2010 Election, Organized Labor, Politics

Sen. Harry Reid’s Last Left Hook, Filibuster ‘Reform’

Lame Duck and current Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has one last Left Hook to add to his former boxing career. He just may attempt to reverse himself, and those in this video, regarding the filibuster by changing the rules in the senate to make it a simple majority.

While echos of the Nuclear Option are still bouncing around the halls, Democrats are just fit to be tied that some of their pay-back legislation was blocked by the filibuster. They would like to ‘fix’ that for the next Congress in ways that they know best. Just change the rules before they get there. The non-passage of their union-support program called Card Check, a Public Option for ObamaCare and Climate Change legislation really ticked them off. And lets not forget the Mexican Dream Act.

Considering how much pride Vice President Joe (BFD) Biden took in legislating against the will of the American people, slipping a few more goodies in on the last day in power could only be a bonus.

Link: Returning Democratic Senators Unanimously Push For Filibuster Reform | Filibuster Reform – “The Quest for Absolute Power” | RedState.

Economy, Politics

Joe Biden Sends His Congratulations

Vice President Joe (BFD) Biden sent out his congratulatory message to the eleven percent of the country that think we’re going in the right direction. Oh how easy it is to ignore the other eighty-nine percent of us. Here it is, with comments.

Ross —

Yeah, we’re on a first name basis.

I’ve been in Washington for almost 40 years. I’ve seen a lot of Congresses come and go. But I can’t remember a group of lawmakers who accomplished more than the folks who just wrapped up their work.

Replace ‘lawmakers’ with ‘lawbreakers’  or ‘pirates’ and he’d be more correct. They dispensed with the Constitution about two years ago.  What Joe really means is, ‘despite the will of the American people, we shoved government-run health care down their collective throat anyway. Aren’t we good?’

With their help, we repealed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and ratified the START arms control treaty. We passed a new law to rein in the abuses on Wall Street and protect consumers. We reformed the health care system and passed the Recovery Act to get our economy growing again.

And that’s all working so well isn’t it? No net increase in full-time jobs, unemployment still over 9.5%, with real unemployment north of 15%. Well, repealing Bill Clinton’s DADT is a plus.

But do you know why all that happened? Because people like you rolled up your sleeves, dug deep, and decided to make a difference. We had a dedicated group of lawmakers — no doubt — but they were supported every step of the way by folks from all across this country who were ready for change. People like you.

I know why. It happened because you decided not to listen to the American people and ram legislation through without reading it.  That’s why. And yes, eleven percent of the folks liked the idea of imposing ‘social justice’ throughout the land, like it or not. ‘Social justice’ does sound better than what it really means. Which is redistribution of wealth.

I know how much that means to me. And I can’t even begin tell you how much it means to the President.

Oh come on Joe. Give it a try.

So here’s the deal: President Obama wants to send you a note to express how grateful we are for all you did.  Would you like to receive one?

Ahhh, ‘the deal.’ No thanks Joe. I think that eleven percent figure is about right. But give the DNC credit for trying to demonstrate greater support than there really is with this mailing. Joe, don’t be surprised if most of those on your mailing list pass on this one.

Two years ago, we were staring into an abyss. The financial crisis was the worst this country has faced since the Great Depression.

So what’s your point? We still are, and it still is.

But this Congress passed the largest set of tax cuts for the middle class since President Reagan, the largest education reform since President Johnson, the largest infrastructure investment since President Eisenhower, and the largest clean-energy bill ever.

And, you also increased the size of government exponentially. But here again, I’ll give you credit for repealing Clinton a second time by keeping the tax rates where Bush ’43 left them instead of where Bill Clinton left them. But Joe, only in your mind does leaving the tax rates unchanged constitute a cut. Well, you and your boss, and apparently the DNC also pretend to believe it.

The ‘this Congress passed the largest set of tax cuts for the middle class’ part is a lie of whopper proportions. Joe, let me remind you of what your boss said about these Bush tax rates. He said that they were ‘tax cuts for the rich’ and ‘on the backs of the poor’ and were ‘destroying the middle class.’ Joe, the benefits of what actually were the Bush tax cuts have worn off years ago. In the last two or three years, we have lost millions of jobs with no signs of improvement. The FUD factor still reigns supreme. But here’s the good part, now President Obama says that these same tax rates that were destroying the middle class are not only good for the middle class, but will now create millions of jobs. This, after having already lost millions of jobs. Huh?

Everything else Congress did just grew government and increased our national debt. Something only a community organizer would or could be proud of.

Now — even though we still have a ways to go — the economy is growing again.

Not in the private sector Joe. Not in the private sector.

Prior to this Congress, lawmakers had talked about reforming health care for almost a century. But with the President leading the way, these folks went out, and — with you at their side — they did it. Now 32 million more Americans will have access to health coverage.

Just goes to show how when you are persistent enough, that even 60 years of the American people saying NO to government-run health care, and a Congress that won’t take NO for an answer, what one can accomplish. So 300 million Americans can pay more in every way including suborning their own health care responsibilities and decisions to the government so, allegedly, 32 million people can have some kind of health care. Amazing.

When we came into office, just about the entire country had come to realize that “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was wrong. More than 14,000 brave men and women had been discharged simply because of who they were. With your help, we struck down that law and made this country a more just place.

Good job. Funny though, that was one of the first things Bill Clinton did. Just don’t call our troops homophobes. And, no grab-ass on the battlefield. Talk about friendly fire.

Every lawmaker who worked to accomplish these things will talk about their votes — and the role they played in this progress — for years.

Legislating against the will of the American people is a big deal. Will probably never be forgotten. At least not by 2012.

The President and I take great pride in those achievements. But each one belongs to you. You believed in them, you fought for them, and we’re darn grateful.

No Joe. You and your Congress deserve all the credit.

So let the President send you a note to show our appreciation.

Sign up here:

http://my.democrats.org/ThankYouCard

Thank you — for everything,

Joe

Paid for and authorized by the Democratic National Committee bla bla bla ….. and bla.

And thank you Joe, for the opportunity to help you spread the word.

Links:  Bill Clinton Sends The Kid Off ‘Please Go’ From Presser |  Kill The So-Called Tax Cut Bill |  Obama To Focus On The Economy; Believe It, Or Not |  Congressional Performance

Economy, Florida, Pensacola

Any County Can Do It, Even Escambia

Now that the election is over, there still remains a solution that, whether implemented on the state level or the county level, can turn red ink into black. And it doesn’t come from taxing more or going further into debt. It is done by decreasing cost, with little effort and no sacrifice required. A novel idea for sure. And something that no one except economist Farid Khavari has thought of. Well, except for North Dakota, one of only two states with a surplus. They’ve been doing it for about 100 years and they only have a population of 672,591 people. His explanation below ought to be a challenge to our new state, county and city leaders to really think ‘outside the box’ and move our economy in the right direction.

Florida candidate for governor Farid Khavari shows you how in the article below. You can substitute Miami-Dade County for any county you want. It will work to our advantage. And by ‘our’ I mean, the government entity as well as the taxpayers. The progression goes like this; as the revenue increases, the taxes can be reduced. It’s just that simple. Download and read Zero-Cost Economy to find out how. The solution to our macro economic problem involves more than just our bank. But the public bank solution will go a long way in reducing our costs all by itself.

AN ECONOMIC SOLUTION FOR MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

by Farid A. Khavari, Ph.D., economist

Whether or not efforts to recall Miami-Dade County’s mayor and three commissioners succeed, MDC’s government must confront escalating unemployment, rampant foreclosures, declining property values and shrinking economic activity. Obviously, we cannot expect Washington or Tallahassee to save us. What we need are leaders and a coherent Economic Plan for Miami-Dade County’s future.

Miami-Dade County’s government faces the same insurmountable problem as a typical family today: costs are rising faster than income. When a family must pay higher costs for interest, taxes, insurance, energy, medical care, food and clothing, first they can cut back and reduce their quality of life. Eventually, the family will end up in debt and destitute. A county government can also cut back on services and employees. Of course, a county government can raise taxes to increase its income.

However, raising tax rates on declining property values and shrinking economic activity is a temporary fix at best. In the long term, it can only lead to more unemployment and further erosion of the tax base. This creates more need for county services as revenues dry up, clearly an unsustainable situation.

Simply put, anywhere you look, there is just not enough money.

Fortunately, there is a permanent solution to Miami-Dade County’s economic problems which will also benefit every county resident and make Miami-Dade County recession-proof forever. The solution includes reducing reliance on tax revenues, while lowering and finally eliminating property taxes by 2015. MDC’s government can earn more revenue than ever before, by providing services which lower the costs of living for its residents.

The results of this solution will be massive job creation without subsidies, a stable and affordable housing market, and unprecedented prosperity as everyone’s costs of living are reduced. MDC will have a permanent budget surplus without cutting jobs or salaries.

The cornerstone of this solution is to create the Bank of Miami-Dade County, owned by the county and operated for the benefit of the people of MDC. This bank can be established at no cost to the taxpayers, and earn billions of dollars per year for MDC’s treasury, while saving MDC residents even more billions per year in interest costs.

A publicly-owned bank is not unprecedented. The State of North Dakota has owned a bank since 1918. North Dakota has the lowest unemployment in the U.S. (less than 4% compared to MDC’s 13+%), and a budget surplus of over $1 billion, because they do not rely on Wall Street for money. MDC can do even better.

Under the same Fractional Reserve regulations that govern all banks, the Bank of Miami-Dade County can create $900 of new money through loans, for every $100 of new deposits. Since the BMDC will not be encumbered by massive derivatives liabilities and bad loans, and will operate for the benefit of the people of MDC rather than Wall Street—the BMDC can make substantial profits by paying higher rates for deposits than it charges for loans. Thus we can have:

4% Certificates of Deposit, 6% for long-term IRA’s

2% fixed rate, 15-year mortgages (new and refinance) for MDC residents and businesses

6% credit cards

3% car loans

3% business and construction financing

2% student loans (new and refinance)

2% alternative energy loans

2% financing/refinancing for MDC government and school projects

and more.

Note that in the extreme case of paying 6% for deposits, and charging only 2% for loans, the bank can earn $12 per year for every $100 of deposits ($900 x 2%= $18, less $6 for the deposit).

If we consider just the County’s own receipts as deposits for the bank, over $70 BILLION in new money can be created and earn at least $2 BILLION per year for MDC’s treasury. At the same time, MDC’s people and businesses would save at least $4 billion per year in interest expenses, which is $4 billion more that will stay in MDC to drive the economy. This is $4 billion PER YEAR added directly to the net worth of MDC citizens.

This additional $4 billion per year can create $36 billion per year in new money, earning another $1.5 billion for MDC’s treasury.

Most deposits cost a bank nothing. But to build up real wealth for MDC’s people and the treasury, the bank can pay above-market rates for savings. By attracting only 10% of the deposits already in banks in MDC, the BMDC can create another $90 billion in new money, ENOUGH TO PROVIDE A $100,000 2%/15-YEAR MORTGAGE LOAN FOR EVERY HOUSING UNIT IN DADE COUNTY. This would earn MDC’s treasury another $1 billion per year. At the same time, the homeowners would save over $2.5 billion per year in interest. That money contributes directly to the net worth of MDC citizens and stays in MDC to drive the economy.

Earnings from the bank can replace property tax revenues for MDC. Starting with pro-rata property tax rebates in the first year, then lower tax rates combined with rebates, BY 2015 MDC’S PROPERTY TAXES CAN BE ELIMINATED.

The result of the foregoing will be 150,000 new jobs in MDC within three years. This eliminates unemployment in MDC. These jobs will be created by the private sector, without subsidies. Within six years, those new jobs will have created 100,000 more.

It seems obvious that 2% mortgages would save everyone money, create employment and boost the housing market. However, in light of recent history, it is natural to assume that 2% mortgages would cause another housing bubble. In fact, 2% fixed rate/15 year mortgages would do exactly the opposite, creating stability and affordability in housing. Prices will stabilize at levels which are affordable to buyers and profitable for builders.

The reason is simple. While a 2%/15 year mortgage will save over 75% of the interest compared to a 5%/30 year loan, the monthly payment is slightly higher on the 2% loan due to the shorter term. This limits the price of a home for which a buyer’s income qualifies. At the same time, low construction interest rates mean the builder can earn more money offering a better house for a lower price. Further, since the average interest cost on a 2%/15 year loan (due to the rapid principle reduction) is only 1% per year, home prices will remain stable long-term for future generations of home buyers.

There are much more important long-term economic benefits from 2%/15-year mortgages. To begin with, a family will save about $150,000 in interest per $100,000 of mortgage amount, and own their home 15 years sooner. This means that after 15 years, the monthly amount that would have been paid for the next 15 years for a 30-year mortgage is available for spending or investment. This can result in $250,000 in extra retirement savings.

Further, with a 2%/15-year loan, 11% of the principle balance is paid in the first two years. This effectively creates enough reserves to make another mortgage loan of the same size. This makes the 2%/15 mortgage plan self-sustaining.

Creating the Bank of Miami-Dade County will cost taxpayers NOTHING. Using the bank’s earnings to replace property-tax revenue returns $billions per year to the people and economy of MDC. Operating the bank for the benefit of the people saves more $billions per year for the people and economy of MDC.

MDC will never face a deficit again. MDC will be recession-proof forever. Unemployment in MDC will be the lowest in the world. MDC’s people will enjoy prosperity and financial security unparalleled in the United States. Miami-Dade County will be a model for the entire United States.

Farid A. Khavari, Ph.D., is a noted economist and author of nine books, including the classic Environomics and his latest, Toward a Zero-Cost Economy. He was a candidate for Florida governor on the 2010 ballot. His proposal to create a state-owned bank in Florida was adopted by gubernatorial candidates (including Democrats and Republicans) in seven states. Dr. Khavari has lived in Miami since 1977. For more information, see www.zerocosteconomy.com.

Politics

Kennedy Retirement From Congress Leaves A Family Void

Darrell West, vice president and director of governance studies at the Brookings Institution, said it has become more difficult over the years for Kennedy family members to extend their brand of liberalism outside the Northeast.

“As the country has grown more conservative,” West said, “it’s been harder for the Kennedys to win elective office.”

Link:  Kennedy Retirement From Congress Leaves A Family Void

War On Terror

Ham Traumatized Muslim

Imagine being in your 9th grade geography class and talking about different climates associated with different locations. Like what happened in a school in Spain recently.

The teacher was giving a normal lesson about the different climates on our planet, and he used the locality of Trevélez [Granada] as example of a cold and dry climate. For an anecdote, the teacher explained that precisely this climate was best for the curing of hams. Then the student demanded of the teacher, “Don’t speak about hams,” because this subject was offensive for him as he is a Muslim.

This is going way beyond political correctness.  There seems to be some kind of new Muslim supremacy being taught nowadays that kids would even think of such an absurd claim.

I wonder if we’re not looking at the Muslim version of the KKK?

Which picture is more offensive to you?

This

or this?

Link: Spanish Muslim Traumatized by Ham.

Update: 16:04, There’s show on the travel channel right now about bacon. I think it’s called ‘Bacon Paradise.’ Ahhh. Fit for a Prophet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPVThKHglqo&feature=colike

Florida, Politics

2010 Census Adjusts Representation

The purpose of the census, done once every ten years, is to make adjustments in the House of Representatives to assure accurate representation in Washington based on population of the states. This interactive map provided by the Census Bureau illustrates the population shift for the last hundred years.

Census Bureau Director Robert Groves gave the highlights.

“This 2010 census population represents a growth of 9.7 per cent over the official population count of 2000.”

“As you know the constitutional purpose of the census is the redistribution of the membership of the House of Representatives across states proportional to the population,” continued Groves. “Since 1940 the law has specified that the Census Bureau use the method of equal proportions to assign seats to the states.”

Pointing out the trend since 1940 that N.E. and Midwestern states lose seats, and South and Western states gain seats (creating a net shift of 79 seats) Groves went on to prove this decade as no exception. This decade’s population spread will see a 12-seat shift with eight states gaining representatives, 10 states losing seats. Texas benefits most with a gain of four seats.

Link: U.S. Census Bureau Announces 2010 Census Population Counts

Uncategorized

2011 Mummers Parade On The Internet

Just received word from WPHL-TV 17 in Philly. They plan on webcasting the major categories on a 1-hour delay like they did last year. That worked out pretty well last year.

In a message from Trevis Brower, Manager of Promotions & Production at PHL, he said . . .

Ross, the parade will be clipped out on myphl17.com on an approximate 1 hour delay.  You will be able to see the performances of the comics, fancies, string bands, and fancy brigades as individual clips on our Mummers players.

Or you can like us on Facebook and receive updates on when the individual performances are uploaded to the site.  Thanks for watching.

Merry Christmas y’all (that’s the southern lingo) or yooze guys, and Happy New Year. Will be watching the Mummers with you, wherever you are.

Order of march for the Mummers parade:

1. Pennsport
2. Fralinger
3. Woodland
4. Broomall
5. South Philadelphia
6. Durning
7. Greater Kensington
8. Aqua
9. Polish American
10.Trilby
11. Uptown
12 .Hegeman
13. Duffy
14. Quaker City
15. Avalon
16. Greater Overbrook
17. Ferko

Link: WPHL-TV 17 Mummers Parade

Economy, Europe, Immigration, Media, Politics

Obama To Focus On The Economy; Believe It, Or Not

Breaking news from the Associated Press, ‘Obama pledges economic focus during next 2 years.’ Sounds eerily similar to his presidential campaign doesn’t it?  Two years later, there remains only a marginal, if any, net increase in full-time permanent jobs, and unemployment is still going up.

Providing zero analysis, not only is this story nothing more than a press release from Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, but it is apparent that the Associated Press has no memory of its own either.

‘What do you mean no memory?’ you ask?

Aug. 1, 2009 – May 7, 2010: “I Will Not Rest . . .”

Dec. 4, 2009: Obama puts renewed focus on job creation

Jan. 21, 2010: Obama to focus hard on economy after Democratic loss

Dec. 22, 2010: Obama pledges economic focus during next 2 years

That President Obama is still working on the economy is evident. What is becoming more evident is that the American people mistakenly thought he was going to create jobs and stimulate the economy. Unfortunately, his goal to ‘remake America’ is a longer term project.

He must first dismantle our free-market economy which necessitates unemployment going higher, which necessitates unemployment compensation going longer, which creates a growing population (not counting millions of undocumented Democrats from Mexico) more dependent on the government. That, coupled with more industries coming under the control of the federal government and viola, we’ll be just as broke and socialist a nation as any one in Europe. Under Obama, the days of unemployment under 5 percent are over and gone. The new norm will be somewhere between 10-15 percent. And if he can do it in one term, all the better. To him, that would be Mission Accomplished.

How long does it take before hearing what you want to hear takes a back seat to seeing the results that you want to see?

Uncategorized

aSide Order

Take a look back to what it might have been like if Joseph and Mary had some of today’s social networking technology.

The younger folks may not know of Buddy Hackett, but his comedic genius in telling jokes is evident in this clip from an appearance on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. A city guy and a farmer settle an argument ‘country style.’

A car of the future? Maybe so. But certainly it is the energy source of the future. Or at least one of them.

It was entertainment night at the Senior Center.

Claude the hypnotist exclaimed: “I’m here to put you into a trance; I

intend to hypnotize each and every member of the audience.”

The excitement was almost electric as Claude withdrew a beautiful

antique pocket watch from his coat. “I want you each to keep your eye on

this antique watch. It’s a very special watch. It’s been in my family

for six generations”

He began to swing the watch gently back and forth while quietly

chanting, “Watch the watch, watch the watch, watch the watch. . .”

The crowd became mesmerized as the watch swayed back and forth, light

gleaming off its polished surface. Hundreds of pairs eyes followed the

swaying watch, until, suddenly, it slipped from the hypnotist’s fingers

and fell to the floor, breaking into a hundred pieces.

“SHIT!” said the Hypnotist.

It took three days to clean up the Senior Center.

~DEATH~
WHAT A WONDERFUL WAY TO EXPLAIN IT ….

A sick man turned to his doctor as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said, ‘Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side.’

Very quietly, the doctor said, ‘I don’t know..’ ‘You don’t know?  You’re, a Christian man, and don’t know what’s on the other side?’

The doctor was holding the handle of the door. On the other side came a sound of scratching and whining. And as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness.

Turning to the patient, the doctor said, ‘Did you notice my dog? He’s never been in this room before. He didn’t know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened,  he sprang in without fear.

I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing… I know my Master is there and that is enough.’

Belly up to the counter. Politics are on the menu and Ross is on the grill.