Chicago property tax: Bigger bills headed this way
"In Chicago, the increase in the total property tax burden is even higher -- a little more than 6 percent."
And their sales tax is tops too!
http://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/2008/03/chicago-gets-hi.html
Monday, October 26, 2009
That money is washing away
That money is washing away
"The basic problem is that pension funds created to finance retirement benefits for thousands of public employees -- teachers, police officers, firefighters, and state, city and county workers of every description -- lack sufficient funds to meet their obligations.........
....Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak brought the scale of the situation home in his budget address last summer.
He reported that nearly two-thirds of an 11.3 percent property tax hike next year would go to fund the city's pension obligations."
"The basic problem is that pension funds created to finance retirement benefits for thousands of public employees -- teachers, police officers, firefighters, and state, city and county workers of every description -- lack sufficient funds to meet their obligations.........
....Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak brought the scale of the situation home in his budget address last summer.
He reported that nearly two-thirds of an 11.3 percent property tax hike next year would go to fund the city's pension obligations."
Wayne's Voodoo 2009 Wright Patterson USAF Museum
This is pretty cool.
I sent out the Wright Patterson USAF Musium invite last month and my friend Wayne replied below:
I sent out the Wright Patterson USAF Musium invite last month and my friend Wayne replied below:
"I won't be there, but place a reverent hand on the nose of the F-101 that resides there because I flew that mf.......placed the Red Hawk on the tail my own damn self.
"
I did rub reverently the nose of Wayne's bird.
Note the artistic talents of the geezer fly-"boy".
In downtown Muskegon Heights
Tear down a building and uncover a bit of history.
Ironic that the Heights is arguably the most segregated city in Michigan.
Another 12 Insanely Titled Books
Another 12 Insanely Titled Books
"How to Date a White Woman: A Practical Guide for Asian Men
'Written by an Asian with Asian men in mind within the context of a western society.
Provided inside are the knowledge, framework and tools necessary for an Asian man to understand, to plan and to put into action the steps to successfully date a white woman.'"
"How to Date a White Woman: A Practical Guide for Asian Men
'Written by an Asian with Asian men in mind within the context of a western society.
Provided inside are the knowledge, framework and tools necessary for an Asian man to understand, to plan and to put into action the steps to successfully date a white woman.'"
Sunday, October 25, 2009
family loses home, possessions in fire
family loses home, possessions in fire
"around 10:30 or 10:45 p.m. Saturday, the couple took the children, Christopher Smith, 15, Austin Van Avery, 11, and 9-year-old Jaydean Van Avery, to visit the landlord. “They said everything was OK when they left,” he said.
Apparently Daniel Van Avery was going to get a tattoo from the landlord,"
No money for insurance but lots for a new tattoo!
"around 10:30 or 10:45 p.m. Saturday, the couple took the children, Christopher Smith, 15, Austin Van Avery, 11, and 9-year-old Jaydean Van Avery, to visit the landlord. “They said everything was OK when they left,” he said.
Apparently Daniel Van Avery was going to get a tattoo from the landlord,"
No money for insurance but lots for a new tattoo!
First Daughters Not Vaccinated Against H1N1
» First Daughters Not Vaccinated Against H1N1
"President Obama's school age daughters have not been vaccinated against the H1N1 flu virus.
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs says the vaccine is not available to them based on their risk."
If we take the Obamas at their word (always a poor take) Barry and 'Chelle would love to protect their kids but..... the government directed vaccine program hasn't produced enough to be available to the Obama kids.
The world has been hyperventilating "pandemic" about this for a year!
"President Obama's school age daughters have not been vaccinated against the H1N1 flu virus.
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs says the vaccine is not available to them based on their risk."
If we take the Obamas at their word (always a poor take) Barry and 'Chelle would love to protect their kids but..... the government directed vaccine program hasn't produced enough to be available to the Obama kids.
The world has been hyperventilating "pandemic" about this for a year!
Omama has promised that his version of health care is WAAAAY better.
If government can't take care of the President's family....what do you think we're gonna get.....
This is Obama-care folks!
If government can't take care of the President's family....what do you think we're gonna get.....
This is Obama-care folks!
Kausfiles :So You Think You Have Swine Flu?
Kausfiles : So You Think You Have Swine Flu?
So You Think You Have Swine Flu?
Am I the only one--besides Michael Fumento--who finds reports like NBC's last night on the spread of swine flu ("galloping its way across the country") to be wildly unconvincing?
The NBC piece claims "90 dead" last week under the rubric "swine flu cases." [See about 1:10 in]
This is almost certainly BS.
As this CDC report makes clear, that figure includes both the swine flu and the regular annual flu. Indeed, NBC promiscuously conflates a) swine flu (H1N1); b) regular flu and c) "flu like symptoms" which may not be any kind of flu at all. ... That may be because the CDC itself has decided to conflate at least the first two categories, as noted in this seemingly damning CBS story and confirmed in the CDC report itself:
This new system was implemented on August 30, 2009, and replaces the weekly report of laboratory confirmed 2009 H1N1-related hospitalizations and deaths that began in April 2009. Jurisdictions can now report to CDC either laboratory confirmed or pneumonia and influenza syndromic-based counts of hospitalizations and deaths resulting from all types or subtypes of influenza, not just those from 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. [E.A.]
I think this means the CDC does not really know how many cases are swine flu and how many aren't. (The regular flu kills many thousands of people every year.) ...12:43 A.M.
So You Think You Have Swine Flu?
Am I the only one--besides Michael Fumento--who finds reports like NBC's last night on the spread of swine flu ("galloping its way across the country") to be wildly unconvincing?
The NBC piece claims "90 dead" last week under the rubric "swine flu cases." [See about 1:10 in]
This is almost certainly BS.
As this CDC report makes clear, that figure includes both the swine flu and the regular annual flu. Indeed, NBC promiscuously conflates a) swine flu (H1N1); b) regular flu and c) "flu like symptoms" which may not be any kind of flu at all. ... That may be because the CDC itself has decided to conflate at least the first two categories, as noted in this seemingly damning CBS story and confirmed in the CDC report itself:
This new system was implemented on August 30, 2009, and replaces the weekly report of laboratory confirmed 2009 H1N1-related hospitalizations and deaths that began in April 2009. Jurisdictions can now report to CDC either laboratory confirmed or pneumonia and influenza syndromic-based counts of hospitalizations and deaths resulting from all types or subtypes of influenza, not just those from 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. [E.A.]
I think this means the CDC does not really know how many cases are swine flu and how many aren't. (The regular flu kills many thousands of people every year.) ...12:43 A.M.
Friday, October 23, 2009
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I BRING YOU GOVERNMENT HEALTH CARE
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I BRING YOU GOVERNMENT HEALTH CARE
"Shortages, delays, long lines, rationing.
Just a small preview of what the government has in store for you...."
"Shortages, delays, long lines, rationing.
Just a small preview of what the government has in store for you...."
Experts Puzzle Over How Flight Overshot Airport
Experts Puzzle Over How Flight Overshot Airport
"Federal investigators intensified their efforts on Friday to determine why a commercial jet carrying 144 passengers and five crew members over the northern plains of the United States on Wednesday night overshot its destination by 150 miles."
Like they fell asleep, duh....
We sure need more experts don't we!
Meebee we need some experts to tell us why so many experts are so dumb?
"Federal investigators intensified their efforts on Friday to determine why a commercial jet carrying 144 passengers and five crew members over the northern plains of the United States on Wednesday night overshot its destination by 150 miles."
Like they fell asleep, duh....
We sure need more experts don't we!
Meebee we need some experts to tell us why so many experts are so dumb?
GOP calls Granholm's move to increase Michigan student funding cut to $292 per student 'fear mongering'
GOP calls Granholm's move to increase Michigan student funding cut to $292 per student 'fear mongering'
'The Legislature put a balanced budget on the governor's desk,' said state Rep. Kevin Elsenheimer, R-Kewadin, the House Republican leader. .
'Clearly, she's using fear mongering to set the stage for her tax increases.'"
'The Legislature put a balanced budget on the governor's desk,' said state Rep. Kevin Elsenheimer, R-Kewadin, the House Republican leader. .
'Clearly, she's using fear mongering to set the stage for her tax increases.'"
S&P 500's PE Ratio of 139 Isn't Sustainable
S&P 500's PE Ratio of 139 Isn't Sustainable
"For investors a PE ratio in the 25 to 30 range means it will be difficult to find bargains, as you cannot expect an expansion of the PE ratio to contribute a higher level on the S&P 500 index.
"For investors a PE ratio in the 25 to 30 range means it will be difficult to find bargains, as you cannot expect an expansion of the PE ratio to contribute a higher level on the S&P 500 index.
Moreover, there is a risk the S&P PE ratio could contract, causing the level of the S&P 500 index to fall.
A drop to 20 on the S&P 500 PE ratio gives us a high of 917 on the S&P 500, assuming earnings does not change from its forecast.
Going forward investors need to keep in mind that the risk of a PE ratio contraction is a possibility.
A rise in the S&P 500 PE ratio is unlikely"
Romer: Impact of stimulus will level off
Romer: Impact of stimulus will level off:
"top White House economist says spending from the $787 billion economic stimulus has already had its biggest impact on economic growth and will likely not contribute to significant expansion next year."
Not a surprise to most. It never was a "stimulus", just an enormous pork dump on Barry's favored comrades.
The semi-bright side of this debacle might be that the world has seen just about every socialists economic-trick and they don't work.
Maybe some will start to get the message?
"top White House economist says spending from the $787 billion economic stimulus has already had its biggest impact on economic growth and will likely not contribute to significant expansion next year."
Not a surprise to most. It never was a "stimulus", just an enormous pork dump on Barry's favored comrades.
The semi-bright side of this debacle might be that the world has seen just about every socialists economic-trick and they don't work.
Maybe some will start to get the message?
California Treasurer Lockyer: pensions will ‘bankrupt’ state « Calpensions
California Treasurer Lockyer: pensions will ‘bankrupt’ state
"State Treasurer Bill Lockyer, who sits on both the CalPERS and CalSTRS public pension boards, got the attention of his listeners during a legislative hearing yesterday.
“It’s impossible for this Legislature to reform the pension system, and if we don’t it will bankrupt the state,” is the Lockyer quote jotted down by one observer.
“My general view of the pensions is that the current benefits that have been promised are probably hard to maintain and the (retiree) health benefits that have been promised are impossible to maintain,” he said."
What will a bankrupt California mean for the rest of our country?
"State Treasurer Bill Lockyer, who sits on both the CalPERS and CalSTRS public pension boards, got the attention of his listeners during a legislative hearing yesterday.
“It’s impossible for this Legislature to reform the pension system, and if we don’t it will bankrupt the state,” is the Lockyer quote jotted down by one observer.
“My general view of the pensions is that the current benefits that have been promised are probably hard to maintain and the (retiree) health benefits that have been promised are impossible to maintain,” he said."
What will a bankrupt California mean for the rest of our country?
Holiday travel on a budget
Holiday travel on a budget
"visit Airfare Watchdog http://www.airfarewatchdog.com/. It lists deals from all airlines.
Don’t stop with the airlines, though. You can often find better deals on aggregator sites and other travel sites. Here are a few of the best:"
Excellent list of travel sites.
"visit Airfare Watchdog http://www.airfarewatchdog.com/. It lists deals from all airlines.
Don’t stop with the airlines, though. You can often find better deals on aggregator sites and other travel sites. Here are a few of the best:"
Excellent list of travel sites.
Chart of the Day: S&P500 P/E Ratio
Chart of the Day: S&P500 P/E Ratio
"As a result of the recent plunge in earnings and recent stock market rally, the PE ratio spiked and just peaked at 144 – a record high.
Currently, with 97% of US corporations having reported for Q2 2009, the PE ratio now stands at a lofty 129."
"As a result of the recent plunge in earnings and recent stock market rally, the PE ratio spiked and just peaked at 144 – a record high.
Currently, with 97% of US corporations having reported for Q2 2009, the PE ratio now stands at a lofty 129."
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Audit of Home Tax Credit Shows Errors and Abuses
Audit of Home Tax Credit Shows Errors and Abuses
"Just as Congressional leaders are calling for an extension of a popular $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers, or even an expansion to all home purchasers, government investigators reported Thursday that their audits suggest widespread abuse and errors in the program."
I'm shocked, shocked to see ...bla, bla, ad nausium....again...and again....
"Just as Congressional leaders are calling for an extension of a popular $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers, or even an expansion to all home purchasers, government investigators reported Thursday that their audits suggest widespread abuse and errors in the program."
I'm shocked, shocked to see ...bla, bla, ad nausium....again...and again....
Former Phillips School building may house homeless
Former Phillips School building may house homeless
"Housing for the homeless, and not substance abuse treatment, now is the plan for the former Phillips School, according to officials with West Michigan Therapy, which is hoping to take ownership of the shuttered building."
Another government (non-tax paying) entity providing free housing in Muskegon!
Don't we have hundreds of empty appartments and houses already?
Why spend tax money for more housing when we've already got too many empty homes and appartments!
"Housing for the homeless, and not substance abuse treatment, now is the plan for the former Phillips School, according to officials with West Michigan Therapy, which is hoping to take ownership of the shuttered building."
Another government (non-tax paying) entity providing free housing in Muskegon!
Don't we have hundreds of empty appartments and houses already?
Why spend tax money for more housing when we've already got too many empty homes and appartments!
Some Coopersville parents question district providing laptops to middle-school students
Some Coopersville parents question district providing laptops to middle-school students
"A few parents are not thrilled with every Coopersville Middle School student getting a laptop computer this year.
At a Board of Education meeting this week, one parent said children who use the school’s resource room for challenged students, such as her eighth-grade son, should not have received a laptop.
“It’s a lazy way of learning,” she said, referring to the laptops’ spell check and other automatic services. “How educational are these for the kids?”
Two other parents complained about the $30 liability fee that families are charged for students who want to take their laptops home."
Good grief!
"A few parents are not thrilled with every Coopersville Middle School student getting a laptop computer this year.
At a Board of Education meeting this week, one parent said children who use the school’s resource room for challenged students, such as her eighth-grade son, should not have received a laptop.
“It’s a lazy way of learning,” she said, referring to the laptops’ spell check and other automatic services. “How educational are these for the kids?”
Two other parents complained about the $30 liability fee that families are charged for students who want to take their laptops home."
Good grief!
The elite world of public employees
The elite world of public employees
"It is hard to make a case for going to work in the private sector anymore because government employees just have it better.
Even now, when the private sector is facing major cutbacks and layoffs, government, at the state and federal levels, still offer unparalleled perks, benefits, and salaries – even in the face of seemingly insurmountable budget deficits.
There is something terribly wrong with this picture"
"It is hard to make a case for going to work in the private sector anymore because government employees just have it better.
Even now, when the private sector is facing major cutbacks and layoffs, government, at the state and federal levels, still offer unparalleled perks, benefits, and salaries – even in the face of seemingly insurmountable budget deficits.
There is something terribly wrong with this picture"
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