U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Cleveland) has a plan to lower your gas prices that is so progressive, so forward-looking, so brilliant and...
Actually, this is a bill Kim Jong-il would love. It is a 100% tax on "excess profits" of oil and gas companies. Take a look at the bill. My favorite part is the establishment of a "Reasonable Profits Board" to figure out when oil and gas companies have made enough money.
This is a perfect example of why people who aren't happy with Republicans have nothing to gain by voting for Democrats. One bright spot: a close look at the bill suggests that the next cold winter would result in natural gas companies having little choice but to stop providing heat to just about everyone.
That would have an interesting impact on the global warming movement.
I'm not any happier than you are about how much it costs to fill up my gas-guzzling SUV, but it seems every effort to convict Big Oil of price gouging has fallen flat. If their average 8% profit margin were found to be by any means excessive, don't you think the Kuciniches would have trumpeted that news from the rooftops?
Friday, July 28, 2006
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Cindy Sheehan? In Kentucky?
I'm chasing a rumor that Cindy Sheehan -- straight from dancing with Cynthia McKinney at her primary loss party -- is coming to Kentucky to campaign with Democrat candidates.
Now that's a good idea.
Now that's a good idea.
Chandler: Gimme A Big Ed Pork Sammich
Rep. Ben Chandler (D-Versailles) misses the point of the effort to improve public education in America. He has filed a bill in Washington to spend an additional $32 Billion -- at least -- over five years to improve school BUILDINGS.
We already pay local and state taxes to maintain school facilities. Chandler wants to ding us at the federal level too.
Also part of his education "plan" is hiring gobs of computer technicians for the schools and "essential broadband access."
Good grief.
Big Education spends way too much on administration to start talking about opening new money spigots.
We already pay local and state taxes to maintain school facilities. Chandler wants to ding us at the federal level too.
Also part of his education "plan" is hiring gobs of computer technicians for the schools and "essential broadband access."
Good grief.
Big Education spends way too much on administration to start talking about opening new money spigots.
KY Governor 2007 Quote
"It isn't even about R's and D's up here. It's a northern Kentucky issue that we re-elect Ernie Fletcher."
-- Senator Dick Roeding (R-Lakeside Park)
-- Senator Dick Roeding (R-Lakeside Park)
Move The Filing Deadline
The Bluegrass Institute nails the status quo once again. There really is no reason for a January 31 election filing deadline unless you actually WANT lawmakers sitting around watching the clock for a month every other year.
This and putting committee votes online are two no-brainers that present no valid excuse for foot-dragging.
This and putting committee votes online are two no-brainers that present no valid excuse for foot-dragging.
Money For Nothing, Chicks For Free!
I can't believe the city of Lexington is still paying consultants to come up with low-ball figures on their hoped-for condemnation of Kentucky American Water Co.
Seems like very easy work. The last two read the company's 2005 financial report and came up with the same number as the previous consultant. Pretty good gig if you can get a liberal politician to pay you for it.
That ain't workin'!
Now the blue ribbon committee headed by former Congressman Scotty Baesler is off to show their new numbers to the company, which is going public next year.
Seems like very easy work. The last two read the company's 2005 financial report and came up with the same number as the previous consultant. Pretty good gig if you can get a liberal politician to pay you for it.
That ain't workin'!
Now the blue ribbon committee headed by former Congressman Scotty Baesler is off to show their new numbers to the company, which is going public next year.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
2007: Attorney General Do-Over
I still say the biggest race in 2007 will be for Attorney General. Ciberhillbilly says look for Michael Hogan. Rep. Stan Lee is another possibility. Sounds like Erwin Roberts is leaning against running. It's anathema to the Fletcher administration, but LG Steve Pence could make a strong candidate.
KEEP Gambling On Baker?
A rumor is circulating that Casino Gambling's Kentucky connection KEEP is going to hire former talk radio host Dave Baker to help them convince us to try gambling our way to prosperity.
UPDATE (7/27) : Dave Baker said he will not be going to work for KEEP.
UPDATE (7/27) : Dave Baker said he will not be going to work for KEEP.
"A Politician Or A Fresh Face"
He says he wants a month to think about it, but it sounds like Billy Harper is running for Governor.
Shut Down KY Health Insurance Regulation
Passing the federal Health Care Choice Act would have the effect of helping Kentucky consumers save money on health insurance or buy coverage they can't now afford.
The interesting thing would be to see how many people would buy policies loaded with Kentucky mandates if they didn't have to.
The interesting thing would be to see how many people would buy policies loaded with Kentucky mandates if they didn't have to.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Stumbo's Latest Merit Hiring Scam
Maybe we are selling Greg Stumbo short as a potential candidate for Governor in 2007. The way he controls the media now suggests he will have the Courier-Journal and the Herald-Leader promoting him for "Father Of The Year" despite his deadbeat dad ways.
Twin stories in Kentucky's two largest papers suggest another Stumbo "smoking gun" in his investigation of merit hiring activities in the Fletcher Administration.
Tom Loftis even writes a totally bogus lead sentence in his story that had to please Stumbo. Loftis said:
"A field representative reported to Gov. Ernie Fletcher in May 2004 that progress was being made to replace Democrats in state civil service jobs, according to documents filed by prosecutors Tuesday."
This is totally untrue. The field representative, Willard Hansford, said in a May 7, 2004 report:
"Constituents are ready to fill vacant merit positions and replace Democrats in both merit and non-merit positions."
You can read the report for yourself here. In the heavily-Republican 5th district, I would imagine there were many hundreds of Republican constituents who were "ready" to have a fair shot at jobs they had been shut out of for a generation.
The Herald-Leader's Jack Brammer printed the same quote from Mr. Hansford's report, but followed it up with this statement:
"The state merit law protects rank-and-file state workers from personnel actions based on politics."
This gives the misleading impression that something was happening against the law. Mr. Hansford was only reporting on what the constituents in his area wanted. He was doing his job. Only the most blindly partisan Democrats will choose not to see the truth in this.
Twin stories in Kentucky's two largest papers suggest another Stumbo "smoking gun" in his investigation of merit hiring activities in the Fletcher Administration.
Tom Loftis even writes a totally bogus lead sentence in his story that had to please Stumbo. Loftis said:
"A field representative reported to Gov. Ernie Fletcher in May 2004 that progress was being made to replace Democrats in state civil service jobs, according to documents filed by prosecutors Tuesday."
This is totally untrue. The field representative, Willard Hansford, said in a May 7, 2004 report:
"Constituents are ready to fill vacant merit positions and replace Democrats in both merit and non-merit positions."
You can read the report for yourself here. In the heavily-Republican 5th district, I would imagine there were many hundreds of Republican constituents who were "ready" to have a fair shot at jobs they had been shut out of for a generation.
The Herald-Leader's Jack Brammer printed the same quote from Mr. Hansford's report, but followed it up with this statement:
"The state merit law protects rank-and-file state workers from personnel actions based on politics."
This gives the misleading impression that something was happening against the law. Mr. Hansford was only reporting on what the constituents in his area wanted. He was doing his job. Only the most blindly partisan Democrats will choose not to see the truth in this.
Why Didn't We Think Of This?
What would we do here in the Horse Capitol of the World without Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT)'s bill to spend $800,000 of our own money to convince us to wear helmets when riding a horse?
Now that Senator Dodd is running for President, maybe he will initiate something really substantial like a "Honk For Peace" campaign.
Oh, that's already taken.
Now that Senator Dodd is running for President, maybe he will initiate something really substantial like a "Honk For Peace" campaign.
Oh, that's already taken.
"Just Joking" Democrats
Alleged petty thief Michael Downs is using the "I was just joking" defense to escape prosecution for his recent crimes.
Democrat strategists who pretend beyond all reason that raising the minimum wage and putting everyone on Medicaid would be terrific economic policy might want to use Mr. Downs' apologia for this one.
Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton hopes you don't remember that her husband's "worst economy in fifty years" campaign slogan was complete bunk.
Democrat strategists who pretend beyond all reason that raising the minimum wage and putting everyone on Medicaid would be terrific economic policy might want to use Mr. Downs' apologia for this one.
Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton hopes you don't remember that her husband's "worst economy in fifty years" campaign slogan was complete bunk.
Monday, July 24, 2006
Frankfort Bans Smoking
The city council in Frankfort tonight voted to ban smoking.
It is just a matter of time now before we ban smoking statewide. The public policy machinations to eradicate tobacco use completely in Kentucky are inevitable and will be very interesting to watch.
Who will finally drop the hammer on criminalizing tobacco?
It is just a matter of time now before we ban smoking statewide. The public policy machinations to eradicate tobacco use completely in Kentucky are inevitable and will be very interesting to watch.
Who will finally drop the hammer on criminalizing tobacco?
Another 'Draft For Governor' Site Coming?
Has anyone noticed LG Steve Pence is helping with a lot of legislative fundraisers this summer?
Ruminating In Red States
Sen. John Kerry was in South Carolina pitching his plan to put middle-class children on Medicaid and raising money for Democrat candidates.
Please, Senator Kerry, come to Kentucky and give us a Hillary Clinton.
Please, Senator Kerry, come to Kentucky and give us a Hillary Clinton.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Hawpe In, The Water Is Fine!
Louisville CJ columnist David Hawpe wades into the school voucher debate this morning and manages not to get his feet wet.
I challenge you to read his column and tell me one thing it adds to the discussion.
We get that Hawpe doesn't like people who want to democratize competition between public and private schools. The closest he gets to a point, though, is when he mentions a report cited in the Wall Street Journal that determined public schools do just as well as private schools if you adjust for race, socioeconomics, and other factors.
But if you adjust for looks, personality, and other factors I would be Brad Pitt -- starring in movies and "dating" Angelina Jolie.
In many public schools, interested parents, secure homes, and happy, motivated, focused kids equal success. Additional resources go to serve disabled and troubled students. The problem is with the large majority who don't fit in these extremes. Smart, happy comfortable kids make up for the statistical problem of middling students who would likely do better with more resources directed their way. But we can't just keep statistically correcting for the core group that is the future of America. Not while generations of driven kids in other less affluent countries keep eating our lunches.
The problem here is a political one and contains the best argument for giving parents the option to leave their neighborhood school, take their tax dollars, and seek a better educational fit elsewhere. Kentucky's school systems are burdened by layers of administrative pork-laden union-protected central office jobs that would have to go if our public schools had to compete -- rather than lobby -- for their position in the marketplace.
KEA types respond to the above logic with personal attacks. Getting past that point is a major key to improving our public education system.
In fact, if we could have a reasonable conversation about how we spend our money on public education, the need to call for vouchers would very likely sink to the bottom of the pool.
I challenge you to read his column and tell me one thing it adds to the discussion.
We get that Hawpe doesn't like people who want to democratize competition between public and private schools. The closest he gets to a point, though, is when he mentions a report cited in the Wall Street Journal that determined public schools do just as well as private schools if you adjust for race, socioeconomics, and other factors.
But if you adjust for looks, personality, and other factors I would be Brad Pitt -- starring in movies and "dating" Angelina Jolie.
In many public schools, interested parents, secure homes, and happy, motivated, focused kids equal success. Additional resources go to serve disabled and troubled students. The problem is with the large majority who don't fit in these extremes. Smart, happy comfortable kids make up for the statistical problem of middling students who would likely do better with more resources directed their way. But we can't just keep statistically correcting for the core group that is the future of America. Not while generations of driven kids in other less affluent countries keep eating our lunches.
The problem here is a political one and contains the best argument for giving parents the option to leave their neighborhood school, take their tax dollars, and seek a better educational fit elsewhere. Kentucky's school systems are burdened by layers of administrative pork-laden union-protected central office jobs that would have to go if our public schools had to compete -- rather than lobby -- for their position in the marketplace.
KEA types respond to the above logic with personal attacks. Getting past that point is a major key to improving our public education system.
In fact, if we could have a reasonable conversation about how we spend our money on public education, the need to call for vouchers would very likely sink to the bottom of the pool.
Upcoming GOP Primary Event
No not THAT primary, just the 2008 Presidential primary.
Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney is scheduled for an exclusive get-together at The Jefferson Club in Louisville on Monday, July 31.
Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney is scheduled for an exclusive get-together at The Jefferson Club in Louisville on Monday, July 31.
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Little Birdy Report
Spotted in Lexington talking turkey today: Rep. Lonnie Napier and a former Fletcher fundraiser.
Finally, A Democrat Upset With Taxes
I don't even know what to say about this one.
Howard Dean is really a piece of work. I guess a push for gay conjugal visits is next on the agenda.
Howard Dean is really a piece of work. I guess a push for gay conjugal visits is next on the agenda.
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