Daily Grit by Wes Thorp: Michigan retirees: Raise your hands if you want your pensions taxed
"For the record, I consider myself to be a conservative of the Barry Goldwater variety.
My ties to the Republican party are becoming a memory."
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Better Pay Your Parking Tickets!
CORE PRINCIPLES: Better Pay Your Parking Tickets!
"Legislation has been introduced in the House and the Senate to prohibit the Secretary of State from renewing your driver's license if you have three or more unpaind parking tickets."
"Legislation has been introduced in the House and the Senate to prohibit the Secretary of State from renewing your driver's license if you have three or more unpaind parking tickets."
U.S. Manufacturing: More Output, Fewer Workers
CARPE DIEM: U.S. Manufacturing: More Output, Fewer Workers
"I have featured the graphs above before on CD, and they were the basis for this op-ed in today's WSJ, 'The Truth About U.S. Manufacturing' (also available here)."
"I have featured the graphs above before on CD, and they were the basis for this op-ed in today's WSJ, 'The Truth About U.S. Manufacturing' (also available here)."
Top 10 Labor Union Outrages
Top 10 Labor Union Outrages - HUMAN EVENTS
"Here are the Top 10 Labor Union Outrages."
"Here are the Top 10 Labor Union Outrages."
Prosecutor discusses recall threats
Prosecutor discusses recall threats wzzm13.com
"A group on Facebook is calling for prosecutor Tony Tague's ouster.
The group formed after Tague charged Evan Emory with manufacturing child abusive material, which is a 20 year felony."
"A group on Facebook is calling for prosecutor Tony Tague's ouster.
The group formed after Tague charged Evan Emory with manufacturing child abusive material, which is a 20 year felony."
Bogus statistic from Wisconsin union backers spreads in media despite being debunked
Bogus statistic from Wisconsin union backers spreads in media despite being debunked Hans Bader Opinion Zone Washington Examiner
"On Wednesday, PolitiFact debunked the claim by Wisconsin union supporters that Virginia, which bans collective bargaining in state agencies, ranks 44th in the nation in ACT/SAT scores, compared to Wisconsin ranking 2nd.
For example, it noted that in 2009, Virginia ranked 22nd in ACT scores, while Wisconsin ranked 13th. As PolitiFact notes, this claim was originally disseminated by the Wisconsin Democratic Party, which has now retracted it."
"On Wednesday, PolitiFact debunked the claim by Wisconsin union supporters that Virginia, which bans collective bargaining in state agencies, ranks 44th in the nation in ACT/SAT scores, compared to Wisconsin ranking 2nd.
For example, it noted that in 2009, Virginia ranked 22nd in ACT scores, while Wisconsin ranked 13th. As PolitiFact notes, this claim was originally disseminated by the Wisconsin Democratic Party, which has now retracted it."
US ambassador goes AWOL at UN
US ambassador goes AWOL at UN --Editorial - NYPOST.com
"The UN Security Council convened an emergency session yesterday to draft sanctions against Libyan mad- dog Moammar Khadafy.
But as the UN struggled to put out the fires in the Mideast, America's top UN rep was nowhere to be found.
In fact, US Ambassador Susan Rice was 8,000 miles away from UN headquarters, taking tea in South Africa with fellow diplonuts.
South Africa?
What the hell?
Rice flew to sunny Cape Town this week for a 'global sustainability' conference to discuss carbon emissions and green economies in the Third World."
"The UN Security Council convened an emergency session yesterday to draft sanctions against Libyan mad- dog Moammar Khadafy.
But as the UN struggled to put out the fires in the Mideast, America's top UN rep was nowhere to be found.
In fact, US Ambassador Susan Rice was 8,000 miles away from UN headquarters, taking tea in South Africa with fellow diplonuts.
South Africa?
What the hell?
Rice flew to sunny Cape Town this week for a 'global sustainability' conference to discuss carbon emissions and green economies in the Third World."
FUN FACT
Instapundit » Blog Archive »
"FUN FACT:
Rep. Michael Capuano, recently seen calling for union protesters to “get a little bloody,” has a wife whose maiden name is “Teebagy.”"
"FUN FACT:
Rep. Michael Capuano, recently seen calling for union protesters to “get a little bloody,” has a wife whose maiden name is “Teebagy.”"
Friday, February 25, 2011
Old Coca Cola sign causes flap in San Francisco
My Way News - Old Coca Cola sign causes flap in San Francisco
"It's been this way for 20 years, so I guess it is part of the neighborhood,' the 64-year-old Modolo told the San Francisco Chronicle.
But city planners came out to inspect the sign after receiving a complaint last month and deemed it illegal. Modolo was told he could face a daily fine of $100 until it was removed.
The identity of the person who filed the complaint has been redacted from city records."
The tyranny of the minority!
"It's been this way for 20 years, so I guess it is part of the neighborhood,' the 64-year-old Modolo told the San Francisco Chronicle.
But city planners came out to inspect the sign after receiving a complaint last month and deemed it illegal. Modolo was told he could face a daily fine of $100 until it was removed.
The identity of the person who filed the complaint has been redacted from city records."
The tyranny of the minority!
Elephant has sex with a car
Elephant has sex with a car The Sun News:
"THIS horny Dumbo mounted a car he mistook for a mate leaving the passengers inside with a jumbo-sized problem."
"THIS horny Dumbo mounted a car he mistook for a mate leaving the passengers inside with a jumbo-sized problem."
Michigan Taxpayers Alliance
Michigan Taxpayers Alliance
"But one group is actually becoming richer in Michigan: government employees.
State and local government employee compensation increased by 5.5% during the same period, and federal employee compensation is up by 7.5%.
And the good times will keep rolling for state government bureaucrats who are scheduled to receive a nice 3% pay increase this year unless two-thirds of state lawmakers vote to halt the pay hike."
"But one group is actually becoming richer in Michigan: government employees.
State and local government employee compensation increased by 5.5% during the same period, and federal employee compensation is up by 7.5%.
And the good times will keep rolling for state government bureaucrats who are scheduled to receive a nice 3% pay increase this year unless two-thirds of state lawmakers vote to halt the pay hike."
Texas demographer: 'It's basically over for Anglos'
Texas demographer: 'It's basically over for Anglos' Texas Politics Chron.com - Houston Chronicle
"The state's future looks bleak assuming the current trend line does not change because education and income levels for Hispanics lag considerably behind Anglos, he said.
Unless the trend line changes, 30 percent of the state's labor force will not have even a high school diploma by 2040, he said.
And the average household income will be about $6,500 lower than it was in 2000.
That figure is not inflation adjusted so it will be worse than what it sounds.
'It's a terrible situation that you are in. I am worried,' Murdock said"
"The state's future looks bleak assuming the current trend line does not change because education and income levels for Hispanics lag considerably behind Anglos, he said.
Unless the trend line changes, 30 percent of the state's labor force will not have even a high school diploma by 2040, he said.
And the average household income will be about $6,500 lower than it was in 2000.
That figure is not inflation adjusted so it will be worse than what it sounds.
'It's a terrible situation that you are in. I am worried,' Murdock said"
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Evan Emory case sparks anonymous group to 'consider' recall campaign against Tony Tague
Evan Emory case sparks anonymous group to 'consider' recall campaign against Tony Tague MLive.com
"The anonymous news release said the group “may be on the verge of moving forward with a campaign” based on positive response to its Facebook page and “some e-mails sent out.”"
"The anonymous news release said the group “may be on the verge of moving forward with a campaign” based on positive response to its Facebook page and “some e-mails sent out.”"
Fleebaggers – The New Cut-and-Run Democrats Commentary
Malkin: Fleebaggers – The New Cut-and-Run Democrats Commentary
"Scores of Fleebagger Democrats are now in hiding in neighboring Illinois, the nation's sanctuary for political crooks and corruptocrats."
"Scores of Fleebagger Democrats are now in hiding in neighboring Illinois, the nation's sanctuary for political crooks and corruptocrats."
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Mitch Daniels | declines support GOP right-to-work bill
Mitch Daniels declines support GOP right-to-work bill Wisconsin protests The Daily Caller - Breaking News, Opinion, Research, and Entertainment
"Indiana Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels declined Tuesday to support a GOP-pushed right-to-work bill that had led House Democrats to flee the state to avoid a possible vote on the bill.
“I don’t attempt to dictate the agenda.
I’m not in position to, really, of a separate and free-standing superior branch of government,”
Daniels told reporters in an afternoon press conference.
“For reasons I’ve explained more than once, I think there was a better time and place to have this very important and legitimate issue raised.”"
END OF PRESIDENTIAL HOPES!
"Indiana Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels declined Tuesday to support a GOP-pushed right-to-work bill that had led House Democrats to flee the state to avoid a possible vote on the bill.
“I don’t attempt to dictate the agenda.
I’m not in position to, really, of a separate and free-standing superior branch of government,”
Daniels told reporters in an afternoon press conference.
“For reasons I’ve explained more than once, I think there was a better time and place to have this very important and legitimate issue raised.”"
END OF PRESIDENTIAL HOPES!
We don't need fewer Muskegon County commissioners
Letters: We don't need fewer Muskegon County commissioners MLive.com
Redistricting, reapportionment, gerrymandering.
Whatever you call it, in Muskegon County, it really means that the Muskegon Democratic Party controls which county commission district you will live in for the next 10 years.
The commission consists of Democratic Treasurer Tony Moulatsiotis (chairman), County Clerk Nancy Waters, Prosecutor Tony Tague and Democratic Party boss Steve Keglovitz.
The lone Republican, GOP chair Christina Achterhoff makes it 4 to 1 Democrats over Republicans on the board.
The voters gave the Democrats the votes and the power to redraw district lines in any manner they choose.
But this commission isn’t only about gerrymandering your district for purely partisan purposes.
They will also consider reducing the number of commissioners from the current 11 down to 9 or even 7.
You might ask the Democrats why 7 or 9 is a better number than 11.
So far they haven’t offered a reason.
Although there is talk that the reduced number of commissioners would quietly split the current group’s total pay by the new, smaller number, thereby giving themselves a stealth pay increase.
I think that the reduction is a terrible idea for additional reasons. The most obvious reason is it would effectively disenfranchise every voter in the county. With fewer representatives, your vote and voice is worth less.
And their power increases.
County regions will lose a voice concerning issues specific to their areas.
Some commissioners currently have as many as five municipalities within their districts.
Fewer commissioners will mean an increase in the different cities and townships they must represent. It will make connecting with their residents more difficult.
And it will surely make it harder for those residents to communicate and connect with their commissioner.
Fewer commissioners will require increased workloads for the remaining commissioners. The increased workload of this part-time job would make it less attractive to new candidates.
Or the work would simply not get done.
It likely could eliminate full-time workers from the candidate pool with only the lazy, independently wealthy or retired able to find the time to adequately do what would become a far more challenging job.
Do we really want to put in place a policy that restricts the pool of possible candidates and effectively eliminates the citizen legislator?
Finally, as a friend in the restaurant business told me, “If I reduce the number of servers in my restaurant, my customers will have worse service.”
Well, duh!
We the people of Muskegon will suffer the same reduction in service if we allow the Democrat controlled board to shrink our representation.
Call your county commissioner and the redistricting board members and tell them we need greater representation, not less.
Before it’s too late!
Redistricting, reapportionment, gerrymandering.
Whatever you call it, in Muskegon County, it really means that the Muskegon Democratic Party controls which county commission district you will live in for the next 10 years.
The commission consists of Democratic Treasurer Tony Moulatsiotis (chairman), County Clerk Nancy Waters, Prosecutor Tony Tague and Democratic Party boss Steve Keglovitz.
The lone Republican, GOP chair Christina Achterhoff makes it 4 to 1 Democrats over Republicans on the board.
The voters gave the Democrats the votes and the power to redraw district lines in any manner they choose.
But this commission isn’t only about gerrymandering your district for purely partisan purposes.
They will also consider reducing the number of commissioners from the current 11 down to 9 or even 7.
You might ask the Democrats why 7 or 9 is a better number than 11.
So far they haven’t offered a reason.
Although there is talk that the reduced number of commissioners would quietly split the current group’s total pay by the new, smaller number, thereby giving themselves a stealth pay increase.
I think that the reduction is a terrible idea for additional reasons. The most obvious reason is it would effectively disenfranchise every voter in the county. With fewer representatives, your vote and voice is worth less.
And their power increases.
County regions will lose a voice concerning issues specific to their areas.
Some commissioners currently have as many as five municipalities within their districts.
Fewer commissioners will mean an increase in the different cities and townships they must represent. It will make connecting with their residents more difficult.
And it will surely make it harder for those residents to communicate and connect with their commissioner.
Fewer commissioners will require increased workloads for the remaining commissioners. The increased workload of this part-time job would make it less attractive to new candidates.
Or the work would simply not get done.
It likely could eliminate full-time workers from the candidate pool with only the lazy, independently wealthy or retired able to find the time to adequately do what would become a far more challenging job.
Do we really want to put in place a policy that restricts the pool of possible candidates and effectively eliminates the citizen legislator?
Finally, as a friend in the restaurant business told me, “If I reduce the number of servers in my restaurant, my customers will have worse service.”
Well, duh!
We the people of Muskegon will suffer the same reduction in service if we allow the Democrat controlled board to shrink our representation.
Call your county commissioner and the redistricting board members and tell them we need greater representation, not less.
Before it’s too late!
We don't need fewer Muskegon County commissioners | MLive.com
Letters: We don't need fewer Muskegon County commissioners
Finally, as a friend in the restaurant business told me, “If I reduce the number of servers in my restaurant, my customers will have worse service.”"
Finally, as a friend in the restaurant business told me, “If I reduce the number of servers in my restaurant, my customers will have worse service.”"
Shakeup in First Lady's fashion shop
American Thinker Blog: Shakeup in First Lady's fashion shop
"Nancy Reagan had a relationship with designers similar to Michele Obama's friendship with Goldman.
The payoff for the designer was not in getting a taxpayer funded paycheck, but in seeing their designs worn by a highly visible celebrity."
"Nancy Reagan had a relationship with designers similar to Michele Obama's friendship with Goldman.
The payoff for the designer was not in getting a taxpayer funded paycheck, but in seeing their designs worn by a highly visible celebrity."
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Federal Improper Payments Continue to Increase
Federal Improper Payments Continue to Increase Mercatus
"According to the 2010 Financial Report of the United States Government, $ 2.3 billion in outlays were reviewed by federal executive branch entities for improper payments last year; 5.5% of these payments, or $125.4 billion were found to be improper.
This represents an increase of $16.2 billion from the fiscal year 2009 estimate of $109.2 billion."
"According to the 2010 Financial Report of the United States Government, $ 2.3 billion in outlays were reviewed by federal executive branch entities for improper payments last year; 5.5% of these payments, or $125.4 billion were found to be improper.
This represents an increase of $16.2 billion from the fiscal year 2009 estimate of $109.2 billion."
Chris Christie trimming down for 2012?
Chris Christie trimming down for 2012? - NATASHA LENNARD POLITICO CLICK
"'Slowly but surely I'm taking the weight off,' Christie told the AP late last week, explaining that in the past 10 months he has been working out with a trainer and watching what he eats."
"'Slowly but surely I'm taking the weight off,' Christie told the AP late last week, explaining that in the past 10 months he has been working out with a trainer and watching what he eats."
Arvada Police arrest 11-year-old over 'inappropriate' stick figure drawing
Arvada Police arrest 11-year-old over 'inappropriate' stick figure drawing - KDVR
"An 11-year-old Arvada boy was arrested and hauled away in handcuffs for drawing stick figures in school, something his therapist told him to do."
"An 11-year-old Arvada boy was arrested and hauled away in handcuffs for drawing stick figures in school, something his therapist told him to do."
Eleven cities hit new lows in home prices in December
Eleven cities hit new lows in home prices in December Money & Company Los Angeles Times
"Those cities were Atlanta; Charlotte, N.C.; Chicago; Detroit; Las Vegas; Miami; New York; Phoenix; Portland, Ore.; Seattle and Tampa, Fla.
Nine of those cities had posted lows with November's report as well -- New York and Phoenix are the new members of this group."
"Those cities were Atlanta; Charlotte, N.C.; Chicago; Detroit; Las Vegas; Miami; New York; Phoenix; Portland, Ore.; Seattle and Tampa, Fla.
Nine of those cities had posted lows with November's report as well -- New York and Phoenix are the new members of this group."
Two-Thirds of Wisconsin Public-School 8th Graders Can’t Read Proficiently—Despite Highest Per Pupil Spending in Midwest | CNSnews.com
Two-Thirds of Wisconsin Public-School 8th Graders Can’t Read Proficiently—Despite Highest Per Pupil Spending in Midwest
"only 32 percent of Wisconsin public-school eighth graders earned a “proficient” rating while another 2 percent earned an “advanced” rating.
The other 66 percent of Wisconsin public-school eighth graders earned ratings below “proficient,” including 44 percent who earned a rating of “basic” and 22 percent who earned a rating of “below basic"
"only 32 percent of Wisconsin public-school eighth graders earned a “proficient” rating while another 2 percent earned an “advanced” rating.
The other 66 percent of Wisconsin public-school eighth graders earned ratings below “proficient,” including 44 percent who earned a rating of “basic” and 22 percent who earned a rating of “below basic"
No Line Item: Obama's Budget Obscures Funding for Health Care Implementation
No Line Item: Obama's Budget Obscures Funding for Health Care Implementation CNSnews.com
"Republicans suspect a dodge to make it harder for them to track the money as they strategize over how to block the law by shutting off the spigot of federal funds."
"Republicans suspect a dodge to make it harder for them to track the money as they strategize over how to block the law by shutting off the spigot of federal funds."
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