Wednesday, April 07, 2010

Nearly half of US households escape fed income tax

Nearly half of US households escape fed income tax
In recent years, credits for low- and middle-income families have grown so much that a family of four making as much as $50,000 will owe no federal income tax for 2009

OK but the democrats tell us we should still hate all those rich bastards...right?
....cept movie stars and baseball players....right?

Tony's Bistro RIP


The service has been exceptionally bad lately.

But the "kiddy" bar owned by our county prosecutor and county treasurer is alive and well!

http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2009/10/bar_owned_by_muskegon_county_o.html

Muskegon Heights' Mayor Darrell Paige rallying residents to fill out census


Muskegon Heights' Mayor Darrell Paige rallying residents to fill out census
"After Paige finished speaking at a census rally at the Hackley Community Care Center, 2700 Baker, census workers gave out T-shirts, hats and other items printed with 2010 census slogans.
Workers also gave out census forms, which are in multiple languages, to anyone who needed them.
Forms also are available at the Muskegon Heights Library, in addition to other locations.

Shortly after giving a T-shirt to a Hackley employee, Partnership Assistant Cozette Thomas said she felt the giveaways had a good impact.

“Last year we had an event at the Muskegon Heights Festival In the Park, and a lot of people we talked to didn’t even know what the census was,” she said. “If anything else, it’s getting them to know what it’s all about.”"

Nuff said about the Heights....and lot's of free "items" from Obama.....

DMC sale foes, Cox aides to meet

DMC sale foes, Cox aides to meet
"Three Metro Detroit nonprofit groups that have raised objections to the proposed sale of the Detroit Medical Center will meet today with representatives from Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox's office to outline their concerns.

The groups charge that selling the nonprofit DMC to Vanguard Health Systems Inc., a for-profit health care company based in Nashville, Tenn., violates state law."

Huh?
Non-profits sue cuz they they want profit making companies to be illegal in Michigan?
Is there ANY reason to question why we're the last state in our country in every economic category?

Three running for two Grand Haven school board seats

Three running for two Grand Haven school board seats
"To help voters make informed choices, The Chronicle sent questionnaires to registered candidates.
The questionnaires gave candidates the opportunity to provide personal information, list their top three priorities"

Not a single candidate even mentions the mastodon in the middle of the economic room, teacher pay, benefits and retirement.

And ya gotta love the "Save money by looking for additional energy efficiencies" goal.

"Class, we will now compare the total energy cost as a percentage of the total education cost vs the total compensation of teachers/aids expenditures as a percentage of the total education cost.......can't anyone do simple math anymore!!!"

Experts: Down economy makes Michigan open to 'try new things'


Experts: Down economy makes Michigan open to 'try new things'
"Michigan could bounce back if leaders take 'a bold stroke or two,' said Joseph Lehman, president of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, a Midland-based free-market think tank.
One of those strokes is bringing state government employee benefits in line with the private sector, Lehman said.

'That would amount to $5.7 billion in annual savings,' Lehman said.
The reduction in turn would attract businesses and create jobs, he said.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm has proposed a plan that would encourage 7,000 state government workers and 39,000 public school employees into retirement to address a state budget crisis.
And House Speaker Andy Dillon, D-Redford Township, who is running for governor, has proposed that state and local workers as well as teachers be lumped into a statewide pool for health care benefits, a plan that would save up to an estimated $900 million a year.

Unions oppose both plans."

Michiganders!
Understand just who our economic enemy really is!

Economy blamed for expected drop in Muskegon County population


Economy blamed for expected drop in Muskegon County population
"For the first time in 26 years, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that the population of Muskegon County dropped in 2009.

Muskegon County’s 2009 estimated population was 173,951 people, down 618 or 0.35 percent."

OK, I get it.
It's "the economy's" fault.
It has nothing to do with our elected leader's votes and decisions.
Just "the economy".
Isn't that code for "Bush's fault"?

Federal survey finds homelessness, shelters are more expensive than housing | - MLive.com

Federal survey finds homelessness, shelters are more expensive than housing
"A new federal survey finds that housing the homeless in emergency shelters can be more costly than the typical cost of rent or transitional housing.
For Grand Rapids, the average cost of a one-bedroom apartment is just under $600, compared to a cost of $744 a month at the Guiding Light Mission.

And while the mission also offers three meals a deal and day shelter for that cost, Executive Director Stuart Ray said the point is this: It costs more to house the homeless than prevent the loss of a home in the first place.

'My belief system says we ought to do everything we can to help people reach their full potential. This is the last place they want to be.'

The Department of Housing and Urban Development analyzed the cost of homeless programs in six places nationwide, including Kalamazoo.
It found that it costs $1,614 to house a family in an emergency shelter there per month, compared with $813 per month for transitional housing and $881 per month for permanent housing."

Grab your wallets, folks!
Here they come again!
The Obamaians want to go back to...you guessed it...Chicago style PUBLIC HOUSING!

The above article sorta ignores that "nationwide" isn't necessarily Muskegon or west Michigan.
And the Guiding Light offers more than food and lodging.
They've got to deal with those who need help.

But who cares?
Free "health care", free student "loans", free housing!
Sounds sorta soviet to me.
And Obama wants to bring it to your neighborhood soon!

Jenison superintendent to announce cutback plan Monday

Jenison superintendent to announce cutback plan Monday
"Superintendent Tom TenBrink said recommendations concerning reductions to next year's school budget could be announced at Monday's upcoming board meeting.
The district is 'waiting as long as we can because the climate keeps changing,' he said.
Factors include whether the state will make another per-pupil funding cut.
While he's expecting a minimum deficit of $3.9 million, TenBrink hopes retirements will offset the need for layoffs.
Last year's reductions included switching to privatized custodial services.
A budget must be in place by June 30.
The board meets at 7:30 p.m. in the Jenison High School media center."

The real problem is the phrase they dare not speak: "teachers are paid too much for too little work and retire with too much benefits way too early".
And they get automatic triple raises every year.
Ya can't fix the problem if ya deny there is a problem.
Right?

West Michigan community leaders take field trip to see wind turbines in action

West Michigan community leaders take field trip to see wind turbines in action
"All of those who impulsively and emotionally oppose the wind turbine proposals need to become better educated on the wind industry, Muskegon City Commissioner Sue Wierengo said.

“This is fascinating to come and see how they work and what they look like,” Wierengo said.
“To have a (negative) gut reaction like they did in Pentwater is just stupid.
There is a lot to explore and learn, but I am favorably impressed.”"

This is what too many of our Muskegon elected "leaders" think of us uneducated little people.

The Rape of America

American Thinker: The Rape of America
"Let's start by analyzing the mind of a rapist.
His goal: Domination and absolute power, through any means necessary."

West Michigan community leaders take field trip to see wind turbines in action

West Michigan community leaders take field trip to see wind turbines in action
"Next in the community conversation and debate on whether to embrace the wind turbine industry will come May 4 when Michigan Great Lakes Offshore Wind Council gathers at Muskegon Community College for a public information meeting on state policies for offshore wind turbines.
The meeting for public input and discussion begins at 6 p.m."

Mark your calendars!

Health care overhaul spawns mass confusion for public

Health care overhaul spawns mass confusion for public
"Two weeks after President Barack Obama signed the big health care overhaul into law, Americans are struggling to understand how — and when — the sweeping measure will affect them"

G.M. and Chrysler Pensions Underfunded by $17 Billion

G.M. and Chrysler Pensions Underfunded by $17 Billion
"The pension plans at General Motors and Chrysler are underfunded by a total of $17 billion and could fail if the automakers do not return to profitability, according to a government report released Tuesday."

Tuesday, April 06, 2010

Obama judicial nominee in 'jeopardy'

Obama judicial nominee in 'jeopardy'
"The missing material “creates the impression that he knowingly attempted to hide his most controversial work from the committee,” Judiciary Republicans wrote to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy on Tuesday."

Good grief!
A liberal liar and a cheater on his way to a lifetime appointment on the Supreme Court.
Ain't Obama's "change" great?

YID With LID: Maxine Waters 2007 Speech at "F**K the USA" Rally (and SHE Bashes the Tea Party?)

YID With LID: Maxine Waters 2007 Speech at "F**K the USA" Rally (and SHE Bashes the Tea Party?)

"Maxine Waters is a perfect example of what is wrong with Congress a partisan who uses the office to enrich her family and her friends.
Even worse she represents the ultimate in hypocrisy.
The week after the tea parties out side the capital the weekend of the Obamacare vote she was front and center on TV criticizing the words and methods of the protesters, who were generally peaceful and respectful.
She also used her criticism as an opportunity to bash Republicans for supporting the tea parties.

Yet as this video shows, in 2007 she was a leader, speaking at a Code Pink rally, where the protesters were screaming 'F**K The USA' as she was screaming 'Bush is a Liar.'"

It also highlights the disgusting duplicity of the slobbering, liberal American TV and newspaper media.

GM workers in Wyoming to vote again on contract changes rejected last week

GM workers in Wyoming to vote again on contract changes rejected last week
"The former Delphi workers complained that GM failed to honor a January cost-of-living raise in their current contract, ending September 2011.

A 3 percent bonus was also dropped.


Terms for health insurance were fluid last week; the initial proposal put monthly costs at $345 for family coverage, but a last-minute negotiation reset the plan to keep existing plans in place.

Whether that change sticks in the package for revoting is unclear."



The thug unions destroyed the old GM.

And they continue to demand the guaranteed tripple raises every year and NO healthcare cuts or co-pay at all.

Now they want their political friends in the democrat party to set the stage for the next bankruptcy of Obama-motors......or another taxpayer bailout by their political godfathers in the democrat party.

Water funds to held in escrow until Muskegon Heights, Norton Shores, Fruitport dispute settled

Water funds to held in escrow until Muskegon Heights, Norton Shores, Fruitport dispute settled
"The ongoing legal dispute between three local municipalities concerning wholesale water rates is leading to more money being held in an escrow account until a resolution is reached."

The Heights thugs must be stopped.

This is a good sign for the future!

Cal pension funds a half-trillion dollars short, study says

Cal pension funds a half-trillion dollars short, study says
"'This study reinforces the immediate need to address our staggering pension debt,' Schwarzenegger said in a statement.

'According to the study, California taxpayers are on the hook for over a half trillion dollars.
That's nearly six times the size of our entire state budget.

The consequences are clear: increasingly large portions of state funding for programs Californians hold dear such as schools, parks and health care will be diverted to pay for this debt.

That is bad enough, but without reform, pension debt will only grow.'

Schwarzenegger has proposed broad pension reforms, including shifting new employees to a new, lower-cost system and raising state employees' pension contributions, but with opposition from public worker unions, his plan has gone nowhere."

It is long passed the time that we understand who the real enemy is: public sector unions.

Will we simply continue to bend over and tighten our financial belts as they continue to buy bigger belts...on our money?

Get involved or the ultimate price we all will pay will destroy our schools....and our personal savings

'Financial challenges' highlight Coopersville school address

'Financial challenges' highlight Coopersville school address
"He said he will need to work with unions to bring about necessary changes."

The only "necessary changes" the unions will approve are more taxes for the taxpayers, and more automatic raises and early retirement packages for their union members.

Unless we the people start going to school board meetings.

It's easy folks.

Just do it!

Or continue to pay the price of your laziness.

Study: California Public Pensions Underfunded by Over $500B

Study: California Public Pensions Underfunded by Over $500B
"California's three major public pension funds are underfunded by more than half a trillion dollars, according to a report released Monday, the San Jose Mercury News reports."

Monday, April 05, 2010

Health insurance, police contract among pressures of Muskegon city finances | - MLive.com

Health insurance, police contract among pressures of Muskegon city finances
"Meanwhile, both the Police Officers Labor Council, representing approximately 63 city patrol officers, and the city commission have ratified a two-year labor agreement retroactive to Jan. 1 and expiring Dec. 31, 2011.
The contract includes a 1 percent pay hike in each of the two years.
If any nonunion city employee group receives a higher increase, so would the patrol officers."

Saturday, April 03, 2010

Apple third highest stcok capitialization in US!Investors await iPad’s cliffhanger launch

Investors await iPad’s cliffhanger launch
"Spurred in part by iPad anticipation, shareholder enthusiasm has more than doubled Apple’s market capitalisation in the past year, driving it past Google and Walmart.
At $214bn, Apple is worth more than every US company but ExxonMobile and Microsoft."

Friday, April 02, 2010

State Websites Give History a Rewrite

State Websites Give History a Rewrite
Readers of the state of Michigan's various Web sites would be hard pressed to find evidence of one of the more embarrassing incidents to have happened this year to the Granholm administration."

Muskegon County jobless rate drops, slightly, to 16.3 percent in February

Muskegon County jobless rate drops, slightly, to 16.3 percent in February
"Like most labor market areas in Michigan, Muskegon County reported drops in labor force levels, employment and unemployment because of likely educational staff recalls and seasonal layoffs at retail and leisure establishments."

School Pension Reform Stalls in Senate

School Pension Reform Stalls in Senate
"A plan to reform public school pensions and set them more in line with private-sector retirement standards — and thus save Michigan taxpayers an estimated $3.5 billion over the next 10 years — stalled in the Michigan Senate as that chamber prepared to leave for its spring break.

Although GOP senators cast blame for the failure at Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Democrats, Republican sources said that only 18 votes could be mustered for the measure, leaving it two votes shy of passage in a chamber where Republicans hold a 22-16 majority."

Thursday, April 01, 2010

“Watching the Commander of the Pacific Fleet’s deadpan face as Congressman Hank Johnson…

MARK STEYN:
“Watching the Commander of the Pacific Fleet’s deadpan face as Congressman Hank Johnson (D., Ga.) asks him about the danger of the island of Guam tipping over and capsizing is a glimpse of how the viziers to the loopier Ottoman sultans must have felt.”

UPDATE: Johnson says it was just an out-of-control metaphor.
Frankly, I find this explanation more plausible. . . .
Posted by Glenn Reynolds at 6:35 pm"

Underemployment Rises to 20.3% in March

Underemployment Rises to 20.3% in March
: "Gallup Daily tracking finds that 20.3% of the U.S. workforce was underemployed in March -- a slight uptick from the relatively flat January and February numbers."

Toyota's US sales jump 35.3 percent in March

Toyota's US sales jump 35.3 percent in March
"Toyota on Thursday reported a 35.3 percent jump in US sales in March, rebounding from a series of mass safety recalls which have undermined the embattled Japanese automaker's reputation."

Embracing Liberty, Not Big Government

Embracing Liberty, Not Big Government
"Over the past 14 months, our political debate has been transformed into an argument between the heirs of two fundamental schools of political thought, the Founders and the Progressives.

The Founders stood for the expansion of liberty and the Progressives for the expansion of government.

It's an argument that has been going on for a century but was largely dormant over the quarter-century of low-inflation economic growth that followed the Ronald Reagan tax cuts.
It's been raised again by the expand-government policies of the Obama administration and Democratic congressional leaders."