I'm Just a Bill [Mackinac Center]: "HOUSE BILL 5197
Authorize enhanced pension 'early out' for state employees
Introduced by state Rep. Gary McDowell, D-Rudyard
The bill authorizes early retirement benefits for certain state employees who retired between Aug. 1 and Nov. 30, 2009.
These employees would be able to get full benefits if their age plus years on the job equal 70 (that is, a 50-year-old with 20 years on the state payroll could get a full pension), plus the cash benefits would be increased by 33 percent until age 62, and then by 16.7 percent thereafter."
This what you get when the public employee unions own our elected officials.
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
SOMETIMES A WATERMELON IS JUST A WATERMELON
Instapundit » Blog Archive » SOMETIMES A WATERMELON IS JUST A WATERMELON
“So I’ll give Dan Rather a pass.
But if we give Dan Rather a pass for the accidental appearance of racism, will anyone who isn’t liberal be given a pass?
I know they won’t.
That’s the way it is.”"
And it sure says volumes about the liberal bias of the leftist MSM.
“So I’ll give Dan Rather a pass.
But if we give Dan Rather a pass for the accidental appearance of racism, will anyone who isn’t liberal be given a pass?
I know they won’t.
That’s the way it is.”"
And it sure says volumes about the liberal bias of the leftist MSM.
Monday, March 08, 2010
Dan Rather: 'Articulate' Obama Couldn't Even 'Sell Watermelons' | NewsBusters.org
Dan Rather: 'Articulate' Obama Couldn't Even 'Sell Watermelons' NewsBusters.org: "DAN RATHER: Part of the undertow in the coming election is going to be President Obama's leadership. And the Republicans will make a case and a lot of independents will buy this argument. 'Listen he just hasn't been, look at the health care bill. It was his number one priority. It took him forever to get it through and he had to compromise it to death.' And a version of, 'Listen he's a nice person, he's very articulate' this is what's been used against him, 'but he couldn't sell watermelons if it, you gave him the state troopers to flag down the traffic.'"
Pension Pulse: Pension Black Holes Set to Explode?
Pension Pulse: Pension Black Holes Set to Explode?
"Luckily for civil servants, any shortfall in the amount needed to provide them with a guaranteed amount in their pension pots has to be made up with public money."
"Luckily for civil servants, any shortfall in the amount needed to provide them with a guaranteed amount in their pension pots has to be made up with public money."
CNN Exposes 'Lavish' Government Pensions despite Economic Crisis
CNN Exposes 'Lavish' Government Pensions despite Economic Crisis - WSJ.com
"'They can draw on their pension beginning at age 50; depending on the years of service they can get as much as 80 percent of their final salary, there are cost-of-living-adjustments added on, and they're still eligible to receive Social Security.'
Citing the analysis of the National Taxpayers Union (NTU), Sylvester used Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., as an example of broken government. NTU, a nonpartisan taxpayer group that has worked under the guiding principle 'This is your money and the government should return it to you' since its inception, found that Dodd will have a starting annual pension of $125,500 when he retires next year."
"'They can draw on their pension beginning at age 50; depending on the years of service they can get as much as 80 percent of their final salary, there are cost-of-living-adjustments added on, and they're still eligible to receive Social Security.'
Citing the analysis of the National Taxpayers Union (NTU), Sylvester used Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., as an example of broken government. NTU, a nonpartisan taxpayer group that has worked under the guiding principle 'This is your money and the government should return it to you' since its inception, found that Dodd will have a starting annual pension of $125,500 when he retires next year."
Get real: Taxpayer suffering, state deficit should forestall pay hikes and pension sweeteners
Get real: Taxpayer suffering, state deficit should forestall pay hikes and pension sweeteners
"It defies logic that lawmakers refuse to rescind a 3 percent raise for unionized state workers and continue to discuss a $2.9 billion union-proposed plan to fatten teachers' pensions this spring.
When there's a $1.6 billion hole in the 2011 budget, neither of those expenditures should be on the table.
But Senate Democrats have blocked a proposal to cancel the raises.
The 22-15 party-line vote on Wednesday was short of the two-thirds majority necessary to prevent the $48 million in pay increases from taking effect Oct. 1.
Twenty-six votes are necessary."
The two Americas.
We tighten our belts so they can buy new, bigger belts with our money.
Is this what America is supposed to be?
"It defies logic that lawmakers refuse to rescind a 3 percent raise for unionized state workers and continue to discuss a $2.9 billion union-proposed plan to fatten teachers' pensions this spring.
When there's a $1.6 billion hole in the 2011 budget, neither of those expenditures should be on the table.
But Senate Democrats have blocked a proposal to cancel the raises.
The 22-15 party-line vote on Wednesday was short of the two-thirds majority necessary to prevent the $48 million in pay increases from taking effect Oct. 1.
Twenty-six votes are necessary."
The two Americas.
We tighten our belts so they can buy new, bigger belts with our money.
Is this what America is supposed to be?
JOHN FUND ON RICK PERRY’S VICTORY AND THE TEA PARTY MOVEMENT: The late House Speaker Tip O’Neill …
Instapundit » Blog Archive » JOHN FUND ON RICK PERRY’S VICTORY AND THE TEA PARTY MOVEMENT
"Some Tea Partiers supported Debra Medina, but — as with Scott Brown — more seemed focused on supporting a candidate who could win."
"Some Tea Partiers supported Debra Medina, but — as with Scott Brown — more seemed focused on supporting a candidate who could win."
Sunday, March 07, 2010
What Dave and his chum Barack don't want you to know about green jobs and green energy – Telegraph Blogs
What Dave and his chum Barack don't want you to know about green jobs and green energy – Telegraph Blogs: "Green jobs are a waste of space, a waste of money, a lie, a chimera. You know that. I know that. We’re familiar with the report by Dr Gabriel Calzada Alvarez of the Rey Juan Carlos University in Spain which shows that for every “green job” that is created another 2.2 jobs are LOST in the real economy.
We also know that alternative energy is a fraud – only viable through enormous government (ie taxpayer subsidy) and utterly incapable of answering anything more than a fraction of our energy needs. As Shannon Love puts it here:
Here’s a fact you won’t see mentioned in the public policy debate over “alternative” energy:
There exists no alternative energy source, no combination of alternative energy sources, and no system of combinations of alternative energy sources that can fully replace a single, coal fired electric plant built with 1930s era technology.
Nada.
Zero.
Zilch.
So why are our political leaders setting out quite deliberately to deceive us?"
We also know that alternative energy is a fraud – only viable through enormous government (ie taxpayer subsidy) and utterly incapable of answering anything more than a fraction of our energy needs. As Shannon Love puts it here:
Here’s a fact you won’t see mentioned in the public policy debate over “alternative” energy:
There exists no alternative energy source, no combination of alternative energy sources, and no system of combinations of alternative energy sources that can fully replace a single, coal fired electric plant built with 1930s era technology.
Nada.
Zero.
Zilch.
So why are our political leaders setting out quite deliberately to deceive us?"
Neglected by 'lazy' nurses, Kane Gorny, 22, dying of thirst rang the police to beg for water
Neglected by 'lazy' nurses, Kane Gorny, 22, dying of thirst rang the police to beg for water
"A man of 22 died in agony of dehydration after three days in a leading teaching hospital.
Kane Gorny was so desperate for a drink that he rang police to beg for their help.
They arrived on the ward only to be told by doctors that everything was under control.
The next day his mother Rita Cronin found him delirious and he died within hours.
She said nurses had failed to give him vital drugs which controlled fluid levels in his body.
'He was totally dependent on the nurses to help him and they totally betrayed him.'"
"A man of 22 died in agony of dehydration after three days in a leading teaching hospital.
Kane Gorny was so desperate for a drink that he rang police to beg for their help.
They arrived on the ward only to be told by doctors that everything was under control.
The next day his mother Rita Cronin found him delirious and he died within hours.
She said nurses had failed to give him vital drugs which controlled fluid levels in his body.
'He was totally dependent on the nurses to help him and they totally betrayed him.'"
Holly Graf: Navy Relieves Harsh Commander of USS Cowpens - TIME
Holly Graf: Navy Relieves Harsh Commander of USS Cowpens - TIME
"Captain Holly Graf was the closest thing the U.S. Navy had to a female Captain Bligh."
"Captain Holly Graf was the closest thing the U.S. Navy had to a female Captain Bligh."
Saturday, March 06, 2010
Complaints About Female 'Captain Bligh' Began Early, Says a Navy Chaplain
Complaints About Female 'Captain Bligh' Began Early, Says a Navy Chaplain - TIME
"Questions continue to swirl about how Graf not only retained her command, but kept getting promoted despite reports from eyewitnesses like Kaprow."
"Questions continue to swirl about how Graf not only retained her command, but kept getting promoted despite reports from eyewitnesses like Kaprow."
New Woe for Vatican as Usher Linked to Prostitution
New Woe for Vatican as Usher Linked to Prostitution
"One of Pope Benedict's ceremonial ushers and a member of an elite choir in St Peter's Basilica have been implicated in a gay prostitution ring, in the latest sexual scandal to taint the Vatican."
The vile spurting from the Vatican is never ending.
When will the rest of the world acknowledge this world wide homosexual coven for what it is?
"One of Pope Benedict's ceremonial ushers and a member of an elite choir in St Peter's Basilica have been implicated in a gay prostitution ring, in the latest sexual scandal to taint the Vatican."
The vile spurting from the Vatican is never ending.
When will the rest of the world acknowledge this world wide homosexual coven for what it is?
Angry US students protest cuts to higher education
Angry US students protest cuts to higher education
"Anger over increasing tuition and school budget cuts boiled over as students across the country staged rowdy demonstrations that led to clashes with police and the rush-hour shutdown of a major freeway in California."
They're angry at their parents and grandparents for not paying enough?
And they're NOT angry at the teachers and administrators who've stolen all the money?
And if these are "students", just what are they teaching at the "schools"?
"Anger over increasing tuition and school budget cuts boiled over as students across the country staged rowdy demonstrations that led to clashes with police and the rush-hour shutdown of a major freeway in California."
They're angry at their parents and grandparents for not paying enough?
And they're NOT angry at the teachers and administrators who've stolen all the money?
And if these are "students", just what are they teaching at the "schools"?
"Competitors Complain About Wind Unreliability Subsidy
FuturePundit:
"Competitors Complain About Wind Unreliability Subsidy"
An article in the Wall Street Journal reports on the debate within the electric power industry about whether it is fair for wind power generators to avoid paying a cost for the lower dependability of wind.
One grievance: Coal, nuclear and gas operators must pay for their own backup if an operational or maintenance problem prevents them from delivering power as promised.
But if wind generators fail to deliver promised power because the wind doesn’t blow, the cost of backing up wind power companies is spread among all the generators, state officials say.
This puts an unfair burden on nonwind generators, says the gas faction."
Wind power is another hoax perpetrated by fools and evil minds.
"Competitors Complain About Wind Unreliability Subsidy"
An article in the Wall Street Journal reports on the debate within the electric power industry about whether it is fair for wind power generators to avoid paying a cost for the lower dependability of wind.
One grievance: Coal, nuclear and gas operators must pay for their own backup if an operational or maintenance problem prevents them from delivering power as promised.
But if wind generators fail to deliver promised power because the wind doesn’t blow, the cost of backing up wind power companies is spread among all the generators, state officials say.
This puts an unfair burden on nonwind generators, says the gas faction."
Wind power is another hoax perpetrated by fools and evil minds.
Rangel, Paterson and a Harlem Political Dynasty's Fall
Rangel, Paterson and a Harlem Political Dynasty's Fall
"It's been a brutal week for Harlem politicians. On March 3, Charlie Rangel, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and 20-term representative from New York's 15th district, announced he would temporarily relinquish his stewardship of the powerful tax-writing body in the wake of an ethics investigation that found he violated protocol by accepting corporate-funded trips to the Caribbean.
The decision came on the heels of scandal-scarred New York Governor David Paterson's announcement that he will not run for re-election in the fall. The synchronized setbacks of two longtime Harlem leaders have prompted a flurry of obituaries for the Harlem dynasty, which for decades has been the unquestioned nerve center of black politics in the U.S.
Rangel and Paterson's father Basil were members of Harlem's Gang of Four, along with Percy Sutton - a civil rights activist, lawyer and local power broker, who died Dec. 26 at 89 - and David Dinkins, who served as mayor of New York City from 1990 to 1993"
I you want the answer to the question, "why is our black population still mired in misery and failure?", look at who the black population chooses as its leaders.
"It's been a brutal week for Harlem politicians. On March 3, Charlie Rangel, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and 20-term representative from New York's 15th district, announced he would temporarily relinquish his stewardship of the powerful tax-writing body in the wake of an ethics investigation that found he violated protocol by accepting corporate-funded trips to the Caribbean.
The decision came on the heels of scandal-scarred New York Governor David Paterson's announcement that he will not run for re-election in the fall. The synchronized setbacks of two longtime Harlem leaders have prompted a flurry of obituaries for the Harlem dynasty, which for decades has been the unquestioned nerve center of black politics in the U.S.
Rangel and Paterson's father Basil were members of Harlem's Gang of Four, along with Percy Sutton - a civil rights activist, lawyer and local power broker, who died Dec. 26 at 89 - and David Dinkins, who served as mayor of New York City from 1990 to 1993"
I you want the answer to the question, "why is our black population still mired in misery and failure?", look at who the black population chooses as its leaders.
Is "democrat" now synonymous with "crook"?
Rep. Eric Massa to resign
Rep. Eric Massa to resign
"Democratic Rep. Eric Massa will resign from Congress on Monday, only days after reports first surfaced that the freshman New York lawmaker was under investigation by the House ethics committee for allegedly sexually harassing a male staffer."
...culture of corruption......?
"Democratic Rep. Eric Massa will resign from Congress on Monday, only days after reports first surfaced that the freshman New York lawmaker was under investigation by the House ethics committee for allegedly sexually harassing a male staffer."
...culture of corruption......?
Ex-Mayor Gets 15 Years for Bribery - City Pays Price
Ex-Mayor Gets 15 Years for Bribery - City Pays Price
"Residents here were not terribly surprised on Friday when Larry Langford, the former mayor, was sentenced to 15 years in prison and fined $360,000 by a federal judge, ending a long-running bribery case that shook local government and state Democratic politics."
Hey MSM!
Where's your shout of "culture of corruption?"
"Residents here were not terribly surprised on Friday when Larry Langford, the former mayor, was sentenced to 15 years in prison and fined $360,000 by a federal judge, ending a long-running bribery case that shook local government and state Democratic politics."
Hey MSM!
Where's your shout of "culture of corruption?"
Illinois Dems Find Something To Investigate
Illinois Dems Find Something To Investigate
"Burdened by a $13 billion deficit and a rash of political scandals that make even jaded Chicago pols blush, the state's ruling Democrats would seem to have a full plate.
But the Illinois Senate found time for two days of hearings on state Sen. Bill Brady's fiscal 2012 budget plan.
Yes, 2012. So why did Democratic lawmakers set aside today's gaping budget holes and look to the future?
Well, Brady is the GOP nominee for governor as of Friday.
So Democrats decided to imagine the horror if he won the election and made good on his promise to slash the Illinois budget 10% across the board:"
That's the democrat party that bankrupted Illinois and gas the world BarryO!
"Burdened by a $13 billion deficit and a rash of political scandals that make even jaded Chicago pols blush, the state's ruling Democrats would seem to have a full plate.
But the Illinois Senate found time for two days of hearings on state Sen. Bill Brady's fiscal 2012 budget plan.
Yes, 2012. So why did Democratic lawmakers set aside today's gaping budget holes and look to the future?
Well, Brady is the GOP nominee for governor as of Friday.
So Democrats decided to imagine the horror if he won the election and made good on his promise to slash the Illinois budget 10% across the board:"
That's the democrat party that bankrupted Illinois and gas the world BarryO!
No Worker Left Behind offers unemployed a chance at film school
No Worker Left Behind offers unemployed a chance at film school
Residents currently enrolled in Michigan Works' No Worker Left Behind, a state program designed to help unemployed people transition to new jobs, might qualify for tuition assistance for Muskegon Community College's new film-industry course.
Michigan Works recently approved tuition support for the new course, Introduction to Film Production, which is part of the college's Continuing Education program.
No Worker Left Behind clients who are interested in the film course are encouraged to contact their assigned work force development center for details.
The registration cost for the course is $2,200. No Worker Left Behind provides up to $5,000 per year for two years in tuition and registration assistance for training in high-demand fields, emerging industries or entrepreneur programs.
Is there any wonder why our state is bankrupt?
Both financially and morally.
Residents currently enrolled in Michigan Works' No Worker Left Behind, a state program designed to help unemployed people transition to new jobs, might qualify for tuition assistance for Muskegon Community College's new film-industry course.
Michigan Works recently approved tuition support for the new course, Introduction to Film Production, which is part of the college's Continuing Education program.
No Worker Left Behind clients who are interested in the film course are encouraged to contact their assigned work force development center for details.
The registration cost for the course is $2,200. No Worker Left Behind provides up to $5,000 per year for two years in tuition and registration assistance for training in high-demand fields, emerging industries or entrepreneur programs.
Is there any wonder why our state is bankrupt?
Both financially and morally.
Friday, March 05, 2010
FHP: Driver lacked razor-sharp focus | KeysNews.com
FHP: Driver lacked razor-sharp focus
"As authorities nationwide warn motorists of the dangers of driving while texting, Florida Keys law enforcement officers add a new caution: Don't try to shave your privates, either.
Florida Highway Patrol troopers say a two-vehicle crash Tuesday at Mile Marker 21 on Cudjoe Key was caused by a 37-year-old woman driver who was shaving her bikini area while her ex-husband took the wheel from the passenger seat.
'She said she was meeting her boyfriend in Key West and wanted to be ready for the visit,' Trooper Gary Dunick said."
"As authorities nationwide warn motorists of the dangers of driving while texting, Florida Keys law enforcement officers add a new caution: Don't try to shave your privates, either.
Florida Highway Patrol troopers say a two-vehicle crash Tuesday at Mile Marker 21 on Cudjoe Key was caused by a 37-year-old woman driver who was shaving her bikini area while her ex-husband took the wheel from the passenger seat.
'She said she was meeting her boyfriend in Key West and wanted to be ready for the visit,' Trooper Gary Dunick said."
Wilders on course to be next Dutch prime minister
Wilders on course to be next Dutch prime minister
"Mr Wilders has called Islam a backward religion, wants a ban on headscarves in public life and has compared the Koran to Hitler's Mein Kampf."
"Mr Wilders has called Islam a backward religion, wants a ban on headscarves in public life and has compared the Koran to Hitler's Mein Kampf."
Detroit School Leader Sends Wrong Message, Some Parents Say
Detroit School Leader Sends Wrong Message, Some Parents Say
As if Detroit doesn't have enough problems these days, the president of the city's school board offered the shocking admission that he can't pen a coherent sentence."
As if Detroit doesn't have enough problems these days, the president of the city's school board offered the shocking admission that he can't pen a coherent sentence."
New York Rep. Massa resigns under ethics cloud
New York Rep. Massa resigns under ethics cloud
"New York Democratic Rep. Eric Massa, facing a harassment complaint by a male staffer, said Friday that he is stepping down from his seat with 'a profound sense of failure.'
'I am guilty,' Massa said in an interview with a Corning, N.Y., newspaper columnist."
The culture of corruption just lanced a boil.
Lot's more to come!
"New York Democratic Rep. Eric Massa, facing a harassment complaint by a male staffer, said Friday that he is stepping down from his seat with 'a profound sense of failure.'
'I am guilty,' Massa said in an interview with a Corning, N.Y., newspaper columnist."
The culture of corruption just lanced a boil.
Lot's more to come!
Why the Legislature Should Oppose a State Employee Pay Hike
Why the Legislature Should Oppose a State Employee Pay Hike [Mackinac Center]
Well, it's a start.
But how 'bout "they're over paid, under worked, can't be fired for ANYTHING, and their retirement and benefits are bankrupting our state"?
Well, it's a start.
But how 'bout "they're over paid, under worked, can't be fired for ANYTHING, and their retirement and benefits are bankrupting our state"?
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