Employer-Provided Medicine Is Completely Illogical
"Two simple observations are key to explaining both the high level of spending on medical care and the dissatisfaction with that spending.
The first is that most payments to physicians or hospitals or other caregivers for medical care are made not by the patient but by a third party—an insurance company or employer or governmental body.
The second is that nobody spends somebody else’s money as wisely or as frugally as he spends his own."
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Sometimes, an extremist really is an extremist
Sometimes, an extremist really is an extremist
"If we act as if 'Islam is the problem,' we will guarantee that Islam will become the problem."
"If we act as if 'Islam is the problem,' we will guarantee that Islam will become the problem."
A Pittance of Time - Terry Kelly
Remember our living military veterans today.
Give thanks to those who we are so lucky to know and love!
"On November 11, 1999 Terry Kelly was in a Shoppers Drug Mart store in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. At 10:55 AM an announcement came over the store's PA asking customers who would still be on the premises at 11:00 AM to give two minutes of silence in respect to the veterans who have sacrificed so much for us.
Terry was impressed with the store's leadership role in adopting the Legion's "two minutes of silence" initiative. He felt that the store's contribution of educating the public to the importance of remembering was commendable.
When eleven o'clock arrived on that day, an announcement was again made asking for the "two minutes of silence" to commence. All customers, with the exception of a man who was accompanied by his young child, showed their respect.
Terry's anger towards the father for trying to engage the store's clerk in conversation and for setting a bad example for his child was later channeled into a beautiful piece of work called, "A Pittance of Time". Terry later recorded "A Pittance of Time" and included it on his full-length music CD, "The Power of the Dream".
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
U.S. announces one-on-one talks with North Korea
U.S. announces one-on-one talks with North Korea
"U.S. officials will soon meet unilaterally with North Korean representatives to facilitate the resumption of talks on ending North Korea's nuclear program, State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said Tuesday."
What perfect timing for pre-Veteran's Day!
"U.S. officials will soon meet unilaterally with North Korean representatives to facilitate the resumption of talks on ending North Korea's nuclear program, State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said Tuesday."
What perfect timing for pre-Veteran's Day!
Happy 234th Birthday to the Marines
Happy 234th Birthday to the Marines
"Earlier this year as I was filling up at the gas station I noticed a faded bumper sticker- vintage Bush 43-on the car next to me: “Dissent is Patriotic.”
When I pointed to the bumper and asked the driver if she still believed that, she suggested I do something to myself which I am certain is physically impossible.
I just laughed and said, “I’ll take that as a no.”
At the time, our Marine son and his men were deployed to a remote Forward Operating Base in Afghanistan."
"Earlier this year as I was filling up at the gas station I noticed a faded bumper sticker- vintage Bush 43-on the car next to me: “Dissent is Patriotic.”
When I pointed to the bumper and asked the driver if she still believed that, she suggested I do something to myself which I am certain is physically impossible.
I just laughed and said, “I’ll take that as a no.”
At the time, our Marine son and his men were deployed to a remote Forward Operating Base in Afghanistan."
...In AMERICAN PATRIOT by Robert Coram, Medal of Honor recipient Colonel Bud Day is quoted as saying:
“It is not a widely known fact, but military people are weepers.
They weep when they watch a parade and the flag goes by.
They weep when they hear the National Anthem.
They weep at tales of valor and sacrifice.”
When I read that, a sense of relief washed over me.
If maybe the most valiant man I ever met can weep then I guess it’s okay for me to admit shedding a tear.
I’ve shot guys and never flinched but tales of valor and the sacrifices I have seen by my military heroes and their families choke me up every time.
I wonder if the woman at Shell ever cries and if so, for whom or for what?"
Please read this entire ....gift to all of us.
Please read this entire ....gift to all of us.
DC sniper Muhammad executed for 2002 attacks
DC sniper Muhammad executed for 2002 attacks
"John Allen Muhammad, the mastermind of the sniper attacks that terrorized the nation's capital region for three weeks in October 2002, was executed Tuesday. Muhammad died by injection at 9:11 p.m. at Greensville Correctional Center in Jarratt,"
Oh, happy day!
"John Allen Muhammad, the mastermind of the sniper attacks that terrorized the nation's capital region for three weeks in October 2002, was executed Tuesday. Muhammad died by injection at 9:11 p.m. at Greensville Correctional Center in Jarratt,"
Oh, happy day!
United announces Muskegon-Chicago flight schedule
United announces Muskegon-Chicago flight schedule
"Longtime air-service provider Delta Airlines will cease flights between Muskegon and Detroit on Feb. 10, the same day United takes over."
Doesn't that mean Delta will no longer service MKG?
"Longtime air-service provider Delta Airlines will cease flights between Muskegon and Detroit on Feb. 10, the same day United takes over."
Doesn't that mean Delta will no longer service MKG?
Fruitport Township wants to study water alternatives
Fruitport Township wants to study water alternatives
"Fruitport Township officials took the first step Monday night that could pave the way for the township to eventually leave the Muskegon Heights water system, amid a long-running dispute over operation of the system."
Is Norton Shores gonna leave too?
"Fruitport Township officials took the first step Monday night that could pave the way for the township to eventually leave the Muskegon Heights water system, amid a long-running dispute over operation of the system."
Is Norton Shores gonna leave too?
How do you mark the Berlin Wall coming down without including Reagan? “Well, NBC …
How do you mark the Berlin Wall coming down without including Reagan?
“Well, NBC News shows us how, and, as a bonus, manages to include Hillary Clinton in the report, twice.”
Related item here."
Another example of the joys of government controlled media.
This trend is really getting scary!
“Well, NBC News shows us how, and, as a bonus, manages to include Hillary Clinton in the report, twice.”
Related item here."
Another example of the joys of government controlled media.
This trend is really getting scary!
New Hampshire Will Bailout Failing Newspaper
New Hampshire Will Bailout Failing Newspaper
"The state of New Hampshire last week agreed to guarantee 75 percent of a $250,000 loan from an Upper Valley bank to the new owner of the Eagle Times, an unusual deal because it involves a daily newspaper and the government it covers."
Here it comes!
Government controlled AND guaranteed media.
Adolf, Joseph and Mao would be proud.......
"The state of New Hampshire last week agreed to guarantee 75 percent of a $250,000 loan from an Upper Valley bank to the new owner of the Eagle Times, an unusual deal because it involves a daily newspaper and the government it covers."
Here it comes!
Government controlled AND guaranteed media.
Adolf, Joseph and Mao would be proud.......
Is Social Security a savings account or a Ponzi scheme?
Is Social Security a savings account or a Ponzi scheme?
"Social Security works by transferring income of a younger generation to an older generation. So in that sense, it is a lot more like a Ponzi scheme in which earlier investors are paid returns off the investments of newer investors.
.....But, like a Ponzi scheme, Social Security does have a simple and fatal flaw: If there aren’t enough new participants in the system, there won’t be enough to support those receiving payoffs.
With the retirement of the baby-boom generation starting next year, the demographic structure of the U.S. population will slowly force Social Security to topple.
There simply won’t be enough workers to support those receiving benefits.
We will need to fix the system soon, or in 30 years Social Security will no longer be solvent."
This columnist suggests that even though it's a ponzi scheme, it's OK cause lot's of old folks made out like bandits.
gimme a break!
"Social Security works by transferring income of a younger generation to an older generation. So in that sense, it is a lot more like a Ponzi scheme in which earlier investors are paid returns off the investments of newer investors.
.....But, like a Ponzi scheme, Social Security does have a simple and fatal flaw: If there aren’t enough new participants in the system, there won’t be enough to support those receiving payoffs.
With the retirement of the baby-boom generation starting next year, the demographic structure of the U.S. population will slowly force Social Security to topple.
There simply won’t be enough workers to support those receiving benefits.
We will need to fix the system soon, or in 30 years Social Security will no longer be solvent."
This columnist suggests that even though it's a ponzi scheme, it's OK cause lot's of old folks made out like bandits.
gimme a break!
Interview with the President: Jail Time for Those without Health Care Insurance?
Interview with the President: Jail Time for Those without Health Care Insurance?
"During an exclusive interview with ABC News’ Jake Tapper today, President Obama said that penalties are appropriate for people who try to “free ride” the health care system but stopped short of endorsing the threat of jail time for those who refuse to pay a fine for not having insurance.
“What I think is appropriate is that in the same way that everybody has to get auto insurance and if you don't, you're subject to some penalty, that in this situation, if you have the ability to buy insurance, it's affordable and you choose not to do so, forcing you and me and everybody else to subsidize you, you know, there's a thousand dollar hidden tax that families all across America are -- are burdened by because of the fact that people don't have health insurance, you know, there's nothing wrong with a penalty.”"
What about the "free ride" 10s of millions of citizens and NON-CITIZENS already get?
What a dufuss.
"During an exclusive interview with ABC News’ Jake Tapper today, President Obama said that penalties are appropriate for people who try to “free ride” the health care system but stopped short of endorsing the threat of jail time for those who refuse to pay a fine for not having insurance.
“What I think is appropriate is that in the same way that everybody has to get auto insurance and if you don't, you're subject to some penalty, that in this situation, if you have the ability to buy insurance, it's affordable and you choose not to do so, forcing you and me and everybody else to subsidize you, you know, there's a thousand dollar hidden tax that families all across America are -- are burdened by because of the fact that people don't have health insurance, you know, there's nothing wrong with a penalty.”"
What about the "free ride" 10s of millions of citizens and NON-CITIZENS already get?
What a dufuss.
Golf balls: 'Humanity's signature litter'
Golf balls: 'Humanity's signature litter'
"Research teams at the Danish Golf Union have discovered it takes between 100 to 1,000 years for a golf ball to decompose naturally"
"Research teams at the Danish Golf Union have discovered it takes between 100 to 1,000 years for a golf ball to decompose naturally"
The New Tammany Hall
The New Tammany Hal
"A fantastic - and frankly scary - piece appeared in the Weekly Standard a month ago by Fred Siegel & Dan DiSalvo with this title and subtitle:
The New Tammany Hall
Public sector unions have become a labor aristocracy--and they are bankrupting states and municipalities.
The authors write that public sector employee unions have enjoyed a lot of political victories at the state and local level:
'Indeed, they are the one group, besides Goldman Sachs executives, that's done well during the current Great Recession.
Public sector unions have become political powerhouses in New York, New Jersey, Washington, California, and a host of other states.'"
"A fantastic - and frankly scary - piece appeared in the Weekly Standard a month ago by Fred Siegel & Dan DiSalvo with this title and subtitle:
The New Tammany Hall
Public sector unions have become a labor aristocracy--and they are bankrupting states and municipalities.
The authors write that public sector employee unions have enjoyed a lot of political victories at the state and local level:
'Indeed, they are the one group, besides Goldman Sachs executives, that's done well during the current Great Recession.
Public sector unions have become political powerhouses in New York, New Jersey, Washington, California, and a host of other states.'"
Paterson: NYS Will Be Broke In 4 1/2 Weeks If Cuts Aren't Made Immediately
Paterson: NYS Will Be Broke In 4 1/2 Weeks If Cuts Aren't Made Immediately
"Governor David Paterson called an unusual joint session of the Legislature Monday to implore recalcitrant lawmakers to close the state's huge budget gap before New York runs out of money."
"Governor David Paterson called an unusual joint session of the Legislature Monday to implore recalcitrant lawmakers to close the state's huge budget gap before New York runs out of money."
Monday, November 09, 2009
First-time-homebuyer credit draws fraudulent claims
First-time-homebuyer credit draws fraudulent claims
"U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration J. Russell George told a panel of the U.S. House of Representatives late last month that more than 19,000 people filed 2008 tax returns claiming the tax credit for homes they had not yet purchased."
This is a surprise?
"U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration J. Russell George told a panel of the U.S. House of Representatives late last month that more than 19,000 people filed 2008 tax returns claiming the tax credit for homes they had not yet purchased."
This is a surprise?
Government's bailout strategy driving up unemployment - says TARP oversight chair Elizabeth Warren
theblogprof: Government's bailout strategy driving up unemployment - says TARP oversight chair Elizabeth Warren
"And even more ironically, this was shown on MSNBC of all places:"
"And even more ironically, this was shown on MSNBC of all places:"
Montague moves playoff football game to Holton
Montague moves playoff football game to Holton
Montague has moved its Saturday 1 p.m. (last week) playoff game to the artificial field turf stadium at Holton.
Montague (10-0), which is hosting Sanford-Meridian in a Division 6 district championship game, moved the game because of poor field conditions at its stadium."
Kids played football for a century on muddy fields.
Is this new "sensitivity" really a ploy to get voters ready for a new artificial turf stadium.......yep!
Montague has moved its Saturday 1 p.m. (last week) playoff game to the artificial field turf stadium at Holton.
Montague (10-0), which is hosting Sanford-Meridian in a Division 6 district championship game, moved the game because of poor field conditions at its stadium."
Kids played football for a century on muddy fields.
Is this new "sensitivity" really a ploy to get voters ready for a new artificial turf stadium.......yep!
Why you can't get swine-flu vaccine
Why you can't get swine-flu vaccine
"the US government set out to have the H1N1 vaccine produced largely in single-dose syringes -- a demand that has set back production considerably, because multidose vials are far easier to make.
And the only reason to seek single-dose production was to please people needlessly worried about the preservative thimerasol, which is used to provide multiple doses of the vaccine. The fear -- utterly groundless and repeatedly debunked is that thimerasol can cause autism and other neurological disorders in infants and other young children.
If not for that decision, we'd have more than enough vaccine.
Instead, because the government yielded to pressure from antivaccine fringe groups, we're behind the curve on protecting millions of children from swine flu."
"the US government set out to have the H1N1 vaccine produced largely in single-dose syringes -- a demand that has set back production considerably, because multidose vials are far easier to make.
And the only reason to seek single-dose production was to please people needlessly worried about the preservative thimerasol, which is used to provide multiple doses of the vaccine. The fear -- utterly groundless and repeatedly debunked is that thimerasol can cause autism and other neurological disorders in infants and other young children.
If not for that decision, we'd have more than enough vaccine.
Instead, because the government yielded to pressure from antivaccine fringe groups, we're behind the curve on protecting millions of children from swine flu."
Will the United States Default on Its Debt?
Will the United States Default on Its Debt?
"I suggested that the unthinkable had become thinkable: some advanced society—say, the United States, Spain, Italy, Japan, or Great Britain—might someday default on its government debt.
It wouldn't pay its creditors all they were owed or wouldn't pay them on time.
Just a few days later, and completely coincidentally, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) issued a report that, without saying so, added credence to this unsettling hypothesis"
The table below shows government debt in relation to a country's gross domestic product (GDP), which is the output of its economy. The first column shows the debt-to-GDP ratio for 2007, the last pre-crisis year; the second column gives the IMF's projection for 2014. (Debt reflects government borrowing to cover annual budget deficits.) By this standard measure, many rapidly growing emerging-market countries are less indebted than wealthier nations.
General Government Debt to GDP
COUNTRY 2007 2014
BRAZIL 67% 59%
CANADA 64% 69%
CHINA 20% 20%
FRANCE 64% 96%
GERMANY 63% 89%
INDIA 81% 79%
ITALY 104% 129%
JAPAN 188% 246%
SOUTH KOREA 30% 35%
MEXICO 38% 44%
UNITED KINGDOM 44% 98%
UNITED STATES 62% 108%
"I suggested that the unthinkable had become thinkable: some advanced society—say, the United States, Spain, Italy, Japan, or Great Britain—might someday default on its government debt.
It wouldn't pay its creditors all they were owed or wouldn't pay them on time.
Just a few days later, and completely coincidentally, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) issued a report that, without saying so, added credence to this unsettling hypothesis"
The table below shows government debt in relation to a country's gross domestic product (GDP), which is the output of its economy. The first column shows the debt-to-GDP ratio for 2007, the last pre-crisis year; the second column gives the IMF's projection for 2014. (Debt reflects government borrowing to cover annual budget deficits.) By this standard measure, many rapidly growing emerging-market countries are less indebted than wealthier nations.
General Government Debt to GDP
COUNTRY 2007 2014
BRAZIL 67% 59%
CANADA 64% 69%
CHINA 20% 20%
FRANCE 64% 96%
GERMANY 63% 89%
INDIA 81% 79%
ITALY 104% 129%
JAPAN 188% 246%
SOUTH KOREA 30% 35%
MEXICO 38% 44%
UNITED KINGDOM 44% 98%
UNITED STATES 62% 108%
Fee increase from 21 cents a ton to $7.50 a ton proposed for trash dumping in Michigan
Fee increase from 21 cents a ton to $7.50 a ton proposed for trash dumping in Michigan to encourage recycling
"Some legislators in Michigan want to increase solid waste disposal fees from 21 cents to $7.50 a ton to encourage recycling."
oh...and it would also be a $145 MILLION tax increase on Michigan residents.....and oh, it's another ALL DEMOCRAT political scam.
"Some legislators in Michigan want to increase solid waste disposal fees from 21 cents to $7.50 a ton to encourage recycling."
oh...and it would also be a $145 MILLION tax increase on Michigan residents.....and oh, it's another ALL DEMOCRAT political scam.
Will the United States Default on Its Debt?
Will the United States Default on Its Debt?
"In my latest NEWSWEEK column, I suggested that the unthinkable had become thinkable: some advanced society—say, the United States, Spain, Italy, Japan, or Great Britain—might someday default on its government debt."
"In my latest NEWSWEEK column, I suggested that the unthinkable had become thinkable: some advanced society—say, the United States, Spain, Italy, Japan, or Great Britain—might someday default on its government debt."
Sunday, November 08, 2009
No new talks scheduled in Philly transit strike
No new talks scheduled in Philly transit strike
"Commuters in the City of Brotherly Love have been told to gear up to begin a second week of finding other ways to work following the collapse of a proposed deal to end a six-day-old strike by about 5,000 bus drivers, subway and trolley conductors and mechanics."
This is what you get with government mandated commuter-care.
"Commuters in the City of Brotherly Love have been told to gear up to begin a second week of finding other ways to work following the collapse of a proposed deal to end a six-day-old strike by about 5,000 bus drivers, subway and trolley conductors and mechanics."
This is what you get with government mandated commuter-care.
MSU fans, meet Ashton Legget
MSU fans, meet Ashton Leggett
"Two weeks ago, Michigan State running back Ashton Leggett was on the scout team, buried beneath a host of ballcarriers on the depth chart.
Flash forward to the Spartans' 49-14 win over Western Michigan, when Leggett emerged for 110 yards and four touchdowns on 14 rushing attempts - including a 71-yard scoring run the first time he touched the ball."
Muskegon HS grad!
"Two weeks ago, Michigan State running back Ashton Leggett was on the scout team, buried beneath a host of ballcarriers on the depth chart.
Flash forward to the Spartans' 49-14 win over Western Michigan, when Leggett emerged for 110 yards and four touchdowns on 14 rushing attempts - including a 71-yard scoring run the first time he touched the ball."
Muskegon HS grad!
Mercy H.E.A.R.T. Center
Mercy H.E.A.R.T. Center
"Lipid Profiles and Glucose Screenings
A blood draw to obtain Total Cholesterol, LDL, HDL, Triglycerides, and Glucose values.
Open to community.
Results sent to your home in about 1 week. 12 hour fast required prior to testing.
Second Tuesday of every month.
Walk-ins between 7:00 AM and 12:00 PM.
$15 for a Lipid Profile
$6 for a Glucose Test"
"Lipid Profiles and Glucose Screenings
A blood draw to obtain Total Cholesterol, LDL, HDL, Triglycerides, and Glucose values.
Open to community.
Results sent to your home in about 1 week. 12 hour fast required prior to testing.
Second Tuesday of every month.
Walk-ins between 7:00 AM and 12:00 PM.
$15 for a Lipid Profile
$6 for a Glucose Test"
Now that they passed it, will Dems survive 2010?
Now that they passed it, will Dems survive 2010?
"Sixteen Democrats, however, come from McCain districts, and still voted for the bill. They are listed below by district and last name as well as the percentage of their voters that went for McCain:"
"Sixteen Democrats, however, come from McCain districts, and still voted for the bill. They are listed below by district and last name as well as the percentage of their voters that went for McCain:"
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