October 20, 2010
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Page 17
New Prices
«
Effective
May 1,2010
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Cleaning
Service
Carpet & Upholstery
Cleaning
Residential &
Commercial Services
Minimum Service CHG.
$45.00
A sm all distance/travel charge
m ay be applied
CARPET CLEANING
2 Cleaning Areas or
more $30.00 Each Area
"T he very th o u g h t , o f fair , ta x a tio n threatens
ns continued existence or tuvs p l a n e t .
-J W p o E N L A C T O lO M N E S
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Poverty on the March
Pre-Spray Traffic Areas
(Includes: I sm a ll H allway)
1 Cleaning Area (only)
$40.00
Includes Pre-Spray Traffic Area
(Hallway’ Extra)
Stairs (12-16 stairs - With
Other Services)-. $25.00
Area/Orientai Rugs:
$25.00 Minimum
Area/Orientai Rugs (Wool)’.
$40.00 Minimum
Heavily Soiled Area:
Additional $10.00 each area
(Requiring Extensive Pre-Spraying)
Losing politically to
the power elite
W illiam A. C ollins
The standard o f living in the
United States is unfortunately go­
ing down. Not so much for top
earners.
The harshest blows, as usual,
fall farther down the ladder. Now that the
financial industry has finally re-grasped the
levers o f government power, most citizens
are watching their income, assets, and net
worth dribble down the drain o f corporate
profit and economic mismanagement.
You'll recall, for example, that Congress
has lately made it very difficult for an
average family to declare bankruptcy and
start life afresh. Now those folks are more
likely instead to remain forever poor.
Congress has also greased the skids for
American jobs to skitter overseas, and for
employers here to import both high- and
low-skilled workers to siphon offjobs from
domestic payrolls. In the name o f thrift, it
has chiseled as wel 1 on unemployment, food
stamps, housing, child care, and most other
social services. Only military expenditures
have spiraled upward unimpeded.
by
Even the courts haven't been spared.
Health deteriorates too. Quickly. Even
Spending on legal services program s for employer-sponsored care is now so expen­
the poor has been slashed, m aking it sive that many can no longer afford it. And
easier for lenders, em ployers, hos­ more and more employers are hiring work­
pitals, landlords, and other credi­ ers as independent contractors so that they
tors to run roughshod over their not only avoid health costs, they avoid
legal rights. T here is a w hole new Social Security. Plus the governor o f my
industry assisting em ployers in le­ compassionate state, Connecticut, just ve­
gally challenging the validity o f un­ toed a bill to require paid sick leave. Conse­
em ploym ent claim s by fired w ork­ quently the poor will continue to have to
ers. That helps the boss hold down his work sick and infect us all.
unem ploym ent tax rate.
There was a time when our nation en­
One result o f such conniving is that joyed higher aspirations. Having survived
countless fam ilies have been forced to the Depression and World War II, and
double up, m uch as they did at this point having gotten Europe back on its feet, we
in the last century. W hile this painful sought a better life for ourselves. For a
social condition supplies a w ealth o f de­ while we got it. Now, however, we have
licious m aterial for TV sitcom s, it's a lost political control to "the power elite," as
crum m y way to live. But w hat else can C. Wright Mills termed it many decades
you do w hen a beloved part o f your clan ago.
is foreclosed or evicted for inability to
Apparently, rampant poverty is once
pay the rent?
again acceptable, if that is the price society
At the very foot o f the ladder, life is must pay to support Wall Street avarice and
w orse yet. Fam ilies sim ply break up. eternal war. Even Social Security and
Junior and Sis are sent o ff to live with Medicare are under attack. If you aren't
G randm a or Aunt Dolly, often separately; poor yet, you'll probably get your chance
w hile Mom bunks in with more distant kin soon enough.
any place she can find a job. For Dad, if
OtherW ords colum nist William A.
there is a dad, jo b s are often either un­ Collins is a former state representative
available or unrem unerative.
and a former mayor o f Norwalk, Conn.
UPHOLSTERY
CLEANING
Sofa: $69.00
Loveseat: $49.00
Sectional: $109-$139
Chair or Recliner: a a »
$25 - $49
Throw Pillows (With
Other Services): $5.00
ADDITIONAL
SERVICES
• Area & Oriental Rug
Cleaning
• Auto/Boat/RV Cleaning
• Deodorizing & Pet
Odor Treatment
• Spot & Stain
Removal Service
• Scotchguard Protection
• Minor Water Damage
Services
SEE CURRENT FLYER
FOR ADDITIONAL
PRICES & SERVICES
Call for Appointment
(503) 281-3949