SEIU 'Dues Skim' Days Are Numbered [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
On Monday, the newly constituted Michigan Quality Community Care Council (MQC3) board affirmed that the contract upon which the SEIU "Dues Skim" is based will end Feb. 28, 2013.
The board further announced that the MQC3 would officially be dissolved as of April 14, 2013.
Free at last!
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Plug-In Cars Don’t Resell – Because They Don’t Sell
The PJ Tatler » Plug-In Cars Don’t Resell – Because They Don’t Sell:
1. Chris Bolts Sr
The turbocharged Ford Focus ST is $24,000.
The Ford Focus all-electric is $40,000.
That should tell ye all ye need to know.
1. Chris Bolts Sr
The turbocharged Ford Focus ST is $24,000.
The Ford Focus all-electric is $40,000.
That should tell ye all ye need to know.
The End of Unions?
The End of Unions? | Hoover Institution
The gains from right-to-work laws are not just confined to Indiana.
As Venuccio and Lehman report, between 1980 and 2011, overall employment levels rose by 71 percent in right-to-work states.
In non-right-to-work states, they only rose by 32 percent.
That differential does not come at the expense of wages, which grew four times as fast in right-to-work states: 12 percent versus 3 percent elsewhere.
The explanation is clear enough.
The productivity gains from escaping union work rules are shared with employees as employers bid up wages.
The short-term monopoly gains to unionized workers eventually are, over time, more than offset by productivity losses.
The New Deal union model is an economic mistake of major proportions.
The gains from right-to-work laws are not just confined to Indiana.
As Venuccio and Lehman report, between 1980 and 2011, overall employment levels rose by 71 percent in right-to-work states.
In non-right-to-work states, they only rose by 32 percent.
That differential does not come at the expense of wages, which grew four times as fast in right-to-work states: 12 percent versus 3 percent elsewhere.
The explanation is clear enough.
The productivity gains from escaping union work rules are shared with employees as employers bid up wages.
The short-term monopoly gains to unionized workers eventually are, over time, more than offset by productivity losses.
The New Deal union model is an economic mistake of major proportions.
Before wringing your hands at the madness of American gun laws, read this
Before wringing your hands at the madness of American gun laws, read this – Telegraph Blogs
When one begins to dig into the figures, the matter becomes more complex.
It is true that Japan, whose strict weapons legislation is built upon an unequivocal 1958 act stating that "No person shall possess a firearm or firearms or sword or swords", has one of the lowest homicide rates in the world.
Britain is in a similar position. But there are other countries – Israel, Switzerland, Norway – which, according to a 2012 study by the UNODC into international rates of intentional homicides, have high levels of gun ownership but relatively low levels of murder.
Moreover, other countries, like Holland, Sweden, Denmark and Russia, have high homicide rates despite having very few firearms.
When one begins to dig into the figures, the matter becomes more complex.
It is true that Japan, whose strict weapons legislation is built upon an unequivocal 1958 act stating that "No person shall possess a firearm or firearms or sword or swords", has one of the lowest homicide rates in the world.
Britain is in a similar position. But there are other countries – Israel, Switzerland, Norway – which, according to a 2012 study by the UNODC into international rates of intentional homicides, have high levels of gun ownership but relatively low levels of murder.
Moreover, other countries, like Holland, Sweden, Denmark and Russia, have high homicide rates despite having very few firearms.
The God Complex
The God Complex
As Winston Churchill said, “Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.”
As Winston Churchill said, “Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.”
THE FACTS ABOUT MASS SHOOTINGS: Mass shootings are no more common than they have been in past dec…
Instapundit » Blog Archive » THE FACTS ABOUT MASS SHOOTINGS: Mass shootings are no more common than they have been in past dec…
Mass shootings are no more common than they have been in past decades, despite the impression given by the media.
In fact, the high point for mass killings in the U.S. was 1929, according to criminologist Grant Duwe of the Minnesota Department of Corrections. . . .
With just one single exception, the attack on congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in Tucson in 2011, every public shooting since at least 1950 in the U.S. in which more than three people have been killed has taken place where citizens are not allowed to carry guns.
Read the whole thing.
Posted by Glenn Reynolds at 7:43 am
Mass shootings are no more common than they have been in past decades, despite the impression given by the media.
In fact, the high point for mass killings in the U.S. was 1929, according to criminologist Grant Duwe of the Minnesota Department of Corrections. . . .
With just one single exception, the attack on congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in Tucson in 2011, every public shooting since at least 1950 in the U.S. in which more than three people have been killed has taken place where citizens are not allowed to carry guns.
Read the whole thing.
Posted by Glenn Reynolds at 7:43 am
Muskegon store owner displays shotgun, scares off would-be robber
Muskegon store owner displays shotgun, scares off would-be robber | MLive.com
The 48-year-old store owner was just getting ready to close the business for the evening when an unarmed suspect attempted to rob the place, police said.
The suspect did not have his face covered and didn't appear to have a weapon at the time, police said.
The store owner displayed a shotgun and the suspect fled from the store on foot, police said.
The 48-year-old store owner was just getting ready to close the business for the evening when an unarmed suspect attempted to rob the place, police said.
The suspect did not have his face covered and didn't appear to have a weapon at the time, police said.
The store owner displayed a shotgun and the suspect fled from the store on foot, police said.
Monday, December 17, 2012
Wind, solar could provide 99.9% of ALL POWER by 2030 • The Register
Wind, solar could provide 99.9% of ALL POWER by 2030 • The Register
Fossil-fuel sources wouldn't be abandoned entirely.
There would likely be times when neither wind nor solar could provide enough juice, and when storage had been depleted.
When that happens, they say, it'd be time to fire up the ol' CO2 spewers and spin their turbines.
Doing that, however, would be a last resort, and not the first, as is true in much of the US's power grid today.
While the idea of a large, geographically diverse renewable-energy grid might seem heinously expensive, the paper's authors contend that if current estimates are correct that by 2030 wind and solar capital costs will be about half of what they are today, by that date a renewable system would be as cost effective as a fossil fuel system, and all without government subsidies.
There is one cost sweetener in their calculations, however: their cost estimates for that comparison includes the costs related to the human health effects of fossil fuel–caused air polution.
Those are costs, of course, that are not borne by the electric power industry. Yet. ®
Fossil-fuel sources wouldn't be abandoned entirely.
There would likely be times when neither wind nor solar could provide enough juice, and when storage had been depleted.
When that happens, they say, it'd be time to fire up the ol' CO2 spewers and spin their turbines.
Doing that, however, would be a last resort, and not the first, as is true in much of the US's power grid today.
While the idea of a large, geographically diverse renewable-energy grid might seem heinously expensive, the paper's authors contend that if current estimates are correct that by 2030 wind and solar capital costs will be about half of what they are today, by that date a renewable system would be as cost effective as a fossil fuel system, and all without government subsidies.
There is one cost sweetener in their calculations, however: their cost estimates for that comparison includes the costs related to the human health effects of fossil fuel–caused air polution.
Those are costs, of course, that are not borne by the electric power industry. Yet. ®
SO IF WE’RE GOING TO HAVE A “NATIONAL CONVERSATION ON GUNS,” HERE ARE SOME OPENERS:
Instapundit » Blog Archive » SO IF WE’RE GOING TO HAVE A “NATIONAL CONVERSATION ON GUNS,” HERE ARE SOME OPENERS:
Why do people…: UPDATE: John Lucas emails:
Joe Scarborough, who claims to be a “proud NRA member” just said there is no reason to allow someone to have an “assault weapon” that shoots “30 rounds a second.”
The ignorance is appalling.
Well, yes. It’s MSNBC. But it is interesting that Scarborough — like Mark Shields and Rupert Murdoch — seems entirely ignorant of actual gun law.
But to be fair, the National Firearms Act has only been around since 1934.
Posted by Glenn Reynolds at 8:15 am
Why do people…: UPDATE: John Lucas emails:
Joe Scarborough, who claims to be a “proud NRA member” just said there is no reason to allow someone to have an “assault weapon” that shoots “30 rounds a second.”
The ignorance is appalling.
Well, yes. It’s MSNBC. But it is interesting that Scarborough — like Mark Shields and Rupert Murdoch — seems entirely ignorant of actual gun law.
But to be fair, the National Firearms Act has only been around since 1934.
Posted by Glenn Reynolds at 8:15 am
Question of the Day: Should Gov. Snyder veto new gun legislation in the wake of the Connecticut school shootings?
Question of the Day: Should Gov. Snyder veto new gun legislation in the wake of the Connecticut school shootings? | MLive.com:
Connecticut has a similar law, but the proposed Michigan bill goes even further.
Gov. Rick Snyder has not indicated if he supports the legislation.
Leaders of the MEA and Progress Michigan have urged Snyder to veto the bill.
Connecticut has a similar law, but the proposed Michigan bill goes even further.
Gov. Rick Snyder has not indicated if he supports the legislation.
Leaders of the MEA and Progress Michigan have urged Snyder to veto the bill.
What If Nothing or Nobody is to Blame for Adam Lanza? Guns, Video Games, Autism or Authorities
What If Nothing or Nobody is to Blame for Adam Lanza? Guns, Video Games, Autism or Authorities - NationalJournal.com
What if there is nobody or nothing to blame?
Would that make this inexplicable horror unbearable?
What if we didn't rush to judgement?
What if we didn't waste our thoughts, prayers and actions on assigning blame for the sake of mere recrimination?
What if we calmly and ruthlessly learned whatever lessons we can from the massacre -- and prevented the next one?
A parting thought: What if it wasn't one thing, but everything, that set off Lanza?
What if there is nobody or nothing to blame?
Would that make this inexplicable horror unbearable?
What if we didn't rush to judgement?
What if we didn't waste our thoughts, prayers and actions on assigning blame for the sake of mere recrimination?
What if we calmly and ruthlessly learned whatever lessons we can from the massacre -- and prevented the next one?
A parting thought: What if it wasn't one thing, but everything, that set off Lanza?
2012 salary report: 20 University of Michigan deans collect $7.28M in base pay
2012 salary report: 20 University of Michigan deans collect $7.28M in base pay
Related article: 2012 salary report: University of Michigan's top 16 execs collect $7.19M in base pay
Two University of Michigan dean reappointments in 2012 came with 13 percent salary increases.
Overall, U-M's 20 deans earn a combined $7.28 million in base salaries, according to compensation figures released Friday by the school.
Last year U-M's deans earned $6.92 million.
Related article: 2012 salary report: University of Michigan's top 16 execs collect $7.19M in base pay
Two University of Michigan dean reappointments in 2012 came with 13 percent salary increases.
Overall, U-M's 20 deans earn a combined $7.28 million in base salaries, according to compensation figures released Friday by the school.
Last year U-M's deans earned $6.92 million.
Union Steward Paid $100K By Taxpayers Attends Rally Advocating Against Them
Union Steward Paid $100K By Taxpayers Attends Rally Advocating Against Them [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
Unlike most public and private-sector workers, being there was easy for Levine — she is paid by taxpayers to represent the union full-time.
As Michigan Capitol Confidential noted in a story in 2011, Levine is an elementary school teacher who is released from her duties as a teacher to work for the union.
That's the perk of being union president.
According to documents provided by the district via a Freedom of Information Act request, Levine makes $145,117 in total compensation (as of 2011).
The Chippewa Valley School District in Macomb County pays $103,807 of that. Another teacher in the district, Larry Schulte, is allowed to spend half his time involved in union business.
He receives $125,135 in total compensation of which taxpayers pick-up $104,480 (as of 2011).
Unlike most public and private-sector workers, being there was easy for Levine — she is paid by taxpayers to represent the union full-time.
As Michigan Capitol Confidential noted in a story in 2011, Levine is an elementary school teacher who is released from her duties as a teacher to work for the union.
That's the perk of being union president.
According to documents provided by the district via a Freedom of Information Act request, Levine makes $145,117 in total compensation (as of 2011).
The Chippewa Valley School District in Macomb County pays $103,807 of that. Another teacher in the district, Larry Schulte, is allowed to spend half his time involved in union business.
He receives $125,135 in total compensation of which taxpayers pick-up $104,480 (as of 2011).
Prosperity: US Drops Out of Top Ten
Prosperity: US Drops Out of Top Ten | Power Line
Consistent with this finding is the fact that for the first time in history, the average Canadian is wealthier than the average American.
Canada has a conservative government, and they have passed us like we are standing still.
Which we are, at best.
Consistent with this finding is the fact that for the first time in history, the average Canadian is wealthier than the average American.
Canada has a conservative government, and they have passed us like we are standing still.
Which we are, at best.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
ACLU Killed Connecticut Forcible Institutionalization Law That Might Have Prevented Killings
ACLU Killed Connecticut Forcible Institutionalization Law That Might Have Prevented Killings
But thankfully the ACLU won and over two dozen children were murdered.
And there will be of course no cries that the ACLU, rather than the NRA, should be held accountable for a dangerous lunatic being on the loose.
But thankfully the ACLU won and over two dozen children were murdered.
And there will be of course no cries that the ACLU, rather than the NRA, should be held accountable for a dangerous lunatic being on the loose.
The Anarchist Soccer Mom: Thinking the Unthinkable
The Anarchist Soccer Mom: Thinking the Unthinkable
I am sharing this story because I am Adam Lanza’s mother.
I am Dylan Klebold’s and Eric Harris’s mother.
I am James Holmes’s mother.
I am Jared Loughner’s mother.
I am Seung-Hui Cho’s mother.
And these boys—and their mothers—need help.
In the wake of another horrific national tragedy, it’s easy to talk about guns.
But it’s time to talk about mental illness.
I am sharing this story because I am Adam Lanza’s mother.
I am Dylan Klebold’s and Eric Harris’s mother.
I am James Holmes’s mother.
I am Jared Loughner’s mother.
I am Seung-Hui Cho’s mother.
And these boys—and their mothers—need help.
In the wake of another horrific national tragedy, it’s easy to talk about guns.
But it’s time to talk about mental illness.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Obama: Pot users not a 'top priority'
Obama: Pot users not a 'top priority' | The Detroit News | detroitnews.com
Obama simply told Walters that going after "recreational users" would not be a "top priority."
Obama simply told Walters that going after "recreational users" would not be a "top priority."
Editorial: Muskegon city commissioners should follow voters' directive on senior citizen transit program
Editorial: Muskegon city commissioners should follow voters' directive on senior citizen transit program | MLive.com
The people of Muskegon clearly wanted the senior citizen transit program to receive funding, even if a technicality ended up in its defeat at the polls.
The people of Muskegon clearly wanted the senior citizen transit program to receive funding, even if a technicality ended up in its defeat at the polls.
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