School Employee Concessions in Utica Don't Add Up [Mackinac Center]
"The Macomb Daily reported recently that teachers in Utica Community Schools agreed to $6 million in employee concessions.
On the surface, this appears to be a major step towards helping the district balance its budget.
In fact, these concessions won't help all that much.
Employee compensation granted to members of the Utica Education Association consumes about 70 percent of the school district's entire operating budget.
Yet the concession trimming $6 million from that expense only nibbles at the $33 million in overspending the district has created.
Therefore, 82 percent of the budget cuts must come from the remaining 30 percent of the budget.
An apt chart produced by the Port Huron School Board illustrates the problem, which is that teacher compensation gobbles up the lion's share of district spending and comes at the expense of other necessary services.
Just like the rest of the world, school districts have scare resources and must prioritize how to allocate them.
In this case, smaller concessions from the teachers union means larger cuts to other necessities and to programs like art, music and athletics."
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Michigan proposed resolution opposes Arizona immigration law, urges boycott
Michigan proposed resolution opposes Arizona immigration law, urges boycott - FOX 17: "Michigan opponents of anti-immigration legislation are trying to raise the profile of their campaign.
Democratic state Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Detroit says Tuesday she is introducing a resolution urging Arizona to repeal a recently enacted law empowering local police to question anyone they suspect of being in the country illegally. The resolution also urges Michigan organizations not to do business in or with Arizona."
I sure hope that nice lady, and her democrat party, get their chance to publicly vote!
Democratic state Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Detroit says Tuesday she is introducing a resolution urging Arizona to repeal a recently enacted law empowering local police to question anyone they suspect of being in the country illegally. The resolution also urges Michigan organizations not to do business in or with Arizona."
I sure hope that nice lady, and her democrat party, get their chance to publicly vote!
Why is College Tuition Rising 2X Rate of Inflation?
CARPE DIEM: Why is College Tuition Rising 2X Rate of Inflation?
"What an amazing story: full-time tenured and tenure-track faculty outnumbered full-time administrators in 2001 at UM-Flint by 11 positions - 171 faculty vs. 160 administrators.
By 2009, the administrators outnumbered full-time faculty by 109 positions - 278 administrators vs. 169 tenured and tenure-track faculty!"
"What an amazing story: full-time tenured and tenure-track faculty outnumbered full-time administrators in 2001 at UM-Flint by 11 positions - 171 faculty vs. 160 administrators.
By 2009, the administrators outnumbered full-time faculty by 109 positions - 278 administrators vs. 169 tenured and tenure-track faculty!"
Up and away! World's largest airship lifts off for the first time
"Although the airship only has a top speed of 80MPH it can take-off and land vertically.
The craft is also able to hover over an area for up to a week at a time - something neither airplanes or satellites cannot manage."
a comment that is interesting:
Hydrogen does not have twice the lifting power of helium, it has only about 8% more. You have to look at the difference between the density of the gas and the medium that the airship is floating in. If you had a gas with zero density (i.e. a vacuum in a rigid container), it would not have infinite lifting power, just slightly more than helium or hydrogen.
On the other hand, there's something to be said for the notion that we should conserve helium, because in the long run it's going to be hard to come by, because there's no way to produce it chemically and when let loose, it escapes from the atmosphere. It's unique among the elements in this regard.
There could come a day when we'll need a lot of it (for fusion, cryogenics, or whatever), and we'll be wishing we hadn't squandered it.
Airships are not really the big problem, but toy balloons for kids waste a lot.
- J-J Cote, Lunenburg, MA, USA, 22/5/2010 15:55Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1279831/Up-away-Worlds-largest-airship-lifts-time.html?ito=feeds-newsxml#ixzz0oxIEw8Xo
Private pay shrinks to historic lows
Private pay shrinks to historic lows - USATODAY.com
"Paychecks from private business shrank to their smallest share of personal income in U.S. history during the first quarter of this year, a USA TODAY analysis of government data finds...
.....The trend is not sustainable, says University of Michigan economist Donald Grimes.
Reason: The federal government depends on private wages to generate income taxes to pay for its ever-more-expensive programs. Government-generated income is taxed at lower rates or not at all, he says.
"This is really important," Grimes says."
This same trend is happening in just about every city, county and state budget in our country.
The government grows and the private sector shrinks.
"Paychecks from private business shrank to their smallest share of personal income in U.S. history during the first quarter of this year, a USA TODAY analysis of government data finds...
Reason: The federal government depends on private wages to generate income taxes to pay for its ever-more-expensive programs. Government-generated income is taxed at lower rates or not at all, he says.
"This is really important," Grimes says."
This same trend is happening in just about every city, county and state budget in our country.
The government grows and the private sector shrinks.
Europe Debt Crisis - Greece 'Tip of the Iceberg'
Europe Debt Crisis - Greece 'Tip of the Iceberg': Deputy Doom - CNBC
"The debt crisis is a game changer for the market and Europe is now at risk of heading into a double-dip recession, Arnab Das, managing director of market research and strategy at Roubini Global Economics told CNBC Monday."
"The debt crisis is a game changer for the market and Europe is now at risk of heading into a double-dip recession, Arnab Das, managing director of market research and strategy at Roubini Global Economics told CNBC Monday."
New Facts Exposed in Hangar42 Investigation
New Facts Exposed in Hangar42 Investigation [Mackinac Center]
"Knape also confirmed that the current owner of the property is planning to use the subsidy money received by the buyer to pay for renovation work that has already been performed by contractors.
At least some of the contractors have not been paid and have filed six liens against the property, one of them for $228,000."
"Knape also confirmed that the current owner of the property is planning to use the subsidy money received by the buyer to pay for renovation work that has already been performed by contractors.
At least some of the contractors have not been paid and have filed six liens against the property, one of them for $228,000."
Volt of hope: Can electric car recharge General Motors, Michigan and US auto industry? | -
Volt of hope: Can electric car recharge General Motors, Michigan and US auto industry?
Nice car.
But where will the electricity to power it come from?
Nice car.
But where will the electricity to power it come from?
State Taxpayers Eat $350K Loan for East Lansing Property Purchase
State Taxpayers Eat $350K Loan for East Lansing Property Purchase [Mackinac Center]
"The East Lansing Downtown Development Authority bought the building from Brad Ballein.
At the time of the sale, Ballein's father, Howard Ballein, was serving on the DDA, the son said.
Today, Brad Ballein serves on the DDA."
"The East Lansing Downtown Development Authority bought the building from Brad Ballein.
At the time of the sale, Ballein's father, Howard Ballein, was serving on the DDA, the son said.
Today, Brad Ballein serves on the DDA."
Tax tricks: Michigan service tax defended by phantom facts
Tax tricks: Michigan service tax defended by phantom facts - The Oakland Press Opinion
"Indeed, enacting a service tax would make Michigan unusual.
According to the Washington, D.C.-based Tax Foundation, only five other states generally tax services: Hawaii, New Mexico, Mississippi, South Dakota and West Virginia (not all of them state this explicitly in their statutes).
These states make it possible to check whether a service tax would live up to its promises of stability and better reflect the changing economy.
As it stands, states with a service tax have actually experienced a relative decline in sales tax revenue."
"Indeed, enacting a service tax would make Michigan unusual.
According to the Washington, D.C.-based Tax Foundation, only five other states generally tax services: Hawaii, New Mexico, Mississippi, South Dakota and West Virginia (not all of them state this explicitly in their statutes).
These states make it possible to check whether a service tax would live up to its promises of stability and better reflect the changing economy.
As it stands, states with a service tax have actually experienced a relative decline in sales tax revenue."
Many not ready for college, costing Texas $200 million a year- Houston Chronicle
Many not ready for college, costing Texas $200 million a year Houston & Texas News Chron.com - Houston Chronicle
"It has been the dirty little secret of higher education for decades: Tens of thousands of college students can't do the work."
"Higher" education in America is about to be exposed as the scam it is.
"It has been the dirty little secret of higher education for decades: Tens of thousands of college students can't do the work."
"Higher" education in America is about to be exposed as the scam it is.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Rent Control Is a Vanishing New York Treasure
The Appraisal - Rent Control Is a Vanishing New York Treasure - NYTimes.com
"He is John Burke, a 65-year-old paying $288 a month for a studio at 218 East 84th Street"
Treasure for pirates does come at a cost.
"He is John Burke, a 65-year-old paying $288 a month for a studio at 218 East 84th Street"
Treasure for pirates does come at a cost.
British Airways cabin crew begin 5-day strike
My Way News - British Airways cabin crew begin 5-day strike
"British Airways cabin crews began a five-day strike Monday to protest cost-cutting changes at the loss-making airline, forcing it to scrap almost half its flights out of London's Heathrow Airport."
Unions...ya just gotta love 'em......
"British Airways cabin crews began a five-day strike Monday to protest cost-cutting changes at the loss-making airline, forcing it to scrap almost half its flights out of London's Heathrow Airport."
Unions...ya just gotta love 'em......
A thug too far, part 2
Power Line - A thug too far, part 2:
Nina Easton's account of the SEIU demonstration that terrorized the son of her next-door neighbor -- the deputy general counsel of Bank of America -- has drawn remarkably little attention.
That's the way that SEIU wanted it;"
Nina Easton's account of the SEIU demonstration that terrorized the son of her next-door neighbor -- the deputy general counsel of Bank of America -- has drawn remarkably little attention.
That's the way that SEIU wanted it;"
Teachers Seek $23b- Lifeline or Bailout?
Teachers Seek $23b- Lifeline or Bailout? « Liveshots
"Education Secretary Arne Duncan is asking lawmakers to put aside “politics and ideology” as they consider a request for $23 billion in “emergency” funding for public schools – a measure Republicans reject as a massive federal bailout for the teachers’ unions."
....Find out how much this program costs you by using Fox News' Taxpayer Calculator.
"Education Secretary Arne Duncan is asking lawmakers to put aside “politics and ideology” as they consider a request for $23 billion in “emergency” funding for public schools – a measure Republicans reject as a massive federal bailout for the teachers’ unions."
....Find out how much this program costs you by using Fox News' Taxpayer Calculator.
The 10 Best Graduation Speeches of All Time
"Woody Hayes, Former Football Coach, Ohio StateOhio State (1986)
Woody Hayes, who won three national titles and 13 Big Ten championships in 28 years as head coach at Ohio State, offered some sage advice from the field on toughening up – and facing your worst enemy.
“In football we always said that the other team couldn't beat us.
We had to be sure that we didn't beat ourselves. And that's what people have to do, too--make sure they don't beat themselves.
“... you'll find out that nothing that comes easy is worth a dime.
As a matter of fact, I never saw a football player make a tackle with a smile on his face.
Never.”
Read The Full Transcript
Impatience with patients who won't die
HAGELIN: Impatience with patients who won't die - Washington Times
"Final goodbyes are just that — final.
I'll always be grateful that Dad's didn't come on someone else's schedule."
"Final goodbyes are just that — final.
I'll always be grateful that Dad's didn't come on someone else's schedule."
Listverse Top 50 Jokes
Listverse Top 50 Jokes - Top 10 Lists Listverse
4. Three kids come down to the kitchen and sit around the breakfast table.
The mother asks the oldest boy what he’d like to eat.
“I’ll have some fuckin’ French toast,” he says.
The mother is outraged at his language, hits him, and sends him upstairs.
She asks the middle child what he wants.
“Well, I guess that leaves more fuckin’ French toast for me,” he says.
She is livid, smacks him, and sends him away.
Finally she asks the youngest son what he wants for breakfast.
“I don’t know,” he says meekly, “but I definitely don’t want the fuckin’ French toast.”
4. Three kids come down to the kitchen and sit around the breakfast table.
The mother asks the oldest boy what he’d like to eat.
“I’ll have some fuckin’ French toast,” he says.
The mother is outraged at his language, hits him, and sends him upstairs.
She asks the middle child what he wants.
“Well, I guess that leaves more fuckin’ French toast for me,” he says.
She is livid, smacks him, and sends him away.
Finally she asks the youngest son what he wants for breakfast.
“I don’t know,” he says meekly, “but I definitely don’t want the fuckin’ French toast.”
Pete Hoekstra: State made mistake denying air quality permit to Wolverine Power Cooperative
Pete Hoekstra: State made mistake denying air quality permit to Wolverine Power Cooperative - MLive.com
"The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE) issued a long-overdue decision today that epitomizes everything wrong with the bureaucracy in Michigan the past seven years, and just how much Lansing is lacking leadership.
Specifically, DNRE denied an air quality permit to Wolverine Power Cooperative -- a generation and transmission electric cooperative headquartered in Cadillac, Michigan. Wolverine seeks to build a new power plant utilizing clean coal technology.
The decision took over two years!"
"The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE) issued a long-overdue decision today that epitomizes everything wrong with the bureaucracy in Michigan the past seven years, and just how much Lansing is lacking leadership.
Specifically, DNRE denied an air quality permit to Wolverine Power Cooperative -- a generation and transmission electric cooperative headquartered in Cadillac, Michigan. Wolverine seeks to build a new power plant utilizing clean coal technology.
The decision took over two years!"
The Seven Dumbest Deaths in Recorded History
The Seven Dumbest Deaths in Recorded History Crystal Kiss - Strange News and more...
"Jerome Irving Rodale:
Founding father of the organic food movement, creator of “Organic Farming and Gardening” magazine, and founder of Rodale Press, a major publishing corporation.
How he died: On the “Dick Cavett Show”, while discussing the benefits of organic foods.
Rodale, who bragged “I’m going to live to be 100 unless I’m run down by a sugar-crazed taxi driver,” was only 72 when he appeared on the “Dick Cavett Show” in January 1971.
Part way through the interview, he dropped dead in his chair.
Cause of death: heart attack.
The show was never aired."
"Jerome Irving Rodale:
Founding father of the organic food movement, creator of “Organic Farming and Gardening” magazine, and founder of Rodale Press, a major publishing corporation.
How he died: On the “Dick Cavett Show”, while discussing the benefits of organic foods.
Rodale, who bragged “I’m going to live to be 100 unless I’m run down by a sugar-crazed taxi driver,” was only 72 when he appeared on the “Dick Cavett Show” in January 1971.
Part way through the interview, he dropped dead in his chair.
Cause of death: heart attack.
The show was never aired."
Obama's Nominee to Run Medicare: 'The Decision is Not Whether or Not We Will Ration Care--The Decision is Whether We Will Ration Care With Our Eyes Open'
CNSNews.com - Obama's Nominee to Run Medicare:
'The Decision is Not Whether or Not We Will Ration Care--The Decision is Whether We Will Ration Care With Our Eyes Open'
'The Decision is Not Whether or Not We Will Ration Care--The Decision is Whether We Will Ration Care With Our Eyes Open'
CARPE DIEM: Top Recipients of Public Pensions in New York Would Rank as 178th Largest Economy in World
CARPE DIEM: Top Recipients of Public Pensions in New York Would Rank as 178th Largest Economy in World
"MP:
There are more than 22 retirees receiving more than $200,000 per year, and one receiving more than $300,000.
In total, New York taxpayers are paying more than $370 million per year to just this partial group of retired New York public workers, which doesn't include those receiving less than $100,000 per year and doesn't include New York firefighters.
If this group of retired workers on the NY Times list was considered as a separate national economy, it would rank as the 178th largest country in the world by GDP."
"MP:
There are more than 22 retirees receiving more than $200,000 per year, and one receiving more than $300,000.
In total, New York taxpayers are paying more than $370 million per year to just this partial group of retired New York public workers, which doesn't include those receiving less than $100,000 per year and doesn't include New York firefighters.
If this group of retired workers on the NY Times list was considered as a separate national economy, it would rank as the 178th largest country in the world by GDP."
Feeding America's twilight
Feeding America's twilight - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
"Here are just a few of the scores of examples:
• House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called ObamaCare 'an entrepreneurial bill' that should encourage Americans to be 'creative,' and be, say, 'a musician.'
Quit your job, she urged; 'focus on your talent' and don't worry about not having health care.
Perhaps that's because other hardworking, tax-paying schmucks are paying for this freeloader's socialist care?"
"Here are just a few of the scores of examples:
• House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called ObamaCare 'an entrepreneurial bill' that should encourage Americans to be 'creative,' and be, say, 'a musician.'
Quit your job, she urged; 'focus on your talent' and don't worry about not having health care.
Perhaps that's because other hardworking, tax-paying schmucks are paying for this freeloader's socialist care?"
Greek PM blames ’speculators’ for financial crisis, calls for transition to ‘green economy’
Greek PM blames ’speculators’ for financial crisis, calls for transition to ‘green economy’ Washington Examiner
"For every green job created by the Iberian nation’s massive investment in renewable energy, that transfer of wealth to uneconomic activities cost the economy 2.2 jobs in opportunity cost, as well as direct job losses thanks to the increased cost of electricity"
"For every green job created by the Iberian nation’s massive investment in renewable energy, that transfer of wealth to uneconomic activities cost the economy 2.2 jobs in opportunity cost, as well as direct job losses thanks to the increased cost of electricity"
State aims to change negative perceptions of welfare recipients
State aims to change negative perceptions of welfare recipients - MLive.com
"The state is on a campaign to reduce negative perceptions about those who need welfare, saying the stigma tarnishes the program and keeps people from getting help."
No problems.
Our state has oodles of extra Obama-stash and this expense is waay better than fixing roads, more cops or lower taxes for businesses.
I sure hope we begin a similar program to reduce our negative perceptions about those who vote for and create these programs, politicians.
"The state is on a campaign to reduce negative perceptions about those who need welfare, saying the stigma tarnishes the program and keeps people from getting help."
No problems.
Our state has oodles of extra Obama-stash and this expense is waay better than fixing roads, more cops or lower taxes for businesses.
I sure hope we begin a similar program to reduce our negative perceptions about those who vote for and create these programs, politicians.
President Obama Deeply Connected To Organizers Of Recent Angry Street Mob Actions
President Obama Deeply Connected To Organizers Of Recent Angry Street Mob Actions - Big Government
"President Barack Obama and his administration, is shamefully deeply connected to the people and organizations that recently organized street mob protests, terrifying a teenage child in his own home, and storming bank buildings (violating how many Federal laws?) in a show of uncivil disobedience (intimidation)."
"President Barack Obama and his administration, is shamefully deeply connected to the people and organizations that recently organized street mob protests, terrifying a teenage child in his own home, and storming bank buildings (violating how many Federal laws?) in a show of uncivil disobedience (intimidation)."
Coral snake antivenin supply running out
Coral snake antivenin supply running out
"The bad news is that the one manufacturer that made the stuff is no longer making it. Come October, the last batch of coral snake antivenin hits its expiration date.
So little antivenin is used through the course of a year it isn't profitable for drug companies to invest millions of dollars in studies, tests and manufacturing."
"The bad news is that the one manufacturer that made the stuff is no longer making it. Come October, the last batch of coral snake antivenin hits its expiration date.
So little antivenin is used through the course of a year it isn't profitable for drug companies to invest millions of dollars in studies, tests and manufacturing."
Health Care Law
Health Care Law - Rasmussen Reports™
"A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 63% of U.S. voters now favor repeal of the plan passed by congressional Democrats and signed into law by President Obama in March."
"A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 63% of U.S. voters now favor repeal of the plan passed by congressional Democrats and signed into law by President Obama in March."
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