Laura Lee Carter, the Midlife Crisis Queen, has been taking a week off and doing
some reading for pleasure. Here is her
assessment of the new Debbie Reynolds memoir: ”Unsinkable.”
With Mother’s Day nearing, Lisa Garon Froman, of
Tao Flashes, offers an honest portrayal of her time as a Helicopter Mom in “An
Ode to Motherhood.” It’s a bittersweet account of her memories and regrets.
This week, John Agno, of So Baby Boomer, gives a primer on
annuities: With a typical annuity, a
customer hands over her retirement nest egg to an insurance company in exchange
for a promised future stream of payments. The insurer invests the money and
gets to keep any earnings beyond what’s guaranteed to the
policyholder. If the bets backfire and the insurance company fails, some losses
may be borne by customers and state guarantee funds, which puts boomers at risk.
My tips for baby boomer consumers this week are on giving donations to help
others through crowdfunding. While these websites are established to allow
solicitation of money for a variety of purposes, the organizations or individuals
who get the funds aren’t necessarily charities. Some contributions may not be
tax deductible, the websites usually take a percentage of the donation ranging
from 5 to 20 percent, and you may pay processing fees.
Be sure to check back next week to see what baby boomer
bloggers are writing about.
Copyright 2013, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist
Last year, I wrote that the Academy Award nominated movies for 2011 were less dark and violent. Not so for this year.
Unfortunately, the nominees for 2012 hugely reversed that trend.
I was hopeful when I saw the nominated movies “Lincoln,” “Argo,” and “Silver Linings Playbook.” Those movies were excellent, I thought. Then I saw “Zero Dark Thirty,” “Django Unchained,” and “Skyfall.” These movies are way too violent.
“Zero Dark Thirty” showed extensive scenes of torture. When I first saw torture in “Casino Royale” and “Slumdog Millionaire,” I was appalled. However, the scenes were short. In “Zero Dark Thirty,” the torture scenes went on and on.
For “Django Unchained,” the producers must have sat around a table and talked about what violent and terrible things they should show in a movie that haven’t been shown before. They came up with a sadistic plantation owner who did horrible, sadistic things to his African-American slaves. Oh, boy.
Movies are such a powerful media. Anthropologist Joseph Campbell called movies the great dream machine. Movies could offer so many positive images and stories of inspiration for children and teens. Instead, violent themes are repeated over and over. I’ve written about the impact I think so many violent images in movies, television, and video games have on children and young people, contributing to increased violence.
Here are my choices for the 2012 Academy Award nominated movies:
Best Picture – “Lincoln”
It’s an outstanding movie. Knowing the early work of the Republican Party related to its actions to free the slaves, especially in today’s extremely divisive era, is important history for Americans to know or revisit.
Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to see “Amour.”
Actor in a Leading Role – Daniel Day-Lewis
I thought Day-Lewis did a tremendous job portraying Lincoln.
Actor in a Supporting Role – Alan Arkin for “Argo”
I thought “Argo” was a good action movie without dozens of people being brutally murdered.
Actress in a Leading Role – Naomi Watts for “The Impossible”
When I went to my local independent film theater, I happened to see this movie which was doubled-billed with the Short Film – Live Action nominations. About the tsunami in Indonesia, it was bloody, with many dead bodies. However, the images were part of an event that actually happened.
Naomi Watts is a skilled actress, who carried out the role of the severely injured mother very well.
Actress in a Supporting Role – Sally Field in “Lincoln”
Mary Todd Lincoln was a complex personality, and I think Sally Field did a good job in her portrayal of her.
Cinematography – “Life of Pi” and “Lincoln”
Animated Feature Film – None
None of the films nominated in this category are deserving of an Academy Award. That these kinds of films are what American movie makers think are good entertainment for children is discouraging. “Frankenwennie” is a terrible, an oddly drawn animation about a boy who makes his dog and other creatures come to life. “Paranormal,” another oddly drawn animation, is about a boy who can talk to the dead and saves the town.”Brave” is yet another violent Disney princess movie. “Wreck-It-Ralph,” about a game character who leaves his game, is unremarkable.
Costume Design – “Lincoln”
Direction – Steven Spielberg for “Lincoln”
Film Editing – Michael Kahn for “Lincoln”
Music – Original Score – John Williams for “Lincoln”
Music – Original Song – Adele Adkins and Paul Epworth for “Skyfall” and Mychael Danna and Bombay Jayashri for “Pi’s Lullaby”
Production Design – Rick Carter and Jim Erickson for “Lincoln"
Short Film – Live Action – “Asad,” “Curfew,” and “Henry”
I was surprised about the depth of the movies in this category. Many offered a view of what might happen in daily life here and in other countries. “Asad” is about a Somali boy who is faced with choosing between piracy and fishing. In “Curfew,” a depressed man is saved by reconnecting with his family. “Henry” is about the trials of a man who faces the changes of Alzheimer’s disease. “Buzkashi Boys” tells the story of two boys in Afghanistan who are
trying against tough odds to shape their futures.
Sound Editing – None
Most movies are too loud so I wouldn’t select any of the ones I saw for an Academy Award.
Sound Mixing – None
Again, I didn’t enjoy the sound of any of the movies I saw.
Visual Effects – Bill Westenhofer, Guillaume Rocheron, Erik-Jan De Boer, and Donald R. Elliott for the “Life of Pi.”
I’d read the book, so I was very interested in how all those difficult scenes with the tiger could be filmed. It’s one thing to write about them, but another to produce them for a film.
Writing – Adapted Screenplay – Michael Haneke for “Amour”
The other nominated movies that I saw in this category, which aren’t worthy of an Academy Award: “Django Unchained,” “Skyfall,” and “Zero Dark Thirty.”
Let me know about your opinions on the Academy Award nominated movies in the Comment section below.
Copyright 2013, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist
Last week, I was confused when I saw an article with the
Mount Rushmore presidents on a Presidents’ Day article. Then, I looked it up.
I was surprised to find that some people are looking at
Presidents’ Day as broader than a day to celebrate the lives of George
Washington and Abraham Lincoln. They also add Thomas Jefferson and Theodore Roosevelt,
the two other Mount Rushmore presidents.
In additional, several articles said it’s a day to celebrate
the lives and work of all presidents.
What? I decided to look up the official view of Presidents’ Day.
It’s George Washington's Birthday that is
celebrated as a federal holiday on the third Monday in February. It’s one of 11
permanent holidays established by Congress.
Washington's
Birthday was celebrated on February 22 until well into the 20th Century,
according to the National Archives. However, in 1968 Congress passed the Monday
Holiday Law to "provide uniform annual observances of certain legal public
holidays on Mondays." By creating more three-day weekends, Congress hoped
to "bring substantial benefits to both the spiritual and economic life of
the nation."
One of the
provisions of this act changed the observance of Washington's Birthday from
February 22nd to the third Monday in February. Ironically, this guaranteed that
the holiday would never be celebrated on Washington's actual birthday, as the
third Monday in February can’t fall any later than February 21.
Contrary to
popular belief, neither Congress nor the president has ever stipulated that the
name of the holiday observed as Washington's Birthday be changed to
"President's Day."
Interesting. For myself, I’m sticking with Washington and
Jefferson.
Copyright 2013, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist
President Obama’s State of the Union address Tuesday was
strong for consumers in many areas.
Obama's emphasis on immigration reform, family wage jobs, early
childhood education, a $9 minimum wage, tax code reform, voter rights, and
loophole reduction will help move America forward.
The actions he called for on gun violence, energy
independence, clean energy, climate change, infrastructure, higher education,
violence against women, equal pay for women, stronger families, poverty
eradication, and equal benefits for all are of tremendous importance.
However, Obama fell short in his address on benefits for
older Americans and housing.
Benefits for older Americans
He began his talk by saying, “It is our unfinished task to
make sure that this government works on behalf of the many, and not just the
few.”
Americans don’t expect Congress to agree on everything,
Obama said, adding “They do expect us to forge reasonable compromise where we
can.
On balancing the budget, he said:
The biggest driver of our long-term debt is the rising cost
of health care for an aging population. And those of us who care deeply about
programs like Medicare must embrace the need for modest reforms – otherwise,
our retirement programs will crowd out the investments we need for our
children, and jeopardize the promise of a secure retirement for future
generations…
We’ll reduce taxpayer subsidies to prescription drug
companies and ask more from the wealthiest seniors. We’ll bring down costs by
changing the way our government pays for Medicare, because our medical bills
shouldn’t be based on the number of tests ordered or days spent in the hospital
– they should be based on the quality of care that our seniors receive.
And I am open to additional reforms from both parties, so
long as they don’t violate the guarantee of a secure retirement. Our government
shouldn’t make promises we cannot keep – but we must keep the promises we’ve
already made.
I’m concerned that Medicare is “on the table” and will be
cut in a compromise deal. Medicare and Social Security are minimal programs.
Even “modest reforms” will have disastrous effects on seniors.
For more than half of Social Security recipients aged 65 or
over, the program provides more than 50 percent of their family income and,
because of its lifetime income protection and survivors benefits, Social
Security is particularly important for elderly women.
Housing
On housing, Obama said the housing market is finally healing
from the collapse of 2007. But, even with mortgage rates near a 50-year low,
too many families with solid credit who want to buy a home are being rejected,
he said, adding:
Right now, there’s a bill in this Congress that would give
every responsible homeowner in America the chance to save $3,000 a year by
refinancing at today’s rates. Democrats and Republicans have supported it
before. What are we waiting for? Take a vote, and send me that bill.
And Obama said:
Right now, overlapping regulations keep responsible young
families from buying their first home. What’s holding us back? Let’s streamline
the process, and help our economy grow.
What’s needed that the president didn’t address is that
banks aren’t willing to refinance homes for consumers who are underwater. And,
mortgage reform is still needed and consumers who are in danger of foreclosure must receive help.
Banks continue to prefer to kick homeowners out of their
homes if they are behind on their payments. Federal programs that have been set
up are only helping a fraction of those who need assistance.
And the comment about overlapping regulations for first time
homeowners? It sounds like the president was throwing a bone to the housing and
real estate industries.
We just had a Great Recession based at least partially on
banks and other financial institutions selling mortgages to anyone, regardless
of their qualifications.
Certainly the president didn’t mean those rules are going to
be eliminated?
More help is needed for homeowners. This is part of the
assistance for Main Street that has never materialized after Wall Street
was bailed out.
In last year’s State of the Union address, Obama announced
the creation of a working group aimed at exposing and prosecuting financial
fraud behind the housing crisis.
While some action has been taken, the group needs to do more
to charge and convict those responsible for the housing crisis.
Copyright 2013, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist
Four years ago after I watched President Obama’s inaugural
address, I wondered if the president could do what was needed for American
consumers. Special interests were so strong during the George W. Bush
presidency and did so much damage, I wondered if Obama would be successful in
fighting for consumer interest.
As we now know, the results of Obama’s first four years were
mixed for consumers.
What can consumers expect from Obama’s second term?
In his inaugural address Monday, the president gave a clear
message about the need for people, especially political parties, to work
together to move America forward.
He talked about the need to improve economic conditions, the importance
of equality, and the value of a rising middle class:
We know that America thrives when every person can find
independence and pride in their work; when the wages of honest labor liberate
families from the brink of hardship.
Interestingly in relation to the growing anger of younger
generations against aging baby boomers, Obama referred to meeting the needs of
both older Americans, which includes boomers, and young people. He said:
But we reject the belief that America must choose between
caring for the generation that built this country and investing in the
generation that will build its future.
On programs for older adults, he said, “The commitments we
make to each other through Medicare and Medicaid and Social Security, these
things do not sap our initiative, they strengthen us.”
On helping those in need, Obama said: “Together, we resolved
that a great nation must care for the vulnerable, and protect its people from
life’s worst hazards and misfortune.”
The president also mentioned:
Regulating the business sector: “Together, we discovered
that a free market only thrives when there are rules to ensure competition and
fair play.”
Climate change: “We will respond to the threat of climate
change, knowing that the failure to do so would betray our children and future
generations. Some may still deny the overwhelming judgment of science, but none
can avoid the devastating impact of raging fires and crippling drought and more
powerful storms.”
The president also spoke at length about equality:
We, the people, declare today that the most evident of
truths – that all of us are created equal – is the star that guides us still;
just as it guided our forebears through Seneca Falls, and Selma, and Stonewall;
just as it guided all those men and women, sung and unsung, who left footprints
along this great Mall, to hear a preacher say that we cannot walk alone...
It is now our generation’s task to carry on what those pioneers began.
Obama said our journey isn’t complete until:
Our wives, our mothers and daughters can earn a living equal
to their efforts.
Our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else
under the law – for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we
commit to one another must be equal as well.
No citizen is forced to wait for hours to exercise the right
to vote.
We find a better way to welcome the striving, hopeful
immigrants who still see America as a land of opportunity – until bright young
students and engineers are enlisted in our workforce rather than expelled from
our country.
All our children, from the streets of Detroit to the hills
of Appalachia, to the quiet lanes of Newtown, know that they are cared for and
cherished and always safe from harm.
The president said to make the rights of life, liberty, and
the pursuit of happiness real for everyone doesn’t require us to define liberty
in exactly the same way or compel us to settle centuries-long debates about the
role of government for all time. But, he said, “It does require us to act in
our time.”
He urged others who take oaths and serve in the capital to
faithfully execute their pledge.
Let us, each of us, now embrace with solemn duty and awesome
joy what is our lasting birthright. With common effort and common purpose, with
passion and dedication, let us answer the call of history and carry into an
uncertain future that precious light of freedom.
We’ll see how the president’s second term turns out.
Politics has been called the art of compromise. Let’s hope
that lawmakers will be willing to make decisions that will move the country
forward, and that most of their actions will be in the interests of consumers,
not corporations.
Copyright 2013, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist
It’s a good thing for American consumers that Pres. Barack
Obama was reelected Tuesday.
Although the Obama administration doesn’t always do what it
could or should for consumers, such as in the regulation of toxic chemicals and
prescription drugs, what it is willing to do beats the Republican agenda
substantially. For example, repealing the Affordable Health Care Act, slashing
financial consumer protections, and voucherizing Medicare aren’t in the best
interest of the nation’s families.
Other positive election results
The election of Elizabeth Warren to the U.S. Senate. I’ll
never forget when Warren was passed over to head the U.S. Consumer Financial
Protection Bureau because Republicans said they wouldn’t confirm her appointment.
A friend said Republicans might have made a mistake because she could run for
Congress in Massachusetts and win. He was right.
Warren envisioned the bureau and was its acting director. As
a consumer champion, she will fight against the big banks and Wall Street and
work to strengthen Dodd-Frank and other financial reform legislation.
Retaining a Democratically controlled Senate. The League of
Conservation Voters is among the organizations that worked on this effort.
California tax increase to ease state budget woes.
California voters approved Proposition 30, which raises more than $6 billion in
annual tax increases for education, parks, and disability and other programs.
Election disappointments
Genetically engineered food labeling. In California,
Proposition 37, which would have required the labeling of genetically
engineered food, was voted down. Opponents of the measure spent about $45
million to defeat it.
Renewable energy.Proposition 3, a measure that would have
increased Michigan’s renewable electricity target to require that 25 percent of
power come from clean sources by 2025, was defeated.
Challenges ahead
While there are many challenges facing the country, here are
some important ones for consumers:
Reform of the Federal Toxic Substances Control Act. Although
a Senate committee passed a bill earlier this year, action on reforming the
regulation of toxic chemicals has stalled. See a statement by the Environmental
Working Group for information on this legislation.
Increasing the effectiveness of programs to help prevent
mortgage foreclosure. While a number of programs are in place, more needs to be
done to help millions of consumers facing foreclosure. See the National
Foundation for Credit Counseling’s Homeowner Crisis Resource Center webpage for
resources on avoiding foreclosure.
Jobs and the economy. While Wall Street and the auto
industry got their bailout, I think more needs to be done to help Main Street.
Also, President Obama needs to address poverty and create and strengthen
programs to help lift people out of poverty.
Climate change and environmental issues. Hurricane Sandy
shows communities need to be protected from extreme weather disasters, droughts,
heat waves, and other dangerous consequences of global warming. See a statement
by the Environmental Defense Fund on this issue.
Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist
Laura Lee Carter, also known as the Midlife Crisis Queen, is
this week’s host for the Blogging Boomer Carnival #277.
The carnival is a collection of like-minded blogs
cooperating to share their best stories of interest to the Baby Boomer
Generation.
For this week’s carnival as summer ends, boomer bloggers are
writing about dessert travel, income equality, how the world is different
today, meditation, the end of summer, Alzheimer’s disease, and falling in love
at mid-life.
Boomers are leading corporations, serving as
governmental officials, heading up non-profits, worrying about retirement, and
experiencing layoffs at a higher rate than younger workers. They’re also
reinventing themselves in trying economic times, with some looking for their
dream jobs to keep them happy in retirement.
At each stage in their lives, boomers have
changed things. They’re continuing to make America different as they begin
entering into their retirement years.
In addition to The Survive and Thrive Boomer
Guide, members of the Blogging Boomer Carnival are: The Accidental Locavore,
The Midlife Crisis Queen, Sightings From 60, Arabian Tales and Other Amazing
Adventures, So Baby Boomer, and Silver & Grace.
Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist
When the temperature starts to go down,
many people turn to rich fall foods such as those served for football games, hayrides, and
fireside meals.
While fall foods can be comforting, it only
takes an extra 100 calories a day to put on 10 pounds a year.
Registered dietician Felicia Stoler,
Ph.D., author of the book “Living Skinny in Fat Genes: The Healthy Way to
Lose Weight and Feel Great,” offers this list of the most fattening foods of
fall:
Halloween candy. Long before Halloween arrives, bowls of
candy bars appear frequently at the office.
Tailgating buffets. Chips, guacamole, ribs, burgers, and beer.
This one day of overeating can ruin a whole week’s worth of conscious eating.
Cream soups and hearty stews. Beware of cream of baked potato and
broccoli cheese soups and beef stroganoff. Warm soups and stews may feel
nutritious, but if they’re loaded with cream, cheese, or meat, they are also
loaded with calories.
Root vegetables. While many are super-nutritious, root vegetables
can quadruple in calories when you cream them, fry them, or mix them with
cheese, cream, butter, canned soups, or crispy bacon. A sweet potato casserole
can easily have 500 calories per serving – 400 more than a plain roasted sweet
potato.
Seasonal beverages. Hot toddies, along with hot chocolate,
pumpkin-spice lattes, eggnog, and apple cider, are a quick way to take in lots
of extra calories. A 16-oz. Starbuck’s pumpkin spice latte with 2 percent milk
and whipped cream is 380 calories, while the same size caramel apple cider has
410 calories.
Apple, pecan, and sweet potato pies. These fall favorites start with healthy
ingredients such as heart-healthy nuts or antioxidant-rich fruits and
vegetables. However, they also include high-calorie ingredients such as piecrusts,
sweet fillings, and whipped cream or ice cream topping.
Macaroni and cheese. It's a favorite comfort food for kids and
adults, but it can wreck your diet. In addition, many recipes call for extra
ingredients such as high-fat meats or sausage.
To cut
calories, eliminate these items or only eat small portions. Concentrate on
fresh fruits and vegetables, salads, meatless meals, and skipping desserts instead.
Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist
It was a pleasure to march Sunday in Olympia, Wash.'s 2012 Capital City Pride Parade.
I've enjoyed marching in the parades in previous years and taking photos, but I especially enjoyed this years parade because so many people there were supporting marriage equality. It was passed by the Washington State Legislature this spring, only to be challenged by a recently filed initiative. Voters will decide in November if gay couples will be able to marry in Washington state.
In addition, the Westboro Baptist Church came to my neighborhood last week, spreading its anti-gay message of hate. It was upsetting and sickening to watch the group use American freedoms to spread their message of hate. The counter-demonstration the same day and Sunday's parade were enjoyable, life-supporting experiences.
Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist
Maybe it was Occupy Wall Street or just the fact that he’s finally getting the message that consumers are suffering, but President Obama’s State of the Union address contained more for consumers this year than his 2011 speech.
Obama talked about the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and its role in keeping an eye on credit card, payday loan, and mortgage companies.
He also said he will set up a unit in the Justice Department, which will work with leading state attorneys general, to investigate the business practices that led to the housing crisis. This action is long overdue, but at least it’s happening.
On income equality, Obama suggested that millionaires pay more in taxes, at least the same percentage that average Americans pay. He suggested a rate of 30 percent.
Obama also talked about creating jobs, in clean energy and through public works projects, and the importance of keeping the slowly growing economy moving in a positive direction.
While Obama received lots of applause when he talked about cutting government programs and spending, it’s not an easy task to figure out how to make government leaner and work better.
Not so positive for consumers was Obama’s support of offshore drilling for oil and his willingness to work with Congress to cut Medicare and Social Security benefits.
Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist
