First Lady Asks Businesses to Allow Employees to Spend Part of Work Week Mentoring Youth CNSnews.com
"First lady Michelle Obama on Tuesday said she was “thrilled” to announce a new program that asks U.S. businesses to allow employees to spend part of the work day volunteering with young people.
The program will be run by the federal agency tasked with overseeing volunteerism in the United States."
This is NUTS!
Since when does the government "ask" companies to do anything?
Thursday, January 27, 2011
The 12 Worst Colleges For Free Speech
"In 2008, Michigan State University (MSU) was added to FIRE's Red Alert list after it punished student government leader Kara Spencer for e-mailing a carefully chosen list of faculty members to express concern about a proposal to shorten the academic year (without reducing tuition, of course).
Spencer was found guilty of 'spamming,' and following a national outcry--13 civil liberties organizations sent MSU an open letter protesting the decision--MSU dropped the charges.
Unfortunately, the school then enacted an overbroad spam policy even worse than the one used against Spencer.
As a result, every MSU student remains at risk of being punished for 'spamming'--simply for sending more than 10 friends, classmates, or faculty the same unsolicited e-mail within 48 hours."
We're # 7!
Public Employee Unions: Public Enemy No. 1?
Public Employee Unions: Public Enemy No. 1? - Capital Journal - WSJ
"“We have a new privileged class in America,” Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels told Politico.
“We used to think of government workers as underpaid public servants.
Now they are better paid than the people who pay their salaries.”"
"“We have a new privileged class in America,” Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels told Politico.
“We used to think of government workers as underpaid public servants.
Now they are better paid than the people who pay their salaries.”"
Soldiers Seize Drug Slingshot on US-Mexico Border
Soldiers Seize Drug Slingshot on US-Mexico Border
"In what seems like a scene straight out of a Monty Python movie, Mexican soldiers seized a giant catapult believed to have been used to fling drugs across the U.S.-Mexico border."
"In what seems like a scene straight out of a Monty Python movie, Mexican soldiers seized a giant catapult believed to have been used to fling drugs across the U.S.-Mexico border."
Video: Actor Danny Glover Blames Conservatives for Tucson Tragedy
theblogprof: Video: Actor Danny Glover Blames Conservatives for Tucson Tragedy
Keep in mind that this same actor that blamed global warming for Haiti's earthquake last year.
Keep in mind that this same actor that blamed global warming for Haiti's earthquake last year.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
President Barack Granholm |
President Barack Granholm themichiganview.com The Michigan View
"Granholm envisioned a transformation of Michigan from Rust Belt to 'Green Belt' with massive, European-like, public investments in infrastructure and alternative energy.
'In five years, you'll be blown away,' she predicted in what would become her signature line.
Ironically, thousands of state jobs were blown away as Granholm's vision diverted pols' attention from much-needed reforms to the state's budget and business climate.
Since her speech in 2006, the state's unemployment rate has exploded from 7.4 percent to 11.4."
"Granholm envisioned a transformation of Michigan from Rust Belt to 'Green Belt' with massive, European-like, public investments in infrastructure and alternative energy.
'In five years, you'll be blown away,' she predicted in what would become her signature line.
Ironically, thousands of state jobs were blown away as Granholm's vision diverted pols' attention from much-needed reforms to the state's budget and business climate.
Since her speech in 2006, the state's unemployment rate has exploded from 7.4 percent to 11.4."
Selective Thoughts
Selective Thoughts - Bruce Bialosky - Townhall Conservative
"Of the wealthiest zip codes in the U.S., 19 out of 20 vote Democratic.
How much longer can the Dems continue the lie of representing the interests of the common man?
What they represent is the interest of those who can take advantage of government in the most selfish manner."
"Of the wealthiest zip codes in the U.S., 19 out of 20 vote Democratic.
How much longer can the Dems continue the lie of representing the interests of the common man?
What they represent is the interest of those who can take advantage of government in the most selfish manner."
Report Says Rate of Illegal Immigration into US at Lowest Level in Two Decades
Report Says Rate of Illegal Immigration into US at Lowest Level in Two Decades
"The Pew report is based mostly on census data.
The center estimated the number of illegal immigrants by subtracting the number of legal, documented immigrants from the total number of foreign-born people living in the country, it said."
Gotta love "reports" by groups that use census data that specifically precludes asking about an individuals immigration status.
Ain't studies great?
"The Pew report is based mostly on census data.
The center estimated the number of illegal immigrants by subtracting the number of legal, documented immigrants from the total number of foreign-born people living in the country, it said."
Gotta love "reports" by groups that use census data that specifically precludes asking about an individuals immigration status.
Ain't studies great?
City officials float the idea of regional taxation in Michigan
City officials float the idea of regional taxation in Michigan MLive.com
"League officials said Wednesday said cities can’t join together to provide shared services without changes in state law that currently require employees to be paid at the highest rate provided by a unit of government participating in the merger.
Cities also want the authority to eliminate the December billing and consolidate all property tax collections in the summer.
Another measure would amend state binding arbitration law so that in resolving impasses with police and fire unions, an arbitrator would have to consider a city’s ability to pay."
"League officials said Wednesday said cities can’t join together to provide shared services without changes in state law that currently require employees to be paid at the highest rate provided by a unit of government participating in the merger.
Cities also want the authority to eliminate the December billing and consolidate all property tax collections in the summer.
Another measure would amend state binding arbitration law so that in resolving impasses with police and fire unions, an arbitrator would have to consider a city’s ability to pay."
Obama’s Spending “Freeze”
Obama’s Spending “Freeze” NetRight Daily
"But alas, Obama did not propose reining in the nation’s unsustainable entitlement obligations.
Net spending will increase every year on end under his proposals, until one day the public treasury will no longer be able to sustain it."
"But alas, Obama did not propose reining in the nation’s unsustainable entitlement obligations.
Net spending will increase every year on end under his proposals, until one day the public treasury will no longer be able to sustain it."
YOU WANT A “SPUTNIK MOMENT?” HERE’S YOUR FREAKIN’ SPUTNIK MOMENT: US Budget Deficit to Pass $1.5 Trillion!
Instapundit » Blog Archive » YOU WANT A “SPUTNIK MOMENT?” HERE’S YOUR FREAKIN’ SPUTNIK MOMENT: US Budget Deficit to Pass $1.5 Trillion
This is really scary too.
Where’s the serious response?
And no, more of the same doesn’t count.
A 5% across the board spending cut — real year-over-year cutting, not a cut against projected growth — would only barely begin to count as serious.
Freezes and other flimflams don’t count at all.
This is really scary too.
Where’s the serious response?
And no, more of the same doesn’t count.
A 5% across the board spending cut — real year-over-year cutting, not a cut against projected growth — would only barely begin to count as serious.
Freezes and other flimflams don’t count at all.
U.S. Manufacturing: Output vs. Jobs Since 1975
U.S. Manufacturing: Output vs. Jobs Since 1975 Mercatus
"This week, Veronique de Rugy examines changes in employment and productivity in the American manufacturing sector.
Since 1975, manufacturing output has more than doubled, while employment in the sector has decreased by 31%.
While these American job losses are indeed sobering, they are not an indication of declining U.S. competitiveness.
In fact, these statistics reveal that the average American manufacturer is over three times more productive today than they were in 1975 – a sure sign of economic progress."
"This week, Veronique de Rugy examines changes in employment and productivity in the American manufacturing sector.
Since 1975, manufacturing output has more than doubled, while employment in the sector has decreased by 31%.
While these American job losses are indeed sobering, they are not an indication of declining U.S. competitiveness.
In fact, these statistics reveal that the average American manufacturer is over three times more productive today than they were in 1975 – a sure sign of economic progress."
How NAACP concealed George Washington
How NAACP concealed George Washington
"'The NAACP's hypocrisy, and the double standard of the media, reared their ugly heads yet again.
This time, it's South Carolina.
The event is the MLK 'King Day at the Dome' hosted by the South Carolina NAACP.'
'They literally built a (15-foot wooden) box and covered (all but the backside of) the statue of President George Washington for the duration of their event. … Naturally, the media are absolutely silent on this matter' (italics added)."
"'The NAACP's hypocrisy, and the double standard of the media, reared their ugly heads yet again.
This time, it's South Carolina.
The event is the MLK 'King Day at the Dome' hosted by the South Carolina NAACP.'
'They literally built a (15-foot wooden) box and covered (all but the backside of) the statue of President George Washington for the duration of their event. … Naturally, the media are absolutely silent on this matter' (italics added)."
Lucious dismissal latest twist in MSU saga
Lucious dismissal latest twist in MSU saga - College Basketball Nation Blog - ESPN
"Late Tuesday night, as Tom Izzo released a statement revealing his dismissal of his starting guard for 'conduct detrimental to the program,'
Lucious himself reacted to the news on his Twitter account.
His tweet -- bound to enter Michigan State lore, and already generating some rather hilarious 140-character comedy -- was simply this: 'Man did I really mess up this time...off 2 the gym I go!'"
"Late Tuesday night, as Tom Izzo released a statement revealing his dismissal of his starting guard for 'conduct detrimental to the program,'
Lucious himself reacted to the news on his Twitter account.
His tweet -- bound to enter Michigan State lore, and already generating some rather hilarious 140-character comedy -- was simply this: 'Man did I really mess up this time...off 2 the gym I go!'"
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Rick Comley to retire at end of season
Rick Comley to retire at end of season
@LisaByington: #msu announces retirement of Rick Comley at end of season."
BIG!
@LisaByington: #msu announces retirement of Rick Comley at end of season."
BIG!
Champion News
Champion News
"We have an example of an $189,000/yr music teacher who pulls down a $130,000 pension at age 55 after contributing less than a self-employed music teacher would contribute to Social Security for a pension of $21,000 at age 62 here: Teacher Contributes Less for His $130K Pension Than You Do for Your $21K Social Security.
Here's a story of a $75,000/yr kindergarten teacher with a pension of $155,000/yr.
Pension Insanity: $75,000 Salary Turns Into $155,000 Pension for One Kindergarten Teacher.
Or how about a $1 million dollar payout for two high school teachers to retire early?
$1 Million Payout to Two Teachers Proves Schools Should Pay for Pensions, Not the State.
And finally this one explains why pensions cost so much: Teacher's 41% Salary Increase Costs Taxpayers $1.3 Million in Extra Pension Payments."
"We have an example of an $189,000/yr music teacher who pulls down a $130,000 pension at age 55 after contributing less than a self-employed music teacher would contribute to Social Security for a pension of $21,000 at age 62 here: Teacher Contributes Less for His $130K Pension Than You Do for Your $21K Social Security.
Here's a story of a $75,000/yr kindergarten teacher with a pension of $155,000/yr.
Pension Insanity: $75,000 Salary Turns Into $155,000 Pension for One Kindergarten Teacher.
Or how about a $1 million dollar payout for two high school teachers to retire early?
$1 Million Payout to Two Teachers Proves Schools Should Pay for Pensions, Not the State.
And finally this one explains why pensions cost so much: Teacher's 41% Salary Increase Costs Taxpayers $1.3 Million in Extra Pension Payments."
Public Employee Union Benefits Are a Fiscal Disaster
Public Employee Union Benefits Are a Fiscal Disaster - US News and World Report
"state and local workers now earn an average of $14 more per hour in wages and benefits than their private sector counterparts.
In general, the average state government worker reaps retirement benefits several times richer than a counterpart in the private sector, a critical reason why public pension costs have become unsustainable.
For example, state and local governments contributed $3.04 per hour toward each employee's retirement in 2007, according to U.S. Labor Department figures, while private employers paid 92 cents an hour.
.....The most egregious issue is pensions.
Many state workers can retire in their mid-50s on close to full pay and, therefore, can receive pensions for more years than they have worked, even though they are young enough to take another job.
In this sense, public sector pensions have created a new class of millionaires.
Take a pension's present value; that is how much cash you would need to buy an annuity making payments equal to the pension.
In many cases, you would find the cash needed would be well into seven figures.
And these calculations don't even include the value of retiree healthcare benefits, which for many retirees vastly exceed those in the private sector.
In a number of states, these benefits include health insurance approximating $14,000 per year for family coverage, which is exempt from taxation.
"
"state and local workers now earn an average of $14 more per hour in wages and benefits than their private sector counterparts.
In general, the average state government worker reaps retirement benefits several times richer than a counterpart in the private sector, a critical reason why public pension costs have become unsustainable.
For example, state and local governments contributed $3.04 per hour toward each employee's retirement in 2007, according to U.S. Labor Department figures, while private employers paid 92 cents an hour.
.....The most egregious issue is pensions.
Many state workers can retire in their mid-50s on close to full pay and, therefore, can receive pensions for more years than they have worked, even though they are young enough to take another job.
In this sense, public sector pensions have created a new class of millionaires.
Take a pension's present value; that is how much cash you would need to buy an annuity making payments equal to the pension.
In many cases, you would find the cash needed would be well into seven figures.
And these calculations don't even include the value of retiree healthcare benefits, which for many retirees vastly exceed those in the private sector.
In a number of states, these benefits include health insurance approximating $14,000 per year for family coverage, which is exempt from taxation.
"
Liberals trying to draft Keith Olbermann for Joe Lieberman's Senate seat
Liberals trying to draft Keith Olbermann for Joe Lieberman's Senate seat - The Hill's Ballot Box
"Liberals want Keith Olbermann to run for retiring Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman's (I-Conn.) seat"
"Liberals want Keith Olbermann to run for retiring Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman's (I-Conn.) seat"
New Bill Aimed at Easing Fees, Regulations and Licensing Imposed on Businesses
New Bill Aimed at Easing Fees, Regulations and Licensing Imposed on Businesses [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
"MacMaster said constituents asked him why their licensing fees were increasing.
“I couldn’t give them an honest answer,” he said.
“Our government doesn’t need to be increasing those fees to feed our spending.
The cuts should come from the government, not with their fees going up.”"
This guy gets it too!
"MacMaster said constituents asked him why their licensing fees were increasing.
“I couldn’t give them an honest answer,” he said.
“Our government doesn’t need to be increasing those fees to feed our spending.
The cuts should come from the government, not with their fees going up.”"
This guy gets it too!
Missouri Ahead of the Game in Dealing with Illegal Immigrants
Missouri Ahead of the Game in Dealing with Illegal Immigrants
"In 2007, the Missouri General Assembly approved HJR 7 to place on the ballot a proposed constitutional amendment designating English as the official language of Missouri.
.......Another measure that directly addresses the issue of illegal immigration was passed in 2008.
HB 1549 requires our Highway Patrol and other law enforcement officials to verify the immigration status of any person arrested, and inform federal authorities if the person is found to be here illegally. It also allows Missouri law enforcement officers to receive training to enforce federal immigration laws.
.......2009 saw another significant piece of legislation passed dealing with illegal immigration.
HB 390 ensures Missouri’s public institutions of higher education do not award financial aid to individuals who are here illegally. "
If only EVERY state did the same.........
"In 2007, the Missouri General Assembly approved HJR 7 to place on the ballot a proposed constitutional amendment designating English as the official language of Missouri.
.......Another measure that directly addresses the issue of illegal immigration was passed in 2008.
HB 1549 requires our Highway Patrol and other law enforcement officials to verify the immigration status of any person arrested, and inform federal authorities if the person is found to be here illegally. It also allows Missouri law enforcement officers to receive training to enforce federal immigration laws.
.......2009 saw another significant piece of legislation passed dealing with illegal immigration.
HB 390 ensures Missouri’s public institutions of higher education do not award financial aid to individuals who are here illegally. "
If only EVERY state did the same.........
Fed Likely to Press On With QE Even as Business Lending Rises
Fed Likely to Press On With QE Even as Business Lending Rises - Bloomberg
"Since reducing its target federal funds rate to near zero in December 2008, the central bank has used its balance sheet as a monetary policy tool.
Its assets have tripled to $2.43 trillion from $873 billion in February 2008."
"Since reducing its target federal funds rate to near zero in December 2008, the central bank has used its balance sheet as a monetary policy tool.
Its assets have tripled to $2.43 trillion from $873 billion in February 2008."
Monday, January 24, 2011
STANLEY KURTZ: Tucson, Piven and the Left’s Strategic Blunder
Instapundit » Blog Archive » STANLEY KURTZ: Tucson, Piven and the Left’s Strategic Blunder.
“The hope of silencing Beck in the wake of Tucson has lured the left into a strategic blunder.
They’ve decided to turn Piven into a martyr.
Yet in doing so the left has tied itself to Piven’s wild writings and over-the-top radicalism.
Dreier acts as though Piven’s scholarly work is somehow different from the calls for rioting, crisis, and polarization in her two notorious Nation articles.
Actually, Piven’s scholarly writings are worse. . . . A quarter century later the Nation has embraced Piven’s call for Euro-style rioting in America, allowing her to speak with the magazine’s editorial voice.
It’s not Beck who’s tarring the left with the brush of Piven’s radicalism.
They’re doing it to themselves.”
Related, from Ann Althouse:
Do academics mean to have influence or not?
Are we supposed to think of them as oversmart flakes who are tucked away in institutions where they won’t screw up real life for the rest of us?
Because that’s the only way in which it makes sense to portray Glenn Beck as the villain.
He took an academic seriously, as if she meant what she said and expected real people to hear and act.
Indeed. And one of Althouse’s comments suggests that the logic of blaming Beck is this: “Because if Americans learn the truth of what the Left really is, they’ll want to shoot them.”
Thus, accurate quotes are an incitement to violence!"
“The hope of silencing Beck in the wake of Tucson has lured the left into a strategic blunder.
They’ve decided to turn Piven into a martyr.
Yet in doing so the left has tied itself to Piven’s wild writings and over-the-top radicalism.
Dreier acts as though Piven’s scholarly work is somehow different from the calls for rioting, crisis, and polarization in her two notorious Nation articles.
Actually, Piven’s scholarly writings are worse. . . . A quarter century later the Nation has embraced Piven’s call for Euro-style rioting in America, allowing her to speak with the magazine’s editorial voice.
It’s not Beck who’s tarring the left with the brush of Piven’s radicalism.
They’re doing it to themselves.”
Related, from Ann Althouse:
Do academics mean to have influence or not?
Are we supposed to think of them as oversmart flakes who are tucked away in institutions where they won’t screw up real life for the rest of us?
Because that’s the only way in which it makes sense to portray Glenn Beck as the villain.
He took an academic seriously, as if she meant what she said and expected real people to hear and act.
Indeed. And one of Althouse’s comments suggests that the logic of blaming Beck is this: “Because if Americans learn the truth of what the Left really is, they’ll want to shoot them.”
Thus, accurate quotes are an incitement to violence!"
MLive.com Muskegon Forum
MLive.com Muskegon Forum
29356. are we ALL birthers?
by muskigordo, 01/24/11 4:02 PM
Does simply asking the democrat governor who promised to end these questions to produce the document make me a birther?
Does greeb and his ilk simply not care?
They just trust the guy who lied about everything to get elected?
http://muskegonpundit.blogspot.com/2011/01/wh-birthers-arent-rational.html"
29356. are we ALL birthers?
by muskigordo, 01/24/11 4:02 PM
Does simply asking the democrat governor who promised to end these questions to produce the document make me a birther?
Does greeb and his ilk simply not care?
They just trust the guy who lied about everything to get elected?
http://muskegonpundit.blogspot.com/2011/01/wh-birthers-arent-rational.html"
"Big Sugar" Cartel Cost Consumers $4.5B Last Year
CARPE DIEM: "Big Sugar" Cartel Cost Consumers $4.5B Last Year
"In a recent Wall Street Journal letter titled “The Sugar Program Makes Sense,” the American Sugar Alliance’s chief economist claimed that “sugar policy operates at no cost to the government and is projected to do so for the next decade.”
While it’s true that U.S. sugar producers haven’t tapped American taxpayers directly since the beet sugar farmers raked in more than $240 million in farm subsidy payments from 2000 to 2005, U.S. sugar policy did force American consumers to pay out $4.5 billion last year in higher sugar prices to support the “Big Sugar” cartel."
"In a recent Wall Street Journal letter titled “The Sugar Program Makes Sense,” the American Sugar Alliance’s chief economist claimed that “sugar policy operates at no cost to the government and is projected to do so for the next decade.”
While it’s true that U.S. sugar producers haven’t tapped American taxpayers directly since the beet sugar farmers raked in more than $240 million in farm subsidy payments from 2000 to 2005, U.S. sugar policy did force American consumers to pay out $4.5 billion last year in higher sugar prices to support the “Big Sugar” cartel."
W.H.: 'Birthers' aren't 'rational'
W.H.: 'Birthers' aren't 'rational' POLITICO 44
"Gibbs snuck a jab at the so-called birthers who don’t believe Obama was born in Hawaii. “I think rational people have -- have long ago, many when they first heard and saw the president, come to the conclusion of his citizenship,” he said."
OK.
I'm not a birther, Obama is president after all.
But when a democrat ex-congressman and now governor of Barry's birth state, publicly promises to produce the "holy grail" of the anti-birthers and then presents an unbelievable "it's there but we can't find it but trust us it's there" explanation......well.......
What's a normal American to think?
Something sure does smell stinky in Obama-land.
"Gibbs snuck a jab at the so-called birthers who don’t believe Obama was born in Hawaii. “I think rational people have -- have long ago, many when they first heard and saw the president, come to the conclusion of his citizenship,” he said."
OK.
I'm not a birther, Obama is president after all.
But when a democrat ex-congressman and now governor of Barry's birth state, publicly promises to produce the "holy grail" of the anti-birthers and then presents an unbelievable "it's there but we can't find it but trust us it's there" explanation......well.......
What's a normal American to think?
Something sure does smell stinky in Obama-land.
Three SEIU Locals--Including Chicago Chapter--Waived From Obamacare Requirement
Three SEIU Locals--Including Chicago Chapter--Waived From Obamacare Requirement CNSnews.com
"Three local chapters of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), whose political action committee spent $27 million supporting Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election, have received temporary waivers from a provision in the Obamacare law.
The three SEIU chapters include the Local 25 in Obama’s hometown of Chicago."
"Three local chapters of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), whose political action committee spent $27 million supporting Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election, have received temporary waivers from a provision in the Obamacare law.
The three SEIU chapters include the Local 25 in Obama’s hometown of Chicago."
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