Financial Reform Includes Big Labor Loophole
"Union bosses are expected to use the provision to affect corporate boards to force pension fund investors to obtain more seats on those boards and that means union pension funds will suddenly have more influence on business simply because of their influence in Washington."
Why don't we just give the rest of our companies over to Obama and his union thug comrades?
You know, sorta streamline our entire country.....like Greece.
Important stuff you won't get from the liberal media! We do the surfing so you can be informed AND have a life!
Sunday, May 09, 2010
A tough but essential change for retirees
Stephen Henderson: A tough but essential change for retirees
"The Senate proposal also restored dental and vision coverage for teacher retirees; Granholm had proposed eliminating the coverage."
What!!!!
Retired teachers get free, lifetime dental and vision insurance?!!!!!!!!!!
So, do I have this right?
I don't have dental or vision or ANY health insurance paid by my old employer BUT I must pay even MORE in taxes so teachers won't have to pay for their own insurance.
Is that correct?
This is wrong!
"The Senate proposal also restored dental and vision coverage for teacher retirees; Granholm had proposed eliminating the coverage."
What!!!!
Retired teachers get free, lifetime dental and vision insurance?!!!!!!!!!!
So, do I have this right?
I don't have dental or vision or ANY health insurance paid by my old employer BUT I must pay even MORE in taxes so teachers won't have to pay for their own insurance.
Is that correct?
This is wrong!
Big Lie! Michigan residents' tax burden drops over decade | freep.com | Detroit Free Press
Michigan residents' tax burden drops over decade
"The Senate Fiscal Agency says Michigan residents are seeing a smaller percentage of their personal income go to state taxes.
It says in a recent report that tax burdens have fallen significantly in the state between 1999 and 2009."
This report is a big lie.
Read the truth:
http://muskegonpundit.blogspot.com/2010/05/michigan-tax-burden-growing-or-falling.html
"The Senate Fiscal Agency says Michigan residents are seeing a smaller percentage of their personal income go to state taxes.
It says in a recent report that tax burdens have fallen significantly in the state between 1999 and 2009."
This report is a big lie.
Read the truth:
http://muskegonpundit.blogspot.com/2010/05/michigan-tax-burden-growing-or-falling.html
Brewer has got a beef with Drolet's piggy pal
Brewer has got a beef with Drolet's piggy pal
Detroit Free Press
"Brewer has got a beef with Drolet's piggy pal
Michigan Democratic Party Chairman Mark Brewer -- in a fit of pique or boredom, it was hard to tell which -- announced last week that he had filed a campaign finance complaint against Leon Drolet, the Macomb County anti-tax activist and former Republican legislator now running for state Senate.
Brewer's accusation?
That the giant, trailer-mounted pink pig Drolet hauls around to promote his campaign failed to include the 'paid for by ... ' disclaimer required of campaign signs.
Asked about the charge, Drolet said he believes Brewer has a 'very personal vendetta against Mr. Perks,' the pig's given name. Mr. Perks is not a sign; he is a registered trailer, Drolet said."
Detroit Free Press
"Brewer has got a beef with Drolet's piggy pal
Michigan Democratic Party Chairman Mark Brewer -- in a fit of pique or boredom, it was hard to tell which -- announced last week that he had filed a campaign finance complaint against Leon Drolet, the Macomb County anti-tax activist and former Republican legislator now running for state Senate.
Brewer's accusation?
That the giant, trailer-mounted pink pig Drolet hauls around to promote his campaign failed to include the 'paid for by ... ' disclaimer required of campaign signs.
Asked about the charge, Drolet said he believes Brewer has a 'very personal vendetta against Mr. Perks,' the pig's given name. Mr. Perks is not a sign; he is a registered trailer, Drolet said."
YouTube - L.A. Teacher Calls for Mexican Revolt in the U.S.
YouTube - L.A. Teacher Calls for Mexican Revolt in the U.S.
"Where we now stand is stolen, occupied Mexico"...La Raza rally at UCLA....More gems... StandWithArizona — May 08, 2010 — http://standwitharizona.com/
"Where we now stand is stolen, occupied Mexico"...La Raza rally at UCLA....
More gems: 'Communist Revolution', 'Frail, racist white people', 'La Raza' (the Race), Fidel Castro, 'Northern Front of Latin Revolution'..."40 million...revolutionaries...in the belly of the beast". "Our enemy is Capitalism and Imperialism". Sedition anyone? http://StandWithArizona.com
"Where we now stand is stolen, occupied Mexico"...La Raza rally at UCLA....More gems... StandWithArizona — May 08, 2010 — http://standwitharizona.com/
"Where we now stand is stolen, occupied Mexico"...La Raza rally at UCLA....
More gems: 'Communist Revolution', 'Frail, racist white people', 'La Raza' (the Race), Fidel Castro, 'Northern Front of Latin Revolution'..."40 million...revolutionaries...in the belly of the beast". "Our enemy is Capitalism and Imperialism". Sedition anyone? http://StandWithArizona.com
U.S. Debt Shock May Hit In 2018, Maybe As Soon As 2013: Moody's
U.S. Debt Shock May Hit In 2018, Maybe As Soon As 2013: Moody's
"Spiraling debt is Uncle Sam's shock collar, and its jolt may await like an invisible pet fence.
'Nobody knows when you bump up against the limit, but you know when it happens it will really hurt,'"
"Spiraling debt is Uncle Sam's shock collar, and its jolt may await like an invisible pet fence.
'Nobody knows when you bump up against the limit, but you know when it happens it will really hurt,'"
Saturday, May 08, 2010
We Are Out of Money
We Are Out of Money - Reason Magazine
"According to E.U. rules, member countries cannot maintain budget deficits above 3 percent of gross domestic product; nor can their total debt rise above 60 percent of GDP.
As Veronique de Rugy points out in this issue, the U.S. budget deficit in 2009 was three times the E.U.’s limit, and total debt will zoom past the 60 percent threshold sometime this year.
Washington makes Paris look frugal."
"According to E.U. rules, member countries cannot maintain budget deficits above 3 percent of gross domestic product; nor can their total debt rise above 60 percent of GDP.
As Veronique de Rugy points out in this issue, the U.S. budget deficit in 2009 was three times the E.U.’s limit, and total debt will zoom past the 60 percent threshold sometime this year.
Washington makes Paris look frugal."
Venezuela annual inflation rate hits 30 percent
Venezuela annual inflation rate hits 30 percent
"Venezuela's annual inflation rate has surpassed 30 percent after consumer prices surged in April."
"Venezuela's annual inflation rate has surpassed 30 percent after consumer prices surged in April."
Release the Blagojevich tapes: Target the Chicago '5'
Release the Blagojevich tapes: Target the Chicago '5'
Last week, redacted portions of Blagojevich’s Motion to Subpoena President Obama came to light, indicating that Obama had contacted SEIU labor officials to lobby the Senate seat for Valerie Jarrett.
If true, this would potentially contradict the President’s public statements.
Last week, redacted portions of Blagojevich’s Motion to Subpoena President Obama came to light, indicating that Obama had contacted SEIU labor officials to lobby the Senate seat for Valerie Jarrett.
If true, this would potentially contradict the President’s public statements.
NUGENT: Profile or die
NUGENT: Profile or die
"My name is Ted Nugent, and I profile.
And it is good.
We are sick and tired of the soulless condition of denying factual, clear and present danger in the name of feel-good backpedaling."
"My name is Ted Nugent, and I profile.
And it is good.
We are sick and tired of the soulless condition of denying factual, clear and present danger in the name of feel-good backpedaling."
Stinko de Mayo
EDITORIAL: Stinko de Mayo
"The question is: Who taught these kids to hate America so much?"
"The question is: Who taught these kids to hate America so much?"
4 ways Congress caused the financial crisis
4 ways Congress caused the financial crisis
"Bankers may have rushed to create fancy new securities, but it was legislators who enabled risky behavior by housing giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac — and failed to instill watchdogs like the Federal Reserve and the Securities and Exchange Commission with the backbone needed to rein in risky activities.
In detail, Levine makes these points that illustrate the role of Congress:"
"Bankers may have rushed to create fancy new securities, but it was legislators who enabled risky behavior by housing giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac — and failed to instill watchdogs like the Federal Reserve and the Securities and Exchange Commission with the backbone needed to rein in risky activities.
In detail, Levine makes these points that illustrate the role of Congress:"
Metra boss Phil Pagano's suicide a repeating pageant for Illinois
Kass: Metra boss Phil Pagano's suicide a repeating pageant for Illinois - chicagotribune.com
"When politicos play musical chairs in Illinois, what happens after the music stops and there's no safe place to sit?
There have been four dead in recent years, unrelated cases of suicide, different except for the acts of the common pageant: The corruption investigators call. The music ends abruptly.
Two were done in by guns, one on a beach, the other under a bridge. A third was by pills in a construction trailer.
The fourth came Friday morning during rush hour, announced by that body under that white sheet on the Metra tracks in McHenry County."
oh yeah!
"When politicos play musical chairs in Illinois, what happens after the music stops and there's no safe place to sit?
There have been four dead in recent years, unrelated cases of suicide, different except for the acts of the common pageant: The corruption investigators call. The music ends abruptly.
Two were done in by guns, one on a beach, the other under a bridge. A third was by pills in a construction trailer.
The fourth came Friday morning during rush hour, announced by that body under that white sheet on the Metra tracks in McHenry County."
oh yeah!
Ill. rail chief dies in apparent suicide by train
Ill. rail chief dies in apparent suicide by train
"Pagano was under investigation and that he had been placed on paid administrative leave from his $269,000-a-year job. Metra had hired an attorney to investigate allegations that the Metra executive director of 20 years had received an unauthorized $56,000 bonus."
Let's hope the other government crooks give this a try too.
"Pagano was under investigation and that he had been placed on paid administrative leave from his $269,000-a-year job. Metra had hired an attorney to investigate allegations that the Metra executive director of 20 years had received an unauthorized $56,000 bonus."
Let's hope the other government crooks give this a try too.
State Senator Sylvia Allen responds to SB1070
State Senator Sylvia Allen responds to SB1070 - The Cholla Jumps
"I’m Arizona State Senator Sylvia Allen.
I want to explain SB 1070 for which I voted yes.
Rancher Robert Krentz was murdered by the drug cartel on his ranch a month ago.
I participated in a senate hearing two weeks ago on the border violence, here is just some of the highlights from those who testified."
This is one of the most frightening letters I've ever read.
"I’m Arizona State Senator Sylvia Allen.
I want to explain SB 1070 for which I voted yes.
Rancher Robert Krentz was murdered by the drug cartel on his ranch a month ago.
I participated in a senate hearing two weeks ago on the border violence, here is just some of the highlights from those who testified."
This is one of the most frightening letters I've ever read.
“I never thought I’d be on national TV for wearing an American flag shirt.”
VIDEO: “I never thought I’d be on national TV for wearing an American flag shirt.”
“What seems to elude people in this incident is that everyone has the right to express themselves on every day of the year in the US, and that ’some people may be offended’ is no just cause for censorship.”"
“What seems to elude people in this incident is that everyone has the right to express themselves on every day of the year in the US, and that ’some people may be offended’ is no just cause for censorship.”"
The Greek Economy Explained
The Greek Economy Explained
"In terms of overall ease of doing business, Greece comes in 109 out of 183 countries around the world.
It is dead last among the 27 members of the European Union as well as the advanced economies in the OECD.
You have to go up 30 slots to find the next worst EU performer, Italy. The U.S. ranks fourth and Singapore is first.
At 109, Greece ranks below such models of transparency and free enterprise as Egypt (106), Zambia (90), Rwanda (67) and Kazakhstan (63).
A country has to work hard to do this poorly.
The Doing Business survey reveals an economy that's hostile to free enterprise and private property, primed for corruption, lacking in labor and capital mobility, stifled by powerful trade unions and unlikely to grow without deep-rooted changes."
"In terms of overall ease of doing business, Greece comes in 109 out of 183 countries around the world.
It is dead last among the 27 members of the European Union as well as the advanced economies in the OECD.
You have to go up 30 slots to find the next worst EU performer, Italy. The U.S. ranks fourth and Singapore is first.
At 109, Greece ranks below such models of transparency and free enterprise as Egypt (106), Zambia (90), Rwanda (67) and Kazakhstan (63).
A country has to work hard to do this poorly.
The Doing Business survey reveals an economy that's hostile to free enterprise and private property, primed for corruption, lacking in labor and capital mobility, stifled by powerful trade unions and unlikely to grow without deep-rooted changes."
Friday, May 07, 2010
FOXNews.com - 2 People Shot to Death in Old Navy in Chicago
FOXNews.com - 2 People Shot to Death in Old Navy in Chicago: "Authorities say two people were shot to death at the Old Navy clothing store in the heart of the city's Loop retail corridor.
Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford says a man and a woman were shot inside the store. He says they were dead when emergency responders arrived Friday morning at the scene, just blocks from Chicago's City Hall."
Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford says a man and a woman were shot inside the store. He says they were dead when emergency responders arrived Friday morning at the scene, just blocks from Chicago's City Hall."
MAJOR MEDIA FAIL
MAJOR MEDIA FAIL: Note this poll on Arizona:
The new poll finds 61 percent of voters nationally think Arizona was right to take action instead of waiting for the federal government to do something on immigration.
That’s more than twice as many as the 27 percent who think securing the border is a federal responsibility and Arizona should have waited for Washington to act. . . .
Significantly more voters think the Obama administration should wait and see how the new law works (64 percent) than think the administration should try to stop it (15 percent).
Forget the Arizona bill itself.
What this poll says is that despite weeks of national-media coverage that was unrelentingly negative, calling the bill racist, drawing Nazi analogies, etc. — only 15 percent are really against it.
Sorry guys — you’re still talking, but people aren’t listening.
UPDATE: A reader asks why I didn’t just use the favor/oppose numbers, which support the bill but in a less lopsided way.
Because if the bill is really a racist, Nazi enactment, people should want to actually do something about it, not just register opposition.
Right?"
The new poll finds 61 percent of voters nationally think Arizona was right to take action instead of waiting for the federal government to do something on immigration.
That’s more than twice as many as the 27 percent who think securing the border is a federal responsibility and Arizona should have waited for Washington to act. . . .
Significantly more voters think the Obama administration should wait and see how the new law works (64 percent) than think the administration should try to stop it (15 percent).
Forget the Arizona bill itself.
What this poll says is that despite weeks of national-media coverage that was unrelentingly negative, calling the bill racist, drawing Nazi analogies, etc. — only 15 percent are really against it.
Sorry guys — you’re still talking, but people aren’t listening.
UPDATE: A reader asks why I didn’t just use the favor/oppose numbers, which support the bill but in a less lopsided way.
Because if the bill is really a racist, Nazi enactment, people should want to actually do something about it, not just register opposition.
Right?"
Take Action! Vote on Bridge Boondoggle Looming!
Take Action! Vote on Bridge Boondoggle Looming!
"The Michigan House of Representatives is likely to vote on House Bill 4961 next week. Your State Representative needs to hear from taxpayers like you today to avoid a massive waste of your tax dollars.
The Ambassador Bridge, built and maintained for 80 years by the Detroit International Bridge Company (DIBC), carries one-quarter of all trade between the U.S. and Canada. DIBC has begun a $1 billion project to build a second span using no taxpayer funds.
But the state has sued to stop construction so they can build the Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC) – using taxpayer money only.
Building the DRIC would cost American taxpayers billions of dollars, forcibly relocate hundreds of families and businesses, and be another example of Michigan’s fiscal failure."
"The Michigan House of Representatives is likely to vote on House Bill 4961 next week. Your State Representative needs to hear from taxpayers like you today to avoid a massive waste of your tax dollars.
The Ambassador Bridge, built and maintained for 80 years by the Detroit International Bridge Company (DIBC), carries one-quarter of all trade between the U.S. and Canada. DIBC has begun a $1 billion project to build a second span using no taxpayer funds.
But the state has sued to stop construction so they can build the Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC) – using taxpayer money only.
Building the DRIC would cost American taxpayers billions of dollars, forcibly relocate hundreds of families and businesses, and be another example of Michigan’s fiscal failure."
Butler bummer!
Butler bummer!
"Butler coach Brad Stevens finally got the answer he needed Friday, even if it was bad news.
Star forward Gordon Hayward is heading to the NBA, and Stevens can now turn his full attention toward next season."
"Butler coach Brad Stevens finally got the answer he needed Friday, even if it was bad news.
Star forward Gordon Hayward is heading to the NBA, and Stevens can now turn his full attention toward next season."
Broader U-6 Unemployment Rate Increases to 17.1% in April
Broader U-6 Unemployment Rate Increases to 17.1% in April
The U.S. jobless rate rose to 9.9% in April, the first increase in three months, but the government’s broader measure of unemployment ticked up for the third month in a row, rising 0.2 percentage point to 17.1%.
The hopey changey thing is really workin'...doncah think?
The U.S. jobless rate rose to 9.9% in April, the first increase in three months, but the government’s broader measure of unemployment ticked up for the third month in a row, rising 0.2 percentage point to 17.1%.
The hopey changey thing is really workin'...doncah think?
L.A. Times Declines to Endorse Sen. Boxer in California Primary
L.A. Times Declines to Endorse Sen. Boxer in California Primary
"The editors at the biggest newspaper on the West Coast, who were expected to endorse Sen. Barbara Boxer in her primary campaign against token opposition, have decided to remain neutral, saying the California Democrat doesn't display enough intellectual firepower."
That's gotta hurt....if she knew what "intellectual firepower" meant.
"The editors at the biggest newspaper on the West Coast, who were expected to endorse Sen. Barbara Boxer in her primary campaign against token opposition, have decided to remain neutral, saying the California Democrat doesn't display enough intellectual firepower."
That's gotta hurt....if she knew what "intellectual firepower" meant.
Two People Who Deserve to be Fired
Two People Who Deserve to be Fired - WSJ This Morning
"There are two people who should be out of work for their poor decisions lately."
"There are two people who should be out of work for their poor decisions lately."
Retired Park Township surgeon charged with stealing hotel furniture in Florida
Retired Park Township surgeon charged with stealing hotel furniture in Florida
"A retired surgeon with stately homes in Park Township, Michigan, and affluent East Naples is charged with walking off with about $7,000 worth of furniture and wall art from a hotel."
Interesting story of a fruitcake doctor who has his anger control issues ready as an excuse.
"A retired surgeon with stately homes in Park Township, Michigan, and affluent East Naples is charged with walking off with about $7,000 worth of furniture and wall art from a hotel."
Interesting story of a fruitcake doctor who has his anger control issues ready as an excuse.
JAPAN ACTIVATES the Monju Fast-Breeder Reactor. If we’d started building these in the 1970s, the wo…
JAPAN ACTIVATES the Monju Fast-Breeder Reactor.
If we’d started building these in the 1970s, the world’s energy probems would be largely solved, and carbon emissions would be much lower.
But environmentalists blocked them.
Thanks for nothin’, guys"
If we’d started building these in the 1970s, the world’s energy probems would be largely solved, and carbon emissions would be much lower.
But environmentalists blocked them.
Thanks for nothin’, guys"
......The Clunk in Clunkers
......The Clunk in Clunkers - Counts Consulting, Ltd.
"Ok, on to the issue at hand.
If you run a full service recycling business, did you get in on the Clunker rage last fall?
You know that deal where taxpayers subsidized people who were willing to get rid of a paid-for asset and go in debt for something they already had, which was a running vehicle.
You know that program that cost the U.S. tax payers over $40,000 per vehicle.
If you run a full service recycling business and wonder if you missed out by not jumping in on this deal, be at peace, you made the right decision.
If metal had not gone up recently, it would have put a lot of recyclers out of business and it still may be the beginning of the whirlpool for others.
If you are wondering why I'm writing about something that has already happened, then be advised that the administration is thinking about doing this again!
Therefore, I would like to see recyclers have a plan if this comes our way in the future."
Read this excellent article!
(HT ClunkerKing)
"Ok, on to the issue at hand.
If you run a full service recycling business, did you get in on the Clunker rage last fall?
You know that deal where taxpayers subsidized people who were willing to get rid of a paid-for asset and go in debt for something they already had, which was a running vehicle.
You know that program that cost the U.S. tax payers over $40,000 per vehicle.
If you run a full service recycling business and wonder if you missed out by not jumping in on this deal, be at peace, you made the right decision.
If metal had not gone up recently, it would have put a lot of recyclers out of business and it still may be the beginning of the whirlpool for others.
If you are wondering why I'm writing about something that has already happened, then be advised that the administration is thinking about doing this again!
Therefore, I would like to see recyclers have a plan if this comes our way in the future."
Read this excellent article!
(HT ClunkerKing)
MEA-owned insurance carrier using rate hikes to replenish coffers?
Hello Michigan: MEA-owned insurance carrier using rate hikes to replenish coffers?
"MEA-owned insurance carrier using rate hikes to replenish coffers?
WOW!!! What a deal for the Teachers Union.
Let me see, WE paid into their retirement fund and WE paid for their insurance, and WE pay their salaries.
Now because MESSA, the NEA Teachers Union lost money in the market, we get to cover their losses for them???"
"MEA-owned insurance carrier using rate hikes to replenish coffers?
WOW!!! What a deal for the Teachers Union.
Let me see, WE paid into their retirement fund and WE paid for their insurance, and WE pay their salaries.
Now because MESSA, the NEA Teachers Union lost money in the market, we get to cover their losses for them???"
Athens or Washington, It's the Size of Government
RealClearPolitics - Athens or Washington, It's the Size of Government
"This is more than a financial crisis.
This is a national meltdown.
And while facile comparisons to the U.S. must be avoided, there are nonetheless lessons for us --particularly in light of the direction the Democratic Party wants to travel."
"This is more than a financial crisis.
This is a national meltdown.
And while facile comparisons to the U.S. must be avoided, there are nonetheless lessons for us --particularly in light of the direction the Democratic Party wants to travel."
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