State of economy in the US

As the year comes to a close, the economic state of USA remains in the balance as the nation prepares to go over the ‘fiscal cliff’.

President Obama left his family in Hawaii and returned from his Christmas vacation in an effort to broker a deal with the Republicans.

Many are skeptical as to how this will play out. According to financial operations specialist, Eddie Brown, “Last minute negotiations to avoid a fiscal cliff will force America to accept choices that are not in their best interest.”

Agreeing with Eddie Brown, is Courtney Saunders, a medical insurance consultant ,who says, “it’s going to cause us to make choices that will negatively affect the middle class and it’s also affecting the business sector as they are unable to prepare for the new year with regards to taxes, policies that include investments and hiring of labor.

This is not good.” Andrew Johnson, who works in retail, says he has not seen an impact at retail as yet, but shoppers are being extremely conservative with their spending dollars.

“As New York and New Jersey continues to recover from Super storm Sandy, having a clear path as to where you nation is heading makes it even more important,” adds Eddie Brown, “if we are clear on where the nation is heading, we will have a better understanding of where our resources for recovery are coming from.”

Hammond tops Billboard Reggae Music Chart

On a brighter note, coming off a successful performance at the Sounds of Reggae Concert at the Brooklyn Barclay Center, reggae crooner Beres Hammond, has topped the Billboard Reggae Music Chart with his latest release, One Love, One Life a double CD offering which has been receiving rave reviews. Settled in at the number one spot, the album continues to be a best seller among reggae fans.

Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy

As the nation mourns those who were tragically killed at Sandy Hook, Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, news of another heartbreaking event has come to light.

Many were devastated when news came from Webster, New York that William Spengler, 62 lured firefighters to his sister’s premises by starting a fire.

When firefighters responded to the call, they were ambushed by Spengler who was said to be mentally unstable and had served 17 years in prison for killing his grandmother.

Two of the firefighters died and two remain in hospital. On Facebook, Patrick Coker has been engaged in a heated discussion about stop and frisk and mental health.

After the shooting on Christmas Eve, Patrick Coker posted, “In NYC the controversial stop and frisk program has been touted as one of the main reasons that gun crime has fallen.

Since most of the people who are stopped and frisked are young men of color - I am guessing that starting in 2013 every young white male is going to be checked for mental illness, as that might lead them to pick up an assault rifle and go ballistic because they fit the description.”