benefit

Smoking Everywhere, one of the nation’s largest distributors of electronic cigarettes, has filed for an injunction against the FDA for stopping their shipments from coming in over seas. The suit claims (and rightfully so) that the FDA is overstepping their bounds.

The FDA is attempting to classify Electronic Cigarettes as a smoking cessation/nicotine replacement device. Nothing could be further from the truth. Electronic cigarettes are being marketed as a smoking alternative, not for cessation.

The really interesting part is that the FDA is not just halting the liquid nicotine used in these devices, but the actual hardware itself. Since when does the FDA have jurisdiction over electronics? They don’t. Its similar to drug paraphernalia. You can go to a store and buy a crack pipe or bong, but when you try to use them for their intended purpose you go to jail.

So the delivery device for something that is much safer and that the active ingredient (nicotine) can be obtained by countless forms over the counter is being halted by the FDA? Hopefully Congress will take action and stop this over stepping of power being exercised by the FDA. That or maybe a judge with common sense will read the complaint filed by Smoking Everywhere and issue the injunction. Sure it will likely head through the court system all the way to the top, but I believe the SCOTUS will judge on the side of the electronic cigarette. That’s the benefit of having a right leaning court.

That company, Wal-Mart, is telling managers that if a Democrat wins the White House it will hurt the employees.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is mobilizing its store managers and department supervisors around the country to warn that if Democrats win power in November, they'll likely change federal law to make it easier for workers to unionize companies -- including Wal-Mart.

In recent weeks, thousands of Wal-Mart store managers and department heads have been summoned to mandatory meetings at which the retailer stresses the downside for workers if stores were to be unionized.

Now that is rather amazing coming from the monster corporation who has lost countless law suits for violating employment laws. I guess to Wal-Mart, employees being forced to work off the clock or not have breaks should be considered a benefit.

Stock options seem to be the big "benefit" when companies hire people. They entice prospective employees with options to buy their stocks at reduced rates, or matching what they buy. But what happens if the company gets sold for a ridiculously discounted rate?

More so than other firms on Wall Street, Bear had encouraged its employees, from secretaries to top executives, to be long-term holders in the company's stock, and the employees own over 30 percent of the company.

[SNIP]

"My life has been flushed down the drain," said one person. There was talk Monday that with their life savings nearly depleted, some executives had moved quickly, putting their weekend homes on the market.

You not only face losing your job, but also any security you may have had in such circumstances, as well as retirement.

I used to work for Lowes and they did the same thing. When you were hired they tried their best to sell you on their stock options program. Numerous employees did so and that was the only stock they owned. I used to tell them how idiotic of a decision that was. At least you should diversify your portfolio some. Their stock hasn't done anything like Bear Stearns, but in this economic roller coaster, you never know.

Today's New York Times has a look at a newly released report on voter fraud that is very interesting. It appears that a lot of politics may have gone into this report to change the outcome, and the final report was approved by the 2 Republicans and 1 Democrat on the commission.

A federal panel responsible for conducting election research played down the findings of experts who concluded last year that there was little voter fraud around the nation, according to a review of the original report obtained by The New York Times.

Instead, the panel, the Election Assistance Commission, issued a report that said the pervasiveness of fraud was open to debate.

The revised version echoes complaints made by Republican politicians, who have long suggested that voter fraud is widespread and justifies the voter identification laws that have been passed in at least two dozen states.

So there wasn't fraud before there was. This is the Republican's red herring - that the evil Democrats have colluded to keep Republicans from the polls. Remember - the attorneys were purged for not going after "voter fraud" cases, even though they couldn't even get indictments on them.

Read the entire article. It shows you the great risk our democracy is at. Not because of this "voter fraud" stuff, but because the Republicans are trying to criminalize democracy to their benefit.