The Auto Bailout Payback [Mackinac Center]
"President Barack Obama went on the TV show 'The View' and told the cast that all the taxpayer money his administration spent to bail out General Motors and Chrysler will be repaid.
The Mackinac Center for Public Policy experts talk about their take on the impact of the auto bailouts"
Sunday, August 01, 2010
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Paperwork nightmare: A struggle to fix new law
Paperwork nightmare: A struggle to fix new law
"Tucked into the new health care law is a requirement that could become a paperwork nightmare for nearly 40 million businesses.
They must file tax forms for every vendor that sells them more than $600 in goods."
"Tucked into the new health care law is a requirement that could become a paperwork nightmare for nearly 40 million businesses.
They must file tax forms for every vendor that sells them more than $600 in goods."
Congress Passed an Arizona-Like Immigration Law in 1996
Congress Passed an Arizona-Like Immigration Law in 1996 - Chris Battle (usnews.com
"The federal law that has been on the books for more than decade … empowers state and local law enforcement to impose immigration law. According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, more than 60 jurisdictions in states across the country have taken advantage of this law."
"The federal law that has been on the books for more than decade … empowers state and local law enforcement to impose immigration law. According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, more than 60 jurisdictions in states across the country have taken advantage of this law."
NUGENT: It is us
NUGENT: It is us - Washington Times
"NUGENT: It is us
We're the ones who allowed anti-Americans to take over America"
"NUGENT: It is us
We're the ones who allowed anti-Americans to take over America"
Administration considers going around Congress to let illegal immigrants stay
Administration considers going around Congress to let illegal immigrants stay Washington Examiner
The Obama administration, unable to push an immigration overhaul through Congress, is considering ways it could go around lawmakers to let undocumented immigrants stay in the United States, according to an agency memo."
The Obama administration, unable to push an immigration overhaul through Congress, is considering ways it could go around lawmakers to let undocumented immigrants stay in the United States, according to an agency memo."
From the "You Just Can't Make This Stuff Up" File: ADA vs. Chipotle; Happy 20th Birthday ADA
CARPE DIEM: From the "You Just Can't Make This Stuff Up" File: ADA vs. Chipotle; Happy 20th Birthday ADA
"'The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled this week that customers in wheelchairs are being denied the full 'Chipotle experience' of watching their food being prepared because Chipotle's 45-inch counters are too high.'"
"'The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled this week that customers in wheelchairs are being denied the full 'Chipotle experience' of watching their food being prepared because Chipotle's 45-inch counters are too high.'"
Friday, July 30, 2010
California fiscal emergency declared by governor
California fiscal emergency declared by governor Reuters
"In the declaration, Schwarzenegger ordered three days off without pay per month beginning in August for thousands of state employees to preserve the state's cash to pay debt obligations, and for essential services."
We Michiganders are on our way there if we don't stop the spending NOW!
"In the declaration, Schwarzenegger ordered three days off without pay per month beginning in August for thousands of state employees to preserve the state's cash to pay debt obligations, and for essential services."
We Michiganders are on our way there if we don't stop the spending NOW!
The Volt - G.M.’s Electric Lemon
"For starters, G.M.’s vision turned into a car that costs $41,000 before relevant tax breaks ... but after billions of dollars of government loans and grants for the Volt’s development and production.
And instead of the sleek coupe of 2007, it looks suspiciously similar to a Toyota Prius.
It also requires premium gasoline, seats only four people (the battery runs down the center of the car, preventing a rear bench) and has less head and leg room than the $17,000 Chevrolet Cruze, which is more or less the non-electric version of the Volt.
In short, the Volt appears to be exactly the kind of green-at-all-costs car that some opponents of the bailout feared the government might order G.M. to build.
Unfortunately for this theory, G.M. was already committed to the Volt when it entered bankruptcy.
And though President Obama’s task force reported in 2009 that the Volt “will likely be too expensive to be commercially successful in the short term,” it didn’t cancel the project."
Not a Real News Network Anyway, MSNBC Announces Name and Format Change: Welcome to MPTV - Big Journalism#more-101193#more-101193
Watch for BIG changes in MSNBC in september!
"O boy, is this great!"
the Origins of the 'Acting White' Phenomenon
Author John McWhorter Dissects the Origins of the 'Acting White' Phenomenon
"a crucial reason for the gap in scholarly performance between even middle-class black students and white ones was that to be Young, Gifted and Black is often to also find oneself tarred as ''acting white'' by black peers"
There seems to not be an issue to the NAACP or it's personal political party, the democrats.
But Andrew Breitbart is a BIG deal!
Anyone sense a lack if seriousness here....
"a crucial reason for the gap in scholarly performance between even middle-class black students and white ones was that to be Young, Gifted and Black is often to also find oneself tarred as ''acting white'' by black peers"
There seems to not be an issue to the NAACP or it's personal political party, the democrats.
But Andrew Breitbart is a BIG deal!
Anyone sense a lack if seriousness here....
Three Unpaid Parking Tickets? No License!
Three Unpaid Parking Tickets? No License! [Mackinac Center]: "Three Unpaid Parking Tickets? No License!By Ken Braun July 27, 2010
Motorist with three or more unpaid parking tickets at one time should be looking warily over their shoulder at what state politicians are doing with legislation that has cleared the Michigan House but come to a stall in the Senate.
House Bill 4726, sponsored by Rep. Roy Schmidt, D-Grand Rapids, would have the Secretary of State deny a driver license renewal to any motorist with as few as three unpaid parking tickets. The bill cleared the Michigan House last October on a vote of 68-37."
"No other problems happenin' here folks....just workin' on the things that REALLY matter folks...."
This is your democrat party in Michigan folks!
Motorist with three or more unpaid parking tickets at one time should be looking warily over their shoulder at what state politicians are doing with legislation that has cleared the Michigan House but come to a stall in the Senate.
House Bill 4726, sponsored by Rep. Roy Schmidt, D-Grand Rapids, would have the Secretary of State deny a driver license renewal to any motorist with as few as three unpaid parking tickets. The bill cleared the Michigan House last October on a vote of 68-37."
"No other problems happenin' here folks....just workin' on the things that REALLY matter folks...."
This is your democrat party in Michigan folks!
Muskegon County Youth Fair keeps kids focused on rural living
• What: 83rd Annual Muskegon County Youth Fair
• When: Monday through Saturday.
Monday is entry day.
The fairgrounds will be open 8 a.m. to around 10 p.m."
This is a great time for young and old!
The complete schedule: http://www.muskegonfairgrounds.com/youthfair/2010_youthfairschedule.pdf
Phoney "Tea Party" candidates exposed!
Grand Haven Tribune a Michigan Newspaper 
"Two candidates nominated by The Tea Party to run for state Senate seats won't be on the ballot because they're too young.
"Two candidates nominated by The Tea Party to run for state Senate seats won't be on the ballot because they're too young.Thirteenth District Senate candidate Thomas Murdock of Troy and 15th District Senate candidate Heather Sartorius of New Hudson were both born in 1990 and won't be 21 by Jan. 1, 2011, the date they'd take office if they won.
That violates the state constitution.
A secretary of state spokeswoman says they're ineligible to appear on the Nov. 2 ballot.
Requests for comment left today with Murdock and Sartorius were not immediately returned.
The two were among 23 candidates nominated over the weekend by The Tea Party.
Unaffiliated tea partiers and Republicans are fighting to keep The Tea Party off the ballot."
The Michigan Tea Party movement has no affiliation with ANY political party.
This "Tea Party" is a phony scheme to disenfranchise voters by confusing them.
It is a creation of the democrat party and its progressive/union thugs in order to steal another election.
We real Muskegon Tea Party members and all Tea Party members statewide are working very hard to expose and decertify this politial abomination.
Faithless Lawmakers
Faithless Lawmakers - WSJ.com: "Since the NPVIC would be legally unenforceable, only political pressure could be brought to bear to ensure that state legislatures stand by their commitments to it. Would this be enough? Let's put the question in starkly partisan terms: If you're a Republican, do you trust Massachusetts lawmakers to keep their word, and to defy the will of the voters who elected them, if by doing so they would make Sarah Palin president?"
This an IMPORTANT issue.
It a scheme by the democrats to have it both ways.
This an IMPORTANT issue.
It a scheme by the democrats to have it both ways.
Pot Reviewer Gets Paid To Get High
Pot Reviewer Gets Paid To Get High - WBAL Baltimore
"DENVER -- A Denver man gets paid to smoke pot and write about it as one of the first medical marijuana critics in the country."
Our liberal MSM setting "higher" goals for America...again...
"DENVER -- A Denver man gets paid to smoke pot and write about it as one of the first medical marijuana critics in the country."
Our liberal MSM setting "higher" goals for America...again...
How the pitchforks almost killed the Ford Explorer
"De Lorenzo: How the pitchforks almost killed the Ford Explorer
In those dark days, when two of the Detroit Three were heading toward oblivion, and Ford was certain to follow, it was not unexpected that some within Ford would be vehemently against the idea of doing a new Explorer.
After all, the letters S-U-V had become the bane of Detroit’s existence.
Consumers were beginning to abandon the segment in droves as the political rhetoric generated by the virulent anti-car, anti-Detroit “intelligentsia” (and I use that term derisively as if you had to guess) in Washington and California and in the media (only thinly-disguised at that point and led, of course, by their Patron Saint, Thomas Friedman of the New York Times) was reaching a cacophonous crescendo."
Isn't it funny how quickly the rich liberals and their comrades in the MSM drop their hate for the SUV when they think it is now their "idea"?
Actually, it's not funny.
It's very sad.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
CARPE DIEM: Funding Electric Vehicles is a Battery-Dead Idea
CARPE DIEM: Funding Electric Vehicles is a Battery-Dead Idea
"Can a bunch of technocrats in Washington really make better decisions than free consumers in the marketplace?
No economic or scientific case exists for subsidizing the electric vehicle.
The government should remain technology-neutral.
Subsidies hinder the ability of free enterprise to innovate and develop other advanced auto technologies like the hydrogen fuel cell.
The right way to create a diverse market for advanced technologies is to limit government involvement and introduce real tax reforms.
Government subsidies serve only to tilt the playing field and constrain the market's ability to operate.
They are not in America's best interests.
Funding electric vehicles is a battery-dead idea."
"Can a bunch of technocrats in Washington really make better decisions than free consumers in the marketplace?
No economic or scientific case exists for subsidizing the electric vehicle.
The government should remain technology-neutral.
Subsidies hinder the ability of free enterprise to innovate and develop other advanced auto technologies like the hydrogen fuel cell.
The right way to create a diverse market for advanced technologies is to limit government involvement and introduce real tax reforms.
Government subsidies serve only to tilt the playing field and constrain the market's ability to operate.
They are not in America's best interests.
Funding electric vehicles is a battery-dead idea."
Fake Political Party Runs Mystery Candidates
Fake Political Party Runs Mystery Candidates [Mackinac Center]
"Snyder was part of a list of 23 candidates the newly formed Tea Party political group released Tuesday.
The Tea Party is suspected of being a Democrat front to skim unaware voters who may generally support the genuine grass roots tea party movement but be unaware that isn't supportive of a third party."
"Snyder was part of a list of 23 candidates the newly formed Tea Party political group released Tuesday.
The Tea Party is suspected of being a Democrat front to skim unaware voters who may generally support the genuine grass roots tea party movement but be unaware that isn't supportive of a third party."
Who Is Behind the 'Tea Party' Party?
Who Is Behind the 'Tea Party' Party? [Mackinac Center]
"A tea party organizer says he has found the smoking gun that links the Democratic Party to the controversial 'Tea Party' that is running candidates and seeking official ballot status in Michigan.
A 'Jason Bauer' is listed on recent federal election documents and state campaign donation documents as the 'political director' of the Oakland County Democratic Party.
A 'Jason H. Bauer' signed the affidavits as the notary on nine of the mysterious Tea Party Political candidates' paperwork turned in to the state of Michigan.
A 'Jason H. Bauer' has registered twice to run for office in Oakland County, once as a Democrat in May of this year.
Both times, the Auburn Hills home address given by 'Jason H. Bauer' is the same as the 'Jason Bauer' who is identified as the Oakland County Democratic Party political director on the state and federal campaign documents."
"A tea party organizer says he has found the smoking gun that links the Democratic Party to the controversial 'Tea Party' that is running candidates and seeking official ballot status in Michigan.
A 'Jason Bauer' is listed on recent federal election documents and state campaign donation documents as the 'political director' of the Oakland County Democratic Party.
A 'Jason H. Bauer' signed the affidavits as the notary on nine of the mysterious Tea Party Political candidates' paperwork turned in to the state of Michigan.
A 'Jason H. Bauer' has registered twice to run for office in Oakland County, once as a Democrat in May of this year.
Both times, the Auburn Hills home address given by 'Jason H. Bauer' is the same as the 'Jason Bauer' who is identified as the Oakland County Democratic Party political director on the state and federal campaign documents."
Beckmann: No BP in Kalamazoo
Beckmann: No BP in Kalamazoo themichiganview.com The Michigan View
"That hasn't stopped the Utopians though.
'The horrific pictures coming in of the oil spill in Calhoun County area underscore just how imperative it is for Michigan to move toward...wind and solar instead of relying on outdated fuels like oil,' said Clean Water Action Michigan Director Cyndi Roper in a typically exploitive, exaggerated response.
I'm not sure what 'horrific' pictures the environmentalists are viewing but the only potential 'disaster' here would be another misguided response like that of the Obama administration when it shut down oil exploration in the Gulf and immediately jeopardized 20,000 jobs.
Now, THAT is creating a 'crisis.'"
"That hasn't stopped the Utopians though.
'The horrific pictures coming in of the oil spill in Calhoun County area underscore just how imperative it is for Michigan to move toward...wind and solar instead of relying on outdated fuels like oil,' said Clean Water Action Michigan Director Cyndi Roper in a typically exploitive, exaggerated response.
I'm not sure what 'horrific' pictures the environmentalists are viewing but the only potential 'disaster' here would be another misguided response like that of the Obama administration when it shut down oil exploration in the Gulf and immediately jeopardized 20,000 jobs.
Now, THAT is creating a 'crisis.'"
Michigan Stimulus Recipients Failing to Report
Michigan Stimulus Recipients Failing to Report – Part 2 [Mackinac Center]
"more than two dozen Michigan companies, colleges and agencies which failed to tell the government how they used nearly $59 million over the past two reporting periods. (fourth quarter 2009 and first quarter 2010.)"
"more than two dozen Michigan companies, colleges and agencies which failed to tell the government how they used nearly $59 million over the past two reporting periods. (fourth quarter 2009 and first quarter 2010.)"
Driver in fatal crash convicted of murder after he 'catapulted over the bounds of human decency' with .425 blood-alcohol level
Driver in fatal crash convicted of murder after he 'catapulted over the bounds of human decency' with .425 blood-alcohol level
"Franco-Avina faces life in prison with the possibility of parole when he is sentenced on Aug. 25.
If he is paroled, he likely will be deported."
Nice PC reportage...no mention the murderer is an ILLEGAL!
"Franco-Avina faces life in prison with the possibility of parole when he is sentenced on Aug. 25.
If he is paroled, he likely will be deported."
Nice PC reportage...no mention the murderer is an ILLEGAL!
Second opponent cries foul over Jay Riemersma's campaign tactics, files complaint with Federal Election Commission
Second opponent cries foul over Jay Riemersma's campaign tactics, files complaint with Federal Election Commission MLive.com
"Former state Rep. Bill Huizenga on Thursday filed a formal complaint against political opponent Jay Riemersma for what he called illegal attack ads against Huizenga and another candidate seeking the 2nd Congressional District's Republican nomination."
"Former state Rep. Bill Huizenga on Thursday filed a formal complaint against political opponent Jay Riemersma for what he called illegal attack ads against Huizenga and another candidate seeking the 2nd Congressional District's Republican nomination."
The Amnesty Memo
The Amnesty Memo - Robert VerBruggen - The Corner on National Review Online
"According to an internal U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services memo going the rounds of Capitol Hill and obtained by National Review, the agency is considering ways in which it could enact “meaningful immigration reform absent legislative action” — that is, without the consent of the American people through a vote in Congress.
“This memorandum offers administrative relief options to . . . reduce the threat of removal for certain individuals present in the United States without authorization,” it reads."
"According to an internal U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services memo going the rounds of Capitol Hill and obtained by National Review, the agency is considering ways in which it could enact “meaningful immigration reform absent legislative action” — that is, without the consent of the American people through a vote in Congress.
“This memorandum offers administrative relief options to . . . reduce the threat of removal for certain individuals present in the United States without authorization,” it reads."
The Golden Witch Hunt: Left-Wing, Mainstream Media Target Gold Advertisers
The Golden Witch Hunt: Left-Wing, Mainstream Media Target Gold Advertisers
"“A secret tax has been discovered in ObamaCare.
Is there really a connection between both and your health?
How did this happened?”
Kudlow said. “[T]his is an incredible story – gold and ObamaCare and the deal is it's a hosing for small business just to put some meat on the bones.
Every time one of these gold bullion dealers makes a trade – a gold bullion dealer and everyone’s buying gold coins – if it’s above $600, they're going to have to file a 1099 IRS form.
Some of these guys may have to file 10,000 forms in a year.”"
"“A secret tax has been discovered in ObamaCare.
Is there really a connection between both and your health?
How did this happened?”
Kudlow said. “[T]his is an incredible story – gold and ObamaCare and the deal is it's a hosing for small business just to put some meat on the bones.
Every time one of these gold bullion dealers makes a trade – a gold bullion dealer and everyone’s buying gold coins – if it’s above $600, they're going to have to file a 1099 IRS form.
Some of these guys may have to file 10,000 forms in a year.”"
My Tax Burden
My Tax Burden: "Fill out the left-hand column and click Calculate to estimate your 2011 income tax under three scenarios"
County workers 'spike' retirement pay - Government - Modbee.com
County workers 'spike' retirement pay - Government - Modbee.com
"Nearly all of Stanislaus County's management employees and more than 75 percent of rank-and-file workers cash out unused vacation time to 'spike' their retirement pay, according to a study."
"Nearly all of Stanislaus County's management employees and more than 75 percent of rank-and-file workers cash out unused vacation time to 'spike' their retirement pay, according to a study."
Everyone is on the hook for city of Bell benefits
Letters: Everyone is on the hook for city of Bell benefits- The Orange County Register
"And so now it comes to light that the 'enraged' folks of Bell actually made it possible for their city employees to earn the outrageous salaries by way of Measure A, which was approved by the apparently uninformed voters of Bell ['Bell residents want more resignations,' Front page, July 24].
This is why I cringe every time I hear an ad telling people they must vote. Just vote – it's your duty.
Nary a word is ever said about making an informed vote or to please stay home if you are not aware of the issues.
Obviously the voters of Bell should have studied the Measure a bit more closely before they voted or they should have just stayed home.
And to add insult to injury, we, the tax paying people of California are on the hook to pay the outrageous pensions of the officials that were allowed the salaries by the approval of an uninformed populace.
The fine folks of Bell, many of whom are below poverty, aren't paying the taxes that will go toward paying these con-artists until their death, but my husband and I will, even though we never would have voted to allow such a horrible Measure to pass."
"And so now it comes to light that the 'enraged' folks of Bell actually made it possible for their city employees to earn the outrageous salaries by way of Measure A, which was approved by the apparently uninformed voters of Bell ['Bell residents want more resignations,' Front page, July 24].
This is why I cringe every time I hear an ad telling people they must vote. Just vote – it's your duty.
Nary a word is ever said about making an informed vote or to please stay home if you are not aware of the issues.
Obviously the voters of Bell should have studied the Measure a bit more closely before they voted or they should have just stayed home.
And to add insult to injury, we, the tax paying people of California are on the hook to pay the outrageous pensions of the officials that were allowed the salaries by the approval of an uninformed populace.
The fine folks of Bell, many of whom are below poverty, aren't paying the taxes that will go toward paying these con-artists until their death, but my husband and I will, even though we never would have voted to allow such a horrible Measure to pass."
Party at the DOJ: Golf, Pool Parties and other Fun on the Taxpayer Dime
"Untold millions of your tax dollars are paying for recreation in the name of crime prevention: pool parties, rollercoaster rides, and police donut-eating contests.
The idea is that fun activities keep kids out of trouble, build self-esteem and prevent crime.
CBS News investigative correspondent Sharyl Attkisson reports the problem is the money comes from the Department of Justice – which doesn’t even have enough resources to keep up on analyzing foreign intelligence.
Now, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO)has found nobody is measuring just how much is spent on the recreation – or whether it even works.
Sen.Tom Coburn, R-Okla., estimates well over $100 million tax dollars over five years has been spent on recreation to fight crime.
Coburn says poor tracking leads to questionable spending.
At least $200,000 was spent for officials to attend conferences at golf resorts in Florida and Palm Springs, or a film festival featuring “Santa, The Fascist Years.”
Many of the grants are earmarked by Congress without the normal public review.
Justice Department officials told the GAO that it makes them harder to scrutinize.
So they rely on recipients to follow the rules: not all of them do."
http://coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=ba761aed-fbf3-4df5-ac01-31c01fa1f406
http://coburn.senate.gov/public//index.cfm?a=Files.Serve&File_id=09b91d0b-0342-48ed-93af-c5ada7532fbc
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