With all the noteworthy things going on in the world, Rep. Ben Chandler has a "constituent survey" on his website asking central Kentuckians if their mouths water at the hailing of the Democratic Party's favorite talking points.
Large majorities of voters support raising the minimum wage because they don't think it affects them in any way. But no one can justify making it the top economic development idea for the Democrat Congress. Middle class teenagers rejoice, but otherwise we all pay for a big government feel-good move that does nothing to impact poverty in America.
The second question asks if you "favor embryonic stem cell research." What Rep. Chandler means to ask is if you prefer spending even more of your federal tax dollars on research that, if only it showed any real promise, would have already been overwhelmed with private research dollars. Think about that.
As the hanging of Saddam Hussein puts things that are actually happening in Iraq back in the spotlight, we deserve better leadership on domestic issues than this.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Privatize, Privatize
Democrats found out in 2005 that "privatizing" Social Security didn't poll well and they succeeded in selling the idea that adding optional personal accounts to the money-losing program would somehow send packing all the bureaucrats who run the federal entitlement.
Well, things change in politics. It is certainly early, but I think we need to start talking in earnest about all the government functions in Kentucky that would benefit from privatization. If we change the focus from "government is a great service provider" to "but it costs too much in the long run," we will then find the will to alleviate most of the structural imbalances we face.
Roads should be first. Just look at what Indiana has done.
Since the biggest problem our state government has is paying for state employees' retirements, it seems reasonable we should not be looking for more things for the state government to do.
Well, things change in politics. It is certainly early, but I think we need to start talking in earnest about all the government functions in Kentucky that would benefit from privatization. If we change the focus from "government is a great service provider" to "but it costs too much in the long run," we will then find the will to alleviate most of the structural imbalances we face.
Roads should be first. Just look at what Indiana has done.
Since the biggest problem our state government has is paying for state employees' retirements, it seems reasonable we should not be looking for more things for the state government to do.
Monday, December 25, 2006
New Dem Legislator Exploits Special Needs Kids
Rep-elect Carl Rollins (D-Midway) is talking about filing a bill that would accomplish absolutely nothing for education in Kentucky. Needless to say, he is excited about it.
"Its a win-win situation. I want it to be available to low and middle-income families so it will be available to help them throughout life," Rollins said.
His grand plan is setting up an education savings plan trust for students with special needs. Currently, nothing prohibits kids with special needs from participating in any available savings plans. Such a "targeted" plan is merely marketing for a politician.
If Rollins really wanted to do something for special needs kids, he would support Rep. Stan Lee's special needs scholarship bill. But for reasons known only to his KEA handlers, he won't.
"Its a win-win situation. I want it to be available to low and middle-income families so it will be available to help them throughout life," Rollins said.
His grand plan is setting up an education savings plan trust for students with special needs. Currently, nothing prohibits kids with special needs from participating in any available savings plans. Such a "targeted" plan is merely marketing for a politician.
If Rollins really wanted to do something for special needs kids, he would support Rep. Stan Lee's special needs scholarship bill. But for reasons known only to his KEA handlers, he won't.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Merry Christmas 2006!
Thanks to everyone who checks this site, comments on this site, ridicules this site, or provides material -- intentionally or not -- for this site.
We have much to be grateful for in this wonderful country of ours. Not the least of which is that in another time or place many of us rabble-rousers not only would not be encouraged or tolerated, we would be rounded up and shot.
This has been a tough year in a lot of ways, so I am packing up my family and heading off to Disney World for a week.
My wife has threatened me with a fate worse than Hillary in '08 if she catches me using any of our vacation time to write, so it may be a little sparse for the rest of the year. But check back when you get a chance. I will do my best to get something up every day.
Merry Christmas!
We have much to be grateful for in this wonderful country of ours. Not the least of which is that in another time or place many of us rabble-rousers not only would not be encouraged or tolerated, we would be rounded up and shot.
This has been a tough year in a lot of ways, so I am packing up my family and heading off to Disney World for a week.
My wife has threatened me with a fate worse than Hillary in '08 if she catches me using any of our vacation time to write, so it may be a little sparse for the rest of the year. But check back when you get a chance. I will do my best to get something up every day.
Merry Christmas!
John Kerry Still Gets It Wrong On Iraq
Sen. John Kerry's fake magnanimity on Iraq shows the rest of us why he won't be elected President in 2008:
No one should be looking for vindication in what is happening in Iraq today. The lesson here is not that some of us were right about Iraq or that some of us were wrong. The lesson is simply that we need to change course rapidly rather than perversely use mistakes already made and lives already given as an excuse to make more mistakes and lose even more lives.
But as distasteful as his snooty superiority complex is, his rhetoric about going forward in Iraq shows the same self-serving disloyalty to our country as his well-known exploits in the 1970's:
Refusing to change course for fear of the political fallout is not only dangerous -- it is immoral. I'd rather explain a change of position any day than look a parent in the eye and tell them that their son or daughter had to die so that a broken policy could live.
It is fun to impute the worst of intentions to a political opponent. But when Kerry says the continued war effort is the result of fear of political fallout, he is demonstrably -- almost comically -- wrong. The political fallout has already happened. Democrats will have their opportunity to sell implementation of "cut-and-run" soon enough. Somehow I think clashing motives in 2007 will lead to a courageous change in tactics on the Left.
No one should be looking for vindication in what is happening in Iraq today. The lesson here is not that some of us were right about Iraq or that some of us were wrong. The lesson is simply that we need to change course rapidly rather than perversely use mistakes already made and lives already given as an excuse to make more mistakes and lose even more lives.
But as distasteful as his snooty superiority complex is, his rhetoric about going forward in Iraq shows the same self-serving disloyalty to our country as his well-known exploits in the 1970's:
Refusing to change course for fear of the political fallout is not only dangerous -- it is immoral. I'd rather explain a change of position any day than look a parent in the eye and tell them that their son or daughter had to die so that a broken policy could live.
It is fun to impute the worst of intentions to a political opponent. But when Kerry says the continued war effort is the result of fear of political fallout, he is demonstrably -- almost comically -- wrong. The political fallout has already happened. Democrats will have their opportunity to sell implementation of "cut-and-run" soon enough. Somehow I think clashing motives in 2007 will lead to a courageous change in tactics on the Left.
Kentucky: Ford Country Or Land Of Rising Toyota?
In his column, George Will addresses the current difficulties and future challenges of Ford Motor Company. Ford directly employs thousands of people in two Louisville plants, so its precarious situation has important implications for Kentucky.
With the remarkable ascendancy of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Company, a similarly massive Kentucky employer, interesting questions about international trade, protectionism, labor unions, and even racial issues will be raised.
With the remarkable ascendancy of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Company, a similarly massive Kentucky employer, interesting questions about international trade, protectionism, labor unions, and even racial issues will be raised.
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Gas Price Graph = A Thousand Words
(Hint: the "Adjusted for Inflation" line is the one that really matters.)
Hope you didn't forget to thank the Bush administration for not freaking out about gas prices in 2006. They could have fixed prices, raised taxes, or emptied out the Strategic Petroleum Reserve but they didn't.
Remember this?
"Are You Kidding Me?" Global Warming Alert
It's warm outside, winter coats are on sale, and the New York Times is in the fetal position whimpering softly about how it is all George Bush's fault.
This has been the warmest December since Mastodon flatulence melted the last Ice Age -- er, since 2001 -- and the scientists and clothing designers are up in arms:
The real worry is that this holiday season will not be an anomaly. Retailers and clothing designers are generally the last to weigh in on scientific debates, but some fear that they are seeing hints of global warming.
“The warm weather this season is really bringing it home,” said Dana Buchman, who creates women’s clothing for high-end department stores “What is scary is that people are saying it’s nice. It’s not good news. It’s scary.”
Scientists are less sure. While they have concluded that the global climate is warming because of trapped greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, extremes in any one season cannot be firmly linked to an underlying trend.
This has been the warmest December since Mastodon flatulence melted the last Ice Age -- er, since 2001 -- and the scientists and clothing designers are up in arms:
The real worry is that this holiday season will not be an anomaly. Retailers and clothing designers are generally the last to weigh in on scientific debates, but some fear that they are seeing hints of global warming.
“The warm weather this season is really bringing it home,” said Dana Buchman, who creates women’s clothing for high-end department stores “What is scary is that people are saying it’s nice. It’s not good news. It’s scary.”
Scientists are less sure. While they have concluded that the global climate is warming because of trapped greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, extremes in any one season cannot be firmly linked to an underlying trend.
Friday, December 22, 2006
Harper Needs To Speak Up About School Choice
Gubernatorial candidate Billy Harper has been all over the place on education. His ads promote his support of KERA, but his campaign says he favors school choice. Meanwhile, his name appears on a one year old letter from Prichard Committee for Academic excellence director Robert Sexton claiming school choice isn't worth discussing.
Harper's name doesn't appear on a current list of the Prichard organization's committee members, though. If he left the liberal group over school choice -- or some other education issue -- he might want to be talking about it. Republican primary voters will be looking for strong leadership on education policy in May. Continued silence on this issue only benefits the status quo.
Spending billions of dollars on "education" in Kentucky only to get beaten up for not spending billions more may be fun for a Republican governor who sees pretty weak opposition standing between himself and re-election, but Kentucky schoolchildren really could use the leadership.
Harper's name doesn't appear on a current list of the Prichard organization's committee members, though. If he left the liberal group over school choice -- or some other education issue -- he might want to be talking about it. Republican primary voters will be looking for strong leadership on education policy in May. Continued silence on this issue only benefits the status quo.
Spending billions of dollars on "education" in Kentucky only to get beaten up for not spending billions more may be fun for a Republican governor who sees pretty weak opposition standing between himself and re-election, but Kentucky schoolchildren really could use the leadership.
Will Congress Cut Waste In 2007?
It is starting to really look like it.
What's Sen. Mitch McConnell going to do, obstruct earmark reform?
What's Sen. Mitch McConnell going to do, obstruct earmark reform?
Real Estate Bubble Not Busting Fast Enough
... and even if it does, that presents excellent buying opportunities for most of us.
Bush's Legacy Won't Be Iraq
Whenever personal Social Security accounts are finally implemented in America, a lot of people will call them "Bush accounts" no matter whose signature makes them a reality.
Fighting in the Middle East has been going on for a long time and George W.'s successors in office will preside over more of the same. What will be different and memorable will be the liberally derided Ownership Society gaining steam just as its loudest opponents take power.
The Democratic Party can't survive a large-scale increase in stock ownership in this country. And the "There is no crisis in Social Security" crowd knows it.
Congressional Democrats know they must escape the surrender monkey chattering if they are to have any hope of warming the office furniture in their new leadership offices for long. But our liberal activist friends might want to google Sarbanes Oxley to get a good idea of what is coming next. This bad corporate regulation measure -- which Bush signed -- has been holding publicly traded companies back even as the Dow stalks 13,000. Sarbanes Oxley has to go. When it does, it will become far more difficult for Social Security reform opponents to get away with calling the stock market a "risky scheme."
President Bush deserves a ton of credit for staying strong on the War on Terror. And he will get it. But the Ownership Society will be what he is remembered for most. The war as an issue to bludgeon Republicans will disappear quickly. But deciding whether we want to really pursue greater prosperity in America or waste time legislating huge raises for middle-class teenagers will have the real lasting impact on our nation.
Fighting in the Middle East has been going on for a long time and George W.'s successors in office will preside over more of the same. What will be different and memorable will be the liberally derided Ownership Society gaining steam just as its loudest opponents take power.
The Democratic Party can't survive a large-scale increase in stock ownership in this country. And the "There is no crisis in Social Security" crowd knows it.
Congressional Democrats know they must escape the surrender monkey chattering if they are to have any hope of warming the office furniture in their new leadership offices for long. But our liberal activist friends might want to google Sarbanes Oxley to get a good idea of what is coming next. This bad corporate regulation measure -- which Bush signed -- has been holding publicly traded companies back even as the Dow stalks 13,000. Sarbanes Oxley has to go. When it does, it will become far more difficult for Social Security reform opponents to get away with calling the stock market a "risky scheme."
President Bush deserves a ton of credit for staying strong on the War on Terror. And he will get it. But the Ownership Society will be what he is remembered for most. The war as an issue to bludgeon Republicans will disappear quickly. But deciding whether we want to really pursue greater prosperity in America or waste time legislating huge raises for middle-class teenagers will have the real lasting impact on our nation.
The Year Of The Dark Horse
Could a President Mark Sanford set things right in Washington D.C.?
It is a little late in the game, but shining the spotlight on tough fiscal conservatives like Governor Sanford won't hurt a bit.
It is a little late in the game, but shining the spotlight on tough fiscal conservatives like Governor Sanford won't hurt a bit.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Reigning In The Political Blogs
This will be about as effective as price controls, the war on poverty, campaign finance reform, stopping "global warming," taxing our way to prosperity, gambling our way to prosperity, trade protectionism, affirmative action, equal pay for equal work, and a whole host of solid ideas to make things right in this crazy world.
We Need Awareness, But Not New Voting Law
I like that Secretary of State Trey Grayson wants to encourage and expand early voting. Voters should know that courthouses are open prior to Election Day and they can go in and cast their votes if they need to.
One thing to keep in mind is that the early voting police aren't very likely to come knocking on your door and haul you away if you vote early and wind up being in town on Election Day. If you want to vote and think you might not be able to make it in on that one day, go to the courthouse and cast your vote when you can.
We need greater awareness of existing flexibility for voters, not a new law with new procedures and greater expense.
One thing to keep in mind is that the early voting police aren't very likely to come knocking on your door and haul you away if you vote early and wind up being in town on Election Day. If you want to vote and think you might not be able to make it in on that one day, go to the courthouse and cast your vote when you can.
We need greater awareness of existing flexibility for voters, not a new law with new procedures and greater expense.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
President Gilmore?
Tom DeLay says former Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore is the latest "I'm the next Reagan" candidate running for the 2008 GOP nomination.
We'll see.
We'll see.
Herald Leader's Favorite Republican
Now that former Transportation cabinet official Dan Druen is "spilling the beans" on Gov. Ernie Fletcher, the Lexington Herald Leader finds Druen suddenly credible.
Misplaced Economic Pessimism On Trade
It is terribly unfashionable to express optimism out loud these days, but when Newsweek's Robert Samuelson runs with the "trade imbalance disaster looms" nonsense, I can't let it go.
The people who insist the sky is falling on the U.S. economy count on readers quivering in fear and ignorance at terms like "real-estate bust," "steep gas prices," and worst of all "skewed trade."
The fact that mankind has survived and thrived through every housing cycle since the Adam and Eve were evicted from the Garden of Eden mystifies those who whisper this time could be different. If gas prices were too high, demand would have slowed by now.
And the trade deficit merely represents foreign entities sending goods and services to America in exchange for little pieces of paper. The panic wasted over this would be better spent on our broken tax system.
But even if we don't fix the tax system, we can easily overcome any hardship caused by these other bugaboos.
The people who insist the sky is falling on the U.S. economy count on readers quivering in fear and ignorance at terms like "real-estate bust," "steep gas prices," and worst of all "skewed trade."
The fact that mankind has survived and thrived through every housing cycle since the Adam and Eve were evicted from the Garden of Eden mystifies those who whisper this time could be different. If gas prices were too high, demand would have slowed by now.
And the trade deficit merely represents foreign entities sending goods and services to America in exchange for little pieces of paper. The panic wasted over this would be better spent on our broken tax system.
But even if we don't fix the tax system, we can easily overcome any hardship caused by these other bugaboos.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Left Still Blithering About "Marriage"
Rep. J.R. Gray (D-Benton) has created a bill that would establish a new type of marriage called a "covenant marriage." It looks like an end-run around no-fault divorce in Kentucky, but it has the moonbats barking at their own shadows. Again.
Surely if we can have regular marriages, and super "covenant" marriages, can it be very long before we throw in "drive-by" marriages so everyone gets to play?
Kind of reminds me of the look on Angelina Jolie's face when she tries to explain how she is going to continue to to let Brad Pitt use and abuse her and their children until "everyone can get married."
Surely if we can have regular marriages, and super "covenant" marriages, can it be very long before we throw in "drive-by" marriages so everyone gets to play?
Kind of reminds me of the look on Angelina Jolie's face when she tries to explain how she is going to continue to to let Brad Pitt use and abuse her and their children until "everyone can get married."
Mrs. Henry Piles On Miss USA
Miss USA Tara Conner of Russell Springs, Kentucky is expected to lose her crown today.
Yesterday, former Miss America Heather French Henry couldn't resist sticking a knife in Conner by suggesting the Miss America pageant has higher standards than the Miss USA pageant in an interview with WVLK AM in Lexington.
Such a misplaced display of arrogance at a time like this tells me she has been hanging around Steve Henry long enough for it to rub off on her.
Yesterday, former Miss America Heather French Henry couldn't resist sticking a knife in Conner by suggesting the Miss America pageant has higher standards than the Miss USA pageant in an interview with WVLK AM in Lexington.
Such a misplaced display of arrogance at a time like this tells me she has been hanging around Steve Henry long enough for it to rub off on her.
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