Thursday, November 05, 2009
Health-Care Bill Doesn't Index for Inflation; Hits Young and Rising Middle Class Hard - WSJ.com
Health-Care Bill Doesn't Index for Inflation; Hits Young and Rising Middle Class Hard - WSJ.com: "All of those twentysomethings who voted for Barack Obama last year are about to experience the change they haven't been waiting for: the return of income tax bracket creep. Buried in Nancy Pelosi's health-care bill is a provision that will partially repeal tax indexing for inflation, meaning that as their earnings rise over a lifetime these youngsters can look forward to paying higher rates even if their income gains aren't real."
Rivals.com College Basketball - Preseason Countdown: No. 3 Michigan State
Rivals.com College Basketball - Preseason Countdown: No. 3 Michigan State
"OVERVIEW
The state of Michigan has received its share of bad news in the past year - but none of it came from Michigan State. The Spartans gave fans a feel-good story by reaching their sixth Final Four under coach Tom Izzo before losing in the national championship game to North Carolina. With limited accolades and hype, Michigan State marched to the Final Four on guile and hard work. Michigan State can't play the underdog card this season. Michigan State returns Big Ten Player of the Year Kalin Lucas to a team that won the conference by a commanding four games. But the Spartans do have some holes to fill. While every other Big Ten team that went to the NCAAs returns nearly intact, Izzo must replace two key players. Center Goran Suton was one of the most valuable players in the NCAA tournament, and guard Travis Walton was the league's defensive player of the year. If Michigan State can find capable replacements, the Spartans could write another inspirational story for their fans."
"OVERVIEW
The state of Michigan has received its share of bad news in the past year - but none of it came from Michigan State. The Spartans gave fans a feel-good story by reaching their sixth Final Four under coach Tom Izzo before losing in the national championship game to North Carolina. With limited accolades and hype, Michigan State marched to the Final Four on guile and hard work. Michigan State can't play the underdog card this season. Michigan State returns Big Ten Player of the Year Kalin Lucas to a team that won the conference by a commanding four games. But the Spartans do have some holes to fill. While every other Big Ten team that went to the NCAAs returns nearly intact, Izzo must replace two key players. Center Goran Suton was one of the most valuable players in the NCAA tournament, and guard Travis Walton was the league's defensive player of the year. If Michigan State can find capable replacements, the Spartans could write another inspirational story for their fans."
Senate blocks census US-citizenship question
Senate blocks census US-citizenship question
"Senate Democrats have blocked a GOP attempt to require next year's census forms to ask people whether they are a U.S. citizen."
"Senate Democrats have blocked a GOP attempt to require next year's census forms to ask people whether they are a U.S. citizen."
Yes, there is a difference between the democrat and republican party.
Tell your friends!
Prichard Alabama Files Bankruptcy Over Pensions
Prichard Alabama Files Bankruptcy Over Pensions;
"Inquiring minds are noting another city has been driven to bankruptcy because of pension promises that cannot possibly be met.
Please consider Prichard Alabama Files For Bankruptcy."
"Inquiring minds are noting another city has been driven to bankruptcy because of pension promises that cannot possibly be met.
Please consider Prichard Alabama Files For Bankruptcy."
Warren Buffett: Tax Hypocrite?
TaxProf Blog: Warren Buffett: Tax Hypocrite?
Warren Buffett's Tax Hypocrisy:
When Warren Buffett criticized President Bush's tax cuts while plumping for the presidential campaigns of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, he garnered prominent, adulatory headlines ... Consider that as the context for two pieces of information:
First, the observation, amid a column in today's Wall Street Journal, about Berkshire Hathaway's cash mountain: 'Mr. Buffett would rather not resort to the simplest way of solving this problem -- paying excess cash out to shareholders in the form of a dividend. Since he owns roughly 26% of Berkshire's shares, a cash dividend would saddle Mr. Buffett with one of the largest personal-income tax bills in American history. That's not the kind of thing at which he likes to excel. Mr. Buffett's reluctance to pay a dividend leaves him with little choice but to buy big companies outright.'
Second, the news (again, from the Wall Street Journal) that Mr. Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway is joining in a bid to buy $3 billion in tax credits from Fannie Mae. Reports the Journal: 'The credits are virtually worthless to Fannie Mae and require the company to take losses each quarter as their value declines. Companies such as Berkshire Hathaway and Goldman Sachs could use them to offset federal tax expenses.'
Neither Journal article places the news in the context of Mr. Buffett's stated support for higher taxes.
Prior TaxProf Blog coverage"
Warren Buffett's Tax Hypocrisy:
When Warren Buffett criticized President Bush's tax cuts while plumping for the presidential campaigns of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, he garnered prominent, adulatory headlines ... Consider that as the context for two pieces of information:
First, the observation, amid a column in today's Wall Street Journal, about Berkshire Hathaway's cash mountain: 'Mr. Buffett would rather not resort to the simplest way of solving this problem -- paying excess cash out to shareholders in the form of a dividend. Since he owns roughly 26% of Berkshire's shares, a cash dividend would saddle Mr. Buffett with one of the largest personal-income tax bills in American history. That's not the kind of thing at which he likes to excel. Mr. Buffett's reluctance to pay a dividend leaves him with little choice but to buy big companies outright.'
Second, the news (again, from the Wall Street Journal) that Mr. Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway is joining in a bid to buy $3 billion in tax credits from Fannie Mae. Reports the Journal: 'The credits are virtually worthless to Fannie Mae and require the company to take losses each quarter as their value declines. Companies such as Berkshire Hathaway and Goldman Sachs could use them to offset federal tax expenses.'
Neither Journal article places the news in the context of Mr. Buffett's stated support for higher taxes.
Prior TaxProf Blog coverage"
Clunker pickups traded for new pickups
Clunker pickups traded for new pickups
"The most common deals under the government's $3 billion Cash for Clunkers program, aimed at putting more fuel-efficient cars on the road, replaced old Ford or Chevrolet pickups with new ones that got only marginally better gas mileage, according to an analysis of new federal data by The Associated Press.
The single most common swap - which occurred more than 8,200 times - involved Ford F150 pickup owners who took advantage of a government rebate to trade their old trucks for new Ford F150s. They were 17 times more likely to buy a new F150 than, say, a Toyota Prius. The fuel economy for the new trucks ranged from 15 mpg to 17 mpg based on engine size and other factors, an improvement of just 1 mpg to 3 mpg over the clunkers."
"The most common deals under the government's $3 billion Cash for Clunkers program, aimed at putting more fuel-efficient cars on the road, replaced old Ford or Chevrolet pickups with new ones that got only marginally better gas mileage, according to an analysis of new federal data by The Associated Press.
The single most common swap - which occurred more than 8,200 times - involved Ford F150 pickup owners who took advantage of a government rebate to trade their old trucks for new Ford F150s. They were 17 times more likely to buy a new F150 than, say, a Toyota Prius. The fuel economy for the new trucks ranged from 15 mpg to 17 mpg based on engine size and other factors, an improvement of just 1 mpg to 3 mpg over the clunkers."
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
A deathblow to ObamaCare
A deathblow to ObamaCare
"But Virginia results are the most important.
More than 80 Democratic congressmen and 20 senators come from states that John McCain carried in 2008.
For them, the sudden switch in Virginia, a swing state that Obama actually carried, heralds tough political times ahead.
New Jersey is the quintessential blue state.
If it goes Republican, blue state congressmen needn't worry.
Their districts are likely still safe.
But when a Republican in Virginia wins by 20 points, it sends a message to red-state Democratic congressmen to take cover"
"But Virginia results are the most important.
More than 80 Democratic congressmen and 20 senators come from states that John McCain carried in 2008.
For them, the sudden switch in Virginia, a swing state that Obama actually carried, heralds tough political times ahead.
New Jersey is the quintessential blue state.
If it goes Republican, blue state congressmen needn't worry.
Their districts are likely still safe.
But when a Republican in Virginia wins by 20 points, it sends a message to red-state Democratic congressmen to take cover"
Persistent Errors in Stimulus Job Count
Persistent Errors in Stimulus Job Count
"President Barack Obama's economic recovery program saved 935 jobs at the Southwest Georgia Community Action Council, an impressive success story for the stimulus plan. Trouble is, only 508 people work there.
The Georgia nonprofit's inflated job count is among persisting errors in the government's latest effort to measure the effect of the $787 billion stimulus plan despite White House promises last week that the new data would undergo an 'extensive review' to root out errors discovered in an earlier report.
About two-thirds of the 14,506 jobs claimed to be saved under one federal office, the Administration for Children and Families at Health and Human Services, actually weren't saved at all, according to a review of the latest data by The Associated Press.
Instead, that figure includes more than 9,300 existing employees in hundreds of local agencies who received pay raises and benefits and whose jobs weren't saved.
That type of accounting was found in an earlier AP review of stimulus jobs"
"President Barack Obama's economic recovery program saved 935 jobs at the Southwest Georgia Community Action Council, an impressive success story for the stimulus plan. Trouble is, only 508 people work there.
The Georgia nonprofit's inflated job count is among persisting errors in the government's latest effort to measure the effect of the $787 billion stimulus plan despite White House promises last week that the new data would undergo an 'extensive review' to root out errors discovered in an earlier report.
About two-thirds of the 14,506 jobs claimed to be saved under one federal office, the Administration for Children and Families at Health and Human Services, actually weren't saved at all, according to a review of the latest data by The Associated Press.
Instead, that figure includes more than 9,300 existing employees in hundreds of local agencies who received pay raises and benefits and whose jobs weren't saved.
That type of accounting was found in an earlier AP review of stimulus jobs"
Philip Greenspun’s Weblog » The Coming Collapse of the Municipal Bond Market
Philip Greenspun’s Weblog » The Coming Collapse of the Municipal Bond Market: "Sheehan starts off by noting that a lack of panic by the ratings and government agencies does not indicate health for a financial market. He cites the fact that the Fed did not anticipate how bad the subprime collapse was likely to be and obviously the Moody’s and Standard and Poor’s ratings were ridiculous.
Sheehan notes that “spending is rising and revenue is collapsing” for all levels of government. Pension fund losses will require governments to double their contributions to pension plans (see my blog posting on public employee pensions). Spending is rising, e.g., in New York City from an average of $65,401 in compensation per public employee in 2000 to $106,743 in 2009."
Sheehan notes that “spending is rising and revenue is collapsing” for all levels of government. Pension fund losses will require governments to double their contributions to pension plans (see my blog posting on public employee pensions). Spending is rising, e.g., in New York City from an average of $65,401 in compensation per public employee in 2000 to $106,743 in 2009."
Family has impact on U.S. House bill tackling Huntington's disease
Family has impact on U.S. House bill tackling Huntington's disease
"A local family has influenced federal legislation.
After hearing from the Mikula family about the effects of Huntington's disease, Rep. Peter Hoekstra added his name as co-sponsor of a House bill that would revise medical criteria for it.
The Mikula family has lost five members to the disease, and two more have it."
This wonderful family runs a John Deere dealership and runs the lawnmower racing contest in Sparta.
They also own numerous lawnmower racing championships.
"A local family has influenced federal legislation.
After hearing from the Mikula family about the effects of Huntington's disease, Rep. Peter Hoekstra added his name as co-sponsor of a House bill that would revise medical criteria for it.
The Mikula family has lost five members to the disease, and two more have it."
This wonderful family runs a John Deere dealership and runs the lawnmower racing contest in Sparta.
They also own numerous lawnmower racing championships.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Molecular Sunglasses for Macular Degeneration
Molecular Sunglasses for Macular Degeneration
"Molecules designed to slow the production of toxic byproducts in the eye by making it less sensitive to light are now being tested in patients with macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in people age 50 and older.
If successful, the compounds would provide a much needed therapy for the disease, which affects more than 15 million people in the United States."
"Molecules designed to slow the production of toxic byproducts in the eye by making it less sensitive to light are now being tested in patients with macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in people age 50 and older.
If successful, the compounds would provide a much needed therapy for the disease, which affects more than 15 million people in the United States."
Proposed law would require pay for sick workers
Proposed law would require pay for sick workers
"U.S. employers who tell workers to stay home when they are sick will have to give them paid time off for up to five days under new federal legislation proposed on Tuesday.
The emergency law would cover pandemic H1N1 flu or any other infectious disease, said California Representative George Miller, a Democrat who chairs the House Education and Labor Committee and who introduced the bill."
"U.S. employers who tell workers to stay home when they are sick will have to give them paid time off for up to five days under new federal legislation proposed on Tuesday.
The emergency law would cover pandemic H1N1 flu or any other infectious disease, said California Representative George Miller, a Democrat who chairs the House Education and Labor Committee and who introduced the bill."
Outside the Wire - Free Speech on the Cheap
Outside the Wire - Free Speech on the Cheap
Written by JD Johannes
Tuesday, 03 November 2009
This line from a Washington Post story jumped out at me:
"The arrival of war dead at Dover has long pitted free speech advocates against the government, which had been accused of using the ban to hide the horror of war from the public--especially as casualty rates in Iraq and Afghanistan began to climb."
The article is by Christian Davenport.
I'm at a little outpost in northern Iraq, fresh back from a patrol where we met with a local Sheik. The previous day I had rode with US Soldiers to a logistics base on a resupply run and while there picked up a few back issues of Stars and Stripes where I read the story.
In the story, a previous graph has a quote from University of Delaware Journalism Professor Ralph Begleiter one of the above mentioned free speech advocates. Begeleiter said, "Taking pictures of the returning casualties to Dover is a measure of the human cost of war. Do you want the government ultimately to have control over what we see or not see? Or do you want independent observers, an independent press or media, relaying those images?"
Mr. Begleiter if you really want to understand the human cost of war, don't stand on a fucking tarmac, get embedded and see the human cost of war up close and personal where the price is actually paid.
But many of the free speech advocates have no desire to put themselves at risk to tell the stories of the women and men who have willingly put themselves in harms way.
They want to do it on the cheap, standing on concrete in the US at a scheduled time rather than face the capricious hazards of war standing on the sands of Iraq or rocks of Afghanistan.
Many of those free speech advocates are interested only in the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines as props. As the story illustrates, very few of the arrivals at Dover are covered by the media.
When a reporter is embedded with US forces they at least have to share some of the risks and possibly themselves become another account in the human cost of war.
I have been ready to pay that price for the last five years and nearly had to pay it a few times. How many of the so-called speech advocates have been willing to pay that price?
Written by JD Johannes
Tuesday, 03 November 2009
This line from a Washington Post story jumped out at me:
"The arrival of war dead at Dover has long pitted free speech advocates against the government, which had been accused of using the ban to hide the horror of war from the public--especially as casualty rates in Iraq and Afghanistan began to climb."
The article is by Christian Davenport.
I'm at a little outpost in northern Iraq, fresh back from a patrol where we met with a local Sheik. The previous day I had rode with US Soldiers to a logistics base on a resupply run and while there picked up a few back issues of Stars and Stripes where I read the story.
In the story, a previous graph has a quote from University of Delaware Journalism Professor Ralph Begleiter one of the above mentioned free speech advocates. Begeleiter said, "Taking pictures of the returning casualties to Dover is a measure of the human cost of war. Do you want the government ultimately to have control over what we see or not see? Or do you want independent observers, an independent press or media, relaying those images?"
Mr. Begleiter if you really want to understand the human cost of war, don't stand on a fucking tarmac, get embedded and see the human cost of war up close and personal where the price is actually paid.
But many of the free speech advocates have no desire to put themselves at risk to tell the stories of the women and men who have willingly put themselves in harms way.
They want to do it on the cheap, standing on concrete in the US at a scheduled time rather than face the capricious hazards of war standing on the sands of Iraq or rocks of Afghanistan.
Many of those free speech advocates are interested only in the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines as props. As the story illustrates, very few of the arrivals at Dover are covered by the media.
When a reporter is embedded with US forces they at least have to share some of the risks and possibly themselves become another account in the human cost of war.
I have been ready to pay that price for the last five years and nearly had to pay it a few times. How many of the so-called speech advocates have been willing to pay that price?
Large Hadron Collider ready to roll again ... unless God stops it first
Large Hadron Collider ready to roll again ... unless God stops it first
"What is even scarier about the Large Hadron Collider, however, is that one of the CERN physicists working on the project (his name has not been released) was arrested Oct. 12 on suspicion of having Al Qaeda connections."
"What is even scarier about the Large Hadron Collider, however, is that one of the CERN physicists working on the project (his name has not been released) was arrested Oct. 12 on suspicion of having Al Qaeda connections."
Muskegon crime rates and statistics
Muskegon crime rates and statistics
"3 (out of 100)
100 is safest
This city is safer than 3% of the cities in the US."
And we wonder why this city is dying?
"3 (out of 100)
100 is safest
This city is safer than 3% of the cities in the US."
And we wonder why this city is dying?
News from The Harbor Theater
News from The Harbor Theater
"The Harbor Theater is thrilled to present two of the most anticipated indie films of the year this week!
'The September Issue' follows Vogue editor Anna Wintour as she puts together Vogue's legendary September issue. Anna Wintour was portrayed devillishly by Meryl Streep in the semi-fictional 'The Devil Wears Prada' back in 2006, this is her chance to show the world her true self."
The Harbor Theater has really made it happen!
Proving me wrong, again.....and I'm glad to be wrong on this one.
Click their site and sign up for their excellent weekly newsletter.
It really is one of the best e-mails I've ever seen!
"The Harbor Theater is thrilled to present two of the most anticipated indie films of the year this week!
'The September Issue' follows Vogue editor Anna Wintour as she puts together Vogue's legendary September issue. Anna Wintour was portrayed devillishly by Meryl Streep in the semi-fictional 'The Devil Wears Prada' back in 2006, this is her chance to show the world her true self."
The Harbor Theater has really made it happen!
Proving me wrong, again.....and I'm glad to be wrong on this one.
Click their site and sign up for their excellent weekly newsletter.
It really is one of the best e-mails I've ever seen!
My voting experience today
I walked up to the voting desk and an elderly lady told me to fill out the "Application to Vote" form and show my ID.
I told her I had no ID and her partner at the desk said that OK, just fill out BOTH sides of the little form. The back side was an affidavit affirming I was not in possession of picture identification.
I filled out both sides, signed and returned it to her.
As I waited to get my voting form I mentioned how wonderful it was that we didn't need to show photo ID to vote.
The nice lady replied, "you must have photo ID to vote" and pointed to a card that read "Must have photo ID to vote".
I then pointed to the Application to Vote that she was approving.
She seemed befuddled.
I voted.
I wonder how many times each ACORN voter will vote today.
here's the application:
http://muskegonpundit.blogspot.com/2008/01/state-of-michigan-protection-against.html
I told her I had no ID and her partner at the desk said that OK, just fill out BOTH sides of the little form. The back side was an affidavit affirming I was not in possession of picture identification.
I filled out both sides, signed and returned it to her.
As I waited to get my voting form I mentioned how wonderful it was that we didn't need to show photo ID to vote.
The nice lady replied, "you must have photo ID to vote" and pointed to a card that read "Must have photo ID to vote".
I then pointed to the Application to Vote that she was approving.
She seemed befuddled.
I voted.
I wonder how many times each ACORN voter will vote today.
here's the application:
http://muskegonpundit.blogspot.com/2008/01/state-of-michigan-protection-against.html
Will Corzine Allies Steal the Election in New Jersey? ACORN, Dirty Tricks and Absentee Ballot Fraud
Will Corzine Allies Steal the Election in New Jersey? ACORN, Dirty Tricks and Absentee Ballot Fraud
"New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine is locked in the political fight of his life.
With just hours left before voting, polls show a neck-and-neck race between Corzine and GOP candidate Chris Christie, with Independent candidate Chris Daggett pulling significant support. Obama and VP Biden are making last ditch pitches for the embattled governor.
But evidence is building that Corzine’s campaign may see its only salvation is in rigging the election."
I voted today without showing any ID at all.
I simply signed a slip promising I was me.
Nifty....right?
click this link to see how our vote is "protected" from fraud:
http://muskegonpundit.blogspot.com/2008/01/state-of-michigan-protection-against.html
"New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine is locked in the political fight of his life.
With just hours left before voting, polls show a neck-and-neck race between Corzine and GOP candidate Chris Christie, with Independent candidate Chris Daggett pulling significant support. Obama and VP Biden are making last ditch pitches for the embattled governor.
But evidence is building that Corzine’s campaign may see its only salvation is in rigging the election."
I voted today without showing any ID at all.
I simply signed a slip promising I was me.
Nifty....right?
click this link to see how our vote is "protected" from fraud:
http://muskegonpundit.blogspot.com/2008/01/state-of-michigan-protection-against.html
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