*Any statements in this issue of the Watch which are not sourced are mine and identified by “WW”.
37% of Americans say the country is headed in the right direction. This includes 44% of men and 30% of women. 51% say it is on the wrong track including 45% of men and 56% of women. [Economist/YouGov 6/18/19]
In May 36% of us were satisfied with the way things were going in the United States while 63% were dissatisfied. [Gallup 5/12/19] Continue reading “State of the Nation”
The most recent NBC/WSJ survey (June 8-11, 2019) had a section looking at America and its Institutions. Here are most of the findings from that section.
The Supreme Court remains a primary institution in which the public has more confidence than less. In several other significant institutions, the public has less confidence than more. Continue reading “America and Its Institutions”
The official BLS seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for May 2019 is 3.6%. There is no change since last month.
If one considers the total number of unemployed + those marginally attached to the labor force + those working part-time who want full-time work, the unemployment rate is 7.1%, as opposed to 7.3% for the last 2 months. Continue reading “Employment”
For $22,000, Pathway Church bought up $2.2 million worth of medical debt owed by 1,600 people and forgave it. 18 churches have been able to abolish $34.4 million in debt since 2018. [Kaiser Health News] Continue reading “This and That”
“As long as gay people don’t have their rights all across America, there’s no reason for celebration.”
–Marsha P. Johnson, a central figure in the gay liberation movement who was part of the Stonewall uprising Continue reading “Quotes”
On June 11th the NBC/WSJ survey found that 44% approve of the job that Trump is doing as president. 53% disapprove of the job that he is doing. Those approving of the job he is doing include 84% of Republicans, 36% of women, 32% of Latinos, 17% of African Americans but only 11% of Democrats. [NBC/WSJ 6/11/19] Continue reading “President Trump”
The 59th presidential election will take place on November 3, 2020. 493 days from today. Continue reading “2020”
Approval of the Congress generally remains quite bleak. Continue reading “Congress”
Women make up only 21% of mayors, 18% of governors, 17% of the members of the U.S. Senate, 17% of the members of the U.S. House and 5% of Fortune 1000 chief executives. [WP and Wikipedia] Continue reading “Women Will Get It Done”
Debbie and I were going to be in St. Louis for a family event. We knew from our neighbors, Jamie and Bob, that their son Gerard Ford Craft had opened four acclaimed restaurants in St. Louis and environs, so we asked them for a suggestion.
Based on where we were going to be earlier in the day, they suggested Brasserie by niche and kindly made a reservation for 8:30 p.m. Continue reading “Restaurant: Brasserie by niche”