I found this spreadsheet on the internet yesterday - a list of the stimulus proposals submitted by various agencies and governments in Michigan. Keep in mind these are just proposals. But it still boggles the mind!
Just one example: $18,000,000.00 to refurbish the Holland Civic Center. After years of studying, talking, voting, etc. there was a concensus that we, the taxpayers, were not willing to pony up money for this project. Meanwihle, Hope College took the initiative to build their own arena that is available for rent.
If we weren't willing to pay for this a few years ago, why on earth are we now being asked to pay for it without even the opportunity to vote on it?
And this is just one small example. These are projects that rightfully should be funded on a local level.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Ergonomics?
From the Michigan Retailers monthly newsletter (article is titled "Top 10 Legislative Issues to Watch in 2009:
"This is a regulatory issue rather than a legislative one and in Michigan that further complicates efforts to kill it. MIOSHA has put together guidelines for a state-specific ergonomics rule, but has yet to put in a request for rule making authority. The business community has opposed such a request, as it would put a process into motion that would be almost impossible to stop and would result in increased costs to business."
I've written about this before because it makes Michigan employers even less competitive - not exactly what we need given Michigan's dismal economy. Please contact your state legislators if you agree. And it wouldn't hurt to contact the Governor and MIOSHA too.
"This is a regulatory issue rather than a legislative one and in Michigan that further complicates efforts to kill it. MIOSHA has put together guidelines for a state-specific ergonomics rule, but has yet to put in a request for rule making authority. The business community has opposed such a request, as it would put a process into motion that would be almost impossible to stop and would result in increased costs to business."
I've written about this before because it makes Michigan employers even less competitive - not exactly what we need given Michigan's dismal economy. Please contact your state legislators if you agree. And it wouldn't hurt to contact the Governor and MIOSHA too.
The Wisdom of Cicero
"The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed, lest Rome becomes bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance." ~ Cicero , 55 BC
Can't improve on the wisdom of the ages.
Can't improve on the wisdom of the ages.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
We Live In An Upside-Down Country
OK - So let me get this straight. It's OK to abort a baby. Got it. Don't agree with it, but I got it. But if you carry a sign that says "Abort Obama" it's considered a terroristic threat. Don't get it.
Unbelievable isn't it? Read what happens when you have a sign that says exactly that: "Abort Obama" in your car here.
Unbelievable isn't it? Read what happens when you have a sign that says exactly that: "Abort Obama" in your car here.
With All Due Respect Mr. President. . . . . .
Interesting full-page ad in the New York Post. No additional comment needed!
Monday, February 16, 2009
The Audacity of Hope - Oops! I Mean Obama.
Obama (during his prime time press conference):
"It (the stimulus bill) also contains an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability so that every American will be able to go online and see where and how we're spending every dime. What it does not contain, however, is a single pet project, not a single earmark, and it has been stripped of the projects members of both parties found most objectionable."
Oh really? Obama spoke about audacity a lot during his campaign. And now we know why. He's just brimming with it.
Go here so see just how much "non-pork" there really is.
"It (the stimulus bill) also contains an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability so that every American will be able to go online and see where and how we're spending every dime. What it does not contain, however, is a single pet project, not a single earmark, and it has been stripped of the projects members of both parties found most objectionable."
Oh really? Obama spoke about audacity a lot during his campaign. And now we know why. He's just brimming with it.
Go here so see just how much "non-pork" there really is.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
This Is Job Creation?
There's money for global warming. There's money for sex education. There's money for ACORN. There's money for golf course renovations. There's money for Amtrak. There's even money for unions (no big surprise here).
Sounds more like a Make-A-Wish Foundation for liberals than a job-creating stimulus package.
But there is a dangerous provision that is much much worse. It's called "Comparative Effectiveness Research." Sounds pretty innocent doesn't it?
But read this from the House Appropriations Committee's report: "Those items, procedures and interventions that are found to be less effective and in some cases more expensive will no longer be prescribed."
Sounds more like a prescription for rationing to me.
Freedom can be lost in small increments. So small that too many of us don't notice until it's too late. For generations that follow us, we need to stand firm and vigilant to ensure they do not lose their freedom while we were standing watch.
Sounds more like a Make-A-Wish Foundation for liberals than a job-creating stimulus package.
But there is a dangerous provision that is much much worse. It's called "Comparative Effectiveness Research." Sounds pretty innocent doesn't it?
But read this from the House Appropriations Committee's report: "Those items, procedures and interventions that are found to be less effective and in some cases more expensive will no longer be prescribed."
Sounds more like a prescription for rationing to me.
Freedom can be lost in small increments. So small that too many of us don't notice until it's too late. For generations that follow us, we need to stand firm and vigilant to ensure they do not lose their freedom while we were standing watch.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Democrat Style Stimulus
Three contractors are bidding to fix a broken fence at the White House. One is from Chicago, another is from Tennessee, and the third is from Minnesota.
All three go with a White House official to examine the fence. The Minnesota contractor takes out a tape measure and does some measuring, then works some figures with a pencil. "Well," he says, "I figure the job will run about $900: $400 for materials, $400 for my crew and $100 profit for me."
The Tennessee contractor also does some measuring and figuring, then says, "I can do this job for $700: $300 for materials, $300 for my crew and $100 profit for m3."
The Chicago contractor doesn't measure or figure, but leans over to the White House official and whispers "$2,700."
The official, incredulous, says, "You didn't even measure like the other guys! How can you come up with such a high figure?"
The Chicago contractor whispers back, "$1,000 for me, $1,000 for you, and we hire the guy from Tennessee to fix the fence."
"Done!" replies the government official.
And that is how the new stimulus plan will work.
Unfortunately, I'm afraid the joke is closer to the truth than we think.
All three go with a White House official to examine the fence. The Minnesota contractor takes out a tape measure and does some measuring, then works some figures with a pencil. "Well," he says, "I figure the job will run about $900: $400 for materials, $400 for my crew and $100 profit for me."
The Tennessee contractor also does some measuring and figuring, then says, "I can do this job for $700: $300 for materials, $300 for my crew and $100 profit for m3."
The Chicago contractor doesn't measure or figure, but leans over to the White House official and whispers "$2,700."
The official, incredulous, says, "You didn't even measure like the other guys! How can you come up with such a high figure?"
The Chicago contractor whispers back, "$1,000 for me, $1,000 for you, and we hire the guy from Tennessee to fix the fence."
"Done!" replies the government official.
And that is how the new stimulus plan will work.
Unfortunately, I'm afraid the joke is closer to the truth than we think.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
"The Worst Bill in Galactic History"
That's right - according to Charles Krauthammer. The more you learn about the economic stimulus package the less you like it.
Democrats have merely taken their pie-in-the-sky wish list and added dollar amounts.
Even if you believe in Keynesian policy, this bill is not what's needed.
Here's what needs to be done: Rebuild our defenses. Cut the payroll tax. Help the unemployed breadwinner. Lay some pavement. Rebuild falling bridges. Remain steadfast.
Democrats have merely taken their pie-in-the-sky wish list and added dollar amounts.
Even if you believe in Keynesian policy, this bill is not what's needed.
Here's what needs to be done: Rebuild our defenses. Cut the payroll tax. Help the unemployed breadwinner. Lay some pavement. Rebuild falling bridges. Remain steadfast.
Can There Be Cuts In Line? Please!?!
Nancy Pelosi - Speaker of the House and third in the Presidential succession line. And she doesn't know basic math.
Speaking yesterday, Pelosi warned that if the economic stimulus package didn't pass immediately "500 million more American jobs would be lost."
Scare tactics for sure. But it's more scary to contemplate someone who doesn't know what she's talking about being in line for the Presidency.
Speaking yesterday, Pelosi warned that if the economic stimulus package didn't pass immediately "500 million more American jobs would be lost."
Scare tactics for sure. But it's more scary to contemplate someone who doesn't know what she's talking about being in line for the Presidency.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Can You Stomach This?
If you want more information about the insanity masquerading as stimulus check out this website!
Sound the Alarm. . . Oops I Mean Doorbells!
The city of Laurel, Mississippi has requested their fair share of the federal stimulus package. They've included lots of "shovel ready" projects (I hope they ban the words "shovel ready" - I'm sick of hearing it already). Laurel has a population of roughly 48,000 people and they've proposed $61,443,369 in stimulus spending.
Most of the money is for infrastructure, updating schools, security officers at each school, sewer, heating (they didn't specify exactly what they want to heat, but how cold does it get in Mississippi?) and a mass transit system. Wow, that's a lot of projects and a lot of money.
Laurel has also requested $99,600 for doorbells. What? Doorbells? Can't people just knock? Or holler "Hey y'all. Are you home?"
Their justification? It will provide two jobs - temporary of course.
I hear bells ringing too. Only they're in my head while I contemplate the silliness that our government has sunk too.
I guess the patients are truly in charge of the asylum.
Most of the money is for infrastructure, updating schools, security officers at each school, sewer, heating (they didn't specify exactly what they want to heat, but how cold does it get in Mississippi?) and a mass transit system. Wow, that's a lot of projects and a lot of money.
Laurel has also requested $99,600 for doorbells. What? Doorbells? Can't people just knock? Or holler "Hey y'all. Are you home?"
Their justification? It will provide two jobs - temporary of course.
I hear bells ringing too. Only they're in my head while I contemplate the silliness that our government has sunk too.
I guess the patients are truly in charge of the asylum.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Really Green? We Report. You Decide.
You've seen the new energy efficient fluorescent light bulbs. The ones that will be required in the near future (incandescent ones are going to be out-lawed). Just how good (i.e., green) are they?
Well, for one they certainly will cost you some green. They are far more expensive. Nice for the light bulb manufacturer's, but not so nice for your wallet.
And yes, they do use far less energy. That's good. Right? Well, just don't drop one of them. Here are the recommendations for proper handling of a dropped fluorescent household bulb (from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency no less):
1. Open a window and leave the room for at least fifteen minutes. Place fans in the windows and blow the air out of the room.
2. Remove all materials you can without using a vacuum cleaner.
3. Wear disposable rubber gloves and carefully scoop up the fragments and powder with stiff paper or cardboard (must be something disposable).
4. Wipe the area clean with a damp paper towel or disposable wet wipe.
5. Use duct tape to pick-up any remaining residue.
6. Place all clean-up materials in a plastic bag, seal it, and then place the bag in a second sealed bag.
7. Bring to a hazardous waste recycling center (if available).
8. Wash your hands thoroughly after disposing of the bags.
9. The first time you vacuum the area where the bulb was broken, remove the vacuum bag when finished and put the bag as well as any cleaning materials in two sealed plastic bags. Store outdoors - not indoors - until disposed of.
Wow. Sounds really green to me!
Well, for one they certainly will cost you some green. They are far more expensive. Nice for the light bulb manufacturer's, but not so nice for your wallet.
And yes, they do use far less energy. That's good. Right? Well, just don't drop one of them. Here are the recommendations for proper handling of a dropped fluorescent household bulb (from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency no less):
1. Open a window and leave the room for at least fifteen minutes. Place fans in the windows and blow the air out of the room.
2. Remove all materials you can without using a vacuum cleaner.
3. Wear disposable rubber gloves and carefully scoop up the fragments and powder with stiff paper or cardboard (must be something disposable).
4. Wipe the area clean with a damp paper towel or disposable wet wipe.
5. Use duct tape to pick-up any remaining residue.
6. Place all clean-up materials in a plastic bag, seal it, and then place the bag in a second sealed bag.
7. Bring to a hazardous waste recycling center (if available).
8. Wash your hands thoroughly after disposing of the bags.
9. The first time you vacuum the area where the bulb was broken, remove the vacuum bag when finished and put the bag as well as any cleaning materials in two sealed plastic bags. Store outdoors - not indoors - until disposed of.
Wow. Sounds really green to me!
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