Tuesday, October 05, 2010

Illinois Pays More Than Mexico as Cash-Strapped States Sell Bonds Overseas

Illinois Pays More Than Mexico as Cash-Strapped States Sell Bonds Overseas - Bloomberg
"The state sold one-fifth of the federally subsidized securities abroad the next month, tapping investors who are the fastest-growing source of borrowed cash for U.S. municipalities.

Illinois, with the lowest credit rating of any state from Moody’s Investors Service, dangled yields higher than Mexico, which defaulted on debt in 1982, and Portugal, which costs more to insure against missed payments."

Monday, October 04, 2010

American Thinker: How to Win the Trade War with the Democrats

American Thinker: How to Win the Trade War with the Democrats: "There are three positions on trade when a country is being punched out by mercantilists:


1. Unilateral Free Trade. This is the Republican establishment's pacifist strategy of just taking the punches to afford an example to the rest of the world. This has been U.S. policy for three decades.
2. Protectionism. This is liberal Democrats' 'industrial policy' strategy of protecting government-preferred industries with tariffs and subsidies. President GW Bush did it with respect to steel and was forced by the WTO to back down. President Obama did it with respect to tires produced in China and succeeded in enforcing it.
3. Balanced Trade. This is the conservative pro-free-market strategy of balancing exports with imports in order to defeat the mercantilist strategy of maximizing exports and minimizing imports. It takes advantage of a special WTO rule that lets trade deficit countries impose import duties or limitations in order to bring trade into reasonable balance."

Witnesses in Defense Dept. Report Suggest Cover-Up of 9/11 Findings

FOXNews.com - EXCLUSIVE: Witnesses in Defense Dept. Report Suggest Cover-Up of 9/11 Findings
"A document obtained and witnesses interviewed by Fox News raise new questions over whether there was an effort by the Defense Department to cover up a pre-9/11 military intelligence program known as 'Able Danger.'"

10 former San Diego city employees will split $61 million in pensions

CALIFORNIA PENSION REFORM » 10 former San Diego city employees will split $61 million in pensions
"Ten former San Diego city employees will split $61 million dollars for the rest of their lives.
Did they win the lottery?
No – they will receive it in payouts from the City of San Diego pension system"

Illinois Leads Underfunded U.S. Pensions

Illinois Leads Underfunded U.S. Pensions - BusinessWeek
"To rank the municipal pension funding levels for the 50 U.S. states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., the Bloomberg Municipal Data Team and the Municipal Fundamentals Team collected and supplemented data from The Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports, a set of government financial statements.
Data is for states' respective fiscal year ends, current as of August 20, 2010."

Interactive chart

How Are the Benefits? For Members of Congress, Not Too Shabby

FOXNews.com - How Are the Benefits? For Members of Congress, Not Too Shabby
"A little-known benefit drew some attention Wednesday after it was reported that the family of the late West Virginia Sen. Robert Byrd will be paid his $193,000 salary next year.
That's just the tip of the benefits iceberg that comes with being a venerable member of Congress."

Conyers lost driver's license after renewal check bounced

Conyers lost driver's license after renewal check bounced - The Hill's Blog Briefing Room
"Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) lost his driver’s license temporarily this summer because he bounced the check used to pay the renewal fee"

Livonia mulling 1% fee on taxes

Livonia mulling 1% fee on taxes freep.com Detroit Free Press
"Livonia might charge its residents a 1% administrative fee to collect their property taxes, beginning with the December tax bill."

If they can, they will tax.

Sunday, October 03, 2010

Manhattan couple booted from cruise over 'Jew slur' fight

Manhattan couple booted from cruise over 'Jew slur' fight - NYPOST.com
"Broadway producer Gloria Sher, 82, and her husband, Frederick Evans, 91, said they were ordered off the luxury liner after their obscenity-filled argument with someone they claim had made an anti-Semitic remark during a stately black-tie dinner."

Not news at all but nice to see some rich big mouths kicked off cuz of their shear obnoxiousness!

And landing in Quebec no less!

Precious....

My Way - TV

My Way - TV: "Black & Gold: Remembering the WSU Plane Crash"

Big Ten Blog - ESPN

Big Ten Blog - ESPN
"Robinson set a Michigan single-game total offense record (383 yards) in the opener against Connecticut and has since broken his own mark twice.

He has 905 rushing yards and 1,008 passing yards with more than a half-season to play.

Robinson has eclipsed 100 rushing yards in each of his first five games."

I HATE UM but this guy is a dream to watch.

Next Saturday, MSU v UM baby!

10 Most Breathtaking Gardens in the World

10 Most Breathtaking Gardens in the World - Oddee.com