Works and Days » Life in the Twilight:
"When I get hit by an errant motorist in my environs (and it has happened more than once), or have some one run off the road onto my property, the strange thing is not that I expect him to flee, leaving no ID, no registration, and no insurance behind — that is de rigueur.
The odd thing is that the officer on the scene nonchalantly assumes the same thing, too.
Yet his shrug does not hide the lie that if I were to do that, I would be charged with felony hit and run, while my victim that night would be contacted by a lawyer to sue me.
We all know this and we all know, like good Eastern Europeans circa 1970, never to say that aloud.
In Los Angeles, hit-and-run is kinda like jaywalking elsewhere."
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
FACT CHECK: Obama spins health insurance rebates
My Way News - FACT CHECK: Obama spins health insurance rebates:
" Another year, another round of exaggeration from President Barack Obama and his administration about health insurance rebates.
In his speech defending his health care law Thursday, Obama said rebates averaging $100 are coming from insurance companies to 8.5 million Americans. In fact, most of the money is going straight to employers who provide health insurance, not to their workers, who benefit indirectly.
Obama danced around that reality in remarks that also blamed problems in establishing affordable insurance markets on political opponents, glossing over complex obstacles also faced in states that support the law.
A look at some of his claims and how they compare with the facts:"
" Another year, another round of exaggeration from President Barack Obama and his administration about health insurance rebates.
In his speech defending his health care law Thursday, Obama said rebates averaging $100 are coming from insurance companies to 8.5 million Americans. In fact, most of the money is going straight to employers who provide health insurance, not to their workers, who benefit indirectly.
Obama danced around that reality in remarks that also blamed problems in establishing affordable insurance markets on political opponents, glossing over complex obstacles also faced in states that support the law.
A look at some of his claims and how they compare with the facts:"
Michigan's Financial Crisis Demands Major Healthcare Surgery
Michigan's Financial Crisis Demands Major Healthcare Surgery - Forbes:
"Let’s break down how it’s possible to provide such a high level of service at such an affordable price (i.e., less than a typical cable bill).
It’s simple: low overhead.
It’s not unusual for a primary care practice to have 3-5 administrative staff for every doctor.
This is necessary to deal with the myriad insurance billing schemes that can best be described as a Gordian Knot designed by Rube Goldberg. "
"Let’s break down how it’s possible to provide such a high level of service at such an affordable price (i.e., less than a typical cable bill).
It’s simple: low overhead.
It’s not unusual for a primary care practice to have 3-5 administrative staff for every doctor.
This is necessary to deal with the myriad insurance billing schemes that can best be described as a Gordian Knot designed by Rube Goldberg. "
NUGENT: I am not a racist, and I know why the heart and soul of America are angry
NUGENT: I am not a racist, and I know why the heart and soul of America are angry | Rare:
"We are stunned and amazed that any American could possibly allow an Anthony Weiner or an Elliot Spitzer to hold any public office anywhere, any time for any reason."
"We are stunned and amazed that any American could possibly allow an Anthony Weiner or an Elliot Spitzer to hold any public office anywhere, any time for any reason."
70 Straight Days: Treasury Says Debt Stuck at Exactly $16,699,396,000,000.00
70 Straight Days: Treasury Says Debt Stuck at Exactly $16,699,396,000,000.00 | CNS News:
"How could the value of extant U.S. Treasury Securities increase by $53.267 billion during a 70-day period when the federal government’s debt subject to the legal limit has remained constant at $16,699,396,000,000.00—just $25 million below the legal limit?"
"How could the value of extant U.S. Treasury Securities increase by $53.267 billion during a 70-day period when the federal government’s debt subject to the legal limit has remained constant at $16,699,396,000,000.00—just $25 million below the legal limit?"
The latest action in the war on women
The latest action in the war on women: Column:
"Back during the 2012 election, Democrats were quick to seize on some Republican words -- like Todd Akin's remark about "legitimate rape" and late-term abortion, orRush Limbaugh's calling Sandra Fluke a "slut" for wanting free birth control -- to build the notion of a "war on women."
But if you look past words to actual deeds, most of the action in the war on women seems to be coming from the Democratic front lately.
Just consider these cases:
First, Democratic San Diego Mayor Bob Filner. So far seven women have accused him of sexual harassment. According to one report, Filner said, "You'll have to excuse me for what's about to happen. It's your fault," before pinning a woman in a restaurant booth. Other allegations include kissing, grabbing and assorted other inappropriate behavior"
"Back during the 2012 election, Democrats were quick to seize on some Republican words -- like Todd Akin's remark about "legitimate rape" and late-term abortion, orRush Limbaugh's calling Sandra Fluke a "slut" for wanting free birth control -- to build the notion of a "war on women."
But if you look past words to actual deeds, most of the action in the war on women seems to be coming from the Democratic front lately.
Just consider these cases:
First, Democratic San Diego Mayor Bob Filner. So far seven women have accused him of sexual harassment. According to one report, Filner said, "You'll have to excuse me for what's about to happen. It's your fault," before pinning a woman in a restaurant booth. Other allegations include kissing, grabbing and assorted other inappropriate behavior"
Bill Nojay: Lessons From a Front-Row Seat for Detroit's Dysfunction
Bill Nojay: Lessons From a Front-Row Seat for Detroit's Dysfunction - WSJ.com
A major expense for Detroit is the cost of lawsuits filed against the city for various alleged injuries on municipal property. At the transportation department, there were hundreds of claims arising from bus accidents alone. How many of those claims were fraudulent? How many were settled (with the cost of settlement and legal fees posted against DDOT's budget) at unnecessarily high cost?
It was impossible to know, since the city's law department handled all litigation and settled cases without consulting the DDOT staff. It was the law department's policy to settle virtually all claims—which meant that the transportation department became easy prey for personal-injury lawyers bringing cases with little or no merit, costing the city millions.
In the DDOT we tried to hire our own lawyers to fight these claims. But we were blocked by city charter provisions prohibiting any city department from hiring outside counsel without the approval of the Detroit City Council. When we inquired with the mayor's office we were told that the union representing the law department—in Detroit, even the lawyers are unionized—would block any such approval.
Disability and workers' comp claims were routinely paid with no investigation into their validity. More than 80% of the transportation department's 1,400 employees were certified for family medical-leave absences—meaning they could call in for a day off without prior notice, often leaving buses without drivers or mechanics. Management's only recourse to get the work done was to pay the remaining employees overtime, at time-and-a-half rates. DDOT's overtime costs were running over $20 million a year.
Kent County Land Bank Circumvents Market To Fund Operations
Kent County Land Bank Circumvents Market To Fund Operations [Michigan Capitol Confidential]:
"The Kent County Land Bank is acquiring tax delinquent and abandoned property before it is made available to the public and in doing so, the quasi-governmental entity is casting a big shadow on what had been an open and successful real estate market.
Under Michigan statute, land banks aren't supposed to buy tax delinquent and abandoned property until after buyers get their chance at tax auctions."
"The Kent County Land Bank is acquiring tax delinquent and abandoned property before it is made available to the public and in doing so, the quasi-governmental entity is casting a big shadow on what had been an open and successful real estate market.
Under Michigan statute, land banks aren't supposed to buy tax delinquent and abandoned property until after buyers get their chance at tax auctions."
Monday, July 29, 2013
More Doctors Steer Clear of Medicare
More Doctors Steer Clear of Medicare - WSJ.com:
"Fewer American doctors are treating patients enrolled in the Medicare health program for seniors, reflecting frustration with its payment rates and pushback against mounting rules, according to health experts."
"Fewer American doctors are treating patients enrolled in the Medicare health program for seniors, reflecting frustration with its payment rates and pushback against mounting rules, according to health experts."
Gutted by Government
Stossel Show with John Stossel | Fox Business:
Gutted by Government
Shikha Dalmia, Reason Foundation senior analyst, and Goldwater Institute president Darcy Olsen, on how government contributed to Detroit’s downfall.
BANK OF CYPRUS DEPOSITORS LOSE 47.5 PCT OF SAVINGS
News from The Associated Press:
"Depositors at bailed-out Cyprus' largest bank will lose 47.5 percent of their savings exceeding 100,000 euros ($132,000), the government said Monday.
The figure comes four months after Cyprus agreed on a 23 billion-euro ($30.5 billion) rescue package with its euro partners and the International Monetary Fund. "
"Depositors at bailed-out Cyprus' largest bank will lose 47.5 percent of their savings exceeding 100,000 euros ($132,000), the government said Monday.
The figure comes four months after Cyprus agreed on a 23 billion-euro ($30.5 billion) rescue package with its euro partners and the International Monetary Fund. "
What Will the End of Moore’s Law Mean for Consumers? Not Much
What Will the End of Moore’s Law Mean for Consumers? Not Much | Xconomy:
"Moore’s Law was never a real physical law, of course, but merely a prediction, first ventured by Intel co-founder Gordon Moore back in 1965. It says that the number of transistors that chipmakers can squeeze into a microprocessor will double every 18 to 24 months, without adding to the device’s size or cost.
The prediction held true for about 40 years, but now manufacturers are falling behind. Between 2009 and 2012, Intel improved the performance of its CPUs by only 10 or 20 percent per year—way behind the 60-percent-per-year gains needed to keep pace with Moore’s original forecast."
"Moore’s Law was never a real physical law, of course, but merely a prediction, first ventured by Intel co-founder Gordon Moore back in 1965. It says that the number of transistors that chipmakers can squeeze into a microprocessor will double every 18 to 24 months, without adding to the device’s size or cost.
The prediction held true for about 40 years, but now manufacturers are falling behind. Between 2009 and 2012, Intel improved the performance of its CPUs by only 10 or 20 percent per year—way behind the 60-percent-per-year gains needed to keep pace with Moore’s original forecast."
Fast-food workers to strike for higher wages this week in Detroit, Flint
Fast-food workers to strike for higher wages this week in Detroit, Flint | Crain's Detroit Business:
"Thousands of fast-food workers from restaurants such as McDonald's Corp. and Wendy's Co. will walk off the job beginning today, calling for $15-an-hour pay."
"Thousands of fast-food workers from restaurants such as McDonald's Corp. and Wendy's Co. will walk off the job beginning today, calling for $15-an-hour pay."
City of Chicago’s cash cushion plummets, debt triples, arrests drop, water use rises
City of Chicago’s cash cushion plummets, debt triples, arrests drop, water use rises - Chicago Sun-Times:
"Last week, Moody’s Investors ordered an unprecedented triple-drop in the city’s bond rating, citing Chicago’s “very large and growing” pension liabilities, “significant” debt service payments, “unrelenting public safety demands” and historic reluctance to raise local taxes that has continued under Emanuel."
"Last week, Moody’s Investors ordered an unprecedented triple-drop in the city’s bond rating, citing Chicago’s “very large and growing” pension liabilities, “significant” debt service payments, “unrelenting public safety demands” and historic reluctance to raise local taxes that has continued under Emanuel."
Detroit Looks to Health Law to Ease Costs
Detroit Looks to Health Law to Ease Costs - NYTimes.com:
"As Detroit enters the federal bankruptcy process, the city is proposing a controversial plan for paring some of the $5.7 billion it owes in retiree health costs: pushing many of those too young to qualify for Medicare out of city-run coverage and into the new insurance markets that will soon be operating under the Obama health care law."
"As Detroit enters the federal bankruptcy process, the city is proposing a controversial plan for paring some of the $5.7 billion it owes in retiree health costs: pushing many of those too young to qualify for Medicare out of city-run coverage and into the new insurance markets that will soon be operating under the Obama health care law."
Metro Detroiters suing Elmers for promoting Krazy Glue as good for wood
Metro Detroiters suing Elmers for promoting Krazy Glue as good for wood | Detroit Free Press | freep.com:
"Talk about coming unglued.
Two frustrated consumers are suing the makers of Instant Krazy Glue in Detroit federal court, claiming they got duped into thinking the sticky stuff that can supposedly hold a man in a hardhat to a beam in midair would bond wood."
"Talk about coming unglued.
Two frustrated consumers are suing the makers of Instant Krazy Glue in Detroit federal court, claiming they got duped into thinking the sticky stuff that can supposedly hold a man in a hardhat to a beam in midair would bond wood."
Muskegon Heights seeks $65K to polish Mona Lake Park renovation, fix baseball field
Muskegon Heights seeks $65K to polish Mona Lake Park renovation, fix baseball field | MLive.com:
"Muskegon Heights City Planning and Zoning Administrator Brenda Moore said the extra money is needed to touch up a variety of things at the park, including a baseball field mistakenly built with an adult-size infield and a kiddie-size outfield.
........The city is in the process of wrapping up the second part of the park's renovation, funded by $700,000 in grant money from a variety of sources, including the Michigan Cities of Promise, the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund and the U.S. Land and Water Management Fund. "
"Muskegon Heights City Planning and Zoning Administrator Brenda Moore said the extra money is needed to touch up a variety of things at the park, including a baseball field mistakenly built with an adult-size infield and a kiddie-size outfield.
........The city is in the process of wrapping up the second part of the park's renovation, funded by $700,000 in grant money from a variety of sources, including the Michigan Cities of Promise, the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund and the U.S. Land and Water Management Fund. "
Woonsocket hopes supplemental tax will be end of deficits
Woonsocket hopes supplemental tax will be end of deficits | Breaking News | providencejournal.com
"The supplemental tax will raise $2.5 million from multifamily residential real estate and motor vehicles, and the money will be used to balance the 2012-13 budget, which ended June 30.
That assessment is also built into the 2013-14 tax rate, along with a 4-percent tax increase and a cut in the homestead exemption, which means the average homeowner in the city will see a 23-percent increase in his or her tax bill."
"The supplemental tax will raise $2.5 million from multifamily residential real estate and motor vehicles, and the money will be used to balance the 2012-13 budget, which ended June 30.
That assessment is also built into the 2013-14 tax rate, along with a 4-percent tax increase and a cut in the homestead exemption, which means the average homeowner in the city will see a 23-percent increase in his or her tax bill."
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Police: Assault, Robbery Investigated as Hate Bias
Police: Assault, Robbery Investigated as Hate Bias | NBC4 Washington:
"Police said a man, 28, from Bethesda, Md., was attacked in the 1700 block of Euclid Street, Northwest, in Adams Morgan.
The victim said he was approached by three black males who kicked and punched him to the ground.
According the victim, one of the attackers yelled, “This is for Trayvon,” during the assault. "
"Police said a man, 28, from Bethesda, Md., was attacked in the 1700 block of Euclid Street, Northwest, in Adams Morgan.
The victim said he was approached by three black males who kicked and punched him to the ground.
According the victim, one of the attackers yelled, “This is for Trayvon,” during the assault. "
Dominican Republic scammers sell welfare food bought in NYC and shipped in barrels
EXCLUSIVE: Dominican Republic scammers sell welfare food bought in NYC and shipped in barrels - NYPOST.com:
"Food-stamp fraud in New York has turned into foreign aid — to black-market profiteers in the Dominican Republic."
"Food-stamp fraud in New York has turned into foreign aid — to black-market profiteers in the Dominican Republic."
Obama: "I don't need to consult White House lawyers because I know a lot more about the Constitution than the Republicans." |
Obama: "I don't need to consult White House lawyers because I know a lot more about the Constitution than the Republicans."
In an interview after his speech Wednesday in Galesburg, Illinois, President Obama was asked if he consulted White House lawyers before unilaterally delaying the employer mandate in Obamacare. Since Congress, in the Affordable Care Act, specified that the mandate is go to into effect at the start of next year, reporters from the New York Times asked if the president investigated whether he had the legal authority to put it off without going through Congress.
Obama didn’t exactly answer the question. But judging from what he said, his answer was: No, I didn’t consult White House lawyers because I know a lot more about the Constitution than the Republicans who are complaining about it. And besides, they don’t think I’m legitimately the president, anyway.
“People questioned your legal and constitutional authority to do that unilaterally — to delay the employer mandate,” asked the Times’ Jackie Calmes. “Did you consult with your lawyer?”“Jackie, if you heard me on stage today, what I said was that I will seize any opportunity I can find to work with Congress to strengthen the middle class, improve their prospects, improve their security,” Obama began.
“No, but specifically — ” Calmes interjected.
“But where Congress is unwilling to act,” Obama continued, “I will take whatever administrative steps that I can in order to do right by the American people.”
At that point, Obama explained that if Congress doesn’t like what he’s done, then lawmakers can try to do something about it. “I’m not concerned about their opinions,” the president said. “Very few of them, by the way, are lawyers, much less constitutional lawyers.” And some Republicans “think I usurp my authority by having the gall to win the presidency.”
Fruitland Township sues to dissolve or 'fix' White Lake Ambulance Authority
Fruitland Township sues to dissolve or 'fix' White Lake Ambulance Authority | MLive.com:
"On the auditors’ repeated reports of “material weaknesses” in the authority’s financial reporting, Dresen said that with a two-person office it’s difficult to adhere to all standard accounting procedures. "
"On the auditors’ repeated reports of “material weaknesses” in the authority’s financial reporting, Dresen said that with a two-person office it’s difficult to adhere to all standard accounting procedures. "
Detroit vs. Everybody + Colbert = cha-ching day for local T-shirt biz
Detroit vs. Everybody + Colbert = cha-ching day for local T-shirt biz | Crain's Detroit Business:
"I didn't make the attitude 'Detroit v. Everybody' I just diagnosed it.
I was fed up with the negative stereotypes of my city.
And I love this city," he said.
T-shirts at the store cost $29.99; sweats"
"I didn't make the attitude 'Detroit v. Everybody' I just diagnosed it.
I was fed up with the negative stereotypes of my city.
And I love this city," he said.
T-shirts at the store cost $29.99; sweats"
Book Cadillac pays on loan, avoids state default notice
Book Cadillac pays on loan, avoids state default notice | Crain's Detroit Business:
"MSHDA was originally a mezzanine lender in the $180 million financing package for Ferchill to redevelop Book Cadillac.
But it has been the senior lender on the condominium part of the deal since Pittsburgh-based PNC Bank (which acquired senior project lender National City Bank in 2008) and the Lower Woodward Housing Fund maintained by Invest Detroit were both repaid nearly $9 million in combined condo construction loans."
"MSHDA was originally a mezzanine lender in the $180 million financing package for Ferchill to redevelop Book Cadillac.
But it has been the senior lender on the condominium part of the deal since Pittsburgh-based PNC Bank (which acquired senior project lender National City Bank in 2008) and the Lower Woodward Housing Fund maintained by Invest Detroit were both repaid nearly $9 million in combined condo construction loans."
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