Growing the EPA

Well, at least there might be some job creation by the Obama Administration.

In order to enforce the new draconian greenhouse gas laws (in which carbon, a gas that occurs natural in our atmosphere) the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) might need to create more 230,000 new positions.  By-the-by, the EPA will also require an additional $31 billion in funding to enforce these new regulations.

Several left-wing media centers got their back up and tried to refute the EPA was going to hire 230,000 new workers. They failed. Nowhere in their articles do they touch on the point that while the EPA may not hold a massive “hiring day”, ignoring the point that the hiring will most likely occur over several years as the regulations take hold and enforcement becomes more prevalent.

Due to the complexity of enforcing what just might turn out to be the unenforceable, the EPA has asked the courts if the new regulations could be phased in using the “tailoring rule” According to an article at the “Daily Caller”, the tailoring rules cannot be applied to the Clean Air Act, under which the EPA has been granted permission to regulate this naturally occurring gas.

And even if the EPA manages to convince a court to make an exception, it seems committed to regulating everyone – at the full $21 billion cost – at some point down the road. “[T]he Tailoring Rule,” EPA writes in its brief, “is calculated to move toward eventual full compliance with the statutory threshold.” EPA adds that it intends to get there “as quickly as possible.” At present, the EPA is under a deadline to get it done by 2016. (Source: Daily Caller)

According to the brief filed by the EPA:

After considerable study and receipt of public comments, EPA determined that by phasing in the statutory thresholds, it could almost immediately achieve most of the emission benefits that would result from strict adherence to the literal 100/250 tpy threshold while avoiding the permit gridlock that unquestionably would result from the immediate application of that threshold. This phase-in process would also allow EPA time to develop streamlining measures that could eventually ease administration at the statutory thresholds. Thus, EPA promulgated the Tailoring Rule to phase in the applicability of these programs to GHG sources, starting with the largest GHG emitters. (Source EPA Brief) (Emphasis PACNW Righty)

See how in the brief they hedge their bets just a little with the phrase ‘that could eventually’? When was the last time anyone in the federal government, outside the military, had ever been able to streamline something? It is all about turf and who has the biggest. Streamlining means fewer people and smaller turf. You don’t think the 10 pound heads that are currently running the EPA aren’t thinking about increasing their turf? I have no doubt that the Obama’s cronies at the EPA are thinking “we now have 17,000 employees, imagine the control we could have if we had 247,000 employees.” Outside of the military that would make them the largest government agency. An employee base that large would make them nearly uncontrollable. Think for a minute: you are enjoying your Saturday evening cookout and suddenly out of your rose bushes pops the EPA Carbon Regulation Enforcement and Engagement Patrol (CREEP). That has to send a thrill up the leg of some current EPA administrators.

Obama Care to SCOTUS

In a move that was probably not unexpected in some quarters, the Department of Justice has asked the Supreme Court to review the Affordable Health Care law (Obama Care).

President Obama is taking a sizable risk asking the SCOTUS, through the DOJ, to review the decision of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeal. In that decision the 11th ruled the “must purchase insurance” individual mandate is unconstitutional. Obama’s risk comes because he is asking the SCOTUS to rule on his one and only piece of legislation of any significance. If the SCOTUS rules that the mandate is constitutional, then Obama can rack that up a big win and campaign on how he is allowing even more people to suckle at the teat of government. If he loses, he runs the risk of his one landmark piece of legislation being rendered moot. This would more than likely end any serious run for a second term (we can only hope).

Stephanie Cutter, Deputy Senior Advisor the President Obama, posted this on her White House blog:

Just as challenges to the Social Security Act, the Civil Rights Act, and the Voting Rights Act all failed, challenges to health reform are failing as well. The Administration has already prevailed in cases heard in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and the FourthCircuit Court of Appeals. (Source: White House)

Well, why don’t we take a very quick gander at these rulings they feel are precedent. First of all, none of these laws and subsequent judgments were laws that dictated inactivity. In essence, the individual mandate requires people to participate, i.e. purchase insurance. This is the first time in our history anyone has actually required someone purchase something. While the White House points out the Social Security Act passed all legal challenges, remember that it passed through a SCOTUS that was packed with FDR appointees. You think those judges were going to go against a president that appointed them? In the case of the Civil Rights and Voting Acts, these did not require people to move from inaction to action. It required a change in action (the right to vote in federal elections and the stopping legalized discrimination). Totally different ball game.

The bottom line here is that the individual mandate requires people to purchase something. It is no different if the federal government said we had to buy a GM car. The Commerce Clause of the 10th Amendment prevents the government from dictating our purchase choices.

Corn Maze for Blondes

Found this on my Facebook page, then elsewhere. Gonna give credit here.

Beyond funny

More Peace and Love from the Left

Time and time again the left and their lackeys in the lame stream media have said the rhetoric and actions from the right are violent or promote violence. It is a narrative they keep pounding at that those who don’t care to educate themselves actually believe the right is a violent group of people. Yet they have no proof.

Yet time after time, it is the left that has the market cornered on violence and violent rhetoric. Shall we review?

The Longshoreman’s strike in Longview WA. Gate guards held hostage, equipment destroyed, threats of violence made towards law enforcement, etc. The funniest part of this is that this union was violently protesting against another union.

A union thug attacks a 5’-1” young woman, pushing her. The young woman was being physically assaulted for being part of the “violent” Tea Party. The irony drips.

SEIU thugs attack and beat Kenneth Gladney, a man selling Tea Party materials outside a convention center. The oddest thing about this attack on Gladney, a black man, by progressive, the supposed protectors of the under-privileged, is that he wasn’t even a Tea Party member, but an entrepreneur working hard to make a buck. You should read some of the rhetoric that came out after the beatings. One NAACP leader called Gladney an “Uncle Tom.”

See a good video after the break.

Amazon is Hot

If I am not mistaken, Amazon is a fairly large contributor to liberal and progressive causes. They are based nearby in Seattle, so it would stand to reason their policy politics would lean left.

I bring this up because there is a story coming out of Allentown, PA, that does not shine a very positive light on a company that is most likely left-leaning. Supposedly, and by their own admission, the left/progressive/democrats are the party of the working people. Consequently you would think that a company that leans left would also be a company of the “working man”.

In Allentown, Amazon runs a distribution warehouse for the books and CDs they sell on line. This past summer, numerous complaints were filed with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) by both workers and outside agencies due to several heat-related injuries, some of which required hospitalization. Several workers filed complaints because working conditions were extremely hot, causing some workers to pass out. Even a local hospital noticed the trend and also filed a complaint.

In June, Amazon workers complained about working conditions to federal regulators who monitor workplace safety.

…

On June 2, a warehouse employee told OSHA the heat index hit 102 degrees in the warehouse and 15 workers had collapsed. The employees also complained that workers who had to go home due to heat symptoms received disciplinary points. (Source: Seattle Times)

Things got so bad that Amazon was forced to hire a paramedic team to be on standby at the warehouse to treat workers overcome by the heat.

To their credit, Amazon did take steps to mitigate the issues, but only after the feds got involved. So much for supporting the “working man.”

Calm and Coolness by the Left (Again!)

How can people from the left be so vile yet still think they are better and smarter than folks on the right.

A couple of nights ago, Bristol Palin confronted a man who called her mom “evil”, a “whore”, and Wasilla white trash.”

Video via The Blaze.

I continue to be mystified at just how low the folks on the left will comport themselves all to make a case against people and policies they disagree with. The guy in the video has fallen into the gutter and is trying to drag all of those around him in with him.

WA Special Session on the Table

$1.3 billion.

In today’s budget numbers, at least on a national scale, that figure is not overwhelming, but on a state scale it is a crippling figure.

Due to continued slow economy Washington State revenue is expected to fall $1.3 billion short of projection, necessitating another round of budget cuts. This is after over $4.6 billion was cut from last year’s budget (WA works on a two-year budget cycle).

Governor Christine Gregoire is going to formally call for a special session of the state legislature to address this looming crisis,

Gregoire budget director Marty Brown said the governor is still finalizing the details of the session but will make a formal announcement Thursday morning. He and spokesman Cory Curtis said it is likely to begin at the end of November – after the state gets a new revenue forecast.

State officials projected last week that the state faces a $1.3 billion shortfall in the current budget cycle because economic conditions have not improved as initially anticipated, and that’s if the Legislature drains a rainy day fund and leaves no money left as a buffer. Lawmakers have talked about the need to prepare $2 billion worth of changes in a roughly $30 billion budget. (Source: Seattle PI)

The last round of budget cuts hit education and social services very hard and there may be little wiggle room this time around with out causing significant pain. GOP lawmakers have vowed to fight any tax increases, and while they are in the minority, the voter-approved need for a 2/3 majority to increase taxes works in their favor.

I foresee another round of very tough budget calls and more pain for nearly everyone in the state. While I certainly hope that taxes stay off the table, there appears to be a growing momentum for a raise in taxes.

SoCal City Too Big for its Britches

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

I have put the 1st Amendment to our Constitution as an opening for a very good reason. There is a small southern California community south of Los Angeles that thinks the US Constitution and subsequent rulings by the US Supreme Court doesn’t apply to them.

In the city of San Juan Capistrano, a couple has been fined $300 for holding a Bible study in their home, and are threatened with higher fines if they continue to host these gatherings. The city municipal code states that “religious, fraternal or non-profit” cannot gather in a residential neighborhood without a use permit. But there is a problem with this code. According to the Constitution, “…of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…” Yes, I am aware that the Constitution is a federal document regulating operations at the federal level, but there is precedence. The SCOTUS has ruled that the 14th Amendment applies to each state, including local governments. This city ordinance is prohibiting the free exercise of religion.

A Mini-Obama in Conn.

Another democrat politician paying back his union supporters. In Conn, the Governor has decreed through executive order that all daycare and homecare providers must join a union whether they want to or not.

The order, his ninth and tenth since taking office in January, will force the state’s 4,000 daycare providers to add over $1 million in dues to union coffers, and remove the right to secret ballot elections for these workers by instituting a card check process.

The governor said:

“I have said repeatedly that I believe in the rights of workers to organize and collectively bargain, and personal care attendants and family child care providers are often-times the hardest-working, and lowest-paid workers in our job force.’ said Governor Malloy. “These executive orders will enable them to being informal conversations with DSS and the Workforce Council immediately on quality-of-life issues, with an eye towards establishing formal collective bargaining rights in the future. It is important that those who care for our youngest and oldest citizens receive equitable pay and workforce security.” (Source: Big Government)

I find it interesting that democrats always seem to find rights where rights don’t actually exist. The right to health care, the right to a job, and now the right to collectively bargain. Would somebody please show me where in the Constitution or The Bill of Rights any of these “rights” actually exist.

Sounds like there is a mini-Obama in New England.

Tax Increase Only for the Rich? Not So Fast

It sure looks like President Obama is not only trying to dip his fingers into the pockets of the rich; he is also going after anyone who happens to fly a commercial airline.

When the leftist media highlighted some of provisions of Obama recently introduced deficit reduction plan, the focus was on how Obama plans to tax the rich. There were also mentions of how he wants to increase fees on those who fly private jets.

No one really bothered to mention that buried within his proposal was an increase on anyone who happens to fly. While it might not seem like much, Obama wants to double the “security tax” charged to all airline passengers. This fee was introduced to pay for increased security after the tragic and murderous events of 9/11.

I do realize that two dollars and fifty cents isn’t really all that much and it is Pollyanna-projected to raise $24.9 billion over ten years, but I do have a problem giving this money to the feds. Basically, this increased tax removes nearly $25 billion from the economy over the next ten years.

Think about this for a moment. If you had $2.50 in your pocket, do you think you or the government could spend it better? I think I could do a better job stimulating the economy with that $2.50. For example, I could purchase a 20 oz bottle of Pepsi (the nectar of the gods, BTW). Spending that $2.50, someone has to bottle that Pepsi, then someone has to transport that Pepsi, and then someone has to sell me that Pepsi, and finally someone has to pick up the recycling bin that I throw the empty Pepsi bottle into. In spending $2.50, I have “created or saved” four jobs. Based on my track record as compared to President Obama, I think I have done a better job at stimulating the economy.

Weatherization Program Fail Hits Illinois

Is this piece of news really very surprising to you? It seems that the stimulus program to weatherize homes continues to be an abject failure. Last spring I bloggedabout how the weatherization program in Delaware suffered from corruption and mismanagement.

Now Illinois has gotten into the act of not properly utilizing your federal tax dollars.

In total, the stimulus program allocated about $5 billion to the cause of home weatherization, outfitting homes with the latest green technology in order to reduce energy prices.

It’s now three years later, and it appears the weatherization program has gone down a road of waste, fraud and abuse.

Illinois’ share of the weatherization program was $242 million over three years, with a goal of weatherizing 27,000 homes for $9,000 each.

…

Despite the generous weatherization stimulus, the Illinois legislature decided to create its own, state-run program. Thus, in 2009, the Urban Weatherization Initiative was created, with $425 million to spend over five years. (Source: The Daily Caller)

Unions Bilk Chicago

While this story here doesn’t exactly rate a corruption notice, the fact that former city employees who took on union leadership jobs and are now getting their pensions paid by the city at a rate tied to their union leadership jobs, is worthy of a holy crap.

Several years ago in the city of Chicago, a pension law was passed that enabled people who were employed by the city and then took on a union leadership jobs to get their pensions paid based on the salary they received while working for the unions. Keep in mind that the union jobs paid nearly three times what the city job held.

At some point in time, a group of these union leadership pukes had to be sitting around thinking about how they could bilk the city and state out even more money.

“Hey Joe, You know that little cottage up on Lake Geneva you’ve had your eye on for the past several years?”

“Yeah, I kind of forgot about it, there is no way I could afford it, especially after I retire.”

“What if I could come up with a way to make that cottage possible?”

“You got something cooking?”

“Yep! Right now we are union delegates, right? And we are making money hand over fist, right? And our union has every democrat in our pocket and almost every Republican too, right? So I was thinking that maybe we should get these guys to tie our pension plans to what we make as union delegates.”

“But as union delegates, we don’t work for the city.”

“Yeah, but once our time is done as delegates or if we decide to quit, we get our old jobs back, right? So, in a way, we are still employed by the city.”

“So, you think you could convince our politicians to tie our retirement benefits to our union salary? We are making three times our city salary. How are you going to convince them to do that?”

“It won’t be hard. We can send a few to Vegas on a ‘fact-finding trip’ to the Kit-Kat Club. And don’t we have something that needs looking into in Hawaii?”

“So, what color do you think I should paint the cottage?”

When it is all said and done, the city may be on the hook for more than $56 million to 23 retired city/union employees.

Liberato "Al" Naimoli, president of the Cement Workers Union Local 76. He retired last year from a $15,000-a-year city job that he last held a quarter-century ago. Today, Naimoli receives more than $13,000 a month from the city laborers' pension fund even as he continues to earn nearly $300,000 annually as president of Local 76. His city laborers' pension will pay him about $4 million during his lifetime, according to a Tribune/WGN-TV analysis based on the funds' actuarial assumptions.

James McNally, vice president of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150. He receives nearly $115,000 a year even though at the time he retired, in 2008, he had not worked for the city in more than 13 years. He was only 51 when he started collecting a city pension. By the time he turns 78, he will have received roughly $4 million from the city laborers' fund. (Source: The Chicago Tribune)

These are just a couple of examples. Can you imagine that? $56 million could be paid to 23 people. This is outrageous. And the worst part? At this time, nothing can be done since the Illinois state constitution does not allow laws to be changed that would diminish a pension.

The NLRB is at it Again

Want more proof that the Obama Administration is in the union’s back pockets (Click here)? The National Labor Relations Board is putting together a policy that would publish the names and addresses of non-union members who are contracted to fill positions vacated by striking union workers.

At the link, the post gives you an opportunity to go to the NLRB’s comment site and leave a comment of support or non-support of this new policy. I did leave a comment. But the scary thing is they want your address. I will not be surprised if I receive some form of harassment because of my actions.

The Chicago Way

Very good run down of way the whole Solyndra fiasco has its roots in Chicago-style politics and kickbacks.

The democratic machine in Illinois is one of the most corrupt institutions in America (the Republicans aren’t without their trouble either) and Obama cut his teeth here. Is it any surprise that this administration is so corrupt?

Obama and More Taxes, Updating Previous Post

Unless you were on vacation in Ulan Bator, Outer Mongolia you heard that President Obama has finally decided to join the fray when it comes to getting control of the budget. See my post here if you haven’t already read it. As could be expected from a leftist, entitlements were pretty much left alone and Obama has fired the first salvo in the class warfare. Of course, he wants to raise taxes, what else would a progressive want to do? Reform entitlements? No Way! Gotta pander to the base.

Today, I thought I would throw around a few facts and figures to get everyone thinking about his proposal. I think most of this is old news to most of you, especially those who care to keep track of what is going on. For the lefties who stop by on occasion, you do need to see these numbers. Not that it is going to change your mind, but I thought you should know how we are going to counter your bleeding hearts.

The rich are already paying WAY more than the middle class and the poor. As pointed out above, the poor pay no taxes and lots of middle class don’t either.

The 10 percent of households with the highest incomes pay more than half of all federal taxes. They pay more than 70 percent of federal income taxes, according to the Congressional Budget Office. (Source: Yahoo News)

Hey Mr. President, let’s do the math. 90 percent of Americans pay 30 percent of the taxes. That 90 percent probably includes Buffet’s secretary.

Speaking of Warren’s secretary, it is possible that she paid more taxes than Mr. Buffett did.

There may be individual millionaires who pay taxes at rates lower than middle-class income workers. In 2009, 1,470 households filed tax returns with incomes above $1 million yet paid no federal incomes tax, according to the Internal Revenue Service. But that’s less than 1 percent of the nearly 237,000 returns with incomes above $1 million. (Source: Yahoo News)

Could it be that Mr. Buffett has a better tax accountant than is secretary? Or maybe he derives his money, not from a paycheck, but in the form of dividends, which are taxed at 15 percent.

Mr. Buffett, if you are feeling blue about your secretary having to pay more in taxes than you do, then maybe you need to reduce your paycheck down to her pay level. Better yet, why not increase her pay to a million a year? Then she could pay the same taxes as you do.

Here is something I want all of you think about, especially if you are a believer in redistribution of wealth through force (i.e. the tax code)

This year, households making more than $1 million will pay an average of 29.1 percent of their income in federal taxes, including income taxes, payroll taxes and other taxes, according to the Tax Policy Center, a Washington think tank.

Households making between $50,000 and $75,000 will pay an average of 15 percent of their income in federal taxes.

Lower-income households will pay less. For example, households making between $40,000 and $50,000 will pay an average of 12.5 percent of their income in federal taxes. Households making between $20,000 and $30,000 will pay 5.6 percent. (Source: Yahoo News)

I do realize some people are scratching their heads and saying, “how come I have taxes taken out of my paycheck every two weeks if I’m not paying taxes?” What you have to do is take a look at your tax filing every April. While it is true that the poor and many in the middle class do have taxes taken out just like those filthy stinkin' rich people, the poor and the middle class get it all back and often times more, than what they paid over the year.

Obama Deficit Reduction: Long on Taxes, Short on Cuts

For the past two and half years, President Obama has danced around the whole tax increase platform. It has been mentioned several times, but nothing concrete has ever been proposed. In fact, when he actually had a chance to raise taxes on the wealth, he chickened out, seeing how the left took an absolute bath in the 2010 election cycle.

Well, it looks like the dancing is done and the gloves have come off. President Obama has finally proposed a significant tax increase on the wealthy in an attempt to whittle away at the $14 trillion deficit.

In this proposal, which will more than likely be DOA at arrival in House, he wants to raise taxes on those making more than $1 million a year. His goal is to keep the rich from paying fewer taxes than folks in the middle class.

I wonder if he is aware that 48% of all Americans, including a sizeable percentage of the middle class, don’t even pay taxes. And I know there is no way that he is not aware that the top two percent pay more than 40 percent of all taxes received by the federal government.

His whole fair-share shtick, exposed by “Joe the Plumber” back during the campaign is beginning to wear a little thin. All he is interested is redistribution of wealth. As long as he continues to pay lip service to entitlement reform, all he is trying to do is take money for the rich and give it to the poor. And like Robin Hood did back in Sherwood Forest, he is going to use force to make this happen. While the method of taking from the rich will be different, government power vs. a bow and arrow, the result for refusal will be the same.

And you really have to wonder about the people who are providing his advice. Why would these people tell him that it will be OK to raise taxes on job providers, especially when it looks like second round of the recession is on the way?

Chevy Volt and Solyndra Linked?

Good story about how the Chevy Volt could be the car version of Solyndra.

A couple of years back, as President Obama was getting settled into the oval office, he entertained some sales pitches for federal money (your tax dollars) from the stimulus program to fund “green agenda” projects. One of those companies that reaped the taxpayer windfall was Solyndra: to the tune of half a billion dollars ($500+ million).

The sales pitch from the company to Obama, and Obama’s to the American people, was this green project was the wave of the future for creating jobs. Green technology was the way out of the recession, we were told. Never mind that it was an utter failure in other countries, the greenies just had to have these projects funded, dang the torpedoes. To give credit where credit is due, the $500+ million dollars did create about a 1,100 jobs. But I also must point out these jobs cost us taxpayers about $500,000 per job.

Well, Solyndra has fallen flat on its face, entering bankruptcy processing, and laying off about 1,000 workers (the remaining 100 are there to close up shop, and then they too will be without a job). So, we spent a half a billion dollars to create 1,100 temporary positions at a cost of $500,000 per job with only an empty solar panel factory and an increase in unemployment to show for the taxpayers funded efforts. File this under Epic Fail.

Obama Awards MoH

Hopefully you are aware that a Marine Corporal was awarded our nation’s highest honor for heroism, the Medal of Honor.

I will let you read the background and the narrative here. His actions, in keeping with the best traditions of our armed forces were totally selfless and without a second thought to what might happen to him.

In the video, the interviewee, Bing West, gives details into the mission and some of the events that took place. The video was swiped off the American Power Blog. Please support him by stopping by his site.

SAT Score Dips, Again

SAT reading scores dip

SAT Reading scores for graduating high school seniors this year reached the lowest point in nearly four decades, reflecting a steady decline in the subject on the college admissions test, the College Board reported Wednesday.

…

Nationally, the reading scores for the Class of 2011, including public- and private-school students, was 497, down three points from the previous year and 33 points from 1972, the earliest year for which comparisons are possible. The average math score was 514, down one point from last year but up five from 1972. (Source: Washington Post)

We continue to throw billions of dollars at educating our children and the rate of spending is only increasing yet we see a decline in the reading scores and only small increase in math. At what point to the progressives, who control our education, realize that all that money and all their curriculum is a complete failure? But maybe I have already answered my question. As long as the public at large remains stupid (in their minds), they population becomes easy to control and manipulate.

I’m not claiming a conspiracy, but when you consider how much money has been poured into education and test score digress there is something that needs to be looked at.

Obama for the Middle Class? Not So Much

President Obama and the democrats have always put out the narrative that they are the party of the working man, or middle class while denigrating Republicans as only for the rich. I must say that I do take exception to that kind of talk, especially when that sentiment is not supported in anyway except for the rhetoric.

Let’s take a look at a few “for instances” and see what we can come up with.

Republicans only care about the rich. The other day Rep Henry Waxman said that Jews are starting to move over to the Republicans, not because of Obama’s (and the progressives) fierce opposition to Israel’s right to exist and defend herself, but because they want to protect their wealth. See, Waxman thinks that Republicans are so protective of wealth that they will bury all other classes.

As I was reading that line, I couldn’t help but think that some of the richest men in this country are Obama supporters. Warren Buffet, of Berkshire-Hathaway, has towed the democrat line when it comes to taxes. He has said many times over that he supports an increase in taxes on the wealthy. If that isn’t a democrat platform, I don’t know what is. Steve Jobs, basically the founder of Apple, has many times expressed his support of Obama and his policies. Same thing with Bill Gates. Heck, Gates’ dad was the most visible supporter of an income tax on the wealth her in Washington State.

Democrats Say the Darnest Things

In case you are wondering how democrats feel about the latest news that has hit the wires recently here are a few links that might interest you.

1. I know most of you are aware of the solar energy company, Solyndra, who received over $500 million dollars (that half a billion), yet despite this huge infusion of tax payer money, they still went under. Congress has started to investigate what actually happened and if there was anything funny going on. Now Rep Dingell says, “I’m still waiting to see something that makes me concerned.”

Waiting for something that makes you concerned? What a knucklehead. It doesn’t concern him that $500 million in taxpayer money has basically been flushed down the drain? What is wrong with this guy? Well, dems never were very concerned about how taxpayer money gets spent as long as it gets them reelected. Actually, I think this runs in both parties.

2. Speaking of taxpayer money, there is a congress woman from Illinois that thinks that “you don’t deserve to keep all of it…” I know I could be accused of presenting this out of context and you should click the link to read the entire quote. But I have no issue pointing out that a democrat congress-critter thinks you don’t deserve the money you earn. And I have no problem speculating that fully thinks that she can spend your hard-earned dollars better than you can.

3. California democrat representative Henry Waxman is an idiot.

“I think Jewish voters will be Democrat and be for Obama in 2012, especially if you get a Republican candidate like [Texas] Gov. [Rick] Perry,” he said. “But there is no question the Jewish community is much more bipartisan than it has been in previous years. There are Jews who are trending towards the Republican Party, some of it because of their misunderstanding of Obama’s policies in the Middle East, and some it, quite frankly, for economic reasons. They feel they want to protect their wealth, which is why a lot of well-off voters for Republicans.” (Source: The Blaze)

Of course, the media will completely ignore this play on stereotypes. It is not OK and it is racist for a black man to disagree with President Obama, but a liberal Jew can say whatever he wants about fellow Jews, even to the point of throwing around stereotypes.

I would also like to point out that the leader of Israel has no question in his mind how Obama and his crew feel about Israel. I think that many Jews are finally beginning to see that democrats and especially progressives are in no why supportive of Israel and the Jews.

There are times when I just shake my head at some of the stupid things that democrats say. They have a huge foot-in-mouth problem. But it never seems to have an impact on how folks view them. With a friendly press protecting their flanks, they could say just about anything and get away with it, until now. With the proliferation of alternative media, no long are they able to hide. I will keep rooting for them to say stupid things and I will continue to highlight it when it comes to my attention.

Cantwell to Oppose Alaskan Mining Operation

One of my Senators, Maria Cantwell, is going to try and do her best to keep the economy from growing. Par for the course for a democrat.

As a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, she going to ask the EPA to utilize the Clean Air Act as a way to shut down a massive gold and copper mine currently applying for permits to extract these minerals from a region in Southwest Alaska, near Bristol Bay.

If this mine is allowed to open and operate in could create 1000’s of jobs in a region that is constantly searching for ways to improve job creation.

Cantwell’s opposition is mostly due to her fears that this project would have a serious impact on the Bristol Bay salmon fishery. She does have a point as this area is one of the richest salmon areas in the world. But the companies who want to operate the mines, Northern Dynasty Minerals and Anglo American, still have to get permits from 67 different agencies, each with their own special rules for environmental impacts.

At a time when jobs are hard to come by and minerals are becoming increasingly more expensive, it is hard to fathom that a Senator who wishes to remain in office would be opposed to a project that would sure to create jobs by the thousands. Of course, Cantwell doesn’t represent Alaska, so she really isn’t going out on a limb.

GOP Gains in the House

Two pieces of good news coming out of New York and Nevada.

Republican Mark Amodei beat democrat Kate Marshall by more than 20 points in a special election held in Nevada

In New York, Republican Bob Turner best democrat David Weprin. This Anthony “Special Tweet” Wiener’s old seat. This is considered an upset as the district has voted democrat for the past million or so years.

There are some who opining that Welprin lost the seat because the Jewish voters are starting to turn on the democrats. Adam Hasner who is a candidate for office in Florida had this to say:

“The results are also a clear message that the Obama administration’s deeply hostile policies toward Israel have electoral consequences, even in the safest of districts and in the bluest of cities. This further illustrates that Jewish voters, who have traditionally supported Democrats, are searching for alternatives to the politicians and policies that have strained the natural alliance between America and Israel.” (Source: Politico)

Can it be that the American people are finally waking up to the fact that democrat policy (with some help from a RINO or two) has driven our nation to the brink? Sure hope the momentum continues into 2012. We really need to gain control of the White House and the Senate.

Did Tea Party Cheer for Death?

If it turns out that Tea Party members cheered during the debate last night, I really might have to rethink my support. I am going to wait to see if maybe there was a plant in the audience like has occurred in other instances.

We need to enusre that we keep the upper hand when it comes to civility. The left's utter lack of civility is well chronicled here and elsewhere.

As expected, the left is beside themselves with gleeful comdenation. The comments section is absolute must read..

See the video here and you decide.

Right-to_Work Might Pass in Michigan

This little piece of news is going to get the unions in a lather. It is looking like the Michigan state Legislature is going to pass a law that would eliminate the requirement for teachers to join a union.

Chances look good for passage and enactment of legislation to provide right-to-work status for Michigan public school teachers. Under the measure, called the “Freedom to Teach Act.” Teachers would no longer be required to join or support a union as a condition of employment. (Source: Michigan Capitol Confidential)

And it would not surprise me if the National Labor Relations Board doesn’t try to get in on the act. Their non-support of right-to-work has been well documented by this blog.

An interesting point made in the article is that upwards of 40 percent of unionized teachers might opt-out if given the choice. I know there are many teachers who do not support causes supported by the unions, specifically union’s support to progressive and liberal candidates. When a person is forced to join a union, they have little to no say in how their union dues are spent, especially regarding the candidates supported by a union, which is almost always a democrat.

Sure would be nice to see right-to-work gain some momentum in other states.

God's Children

This was sent to me by a loyal reader. I hope you enjoy it.

To those of us who have children in our lives, whether they are our own, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or students…

Here is something to make you chuckle.

Whenever your children are out of control, you can take comfort from the thought that even God’s omnipotence did not extend to His own children.

After creating heaven and earth, God created Adam and eve.

And the first thing He said was: “DON’T!”

“Don’t What?” Adam replied.

“Don’t eat the forbidden fruit” God said.

“Forbidden fruit?”

“We have forbidden fruit?”
“Hey Eve, we have forbidden fruit!”

“No Way!”

“Yes, way!”

Do NOT eat the forbidden fruit!” said God.

“Why?”

“Because I am your father and I said so!” God replied, wondering why He hadn’t stopped creation after making the elephants.

A few minutes later, God saw His children having an apple break and he was ticked!

“Didn’t I tell you not to eat the fruit?” God asked.

“Un huh,” Adam replied.

“Then why did you?” said the Father.

“I don’t know.” said Eve.

“She started it!” Adam said.

“Did not!”

“Did too!”
“DID NOT!”

Having had it with the two of them, God’s punishment was the Adam and Eve should have children of their own. Thus the pattern was set and it has never changed.

The moral?

If you have persistently and lovingly tried to give children wisdom and they haven’t taken it, don’t be too hard on yourself.

If God had troubles raising children, what makes you think it would be a piece of cake for you?

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT:

1. You spend the first two years of their life teaching them to walk and talk. Then you spend the next sixteen telling them to sit down and shut up.

2. Grandchildren are God’s reward for not killing you own children.

3. Mothers of teens now know why some animals eat their young.

4. Children seldom misquote you. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn’t have said.

5. The main purpose of holding children’s parties is to remind yourself that there are children more awful than your own.

6. We childproof our homes, but they are still getting in.

Comment Response

While clicking through my local newspapers this morning, I came across this linked article. In it the writer makes his case for how the federal budget crisis we are currently under had its roots in the spending practices of the previous administration, while barely casting any blame on the current administration. As I read through his column, I began to formulate a response that I was going to post in the comments section. However, the more I wrote, the longer the response. So I decided rather than post it where my readers might not be able to find it, I will put my response here.

Enjoy

OK, decent article that has obviously been researched. But Talton, as a journalist you should that numbers and figures are journalism 102 (101 being who, what, when, where, and why (or how)). The statistics did make the point that spending is out of control, and the wars didn’t help matters.

They have been fought on credit (Iraq and Afghanistan). Instead, President George W. Bush pushed through tax cuts, heavily weighted toward the rich, that added another $1.8 trillion in red ink – and this was before their extension under President Obama last year.

You kind of forget to mention that the tax cuts that favored the rich also coincided with a nice long run of economic prosperity after the recession brought on by the 9/11 attacks. Gross domestic product had an average rate of just under 4% (this includes 2009 which really screwed up the curve). Our unemployment rate hovered near 5%. In terms of strict numbers, it is quite possible the tax cuts did cost the US Treasury $1.7 trillion dollars.

But why don’t we look at this from another direction. Each state in the Union collects taxes for the state coffers. Some states collects taxes through sales taxes, other through income taxes, while others still collect taxes using a combination of both. While this might be comparing Red Delicious Apples to Granny Smith Apples, I think it is worth exploring. During the recent economic downturn the state of Washington has come up close to $7 billion dollars short in tax revenue because of unemployment and people pinching their pennies. ($5.5B actual, $1.5B projected). At 6.7 million people, The Evergreen State has just over 2% of the US population. If we were to project out this $7 billion and 2%, we can come up with a possible state level revenue shortfall of somewhere near $330 billion. Keep in mind this is only state level revenue generation, which is typically lower than the federal government (except for maybe California and we’ve seen how well they’ve done with all that tax revenue).

Seattle Sick Leave To Pass on Monday

A few months back I posted a story about how the city of Seattle was considering mandating that employers who have operations within the city limits must provide a certain number of paid sick days. At the time it was only a proposal, and it wasn’t even certain there were enough votes to see it through.

The proposal was to force Seattle-area businesses to provide 5, 7 and up to 9 days of paid sick days. The sliding scale was to be based on the size of the business, with the larger the number of employees, the more paid sick days that would be required for the business to provide to the employees.

It now looks like the City Council has enough votes to make this a reality as six council members have stated they will support passage of the ordinance.

The Seattle City Council will vote at 2 p.m. Monday on a bill to require paid sick leave at all businesses with at least five full-time employees. Businesses with the equivalent of:

5 to 49 full-time employees would have to provide at least five days of paid sick per year. Sick leave would accrue at a rate of one hour for every 40 hours worked.

50 to 249 employees would have to provide at east seven days paid sick leave per year. Sick leave would accrue at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked.

250 or more employees would have to provide at least nine days sick leave per year. Sick leave would accrue at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked

Businesses less than 2 years old would be exempt. There would be a six-month waiting period before workers could start using their accrued paid time off (Source: The Seattle Times)

I still have an issue with a City Council dictating how a business is to be run and the benefits offered by those businesses. In a sense, this makes all employees part of a de-facto union, although there is no bargaining between the “union” and the employer. While unions do have some power, especially when they go on strike, they don’t have absolute power to dictate to businesses. There is some give and take between the employees and the employers. The City Council has completely skipped this give and take. Given the nature of City Council and the great Seattle area, this is not really surprising.

In the original Seattle Times article there were some quotes from folks that supported this measure including a small businesswoman;

Makini Howell, who runs the small vegan eateries Hillside Quickie and Plum Bistro, said she supports the legislation, because she doesn’t want her employees handling food while sick.

“All of us get sick. I can afford losing good employees,” she said. She added: “I don’t want to serve H1N1 with your fries.” (Source: Seattle PI)

My response back to her is that if she wants to offer up paid sick leave for her employees, then there is nothing stopping her. As far as I am aware, there is no Seattle city ordinance that says you cannot provide sick leave if you want. Why these people feel they have to force others is beyond me.

In a second post I mentioned that rather than using a blunt object (city ordinance) it might actually be better if they tried to get these businesses to initiate paid sick days voluntarily, which I suggested in an earlier post. What is wrong with using a carrot? Could none of these people on the council come up with some sort of incentive to offer paid sick leave, and then highlight them as a “preferred Seattle business”? I know none of my liberal readers will think this ordinance as forcing a business to do something, since it is all for the common good. But when you boil down the basics, this is forcing a business to do the City Council’s bidding through force of the law.

How the Stimulus has Worked. Not!

Very interesting charts on how the stimulus spending by President Obama and the democrat Congress has not lived up to the hype. Obama promised that unemployment was going to skyrocket unless these spending plans were passed.  Once passed, unemployment was not going to exceed 8% with the nearly $1 trillion in government (i.e. taxpayer) money.

These charts clearly show that unemployment exceeded those promises and it shows by how much.

Obama's Job Speech

Been watching the jobs speech by President Obama and there are a few things he said that stood out to me.

“…loyal to your company, that loyalty would be rewarded…” Does anyone think that maybe it was the workers who have lost their loyalty? Obama makes it seems as if this was a one-way street. I don’t see it that way. It goes both ways. When a worker thinks the job the company provides to them belongs to them (the individual), then loyalty begins to erode. When a worker show more loyalty to the union rather than the company that hired and provided them the job, then that loyalty has eroded. If I were a business owner, I too would feel I could do better overseas or just plain shuttering the doors.

His American Jobs Act is a boon-doggle from the word go. He said the Act would be paid for, but that was also said about the health care act and that has proven to be false, so I take this with a grain of salt. But his Act further proves that he actually has no idea how American businesses work. In the Act is a provision to give a $4,000 tax cut to any business who hires someone who has been unemployed and searching for a job for at least six months. Does he not understand that for an employer to hire someone it take WAY more than $4,000. On average, it takes about $60,000 to hire a worker who will make a little less than $40,000. That $4K is small potatoes.

“…we can restore the fairness…that has defined us from the beginning…” To someone like Obama and his supporters, fairness is just another is just another word for income redistribution. Be afraid, be very afraid.

Which segues very nicely with this little gem: “…should we keep tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires or should we put teachers back to work…?”  A few moments later he said this wasn’t class warfare. BS! He actually went about comparing those who makes tons of money living in gated communities with teachers, most likely a person who has had an impact on your life. If this wasn’t class warfare all dressed up for the dance, I don’t know what is. Plus he kind of left out the little nugget that he thinks those who make more than $250,000 are in the millionaire category. He wants to tax them right along with all these “rich people”.

I’d write more, but I can only listen to the guy for so long before I start to bang my head against a wall. And it now hurts. Have a great day and I’ll catch up with you tomorrow night.

Out of Reach Sales Goals

The goal is 500,000 by 2013. Based on the current numbers, it ain’t gonna happen.

Nissan Auto has a goal to have sold at least half a million Nissan Leafs annually by the year 2013. I guess that would be by the end of 2013. That gives them 15 months to rack up sales somewhere near 450,000. A remember, that 500,000 is an annual goal.

GM has expressed a similar, although not nearly as lofty, goal. GM’s goal is to sell 10,000 Volts in 2011 and 20,000 in 2012. Based on the current sales pace for 2011, they are going to fall well short of their 10,000. So far GM has sold approximately 3100 Volts (through Aug) and they are averaging about 400 sold each month (Jul and Aug sales numbers are off significantly). To reach the goal of 10,000 GM will have to sell roughly 6,900 units over the next four month. It ain’t gonna happen. They would need to sell over 1,700 Volts each month to reach the goal. That is quadruple the current rate of sales.

While Nissan has buried GM in this head to head competition, they too are not going to reach their goals. Sales of the Leaf would have to exceed 41.5K units per month. So far their best month is June with somewhere in the neighborhood of 1,700 Leafs sold. I know I am comparing this year’s sales numbers with next year’s projections, but something dramatic will have to happen to get sales even remotely close to the 500K projections based on this year’s numbers.

Union on Union Action (UPDATE)

See Update below the fold

Do we have the first incident of violence from the unions in response to Hoffa SOB comment? Longshoremen in Longview, WA (Just down the road from PACNW Righty) stormed a grain loading facility, taking security guards hostage, damaging railcars and other equipment, and threatening law enforcement officers with baseball bats.

OK, we have had many incidents of violence from union thugs, so it is quite possible we can’t lay the blame at Hoffa’s doorstep. But the timing does seem a bit odd. What I find even stranger, was these union protesters were protesting against other unions. Yes, you heard that right, the Longshoremen were taking out their rage against another union.

Despite a restraining order against the union, brought about by threats vocalized last week, the Longshoremen still were able to bring port operations to a halt.

Furthermore, Longshoremen actions have basically brought port operations to a halt in both Portland and the Puget Sound region.

I'd like to point out something here. These Longshoremen are acting if those jobs belong to them and the union. They are saying that it is their right to work at the port.. But it appears that the shipping company and the Port of Longview feel differently. As long as union members feel they work for the union and not the company that hired them, these troubles will persist. The jobs belong to the company that is providing them, not to the individual and to the unions.

UPDATE:

A Glimmer of Hope in Housing Market

Some good news in our local real-estate market: sales are expected to outpace last year, even though last year there were federally assisted incentives. Values remain stagnant however.

Given the current state of unemployment in Washington State and across the nation (9.3% and 9.1% respectively), I am not holding my breath this is the beginning of the long slog out of the housing recession. Oh, is the recession over? Well, I think you should ask the 25 million folks who are either unemployed or under-employed whether they thing the recession is over.

It is possible that home values have more of less reached a point where they really can’t drop any further unless the economy takes an even more dramatic turn for the worse. We might have reached the point where those that can afford to purchase a house have finally decided the bottom has been achieved or is in sight.