Friday, February 12, 2010

Golden Gate Bridge district approves suicide net, toll increase

Golden Gate Bridge district approves suicide net, toll increase
"The Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District's Board of Directors certified this morning a final environmental report on a proposed $50 million net system beneath the bridge that is intended to deter suicides"

New tax bombshell: 20% VAT

New tax bombshell: 20% VAT - Times Online
"Alistair Darling and George Osborne, the Shadow Chancellor, are both considering raising VAT to as high as 20 per cent — the European average — from the current rate of 17.5 per cent, The Times has learnt."

This is the Europe the American left (and Obama) tells us is our economic model and goal.

Obama’s National Defence Review ignores Iran and Islam in favour of… climate change!

Obama’s National Defence Review ignores Iran and Islam in favour of… climate change!
"However, it’s not what is in the document that surprises the reader – it’s what was left out.
There presence of two elephants in their living room apparently escaped the notice of American’s top civilian and military leaders.
Islamic radicalism does not receive any mention whatsoever in the American Defence Review and the threat posed by a nuclear Iran is mentioned in only one general sentence at the end of a document (page 101).
To put this lack of discussion in proportion, contrast this non-discussion with other security issues mentioned in the document.
For example, the security effects of climate change are highlighted and discussed in depth in eight pages of the document."

Paul Ryan's Lonely Challenge

Paul Ryan's Lonely Challenge
"Paul Ryan, a six-term Republican congressman from Wisconsin who is the ranking minority member of the House Budget Committee, has yanked himself from obscurity by doing something no one else in Congress or apparently the White House has done: design a specific plan to control long-term government spending and budget deficits.

That he stands virtually alone is a damning commentary on our politics."

Greece debt bailout: EU leaders split over euro crisis


Greece debt bailout: EU leaders split over euro crisis
"The European single currency is facing an 'inevitable break-up' a leading French bank claimed yesterday."

The lighthouses of Michigan

The lighthouses of Michigan

Social Security coffers drying up

Social Security coffers drying up
"In all the angst about Sarah Palin writing notes on her palm and President Barack Obama pronouncing corpsman as 'corpse man,' the American commentariat has paid scant attention to a hugely significant report, the one about Social Security's funding scare in 2009 and the red ink it will likely be bathed in this year and next.

Here it is, fellow Americans, a forerunner of what we will have – big time – starting in 2016, a harbinger of what could be the single most threatening domestic issue we face as a people, and this is what I would like to ask all those who have continuously told us not to worry about Social Security: Where's your trust fund now?

That's been the big lie, you know...."

And social security disaster is NOTHING compared to the Medicare/Medicaid shortfall.

Demand accountability from congress and the president NOW!

Governor Christie Declares "New Jersey on Edge of Bankruptcy"

Mish's Global Economic Trend Analysis: Governor Christie Declares "New Jersey on Edge of Bankruptcy"
"Christie froze aid to more than 500 school districts and public colleges and universities, ordered the end to several state programs and the Office of Public Advocate, and seized unspent money across state government.

'Today, we come to terms with the fact that we cannot spend money on everything we want,'' Christie told a special joint session of the legislature.

'The days of Alice in Wonderland budgeting in Trenton are over.''"

THIS is what we need in Michigan.

Ask EVERY candidate for Michigan governor this question:

"What are you going to do about state spending on public worker and teacher compensation?"

One Economist Predicts Taxpayer Revolt Over Public v. Private Sector Pay Differentials

One Economist Predicts Taxpayer Revolt Over Public v. Private Sector Pay Differentials
"According to an economist from the University of Michigan-Flint, public employees now make an average of 45% more than private sector employees."

6 Caribbean Islands to Avoid

Caribbean Islands to Avoid

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Kennedy won't run for re-election in RI


Kennedy won't run for re-election in RI
"Rep. Patrick Kennedy has decided not to seek re-election to Congress, saying his life is 'taking a new direction' just months after the death of his father and mentor, Sen. Edward Kennedy."

The death of the inbred dynasty!

Our country is a better place.

Mary Jo K is smiling somewhere in heaven.....

Public-sector unions bleed taxpayers


Public-sector unions bleed taxpayers
"Public-sector unionism is a very different animal from private-sector unionism.
It is not adversarial but collusive.
Public-sector unions strive to elect their management, which in turn can extract money from taxpayers to increase wages and benefits -- and can promise pensions that future taxpayers will have to fund.

The results are plain to see.
States such as New York, New Jersey and California, where public-sector unions are strong, now face enormous budget deficits and pension liabilities.
In such states, the public sector has become a parasite sucking the life out of the private-sector economy.
Not surprisingly, Americans have been steadily migrating out of such states and into states like Texas, where public-sector unions are weak and taxes are much lower."

GOPers won't address this cancer.

Will the Tea Parties stand tall?