Start at 18, Retire at 48, Spend More Yrs. Getting Pension, Free Health Care Than Yrs. Working
"In the early 1970s, Detroit agreed to let auto workers retire with full pension and benefits after 30 years on the job, regardless of their age. In practice, that meant a worker could start at age 18, retire at 48, and spend more years collecting a pension and free health care than he or she actually spent working. It wasn't long before even union officials realized they had created a monster."
Friday, February 20, 2009
MSU loses one of its legends
MSU loses one of its legends
"Brad Van Pelt, a former two-time All-America football player at Michigan State, was remembered Wednesday by former teammates and coaches as an outstanding person as well as a versatile and gifted athlete."
"Brad Van Pelt, a former two-time All-America football player at Michigan State, was remembered Wednesday by former teammates and coaches as an outstanding person as well as a versatile and gifted athlete."
Obama's Governing Style
Obama's Governing Style
"In the Middle Ages, when a young prince suddenly and prematurely became king, the royal court, the church leadership and other senior aristocrats would scrutinize his every word and habit for signs of what kind of mind would be deciding their country's fate and their personal prosperity and safety.
Today, around the world, President Barack Obama's every word, every action, every inaction is being likewise scrutinized for similar reasons."
"In the Middle Ages, when a young prince suddenly and prematurely became king, the royal court, the church leadership and other senior aristocrats would scrutinize his every word and habit for signs of what kind of mind would be deciding their country's fate and their personal prosperity and safety.
Today, around the world, President Barack Obama's every word, every action, every inaction is being likewise scrutinized for similar reasons."
City sweetens downtown condo deal
City sweetens downtown condo deal
"The city of Muskegon is trying to spur buyers' interest in downtown condominiums by offering to convert one of them into a 'dockominium.'
That's right -- the first person to buy a condo priced at $250,000 or more before Dec. 15 gets a boat slip on Muskegon Lake.
The slip is a 60-footer at Harbour Towne Marina, near the Muskegon Lake Channel. It was acquired by the city from the state of Michigan through tax reversion.
The offer is good for condominium units in WaterMark Place, Vida Nova, Heritage Square Townhomes now under construction, and Highpoint Flats, the eight-story former Comerica Bank building yet to undergo conversion into residences.
The buyer will be required to reimburse the city its $5,000 acquisition costs, and will be subject to all future fees, taxes and assessments on the slips."
I wonder how long this will be available.....
"The city of Muskegon is trying to spur buyers' interest in downtown condominiums by offering to convert one of them into a 'dockominium.'
That's right -- the first person to buy a condo priced at $250,000 or more before Dec. 15 gets a boat slip on Muskegon Lake.
The slip is a 60-footer at Harbour Towne Marina, near the Muskegon Lake Channel. It was acquired by the city from the state of Michigan through tax reversion.
The offer is good for condominium units in WaterMark Place, Vida Nova, Heritage Square Townhomes now under construction, and Highpoint Flats, the eight-story former Comerica Bank building yet to undergo conversion into residences.
The buyer will be required to reimburse the city its $5,000 acquisition costs, and will be subject to all future fees, taxes and assessments on the slips."
I wonder how long this will be available.....
Frozen Wave Phenomenon on Lake Huron
Frozen Wave Phenomenon on Lake Huron
"Michigan has had the coldest winter in decades. Water expands to freeze, and at Macinaw City the water in Lake Huron below the surface ice was supercooled. It expanded to break through the surface ice and froze into this incredible wave.
This wave phenomena is seen in Antarctica, but in Michigan? Yes, it's been quite a winter!"
"Michigan has had the coldest winter in decades. Water expands to freeze, and at Macinaw City the water in Lake Huron below the surface ice was supercooled. It expanded to break through the surface ice and froze into this incredible wave.
This wave phenomena is seen in Antarctica, but in Michigan? Yes, it's been quite a winter!"
click the link to see even more!
Dana Milbank - The Audacity of Audaciousness
Dana Milbank - The Audacity of Audaciousness
"It takes a certain amount of nerve to have an event at the National Press Club and then ban the press from covering it.
"It takes another level of chutzpah entirely to admit members of the general public to your event at the National Press Club, recruit a news organization as the co-sponsor and then tell the press they can't cover it.
And Milbank is a major libo-journalista.
Wow! When you piss off the lib journalists this fast, one wonders what the next 4 years will bring.
"It takes a certain amount of nerve to have an event at the National Press Club and then ban the press from covering it.
"It takes another level of chutzpah entirely to admit members of the general public to your event at the National Press Club, recruit a news organization as the co-sponsor and then tell the press they can't cover it.
And Milbank is a major libo-journalista.
Wow! When you piss off the lib journalists this fast, one wonders what the next 4 years will bring.
Manufacturing Myths
Manufacturing Myths
Mr. Uchitelle says, 'Manufacturing's share of real gross domestic product... has dropped to between 16 and 17 percent, from 18 to 19 percent in the 1950s.... The downward trends are alarming.' Similar statistical exercises recently led to an interesting debate between my old friends Bruce Bartlett and Paul Craig Roberts.
Yet the National Association of Manufacturers' Web site shows that 'manufacturing's share of the U.S. economy, as measured by real GDP, has been stable since the late 1940s.... The overall share remains the same over the business cycle.' "
Isn't it amazing how "good news" is so hurtful to liberals?
Mr. Uchitelle says, 'Manufacturing's share of real gross domestic product... has dropped to between 16 and 17 percent, from 18 to 19 percent in the 1950s.... The downward trends are alarming.' Similar statistical exercises recently led to an interesting debate between my old friends Bruce Bartlett and Paul Craig Roberts.
Yet the National Association of Manufacturers' Web site shows that 'manufacturing's share of the U.S. economy, as measured by real GDP, has been stable since the late 1940s.... The overall share remains the same over the business cycle.' "
Isn't it amazing how "good news" is so hurtful to liberals?
BAILOUT AS PAYOLA: Did Campaign Cash Influence Bailout? Banks Get 258,000 Percent Return
BAILOUT AS PAYOLA: Did Campaign Cash Influence Bailout? Banks Get 258,000 Percent Return
"As I’ve said before, an economy in which political payoffs earn a much higher rate of return than real investments is not a healthy thing. But wait, look who figures prominently:"
"As I’ve said before, an economy in which political payoffs earn a much higher rate of return than real investments is not a healthy thing. But wait, look who figures prominently:"
Tague to decide if Charles Nash can serve on two boards
Tague to decide if Charles Nash can serve on two boards
"The issue of whether Charles Nash can simultaneously serve on the Muskegon County Board of Commissioners and the Muskegon school board will be forwarded to the county prosecutor.
The school board intends to send a letter to Muskegon County Prosecutor Tony Tague requesting that he resolve the issue of Charles Nash serving as vice chairman of the county board as well as a school board trustee.
'We don't want it hanging over our heads,' said the Rev. Charles Poole, president of the Muskegon Public Schools Board of Education.
The school board's letter is in response to a memo board attorney Gary Britton sent to Poole suggesting he send a formal request to Tague to look into the matter."
Ummm, democrat rules on democrat when EVERYONE else has said this is illegal.
"The issue of whether Charles Nash can simultaneously serve on the Muskegon County Board of Commissioners and the Muskegon school board will be forwarded to the county prosecutor.
The school board intends to send a letter to Muskegon County Prosecutor Tony Tague requesting that he resolve the issue of Charles Nash serving as vice chairman of the county board as well as a school board trustee.
'We don't want it hanging over our heads,' said the Rev. Charles Poole, president of the Muskegon Public Schools Board of Education.
The school board's letter is in response to a memo board attorney Gary Britton sent to Poole suggesting he send a formal request to Tague to look into the matter."
Ummm, democrat rules on democrat when EVERYONE else has said this is illegal.
Transportation secretary says taxing how much we drive may replace gasoline tax
Transportation secretary says taxing how much we drive may replace gasoline tax
"Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says he wants to consider taxing motorists based on how many miles they drive rather than how much gasoline they burn — an idea that has angered drivers in some states where it has been proposed."
Nice reportage!
This new BIGBROTHER idea won't "replace" gasoline taxes it will be a NEW tax!
Our Great Leader must appreciate his comrades in the NEW MEDIA....
"Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says he wants to consider taxing motorists based on how many miles they drive rather than how much gasoline they burn — an idea that has angered drivers in some states where it has been proposed."
Nice reportage!
This new BIGBROTHER idea won't "replace" gasoline taxes it will be a NEW tax!
Our Great Leader must appreciate his comrades in the NEW MEDIA....
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Michigan State raises football ticket prices
Michigan State raises football ticket prices
Last season, MSU ranked sixth in the Big Ten in ticket prices behind Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Iowa and Illinois.
Michigan State is now tied with Illinois for fifth (from information provided by MSU):
2009 Big Ten Football Season-Ticket Prices
1 - Ohio State ($63 up from $62 in 2008)
3 - Penn State ($55 up from $52 in 2008)
2 - Michigan ($54)
4 - Iowa ($48)
5 - Illinois ($44)
5 - Michigan State ($44 up from $41 2008)
7 - Wisconsin ($39)
8 - Purdue ($37)
9 - Minnesota ($39 up from $36 2008)
10 - Northwestern ($33)
11 - Indiana ($31)"
Last season, MSU ranked sixth in the Big Ten in ticket prices behind Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Iowa and Illinois.
Michigan State is now tied with Illinois for fifth (from information provided by MSU):
2009 Big Ten Football Season-Ticket Prices
1 - Ohio State ($63 up from $62 in 2008)
3 - Penn State ($55 up from $52 in 2008)
2 - Michigan ($54)
4 - Iowa ($48)
5 - Illinois ($44)
5 - Michigan State ($44 up from $41 2008)
7 - Wisconsin ($39)
8 - Purdue ($37)
9 - Minnesota ($39 up from $36 2008)
10 - Northwestern ($33)
11 - Indiana ($31)"
Pension Tsunami
Pension Tsunami
"That approaching wave of pension debt is bigger than it looks. The purpose of this site is to provide an overview of the multiple pension crises that are about to drown America's taxpayers."
Excellent reference site for the coming (already here?) pension disaster.
"That approaching wave of pension debt is bigger than it looks. The purpose of this site is to provide an overview of the multiple pension crises that are about to drown America's taxpayers."
Excellent reference site for the coming (already here?) pension disaster.
Massachusetts may consider using computer chips to charge drivers for mileage on state roads
Massachusetts may consider using computer chips to charge drivers for mileage on state roads
"A tentative plan to overhaul Massachusetts' transportation system by using GPS chips to charge motorists a quarter-cent for every mile behind the wheel has angered some drivers.
'It's outrageous, it's kind of Orwellian, Big Brotherish,'"
"A tentative plan to overhaul Massachusetts' transportation system by using GPS chips to charge motorists a quarter-cent for every mile behind the wheel has angered some drivers.
'It's outrageous, it's kind of Orwellian, Big Brotherish,'"
"voluntary" is out with Obama's administration?
Obama storm troopers give up on "voluntary"
“We tried voluntary, it didn’t work,” Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Chairman Sheila Bair said today"
“We tried voluntary, it didn’t work,” Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Chairman Sheila Bair said today"
European Court: Fleeing Dangerous Countries a Ground for Asylum
European Court: Fleeing Dangerous Countries a Ground for Asylum
"The ECJ decided that, under EU rules, people seeking the right to live in Europe because they fear death at home do not have to prove that they, personally, are under threat of targeted violence, if the country itself is seen as sufficiently dangerous."
Doesn't ANYONE in Europe remember 1937?
"The ECJ decided that, under EU rules, people seeking the right to live in Europe because they fear death at home do not have to prove that they, personally, are under threat of targeted violence, if the country itself is seen as sufficiently dangerous."
Doesn't ANYONE in Europe remember 1937?
Jones bill would raise taxes to aid homeless
Jones bill would raise taxes to aid homeless
"State Rep. Robert Jones has reintroduced a bill that would allow counties to raise real-estate transfer taxes to fund housing projects for the homeless."
Another democrat who will steal our hard earned paychecks for his personal vote-buying scam.
Remember this crook!
"State Rep. Robert Jones has reintroduced a bill that would allow counties to raise real-estate transfer taxes to fund housing projects for the homeless."
Another democrat who will steal our hard earned paychecks for his personal vote-buying scam.
Remember this crook!
Visit Recovery.gov to learn how the government spends $787B
Visit Recovery.gov to learn how the government spends $787B
"You may have heard that President Barack Obama signed the $787 billion economic recovery bill today. The recent House and Senate votes were divided almost entirely along party lines, but hey, it passed, and regardless of how you feel about the bill, you can track where all that money gets spent on the new Recovery.gov website."
"You may have heard that President Barack Obama signed the $787 billion economic recovery bill today. The recent House and Senate votes were divided almost entirely along party lines, but hey, it passed, and regardless of how you feel about the bill, you can track where all that money gets spent on the new Recovery.gov website."
Bump Keys in the News - San Francisco #3
Watch this video and RUN to the hardware store!
Just google "bump keys" and see how easy they are to find.
Scarey!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Holder: US a nation of cowards on racial matters
Holder: US a nation of cowards on racial matters: "Eric Holder, the nation's first black attorney general, said Wednesday the United States was 'a nation of cowards' on matters of race, with most Americans avoiding candid discussions of racial issues. In a speech to Justice Department employees marking Black History Month, Holder said the workplace is largely integrated but Americans still self-segregate on the weekends and in their private lives.
'Though this nation has proudly thought of itself as an ethnic melting pot, in things racial we have always been and I believe continue to be, in too many ways, essentially a nation of cowards,' Holder said."
Well now.... our new AG is gonna make things a whole bunch better with this screed..... ain't he......?
This is "hope"?
It sure sounds like "change".....
'Though this nation has proudly thought of itself as an ethnic melting pot, in things racial we have always been and I believe continue to be, in too many ways, essentially a nation of cowards,' Holder said."
Well now.... our new AG is gonna make things a whole bunch better with this screed..... ain't he......?
This is "hope"?
It sure sounds like "change".....
GM says it needs billions more ...............
GM says it needs billions more by next month to stay afloat
"General Motors Corp. will need as much as $16.6 billion in additional federal aid if market conditions worsen but could run out of money next month.
GM needs $2 billion more in aid in March and $2.6 billion in April to stay afloat.
The requests for additional loans is outlined in a restructuring plan submitted today to the U.S. Treasury Department that illustrates how GM will repay $13.4 billion in aid that has kept the automaker operating since it nearly ran out of cash in December. GM plans to begin repaying its loans in 2012."
GM has burned $13.4 BILLION ALREADY??!!!!
AND THEY WANT MORE??????
"General Motors Corp. will need as much as $16.6 billion in additional federal aid if market conditions worsen but could run out of money next month.
GM needs $2 billion more in aid in March and $2.6 billion in April to stay afloat.
The requests for additional loans is outlined in a restructuring plan submitted today to the U.S. Treasury Department that illustrates how GM will repay $13.4 billion in aid that has kept the automaker operating since it nearly ran out of cash in December. GM plans to begin repaying its loans in 2012."
GM has burned $13.4 BILLION ALREADY??!!!!
AND THEY WANT MORE??????
Woman gets nod for top county job
Woman gets nod for top county job
"Commissioners voted 6-3 to direct county attorney Theodore Williams to begin negotiating an employment contract with Bonnie B. Hammersley. The board must still vote on a final contract."
"Commissioners voted 6-3 to direct county attorney Theodore Williams to begin negotiating an employment contract with Bonnie B. Hammersley. The board must still vote on a final contract."
The Price Of Fear
The Price Of Fear
"In his first month, President Obama has talked down the economy and engineered a huge surge in federal spending. Now the bills will come due. The pain may be just beginning."
"In his first month, President Obama has talked down the economy and engineered a huge surge in federal spending. Now the bills will come due. The pain may be just beginning."
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Rep. Mary Valentine wants inquiry into deaths of Fruitport Township children in fire
Rep. Mary Valentine wants inquiry into deaths of Fruitport Township children in fire
"State Rep. Mary Valentine, D-Norton Shores wants an inquiry into whether the state could have done something to prevent the fatal Fruitport Township fire that killed two children.
Valentine, the chairwoman of the Families and Children's Services Committee, said better communication within the state Department of Human Services might have made a difference."
Talk about pathetic grandstanding.
She's known about these rules for 2 years.
And she's done NOTHING.
"State Rep. Mary Valentine, D-Norton Shores wants an inquiry into whether the state could have done something to prevent the fatal Fruitport Township fire that killed two children.
Valentine, the chairwoman of the Families and Children's Services Committee, said better communication within the state Department of Human Services might have made a difference."
Talk about pathetic grandstanding.
She's known about these rules for 2 years.
And she's done NOTHING.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2164/1519449569_e57679ecce_m.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.rightmichigan.com/story/2007/10/9/6253/01331&usg=__s66LdU_rv8vsSzlTTqNprrFohXM=&h=240&w=200&sz=19&hl=en&start=10&sig2=3trpQU6_XBZyWIlG_tm1UA&tbnid=UgPetyDXNOqZiM:&tbnh=110&tbnw=92&ei=7GmbSbriD5C2MZK9sJ8F&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmary%2Bvalentine%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26rlz%3D1T4GGLL_enUS301US301
Valentine is about Valentine, not those who pay their own gas and electric bills.
And not for those who need help paying.
She's a carbuncle on our body politic!
Valentine is about Valentine, not those who pay their own gas and electric bills.
And not for those who need help paying.
She's a carbuncle on our body politic!
White House promises 22,000 jobs in West Michigan from stimulus package
White House promises 22,000 jobs in West Michigan from stimulus package
The White House claims the stimulus bill will generate some 109,000 jobs in the state, including more than 22,000 in West Michigan.
The funds include $13 million for road projects in the Grand Rapids area, $7 million to expand The Rapid operations center and millions of dollars to rebuild Grand Rapids schools.
Millions of more dollars are expected for everything from home weatherization to clean water improvements to law enforcement.
Michigan is slated to get about $7 billion, including $2.3 billion for Medicaid, $845 million for road and bridge work, $1.3 billion for "fiscal stabilization" for education, $500 million for early childhood education, $419 million for special education and $279 million for weatherization.
Let us remember their promises....
The White House claims the stimulus bill will generate some 109,000 jobs in the state, including more than 22,000 in West Michigan.
The funds include $13 million for road projects in the Grand Rapids area, $7 million to expand The Rapid operations center and millions of dollars to rebuild Grand Rapids schools.
Millions of more dollars are expected for everything from home weatherization to clean water improvements to law enforcement.
Michigan is slated to get about $7 billion, including $2.3 billion for Medicaid, $845 million for road and bridge work, $1.3 billion for "fiscal stabilization" for education, $500 million for early childhood education, $419 million for special education and $279 million for weatherization.
Let us remember their promises....
Rep. Waxman Wants to Apply Censorship Doctrine to Internet
Rep. Waxman Wants to Apply Censorship Doctrine to Internet
"Waxman and his staff are also thinking about creating congressionally mandated advisory boards to police both radio and TV programming:"
These are evil people.
Will we act before they take over?
"Waxman and his staff are also thinking about creating congressionally mandated advisory boards to police both radio and TV programming:"
These are evil people.
Will we act before they take over?
Husband Busted... Again: What did Senator Stabenow (D-Michigan) know and when?
Husband Busted... Again: What did Senator Stabenow (D-Michigan) know and when?
"Still, you'd think better than a half-a-year employed by one of your major campaign donors as an illegally unregistered lobbyist... advocating a project you made a point of running against during your last statewide election... might raise a red flag or two."
"Still, you'd think better than a half-a-year employed by one of your major campaign donors as an illegally unregistered lobbyist... advocating a project you made a point of running against during your last statewide election... might raise a red flag or two."
Another government ripoff!
State and local government workers are getting paid....When you add in pension and other benefits, the gap grows to 42%."
"state and local government workers are getting paid an average of $25.30 an hour which is 33% higher than the private sector’s $19 according to our government’s own labor statistics data.
When you add in pension and other benefits, the gap grows to 42%."
"state and local government workers are getting paid an average of $25.30 an hour which is 33% higher than the private sector’s $19 according to our government’s own labor statistics data.
When you add in pension and other benefits, the gap grows to 42%."
Teacher Retirement Benefits
Education Next - Teacher Retirement Benefits
"Robert Costrell and Michael Podgursky find that when measured as a percent of earnings, employer contributions to retirement benefits are substantially higher for public school teachers than for private-sector professionals and that the difference has doubled since March 2004."
"Robert Costrell and Michael Podgursky find that when measured as a percent of earnings, employer contributions to retirement benefits are substantially higher for public school teachers than for private-sector professionals and that the difference has doubled since March 2004."
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