Friday, May 17, 2013
Don't Cry For Me, America: Comparing Argentina And The United States
Don't Cry For Me, America: Comparing Argentina And The United States - Forbes:
"There are similarities beyond the economic realm. Unlike other populist leaders, such as Hitler and Mussolini, Perón did not have belligerent imperialist ambitions. The same can be said about President Obama. His conservative critics argue that he wants to reduce U.S. influence around the world. Moreover, Perón shunned the Argentine founding fathers who favored the free society. Likewise, President Obama is not prone to quoting Madison, Washington, or Jefferson."
"There are similarities beyond the economic realm. Unlike other populist leaders, such as Hitler and Mussolini, Perón did not have belligerent imperialist ambitions. The same can be said about President Obama. His conservative critics argue that he wants to reduce U.S. influence around the world. Moreover, Perón shunned the Argentine founding fathers who favored the free society. Likewise, President Obama is not prone to quoting Madison, Washington, or Jefferson."
$16 Trillion in Debt and Counting...How Did We Get Here?
$16 Trillion in Debt and Counting...How Did We Get Here? - By Andrea Blachford | Michigan Campaign for Liberty:
"So, if you are like me and wonder how in the world we are $16 Trillion in debt and counting, you might want to start looking at spending habits closer to home. We need to admit we have a borrowing problem and then elect representatives who would govern within our county's financial means, demanding less of our federal government.
This kind of spending surely affects our national security. If our economy collapses because of the prevailing “if we don't get them, someone else will” thinking, pathway projects and mini-marinas will be the last things on our minds as families scramble to keep up with soaring food and fuel prices."
"So, if you are like me and wonder how in the world we are $16 Trillion in debt and counting, you might want to start looking at spending habits closer to home. We need to admit we have a borrowing problem and then elect representatives who would govern within our county's financial means, demanding less of our federal government.
This kind of spending surely affects our national security. If our economy collapses because of the prevailing “if we don't get them, someone else will” thinking, pathway projects and mini-marinas will be the last things on our minds as families scramble to keep up with soaring food and fuel prices."
Muskegon Community College board approves tuition, adjunct pay increases; warns of no increase for faculty
Muskegon Community College board approves tuition, adjunct pay increases; warns of no increase for faculty | MLive.com:
"A 4.7 percent tuition increase plus an additional $7 per contact hour fee were approved by the board of trustees Wednesday.
As a result, the cost of taking 12 credits, or contact hours, per semester would increase from $1,146 to $1,278. Administrators have said the increases should raise $1.4 million each year."
"A 4.7 percent tuition increase plus an additional $7 per contact hour fee were approved by the board of trustees Wednesday.
As a result, the cost of taking 12 credits, or contact hours, per semester would increase from $1,146 to $1,278. Administrators have said the increases should raise $1.4 million each year."
Bike Time vs. Muskegon Farmers Market: Conflict brewing for 2014, city commissioners told
Bike Time vs. Muskegon Farmers Market: Conflict brewing for 2014, city commissioners told | MLive.com:
"The concept that the “market comes first” is more than a bit troubling to Bike Time promoters, who have used the entire stretch of West Western Avenue from Seventh to Terrace streets, Warmington said.
The thought is that the bike festival and the market could not coexist at the far east end of West Western Avenue during the festival weekend."
"The concept that the “market comes first” is more than a bit troubling to Bike Time promoters, who have used the entire stretch of West Western Avenue from Seventh to Terrace streets, Warmington said.
The thought is that the bike festival and the market could not coexist at the far east end of West Western Avenue during the festival weekend."
Thursday, May 16, 2013
IRS tax exemption/Obamacare exec got $103,390 in bonuses
IRS tax exemption/Obamacare exec got $103,390 in bonuses | WashingtonExaminer.com:
"Sarah Hall Ingram, the IRS executive in charge of the tax exempt division in 2010 when it began targeting conservative Tea Party, evangelical and pro-Israel groups for harrassment, got more than $100,000 in bonuses between 2009 and 2012.
More recently, Ingram was promoted to serve as director of the tax agency's Obamacare program office, a position that put her in charge of the vast expansion of the IRS' regulatory power and staffing in connection with federal health care, ABC reported earlier today."
"Sarah Hall Ingram, the IRS executive in charge of the tax exempt division in 2010 when it began targeting conservative Tea Party, evangelical and pro-Israel groups for harrassment, got more than $100,000 in bonuses between 2009 and 2012.
More recently, Ingram was promoted to serve as director of the tax agency's Obamacare program office, a position that put her in charge of the vast expansion of the IRS' regulatory power and staffing in connection with federal health care, ABC reported earlier today."
Let’s Not Make a Federal Case of it
Let’s Not Make A Federal Case Of It | Somewhat Reasonable:
"Actually, a larger percentage of Asian attorneys (7 out of approximately 42,336) appeared before SCOTUS last term than that of any other race; but that wasn’t the headline.
The fact that people are trying to turn this number into an illustration of institutional racism is both troubling, and sad.
But if the left really wants to take it up with someone, they should start with the current administration, seeing as how a large chunk of the attorneys who appeared before our Supreme Court were with the office of the Solicitor General – and not one was Black."
"Actually, a larger percentage of Asian attorneys (7 out of approximately 42,336) appeared before SCOTUS last term than that of any other race; but that wasn’t the headline.
The fact that people are trying to turn this number into an illustration of institutional racism is both troubling, and sad.
But if the left really wants to take it up with someone, they should start with the current administration, seeing as how a large chunk of the attorneys who appeared before our Supreme Court were with the office of the Solicitor General – and not one was Black."
Feds gave witness protection to terrorists
Feds gave witness protection to terrorists - Washington Times:
"The federal government gave witness protection to known and suspected terrorists and the U.S. Marshals Service even lost track of two of those people, according to a report Thursday from the Justice Department’s auditor that exposes the previously hidden side of the witness program."
"The federal government gave witness protection to known and suspected terrorists and the U.S. Marshals Service even lost track of two of those people, according to a report Thursday from the Justice Department’s auditor that exposes the previously hidden side of the witness program."
IRS scandal: West Michigan Tea Party leader contends group was targeted
IRS scandal: West Michigan Tea Party leader contends group was targeted | MLive.com:
"Everybody's always had a fear of the IRS," Chiodo said Thursday, May 16, during a telephone interview.
"The IRS being used for political purposes really puts fear in peoples' hearts."
"Everybody's always had a fear of the IRS," Chiodo said Thursday, May 16, during a telephone interview.
"The IRS being used for political purposes really puts fear in peoples' hearts."
Goodwill Minimum Wage Loophole Will Shock You
John Hrabe: Goodwill Minimum Wage Loophole Will Shock You:
"In a recent investigation for Watchdog.org, I reported that a majority of Goodwill entities in the United States pay people with disabilities less than the federal minimum wage, while these same Goodwills simultaneously spend tens of millions of dollars per year on executive compensation and travel-related expenses."
"In a recent investigation for Watchdog.org, I reported that a majority of Goodwill entities in the United States pay people with disabilities less than the federal minimum wage, while these same Goodwills simultaneously spend tens of millions of dollars per year on executive compensation and travel-related expenses."
May 2013 - Dambusters 70th Anniversary
May 2013 - Dambusters 70th Anniversary — Military Forum | Airliners.net
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From United Kingdom, joined May 2001, 12700 posts, Snow days: Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signs law allowing longer school days rather than makeups
Snow days: Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signs law allowing longer school days rather than makeups | MLive.com:
"Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder on Thursday signed into law legislation allowing school districts that cancelled class multiple times this winter to meet state requirements by extending existing days rather than scheduling makeups."
"Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder on Thursday signed into law legislation allowing school districts that cancelled class multiple times this winter to meet state requirements by extending existing days rather than scheduling makeups."
American Indian mascots: Michigan bills would force civil rights department to fund school changes
American Indian mascots: Michigan bills would force civil rights department to fund school changes | MLive.com:
"Republican lawmakers are introducing legislation that would strip funding from the Michigan Department of Civil Rights and make the money available to local schools if they are forced to change their American Indian-related mascots as a result of a discrimination complaint filed by the department."
"Republican lawmakers are introducing legislation that would strip funding from the Michigan Department of Civil Rights and make the money available to local schools if they are forced to change their American Indian-related mascots as a result of a discrimination complaint filed by the department."
Venezuela hopes to wipe out toilet paper shortage by importing 50m rolls
Venezuela hopes to wipe out toilet paper shortage by importing 50m rolls | World news | guardian.co.uk: "Minister blames shortage on 'excessive demand caused by media campaign generated to disrupt the country'"
Men who are physically strong are more likely to have right wing political views
Men who are physically strong are more likely to have right wing political views | Mail Online:
"Men who are physically strong are more likely to have right wing political views
Weaker men more likely to support welfare state and wealth redistribution
Link may reflect psychological traits that evolved in our ancestors
Strength was a proxy for ability to defend or acquire resources"
"Men who are physically strong are more likely to have right wing political views
Weaker men more likely to support welfare state and wealth redistribution
Link may reflect psychological traits that evolved in our ancestors
Strength was a proxy for ability to defend or acquire resources"
Mark Hollis, Jim Delany speak on MSU, Big Ten issues: What they said and what I think | Couch on fire
Mark Hollis, Jim Delany speak on MSU, Big Ten issues: What they said and what I think | Couch on fire:
"– Hollis spoke about the seriousness of this upcoming season for MSU football. It should be noted, he was prompted to do so by a question that afforded almost no other response.
What was he supposed to say?
“Well, guys, we’ll do our best and see how it goes.”
Still, they were strong words and I’m sure, by some media outlets, will be sensationalized.
Here’s some of what Hollis said, when asked at what point 6-6 becomes unacceptable:
“(If it happened again) there’d probably be a gathering of troops to ask why are we there two years in a row. … It is a very important season for Michigan State, no question.”
My take: Again, this was prompted and a probably unavoidable response.
But it is important that MSU’s AD is on record with such urgency.
It’s a starting point with him if this season were to play out poorly."
"– Hollis spoke about the seriousness of this upcoming season for MSU football. It should be noted, he was prompted to do so by a question that afforded almost no other response.
What was he supposed to say?
“Well, guys, we’ll do our best and see how it goes.”
Still, they were strong words and I’m sure, by some media outlets, will be sensationalized.
Here’s some of what Hollis said, when asked at what point 6-6 becomes unacceptable:
“(If it happened again) there’d probably be a gathering of troops to ask why are we there two years in a row. … It is a very important season for Michigan State, no question.”
My take: Again, this was prompted and a probably unavoidable response.
But it is important that MSU’s AD is on record with such urgency.
It’s a starting point with him if this season were to play out poorly."
Not just Detroit: New report finds fiscal troubles for dozens of city halls across Michigan
Not just Detroit: New report finds fiscal troubles for dozens of city halls across Michigan | MLive.com:
"While the financial problems of Detroit have captured the headlines this spring, a new analysis released today on government finance finds that dozens of Michigan communities may be on a course for crisis.
According to Munetrix, a Web-based data consultant in Auburn Hills, dozens of local units of government were in a financial state that is “cause for concern” in their 2011 fiscal years.
"While the financial problems of Detroit have captured the headlines this spring, a new analysis released today on government finance finds that dozens of Michigan communities may be on a course for crisis.
According to Munetrix, a Web-based data consultant in Auburn Hills, dozens of local units of government were in a financial state that is “cause for concern” in their 2011 fiscal years.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
HHS Doles Out 2nd Round of Billion Dollar Innovation Awards, But Can’t Say What Savings Seen Yet From 1st Round
HHS Doles Out 2nd Round of Billion Dollar Innovation Awards, But Can’t Say What Savings Seen Yet From 1st Round | CNS News
“Bringing down health care cost is our top priority,” Sebelius said.
But Richard Gilfillan, director of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, who took questions from reporters on the conference call, could not tell reporters how much the $900 million awards given out last year has saved taxpayers in health care costs.
A reporter asked Gilfillan about the $1.9 billion savings over three years that HHS officials had predicted from the first round of awards and whether he could report any savings over the first year.
“All of our round-one proposals, our applicants, have put in operating plans,” Gilfillan said. “They’ve begun operations, but we do not have any estimates to share with you at this time.”
Another reporter asked a more pointed question:
“Has CMS’s actuaries found or confirmed savings by any innovation center project at this point, and are you guys preparing yet to expand any of them to become a permanent nationwide program as you’re authorized under the health law?” the reporter asked.
“We are still in relatively early stages of the roll out of some of the models that we have,” Gilfillan said. “We’re working closely with our colleagues in our evaluations group and our colleagues in the actuarial group to monitor performance.
“We do not have any results that we would use to pursue the path you describe,” Gilfillan said.
“Do you know when you might?” the reporter asked.
“I’m not commenting on that today,” Gilfillan said.
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