{"id":15354,"date":"2015-06-02T12:45:48","date_gmt":"2015-06-02T19:45:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/?p=15354"},"modified":"2015-06-02T12:45:48","modified_gmt":"2015-06-02T19:45:48","slug":"open-thread622015","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/2015\/06\/02\/open-thread622015\/","title":{"rendered":"Open Thread–6\/2\/2015"},"content":{"rendered":"

I\u2019m waiting for my helper friend to arrive and do some heavy duty cleaning.  I\u2019m still feeling quite worn out.<\/font><\/p>\n

Jig Zone Puzzle<\/strong>:<\/font><\/p>\n

Today\u2019s took me 2:52 (average 5:09).  To do it, click here<\/a>.  How did you do?<\/font><\/p>\n

Short Takes<\/strong>:<\/font><\/p>\n

From Daily Kos<\/a>: <\/font>The National Low Income Housing Coalition’s<\/a> annual housing report has been released and it once again shows the dramatic divide between average housing prices and income in the United States.<\/p>\n

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In order to afford a modest, two-bedroom apartment in the U.S., renters need to earn a wage of $19.35 per hour. In 13 states and the District of Columbia they need to earn more than $20 per hour. The Housing Wage for a two-bedroom unit is more than two and a half times the federal minimum wage of $7.25, and $4 more than the estimated average wage of $15.16 earned by renters nationwide.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Take a look at the NLIHC maps to see how your state stacks up:<\/p>\n

\"0602-2Bedroom\"<\/p>\n

It’s more than just one wage slave can afford.<\/font><\/p>\n

From Alternet<\/a>: <\/font>On Sunday, the NSA briefly stopped the bulk collection of metadata after certain provisions of the Patriot Act temporary expired. <\/p>\n

Freed from the fetters of NSA eavesdropping, Jon Stewart took advantage of his free speech rights, gleefully whipping out a landline and shouting, "Penis penis penis!"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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