American Thinker: AARP's ObamaCare Endgame Revealed
"Non-Medigap insurers, not exempted from ObamaCare's rate reviews, must justify rate increases.
In effect, the HHS exemption gives AARP the ability to generate profits not achievable by non-exempted competitors"
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Tea Party Doctor Issues Obamacare Debate Challenge
Tea Party Doctor Issues Obamacare Debate Challenge - Big Government
"If you were stuck reading just the mainstream media, you would probably have no idea that there is a growing movement among doctors to oppose President Barack Obama’s health care plan.
Dr. Adam Dorin, who practices medicine in southern California, has helped co-found an offshoot of the Tea Party known as The Doctors National TEA Party"
"If you were stuck reading just the mainstream media, you would probably have no idea that there is a growing movement among doctors to oppose President Barack Obama’s health care plan.
Dr. Adam Dorin, who practices medicine in southern California, has helped co-found an offshoot of the Tea Party known as The Doctors National TEA Party"
Step Increases: The Big Teacher Raises That Don’t Make the News
Step Increases: The Big Teacher Raises That Don’t Make the News [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
"Yet, Mattawan teachers who have 13 years of service or less are still set to receive step increases of more than 5 percent for this year and the next two.
Van Beek said 65 percent of Mattawan’s teachers have 11 years or less experience."
Add the platimun health care and COL increases.
It all adds up to bankruptcy for school systems and taxpayers.
"Yet, Mattawan teachers who have 13 years of service or less are still set to receive step increases of more than 5 percent for this year and the next two.
Van Beek said 65 percent of Mattawan’s teachers have 11 years or less experience."
Add the platimun health care and COL increases.
It all adds up to bankruptcy for school systems and taxpayers.
Controversial Spring Lake community C3Exchange to sell its building, asking $1.9 million
Controversial Spring Lake community C3Exchange to sell its building, asking $1.9 million MLive.com
"C3Exchange generated controversy last June by changing its name from Christ Community Church and removing the cross on its building."
OK.
You're a Christian church...but you remove Christ from your church.....and you remove the Cross from your church......and you wonder why your members have removed you from their lives.
"C3Exchange generated controversy last June by changing its name from Christ Community Church and removing the cross on its building."
OK.
You're a Christian church...but you remove Christ from your church.....and you remove the Cross from your church......and you wonder why your members have removed you from their lives.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Pile of debt would stretch beyond stratosphere
Pile of debt would stretch beyond stratosphere Reuters
"* The U.S. government borrows more than $40,000 per second.
That's more than the cost of a year's tuition, room and board at many universities.
'That usually gets their attention,' Doug Holtz-Eakin, who was chief White House economist under President George W. Bush, said in an email.
'I have two kids, so every 10 seconds, the feds borrow more than I paid lifetime.'"
"* The U.S. government borrows more than $40,000 per second.
That's more than the cost of a year's tuition, room and board at many universities.
'That usually gets their attention,' Doug Holtz-Eakin, who was chief White House economist under President George W. Bush, said in an email.
'I have two kids, so every 10 seconds, the feds borrow more than I paid lifetime.'"
Two patients died after waiting in ambulance outside 'full' Oldham hospital unit
Two patients died after waiting in ambulance outside 'full' Oldham hospital unit Manchester Evening News - menmedia.co.uk
"Two patients died after being left waiting in ambulances outside an over-stretched hospital."
"Two patients died after being left waiting in ambulances outside an over-stretched hospital."
The Most Dangerous Cities In America
The Most Dangerous Cities In America
"But parts of the country are getting worse.
Flint, Michigan -- the most violent city in America -- saw a 10% increase in violent crime over last year, with 2,208 violent crimes per 100,000 people.
Rust Belt neighbor Detroit was only slightly safer"
"But parts of the country are getting worse.
Flint, Michigan -- the most violent city in America -- saw a 10% increase in violent crime over last year, with 2,208 violent crimes per 100,000 people.
Rust Belt neighbor Detroit was only slightly safer"
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Ryan Schools Gregory: 'I Don't Consult Polls to Tell Me What My Principles Are or Policies Should Be
Ryan Schools Gregory: 'I Don't Consult Polls to Tell Me What My Principles Are or Policies Should Be - Leaders Change Polls' NewsBusters.org
"Ryan marvelously educated his host saying,
'I don't consult polls to tell me what my principles are or what our policies should be.
Leaders change the polls'"
"Ryan marvelously educated his host saying,
'I don't consult polls to tell me what my principles are or what our policies should be.
Leaders change the polls'"
Letters: Public participation, debate make better government
Letters: Public participation, debate make better government MLive.com
"Our county faces far too many challenges to continue the 'let's go along to get along' style of 'leadership' that has brought us a near $100 million dollar underfunding of county pension and health care funds."
"Our county faces far too many challenges to continue the 'let's go along to get along' style of 'leadership' that has brought us a near $100 million dollar underfunding of county pension and health care funds."
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Adult Baby | Tom Coburn
Adult Baby Tom Coburn Investigation The Daily Caller
"“You wanna test how damn serious I am about leaving this world, screw with my check that pays for this apartment and food,” he said.
“Try it.
See how serious I am.
I don’t care.
I have no problem killing myself.
Take away the last thing keeping me here, and see what happens.
Next time you see me on the news, it will be me in a body bag.”"
"“You wanna test how damn serious I am about leaving this world, screw with my check that pays for this apartment and food,” he said.
“Try it.
See how serious I am.
I don’t care.
I have no problem killing myself.
Take away the last thing keeping me here, and see what happens.
Next time you see me on the news, it will be me in a body bag.”"
Ban shopping bags says EU
Express.co.uk - Home of the Daily and Sunday Express UK News :: Ban shopping bags says EU
"Shops in Britain could be outlawed from stocking them, or alternatively there might be a new tax to dramatically reduce their use."
"Shops in Britain could be outlawed from stocking them, or alternatively there might be a new tax to dramatically reduce their use."
The Euro Doom Scenario Starts With What's Happening In Spain Right Now
The Euro Doom Scenario Starts With What's Happening In Spain Right Now
"As you may recall, I've said forever that Spain will be the EU dealbreaker.
And as we saw, again, not that long ago, for an entire decade, from 1997-2006, Spain built more homes than England, France and Germany combined, of which far too many to count now stand empty.
Plus, much of the financing for all these superfluous homes was done through still seemingly healthy large Spanish banks like Santander and BBVA"
"As you may recall, I've said forever that Spain will be the EU dealbreaker.
And as we saw, again, not that long ago, for an entire decade, from 1997-2006, Spain built more homes than England, France and Germany combined, of which far too many to count now stand empty.
Plus, much of the financing for all these superfluous homes was done through still seemingly healthy large Spanish banks like Santander and BBVA"
Feds Moving EV Tax Credits To “Cash For Clunkers” Model
Feds Moving EV Tax Credits To “Cash For Clunkers” Model The Truth About Cars
"Speaking to Automotive News [sub], LaHood even went as far as to argue that the new direction for the tax credits, which were previously only claimable when filing taxes, would be successful for the reason that it would make the credits more like the Cash For Clunkers program.
Apparently LaHood has completely forgotten how riddled with waste, inefficiency, fraud, confusion, delays, unintended consequences and all-purpose madness that program was."
"Speaking to Automotive News [sub], LaHood even went as far as to argue that the new direction for the tax credits, which were previously only claimable when filing taxes, would be successful for the reason that it would make the credits more like the Cash For Clunkers program.
Apparently LaHood has completely forgotten how riddled with waste, inefficiency, fraud, confusion, delays, unintended consequences and all-purpose madness that program was."
Red Tape - IRS snafu leaves taxpayers, refunds in limbo for months
Red Tape - IRS snafu leaves taxpayers, refunds in limbo for months
"It's perhaps the very definition of Red Tape.
Four years ago, Congress decided that the IRS should get into the banking business, authorizing it to give out no-interest loans to first-time homebuyers.
That put the agency in the position of both collecting loan payments and issuing tax refunds to the roughly 1 million taxpayers who took advantage of the program."
The democrat controlled congress decided IRS agents would make great bankers....right.....
"It's perhaps the very definition of Red Tape.
Four years ago, Congress decided that the IRS should get into the banking business, authorizing it to give out no-interest loans to first-time homebuyers.
That put the agency in the position of both collecting loan payments and issuing tax refunds to the roughly 1 million taxpayers who took advantage of the program."
The democrat controlled congress decided IRS agents would make great bankers....right.....
Emotional school funding debate continues with parents, unions questioning legislators
Emotional school funding debate continues with parents, unions questioning legislators MLive.com
“The cuts are going to hurt East Grand Rapids but Grand Rapids is really going to be hurt,” said Dan Lorenz, an East Grand Rapids parent and Wyoming teacher.
“I am afraid of future cuts and I am angry money is being taken away to be used for other things.”"
By "taken away", I guess he means slowing the automatic teacher wage and health care and dental care and early retirement benefit increases they enjoy every year.
And "used for other things" like paying down our tsunami of debt and letting people keep some of their hard earned income.
“The cuts are going to hurt East Grand Rapids but Grand Rapids is really going to be hurt,” said Dan Lorenz, an East Grand Rapids parent and Wyoming teacher.
“I am afraid of future cuts and I am angry money is being taken away to be used for other things.”"
By "taken away", I guess he means slowing the automatic teacher wage and health care and dental care and early retirement benefit increases they enjoy every year.
And "used for other things" like paying down our tsunami of debt and letting people keep some of their hard earned income.
NHS budget squeeze to blame for longer waiting times, say doctors
NHS budget squeeze to blame for longer waiting times, say doctors Society The Guardian
"Latest performance data reveal number of English patients waiting more than 18 weeks has risen by 26% in last year"
"Latest performance data reveal number of English patients waiting more than 18 weeks has risen by 26% in last year"
Friday, May 20, 2011
Fighting for the Right to Tell Lies
Fighting for the Right to Tell Lies - NYTimes.com
"But though he admitted conjuring the entire tale, Mr. Strandlof has been fighting the case against him, arguing that the law violates his right to free speech.
Simply telling a lie, his lawyers assert, does not always constitute a crime.
Now, a federal appeals court in Denver is weighing whether the act is indeed unconstitutional.
Last July, a judge dismissed the case against Mr. Strandlof on First Amendment grounds, but prosecutors appealed."
"But though he admitted conjuring the entire tale, Mr. Strandlof has been fighting the case against him, arguing that the law violates his right to free speech.
Simply telling a lie, his lawyers assert, does not always constitute a crime.
Now, a federal appeals court in Denver is weighing whether the act is indeed unconstitutional.
Last July, a judge dismissed the case against Mr. Strandlof on First Amendment grounds, but prosecutors appealed."
An historic first?
Muskegon Taxpayers Alliance
"This is a first for me.
And maybe a first for the Muskegon County commissioners.
They voted 'No' on two spending bills!"
"This is a first for me.
And maybe a first for the Muskegon County commissioners.
They voted 'No' on two spending bills!"
Muskegon County board pulls its annual contribution to Muskegon Heights festival
Muskegon County board pulls its annual contribution to Muskegon Heights festival MLive.com
"“When you see Miss Michigan means more than an entire community, I want to say racial,” Rankin said."
"“When you see Miss Michigan means more than an entire community, I want to say racial,” Rankin said."
Senate rejects GOP bill to expand, speed up offshore drilling
Senate rejects GOP bill to expand, speed up offshore drilling - The Hill's E2-Wire
"The Senate on Wednesday rejected Republican-backed legislation intended to speed up and expand offshore oil and gas drilling"
Yes, there is a difference between GOPers and democrats.
"The Senate on Wednesday rejected Republican-backed legislation intended to speed up and expand offshore oil and gas drilling"
Yes, there is a difference between GOPers and democrats.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
THE KEY TO IMPROVING SOCIETY: Economic freedom.
Instapundit » Blog Archive » THE KEY TO IMPROVING SOCIETY: Economic freedom.
"You don’t say.
Funny, it’s easy for some people to accept that artistic freedom is good for art, but they still have trouble accepting that economic freedom is good for the economy."
"You don’t say.
Funny, it’s easy for some people to accept that artistic freedom is good for art, but they still have trouble accepting that economic freedom is good for the economy."
Aide’s Defense of Gingrich Has D.C. Howling
Aide’s Defense of Gingrich Has D.C. Howling - Washington Wire - WSJ
"Walt Whitman or Allen Ginsberg it isn’t.
But the 2012 campaign has found its early, free-form poet.
He is Rick Tyler, Newt Gingrich’s long-time spokesman, who has penned a defense of his beleaguered boss that is so purple, so mixed in its metaphors, that all of Washington is eating it up – tweeting it, emailing it and otherwise bouncing it around the Internet."
He gone!
"Walt Whitman or Allen Ginsberg it isn’t.
But the 2012 campaign has found its early, free-form poet.
He is Rick Tyler, Newt Gingrich’s long-time spokesman, who has penned a defense of his beleaguered boss that is so purple, so mixed in its metaphors, that all of Washington is eating it up – tweeting it, emailing it and otherwise bouncing it around the Internet."
He gone!
A defining moment for Chuck Reed
Herhold: A defining moment for Chuck Reed - San Jose Mercury News
"Make no mistake: The proposal that San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed unveiled Friday to curtail retirement and health benefits for city employees will define his mayoral career."
One man, standing tall!
It CAN happen in Muskegon.
"Make no mistake: The proposal that San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed unveiled Friday to curtail retirement and health benefits for city employees will define his mayoral career."
One man, standing tall!
It CAN happen in Muskegon.
If public pension checks bounce, blame union leaders and politicians, not taxpayers
If public pension checks bounce, blame union leaders and politicians, not taxpayers
"Prichard simply stopped writing pension checks almost two years ago, leaving retirees without promised income even as the town forces current employees and taxpayers to keep paying into the fund.
Sure, Prichard is only a municipality, and states are states.
But that might not make much difference when the money runs out.
In fact, as sovereigns, states can pretty much pay — or not pay — whom they choose."
It's the union members who will be hurt most if this house of cards collapses.
Why do their leaders lie to the membership?
"Prichard simply stopped writing pension checks almost two years ago, leaving retirees without promised income even as the town forces current employees and taxpayers to keep paying into the fund.
Sure, Prichard is only a municipality, and states are states.
But that might not make much difference when the money runs out.
In fact, as sovereigns, states can pretty much pay — or not pay — whom they choose."
It's the union members who will be hurt most if this house of cards collapses.
Why do their leaders lie to the membership?
Michigan Senate passes bill requiring public workers to pay 20 percent of health insurance premiums
Michigan Senate passes bill requiring public workers to pay 20 percent of health insurance premiums MLive.com
"Public employers in Michigan at the state, local, school and university levels could pay no more than 80 percent of employees' health insurance premiums under legislation that cleared the Senate today.
The measure was approved on a near party line 25-13 vote."
My gosh!
We may yet get out of this mess!
"Public employers in Michigan at the state, local, school and university levels could pay no more than 80 percent of employees' health insurance premiums under legislation that cleared the Senate today.
The measure was approved on a near party line 25-13 vote."
My gosh!
We may yet get out of this mess!
Teacher 'step increases,' retroactive wages curtailed in bill headed for Gov. Snyder
Teacher 'step increases,' retroactive wages curtailed in bill headed for Gov. Snyder MLive.com
"Teachers will no longer get automatic “step increases” under terms of expired labor agreements, and will no longer be able to bargain retroactive pay increases under a bill headed for Gov. Rick Snyder's signature."
A small step for a governor.
A giant leap for the taxpayer.
"Teachers will no longer get automatic “step increases” under terms of expired labor agreements, and will no longer be able to bargain retroactive pay increases under a bill headed for Gov. Rick Snyder's signature."
A small step for a governor.
A giant leap for the taxpayer.
How about a National Obamacare Waiver?
How about a National Obamacare Waiver? The Foundry
"On Monday, the Las Vegas Sun reported that Nevada—Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s home state—received a partial statewide Obamacare waiver, too.
If you’re keeping score, Reid was Pelosi’s counterpart in the Senate fighting to get Obamacare passed into law.
Now his state will be one of three to get a waiver from the law’s requirements, while the rest of America suffers."
The ENTIRE state of Nevada?
"On Monday, the Las Vegas Sun reported that Nevada—Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s home state—received a partial statewide Obamacare waiver, too.
If you’re keeping score, Reid was Pelosi’s counterpart in the Senate fighting to get Obamacare passed into law.
Now his state will be one of three to get a waiver from the law’s requirements, while the rest of America suffers."
The ENTIRE state of Nevada?
GM Asks for More Tax Incentives
GM Asks for More Tax Incentives [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
"The company has been the recipient of at least 10 other deals from the Michigan Economic Growth Authority, with estimated incentives valued at the time of passage at more than $1.5 billion, including its massive special 2009 award.
That’s not even including assistance in these deals from federal or local government incentives, let alone its $50 billion federal government bailout."
"The company has been the recipient of at least 10 other deals from the Michigan Economic Growth Authority, with estimated incentives valued at the time of passage at more than $1.5 billion, including its massive special 2009 award.
That’s not even including assistance in these deals from federal or local government incentives, let alone its $50 billion federal government bailout."
The Differences Between Public and Private Sector Unions
The Differences Between Public and Private Sector Unions « Union Watch
"Many supporters of public sector unions suggest there are no meaningful differences between public and private sector unions when it comes to collective bargaining.
As I explain below, however, there are in fact several fundamental differences,"
"Many supporters of public sector unions suggest there are no meaningful differences between public and private sector unions when it comes to collective bargaining.
As I explain below, however, there are in fact several fundamental differences,"
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