Reform Opponents Turn on Each Other

This video clip shows President Bush knocking another Social Security question out of the park, while liberals still claim to be winning on the issue. In fact they are showing the video to each other as if it somehow justifies their obstruction, by pointing out the Bush quote "Personal accounts do not solve the issue" without including his next statement that "Personal accounts will make sure that individual workers get a better deal." The President is initiating the conversation for a permanent solution to unfunded liabilities in entitlement programs and his opponents are playing politics. Come on, guys. You have no credibility when you insist there is no reason to do anything and you still refuse to discuss the issue rationally. Put aside the hatred for President Bush and listen to his words. He is inviting you to help find a solution. Bogus commentary like this from the New York Times doesn't help anything. Read this angry letter from Sen. Joe Lieberman that confirms what the rest of us already knew: the Social Security problem is getting worse while the obstructionists in Congress are playing political games.

At least he is better than a Socialist!!

The National Taxpayers Union has issued a Report Card for members of Congress and it is no surprise that Rep. Ben Chandler (D-Versailles) earned an "F."
The good news is that Chandler's 14% grade is slightly better than Vermont Socialist Bernie Sanders' 12% and New York neo-con Hillary Clinton (11%).
Sadly, Chandler scored lower than Massachusetts' Sen. Ted Kennedy (15%).

Save Social Security Now Comes To Richmond

A townhall meeting to discuss Social Security reform will be held Tuesday March 22, 2005 at the KU building in downtown Richmond. The meeting will start at 5:30 p.m.
President Bush has pushed for a discussion of how to preserve Social Security for future generations. His efforts have been met with apathy from too many politicians of both parties. Save Social Security Now strives to take the reform effort to the grassroots level. In the belief that citizen activism can overcome political apathy, Save Social Security Now urges elected officials of both parties to put aside personal ambition in favor of the public good. Fixing Social Security now for the benefit of future generations of Americans will take bipartisan cooperation.
Any questions regarding Save Social Security Now may be directed to David Adams at 859-537-5372 or s.dadams@prodigy.net.

Grover Gives Kentucky A Qualified Thumbs Up

Grover Norquist approves of Kentucky's efforts to reform the Commonwealth's tax code. Sort of.
"It's always better to cut spending and cut taxes, but Kentucky's tax plan is revenue neutral in the short run and cuts corporate taxes," Norquist said. "Kentucky's corporate taxes have been horrifying to businesses. They look at Kentucky and then they go to Tennessee."
Norquist, president of the Washington D.C.-based Americans for Tax Reform, spoke to David Adams on WEKY 1340 AM in Richmond Wednesday evening.

Chandler Bears Down Against Reform

Congressman Ben Chandler (D-Ky) today announced his plans to share obstructionist talking points with supporters in two central Kentucky towns next week. Chandler has attempted to distract constituents concerned about his ineffectiveness in office by loudly and inaccurately shouting down Social Security reform. The source of his misinformation appears to be leftwing websites with titles like "There is No Crisis" http://www.thereisnocrisis.com/. Chandler will be in Berea on Tuesday and Winchester on Thursday.

Herald Leader Blind To Entitlement Reform

The Lexington Herald Leader used this editorial to call for frank speaking on Social Security and then launched a very predictable talking-point diatribe. This same newspaper who now calls private accounts "market magic" and suggests that they can't work was more than willing to confiscate $13.7 million from Kentucky taxpayers to prop up a money losing KAPT program that uses more than a little hocus pocus to make promises it (and self-proclaimed caretaker Jonathan Miller) can't keep. Our beloved newspaper totally missed entitlement reform when the state Senate voted to stop feeding the KAPT monster. They are missing the boat on Social Security as well.
The left in Kentucky, led by Congressman Ben Chandler, knows that the numbers don't support their side. But they think Kentuckians are so confused by their razzle dazzle that they will support perpetual ponzi schemes in KAPT and Social Security. Go fish...

Congressmen gone wild: Chandler on Social Security

Ben Chandler came out with some more outlandish statements about Social Security on the House floor in Washington D.C. Particularly unsettling was his contention that President Bush is "mortgaging away our future" with a plan that will add $4.8 trillion to the national debt. This new figure seems to have originated with a far left website www.cbpp.org that Chandler has quoted before. Last month, Chandler claimed that Bush wanted to cut Social Security benefits by "nearly 50%." His source for that, according to his staff, was this same website. He later backed off that statement when questioned about its veracity.
One can only imagine that if Chandler had been elected governor he wouldn't have so much time to surf the internet for liberal talking points.

Bush Visits Louisville; Obstructionists Dissemble

Retired lawyer Chet Care probably didn't mean to connect the anti-Social Security reform protest with the anti-war on terror movement or the anti-tax cut movements, but that is exactly what he did. Care, 74, spoke to the Lexington Herald-Leader about his opposition to entitlement reform and his comments were printed in today's newspaper.
"Millions of people will never be part of the 'ownership society'" Bush envisions, Care said. "Social Security is the only safety net for them."
So there you have it: some people are just poor. We can't expect them to accept the opportunity to be anything other than poor. That is the same argument used to prevent the liberation of Iraq and the effort to spread freedom in the Middle East. Some folks just can't handle things like freedom or the ability to manage their own money when a perfectly good government bureaucrat (or a tyrannical dictator) is available. Come to think of it, they tried the same thing with the tax cuts. Remember Al Gore's imaginary billionaire friend who said he didn't want a tax cut, that the government could do more with his money than he could?

Jonathan Miller does Dean Scream in Louisville

The Courier Journal reports that our illustrious State Treasurer is going to a protest of Social Security Reform tonight in Louisville ahead of President Bush's visit to the River City. The Conservative Edge asks an interesting question for Jonathan Miller. He was the one who said Kentucky needs Democrats in office because it is a poor state. Can't have any of those little people getting above their raisin' now, can we? Elect liberals, he seems intent on screaming, so we can all suffer equally.

Lexington Mayor 2006 Rumor Mill

As Lexington's confiscation of Kentucky American Water Company jerks to a stop, efforts to find a serious replacement for Mayor Teresa Isaac continue in earnest. Jim Newberry has filed and is actively courting voters. The problem, though, is he has shown little in the way of ideas. His bumperstickers are showing up around town and he has yet to establish any compelling credentials other than not being the current mayor. Newberry's early momentum seems to bode well for a real conservative candidate.
Several of the better would-be candidates have little or no interest in serving as mayor. That's a good thing, because we don't want to deal with any dead weight throwing their names out for ego gratification. Several folks whose names have been brought up here are saying they won't run. Here's another name for very serious consideration: Larry Brandstetter.
Brandstetter is a Lexington architect and a former state lawmaker. He has conservative credentials, electoral success, and solid business experience. His prior leadership indicates that as mayor he would bring an approach to government that we are sorely lacking. And he is truly one of the good guys. The problem is that he may need some persuading to run. What do you think?

Hey Democrats: WAKE UP!

It's March already and the national Democrats have not yet come to the table to talk seriously about Social Security Reform. They are stuck in obstructionist mode and it is only now starting to dawn on their strategists that this might not work for them. Fourty two Democrat U.S. Senators have written the White House offering to negotiate if President Bush takes private accounts inside the system off the table. Don't hold your breath. After this fails, what do Democrats have? Of course, they have the ability to filibuster but, still, what do they have? Do the Democrats have any serious ideas for the country other than to fight Bush? That may be enough to feed the red meat Bush-haters, but will it win any elections?
If partisanship was the problem last year, bipartisanship plagued the General Assembly in 2005. Expanding the Senate Republican majority and creating one in the House may be the only way for Kentucky voters to demand responsible budgeting in Frankfort. Demanding a budget agreement at all costs like we did this year is just too darn expensive to do again. We don't need back-slapping politicians getting along with each other; we need change.

Baby Blog Me One More Time

Check out another Kentucky blog site, The Conservative Edge !!! More of a national focus, but some special features that cover the Bluegrass like no one else can...

The Liberal Response to Fiscal Restraint

We knew we were on to something when we saw this reaction to our call to shut down KAPT.

Government giveaways to the poor have been around for a long time. Now that middle class entitlements are becoming the norm, those of us who believe in smaller government even when the largesse is aimed at us have to stand up and be heard.

Kentucky's Affordable Prepaid Tuition program is a way for people to lock in today's college price for future tuition costs. The problem is that the taxpayers are on the hook for the inevitable shortfalls in the program. This is the Savings and Loan debacle of the 1980's all over again.

So when the Kentucky Senate acted to reverse KAPT's $13.7 million drain on the General Fund this year, the one politician that has gained the most from KAPT's bracket creep up the ladder of welfare mentality had this to say. Jonathan Miller's bogus claim that KAPT beneficiaries were being robbed to buy a practice gym for UK was debunked immediately, but he has spent too much time tying his political fortunes to the money losing program. Despite the facts, Miller has gone to war to keep KAPT alive to take even more taxpayer dollars in the years ahead. The original Senate proposal sought to keep taxpayer dollars out of the program this year and stop the Treasurer from opening future accounts in order to stop the bleeding. Miller succeeded this weekend in getting the House Democrats to keep KAPT open to future losses. So, for now, we get some of our money back, but the program lives on and the future losses will dwarf the $13.7 million Miller failed to take from us this year. Not surprisingly, Miller is urging his followers to call their legislators and demand that he be allowed to take this money.

To urge responsibility, you may call your legislator at 800-372-7181 or email using the legislator's name like this: stan.lee@lrc.ky.gov

Conservatives would do well to mount an effort to call Frankfort and encourage their legislators to cut our losses and shut down KAPT once and for all.

Memo to Jonathan Miller: Give us our money back!!

This morning on Dave Baker's show on WLAP 630 AM in Lexington, state Treasurer Jonathan Miller said "KAPT has never used taxpayer dollars and never will."
This is completely untrue. Further, the Unclaimed Property Fund that Miller has said contains $140 million to $150 million to back up KAPT liabilities, has no such value. Not even close. Someone should ask Miller to prove this claim.
But it really doesn't matter. Miller, in his incessant shilling for the KAPT program, leaves out the only important facts. People who signed up for the program were shrewd. The state has to back up those contracts, even if it means using taxpayer dollars to do so. The 9000 or so people who signed up will get an outstanding return on their investments; the General Fund guarantees it. Parents and grandparents who looked at the program and passed on it because it looked too good to be true were right as well. The program is unsustainable without periodic taxpayer bailouts. The deficit this year was $13.7 million. The House voted to fill that hole with General Fund dollars. The Senate acted courageously in not only pulling our General Fund dollars out, but also essentially shutting down the program to future losses. The predictable Herald Leader editorial today weakly urged the Senate to give our $13.7 million back to KAPT. They won't.
Meanwhile, Miller seems determined to die on this hill. After learning at famous sore loser Al Gore's knee in Washington D.C. some years ago, he appears perfectly willing to stick to a bad lie or two. And this is an excellent illustration of the changing media tide. He has convinced the Herald Leader to carry his water for him. The question of the day is what will you do with this information?

Jonathan Miller Lies To Public About KAPT

WVLK 590 AM's Kruser and Krew program this afternoon reported some of the details printed here that sought to clear up misconceptions perpetuated by state Treasurer Jonathan Miller about the existence of an unfunded liability in the KAPT program.
Miller called in to the program and was put on the air. His stated purpose was to "correct misunderstandings about KAPT" and to counter misinformation that he attributed to Senate President David Williams. Miller has repeatedly referred to the State Senate's effort to phase out the KAPT program as a "raid." What the Senate did, which was clearly explained in the Fiscal Biennium 2004-2006 Budget Modification Report, was to reverse an appropriation of $13,700,100 from the General Fund to the KAPT Program Fund written into the House budget. The stated purpose of this suggested appropriation was to "meet KAPT's unfunded liability." So to be perfectly clear, the $13.7 million in question was a payment from Kentucky taxpayers to the 9000 or so KAPT beneficiaries written into the budget by the House of Representatives. The Senate appropriately removed this "gift" and moved to shut down the money-losing program to potentially limitless liabilities. By statute, current contract holders will see all their promised tuition assistance. The Senate's action merely places a limit on future losses by the program. Mainstream media outlets predictably have given Miller a pass for his poor judgement in lying about this matter by not reporting it. Kentucky Progress salutes WVLK and Kruser and Krew for shedding some light on this event. Miller has chosen to make this a cause celebre, aparently against conservative budgeting. As such, we will keep you updated as Miller continues to protect his misstatements with, one assumes, more lies.

Jonathan Miller Declares War to Save KAPT boondoggle

Kentucky's state Senate voted Monday to stop Treasurer Jonathan Miller's raid on the General Fund by removing a payment to his bankrupt Kentucky's Affordable Prepaid Tuition program from the House budget bill.
Despite Miller's insinuations that the removed payment represented savings dollars of Kentucky families participating in the program, the $13.7 million actually was taxpayer money not intended to shore up the KAPT deficit. That money would have to be removed from elsewhere in the budget. KAPT has consistently lost money on investments and squandered millions on promotional expenses since 2001.
Billed as a program to help Kentucky families pay for future higher education expenses at current prices, KAPT would only be sustainable if investment returns exceeded tuition cost increases and KAPT expenses. Miller's response to the Senate's refusal to fund the bail out of his program has been extreme: "(It) is inexcusable, unconstitutional, and immoral," Miller said, claiming falsely that KAPT is "financially healthy" and that the Senate was using KAPT money to fund a basketball gym.
As presently structured, KAPT can most accurately be described as an entitlement program to help middle- and upper-income families pay for college expenses. Miller states that shortfalls in the program can be covered by the nearly-worthless Unclaimed Property Fund, which isn't true.

Unanimous! Unanimous? Senate changes, passes budget

Now it is off to the conference committee where the differences are to be hammered out. Details as they become available.

Sales Tax Holiday Gimmick Redux

Bob Damron is at it again. Always game for a half-baked scheme that resonates only under insufficient scrutiny, Damron is pushing for an annual weekend of exemption from sales taxes for back-to-school shoppers. This idea is popular for all the wrong reasons. It sounds good because everyone in Frankfort likes the idea of helping out the poor working folk with trying to send their crumb-crunchers off to school. It sounds better because retailers want a Christmas-like shoppers' feeding frenzy in August. But the net effect of such holidays in other states has been negligible for retail sales or economic activity. The claims of consumer savings are extremely dubious.
Having been unable to find any evidence of economic benefit for any state, municipality, retailer, or service provider in the dozen or so states with sales tax holidays, I will leave it to you to determine the value on a macro level. As a parent of four school-agers, let me suggest doing most of your back to school shopping in February or March, when sales are much better than 6%.
Let's drop the sales tax holiday foolishness.

Source for Loony Left Claims Found

New York Senator Charles Schumer has a website "Social Insecurity" calculator that purports to tell you how much you will lose under a personal account proposal. The fine print admits that the key assumption is a suggested change in Social Security payment calculations from a basis of "wage indexing" to one of "price indexing." What this means is that annual Social Security increases would be based on price inflation, rather than on the current wage inflation, which is higher. This is where Ben Chandler's claim of a cut of 50% in benefits (which mirrors Schumer's claim and which -- as has been pointed out on this site -- Chandler has now amended down to 30%) comes from.
The facts are substantially less sensational. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) did propose such a change in 2003. He has since backed off this proposal. This key piece of grit in the liberal craw, therefore, is not even a current part of the discussion. A more recent suggestion has been to go to price indexing only on higher income levels. While that would lower outlays, it would means-test Social Security. While that might be considered either a decent compromise or a back door tax increase, depending upon reasonable points of view, the loyal opposition responds like this:
"If you start means-testing the benefit, do you then start to turn this into, not a social insurance program, but a welfare program? That changes the perception of the program in Americans' minds," said Fred Griesbach, director of Pennsylvania's AARP chapter.
So are we to assume that the sticking point for our friends on the left is that they want to increase government control of Social Security with tax increases, but they just want to avoid the "perception" of such an increase in control? It is past time for Democrats to come to the family dinner table and discuss this rather than throwing rocks from the sidewalk.

Media continues to protect Chandler; Ben prevaricates

While mainstream media outlets continue giving Congressman Ben Chandler (D-KY) a pass on his Social Security misstatements, pressure from bloggers has caused him to change part of his story.
"The President's plan would reduce the benefits of future retirees by 30%," Chandler stated flatly in an email yesterday to Bluegrass blogger The Conservative Edge (www.conservativeedge.blogspot.com). This represents a large change from Chandler's prior published statements that Bush planned to cut the Social Security checks to seniors and the disabled by "nearly 50%."
Chandler's information (both the old and new versions) has conflicted with all available descriptions of the personal account proposal, including that of the website that his staff insists was the original source for his inaccurate assertions.
The Louisville Courier Journal did print one article about anonymous phone calls with some of the inaccurate claims, but Chandler has, so far, avoided any of the scrutiny that might be expected to dog any public official, especially a Congressman making false charges against the President of the United States. Stay tuned for further developments.