Friday, April 07, 2006
Don't Just Do Something, Protest!
If we keep expanding our government entitlements, we could wind up like France. Today, their future generations are learning that mass protests to avoid work are more profitable than actually working.
National GOP Like Kentucky Dems?
Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney earned Kentucky Kudos on Monday with a good teacher pay plan.
Today, he gets the opposite for his compulsory health insurance plan and another very dubious political move.
Supporters point to requirements for drivers to carry car insurance, but that is a weak analogy. The government doesn't spend taxpayer dollars buying car insurance for low-income people. The law requires them to stay off the road and offenders face jail time if they drive without insurance. Romney's socialized medicine deal expands the entitlement mentality further up the income scale. Some people complain about pay increases putting them into higher tax brackets, but that is only a marginal increase. Under Romney's plan, upwardly mobile workers would find increasing incomes causing a tangible loss to their government health insurance subsidy.
Do we really want entitlement disincentives to plague the middle class just as the old "War on Poverty" has crushed the poor for decades? I suppose if we really wanted to follow this track we could provide government car insurance and subsidies for car purchases and sliding-scale prices for gasoline and car repairs based on income. Hey, where's my leather seat subsidy?!
Anyway, as 2008 draws ever closer, national Republicans wanting to keep the GOP in the White House face the same problem as Kentucky Democrats who want their party to regain the Governor's Mansion. No candidate.
Today, he gets the opposite for his compulsory health insurance plan and another very dubious political move.
Supporters point to requirements for drivers to carry car insurance, but that is a weak analogy. The government doesn't spend taxpayer dollars buying car insurance for low-income people. The law requires them to stay off the road and offenders face jail time if they drive without insurance. Romney's socialized medicine deal expands the entitlement mentality further up the income scale. Some people complain about pay increases putting them into higher tax brackets, but that is only a marginal increase. Under Romney's plan, upwardly mobile workers would find increasing incomes causing a tangible loss to their government health insurance subsidy.
Do we really want entitlement disincentives to plague the middle class just as the old "War on Poverty" has crushed the poor for decades? I suppose if we really wanted to follow this track we could provide government car insurance and subsidies for car purchases and sliding-scale prices for gasoline and car repairs based on income. Hey, where's my leather seat subsidy?!
Anyway, as 2008 draws ever closer, national Republicans wanting to keep the GOP in the White House face the same problem as Kentucky Democrats who want their party to regain the Governor's Mansion. No candidate.
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
It Just Gets Worse For Worley
As Senator Ed Worley(D-Richmond) prepares for an April 19 hearing on the ethics complaint regarding his hidden business interests, he faces even more bad news.
One of his companies, Highland Centre LLC, has over $11,000 in delinquent property taxes owed to Madison county, according to the Richmond Register. The Madison county clerk's office confirmed the delinquency and plans a sale of the tax liens.
One of his companies, Highland Centre LLC, has over $11,000 in delinquent property taxes owed to Madison county, according to the Richmond Register. The Madison county clerk's office confirmed the delinquency and plans a sale of the tax liens.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Terrorists Find Another Downing Street Memo
Al-jazeera is at it again. How long will it be before the American Left picks up this story?
I'd say by this weekend we will be hearing in the MSM how attacking Iraq made the terrorists mad at us and caused the subway bombings in London.
Once again, the Bush administration is stuck between those who want to surrender the war and those who want to turn the Middle East into a sea of glass. It is a shame when protecting America's interests responsibly is the minority position.
I'd say by this weekend we will be hearing in the MSM how attacking Iraq made the terrorists mad at us and caused the subway bombings in London.
Once again, the Bush administration is stuck between those who want to surrender the war and those who want to turn the Middle East into a sea of glass. It is a shame when protecting America's interests responsibly is the minority position.
The Bio-terror Lab That Could Have Been
When Hal Rogers was putting together a Kentucky-Tennessee coalition to bring the federal bio-terror laboratory to Somerset, where the heck was Ben Chandler?
Lexington is a much better fit, with the University, the educated workforce, and the infrastructure needs already in place. I'm all for southern Kentucky getting this and it will be a great boon to the state, but it would be nice if central Kentucky had an alert Congressional representative as well.
And yes, it is sour grapes. It is also an I-told-you-so.
Lexington is a much better fit, with the University, the educated workforce, and the infrastructure needs already in place. I'm all for southern Kentucky getting this and it will be a great boon to the state, but it would be nice if central Kentucky had an alert Congressional representative as well.
And yes, it is sour grapes. It is also an I-told-you-so.
It's Another Isolated Incident!
As Tom DeLay steps down, we are reminded that Republican officeholders under ethical clouds usually step down (Newt Gingrich, Robert Livingston, Tom DeLay) and Democrats usually cling to power as if their lives depended on it (Ted Kennedy, Bill Clinton, Johnny Ray Turner, Ed Worley).
The point is that all the Democrat tv commercials already in the can for running every race against Tom DeLay just lost their sting.
The point is that all the Democrat tv commercials already in the can for running every race against Tom DeLay just lost their sting.
Monday, April 03, 2006
Stumbo Runs Aground
Does anyone doubt there is more to this story?
Seems interesting that the AP reports he went out last night looking for fishing locations, but wasn't reported missing until 9 AM today. Has his family grown accustomed to Stumbo's all-night excursions not ending until the middle of the next morning? Also, don't most people carry a cell phone in case of a "boat accident?"
The Pinellas county Sheriff's Office says that charges will not likely be filed against Stumbo in the incident.
Seems interesting that the AP reports he went out last night looking for fishing locations, but wasn't reported missing until 9 AM today. Has his family grown accustomed to Stumbo's all-night excursions not ending until the middle of the next morning? Also, don't most people carry a cell phone in case of a "boat accident?"
The Pinellas county Sheriff's Office says that charges will not likely be filed against Stumbo in the incident.
Hey, A Republican With An Education Plan!
Gov. Mitt Romney deserves major points for taking on the education establishment in Massachusetts.
The top teachers union thug in his state calls Romney's plan to bring sanity to the teacher pay issue "inequitable, divisive, and ineffective."
In English, that means it is good.
The top teachers union thug in his state calls Romney's plan to bring sanity to the teacher pay issue "inequitable, divisive, and ineffective."
In English, that means it is good.
Sunday, April 02, 2006
Frustrate A Liberal: Support School Choice
Fear is a great motivator. Fresh off two consecutive Frankfort wins versus taxpayers, the education establishment, for their own good, really needs a little healthy fear thrown their way.
It is high time we give it to them.
Since most of us know throwing more money at our public school administrators isn't the answer to improving student education, when are we going to realize we don't have to sit back and keep endorsing blank checks to an unaccountable school bureaucracy? Seriously, how much better would our public schools be if parents could choose to take their tax dollars and their children elsewhere if they saw a better educational opportunity?
The education establishment doesn't want you asking questions like that. Unfortunately, too many elected Republicans (a seemingly natural anti-government monopoly constituency) have turned into nervous Nellies at a time that taxpayers have every reason to be questioning the status quo.
They really, really don't want you to click here to see what is coming to Kentucky. But go ahead, you rebel, and do it anyway.
It is high time we give it to them.
Since most of us know throwing more money at our public school administrators isn't the answer to improving student education, when are we going to realize we don't have to sit back and keep endorsing blank checks to an unaccountable school bureaucracy? Seriously, how much better would our public schools be if parents could choose to take their tax dollars and their children elsewhere if they saw a better educational opportunity?
The education establishment doesn't want you asking questions like that. Unfortunately, too many elected Republicans (a seemingly natural anti-government monopoly constituency) have turned into nervous Nellies at a time that taxpayers have every reason to be questioning the status quo.
They really, really don't want you to click here to see what is coming to Kentucky. But go ahead, you rebel, and do it anyway.
Saturday, April 01, 2006
Howard Dean At Your Front Door
The DNC has put the word out for Democrat volunteers to go door-to-door across the nation on April 29.
Here is part of their script:
Democrats are working on the following issues:
Which issues are the most important to you?
Honest Leadership & Open Government
Real Security
Energy Independence
Economic Prosperity & Educational Excellence
A Healthcare System that Works for Everyone
Retirement Security
I would choose each one of these issues and ask the volunteer to describe in detail what the Democratic Party is going to do differently. If this effort receives the media scrutiny it deserves it could amount to a monumentally hilarious screw-up. Think one part Jay Walking and one part Dean Scream. Then multiply those by thousands of mad-as-hell half-cocked lefties invading neighborhoods from sea to shining sea and getting their empty rhetoric thrown back in their faces, making up silly answers to questions, and melting under the pressure of real world situations.
Someone needs to follow these people around with video cameras. What we really need to do is come up with a great name for the reality show that would come as a result of all this.
Here is part of their script:
Democrats are working on the following issues:
Which issues are the most important to you?
Honest Leadership & Open Government
Real Security
Energy Independence
Economic Prosperity & Educational Excellence
A Healthcare System that Works for Everyone
Retirement Security
I would choose each one of these issues and ask the volunteer to describe in detail what the Democratic Party is going to do differently. If this effort receives the media scrutiny it deserves it could amount to a monumentally hilarious screw-up. Think one part Jay Walking and one part Dean Scream. Then multiply those by thousands of mad-as-hell half-cocked lefties invading neighborhoods from sea to shining sea and getting their empty rhetoric thrown back in their faces, making up silly answers to questions, and melting under the pressure of real world situations.
Someone needs to follow these people around with video cameras. What we really need to do is come up with a great name for the reality show that would come as a result of all this.
Friday, March 31, 2006
KAPT Charade Exposed, Future Losses Limited
Budget negotiators have finally killed off the money-losing KAPT program. The moribund program has long been propped up by the dubious backing of the state's unclaimed property fund.
That is no longer the case.
While the program has technically been re-opened to new accounts starting in July, budget language requires premiums to be "actuarially sound." This is the crux of the issue: premiums were initially so low that the program kept going into the tank. Actuarial losses wind up being paid for with taxpayer money. That is what the Senate majority objected to. Requiring adequate premiums to keep the program from being a chronic money-loser removes all incentive to sign up for KAPT in the future.
R.I.P. KAPT.
The $13.7 million Jonathan Miller took from taxpayers in December of 2004 has also been returned to the general fund.
I would love to be a fly on the wall when Miller figures out that he really got hosed.
That is no longer the case.
While the program has technically been re-opened to new accounts starting in July, budget language requires premiums to be "actuarially sound." This is the crux of the issue: premiums were initially so low that the program kept going into the tank. Actuarial losses wind up being paid for with taxpayer money. That is what the Senate majority objected to. Requiring adequate premiums to keep the program from being a chronic money-loser removes all incentive to sign up for KAPT in the future.
R.I.P. KAPT.
The $13.7 million Jonathan Miller took from taxpayers in December of 2004 has also been returned to the general fund.
I would love to be a fly on the wall when Miller figures out that he really got hosed.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
It's Not Too Late To Fix This
Does anyone find it somewhat odd that the Telford YMCA in Richmond is inviting scandal-plagued Sen. Ed Worley in to be the keynote speaker at their Annual Banquet? The event is supposed to be for the entire community and not just those who support thuggery and deception.
There is plenty of time to find another speaker for this event if they hurry. If you stand for the stated ideals of the YMCA but not the nefarious schemes of the Senate Democrat Leader, call (859)623-9356 and tell them to get someone else.
There is plenty of time to find another speaker for this event if they hurry. If you stand for the stated ideals of the YMCA but not the nefarious schemes of the Senate Democrat Leader, call (859)623-9356 and tell them to get someone else.
Another Top Democrat Coming To Lexington
Big news for Kentucky Democrats: if you swooned for Howard Dean, if you melted for Hillary Clinton, if you are angry at Jerry Lundergan for not following through on his promise to bring Ted Kennedy in, you are going to love this one.
Jane Fonda is coming to Lexington. She's anti-war and anti-capitalism all in one.
Enjoy!
I wonder which of Lexington's mayoral candidates will show up for pictures at the April 29 event.
Jane Fonda is coming to Lexington. She's anti-war and anti-capitalism all in one.
Enjoy!
I wonder which of Lexington's mayoral candidates will show up for pictures at the April 29 event.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Big Plan Revealed
Washington D.C. Democrats have claimed for months their "plan" for America was to be revealed at a later date, usually referred to as "soon."
Well, today appears to be the day.
Here is the Real Security Plan.
Looks like the work of the same people who thought John Kerry would be a great nominee. The plan seems to be heavy on talking points (Eliminate Osama Bin Laden, destroy terrorist networks like al Qaeda, finish the job in Afghanistan and end the threat posed by the Taliban) and very, very light on anything we can actually use.
Well, today appears to be the day.
Here is the Real Security Plan.
Looks like the work of the same people who thought John Kerry would be a great nominee. The plan seems to be heavy on talking points (Eliminate Osama Bin Laden, destroy terrorist networks like al Qaeda, finish the job in Afghanistan and end the threat posed by the Taliban) and very, very light on anything we can actually use.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Mexican Illegals Learning Politics From American Left
I would be happier making fun of the French on this one if we didn't have this going on here in America.
The media is reporting on high school students walking out of class to protest for the illegals. But they aren't mentioning the teachers in Dallas who are taking elementary school students out to join the protests and wave Mexican flags. Are these teachers taking a lesson from their Anglo union comrades on how to abuse a field trip for political purposes?
The media is reporting on high school students walking out of class to protest for the illegals. But they aren't mentioning the teachers in Dallas who are taking elementary school students out to join the protests and wave Mexican flags. Are these teachers taking a lesson from their Anglo union comrades on how to abuse a field trip for political purposes?
Monday, March 27, 2006
Funeral Protest Law Signed, Anti-War Leaders Seethe
Kentucky now can prosecute people who protest soldier funerals, much to the consternation of liberals like this.
A committed group of citizens made this happen, despite the best efforts of retiring Rep. Mike Weaver to kill the bill quietly. Now it is time for him to go lose his race for Congress and fade off into the sunset. Tim Moore will be a welcome replacement in a nice pick-up for Republicans in the House.
A committed group of citizens made this happen, despite the best efforts of retiring Rep. Mike Weaver to kill the bill quietly. Now it is time for him to go lose his race for Congress and fade off into the sunset. Tim Moore will be a welcome replacement in a nice pick-up for Republicans in the House.
Show Them The Money: KEA Survey Ignores Kids
Kentucky's teachers union is big on politics. Someone should remind them their reason for being has a little to do with our children. This spring every candidate for state office gets a survey from the KEA. If you are a Democrat and answer yes to every question (increasing funding for schools, raising teacher pay and cutting employee health contributions for public employees), you get an endorsement!
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