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.

Continue reading “THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY (Your Money/Chapter IV)” →

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.

Continue reading “The Story Behind The Story: What Is Going On in the Kyle Rittenhouse Trial?” →

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 but that didn’t solve the problem.  Until the hospital actually received the $8,000 they put it on my friend’s credit card.  How many people have an $8,000 line of credit on their credit cards?  Investigate the laws where you plan to go.

Continue reading “THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY (Chapter III):Medicare Coverage Plans” →

by Dorothy Philbin | CNBNews Contributor

The United States Senate has passed a bill submitted by Sen. Marco Rubio (R, FL) to make Daylight Savings Time permanent.  Sen. Rubio made some valid points in his bill.  During the standard time when evening comes at 5:00 p.m. crime rate is higher, people become depressed due to Seasonal Affective Disorder and for an unknown reason, people have more heart attacks.  There is also the hope, optimistically, that with more daylight kids will spend more time outside getting exercise.

image courtesy of The Farmers Almanac

Continue reading “The Story Behind The Story: Daylight Savings Time Forever” →

BY DOROTHY PHILBIN | CNBNews Contributor

When I taught at West Philadelphia High School a student named S.M. was the valedictorian the first year I was there.  I’m happy for everyone who works hard enough to place first in a class of more than 300 students.  He should have been very proud.

At that time the CEO (Superintendent) of the district was Paul Vallas who, in my opinion, was doing a wonderful job.  His first priority was to buy all new textbooks for every student.  Other, similar priorities quickly followed.  Sadly, for S.M. it was too little, too late.  Even though he was valedictorian he had to take a remedial math course over the summer to enter college in September.  The school hadn’t prepared him to take an entry-level college math course.

Continue reading “THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY:Response to School District of Philadelphia CEO Candidates” →

BY DOROTHY PHILBIN | CNBNews Contributor

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (March 16, 2022)–Cleary’s Notebook (CNBNews) this week printed an article about the Teach for America program and they, as with many employers, can’t fill openings.  In their case they have hundreds into thousands of openings.  I had experience with Teach for America when I taught in the School District of Philadelphia.  I felt it was a very unfair program.