Public pensions operate under far laxer accounting rules than private pensions CAIVN
"Government pensions, including CalPERS and the other public pension plans in California, are permitted to use far laxer accounting standards than private pension plans.
This allows them to greatly overstate how much money they have and to understate future liabilities, something which does not bode well for the financial health of the funds or for those relying on the money for retirement.
Yes, you got that right.
Federal government rules allow their own pensions, as well as state and local pensions, to ignore rules that private funds must follow."
Where is the outrage?
Important stuff you won't get from the liberal media! We do the surfing so you can be informed AND have a life!
Wednesday, June 08, 2011
State representative to host town hall meeting in Norton Shores
State representative to host town hall meeting in Norton Shores MLive.com
"State Rep. Holly Hughes, R-Montague, will host a town hall meeting and presentation Monday to inform area veterans of the benefits available to them through the state.
Jason Allen, senior deputy director of the Department of Military Affairs, will join Hughes at the town hall meeting, as will state Rep. Kurt Damrow, R-Port Austin, chair of the House Military and Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security Committee.
The event will 1 p.m. at VFW Post No. 3195, 5209 Grand Haven Road in Norton Shores. The event is free."
"State Rep. Holly Hughes, R-Montague, will host a town hall meeting and presentation Monday to inform area veterans of the benefits available to them through the state.
Jason Allen, senior deputy director of the Department of Military Affairs, will join Hughes at the town hall meeting, as will state Rep. Kurt Damrow, R-Port Austin, chair of the House Military and Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security Committee.
The event will 1 p.m. at VFW Post No. 3195, 5209 Grand Haven Road in Norton Shores. The event is free."
Proposed “Strike Free Education” law would restore sanity to Pennsylvania schools
Proposed “Strike Free Education” law would restore sanity to Pennsylvania schools
"Do Pennsylvania’s public schools exist for students or the employees who staff the buildings?"
What an amazing question.
One we dare not ask in Michigan.
"Do Pennsylvania’s public schools exist for students or the employees who staff the buildings?"
What an amazing question.
One we dare not ask in Michigan.
NL's whale fountain shut off for sanitary reasons
The Day - NL's whale fountain shut off for sanitary reasons News from southeastern Connecticut
"The city turned off the water at the new whale tail fountain over the weekend after someone reportedly defecated in the water.
'People are using the tail as a latrine,'' Evelyn Louziotis said. 'It's an $11 million bathroom.'"
It's the culture, stupid!
"The city turned off the water at the new whale tail fountain over the weekend after someone reportedly defecated in the water.
'People are using the tail as a latrine,'' Evelyn Louziotis said. 'It's an $11 million bathroom.'"
It's the culture, stupid!
Random attacks cause concern in Chicago
Random attacks cause concern in Chicago - chicagotribune.com
"No one was seriously hurt in the flurry of five random attacks by a mob of young men on Chicago's lakefront over the weekend.
But the feeling among many visitors and residents that the popular Near North Side stretch where the attacks occurred is safe for strolling on a summer night may have taken a hit."
It's the culture, stupid!
Does anyone think that Obama's preacher-of-hate, Rev. Wright was the only voice of hate in Chicago?
The entire south side of Chicago is a coven of community organizers preaching envy and demanding "social justice".
"Justice" for whom.
"Justice" from which oppressors?
Think about it.
"No one was seriously hurt in the flurry of five random attacks by a mob of young men on Chicago's lakefront over the weekend.
But the feeling among many visitors and residents that the popular Near North Side stretch where the attacks occurred is safe for strolling on a summer night may have taken a hit."
It's the culture, stupid!
Does anyone think that Obama's preacher-of-hate, Rev. Wright was the only voice of hate in Chicago?
The entire south side of Chicago is a coven of community organizers preaching envy and demanding "social justice".
"Justice" for whom.
"Justice" from which oppressors?
Think about it.
Educating for Liberty
Intercollegiate Studies Institute - Educating for Liberty
"Full Civic Literacy Exam (from our 2008 survey)
Are you more knowledgeable than the average citizen?
The average score for all 2,508 Americans taking the following test was 49%; college educators scored 55%.
Can you do better?"
Interesting, and humbling, test of our civic literacy.
"Full Civic Literacy Exam (from our 2008 survey)
Are you more knowledgeable than the average citizen?
The average score for all 2,508 Americans taking the following test was 49%; college educators scored 55%.
Can you do better?"
Interesting, and humbling, test of our civic literacy.
Tuesday, June 07, 2011
Hot Rod Power Tour looking forward to downtown setting, cooler temperatures at Muskegon stop
Hot Rod Power Tour looking forward to downtown setting, cooler temperatures at Muskegon stop MLive.com
"More than 3,500 high-end hot rods, street rods, muscle cars and custom trucks are expected to be displayed in Muskegon's downtown. Organizers expect the lead pack to arrive in Muskegon about noon Thursday.
Admission for spectators is free."
"More than 3,500 high-end hot rods, street rods, muscle cars and custom trucks are expected to be displayed in Muskegon's downtown. Organizers expect the lead pack to arrive in Muskegon about noon Thursday.
Admission for spectators is free."
Obama: No fears of double-dip recession
My Way News - Obama: No fears of double-dip recession
"After a spate of discouraging economic reports, President Barack Obama insisted Tuesday he's not afraid of the country slipping into a double-dip recession."
A double dip is almost guaranteed.
"After a spate of discouraging economic reports, President Barack Obama insisted Tuesday he's not afraid of the country slipping into a double-dip recession."
A double dip is almost guaranteed.
U.S. funding for future promises lags by trillions
U.S. funding for future promises lags by trillions - USATODAY.com
"The government added $5.3 trillion in new financial obligations in 2010, largely for retirement programs such as Medicare and Social Security.
That brings to a record $61.6 trillion the total of financial promises not paid for.
This gap between spending commitments and revenue last year equals more than one-third of the nation's gross domestic product.
The $61.6 trillion in unfunded obligations amounts to $534,000 per household.
That's more than five times what Americans have borrowed for everything else — mortgages, car loans and other debt."
"The government added $5.3 trillion in new financial obligations in 2010, largely for retirement programs such as Medicare and Social Security.
That brings to a record $61.6 trillion the total of financial promises not paid for.
This gap between spending commitments and revenue last year equals more than one-third of the nation's gross domestic product.
The $61.6 trillion in unfunded obligations amounts to $534,000 per household.
That's more than five times what Americans have borrowed for everything else — mortgages, car loans and other debt."
President Obama’s phony accounting on the auto industry bailout - The Fact Checker - The Washington Post
President Obama’s phony accounting on the auto industry bailout - The Fact Checker - The Washington Post
"“Chrysler has repaid every dime and more of what it owes American taxpayers for their support during my presidency.”
— President Obama, June 4, 2011"
"“Chrysler has repaid every dime and more of what it owes American taxpayers for their support during my presidency.”
— President Obama, June 4, 2011"
S.C. legislator wants to cap gas prices
S.C. legislator wants to cap gas prices - USATODAY.com
"'I don't like to interfere with the competitive free enterprise system, but in this case we don't believe the competitive free enterprise system is fully at work,'"
"'I don't like to interfere with the competitive free enterprise system, but in this case we don't believe the competitive free enterprise system is fully at work,'"
Monday, June 06, 2011
MURRAY: Nobody for commerce secretary
MURRAY: Nobody for commerce secretary - Washington Times
"In choosing John Bryson as his nominee to be the next U.S. secretary of commerce, President Obama has chosen a perfect representative of our new ruling class.
He is the founder of a lobby group, the powerful Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC),"
"In choosing John Bryson as his nominee to be the next U.S. secretary of commerce, President Obama has chosen a perfect representative of our new ruling class.
He is the founder of a lobby group, the powerful Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC),"
Urban Beach Week Destroys South Beach
Urban Beach Week Destroys South Beach … Again - Page 1 - Doug Giles - Townhall Conservative
"Well, I’m going to be called a racist for this one, but here it goes:
What the heck is up with the hip hop crowd trashing South Beach year after year on Memorial Day?
Is this how your crew celebrates the hard-won freedoms our nation’s heroes gave their lives for—by annually ransacking South Florida and shooting at cops?"
"Well, I’m going to be called a racist for this one, but here it goes:
What the heck is up with the hip hop crowd trashing South Beach year after year on Memorial Day?
Is this how your crew celebrates the hard-won freedoms our nation’s heroes gave their lives for—by annually ransacking South Florida and shooting at cops?"
NAACP Fights To Keep Kids Trapped in Failing Schools
NAACP Fights To Keep Kids Trapped in Failing Schools - Page 1 - Kyle Olson - Townhall Conservative
"Many civil rights groups around the nation have strongly supported school choice initiatives, mainly out of concern for inner-city children who have traditionally been stuck in sub-par schools.
Civil rights leaders understand that education is the key to escaping the cycle of poverty that’s prevalent in many inner-city neighborhoods.
Kids trapped in poorly run, dangerous schools often don’t receive the instruction required to move on to college or a decent job.
Those children need quality options like charter schools, or government vouchers to pay tuition at private schools, if they are going to have a chance to succeed.
Most civil rights leaders understand that concept and want to help children seek quality education beyond their geographic school district boundaries.
So why isn’t the NAACP on board?"
Muskegon's Kyle Olson!
"Many civil rights groups around the nation have strongly supported school choice initiatives, mainly out of concern for inner-city children who have traditionally been stuck in sub-par schools.
Civil rights leaders understand that education is the key to escaping the cycle of poverty that’s prevalent in many inner-city neighborhoods.
Kids trapped in poorly run, dangerous schools often don’t receive the instruction required to move on to college or a decent job.
Those children need quality options like charter schools, or government vouchers to pay tuition at private schools, if they are going to have a chance to succeed.
Most civil rights leaders understand that concept and want to help children seek quality education beyond their geographic school district boundaries.
So why isn’t the NAACP on board?"
Muskegon's Kyle Olson!
13 injured when bounce houses go airborne in New York
13 injured when bounce houses go airborne in New York - CNN.com
"13 injured when bounce houses go airborne in New York"
2nd time in the last few weeks this has happened.
"13 injured when bounce houses go airborne in New York"
2nd time in the last few weeks this has happened.
WEINER'S TALE UNRAVELING
WEINER'S TALE UNRAVELING - WWW.THEDAILY.COM
"“Here’s the thing that solves it all,” said McCroskey, “for him to call for a criminal investigation.
All they have to do is look at his TweetDeck and see if it came from there, see what IP address [it had].
The local police department or Capitol Police could probably figure this out in 15 minutes.”"
"“Here’s the thing that solves it all,” said McCroskey, “for him to call for a criminal investigation.
All they have to do is look at his TweetDeck and see if it came from there, see what IP address [it had].
The local police department or Capitol Police could probably figure this out in 15 minutes.”"
Boy's Death Highlights Crisis in Homes for Disabled
Boy's Death Highlights Crisis in Homes for Disabled - NYTimes.com
"“I could be a good king or a bad king,” he told the dying boy beneath him, according to court documents.
In the front seat of the van, the driver, another state worker at O. D. Heck, watched through the rear-view mirror but said little.
He had been fired from four different private providers of services to the developmentally disabled before the state hired him to care for the same vulnerable population."
"“I could be a good king or a bad king,” he told the dying boy beneath him, according to court documents.
In the front seat of the van, the driver, another state worker at O. D. Heck, watched through the rear-view mirror but said little.
He had been fired from four different private providers of services to the developmentally disabled before the state hired him to care for the same vulnerable population."
Saturday, June 04, 2011
China Has Divested 97 Percent of Its Holdings in U.S. Treasury Bills
China Has Divested 97 Percent of Its Holdings in U.S. Treasury Bills CNSnews.com
"China has dropped 97 percent of its holdings in U.S. Treasury bills, decreasing its ownership of the short-term U.S. government securities from a peak of $210.4 billion in May 2009 to $5.69 billion in March 2011, the most recent month reported by the U.S. Treasury."
"China has dropped 97 percent of its holdings in U.S. Treasury bills, decreasing its ownership of the short-term U.S. government securities from a peak of $210.4 billion in May 2009 to $5.69 billion in March 2011, the most recent month reported by the U.S. Treasury."
Friday, June 03, 2011
Employment growth slows sharply in May
Employment growth slows sharply in May - Yahoo! Finance
"Economists had expected payrolls to rise 150,000 and private hiring to increase 175,000"
"Economists had expected payrolls to rise 150,000 and private hiring to increase 175,000"
Farewell, My Weiner
iowahawk: Farewell, My Weiner
"Excerpts from the new Inspector Dan Rather mystery
Secrets are funny things.
The harder you try to keep them under wraps, the harder they spring up in the most embarrassing places.
And in my line of business, you learn that no matter how you try thinking about baseball those secrets can jump right out of their soft cotton comfort and put you on ice permanently.
My name is Rather.
And I'm a dick."
"Excerpts from the new Inspector Dan Rather mystery
Secrets are funny things.
The harder you try to keep them under wraps, the harder they spring up in the most embarrassing places.
And in my line of business, you learn that no matter how you try thinking about baseball those secrets can jump right out of their soft cotton comfort and put you on ice permanently.
My name is Rather.
And I'm a dick."
Muskegon County-Board
Muskegon County-Board
GREAT new facebook site focusing on the continued misdeeds of the Muskegon county commission.
GREAT new facebook site focusing on the continued misdeeds of the Muskegon county commission.
Understanding liberals
"The liberal vision of government is easily understood and makes perfect sense if one acknowledges their misunderstanding and implied assumptions about the sources of income.
Their vision helps explain the language they use and policies they support, such as income redistribution and calls for the rich to give something back.
Suppose the true source of income was a gigantic pile of money meant to be shared equally amongst Americans.
The reason some people have more money than others is because they got to the pile first and greedily took an unfair share.
That being the case, justice requires that the rich give something back, and if they won't do so voluntarily, Congress should confiscate their ill-gotten gains and return them to their rightful owners.
A competing liberal implied assumption about the sources of income is that income is distributed, as in distribution of income.
There might be a dealer of dollars.
The reason why some people have more dollars than others is because the dollar dealer is a racist, a sexist, a multinationalist or a conservative.
The only right thing to do, for those to whom the dollar dealer unfairly dealt too many dollars, is to give back their ill-gotten gains.
If they refuse to do so, then it's the job of Congress to use their agents at the IRS to confiscate their ill-gotten gains and return them to their rightful owners.
In a word, there must be a re-dealing of the dollars or what some people call income redistribution.
The sane among us recognize that in a free society, income is neither taken nor distributed; for the most part, it is earned.
Income is earned by pleasing one's fellow man.
The greater one's ability to please his fellow man, the greater is his claim on what his fellow man produces. Those claims are represented by the number of dollars received from his fellow man."
Their vision helps explain the language they use and policies they support, such as income redistribution and calls for the rich to give something back.
Suppose the true source of income was a gigantic pile of money meant to be shared equally amongst Americans.
The reason some people have more money than others is because they got to the pile first and greedily took an unfair share.
That being the case, justice requires that the rich give something back, and if they won't do so voluntarily, Congress should confiscate their ill-gotten gains and return them to their rightful owners.
A competing liberal implied assumption about the sources of income is that income is distributed, as in distribution of income.
There might be a dealer of dollars.
The reason why some people have more dollars than others is because the dollar dealer is a racist, a sexist, a multinationalist or a conservative.
The only right thing to do, for those to whom the dollar dealer unfairly dealt too many dollars, is to give back their ill-gotten gains.
If they refuse to do so, then it's the job of Congress to use their agents at the IRS to confiscate their ill-gotten gains and return them to their rightful owners.
In a word, there must be a re-dealing of the dollars or what some people call income redistribution.
The sane among us recognize that in a free society, income is neither taken nor distributed; for the most part, it is earned.
Income is earned by pleasing one's fellow man.
The greater one's ability to please his fellow man, the greater is his claim on what his fellow man produces. Those claims are represented by the number of dollars received from his fellow man."
Plan for Muskegon County's economic development growth being designed Friday
Plan for Muskegon County's economic development growth being designed Friday MLive.com
"The meeting, scheduled for Muskegon Community College's Collegiate Hall, is broken into two sessions.
The public is encouraged to attend the morning session, beginning at 9 a.m., while the afternoon session is geared toward local governmental officials."
Another government funded promise of better times.
All paid for with borrowing from your grandchildren.
"The meeting, scheduled for Muskegon Community College's Collegiate Hall, is broken into two sessions.
The public is encouraged to attend the morning session, beginning at 9 a.m., while the afternoon session is geared toward local governmental officials."
Another government funded promise of better times.
All paid for with borrowing from your grandchildren.
Cinderella and Jackyl booked for Muskegon Summer Celebration; all-festival passes go on sale Thursday
Cinderella and Jackyl booked for Muskegon Summer Celebration; all-festival passes go on sale Thursday MLive.com
"Muskegon Summer Celebration has pretty much set its main-stage entertainment in a “make or break” year as the festival's eight-day passes go on sale Thursday."
"Muskegon Summer Celebration has pretty much set its main-stage entertainment in a “make or break” year as the festival's eight-day passes go on sale Thursday."
Dispute Grows as Egyptian Gas Doesn’t Flow to Israel
Dispute Grows as Egyptian Gas Doesn’t Flow to Israel - NYTimes.com
"More than a month after saboteurs blew up an Egyptian pipeline supplying natural gas to Israel, the line is repaired but gas is not flowing and foreign shareholders of the company suspect politics to be the reason."
I starting to believe that American jews hate Israel.
"More than a month after saboteurs blew up an Egyptian pipeline supplying natural gas to Israel, the line is repaired but gas is not flowing and foreign shareholders of the company suspect politics to be the reason."
I starting to believe that American jews hate Israel.
New schedule, free parking among changes to Muskegon County Airport
New schedule, free parking among changes to Muskegon County Airport MLive.com
"A more consistent schedule for commercial flights and a free parking promotion lead a plan to increase bookings out of Muskegon County Airport."
"A more consistent schedule for commercial flights and a free parking promotion lead a plan to increase bookings out of Muskegon County Airport."
State Employee Public Pension Liability Jumps $900 Million in One Year
State Employee Public Pension Liability Jumps $900 Million in One Year [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
"In one year, the state of Michigan’s unfunded liability for the state employees’ pension plan increased by $900 million due to the poor performance of investments in 2008.
The unfunded liability increased from $3.1 billion in 2009 to $4.0 billion in 2010 for the Michigan State Employees’ Retirement System"
"In one year, the state of Michigan’s unfunded liability for the state employees’ pension plan increased by $900 million due to the poor performance of investments in 2008.
The unfunded liability increased from $3.1 billion in 2009 to $4.0 billion in 2010 for the Michigan State Employees’ Retirement System"
"They took it lugs and all"
Oceana's Herald-Journal
"Approximately 250 pounds of picked asparagus was reported stolen to the Michigan State Police May 26.
MSP Sgt. Mike Cookenmaster said the asparagus was along the roadside in the vicinity of Jackson Road and 200th Avenue in Colfax Township waiting to be picked up.
“They took it lugs and all,” Cookenmaster said.
The theft was reported by Ken Oomen, he said. Large quantity asparagus thefts are not common, Cookenmaster said, but some growers might have small quantities taken from fields.
The incident remains under investigation."
"Approximately 250 pounds of picked asparagus was reported stolen to the Michigan State Police May 26.
MSP Sgt. Mike Cookenmaster said the asparagus was along the roadside in the vicinity of Jackson Road and 200th Avenue in Colfax Township waiting to be picked up.
“They took it lugs and all,” Cookenmaster said.
The theft was reported by Ken Oomen, he said. Large quantity asparagus thefts are not common, Cookenmaster said, but some growers might have small quantities taken from fields.
The incident remains under investigation."
San Jose City Council imposes 10 percent pay cuts on four unions
San Jose City Council imposes 10 percent pay cuts on four unions - San Jose Mercury News
"On an 8-3 vote that signaled growing impatience with labor battles in the face of a fiscal crisis, the San Jose City Council on Tuesday imposed 10 percent pay and benefit cuts on four unions representing more than half the city's workforce."
"On an 8-3 vote that signaled growing impatience with labor battles in the face of a fiscal crisis, the San Jose City Council on Tuesday imposed 10 percent pay and benefit cuts on four unions representing more than half the city's workforce."
Thursday, June 02, 2011
Plan for Muskegon County's economic development growth being designed Friday
Plan for Muskegon County's economic development growth being designed Friday MLive.com
"A consultant hired by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will be here Friday to help the Muskegon community design a road map for “smart growth.”
Muskegon County was one of only 32 communities in the nation selected this year to receive the technical assistance regarding economic development.
The specific program selected for Muskegon County is focused on identifying strategies and policies across all local governmental units to promote business expansion and retention.
The meeting, scheduled for Muskegon Community College's Collegiate Hall, is broken into two sessions.
The public is encouraged to attend the morning session, beginning at 9 a.m., while the afternoon session is geared toward local governmental officials.
By the end of the meeting, the consultant and local officials are expected to create an action plan and look for ways to build community consensus for a course of action involving the community's economic stability."
TOMORROW 9 a.m.!
"A consultant hired by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will be here Friday to help the Muskegon community design a road map for “smart growth.”
Muskegon County was one of only 32 communities in the nation selected this year to receive the technical assistance regarding economic development.
The specific program selected for Muskegon County is focused on identifying strategies and policies across all local governmental units to promote business expansion and retention.
The meeting, scheduled for Muskegon Community College's Collegiate Hall, is broken into two sessions.
The public is encouraged to attend the morning session, beginning at 9 a.m., while the afternoon session is geared toward local governmental officials.
By the end of the meeting, the consultant and local officials are expected to create an action plan and look for ways to build community consensus for a course of action involving the community's economic stability."
TOMORROW 9 a.m.!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)