CARPE DIEM: Quote of the Day: Government Beer?
"What might have established the so-called monopoly and oligopoly?
Why, government, of course.
New York State has an impressive government regulatory structure that specifies what must be covered by your insurance policy.
By law, you are restricted from shopping elsewhere for coverage."
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Stafford Hospital caused ‘unimaginable suffering’ - Times Online
Stafford Hospital caused ‘unimaginable suffering’
"Patients were routinely neglected or left “sobbing and humiliated” by staff at an NHS trust where at least 400 deaths have been linked to appalling care."
"Patients were routinely neglected or left “sobbing and humiliated” by staff at an NHS trust where at least 400 deaths have been linked to appalling care."
Governor candidates Mike Cox, Pete Hoekstra say unionized state workers should take pay cut
Governor candidates Mike Cox, Pete Hoekstra say unionized state workers should take pay cut
"Two Republican candidates for governor -- state Attorney General Mike Cox and U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra -- said today that unionized state workers, rather than getting raises, should take pay cuts like many have in the private sector.
'There ought to be a sense of shared sacrifice,' Cox said.
The candidates also said the state's tax structures should be revised to attract businesses and jobs. Hoekstra said taxes and government policies 'stifle investment, stifle entrepreneurs.'
They spoke at a conference of Michigan Association of Insurance Agents at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel.
Hoekstra also criticized federal education reforms -- former President George Bush's 'No Child Left Behind and President Barack Obama's 'Race to the Top' -- as too costly, with local school districts essentially ceding control to Washington, D.C.
Cox said he disagreed with Hoekstra and other lawmakers who agreed to a federal bailout of financial institutions.
But Hoekstra said: 'Bottom line, we don't know what would've happened if we had not put that money into the financial sector.'"
"Two Republican candidates for governor -- state Attorney General Mike Cox and U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra -- said today that unionized state workers, rather than getting raises, should take pay cuts like many have in the private sector.
'There ought to be a sense of shared sacrifice,' Cox said.
The candidates also said the state's tax structures should be revised to attract businesses and jobs. Hoekstra said taxes and government policies 'stifle investment, stifle entrepreneurs.'
They spoke at a conference of Michigan Association of Insurance Agents at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel.
Hoekstra also criticized federal education reforms -- former President George Bush's 'No Child Left Behind and President Barack Obama's 'Race to the Top' -- as too costly, with local school districts essentially ceding control to Washington, D.C.
Cox said he disagreed with Hoekstra and other lawmakers who agreed to a federal bailout of financial institutions.
But Hoekstra said: 'Bottom line, we don't know what would've happened if we had not put that money into the financial sector.'"
GM’s Hummer China deal collapses
GM’s Hummer China deal collapses
"General Motors on Wednesday night gave up on efforts to sell its Hummer operations to a Chinese buyer and said it would now wind down production of the heavy SUV."
"General Motors on Wednesday night gave up on efforts to sell its Hummer operations to a Chinese buyer and said it would now wind down production of the heavy SUV."
Nationwide Strike Paralyzes Greece
Nationwide Strike Paralyzes Greece
"Public- and private-sector unions called the strike to protest a range of measures aimed at reducing Greece's budget deficit.
The government has announced a freeze on civil-service wages, cuts in public-sector entitlements and the closing of tax loopholes for certain professions, including some civil servants.
It has also announced a fuel-tax increase."
Americans, watch this!
We are on the same path!
The public sector unions are demanding the "rest of us" pay for their life of poor performance, out of line pay (with automatic increases not related to performance) and early retirement with golden pay and medical packages.
If bend over ...they will win.
"Public- and private-sector unions called the strike to protest a range of measures aimed at reducing Greece's budget deficit.
The government has announced a freeze on civil-service wages, cuts in public-sector entitlements and the closing of tax loopholes for certain professions, including some civil servants.
It has also announced a fuel-tax increase."
Americans, watch this!
We are on the same path!
The public sector unions are demanding the "rest of us" pay for their life of poor performance, out of line pay (with automatic increases not related to performance) and early retirement with golden pay and medical packages.
If bend over ...they will win.
Illegal Immigrants or Public Employees: Who’s the Bigger Problem?
Illegal Immigrants or Public Employees: Who’s the Bigger Problem?
"He stated that he felt it was the nation’s most critical issue, and wondered why the subject seems to have been put on the backburner by many Republicans.
I replied with sympathy for his position, but ultimately I’ve come to the conclusion that the most critical issue facing America – and the one driving our budget problems at the local, state and federal level – is public employee unions and their related costs."
"He stated that he felt it was the nation’s most critical issue, and wondered why the subject seems to have been put on the backburner by many Republicans.
I replied with sympathy for his position, but ultimately I’ve come to the conclusion that the most critical issue facing America – and the one driving our budget problems at the local, state and federal level – is public employee unions and their related costs."
Pensions push state to insolvency
Pensions push state to insolvency
"As the $17 billion annual taxpayer tab for government employees’ pensions and retiree health care increases at a rate of “several billion dollars” a year, Orange County Supervisor John Moorlach says California is heading for an “economic meltdown.”"
"As the $17 billion annual taxpayer tab for government employees’ pensions and retiree health care increases at a rate of “several billion dollars” a year, Orange County Supervisor John Moorlach says California is heading for an “economic meltdown.”"
» ACORN Official: Gangster Group Will Be Bankrupt Soon But Fake Spinoff Groups Will Carry On The Corruption
ACORN Official: Gangster Group Will Be Bankrupt Soon But Fake Spinoff Groups Will Carry On The Corruption
"The ACORN crime syndicate is not going away anytime soon, but it’s going to look different.
ACORN will probably run out of money and fold by year’s end but a dozen ACORN state chapters reincorporated to seem like new, independent organizations will spring up in the next week to carry on ACORN’s business, a leaked email from ACORN’s online director suggests."
"The ACORN crime syndicate is not going away anytime soon, but it’s going to look different.
ACORN will probably run out of money and fold by year’s end but a dozen ACORN state chapters reincorporated to seem like new, independent organizations will spring up in the next week to carry on ACORN’s business, a leaked email from ACORN’s online director suggests."
Nearly 25% of all mortgages are underwater
Nearly 25% of all mortgages are underwater
"Nevada was the state with the worst record at 70% of all mortgaged properties underwater.
That was followed by Arizona (51%), Florida (48%), Michigan (39%) and California (35%)."
"Nevada was the state with the worst record at 70% of all mortgaged properties underwater.
That was followed by Arizona (51%), Florida (48%), Michigan (39%) and California (35%)."
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
US diplomats add a moat to their expenses at $1bn London embassy
US diplomats add a moat to their expenses at $1bn London embassy
"The United States has unveiled plans for its new $1 billion high-security embassy in London — the most expensive it has ever built.
.....The new embassy, on a former industrial site behind Battersea power station known for its gay clubs, will be designed by Kieran Timberlake, the Philadelphia architect."
Recession!
We don't got no stinkin' recession!
"The United States has unveiled plans for its new $1 billion high-security embassy in London — the most expensive it has ever built.
.....The new embassy, on a former industrial site behind Battersea power station known for its gay clubs, will be designed by Kieran Timberlake, the Philadelphia architect."
Recession!
We don't got no stinkin' recession!
Election 2010: Iowa Governor
Election 2010: Iowa Governor - Rasmussen Reports™:
"The latest Rasmussen Reports Election 2010 telephone survey of the Iowa governor’s race shows incumbent Democrat Chet Culver trailing badly in a match-up with one of his Republican predecessors and also running behind a lesser-known GOP challenger."
More cracks in the MoveOn.org/George Soros crumbling dike.
How cool is this to watch!
"The latest Rasmussen Reports Election 2010 telephone survey of the Iowa governor’s race shows incumbent Democrat Chet Culver trailing badly in a match-up with one of his Republican predecessors and also running behind a lesser-known GOP challenger."
More cracks in the MoveOn.org/George Soros crumbling dike.
How cool is this to watch!
Navy to End Ban on Women Serving Aboard Submarines
Navy to End Ban on Women Serving Aboard Submarines; Congress Is Last Potential Roadblock
"Women are a big step closer to serving on U.S. Navy submarines. ABC News has learned that the Navy has decided to lift the ban on female submarine crew members.
Subs are one of the last places in the military from which women are excluded."
"Women are a big step closer to serving on U.S. Navy submarines. ABC News has learned that the Navy has decided to lift the ban on female submarine crew members.
Subs are one of the last places in the military from which women are excluded."
List of Troubled Banks at 16-Year Peak, F.D.I.C. Says
List of Troubled Banks at 16-Year Peak, F.D.I.C. Says - NYTimes.com
"After weathering the nation’s worst run of bank failures in nearly two decades, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation announced Tuesday that it had added 450 institutions to its list of challenged lenders in 2009 and warned that the industry was likely to remain under stress."
"After weathering the nation’s worst run of bank failures in nearly two decades, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation announced Tuesday that it had added 450 institutions to its list of challenged lenders in 2009 and warned that the industry was likely to remain under stress."
And this is from the NYT!
Yikes!
Cruise line: 350 sick aboard ship in Caribbean
Cruise line: 350 sick aboard ship in Caribbean
"About 350 people who got sick a week into a Caribbean cruise were responding well to medicine, the cruise line said Tuesday.
Celebrity Cruise spokeswoman Cynthia Martinez said 326 of the more than 1,800 passengers on the Celebrity Mercury began complaining Sunday of upset stomachs, vomiting and diarrhea. Martinez says 27 of the nearly 850 crew members also reported symptoms."
We just returned from a fabulous cruise on the Celebrity Millennium and the crew was everywhere cleaning and making the ship free from bacteria and other maladies. There had been a norovirus outbreak on the cruise before ours.
"About 350 people who got sick a week into a Caribbean cruise were responding well to medicine, the cruise line said Tuesday.
Celebrity Cruise spokeswoman Cynthia Martinez said 326 of the more than 1,800 passengers on the Celebrity Mercury began complaining Sunday of upset stomachs, vomiting and diarrhea. Martinez says 27 of the nearly 850 crew members also reported symptoms."
We just returned from a fabulous cruise on the Celebrity Millennium and the crew was everywhere cleaning and making the ship free from bacteria and other maladies. There had been a norovirus outbreak on the cruise before ours.
We had a wonderful 10 days.
Bummer for the folks on the Mercury and the stockholders of RCL.
Boomtime for the class action scum-lawyer friends of Obama and the rest of the democrats.
Planned Parenthood sweeps child rape under the pro-abortion rug
Planned Parenthood sweeps child rape under the pro-abortion rug: "In case you think this was an isolated incident, think again:
Last month, Students for Life of America released a video of another college student posing as a 15-year-old girl asking about emergency contraception because of sex with her mother's 30-something live-in boyfriend. The staffers acknowledge this as statutory rape, but a Public Records Request filed by the student organization revealed that no report had been filed by Planned Parenthood, even though the law requires a report.
Last year, Live Action Films had students pose as racists to tape phone calls in which several Planned Parenthood chapters accepted donations on the condition that the money be used to abort black babies only. No chapter turned down the money.
Also last year, Rose videotaped a California PP staffer telling her to lie about her age so that the staffer wouldn't have to report anything under the statutory rape laws here. She was posing as a 15-year-old pregnant by her 23-year-old boyfriend. 'You could say 16', the worker suggests. 'And I don't know anything.' Planned Parenthood responded by threatening a lawsuit against Rose."
Last month, Students for Life of America released a video of another college student posing as a 15-year-old girl asking about emergency contraception because of sex with her mother's 30-something live-in boyfriend. The staffers acknowledge this as statutory rape, but a Public Records Request filed by the student organization revealed that no report had been filed by Planned Parenthood, even though the law requires a report.
Last year, Live Action Films had students pose as racists to tape phone calls in which several Planned Parenthood chapters accepted donations on the condition that the money be used to abort black babies only. No chapter turned down the money.
Also last year, Rose videotaped a California PP staffer telling her to lie about her age so that the staffer wouldn't have to report anything under the statutory rape laws here. She was posing as a 15-year-old pregnant by her 23-year-old boyfriend. 'You could say 16', the worker suggests. 'And I don't know anything.' Planned Parenthood responded by threatening a lawsuit against Rose."
Voters go to polls Tuesday in Fruitport school district, Holton Township
Voters go to polls Tuesday in Fruitport school district, Holton Township
"Voters in the Fruitport school district and Holton Township are headed to the polls today to decide on a school bond proposal and a township road tax."
The money suckers are at work 24/7 locally.
They never sleep because they know that when we doze off, our money is theirs!
We need to be ever alert!
"Voters in the Fruitport school district and Holton Township are headed to the polls today to decide on a school bond proposal and a township road tax."
The money suckers are at work 24/7 locally.
They never sleep because they know that when we doze off, our money is theirs!
We need to be ever alert!
Global warming advocates ignore the boulders
Global warming advocates ignore the boulders
"Last week, Todd Stern, America's special envoy for climate change -- yes, there is one; and people wonder where to begin cutting government -- warned that those interested in 'undermining action on climate change' will seize on 'whatever tidbit they can find.'
Tidbits like specious science, and the absence of warming?
It is tempting to say, only half in jest, that Stern's portfolio violates the First Amendment, which forbids government from undertaking the establishment of religion.
A religion is what the faith in catastrophic man-made global warming has become.
It is now a tissue of assertions impervious to evidence, assertions that everything, including a historic blizzard, supposedly confirms and nothing, not even the absence of warming, can falsify"
"Last week, Todd Stern, America's special envoy for climate change -- yes, there is one; and people wonder where to begin cutting government -- warned that those interested in 'undermining action on climate change' will seize on 'whatever tidbit they can find.'
Tidbits like specious science, and the absence of warming?
It is tempting to say, only half in jest, that Stern's portfolio violates the First Amendment, which forbids government from undertaking the establishment of religion.
A religion is what the faith in catastrophic man-made global warming has become.
It is now a tissue of assertions impervious to evidence, assertions that everything, including a historic blizzard, supposedly confirms and nothing, not even the absence of warming, can falsify"
MILWAUKEE ABORTION CLINIC EXPOSED
MILWAUKEE ABORTION CLINIC EXPOSED
more info.
It appears if you support Planned Parenthood, you are supporting felony child rape.
And this is NOT an isolated event.
The woman posing as a 14 year old has found similar "advice" at EVERY PP clinic she's busted.
This is Obama care at its worst.
more info.
It appears if you support Planned Parenthood, you are supporting felony child rape.
And this is NOT an isolated event.
The woman posing as a 14 year old has found similar "advice" at EVERY PP clinic she's busted.
This is Obama care at its worst.
Candice Miller Says She Will Be Pork-Free in 2010
Candice Miller Says She Will Be Pork-Free in 2010 [Mackinac Center]
"The Club for Growth tracked 68 amendments to strip pork from bills and found that Candice Miller, R-Harrison Township, voted for them only 31 percent of the time in its 2009 RePORK Card"
promises, promises.......
"The Club for Growth tracked 68 amendments to strip pork from bills and found that Candice Miller, R-Harrison Township, voted for them only 31 percent of the time in its 2009 RePORK Card"
promises, promises.......
Michael Steele's spending spree angers donors
Michael Steele's spending spree angers donors
"Republican National Chairman Michael Steele is spending twice as much as his recent predecessors on private planes and paying more for limousines, catering and flowers – expenses that are infuriating the party's major donors who say Republicans need every penny they can get for the fight to win back Congress.
Most recently, donors grumbled when Steele hired renowned chef Wolfgang Puck's local crew to cater the RNC's Christmas party inside the trendy Newseum on Pennsylvania Avenue, and then moved its annual winter meeting from Washington to Hawaii."
Good god!
They've learned NOTHING!
"Republican National Chairman Michael Steele is spending twice as much as his recent predecessors on private planes and paying more for limousines, catering and flowers – expenses that are infuriating the party's major donors who say Republicans need every penny they can get for the fight to win back Congress.
Most recently, donors grumbled when Steele hired renowned chef Wolfgang Puck's local crew to cater the RNC's Christmas party inside the trendy Newseum on Pennsylvania Avenue, and then moved its annual winter meeting from Washington to Hawaii."
Good god!
They've learned NOTHING!
Youth-led, pro-life movement for human rights!
Live Action Youth-led, pro-life movement for human rights!
"New undercover footage shows staff at a Milwaukee, WI Planned Parenthood abortion clinic counseling a purportedly 14-year-old statutory rape victim not to tell anyone about her 31-year-old boyfriend and coaching her how to obtain an abortion without her parents' consent.
The new video, seventh in a series from Live Action documenting similar behavior in 5 other states, comes amid recent controversy about Planned Parenthood's compliance with state laws regarding minors and abortion"
"New undercover footage shows staff at a Milwaukee, WI Planned Parenthood abortion clinic counseling a purportedly 14-year-old statutory rape victim not to tell anyone about her 31-year-old boyfriend and coaching her how to obtain an abortion without her parents' consent.
The new video, seventh in a series from Live Action documenting similar behavior in 5 other states, comes amid recent controversy about Planned Parenthood's compliance with state laws regarding minors and abortion"
The Canadian Press: 'My heart, my choice,' Williams says, defending decision for U.S. heart surgery
The Canadian Press: 'My heart, my choice,' Williams says, defending decision for U.S. heart surgery
"An unapologetic Danny Williams says he was aware his trip to the United States for heart surgery earlier this month would spark outcry, but he concluded his personal health trumped any public fallout over the controversial decision.
In an interview with The Canadian Press, Williams said he went to Miami to have a 'minimally invasive' surgery for an ailment first detected nearly a year ago, based on the advice of his doctors.
'This was my heart, my choice and my health,' Williams said late Monday from his condominium in Sarasota, Fla."
Canadian style "health care".
Where are the canucks gonna go when we get it here?
"An unapologetic Danny Williams says he was aware his trip to the United States for heart surgery earlier this month would spark outcry, but he concluded his personal health trumped any public fallout over the controversial decision.
In an interview with The Canadian Press, Williams said he went to Miami to have a 'minimally invasive' surgery for an ailment first detected nearly a year ago, based on the advice of his doctors.
'This was my heart, my choice and my health,' Williams said late Monday from his condominium in Sarasota, Fla."
Canadian style "health care".
Where are the canucks gonna go when we get it here?
Climategate Meets the Law
Climategate Meets the Law: Senator Inhofe To Ask for DOJ Investigation (Pajamas Media/PJTV Exclusive)
"Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) today asked the Obama administration to investigate what he called “the greatest scientific scandal of our generation” — the actions of climate scientists revealed by the Climategate Files, and the subsequent admissions by the editors of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report (AR4).
Senator Inhofe also called for former Vice President Al Gore to be called back to the Senate to testify.
“In [Gore's] science fiction movie, every assertion has been rebutted,” Inhofe said.
He believes Vice President Gore should defend himself and his movie before Congress."
Oh boy!
"Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) today asked the Obama administration to investigate what he called “the greatest scientific scandal of our generation” — the actions of climate scientists revealed by the Climategate Files, and the subsequent admissions by the editors of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report (AR4).
Senator Inhofe also called for former Vice President Al Gore to be called back to the Senate to testify.
“In [Gore's] science fiction movie, every assertion has been rebutted,” Inhofe said.
He believes Vice President Gore should defend himself and his movie before Congress."
Oh boy!
This is gonna be great!
Idaho Senate panel to debate pension boost
Idaho Senate panel to debate pension boost
"Idaho government retirees mounted the steps of the Capitol on Monday to urge lawmakers not to 'tamper' with a proposed 1 percent pension increase in March for 33,000 state and local government retirees.
House Republicans passed a resolution to block the increase last week."
GOPers standing tall against the overpaid, underworked teachers unionistas?
Who'd of guessed!
"Idaho government retirees mounted the steps of the Capitol on Monday to urge lawmakers not to 'tamper' with a proposed 1 percent pension increase in March for 33,000 state and local government retirees.
House Republicans passed a resolution to block the increase last week."
GOPers standing tall against the overpaid, underworked teachers unionistas?
Who'd of guessed!
Obama's surge in government jobs
Obama's surge in government jobs
"But some figures about the prosperous state of public employees explains this amazing disconnect between Obama and the rest of the country.
It turns out that while the public sector is still hemorrhaging jobs (7 million jobs lost since the recession started), government workers are flourishing like never before.
The Obama boom is essentially a government employee boom."
"But some figures about the prosperous state of public employees explains this amazing disconnect between Obama and the rest of the country.
It turns out that while the public sector is still hemorrhaging jobs (7 million jobs lost since the recession started), government workers are flourishing like never before.
The Obama boom is essentially a government employee boom."
Monday, February 22, 2010
"Fly Muskegon"?
Driving back from Indiana last weekend we saw 3 billboards imploring us to "Fly Muskegon".
The billboards are WORTHLESS.
Who made the contract and how much of our tax dollars were spent on this idiotic boondoggle.......again?
Price and convenience are the main reasons consumers make their flight decisions.
Everyone knows that there are at least some flights out of MKG so the "close to my home or business" factor only applies to those closer to MKG than to GRR.
The billboards are WORTHLESS.
Who made the contract and how much of our tax dollars were spent on this idiotic boondoggle.......again?
Price and convenience are the main reasons consumers make their flight decisions.
Everyone knows that there are at least some flights out of MKG so the "close to my home or business" factor only applies to those closer to MKG than to GRR.
A fairly small arc.
And the parking is a bit cheaper and MKG is FAR more customer friendly than GRR.
But the main reason most non-business and many business travelers would choose one airport over another is price.
And MKG is usually not price competitive.
Add in the smaller plane and limited number of airlines and flights and "voila", another few hundred thousand dollars (or more) down the drain to attract an unneeded airline to our airport.
So we waste more tax money to pay off a well connected billboard company and continue to make our community a laughing stock to the rest of west Michigan.
Is no one outraged?
And the parking is a bit cheaper and MKG is FAR more customer friendly than GRR.
But the main reason most non-business and many business travelers would choose one airport over another is price.
And MKG is usually not price competitive.
Add in the smaller plane and limited number of airlines and flights and "voila", another few hundred thousand dollars (or more) down the drain to attract an unneeded airline to our airport.
So we waste more tax money to pay off a well connected billboard company and continue to make our community a laughing stock to the rest of west Michigan.
Is no one outraged?
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