Bret Stephens: To Help Haiti, End Foreign Aid - WSJ.com
"For actual Haitians, however, just about every conceivable aid scheme beyond immediate humanitarian relief will lead to more poverty, more corruption and less institutional capacity.
It will benefit the well-connected at the expense of the truly needy, divert resources from where they are needed most, and crowd out local enterprise.
And it will foster the very culture of dependence the country so desperately needs to break.
How do I know this?
It helps to read a 2006 report from the National Academy of Public Administration, usefully titled 'Why Foreign Aid to Haiti Failed.'
The report summarizes a mass of documents from various aid agencies describing their lengthy records of non-accomplishment in the country.
Here, for example, is the World Bank—now about to throw another $100 million at Haiti—on what it achieved in the country between 1986 and 2002: 'The outcome of World Bank assistance programs is rated unsatisfactory (if not highly so), the institutional development impact, negligible, and the sustainability of the few benefits that have accrued, unlikely.'"
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
Task force says Lansing-Detroit rail line needs more study
Task force says Lansing-Detroit rail line needs more study
"A proposed high-speed rail line between Detroit and Lansing needs further study, said a legislative task force that has studied the idea since the summer.
....... The construction would cost roughly $10 million per mile of construction.
The rail would run off solar-powered hydrogen and use magnetic levitation technology to propel rail cars about 200 miles per hour.
A combination of 40-seat passenger cars, private cars, car ferries, freight and even medical triage cars could run along the line."
A combination of billions of American tax dollars and millions of Michigan borrowed tax dollars will be sucked into this replica of Detroit's People Mover.
Stop this disaster NOW!
"A proposed high-speed rail line between Detroit and Lansing needs further study, said a legislative task force that has studied the idea since the summer.
....... The construction would cost roughly $10 million per mile of construction.
The rail would run off solar-powered hydrogen and use magnetic levitation technology to propel rail cars about 200 miles per hour.
A combination of 40-seat passenger cars, private cars, car ferries, freight and even medical triage cars could run along the line."
A combination of billions of American tax dollars and millions of Michigan borrowed tax dollars will be sucked into this replica of Detroit's People Mover.
Stop this disaster NOW!
Copenhagen Accord on Climate Change Collapsing?
Copenhagen Accord on Climate Change Collapsing? - Hit & Run : Reason Magazine
"The nonbinding Copenhagen Accord was hastily cobbled together at President Barack Obama's insistence as the United Nations' Copenhagen climate change conference whimpered to its end in December.
Under the Accord, countries are supposed to make their commitments to cut greenhouse gases official by January 31.
It now appears that most countries will miss that deadline."
"The nonbinding Copenhagen Accord was hastily cobbled together at President Barack Obama's insistence as the United Nations' Copenhagen climate change conference whimpered to its end in December.
Under the Accord, countries are supposed to make their commitments to cut greenhouse gases official by January 31.
It now appears that most countries will miss that deadline."
Fool us once, shame on you. Fool us twice...
RightMichigan.com Fool us once, shame on you. Fool us twice...:
State Senator Wayne Kuipers recently announced that he is the first candidate in the race for the 2nd Congressional District to sign Club for Growth's 'Repeal it!' pledge to repeal Obamacare should it become law.
What's better than being first, of course, is being credible.
The Repeal It! pledge states:
'I, Wayne Kuipers, hereby pledge to the people of my district (MI-02) upon my election to the U.S. House of Representatives, to sponsor and support legislation to repeal any federal health care takeover passed in 2010, and replace it with real reforms that lower health care costs without growing government.'
But this is not the first pledge Wayne Kuipers has made to the tax payers of Michigan.
Several years ago, Wayne Kuipers signed Americans for Tax Reform's, 'Taxpayer Protection Pledge', in which he pledged to the taxpayers of his district 'and all the people of this state that I [Kuipers] will oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes.'
Sen. Kuipers is listed as a signatory to ATR's Taxpayer Protection Pledge on the ATR website.
Unfortunately, in 2004 Kuipers either forgot his pledge, or hoped that the taxpayers would.
He voted to raise taxes three different times, and earned himself inclusion into ATR's Taxpayers' 'Hall of Shame'."
State Senator Wayne Kuipers recently announced that he is the first candidate in the race for the 2nd Congressional District to sign Club for Growth's 'Repeal it!' pledge to repeal Obamacare should it become law.
What's better than being first, of course, is being credible.
The Repeal It! pledge states:
'I, Wayne Kuipers, hereby pledge to the people of my district (MI-02) upon my election to the U.S. House of Representatives, to sponsor and support legislation to repeal any federal health care takeover passed in 2010, and replace it with real reforms that lower health care costs without growing government.'
But this is not the first pledge Wayne Kuipers has made to the tax payers of Michigan.
Several years ago, Wayne Kuipers signed Americans for Tax Reform's, 'Taxpayer Protection Pledge', in which he pledged to the taxpayers of his district 'and all the people of this state that I [Kuipers] will oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes.'
Sen. Kuipers is listed as a signatory to ATR's Taxpayer Protection Pledge on the ATR website.
Unfortunately, in 2004 Kuipers either forgot his pledge, or hoped that the taxpayers would.
He voted to raise taxes three different times, and earned himself inclusion into ATR's Taxpayers' 'Hall of Shame'."
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Supreme Court Vindicates Political Speech, Pulverizes McCain-Feingold
Supreme Court Vindicates Political Speech, Pulverizes McCain-Feingold
"In a landmark 5-to-4 ruling, the Supreme Court today in Citizens United v. FEC struck down major portions of the McCain-Feingold campaign-finance law. The Court left in place the disclosure requirement for corporations and the disclaimer requirement that identifies whether an ad is not paid for by the campaign. But little else remains. The Court overruled the highly controversial 1990 decision in Austin v. Michigan Chamber of Commerce, which upheld restrictions on corporate spending to support or oppose political candidates. As this report notes:
The majority, invoking the Constitution’s free-speech clause, said the government lacks a legitimate basis to restrict independent campaign expenditures by companies. . .“The government may regulate corporate political speech through disclaimer and disclosure requirements, but it may not suppress that speech altogether,” Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote for the majority. Companies, which had been barred since 1947 from spending money in support or opposition to a candidate, potentially now will pump millions of dollars into campaigns. Companies, and possibly labor unions as well, will be able to use their general-treasury dollars to punish or reward lawmakers for their votes on legislation.
This is a vindication of the First Amendment and a victory for the protection of political speech, which is at the heart of our political system. It will certainly increase the amount of speech."
"In a landmark 5-to-4 ruling, the Supreme Court today in Citizens United v. FEC struck down major portions of the McCain-Feingold campaign-finance law. The Court left in place the disclosure requirement for corporations and the disclaimer requirement that identifies whether an ad is not paid for by the campaign. But little else remains. The Court overruled the highly controversial 1990 decision in Austin v. Michigan Chamber of Commerce, which upheld restrictions on corporate spending to support or oppose political candidates. As this report notes:
The majority, invoking the Constitution’s free-speech clause, said the government lacks a legitimate basis to restrict independent campaign expenditures by companies. . .“The government may regulate corporate political speech through disclaimer and disclosure requirements, but it may not suppress that speech altogether,” Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote for the majority. Companies, which had been barred since 1947 from spending money in support or opposition to a candidate, potentially now will pump millions of dollars into campaigns. Companies, and possibly labor unions as well, will be able to use their general-treasury dollars to punish or reward lawmakers for their votes on legislation.
This is a vindication of the First Amendment and a victory for the protection of political speech, which is at the heart of our political system. It will certainly increase the amount of speech."
Local gal on Salon.com part 2 Cultivating Failure - The Atlantic (January/February 2010)
Cultivating Failure - The Atlantic (January/February 2010)
"Imagine that as a young and desperately poor Mexican man, you had made the dangerous and illegal journey to California to work in the fields with other migrants.
There, you performed stoop labor, picking lettuce and bell peppers and table grapes; what made such an existence bearable was the dream of a better life."
"Imagine that as a young and desperately poor Mexican man, you had made the dangerous and illegal journey to California to work in the fields with other migrants.
There, you performed stoop labor, picking lettuce and bell peppers and table grapes; what made such an existence bearable was the dream of a better life."
Local gal on Salon.com
Education - Salon.com
"Last month, Alissa Novoselick wrote a wonderful story for Salon about starting a school garden in rural Camp Verde, Ariz.
So when Caitlin Flanagan wrote her sneering attack on Alice Waters, the Edible Schoolyard, and school gardening in general, Alissa chose to respond.
Also read Andrew Leonard's response here."
"Last month, Alissa Novoselick wrote a wonderful story for Salon about starting a school garden in rural Camp Verde, Ariz.
So when Caitlin Flanagan wrote her sneering attack on Alice Waters, the Edible Schoolyard, and school gardening in general, Alissa chose to respond.
Also read Andrew Leonard's response here."
Michigan Senate GOP: Cut all public workers' pay, benefits | lansingstatejournal.com | Lansing State Journal
Michigan Senate GOP: Cut all public workers' pay, benefits
"Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop said Tuesday the pay of teachers, professors and state and local government workers should be cut by 5 percent and held at that level for the next three years to save money."
The Rochester Republican told reporters he is proposing a constitutional amendment to go to the voters in August that would suspend collective bargaining rights and allow the pay cut to take effect.
Another constitutional amendment would be needed to require that all public employees pay 20 percent of their health care premiums unless they participate in a health savings account or wellness program.......
It's all part of a plan Bishop said would save up to $2 billion, enough to eliminate the estimated $1.6 billion deficit in next year's budget.
Both the pay cut and the higher premiums cost would affect lawmakers.
Bishop said he's not trying to be mean-spirited, but wants to solve the money woes of public institutions, including state government, by decreasing costs rather than raising taxes.
"We cannot afford the government that we have today," he said.
"We're asking that our public servants ... step up to the plate to be a part of the solution."
Our problem is too many state employees making too much money and benefits.
This is an excellent first step.
And an shrewd political move by the republicans.
"Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop said Tuesday the pay of teachers, professors and state and local government workers should be cut by 5 percent and held at that level for the next three years to save money."
The Rochester Republican told reporters he is proposing a constitutional amendment to go to the voters in August that would suspend collective bargaining rights and allow the pay cut to take effect.
Another constitutional amendment would be needed to require that all public employees pay 20 percent of their health care premiums unless they participate in a health savings account or wellness program.......
It's all part of a plan Bishop said would save up to $2 billion, enough to eliminate the estimated $1.6 billion deficit in next year's budget.
Both the pay cut and the higher premiums cost would affect lawmakers.
Bishop said he's not trying to be mean-spirited, but wants to solve the money woes of public institutions, including state government, by decreasing costs rather than raising taxes.
"We cannot afford the government that we have today," he said.
"We're asking that our public servants ... step up to the plate to be a part of the solution."
Our problem is too many state employees making too much money and benefits.
This is an excellent first step.
And an shrewd political move by the republicans.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Rep. Frank lashes out over accusations that Mass. Dems would stall a Brown certification
Rep. Frank lashes out over accusations that Mass. Dems would stall a Brown certification
"'That is the stupidest thing I've been asked in a long time.
That is insane, the suggestion could only come from a demented right wing source,' erupted Representative Barney Frank (D - MA), when asked by The Washington Times about what he thought of assertions that Massachusetts Democrats would stall the certification process should Mr. Brown win.
'There isn't the slightest possibility of it happening---a way of doing it.
That is conspiracy theory at its most contemptible.'"
We'll know just how contemptible real soon.
"'That is the stupidest thing I've been asked in a long time.
That is insane, the suggestion could only come from a demented right wing source,' erupted Representative Barney Frank (D - MA), when asked by The Washington Times about what he thought of assertions that Massachusetts Democrats would stall the certification process should Mr. Brown win.
'There isn't the slightest possibility of it happening---a way of doing it.
That is conspiracy theory at its most contemptible.'"
We'll know just how contemptible real soon.
Unions nab sweetheart health-care deal
Unions nab sweetheart health-care deal
"In another major concession to labor, the value of dental and vision plans would be exempt from the tax even after the deal expires in eight years, negotiators said."
"In another major concession to labor, the value of dental and vision plans would be exempt from the tax even after the deal expires in eight years, negotiators said."
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Residents pack Shelby meeting to voice opposition to offshore wind farm proposal
Residents pack Shelby meeting to voice opposition to offshore wind farm proposal
"Another benefit as outlined by the wind farm developers is a “compensation” agreement where the wind farm owner would pay local units of government.
That would be on top of royalty or lease payments to the state of Michigan, which controls the bottomlands of the lake.
But such economic benefits are many years down the line, if they ever materialize, the developers said."
Quick question:
How much money is our bankrupt state and our bankrupt country going to funnel to these scam artists?
"Another benefit as outlined by the wind farm developers is a “compensation” agreement where the wind farm owner would pay local units of government.
That would be on top of royalty or lease payments to the state of Michigan, which controls the bottomlands of the lake.
But such economic benefits are many years down the line, if they ever materialize, the developers said."
Quick question:
How much money is our bankrupt state and our bankrupt country going to funnel to these scam artists?
A Dollar Crisis?
Investors.com - A Dollar Crisis?
"Recession: As federal spending and debt soar to new highs, many economists have alarmingly concluded that the dollar will soon collapse and take the economy with it."
"Recession: As federal spending and debt soar to new highs, many economists have alarmingly concluded that the dollar will soon collapse and take the economy with it."
Illinois enters a state of insolvency
Illinois enters a state of insolvency
"As Illinois' fiscal crisis deepens, the word 'bankruptcy' is creeping more and more into the public discourse.
'We would like all the stakeholders of Illinois to recognize how close the state is to bankruptcy or insolvency,' says Laurence Msall, president of the Civic Federation, a fiscal watchdog in Chicago.
'Bankruptcy is the reality that looms out there,' Republican gubernatorial candidate Andrew McKenna Jr. says."
"As Illinois' fiscal crisis deepens, the word 'bankruptcy' is creeping more and more into the public discourse.
'We would like all the stakeholders of Illinois to recognize how close the state is to bankruptcy or insolvency,' says Laurence Msall, president of the Civic Federation, a fiscal watchdog in Chicago.
'Bankruptcy is the reality that looms out there,' Republican gubernatorial candidate Andrew McKenna Jr. says."
Monday, January 18, 2010
US accused of 'occupying' Haiti as troops flood in
US accused of 'occupying' Haiti as troops flood in
"The French minister in charge of humanitarian relief called on the UN to 'clarify' the American role amid claims the military build up was hampering aid efforts.
Alain Joyandet admitted he had been involved in a scuffle with a US commander in the airport's control tower over the flight plan for a French evacuation flight.
'This is about helping Haiti, not about occupying Haiti,' Mr Joyandet said."
How soon before our "dear leader" accuses US soldiers of "an error of judgement" ......or even war crimes?
"The French minister in charge of humanitarian relief called on the UN to 'clarify' the American role amid claims the military build up was hampering aid efforts.
Alain Joyandet admitted he had been involved in a scuffle with a US commander in the airport's control tower over the flight plan for a French evacuation flight.
'This is about helping Haiti, not about occupying Haiti,' Mr Joyandet said."
How soon before our "dear leader" accuses US soldiers of "an error of judgement" ......or even war crimes?
Can We Afford Web Access for All
Can We Afford Web Access for All
"When you pay your phone bill each month, a small percentage goes to a federal fund that subsidizes phone service for people in remote areas and for the poor.
Now the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is considering expanding this $7 billion Universal Service Fund to give all Americans access to high-speed Internet."
"When you pay your phone bill each month, a small percentage goes to a federal fund that subsidizes phone service for people in remote areas and for the poor.
Now the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is considering expanding this $7 billion Universal Service Fund to give all Americans access to high-speed Internet."
Chile Elects A Conservative President
Chile Elects A Conservative President The Foundry: Conservative Policy News
"On January 17, voters in Chile’s presidential run-off selected conservative Sebastián Piñera to become their next chief executive.
The win for Piñera ended the 20-year hold on the presidency exercised by the center-left Concertación coalition and made Piñera Chile’s first elected conservative president in 52 years."
"On January 17, voters in Chile’s presidential run-off selected conservative Sebastián Piñera to become their next chief executive.
The win for Piñera ended the 20-year hold on the presidency exercised by the center-left Concertación coalition and made Piñera Chile’s first elected conservative president in 52 years."
Unions Get Exempt from Cadillac Tax
Unions Get Exempt from Cadillac Tax
"Democrats seem impervious to embarrassment as they buy votes for ObamaCare, but their latest move makes even Nebraska's Ben Nelson look cheap:
The 87% of Americans who don't belong to a union will now foot the bill for a $60 billion giveaway to those who do"
"Democrats seem impervious to embarrassment as they buy votes for ObamaCare, but their latest move makes even Nebraska's Ben Nelson look cheap:
The 87% of Americans who don't belong to a union will now foot the bill for a $60 billion giveaway to those who do"
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