Social Security's Surplus Disappearing Fast in Downturn
"Federal budget worrywarts (myself included) have been fretting for years about the arrival of the Dread Fiscal Year 2017, when Social Security was projected to start becoming a drag on federal finances.
Well, no need to worry about 2017 any more. Thanks to the worst economic downturn since the 1930s, the moment of reckoning is already almost here: According to both the budget proposed by the White House in February and projections issued by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) in March, Social Security benefits ($659 billion, according to the CBO) will exceed payroll taxes ($653 billion) in fiscal 2009 for the first time since 1984."
Friday, April 10, 2009
The Futility of Hybrid Cars
The Futility of Hybrid Cars
"The prospects for biofuels are worse. The CRS report cites sources that say a significant increase in biofuel production “would require harvesting various energy crops at a scale that vastly exceeds current practice.” A 2007 study from MIT estimated that as much as 500 million acres of land would be required, which would displace so much cropland that the U.S. would have to become a “substantial agricultural importer.”
Heavy use of biofuels, it seems, would simply move us from depending on foreign oil to depending on foreign food."
Obama's plan will result in national suicide.
"The prospects for biofuels are worse. The CRS report cites sources that say a significant increase in biofuel production “would require harvesting various energy crops at a scale that vastly exceeds current practice.” A 2007 study from MIT estimated that as much as 500 million acres of land would be required, which would displace so much cropland that the U.S. would have to become a “substantial agricultural importer.”
Heavy use of biofuels, it seems, would simply move us from depending on foreign oil to depending on foreign food."
Obama's plan will result in national suicide.
Obama the Pitchfork Operator: A Remake of the Soviet Classic
Obama the Pitchfork Operator: A Remake of the Soviet Classic
"While some of today’s comparisons between Obama and communist dictators may go over the top, the general direction of such thinking is not without merit: since they share a utopian goal of forced equality, it’s logical to expect that their methods may also converge at some point. To wit, recent actions from Obama reminded me of a ploy Stalin used on Western entrepreneurs, which in itself is an illustrative morality play contrasting the differences between socialism and capitalism.
“My administration is the only thing between you and the pitchforks,” Barack Obama told the CEOs of the world’s most powerful financial institutions"
"While some of today’s comparisons between Obama and communist dictators may go over the top, the general direction of such thinking is not without merit: since they share a utopian goal of forced equality, it’s logical to expect that their methods may also converge at some point. To wit, recent actions from Obama reminded me of a ploy Stalin used on Western entrepreneurs, which in itself is an illustrative morality play contrasting the differences between socialism and capitalism.
“My administration is the only thing between you and the pitchforks,” Barack Obama told the CEOs of the world’s most powerful financial institutions"
Benefits widen public, private workers' pay gap
Benefits widen public, private workers' pay gap
"Overall, total compensation for state and local workers was $39.25 an hour — $11.90 more than in private business. In 2007, the gap in wages and benefits was $11.31.
The gap has been expanding because of the increasing value of public employee benefits. Last year, government benefits rose three times more than those in the private sector: up 69 cents an hour for civil servants, 23 cents for private workers."
We work harder, longer at lower pay to support those who work less, retire earlier and make more money in retirement than most of us earn while working.
"Overall, total compensation for state and local workers was $39.25 an hour — $11.90 more than in private business. In 2007, the gap in wages and benefits was $11.31.
The gap has been expanding because of the increasing value of public employee benefits. Last year, government benefits rose three times more than those in the private sector: up 69 cents an hour for civil servants, 23 cents for private workers."
We work harder, longer at lower pay to support those who work less, retire earlier and make more money in retirement than most of us earn while working.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Haire of the Dog | DeMint, Paul rated lower by U.S. Chamber than Obama, Biden, Clinton
DeMint, Paul rated lower by U.S. Chamber than Obama, Biden, Clinton
"And to further prove that the Chamber is a bastion of liberalism and that big business favors the policies of the Democrats over those of the GOP, the Examiner notes that not only did that exemplar of conservatism DeMint fail to receive SoE Award, he fared worse on the Chamber's rankings than did President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. John Kerry, and Sen. Hillary Clinton. And it's all true. Go here to see the rankings."
"And to further prove that the Chamber is a bastion of liberalism and that big business favors the policies of the Democrats over those of the GOP, the Examiner notes that not only did that exemplar of conservatism DeMint fail to receive SoE Award, he fared worse on the Chamber's rankings than did President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. John Kerry, and Sen. Hillary Clinton. And it's all true. Go here to see the rankings."
Supply of cartridges a shell of former self in Lee County, other areas
Supply of cartridges a shell of former self in Lee County, other areas
"Ammunition is very hard to find because everybody is stockpiling. It's like the paranoia before Y2K.'"
"Ammunition is very hard to find because everybody is stockpiling. It's like the paranoia before Y2K.'"
The curious case of 200 nearly identical MSM headlines
The curious case of 200 nearly identical MSM headlines
Read this post!
And remember who supports these lies!
Be afraid because you will be in the tiny minority who reads this.
Read this post!
And remember who supports these lies!
Be afraid because you will be in the tiny minority who reads this.
HILLARY GETS THE GIGGLES
HILLARY GETS THE GIGGLES
"I welcome your input.
Why does the Secretary of State of the United States of America bizarrely break into laughter while discussing the 'scourge of piracy.'
I will admit that I have myself occasionally chuckled over the resurgence of piracy.. but, thank God, I am not the chief foreign policy official of a nation which had just had 21 of its citizens seized...
Some sort of private historic joke with the Moroccan guy?
Had they just had a long lunch?
What?"
Watch this video and be very, very frightened!
"I welcome your input.
Why does the Secretary of State of the United States of America bizarrely break into laughter while discussing the 'scourge of piracy.'
I will admit that I have myself occasionally chuckled over the resurgence of piracy.. but, thank God, I am not the chief foreign policy official of a nation which had just had 21 of its citizens seized...
Some sort of private historic joke with the Moroccan guy?
Had they just had a long lunch?
What?"
Watch this video and be very, very frightened!
CARPE DIEM: And You Thought Gas Prices Were High?
CARPE DIEM: And You Thought Gas Prices Were High?
"Report Card has found no direct correlation between conventional measures ofeducation inputs, such as expenditures per pupil and teacher salaries, and educational outputs, such as average scores on standardized tests. For instance, class sizes today are 15% smaller than they were 20 years ago, yet of the 10 states that experienced the greatest decreases, only one (Vermont) is found among the highest performing states in the rankings."
An oldie but goodie.
Read it!
"Report Card has found no direct correlation between conventional measures ofeducation inputs, such as expenditures per pupil and teacher salaries, and educational outputs, such as average scores on standardized tests. For instance, class sizes today are 15% smaller than they were 20 years ago, yet of the 10 states that experienced the greatest decreases, only one (Vermont) is found among the highest performing states in the rankings."
An oldie but goodie.
Read it!
Report Envisions Teacher Shortage Looming
Report Envisions Teacher Shortage Looming
“The traditional teaching career is collapsing at both ends,” the report says. “Beginners are being driven away” by low pay and frustrating working conditions, and “accomplished veterans who still have much to contribute are being separated from their schools by obsolete retirement systems” that encourage teachers to move from paycheck to pension when they are still in their mid-50s, the report says."
The NYT tortures the English language and insults our intelligence with this "accomplished veterans.... BEING SEPARATED FROM THEIR SCHOOLS" drivel.
They're leaving in their mid-50 because the corrupt, bankrupt pension system pays them more NOT to work than TO work!
And it's broke.... so we workers have to work longer to pay the teachers who don't work cuz they don't need to cuz we're payin' 'em not to work.....
“The traditional teaching career is collapsing at both ends,” the report says. “Beginners are being driven away” by low pay and frustrating working conditions, and “accomplished veterans who still have much to contribute are being separated from their schools by obsolete retirement systems” that encourage teachers to move from paycheck to pension when they are still in their mid-50s, the report says."
The NYT tortures the English language and insults our intelligence with this "accomplished veterans.... BEING SEPARATED FROM THEIR SCHOOLS" drivel.
They're leaving in their mid-50 because the corrupt, bankrupt pension system pays them more NOT to work than TO work!
And it's broke.... so we workers have to work longer to pay the teachers who don't work cuz they don't need to cuz we're payin' 'em not to work.....
Plan would boost income tax to pay Mich. tuition Michigan
Plan would boost income tax to pay Mich. tuition
"Two Democratic lawmakers on Tuesday proposed raising Michigan’s income tax rate to pay university tuition for students and fund preschool programs for 4-year-olds."
"Two Democratic lawmakers on Tuesday proposed raising Michigan’s income tax rate to pay university tuition for students and fund preschool programs for 4-year-olds."
The plan would raise about $2 billion through a higher state income tax, with the rate increasing from the current 4.35 percent to 5.5 percent.
So they want to raise your income tax by 21%. Yes, that's right, A TWENTY-ONE PERCENT INCREASE IN YOUR INCOME TAXES!
State considers ban on big screen TVs
State considers ban on big screen TVs
"In their continuing quest to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, state regulators have uncovered a new villain in the war on global warming : your big screen TV"
"In their continuing quest to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, state regulators have uncovered a new villain in the war on global warming : your big screen TV"
This is simply a first step to control EVERY facet of our lives under the guise of "saving the earth".
Grants for 1,300 jobs coming
Grants for 1,300 jobs coming
"More than $47 million in job-creation grants are to be announced today by Lt. Gov. John Cherry.
Projects are expected to create more than 1,300 jobs, and they represent improvements to road, bridges and trail ways in 67 communities.
The funding comes from the state and the federal stimulus program.
Cherry is to travel to Flint, Detroit, Jackson and Grand Rapids today for announcements."
That's $36,153/job.
Does that mean that 1 year from now we will have 1300 newly unemployed workers collecting unemployment?
Or will Jenny simply "blow them away"?
"More than $47 million in job-creation grants are to be announced today by Lt. Gov. John Cherry.
Projects are expected to create more than 1,300 jobs, and they represent improvements to road, bridges and trail ways in 67 communities.
The funding comes from the state and the federal stimulus program.
Cherry is to travel to Flint, Detroit, Jackson and Grand Rapids today for announcements."
That's $36,153/job.
Does that mean that 1 year from now we will have 1300 newly unemployed workers collecting unemployment?
Or will Jenny simply "blow them away"?
Raise Michigan's beer tax to fight child abuse
Task force: Raise Michigan's beer tax to fight child abuse
"Michigan should increase its beer tax by a nickel a bottle to combat child abuse and neglect and decrease the number of children who end up in foster care, the co-chair of a state-appointed task force said this week.
'It's worth the investment,' said C. Patrick Babcock, whose 85-member Child Welfare Insurance Task Force will present its findings next week."
"Michigan should increase its beer tax by a nickel a bottle to combat child abuse and neglect and decrease the number of children who end up in foster care, the co-chair of a state-appointed task force said this week.
'It's worth the investment,' said C. Patrick Babcock, whose 85-member Child Welfare Insurance Task Force will present its findings next week."
So now I'm drinking beer "for the children"?
Muslim Girl Gets $400G From Nevada School District in Head Scarf Bully Case
Muslim Girl Gets $400G From Nevada School District in Head Scarf Bully Case
"the teen was unable to give any description of her tormenter — including his or her gender, size and tone of voice."
"the teen was unable to give any description of her tormenter — including his or her gender, size and tone of voice."
What a great legal team!
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Tea Party role reversal: how to deal with potential agents provocateurs from the left
Tea Party role reversal: how to deal with potential agents provocateurs from the left: "According to Newsbusters derived from the Cavuto Show and other sources, in a startling role reversal, ACORN and the Huffington Post are planning to infiltrate the Tea Parties.
On Fox News Channel’s April 7 “Your World,” host Neil Cavuto reported that the Tax Day tea party protests on April 15 will be “infiltrated” by their political opponents and led by left-wing activist organizations. He specifically named Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN).
“Only eight days before a nationwide tea party, some over-caffeinated crashers aiming to lay waste to it,” Cavuto said. “Reports of very well-organized infiltrators trying to mix in and rain on this parade. Talk about taxing.”
Of course, in the parlance of a more centrist liberal, this all depends on what your definition of infiltrate is. The HuffPo is planning, like PJTV and Pajamas Media, to send citizen reporters. If that’s true, more power to them. Let a Hundred Flowers Bloom, I always say. But if they intend to participate and shape events while hiding their identities, well, that’s another matter. The same is true of ACORN. I would say to them welcome. Demonstrate, counter demonstrate, do your thing. This is America. But if someone’s out to play the agents provocateurs game, trying to make the Tea Party movement seem to be what it’s not, painting libertarians as racists or similar nonsense, well, that deserves to be exposed and countered vigorously.
So my recommendation to Tea Party demonstrators as a former leftie is to tear a leaf from my old book. Keep your eye out"
On Fox News Channel’s April 7 “Your World,” host Neil Cavuto reported that the Tax Day tea party protests on April 15 will be “infiltrated” by their political opponents and led by left-wing activist organizations. He specifically named Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN).
“Only eight days before a nationwide tea party, some over-caffeinated crashers aiming to lay waste to it,” Cavuto said. “Reports of very well-organized infiltrators trying to mix in and rain on this parade. Talk about taxing.”
Of course, in the parlance of a more centrist liberal, this all depends on what your definition of infiltrate is. The HuffPo is planning, like PJTV and Pajamas Media, to send citizen reporters. If that’s true, more power to them. Let a Hundred Flowers Bloom, I always say. But if they intend to participate and shape events while hiding their identities, well, that’s another matter. The same is true of ACORN. I would say to them welcome. Demonstrate, counter demonstrate, do your thing. This is America. But if someone’s out to play the agents provocateurs game, trying to make the Tea Party movement seem to be what it’s not, painting libertarians as racists or similar nonsense, well, that deserves to be exposed and countered vigorously.
So my recommendation to Tea Party demonstrators as a former leftie is to tear a leaf from my old book. Keep your eye out"
Nonprofits feeling effects of today's weak economy
Nonprofits feeling effects of today's weak economy
"It's a routine Arvia has gotten to know well in her 21 years at the YMCA. And unfortunately, with the economy in the tank, Thursday's session was one of her last.
Arvia, along with two other YMCA employees, is out of a job this week. The YMCA, like many West Michigan nonprofits, is suffering from a lack of financing and can no longer afford her.......
As Michigan's economy continues to suffer, many nonprofits are struggling. From cutting staff to scaling back services, area nonprofits are working hard to weather the economic storm.
For nonprofits, the changes can be difficult."
How can this happen when President Barack Hussein Obama is promising $$trillions to his friends?
Meebeee the non-profs might reconsider their anti-company jihad?
yeah right......
"It's a routine Arvia has gotten to know well in her 21 years at the YMCA. And unfortunately, with the economy in the tank, Thursday's session was one of her last.
Arvia, along with two other YMCA employees, is out of a job this week. The YMCA, like many West Michigan nonprofits, is suffering from a lack of financing and can no longer afford her.......
As Michigan's economy continues to suffer, many nonprofits are struggling. From cutting staff to scaling back services, area nonprofits are working hard to weather the economic storm.
For nonprofits, the changes can be difficult."
How can this happen when President Barack Hussein Obama is promising $$trillions to his friends?
Meebeee the non-profs might reconsider their anti-company jihad?
yeah right......
State pumps millions into tourism promotion
State pumps millions into tourism promotion
Let's see... the formula is:
1. Raise taxes
2. High taxes send businesses and citizens out of our state
3. Raise taxes even more for new TV ads to attract those who left us to return for vacations.
4. Admit that we need more TV commercials but don't have enough money so we will re gravel all our roads to save money for more commercials......
Let's see... the formula is:
1. Raise taxes
2. High taxes send businesses and citizens out of our state
3. Raise taxes even more for new TV ads to attract those who left us to return for vacations.
4. Admit that we need more TV commercials but don't have enough money so we will re gravel all our roads to save money for more commercials......
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
GM, Segway to Make Vehicle
GM, Segway to Make Vehicle
"General Motors Corp. is teaming with Segway Inc., maker of the upright, self-balancing scooters, to build a new type of two-wheeled vehicle designed to move easily through congested urban streets.
The machine, which GM says it aims to develop by 2012, would run on batteries and use wireless technology to avoid traffic backups and navigate cities"
Chairman B Hussein has gotta love this!
"General Motors Corp. is teaming with Segway Inc., maker of the upright, self-balancing scooters, to build a new type of two-wheeled vehicle designed to move easily through congested urban streets.
The machine, which GM says it aims to develop by 2012, would run on batteries and use wireless technology to avoid traffic backups and navigate cities"
Chairman B Hussein has gotta love this!
Rural Casnovia Township to get traffic circle
Rural Casnovia Township to get traffic circle
"Federal stimulus money has fast-tracked a project to construct a roundabout at the rural intersection of M-37 and M-46, which now will be completed this year.
The $4 million project had been on the Michigan Department of Transportation's list for next year, but the federal money has allowed the work to begin in July"
Wow!
The township, county, state and national governments are bankrupt but there is still enough for a "roundabout"!
Those liberal, roundabout lovers must be SO proud!
What a country!
"Federal stimulus money has fast-tracked a project to construct a roundabout at the rural intersection of M-37 and M-46, which now will be completed this year.
The $4 million project had been on the Michigan Department of Transportation's list for next year, but the federal money has allowed the work to begin in July"
Wow!
The township, county, state and national governments are bankrupt but there is still enough for a "roundabout"!
Those liberal, roundabout lovers must be SO proud!
What a country!
Almost half of French approve of locking up bosses
Almost half of French approve of locking up bosses
"Almost half of French people believe it is acceptable for workers facing layoffs to lock up their bosses, according to an opinion poll published on Tuesday."
And the "opinion poll" asking if government bosses ought to be tarred and feathered........?
"Almost half of French people believe it is acceptable for workers facing layoffs to lock up their bosses, according to an opinion poll published on Tuesday."
And the "opinion poll" asking if government bosses ought to be tarred and feathered........?
Public-employee pension are unsustainable
Public-employee pension are unsustainable
"IF YOU WANT an example of public employee pensions mushrooming out of control, consider the case of Berkeley City Manager Phil Kamlarz.
His story shows how a state plan a decade ago to boost retirement packages for firefighters and police officers actually affected most government jobs across California, not just public safety workers. In Kamlarz' case, he is now set up to earn more each year in retirement than the governor of California is entitled to annually while on the job."
"IF YOU WANT an example of public employee pensions mushrooming out of control, consider the case of Berkeley City Manager Phil Kamlarz.
His story shows how a state plan a decade ago to boost retirement packages for firefighters and police officers actually affected most government jobs across California, not just public safety workers. In Kamlarz' case, he is now set up to earn more each year in retirement than the governor of California is entitled to annually while on the job."
US official says wind could replace coal for power
US official says wind could replace coal for power
"Jason Hayes, a spokesman for the American Coal Council, said he was puzzled by Salazar's projections. He said wind power plants face roadblocks including local opposition, concerns about their impact on wildlife, and problems in efficiently transmitting power from far offshore.
'It really is a stretch,' he said of Salazar's estimate. 'How you put that many new (wind) plants up, especially in deep water, is confusing. Even if you could do what he said, you still need to deal with the fact that the best wind plants generate power about 30 percent of the time. There's got to be something to back that up.'"
These "wind-is-the-answer" people are delusional!
And imagine how our enemies would love to have all of our power generation sitting just off shore....... yes, they can.
Scary.
"Jason Hayes, a spokesman for the American Coal Council, said he was puzzled by Salazar's projections. He said wind power plants face roadblocks including local opposition, concerns about their impact on wildlife, and problems in efficiently transmitting power from far offshore.
'It really is a stretch,' he said of Salazar's estimate. 'How you put that many new (wind) plants up, especially in deep water, is confusing. Even if you could do what he said, you still need to deal with the fact that the best wind plants generate power about 30 percent of the time. There's got to be something to back that up.'"
These "wind-is-the-answer" people are delusional!
And imagine how our enemies would love to have all of our power generation sitting just off shore....... yes, they can.
Scary.
Program helps kids find their carbon impact
Program helps kids find their carbon impact
"But a new pilot project in San Francisco is incorporating GPS-equipped cell phones and Facebook to help students learn about their impact on the environment.
The Go Green Foundation of San Francisco, with support from Nokia, UCLA and AT&T,"
The new color of "brown shirts" is green.
"But a new pilot project in San Francisco is incorporating GPS-equipped cell phones and Facebook to help students learn about their impact on the environment.
The Go Green Foundation of San Francisco, with support from Nokia, UCLA and AT&T,"
The new color of "brown shirts" is green.
Arctic sea ice thinnest ever going into spring
Arctic sea ice thinnest ever going into spring
"'more than 90 percent of the sea ice in the Arctic is only one or two years old.'
That means that ice coverage has improved the last 2 years. This means 2 years ago there was 90% less ice, so this means things are improving.
Some nice backwards thinking here."
Exactly!
The last two years has shown an enormous increase in Arctic ice.
No mention of that inconvenient fact.
The "global warming" fraud depends on a compliant media to spread lies, hide the truth.
Disgusting!
"'more than 90 percent of the sea ice in the Arctic is only one or two years old.'
That means that ice coverage has improved the last 2 years. This means 2 years ago there was 90% less ice, so this means things are improving.
Some nice backwards thinking here."
Exactly!
The last two years has shown an enormous increase in Arctic ice.
No mention of that inconvenient fact.
The "global warming" fraud depends on a compliant media to spread lies, hide the truth.
Disgusting!
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