Friday, August 23, 2013

“The Love Boat’s” Final Act Continues…

“The Love Boat’s” Final Act Continues… | MaritimeMatters | Cruise ship news and ocean liner history:
"The former “Love Boat’s” death struggle remains in a stasis per new images from Aliaga taken this morning."

Will Michigan Business Taxpayers Be Subsidizing Batteries for 'Free' Golf Carts?

Will Michigan Business Taxpayers Be Subsidizing Batteries for 'Free' Golf Carts? [Michigan Capitol Confidential]:
"While many Michigan taxpayers may be laughing or angry at the revelation by Fox News' John Stossel that he obtained a "free" golf cart using special tax breaks and giveaways for electric cars [video], very few may realize that Michigan's lawmakers have been altering this state's business tax code to provide special credits and giveaways for the industry that creates these cars. "

NM Supreme Court Finds Refusing to Photograph Gay Wedding Illegal

NM Supreme Court Finds Refusing to Photograph Gay Wedding Illegal | National Review Online:
"Justice Richard C. Bosson, writing in concurrence, said that the case “provokes reflection on what this nation is all about, its promise of fairness, liberty, equality of opportunity, and justice.”
In addition, the case “teaches that at some point in our lives all of us must compromise, if only a little, to accommodate the contrasting values of others. 
A multicultural, pluralistic society, one of our nation’s strengths, demands no less.”

BILLION-TONNE BELCH emitted from Sun to hit Earth this weekend

BILLION-TONNE BELCH emitted from Sun to hit Earth this weekend • The Register:
"The official US government space weather centre's latest forecast as this is written says there is a 55 per cent chance of a "severe" geomagnetic storm on the 24th, and a 25 per cent chance the storm will be only "minor". "

Hotel Sues Guest for 95K over Bad Review, Bedbugs

Hotel Sues Guest for 95K over Bad Review, Bedbugs:
"You can bet this Montreal man regrets his short stay at the the Hotel Quebec: bit by bed bugs in the night, he reviewed his negative experience the next day on Trip Advisor, and when he refused to take it down, the chain of hotels sued him for $95,000."

Wisconsin Employer Lands' End Cuts Part Time Hours Due To Obamacare

Wisconsin Employer Lands' End Cuts Part Time Hours Due To Obamacare - Right Wisconsin - Conservative politics and perspective powered by Charlie Sykes:
"According to WKOW in Madison, Lands' End is planning to cut the hours of part time employees due to Obamacare.
In an internal memo leaked to 27 News, Lands' End informed part-time employees in February that they would see a reduction to 29 hours a week or less due to the Affordable Care Act."

Franz Statement on Medicaid Expansion


Franz Statement on Medicaid Expansion

By JGillman, Section News
Posted on Wed Jun 12, 2013 at 02:46:43 PM EST
Tags: MichiganMedicaid ExpansionHB4714Ray FranzConservative (all tags)
Representative Ray Franz (Genuine R-101) issued a statement on Medicaid expansion:
I apologize in advance for the length of this piece, but this is a big and complex issue.  I find it somewhat amusing that some of the people who were worried that I would vote in lockstep with the Governor, now want me to rubberstamp his Medicaid Expansion plan.  
I cannot and here's why:
First, this subsidized health coverage (benefit) is going to include a very large portion of our population - some say as many as 600,000.  I believe it may be more.  The benefit will go to those over 133% of the Federal Poverty Line.  But that is based on adjusted gross income which takes 5% off the bottom and adjusts.  So the 133% could be 140% of actual earnings - or more.  When you consider that ObamaCare is forcing many in the service and retail industry to cut employee hours to under 29 - this has the potential of including far more than 600,000 people.

Next, I don't think for one moment that once this large population is on a "benefit" that there will ever be the political will or ability to take them off.  Heck, we cannot even muster the will to fix a broken "no-fault" system after the parade of wheelchairs.

This bill gives the first six months free - then starts to charge individuals.  That's going to be a surprise that won't go over very well. 
To think that we can impose a 48 month limit, or reduce benefits at a later time because a waiver is not granted is fool-hardy. I can envision a waiver to start - than the waiver rescinded - and us stuck with pulling the benefit - it's just not going to happen.

What happens to our health care system with the influx of 600,000+ new covered individuals?  It can only be overwhelmed.  One of the worries we currently have is uncompensated care at hospitals and cost shifts. However, this will shift costs to doctors who are already seeing reimbursement for Medicare and Medicaid at 47% of billables.  What happens when we put this huge new demand on a depleting resource?  The medical community will be stretched and stressed beyond its limits.  You will see fewer doctors willing to work for ever less and the quality of services to individuals will decline.  The hospital cost shift will be spread thinner and wider - but not lessened.  Quite the contrary - it will worsen.

Let's also look at the unintentional consequences to peoples' lives as a result of this new benefit.  We see it in unemployment, current Medicaid and food stamps.  When people get to the point of losing this benefit due to their earnings; they will back away so as not to hurt their eligibility.  This new "benefit" also will put a ceiling on peoples' upward mobility and prosperity.

When someone's earnings rise to 131% or 132% of FPL - they will ask themselves - "is it worth crossing that line and losing the subsidy?"  Is the overtime worth losing my affordable insurance? Inevitably that answer would be no - this destroying the will and ability to improve one's lice.  On top of that, this would also negatively impact businesses large and small.  It stifles productivity and limits the availability of employees and thus limits their ability to adjust schedules and hours.

Next, I would like to address the costs to the State.  While the bill states that it will stop benefits if the Fed's don't pay 100%, as stated before, I don't believe for a moment that the benefit could be stopped and I don't believe for a moment that the Feds will pay 100% forever.
There simply isn't the money for it.  If, as the Feds previously stated, they will fund three years and then reduce to 90% (or less) - the cost to the State, according to the Keiser Foundation and Heritage Foundation reports, will skyrocket.  In six or seven years, they report our share will rise to $300 - $400 Million.  Given the history of health care estimates, (LBJ said Medicaid would never exceed $5 Billion, the Federal Office of Management and Budget says ObamaCare costs have already doubled) - I believe it will cost our State more than half a Billion dollars a year.  Where is that revenue going to come from -   schools, roads or new taxes? While it would be an easy vote and be a very politically advantageous position, I will not leave that bill to my successors in this seat or to future generations.

Some say that we should respond with an alternative - a "better", "lighter", "more effective and efficient" way.  I respectfully disagree.  Sometimes we must say "no".  Advancing a bad idea only "better" or "less" is still advancing a bad idea - and bad public policy.  There are alternatives in a true free market that I have espoused for nearly six years, but it is obvious that the time is not right for that.

In closing, let me summarize.  This legislation will hurt and entrap people over the long haul; hurt our doctors and health system; cost millions and billions we don't have; and leave future generations with bills and responsibilities that will be difficult if not impossible to handle.

HB 4714 offers short term gains for, what I believe, are long term pains of the highest order.  Fool's Gold - if you will.


Thank you for remaining strong and looking at the big picture representative Franz.
RightMichigan.com || Franz Statement on Medicaid Expansion


Police seek 2 young suspects after World War II veteran dies following parking lot beating

Police seek 2 young suspects after World War II veteran dies following parking lot beating | Fox News: "Authorities on Thursday released surveillance photos of the two suspects, who they describe as African-American males between the ages of 16 and 19.

Friends identified the victim as 88-year-old Delbert Belton, and say he was sitting outside a lodge for the Fraternal Order of the Eagles when he was attacked."

New Medicaid Study: ‘Waivers Are Temporary, Expansion Is Forever’

New Medicaid Study: ‘Waivers Are Temporary, Expansion Is Forever’ [Michigan Capitol Confidential]:
"Just as it would be imprudent for anyone to enter into a legally enforceable written contract with the expectation that the he can later persuade the other party to waive parts that are no longer preferable, likewise agreeing to expand Medicaid ... based upon the hopes of procuring future waiver concessions is ill-advised," the study says.

"Any decision to accept the Medicaid expansion today should not be based on the illusory promise of a federal waiver tomorrow," the study concludes."

Delta Air Lines: Next Year, Our Health Care Costs Will Increase By 'Nearly $100 Million'

Delta Air Lines: Next Year, Our Health Care Costs Will Increase By 'Nearly $100 Million' - Forbes:
"A recently-leaked letter from Delta Air Lines to the Obama administration states that the “cost of providing health care to our employees will increase by nearly $100,000,000 next year,” much of it due to Obamacare."

NM Supreme Court Finds Refusing to Photograph Gay Wedding Illegal

NM Supreme Court Finds Refusing to Photograph Gay Wedding Illegal | National Review Online:
 "The New Mexico Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that, by refusing to photograph a gay wedding, a photography studio violated the New Mexico Human Rights Act (NMHRA).

The court found that Elane Photography’s refusal to serve Vanessa Willock violated the act, which “prohibits a public accommodation from refusing to offer its services to a person based on that person’s sexual orientation,” according to the ruling."

Wednesday Cable Ratings: ‘Duck Dynasty’ Dominates

Wednesday Cable Ratings: ‘Duck Dynasty’ Dominates + ‘Modern Dads’, ‘Deal With It’, ‘Here Comes Honey Boo Boo’ & More - Ratings | TVbytheNumbers:
"Duck Dynasty was Wednesday's top cable program, with a 4.5 adults 18-49 rating, down from last week's  5.0 adults 18-49 premiere rating. 
Modern Dads came in second with a 1.9 adults 18-49 rating."

Taxpayer cost of housing NYC prisoners last year: $167,000 per inmate

Taxpayer cost of housing NYC prisoners last year: $167,000 per inmate - NYPOST.com:
"Crime doesn’t pay — but it costs a fortune.
The city spent about $167,000 per inmate last year and had 12,287 prisoners on an average day, according to the Independent Budget Office’s first-ever study of the Big Apple’s jails."

Farmers market fundraising campaign reaches 80 percent of $3.8 million goal

Farmers market fundraising campaign reaches 80 percent of $3.8 million goal | MLive.com:
"The goal is to raise the entire $3.8 million farmers market campaign goal by the end of the year and have the market open in its new location in May 2014.....
The community has sought a $700,000 economic development grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corp., which has provided a letter of intent but not a final grant award.
“The state understands that a new farmers market like the one being built in Muskegon is catalyst for economic development,”

Closing of Pontiac High School urged by Great Lakes Education Project

Closing of Pontiac High School urged by Great Lakes Education Project - theoaklandpress.com:
"A nonprofit agency for quality education is urging closure of 20 chronically failing schools in Michigan, including Pontiac High School."

Should Michigan State Police or politicians set speed limits?

Tim Skubick: Should Michigan State Police or politicians set speed limits? | MLive.com:

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Secret wind farm report into house price blight

Secret wind farm report into house price blight - Telegraph:
"Owen Paterson, the Environment Secretary, has commissioned a consultancy to investigate whether renewable technologies – including wind turbines – lower house prices in the countryside.
Coalition sources said the report is being blocked by officials at the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), run by Ed Davey, a Liberal Democrat, amid fears it will conclude that turbines harm property prices."

Union protestors clash with Republicans over state Sen. Goeff Hansen's stance on Medicare (video)

Union protestors clash with Republicans over state Sen. Goeff Hansen's stance on Medicare (video) | MLive.com:
"The Muskegon County Republican Party recently passed a resolution admonishing Hansen and other Senate Republicans to stand firm against Medicare.
Hansen’s last statement on the issue didn’t rule out the possibility that he would actually vote in favor of Medicaid expansion, which already passed the Michigan House of Representatives and has the blessing of Gov. Rick Snyder.

“(Hansen) is a Republican, and we’d like to support him,” Fink said. “Right now, he’s uncommitted (on Medicaid).”

Hansen’s cheif of staff declined to comment on the protest."

How Adding Iodine to Salt Boosted Americans' IQ

How Adding Iodine to Salt Boosted Americans' IQ - The Crux | DiscoverMagazine.com:
The economists found that in the lowest-iodine areas—the bottom quarter of the study population—the introduction of iodized salt had stark effects. Men from these regions born in 1924 or later were significantly more likely to get into the Air Force and had an average IQ that was 15 points higher than their predecessors."

Why there will be many more Detroits – in one chart

Why there will be many more Detroits – in one chart |:
"But the reality is the Federal Reserve is artificially suppressing interest rates because of the Godzilla-sized national debt of $16.9 trillion.
That’s the official figure, according to our feral gummint.
The real figure, according to a U.C. San Diego economics professor, is $70 trillion.

If the Federal Reserve lets interest rates go up, then our gargantuan national debt will balloon even quicker."

Packard plant could go on auction block, sell for $21,000, if latest development deal falls through

Packard plant could go on auction block, sell for $21,000, if latest development deal falls through | Detroit Free Press | freep.com:
"If the latest proposal to buy Detroit’s old Packard plant falls through, the crumbling 35-acre complex would head to its first public auction and under one scenario could go for as little as $21,000 this fall."

Egelston Township returning to voters with two millage requests they defeated earlier

Egelston Township returning to voters with two millage requests they defeated earlier | MLive.com:
EGELSTON TOWNSHIP, MI – The same two millage requests that Egelston Township voters defeated earlier this month will be back on the ballot in November.
The township board voted unanimously Monday night to return to voters with a renewal of 1 mill of tax for fire department operations and a 0.8-mill request for street lights, which includes a renewal of 0.5 mill plus a 0.3-mill increase."

ACT Report: Only 21% Of Michigan High School Grads Academically Ready For College

ACT Report: Only 21% Of Michigan High School Grads Academically Ready For College | FOX17online.com:
"Only 21 percent of Michigan high school graduates are ready for college in English, reading, mathematics, and science, according to a new ACT report titled “The Condition Of College Career Readiness.”

When the four subject areas are separated out, the numbers look a little better: 57 percent are prepared in English, 37 percent are ready in reading, 35 percent make standards in math readiness, and 33 percent meet benchmarks in science.

In all four academic areas, Michigan high school graduations ranked lower than national averages.

It may be too late for students to get serious about academics in high school."

Muskegon County set to hire Grand Rapids lawyer as lead public defender

Muskegon County set to hire Grand Rapids lawyer as lead public defender | MLive.com:
“This is something that is clearly needed,” said Jackie Darnell on behalf of the NAACP Muskegon branch. “Over the years NAACP has received numerous complaints from indigents ... claiming they are not receiving due process of the law....
“We in the NAACP are looking forward to those changes,” Darnell said."

New Yorkers Fleeing The State Took $46 Billion With Them

New Yorkers Fleeing The State Took $46 Billion With Them | The Lonely Conservative:
"A new study by the Tax Foundation shows that New York leads the nation in the amount of money those who flee the state take with them.
New Yorkers who have fled over the past decade have taken almost $46 billion with them, topping even California where the loss was a comparatively paltry $29.4 billion.
But our loss is Florida and other red states’ gain, as you can see from this map."

Michigan ain't doin' too well either.

“How to know that Syria is, in fact, using chemical weapons on its people:

Instapundit » Blog Archive » KEN FROM POPEHAT: “How to know that Syria is, in fact, using chemical weapons on its people: 
“How to know that Syria is, in fact, using chemical weapons on its people: They did it on the one year anniversary of the ‘red line’ warning. Anniversaries mean things.
I don’t support a Syrian intervention.
I’m not sure a fascist Iranian-Russian puppet is any worse for America than the Al Qaeda superstate that would follow it.
In fact it’s probably ‘better.’
But if you’re going to give ‘red line’ warnings, you should kick ass when the line’s crossed.
We’re just taking names.
We’ve gone from the world’s policeman to the world’s hall monitor.”

Speaks loudly. No stick. Obama acted stupidly by issuing that warning. Now he’s in a box of his own making."

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Voters to consider $24 million Muskegon Community College request with downtown location

Voters to consider $24 million Muskegon Community College request with downtown location | MLive.com:
"It's official: Muskegon County voters in November will decide on a $24 million plan to improve Muskegon Community College facilities, including developing a downtown location.
The college board of trustees on Wednesday approved a Nov. 5 ballot proposal seeking additions to the science wing and health education facility, a new creative arts facility and an undefined college facility located downtown."

NASA warns of solar storm racing toward Earth this week

NASA warns of solar storm racing toward Earth this week - Computerworld:
"NASA issued a warning Tuesday that a coronal mass ejection may reach Earth this week, possibly affecting satellites and electronic systems on the ground.

On Tuesday, at 4:24 a.m. ET, the sun erupted with an Earth-directed coronal mass ejection, which is a huge burst of solar wind and magnetic fields shooting into space, NASA reported.
This solar phenomenon can launch billions of tons of particles into space, reaching Earth one to three days later.

With that time frame, the particles could reach Earth between today and Friday.

The solar particles won't harm humans, but they can affect satellites and electronic systems, breaking up communication signals and causing electrical surges in power grids."

D.C. government program to subsidize marijuana for poor patients

D.C. government program to subsidize marijuana for poor patients - Washington Times:
"An unprecedented D.C. government program will require medical marijuana dispensaries to put aside 2 percent of their profits in order to subsidize pot purchases for poor patients."

Obamacare penalty: Your family could pay more for insurance

Obamacare penalty: Your family could pay more for insurance:
"Those credits are available to households whose incomes fall below 400 percent of federal poverty levels, which for a family of four is $94,200."