Dorothy Philbin | CNBNews Contributor Back "in the day" (1960s) the United States had the best educational system in the world. Even if we allow for personal/country pride we were definitely in the top five. Where are we today? It depends on the survey one reads. We are somewhere between 13th., behind Slovenia, and 36th waaay behind Bulgaria. How many American students can find either country on a map? What happened? Is it just Gloucester City or the country as a whole? The answer to the second question is easy. No, it is not just Gloucester City. It is the country as a whole. We are spending an unbelievable amount of money for our kids to rank between 13th and 36th. The biggest excuse I heard when getting my Masters in Education at St. Joseph's University was that the Russians sent a satellite (Sputnik - 1958) into space before the... Continue reading

Dorothy Philbin | CNBNews Contributor Part II Our federal administration is not making out very well in court but this decision was predictable. Today Federal District Judge Mathew Schelp overruled the federal rule that all health care workers in facilities which accept Medicare and Medicaid (basically all) must be vaccinated. courtesy of unsplash.comvaccinated. A year ago these health care workers were our heroes; this year they are losing their jobs. The same is true of most first responders. In many, if not most of these cases the workers aren't against the vaccine but don't want the government dictating what chemicals go into their bodies. Others have medical conditions which may have a negative effect - we just don't have enough information yet. Finally, there is that pesky ole document, the United States Constitution which prohibits the government from interfering with religious beliefs. The United States is divides into districts or... Continue reading

by Dorothy Philbin | CNBNews Contributor There are only a few days left before those of us who are over 65 or disabled can change Medicare coverage plans. This is a very difficult decision. There are many health insurance companies who will provide coverage, usually better than the government's, but at a premium. The government's plan leaves a lot to be desired. To start, let's look at what Medicare does not cover.1 1. Medical needs incurred outside the United States. If you plan to travel and you have kept the government's plan, make sure to buy travel insurance. Although it can be a big help it doesn't always solve your problems. Twice a friend was in Mexico and was hurt. They went to the hospital and was told that it would cost $8,000 just to have an ER doctor look at her. Her husband said that they had travel insurance... Continue reading

by Dorothy Philbin | CNBNews Contributor Have you gotten a letter or e-mail from Public Service Electric & Gas Co offering a new thermostat for free? Sounds good, doesn't it? Maybe not. Nowhere in PSE&G's e-mail does it say anything (even in the fine print) about the thermostat being changed remotely. This is a question that needs to be asked and answered. In June of this year USA Today1 printed an article about this program being used in Texas. Customers were "given the opportunity" to sign up for the program. Shortly thereafter people found their houses much warmer than they set the thermostat. This was during the summer and one couple found their thermostat had been raised to 78 degrees in the middle of the day. Some people said this was being done without their consent. In the Texas advertisement phrases such as "may briefly, a few degrees, altered remotely,... Continue reading

by Dorothy Philbin | CNBNews The other day I wrote about the Kyle Rittenhouse trial in Kenosha, WI. When he was attacked by three ex-convicts. He shot back and killed one of them. A second testified in court that he had pulled a gun first. Mr. Rittenhouse defended himself. Since then the trial has been a tragedy of errors. The prosecutor has made mistake after mistake and the defense attorney has made four requests for a mistrial but it hasn't happened. Since the trial started there have been groups of radicals shouting "No Justice, No Peace." Correspondents report that the judge and jury can hear this. It is a threat. If you don't find Kyle Rittenhouse guilty you will be sorry. This is jury intimidation and reason number five for a mistrial. Things got even worse today. At the end of the day the jury members ride a bus to... Continue reading