Monday, December 26, 2011

Race and Economics

RealClearPolitics - Race and Economics
Minimum wage laws are classic examples.
The last year in which the black unemployment rate was lower than the white unemployment rate was 1930.
That was also the last year in which there was no federal minimum wage law.

The Davis-Bacon Act of 1931 was in part a result of a series of incidents in which non-union black construction labor enabled various contractors from the South to underbid Northern contractors who used white, unionized construction labor.
The Davis-Bacon Act required that "prevailing wages" be paid on government construction projects-- "prevailing wages" almost always meaning in practice union wages.
Since blacks were kept out of construction unions then, and for decades thereafter, many black construction workers lost their jobs.

Minimum wages were required more broadly under the National Industrial Recovery Act of 1933 and under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, with negative consequences for black employment across a much wider range of industries.

Doctors, moms take on No. 1 polluter in Utah

My Way News - Doctors, moms take on No. 1 polluter in Utah
They have filed a lawsuit against Kennecott Utah Copper, accusing it of violating the U.S. Clean Air Act.

The enviro-cultists live and breath their own home brewed smog of ignorance and unearned hubris. They simply hate American industry, corporations and any hint of profit.
"Moms".....gimme a break!

And the headline writer's "No. 1 polluter...." lie is proof of the MSM's membership in this insane cult of morons.

Decades later, a Cold War secret is revealed

My Way News - Decades later, a Cold War secret is revealed
He recalls the very first briefing on Hexagon after Perkin-Elmer was awarded the top secret contract in 1966. Looking around the room at his 30 or so colleagues, Brickmeier thought, "How on Earth is this going to be possible?"

Photo of the Day: Last Dodge Caliber rolls off the assembly line

Photo of the Day: Last Dodge Caliber rolls off the assembly line MLive.com

from the comments:
craigyjoebob December 23, 2011 at 7:09PM "So they are flushing the Caliber to bring back a turd in the Dart?"

Gov. Rick Snyder signs bills on crime victim compensation

Gov. Rick Snyder signs bills on crime victim compensation MLive.com
Snyder signed three bills that clarify definitions and strengthens compensation requirements and programs for crime victims.
The bills were sponsored by fellow Republican state Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker of Lawton.

Snyder also has signed a bill that amends the Michigan Liquor Control Code.
The measure removes a barrel production limit and allows brewers that aren't licensed as micro brewers to sell their beer to the public for on-site drinking.
Republican state Rep. Margaret O'Brien of Portage is that measure's backer.

Good governance attracts businesses and innovators.
Good job GOPers!

Michigan State's football future remains bright with talent expected to return next season

Michigan State's football future remains bright with talent expected to return next season MLive.com
The Spartans have two reasons to wear sunglasses: Florida sunshine and their bright future in the new year and beyond.

Defense department agrees to allow Muslim cadets to wear hijabs

Defense department agrees to allow Muslim cadets to wear hijabs – The Religion World – Orlando Sentinel
CAIR requested constitutionally-protected religious accommodations for the girl and for future Muslim JROTC participants.

"Constitutionally-protected religious accommodations"?!!!!!!!!!!

California To Ban Police From Towing Cars Of Unlicensed Drivers

California To Ban Police From Towing Cars Of Unlicensed Drivers Fox News
Jan. 1 when a new law takes effect in California to prohibit police from impounding cars at sobriety checkpoints if a motorist's only offense is being an unlicensed driver.

Obamaland: American Mules Must Eat Certified Weed-Free Hay

Obamaland: American Mules Must Eat Certified Weed-Free Hay - Page 2 - Marita Noon - Townhall Finance
The Forest Service was willing to offer a conditional drilling permit. Among the conditions were these requirements:
The drill sites must be cleared using hand tools,
The drilling equipment and fuel must be transported to the site by a team of pack mules,
The mules must be fed certified weed-free hay, and
Drill site and trail reclamation must be done using hand tools.

The company gave up.

Ronald Reagan's 1981 Christmas Address

Ronald Reagan's 1981 Christmas Address ZeroHedge
"Things sure have changed in the past 30 years..."

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Michigan business tax incentives get D+ in report

Michigan business tax incentives get D+ in report (Rick Haglund column) MLive.com
Its report, “Money for Something,” gives Michigan’s business tax incentives a D+ for their effectiveness in producing good jobs.
The state ranked 33rd — tied with Montana and Ohio — in the quality of its incentive programs.

Ravenna teachers union votes to leave MEA-backed insurance plan

Ravenna teachers union votes to leave MEA-backed insurance plan MLive.com
Ravenna teachers have voted to leave the health insurance plan backed by the Michigan Education Association for a plan school officials said would save each family $1,000.
..... The district's contribution to teacher health insurance is capped at $14,000 for a family plan.

The 50 Best Political Quotes For 2011 (Third Annual)

The 50 Best Political Quotes For 2011 (Third Annual) Right Wing News

YouTube Christmas #3 - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - danielle...

Egypt Islamists take two-thirds of 2nd-round vote

Egypt Islamists take two-thirds of 2nd-round vote Reuters

"Arab spring" looking more like "springtime for Hitler".
Not good.

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Michigan City of Troy, Led by Tea Party Mayor, Rejects Federal Dollars

Michigan City of Troy, Led by Tea Party Mayor, Rejects Federal Dollars - NYTimes.com
A city turns down $8.5 million in federal grant money.
In what could be a new high water mark of anti-Washington sentiment, the city of Troy, Mich., is rejecting a long-planned transportation center whose construction would have been fully financed with federal stimulus money.

BP solar business exit counters trend by Google, Buffett, TransCanada

BP solar business exit counters trend by Google, Buffett, TransCanada Alternative Energy Energy News Financial Post
BP Plc is exiting the solar business after 40 years

'Key Driving Sector': Greece Turns to Energy as its Economic Savior

'Key Driving Sector': Greece Turns to Energy as its Economic Savior - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News - International
Now, energy officials in the financially beleaguered nation are naming a major solar project after Helios and banking on energy more broadly as a possible way out of the financial crisis.

The EPA's Mercury Madness

The EPA's Mercury Madness - Investors.com
The EPA thinks it's worth spending billions of dollars each year to reduce already minuscule amounts of mercury in the outside air.
So why is it trying to shove mercury-laced fluorescent bulbs into everyone's homes?

College Football Wins Lower Guys' GPA

College Football Wins Lower Guys' GPA - Miller-McCune
The gap in grade point averages between male and female students widens when their college football team is winning.

Editorial: Even profitable firms fleeing California

Editorial: Even profitable firms fleeing California california, businesses, business - Opinion - The Orange County Register
While a limited number of businesses go through the trouble of pulling up stakes and high-tailing it to Texas, Nevada or Arizona, many others just quietly go out of business.
Others keep their headquarters here, but expand their operations elsewhere.
Many jobs are never created or opportunities pursued because of the punitive regulatory and tax climate in California, where Steinberg's true constituency – the public-sector unions that enforce the myriad regulations and laws – does its work.

Pakistan Military Tries to Quash Rumors of a Coup

Pakistan Military Tries to Quash Rumors of a Coup - NYTimes.com
But the focus in Pakistan on Friday was talk of a military coup.
The rumors were set off a day earlier when the prime minister, Yousaf Raza Gilani, warned publicly of a conspiracy to topple the government.

Mark Steyn: An upside-down family tree

Mark Steyn: An upside-down family tree people, women, percent - Opinion - The Orange County Register
In Greece, 100 grandparents have 42 grandchildren – i.e., the family tree is upside down. In a social democratic state where workers in "hazardous" professions (such as, er, hairdressing) retire at 50, there aren't enough young people around to pay for your three-decade retirement.
And there are unlikely ever to be again.
Look at it another way: Banks are a mechanism by which old people with capital lend to young people with energy and ideas.
The Western world has now inverted the concept.
If 100 geezers run up a bazillion dollars' worth of debt, is it likely that 42 youngsters will ever be able to pay it off?

First in-store Father Christmas was from Edinburgh

First in-store Father Christmas was from Edinburgh - Edinburgh, East & Fife - Scotsman.com
"he first took to dressing as Santa in 1890, inspired by the drawings of political illustrator Thomas Nast."

Michigan's Snow Cone Machines

Michigan's Snow Cone Machines - The Colbert Report - 2011-08-12 - Video Clip Comedy Central
Michigan's Snow Cone Machines
The soft-on-terror-crats mischaracterize Michigan's ice shaving machines as a frivolous waste of tax money, but there's no reason that fighting terror shouldn't be fun.

Funny...in a tragic way, video.

Snow Cone Machines for Homeland Security

Schneier on Security: Snow Cone Machines for Homeland Security
Snow Cone Machines for Homeland Security
When you give out money based on politics, without any accounting, this is what you get:
The West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission (WMSRDC) is a federal- and state-designated agency responsible for managing and administrating the homeland security program in Montcalm County and 12 other counties.
The WMSRDC recently purchased and transferred homeland security equipment to these counties -- including 13 snow cone machines at a total cost of $11,700.
Wait.
It gets funnier:
"It is used to attract people so they can be educated and prepared for homeland security," Dey said from his office in Muskegon.

"More importantly, they (homeland security officials) felt in a medical emergency the machine was capable of making ice packs which could be used for medical purposes."


We got one here in Muskegon!
Give Sheriff Roessler a call and ask him where it is!

IRS to Implement New 2% 'Recapture Tax' in Two-Month Payroll Tax Cut Extension

TaxProf Blog: IRS to Implement New 2% 'Recapture Tax' in Two-Month Payroll Tax Cut Extension
This provision imposes an additional income tax on these higher-income employees in an amount equal to 2% of the amount of wages they receive during the two-month period in excess of $18,350 (and not greater than $110,100).

New Air Jordans cause nationwide shopping frenzy

My Way News - New Air Jordans cause nationwide shopping frenzy
Fights, vandalism and arrests marked the release of Nike's new Air Jordan basketball shoes as a shopping rush on stores across the country led to unrest that nearly turned into rioting.

Ah yes, the starving 99%....right......
But what the heck is "nearly turned into rioting"?
I'm sitting at my computer kinda pissed off.
Am I "nearly turning to rioting"?
Rot!

Friday, December 23, 2011

Are Volts for dolts? It's starting to look that way

Are Volts for dolts? It's starting to look that way NJ.com
This is a pretty funny dispute.
The head of the American division of Audi called the sort of people who buy Chevy Volt's "idiots," upsetting a lot of people who like the new plug-in hybrid.
Whatever your opinion, the facts show that Volts aren't exactly selling like hotcakes.
It's not hard to see why.
As Audi’s president of North America Johan de Nysschen said, "No one is going to pay a $15,000 premium for a car that competes with a Corolla.”

China trade: Myths vs. reality

China trade: Myths vs. reality
Chinese goods account for 2.7 percent of U.S. personal consumption expenditures, about one-quarter of the 11.5 percent foreign share.
Chinese imported goods consist mainly of furniture and household equipment; other durables; and clothing and shoes.
In the clothing and shoes category, 35.6 percent of U.S. consumer purchases in 2010 were items with the “Made in China” label.
Much of what China sells us has considerable “local content.” Hale and Hobijn give the example of sneakers that might sell for $70.
They point out that most of that price goes for transportation in the U.S., rent for the store where they are sold, profits for shareholders of the U.S. retailer, and marketing costs, which include the salaries, wages and benefits paid to the U.S. workers and managers responsible for getting sneakers to consumers.
On average, 55 cents of every dollar spent on goods made in China goes for marketing services produced in the U.S.