Saturday, March 27, 2010

Little-Known Health Care Law Provision Is a Budget Buster

Little-Known Health Care Law Provision Is a Budget Buster, Critics Say
"While Congress spent the last year debating how to provide health insurance for the uninsured, a little-known provision slipped into the heath care law that could cost some Americans upwards of $2,000 a year.
The Class Act, otherwise known as the Community Living Assistance Services and Support Act, is the federal government's first long-term care insurance program.

Under-reported and the under the radar of most lawmakers, the program will allow workers to have an average of roughly $150 or $240 a month, based on age and salary, automatically deducted from their paycheck to save for long-term care.
The Congressional Budget Office expects the government will collect $109 billion in premiums by 2019."

Friday, March 26, 2010

Downtown no more: G&L Chili Dogs to close on Saturday

Downtown no more: G&L Chili Dogs to close on Saturday
"MUSKEGON -- G & L Chili Dogs, a downtown mainstay for more than 80 years, a place where folks went for a quick bite to eat and to dine in a familiar setting with people they knew, where 'regulars' have flocked since the first hot dog restaurant opened in 1929, will serve up its final Greek hot dog at 4 p.m. Saturday."

Thursday, March 25, 2010

They Fly First Class « John Stossel

They Fly First Class « John Stossel: "Will you and your family put off a vacation this year because you can't afford it? Too bad, because you have paid for some terrific trips -- for government bureaucrats. The Washington Times reports that last year $13 billion in tax dollars was spent to pamper 'public servants' on trips that double as vacation junkets."

Vatican Declined to Defrock U.S. Priest Who Abused Boys

Vatican Declined to Defrock U.S. Priest Who Abused Boys - NYTimes.com
"Top Vatican officials — including the future Pope Benedict XVI — did not defrock a priest who molested as many as 200 deaf boys, even though several American bishops repeatedly warned them that failure to act on the matter could embarrass the church, according to church files newly unearthed as part of a lawsuit."

The Pope is complicit.
He must go...if the church is to have any credibility.

But imagine if the NYT had the guts to do similar investigating of the Islamic religion......yeah, right!

MSHDA: Michigan's Fannie Mae?

MSHDA: Michigan's Fannie Mae? [Mackinac Center]
"The state housing authority that one developer called the backbone for development and economic activity in Michigan is another victim of the collapse of the housing market.
The Michigan State Housing Development Authority's financial reports show it is in danger of losing money for the first time since the mid-1960s when it was created."

Rental Ordinance banning illegals struck Down

Latest Farmers Branch Rental Ordinance Struck Down NBC Dallas-Fort Worth
"Getty Images A federal judge has ruled that a Farmers Branch ordinance banning illegal immigrants from renting apartments is unconstitutional."

hidden cost of government

The Free Enterprise Nation - hidden cost of government
"the actual unfunded liability for these public sector pension plans would be $3.5 trillion if more realistic and conservative interest rate assumptions were utilized.

Attempts by others to determine the true federal debt (including unfunded obligations) result in the determination that if one federal “balance sheet” were utilized, the total federal debt would exceed $107 trillion, not the $12.3 trillion currently stated as “debt”.

The result is that the total federal and non-federal debt (if unfunded liabilities are included) is an estimated $112+ trillion, or SEVEN TIMES higher than the total $15 trillion currently disclosed to taxpayers.!!"

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

COMMON CENTS BLOG

COMMON CENTS BLOG: "Liberal Liars Exposed! With the State Run Media Report it?
Have you heard the one about the Tea Party Protesters calling African American Congressmen Racial Epithets or calling them the 'N' Word? As the story goes:

The media claimed"

New post on Muskegon Taxpayer's Alliance from John McNally!

http://muskegontaxpayers.blogspot.com/2010/03/john-mcnally-reports-on-100-county.html

Police: Woman swapped girl, 10, to man for cocaine

Police: Woman swapped girl, 10, to man for cocaine
"SAGINAW, Mich. (AP) - Police in Michigan say a 45-year-old woman with a cocaine habit let a 67-year-old man have sex with a 10-year-old girl she was caring for in exchange for the drug."

Shocking Audio: Rep. Dingell Says ObamaCare Will Eventually ‘Control the People’

Breitbart.tv » Shocking Audio: Rep. Dingell Says ObamaCare Will Eventually ‘Control the People’

How the Tablet Will Change the World

How the Tablet Will Change the World
"Everyone who jammed into the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco on January 27, 2010, knew what they were there for:
Apple CEO Steve Jobs’ introduction of a thin, always-on tablet device that would let people browse the Web, read books, send email, watch movies, and play games.
It was also no surprise that the 1.5-pound iPad resembled an iPhone, right down to the single black button nestled below the bright 10-inch screen."

Trillion-Dollar Pension Crisis Looms Large Over America

Trillion-Dollar Pension Crisis Looms Large Over America
"Assuming they can laugh about such things, pension fund accountants might consider telling a joke that goes like this:

What’s the difference between General Motors and California?

California hasn’t gone bankrupt. At least, not yet."

Top 10 Low Pass Flyby's of All Time

Oh..my..God!

This is cool!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Playing the Victim - Well Blog - NYTimes.com

Playing the Victim - Well Blog - NYTimes.com

"In today’s Mind column, psychiatrist Dr. Richard A. Friedman explores the puzzling world of self-defeating behavior, when people blame others for their misfortune and feel victimized by bad luck.

So what explains those men and women who repeatedly pursue a path that leads to pain and disappointment?

Perhaps there is a hidden psychological reward.

I got a glimpse of it once from another patient, a woman in her early 60s who complained about her ungrateful children and neglectful friends.

As she spoke, it was clear she felt that all the major figures in her life had done her wrong.

In fact, her status as an injured party afforded her a psychological advantage: she felt morally superior to everyone she felt had mistreated her.

This was a role she had no intention of giving up.

As she left my office, she smiled and said, “I don’t expect that you’ll be able to help me.”

She was already setting up her next failure: her treatment."

Would it be cruel to say this fool is almost certainly a liberal democrat?.........

CEO Says ACORN 'Isn't Dead Yet' : NPR

CEO Says ACORN 'Isn't Dead Yet' : NPR:

"ACORN isn't disbanding despite a scandal that has caused membership to dwindle and revenues to dry up, the embattled activist group's chief executive officer told NPR on Tuesday.
'We're not dead, yet,' ACORN CEO Bertha Lewis told NPR's Allison Keyes on Tuesday's Tell Me More. 'Some of our state chapters have chosen to go their own way. We haven't been able to maintain the resources, state-by-state, that we had, so we have gotten a little bit smaller. We've had to change some of our programming.'"

14 Attorneys General Are Filing Suit on ObamaCare

14 Attorneys General Are Filing Suit on ObamaCare
"Fourteen Attorneys General have filed suits against ObamaCare.

Is your AG on this list?

If not, contact them and get them to stand up!

The fight to stop ObamaCare isn't over yet, and we can still win!"

MI AG Cox is on board!

Health-Care Overhaul Changes to Start Taking Effect This Year

Health-Care Overhaul Changes to Start Taking Effect This Year
"Indoor tanning salons will charge customers a 10 percent tax beginning today in just one of the changes Americans will see as a result of the U.S. health-care overhaul signed into law by President Barack Obama."

NCAA.com – The Official Website of NCAA Championships - NCAA

NCAA.com – The Official Website of NCAA Championships - NCAA

This is a great site for Spartan NCAA tournament hoops!

ACORN disbanding because of money woes, scandal

ACORN disbanding because of money woes, scandal

"ACORN's board decided to close remaining state affiliates and field offices by April 1 because of falling revenues, with some national operations will continue operating for at least several weeks before shutting for good, Whelan said Monday."

Don't believe this for a second!

They have suffered less funding but they're simply changing the name and the signs.

The same scumbags are still getting our state, federal and charity money as before.

Be ever vigilant!

The Old Jarhead: I'm tired

The Old Jarhead: I'm Tired
"I’m tired of being told how bad America is by leftwing millionaires like Michael Moore, George Soros and Hollywood entertainers who live in luxury because of the opportunities America offers.

In thirty years, if they get their way, the United States will have the religious freedom and women’s rights of Saudi Arabia, the economy of Zimbabwe, the freedom of the press of China, the crime and violence of Mexico, the tolerance for Gay people of Iran, and the freedom of speech of Venezuela.

Won’t multiculturalism be beautiful?"

He's tired of a lot more.
Read it all.

Another County board meeting today 3:30 at County building

Today (3-23-2010) there will be a full board meeting of the Muskegon County Commission.

Among other items I found these most interesting:

1. I'm against ANY porky funding for this type of public event but especially when our financial future is so bleak.

But look at the funding for the Heights "Festival".

$3000.

Does the county board "spread the money around" to the other cities?

Or is the heights just "special"? Either way, it ought to stop
.
They've already spent us broke.

They shouldn't have the fun of spending us broker.

CD/SP1 0103 -03To approve the financial contributions be made and that the funds be utilized from the CVB's Community Promotions (902020) line item:
Muskegon Heights "Festival in the Park" -$3,000.00;
The Associationof Concert Bands 2011 National Convention Committee -$500.00;
the Miss Michigan Scholarship Pageant -$3,000.00.

2. Most every trolley I've seen was empty or mostly empty.

Has there ever been a study of ridership vs cost?

Wouldn't it be nice to see that report?

TRlO/03-12 Move to approve operation of a 2010 Trolley Route Program as proposed.

3. They "waive" just about every meeting.

Maybe we citizens ought to get an explanation?

To waive the hiring freeze and allow the Human Resources Department to fill the vacant Human Resources Analyst position #N39502 at step 1 and change the funding from 100% 1010-0226 to 75% 1010-0226 and 25% 6770-0203.


4. Wait-a-minute!

County retirees get dental benefits??!!!!

What's that cost?

Do you get retirement dental?

Gimme a break!

To approve Professional Benefits Services (PBS) for the Third Party Administration of the Muskegon County retiree dental plan from 4/1/2010 -9/30/2012 at a rate of $1.90 per line item.

5. Probably nothing here but anytime I see vague wording, I get the ginchies.
"..grant the authority to sign NECESSARY contracts...."
I'd just like a bit more info sir.....

To grant the Chairperson of the Muskegon County Board of Commissioners and the County Clerk the authority to sign necessary contracts with Web Tecs, Inc., and Ottawa County.

6. This one is minor but says volumes about our state.

They want to hire a kid and pay him about $5,700 but the worker's comp is $1,011 for this part timer!!!!!

No wonder jobs keep leaving our state.

Requested Position Class/Pos. Description WATER SYSTEM ENG AIDE/SEASONAL Requested Table/Grade/Hourly Range $850~/HR~

Salary and Wages Social Security Hospitalization Ins. Life Ins. Retirement
$5,746
Worker's comp
$1,011

Come on and join me in these meetings!

Every Tues and Thurs at 3:30 at the County Building.



Exempted From Obamacare: Senior Staff Who Wrote the Bill

Exempted From Obamacare: Senior Staff Who Wrote the Bill The New Ledger
"One such surprise is found on page 158 of the legislation, which appears to create a carveout for senior staff members in the leadership offices and on congressional committees, essentially exempting those senior Democrat staffers who wrote the bill from being forced to purchase health care plans in the same way as other Americans."

Muskegon County meeting today 1:00-be there!


These are the big issues today:

1. Equalization and assessments. That's your property taxes, folks!

2. The new casino in Fruitport. Lot's of money to be spread around in this deal.

3. Long range financial planning for the County. The county is broke. This is something EVERYONE needs to understand. This is BIG!

4. The county commissioner's travel budget. Just how much do they really spend? Who's the biggest spender?

5. County purchasing policy. They spend our money. How do they decide?

http://muskegonpundit.blogspot.com/2010/03/big-meeting-tomorrow-100pm.html

There will be an open "planning session" meeting of the full Muskegon county board tomorrow from 1-3:00 PM at the Muskegon County convention and visitors bureau building.

That's the old train station across from the Eagles, corner of 7th and Western.
All citizens are legally entitled to attend.

This is where much of the real policy info is discussed and in the past, the commissioners have had the luxury of little citizen attendance or input.

So they could do just whatever they and those with their hands out wanted.
With little public scrutiny.

Let's change that!

I'll be there tomorrow at 12:45, outside by the front door to greet any of you patriots who will stand tall and attend.

It is YOUR future and your money they will be talking about!

See you there!

Madam Pelosi's House Of Ill Repute

Investors.com - Madam Pelosi's House Of Ill Repute
"Conned by the promise of an ephemeral executive order, the last holdouts cave and ObamaCare advances.
It doesn't add a single doctor or hospital room, but needs 17,000 new IRS agents to enforce it."

Monday, March 22, 2010

Althouse: "Are tea parties racist?"

Althouse: "Are tea parties racist?"

"Welch attended a rally:

But if there was anything “overwhelming” about the protest it was the percentage—which I would place well above 90—of signage and conversation specifically referring to government spending, economic policy, and creeping federal interference into various areas of life.

I saw nothing about affirmative action, nothing about welfare, nothing about illegal immigration, almost nothing about hot-button social conservative issues, and very little on foreign policy.

If race played a central role, 100,000 people did a good job of hiding it."

Florida Senate: Rubio 45%, Meek 25%, Crist 22%

Florida Senate: Rubio 45%, Meek 25%, Crist 22% - Rasmussen Reports™
"Former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio for now runs well ahead in a three-way race for the U.S. Senate in Florida, should Governor Charlie Crist decide to run as an independent."

The Tea Partiers aren't just a passing fad...right?

Health-Care Overhaul Fight Moves to States, Agencies

Health-Care Overhaul Fight Moves to States, Agencies
"Health legislation passed yesterday by the U.S. House changes some rules immediately on insurance coverage while leaving much of the fight over how to remake the medical system to federal regulators, states and courts."

It ain't over until the GOPers give up.

It's up to us "little people" to give 'em some gumption!

N.J. Town Out To Ban Dog Barking Round-The-Clock

N.J. Town Out To Ban Dog Barking Round-The-Clock
"But now in Piscataway an ordinance about incessant barking between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m., has been expanded to include barking around the clock.
And, yes, you could be fined."

This can't be good for Rosie O'donnell....or Queen Nancy Pelosi....

Interesting e-mail from MoveOn.org to ME!

We conservatives and Tea Party activists can and MUST learn from folks like the George Soros funded MoveOn.org.

They respond quickly.

They personalize. They demonize. (Saul Alinsky)

And they make it easy for their citizen-army to move/call/e-mail quickly by providing all the info on a well written e-mail.

And they punish those who deviate from the dogma.

Sadly, this seems to be our new communication future.

We ignore their successes at our own, and our country's, peril.
(the rest of their excellently crafted e-mail is in the "comments" below)


Dear MoveOn member,
Yesterday, the House of Representatives made history. Even with the bill's flaws, health care reform is the most important piece of progressive legislation in decades.
Below is a list of ten of the most important things health care reform will accomplish for everyday Americans—all of which Representative Pete Hoekstra opposed by voting no.1
We've got to show that there are consequences for standing in the way of progress. To let Rep. Hoekstra know how upset voters are that he sided with Big Insurance to oppose health care reform, we've set a goal of making 14 calls from Muskegon to his office today—can you join in?
Here's where to call:
Representative Pete HoekstraPhone: 202-225-4401
And after you call, take a moment to check out the list and share it with all your friends. Big Insurance and right-wing extremists are already ratcheting up their campaign to spread misinformation about the bill, so it's critical that we get the truth out as widely as possible.
Thanks for all you do.
–Kat, Lenore, Laura, Michael, and the rest of the team