Kalama's Joy Campaign Strategy? I Think We Can Say We're "Over" Joyed Now!

By Robin Itzler 

Editor's Note:  This is one of the commentaries selected from Robin's weekly newsletter Patriot Neighbors. Any cartoons appearing will have been added by me.  If you wish to get the full edition, E-mail her at PatriotNeighbors@yahoo.com to get on her list, it's free. RK

Car manufacturer Toyota is the latest company to announce that it will no longer sponsor pride events such as festivals and parades. Exceptions are only if the event is directly connected to STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education and workforce readiness. Like so many other companies. Toyota will also stop participating in the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index.

In its memo to 50,000 US employees and 1,500+ dealerships, Toyota said it is going to focus more on its core business. (Duh!) Employee resources will instead be focused on professional development, networking, and mentoring. (Duh!)

Reportedly from the memo: “We will work to ensure that the activities and events are focused on professional development, networking, mentoring and volunteering — team member engagement that drives our business. Furthermore, we will work to ensure all company activities are aligned with our values and create an inclusive environment for our team members.” 

To share your thoughts with Toyota USA CEO Tetsuo Ogawa: Click here to contact Toyota USA , Phone: 469 -292-4000 Write: 6565 Headquarters Dr, Plano, TX 75024 

Layoffs Continue

In September, companies announced 72,821 layoffs. Here’s a sampling of the JOYFUL situation that Kamala Harris and Tim Walz would like to continue:

• Amazon (technology/eCommerce) – According to a Morgan Stanley report (reported in Bloomberg), Amazon is looking to reduce its managerial positions by 14,000 early next year. The company would save around $3 billion annually.
• Asurion (warranty and repair services insurance) – Will layoff 3 percent of its employees. The company has 19,500 employees worldwide. This is Nashville’s largest private employer.
• Boeing (aerospace) – Will cut 10 percent of its workforce (about 17,000 employees) over the next few months. This includes executives, managers and employees.
• Charles River Laboratories (healthcare) – Announced it is reducing its workforce by 3 percent (approximately 650 people).
• CVS Health (healthcare) – The company reported that 416 employees from Aetna will be laid off between December 8 – 21. (How fast can you not say, “Merry Christmas?!”)
• Disney (entertainment) – Said goodbye to about 300 employees across multiple corporate departments. On another note, on October 9 most Disneyland and Disney California Adventure ticket prices increased an average of 6 percent.
• Johnson & Johnson (healthcare) – Will let 231 employees go by December 27. (More “Merry Christmas!”)
• Paramount Global (entertainment) – The next phase of its plan to lay off 15 percent of its U.S. workforce continues. Its streaming service was most affected by the current round of terminations.
• Verizon (technology) – Announced it would be laying off nearly 5,000 employees by March 2025. 

Please Read,  If You Told Me That "Inflation" is the Rising Prices of Goods and Services, You'd be Wrong by W. H. Lamb.