How Americans Are Overtaxed to Overpay the Civil Service The Heritage Foundation
"Salaries and benefits—for identical jobs—are 30 percent to 40 percent higher in the federal government than in the private sector."
Thursday, July 08, 2010
A Bigger, Badder IRS: Brought to You by Obamacare
A Bigger, Badder IRS: Brought to You by Obamacare - Daniel Foster - The Corner on National Review Online
"The advocate estimates this will affect 40 million businesses, including 26 million sole-proprietorships.
And why is this tax reporting stuff even in a health-care bill?
To help fund it, that's why.
To help Pelosi and Reid and Obama get the faux deficit score they needed, the measure is expected to raise $13.7 billion over ten years — that's before administrative and discretionary costs, which will add another $115 billion or so to the bill's official price tag in the next decade."
"The advocate estimates this will affect 40 million businesses, including 26 million sole-proprietorships.
And why is this tax reporting stuff even in a health-care bill?
To help fund it, that's why.
To help Pelosi and Reid and Obama get the faux deficit score they needed, the measure is expected to raise $13.7 billion over ten years — that's before administrative and discretionary costs, which will add another $115 billion or so to the bill's official price tag in the next decade."
It wouldn’t be real financial reform if it didn’t create 20 new federal diversity agencies
It wouldn’t be real financial reform if it didn’t create 20 new federal diversity agencies Washington Examiner
"The Dodd-Frank financial reform bill creates “Offices of Minority and Women Inclusion” in 20 different government and quasi-government institutions"
"The Dodd-Frank financial reform bill creates “Offices of Minority and Women Inclusion” in 20 different government and quasi-government institutions"
The patriotism gap
EDITORIAL: The patriotism gap - Washington Times
"A new survey shows that Americans, on average, are growing more patriotic.
Among some predominantly liberal groups, however, patriotism is on the decline, and the gap between the left and the American public is widening.
The two sides of the chasm reflect two distinct views of the United States."
"A new survey shows that Americans, on average, are growing more patriotic.
Among some predominantly liberal groups, however, patriotism is on the decline, and the gap between the left and the American public is widening.
The two sides of the chasm reflect two distinct views of the United States."
The black klan
The black klan - Washington Times: "By Ted Nugent
Christian Adams, a former Department of Justice (DOJ) attorney, is blowing his we-the-people whistle on DOJ (Devils Oblivious to Justice) after it dropped all charges against the members of the New Black Panther Klan who were blatantly and irrefutably guilty of voter intimidation in Philadelphia in 2008.
The egregious, craven tactics of the New Black Panther Party Klan were caught on video.
One of the racist punks is carrying a pipe or stick of some type with the clear intent of intimidating voters attempting to enter the Philadelphia voting location.
Dumb power, baby."
Christian Adams, a former Department of Justice (DOJ) attorney, is blowing his we-the-people whistle on DOJ (Devils Oblivious to Justice) after it dropped all charges against the members of the New Black Panther Klan who were blatantly and irrefutably guilty of voter intimidation in Philadelphia in 2008.
The egregious, craven tactics of the New Black Panther Party Klan were caught on video.
One of the racist punks is carrying a pipe or stick of some type with the clear intent of intimidating voters attempting to enter the Philadelphia voting location.
Dumb power, baby."
Stamp Gouging? Stamp Scalping?
CARPE DIEM: Stamp Gouging? Stamp Scalping?
"Update: A comparison of stamp prices to a CPI services index (as Tim Worstall suggests) shows that first-class stamps have increased in price by 14.67 times since 1956 while the CPI for transportation services has increased by 11.2 times over the same period."
"Update: A comparison of stamp prices to a CPI services index (as Tim Worstall suggests) shows that first-class stamps have increased in price by 14.67 times since 1956 while the CPI for transportation services has increased by 11.2 times over the same period."
U.S. marks 3rd-largest, single-day debt increase
U.S. marks 3rd-largest, single-day debt increase - Washington Times
"$166 billion jump spurs concerns over policy"
"$166 billion jump spurs concerns over policy"
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
Pennsylvania will borrow up to $600 million to pay for pet building projects | PennLive.com
Pennsylvania will borrow up to $600 million to pay for pet building projects PennLive.com: "The new $28 billion state budget was part of a deal that would boost state borrowing by as much as $600 million to pay for construction projects such as new public buildings to be named after U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter and late U.S. Rep. John Murtha."
FuturePundit: Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment Delays In Ontario
FuturePundit: Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment Delays In Ontario: "If your situation is described in this report consider a trip south of the border along with some cash or credit card to see an American specialist.
TORONTO, Ont., July 6, 2010 — Nearly 60 per cent of Ontarians with rheumatoid arthritis — an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints — were not seen by a specialist within a one year period to treat the debilitating disease, according to a new study. Even more concerning is that women of child-bearing age are less likely to see a specialist than women 45 or older, say researchers from St. Michael's Hospital, the Institute for Clinical and Evaluative Sciences (ICES), and Women's College Hospital.
A Canadian friend (living in southern Ontario at the time) complained to me for years that he couldn't get a general practitioner. Without a general practitioner he couldn't get a referral to a specialist. He got his medical care by going to emergency wards. This all made me very unkeen on Canadian health care as a model for the US."
TORONTO, Ont., July 6, 2010 — Nearly 60 per cent of Ontarians with rheumatoid arthritis — an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints — were not seen by a specialist within a one year period to treat the debilitating disease, according to a new study. Even more concerning is that women of child-bearing age are less likely to see a specialist than women 45 or older, say researchers from St. Michael's Hospital, the Institute for Clinical and Evaluative Sciences (ICES), and Women's College Hospital.
A Canadian friend (living in southern Ontario at the time) complained to me for years that he couldn't get a general practitioner. Without a general practitioner he couldn't get a referral to a specialist. He got his medical care by going to emergency wards. This all made me very unkeen on Canadian health care as a model for the US."
Dem Baucus joins GOP in blasting Obama CMS recess appointment - The Hill's Healthwatch
Dem Baucus joins GOP in blasting Obama CMS recess appointment - The Hill's Healthwatch: "Berwick had not been vetted by the Finance panel, nor had Baucus scheduled a hearing to examine the nominee.
Baucus's office did not respond to requests for comment Wednesday. Baucus is the first Democrat to criticize the recess appointment, which Republicans have blasted.
“As if shoving a trillion-dollar government takeover of healthcare down the throat of a disapproving American public wasn't enough, apparently the Obama administration intends to arrogantly circumvent the American people yet again by recess-appointing one of the most prominent advocates of rationed healthcare to implement their national plan,' Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said in a statement."
Baucus's office did not respond to requests for comment Wednesday. Baucus is the first Democrat to criticize the recess appointment, which Republicans have blasted.
“As if shoving a trillion-dollar government takeover of healthcare down the throat of a disapproving American public wasn't enough, apparently the Obama administration intends to arrogantly circumvent the American people yet again by recess-appointing one of the most prominent advocates of rationed healthcare to implement their national plan,' Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said in a statement."
CNN Editor Fired for Saying She Has "Respect" for Hezbollah Cleric | The Weekly Standard
CNN Editor Fired for Saying She Has "Respect" for Hezbollah Cleric The Weekly Standard: "In a followup blog post last night, Nasr wrote that it 'was an error of judgment for me to write such a simplistic comment and I'm sorry because it conveyed that I supported Fadlallah's life's work. That's not the case at all.'
She explained that she knew about all the wicked aspects of Fadlallah's life--saying she even 'lost family members' in the barracks bombing--and was simply referring to the fact that she respected Fadlallah for his opposition to 'honor' killings and beating women. But saying you respect Fadlallah for opposing murdering and beating (Muslim) women is almost like saying you respect Osama bin Laden for building day care centers.
CNN doesn't think Nasr's apology makes"
She explained that she knew about all the wicked aspects of Fadlallah's life--saying she even 'lost family members' in the barracks bombing--and was simply referring to the fact that she respected Fadlallah for his opposition to 'honor' killings and beating women. But saying you respect Fadlallah for opposing murdering and beating (Muslim) women is almost like saying you respect Osama bin Laden for building day care centers.
CNN doesn't think Nasr's apology makes"
Five Things Will Happen Tomorrow With LeBron
Five Things Will Happen Tomorrow With LeBron - CNBC
"There aren't many guarantees for tomorrow's LeBron James announcement, but here are things I'm quite confident will happen."
"There aren't many guarantees for tomorrow's LeBron James announcement, but here are things I'm quite confident will happen."
Government jobs: Bloated pay, benefits cost us all
Government jobs: Bloated pay, benefits cost us all - USATODAY.com
"Feel like you're not paid enough?
Worry about losing your job?
Wish you had better benefits?
Ever think about quitting?
If you answered 'yes' to these questions, one thing is certain: You don't work for Uncle Sam.
That's because federal workers are much better off than private-sector workers in all the major markers of job satisfaction — salary, job security, benefits and job desirability. And it's costing taxpayers a bundle.
Start with the money. The average federal employee earns an annual salary almost 60% higher than the average private-sector employee — $79,000 vs. $50,000.
"Feel like you're not paid enough?
Worry about losing your job?
Wish you had better benefits?
Ever think about quitting?
If you answered 'yes' to these questions, one thing is certain: You don't work for Uncle Sam.
That's because federal workers are much better off than private-sector workers in all the major markers of job satisfaction — salary, job security, benefits and job desirability. And it's costing taxpayers a bundle.
Start with the money. The average federal employee earns an annual salary almost 60% higher than the average private-sector employee — $79,000 vs. $50,000.
Retail: Shopping Center Vacancy Rates Rose in Second Quarter
Retail: Shopping Center Vacancy Rates Rose in Second Quarter - CNBC
"'Until we see stabilization and recovery take root in both consumer spending and business spending and employment, we do not foresee a recovery in the retail sector until late 2012 at the earliest,' said Victor Calanog, Reis director of research."
"'Until we see stabilization and recovery take root in both consumer spending and business spending and employment, we do not foresee a recovery in the retail sector until late 2012 at the earliest,' said Victor Calanog, Reis director of research."
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
Welcome to Rome, Circa 450 AD
Hot Air » Welcome to Rome, Circa 450 AD
"” The last time a world empire fell apart, it was about 1500 years ago.
Then, the empire was Roman…. …
What led the Barbarians walk over Rome is something that won’t take you a second to sympathize with.
The taxes were too high, to pay for the army that was losing all the battles, and a bunch of freeloaders in government, and of course, and to pay for thousands of civil servants.”"
"” The last time a world empire fell apart, it was about 1500 years ago.
Then, the empire was Roman…. …
What led the Barbarians walk over Rome is something that won’t take you a second to sympathize with.
The taxes were too high, to pay for the army that was losing all the battles, and a bunch of freeloaders in government, and of course, and to pay for thousands of civil servants.”"
Summer lunchrooms fill nutrition gap for needy kids
Summer lunchrooms fill nutrition gap for needy kids Health & Medicine Chron.com - Houston Chronicle
"Every school day, about 2.3 million low-income Texas children eat subsidized meals, but the numbers drop dramatically in the summer.
This time of year, hundreds of thousands of youngsters statewide go hungry or survive on food that's not necessarily nutritious, officials say."
Yeah, lots of starving kids "surviving" on burgers and frys.
Why don't the democrats just admit that they don't really like parents?
"Every school day, about 2.3 million low-income Texas children eat subsidized meals, but the numbers drop dramatically in the summer.
This time of year, hundreds of thousands of youngsters statewide go hungry or survive on food that's not necessarily nutritious, officials say."
Yeah, lots of starving kids "surviving" on burgers and frys.
Why don't the democrats just admit that they don't really like parents?
Time for a Little Perspective on Oil Spills
American Thinker: Time for a Little Perspective on Oil Spills
"But these incidents are dwarfed by the 1979 Gulf of Mexico Pemex/Ixtoc I Oil blowout -- until now the largest accidental spill in history. This spill lasted almost ten months, releasing between ten and thirty thousand barrels per day (BPD). In total, it released approximately 3.3 million barrels into the Gulf.
Using the current upper end estimate of 60,000 BPD, the Deepwater Horizon spill has now surpassed the Pemex spill, so it can rightfully claim its place as record-holder for accidental spills. But it still is dwarfed by Saddam Hussein's deliberate release of somewhere between 5.7 and 11 million barrels from tankers ten miles off the Kuwaiti coast.
While the Pemex spill affected 162 miles of coastline in Texas and Mexico, the long-term environmental consequences were negligible. As one marine biologist put it, 'To be honest, considering the magnitude of the spill, we thought the Ixtoc spill was going to have catastrophic effects for decades. ... But within a couple of years, almost everything was close to 100 percent normal again.'"
"But these incidents are dwarfed by the 1979 Gulf of Mexico Pemex/Ixtoc I Oil blowout -- until now the largest accidental spill in history. This spill lasted almost ten months, releasing between ten and thirty thousand barrels per day (BPD). In total, it released approximately 3.3 million barrels into the Gulf.
Using the current upper end estimate of 60,000 BPD, the Deepwater Horizon spill has now surpassed the Pemex spill, so it can rightfully claim its place as record-holder for accidental spills. But it still is dwarfed by Saddam Hussein's deliberate release of somewhere between 5.7 and 11 million barrels from tankers ten miles off the Kuwaiti coast.
While the Pemex spill affected 162 miles of coastline in Texas and Mexico, the long-term environmental consequences were negligible. As one marine biologist put it, 'To be honest, considering the magnitude of the spill, we thought the Ixtoc spill was going to have catastrophic effects for decades. ... But within a couple of years, almost everything was close to 100 percent normal again.'"
Students given diplomas at NYC schools, despite failing grades and poor attendance
Students given diplomas at NYC schools, despite failing grades and poor attendance - NYPOST.com
"Tatiana Reina wanted to graduate in the worst way -- and she did.
The 21-year-old was enrolled at Lafayette HS in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, for six years with a dismal record marked by truancy and failing grades. She faked her own graduation in 2007, donning a cap and gown and sneaking into the receiving line. Faced with 'aging out' of the school system this year, she got a last chance and still didn't bother going to class.
'She was a no-show all year,' a school insider said. Regulations call for at least 90 percent attendance to be promoted or to graduate.
Brooklyn student Tatiana Reina, 21, graduated high school in June despite never showing up.
But that didn't stop the principal, Jacqueline Boswell, from granting Reina a diploma."
This is the kind of school and the type of behavior that deserves MORE Obama money...right?
"Tatiana Reina wanted to graduate in the worst way -- and she did.
The 21-year-old was enrolled at Lafayette HS in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, for six years with a dismal record marked by truancy and failing grades. She faked her own graduation in 2007, donning a cap and gown and sneaking into the receiving line. Faced with 'aging out' of the school system this year, she got a last chance and still didn't bother going to class.
'She was a no-show all year,' a school insider said. Regulations call for at least 90 percent attendance to be promoted or to graduate.
Brooklyn student Tatiana Reina, 21, graduated high school in June despite never showing up.
But that didn't stop the principal, Jacqueline Boswell, from granting Reina a diploma."
This is the kind of school and the type of behavior that deserves MORE Obama money...right?
Can Shopping Cause Impotence?
Can Shopping Cause Impotence? - Lemondrop.com
"Who needs birth control?"
"Who needs birth control?"
Dutch agency admits mistake in UN climate report
Dutch agency admits mistake in UN climate report - Yahoo! News
"The Dutch agency accepted responsibility for one mistake by the IPCC when it reported in 2005 that 55 percent of
the Netherlands is below sea level, when only 26 percent is.
The report should have said 55 percent is prone to flooding, including river flooding.
....
The second previously reported error claimed the Himalayan glaciers would melt by 2035, which the Dutch agency partly traced to a report on the likely shrinking of glaciers by the year 2350."
"The Dutch agency accepted responsibility for one mistake by the IPCC when it reported in 2005 that 55 percent of
the Netherlands is below sea level, when only 26 percent is.
The report should have said 55 percent is prone to flooding, including river flooding.
....
The second previously reported error claimed the Himalayan glaciers would melt by 2035, which the Dutch agency partly traced to a report on the likely shrinking of glaciers by the year 2350."
Investors Fear Rising Risk of US Regional Defaults
Investors Fear Rising Risk of US Regional Defaults - CNBC
"Investors are worried that the risk of default for US local governments is growing, amid signs that some regions are facing the same type of difficulty in curbing pension and budget deficits as some eurozone countries"
“The risk in the second half of the year is that investor attention switches from Europe to the US,” said Robert Parker, senior adviser at Credit Suisse Securities, who singled out parts of California, as well as towns and cities in Illinois, Michigan and New York state as among the most vulnerable.
“You will see investor concern about the viability of those cities and therefore you will see, inevitably, further spread widening in the municipal bond market.”
"Investors are worried that the risk of default for US local governments is growing, amid signs that some regions are facing the same type of difficulty in curbing pension and budget deficits as some eurozone countries"
“The risk in the second half of the year is that investor attention switches from Europe to the US,” said Robert Parker, senior adviser at Credit Suisse Securities, who singled out parts of California, as well as towns and cities in Illinois, Michigan and New York state as among the most vulnerable.
“You will see investor concern about the viability of those cities and therefore you will see, inevitably, further spread widening in the municipal bond market.”
Why aren’t businesses hiring?
Why aren’t businesses hiring? Washington Examiner
"Then a simple final paragraph, which could have come from a Wall Street Journal or Washington Examiner editorial:
“Uncertainty: there has been a tremendous amount of change over the last 12 months. Businesses are still trying to figure out what that means for their own bottom line. Until there are firm answers, they will freeze hiring.”
Hmmm.
What kind of change over the last 12 months?
Who’s been producing that change?
Stewart doesn’t say, but it’s not too hard to figure out.
This is as pungent and concise an indictment of the Obama Democrats’ vast expansion of the size and reach of government as I’ve seen anywhere."
"Then a simple final paragraph, which could have come from a Wall Street Journal or Washington Examiner editorial:
“Uncertainty: there has been a tremendous amount of change over the last 12 months. Businesses are still trying to figure out what that means for their own bottom line. Until there are firm answers, they will freeze hiring.”
Hmmm.
What kind of change over the last 12 months?
Who’s been producing that change?
Stewart doesn’t say, but it’s not too hard to figure out.
This is as pungent and concise an indictment of the Obama Democrats’ vast expansion of the size and reach of government as I’ve seen anywhere."
Monday, July 05, 2010
We Five - You Were On My Mind
YouTube - We Five - You Were On My Mind (Never seen before - great quality!)
GREAT SONG!....I'm still in love with Beverly Bivens...
GREAT SONG!....I'm still in love with Beverly Bivens...
Malveaux Hates Fourth of July - Reminds Her of Slavery and Economic Inequality
Malveaux Hates Fourth of July - Reminds Her of Slavery and Economic Inequality NewsBusters.org
"If you were African-American living in the era of President Barack Obama, would you hate the Fourth of July because it reminded you of slavery and economic inequality?
You would if your name was Julianne Malveaux and you were the syndicated columnist that also serves as the president of Bennett College, the historically black women's school in Greensboro, North Carolina."
"If you were African-American living in the era of President Barack Obama, would you hate the Fourth of July because it reminded you of slavery and economic inequality?
You would if your name was Julianne Malveaux and you were the syndicated columnist that also serves as the president of Bennett College, the historically black women's school in Greensboro, North Carolina."
Muskegon Bike Time
Muskegon Bike Time
"Muskegon, Michigan will once again host what is dubbed as 'America's fastest growing bike event!'
For three days , the largest city on the eastern shores of Lake Michigan will be host to the 4th Annual Muskegon Bike Time, the ultimate Steel Horse Nationals."
"Muskegon, Michigan will once again host what is dubbed as 'America's fastest growing bike event!'
For three days , the largest city on the eastern shores of Lake Michigan will be host to the 4th Annual Muskegon Bike Time, the ultimate Steel Horse Nationals."
With the US trapped in depression, this really is starting to feel like 1932
"The US workforce shrank by 652,000 in June, one of the sharpest contractions ever.
The rate of hourly earnings fell 0.1pc. Wages are flirting with deflation."This is "hope"?
It certainly is change......
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