Archive for December 2011
The definition of “progressive”: one progressive’s view
I chanced to read a blog post on the Huffington Daily Brief, titled The real attack on the spirit of Christmas comes from the right wing by Robert Creamer. Hidden within the falderal about how pro-Christmas the White House and Democrats in general are, a few gems reveal themselves: Creamer’s definition of of what it means…
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It is unclear tonight whether the defunding of Social Security and Medicare will continue for another two months or another year or, not at all. Congress, at least those not already on vacation, are still pondering this.
Read MoreUnion schemes and scams: notes on the forced unionization of daycare workers and health aides.
Driving home tonight, I had some thoughts on today’s announcement of the unionization of Connecticut daycare workers and personal care attendants for the disabled and senior citizens: Did all 6,200 care workers actually receive ballots? Were they alerted about the importance and arrival of the ballots ahead of time? Did they all know that it…
Read MoreThank you, Michelle, for making our kids healthy
As you know, one of the First Lady’s main programs is healthy food for the children. The theory goes, if they just ate healthier, childhood obesity, diabetes and heart problems would disappear. This is so important that the federal government recently updated its “dietary guidelines”. The Los Angeles school district tried that, and the results…
Read MoreTaxing “the rich” doesn’t tax the rich after all
Last month we told you about the largest tax hike in the history of the state of Illinois, a 67% increase in income taxes, and corporate taxes rising to 9.5%. This would raise $2 billion and balance the budget claimed Governor Pat Quinn (D.). The tax was so widely popular that companies like Sears, the…
Read More5,552 people become statistically invisible in Connecticut
We’ve got mail. Most people probably do not realize how state and federal unemployment figures are put together. Of course, we need to compare apples to apples when looking at historical figures, but when you’re unemployed and politicians are claiming things are getting better, it can be a hard pill to swallow.
Read MoreWhat is a “qualified plan?
As everyone knows by now, come January 2014 pursuant to Obamacare, everyone in this country must have health insurance, or pay a penalty. But, not just any health insurance will do. You must have a “qualified” plan as defined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Read MoreSupreme Court sets Obamacare oral arguments
Speaking of Obamacare, today the United States Supreme Court set the dates for the oral arguments concerning Obamacare. As you may recall, last month the Supreme Court agreed hear various appeals brought by several parties in “the Florida case”, breaking it down into four separate arguments totalling five and one half hours of argument.
Read MoreI’m getting tired of being left, holding the bag
Cellulosic ethanol is a pipe dream. And yet, you and I are paying for that pipedream, and paying dearly. We’ve posted on this subject before, but here is a recap, as well as more information.
Read MoreSEC charges former Fannie and Freddie execs
On Friday, the Securities and Exchange Commission brought civil fraud charges against six former executives of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The complaint charges that the executives knowingly misled the public concerning the extent of subprime and Alt-A (a step above subprime) mortgages that they held.
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