Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Useless teacher “professional development” classes cost California taxpayers billions in increased salaries and pensions.
Gaming the Los Angeles Teachers’ Contract « Union Watch
Useless teacher “professional development” classes cost California taxpayers billions in increased salaries and pensions.
“With California reeling fiscally and education eating up about half of its budget, the state’s taxpayers are being hoodwinked to the tune of billions of dollars by an outrageous contractual perk that pays teachers to take useless classes, ostensibly with the aim of improving their classroom work.”
Useless teacher “professional development” classes cost California taxpayers billions in increased salaries and pensions.
“With California reeling fiscally and education eating up about half of its budget, the state’s taxpayers are being hoodwinked to the tune of billions of dollars by an outrageous contractual perk that pays teachers to take useless classes, ostensibly with the aim of improving their classroom work.”
Ethically Challenged Funds Push Diversity!
Ethically Challenged Funds Push Diversity! CalWatchDog
The nation’s two largest pension funds, the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) and the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS), have been plagued by problems and allegations of mismanagement and even corruption in the case of CalPERS, and yet these systems continue to lecture the private sector on ethical corporate governance.
The latest nonsense, released earlier this week, is a plan funded by the two systems to promote “diversity” in board rooms, by which they mean diverse ethnic and gender backgrounds rather than diverse viewpoints about the sanity of the current pension system.
The nation’s two largest pension funds, the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) and the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS), have been plagued by problems and allegations of mismanagement and even corruption in the case of CalPERS, and yet these systems continue to lecture the private sector on ethical corporate governance.
The latest nonsense, released earlier this week, is a plan funded by the two systems to promote “diversity” in board rooms, by which they mean diverse ethnic and gender backgrounds rather than diverse viewpoints about the sanity of the current pension system.
Chevy Volt sales don't have expected spark
Chevy Volt sales don't have expected spark - chicagotribune.com
By the end of August, the last time GM publicly announced its sales, about 3,500 Volts had been sold.
By the end of August, the last time GM publicly announced its sales, about 3,500 Volts had been sold.
What will happen when Michigan begins cutting off welfare next month?
What will happen when Michigan begins cutting off welfare next month? MLive.com
The tougher welfare rules come five years after then-Gov. Jennifer Granholm approved a 48-month time limit for cash welfare assistance.
The tougher welfare rules come five years after then-Gov. Jennifer Granholm approved a 48-month time limit for cash welfare assistance.
Effort to recall Michigan governor fizzles
Report: Effort to recall Michigan governor fizzles MLive.com
The Detroit Free Press on Wednesday cited an e-mail from campaign spokesman Tom Bryant saying "the recall effort will be coming to an end."
The Detroit Free Press on Wednesday cited an e-mail from campaign spokesman Tom Bryant saying "the recall effort will be coming to an end."
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Progression
Read this 1st (remember the name of the letter writer):
http://www.mlive.com/opinion/muskegon/index.ssf/2011/06/letters_many_people_made_cance.html
Read this next!:
http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2011/09/ready_to_edit_holland_woman_fa.html
http://www.mlive.com/opinion/muskegon/index.ssf/2011/06/letters_many_people_made_cance.html
Read this next!:
http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2011/09/ready_to_edit_holland_woman_fa.html
Odds Favor GOP Gaining Senate Control in 2012
RealClearPolitics - Odds Favor GOP Gaining Senate Control in 2012
Tossup: Bill Nelson (Florida), Debbie Stabenow (Mich.), Claire McCaskill (Mo.), Jon Tester (Mont.), Virginia (open; Jim Webb is retiring), Wisconsin (open; Herb Kohl is retiring).
.....In 2006, Michigan looked like it would be competitive until September or so.
Stabenow pulled away against fairly weak competition and won handily.
This time, the environment is much worse for Democrats. Her opposition isn’t top-notch, but her approval ratings have been well below 50 percent in a state that swung heavily toward Republicans in 2010.
Tossup: Bill Nelson (Florida), Debbie Stabenow (Mich.), Claire McCaskill (Mo.), Jon Tester (Mont.), Virginia (open; Jim Webb is retiring), Wisconsin (open; Herb Kohl is retiring).
.....In 2006, Michigan looked like it would be competitive until September or so.
Stabenow pulled away against fairly weak competition and won handily.
This time, the environment is much worse for Democrats. Her opposition isn’t top-notch, but her approval ratings have been well below 50 percent in a state that swung heavily toward Republicans in 2010.
A Short History of the Income Tax
John Steele Gordon: A Short History of the Income Tax - WSJ.com
The new president, Woodrow Wilson, and the strongly Democratic Congress promptly passed a personal income tax.
It kicked in at 1% on incomes above $3,000 (a comfortable upper middle-class income at the time) and reached 7% on incomes over $500,000.
But there were many deductions, bringing the effective tax rates down sharply from the marginal ones—a feature of the tax system ever since.
The new president, Woodrow Wilson, and the strongly Democratic Congress promptly passed a personal income tax.
It kicked in at 1% on incomes above $3,000 (a comfortable upper middle-class income at the time) and reached 7% on incomes over $500,000.
But there were many deductions, bringing the effective tax rates down sharply from the marginal ones—a feature of the tax system ever since.
US Has More Serious Problems Than Europe
US Has More Serious Problems Than Europe: Jim Rogers - CNBC
"Europe has a few bad, bankrupt states, so does America.
We've got Illinois which is bigger than Greece, we've got California, we've got New York, you know those are pretty big states that have serious economic problems.
We have pension plans in America that are terribly under water," Rogers told CNBC on Tuesday.
According to Rogers, the U.S. has deeper structural problems than Europe as well as higher debt levels.
"Europe's got some bad problems but the entity as a whole is not nearly as deep in debt as the U.S.
They don't have a huge balance of trade deficit, like we do," Rogers said.
"Europe has a few bad, bankrupt states, so does America.
We've got Illinois which is bigger than Greece, we've got California, we've got New York, you know those are pretty big states that have serious economic problems.
We have pension plans in America that are terribly under water," Rogers told CNBC on Tuesday.
According to Rogers, the U.S. has deeper structural problems than Europe as well as higher debt levels.
"Europe's got some bad problems but the entity as a whole is not nearly as deep in debt as the U.S.
They don't have a huge balance of trade deficit, like we do," Rogers said.
UC Berkeley Republicans hold 'Diversity Bake Sale'
UC Berkeley Republicans hold 'Diversity Bake Sale' - Forbes.com
A satirical bake sale at the University of California, Berkeley, that was designed to protest affirmative action drew several dozen sweet-toothed supporters along with hundreds of critics Tuesday.
A satirical bake sale at the University of California, Berkeley, that was designed to protest affirmative action drew several dozen sweet-toothed supporters along with hundreds of critics Tuesday.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Tax hike not enough to solve state's fiscal woes | hike, woes, report
Tax hike not enough to solve state's fiscal woes hike, woes, report - Report - The Telegraph
"The entire 67 percent (personal) income tax hike went to fund the pensions and payroll here in Illinois,"
"The entire 67 percent (personal) income tax hike went to fund the pensions and payroll here in Illinois,"
Too Much Of A Good Thing
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.
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.
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.
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