Monday, August 15, 2011

Why the GOP should give Obama the higher taxes he wants

Sunday Reflection: Why the GOP should give Obama the higher taxes he wants Glenn Harlan Reynolds Columnists Washington Examiner
"Were I a Republican senator or representative, I would be agitating to repeal the 'Eisenhower tax cut' on the movie industry and restore the excise tax.
I think I would also look at imposing similar taxes on sales of DVDs, pay-per-view movies, CDs, downloadable music, and related products."

If we taxed what we spent, the kids would know what's happenin'.

Toxic Raptors Still Grounded

AVwebFlash Complete Issue#205216#205216
"Toxic Raptors Still Grounded, Pilots Losing Currency

An investigation that grounded the fleet of F-22 Raptors back in May, 'has since expanded to include all aspects of the aircraft,' according to the Air Force Times, leaving deliveries on hold and pilots hoping for simulator time.
There are less than 160 Raptors deployed (accounting for roughly $65 billion) and two F-22 simulators -- one at Langley and another at Tyndall Air Force Base.
The actual jets have been grounded because they appear to be poisoning their pilots.
Tests have found multiple toxins in the blood of Raptor pilots affected by symptoms similar to hypoxia while flying the jets.
And the Air Force hasn't been able to source the problem, leading to a cascade of complications."

Rep. John Conyers's seat up for grabs in Michigan

Rep. John Conyers's seat up for grabs in Michigan - Politico Staff - POLITICO.com
"With the passage of Michigan’s Republican-crafted redistricting law, recently signed off on by Gov. Rick Snyder, Rep. John Conyers seat is officially up for grabs after nearly 50 years - and local Democratic district officials are not pleased"

Bummer dudes...

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Muskegon-area legislators to meet Friday with chamber members

Muskegon-area legislators to meet Friday with chamber members MLive.com
"The chamber's Government Affairs Committee will meet with state Sen. Goeff Hansen, R-Hart, and state Rep. Holly Hughes, R-White River Township Friday from 8-9:30 a.m. at the Coffee House, 255 Seminole.
No reservations are needed."

Mich. Republican Party votes to hold closed primary to pick 2012 presidential delegates

Mich. Republican Party votes to hold closed primary to pick 2012 presidential delegates The Republic
"Michigan Republicans have voted to hold a closed primary election to choose 2012 presidential convention delegates.
The Republican State Committee on Saturday approved the recommendation of the party's Policy Committee by a vote of 92-17.
Supporters say it's a more inclusive way of choosing delegates than a convention or caucus."

Suicidal GOPers!
Or are they simply fools?
The democrats must be gearing up their "get out the vote" ACORNistas to vote in the "closed" primary.
It'll be McCain/Bush 2000 all over again.
Seriously, are our republican state leaders morons or is there another agenda going on?

President Sees Bright Green Future for Battery Jobs; Details Show Reality Still Very Cloudy

President Sees Bright Green Future for Battery Jobs; Details Show Reality Still Very Cloudy [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
"Both President Obama and Gov. Granholm boasted at the event that the plant is a sign of 'economic recovery.'
Yet each of the approximately 400 jobs the operation is expected to generate will cost taxpayers $625,000"

Filing deadline approaching for school board and some city council candidates

Filing deadline approaching for school board and some city council candidates MLive.com
"Candidates seeking election Nov. 8 to area school boards as well as Muskegon Heights and North Muskegon city councils have until Tuesday to register."

The LAST day is Tuesday August 16th.
Time is running out!
Let's get out there and make our own change rather than waiting for someone else's version of "change"!

Mona Shores privatizes bus drivers, saves nearly $100,000

Mona Shores privatizes bus drivers, saves nearly $100,000 MLive.com
"The drivers will be working for a private firm, Michigan Educational Transportation Services, as the result of a cost-saving move that will reduce expenses by nearly $100,000 per year."

Good move!

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Deep Freeze for Salaries

Deep Freeze for Salaries
"As I continue to monitor developments in the public pension world, a new theme is beginning to emerge.
The only way to balance the books for some, perhaps many, state and local government pension plans will be to freeze public-employee salaries for most of this decade.
Despite valiant efforts by labor groups to raise or restore employee contributions to help bail out pension plans, the math just won't work.
Employers are facing daunting increases in pension costs and must soon begin to pay for retiree medical benefits as well."

If strong leaders don't fix this disaster, it will be the union workers and pensioners who suffer along with the taxpayers (and non-taxpayers).

Why Apple is now No. 1 company in the world

Why Apple is now No. 1 company in the world - Business - US business - msnbc.com
"Apple’s revenue is currently about $100 billion.
Exxon’s sales are $383 billion.
Walmart’s are $415 billion."

Apple is amazing!

Rhode Island Braces For Muni Crises In Wake Of Central Falls Bankruptcy

Rhode Island Braces For Muni Crises In Wake Of Central Falls Bankruptcy
"The filing was a wakeup call for Rhode Island, which is suffering from widespread pension crises. Combined, the state's municipal pension plans are only 41% funded, and face an unfunded liability of $2 billion.
Rhode Island's unfunded obligation (at the state level) is $6.8 billion, and some experts argue it could actually be as high as $9 billion."

And municipal pension underfunding is only the tip of a giant iceberg that includes retiree healthcare benefits. 

Chrysler announces 'No Payment for 90 Days' program

Autos Insider Chrysler announces 'No Payment for 90 Days' program The Detroit News
"New deals on 2011 models are being offered, too, including 3-year financing as low as zero percent or $2,000 cash back on a Chrysler 300, 300C or Dodge Charger."

Obama's bailout ain't lookin' too good if they have give away cars.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Rick Santelli: If Not For Tea Party, U.S. Would Be Rated BBB

Rick Santelli: If Not For Tea Party, U.S. Would Be Rated BBB RealClearPolitics
"'Blame the Tea Party?
Geez, no wonder Kerry did so well in an election.
If it wasn't for the Tea Party, they would have passed the debt ceiling thumbs up, we would have been rated BBB.'"

Transit Agency Demands $300 to Reveal CEO's Salary

Transit Agency Demands $300 to Reveal CEO's Salary [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
"Consider the County of Muskegon’s reply to the Mackinac Center’s FOIA request for the CEO’s salary and benefits for the past two years at the Muskegon Area Transit System.
The County of Muskegon said they no longer had the 2009-10 information and the 2010-11 information would cost $300.
“Either Muskegon has the world’s most expensive employee or the world’s most expensive copier,” said Patrick Wright, senior legal analyst for the Mackinac Center.
Wright said it is “economic stonewalling.”"

Muskegon's "transit" program is a black hole for citizen tax dollars providing empty buses and fat jobs for its insiders.
Expose the rot!

Viewpoint: Why I voted for the debt ceiling compromise

Viewpoint: Why I voted for the debt ceiling compromise MLive.com
"The simple truth is, this isn’t the end of the fight.
We must continue to listen to you and fight to wrest even deeper, faster spending cuts from the Senate and Administration, so we can return America to a strong, healthy economy.
I’m dedicated to achieving that, and I want to keep hearing from you about how we can better do that.
Where can we cut next?"

Very well stated, Bill!
Keep up the great work!