Will Social Security be around in your future? Pt. 3 of 3.

Will Social Security be in your future? The short answer is “yes.” The other short answer is “maybe.” Let’s start at the beginning.

Social Security in Alaska: A billion dollar benefit. Part 2 of 3.

FICA. Grrrrrr! Every time we get a paycheck most of us see the deduction for Social Security taken out of our earnings. It seems relentless and unfair, and to what end?

The contentious history of Social Security. Pt. 1 of 3.

In 1935 the National Association of Manufacturers testified before Congress that Social Security would represent “ultimate socialist control of life and industry.”

How safe are my favorite Alaskan restaurants?

Going out to eat at your favorite restaurant can be a very pleasant experience – unless you get food poisoning.

Ruminations of an American gastarbeiter: Germany on the precipice, part 3 of 3

It’s 1972 in Germany — is widespread right-wing violence immanent?

Ruminations of an American gastarbeiter: life at Hotel Post, part 2 of 3

Gastarbeiters are always found at work in the least desirable jobs. Floors are blocked, dusted, swept, wet-washed, dry-mopped, and vacuumed. Beds are moved, stripped, made,primped, smoothed, straightened, and dusted.

Ruminations of an American gastarbeiter: the big picture, part 1 of 3

In the summer of 1972 I was a manual laborer in Germany. The work was hard, and it was a time of tumultuous social change.