Foreign workers

I just did a search of Walgreens, HEB in Texas, Krogers and Wal mart and every damn one of them import H1-B employees and there is only one reason for this:  It is to replace American workers and save the corporation money.  I find it disgusting.  And I am letting each and every one of their corporate heads know exactly how I feel.  There is no reason to import even 1 of those workers.  And when they get here, they stay.  They do not leave.  They stay.  This is a way for the workers to game the system and they take full advantage of it, especially the Indians.  It is well past time that our government stopped this stupidity and ended this program.  And it is way past time that our government started hitting those businesses that hire them as well as illegals.  Write your congressman.  Please.

Sears

I can definitely see why Sears is going under.  I have a Kenmore range, ceramic top, put in around 2002.  I have since spent $600 to replace the computer.  It was turning itself on at random times.  So now the heating element in the bottom of the oven is burned out as is one burner.  I cannot get replacement parts.  I called Sears yesterday and was told that that model has been discontinued and there are no parts available.  I would have to buy a new range.  This one cost $1200 and now I have to buy a new one.  Not from Sears I won't.  I found a GE for $400, made in the USA, no bells and whistles to go out.  And I am going to get it.  On to my washer.  Not from Sears.  It is a Whirlpool and I have had it 4 years.  The motor is going out.  Already replaced the pump.  Next purchase of a washer is going to be a Speed Queen.  USA made.  So Sears has done it to themselves.  They should have been the Amazon of the digital world.  They pioneered drop ship. But they blew it and I am sorry to say, they did it to themselves.  Lousy customer service, crappy merchandise.  And this is why we shop online.  I can order the GE range through Best Buy for $50 less than I can get it at Lowe's and free shipping.  Same with the pump for the washer.  I could not find it in town so I had to order.  Weedeater, no one in town had the one I wanted.  I could have ordered from Lowe's or Home Depot but I would have had to pay shipping.  Instead I ordered from an online company and got it cheaper and free shipping.  And you know that company drop shipped it.

Retail clothing and shoes.  There is nothing out there in those retail brick and mortar stores that is worth wasting money on.  Shoes don't fit and most are made from plastic and cost a day's pay.  The clothing.  The cheapest fabric is used.  The fabric is trash and most of it is polyester which is made from oil.  So, yeah, I shop online and honestly I sew my own clothes because they fit.  I cannot find anything in these stores that fit.  And I am not overweight and have a normal shape.  And wash those clothes about three times and they are falling apart.  Nope.  Not for me.  I remember when we got quality clothing and shoes made right here in the US.  When I was a kid, Keds cost $7 and a pair of Bass Weejuns was around $20 max.  And a nice pair of leather loafers at Sears was $10.  So these companies moved offshore to "remain competitive" and give us cheaper products.  Well those same canvas Keds today cost $50 and those Weejuns cost over $100 and are poor quality.  There is no savings for the consumer.  There is a huge profit for the company.  I will spend the money and get shoes made in the states before I will waste my money on the trash made in third world countries.  I have bought a pair of Clark slip on shoes.  I bought my regular size 7 1/2m.  I paid around $80.  They were a size too small, cut too narrow across the top of the foot and too wide in the heel.  Sent them back and bought Eastland loafers.  Not the same quality I used to get, but a long site better than the Clarks. There is no quality anymore, just cheap quantity.  It is a shame what we have become.

FYI

FYI, if you hit a rough spot an have to default on a loan, unsecured such as credit card, and you live in a state that does not allow garnishment of wages, don't even bother paying it off.  I did.  I also notified the credit reporting agencies and found out that it doesn't matter.  It is still on your credit report for 10 years.  The deck is stacked against the working class.  Always has been and always will be.  The banking industry crashed our world economy and nothing, nothing happened to any of them.  Wells Fargo just got caught setting up bogus accounts for their clients and collecting money on those accounts.  Screwed their depositors.  And guess what happened to the powers that be in that bank.  Nothing.  Nothing. Nothing.  The bank was forced to pay a fine.  No one went to jail for embezzlement, which was what it was.  No one went to jail for identity theft.  No.One.Went. To. Jail.  Had that been and average working person, they would already be behind bars for years.  So, best to just not use credit cards, save for what you need.  Try to have no debt at all.  That is my goal and I am getting very close to doing that.  And, by the way, your government is working for those same businesses that screw you.

Update on health issues

I'm not moving as fast as I want on regaining my health.  I have developed spike in heartbeat.  It has reached to 126 at one time.  I am on a beta blocker now for it.  Well, this week, I have spent three days stacking boxes and it was quite a workout.  Yesterday, I had a real problem with my heart skipping.  So today I am calling my doctor and asking for a referal to a cardiologist.  I want an opinion from a cardiologist.  Since heart trouble runs in the family, time to get proactive.  And I am back to walking 4 miles a day.

Black and Decker

Ok, I said I would never buy Black and Decker again, but I did pick up a B&D GH3000 weed eater.  It is rated really good.  We'll see,  I do hope it is as good as it is touted to be.

I'm making a little progress

I am making a little progress with my health routine.  I spent 3 hours doing yard work today.  I have kinda gotten my diet under control.  I am eating nothing with preservaties.  And I need to confess here.  I am not eating any processed foods because the preservaties make me so ill.  I can eat something like lunch meat and for hours I feel like barfing.  No  sodas but that was easy because I don't like them.  Carbs are my downfall, but I am working on that.  I really have to speed this up and get in shape and lose the weight.  I have popped a skin condition with the beta blocker.  For the first time in around 2 years, my hands are swollen, broken open and bleeding.  So I gotta get serious about this diet and exercise.  I am walking again. 4 miles a day.  So wish me luck.

Credit bureaus

Don't ever trust that little 3 number score you are shown when you pay those credit agencies that collect and sell your entire life.  Those three little scores they show you are not the real deal and if you are trying to make a mortgage or buy a vehicle, those lenders see a totally different score, usually many points lower than what you have been shown.  Your life is controlled by business and they will sell all your data at the drop of a hat and usually drop the hat themselves.  And banks and credit unions, when you inquire about making a loan whether you have any intention of doing so or not, will sell the information you give them to Every. Damn. Fly. By. Nite. Lending company.  Every one of them.  You have no privacy any more.  And do not ever think that you as a customer matter to any business or bank.  You do not.  You are just someone to be taken advantage of.  Best scenario, go cash only.  No credit cards, no checks.  It is not as difficult as you think.  However, you will have no credit then because every thing hinges on the number of credit cards you have.  Have too high a balance, negative. Pay it off every month. Another negative.  Use occasionally.  Another negative.  I really think that those doing those scores just toss a coin and see what comes up.  There is no rhyme or reason to these three little numbers.  Good luck.