Euro Falls Versus Dollar as Portugal Downgrade Fuels Fresh Bailout Concern - Bloomberg
"The euro weakened against all but two of its 16 major peers tracked by Bloomberg after Moody’s Investors Service cut Portugal’s credit rating to junk status, stoking speculation the nation will need a second bailout."
Important stuff you won't get from the liberal media! We do the surfing so you can be informed AND have a life!
Wednesday, July 06, 2011
Stores succeed by turning shopping into a 'hunt'
Stores succeed by turning shopping into a 'hunt' - Business - Consumer news - Retail - msnbc.com
"Walmart, on the other hand, is still trying to correct itself after a move to pare down to the basics — the opposite of the treasure hunt approach — proved unsuccessful."
"Walmart, on the other hand, is still trying to correct itself after a move to pare down to the basics — the opposite of the treasure hunt approach — proved unsuccessful."
Is There a Conservative Case for Higher Taxes?
Is There a Conservative Case for Higher Taxes? Power Line
"But here’s the case: one problem with our current tax policy is that at the moment the American people as a whole are receiving a dollar of government for the price of only 60 cents.
(I don’t say a “dollar’s worth of government,” but let’s leave that snark for another time.)
Any time you can get a dollar of something at a 40 percent discount, you are going to demand more of it.
My theory is simple: if the broad middle class of Americans are made to pay for all of the government they get, they may well start to demand less of it, quickly."
"But here’s the case: one problem with our current tax policy is that at the moment the American people as a whole are receiving a dollar of government for the price of only 60 cents.
(I don’t say a “dollar’s worth of government,” but let’s leave that snark for another time.)
Any time you can get a dollar of something at a 40 percent discount, you are going to demand more of it.
My theory is simple: if the broad middle class of Americans are made to pay for all of the government they get, they may well start to demand less of it, quickly."
Tuesday, July 05, 2011
Smoke screener
Smoke screener - WWW.THEDAILY.COM
"DENVER — The Mile High City is getting higher all the time.
There are now more medical marijuana dispensaries in Denver than there are Starbucks."
"DENVER — The Mile High City is getting higher all the time.
There are now more medical marijuana dispensaries in Denver than there are Starbucks."
IPODS: Who Gets The Money, And Who Gets The Jobs?
Instapundit » Blog Archive » IPODS: Who Gets The Money, And Who Gets The Jobs?
“There are, for example, only 30 production jobs inside the US associated with the iPod manufacture. . . .
Plus, of course, that point about high wage manufacturing jobs.
There aren’t any, for manufacturing is now a low wage occupation, so it’s pointless to talk about trying to bring them back to the United States.”
But read the whole thing."
“There are, for example, only 30 production jobs inside the US associated with the iPod manufacture. . . .
Plus, of course, that point about high wage manufacturing jobs.
There aren’t any, for manufacturing is now a low wage occupation, so it’s pointless to talk about trying to bring them back to the United States.”
But read the whole thing."
Colorado high-risk health insurance pool burning through money fast
Colorado high-risk health insurance pool burning through money fast - The Denver Post
"The federally sanctioned high-risk insurance pool for Colorado is signing up fewer patients and burning through its limited cash faster than expected, as the plan attracts the sickest of the sick.
Planners for GettingUsCovered, meant to bridge patients with pre-existing conditions to health-care reform's full arrival in 2014, might have to raise premiums, lower benefits and add waiting lists."
Our socialist paradise!
"The federally sanctioned high-risk insurance pool for Colorado is signing up fewer patients and burning through its limited cash faster than expected, as the plan attracts the sickest of the sick.
Planners for GettingUsCovered, meant to bridge patients with pre-existing conditions to health-care reform's full arrival in 2014, might have to raise premiums, lower benefits and add waiting lists."
Our socialist paradise!
Judicial Misconduct in the Sixth Circuit
Judicial Misconduct in the Sixth Circuit The Heritage Foundation
"The four nominees represent a quarter of the judges authorized on the Sixth Circuit, which hears appeals from Ohio, Michigan, Tennessee, and Kentucky.
Senator Carl Levin's crusade to thwart the nominations of a substantial portion of a circuit's bench -- a move which appears to be motivated by nothing more than sour grapes over the Senate's failure to confirm his cousin's wife to the bench"
"The four nominees represent a quarter of the judges authorized on the Sixth Circuit, which hears appeals from Ohio, Michigan, Tennessee, and Kentucky.
Senator Carl Levin's crusade to thwart the nominations of a substantial portion of a circuit's bench -- a move which appears to be motivated by nothing more than sour grapes over the Senate's failure to confirm his cousin's wife to the bench"
The Most Important Historical Gun In History Of United States
The Most Important Historical Gun In History Of United States - Hani Sarji - Estate of Confusion - Forbes
"The video is titled, Lewis and Clark: Girandoni Air Rifle.
In the video, Phil Schreier (Senior Curator, National Firearms Museum) explains why the Girandoni air rifle is “one of the most historically significant guns in the collection.”
He states, “This gun, it could be said, changed the entire history of the United States of America in the 19th century and perhaps the histories of the world in the 19th and 20th centuries.”"
"The video is titled, Lewis and Clark: Girandoni Air Rifle.
In the video, Phil Schreier (Senior Curator, National Firearms Museum) explains why the Girandoni air rifle is “one of the most historically significant guns in the collection.”
He states, “This gun, it could be said, changed the entire history of the United States of America in the 19th century and perhaps the histories of the world in the 19th and 20th centuries.”"
Public Pension Cuts Ruled Permissible in Colorado and Minnesota
Public Pension Cuts Ruled Permissible in Colorado and Minnesota - NYTimes.com
"Judges in Colorado and Minnesota have dismissed court challenges by retired public workers whose pensions had been cut — developments that may embolden other states and cities to use pension reductions as a tool to help balance their budgets."
"Judges in Colorado and Minnesota have dismissed court challenges by retired public workers whose pensions had been cut — developments that may embolden other states and cities to use pension reductions as a tool to help balance their budgets."
The Demand For Concealed Weapons In Michigan
The Demand For Concealed Weapons In Michigan - Transterrestrial Musings
"There’s a very interesting graphic there.
The highest percentages of women getting permits is Wayne County (Detroit) and Barry County (Grand Rapids).
I would have thought that Genessee (Flint) and Oakland (Pontiac) Counties would be equally high, but they’re slightly less.
I wonder why?"
"There’s a very interesting graphic there.
The highest percentages of women getting permits is Wayne County (Detroit) and Barry County (Grand Rapids).
I would have thought that Genessee (Flint) and Oakland (Pontiac) Counties would be equally high, but they’re slightly less.
I wonder why?"
4th of July: Should the Democrats celebrate Independence Day?
4th of July: Should the Democrats celebrate Independence Day? - International Business Times
"'The political right has been more successful in appropriating American patriotism and its symbols during the 20th century.
Survey evidence also confirms that Republicans consider themselves more patriotic than Democrats.
According to this interpretation, there is a political congruence between the patriotism promoted on Fourth of July and the values associated with the Republican Party.
Fourth of July celebrations in Republican dominated counties may thus be more politically biased events that socialize children into Republicans.
The document also suggests that Democrats gain nothing from July 4th parades, which will certainly anger many of the democrats politicians who regularly participate in the event"
"'The political right has been more successful in appropriating American patriotism and its symbols during the 20th century.
Survey evidence also confirms that Republicans consider themselves more patriotic than Democrats.
According to this interpretation, there is a political congruence between the patriotism promoted on Fourth of July and the values associated with the Republican Party.
Fourth of July celebrations in Republican dominated counties may thus be more politically biased events that socialize children into Republicans.
The document also suggests that Democrats gain nothing from July 4th parades, which will certainly anger many of the democrats politicians who regularly participate in the event"
Bathroom attendants rationing toilet paper
Bathroom attendants rationing toilet paper - NYPOST.com
"Hey buddy, can you spare a square?
The city is so hard up for cash that it's rationing toilet paper in women's public restrooms -- to the point where bathroom attendants are doling out a few measly squares per patron -- along the world-famous Coney Island boardwalk."
Our socialist paradise!
Enough money for unionized bathroom attendants but not enough for TP.
Gimme a break!
"Hey buddy, can you spare a square?
The city is so hard up for cash that it's rationing toilet paper in women's public restrooms -- to the point where bathroom attendants are doling out a few measly squares per patron -- along the world-famous Coney Island boardwalk."
Our socialist paradise!
Enough money for unionized bathroom attendants but not enough for TP.
Gimme a break!
Coal-burning China cools the planet
Coal-burning China cools the planet Mail Online
"Burning coal releases carbon dioxide which traps heat from the Sun, raising temperatures.
But it also emits particles of sulphur that help block the Sun’s rays and cool the Earth."
"Burning coal releases carbon dioxide which traps heat from the Sun, raising temperatures.
But it also emits particles of sulphur that help block the Sun’s rays and cool the Earth."
Monday, July 04, 2011
“Michigan’s Public Employment Relations Act: Public-Sector Labor Law and Its Consequences,”
Executive Summary [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
"This report outlines a variety of ways the Michigan Legislature can address the damaging impact of PERA.
These options range from modest, targeted reforms to an outright ban on collective bargaining in local units of government.
Among the targeted reforms to correct at least some flaws in the law are the following:
Establish additional statutory limits on the subject matter of collective bargaining, backed by a strong enforcement mechanism, to ensure that the public retains control over important policy decisions.
At a minimum, the state Legislature should require that collective bargaining agreements conform with state laws and local ordinances.
Suspend collective bargaining privileges and agreements when government employee unions flagrantly violate PERA by going on strike.
Collective bargaining for government employees is a privilege, not a right.
“Abuse the privilege, lose the privilege” is a sound rule.
Bar agency fees from public-employee collective bargaining agreements — in other words, an “open government employment” rule — to end what has essentially become a taxpayer subsidy of union politics."
"This report outlines a variety of ways the Michigan Legislature can address the damaging impact of PERA.
These options range from modest, targeted reforms to an outright ban on collective bargaining in local units of government.
Among the targeted reforms to correct at least some flaws in the law are the following:
Establish additional statutory limits on the subject matter of collective bargaining, backed by a strong enforcement mechanism, to ensure that the public retains control over important policy decisions.
At a minimum, the state Legislature should require that collective bargaining agreements conform with state laws and local ordinances.
Suspend collective bargaining privileges and agreements when government employee unions flagrantly violate PERA by going on strike.
Collective bargaining for government employees is a privilege, not a right.
“Abuse the privilege, lose the privilege” is a sound rule.
Bar agency fees from public-employee collective bargaining agreements — in other words, an “open government employment” rule — to end what has essentially become a taxpayer subsidy of union politics."
Almost a Fourth of Americans Do Not Know When the U.S. Declared Independence
Almost a Fourth of Americans Do Not Know When the U.S. Declared Independence - The Note
"A Marist poll released Friday shows that only 58 percent of Americans know when the country declared independence.
Nearly a fourth of respondents said they were unsure and sixteen percent said a date other than 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was signed.
Young people posted the most troubling scores with 41 percent of people ages 18 to 29 saying they were unsure when the Declaration of Independence was signed and 27 percent saying the wrong date.
One in four Americans do not even know which country the U.S. gained independence from. The correct answer, of course, is Great Britain, although 20 percent of respondents were unsure of that fact."
And there is this:
http://www.suntimes.com/news/6323145-418/vice-president-biden-to-teachers-you-are-not-the-problem.html
"A Marist poll released Friday shows that only 58 percent of Americans know when the country declared independence.
Nearly a fourth of respondents said they were unsure and sixteen percent said a date other than 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was signed.
Young people posted the most troubling scores with 41 percent of people ages 18 to 29 saying they were unsure when the Declaration of Independence was signed and 27 percent saying the wrong date.
One in four Americans do not even know which country the U.S. gained independence from. The correct answer, of course, is Great Britain, although 20 percent of respondents were unsure of that fact."
And there is this:
http://www.suntimes.com/news/6323145-418/vice-president-biden-to-teachers-you-are-not-the-problem.html
Worst Performing Sovereign CDS
Worst Performing Sovereign CDS
"Among the lists it put out: The countries who have seen their CDS widen the most.
So these aren't necessarily the worst countries, just the countries who had the worst quarter"
"Among the lists it put out: The countries who have seen their CDS widen the most.
So these aren't necessarily the worst countries, just the countries who had the worst quarter"
'I want to punch him in his head'
'I want to punch him in his head' - Maggie Haberman - POLITICO.com
"“This is all about him being a bully and a punk,” he said in an interview Friday.
“I wanted to punch him in his head.”
....“You know who he reminds me of?” Sweeney says. “Mr. Potter from ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’ the mean old bastard who screws everybody.”"
Ah, the civility of democrat leaders.....
"“This is all about him being a bully and a punk,” he said in an interview Friday.
“I wanted to punch him in his head.”
....“You know who he reminds me of?” Sweeney says. “Mr. Potter from ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’ the mean old bastard who screws everybody.”"
Ah, the civility of democrat leaders.....
Obama’s Economists: ‘Stimulus’ Has Cost $278,000 per Job
Obama’s Economists: ‘Stimulus’ Has Cost $278,000 per Job The Weekly Standard
"In other words, the government could simply have cut a $100,000 check to everyone whose employment was allegedly made possible by the “stimulus,” and taxpayers would have come out $427 billion ahead"
"In other words, the government could simply have cut a $100,000 check to everyone whose employment was allegedly made possible by the “stimulus,” and taxpayers would have come out $427 billion ahead"
The Ugliest Face of Unionism
The Ugliest Face of Unionism - 620 WTMJ - Milwaukee's Source for Local News and Weather
"a re-enactment of the famous photo of three firefighters raising the American flag amid the rubble of the World Trade Center - created a rush of emotions as it passed through three parade routes in Milwaukee County back in 2002.
Crowds spontaneously rose to their feet, offering thunderous applause.
With the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks coming up later this year, Gorniak and his church's youth group decided to revive the float in Racine's upcoming Independence Day parade, one of the biggest in the area.
Unexpectedly, the request set off a debate among the leaders of the Racine firefighters union.
The problem: Gorniak had recently invoked a little-used provision in his union contract and opted out of membership in the Wisconsin State Firefighters Association.
Members of the executive board of the Racine firefighters union ultimately decided not to support or march with his float."
ah, the civility of the left.....
"a re-enactment of the famous photo of three firefighters raising the American flag amid the rubble of the World Trade Center - created a rush of emotions as it passed through three parade routes in Milwaukee County back in 2002.
Crowds spontaneously rose to their feet, offering thunderous applause.
With the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks coming up later this year, Gorniak and his church's youth group decided to revive the float in Racine's upcoming Independence Day parade, one of the biggest in the area.
Unexpectedly, the request set off a debate among the leaders of the Racine firefighters union.
The problem: Gorniak had recently invoked a little-used provision in his union contract and opted out of membership in the Wisconsin State Firefighters Association.
Members of the executive board of the Racine firefighters union ultimately decided not to support or march with his float."
ah, the civility of the left.....
New Transformers Flick Costs Each Michigan Taxpayer $1.36
New Transformers Flick Costs Each Michigan Taxpayer $1.36 [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
"it is effectively a subsidy check from the state treasury.
According to the Michigan Film Office press release, 'Transformers' received $6.1 million in refundable tax credits from the state"
"it is effectively a subsidy check from the state treasury.
According to the Michigan Film Office press release, 'Transformers' received $6.1 million in refundable tax credits from the state"
Friday, July 01, 2011
Corporate Jets and Tax Breaks
RealClearPolitics - Corporate Jets and Tax Breaks
"Indeed, no one asked why, if it is such an affront to the liberal conscience, it was part of Obama's stimulus bill, which was passed without any Republican votes in the House and only three in the Senate (which means Nancy Pelosi voted for special tax breaks for corporate jets and the GOP didn't)."
"Indeed, no one asked why, if it is such an affront to the liberal conscience, it was part of Obama's stimulus bill, which was passed without any Republican votes in the House and only three in the Senate (which means Nancy Pelosi voted for special tax breaks for corporate jets and the GOP didn't)."
Woman's Dead Body Found In Massachusetts Public Pool After 2 Days
Woman's Dead Body Found In Massachusetts Public Pool After 2 Days
"A woman's body might have been left in the cloudy water of a public swimming pool for more than two days, without lifeguards, health inspectors or other swimmers noticing it, officials said Thursday."
"A woman's body might have been left in the cloudy water of a public swimming pool for more than two days, without lifeguards, health inspectors or other swimmers noticing it, officials said Thursday."
The Jobless Summer
Review & Outlook: The Jobless Summer - WSJ.com
"instead of learning valuable job skills—getting out of bed before noon, showing up on time, being courteous to customers, operating a cash register or fork lift—millions of kids will spend the summer playing computer games or hanging out."
"instead of learning valuable job skills—getting out of bed before noon, showing up on time, being courteous to customers, operating a cash register or fork lift—millions of kids will spend the summer playing computer games or hanging out."
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