Monday, April 25, 2005
Rudolph: KY Needs To Stop Lagging With KAPT
Finance Cabinet Secretary Robbie Rudolph lays out the case for cutting our losses in the money-losing KAPT mess still championed by Treasurer Jonathan Miller, who seems to be happy to let Kentucky continue to lag behind West Virginia.
LA Times: All the Non-News That Fits
Here is a last ditch effort from the Left Coast to head off the GOP Senate effort to end filibusters of judicial nominees. The story is real (the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is afraid Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) will keep his promise to shut down the Senate), but rehashed only to stop the Senate Republicans from acting in support of President Bush's nominees.
I say since Joe Biden(D-DE) is calling for "compromise," the Republicans should go ahead with their plans and call Reid's bluff. Oh, and forget the compromise on this one.
I say since Joe Biden(D-DE) is calling for "compromise," the Republicans should go ahead with their plans and call Reid's bluff. Oh, and forget the compromise on this one.
Sunday, April 24, 2005
Pedophilia Scandal In Kentucky
Would you believe that Planned Parenthood is shielding Kentucky pedophiles from prosecution in the name of "privacy?"
Check back with Kentucky Progress this week for information about this disgusting criminal behavior.
Check back with Kentucky Progress this week for information about this disgusting criminal behavior.
Concede One Fact, Make Up Another?
"Now sure, a few workers may win big under the President's plan but all it takes is one poor investment and workers could lose everything," Rep. Ben Chandler (D-KY) in a statement not reported by the media.
Saturday, April 23, 2005
The Number is Zero, Rep. Chandler
"Over the past few years we have seen a number of stock market disasters where individuals lost every penny of their retirement income on the stock market," said Ben Chandler (D-KY), in trying to scare constituents out of a common sense approach to investing (diversified index funds) and back into the pitiful returns of Social Security.
ChandlerWatch: Congressman Plays Head In Sand
"We can rely on the savings in the Social Security Trust Fund to continue payments (to beneficiaries). The program is not in crisis but in fact has enough saved to cover several generations without reform."
--Rep. Ben Chandler (D-KY) making his case against fixing Social Security.
What Congressman Chandler doesn't want you to know is that the Social Security Trust Fund has no money in it. In fact, he has been vocal in his support for tax increases to address the Social Security shortfall despite his campaign promise in January 2004 not to ever support higher taxes if the voters of central Kentucky would send him to Iceland to serve as one of Nancy Pelosi's appointees to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.
Advocating tax increases makes sense for Chandler only in the sense that it would provide the revenue to paper over his "misstatement" quoted here.
--Rep. Ben Chandler (D-KY) making his case against fixing Social Security.
What Congressman Chandler doesn't want you to know is that the Social Security Trust Fund has no money in it. In fact, he has been vocal in his support for tax increases to address the Social Security shortfall despite his campaign promise in January 2004 not to ever support higher taxes if the voters of central Kentucky would send him to Iceland to serve as one of Nancy Pelosi's appointees to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.
Advocating tax increases makes sense for Chandler only in the sense that it would provide the revenue to paper over his "misstatement" quoted here.
Friday, April 22, 2005
ABC Does It Again
On the heels of ABC's "GOP Leadership Talking Points" scandal, ABC's Chicago affiliate stepped in it when trying to make hay out of an innocuous, polite comment by retiring Rep. Henry Hyde (R-IL).
During a wide-ranging interview in which Hyde and reporter Andy Shaw discussed Hyde's long career in Congress that will end next year, Shaw asked if the Clinton impeachment was "pay back" for Nixon.
What Rep. Hyde did not say was "You idiot, why would you ask such a stupid question? Some people may have thought that, but in Congress we just went on the facts of the case."
Instead he politely replied "I can't say it wasn't, but I also thought that the Republican party should stand for something, and if we walked away from this, no matter how difficult, we could be accused of shirking our duty, our responsibility."
In this way, Hyde made his best effort to diffuse that part of the conversation, ignoring the stupid question and allowing the interviewer to get back on track.
The funny thing is that the ABC7 Chicago website had a headline this morning that blared "Clinton Impeachment Was Retaliation For Nixon, Says Retiring Congressman." This was, of course, completely untrue.
At some point today, they pulled down the story, according to the Drudge Report. Now it is back up with the story re-written and the headline changed to "Rep. Hyde Reflects on 30 Years of Office."
I guess they were hoping no one would notice their effort to turn bad journalism into an embarrassment for a Republican.
During a wide-ranging interview in which Hyde and reporter Andy Shaw discussed Hyde's long career in Congress that will end next year, Shaw asked if the Clinton impeachment was "pay back" for Nixon.
What Rep. Hyde did not say was "You idiot, why would you ask such a stupid question? Some people may have thought that, but in Congress we just went on the facts of the case."
Instead he politely replied "I can't say it wasn't, but I also thought that the Republican party should stand for something, and if we walked away from this, no matter how difficult, we could be accused of shirking our duty, our responsibility."
In this way, Hyde made his best effort to diffuse that part of the conversation, ignoring the stupid question and allowing the interviewer to get back on track.
The funny thing is that the ABC7 Chicago website had a headline this morning that blared "Clinton Impeachment Was Retaliation For Nixon, Says Retiring Congressman." This was, of course, completely untrue.
At some point today, they pulled down the story, according to the Drudge Report. Now it is back up with the story re-written and the headline changed to "Rep. Hyde Reflects on 30 Years of Office."
I guess they were hoping no one would notice their effort to turn bad journalism into an embarrassment for a Republican.
Clear Channel Radio Takes The KAPT Challenge
Kudos to Caleb Brown, reporter at WHAS and the Kentucky News Network and host of the Sunday morning Kentucky Focus program. Mr. Brown will have Jonathan Miller and Kentucky Progress' David Adams on his show this weekend to investigate the KAPT scandal.
All we ask is that he look into Mr. Miller's bogus claim that there is $150 million in unclaimed funds backing up the money-losing KAPT program.
UPDATE: Caleb Brown seems to be asking the tough questions of both sides, those urging fiscal responsibility AND the State Treasurer. This story is set to take off next week.
All we ask is that he look into Mr. Miller's bogus claim that there is $150 million in unclaimed funds backing up the money-losing KAPT program.
UPDATE: Caleb Brown seems to be asking the tough questions of both sides, those urging fiscal responsibility AND the State Treasurer. This story is set to take off next week.
Thursday, April 21, 2005
Rep. Hyde Comments Taken Out of Context
The MSM will be pretty worked up Friday about Rep. Henry Hyde (R-IL) saying that Clinton's impeachment was payback for Nixon. He didn't say it.
In a wide-ranging interview about his career in the House and after questions about the personal attacks that he took as House manager of the Impeachment proceedings, Hyde was asked if he thought Clinton was payback for Nixon.
He said "I can't say it wasn't, but I also thought that the Republican party should stand for something, and if we walked away from this, no matter how difficult, we could be accused of shirking our duty, our responsibility."
Hardly the announcement that it will probably be made out to be.
In a wide-ranging interview about his career in the House and after questions about the personal attacks that he took as House manager of the Impeachment proceedings, Hyde was asked if he thought Clinton was payback for Nixon.
He said "I can't say it wasn't, but I also thought that the Republican party should stand for something, and if we walked away from this, no matter how difficult, we could be accused of shirking our duty, our responsibility."
Hardly the announcement that it will probably be made out to be.
Double Dog Dare to Mainstream Media
The judge doesn't get it, so kiss your money goodbye. The only question is will the media investigate?
Franklin Circuit Court Judge Roger Crittenden has issued his Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law in the KAPT scandal. In the document, he repeatedly refers to the "Unclaimed Property Fund" as the source of the $13.7 million at the heart of the controversy.
The problem is that Judge Crittenden does not appear to grasp the fact that there is no such fund. The indisputable fact -- disputed loudly by Jonathan Miller -- is that there is no money in the account representing the liquidated abandoned property held by the state.
The bottom line is that taxpayer money was used to fill the unfunded liability hole in the money-losing KAPT program and much more will be lost if Miller is allowed to keep the program open and generating future losses.
I double dog dare anyone in the mainstream media to investigate and PROVE ME WRONG on this.
Franklin Circuit Court Judge Roger Crittenden has issued his Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law in the KAPT scandal. In the document, he repeatedly refers to the "Unclaimed Property Fund" as the source of the $13.7 million at the heart of the controversy.
The problem is that Judge Crittenden does not appear to grasp the fact that there is no such fund. The indisputable fact -- disputed loudly by Jonathan Miller -- is that there is no money in the account representing the liquidated abandoned property held by the state.
The bottom line is that taxpayer money was used to fill the unfunded liability hole in the money-losing KAPT program and much more will be lost if Miller is allowed to keep the program open and generating future losses.
I double dog dare anyone in the mainstream media to investigate and PROVE ME WRONG on this.
Bowling for Caribou
Congressman Ben Chandler (D-Iceland) voted yesterday to help European environmentalists prevent oil and gas exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve and continue America's high level of dependence on imported petroleum.
But America won on a largely party line vote 231-200.
But America won on a largely party line vote 231-200.
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
ChandlerWatch Continues
There was a flurry of amendment activity from House Democrats Wednesday night. Waiting for all the details to come available and will report quickly Thursday.
Come To the Table or Karl Rove Will Eat Your Lunch, Again
Congressman Mike Pence (R-IN) is calling on President Bush to put up a specific plan for Social Security reform. While I look forward to getting the show on the road (and share Pence's support for the Ryan/Sununu plan) I support the method the President is using to build support for reform. As a result of his efforts to date, very few people can still insist there is no crisis and they are getting increasingly shrill.
Of course, now they have little choice but to continue fighting reform as so many of them have gone on the record with stupid statements that can haunt them if reform passes.
I just wish there were some liberals willing to have a serious discussion about the issue. It shouldn't be a partisan argument. Numbers are neither liberal nor conservative and this particular episode of obstructionism reeks of political calculation.
Of course, now they have little choice but to continue fighting reform as so many of them have gone on the record with stupid statements that can haunt them if reform passes.
I just wish there were some liberals willing to have a serious discussion about the issue. It shouldn't be a partisan argument. Numbers are neither liberal nor conservative and this particular episode of obstructionism reeks of political calculation.
GOP Must Fight or Die
USA Today takes on the favorite topics of how Democrats can stop losing elections with two op/ed pieces. It is worthwhile reading for conservative people. One says to not change anything and the other says to lie more. Ross Baker writes, interestingly and correctly, that Democrats did well with the hand they were dealt in 2004 and should merely press on with the support they are energizing.
This is the one that Republicans should fear and respond to.
Republicans who choose to rest on their laurels given recent electoral success deserve to get smashed. We face significant issues that merit hair-on-fire activism by conservatives. Examples include tax reform, entitlement reform, and battling terrorism. The fantastic opportunity conservatives have to separate themselves from the loyal opposition exists, but must be actively embraced on a large scale for it to have any value.
Embrace this soon, or regret it soon enough.
This is the one that Republicans should fear and respond to.
Republicans who choose to rest on their laurels given recent electoral success deserve to get smashed. We face significant issues that merit hair-on-fire activism by conservatives. Examples include tax reform, entitlement reform, and battling terrorism. The fantastic opportunity conservatives have to separate themselves from the loyal opposition exists, but must be actively embraced on a large scale for it to have any value.
Embrace this soon, or regret it soon enough.
Can't Blog Now, Gotta Talk on WVLK 590
I'll be on Jack Pattie's show at 9 am talking about federal tax reform. Call in number is 253-5959.
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Movement on KAPT Scandal Today
The Franklin Circuit Court today issued a summary of findings on the KAPT scandal. Embattled state Treasurer Jonathan Miller's reputation has been damaged by uncovered details of financial problems for the KAPT program, including the fact that the abandoned property fund backing up KAPT has been completely squandered.
The mainstream media, curiously, is going to great lengths to ignore the details of this story. We will keep you posted as more information is uncovered.
The mainstream media, curiously, is going to great lengths to ignore the details of this story. We will keep you posted as more information is uncovered.
Lexington Herald Leader Wrong on Estate Tax
The Lexington Herald Leader passes on a bit of bad information this morning (dead tree version only) on it's opinion page. Their reprint of a San Jose Mercury News unsigned editorial gives us a commonly repeated lie about the death tax.
The editorial states that the current estate tax exemption ($1.5 million) and that of a "compromise" Democrat bill that would have raised it to $3.5 million, is worth $3 million and $7 million respectively, for couples. This simply isn't true, and they have to know it. When one spouse dies, his or her estate passes on to the surviving spouse with no estate tax liability. When the surviving spouse dies, he or she gets one exemption. So doubling the exemption for a "couple" does not happen.
A simple example would be a couple with $2.5 million dollars, less than the $3 million "couple" exemption. The death of the first spouse would cause the entire estate to pass on to the surviving spouse. The death of the surviving spouse would result in the application of the $1.5 million exemption and leave $1 million subject to the death tax. This obviously wouldn't be the case if there were a $3 million "couple" exemption. But there isn't.
Again, this is such an elementary detail of estate tax law that the Democrats in Congress and their friends at the New York Times and Washington Post would have to know the truth. What seems most likely is that they are counting on you not taking the time to check out their spin.
We'll hold our breath waiting for a correction from the Herald Leader.
The editorial states that the current estate tax exemption ($1.5 million) and that of a "compromise" Democrat bill that would have raised it to $3.5 million, is worth $3 million and $7 million respectively, for couples. This simply isn't true, and they have to know it. When one spouse dies, his or her estate passes on to the surviving spouse with no estate tax liability. When the surviving spouse dies, he or she gets one exemption. So doubling the exemption for a "couple" does not happen.
A simple example would be a couple with $2.5 million dollars, less than the $3 million "couple" exemption. The death of the first spouse would cause the entire estate to pass on to the surviving spouse. The death of the surviving spouse would result in the application of the $1.5 million exemption and leave $1 million subject to the death tax. This obviously wouldn't be the case if there were a $3 million "couple" exemption. But there isn't.
Again, this is such an elementary detail of estate tax law that the Democrats in Congress and their friends at the New York Times and Washington Post would have to know the truth. What seems most likely is that they are counting on you not taking the time to check out their spin.
We'll hold our breath waiting for a correction from the Herald Leader.
Liberal Study: Cut Spending and Spending Goes Down
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the far left think tank under fire for its support for tax increases and the status quo on America's deteriorating entitlements, has issued a stunning report on government spending.
The CBPP's report on Ohio's consideration of a taxpayer bill of rights warns that legislative efforts to mandate spending cuts might result in lower spending. And that, the study concludes, would be bad.
Yes, they really did.
The CBPP's report on Ohio's consideration of a taxpayer bill of rights warns that legislative efforts to mandate spending cuts might result in lower spending. And that, the study concludes, would be bad.
Yes, they really did.
Conservative Dems of The World, Unite!
The Democratic Leadership Council, Washington D.C.'s self-proclaimed "conservative Democrats" have made it official: they are going to stop obstructing on entitlement reform and taxes.
Disappointing, though, is that they propose to change their tune and cure society's ills by moving to the left.
Their grand solution includes more tax credits and expanded tax deductions to be "paid for" by tax increases.
I am serious.
Disappointing, though, is that they propose to change their tune and cure society's ills by moving to the left.
Their grand solution includes more tax credits and expanded tax deductions to be "paid for" by tax increases.
I am serious.
Monday, April 18, 2005
Fruits and Nuts in Frankfort
What is Sen. Ed Worley(D-Richmond) doing chatting up communist wacko and perennial Democrat candidate for President Lyndon "Let's Nationalize the Auto Industry" LaRouche?
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