Teachers looting taxpayers, AGAIN-Illinois Teachers Pension Fund is 40% Funded, Drops Deeper Into Hole Despite Investment Return of 12.8%

Mish's Global Economic Trend Analysis: Illinois Teachers Pension Fund is 40% Funded, Drops Deeper Into Hole Despite Investment Return of 12.8%; What's the Solution?:
"In spite of a 12.8% annual return, with an 8% return assumption, the Illinois Teachers Retirement System (TRS) fell another $3.5 billion in the hole.
TRS pension underfunding grew to $55.73 billion as of June 30, 2013. "

NY exchange navigator list removed after including a spa, limo dispatcher, cupcake shop

NY exchange navigator list removed after including a spa, limo dispatcher, cupcake shop | The Daily Caller:
"New York’s healthcare exchange has removed its list of Obamacare “navigators” after discovering that companies that have no relation to the health care field — such as a cupcake store — were included.

“We are updating the [In-Person Assistors]/Navigators contact list.  New information will be posted shortly,” the site now explains in place of the original 228-page list of IPAs and navigators."

Plus today's helpful check-in page:

Europe is broke, loaded with farmland and incredibly lazy-Global wine shortage looms, says report

Global wine shortage looms, says report | Fox News:
"A major reason is because wine production in Spain, France and Italy--the world’s three largest wine-producing countries making 60 percent of the world’s wine--has sharply decreased as less land is being used to grow grapes."

God made a dog

Post by John David Creamer.

Top 10 Facts About The U.S. Illegal Drug Market

Top 10 Facts About The U.S. Illegal Drug Market | Zero Hedge:
"Ever wondered how much a particular narcotic or opioid costs in your city? 
The answer might’ve been hard to find out 20 years ago without some serious hook ups in the shady part of town, but today all you have to do is head to streetrx.com.
Type in your drug of choice, and up pops the data: location, price, date, and a 1-5 star rating.
You’ve got your standard cocktails on here – oxycodone, heroin, marijuana – and then a few not-so-popular choices like hydrocodone, Exalgo, and Klonopin.
Each one of them is going to cost you a pretty penny, depending on where you buy it – but at least you’ll know whether you got a good deal or not."

You think Obama's functionalies are gonna save you? Think again. And plan ahead.-------Bicycle Generator for Emergency Electricity

Bicycle Generator for Emergency Electricity:
 "Hackett's] back at it, this time with some practical advice for the next power outage to hit your city: why not prepare for the worst by building your own bike generator?
 You’ll no doubt recall that hurricane Sandy devastated New York City’s grid,"

"No-bid" Moochelle has long history of anti-American associates who are now getting their "payback"

Michelle Obama belonged to radical student groups | The Daily Caller:
"First Lady Michelle Obama and her Princeton classmate whose company received the no-bid government contract to build the HealthCare.gov Obamacare website were both members of a black student organization that caused a tense scene on campus by inviting a PLO leader who advocated for terrorism.

Michelle Obama ’85 and her classmate Toni Townes-Whitley ’85, a senior vice president at CGI Federal, were both students at the university when their groups the Organization of Black Unity (OBU) and the Third World Center (TWC) engaged in a confrontation with Jewish students on campus."

This is more than malignant incompetence, this is outright criminal fraud! CMS Spent More Than $1T in Less Than 1 Yr; More Than Entire Gov’t Spent When Medicaid-Medicare Enacted

CMS Spent More Than $1T in Less Than 1 Yr; More Than Entire Gov’t Spent When Medicaid-Medicare Enacted | CNS News:
"The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which runs the federal government’s major health-care programs, and which was responsible for developing the Obamacare health-insurance exchange website, spent more than $1 trillion in just the first eleven months of fiscal 2013, according to the Treasury."

More of that "Smart Diplomacy" Barry promised.........World’s anger at Obama policies goes beyond Europe and the NSA

WASHINGTON: World’s anger at Obama policies goes beyond Europe and the NSA | Europe | McClatchy DC:
"“It’s part of an overall trend, America’s disengagement and a seemingly aloof Obama, and in the Syrian case, that aloofness ran counter to the Syrians’ and Saudis’ interests,” "

Remember the public employee union thugs who rioted and attacked last year? They're baaack! State employee unions, Michigan at odds over wages and benefits: 'We're in for one hell of a fight'

State employee unions, Michigan at odds over wages and benefits: 'We're in for one hell of a fight' | MLive.com:
"LANSING, MI -- Disagreements on wages and benefits are holding up contract negotiations between Michigan's government and unions representing tens of thousands of state employees.
....The Michigan Corrections Organization, in a newsletter distributed this weekend, argued the state's wage proposals "were pitiful" and criticized a plan to move all state employees -- rather than just new workers -- onto a single health care plan."

Follow the money-Remember these guys were BIG supporters of BarryCare------Insurers Oppose Obamacare Extension as Danger to Profits

Insurers Oppose Obamacare Extension as Danger to Profits - Bloomberg:
Allowing Americans more time to enroll for health coverage under Obamacare may raise premiums and cut into profits, insurers are telling members of Congress in a bid to stop such a move.

DHS, NSA Czars attack small business for the right to parody them on mugs, T-shirts

Man sues DHS, NSA for the right to parody them on mugs, T-shirts | Ars Technica

For 10 years, a Minnesota man has been selling T-shirts, mugs, and other items with slogans like “Department of Homeland Stupidity” and “The NSA: the only part of the government that listens.”

In 2011, the Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Agency sent a cease-and-desist order against Zazzle, the original manufacturer of these items for the website LibertyManiacs.com. 

The government agencies argued that it is a crime to use, mutilate, or alter a government seal without permission. (The site has now switched over to CafePress.)

....“The agencies’ attempts to forbid McCall from displaying and selling his merchandise are inconsistent with the First Amendment,” said Paul Alan Levy, the Public Citizen attorney handling the case, in astatement.
“It’s bad enough that these agencies have us under constant surveillance; forbidding citizens from criticizing them is beyond the pale.”

Detroit on the lake-County landbank scam owns properties but won't keep them up

Muskegon's Realty Reality: Deserted and dangerous blight homes threaten Muskegon Heights' vitality | MLive.com:
"Blight is a problem for several parts of Muskegon County, but nowhere worse than Muskegon Heights.

At the time of the 2010 census, Muskegon Heights had 840, or 17.5 percent of its residential homes, vacant.
That was three years ago, and the problem hasn’t gotten much better since then.
The Muskegon County Land Bank collects properties that revert to county ownership because of unpaid taxes."
...She’s started writing letters to her legislators describing her plight, and says she’s frustrated with Muskegon Heights city officials. 

She’s been cited by Muskegon Heights for trash she said other people dumped on her curb.
“I’m paying my taxes on time and my mortgage,” she said. “How come they can’t hold up their end?”

Obama shuts down local power plants, decimates local budgets, sends hundreds into unemployment. Cuz... "Yes, we can"--------Demolition of Muskegon's B.C. Cobb plant up for consideration by commission

Demolition of Muskegon's B.C. Cobb plant up for consideration by commission | MLive.com: "MUSKEGON, MI – Consumers Energy has asked the Michigan Public Service Commission to approve a special bond issue that will allow it to close down and demolish the B.C. Cobb Generating Plant beginning in April 2016.
....The Cobb plant is the largest taxpayer in Muskegon County, representing 17 percent of the city of Muskegon’s property tax base in 2011 along with employing approximately 115 workers.
The three coal-plant closures are being driven by stricter federal environmental protection standards for such facilities. "
Plus this from a former commissioner:

The whole two years that I was in office I said this was going to happen. 

But all the other politicians said 'no' they are going to just mothball the whole plant and all of government would still get its taxes. 

They acted as if they would be rolling in those tax dollars forever. 

They are still spending as if money grows on trees. Like building new jails we can't afford, get ready for a property tax increase. 

It will be just like Sappi leaving and the politicians saying 'we didn't see that one coming'. 

Now look at the sewer rate increase.
Alan Jager former Muskegon County Commissioner

Free government website operates like ...... well it is free, right? Not really. $600 million and counting!

What a concept! Empower cops to pull over ANYONE who might be allegedly looking away from their front windshield------- Getting caught texting and driving has few financial consequences under Michigan law

We're ALL law breakers now!
Tim Skubick: Getting caught texting and driving has few financial consequences under Michigan law | MLive.com:
"Next under current state law, it is a primary offense to text and drive, which means the cops can pull you over if they nab you doing it. 
But if you get caught, the fine is $100 for the first offense and $200 for the second.
And here’s the kicker:
There are no points on your driving record."

Of course. If free healthcare is a "right", why the heck should ANYONE have to pay for their own food? -------Meijer expands Feeding America's truck fleet to serve pantries across Michigan

Meijer expands Feeding America's truck fleet to serve pantries across Michigan | MLive.com:
"Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank's truck fleet grew by three trucks this week, thanks to a donation by Meijer Inc.
The refurbished trucks will help the Comstock Park-based food bank continue distributing food donations to more than 1,200 food pantries, soup kitchens and homeless shelters from Berrien County through the Upper Peninsula.
Meijer has given 10 semi-trucks and 20 trailers this year to food banks in the Midwest.
Since 2010, Meijer has donated 60 trucks and 20 trailers to food banks and other community partners.
The donation is part of the retailer’s continued commitment to supporting hunger relief initiatives in the communities it serves, the company said."

Political hack McCain promises that his hack cronies will lie their way through the primaries.--- "We'll Try to Pass Immigration Changes After GOP Primaries"

McCain: We'll Try to Pass Immigration Changes After GOP Primaries:
"Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) gave the clearest indication that proponents of comprehensive immigration reform may make their final--and strongest--push to get legislation passed next year after House Republicans make it through their primaries.
“I think conventional wisdom is that time is not on our side,” McCain told reporters on Monday after an event in Chicago.
“But there are a number of members of Congress who have primaries and when those primaries are done, they may be more inclined to address the issue of comprehensive immigration reform.”"

Our "betters" tell us that just a bit more moolah in their pockets will fix this.......US adults score below average on worldwide test

US adults score below average on worldwide test - Yahoo News: " It's long been known that America's school kids haven't measured well compared with international peers. Now, there's a new twist: Adults don't either.

In math, reading and problem-solving using technology — all skills considered critical for global competitiveness and economic strength — American adults scored below the international average on a global test, according to results released Tuesday."

Media Malpractice, Chapter 12,894

Media Malpractice, Chapter 12,894 | Power Line:
A few months back we were treated to MSNBC identifying George Wallace as a Republican.
Yesterday, CBS News proved itself unable to distinguish J. Edgar Hoover from Herbert Hoover.  (See about the 21-second mark in the video below.  Hat tip: Ann Althouse.)
It’s a wonder they can still tell the Kennedys apart."

Obama's america workin' to emulate their heroes---- How Adolf Hitler Prevented 'Subject Races' from Possessing Arms

How Adolf Hitler Prevented 'Subject Races' from Possessing Arms:
"During a speech in 1942, Adolf Hitler said, "The most foolish mistake we could possibly make would be to allow the subject races to posses arms."
In other words, Jews and others whom Hitler wanted to wipe from the earth first had to be separated from their guns.
This was not new position for Hitler.
Rather, it was something he had put into practice from the moment he came into office.
When Adolf Hitler came to power in 1933, he seized gun registration information that had been compiled by Germany's previous government under the premise that the information would not fall into the wrong hands or be used for an all-out confiscation scheme.""

Oh, the humanity! Food stamp benefits are dropping; use our database to see the impact in your county

Food stamp benefits are dropping; use our database to see the impact in your county | MLive.com

10 Best European Castles You Can Visit

10 Best European Castles You Can Visit - SmarterTravel.com:

Get government out of my pocket! ----Michigan lawmakers consider decriminalizing ticket scalping

Michigan lawmakers consider decriminalizing ticket scalping | MLive.com:
"LANSING — Michiganders could resell tickets to sporting events and concerts for more than face value under a bill introduced Tuesday in the state House."

They could be drugged out and STILL collect my tax dollars?!!! ---Snyder signs law to end jobless aid to drug users

Snyder signs law to end jobless aid to drug users | WOOD TV8:
"LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has signed a law denying unemployment benefits to job seekers who fail company drug tests.
The measure signed Tuesday is part of a package that gives the state more flexibility to reclaim fraudulent payments.
Most bills bring Michigan in line with federal requirements, though the drug-testing law is separate.
The drug-testing law is in effect for one year as a pilot program.

$70,000/yr PLUS full retirement?!!!!-------Mona Shores, Fruitport pay retired curriculum director $500 per day for principal coaching

Mona Shores, Fruitport pay retired curriculum director $500 per day for principal coaching | MLive.com:
"MUSKEGON, MI -- Mona Shores and Fruitport school districts are continuing to "share" their former curriculum director though she officially retired in August, with each district paying her $500 per day for a few days of work each month.

Camille Gabris will work as a privately contracted "principal coach" for the two districts. Because she retired, allowing her to collect her pension from the state of Michigan, she has to abide by strict rules regarding how much she can continue to work.

The Fruitport school board on Monday agreed to contract with Gabris for $500 per day at an annual cost not to exceed $35,000. Mona Shores has a similar arrangement, said Mona Shores Superintendent Dave Peden. It is expected that Gabris will work about four days a month at each district."

Shocker! Highest paid and they're still sh!theads! -------Study: D.C. Residents ‘Least Agreeable’ in U.S.

Study: D.C. Residents ‘Least Agreeable’ in U.S. | CNS News:
"A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology on Oct. 14 found that residents of the District of Columbia were the “least agreeable” in the United States, scoring a low 21.4 on the Agreeableness scale, followed by New York and New Hampshire."

This morning's greeting from Obama's america.....

LOL! 13 Only In AMERICA Pics!!!

#2 SO TRUE!!!:

It's the culture stupid! -----L.A. fights plague of garbage in central city neighborhoods

L.A. fights plague of garbage in central city neighborhoods - latimes.com:
"Focusing on Westlake and Pico-Union, a $1-million effort tries to clean up the wrappers, fliers and discarded furniture littering the streets — and the attitudes of people who dump.
... Much of the focus is on the immigrant-heavy neighborhoods of Westlake and Pico-Union just west of downtown.
..."What we're trying to do is change the culture of the place," Cedillo said. 
"To keep people from setting their sofas and mattresses on sidewalks, to stop them from tossing their hot dog and burrito wrappers on the floor."