Sunday, June 13, 2010

Pension Plans Go Broke as Public Payrolls Expand

Pension Plans Go Broke as Public Payrolls Expand: Joe Mysak - Bloomberg.com
ven states will run out of money to pay public pensions by 2020.
That hasn’t stopped them from hiring new employees."

That's because the politicians think we will simply accept more tax increases.

Will we?

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Friday night news dump: White House says 51 percent of company health plans won't meet Obamacare guidelines

Friday night news dump: White House says 51 percent of company health plans won't meet Obamacare guidelines Washington Examiner
"Internal White House documents reveal that 51% of employers may have to relinquish their current health care coverage by 2013 due to ObamaCare.

That numbers soars to 66% for small-business employers."

Cash-poor NY state may issue IOUs like California

Cash-poor NY state may issue IOUs like California Reuters
"Cash-poor New York state might have to pay its bills with IOUs next week to avoid the 'anarchy in the streets' that could result from a government shutdown, Governor David Paterson said on Thursday."

Friday, June 11, 2010

Why Is Dick Cheney Silent on the Oil Spill?

Why Is Dick Cheney Silent on the Oil Spill? - Newsweek
"When the Obama administration, or the media, or just about anybody contradicts Dick Cheney's views on national security, he is far from shy about responding.
But facing a firestorm of criticism over the oil spill, he's been notably silent."

Oh please!
No wonder this rag is broke and soon to be gone for good.

This is the age of war between the generationsine

This is the age of war between the generations Anatole Kaletsky - Times Online
"This is the age of war between the generations
Never mind the credit crunch, it’s all those retiring baby-boomers who threaten us with national bankruptcy"

Jeepers, the boomers are doing the spending?
I thought it was congress/senate/Obama.
Who'd of guessed?

Director of Michigan Film Office retiring as criticism grows over movie incentives

Director of Michigan Film Office retiring as criticism grows over movie incentives MLive.com
"More recently, questions were raised over film infrastructure tax credits, including a proposed $10 million credit tied to Walker's Hangar42 Studios project inside the former Lear auto-parts plant, 2150 Alpine Ave. NW.

Lockwood's office gave initial approval to the $10 million rebate based on a claim of a $40 million investment in the studio.
Critics point out the site was listed for sale for less than $10 million just weeks before that application, with little proof of major renovations or other investment since.

Efforts by The Press, The Mackinac Center for Public Policy and other media outlets to find out more about that deal -- including whether the $10 million check was cut -- were turned away by the film office and Michigan Department of Treasury.
They said it was illegal for them to share taxpayer information with the public."

More gangster government from the Granholm gangsters.
I wonder what the pension is for our disgraced, departed, doyenne of drama disbursements?

How'd you like a six-figure pension? Work for the government

How'd you like a six-figure pension? Work for the government
"'In Yonkers, more than 100 retired police officers and firefighters are collecting pensions greater than their pay when they were working.

One of the youngest, Hugo Tassone, retired at 44 with a base pay of about $74,000 a year.

His pension is now $101,333 a year...."

Oxford Schools: Saving Money and Improving Service

Oxford Schools: Saving Money and Improving Service [Mackinac Center]
"In the Oxford Community Schools this year, the classrooms were cleaned every other day due to attrition in the unionized ranks of the custodial staff.
Starting next year, the classrooms will be cleaned every day, they will have nine extra custodians, and the school district will save $5 million over the next five years, according to school officials."

Saving money and improving service.
It can be done.
It ain't rocket sturgery.

Gangster sports!

My Way - Sports News: "Masoli's trouble comes in an offseason littered with player transgressions."

Look at the list of thuggery!

Hollywood Aid-Elite Conspicuously Absent from Gulf Disaster

Hollywood Aid-Elite Conspicuously Absent from Gulf Disaster at Deceiver.com
"In case you hadn’t noticed, your much-beloved Gulf Coast is awash in oil. An entire ecosystem is decimated, people are out of work, beaches are oozing thick, black gunk . . . seriously people, it’s a frickin’ disaster down there."

College conference realignment the talk of the sports world

College conference realignment the talk of the sports world khou.com Houston Sports News and Scores KHOU.com:
"The Big Ten started it off by exploring plans to expand, an effort it hoped would add more eyes to its successful cable network"

It's all about money and money only.
And every cable TV viewer will pay.
Especially those who NEVER watch the Big 10 network.

Pelosi: We'll stop blaming Bush when problems go away

Pelosi: We'll stop blaming Bush when problems go away - The Hill's Blog Briefing Room
"Democrats will keep blaming George W. Bush until the problems from his administration end, according to Speaker Nancy Pelosi."

Obama Orders Dance Classes, Movie Nights, and Bingo for Illegal Detainees

American Thinker Blog: Obama Orders Dance Classes, Movie Nights, and Bingo for Illegal Detainees

"Some of the changes the White House is ordering include:
§ dance classes
§ movie nights
§ art classes
§ cooking classes
§ tutoring and computer training
§ free and unmonitored phone service
§ free email access
§ bingo
§ arts and crafts
§ more variety in dining options
§ self-serve beverage stations
§ fresh vegetable bars
§ fresh carrot sticks
§ hanging plants
§ recreation in natural setting
§ robust aerobic exercise"

Panel commissioned by Barney Frank recommends nearly $1T in defense cuts - TheHill.com

Panel commissioned by Barney Frank recommends nearly $1T in defense cuts - TheHill.com

The Neomarxist who is helping to influence Obama’s media policy

The Neomarxist who is helping to influence Obama’s media policy The Daily Caller
“Only government can implement policies and subsidies to provide an institutional framework for quality journalism.” Does that statement give you chills?

How about this one: “The news is not a commercial product. It is a public good, necessary for a self-governing society. Once we accept this, we can talk about the kind of media policies and subsidies we want.”

Or this one? “In the end, there is no real answer but to remove brick-by-brick the capitalist system itself, rebuilding the entire society on socialist principles.”"

National Debt Now Tops American Fears

National Debt Now Tops American Fears The Foundry: Conservative Policy News.
"Americans judge the national debt on par with terrorism as the top threat facing the nation."

Detroit Book

Detroit Book : MITCH COPE
"7 CONTEMPORARY DETROIT PHOTOGRAPHERS

Detroit is one of the most visually interesting cities in the world however it is also one of the most misunderstood and misrepresented cities.

This group of photographs illustrates what contemporary Detroit artists have been doing in regards to developing an understanding and appreciation for this complex and diverse city from street portraits of the “survivors” to the landscapes of wild new growth to the industrial"

Conversation with Campaign Volunteer

Hello Michigan: Conversation with Campaign Volunteer
"Last night I had the most delightful conversation with a young man who was out going door to door campaigning for Mary Valentine, Candidate for Michigan State Senate, 34th District.
That would be my district."

I wonder if this volunteer will ultimately vote for Valentine after talking to Rose.....I suspect not.

Jackson County woman jailed for year for biting off sister's nose

Jackson County woman jailed for year for biting off sister's nose Detroit Free Press
"Bobbie Smith first was charged with assault with intent to do great bodily harm, and with mayhem, a charge that involves mutilating someone's nose.

She brought her two children to court Thursday, telling Circuit Judge Thomas Wilson they depend on her.
She expressed surprise when he jailed her."

Say what?

Deadly solar storm in 2012?

TVKim- Watching: Kim's Picks- Deadly solar storm in 2012?
"Deadly solar storm in 2012?
There are plenty of fanciful doomsday predictions surrounding 2012.

But there may be a plausible threat you've never considered.
The sun produces solar storms on a regular basis.
The energy accompanying these storms can knock out electronic devices.
The last big one hit us in 1859.
But we're due for another strike in, you guessed it, 2012.
Is all the technology we rely on vulnerable?"

President demonstrates his dog-walking skills

President demonstrates his dog-walking skills A Pets Chronicle PetsHouston.com

Too funny!

Too pathetic!

Thursday, June 10, 2010

US Liquidity Crisis Coming in 2 Years

Mad Money's Jim Cramer: Senator Coburn: US Liquidity Crisis Coming in 2 Years – Unless… - CNBC
"Cramer is worried that the US could be in a tough position when all of the short-term debt it has been selling to finance its budget comes due in one, two or three years, and the country is forced to refinance at much higher rates."

Were You Fooled By The Biggest Hoax Ever

Irish Examiner USA: Were You Fooled By The Biggest Hoax Ever - Global Warming?
"Being taken for a fool was never an easy thing to admit and when it came to the biggest, most expensive hoax ever committed on modern man, even the brightest people were taken in, especially if they were of a liberal mindset."

SOLD OUT OF HAYEK

SOLD OUT OF HAYEK:
“I just got off the phone with Stephanie Hlywak of the U. of Chicago Press and it’s official — the U. of Chicago Press is SOLD OUT of copies of Friedrich Hayek’s classic The Road to Serfdom after selling over 13,000 copies in less than 24 hours, after the broadcast of Glenn Beck’s show on Hayek and his timeless book.”"

I have mine.

Read it too.

Thanks Cal!

Obama's federal spending doubletalk

Obama's federal spending doubletalk Washington Examiner
' Well, pardon us, please, for being the skunk at the party, but why should anybody take seriously any of these White House PR campaigns to make Obama look responsible on the spending issue?

After all, in less than two years in the Oval Office, Obama had added more than $4 trillion to scheduled federal spending, driven the annual budget deficit from $467 billion in 2008 to nearly $1.6 trillion in 2010, and pushed the national debt from $10.6 trillion to more than $13 trillion."

Should Michigan tax soda to curb childhood obesity?

Should Michigan tax soda to curb childhood obesity? MLive.com

It's for the children...right?

Debt Spreading 'Like a Cancer'

Debt Spreading 'Like a Cancer': Black Swan Author - CNBC
"The economic situation today is drastically worse than a couple years ago, and the euro is doomed as a concept, Nassim Taleb, professor and author of the bestselling book 'The Black Swan,' told CNBC on Thursday.

'We had less debt cumulatively (two years ago), and more people employed.

Today, we have more risk in the system, and a smaller tax base,' Taleb said.

'Banks balance sheets are just as bad as they were' two years ago when the crisis began and 'the quality of the risks hasn't improved,' he added."

G.M. Proposes Leaving a Car’s Popular Nickname in the Dust

G.M. Proposes Leaving a Car’s Popular Nickname in the Dust - NYTimes.com
"And one way to present a consistent brand message, the memo suggested, is to stop saying “Chevy,” though the word is one of the world’s best-known, longest-lived product nicknames.

“We’d ask that whether you’re talking to a dealer, reviewing dealer advertising, or speaking with friends and family, that you communicate our brand as Chevrolet moving forward,”"

Government Motors?

Dems may raid funds to pay teachers

Dems may raid funds to pay teachers - David Rogers - POLITICO.com
"Crossing a line they had hoped to avoid, Democrats are now actively discussing budget options that would mean going back into last year’s Recovery Act and redirecting billions in unspent stimulus funds to more pressing needs, such as averting threatened layoffs of public school teachers next fall."

Michigan ranked 5th nationwide in foreclosures for May

Michigan ranked 5th nationwide in foreclosures for May Detroit Free Press
"Michigan's foreclosure rate continued to outpace the national rate in May."