Tag Archives: Business

Fraudulent Colleges ruin lives …Repost -good information


Shannon Croteau was 11 classes away from a degree from Kaplan University Online (a for-profit college owned by The Washington Post Company) when she learned she was out of financial aid, $30,000 in debt, and here’s the kicker – the degree she was working toward would be worthless in her state of New Hampshire.

She was billed for loans she never signed up for, enrolled in classes she didn’t choose and, when she complained, was given the runaround by a succession of fake “loan officers” who wouldn’t tell her the truth, let alone their last names. “They lied and cheated,” Shannon told us at “It has ruined me.”

She’s just one of millions of students to have her financial life devastated by the fraudulent and predatory practices of for-profit colleges. Countless other Kaplan students have come forward, saying they’ve been charged for classes even after they’ve withdrawn, stalked by aggressive admissions officers or had their degrees held hostage if they don’t ante up “surprise” fees.

Shannon has started a petition on the Change website , demanding that the Washington Post Company stop preying on low-income students.

Add your name.

It’s important to understand that for-profit colleges stay in business by taking billions from the federal government: During the 2008-09 academic year alone, for-profit colleges siphoned off $4.3 billion of federal student aid.

And if the students can’t pay those loans back, who cares? Students who attend for-profit colleges account for only 12% of America‘s college students, but they represent nearly half of student loan defaults. Those students will be hounded by creditors for the rest of their lives. Our tax dollars cover their debts. And the for-profit colleges never have to give back a dime.

They don’t care whether the students they recruit can afford college, or even whether those students will be able to use their degrees if and when they graduate. For these businesses, each new recruit represents a profit. Nothing more, nothing less.

But Shannon Croteau and a group of former Kaplan students are fighting back – and Change.org members can help. By raising the profile of these appalling institutions, we can pressure the Washington Post Company to get out of the business of preying on people’s dreams of better educations and better careers.

Please take action today to tell Washington Post Company Chairman Donald Graham to either stop the fraudulent practices or shut down Kaplan University:

Thanks for taking action,

Judith and the Change.org team

Fraudulent colleges ruin lives …


Shannon Croteau was 11 classes away from a degree from Kaplan University Online (a for-profit college owned by The Washington Post Company) when she learned she was out of financial aid, $30,000 in debt, and here’s the kicker – the degree she was working toward would be worthless in her state of New Hampshire.

She was billed for loans she never signed up for, enrolled in classes she didn’t choose and, when she complained, was given the runaround by a succession of fake “loan officers” who wouldn’t tell her the truth, let alone their last names. “They lied and cheated,” Shannon told us at  “It has ruined me.”

She’s just one of millions of students to have her financial life devastated by the fraudulent and predatory practices of for-profit colleges. Countless other Kaplan students have come forward, saying they’ve been charged for classes even after they’ve withdrawn, stalked by aggressive admissions officers or had their degrees held hostage if they don’t ante up “surprise” fees.

Shannon has started a petition on the Change website , demanding that the Washington Post Company stop preying on low-income students.

 add your name.

It’s important to understand that for-profit colleges stay in business by taking billions from the federal government: During the 2008-09 academic year alone, for-profit colleges siphoned off $4.3 billion of federal student aid.

And if the students can’t pay those loans back, who cares? Students who attend for-profit colleges account for only 12% of America‘s college students, but they represent nearly half of student loan defaults. Those students will be hounded by creditors for the rest of their lives. Our tax dollars cover their debts. And the for-profit colleges never have to give back a dime.

They don’t care whether the students they recruit can afford college, or even whether those students will be able to use their degrees if and when they graduate. For these businesses, each new recruit represents a profit. Nothing more, nothing less.

But Shannon Croteau and a group of former Kaplan students are fighting back – and Change.org members can help. By raising the profile of these appalling institutions, we can pressure the Washington Post Company to get out of the business of preying on people’s dreams of better educations and better careers.

Please take action today to tell Washington Post Company Chairman Donald Graham to either stop the fraudulent practices or shut down Kaplan University:

Thanks for taking action,

Judith and the Change.org team

9 Great American Companies That Aren’t Recovering


Companies That Still Aren’t Recovering

24/7 Wall St. examined companies whose plans to revive their fortunes have not succeeded and found several common themes.

Managements often fail to appreciate the size of the challenges they face. Competition is fiercer than expected and markets change. Further complicating matters are investors who often want results more quickly than companies can deliver. Of course, the line between success and failure is a thin one.

When things go well, as they did in the cases of Apple Computer Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) and Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:F), they can go spectacularly well. These happy endings, however, are rare.

Turning around failing companies is one of the hardest things for any executive to do.

 nine corporate turnarounds that have yet to turn around.

(AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Related: Full Story  http://247wallst.com/2011/01/19/former-great-american-companies-that-refuse-to-turn-around-bgp-bsx-rsh-rad-shld-s-wen-winn-yrcw/

Bankrate.com




Is closing your credit card account worth crimped credit score? | 2010-11-30
Closing paid-off cards may crimp your credit score but could bring spending discipline.



Congress back in Session – 11/15/10 -updates when needed


The Senate will stand adjourned under the provisions of H.Con.Res.321 until 2:00pm on Monday, November 15.

When the Senate convenes there will be a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each. There will be no roll call votes during Monday’s session of the Senate.

The Senate will be in session the  entire week of November 15-19, 2010.

))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

The next meeting in the House is scheduled for Monday November 15, 2010 2:00pmET

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF NOVEMBER 15, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

9:17 P.M. –
The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. on November 16, 2010. On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.  

Mr. King (IA) moved that the House do now adjourn.

7:00 P.M. –
SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.  

6:56 P.M. –
Mr. Poe of TX requested the following general leaves to address the House on November 19: Mr. Burton of IN for 5 min, himself for 5 min, Mr. Garrett of NJ for 5 min, and Mr. Moran of KS for 5 min. Mr. Poe of TX requested the following general leaves to address the House on November 18: Mr. Burton of IN for 5 min, himself for 5 min, Mr. Garrett of NJ for 5 min, Mr. Paul for 5 min, and Mr. Moran of KS for 5 min.  

6:55 P.M. –
Mr. Poe of TX requested the following general leaves to address the House on November 17: Mr. Burton of IN for 5 min, himself for 5 min, Mr. Garrett of NJ for 5 min, Mr. Paul for 5 min, Mr. Moran of KS for 5 min, and Mr. Diaz-Balart, Lincoln of FL for 5 min. Mr. Poe of TX requested the following general leaves to address the House on November 16: Mr. Burton of IN for 5 min, himself for 5 min, Mr. Garrett of NJ for 5 min, Mr. Paul for 5 min, Mr. Moran of KS for 5 min, and Mr. Diaz-Balart, Lincoln of FL for 5 min.  

6:54 P.M. –
ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.  

6:52 P.M. –
The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed S.J. Res. 40. SPEAKER’S APPOINTMENT – Pursuant to section 1002 of the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 (P.L. 107-306) as amended by section 701(a)(3) of the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (P.L. 111-259), and the order of the House of January 6, 2009, the Chair announces the Speaker’s appointment of the following member on the part of the House to the National Commission for the Review of the Research and Development Programs of the United States Intelligence Community: Mr. Maurice Sonnenberg, New York, NY.  

H. Con. Res. 328:

expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the successful and substantial contributions of the amendments to the patent and trademark laws that were initially enacted in 1980 by Public Law 96-517 (commonly referred to as the “Bayh-Dole Act”) on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of its enactment 

 

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 385 – 1 (Roll no. 568). Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

6:44 P.M. –
Considered as unfinished business.  

H. Res. 1713:

recognizing the 50th anniversary of Ruby Bridges desegregating a previously all-White public elementary school 

 

6:43 P.M. –
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 376 – 0 (Roll no. 567).  

6:34 P.M. –
Considered as unfinished business.  

S. 3689:

to clarify, improve, and correct the laws relating to copyrights 

 

6:33 P.M. –
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.  

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 385 – 0, 1 Present (Roll no. 566).

6:02 P.M. –
Considered as unfinished business.  

6:01 P.M. –
Pursuant to clause 8, rule XX, the Speaker postponed until a time to be announced, the roll call vote on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.Res. 716, which was ordered on Monday, November 15, 2010. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.  

6:00 P.M. –
The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of November 15.

 

3:50 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:00 P.M. today.

H. Res. 1713:

recognizing the 50th anniversary of Ruby Bridges desegregating a previously all-White public elementary school

3:49 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

3:32 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1713.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Conyers moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

S. 3689:

to clarify, improve, and correct the laws relating to copyrights

3:31 P.M. –

S. 3689:

to clarify, improve, and correct the laws relating to copyrights

3:26 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 3689.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Conyers moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H. Con. Res. 328:

The title of this measure is not available

3:25 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

3:15 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 328.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Conyers moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H.R. 6397:

The title of this measure is not available

3:14 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.

2:58 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6397.

Mr. Conyers moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

S. 1376:

to restore immunization and sibling age exemptions for children adopted by United States citizens under the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption to allow their admission to the United States

2:54 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.

2:47 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1376.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Conyers moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H. Res. 716:

recognizing Gail Abarbanel and the Rape Treatment Center, and for other purposes

2:46 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

2:42 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 716.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Conyers moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H.R. 5566:

to amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit interstate commerce in animal crush videos, and for other purposes

2:41 P.M. –

House agreed to Senate amendment with amendment pursuant to H. Res. 1712.

H. Res. 1712:

Providing for the consideration of the bill H.R. 5566 and the Senate amendment thereto

2:39 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.

2:23 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1712.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Conyers moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until 6:00 p.m. today.

2:15 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.

H.R. 3808:

to require any Federal or State court to recognize any notarization made by a notary public licensed by a State other than the State where the court is located when such notarization occurs in or affects interstate commerce

2:14 P.M. –

VETO MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT – The Chair laid before the House the veto message from the President on H.R. 3808. The objections of the President were spread at large upon the Journal, and the veto message was ordered to be printed as a House Document No. 111-152. Pursuant to the order of the House of earlier today, further consideration of the veto message and the bill are postponed until the legislative day of Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010, and that on that legislative day, the House shall proceed to the constitutional question of reconsideration and dispose of such question without intervening motion.

2:13 P.M. –

The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk transmitted H.R. 3808, the “Interstate Recognition of Notarization Act of 2010,” and a Memorandum of Disapproval thereon received from the White House on October 8, 2010, at 12:55 p.m.

Mr. Scott (VA) asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Monday, November 15, 2010, it adjourn to meet at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 16, 2010, for Morning-Hour Debate. Agreed to without objection.

Mr. Scott (VA) asked unanimous consent That, when a veto message on H.R. 3808 is laid before the House on the legislative day of today, then after the message is read and the objections of the President are spread at large upon the Journal, further consideration of the veto message and the bill shall be postponed until the legislative day of Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010; and that on that legislative day, the House shall proceed to the constitutional question of reconsideration and dispose of such question without intervening motion. Agreed to without objection.

2:04 P.M. –

The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on September 30, 2010, at 11:13 a.m.: That the Senate passed without amendment H.R. 6200, H.R. 4543, H.R. 5341, H.R. 5390, H.R. 5450 and H. Con. Res. 319.

2:03 P.M. –

The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the notified the House that she had received the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on September 30, 2010 at 11:14 a.m.: That the Senate passed H.R. 1061 with amendments; passed H.R. 1722 with an amendment; passed S. 685, S. 3794, and S. 2847; agreed to S. Con. Res. 52, S. Con. Res. 72, and S. Con. Res. 74.

2:02 P.M. –

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mrs. Christensen to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

2:00 P.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Daniel Coughlin.

The Speaker designated the Honorable Jesse L. Jackson Jr. to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.