Monday, December 18, 2006
Dems Clobber Each Other Over Casinos
Sen. David Boswell (D-Owensboro) jumped on Speaker Jody Richards for his shifting position on casino gambling, saying he "kind of danced around the issue depending on where he is."
This Isn't Going To Work
Labor Unions continue to claim workers who don't pay union dues are somehow less qualified to make things like tires.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Bipartisan Tax Reform A False Hope?
U.S. News & World Report inadvertently suggests why horse trading to get out from under our bad federal tax system may be tough to pull off.
The article states a consumption-based tax code could come about as some kind of a trade involving raising the cap on the Social Security payroll tax.
Ugghhhh...
These people really need to familiarize themselves with the FairTax before they try to discuss real tax reform. The FairTax would replace all income-based taxes and taxes on savings and investments, including the Social Security payroll tax. Democrats are establishing a solid track record of lying about the FairTax rather than addressing it.
The article states a consumption-based tax code could come about as some kind of a trade involving raising the cap on the Social Security payroll tax.
Ugghhhh...
These people really need to familiarize themselves with the FairTax before they try to discuss real tax reform. The FairTax would replace all income-based taxes and taxes on savings and investments, including the Social Security payroll tax. Democrats are establishing a solid track record of lying about the FairTax rather than addressing it.
Franken Missed Boat, Ready For A Swim
The Drudge Report says Al Franken is about to leave Air America and announce a 2008 run for the U.S. Senate. This should be fun.
His chances may have been better this year. After two more years of this, getting a moonbat like Franken elected to anything will be much more like swimming against the tide than it was for Democrats sailing with the wind at their backs -- and no need to discuss specific ideas -- in 2006.
His chances may have been better this year. After two more years of this, getting a moonbat like Franken elected to anything will be much more like swimming against the tide than it was for Democrats sailing with the wind at their backs -- and no need to discuss specific ideas -- in 2006.
Herald Leader: Tax Increase Bad, But Let's Keep It
The one thing that surprised me in this editorial was the first mention of the enormous shortfall in the state's public pensions I have seen in the MSM. They say it is $16 billion and I say it is $17 billion, but why quibble over the difference? We can't pay either amount.
We need to repeal the Alternative Minimum Calculation, but what we really need is state leadership willing to change expectations on government dramatically so we can cut spending enough to afford future pension liabilities. Raising new taxes -- or keeping bad ones like AMC -- won't be enough to stop the unfunded liability train from running over Kentucky.
We can't tax our way out of this.
We need to repeal the Alternative Minimum Calculation, but what we really need is state leadership willing to change expectations on government dramatically so we can cut spending enough to afford future pension liabilities. Raising new taxes -- or keeping bad ones like AMC -- won't be enough to stop the unfunded liability train from running over Kentucky.
We can't tax our way out of this.
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Believing Ahmadinejad
The biggest problem Americans have with Iran is some people believe their President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad when he says he wants to use "peaceful nuclear technology as a clean energy source and as a replacement for oil," while others believe him when he says "we shall soon experience a world without the United States and Zionism."
Blogs No Longer Blocked In State Offices
The prohibition against viewing of political websites by on-the-clock state employees has apparently been quietly dropped. Should be a hot topic of conversation in the MSM to start off a slow news week.
Nothing else big is expected next week except for some kind of announcement by Sen. Dan "Human Error" Mongiardo.
Nothing else big is expected next week except for some kind of announcement by Sen. Dan "Human Error" Mongiardo.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Casino Campaign Of 2007 Off To A Bad Start
Otis Hensley is no longer alone.
Treasurer Jonathan Miller signed up to run for the Democratic nomination for Governor today and then went on the Kruser and Krew program in Lexington to take a few questions.
To the question of his position on casino gambling, Miller vacillated pretty effectively, saying first he was concerned about low-income people who would gamble away more than they could afford, then saying he wasn't sure that he was against it -- and that it had to do with the "framing" of the issue -- before finishing up with the let the people decide mantra of the pro-casino campaign.
Given that Governor Fletcher has essentially the same answer, we are left to wonder where the candidate is who will come forward and talk about the taxpayers bearing the burden of all the public costs associated with state-supported casinos. The Bluegrass Institute had a good point about how, if we are going to do this, we should at least raise the financial barrier to entry into the casino business. We could go one step further and raise the tax on casinos from the proposed 35% to more like 90% like they have in Germany.
Better still, let's quit fooling ourselves and others into believing that casinos will benefit Kentucky as a whole.
Treasurer Jonathan Miller signed up to run for the Democratic nomination for Governor today and then went on the Kruser and Krew program in Lexington to take a few questions.
To the question of his position on casino gambling, Miller vacillated pretty effectively, saying first he was concerned about low-income people who would gamble away more than they could afford, then saying he wasn't sure that he was against it -- and that it had to do with the "framing" of the issue -- before finishing up with the let the people decide mantra of the pro-casino campaign.
Given that Governor Fletcher has essentially the same answer, we are left to wonder where the candidate is who will come forward and talk about the taxpayers bearing the burden of all the public costs associated with state-supported casinos. The Bluegrass Institute had a good point about how, if we are going to do this, we should at least raise the financial barrier to entry into the casino business. We could go one step further and raise the tax on casinos from the proposed 35% to more like 90% like they have in Germany.
Better still, let's quit fooling ourselves and others into believing that casinos will benefit Kentucky as a whole.
The Democrats Are Worse
I've taken a lot of abuse from my libertarian friends for continuing to insist Congressional Democrats will be a certain downgrade from GOP leadership, as flawed as it was.
Well, take a gander at this little shopping list. I don't see anything on here that does anything to improve America, do you?
Making illegal legislative conflicts of interest even more illegal in #1, raising taxes in #3 and #5, and of course forcing Social Security into the tank in #10 are some of the highlights. What are your favorites?
Well, take a gander at this little shopping list. I don't see anything on here that does anything to improve America, do you?
Making illegal legislative conflicts of interest even more illegal in #1, raising taxes in #3 and #5, and of course forcing Social Security into the tank in #10 are some of the highlights. What are your favorites?
Thursday, December 14, 2006
President Kerry Wants To Understand Iran, Syria
In case you needed another reason to be glad John Kerry lost in 2004, there's this:
"It's very important for countries to talk to each other, even when you disagree. We have serious differences with Syria right now, we have serious differencess with Iran, but you can't begin to resolve those differences if you're not willing to try to understand.. I think it's important to begin a discussion," said Kerry, a Massachusetts senator.
The rub is our differences revolve around the fact that they aren't happy we are still alive.
Meanwhile, there's this. Not that the Senate Democrats will listen to reason any more than the Syrians and Iranians will.
"It's very important for countries to talk to each other, even when you disagree. We have serious differences with Syria right now, we have serious differencess with Iran, but you can't begin to resolve those differences if you're not willing to try to understand.. I think it's important to begin a discussion," said Kerry, a Massachusetts senator.
The rub is our differences revolve around the fact that they aren't happy we are still alive.
Meanwhile, there's this. Not that the Senate Democrats will listen to reason any more than the Syrians and Iranians will.
Miller Running For Governor
Looks like the money-losing KAPT giveaway program is going to be back in the news.
With Character Witnesses Like This...
Sen. Ed Worley is back in the news:
"Johnny Ray Turner is one of the finest members in the Senate," Worley said. "He is an honorable man.
"Johnny Ray Turner is one of the finest members in the Senate," Worley said. "He is an honorable man.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Kentucky's Proud Democrat Leaders
Sen. Johnny Ray Turner(D-Drift) refused to resign from the Senate after pleading guilty to vote-buying charges in U.S. District Court today.
Next up: Sen. Ed Worley's (D-Richmond) fraud case in Madison Circuit Court.
Next up: Sen. Ed Worley's (D-Richmond) fraud case in Madison Circuit Court.
HillaryCare For The Dogs
Sen. Denise Harper Angel (D-Louisville) has filed a bill that would require veterinarians to treat "assistance dogs" without regard to the ability of the dog's "handler" to pay for the service.
I find it interesting that a state senator who needs a euphemism to describe someone who "owns" a dog isn't too delicate to jail a veterinarian for up to 30 days and fine him up to $1000 for having the audacity to think he owns his professional services and and his time.
I find it interesting that a state senator who needs a euphemism to describe someone who "owns" a dog isn't too delicate to jail a veterinarian for up to 30 days and fine him up to $1000 for having the audacity to think he owns his professional services and and his time.
Disgusting
The Lexington City Council voted quietly last night to pay off the $750,000 loan condemnation supporters guaranteed as a show of "community support" for taking over Kentucky American Water Company.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
DC Democrat: Screw The Uneducated Poor
The public schools in our nation's capital are the very worst in the country, and the District's Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton likes it that way.
When Congress voted to raise the income limits on the District's experimental school voucher program to prevent 300 innocent children from being booted out the program and sent back to failing schools, Norton objected. She said allowing families who are clearly pulling themselves out of their low income difficulty to stay in the program "destroys the low-income rationale for the program."
The District of Columbia already has the highest paid teachers in the nation. The student's paradise they have created is a sight to behold.
Meanwhile, here in Kentucky we have a Republican candidate for governor who keeps taking credit in his ads and press releases for KERA. What's up with that?
When Congress voted to raise the income limits on the District's experimental school voucher program to prevent 300 innocent children from being booted out the program and sent back to failing schools, Norton objected. She said allowing families who are clearly pulling themselves out of their low income difficulty to stay in the program "destroys the low-income rationale for the program."
The District of Columbia already has the highest paid teachers in the nation. The student's paradise they have created is a sight to behold.
Meanwhile, here in Kentucky we have a Republican candidate for governor who keeps taking credit in his ads and press releases for KERA. What's up with that?
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