Government May Stop Cost Of Living Adjustments For Social Security For Three Years
"This is all very preliminary -- and nothing is final until next October -- but a report just out from the Congressional Budget Office is predicting that the annual cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security checks may disappear next year"
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Government fixes leave us broke
Government fixes leave us broke
"The Congressional Budget Office, the economic forecasting arm of the Congress, now reports that the Social Security trust fund is almost in the red. They project that the fund's surplus next year will be a scant $3 billion.
For perspective, CBO just 12 months ago projected that this same surplus would be $86 billion – almost 30 times larger. Plus, the CBO estimated then that the fund would not be in the red for another 10 years. Now it looks like it may be next year."
"The Congressional Budget Office, the economic forecasting arm of the Congress, now reports that the Social Security trust fund is almost in the red. They project that the fund's surplus next year will be a scant $3 billion.
For perspective, CBO just 12 months ago projected that this same surplus would be $86 billion – almost 30 times larger. Plus, the CBO estimated then that the fund would not be in the red for another 10 years. Now it looks like it may be next year."
Monday, April 06, 2009
A corrupt Washington is paying us hush money
A corrupt Washington is paying us hush money
Meanwhile, with the power to give out our money as they wish, congressmen take campaign money from lobbyists and industries they regulate.
Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., is only the latest poster boy for that, but boy is he a good one.
There may be no one who better represents all that is wrong with Washington.
The powerful Senate Banking Committee chairman got a sweetheart mortgage from Countrywide; he has received $280,000 in campaign contributions from troubled insurer AIG; and he made sure that AIG executive bonuses were untouched by Congress -- then claimed for 24 hours that he knew nothing about it, before reporters forced him to admit the truth.
Polls show Dodd is in re-election trouble. But don't hold your breath: Despite record-low approval ratings for Congress last year, we continued sending our congressmen back at about a 90 percent retention rate
Meanwhile, with the power to give out our money as they wish, congressmen take campaign money from lobbyists and industries they regulate.
Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., is only the latest poster boy for that, but boy is he a good one.
There may be no one who better represents all that is wrong with Washington.
The powerful Senate Banking Committee chairman got a sweetheart mortgage from Countrywide; he has received $280,000 in campaign contributions from troubled insurer AIG; and he made sure that AIG executive bonuses were untouched by Congress -- then claimed for 24 hours that he knew nothing about it, before reporters forced him to admit the truth.
Polls show Dodd is in re-election trouble. But don't hold your breath: Despite record-low approval ratings for Congress last year, we continued sending our congressmen back at about a 90 percent retention rate
Sunday, April 05, 2009
R&B singers thrive even without mainstream media support
R&B singers thrive even without mainstream media support
"Despite their enormous influence on most 'American' music genres, African American performers continue to be largely ignored by mainstream media."
huh?
"Despite their enormous influence on most 'American' music genres, African American performers continue to be largely ignored by mainstream media."
huh?
The Five Dumbest Tariffs: As the global recession deepens, countries go to extreme lengths to prop up their ailing industries.
The Five Dumbest Tariffs: As the global recession deepens, countries go to extreme lengths to prop up their ailing industries.
"Mexico: The Sunflower Seeds Must Pay
On March 11, when Obama signed the 2009 appropriations bill, he also ended a pilot program that had let a number of Mexican trucking companies carry their cargo into the United States. One week later, Mexico retaliated, leveling tariffs on 89 different American imports, including a tariff on Christmas trees (20 percent), dog food (10 percent), dental floss (15 percent), deodorant (15 percent), and toilet paper (10 percent).
"Mexico: The Sunflower Seeds Must Pay
(The blog Mexico Trucker Online posted this translated list of the Mexican tariffs.)
The Wall Street Journal reported that Mexican officials chose the specific tariffs by targeting businesses in the districts of influential U.S. legislators. For example, one of the items targeted is sunflower seeds-which grow in North Dakota. North Dakota happens to be the home state of Byron Dorgan, the Democratic senator who spearheaded the move to exclude Mexican truckers.
The Journal reported that Sen. Dorgan was "outraged" at the move. His office did not return a call from The Big Money.
"Mexico: The Sunflower Seeds Must Pay
On March 11, when Obama signed the 2009 appropriations bill, he also ended a pilot program that had let a number of Mexican trucking companies carry their cargo into the United States. One week later, Mexico retaliated, leveling tariffs on 89 different American imports, including a tariff on Christmas trees (20 percent), dog food (10 percent), dental floss (15 percent), deodorant (15 percent), and toilet paper (10 percent).
"Mexico: The Sunflower Seeds Must Pay
(The blog Mexico Trucker Online posted this translated list of the Mexican tariffs.)
The Wall Street Journal reported that Mexican officials chose the specific tariffs by targeting businesses in the districts of influential U.S. legislators. For example, one of the items targeted is sunflower seeds-which grow in North Dakota. North Dakota happens to be the home state of Byron Dorgan, the Democratic senator who spearheaded the move to exclude Mexican truckers.
The Journal reported that Sen. Dorgan was "outraged" at the move. His office did not return a call from The Big Money.
On the edge of the pension pit
On the edge of the pension pit
"Years of putting off budgetary responsibilities have left state and local governments staring into an abyss of pension liabilities. The facts reported in Barry Horstman's story, 'Generous pensions in deep hole,' make it clear the system is no longer sustainable. To continue funding these current plans at their current levels, taxpayers would have to give up many of the public services the public workers were hired to provide."
"Years of putting off budgetary responsibilities have left state and local governments staring into an abyss of pension liabilities. The facts reported in Barry Horstman's story, 'Generous pensions in deep hole,' make it clear the system is no longer sustainable. To continue funding these current plans at their current levels, taxpayers would have to give up many of the public services the public workers were hired to provide."
Cuba boosts retirement age as many go gray
Cuba boosts retirement age as many go gray
"HAVANA - Like much of Cuba's work force, Alfredo Congas is going gray. The chain-smoking 61-year-old retired last March after 42 years as a hotel doorman and rum company driver. Now he's working 12-hour shifts as a security guard to supplement his pension.
Congas' new job brings his total income - pension plus paycheck - to the equivalent of $23.45 a month, about $4 more than the average state wage.
Poverty forces most of Cuba's 2.2 million retirees to get jobs to supplement their pensions. Many scrape by, selling peanuts and newspapers or guarding cars for tourist change.
Now, even that is harder to do. Faced with an aging population and a life expectancy of 77.3 years, nearly the same as in the United States, Cuba has raised the retirement threshold by five years, to 60 for women and 65 for men, delaying the second jobs many have counted on to make ends meet.
About 90 percent of Cubans have government jobs, and both sexes must now work at least 30 years, not 25, to get a full pension."
"HAVANA - Like much of Cuba's work force, Alfredo Congas is going gray. The chain-smoking 61-year-old retired last March after 42 years as a hotel doorman and rum company driver. Now he's working 12-hour shifts as a security guard to supplement his pension.
Congas' new job brings his total income - pension plus paycheck - to the equivalent of $23.45 a month, about $4 more than the average state wage.
Poverty forces most of Cuba's 2.2 million retirees to get jobs to supplement their pensions. Many scrape by, selling peanuts and newspapers or guarding cars for tourist change.
Now, even that is harder to do. Faced with an aging population and a life expectancy of 77.3 years, nearly the same as in the United States, Cuba has raised the retirement threshold by five years, to 60 for women and 65 for men, delaying the second jobs many have counted on to make ends meet.
About 90 percent of Cubans have government jobs, and both sexes must now work at least 30 years, not 25, to get a full pension."
Which party will attract the Busted Boomers?
Which party will attract the Busted Boomers?: "Whichever political party can develop a message to address the anxieties of the Busted Boomers will have a distinct advantage in next year's midterm congressional contests and the 2012 presidential race."
Michigan State University "White Out"?
Michigan State University Official Athletic Site
This is weird.
MSU is GREEN and the MSU administration wants us to wear white?
This is weird.
MSU is GREEN and the MSU administration wants us to wear white?
Saturday, April 04, 2009
Bring it home Sparty!
Nice video about how our Sparties are Michigan's Team and how the folks in Detroit support MSU
Friday, April 03, 2009
The question that flummoxed the great orator
The question that flummoxed the great orator
"Barack Obama, the World's Greatest Orator (™all news organisations), didn't exactly cover himself in glory when the BBC's political editor Nick Robinson asked him a question about who was to blame for the financial crisis. Normally word perfect, Obama ummed, ahed and waffled for the best part of two and a half minutes."
"Barack Obama, the World's Greatest Orator (™all news organisations), didn't exactly cover himself in glory when the BBC's political editor Nick Robinson asked him a question about who was to blame for the financial crisis. Normally word perfect, Obama ummed, ahed and waffled for the best part of two and a half minutes."
Jobless rate bolts to 8.5 percent, 663K jobs lost
Jobless rate bolts to 8.5 percent, 663K jobs lost
"The nation's unemployment rate jumped to 8.5 percent in March, the highest since late 1983,"
Let me get this straight.
Bush has been a powerless, lame duck since 2005.
The democrats have had total control of the US House and Senate since Nov. 2006.
That's 2 1/2 years of democrat party (Pelosi/Reid) control of our government.
Obama has been the presumptive President and President for 8 months (jeepers, sorta like Bush's 8 months till 9-11).
And our national malaise is Bush's fault?
When does Prez Barry take responsibility?
"The nation's unemployment rate jumped to 8.5 percent in March, the highest since late 1983,"
Let me get this straight.
Bush has been a powerless, lame duck since 2005.
The democrats have had total control of the US House and Senate since Nov. 2006.
That's 2 1/2 years of democrat party (Pelosi/Reid) control of our government.
Obama has been the presumptive President and President for 8 months (jeepers, sorta like Bush's 8 months till 9-11).
And our national malaise is Bush's fault?
When does Prez Barry take responsibility?
Energy costs being bumped $2,000 per household
Energy costs being bumped $2,000 per household
"The vice president for an energy research center says the administration of President Barack Obama is working now on what could end up being the biggest levy ever in the history of the United States, a tax that is expected to cost $2,000 per household.
'The cost of all energy will go up, consumers and businesses and everyone who drives a car, heats their home, goes to a job that uses energy, will pay more, either through the loss of their job or the actual cost of electricity by almost $2,000 a year,' said Dan Kish, the senior vice president for policy at the Institute for Energy Research."
This is all driven by the fraud of GlobalWarming.
"The vice president for an energy research center says the administration of President Barack Obama is working now on what could end up being the biggest levy ever in the history of the United States, a tax that is expected to cost $2,000 per household.
'The cost of all energy will go up, consumers and businesses and everyone who drives a car, heats their home, goes to a job that uses energy, will pay more, either through the loss of their job or the actual cost of electricity by almost $2,000 a year,' said Dan Kish, the senior vice president for policy at the Institute for Energy Research."
This is all driven by the fraud of GlobalWarming.
Facebook, YouTube at work make better employees: study
Facebook, YouTube at work make better employees: study
"The University of Melbourne study showed that people who use the Internet for personal reasons at work are about 9 percent more productive that those who do not."
Aren't "studies" great!
I'm sure glad Prez Barry is gonna shower these fine folks with more of our tax dollars.
It's for the children ya know!
"The University of Melbourne study showed that people who use the Internet for personal reasons at work are about 9 percent more productive that those who do not."
Aren't "studies" great!
I'm sure glad Prez Barry is gonna shower these fine folks with more of our tax dollars.
It's for the children ya know!
Bill would give Obama power to shut down Internet, networks during cyber attacks
Bill would give Obama power to shut down Internet, networks during cyber attacks
"Federal legislation introduced in the Senate this week would give President Obama the power to declare a cybersecurity emergency and then shut down both public and private networks including Internet traffic coming to and from compromised systems."
BigBrother is working overtime!
"Federal legislation introduced in the Senate this week would give President Obama the power to declare a cybersecurity emergency and then shut down both public and private networks including Internet traffic coming to and from compromised systems."
BigBrother is working overtime!
Barack Obama's Trillion-Dollar Deficit Budget Will Impede Economic Growth
Barack Obama's Trillion-Dollar Deficit
"What does $6.5 trillion of additional debt imply for the typical family? If spread evenly over all those paying income taxes (which under Mr. Obama's plan would shrink to a little over 50% of the population), every income-tax paying family would get a tax bill for $163,000. (In 10 years, interest would bring the total to well over a quarter million dollars, if paid all at once. If paid annually over the succeeding 10 years, the tax hike every year would average almost $34,000.)"
"What does $6.5 trillion of additional debt imply for the typical family? If spread evenly over all those paying income taxes (which under Mr. Obama's plan would shrink to a little over 50% of the population), every income-tax paying family would get a tax bill for $163,000. (In 10 years, interest would bring the total to well over a quarter million dollars, if paid all at once. If paid annually over the succeeding 10 years, the tax hike every year would average almost $34,000.)"
More might go -- if they could
More might go -- if they could
"As bad as Michigan's exodus has become, it could be even worse if thousands of frustrated homeowners like Owens could leave. Residents trying to escape Michigan's hard times today are finding their path to the border more difficult than those who left in recent years. Jobs in other states, plentiful through much of Michigan's recession, are drying up. And those who find jobs elsewhere often struggle to sell their Michigan homes.
About 109,000 more people left Michigan in 2008 than moved in, quadruple the number from the beginning of the decade. Dana Johnson, senior vice president and chief economist for Comerica Bank, says that number represents only a portion of the people who want to leave."
"As bad as Michigan's exodus has become, it could be even worse if thousands of frustrated homeowners like Owens could leave. Residents trying to escape Michigan's hard times today are finding their path to the border more difficult than those who left in recent years. Jobs in other states, plentiful through much of Michigan's recession, are drying up. And those who find jobs elsewhere often struggle to sell their Michigan homes.
About 109,000 more people left Michigan in 2008 than moved in, quadruple the number from the beginning of the decade. Dana Johnson, senior vice president and chief economist for Comerica Bank, says that number represents only a portion of the people who want to leave."
Granholm to host town hall meeting in Muskegon Heights
Granholm to host town hall meeting in Muskegon Heights
"Gov. Jennifer Granholm will visit Muskegon Heights Friday to discuss funding options with area government leaders, then hold a town hall meeting on the same topic with the public.
A spokeswoman for the governor confirmed the closed-door meeting with area government officials will start at 2 p.m. at Muskegon Heights City Hall, 2724 Peck.
The town hall meeting, which is open to the public, begins at 2:30 p.m. in the city council chambers, also at city hall. The governor will give a presentation on federal stimulus funding opportunities and answer questions, said Granholm spokeswoman Tiffany Brown."
"Gov. Jennifer Granholm will visit Muskegon Heights Friday to discuss funding options with area government leaders, then hold a town hall meeting on the same topic with the public.
A spokeswoman for the governor confirmed the closed-door meeting with area government officials will start at 2 p.m. at Muskegon Heights City Hall, 2724 Peck.
The town hall meeting, which is open to the public, begins at 2:30 p.m. in the city council chambers, also at city hall. The governor will give a presentation on federal stimulus funding opportunities and answer questions, said Granholm spokeswoman Tiffany Brown."
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Daniel Hannan MEP: The devalued Prime Minister of a devalued Government
Why do we never hear this eloquence from our GOPer leaders?
Taxpayers make up the losses in public pension funds' portfolios
Taxpayers make up the losses in public pension funds' portfolios: "There is one guarantee, though: the market swoon has decimated public pension funds, and those losses will be covered by taxpayers."
We tighten our belts so we can pay for their pay increases and pension guarantees.
Isn't ANYONE thinking this ain't right?
We tighten our belts so we can pay for their pay increases and pension guarantees.
Isn't ANYONE thinking this ain't right?
PROMISES, PROMISES: Obama tax pledge up in smoke
PROMISES, PROMISES: Obama tax pledge up in smoke
"One of President Barack Obama's campaign pledges on taxes went up in puffs of smoke Wednesday.
The largest increase in tobacco taxes took effect despite Obama's promise not to raise taxes of any kind on families earning under $250,000 or individuals under $200,000.
This is one tax that disproportionately affects the poor, who are more likely to smoke than the rich.
To be sure, Obama's tax promises in last year's campaign were most often made in the context of income taxes. Not always.
'I can make a firm pledge,' he said in Dover, N.H., on Sept. 12. 'Under my plan, no family making less than $250,000 a year will see any form of tax increase. Not your income tax, not your payroll tax, not your capital gains taxes, not any of your taxes.'"
"One of President Barack Obama's campaign pledges on taxes went up in puffs of smoke Wednesday.
The largest increase in tobacco taxes took effect despite Obama's promise not to raise taxes of any kind on families earning under $250,000 or individuals under $200,000.
This is one tax that disproportionately affects the poor, who are more likely to smoke than the rich.
To be sure, Obama's tax promises in last year's campaign were most often made in the context of income taxes. Not always.
'I can make a firm pledge,' he said in Dover, N.H., on Sept. 12. 'Under my plan, no family making less than $250,000 a year will see any form of tax increase. Not your income tax, not your payroll tax, not your capital gains taxes, not any of your taxes.'"
Basketball fans beware: Sheriff's Department gets report of scam from Craigslist ticket sale
Basketball fans beware: Sheriff's Department gets report of scam from Craigslist ticket sale "A local fan complained to the sheriff's department Wednesday after he realized he was suckered out of $800 for four seats to Saturday night's NCAA Final Four game between Michigan State University and the University of Connecticut.
The man shared the news of his Craigslist purchase on a Spartan basketball fan Web site, only to find that another fan reported he bought the same seats for the same price......The address where the men sent their money is in a California town near the Mexican border and is likely a phony drop spot where scammers pick up the cash"
What's "Doh!" in Spanish?
The man shared the news of his Craigslist purchase on a Spartan basketball fan Web site, only to find that another fan reported he bought the same seats for the same price......The address where the men sent their money is in a California town near the Mexican border and is likely a phony drop spot where scammers pick up the cash"
What's "Doh!" in Spanish?
Finding a Doctor Who Accepts Medicare Isn’t Easy
Finding a Doctor Who Accepts Medicare Isn’t Easy
"EARLY this year, Barbara Plumb, a freelance editor and writer in New York who is on Medicare, received a disturbing letter. Her gynecologist informed her that she was opting out of Medicare. When Ms. Plumb asked her primary-care doctor to recommend another gynecologist who took Medicare, the doctor responded that she didn’t know any — and that if Ms. Plumb found one she liked, could she call and tell her the name?
Many people, just as they become eligible for Medicare, discover that the insurance rug has been pulled out from under them. Some doctors — often internists but also gastroenterologists, gynecologists, psychiatrists and other specialists — are no longer accepting Medicare, either because they have opted out of the insurance system or they are not accepting new patients with Medicare coverage. The doctors’ reasons: reimbursement rates are too low and paperwork too much of a hassle."
This is reality in EVERY country that has adopted socialized medicine.
Why would ANYONE be surprised it's happening to us now?
President Barry has promised more to come!
"EARLY this year, Barbara Plumb, a freelance editor and writer in New York who is on Medicare, received a disturbing letter. Her gynecologist informed her that she was opting out of Medicare. When Ms. Plumb asked her primary-care doctor to recommend another gynecologist who took Medicare, the doctor responded that she didn’t know any — and that if Ms. Plumb found one she liked, could she call and tell her the name?
Many people, just as they become eligible for Medicare, discover that the insurance rug has been pulled out from under them. Some doctors — often internists but also gastroenterologists, gynecologists, psychiatrists and other specialists — are no longer accepting Medicare, either because they have opted out of the insurance system or they are not accepting new patients with Medicare coverage. The doctors’ reasons: reimbursement rates are too low and paperwork too much of a hassle."
This is reality in EVERY country that has adopted socialized medicine.
Why would ANYONE be surprised it's happening to us now?
President Barry has promised more to come!
Kent County commissioners say 2009, 2010 budget deficits will be larger than expected
Kent County commissioners say 2009, 2010 budget deficits will be larger than expected
"Kent County leaders say the economic storm has left them a larger-than-expected budget deficit for this year and next.
A projected $2 million gap for 2009 has been revised to more than $5 million, forcing officials to dig deeper into the county savings or make budget cuts. The fundamental problem is that county expenses are expected to dramatically outpace revenues beginning this year.
Forecasts now call for about $1 million less in property tax revenues because of the housing slump and less interest income on county investments...
So, a $1 million shortfall in property tax revenue results in a $5 million budget deficit and it's the fault of "the economic storm"?
No mention of out of control spending, waaay over market pay and compensation to county employees.
Simply "not our fault!"
gimme a break....
"Kent County leaders say the economic storm has left them a larger-than-expected budget deficit for this year and next.
A projected $2 million gap for 2009 has been revised to more than $5 million, forcing officials to dig deeper into the county savings or make budget cuts. The fundamental problem is that county expenses are expected to dramatically outpace revenues beginning this year.
Forecasts now call for about $1 million less in property tax revenues because of the housing slump and less interest income on county investments...
So, a $1 million shortfall in property tax revenue results in a $5 million budget deficit and it's the fault of "the economic storm"?
No mention of out of control spending, waaay over market pay and compensation to county employees.
Simply "not our fault!"
gimme a break....
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