Pension Rhetoric vs. Pension Reality
"As California’s public employee retirement system teeters on the verge of complete financial collapse, defenders of the current system continue to deny this, often accusing reformers of being “public servant bashers.”
But politically motivated rhetoric will not change financial reality – or the pursuit of reforms so private workers don’t endure punitive taxation to sustain a privileged class of government employees."
Friday, February 26, 2010
Rep. McDermott tries to sneak anti-CIA amendment into bill in the dead of night
Rep. McDermott tries to sneak anti-CIA amendment into bill in the dead of night
"Liberal Democrats may tout openness, reform and transparency on the campaign trail but those promises never seem to make it past the Beltway when they return to Washington.
In one of the more egregious examples of this truism, one needs to look no further than the efforts by Representative Jim McDermott (D-Washington) to pull a fast one and slip into the intelligence budget a provision that, in a backdoor way, impose fines and prison terms on intelligence officers who 'abuse' captured terrorism suspects."
"Liberal Democrats may tout openness, reform and transparency on the campaign trail but those promises never seem to make it past the Beltway when they return to Washington.
In one of the more egregious examples of this truism, one needs to look no further than the efforts by Representative Jim McDermott (D-Washington) to pull a fast one and slip into the intelligence budget a provision that, in a backdoor way, impose fines and prison terms on intelligence officers who 'abuse' captured terrorism suspects."
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Forced Unionization, Day Care
Forced Unionization, Day Care
Tens of thousands of small business owners in Michigan could be freed from forced unionization if Senate Bill 1173 becomes law.
Some 40,000 home-based child care operators were shanghaied into a union because they receive subsidy payments on behalf of low-income parents. The Mackinac Center Legal Foundation has filed a lawsuit against the Michigan Department of Human Services over this very issue.
According to the Novi Information Network, SB1173 would 'clarify that an individual who receives a direct or indirect government subsidy in his or her private employment is not a public employee.'"
Tens of thousands of small business owners in Michigan could be freed from forced unionization if Senate Bill 1173 becomes law.
Some 40,000 home-based child care operators were shanghaied into a union because they receive subsidy payments on behalf of low-income parents. The Mackinac Center Legal Foundation has filed a lawsuit against the Michigan Department of Human Services over this very issue.
According to the Novi Information Network, SB1173 would 'clarify that an individual who receives a direct or indirect government subsidy in his or her private employment is not a public employee.'"
Union's 'banked' days would save Michigan $11 million
Union's 'banked' days would save Michigan $11 million
"The Michigan State Employees Association, which represents 4,300 employees in nearly every state department, refused to adopt the new two-tiered health plan.
In response, the state imposed five days of furlough to achieve the union's share of the savings."
Fire them all and see if anyone even notices any change at all.
These greedy union thugs are destroying our state.
And any hope for the future!
"The Michigan State Employees Association, which represents 4,300 employees in nearly every state department, refused to adopt the new two-tiered health plan.
In response, the state imposed five days of furlough to achieve the union's share of the savings."
Fire them all and see if anyone even notices any change at all.
These greedy union thugs are destroying our state.
And any hope for the future!
Snowmen stand against taxes on Michigan Capitol lawn
Snowmen stand against taxes on Michigan Capitol lawn
"A group opposed to raising taxes in Michigan wasn't about to let a good snowstorm go to waste."
"A group opposed to raising taxes in Michigan wasn't about to let a good snowstorm go to waste."
Obama Health Care: President's Health Care Plan the Chicago Way
Obama Health Care: President's Health Care Plan the Chicago Way
"Obama will be in his element, talking and lecturing, the law professor framing the debate.
He'll spend hours being seen as reasonable.
The Republicans will balk and the president will shrug.
He'll sigh and say he tried to reason with them but they refused.
Then once the cameras are turned off, he'll take out the baseball bat and explain how things get done The Chicago Way"
read it all!
"Obama will be in his element, talking and lecturing, the law professor framing the debate.
He'll spend hours being seen as reasonable.
The Republicans will balk and the president will shrug.
He'll sigh and say he tried to reason with them but they refused.
Then once the cameras are turned off, he'll take out the baseball bat and explain how things get done The Chicago Way"
read it all!
Gov. Jennifer Granholm says she will shut down government to preserve school funding
Gov. Jennifer Granholm says she will shut down government to preserve school funding
"Gov. Jennifer Granholm drew an early line in the sand with state legislators Wednesday, saying she is willing to shut down the state government this fall before agreeing to cuts in education."
Make no mistake about what "school funding" really is.
It is more of your money (or more potholes in our roads) that continues to pour into the pockets of the teacher's unions and their overpaid members.
It's real simple.
We tighten our belts so teachers and college employees can buy bigger belts.
Jenny is little more than a publically paid union boss.
"Gov. Jennifer Granholm drew an early line in the sand with state legislators Wednesday, saying she is willing to shut down the state government this fall before agreeing to cuts in education."
Make no mistake about what "school funding" really is.
It is more of your money (or more potholes in our roads) that continues to pour into the pockets of the teacher's unions and their overpaid members.
It's real simple.
We tighten our belts so teachers and college employees can buy bigger belts.
Jenny is little more than a publically paid union boss.
Weatherization program helps eldery battle winter's chill
Weatherization program helps eldery battle winter's chill
"But senior citizens, who often are on fixed incomes, don't always have the resources to keep up with weatherization projects.
The good news is there are programs to help. And some are free."
It is articles like this that caused the Chronicle to disappear.
And highlights just how out of touch with our state and country's impending bankruptcy they really are.
"Free" is always nice and cozy to those getting the "free".
And the government employees giving out the "free" while they keep their jobs and benefits.
But, in the end, someone's gotta pay for "free" stuff.
And our cities are broke.
Muskegon county is broke.
Jenny has bankrupted our state.
Barry O has destroyed our economy and our children's future.
And The Chronicle just sails right along, marveling at how folks like 'free" stuff.
Gimme a break!
"But senior citizens, who often are on fixed incomes, don't always have the resources to keep up with weatherization projects.
The good news is there are programs to help. And some are free."
It is articles like this that caused the Chronicle to disappear.
And highlights just how out of touch with our state and country's impending bankruptcy they really are.
"Free" is always nice and cozy to those getting the "free".
And the government employees giving out the "free" while they keep their jobs and benefits.
But, in the end, someone's gotta pay for "free" stuff.
And our cities are broke.
Muskegon county is broke.
Jenny has bankrupted our state.
Barry O has destroyed our economy and our children's future.
And The Chronicle just sails right along, marveling at how folks like 'free" stuff.
Gimme a break!
E-Verify Misses Half of Illegal Workers, Report Finds
E-Verify Misses Half of Illegal Workers, Report Finds
"The system Congress and the Obama administration want employers to use to help curb illegal immigration is failing to catch more than half the number of unauthorized workers it checks"
So if this is OK with our government, why wouldn't it the same okey dokey if Obama Care missed half of the illnesses we get?
"The system Congress and the Obama administration want employers to use to help curb illegal immigration is failing to catch more than half the number of unauthorized workers it checks"
So if this is OK with our government, why wouldn't it the same okey dokey if Obama Care missed half of the illnesses we get?
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Government Beer?
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."
"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."
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.
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