Good drivers in Michigan can avoid points for minor offenses MLive.com
"The Secretary of State will mail a letter to those who qualify telling them they are eligible to take the driver-improvement course, either in a classroom, or online, to wipe out points."
No mention of any cost for this "service".
Important stuff you won't get from the liberal media! We do the surfing so you can be informed AND have a life!
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
Mascot Politics
Mascot Politics - Investors.com
"In Hanson's own words: 'Many of the rural trailer-house compounds I saw appear to the naked eye no different from what I have seen in the Third World.
There is a Caribbean look to the junked cars, electric wires crossing between various outbuildings, plastic tarps substituting for replacement shingles, lean-tos cobbled together as auxiliary housing, pit bulls unleashed, and geese, goats and chickens roaming around the yards.'
This is a Third World culture, transplanted from Mexico, and living largely outside the scope of American law, state or federal."
"In Hanson's own words: 'Many of the rural trailer-house compounds I saw appear to the naked eye no different from what I have seen in the Third World.
There is a Caribbean look to the junked cars, electric wires crossing between various outbuildings, plastic tarps substituting for replacement shingles, lean-tos cobbled together as auxiliary housing, pit bulls unleashed, and geese, goats and chickens roaming around the yards.'
This is a Third World culture, transplanted from Mexico, and living largely outside the scope of American law, state or federal."
As we count the cost of the freeze, Government prepares for global warming
As we count the cost of the freeze, Government prepares for global warming - Telegraph
"The authorities continue to prepare for 'rising temperatures' despite a succession of unprecedentedly cold winters, says Christopher Booker"
"The authorities continue to prepare for 'rising temperatures' despite a succession of unprecedentedly cold winters, says Christopher Booker"
Raging Against “Them”
Works and Days » Raging Against “Them”
"California Got What It Wanted
The same is true of California.
Our elites liked the idea of stopping new gas and oil extraction, shutting down the nuclear power industry, freezing state east-west freeways, strangling the mining and timber industries, cutting off water to agriculture in the Central Valley, diverting revenues from fixing roads and bridges to redistributive entitlements, and praising the new multicultural state that would welcome in half the nation’s 11-15 million illegal aliens."
"California Got What It Wanted
The same is true of California.
Our elites liked the idea of stopping new gas and oil extraction, shutting down the nuclear power industry, freezing state east-west freeways, strangling the mining and timber industries, cutting off water to agriculture in the Central Valley, diverting revenues from fixing roads and bridges to redistributive entitlements, and praising the new multicultural state that would welcome in half the nation’s 11-15 million illegal aliens."
The UAW & Clubbing Baby Harp Seals
The UAW & Clubbing Baby Harp Seals RedState
"The UAW’s “Principles for Fair Union Elections” [view PDF here] is a series of 11 mostly one-sided and seemingly innocuous guidelines, a few of which are harmless, a few that are superfluous, and several which strike at the heart of an employer’s property and free speech rights."
"The UAW’s “Principles for Fair Union Elections” [view PDF here] is a series of 11 mostly one-sided and seemingly innocuous guidelines, a few of which are harmless, a few that are superfluous, and several which strike at the heart of an employer’s property and free speech rights."
The 10 Most Underreported Stories for 2010
The 10 Most Underreported Stories for 2010 - Big Journalism:
"1. The Pigford Case
You have a finite number of black farmers discriminated against by the USDA.
They are awarded a settlement.
You have over 73,000 more applicants, more than the number of actual farmers or people related to farming, all claiming a piece of the settlement.
The settlement is billions of dollars of taxpayer money.
Over 36% of the claims were already rejected due to fraud.
Instead of vetting the claims and awarding to those who were truly wronged, elected officials decide to increase the size of the settlement so everyone can get a check.
People who farmed their whole lives got the same size check as someone who never farmed."
"1. The Pigford Case
You have a finite number of black farmers discriminated against by the USDA.
They are awarded a settlement.
You have over 73,000 more applicants, more than the number of actual farmers or people related to farming, all claiming a piece of the settlement.
The settlement is billions of dollars of taxpayer money.
Over 36% of the claims were already rejected due to fraud.
Instead of vetting the claims and awarding to those who were truly wronged, elected officials decide to increase the size of the settlement so everyone can get a check.
People who farmed their whole lives got the same size check as someone who never farmed."
Tuesday, January 04, 2011
The States Can Stop Obama – Nullify Now!
The States Can Stop Obama – Nullify Now!
"The truth of the matter is all the slogans of “Don’t Tread On Me” or “Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death” or “We’re Mad As Hell And We’re Not Taking It Anymore,” don’t mean a thing when compared to reality; the real and actual answer to all the protests, marches, and outrage.
The answer is in our own backyards!
The States can stop every bit of it!
That’s right, the individual States can stop “Obamacare” and all other forms of out-of-control federal government mandates and “big brother” tactics.
If Arizona, Hawaii, New Hamshire, Texas, etc. want nothing to do with National Healthcare as proposed by Barack Obama or Congress, then all they have to do is say “No!”
"The truth of the matter is all the slogans of “Don’t Tread On Me” or “Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death” or “We’re Mad As Hell And We’re Not Taking It Anymore,” don’t mean a thing when compared to reality; the real and actual answer to all the protests, marches, and outrage.
The answer is in our own backyards!
The States can stop every bit of it!
That’s right, the individual States can stop “Obamacare” and all other forms of out-of-control federal government mandates and “big brother” tactics.
If Arizona, Hawaii, New Hamshire, Texas, etc. want nothing to do with National Healthcare as proposed by Barack Obama or Congress, then all they have to do is say “No!”
As governments go broke, public employee unions must share the pain
As governments go broke, public employee unions must share the pain Washington Examiner
"Their situation could be quickly and dramatically improved 'with the stroke of a pen.'
But that stroke likely won't be taken for the state's school districts for the same reason it won't for Michigan's desperate localities -- public employee unions reflexively oppose cuts in their tax-funded compensation programs, including salaries, retirement and health benefits.
White estimates that as much as $300 million could be saved merely by requiring public school employees to pay for 20 percent of their health benefits -- they currently pay nothing.
By contrast, private-sector employees with company health plans pay a nationwide average of 26 percent, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
And Cooper says Hamtramck's police and firefighter unions have steadfastly refused to renegotiate pay and benefits contracts that eat up 60 percent of the city's annual budget.
'They kind of have the Cadillac plan, and we'd kind of like the Chevy,' he told the Times."
"Their situation could be quickly and dramatically improved 'with the stroke of a pen.'
But that stroke likely won't be taken for the state's school districts for the same reason it won't for Michigan's desperate localities -- public employee unions reflexively oppose cuts in their tax-funded compensation programs, including salaries, retirement and health benefits.
White estimates that as much as $300 million could be saved merely by requiring public school employees to pay for 20 percent of their health benefits -- they currently pay nothing.
By contrast, private-sector employees with company health plans pay a nationwide average of 26 percent, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
And Cooper says Hamtramck's police and firefighter unions have steadfastly refused to renegotiate pay and benefits contracts that eat up 60 percent of the city's annual budget.
'They kind of have the Cadillac plan, and we'd kind of like the Chevy,' he told the Times."
DPS says teacher tried to pawn school laptop | freep.com
DPS says teacher tried to pawn school laptop freep.com Detroit Free Press
"Store staff refused to pay the teacher for the netbook –- which is engraved with the DPS “I’m In” logo on its cover -– instead confiscating it and contacting DPS officials.
Drysdale-Oriucci was suspended Thursday with pay, pending a disciplinary hearing."
"Store staff refused to pay the teacher for the netbook –- which is engraved with the DPS “I’m In” logo on its cover -– instead confiscating it and contacting DPS officials.
Drysdale-Oriucci was suspended Thursday with pay, pending a disciplinary hearing."
Illinois Has Days to Plug $13 Billion Deficit That Took Years to Produce
Illinois Has Days to Plug $13 Billion Deficit That Took Years to Produce - Bloomberg
"The legislative session that began today as the House convened will take aim at a budget deficit of at least $13 billion, including a backlog of more than $6 billion in unpaid bills and almost $4 billion in missed payments to underfunded state pensions."
"The legislative session that began today as the House convened will take aim at a budget deficit of at least $13 billion, including a backlog of more than $6 billion in unpaid bills and almost $4 billion in missed payments to underfunded state pensions."
Europe starts confiscating private pension funds
Europe starts confiscating private pension funds Washington Examiner
"If fiscal austerity becomes a real issue in the U.S. the way that it's been reaching critical mass in Europe -- don't think that U.S. lawmakers regard your either your personal wealth or money they might owe you as sacrosanct. Government has a habit of looking out for itself."
"If fiscal austerity becomes a real issue in the U.S. the way that it's been reaching critical mass in Europe -- don't think that U.S. lawmakers regard your either your personal wealth or money they might owe you as sacrosanct. Government has a habit of looking out for itself."
Detroit Public Schools: 40,000 kids to get laptops from stimulus funds
Detroit Public Schools: 40,000 kids to get laptops from stimulus funds freep.com Detroit Free Press
"Detroit Public Schools will spend $49 million in federal money to push technology in the district, including distributing 40,000 new laptop computers to students in grades 6-12 for use in class, as well as more than 5,000 new desktop computers."
"Detroit Public Schools will spend $49 million in federal money to push technology in the district, including distributing 40,000 new laptop computers to students in grades 6-12 for use in class, as well as more than 5,000 new desktop computers."
Monday, January 03, 2011
New Jersey Wants to Seize Your Unused Gift Cards
New Jersey Wants to Seize Your Unused Gift Cards - CNBC
"Lawmakers voted last year to allow the seizure of cards after two to three years as a way to raise about $80 million and help balance the state's budget.
But in November, a federal judge temporarily struck down the law.
The Record of Bergen County reports the state isn't giving up though.
State treasurer Andrew Sidamon-Eristoff has told a judge that the state will appeal the earlier ruling."
"Lawmakers voted last year to allow the seizure of cards after two to three years as a way to raise about $80 million and help balance the state's budget.
But in November, a federal judge temporarily struck down the law.
The Record of Bergen County reports the state isn't giving up though.
State treasurer Andrew Sidamon-Eristoff has told a judge that the state will appeal the earlier ruling."
Eco-bulb cost to treble: Makers cash in as the ban on old-style bulbs kicks in
Eco-bulb cost to treble: Makers cash in as the ban on old-style bulbs kicks in Mail Online
"The price of energy-saving light bulbs will treble as the final supplies of traditional bulbs dry up, industry experts have warned.
The Government has ordered energy companies to scrap the subsidies that have kept the price of eco-bulbs artificially low for the last few years.
At the same time, manufacturers are increasing wholesale prices to take advantage of the European ban on ‘energy guzzling’ old-style bulbs."
"The price of energy-saving light bulbs will treble as the final supplies of traditional bulbs dry up, industry experts have warned.
The Government has ordered energy companies to scrap the subsidies that have kept the price of eco-bulbs artificially low for the last few years.
At the same time, manufacturers are increasing wholesale prices to take advantage of the European ban on ‘energy guzzling’ old-style bulbs."
Is Barack Obama Intentionally Trying to Damage Our Economy and Security?
Is Barack Obama Intentionally Trying to Damage Our Economy and Security?
"Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal recounts an exchange with President Obama during the Gulf oil drilling moratorium. (Full disclosure: I co-wrote the book with Jindal.)
After telling Obama that the moratorium would potentially cost tens of thousands of jobs, ”The president went on to assure me that anyone who lost their job would get a check from BP.
When I explained that BP might not write them checks because it was the federal government that imposed the moratorium the president said, ‘Well, if BP won’t pay the claim, they can file for unemployment.’
I was amazed by the level of disconnect.
The people of Louisiana want to work, not collect unemployment or BP checks.”"
"Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal recounts an exchange with President Obama during the Gulf oil drilling moratorium. (Full disclosure: I co-wrote the book with Jindal.)
After telling Obama that the moratorium would potentially cost tens of thousands of jobs, ”The president went on to assure me that anyone who lost their job would get a check from BP.
When I explained that BP might not write them checks because it was the federal government that imposed the moratorium the president said, ‘Well, if BP won’t pay the claim, they can file for unemployment.’
I was amazed by the level of disconnect.
The people of Louisiana want to work, not collect unemployment or BP checks.”"
Saturday, January 01, 2011
'Redundant' Mercury comes to end of the line
'Redundant' Mercury comes to end of the line detnews.com The Detroit News
As of today, the Mercury name disappears from dealerships, marking the end of a once-heralded brand that was a step up from Ford, the everyday people's car."
As of today, the Mercury name disappears from dealerships, marking the end of a once-heralded brand that was a step up from Ford, the everyday people's car."
Top Republican prepares to leave Obama's big tent
Top Republican prepares to leave Obama's big tent The Spectator
"Huntsman is now indicating that he may resign as ambassador to China soon and run for the Republican nomination"
"Huntsman is now indicating that he may resign as ambassador to China soon and run for the Republican nomination"
Bowl game glut ruins proud football ritual
Editorial: Bowl game glut ruins proud football ritual - Sacramento Bee
"Today, too many bowls reward mediocrity.
This season is particularly putrid – 14 participating teams (at 6-6) didn't even post a winning record during the regular season."
"Today, too many bowls reward mediocrity.
This season is particularly putrid – 14 participating teams (at 6-6) didn't even post a winning record during the regular season."
Charge NYC Union Leaders with Negligent Homicide
Charge NYC Union Leaders with Negligent Homicide - Big Government
"For too long, Big Labor has been allowed to hold taxpayers hostage in order to get their way at the bargaining table.
And this time, their utter selfishness may have contributed to the deaths of two innocent people."
"For too long, Big Labor has been allowed to hold taxpayers hostage in order to get their way at the bargaining table.
And this time, their utter selfishness may have contributed to the deaths of two innocent people."
Friday, December 31, 2010
Union bailout coming!
Lee Bellinger's Executive Bulletin
"Enter Congressman John Mica (R-FL) to the rescue of overpaid, under-worked government employees!
The incoming chairman of the House Transportation Committee, Mica is a powerful backer of continuing the Obama Administration's backdoor bailout of bankrupt state governments.
This state debt nationalization scam is officially known as Build America Bonds (BABs).
Its insidious effect is to enable financially reckless states to borrow even more from bond markets rather than be forced to address their bloated budgets."
"Enter Congressman John Mica (R-FL) to the rescue of overpaid, under-worked government employees!
The incoming chairman of the House Transportation Committee, Mica is a powerful backer of continuing the Obama Administration's backdoor bailout of bankrupt state governments.
This state debt nationalization scam is officially known as Build America Bonds (BABs).
Its insidious effect is to enable financially reckless states to borrow even more from bond markets rather than be forced to address their bloated budgets."
Top Ten Charts of 2010
Top Ten Charts of 2010 The Foundry: Conservative Policy News.
"The Top Ten Heritage Charts are below"
"The Top Ten Heritage Charts are below"
New York City streets unplowed, but at least sanitation workers retire well
New York City streets unplowed, but at least sanitation workers retire well Washington Examiner
"nearly 180 retired employees make over $66,000 year -- in other words, over and above the maximum salary of currently working employees.
In fact, 20 retirees make upwards of $90,000 in retirement, up to $132,360.
Couple this with how notoriously difficult it is to fire a public employee, and you'll see why a public employee crashing a snow plow into a car doesn't rattle city officials."
"nearly 180 retired employees make over $66,000 year -- in other words, over and above the maximum salary of currently working employees.
In fact, 20 retirees make upwards of $90,000 in retirement, up to $132,360.
Couple this with how notoriously difficult it is to fire a public employee, and you'll see why a public employee crashing a snow plow into a car doesn't rattle city officials."
Illegal aliens are illegal and alien
EDITORIAL: Illegal aliens are illegal and alien - Washington Times
"Are 'illegal aliens' simply misunderstood 'undocumented immigrants?'
The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Diversity Committee believes so, and it's engaged in a campaign to 'inform and sensitize journalists as to the best language to use when writing and reporting' on the issue.
That may sound nice, but there is nothing insensitive about calling a crime a crime."
"Are 'illegal aliens' simply misunderstood 'undocumented immigrants?'
The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Diversity Committee believes so, and it's engaged in a campaign to 'inform and sensitize journalists as to the best language to use when writing and reporting' on the issue.
That may sound nice, but there is nothing insensitive about calling a crime a crime."
Dyson uninvents the vacuum cleaner
Dyson uninvents the vacuum cleaner - Telegraph
"Dyson’s latest vacuum cleaner does away with the bag, the cable and most of the appliance as well"
"Dyson’s latest vacuum cleaner does away with the bag, the cable and most of the appliance as well"
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Oops! Mich. repeals penalties for some drug crimes
Oops! Mich. repeals penalties for some drug crimes - FoxNews.com
"in December, lawmakers engrossed in a busy and lengthy lame-duck session failed to include those penalties in a drug sentencing bill.
When Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed that bill last week, the penalties for synthetic marijuana and BZP were repealed."
"in December, lawmakers engrossed in a busy and lengthy lame-duck session failed to include those penalties in a drug sentencing bill.
When Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed that bill last week, the penalties for synthetic marijuana and BZP were repealed."
Coming Soon: Higher Business Payroll Taxes [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
Coming Soon: Higher Business Payroll Taxes [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
"The state of Michigan owes the federal government $3.8 billion in unemployment insurance loans and will have to start making $150 million a year on interest payments if Congress doesn’t extend a waiver by Friday"
"The state of Michigan owes the federal government $3.8 billion in unemployment insurance loans and will have to start making $150 million a year on interest payments if Congress doesn’t extend a waiver by Friday"
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
The Midwest Wind Surtax - WSJ.com
Review & Outlook: The Midwest Wind Surtax - WSJ.com
"You'd think poor Michigan has enough economic troubles without the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission placing a $300 million to $500 million annual surtax on the state's electric utility bills.
But on December 16 FERC Chairman Jon Wellinghoff announced new rules that would essentially socialize the cost of transmission lines across 13 states in the Midwest.
That region-wide pricing scheme, according to a study commissioned by utility companies, will force Michigan to pay about 20% of as much as $20 billion in new high-voltage transmission lines—though Michigan businesses and homeowners will get little benefit.
Thanks to FERC's new tariff, nearly everything ..."
"You'd think poor Michigan has enough economic troubles without the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission placing a $300 million to $500 million annual surtax on the state's electric utility bills.
But on December 16 FERC Chairman Jon Wellinghoff announced new rules that would essentially socialize the cost of transmission lines across 13 states in the Midwest.
That region-wide pricing scheme, according to a study commissioned by utility companies, will force Michigan to pay about 20% of as much as $20 billion in new high-voltage transmission lines—though Michigan businesses and homeowners will get little benefit.
Thanks to FERC's new tariff, nearly everything ..."
--Editorial - NYPOST.com
--Editorial - NYPOST.com
"As long as Mayor Mike is in the dock, let us also note that when it comes to building a mosque near Ground Zero, he has from the start stood behind the First Amendment -- sort of.
That is, he likes the part that gives Muslims the right to build a house of worship just about anywhere they want.
But the part guaranteeing a separation between religion and government?
Not so much.
That much became obvious last week with the release of e-mails demonstrating that City Hall did much more than offer the mosque's organizers routine help.
In fact, it turns out that Team Bloomberg was heavily involved in operating the political machinery needed to ensure that various regulatory agencies approved the controversial project -- which has rightly drawn the ire of many 9/11 survivors and victims' families.
Even to the point of pressing Community Board 1 to cast an approving vote -- so that the chairman of the Landmarks Preservation Commission could be given the 'political cover' he so urgently sought before his agency denied landmark status to the existing building."
"As long as Mayor Mike is in the dock, let us also note that when it comes to building a mosque near Ground Zero, he has from the start stood behind the First Amendment -- sort of.
That is, he likes the part that gives Muslims the right to build a house of worship just about anywhere they want.
But the part guaranteeing a separation between religion and government?
Not so much.
That much became obvious last week with the release of e-mails demonstrating that City Hall did much more than offer the mosque's organizers routine help.
In fact, it turns out that Team Bloomberg was heavily involved in operating the political machinery needed to ensure that various regulatory agencies approved the controversial project -- which has rightly drawn the ire of many 9/11 survivors and victims' families.
Even to the point of pressing Community Board 1 to cast an approving vote -- so that the chairman of the Landmarks Preservation Commission could be given the 'political cover' he so urgently sought before his agency denied landmark status to the existing building."
Japan and the Limits of Keynesianism
Japan and the Limits of Keynesianism - Megan McArdle - Business - The Atlantic
"Japan and the Limits of Keynesianism
Japan's budget is in a truly terrifying state.
Reading about the government's behavior reminds me of the worst accounts of compulsive spenders on the verge of personal bankruptcy--a sort of 'What the hell, we're screwed anyway, so let's not think about it and maybe go to Cabo for the weekend.'
The budget's structural position is what is known technically to economists as 'completely hosed'; borrowing now exceeds tax revenue, and debt service costs now eat up almost half of the tax revenue the government collects.
'Unsustainable' is too weak to describe the situation; I don't know how they're doing it now."
Japan is simply America, Michigan, Muskegon, Norton Shores ...a few years down the road.
Will we ever wise up?
"Japan and the Limits of Keynesianism
Japan's budget is in a truly terrifying state.
Reading about the government's behavior reminds me of the worst accounts of compulsive spenders on the verge of personal bankruptcy--a sort of 'What the hell, we're screwed anyway, so let's not think about it and maybe go to Cabo for the weekend.'
The budget's structural position is what is known technically to economists as 'completely hosed'; borrowing now exceeds tax revenue, and debt service costs now eat up almost half of the tax revenue the government collects.
'Unsustainable' is too weak to describe the situation; I don't know how they're doing it now."
Japan is simply America, Michigan, Muskegon, Norton Shores ...a few years down the road.
Will we ever wise up?
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