Will Small Be Beautiful for GM?
"once it was clear that GM planned to build compacts somewhere in the U.S. a bidding war broke out between Michigan, Tennessee and Wisconsin -- all of which had GM plants slated to be closed.
Michigan won by giving away the store.
The Orion plant will get $1 billion in tax incentives and job training grants from the state, which will pay for the $800 million GM will spend on retooling."
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Wasteful Defense Spending Is a Clear and Present Danger
Wasteful Defense Spending Is a Clear and Present Danger
"When John McCain was shot down over Hanoi in 1967, he was flying an A4 Skyhawk. That jet cost $860,000.
Inflation has risen by 700% since then. So Mr. McCain's A4 cost $6.1 million in 2008 dollars. Applying a generous factor of three for technological improvements, the price for a 2008 Navy F18 fighter should be about $18 million. Instead, we are paying about $90 million for each new fighter. As a result, the Navy cannot buy sufficient numbers. This is disarmament without a treaty.
The situation is worse in the Air Force. In 1983, I was in the Pentagon meeting that launched the F-22 Raptor. The plan was to buy 648 jets beginning in 1996 for $60 million each (in 1983 dollars). Now they cost $350 million apiece and the Obama budget caps the program at 187 jets. At least they are safe from cyberattack since no one in China knows how to program the '83 vintage IBM software that runs them.
There are other problems. Navy shipbuilding fiascoes like the staggering overruns on new surface combatants, the near total failure of the Army's Future Combat System that was meant to re-equip the entire army, the 400% cost overrun of the new Air Force weather satellite -- to name but a few -- all prove that we are currently unable to design, develop and deliver major weapons systems in anything approaching a cost-effective and timely manner. The Government Accountability Office recently reported that the cost overruns for the top 75% procurement programs were over $295 billion. We are rapidly disarming ourselves, even as defense spending grows.
On May 22, President Obama signed the Weapons System Acquisition Reform Act. Despite the grandiloquent name, it is in fact just an addition of 20,000 more bureaucrats who will only make matters worse.
Why is this happening? Wher"
"When John McCain was shot down over Hanoi in 1967, he was flying an A4 Skyhawk. That jet cost $860,000.
Inflation has risen by 700% since then. So Mr. McCain's A4 cost $6.1 million in 2008 dollars. Applying a generous factor of three for technological improvements, the price for a 2008 Navy F18 fighter should be about $18 million. Instead, we are paying about $90 million for each new fighter. As a result, the Navy cannot buy sufficient numbers. This is disarmament without a treaty.
The situation is worse in the Air Force. In 1983, I was in the Pentagon meeting that launched the F-22 Raptor. The plan was to buy 648 jets beginning in 1996 for $60 million each (in 1983 dollars). Now they cost $350 million apiece and the Obama budget caps the program at 187 jets. At least they are safe from cyberattack since no one in China knows how to program the '83 vintage IBM software that runs them.
There are other problems. Navy shipbuilding fiascoes like the staggering overruns on new surface combatants, the near total failure of the Army's Future Combat System that was meant to re-equip the entire army, the 400% cost overrun of the new Air Force weather satellite -- to name but a few -- all prove that we are currently unable to design, develop and deliver major weapons systems in anything approaching a cost-effective and timely manner. The Government Accountability Office recently reported that the cost overruns for the top 75% procurement programs were over $295 billion. We are rapidly disarming ourselves, even as defense spending grows.
On May 22, President Obama signed the Weapons System Acquisition Reform Act. Despite the grandiloquent name, it is in fact just an addition of 20,000 more bureaucrats who will only make matters worse.
Why is this happening? Wher"
Second City Ruse
Second City Ruse
"When President Obama chose Arne Duncan to lead the Education Department, he cited Mr. Duncan's success as head of Chicago's public school system from 2001 to 2008. But a new education study suggests that those academic gains aren't what they seemed. The study also helps explain why big-city education reform is unlikely to occur without school choice.
Mr. Obama noted in December that 'in just seven years, Arne's boosted elementary test scores here in Chicago from 38% of students meeting the standard to 67%' and that 'the dropout rate has gone down every year he's been in charge.' But according to 'Still Left Behind,' a report by the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago, a majority of Chicago public school students still drop out or fail to graduate with their class. Moreover, 'recent dramatic gains in the reported number of CPS elementary students who meet standards on state assessments appear to be due to changes in the tests . . . rather than real improvements in student learning.'"
"When President Obama chose Arne Duncan to lead the Education Department, he cited Mr. Duncan's success as head of Chicago's public school system from 2001 to 2008. But a new education study suggests that those academic gains aren't what they seemed. The study also helps explain why big-city education reform is unlikely to occur without school choice.
Mr. Obama noted in December that 'in just seven years, Arne's boosted elementary test scores here in Chicago from 38% of students meeting the standard to 67%' and that 'the dropout rate has gone down every year he's been in charge.' But according to 'Still Left Behind,' a report by the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago, a majority of Chicago public school students still drop out or fail to graduate with their class. Moreover, 'recent dramatic gains in the reported number of CPS elementary students who meet standards on state assessments appear to be due to changes in the tests . . . rather than real improvements in student learning.'"
Urban Meyer to Notre Dame rumors are magically delicious
Urban Meyer to Notre Dame rumors are magically delicious
"'I was contacted by one, but I'm not interested. I love it here. We have a lot of work to do. That's the bottom line.' — Bowling Green coach Urban Meyer, 2002. Six days later, he was coach at Utah.
'All I keep saying is I plan on being the coach here at Utah.' — Utah coach Urban Meyer, 2004. Five days later, he was coach at the University of Florida.
'I'm not going to Notre Dame. Ever.' — UF Coach Urban Meyer, 2009.
So UF Coach Urban Meyer says he is never coaching at Notre Dame. Ever. No way. Nu-uh. Never. Ever. Not in your dreams. Not in a billion years. Nope. Not me.
We've heard that one, oh, seemingly a million times."
"'I was contacted by one, but I'm not interested. I love it here. We have a lot of work to do. That's the bottom line.' — Bowling Green coach Urban Meyer, 2002. Six days later, he was coach at Utah.
'All I keep saying is I plan on being the coach here at Utah.' — Utah coach Urban Meyer, 2004. Five days later, he was coach at the University of Florida.
'I'm not going to Notre Dame. Ever.' — UF Coach Urban Meyer, 2009.
So UF Coach Urban Meyer says he is never coaching at Notre Dame. Ever. No way. Nu-uh. Never. Ever. Not in your dreams. Not in a billion years. Nope. Not me.
We've heard that one, oh, seemingly a million times."
Will Small Be Beautiful for GM?
Will Small Be Beautiful for GM?
"This time, the Orion plant is a symbol of government regulation run amok as Washington keeps GM on life support so that it will produce the cars Washington wants to build.
On June 1, GM Vice President for Global Manufacturing Gary Cowger announced as part of the company's bankruptcy filing that it would close the Orion facility in its drive to become a 'leaner, stronger and more flexible' company. Though still a relatively modern facility making midsize Chevy Malibu and Pontiac G6 sedans, Orion's once 5,000-strong labor force had shriveled to 1,200 as the recession ravaged sales and the company planned to eliminate its Pontiac brand and consolidate Malibu production at a Kansas City facility.
But a few weeks later, the company reversed course. GM now says it will retool Orion to make compact, gas-sipping cars. The change of heart says a lot about how GM's new owners -- the federal government owns 60% of the company and the United Auto Workers (UAW) owns 17% -- are making considerations other than profitability a top priority for the auto maker.
The Obama administration is increasing Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) mandates to 35.5 mpg for all vehicles in a company's fleet by 2016, up from 27.5 mpg for cars and 23 mpg for light trucks now. Not a single GM vehicle meets the new CAFE standard, so the company is scrambling to make new high-mileage cars.
It was planning to build a new compact car in China (it already works with Daewoo to make the tiny Chevy Aveo in South Korea). Most auto makers have similar arrangements -- profit margins are so low for compacts made in America that not a single auto company makes a compact inside the U.S. Not the Japanese. Not the Koreans. And not even Ford, which plans to make its new Fiesta in Mexico."
"This time, the Orion plant is a symbol of government regulation run amok as Washington keeps GM on life support so that it will produce the cars Washington wants to build.
On June 1, GM Vice President for Global Manufacturing Gary Cowger announced as part of the company's bankruptcy filing that it would close the Orion facility in its drive to become a 'leaner, stronger and more flexible' company. Though still a relatively modern facility making midsize Chevy Malibu and Pontiac G6 sedans, Orion's once 5,000-strong labor force had shriveled to 1,200 as the recession ravaged sales and the company planned to eliminate its Pontiac brand and consolidate Malibu production at a Kansas City facility.
But a few weeks later, the company reversed course. GM now says it will retool Orion to make compact, gas-sipping cars. The change of heart says a lot about how GM's new owners -- the federal government owns 60% of the company and the United Auto Workers (UAW) owns 17% -- are making considerations other than profitability a top priority for the auto maker.
The Obama administration is increasing Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) mandates to 35.5 mpg for all vehicles in a company's fleet by 2016, up from 27.5 mpg for cars and 23 mpg for light trucks now. Not a single GM vehicle meets the new CAFE standard, so the company is scrambling to make new high-mileage cars.
It was planning to build a new compact car in China (it already works with Daewoo to make the tiny Chevy Aveo in South Korea). Most auto makers have similar arrangements -- profit margins are so low for compacts made in America that not a single auto company makes a compact inside the U.S. Not the Japanese. Not the Koreans. And not even Ford, which plans to make its new Fiesta in Mexico."
Unions Seem Determined to Kill Michigan Film Industry
Unions Seem Determined to Kill Michigan Film Industry
"A lot can be said about unions supporting wage earners and creating a middle class. However, a lot can also be said about unions ruining this country. Case in point: Michigan.
You would think that after the UAW destroyed the auto industry and the tax base in Michigan, the people of the state and the unions based there would have learned.
However, this is not the case.
In the latest union disaster for the state of Michigan, the IATSE has decided that the blooming film industry in the state must be stopped before it even gets started."
"A lot can be said about unions supporting wage earners and creating a middle class. However, a lot can also be said about unions ruining this country. Case in point: Michigan.
You would think that after the UAW destroyed the auto industry and the tax base in Michigan, the people of the state and the unions based there would have learned.
However, this is not the case.
In the latest union disaster for the state of Michigan, the IATSE has decided that the blooming film industry in the state must be stopped before it even gets started."
Room to roam: House votes to rescue wild horses
Room to roam: House votes to rescue wild horses
"The Congressional Budget Office estimated that enacting the Restore our American Mustangs Act would cost about $200 million over the next five years. Currently, the wild herds roam over about 33 million acres of Western land.
To To comply with the bill, the Bureau of Land Management would need to find an additional 20 million acres, primarily after 2013, at a cost of up to $500 million, according the CBO.
........ House Republican leader John Boehner of Ohio said even debating the bill was an insult to people looking for work and small businesses trying to keep their doors open.
"It doesn't make any sense that we're debating a welfare program about wild horses when the American people really want to know, 'where are the jobs?'"
This idiot bill passed????
"The Congressional Budget Office estimated that enacting the Restore our American Mustangs Act would cost about $200 million over the next five years. Currently, the wild herds roam over about 33 million acres of Western land.
To To comply with the bill, the Bureau of Land Management would need to find an additional 20 million acres, primarily after 2013, at a cost of up to $500 million, according the CBO.
........ House Republican leader John Boehner of Ohio said even debating the bill was an insult to people looking for work and small businesses trying to keep their doors open.
"It doesn't make any sense that we're debating a welfare program about wild horses when the American people really want to know, 'where are the jobs?'"
This idiot bill passed????
Government Employee Benefits
Government Employee Benefits
"Michigan’s private sector has shed 12.1 percent of its jobs since 2000. The number of jobs lost — 484,200 — is about the size of the total employment in Rhode Island. But the blows to Michigan’s public sector were much lighter. Local government employment dropped 6.1 percent, while the state government and state enterprises like universities actually expanded its workforce."
"Michigan’s private sector has shed 12.1 percent of its jobs since 2000. The number of jobs lost — 484,200 — is about the size of the total employment in Rhode Island. But the blows to Michigan’s public sector were much lighter. Local government employment dropped 6.1 percent, while the state government and state enterprises like universities actually expanded its workforce."
Larry Summers cites Google search as progress
Larry Summers cites Google search as progress
"Of all the statistics pouring into the White House every day, top economic adviser Larry Summers highlighted one Friday to make his case that the economic free-fall has ended.
The number of people searching for the term “economic depression” on Google is down to normal levels, Summers said."
True success, Obama style?
"Of all the statistics pouring into the White House every day, top economic adviser Larry Summers highlighted one Friday to make his case that the economic free-fall has ended.
The number of people searching for the term “economic depression” on Google is down to normal levels, Summers said."
True success, Obama style?
Obama’s Economy: 84.8% Of Jobs In Michigan “Created Or Saved”
Obama’s Economy: 84.8% Of Jobs In Michigan “Created Or Saved”
"That’s the positive spin. The bad news is that over 15% of the Michigan labor force is out of work. Oh, and by the way, 16 states passed 10% unemployment in June."
"That’s the positive spin. The bad news is that over 15% of the Michigan labor force is out of work. Oh, and by the way, 16 states passed 10% unemployment in June."
House OKs bill to let judges rewrite mortgages
House OKs bill to let judges rewrite mortgages
"The deal would require judges to consider whether homeowners were offered a “qualified” loan workout consistent with Obama’s plan. That program would let eligible homeowners rework their mortgages to bring their monthly payments down to no more than about one-third of their incomes."
"The deal would require judges to consider whether homeowners were offered a “qualified” loan workout consistent with Obama’s plan. That program would let eligible homeowners rework their mortgages to bring their monthly payments down to no more than about one-third of their incomes."
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