Too Much Of A Good Thing The New Republic
To solve the serious problems facing our country, we need to minimize the harm from legislative inertia by relying more on automatic policies and depoliticized commissions for certain policy decisions.
In other words, radical as it sounds, we need to counter the gridlock of our political institutions by making them a bit less democratic.
The "free speech for me but not for thee" crowd has come up with another nifty idea from the Politburo.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Beat the Clock: Government Union ‘Cadillac’ Health Plans Preserved Before Tighter Controls Take Effect
Beat the Clock: Government Union ‘Cadillac’ Health Plans Preserved Before Tighter Controls Take Effect [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
Two days before a mandated 20 percent contribution for health insurance from all public employees would be imposed by the pending creation of a new state law, Muskegon County approved seven union contracts that require only a 15 percent employee contribution.
According to research from the Kaiser Family Foundation, the average employee in Michigan with an employer-sponsored health insurance plan paid 22 percent of the cost for their own health insurance premiums in 2010, and the figure nationally was 27 percent.
Two days before a mandated 20 percent contribution for health insurance from all public employees would be imposed by the pending creation of a new state law, Muskegon County approved seven union contracts that require only a 15 percent employee contribution.
According to research from the Kaiser Family Foundation, the average employee in Michigan with an employer-sponsored health insurance plan paid 22 percent of the cost for their own health insurance premiums in 2010, and the figure nationally was 27 percent.
Public Schools Eat Too Much At Government Trough
Public Schools Eat Too Much At Government Trough Neal McCluskey Cato Institute: Commentary
Soon after his boss introduced the American Jobs Act, Vice President Joe Biden held a conference call to get teachers' unions behind it.
It was an easy task, with American Federation of Teachers honcho Randi Weingarten promising to "do whatever we can" to get the legislation passed. And why not?
It's teachers and other politically potent interests, not kids or the economy, that the Act is really about.
That teachers' unions are gung-ho about the proposal — which would furnish $30 billion for education jobs and another $25 billion for school buildings — doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad thing. Kids need teachers and classrooms, right?
Soon after his boss introduced the American Jobs Act, Vice President Joe Biden held a conference call to get teachers' unions behind it.
It was an easy task, with American Federation of Teachers honcho Randi Weingarten promising to "do whatever we can" to get the legislation passed. And why not?
It's teachers and other politically potent interests, not kids or the economy, that the Act is really about.
That teachers' unions are gung-ho about the proposal — which would furnish $30 billion for education jobs and another $25 billion for school buildings — doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad thing. Kids need teachers and classrooms, right?
Egypt: Assailants blow up Sinai gas pipeline
Egypt: Assailants blow up Sinai gas pipeli... JPost - Middle East
ISMAILIYA, Egypt - Unknown assailants blew up an Egyptian pipeline in Sinai on Tuesday that supplies Israel and Jordan with gas, security sources and witnesses said.
WW4 continues.
ISMAILIYA, Egypt - Unknown assailants blew up an Egyptian pipeline in Sinai on Tuesday that supplies Israel and Jordan with gas, security sources and witnesses said.
WW4 continues.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Coke chief criticises US tax rules
Coke chief criticises US tax rules - FT.com
Coca-Cola now sees the US becoming a less friendly business environment than China, its chief executive has revealed, citing political gridlock and an antiquated tax structure as reasons its home market has become less competitive
Coca-Cola now sees the US becoming a less friendly business environment than China, its chief executive has revealed, citing political gridlock and an antiquated tax structure as reasons its home market has become less competitive
Last Chance to Avoid Global Catastrophe?
The PJ Tatler » Last Chance to Avoid Global Catastrophe?
Last Chance to Avoid Global Catastrophe?
Treasury Secretary Geithner thinks so: “The threat of cascading default, bank runs, and catastrophic risk must be taken off the table.
Sovereign and banking stresses in Europe are the most serious risk now confronting the world economy.
Decisions cannot wait until the crisis gets more severe.”
From the same Telegraph write up:
The International Monetary Fund warned last week that emerging markets face the risk of “sharp reversals” or even a “sudden stop” if there is further spill-over from Europe.
This comes at a time when Asia and parts of Latin America are already in the topping phase of a credit boom, one of epic proportions in China where loans have doubled to almost 200pc of GDP over the last five years.
Warning signs have been flashing red for the last three weeks.
Shares of China’s top property developer Greentown have crashed by a third this month.
The currencies of Indonesia, Brazil, Korea, South Africa, and Hungary have all buckled, and central banks have begun intervening to stop the slide.
“A continued flight from risk raises the growing possibility of investor capitulation in emerging markets,” said Neil Mellor from BNY Mellon.
Feeling better now?
UPDATE: And now the IMF is broke.
Last Chance to Avoid Global Catastrophe?
Treasury Secretary Geithner thinks so: “The threat of cascading default, bank runs, and catastrophic risk must be taken off the table.
Sovereign and banking stresses in Europe are the most serious risk now confronting the world economy.
Decisions cannot wait until the crisis gets more severe.”
From the same Telegraph write up:
The International Monetary Fund warned last week that emerging markets face the risk of “sharp reversals” or even a “sudden stop” if there is further spill-over from Europe.
This comes at a time when Asia and parts of Latin America are already in the topping phase of a credit boom, one of epic proportions in China where loans have doubled to almost 200pc of GDP over the last five years.
Warning signs have been flashing red for the last three weeks.
Shares of China’s top property developer Greentown have crashed by a third this month.
The currencies of Indonesia, Brazil, Korea, South Africa, and Hungary have all buckled, and central banks have begun intervening to stop the slide.
“A continued flight from risk raises the growing possibility of investor capitulation in emerging markets,” said Neil Mellor from BNY Mellon.
Feeling better now?
UPDATE: And now the IMF is broke.
Why Saugatuck is losing S.S. Keewatin Steamship Museum to Canada
Why Saugatuck is losing S.S. Keewatin Steamship Museum to Canada MLive.com
I suspect the real reason is the value of the Keewatin's dock.
I suspect the real reason is the value of the Keewatin's dock.
Coffee reduces depression risk?
Coffee reduces depression risk? JunkScience.com
Though we love caffeine as much as the next awake person, Willet and Ascherio’s reported correlations (e.g., a relative risk of 0.82 for 4 or more cups of coffee per day) are too small to be credible.
As is standard with Nurses Health Study junk science, exposures, disease and confounding risk factors are all self-reported and, hence, not reliable. Simply put, bad data do not make for a credible statistical analysis.
No doubt Willet and Ascherio are relying on the intuitive nature of their claim to carry the day with the unsuspecting public and the ever-gullible media.
Coffee keeps you awake, but not from being sad about it.
Though we love caffeine as much as the next awake person, Willet and Ascherio’s reported correlations (e.g., a relative risk of 0.82 for 4 or more cups of coffee per day) are too small to be credible.
As is standard with Nurses Health Study junk science, exposures, disease and confounding risk factors are all self-reported and, hence, not reliable. Simply put, bad data do not make for a credible statistical analysis.
No doubt Willet and Ascherio are relying on the intuitive nature of their claim to carry the day with the unsuspecting public and the ever-gullible media.
Coffee keeps you awake, but not from being sad about it.
Obama gaffe: President says billionaires should pay ‘Jew’ tax rate
Obama gaffe: President says billionaires should pay ‘Jew’ tax rate The Daily Caller
“If asking a billionaire to pay the same tax rate as a Jew — as a janitor — makes me a warrior for the working class, I wear that as a badge of honor.”
“If asking a billionaire to pay the same tax rate as a Jew — as a janitor — makes me a warrior for the working class, I wear that as a badge of honor.”
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Illinois taxpayers repeat, "Please sir, may I have another?
Kass: Illinois taxpayers repeat, "Please sir, may I have another? - chicagotribune.com
Then you must be in Illinois.
That's the state where Chicago machine politicians and their union muscle boys slap taxpayers in the mouth, year after year after year, and all voters do is repeat that line from "Animal House,"
"Thank you, sir, may I have another?"
Then you must be in Illinois.
That's the state where Chicago machine politicians and their union muscle boys slap taxpayers in the mouth, year after year after year, and all voters do is repeat that line from "Animal House,"
"Thank you, sir, may I have another?"
Stabenow, White House official disagree over separation of waterways to prevent spread of Asian carp into the Great Lakes
Stabenow, White House official disagree over separation of waterways to prevent spread of Asian carp into the Great Lakes MLive.com
U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow renewed a call to close the Chicago shipping locks and create a permanent ecological separation of the Mississippi River basin and the Great Lakes to prevent an invasion of giant Asian carp.
But a White House official rebuffed the plea, saying more study must happen to prevent unintended consequences.
Debbie who?
She's been sittin' on the union bosses laps so long she doesn't even know where Michigan is.
It sure is great she's "on" the carp trail....right?
U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow renewed a call to close the Chicago shipping locks and create a permanent ecological separation of the Mississippi River basin and the Great Lakes to prevent an invasion of giant Asian carp.
But a White House official rebuffed the plea, saying more study must happen to prevent unintended consequences.
Debbie who?
She's been sittin' on the union bosses laps so long she doesn't even know where Michigan is.
It sure is great she's "on" the carp trail....right?
Federal Loans Fund Big-Ticket Energy Projects At Firms Outside Of U.S.
Federal Loans Fund Big-Ticket Energy Projects At Firms Outside Of U.S. Fox News
Among the biggest recipients on the Department of Energy's controversial list of loans to renewable energy companies like the failed Solyndra Inc. are a number of non-U.S. firms whose big-ticket energy projects will cost taxpayers billions of dollars -- but will generate no more than a few hundred permanent U.S. jobs.
Among the biggest recipients on the Department of Energy's controversial list of loans to renewable energy companies like the failed Solyndra Inc. are a number of non-U.S. firms whose big-ticket energy projects will cost taxpayers billions of dollars -- but will generate no more than a few hundred permanent U.S. jobs.
The Latest Ugly Truth About Pakistan
The Latest Ugly Truth About Pakistan - NYTimes.com
Inter-Services Intelligence — played a direct role in supporting insurgents who attacked the American Embassy in Kabul last week, killing 16 people.
He also said that with ISI support, the Haqqani network of terrorists planned and conducted an earlier truck bombing on a NATO outpost that killed 5 people and wounded 77 coalition troops, and other recent attacks.
Inter-Services Intelligence — played a direct role in supporting insurgents who attacked the American Embassy in Kabul last week, killing 16 people.
He also said that with ISI support, the Haqqani network of terrorists planned and conducted an earlier truck bombing on a NATO outpost that killed 5 people and wounded 77 coalition troops, and other recent attacks.
Top 10 Green Job Fiascoes
Top 10 Green Job Fiascoes - HUMAN EVENTS
Of course, when the government tries to intrude in the marketplace, bad things happen.
Such as these: the Top 10 Green Job Fiascoes.
Of course, when the government tries to intrude in the marketplace, bad things happen.
Such as these: the Top 10 Green Job Fiascoes.
Teachers unions, school groups give mixed reviews to Obama No Child Left behind waivers | MLive.com
Teachers unions, school groups give mixed reviews to Obama No Child Left behind waivers MLive.com: The union approves of offering more options to improve failing schools and the move to college- and career-ready standards.
Kollege redi!
That sure beats teechin' reedin ritin ritmatik.
Don't it?
Kollege redi!
That sure beats teechin' reedin ritin ritmatik.
Don't it?
How Cain won Florida
York: How Cain won Florida Campaign 2012
Once the delegates got over the can't-get-elected hurdle, a close contest became a landslide for Herman Cain.
Once the delegates got over the can't-get-elected hurdle, a close contest became a landslide for Herman Cain.
Churchill, chance and the 'black dog'
BBC News - A Point of View: Churchill, chance and the 'black dog'
If Bracken hadn't left Australia to reinvent himself as an Englishman and appointed himself as Churchill's faithful protector;
if Beaverbrook and Bracken hadn't found Churchill brooding in his club;
if Bracken hadn't succeeded in persuading Churchill to remain silent;
and if Churchill hadn't been prepared for the desperate struggle that followed by the visits of the black dog, history would have been very different and the world darker than anything we can easily imagine.
If Bracken hadn't left Australia to reinvent himself as an Englishman and appointed himself as Churchill's faithful protector;
if Beaverbrook and Bracken hadn't found Churchill brooding in his club;
if Bracken hadn't succeeded in persuading Churchill to remain silent;
and if Churchill hadn't been prepared for the desperate struggle that followed by the visits of the black dog, history would have been very different and the world darker than anything we can easily imagine.
Stephen Colbert: 'Let's pray satellite lands in Detroit'
Stephen Colbert: 'Let's pray satellite lands in Detroit' MLive.com
"As we speak a defunct satellite is hurtling toward the Earth where it will destroy everything in it's path. Let's just pray it lands somewhere where it can't do any damage -- like Detroit," Colbert said.
You know, you can't even get angry at these type of sentiments anymore.
Can you imagine what Al Sharpton and the Detroit extorters would demand from US taxpayers if a chunk of space junk flattened a hovel in Dead Town?
"As we speak a defunct satellite is hurtling toward the Earth where it will destroy everything in it's path. Let's just pray it lands somewhere where it can't do any damage -- like Detroit," Colbert said.
You know, you can't even get angry at these type of sentiments anymore.
Can you imagine what Al Sharpton and the Detroit extorters would demand from US taxpayers if a chunk of space junk flattened a hovel in Dead Town?
Renewable Energy Subsidies Are a Waste of Money
Renewable Energy Subsidies Are a Waste of Money
Last month solar companies Spectra Watt in New York, Evergreen Solar in Massachusetts, and Solyndra Solar in California went bankrupt.
All companies had extensive subsidies from state and federal governments.
Taxpayer losses most likely exceeded $1 billion.
All three states have high electricity costs due to banning coal use and mandating renewable energy sources for electricity production.
Last month solar companies Spectra Watt in New York, Evergreen Solar in Massachusetts, and Solyndra Solar in California went bankrupt.
All companies had extensive subsidies from state and federal governments.
Taxpayer losses most likely exceeded $1 billion.
All three states have high electricity costs due to banning coal use and mandating renewable energy sources for electricity production.
Meet Olga Stefou, a Perfect Symbol of Greece’s Downfall
Meet Olga Stefou, a Perfect Symbol of Greece’s Downfall « International Liberty
The Los Angeles Times has a story that provides an inside look at the attitudes that have contributed to Greece’s fiscal collapse.
Let’s start with Olga Stefou, who is a good (or bad) symbol for her nation’s downfall.
She protests in favor of bigger government, naively asserting that the budget shortfall can be solved by pulling 122 troops out of Afghanistan and taxing the Orthodox Church.
Olga’s entitlement mentality is not unusual.
The story also notes that young Greek women think a government job is the most desirable thing in a potential mate. At the risk of being politically incorrect, the people of Greece (at least the ones in the moocher class) deserve a miserable future.
The Los Angeles Times has a story that provides an inside look at the attitudes that have contributed to Greece’s fiscal collapse.
Let’s start with Olga Stefou, who is a good (or bad) symbol for her nation’s downfall.
She protests in favor of bigger government, naively asserting that the budget shortfall can be solved by pulling 122 troops out of Afghanistan and taxing the Orthodox Church.
Olga’s entitlement mentality is not unusual.
The story also notes that young Greek women think a government job is the most desirable thing in a potential mate. At the risk of being politically incorrect, the people of Greece (at least the ones in the moocher class) deserve a miserable future.
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