Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Ernie Kicks Butts
Has anyone else noticed Governor Fletcher's public relations results have been much better since Brett Hall went back to New Jersey?
You many not like the announcement today that Fletcher ordered a smoking ban starting August 1 in Executive branch buildings. But the decision and the announcement were handled in a manner Kentuckians like to see from their Governor.
You many not like the announcement today that Fletcher ordered a smoking ban starting August 1 in Executive branch buildings. But the decision and the announcement were handled in a manner Kentuckians like to see from their Governor.
Enabling Voter Fraud In Georgia
Kentuckians are used to showing identification when voting, even if they don't know it. Poll workers are required to ask for ID unless one of them can claim to personally know the voter in question.
Meanwhile, Georgia Democrats are battling a state law that would require voters to show proof of their identity in order to vote. It should come as no surprise they consider the law "racist."
Hillary Clinton is going to need every dead man's vote in Kentucky in '08. This may be a way for Kentucky Dems to pull it off.
Meanwhile, Georgia Democrats are battling a state law that would require voters to show proof of their identity in order to vote. It should come as no surprise they consider the law "racist."
Hillary Clinton is going to need every dead man's vote in Kentucky in '08. This may be a way for Kentucky Dems to pull it off.
Monday, July 10, 2006
Hey, My Blog Was Singled Out Too!!
By now you may know Mark Nickolas of liberal Bluegrass Report has sued the state for prohibiting state workers from reading his site on state computers. His backers claim he was singled out for persecution.
I was singled out, uh, also. In fact, several others were singled out as well. So I ask you, how many people get to be "singled out" before it doesn't count as singling out anymore? And how many of us have to have our rights infringed upon before we realize not having our pearls of wisdom read immediately by people who are working is not much of a civil rights issue except to liberal advocacy groups who think free speech includes hard-core porn?
I was singled out, uh, also. In fact, several others were singled out as well. So I ask you, how many people get to be "singled out" before it doesn't count as singling out anymore? And how many of us have to have our rights infringed upon before we realize not having our pearls of wisdom read immediately by people who are working is not much of a civil rights issue except to liberal advocacy groups who think free speech includes hard-core porn?
Time For A Kentucky Tax Cut
Kentucky's "tax relief" special session of the legislature last month was really just a reduction of a tax increase. With today's news of a $136.5 million surplus in state coffers, now is the time to start talking about real tax cuts.
If we did that, we would be following the example of states like Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Mexico, and Arizona who have finally figured out that lowering taxes increases revenues by unleashing business activity.
UPDATE: Liberal blogger Mark Nickolas arrives on the scene to declare the $2 billion of bonded borrowing in the just-passed budget somehow responsible for the current budget surplus. Economic Illiteracy is NOT a family value, Mark.
If we did that, we would be following the example of states like Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Mexico, and Arizona who have finally figured out that lowering taxes increases revenues by unleashing business activity.
UPDATE: Liberal blogger Mark Nickolas arrives on the scene to declare the $2 billion of bonded borrowing in the just-passed budget somehow responsible for the current budget surplus. Economic Illiteracy is NOT a family value, Mark.
Who Is KY's Lieberman 2007?
I have to laugh at the liberal outrage over Governor Fletcher's suggestion that we rethink electing bozos like Greg Stumbo and Jonathan Miller to constitutional offices.
If nothing else, he got Miller lathered up. That's always funny.
"It's so blatantly partisan and such blatant retribution," Miller said, blatantly.
Like every other news story coming out of Frankfort these days, this one turns up the anxiety a notch or two over which Democrat will get to take on Fletcher -- or a possible GOP upgrade --next year.
This of course brings up the question: in a crowded field, which Democrat gets to play the liberal bloggers' Joe Lieberman, a sometime reasonable politician who is getting killed online for not being liberal enough on the War on Terror?
Steve Henry put his name in the running for that distinction by taking a swipe at liberal fave Rep. Ben Chandler. Henry told the Courier-Journal Chandler is "a lot of flavor, no substance."
Tweaking the liberal "netroots" will be Kentucky Democrats' best shot at separating themselves from the national party that continues to cause them all manner of indigestion.
The increasing influence of bloggers on Kentucky's left-wing sets up a trap for any reasonable Democrat who might want to run for Governor.
If nothing else, he got Miller lathered up. That's always funny.
"It's so blatantly partisan and such blatant retribution," Miller said, blatantly.
Like every other news story coming out of Frankfort these days, this one turns up the anxiety a notch or two over which Democrat will get to take on Fletcher -- or a possible GOP upgrade --next year.
This of course brings up the question: in a crowded field, which Democrat gets to play the liberal bloggers' Joe Lieberman, a sometime reasonable politician who is getting killed online for not being liberal enough on the War on Terror?
Steve Henry put his name in the running for that distinction by taking a swipe at liberal fave Rep. Ben Chandler. Henry told the Courier-Journal Chandler is "a lot of flavor, no substance."
Tweaking the liberal "netroots" will be Kentucky Democrats' best shot at separating themselves from the national party that continues to cause them all manner of indigestion.
The increasing influence of bloggers on Kentucky's left-wing sets up a trap for any reasonable Democrat who might want to run for Governor.
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Don't Write Fletcher Obit Just Yet
After Louisville's GOP chairman got "Meteor Destroys Earth, Film At 11" news coverage for dressing down Governor Fletcher last week, we might expect others to jump on that bandwagon. They would do well to reconsider.
While as a fiscal conservative I have had my own frustrations with this Administration, it is clear that Ernie has a pretty clear path to re-election.
Despite the media coverage of Greg Stumbo's court mandated day off on the merit hiring case, the real story is the strength of the case for dismissing the whole sorry thing.
This will be devastating for Fletcher's GOP detractors and there is little they can do to repair or prevent that damage. They find themselves merely confirming the old adage that you can't beat somebody with nobody. Fletcher opponents don't have a candidate and one is unlikely to materialize. This set of circumstances may be more luck than anything else, but the undeniable fact is that Fletcher's detractors are about to find themselves on the wrong side of history.
Also, Democrats don't have a candidate for 2007.
While as a fiscal conservative I have had my own frustrations with this Administration, it is clear that Ernie has a pretty clear path to re-election.
Despite the media coverage of Greg Stumbo's court mandated day off on the merit hiring case, the real story is the strength of the case for dismissing the whole sorry thing.
This will be devastating for Fletcher's GOP detractors and there is little they can do to repair or prevent that damage. They find themselves merely confirming the old adage that you can't beat somebody with nobody. Fletcher opponents don't have a candidate and one is unlikely to materialize. This set of circumstances may be more luck than anything else, but the undeniable fact is that Fletcher's detractors are about to find themselves on the wrong side of history.
Also, Democrats don't have a candidate for 2007.
Long-Dead Pope Endorses John Yarmuth!
Congressional candidate John Yarmuth's endorsement page on his website contains few surprises for the most part. Left-wing politicians endorse Yarmuth; we already knew that. So it was unexpected to see, near the bottom of the page, the name of one non-leftist.
Apparently John Yarmuth wants voters to believe Pope Paul VI supports him in his bid to make San Francisco's own Nancy Pelosi the Speaker of the House.
Apparently John Yarmuth wants voters to believe Pope Paul VI supports him in his bid to make San Francisco's own Nancy Pelosi the Speaker of the House.
Saturday, July 08, 2006
KEEP Corzine Taxers in Jersey
The irony of Kentucky's Gaming & Revenue Plan's PAC questionnaire hitting candidates' mailboxes this week is inescapable.
At the same time that Big Gambling's big lie -- that casinos' flood of revenue to state coffers make tax increases unnecessary -- was being ripped to shreds in New Jersey, KEEP PAC was asking 2006 candidates to help promote their charade in Kentucky.
Also inescapable is the conclusion that if the equine industry is in such bad shape that it can't survive without casinos (and all their hidden costs), perhaps it isn't worth saving.
The truth is the industry can perhaps be saved with better marketing. Casino gambling just isn't the way to get it done.
At the same time that Big Gambling's big lie -- that casinos' flood of revenue to state coffers make tax increases unnecessary -- was being ripped to shreds in New Jersey, KEEP PAC was asking 2006 candidates to help promote their charade in Kentucky.
Also inescapable is the conclusion that if the equine industry is in such bad shape that it can't survive without casinos (and all their hidden costs), perhaps it isn't worth saving.
The truth is the industry can perhaps be saved with better marketing. Casino gambling just isn't the way to get it done.
Talking Fetus Shows Panic in KY2
Decimated campaigns often get funny when they start reading the handwriting on the wall. Case in point: a supporter of Rep. Ron Lewis' hapless opponent has resorted to heckling Lewis with this talking fetus.
Someone must have read him the latest poll showing Ron Lewis ahead by 18 points.
Friday, July 07, 2006
Jack Richardson IV Gets Headlines
Jefferson County GOP Chairman Jack Richardson IV has had his comments about Governor Fletcher reported widely.
Less so his involvement in a shady pyramid scheme. Might be worth a look to see what else he has been up to.
Less so his involvement in a shady pyramid scheme. Might be worth a look to see what else he has been up to.
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Tom Barlow Does The New Jersey
Tom Barlow used to represent Kentucky's 1st district in Congress. He was elected in 2002 and served one term.
What, you may ask, is his proudest moment from his term?
Why, raising taxes of course!
From Barlow's campaign website: "His key vote for the 1993 economic package put the federal government on a path to monetary surplus and financial security."
That means that of all the things he could have done in Washington, his favorite was when he voted for the largest tax increase in our nation's history.
What, you may ask, is his proudest moment from his term?
Why, raising taxes of course!
From Barlow's campaign website: "His key vote for the 1993 economic package put the federal government on a path to monetary surplus and financial security."
That means that of all the things he could have done in Washington, his favorite was when he voted for the largest tax increase in our nation's history.
New Jersey Gamblers, Spenders, Taxers
New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine announced today that the legislature in his state has agreed to go along with his 1% sales tax increase.
Good thing they have casinos in their state, so they don't need to raise taxes, don't you think?
Good thing they have casinos in their state, so they don't need to raise taxes, don't you think?
Loser Pays In Kentucky!
A fine illustration of the value of a "Loser Pays" statute is happening in Frankfort right now.
Using an obscure Kentucky law, a Pike county woman has filed a petition to impeach Attorney General Greg Stumbo. If she succeeds, Stumbo will be removed from office. Though many of us would not have any complaint about that, it isn't going to happen. The interesting thing about this story is that the law has apparently been on the books for a long time, but probably has never been used. That has to be attributable to the fact that unsuccessful petitioners under the statute are responsible for all legal expenses.
Now if we only made filers of frivolous medical lawsuits face the same risk as would-be citizen impeachers, we would really be doing some good.
Using an obscure Kentucky law, a Pike county woman has filed a petition to impeach Attorney General Greg Stumbo. If she succeeds, Stumbo will be removed from office. Though many of us would not have any complaint about that, it isn't going to happen. The interesting thing about this story is that the law has apparently been on the books for a long time, but probably has never been used. That has to be attributable to the fact that unsuccessful petitioners under the statute are responsible for all legal expenses.
Now if we only made filers of frivolous medical lawsuits face the same risk as would-be citizen impeachers, we would really be doing some good.
FairTax Ground Zero: Tennessee
With all three Republican hopefuls speaking positively about the FairTax, Tennessee could be the tax reform hotspot in the region this fall.
Harry Reid won't let his guys and gals do anything but lie about the FairTax, so this should be fun. FairTaxer's were 8-0 in 2004.
Harry Reid won't let his guys and gals do anything but lie about the FairTax, so this should be fun. FairTaxer's were 8-0 in 2004.
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Quote Of The Week
Atlantic City casinos have been shut down since this morning in the New Jersey state budget meltdown. Meanwhile, some people in Kentucky think all we need here to end our government financing woes is expanded gambling.
So it should be instructive to some that Reuters interviewed some bonehead from Philadelphia who summed up in one sentence why casinos won't get it done for the Bluegrass state.
"I'm down about 1,200 bucks, now they're going to be closed for good so I'm not sure what I'm going to do," he said.
Who could possibly think more gambling losses would be a good idea?
Oh, how about Senator Ed Worley (D-Caesars)?
"To maintain state government at the level we're spending, the answer is expanded gaming," Worley told the Blood Horse magazine.
So it should be instructive to some that Reuters interviewed some bonehead from Philadelphia who summed up in one sentence why casinos won't get it done for the Bluegrass state.
"I'm down about 1,200 bucks, now they're going to be closed for good so I'm not sure what I'm going to do," he said.
Who could possibly think more gambling losses would be a good idea?
Oh, how about Senator Ed Worley (D-Caesars)?
"To maintain state government at the level we're spending, the answer is expanded gaming," Worley told the Blood Horse magazine.
Casino State Tax Fight Rolls On
New Jersey Democrats' money grab continues to provide a stark warning for Kentucky. Now, the battle moves to sales tax hike versus income tax hike.
Nevertheless, we keep hearing from casino supporters that if we just open casinos in Kentucky we won't have to raise taxes.
"Unquestionably there is $450 million lying on the table. This (casino gambling) is an option the people of Kentucky ought to have as opposed to having their taxes raised," Sen. Ed Worley (D-Richmond) said.
Well, it looks like desperate New Jersey Democrats are planning to double down. They are proposing to raise income taxes, rather than implement Governor Corzine's sales tax increase. Meanwhile casinos, the would-be salvation for that state's big spenders, battle to stay open.
Nevertheless, we keep hearing from casino supporters that if we just open casinos in Kentucky we won't have to raise taxes.
"Unquestionably there is $450 million lying on the table. This (casino gambling) is an option the people of Kentucky ought to have as opposed to having their taxes raised," Sen. Ed Worley (D-Richmond) said.
Well, it looks like desperate New Jersey Democrats are planning to double down. They are proposing to raise income taxes, rather than implement Governor Corzine's sales tax increase. Meanwhile casinos, the would-be salvation for that state's big spenders, battle to stay open.
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Media Appearance Wednesday
I'll be on WLAP 630 AM in Lexington Wednesday morning at 10AM talking about the FairTax. Call in then with questions at (859) 280-2287 or toll-free (800) 606-4263.
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