I expect someone in the Kentucky legislature to glom on to the idea of sticking insurance companies with potential liability for paying triple the amount of a claim the company denies "unreasonably or negligently." This scheme was signed into law last month in Washington state and is much more political ploy than it is consumer protection.
In fact, costs incurred under this law will just be passed on to policyholders as higher cost of doing business. That means higher premiums.
And of course the lawyers will get paid more. Consumers will lose.
If Kentucky really wanted to lead on consumer protection in insurance, we would eliminate regulation of what specific items policies should cover and charge company officers criminally when they violate the promises made in their policies. Requiring violations to be proven as either "unreasonable" or "negligent" just provides loopholes for bad actors to escape through.
Monday, June 04, 2007
Scott White Auditions For Dale Emmons' Job
Scott White is a very nice, smart guy. He is also a Ben Chandler liberal whose column in the Lexington Herald Leader unintentionally shows why we aren't just about to change the line in "My Old Kentucky Home" into something like "'tis summer, the proletarian revolutionaries are gay."
Kentucky's Democrats took a big leap to the left in the primary elections, especially with the nominations of Steve Beshear, Daniel Mongiardo, and Jack Conway. All three have been dogged by reputations as being a little left in their loafers. Kentucky is not ready to sanctify that.
Or this:
Kentucky's Democrats took a big leap to the left in the primary elections, especially with the nominations of Steve Beshear, Daniel Mongiardo, and Jack Conway. All three have been dogged by reputations as being a little left in their loafers. Kentucky is not ready to sanctify that.
Or this:
The best and brightest Kentucky Democrats, sparkling with ideas and energy, appear ready for the moment: the gubernatorial ticket of former Lt. Gov. Steve Beshear and state Sen. Dan Mongiardo, auditor Crit Luallen, attorney general candidate Jack Conway, new party chairman Jonathan Miller and vice chairwoman Jennifer Moore, and mayors Jerry Abramson of Louisville and Jim Newberry of Lexington.
It is exciting to be a Kentuckian committed to good, open government, to recognize that perhaps this time, we won't let the opportunity pass.
Yes, the real winners on May 22 are those Kentuckians whose deep commitment to progressive policies in education, environment, health care, the elderly, energy, criminal justice and economic development will move to the forefront. We will see the kind of idea-driven agenda we deserve, championed by talented leaders whose commitment to the public welfare trumps political ambition.
Going into November, Kentuckians will be presented a unified slate of candidates bursting with promise and determination -- men and women of keen intellect, unquestioned integrity and loyalty to the traditions and principles of the Democratic Party.
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Urging Kentucky Republicans To Stand For Something: Issue #2 Certificate of Need
A lot of people assume the governor's race will be settled on issues which neither candidate holds a clear advantage, namely corruption, casino gambling or maybe tax and spending issues.
Given that, free market voters in both parties should pressure their nominee to explain why Kentucky needs to keep its outdated certificate of need laws.
Certificate of need regulation inhibits competition in health care beyond all reason. Governor Fletcher's administration claims on the Cabinet for Health and Family Services website, absurdly:
"Proliferation" is used here to mean competition. "Increases the cost" is something more competition does not do.
One of the candidates would pick up a lot of active supporters by championing repeal of certificate of need. Or at least by pulling such ridiculous crap off the state website.
Given that, free market voters in both parties should pressure their nominee to explain why Kentucky needs to keep its outdated certificate of need laws.
Certificate of need regulation inhibits competition in health care beyond all reason. Governor Fletcher's administration claims on the Cabinet for Health and Family Services website, absurdly:
The purpose of Kentucky's Certificate of Need process is to prevent the proliferation of health care facilities, health services and major medical equipment which increases the cost of quality health care in the commonwealth.
"Proliferation" is used here to mean competition. "Increases the cost" is something more competition does not do.
One of the candidates would pick up a lot of active supporters by championing repeal of certificate of need. Or at least by pulling such ridiculous crap off the state website.
This Should End The Governor's Race
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Steve Beshear's health plan makes Brereton Jones' 1994 craziness look like a mere flesh wound.
Saturday, June 02, 2007
RPK Chairman: Skippy Should Quit
New Republican Party of Kentucky Chairman Steve Robertson was right today when he told the Courier-Journal that if he tried to keep his state job "it would be front page, above the fold" news. This after hardly a peep by the MSM when Jonathan Miller kept his position as Treasurer while also taking over as chair of the Democratic party.
Robertson is right. Jonathan "Skippy" Miller should run the Democratic Party or waste taxpayer dollars in the anachronistic Treasurer's office, but not both.
Robertson is right. Jonathan "Skippy" Miller should run the Democratic Party or waste taxpayer dollars in the anachronistic Treasurer's office, but not both.
Big Milk Pricing Meets Big Oil Pricing
As a parent of four kids -- or really three kids and one milk-guzzling 6'3" monster -- I'm pretty sensitive to rising milk prices.
Help me, I'm being gouged!
It seems that new Asian demand for American milk is a major factor in milkflation. Higher corn prices -- corn feeds cows, cows make milk -- serve to make matters worse. The latter, of course, is due mainly to the government scheme to encourage ethanol production in hopes of saving us from Big Oil.
Now all we need is a zillion dollar federal program to work on developing a program to run our cars on milk. Or should that be a zillion dollar federal program to figure out a way to cover our breakfast cereals with petroleum?
Help me, I'm being gouged!
It seems that new Asian demand for American milk is a major factor in milkflation. Higher corn prices -- corn feeds cows, cows make milk -- serve to make matters worse. The latter, of course, is due mainly to the government scheme to encourage ethanol production in hopes of saving us from Big Oil.
Now all we need is a zillion dollar federal program to work on developing a program to run our cars on milk. Or should that be a zillion dollar federal program to figure out a way to cover our breakfast cereals with petroleum?
Friday, June 01, 2007
Steal This Idea, Please, Representative Lee
Liberal politician Jack Conway(D-Louisville) is proposing various kinds of new legal activism in hopes they will somehow get him elected Attorney General. He likely has hundreds of extremist comrades waiting anxiously on the sidelines to staff the AG's office and carry out his agenda.
Rep. Stan Lee(R-Lexington) would do very well to propose eliminating all but a half dozen or so of the hundreds of employee positions currently in the Attorney General's office. The county attorneys could perform the necessary functions now performed by AG staff and the activism could be handled by interest groups not on the state payroll. Attorney General Lee could oversee their activities and assist them when they ask for help.
Thanks to Rep. Lonnie Napier(R-Lancaster) for suggesting this.
Rep. Stan Lee(R-Lexington) would do very well to propose eliminating all but a half dozen or so of the hundreds of employee positions currently in the Attorney General's office. The county attorneys could perform the necessary functions now performed by AG staff and the activism could be handled by interest groups not on the state payroll. Attorney General Lee could oversee their activities and assist them when they ask for help.
Thanks to Rep. Lonnie Napier(R-Lancaster) for suggesting this.
Stan Lee Thumps Greg Stumbo; Conway Next
Attorney General Greg Stumbo really had no choice but to admit that domestic partner benefits at public universities are unconstitutional as he did today.
Someone please put a microphone in front of Jack Conway as soon as possible.
Someone please put a microphone in front of Jack Conway as soon as possible.
Fiscal Dilemma: Near Left Versus Far Left
Peggy Noonan really lays into President Bush this morning for the way his administration is selling its approach to immigration reform.
Bush has been fortunate to survive his mistakes to some extent because of the much larger warts on the faces of his opponents. It's a little tough to stay mad at him with Ted Kennedy, Nancy Pelosi, John Kerry, Al Gore, and friends barking at the door.
By the same token, Governor Ernie Fletcher gets a pass for raising taxes and spending from a lot of people because of the rampaging horde led by Steve Beshear, Jonathan Miller, Daniel Mongiardo, Ernesto Scorsone, and Kathy Stein.
Bush has been fortunate to survive his mistakes to some extent because of the much larger warts on the faces of his opponents. It's a little tough to stay mad at him with Ted Kennedy, Nancy Pelosi, John Kerry, Al Gore, and friends barking at the door.
By the same token, Governor Ernie Fletcher gets a pass for raising taxes and spending from a lot of people because of the rampaging horde led by Steve Beshear, Jonathan Miller, Daniel Mongiardo, Ernesto Scorsone, and Kathy Stein.
Treasurer/Chairman Skippy, Call Your "Office"
Jonathan "Skippy" Miller was so busy performing the duties of his State Treasurer job that earlier this year he decided to run for governor. When that didn't work out, he was given the position of chairman at the Democratic Party of Kentucky.
Good thing he is term-limited out of office at the end of this year. Otherwise, he might hit the presidential tour with Dennis Kucinich while we pay him his six-figure allowance.
Jim Waters at the Bluegrass Institute has picked up on the effort to shut down the Treasurer's office.
We need legislators to file and co-sponsor a bill for the necessary constitutional amendment.
Good thing he is term-limited out of office at the end of this year. Otherwise, he might hit the presidential tour with Dennis Kucinich while we pay him his six-figure allowance.
Jim Waters at the Bluegrass Institute has picked up on the effort to shut down the Treasurer's office.
We need legislators to file and co-sponsor a bill for the necessary constitutional amendment.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Does Jack Conway Think He Can Ignore Every Law?
Liberal Attorney General candidate Jack Conway is going to have to explain whether or not he supports the current occupant of that office Greg Stumbo in his unconstitutional OAG opinion that casinos can be legalized without a constitutional amendment.
We know he is a big supporter of boyfriend benefits at taxpayer expense, another unconstitutional state action, but he needs to come clean on this one too.
We know he is a big supporter of boyfriend benefits at taxpayer expense, another unconstitutional state action, but he needs to come clean on this one too.
Another Shot At The Wrong Target
Rep. Tanya Pullin wants to expand need-based financial aid for college students --something there really isn't a shortage of -- and top it off with a freeze on tuition increases at state schools.
The program is called the "Kentucky Postsecondary Education Covenant Award."
Today's trick question: name one example of government price-fixing that has worked without creating unintended consequences worse than the underlying problem.
The part of the bill that subtracts any other aid or scholarships from the "Covenant Award" also accomplishes exactly the wrong thing. We should encourage students who take the initiative to pile up scholarship awards in excess of "costs of education." This program punishes those who would do so by reducing the need-based award, requiring them to spend more time scrambling around at some part-time job rather than sticking to the books.
As an example, my son just got another $1000 scholarship that he qualified for because of many hours of past work at school and in the community. Filling out the application took less than half an hour. Not a bad return for past work he was going to do anyway and half an hour at the keyboard. This program would tell a student with means and a solid school record to go for the scholarship, which might subsidize his living expenses and would certainly be more efficient than spending many hours flipping burgers. A less affluent student with the same record might feel compelled to skip the scholarships, take the "Covenant Award," and flip burgers for additional funds.
This means the more ambitious, less affluent students will take their chances without the "Covenant Award," risk applying for scholarships they won't get, and hope to earn enough to cover education expenses plus some extra to live on. The less ambitious students will take the "Covenant Award," work more hours to finance miscellaneous expenses, and will be more likely to flunk out after burning through the state money.
This all leads to higher costs for the kind of students we really should be helping stay in state.
The program is called the "Kentucky Postsecondary Education Covenant Award."
Today's trick question: name one example of government price-fixing that has worked without creating unintended consequences worse than the underlying problem.
The part of the bill that subtracts any other aid or scholarships from the "Covenant Award" also accomplishes exactly the wrong thing. We should encourage students who take the initiative to pile up scholarship awards in excess of "costs of education." This program punishes those who would do so by reducing the need-based award, requiring them to spend more time scrambling around at some part-time job rather than sticking to the books.
As an example, my son just got another $1000 scholarship that he qualified for because of many hours of past work at school and in the community. Filling out the application took less than half an hour. Not a bad return for past work he was going to do anyway and half an hour at the keyboard. This program would tell a student with means and a solid school record to go for the scholarship, which might subsidize his living expenses and would certainly be more efficient than spending many hours flipping burgers. A less affluent student with the same record might feel compelled to skip the scholarships, take the "Covenant Award," and flip burgers for additional funds.
This means the more ambitious, less affluent students will take their chances without the "Covenant Award," risk applying for scholarships they won't get, and hope to earn enough to cover education expenses plus some extra to live on. The less ambitious students will take the "Covenant Award," work more hours to finance miscellaneous expenses, and will be more likely to flunk out after burning through the state money.
This all leads to higher costs for the kind of students we really should be helping stay in state.
Special Session Needs A Trade-Off
The Governor and the General Assembly should be able to agree on the spending projects they both want to add to a June Special Session. Otherwise, they should hold off on the gimmicky "energy bill" and the no-way-to-win domestic partner issue.
We can do without the energy gimmicks and since Governor Fletcher's own Trustees passed boyfriend benefits -- and House Democrats support them -- that matter now needs to be settled in court.
The fight worth fighting is for Rep. Stan Lee's special needs scholarship bill that could save taxpayers $200 million over the next decade -- offsetting some of the new spending -- and benefit our most vulnerable schoolchildren now.
We can do without the energy gimmicks and since Governor Fletcher's own Trustees passed boyfriend benefits -- and House Democrats support them -- that matter now needs to be settled in court.
The fight worth fighting is for Rep. Stan Lee's special needs scholarship bill that could save taxpayers $200 million over the next decade -- offsetting some of the new spending -- and benefit our most vulnerable schoolchildren now.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Urging Kentucky Republicans To Stand For Something: Issue #1 School Choice
Instead of getting bogged down with petty foolishness, it would be great if Kentucky's Republican candidates could coalesce around a single issue to engage voters this fall.
The time grows near which will allow candidates to run and win by advocating school choice.
It won't happen, but Governor Fletcher could make an issue of special needs scholarships. The teachers union isn't going to endorse him anyway and the vouchers will save taxpayers money. And Steve Beshear will have no answer for it except what he gets from union extremists. (Here's a hint: they don't do a very good job of refuting vouchers.)
The one place school choice might realistically show up this year is in the Attorney General's race. GOP nominee Stan Lee sponsored the voucher bill this year and his liberal opponent, Jack Conway, is likely to try to use it against him.
Lee would be well advised to tout school vouchers every day until November.
The time grows near which will allow candidates to run and win by advocating school choice.
It won't happen, but Governor Fletcher could make an issue of special needs scholarships. The teachers union isn't going to endorse him anyway and the vouchers will save taxpayers money. And Steve Beshear will have no answer for it except what he gets from union extremists. (Here's a hint: they don't do a very good job of refuting vouchers.)
The one place school choice might realistically show up this year is in the Attorney General's race. GOP nominee Stan Lee sponsored the voucher bill this year and his liberal opponent, Jack Conway, is likely to try to use it against him.
Lee would be well advised to tout school vouchers every day until November.
Explaining "High" Gas Prices In America
The Club for Growth has a hard-to-ignore take on a Gallup poll on the cause of $3 a gallon gas.
The hard fact is blaming oil companies for being greedy causes us to adopt the same muddled thinking we usually get from our left-wing moonbat friends.
Free market fans who abandon their principles as soon as the sticky, black stuff comes out of the ground have to take a good look at increasing demand here and in the developing world. Discounting political instability and intransigence here and abroad also takes a willful blindness unworthy of such a serious discussion.
The best way for you to reduce what you spend on fuel is to use less of it. That is demand. Also, legalizing expanded domestic drilling would help. That is supply.
Unfortunately, this will continue to be a political football as the party out of power blames the party in power or -- in the case of divided government -- they trade blame.
It could well be that the discussion won't get any more rational until one of the oil companies figures out how to run cars on hydrogen. That will happen long before any public-spirited federal agency pulls it off.
The hard fact is blaming oil companies for being greedy causes us to adopt the same muddled thinking we usually get from our left-wing moonbat friends.
Free market fans who abandon their principles as soon as the sticky, black stuff comes out of the ground have to take a good look at increasing demand here and in the developing world. Discounting political instability and intransigence here and abroad also takes a willful blindness unworthy of such a serious discussion.
The best way for you to reduce what you spend on fuel is to use less of it. That is demand. Also, legalizing expanded domestic drilling would help. That is supply.
Unfortunately, this will continue to be a political football as the party out of power blames the party in power or -- in the case of divided government -- they trade blame.
It could well be that the discussion won't get any more rational until one of the oil companies figures out how to run cars on hydrogen. That will happen long before any public-spirited federal agency pulls it off.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Four Dollar Meds: Biggest Loss Leader In History Or A Political Statement?
Wal-Mart is saving consumers hundreds of millions of dollars with its private prescription drug plan.
Did Democrats Toss Election To Rehab Lunsford?
Interesting to note from Ryan Alessi's column that Bruce Lunsford knew he could have forced a run-off -- one he could well have won -- if he had gone after Democratic nominee Steve Beshear's weaknesses on casino gambling and loan-sharking.
The predatory lending stuff is pretty good, but Beshear will have a very difficult time trying to sell specifics on his casino plan to the public.
Hope Lunsford enjoys his improved image among primary voters.
The predatory lending stuff is pretty good, but Beshear will have a very difficult time trying to sell specifics on his casino plan to the public.
Hope Lunsford enjoys his improved image among primary voters.
The Pulse Of Lexington
I will be on Leland Conway's radio show at 630 AM or wlap.com this morning at 11:00 talking about how the new media should impact public policy.
A Non-Liberal Professor At University of Kentucky
Here's an interesting podcast featuring John Garen, Economics department chairman at the University of Kentucky.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Jim Newberry Won't Talk About Civil Case, But He Really Should Answer This Criminal Question
Lexington Mayor Jim Newberry has refused to answer questions about the lawsuit against him and former Mayor Teresa Isaac for violating the state Whistleblower Act.
But he shouldn't be able to hide from one question about any criminal indictments that may be handed down against officers in the Fayette County Detention Center. You have to understand, as peace officers under the Urban County form of government, indicted peace officers will not be able to work in the detention center.
So, Mayor Newberry, will any criminally indicted officers from the FBI case you won't talk about be placed on leave with or without pay?
But he shouldn't be able to hide from one question about any criminal indictments that may be handed down against officers in the Fayette County Detention Center. You have to understand, as peace officers under the Urban County form of government, indicted peace officers will not be able to work in the detention center.
So, Mayor Newberry, will any criminally indicted officers from the FBI case you won't talk about be placed on leave with or without pay?
A Fun Summer Project In Kentucky
It's time to get Kentucky's state legislators to publicly state who they each support for governor.
Democrats who refuse to answer have to be counted as Ernie Fletcher supporters.
Democrats who refuse to answer have to be counted as Ernie Fletcher supporters.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Pay No Attention To The Anonymous "Draft Forgy" Blogger Behind That Curtain
Some anonymous character is still trying to push the ridiculous idea that Larry Forgy should run for U.S. Senate against Mitch McConnell.
Whoever he is, he is getting a little desperate for attention. Now he claims the big threat against Mitch McConnell might come from former state Rep. Steve Nunn.
Whoever he is, he is getting a little desperate for attention. Now he claims the big threat against Mitch McConnell might come from former state Rep. Steve Nunn.
Take Their Freedom, But They Want Their MTV
Venezuela loves its communist dictator until, of course, he shuts down a popular television station.
Dividing November Spoils In Late May
House Budget Chairman Harry Moberly has worked out a deal to support Steve Beshear for governor in exchange for the Budget Director's job.
Moberly is propping up lightweight Rep. Don Pasley to take over as Budget Chair.
Moberly is propping up lightweight Rep. Don Pasley to take over as Budget Chair.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Live Blog GOP Unity Rally 2007
Stiff upper lips and bravado at the Republican party get together this evening would be terribly disappointing.
If the Republican party of Kentucky wants to really stand for something -- and not just thump a lightweight casinocrat -- tonight is a huge opportunity.
I'll be live-blogging as much as possible.
Update: I was squished in like a sardine, so I just listened. You will want to check out the comments section of this post, though. The Herald Leader did a good story on the event.
If the Republican party of Kentucky wants to really stand for something -- and not just thump a lightweight casinocrat -- tonight is a huge opportunity.
I'll be live-blogging as much as possible.
Update: I was squished in like a sardine, so I just listened. You will want to check out the comments section of this post, though. The Herald Leader did a good story on the event.
CJ's Novel Idea: Complain About Money In Politics
The Louisville Courier Journal's left-wing polemicists were a little too eager to start their holiday weekend. This is apparently the case, because they mailed in this tired little ditty about how evil it is for Republicans to raise money for campaigns.
If the Courier Journal is so offended by money in politics -- or perhaps they are just upset that none of it ever buys ads on their pages anymore? -- they should lobby to change the laws, rather than complain about people they hate following the existing ones.
The dead-tree media is going to have to find more creativity than this if they are to have any hope of survival in the brave, new online world. Perhaps we could investigate the real reason so many papers hate Attorney General nominee Stan Lee so much. If you don't know, it is because Lee has a strong idea to post legal notices on the internet which current law dictates must be printed in newspapers at taxpayer expense.
Sen. Williams, the Senate president, admits it is illegal for Republican legislators to take this cash directly from lobbyists. But he says it's OK if lobbyists or their clients launder it by dumping it into something called Republican Party of Kentucky Senate Trust. Why? Because that trust (wink, wink) is run by party officials, not by senators themselves.
If the Courier Journal is so offended by money in politics -- or perhaps they are just upset that none of it ever buys ads on their pages anymore? -- they should lobby to change the laws, rather than complain about people they hate following the existing ones.
The dead-tree media is going to have to find more creativity than this if they are to have any hope of survival in the brave, new online world. Perhaps we could investigate the real reason so many papers hate Attorney General nominee Stan Lee so much. If you don't know, it is because Lee has a strong idea to post legal notices on the internet which current law dictates must be printed in newspapers at taxpayer expense.
Friday, May 25, 2007
On Seat Belts And Casinos
New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine says, in the following public service announcement, that he should be dead. Seems like the Garden State should also be flush with cash, given all the casino revenues they have that Steve Beshear is lusting after.
Instead, New Jersey is projecting a $2.5 billion deficit for 2008. What could possibly be going wrong with such a solid plan?
Instead, New Jersey is projecting a $2.5 billion deficit for 2008. What could possibly be going wrong with such a solid plan?
The Call Of The Entrepreneur
Kentucky can't reach its potential until it gets government out of the way of its small business owners. A documentary called "The Call Of The Entrepreneur" is opening eyes to the role of visionary business leaders in the creation and growth of great communities. The Bluegrass Institute is sponsoring viewings across the state. If you are interested in hosting a viewing of this film, call Chris Derry at 270-782-2140.
Keeping Your Eye On The Ball This Summer
I just heard Lieutenant Governor Steve Pence say he hasn't heard from Governor Fletcher asking for his support.
Uh-oh.
Actually, I should say "I told you so."
The Fletcher campaign is not going to reach out to primary opponents because they don't have to. Steve Beshear and Daniel Mongiardo just aren't that much of a threat.
Conservatives would do well to talk to their legislators about repealing AMC and reforming public pensions, economic development, and education. Organizing and applying pressure to the General Assembly effectively can make changing the occupant of the Governor's Mansion unnecessary.
We should start with an easy one. Call your legislators and ask them to file a bill to shut down the Treasurer's Office.
If our interest is really in promoting conservative principles, we should spend this summer actually pushing for those principles while staying focused on enacting them and let the battle for the Mansion sort itself out.
Uh-oh.
Actually, I should say "I told you so."
The Fletcher campaign is not going to reach out to primary opponents because they don't have to. Steve Beshear and Daniel Mongiardo just aren't that much of a threat.
Conservatives would do well to talk to their legislators about repealing AMC and reforming public pensions, economic development, and education. Organizing and applying pressure to the General Assembly effectively can make changing the occupant of the Governor's Mansion unnecessary.
We should start with an easy one. Call your legislators and ask them to file a bill to shut down the Treasurer's Office.
If our interest is really in promoting conservative principles, we should spend this summer actually pushing for those principles while staying focused on enacting them and let the battle for the Mansion sort itself out.
GOP Unity Rally Is Set
The media keeps trying to portray tomorrow's GOP Unity Rally as not so likely to happen.
It will happen, though. Frankfort GOP headquarters. Six o'clock.
It will happen, though. Frankfort GOP headquarters. Six o'clock.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
A Disturbance In The Force
Can't pretend that Mark Nickolas moving to Montana won't have an impact on the Kentucky blogosphere.
Good luck, Mark.
Good luck, Mark.
Treasurer Skippy Double Dips Frankfort Style
Mark Hebert says Jonathan Miller will take time from his busy Treasurer duties to draw a hefty paycheck as chairman of the Democratic Party of Kentucky.
Unconscionably Obscene Market Regulation
The legal standard for obscenity is intentionally vague. Different communities, as a result, get to decide what kind of business activity crosses the line and what is acceptable to the local folks. That's why Lexington and Louisville have strippers available to dance on your table if you want that and most other places do not.
The same standard should not apply to the free market supply of gasoline, but when the U.S. House of Representatives voted yesterday to make "price gouging" illegal, they applied an absurd standard to regulation of the price of gasoline.
Sadly, every Representative from Kentucky except for Rep. Geoff Davis voted to make it illegal to sell gasoline at a price that is "unconscionably excessive."
This is worse than the 2004 Kentucky price gouging law AG Greg Stumbo is using to attack Marathon Oil. They are easy political points, I know, but unless you want the government coming against your business some day because one politician needs a few votes, you might want to pay attention to this.
The same standard should not apply to the free market supply of gasoline, but when the U.S. House of Representatives voted yesterday to make "price gouging" illegal, they applied an absurd standard to regulation of the price of gasoline.
Sadly, every Representative from Kentucky except for Rep. Geoff Davis voted to make it illegal to sell gasoline at a price that is "unconscionably excessive."
This is worse than the 2004 Kentucky price gouging law AG Greg Stumbo is using to attack Marathon Oil. They are easy political points, I know, but unless you want the government coming against your business some day because one politician needs a few votes, you might want to pay attention to this.
Race Over, Stumbo Needs To Do His Job
Now would be a great time for Attorney General Greg Stumbo to come clean on his position regarding the unconstitutional boyfriend benefits at our state's two largest universities.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Underemployed, Overpaid Lib Seeks Do-Nothing Job; Skills Include Taking Credit, Casting Blame, Failing To Get Blogger Kicked Off Radio Show
The Lexington Herald Leader is getting up to speed on the old story about Jonathan Miller being handed the Democratic Party Chairman's job in Frankfort.
Melinda Wheeler: Take My Salary, Close My Office
I was skeptical when Treasurer nominee Melinda Wheeler started campaigning on a plan to shut down the worthless Treasurer's office, but now that she is the nominee I want to help make this worthwhile goal a reality.
And no, I don't expect Todd Hollenbach to successfully defend the office Jonathan Miller ran into the ground and campaign to have a machine print his signature on all the state checks while he interviews ghost writers all day between naps.
Look out for Wheeler the Repealer...
And no, I don't expect Todd Hollenbach to successfully defend the office Jonathan Miller ran into the ground and campaign to have a machine print his signature on all the state checks while he interviews ghost writers all day between naps.
Look out for Wheeler the Repealer...
Linda Greenwell v. Crit "Musical Chairs" Luallen
A second state budget secrecy bill could be headed to Kentucky and its success in another state exemplifies why Kentucky needs a stronger state Auditor, said Linda Greenwell, Republican candidate for Auditor of Public Accounts.
Yesterday, the Texas legislature passed a bill that would allow that state to ignore new federal accounting regulations meant to prevent governments from hiding pension deficits. It should never have happened there, Greenwell said, and we can't afford for it to happen here. Greenwell said the public needs to be aware of this move before Kentucky legislators try it, and a competent state auditor would make sure they were.
"The current Auditor said nothing when Rep. Harry Moberly (D-Richmond) tried to shut the public out of the entire budgeting process earlier this year," Greenwell said. "There is no reason to expect her to stand up to a fancy trick to pretend state pensions are just hunky-dory now. This is the taxpayers' money and I think they deserve more than political games from their Auditor."
Kentucky taxpayers are swimming in a sea of red ink because Frankfort politicians have fought for three decades any efforts to clean up what is now an $18 billion tidal wave of unfunded pension liabilities for state workers and retirees. Recognizing the problem and not covering it up is what Kentucky needs and offering active oversight is the reason Greenwell said she is running for Auditor.
"The Auditor can't just sit back and wait till it is her turn to run for governor," Greenwell said. "We should all know by now the old way of doing things doesn't work anymore. Governor Fletcher has tried to change the culture in Frankfort, but he can't get over the hump these next four years with an Auditor who is primping for her next race."
Yesterday, the Texas legislature passed a bill that would allow that state to ignore new federal accounting regulations meant to prevent governments from hiding pension deficits. It should never have happened there, Greenwell said, and we can't afford for it to happen here. Greenwell said the public needs to be aware of this move before Kentucky legislators try it, and a competent state auditor would make sure they were.
"The current Auditor said nothing when Rep. Harry Moberly (D-Richmond) tried to shut the public out of the entire budgeting process earlier this year," Greenwell said. "There is no reason to expect her to stand up to a fancy trick to pretend state pensions are just hunky-dory now. This is the taxpayers' money and I think they deserve more than political games from their Auditor."
Kentucky taxpayers are swimming in a sea of red ink because Frankfort politicians have fought for three decades any efforts to clean up what is now an $18 billion tidal wave of unfunded pension liabilities for state workers and retirees. Recognizing the problem and not covering it up is what Kentucky needs and offering active oversight is the reason Greenwell said she is running for Auditor.
"The Auditor can't just sit back and wait till it is her turn to run for governor," Greenwell said. "We should all know by now the old way of doing things doesn't work anymore. Governor Fletcher has tried to change the culture in Frankfort, but he can't get over the hump these next four years with an Auditor who is primping for her next race."
Put Up, Shut Up, Or Don't Show Up?
Governor Fletcher won re-nomination yesterday with 101,256 Republican votes versus 100,875 who voted against him. The only reason it wasn't a late night nail-biter with a certain recount given a mere 381 vote margin is, of course, that the votes against him were shared by two opponents.
So where do we go from here?
Pragmatic Fletcher loyalists will quickly point out primary opponent supporters have no place else to go in November. And really, they are right. Steve Beshear has very serious credibility problems with most people who occupy the political middle. But here's the thing: no one can wish away the nasty primary we just had and a lot of people who supported Northup won't forget. The hard truth is a lot of them can be replaced, though, by new voters who show up to vote against the Casinocrat Beshear.
Harder still for the small minority of fiscal conservatives in the state -- by that I mean those who prefer to eschew pork spending even in their own backyards -- is the clear evidence they no longer have a party to turn to.
Given all that, I'm going to the Unity Rally Saturday 6 pm at RPK in Frankfort. I'm for Governor Fletcher in the fall. And that means writing and speaking in favor of his re-election.
But I will also spend the next four years advocating for conservative principles, hopeful that 2011 will bring better support for issues like tax reform, education reform, health insurance reform, entitlement reform, and economic development reform. Governor Fletcher can and probably will do better on these issues in a second term and Steve Beshear would beyond a shadow of a doubt be worse, but we really need some breakthroughs in these areas.
Given the electoral math, the Fletcher campaign has little motivation to reach out to intraparty opponents now. So don't expect them to. But Kentucky lacks the resources to thrive under big-government policies. Frustrated fiscal hawks need to stay engaged in the process.
So where do we go from here?
Pragmatic Fletcher loyalists will quickly point out primary opponent supporters have no place else to go in November. And really, they are right. Steve Beshear has very serious credibility problems with most people who occupy the political middle. But here's the thing: no one can wish away the nasty primary we just had and a lot of people who supported Northup won't forget. The hard truth is a lot of them can be replaced, though, by new voters who show up to vote against the Casinocrat Beshear.
Harder still for the small minority of fiscal conservatives in the state -- by that I mean those who prefer to eschew pork spending even in their own backyards -- is the clear evidence they no longer have a party to turn to.
Given all that, I'm going to the Unity Rally Saturday 6 pm at RPK in Frankfort. I'm for Governor Fletcher in the fall. And that means writing and speaking in favor of his re-election.
But I will also spend the next four years advocating for conservative principles, hopeful that 2011 will bring better support for issues like tax reform, education reform, health insurance reform, entitlement reform, and economic development reform. Governor Fletcher can and probably will do better on these issues in a second term and Steve Beshear would beyond a shadow of a doubt be worse, but we really need some breakthroughs in these areas.
Given the electoral math, the Fletcher campaign has little motivation to reach out to intraparty opponents now. So don't expect them to. But Kentucky lacks the resources to thrive under big-government policies. Frustrated fiscal hawks need to stay engaged in the process.
"Draft Forgy" Dies A Not-So-Quiet Death
The anonymous effort to draft Larry Forgy to run against Mitch McConnell perished as quickly as it sprang to life.
Forgy said last night he had no interest in running for anything, much less the U.S. Senate.
So the only thing that remains is to guess who is behind the anonymous Draft Forgy website.
My money is on Cliff Schechter.
Forgy said last night he had no interest in running for anything, much less the U.S. Senate.
So the only thing that remains is to guess who is behind the anonymous Draft Forgy website.
My money is on Cliff Schechter.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Election 2007 Comes Down To Casino Vote
So it's Ernie Fletcher against Steve Beshear in the gubernatorial race.
Yes, we get to hear about pardons, indictments, and hiring. But we also get to really hash out the casino issue. Should be very interesting...
Yes, we get to hear about pardons, indictments, and hiring. But we also get to really hash out the casino issue. Should be very interesting...
Senator McConnell, Call Joe Lieberman
The Senator from Connecticut is talking again about switching to the Republican party because of the Dems' insistence on surrender in Iraq.
What GOP Needs From Its Gubernatorial Nominee Is What Kentucky Needs From Next Governor
Republicans and Democrats may have their nominees for governor today or maybe we will have to wait until next month for a run-off.
Either way, the GOP needs a nominee who can and will actively pull people together. The GOP needs a nominee who can and will promote conservative values and issues credibly.
The presence of a weak Democratic opponent might make these vital party-building and state-salvaging duties seem superfluous. But shirking now could hurt Kentucky for a long time. The Republican party works best when it is a party of ideas and principles. Pining for larger-than-life personalities like Lincoln or Reagan is satisfying on some level, but the strength of solid values -- and not the power of individual characters -- generates cohesion and enduring success.
Billy Harper is the party's best chance to govern Kentucky the next four years because more than the fresh start most of us agree we need, he offers the best commitment to fiscal responsibility and realistic improvement in education in the whole field.
Either way, the GOP needs a nominee who can and will actively pull people together. The GOP needs a nominee who can and will promote conservative values and issues credibly.
The presence of a weak Democratic opponent might make these vital party-building and state-salvaging duties seem superfluous. But shirking now could hurt Kentucky for a long time. The Republican party works best when it is a party of ideas and principles. Pining for larger-than-life personalities like Lincoln or Reagan is satisfying on some level, but the strength of solid values -- and not the power of individual characters -- generates cohesion and enduring success.
Billy Harper is the party's best chance to govern Kentucky the next four years because more than the fresh start most of us agree we need, he offers the best commitment to fiscal responsibility and realistic improvement in education in the whole field.
Monday, May 21, 2007
MSM Turns Blind Eye To Fayette County Fraud
U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer Coffman thrashed Fayette County Detention Center officials Friday in open court and the mainstream media in Lexington still can't manage to cover the official misconduct at all.
After sleeping through the Ron Berry years, you would think journalist watchdogs would be all over this.
After sleeping through the Ron Berry years, you would think journalist watchdogs would be all over this.
Cell Phone, Internet Users For Billy Harper!
A Washington D.C. pollster called my home via robo-dial Friday night. But guess what? I wasn't there so I missed the call. Like more and more people, the best way to reach me is on my cell phone.
Meanwhile, fewer people are tuning in to broadcast television every day. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to see the internet playing a greater role in this gubernatorial election. And between Ernie Fletcher, Anne Northup, and Billy Harper, only Harper has really used new technology to his advantage.
In a 10-15% turnout election, the opportunity for this to create a surprising result can't be ignored.
Meanwhile, fewer people are tuning in to broadcast television every day. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to see the internet playing a greater role in this gubernatorial election. And between Ernie Fletcher, Anne Northup, and Billy Harper, only Harper has really used new technology to his advantage.
In a 10-15% turnout election, the opportunity for this to create a surprising result can't be ignored.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Bipartisan Scam To Advance Casinos
Bruce Lunsford has jumped all over Steve Beshear for claiming casinos will benefit Kentucky. But Lunsford's running mate Greg Stumbo cooked up a scheme in 2005 with the ethically-challenged Sen. Ed Worley to try to make casinos easier to legalize.
Lunsford has given us solid reasons not to trust him already. Don't take your eye off the ball here.
The subtle scheming to turn our state government over to out-of-state casino operators crosses party lines and will usher in an era of corruption far beyond what Kentucky has experienced before if we don't stomp it out now.
Billy Harper is the only viable candidate in either party to stand consistently against allowing this plague to advance. The numbers don't add up and Harper seems to be the only one who wants to really do the math.
Lunsford has given us solid reasons not to trust him already. Don't take your eye off the ball here.
The subtle scheming to turn our state government over to out-of-state casino operators crosses party lines and will usher in an era of corruption far beyond what Kentucky has experienced before if we don't stomp it out now.
Billy Harper is the only viable candidate in either party to stand consistently against allowing this plague to advance. The numbers don't add up and Harper seems to be the only one who wants to really do the math.
Dangerous Liaisons On The Campaign Trail
Senate Democrat Leader Ed Worley of Richmond says he is against casino gambling when he is in his conservative central Kentucky district. But when he is talking to gambling groups or trolling for $1000 checks from very shady characters like R.D. Hubbard of Palm Desert, California, he tells a much different story.
Is this really who Governor Fletcher wants standing up with him just days before an election?
A Primary Opponent For Mitch McConnell In 2008?
I'm not sure who will lose more votes over this, Anne Northup or Ernie Fletcher, but I don't think it helps either one.
Voters are angry enough about politicians playing power games rather than staying focused on improving government. Again, the surest way to move the party away from this kind of nonsense this year is to nominate Billy Harper for governor.
Voters are angry enough about politicians playing power games rather than staying focused on improving government. Again, the surest way to move the party away from this kind of nonsense this year is to nominate Billy Harper for governor.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Northup Whiffs On Right To Work
The Kentucky Right to Work Committee candidate survey hit mailboxes today.
It was no surprise that none of the Democrats answered their questions about supporting employee rights versus unions. Republican Anne Northup, though, joined them:
Only Billy Harper and Ernie Fletcher answered "yes" to all six questions.
It was no surprise that none of the Democrats answered their questions about supporting employee rights versus unions. Republican Anne Northup, though, joined them:
1. Will you support efforts by the Kentucky legislature to enact a statutory right to work law in Kentucky (including procedural and amendment votes)?
2. Will you support legislation that would ban monopoly bargaining over Kentucky's employee's by union officials?
3. Will you support legislation terminating "agency shop" privileges for public section union officials?
4. If elected, will you oppose so-called "neutrality agreements" and allow workers to hear all available information?
5. If elected, will you oppose all attempts to pass so-called "project labor agreements" and allow contractors to bid on state construction projects regardless of whether or not their employees pay dues to a union boss?
6. If elected, will you support legislation eliminating the automatic payroll deduction of public employees' union dues by government entities?
Only Billy Harper and Ernie Fletcher answered "yes" to all six questions.
Billy Harper Is The Only Candidate Who Can Unite The Republican Party In May, State In November
The most interesting place to be in Kentucky next Saturday will be in Frankfort at the GOP Unity Rally, if it happens.
The RPK website doesn't list the event. May not happen anyway, as the bad blood between the Fletcher camp and the Northup camp is boiling.
If Ernie Fletcher wins out on Tuesday, I can't imagine many Northup supporters will be ready to go cheer on the governor by Saturday after Fletcher called her anti-Christian. And how many Fletcher supporters will be able to muster support for a freshly nominated Anne Northup after she called Governor Fletcher a crook?
And if the two of them are locked in a run-off Tuesday, there will obviously be no Unity Rally on May 26.
So what Republicans really need to think about is how we are going to pull off any kind of unity, especially if it is delayed by a really nasty extra campaign that eats up half the summer.
After you have thought about that, think about how that is another good reason to vote for Billy Harper on Tuesday. Even if he comes in second on Tuesday, he should easily win a run-off. After not making enemies in the primary, Billy Harper will be very well positioned to unite the state in November.
The RPK website doesn't list the event. May not happen anyway, as the bad blood between the Fletcher camp and the Northup camp is boiling.
If Ernie Fletcher wins out on Tuesday, I can't imagine many Northup supporters will be ready to go cheer on the governor by Saturday after Fletcher called her anti-Christian. And how many Fletcher supporters will be able to muster support for a freshly nominated Anne Northup after she called Governor Fletcher a crook?
And if the two of them are locked in a run-off Tuesday, there will obviously be no Unity Rally on May 26.
So what Republicans really need to think about is how we are going to pull off any kind of unity, especially if it is delayed by a really nasty extra campaign that eats up half the summer.
After you have thought about that, think about how that is another good reason to vote for Billy Harper on Tuesday. Even if he comes in second on Tuesday, he should easily win a run-off. After not making enemies in the primary, Billy Harper will be very well positioned to unite the state in November.
Georgia Governor Signs School Choice Bill
Kentuckians should watch closely to see how much the state of Georgia saves by offering special needs scholarships to families with handicapped children, which the legislature passed last month and the governor signed yesterday.
Rep. Stan Lee tried to give us the same thing here, but House Democrats would have none of it.
Rep. Stan Lee tried to give us the same thing here, but House Democrats would have none of it.
Friday, May 18, 2007
"You Misunderstood Me When I Misquoted Myself"
See if you can make any sense out of this from Bruce Lunsford and his trashy running mate Greg Stumbo.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Ben Chandler's Moderate-ectomy Is Complete
Dick Gephardt arrived in Washington D.C. in 1977 as a moderate midwestern Democrat and by the time he was losing the 1988 Democratic Presidential nomination because of his somewhat normal past, he had transformed into a raving, foaming at the mouth zealot for abortion, trade protectionism, socialized medicine, and massive tax increases.
Ben Chandler turned into Dick Gephardt today when he voted for the second largest tax increase in the history of the United States.
Ben Chandler turned into Dick Gephardt today when he voted for the second largest tax increase in the history of the United States.
Mix In A Little Fiscal Conservatism, Please
The Kentucky Club For Growth will hold a press conference in the Capitol Rotunda tomorrow at 11 am.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Grab Your Ankles: LFUCG Class Action Lawsuit
Mismanagement of the Fayette County Detention Center will cost taxpayers dearly. Despite official statements from the Detention Center that there is no lawsuit, next Tuesday is the deadline for joining the class action suit, which is already pretty big. Anyone who has worked there in the last five years just needs to fill out a little form.
There is a hearing Friday morning at ten about the official misstatements. I'll keep you posted.
There is a hearing Friday morning at ten about the official misstatements. I'll keep you posted.
More Political Squabbling On My Telephone
Got this message on my phone last night:
Seriously, isn't it time we got to the issues and beyond the nonsense? It seems to me the best way for us to have a fall campaign about differences on policy that really affect our state is to nominate Billy Harper.
Hello, I'm calling on behalf Anne Northup's campaign for governor. Ernie Fletcher's campaign is desperate and desperate candidates do desperate things. He has attacked Anne Northup's faith and now he is attacking Anne Northup's record on guns...
Seriously, isn't it time we got to the issues and beyond the nonsense? It seems to me the best way for us to have a fall campaign about differences on policy that really affect our state is to nominate Billy Harper.
Planes Versus Trains: Newberry Botches The Odds
Lexington Mayor Jim Newberry told the Lexington Herald Leader he is sending Vice Mayor Jim Gray on a government trip to Colorado on a different airplane as a protection for Lexington taxpayers in case Newberry's plane goes down.
It is amazing Newberry would show such attention to detail to protect against something that won't happen, yet can't even work up a comment about a the sure-thing taxpayer nightmare of paying for the lawsuits springing up as a result of horrible mismanagement of the Fayette County Detention Center.
Wishing this train weren't coming down the track won't make it go away, Mayor Newberry.
After looking at the preliminary list of trip attendees, Newberry noticed that 13 of the 15 Urban County Council members were going, Newberry said. “It struck me as though we needed to make some kind of arrangements for local government to continue in the unlikely event that something happened to the airplane.”
It is amazing Newberry would show such attention to detail to protect against something that won't happen, yet can't even work up a comment about a the sure-thing taxpayer nightmare of paying for the lawsuits springing up as a result of horrible mismanagement of the Fayette County Detention Center.
Wishing this train weren't coming down the track won't make it go away, Mayor Newberry.
School Choice Isn't About Shutting Down Schools
If we expanded school choice options in Kentucky -- an idea that makes liberal activists sputter and foam at the mouth any time it is mentioned -- we would make public schools better.
Kentucky schools are run by administrators who can choose to focus on educating students or on promoting a social agenda. Currently, that choice is mostly a matter of conscience for county superintendents. Some make the right choice and some don't, but their paychecks clear the bank either way.
If parents had the option to remove their money from the school district they live in, more school districts would be motivated to hire superintendents who are serious about educating kids. School choice is the surest way to accomplish this and the time is right for a statewide debate on the issue.
Kentucky schools are run by administrators who can choose to focus on educating students or on promoting a social agenda. Currently, that choice is mostly a matter of conscience for county superintendents. Some make the right choice and some don't, but their paychecks clear the bank either way.
If parents had the option to remove their money from the school district they live in, more school districts would be motivated to hire superintendents who are serious about educating kids. School choice is the surest way to accomplish this and the time is right for a statewide debate on the issue.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Campaigns Cut Off Noses, Spite Faces
Governor Fletcher's campaign has scored a lot of points going after Anne Northup on school prayer.
Today, though, they may have gone too far.
A mailer that hit mailboxes this afternoon has a picture of Northup gleefully shovelling dirt next to a bold sentence stating "Anne Northup said an amendment to give our children the right to pray in school was 'Extreme.'"
The ad is effective. At first, I thought it was pretty funny. But while it probably helps wipe out Northup in the primary, it kills Fletcher in the general. Louisville Republicans especially will take this personally and sit on their hands in the fall.
The only candidate who can take advantage of the current environment and win in the fall against a certain-to-be weak Democratic nominee is Billy Harper.
Watch Harper's ads over the next week. It will be some of the best stuff you have ever seen.
Today, though, they may have gone too far.
A mailer that hit mailboxes this afternoon has a picture of Northup gleefully shovelling dirt next to a bold sentence stating "Anne Northup said an amendment to give our children the right to pray in school was 'Extreme.'"
The ad is effective. At first, I thought it was pretty funny. But while it probably helps wipe out Northup in the primary, it kills Fletcher in the general. Louisville Republicans especially will take this personally and sit on their hands in the fall.
The only candidate who can take advantage of the current environment and win in the fall against a certain-to-be weak Democratic nominee is Billy Harper.
Watch Harper's ads over the next week. It will be some of the best stuff you have ever seen.
I Like Billy Harper's Idea Of Road Privatization
Four years ago, I had hopes Ernie Fletcher would become the best fiscally conservative governor in America. Today, though, it's South Carolina's Mark Sanford who is best.
Recorded Phone Message I Got Last Night
More cutting edge campaigning to improve the lives of real Kentuckians:
Hello this is Anne Northup and I am running for governor as a Republican. In recent days, you may have received another phone message saying that I am against school prayer. That is simply not true. I have voted fourteen times to allow school prayer. As a mother of six children, I know the importance of faith in our society including prayer in our schools. I was frankly disturbed that Ernie Fletcher asked Congressman Bob Barr to attack me on this issue. I think you should know a little bit more about Bob Barr. He has left the Republican party. He has announced that he voted against George Bush in 2004. He has appeared at events with Al Gore and now he supports such extreme positions as legalizing drugs. Believe me, I would never ask anyone so radical to support my campaign or speak for me. Election day is just a week away.
Hello this is Anne Northup and I am running for governor as a Republican. In recent days, you may have received another phone message saying that I am against school prayer. That is simply not true. I have voted fourteen times to allow school prayer. As a mother of six children, I know the importance of faith in our society including prayer in our schools. I was frankly disturbed that Ernie Fletcher asked Congressman Bob Barr to attack me on this issue. I think you should know a little bit more about Bob Barr. He has left the Republican party. He has announced that he voted against George Bush in 2004. He has appeared at events with Al Gore and now he supports such extreme positions as legalizing drugs. Believe me, I would never ask anyone so radical to support my campaign or speak for me. Election day is just a week away.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Mayor Newberry Has No Comment; Actions Speak
Lexington Mayor Jim Newberry still won't talk about the abuse of power, official misconduct lawsuit filed against him Friday by federal whistleblower John Vest.
But today his administration delayed the illegal termination hearing for Vest it had originally scheduled for later this month.
But today his administration delayed the illegal termination hearing for Vest it had originally scheduled for later this month.
Calling All Bruce Lunsford Opponents!
Opponents of Bruce Lunsford's gubernatorial campaign may have missed the story over the weekend about Lunsford staffer Teresa Isaac getting sued for slander, abuse of power, violation of Kentucky's Whistleblower Act and official misconduct relating to her demonstrably false statements to the media and her subsequent actions relating to last year's FBI raid of the Lexington jail.
Illinois Dems Reject Kentucky-like Tax Increase
A gross receipts tax on businesses, like Kentucky's Alternative Minimum Calculation, was unanimously rejected by Illinois' House of Representatives last week.
The idea behind their increase was to finance socialized medicine.
The Wall Street Journal has the story. This should be a big blow to the Hillarycare folks. Too bad Kentucky couldn't have pulled together to fight against the idea that taxing businesses more doesn't really hurt anyone.
The idea behind their increase was to finance socialized medicine.
The Wall Street Journal has the story. This should be a big blow to the Hillarycare folks. Too bad Kentucky couldn't have pulled together to fight against the idea that taxing businesses more doesn't really hurt anyone.
I'm Voting For Billy Harper For Governor
Call it a protest vote if you want. I'm voting for Billy Harper.
In an embarrassing primary food fight between Anne Northup and Ernie Fletcher, "supporting the winner" just doesn't cut it this time.
Harper offers a consistent conservatism and no-nonsense style Kentucky could use if we are to escape backwater status. And with Democrats likely to nominate a baggage-laden politician, Republicans would do well to represent themselves with someone not encumbered with evidence of questionable judgement.
Harper's support of KERA is a little tough to forgive, but that is overwhelmed by his continuing involvement in education and his current solutions, which involve more than just spending more money and would likely reverse a lot of KERA's damage while placing us on a course for substantial gains.
Economic development is something everyone talks about, but really belongs in the hands of someone who can move it along with more than just subsidies.
Pulling the state out of debt will require someone with a solid mandate. Listen closely to Harper. It isn't immediately apparent, but he is the type of leader who can inspire people to look beyond partisanship and toward the vision of the little guy from Paducah who said and meant "and I mean NO!"
In an embarrassing primary food fight between Anne Northup and Ernie Fletcher, "supporting the winner" just doesn't cut it this time.
Harper offers a consistent conservatism and no-nonsense style Kentucky could use if we are to escape backwater status. And with Democrats likely to nominate a baggage-laden politician, Republicans would do well to represent themselves with someone not encumbered with evidence of questionable judgement.
Harper's support of KERA is a little tough to forgive, but that is overwhelmed by his continuing involvement in education and his current solutions, which involve more than just spending more money and would likely reverse a lot of KERA's damage while placing us on a course for substantial gains.
Economic development is something everyone talks about, but really belongs in the hands of someone who can move it along with more than just subsidies.
Pulling the state out of debt will require someone with a solid mandate. Listen closely to Harper. It isn't immediately apparent, but he is the type of leader who can inspire people to look beyond partisanship and toward the vision of the little guy from Paducah who said and meant "and I mean NO!"
One Question For Kentucky Treasurer Candidates
As unhelpful as the MSM discussion of the gubernatorial race has been, it has been worse. Instead of arguing about who would set up which new program and how or who is tired of campaigning and just wants to shut down the office, we should ask the candidates to take a look at one thing the office really controls: unclaimed property.
The question: How much is the unclaimed property fund worth?
The first candidate with the correct answer (zero) and a good explanation for why this is so (we already spent it all) might deserve a vote.
This is the "fund" that is supposed to back up the money-losing KAPT program Jonathan Miller keeps yammering about. Retiring Miller won't be a complete victory until we retire some of his lies about this silly thing.
The question: How much is the unclaimed property fund worth?
The first candidate with the correct answer (zero) and a good explanation for why this is so (we already spent it all) might deserve a vote.
This is the "fund" that is supposed to back up the money-losing KAPT program Jonathan Miller keeps yammering about. Retiring Miller won't be a complete victory until we retire some of his lies about this silly thing.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
The Cover-Up Will Be The Story On This One, Too
If you blinked, you missed the Herald-Leader's coverage of the FBI investigation of the Fayette county jail and the successful cover-up (so far) by two Lexington mayors.
Two things to think about: Mayor Teresa Isaac almost immediately dismissed the entire FBI investigation as nothing to worry about. It is now mid-May and I haven't heard anything about the FBI concluding their investigation yet. Have you? If she knew something eight months ago that the FBI still hasn't figured out, wouldn't that be news now? And Mayor Jim Newberry has had ample opportunity to clear up this mess one way or another -- or at least address it publicly -- and all he can do is a "no comment" through his spokeswoman?
There is a lot more to this story. I wonder why the Herald-Leader seems so incurious about it.
Two things to think about: Mayor Teresa Isaac almost immediately dismissed the entire FBI investigation as nothing to worry about. It is now mid-May and I haven't heard anything about the FBI concluding their investigation yet. Have you? If she knew something eight months ago that the FBI still hasn't figured out, wouldn't that be news now? And Mayor Jim Newberry has had ample opportunity to clear up this mess one way or another -- or at least address it publicly -- and all he can do is a "no comment" through his spokeswoman?
There is a lot more to this story. I wonder why the Herald-Leader seems so incurious about it.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Lexington's Own Abu Ghraib Scandal
The Lexington Herald Leader is picking up on the Jim Newberry/Teresa Isaac cover-up at the Fayette County jail story tomorrow.
The really amazing thing about this story is that Jim Newberry knew about Isaac's cover-up before his election. Seems like it would have been pretty easy for him to separate himself from the mess before he took office, but instead he jumped right into the middle of it. Now he is being sued for abusing his position as mayor and will probably be prosecuted as well.
I thought this guy was supposed to be smart.
The really amazing thing about this story is that Jim Newberry knew about Isaac's cover-up before his election. Seems like it would have been pretty easy for him to separate himself from the mess before he took office, but instead he jumped right into the middle of it. Now he is being sued for abusing his position as mayor and will probably be prosecuted as well.
I thought this guy was supposed to be smart.
Good News! Fletcher, Stumbo Agree You Are A Hurricane Katrina Victim
I'm getting pretty tired of the role reversals in politics giving us "conservative" politicians who eagerly embrace a liberal mind-set. Yesterday, Ernie Fletcher joined hands with Greg Stumbo and proclaimed that all Kentuckians are hurricane victims under a state of emergency from a 2005 Gulf Coast storm and we are going to stay victims for the forseeable future.
When Greg Stumbo's Deputy Attorney General Pierce Whites attacked Marathon Oil under Kentucky's poorly conceived price gouging law saying "there is no constitutional right to price gouge," he was taking a position that might help Stumbo in the upcoming Democratic primary.
Populism traditionally seeks to deny the laws of economics and promote vagueness in favor government power in the name of "doing something."
What's disappointing is how Ernie Fletcher played along in response to Marathon Oil's lawsuit seeking to improve or remove Kentucky's price gouging law. Kentucky has been in a state of emergency since Fletcher declared one on August 30, 2005.
What's even more disappointing is that neither of Fletcher's primary opponents are going to call him on this. The electorate has moved so far left that the smart political money rests firmly on the side of calling ourselves victims and suing our largest service providers for providing services.
When Greg Stumbo's Deputy Attorney General Pierce Whites attacked Marathon Oil under Kentucky's poorly conceived price gouging law saying "there is no constitutional right to price gouge," he was taking a position that might help Stumbo in the upcoming Democratic primary.
Populism traditionally seeks to deny the laws of economics and promote vagueness in favor government power in the name of "doing something."
What's disappointing is how Ernie Fletcher played along in response to Marathon Oil's lawsuit seeking to improve or remove Kentucky's price gouging law. Kentucky has been in a state of emergency since Fletcher declared one on August 30, 2005.
The lawsuit asks the court to void Fletcher's emergency declaration or set a time limit on it.
Fletcher interpreted that as an attack on the powers of his office.
"The fact of the matter is the executive order stands and it has the full force of law, and we'll be defending that aspect of the suit," Fletcher said.
What's even more disappointing is that neither of Fletcher's primary opponents are going to call him on this. The electorate has moved so far left that the smart political money rests firmly on the side of calling ourselves victims and suing our largest service providers for providing services.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Jim Newberry And Teresa Isaac Were Sued Today; Violated State Whistleblower Act
Lexington Mayor Jim Newberry and his predecessor Teresa Isaac were sued today for violating Kentucky's Whistleblower Act. The suit was filed by John Vest, the FBI informant in the Fayette County Detention Center prisoner abuse scandal.
The filing describes how Vest approached the Federal Bureau of Investigation early in 2006 to report abuse of prisoners by FCDC employees. The filing states the FBI instructed Vest to covertly collect information for a federal criminal investigation and that he documented "numerous instances of the unauthorized use of force against Detention Center inmates by other Government employees in violation of Kentucky and Federal criminal laws."
The evidence provided by Vest brought dozens of FBI agents to Lexington in October 2006 to raid the Detention Center and seize evidence. After then-Mayor Isaac stated she had personally viewed the hundreds of hours of video and other kinds of evidence in a one-night cram session, she stated no evidence of wrongdoing existed. She and FCDC Director Ronald Bishop stated to the media that Vest was lying to the FBI.
The suit alleges Vest's efforts to seek Whistleblower protection were, at various times, ignored or met with hostility. Jail officials refused Vest's transfer requests to a safe work environment and, in February of this year, sought to terminate Vest's employment. Mayor Newberry, despite his knowledge of Vest's whistleblower status, signed off on it.
The suit alleges Isaac and Newberry are both guilty of official misconduct in the first and second degree, abuse of power, civil rights violations and that Isaac is guilty of slander. Vest requested a jury trial and awarding of compensatory and punitive damages.
Newberry is the current mayor of Lexington and Isaac works for Bruce Lunsford's campaign for governor.
The filing describes how Vest approached the Federal Bureau of Investigation early in 2006 to report abuse of prisoners by FCDC employees. The filing states the FBI instructed Vest to covertly collect information for a federal criminal investigation and that he documented "numerous instances of the unauthorized use of force against Detention Center inmates by other Government employees in violation of Kentucky and Federal criminal laws."
The evidence provided by Vest brought dozens of FBI agents to Lexington in October 2006 to raid the Detention Center and seize evidence. After then-Mayor Isaac stated she had personally viewed the hundreds of hours of video and other kinds of evidence in a one-night cram session, she stated no evidence of wrongdoing existed. She and FCDC Director Ronald Bishop stated to the media that Vest was lying to the FBI.
The suit alleges Vest's efforts to seek Whistleblower protection were, at various times, ignored or met with hostility. Jail officials refused Vest's transfer requests to a safe work environment and, in February of this year, sought to terminate Vest's employment. Mayor Newberry, despite his knowledge of Vest's whistleblower status, signed off on it.
The suit alleges Isaac and Newberry are both guilty of official misconduct in the first and second degree, abuse of power, civil rights violations and that Isaac is guilty of slander. Vest requested a jury trial and awarding of compensatory and punitive damages.
Newberry is the current mayor of Lexington and Isaac works for Bruce Lunsford's campaign for governor.
Marathon Oil Sues Fletcher And Stumbo
Ernie Fletcher and Greg Stumbo find themselves on the same side of a legal struggle today. Both have been named as defendants by Marathon Oil in a federal lawsuit.
The suit attacks Kentucky's price gouging law on three fronts. First, it says the law unconstitutionally affords the Attorney General power to attack businesses and write his own standards on the fly. Second, Marathon claims Governor Fletcher's August 31, 2005 Executive Order 2005-943 putting the gouging law into effect failed to specify the length of time the price-fixing regulation would be in effect in violation of Section 2 of the Kentucky Constitution. Third, the suit states that the price gouging law violates the U.S. Constitution's Commmerce Clause and unfairly inhibits competition.
The suit claims the Governor's issuance of Executive Order 2005-943 declaring a state of emergency was illegally applied in 2005 and has never been terminated. The suit also claims Stumbo lied when he said Speedway violated the Kentucky Consumer Protection Act and includes a transcript of Stumbo's August 8, 2006 press conference as evidence.
The suit asks for the law to be declared unconstitutional and for the defendants to be ordered to pay costs, attorney fees, and "all other relief to which the plaintiffs may be entitled."
The suit attacks Kentucky's price gouging law on three fronts. First, it says the law unconstitutionally affords the Attorney General power to attack businesses and write his own standards on the fly. Second, Marathon claims Governor Fletcher's August 31, 2005 Executive Order 2005-943 putting the gouging law into effect failed to specify the length of time the price-fixing regulation would be in effect in violation of Section 2 of the Kentucky Constitution. Third, the suit states that the price gouging law violates the U.S. Constitution's Commmerce Clause and unfairly inhibits competition.
The suit claims the Governor's issuance of Executive Order 2005-943 declaring a state of emergency was illegally applied in 2005 and has never been terminated. The suit also claims Stumbo lied when he said Speedway violated the Kentucky Consumer Protection Act and includes a transcript of Stumbo's August 8, 2006 press conference as evidence.
The suit asks for the law to be declared unconstitutional and for the defendants to be ordered to pay costs, attorney fees, and "all other relief to which the plaintiffs may be entitled."
I'll Take "Four-Letter Acronyms For Bad Education Policy" For $100, Alex
Can't help but think that if Billy Harper had steered clear of promoting his role in forming the Kentucky Education Reform Act at the beginning of his campaign's advertising last year, the GOP race might look different that it does right now.
Kentucky Sued, Lunsford/Stumbo Should Pay
The MSM isn't reporting that Marathon Oil yesterday filed a federal lawsuit against the Commonwealth of Kentucky because of Attorney General Greg Stumbo's political stunt.
There are serious constitutional issues with Kentucky's price gouging law and Stumbo knows it. The Lumbo campaign should be made to pay the state's legal expenses.
There are serious constitutional issues with Kentucky's price gouging law and Stumbo knows it. The Lumbo campaign should be made to pay the state's legal expenses.
KERA And The Governor's Race
It's Day Two of the "KERA is Good" tour at the Courier Journal.
They are trying to bash Governor Fletcher for saying he wouldn't have voted for KERA and that Anne Northup was wrong when she did vote for it.
The Fletcher campaign may have some trouble capitalizing on this if word gets out about the multiple resume "typos" of his new Education Commissioner appointee.
They are trying to bash Governor Fletcher for saying he wouldn't have voted for KERA and that Anne Northup was wrong when she did vote for it.
The Fletcher campaign may have some trouble capitalizing on this if word gets out about the multiple resume "typos" of his new Education Commissioner appointee.
Greg Stumbo's Political Witch Hunt Against Big Oil
Attorney General Greg Stumbo has started suing oil companies for rising gas prices. This will satisfy a large part of the electorate, but Kentucky's stupid price-gouging law will eventually get a serious test in court.
With any luck, it will fail in the court of law. Price fixing laws are bad enough. Price gouging laws tie the concept of government control to emotional natural disasters and public emergencies to create an artificial price level that "feels right" to the politician who happens to be in charge at the time.
Unfortunately, good economics is usually bad politics. We desperately need to realize that when politicians "just do something" to fix a problem, they too often make is worse. Gas prices are a perfect example of this.
With any luck, it will fail in the court of law. Price fixing laws are bad enough. Price gouging laws tie the concept of government control to emotional natural disasters and public emergencies to create an artificial price level that "feels right" to the politician who happens to be in charge at the time.
Unfortunately, good economics is usually bad politics. We desperately need to realize that when politicians "just do something" to fix a problem, they too often make is worse. Gas prices are a perfect example of this.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
What This Race Should Really Be About
The GOP gubernatorial primary has gotten personal. What issues do you wish the candidates would address?
Ed Whitfield Is a Fair Taxer
While former U.S. House members Ernie Fletcher and Anne Northup are clashing about who has raised taxes higher, Rep. Ed Whitfield of Kentucky's First District wants to shut down the Internal Revenue Service.
Whitfield has signed on to the Fair Tax Act. Good move, Rep. Whitfield.
Whitfield has signed on to the Fair Tax Act. Good move, Rep. Whitfield.
Which Dem Campaign Will Have Most Impact On Policy In Kentucky?
Bruce Lunsford would give us Canadian-style healthcare. Steve Beshear would invite in casinos.
We would contend with the possibility of these policies if one of these candidates actually won election. Neither initiative, though, is very likely to gain passage through the legislature. But Jody Richards may have more of an impact by losing than most other candidates would have by winning.
Richards' poor showing in the race should result in his removal from the Speaker post in the House. Who the House Dems will serve up in his place to lead in the General Assembly will determine which bills get a hearing in that chamber. A governor might alter state policy substantially, but Richards' ouster on May 22 and again in January will create very interesting opportunities for change in state government.
We would contend with the possibility of these policies if one of these candidates actually won election. Neither initiative, though, is very likely to gain passage through the legislature. But Jody Richards may have more of an impact by losing than most other candidates would have by winning.
Richards' poor showing in the race should result in his removal from the Speaker post in the House. Who the House Dems will serve up in his place to lead in the General Assembly will determine which bills get a hearing in that chamber. A governor might alter state policy substantially, but Richards' ouster on May 22 and again in January will create very interesting opportunities for change in state government.
Courier Journal Loves Anne Northup?
The Courier Journal asks GOP primary voters to consider the difference between the largest tax increase in Kentucky history and a smaller "modernization" tax increase and to favor the bigger one.
While I don't have much energy for defending Fletcher's "revenue-neutral" tax increase, the CJ support for KERA is pretty far over the top.
Let's start with the first sentence:
This old talking point is contradicted by ACT scores that the state educrats can only manage to show improvement in when they falsify results by including scores from private school students.
Then there is this:
Flowery adjectives shouldn't distract from condemnation of a particularly bad investment Republicans knew was likely to perform poorly.
Then, for a newspaper that so enjoys calling conservative people liars, this string of whoppers can only be described as remarkable:
It is telling that the same people who insisted KERA would make education so much better in Kentucky are now demanding billions more to make education better.
It would be nice if we could move education policy discussions beyond the sound-bite level. Some improvements do require money, but others that would save it -- such as school choice and higher standards -- get sold short. Now that both R's and D's are stuck on selling ever-increasing funding levels as their primary function in education reform, I'm not hopeful we will progress here any time soon.
While I don't have much energy for defending Fletcher's "revenue-neutral" tax increase, the CJ support for KERA is pretty far over the top.
Let's start with the first sentence:
... the Kentucky Education Reform Act, which has done so much to lift achievement and aspirations in this state ...
This old talking point is contradicted by ACT scores that the state educrats can only manage to show improvement in when they falsify results by including scores from private school students.
Then there is this:
Actually she voted, like every other public-spirited and thoughtful member of the General Assembly, to fund KERA.
Flowery adjectives shouldn't distract from condemnation of a particularly bad investment Republicans knew was likely to perform poorly.
Then, for a newspaper that so enjoys calling conservative people liars, this string of whoppers can only be described as remarkable:
She voted to help poor districts overcome an illegal, unjust and destructive system of funding; to create family resource centers; to modernize the school curriculum; to give parents a real role in the administration of schools; to buy the technology needed for a modern, competitive K-through-12 education; to test our kids and hold schools accountable for any lack of progress.
It is telling that the same people who insisted KERA would make education so much better in Kentucky are now demanding billions more to make education better.
It would be nice if we could move education policy discussions beyond the sound-bite level. Some improvements do require money, but others that would save it -- such as school choice and higher standards -- get sold short. Now that both R's and D's are stuck on selling ever-increasing funding levels as their primary function in education reform, I'm not hopeful we will progress here any time soon.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
I Spy With My Little Eye, A Shift In The Race
Very reliable inside sources report each of the Republican gubernatorial campaigns have polling data showing Anne Northup with a small lead and headed for a run-off with Governor Ernie Fletcher.
WROCK Blogster
Former Rep. Anne Northup turned the tables on a fairly tough crowd at the Women Republicans of Central Kentucky meeting today in Lexington, claiming she hasn't been nearly as negative as Ernie Fletcher -- who she compared to Bill Clinton -- in this campaign.
Interestingly, she also mentioned "relentless attacks on blogs" directed at her.
Robbie Rudolph and Dick Wilson spoke on behalf of their campaigns as well.
Interestingly, she also mentioned "relentless attacks on blogs" directed at her.
Robbie Rudolph and Dick Wilson spoke on behalf of their campaigns as well.
What's Next: "Drive Off In A New Otis Mobile, Those Other Clunkers Will Leave You Stranded!"
Marketing to political observers is something political bloggers struggle with every day. So this email from Rick's City Cafe in Frankfort got my attention:
I haven't had the Gatewood Burger, but I might have to sneak by and grab one. Rick's Cafe is not far from the Capitol and the food is fantastic.
Next time, Rick, buy an ad!
Good morning---today, let's get the special out of the way first----OYSTER PO-BOY AND SIDE FOR $1.00 OFF REGULAR PRICE OF $7.99!!!! Of course you can get the "GATEWOOD BURGER" right up to him becoming governor for $4.99 with a side dish!!!
NOW, about those republican and democrat fat filled, preservative laced (I mean look at Mr. Lunsford and Ann Northrop), artificial color (take a look at some of those fake tans---what are they trying to hide---hello Steve Henry aka George Hamilton), BS filled hot dog candidates for governor!!!! Not a dimes worth of difference and like a real hot dog---they may end of killing you---- with their policies!!! AND THEN---- we have the lean, mean, healthy, low fat, no filler, organic, HAMBURGER!!!!This product is very pure and healthy for you and all Kentuckians---I now present to you GATEWOOD GALBRAITH---not a greasy fat filled hot dog, but a picture of health---He is simply the diet we need for all of Kentucky!!!
I hear customers say---if Gatewood had a chance, I would vote for him!!? The only way he has a chance is if you do vote for him!! From Republicans to Democrats to Independents to reporters to fireman to policemen to the average every day citizen on the street, there is one word I hear more than any other and that word is GATEWOOD!! So, vote your conscious mind and let's make a difference our children will be glad you made!!
I haven't had the Gatewood Burger, but I might have to sneak by and grab one. Rick's Cafe is not far from the Capitol and the food is fantastic.
Next time, Rick, buy an ad!
Is Billy Harper Worth Another Look?
The Harper campaign has been saying for months that Northup and Fletcher would eventually tear each other apart giving Billy Harper an opportunity to slip through the middle.
Now that the slugfest has started -- and given Harper's ability to write his own check to take advantage -- some people might be willing to give Billy Harper a chance.
His leadership against the Alternative Minimum Calculation and his well-known position against new taxes combined with his strong stances for school choice and Right to Work and against Certificate of Need laws could make things interesting.
Now that the slugfest has started -- and given Harper's ability to write his own check to take advantage -- some people might be willing to give Billy Harper a chance.
His leadership against the Alternative Minimum Calculation and his well-known position against new taxes combined with his strong stances for school choice and Right to Work and against Certificate of Need laws could make things interesting.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Mark Nickolas' Kiss Of Death
His first gubernatorial candidate out of the race, lefty blogger Mark Nickolas sees a momentum shift from Skippy Miller to Anne Northup.
Burning Question Two Weeks From Election Day
Will Anne Northup update her attack ad by removing the picture of Jonathan "Skippy" Miller as one of the happy Democrats expecting Ernie Fletcher to get the GOP nomination?
Monday, May 07, 2007
Indiana Democrats Kill School Choice Option; Teachers Union Wins, Students Lose
Indiana's House Democrats have shut down virtual charter schools in their state.
Survey Says School Choice Needs To Be Explained, But When It Is It Wins
Click here to see for yourself.
Will Billy Harper Be Like Fleet Street?
He started first out of the gate as a snow-white outsider with enough money to run a campaign for governor out of his own check book, but Billy Harper has since dropped way back in the field. After spending gobs of money to run commercials during the 2006 campaigns, his own bid has not seemed to catch fire.
In fact, Harper created his own political baggage by claiming credit for the Kentucky Education Reform Act. Otherwise, his positions on school choice, taxes, spending, and economic development have been the stuff of dreams for conservative Republican primary voters.
He has run a "positive" campaign, waiting for his two better-known opponents to rip each other apart. It hasn't seemed to be an effective strategy, but in a low-turnout three-way race, very strange things could happen. Could Billy Harper shock everyone as the next Jesse Ventura?
If he could re-introduce himself effectively to voters and take ownership of a fresh issue like market solutions to rising health insurance premiums, maybe, just maybe, he could slip into contention in the final stretch.
In fact, Harper created his own political baggage by claiming credit for the Kentucky Education Reform Act. Otherwise, his positions on school choice, taxes, spending, and economic development have been the stuff of dreams for conservative Republican primary voters.
He has run a "positive" campaign, waiting for his two better-known opponents to rip each other apart. It hasn't seemed to be an effective strategy, but in a low-turnout three-way race, very strange things could happen. Could Billy Harper shock everyone as the next Jesse Ventura?
If he could re-introduce himself effectively to voters and take ownership of a fresh issue like market solutions to rising health insurance premiums, maybe, just maybe, he could slip into contention in the final stretch.
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Repeal The 16th Amendment Now
In 1913, the 16th amendment to the U.S. Constitution tossed aside the Founding Fathers' respect for the privacy of an individual to earn an income without government interference. As a direct result of this mistake, we have afflicted ourselves with an incomprehensible and ludicrously inefficient federal tax code.
Sixty years later, the U.S. Supreme Court decided the Constitution that didn't recognize privacy in personal economic activity somehow turned a blind eye in the name of privacy toward anyone who desired to kill another human as long as part of his or her body has not yet emerged from the womb.
Isn't it about time we started to clear up inconsistencies like this?
Sixty years later, the U.S. Supreme Court decided the Constitution that didn't recognize privacy in personal economic activity somehow turned a blind eye in the name of privacy toward anyone who desired to kill another human as long as part of his or her body has not yet emerged from the womb.
Isn't it about time we started to clear up inconsistencies like this?
Give Me A Libertarian Who Hunts Down Terrorists
Congressman Ron Paul would be a great candidate for President on the strength of his economic policies, but his weakness on the throw-out-the-rulebook War on Terror is a deal-killer. Too bad his opponents for the nomination are, for the most part, stronger on defense but far weaker on the economy.
Courier Journal Says Jonathan Miller Should Quit
In the weakest gubernatorial endorsement editorial I have ever seen from a "major" newspaper, the Louisville Courier Journal encouraged Kentucky's Democrats to nominate Steve Beshear for Governor.
Treasurer Jonathan Miller is expected to pull a Bruce Lunsford and quit the race on Monday. The CJ gives him a nice, swift kick toward the door:
Also, it is interesting to note that the CJ fails to mention that Beshear's house of cards is built on getting casino gambling past the legislature. Despite Beshear's impotent bluster about forcing the General Assembly to act (which the CJ also fails to mention), it will never happen.
The 200 word non-endorsement responses from the other candidates will be fun to read.
As attorney general and lieutenant governor, and in his work as a successful private attorney, Mr. Beshear has demonstrated the kind of toughness needed to break the partisan logjam in Frankfort and to move the state energetically in new directions.
Treasurer Jonathan Miller is expected to pull a Bruce Lunsford and quit the race on Monday. The CJ gives him a nice, swift kick toward the door:
State Treasurer Jonathan Miller offers a progressive voice, but his experience seems too thin for a jump to state government's top job. He is, unfortunately, more likely to harm Mr. Beshear's chances than to elevate his own.
Also, it is interesting to note that the CJ fails to mention that Beshear's house of cards is built on getting casino gambling past the legislature. Despite Beshear's impotent bluster about forcing the General Assembly to act (which the CJ also fails to mention), it will never happen.
The 200 word non-endorsement responses from the other candidates will be fun to read.
Saturday, May 05, 2007
Jody Richards Misses Mark On Education Policy
The most basic economic theory states that lowering the price of a good increases demand for it. Education is a good and all consumers of education want to lower the price of it.
Right?
So why in the world do we continue to fall for foolish schemes like Jody Richards' College Opportunity Grants?
Why don't we just call this "Soak The Middle Class" and quit pretending that putting our focus on expanding access to higher education by throwing more money at people based solely on their low incomes helps "education"?
I know. I am being insensitive and politically incorrect and Republican. But will someone explain to me how increasing demand -- and therefore the price -- of higher education by further subsidizing students who happen to have low incomes really benefits the state? It would be much more honest and correct to say that our goal is to create higher education opportunities for low income students by limiting them for those of mid-range means.
I fail to see how such class warfare benefits education. Seriously, Richards' "Grants" might legitimately claim to give at least a freshman year to some students of very limited means, but those same students have access to ample federal funds already.
If what we want is to improve schools, we should shift our focus to aiding more students who demonstrate a willingness to do the work necessary to complete a college degree. Let's incentivize achievement and not low incomes. It would be far better to tell kids in middle school that the only way they can live better than their parents is to work hard and we will help them get a college education. Instead, we tell them that mediocre effort and broke parents are all they need to get into college. Then we wring our hands because our students aren't prepared to do college work. Their failure succeeds only in raising prices for those who are more prepared, but less indigent. The biggest winner in this system is the politicians writing press releases about how much they care for the poor.
Right?
So why in the world do we continue to fall for foolish schemes like Jody Richards' College Opportunity Grants?
Establishing “College Opportunity Grants,” which would double the amount of need-based assistance given to students in the neediest 25th percentile of applicants.
Why don't we just call this "Soak The Middle Class" and quit pretending that putting our focus on expanding access to higher education by throwing more money at people based solely on their low incomes helps "education"?
I know. I am being insensitive and politically incorrect and Republican. But will someone explain to me how increasing demand -- and therefore the price -- of higher education by further subsidizing students who happen to have low incomes really benefits the state? It would be much more honest and correct to say that our goal is to create higher education opportunities for low income students by limiting them for those of mid-range means.
I fail to see how such class warfare benefits education. Seriously, Richards' "Grants" might legitimately claim to give at least a freshman year to some students of very limited means, but those same students have access to ample federal funds already.
If what we want is to improve schools, we should shift our focus to aiding more students who demonstrate a willingness to do the work necessary to complete a college degree. Let's incentivize achievement and not low incomes. It would be far better to tell kids in middle school that the only way they can live better than their parents is to work hard and we will help them get a college education. Instead, we tell them that mediocre effort and broke parents are all they need to get into college. Then we wring our hands because our students aren't prepared to do college work. Their failure succeeds only in raising prices for those who are more prepared, but less indigent. The biggest winner in this system is the politicians writing press releases about how much they care for the poor.
Friday, May 04, 2007
Pelosi Take Note: Mayor Of Mogadishu Bans Guns
War-torn Somalia is now going to try a little gun control. Meanwhile, Nancy Pelosi has painted herself into a corner by cutting off funding to American troops in Iraq.
How long will it be before Speaker Pelosi suggests insurgents in Iraq turn in their guns to mosques in Baghdad? And what would Ben Chandler say if she did?
How long will it be before Speaker Pelosi suggests insurgents in Iraq turn in their guns to mosques in Baghdad? And what would Ben Chandler say if she did?
GOP Candidates Missing Most Important Issue
While the Democratic candidates for governor are all over the subject of who has the best plan for socialized medicine in Kentucky, the Republican candidates have been silent about how to use market principles to really improve how we pay for health care.
I understand the fear that Kentuckians are ready to go for more government involvement in health insurance, but the stakes are so high that it is a shame to see no one trying to lead in the right direction on this.
Anyone who might be inclined to take on this most important issue might start by reading this.
I understand the fear that Kentuckians are ready to go for more government involvement in health insurance, but the stakes are so high that it is a shame to see no one trying to lead in the right direction on this.
Anyone who might be inclined to take on this most important issue might start by reading this.
Chandler, Yarmuth Join Liberal "Hate Crime" Stunt
House Democrats yesterday rammed through a bill to throw federal tax dollars at prosecution of hate crimes.
Hate crime legislation is Nancy Pelosi's idea of getting tough on crime by penalizing violent offenders for having politically incorrect thoughts. She has her boys locked up tight, doesn't she?
Hate crime legislation is Nancy Pelosi's idea of getting tough on crime by penalizing violent offenders for having politically incorrect thoughts. She has her boys locked up tight, doesn't she?
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