By Andres Ibarra |Staff Writer| During a surprise visit to Afghanistan, President Barack Obama promised the troops, after nearly 13 years of fighting, he intends to end the war in Afghanistan by the end of this year. Speaking to the troops at Bagram Airbase, Obama said the war has reached a crucial point with Afghan forces claiming primary responsibility for their country’s security. This will allow most of the 32,000 stationed U.S. troops to depart. However, he still plans on having a few troops to remain stationed in Afghanistan in order to protect the gains made during the war, according to The Huffington Post. “After all of the sacrifices we've made, we want to preserve the … [Read more...] about President Obama vowes to end Afghan war soon
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Obama enforces legal policy to close gender wage gap
By Koby Heramil |Editor-in-chief| It’s ridiculous that working females are still being paid less than their male counterparts. President Barack Obama along with Republican Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers motioned for Congress to discuss issues that matter to women. The president’s agenda seeks to close the gender wage gap. I agree with President Obama when he stated in his weekly address, “That’s wrong. In 2014, it’s an embarrassment. Women deserve equal pay for equal work.” One way Obama is ensuring that women are paid fairly is through an executive order that prohibits employers from punishing their employees from discussing wages in public. Employees already have … [Read more...] about Obama enforces legal policy to close gender wage gap
Plan to raise minimum wage
By Daniel DeMarco |Asst. Features Editor| President Barack Obama said Congress should finish the job he started by raising the minimum wage from the current federal minimum wage $7.25 to $10.10. “I make minimum wage and even $8 sucks, $7.25 would just be ridiculous. A nice raise would really help me out and I know I’m not the only one,” said student Ken Mitchell. Obama said that Americans deserve to know where the officials they elect stand, and if they oppose the wage increase then Americans should ask for reasons. “Obama is right. They need to let us know why they can’t agree on anything because this congress hasn’t done s*** for us,” said student Faye Davis. Not … [Read more...] about Plan to raise minimum wage
Obama convinces 300 companies to look past unemployment stigma
By Daniel DeMarco |Assistant Features Editor| President Barack Obama announced a pledge list signed by more than 300 companies to agree to no longer discriminate against potential applicants who have been long-term unemployed. “Twenty-one of the nation’s 50 largest companies and 47 of the top 200” were among the companies involved in this agreement, according to The New York Times. Notable names include: Apple, Wal-Mart, AT&T, General Motors, McDonald’s, eBay, Ford Motor Company, and Pepsi. Long-term unemployment is defined as a time of unemployment that has lasted six months or longer. Obama is attempting to put to rest the prejudice displayed by some companies against … [Read more...] about Obama convinces 300 companies to look past unemployment stigma
Government back open for business
By Daniel DeMarco |Staff Writer| On Oct. 16, 2013, President Barack Obama signed a deal passed by Congress, ending the partial government shutdown. Cutting it very close, Obama officially signed the deal around 9:30 p.m. the night before the country lost its ability to continue borrowing money. The deal was originally negotiated by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (Democrat leader for Nevada) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Republican leader for Kentucky). Both the Senate and the House of Representatives approved the plan. According to Aljazeera, the Senate passed the deal by 81 votes to 18 and the House passed it, … [Read more...] about Government back open for business
GOP leaders propose extension of payroll tax cuts
By Jazmin Jett |Staff Writer| San Bernardino county at 16 percent unemployment may have something to look forward to with the proposed extension on payroll tax cuts. The House of Representatives and U.S. Senate plan to extend a payroll tax cut and expand unemployment benefits. The anticipation is for a decision by Feb. 17. An extension of long-term unemployment benefits could be potentially included within the "$160 billion package," a package to offset trimming federal workers’ pay and other domestic cuts that Democrats refute. Though the extension was passed in late December, it was due to the Republican and Democratic parties’ reluctance to agree. Eventually, differing proposals … [Read more...] about GOP leaders propose extension of payroll tax cuts