Study: California Public Pensions Underfunded by Over $500B
"California's three major public pension funds are underfunded by more than half a trillion dollars, according to a report released Monday, the San Jose Mercury News reports."
Important stuff you won't get from the liberal media! We do the surfing so you can be informed AND have a life!
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
Monday, April 05, 2010
Health insurance, police contract among pressures of Muskegon city finances | - MLive.com
Health insurance, police contract among pressures of Muskegon city finances
"Meanwhile, both the Police Officers Labor Council, representing approximately 63 city patrol officers, and the city commission have ratified a two-year labor agreement retroactive to Jan. 1 and expiring Dec. 31, 2011.
The contract includes a 1 percent pay hike in each of the two years.
If any nonunion city employee group receives a higher increase, so would the patrol officers."
"Meanwhile, both the Police Officers Labor Council, representing approximately 63 city patrol officers, and the city commission have ratified a two-year labor agreement retroactive to Jan. 1 and expiring Dec. 31, 2011.
The contract includes a 1 percent pay hike in each of the two years.
If any nonunion city employee group receives a higher increase, so would the patrol officers."
Saturday, April 03, 2010
Apple third highest stcok capitialization in US!Investors await iPad’s cliffhanger launch
Investors await iPad’s cliffhanger launch
"Spurred in part by iPad anticipation, shareholder enthusiasm has more than doubled Apple’s market capitalisation in the past year, driving it past Google and Walmart.
At $214bn, Apple is worth more than every US company but ExxonMobile and Microsoft."
"Spurred in part by iPad anticipation, shareholder enthusiasm has more than doubled Apple’s market capitalisation in the past year, driving it past Google and Walmart.
At $214bn, Apple is worth more than every US company but ExxonMobile and Microsoft."
Friday, April 02, 2010
State Websites Give History a Rewrite
State Websites Give History a Rewrite
Readers of the state of Michigan's various Web sites would be hard pressed to find evidence of one of the more embarrassing incidents to have happened this year to the Granholm administration."
Readers of the state of Michigan's various Web sites would be hard pressed to find evidence of one of the more embarrassing incidents to have happened this year to the Granholm administration."
Muskegon County jobless rate drops, slightly, to 16.3 percent in February
Muskegon County jobless rate drops, slightly, to 16.3 percent in February
"Like most labor market areas in Michigan, Muskegon County reported drops in labor force levels, employment and unemployment because of likely educational staff recalls and seasonal layoffs at retail and leisure establishments."
"Like most labor market areas in Michigan, Muskegon County reported drops in labor force levels, employment and unemployment because of likely educational staff recalls and seasonal layoffs at retail and leisure establishments."
School Pension Reform Stalls in Senate
School Pension Reform Stalls in Senate
"A plan to reform public school pensions and set them more in line with private-sector retirement standards — and thus save Michigan taxpayers an estimated $3.5 billion over the next 10 years — stalled in the Michigan Senate as that chamber prepared to leave for its spring break.
Although GOP senators cast blame for the failure at Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Democrats, Republican sources said that only 18 votes could be mustered for the measure, leaving it two votes shy of passage in a chamber where Republicans hold a 22-16 majority."
"A plan to reform public school pensions and set them more in line with private-sector retirement standards — and thus save Michigan taxpayers an estimated $3.5 billion over the next 10 years — stalled in the Michigan Senate as that chamber prepared to leave for its spring break.
Although GOP senators cast blame for the failure at Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Democrats, Republican sources said that only 18 votes could be mustered for the measure, leaving it two votes shy of passage in a chamber where Republicans hold a 22-16 majority."
Thursday, April 01, 2010
“Watching the Commander of the Pacific Fleet’s deadpan face as Congressman Hank Johnson…
MARK STEYN:
“Watching the Commander of the Pacific Fleet’s deadpan face as Congressman Hank Johnson (D., Ga.) asks him about the danger of the island of Guam tipping over and capsizing is a glimpse of how the viziers to the loopier Ottoman sultans must have felt.”
UPDATE: Johnson says it was just an out-of-control metaphor.
Frankly, I find this explanation more plausible. . . .
Posted by Glenn Reynolds at 6:35 pm"
“Watching the Commander of the Pacific Fleet’s deadpan face as Congressman Hank Johnson (D., Ga.) asks him about the danger of the island of Guam tipping over and capsizing is a glimpse of how the viziers to the loopier Ottoman sultans must have felt.”
UPDATE: Johnson says it was just an out-of-control metaphor.
Frankly, I find this explanation more plausible. . . .
Posted by Glenn Reynolds at 6:35 pm"
Underemployment Rises to 20.3% in March
Underemployment Rises to 20.3% in March
: "Gallup Daily tracking finds that 20.3% of the U.S. workforce was underemployed in March -- a slight uptick from the relatively flat January and February numbers."
: "Gallup Daily tracking finds that 20.3% of the U.S. workforce was underemployed in March -- a slight uptick from the relatively flat January and February numbers."
Toyota's US sales jump 35.3 percent in March
Toyota's US sales jump 35.3 percent in March
"Toyota on Thursday reported a 35.3 percent jump in US sales in March, rebounding from a series of mass safety recalls which have undermined the embattled Japanese automaker's reputation."
"Toyota on Thursday reported a 35.3 percent jump in US sales in March, rebounding from a series of mass safety recalls which have undermined the embattled Japanese automaker's reputation."
Embracing Liberty, Not Big Government
Embracing Liberty, Not Big Government
"Over the past 14 months, our political debate has been transformed into an argument between the heirs of two fundamental schools of political thought, the Founders and the Progressives.
The Founders stood for the expansion of liberty and the Progressives for the expansion of government.
It's an argument that has been going on for a century but was largely dormant over the quarter-century of low-inflation economic growth that followed the Ronald Reagan tax cuts.
It's been raised again by the expand-government policies of the Obama administration and Democratic congressional leaders."
"Over the past 14 months, our political debate has been transformed into an argument between the heirs of two fundamental schools of political thought, the Founders and the Progressives.
The Founders stood for the expansion of liberty and the Progressives for the expansion of government.
It's an argument that has been going on for a century but was largely dormant over the quarter-century of low-inflation economic growth that followed the Ronald Reagan tax cuts.
It's been raised again by the expand-government policies of the Obama administration and Democratic congressional leaders."
Steve Gunn: Lawmakers need a dose of courage to deal with deficit
Steve Gunn: Lawmakers need a dose of courage to deal with deficit
"According to statistics, Michigan’s private sector has lost 12.1 percent of its jobs since 2000, while the number of state government jobs has actually increased.
State employees make an average of $57,788 in total compensation, which is 6 percent higher than the national state employee average, according to the Anderson Economic Group of East Lansing. State employees make about $17,000 more than the average private-sector employees in Michigan.
Michigan public employees also collect about $5.7 billion more in benefits than they would if they worked in the private sector."
"According to statistics, Michigan’s private sector has lost 12.1 percent of its jobs since 2000, while the number of state government jobs has actually increased.
State employees make an average of $57,788 in total compensation, which is 6 percent higher than the national state employee average, according to the Anderson Economic Group of East Lansing. State employees make about $17,000 more than the average private-sector employees in Michigan.
Michigan public employees also collect about $5.7 billion more in benefits than they would if they worked in the private sector."
UAW members at GM plant in Wyoming reject contract changes, risk closing plant
UAW members at GM plant in Wyoming reject contract changes, risk closing plant
"Members of Local 167, United Auto Workers, soundly rejected a package of changes to their contract Wednesday at the former Delphi Corp. plant, now held by General Motors Components Holding.
Workers voted 136 yes to 258 no, nearly 2-1 against the Memorandum of Understanding dated on St. Patrick's Day 2010."
Just wait 'til "card check" is the law of the land.
We won't have any factories left in our country.
"Members of Local 167, United Auto Workers, soundly rejected a package of changes to their contract Wednesday at the former Delphi Corp. plant, now held by General Motors Components Holding.
Workers voted 136 yes to 258 no, nearly 2-1 against the Memorandum of Understanding dated on St. Patrick's Day 2010."
Just wait 'til "card check" is the law of the land.
We won't have any factories left in our country.
California's last auto plant shuts its doors
California's last auto plant shuts its doors
"The last car has rolled off the production lines at California's sole auto plant."
"The last car has rolled off the production lines at California's sole auto plant."
Eight U.S. militia members enter not guilty pleas
Eight U.S. militia members enter not guilty pleas
"The question is where they actually serious, or just a bunch of guys beating their chests and issuing rants?' said Jerry Flynn, his court-appointed attorney.
'There are a lot of allegations with very little proof.'"
I suspect this big media event was contrived by the Obama administration and all those big mouth fools will go free.
And soon.
And the liberal MSM will provide excuses for BarryO and his feddies.
This country has really been turned upside down!
"The question is where they actually serious, or just a bunch of guys beating their chests and issuing rants?' said Jerry Flynn, his court-appointed attorney.
'There are a lot of allegations with very little proof.'"
I suspect this big media event was contrived by the Obama administration and all those big mouth fools will go free.
And soon.
And the liberal MSM will provide excuses for BarryO and his feddies.
This country has really been turned upside down!
Mitch Albom: Dot on Tom Izzo's résumé: Seven weeks in Oklahoma
Mitch Albom: Dot on Tom Izzo's résumé: Seven weeks in Oklahoma
"The winds howled.
The sky was purple-black.
A young Tom Izzo pulled his car off the highway, got out and did what they had told him to do:
He crawled under the car for safety.
There, beneath the chassis, pressed against the earth, he prayed, 'Dear Lord, don't let me die here.'
He was a man against the elements, Tom vs. Tornado, a stranger in a strange land ..."
"The winds howled.
The sky was purple-black.
A young Tom Izzo pulled his car off the highway, got out and did what they had told him to do:
He crawled under the car for safety.
There, beneath the chassis, pressed against the earth, he prayed, 'Dear Lord, don't let me die here.'
He was a man against the elements, Tom vs. Tornado, a stranger in a strange land ..."
UAW membership sinks to post-WWII low
UAW membership sinks to post-WWII low
"The ranks of UAW members fell to a new post-World War II low in 2009 as the bankruptcies of General Motors and Chrysler led to thousands of manufacturing job losses."
"The ranks of UAW members fell to a new post-World War II low in 2009 as the bankruptcies of General Motors and Chrysler led to thousands of manufacturing job losses."
Farhat drops Senate bid, joins Hoekstra campaign
Farhat drops Senate bid, joins Hoekstra campaign
"David Farhat, a former Muskegon County state representative, is exiting the race for the 34th state Senate District and turning his attention to helping a West Michigan candidate for governor."
Good for Dave and Pete.
Bad for us Muskegon voters.
Dave would have been an excellent senator.
"David Farhat, a former Muskegon County state representative, is exiting the race for the 34th state Senate District and turning his attention to helping a West Michigan candidate for governor."
Good for Dave and Pete.
Bad for us Muskegon voters.
Dave would have been an excellent senator.
YouTube - 3-25-2010_Hank_Johnson_Guam_Tip_Over.wmv
YouTube - 3-25-2010_Hank_Johnson_Guam_Tip_Over.wmv
You MUST see this democrat congressman.....and fear for our nation.
You MUST see this democrat congressman.....and fear for our nation.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Protecting Public Pensions
Protecting Public Pensions
"The city of Evanston, Illinois is a suburban municipality located directly north of the city of Chicago and has approximately 74,000 residents.
This city has had a long history of underfunding its police and fire pension plans and it still dealing with these problems today despite prior litigation.
The underfunding of the police and fire pension plans continually worsened with the City now facing a $159 million unfunded accrued liability for the police and fire pension plans with plan assets covering only 42% of the benefits owed.
To put these figures in context, the unfunded liability is about $2,000 per Evanston resident or $4,500 per household."
"The city of Evanston, Illinois is a suburban municipality located directly north of the city of Chicago and has approximately 74,000 residents.
This city has had a long history of underfunding its police and fire pension plans and it still dealing with these problems today despite prior litigation.
The underfunding of the police and fire pension plans continually worsened with the City now facing a $159 million unfunded accrued liability for the police and fire pension plans with plan assets covering only 42% of the benefits owed.
To put these figures in context, the unfunded liability is about $2,000 per Evanston resident or $4,500 per household."
4 dead in Southeast DC drive-by shooting
4 dead in Southeast DC drive-by shooting
"The shooting victims are six men and three women. Most are in their 20s and 30s. One is a teen."
It's obvious we've lost the war against crime and criminal government in DC.
Isn't it time we considered pulling our troops and police out of harms way?
"The shooting victims are six men and three women. Most are in their 20s and 30s. One is a teen."
It's obvious we've lost the war against crime and criminal government in DC.
Isn't it time we considered pulling our troops and police out of harms way?
Works and Days » We Are All Pods Now
Works and Days » We Are All Pods Now
: "Go to Sleep, Wake up a Pod
I am catching on to this new year-old society; I think I am at least.
Paying an underwater mortgage is sort of what wealthy and dubious people do; defaulting on one is proof of legitimate victimhood.
There is no more immigration law — unless you are a foolish German, Russian, or Aussie who overstays his visa without claim on a proper -ism.
Budgeting for your private health care plan is proof of privilege; a maxed out credit card is better proof of corporate conspiracy.
And paying no federal income taxes is evidence that you belong to the good 50% of Americans — or are mega-rich, savvy, and able enough to pay on your income instead at the capital gains rate.
There is no more interest on your meager passbook account; just on your mortgage: you pay the bank 5% for a house loan; they pay you a tenth of that at .5% for having $10,000 in your savings.
They are dubbed “evil” by Washington and given more perks and latitude than ever before.
You are to pay higher local, state, federal, payroll, and heath care taxes, with the assumptions that you will not help to pay down the debt and you, the greedy bastard, should pay even more taxes than you do.
Wake up, and get with it, reader: either you are a pod now — or everyone else is."
: "Go to Sleep, Wake up a Pod
I am catching on to this new year-old society; I think I am at least.
Paying an underwater mortgage is sort of what wealthy and dubious people do; defaulting on one is proof of legitimate victimhood.
There is no more immigration law — unless you are a foolish German, Russian, or Aussie who overstays his visa without claim on a proper -ism.
Budgeting for your private health care plan is proof of privilege; a maxed out credit card is better proof of corporate conspiracy.
And paying no federal income taxes is evidence that you belong to the good 50% of Americans — or are mega-rich, savvy, and able enough to pay on your income instead at the capital gains rate.
There is no more interest on your meager passbook account; just on your mortgage: you pay the bank 5% for a house loan; they pay you a tenth of that at .5% for having $10,000 in your savings.
They are dubbed “evil” by Washington and given more perks and latitude than ever before.
You are to pay higher local, state, federal, payroll, and heath care taxes, with the assumptions that you will not help to pay down the debt and you, the greedy bastard, should pay even more taxes than you do.
Wake up, and get with it, reader: either you are a pod now — or everyone else is."
A Trip Down Memory Lane
A Trip Down Memory Lane
"Not too long ago, taking to the streets to protest your government was considered a patriotic act.
It’s true!
But it seems that publicly airing your grievances stopped being patriotic right around noon on January 20th, 2009.
Once President Obama was sworn in, protesting became incitement to violence.
If you’ve opened up a newspaper or watched a cable news program in the past week or so, you’ve probably seen members of the media painting Tea Party activists as dangerous bigots.
That’s because disagreeing with President Obama on issues like government spending and high taxes makes you a racist, you see.
What’s interesting about the media’s latest freak-out is that there were radicals a-plenty under President Bush.
They protested in the streets.
They talked openly about revolution and killing.
But oddly, the violent imagery used by people claiming to be advocates for peace never registered with the media.
They were too busy fawning over Cindy Sheehan.
Why the difference in coverage?
Did the media cheerlead the protests against President Bush to hurt him politically?
Are they trying to marginalize the increasingly powerful Tea Party movement because they favor President Obama’s agenda?
One thing’s for sure: If there is such a thing as dangerous rhetoric, then the media is at least one president too late in reporting the story.
Don’t believe me?
Well, then let’s take a trip down memory lane..."
Click the link to see Evan's 4 minute movie.
And then tell me there is no media bias.
Yeah...right.
"Not too long ago, taking to the streets to protest your government was considered a patriotic act.
It’s true!
But it seems that publicly airing your grievances stopped being patriotic right around noon on January 20th, 2009.
Once President Obama was sworn in, protesting became incitement to violence.
If you’ve opened up a newspaper or watched a cable news program in the past week or so, you’ve probably seen members of the media painting Tea Party activists as dangerous bigots.
That’s because disagreeing with President Obama on issues like government spending and high taxes makes you a racist, you see.
What’s interesting about the media’s latest freak-out is that there were radicals a-plenty under President Bush.
They protested in the streets.
They talked openly about revolution and killing.
But oddly, the violent imagery used by people claiming to be advocates for peace never registered with the media.
They were too busy fawning over Cindy Sheehan.
Why the difference in coverage?
Did the media cheerlead the protests against President Bush to hurt him politically?
Are they trying to marginalize the increasingly powerful Tea Party movement because they favor President Obama’s agenda?
One thing’s for sure: If there is such a thing as dangerous rhetoric, then the media is at least one president too late in reporting the story.
Don’t believe me?
Well, then let’s take a trip down memory lane..."
Click the link to see Evan's 4 minute movie.
And then tell me there is no media bias.
Yeah...right.
Power Line - Evan Coyne Maloney remembers
Power Line - Evan Coyne Maloney remembers
"... During the Bush administration, Evan was out in the field with his camera observing protests and interviewing protesters.
He is therefore in a good position to recall the signs and symbols of the left-wing opposition to the Bush administration's post-9/11 national security policies.
How do they compare to the Tea Party protesters expressing their opposition to Barack Obama's program of national socialism?
Evan has now produced a timely new video splicing together footage that he calls 'A trip down memory lane.'
He describes it as four minutes of nonstop examples of violent imagery and extremist rhetoric employed by left-wing anti-Bush protesters.
He writes: 'For some reason, despite it being well documented at the time by me and many others, the media chose to ignore it.'
Indeed."
"... During the Bush administration, Evan was out in the field with his camera observing protests and interviewing protesters.
He is therefore in a good position to recall the signs and symbols of the left-wing opposition to the Bush administration's post-9/11 national security policies.
How do they compare to the Tea Party protesters expressing their opposition to Barack Obama's program of national socialism?
Evan has now produced a timely new video splicing together footage that he calls 'A trip down memory lane.'
He describes it as four minutes of nonstop examples of violent imagery and extremist rhetoric employed by left-wing anti-Bush protesters.
He writes: 'For some reason, despite it being well documented at the time by me and many others, the media chose to ignore it.'
Indeed."
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
NCAA Final Four and Championship live in 3D At Celebration! Cinema
NCAA Final Four and Championship live in 3D At Celebration! Cinema
"Come watch the Michigan State vs. Butler game LIVE in 3D on April 3rd and the NCAA championship game live in 3D on April 5th!
Tickets for the MSU-Butler final four matchup and the NCAA championship game are on sale below:
Michigan State vs. Butler
Click here to buy tickets for the Michigan State vs. Butler matchup in the Final Four!
NCAA Championship Game
Click here to buy tickets for the NCAA Championship Game!
Additional Info:
Tickets are $20.
There will be a cash bar available for both games."
This is pretty cool!
"Come watch the Michigan State vs. Butler game LIVE in 3D on April 3rd and the NCAA championship game live in 3D on April 5th!
Tickets for the MSU-Butler final four matchup and the NCAA championship game are on sale below:
Michigan State vs. Butler
Click here to buy tickets for the Michigan State vs. Butler matchup in the Final Four!
NCAA Championship Game
Click here to buy tickets for the NCAA Championship Game!
Additional Info:
Tickets are $20.
There will be a cash bar available for both games."
This is pretty cool!
Does MSU really belong among college baskeball elite?
Does MSU really belong among college baskeball elite?
"But think about the track record. Izzo has now taken MSU to consecutive Final Fours TWICE in his career.
Only five other coaches have ever done that.
And only four coaches now have ever gone to more Final Fours than Izzo has."
"But think about the track record. Izzo has now taken MSU to consecutive Final Fours TWICE in his career.
Only five other coaches have ever done that.
And only four coaches now have ever gone to more Final Fours than Izzo has."
The Costs of Expanding Medicaid Will Bankrupt the States
The Costs of Expanding Medicaid Will Bankrupt the States
"One of the central aspects ObamaCare, besides the individual mandate to purchase insurance, is the expansion of Medicaid eligibility to 133 percent of the poverty level.
To entice Democrat lawmakers, especially in the Senate, to vote for this, Senate leaders assured the states that the federal government would cover the costs of the expansion until 2014.
After that, they said, the states would be responsible for paying for 10 percent of the expansion.
According to the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured, the Medicaid expansion would “result in large increases in eligibles in most states and many new enrollees.
Not only would eligibility standards be extended but the individual mandate, though somewhat difficult to enforce at these income levels, will mean that large numbers of both previously eligible and newly eligible people will enroll.”
In other words, costs will go up. A lot."
"One of the central aspects ObamaCare, besides the individual mandate to purchase insurance, is the expansion of Medicaid eligibility to 133 percent of the poverty level.
To entice Democrat lawmakers, especially in the Senate, to vote for this, Senate leaders assured the states that the federal government would cover the costs of the expansion until 2014.
After that, they said, the states would be responsible for paying for 10 percent of the expansion.
According to the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured, the Medicaid expansion would “result in large increases in eligibles in most states and many new enrollees.
Not only would eligibility standards be extended but the individual mandate, though somewhat difficult to enforce at these income levels, will mean that large numbers of both previously eligible and newly eligible people will enroll.”
In other words, costs will go up. A lot."
Obama To Take Over Control of College Textbooks?
Obama To Take Over Control of College Textbooks? « Publius Forum
"National Review quotes George Mason economics professor Donald J. Boudreaux as saying that this act seems to be “a first step toward federal oversight of the contents of college textbooks.”
As proof he points specifically to section C, the publisher requirements section.
"(C) A description of the substantial content revisions made between the current edition of the college textbook or supplemental material and the previous edition, if any."
Why does Obama’s overlords need to know what revisions have been made to a textbook?
This act is supposed to be concerned with pricing and availability, not content… isn’t it?"
"National Review quotes George Mason economics professor Donald J. Boudreaux as saying that this act seems to be “a first step toward federal oversight of the contents of college textbooks.”
As proof he points specifically to section C, the publisher requirements section.
"(C) A description of the substantial content revisions made between the current edition of the college textbook or supplemental material and the previous edition, if any."
Why does Obama’s overlords need to know what revisions have been made to a textbook?
This act is supposed to be concerned with pricing and availability, not content… isn’t it?"
Karl Rove Gets Branded 'War Criminal' At Beverly Hills Book Signing
Karl Rove Gets Branded 'War Criminal' At Beverly Hills Book Signing
"KCAL 9's Dave Bryan was there and said Rove 'was shouted down and forced to leave the stage.'
Another woman screamed at Rove, 'The only comfort I take is that...you're going to rot in hell.'"
"KCAL 9's Dave Bryan was there and said Rove 'was shouted down and forced to leave the stage.'
Another woman screamed at Rove, 'The only comfort I take is that...you're going to rot in hell.'"
Did Lawmakers Play “Race Card” to Smear Protesters?
Did Lawmakers Play “Race Card” to Smear Protesters?
"In one case, there simply is no evidence.
Video shows the congressmen walking to the Capitol, while protesters shouted “Kill the bill!”
No racial slurs can be heard. In another case, emerging facts seem to expose the lie;
Cleaver claimed that a protester spat on him and was arrested, yet Capitol Police spokesman Sgt. Kimberly Schneider said that no arrests were made that day."
"In one case, there simply is no evidence.
Video shows the congressmen walking to the Capitol, while protesters shouted “Kill the bill!”
No racial slurs can be heard. In another case, emerging facts seem to expose the lie;
Cleaver claimed that a protester spat on him and was arrested, yet Capitol Police spokesman Sgt. Kimberly Schneider said that no arrests were made that day."
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