the 2012 presidential election, secondly, they lost their case with the U.S. Supreme Court and thirdly, they have absolutely no chance of gutting Obamacare in the Democratically controlled U.S. Senate. So why do they keep trying? Is there really any good reason? I think not. I think that they are biggest sore losers that I have ever seen and they show their continuing contempt in their repeatedly failed attempts. They should quit trying, but then again, they should have quit trying after their first attempt. But what really gets me mad as hell is how much time and money these supposed politicians have wasted. Wasted money by a party that is supposedly against wasting money? Does that make any sense what so ever? Of course not. But then again, those who can't follow their own mantra, should find a new one and get over this one and stop this freaky side show. They aren't even ashamed of their fruitless and worthless efforts. It is past time and long overdue to move on and work on other matters for this country that are important!!! It is also time for them to get a much needed shot of common sense asap!!! Is there a Doctor in the house?
Til next week.
Peter
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Safety Not Required!
Hi everyone,
I heard on the news the other day, about the success of a new bicycle rental program in NYC. In the first seven weeks of the program over 1,000,000 bicycles have been rented. To date, the bike rental program has over 180,000 members. So far, the bikes that have been rented have clocked over 2,500,000 miles. Those are absolutely impressive numbers for a new program that just began seven weeks ago. With a city the size of the Big Apple, I expect that those numbers will multiply like rabbits. Even though there is some controversy over the placement of some of the rental locations, I believe on a whole, that the program will be beneficial to the company that owns the bikes. But will it also be beneficial to people who rent them? You would think so, but think again.
The most important safety feature that I believe should come with every bike rental doesn't. The safety feature is a helmet. Yes it is true that none of these bike rentals, rent helmets also. Helmets are not required. Of all places to ride a bike, it is even more important to wear a helmet in a highly congested area like NYC. All it will take is that one bike accident where the renter falls off a bike, or gets hit by some kind of motorized vehicle and hits their head. The lawsuits will fly fast and furious. Now, just to make sure that you understand, there are signs by the bike rentals that suggest helmets should be worn. But it is only a suggestion, not mandated. Where is their common sense regarding the proven aspect of wearing helmets can and do save lives? Oh right, they obviously don't have any. Shame on NYC for allowing such a business without including helmets to go along with each and every bike rental.
Okay, okay, I know some of you are probably thinking about how gross it would be to wear someone else's helmet. I would have to agree with you on that. What if the previous rider had lice or something worse? If there is even such a thing. Well, why can't the makers of helmets, make them with removable/disposable liners. Wouldn't that solve that problem? I think so. The obvious increase in the cost of the liners would increase the rental cost. But, wouldn't that be better than not wearing a helmet? Common sense says, no demands that bike riders should wear helmets. Eventually, the company and NYC will learn that lesson, probably sooner rather than later.
Til next week.
Peter
I heard on the news the other day, about the success of a new bicycle rental program in NYC. In the first seven weeks of the program over 1,000,000 bicycles have been rented. To date, the bike rental program has over 180,000 members. So far, the bikes that have been rented have clocked over 2,500,000 miles. Those are absolutely impressive numbers for a new program that just began seven weeks ago. With a city the size of the Big Apple, I expect that those numbers will multiply like rabbits. Even though there is some controversy over the placement of some of the rental locations, I believe on a whole, that the program will be beneficial to the company that owns the bikes. But will it also be beneficial to people who rent them? You would think so, but think again.
The most important safety feature that I believe should come with every bike rental doesn't. The safety feature is a helmet. Yes it is true that none of these bike rentals, rent helmets also. Helmets are not required. Of all places to ride a bike, it is even more important to wear a helmet in a highly congested area like NYC. All it will take is that one bike accident where the renter falls off a bike, or gets hit by some kind of motorized vehicle and hits their head. The lawsuits will fly fast and furious. Now, just to make sure that you understand, there are signs by the bike rentals that suggest helmets should be worn. But it is only a suggestion, not mandated. Where is their common sense regarding the proven aspect of wearing helmets can and do save lives? Oh right, they obviously don't have any. Shame on NYC for allowing such a business without including helmets to go along with each and every bike rental.
Okay, okay, I know some of you are probably thinking about how gross it would be to wear someone else's helmet. I would have to agree with you on that. What if the previous rider had lice or something worse? If there is even such a thing. Well, why can't the makers of helmets, make them with removable/disposable liners. Wouldn't that solve that problem? I think so. The obvious increase in the cost of the liners would increase the rental cost. But, wouldn't that be better than not wearing a helmet? Common sense says, no demands that bike riders should wear helmets. Eventually, the company and NYC will learn that lesson, probably sooner rather than later.
Til next week.
Peter
Sunday, July 7, 2013
The Epitome of Stupidity
Hi Everyone,
If no other post that I have previously done proved an utter lack of common sense, today's blog most certainly will. As usual, the regular idiots in this true and scary story are, wait for it................drum roll please............. politicians! Yes that's right, the inevitable politician is again at the center of stupidity.
In Westchester County, just north of NYC, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, who happens to be a Republican and his administration, is currently negotiating a no bid, five year contract with Liberty Lines to run the county's Bee-Line bus system. FYI, Liberty Lines has operated Westchester's bus system for some 40 odd years. I always thought that the contract was put out to bid and Liberty Lines always won. But boy was I soooooooo wrong. The operating of the bus system has never, ever been open to bids. You would think that bidding out the contract would make a lot of common sense and have the potential to save tax payers a ton of money. But for whatever reason(s), saving tax payers money is never seems to be high on the agenda.
What makes this contract, this time, so different from any other time? The US Federal Transit Administration has now told Westchester County, that it had to put the $103 million contract out to bid or else loose federal transit aid. So how much aid is involved here? A whopping $19 million!!! That's almost 20% of the total cost of running the system. The contract doesn't even include the operator having to buy or maintain any buses. The contract is strictly for manpower to run the system. So how can Westchester County even contemplate such a huge loss of operating money? Why? Why? Why? There must be a reason for them to keep negotiating with Liberty. Westchester County even extended their notification deadline to Liberty Lines from 7/1 to 7/19. That decision in and of itself shows their lack of common sense. But, for them to continue negotiations is mind boggling. Any person with just an ounce of common sense would say put it out to bid. Why risk the $19 million? I can't think of any legitimate reason not to put it out to bid, can you? Maybe someone's palm or palms are being greased? Who knows? All I do know is that Astorino and is administration is, are the new poster child(ren) for politicians that lack any common sense what so ever. Losing federal aid is a colossal mistake with big tax increases looming. What a way to stick it to the people by the party that says they are never for new tax increases, ever!? Maybe except for Westchester County and wherever else?
Til next week.
Peter
If no other post that I have previously done proved an utter lack of common sense, today's blog most certainly will. As usual, the regular idiots in this true and scary story are, wait for it................drum roll please............. politicians! Yes that's right, the inevitable politician is again at the center of stupidity.
In Westchester County, just north of NYC, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, who happens to be a Republican and his administration, is currently negotiating a no bid, five year contract with Liberty Lines to run the county's Bee-Line bus system. FYI, Liberty Lines has operated Westchester's bus system for some 40 odd years. I always thought that the contract was put out to bid and Liberty Lines always won. But boy was I soooooooo wrong. The operating of the bus system has never, ever been open to bids. You would think that bidding out the contract would make a lot of common sense and have the potential to save tax payers a ton of money. But for whatever reason(s), saving tax payers money is never seems to be high on the agenda.
What makes this contract, this time, so different from any other time? The US Federal Transit Administration has now told Westchester County, that it had to put the $103 million contract out to bid or else loose federal transit aid. So how much aid is involved here? A whopping $19 million!!! That's almost 20% of the total cost of running the system. The contract doesn't even include the operator having to buy or maintain any buses. The contract is strictly for manpower to run the system. So how can Westchester County even contemplate such a huge loss of operating money? Why? Why? Why? There must be a reason for them to keep negotiating with Liberty. Westchester County even extended their notification deadline to Liberty Lines from 7/1 to 7/19. That decision in and of itself shows their lack of common sense. But, for them to continue negotiations is mind boggling. Any person with just an ounce of common sense would say put it out to bid. Why risk the $19 million? I can't think of any legitimate reason not to put it out to bid, can you? Maybe someone's palm or palms are being greased? Who knows? All I do know is that Astorino and is administration is, are the new poster child(ren) for politicians that lack any common sense what so ever. Losing federal aid is a colossal mistake with big tax increases looming. What a way to stick it to the people by the party that says they are never for new tax increases, ever!? Maybe except for Westchester County and wherever else?
Til next week.
Peter
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