The judge doesn't get it, so kiss your money goodbye. The only question is will the media investigate?
Franklin Circuit Court Judge Roger Crittenden has issued his Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law in the KAPT scandal. In the document, he repeatedly refers to the "Unclaimed Property Fund" as the source of the $13.7 million at the heart of the controversy.
The problem is that Judge Crittenden does not appear to grasp the fact that there is no such fund. The indisputable fact -- disputed loudly by Jonathan Miller -- is that there is no money in the account representing the liquidated abandoned property held by the state.
The bottom line is that taxpayer money was used to fill the unfunded liability hole in the money-losing KAPT program and much more will be lost if Miller is allowed to keep the program open and generating future losses.
I double dog dare anyone in the mainstream media to investigate and PROVE ME WRONG on this.
Thursday, April 21, 2005
Bowling for Caribou
Congressman Ben Chandler (D-Iceland) voted yesterday to help European environmentalists prevent oil and gas exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve and continue America's high level of dependence on imported petroleum.
But America won on a largely party line vote 231-200.
But America won on a largely party line vote 231-200.
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
ChandlerWatch Continues
There was a flurry of amendment activity from House Democrats Wednesday night. Waiting for all the details to come available and will report quickly Thursday.
Come To the Table or Karl Rove Will Eat Your Lunch, Again
Congressman Mike Pence (R-IN) is calling on President Bush to put up a specific plan for Social Security reform. While I look forward to getting the show on the road (and share Pence's support for the Ryan/Sununu plan) I support the method the President is using to build support for reform. As a result of his efforts to date, very few people can still insist there is no crisis and they are getting increasingly shrill.
Of course, now they have little choice but to continue fighting reform as so many of them have gone on the record with stupid statements that can haunt them if reform passes.
I just wish there were some liberals willing to have a serious discussion about the issue. It shouldn't be a partisan argument. Numbers are neither liberal nor conservative and this particular episode of obstructionism reeks of political calculation.
Of course, now they have little choice but to continue fighting reform as so many of them have gone on the record with stupid statements that can haunt them if reform passes.
I just wish there were some liberals willing to have a serious discussion about the issue. It shouldn't be a partisan argument. Numbers are neither liberal nor conservative and this particular episode of obstructionism reeks of political calculation.
GOP Must Fight or Die
USA Today takes on the favorite topics of how Democrats can stop losing elections with two op/ed pieces. It is worthwhile reading for conservative people. One says to not change anything and the other says to lie more. Ross Baker writes, interestingly and correctly, that Democrats did well with the hand they were dealt in 2004 and should merely press on with the support they are energizing.
This is the one that Republicans should fear and respond to.
Republicans who choose to rest on their laurels given recent electoral success deserve to get smashed. We face significant issues that merit hair-on-fire activism by conservatives. Examples include tax reform, entitlement reform, and battling terrorism. The fantastic opportunity conservatives have to separate themselves from the loyal opposition exists, but must be actively embraced on a large scale for it to have any value.
Embrace this soon, or regret it soon enough.
This is the one that Republicans should fear and respond to.
Republicans who choose to rest on their laurels given recent electoral success deserve to get smashed. We face significant issues that merit hair-on-fire activism by conservatives. Examples include tax reform, entitlement reform, and battling terrorism. The fantastic opportunity conservatives have to separate themselves from the loyal opposition exists, but must be actively embraced on a large scale for it to have any value.
Embrace this soon, or regret it soon enough.
Can't Blog Now, Gotta Talk on WVLK 590
I'll be on Jack Pattie's show at 9 am talking about federal tax reform. Call in number is 253-5959.
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Movement on KAPT Scandal Today
The Franklin Circuit Court today issued a summary of findings on the KAPT scandal. Embattled state Treasurer Jonathan Miller's reputation has been damaged by uncovered details of financial problems for the KAPT program, including the fact that the abandoned property fund backing up KAPT has been completely squandered.
The mainstream media, curiously, is going to great lengths to ignore the details of this story. We will keep you posted as more information is uncovered.
The mainstream media, curiously, is going to great lengths to ignore the details of this story. We will keep you posted as more information is uncovered.
Lexington Herald Leader Wrong on Estate Tax
The Lexington Herald Leader passes on a bit of bad information this morning (dead tree version only) on it's opinion page. Their reprint of a San Jose Mercury News unsigned editorial gives us a commonly repeated lie about the death tax.
The editorial states that the current estate tax exemption ($1.5 million) and that of a "compromise" Democrat bill that would have raised it to $3.5 million, is worth $3 million and $7 million respectively, for couples. This simply isn't true, and they have to know it. When one spouse dies, his or her estate passes on to the surviving spouse with no estate tax liability. When the surviving spouse dies, he or she gets one exemption. So doubling the exemption for a "couple" does not happen.
A simple example would be a couple with $2.5 million dollars, less than the $3 million "couple" exemption. The death of the first spouse would cause the entire estate to pass on to the surviving spouse. The death of the surviving spouse would result in the application of the $1.5 million exemption and leave $1 million subject to the death tax. This obviously wouldn't be the case if there were a $3 million "couple" exemption. But there isn't.
Again, this is such an elementary detail of estate tax law that the Democrats in Congress and their friends at the New York Times and Washington Post would have to know the truth. What seems most likely is that they are counting on you not taking the time to check out their spin.
We'll hold our breath waiting for a correction from the Herald Leader.
The editorial states that the current estate tax exemption ($1.5 million) and that of a "compromise" Democrat bill that would have raised it to $3.5 million, is worth $3 million and $7 million respectively, for couples. This simply isn't true, and they have to know it. When one spouse dies, his or her estate passes on to the surviving spouse with no estate tax liability. When the surviving spouse dies, he or she gets one exemption. So doubling the exemption for a "couple" does not happen.
A simple example would be a couple with $2.5 million dollars, less than the $3 million "couple" exemption. The death of the first spouse would cause the entire estate to pass on to the surviving spouse. The death of the surviving spouse would result in the application of the $1.5 million exemption and leave $1 million subject to the death tax. This obviously wouldn't be the case if there were a $3 million "couple" exemption. But there isn't.
Again, this is such an elementary detail of estate tax law that the Democrats in Congress and their friends at the New York Times and Washington Post would have to know the truth. What seems most likely is that they are counting on you not taking the time to check out their spin.
We'll hold our breath waiting for a correction from the Herald Leader.
Liberal Study: Cut Spending and Spending Goes Down
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the far left think tank under fire for its support for tax increases and the status quo on America's deteriorating entitlements, has issued a stunning report on government spending.
The CBPP's report on Ohio's consideration of a taxpayer bill of rights warns that legislative efforts to mandate spending cuts might result in lower spending. And that, the study concludes, would be bad.
Yes, they really did.
The CBPP's report on Ohio's consideration of a taxpayer bill of rights warns that legislative efforts to mandate spending cuts might result in lower spending. And that, the study concludes, would be bad.
Yes, they really did.
Conservative Dems of The World, Unite!
The Democratic Leadership Council, Washington D.C.'s self-proclaimed "conservative Democrats" have made it official: they are going to stop obstructing on entitlement reform and taxes.
Disappointing, though, is that they propose to change their tune and cure society's ills by moving to the left.
Their grand solution includes more tax credits and expanded tax deductions to be "paid for" by tax increases.
I am serious.
Disappointing, though, is that they propose to change their tune and cure society's ills by moving to the left.
Their grand solution includes more tax credits and expanded tax deductions to be "paid for" by tax increases.
I am serious.
Monday, April 18, 2005
Fruits and Nuts in Frankfort
What is Sen. Ed Worley(D-Richmond) doing chatting up communist wacko and perennial Democrat candidate for President Lyndon "Let's Nationalize the Auto Industry" LaRouche?
Talking Taxes on Lexington Radio
Be sure to tune in Wednesday at 9 AM to the Jack Pattie Show on WVLK 590 AM to hear yours truly talking about the upcoming tax reform debate. Call in to 253-5959 with comments, criticisms, and complaints!
Thunder Flap: Louisville Pacifists Hate Planes
Leftist wacko groups are protesting today the use of military planes in the Thunder over Louisville program.
Interesting how the story claims a coalition of "peace and religious groups" are upset. Looks like the left is holding on to their misread of last year's exit polling data by calling their nutty little confabs "religious groups."
Interesting how the story claims a coalition of "peace and religious groups" are upset. Looks like the left is holding on to their misread of last year's exit polling data by calling their nutty little confabs "religious groups."
Sunday, April 17, 2005
Homosexual "Bishop" Talks Abortion
Less than three weeks after coming under fire for suggesting Jesus Christ was a homosexual, Episcopal "Bishop" Gene Robinson, a Lexington Ky native, was caught giving political advice to Planned Parenthood in a speech Friday.
Robinson said "We need to teach people about nuance ... that this can be true and that can be true, and somewhere between is the right answer. It's a very adult way of living, you know." He added "We must use people of faith to counter the faith-based arguments against us."
Yes, he really said that.
Robinson left his wife and two young daughters in 1986 for another man.
Robinson said "We need to teach people about nuance ... that this can be true and that can be true, and somewhere between is the right answer. It's a very adult way of living, you know." He added "We must use people of faith to counter the faith-based arguments against us."
Yes, he really said that.
Robinson left his wife and two young daughters in 1986 for another man.
Sounds Like KY Budget "Negotiations"
We've made reference on this site to similarities between structural problems in Social Security and the KAPT scandal. The politics of Social Security reform, meanwhile, seems to mirror that of Kentucky's budget negotiations of the last two sessions in the General Assembly.
Just as Washington D.C. Democrats continue to insist either that there is no problem with Social Security or that it is so frail that it will not survive reform efforts, Frankfort House Democrats last year repeatedly refused to meet Republicans to discuss Kentucky's budget.
Just as the media last year failed to report on House Speaker Jody Richards' refusal to meet with Republicans to negotiate on the budget, journalists have blatantly manipulated the debate on Social Security reform. The latest example of this is noteworthy.
The Los Angeles Times yesterday reported on a Social Security opt out program in Ohio that has "attracted few takers" stating that the "popularity of the private accounts" has been "relatively low." (Note that the words in quotes above were words of LA Times reporters and were not attributed to anyone else.)
This dim view of a program that allowed individuals to opt out of Social Security for a private plan was striking. I had never heard of Ohio's plan, but every other plan I had heard of was both popular and successful. So I did a little research.
Bottom line: What was the participation level among eligible employees for Ohio's version of private Social Security accounts?
Ninety seven percent.
While Kentucky voters are asking themselves why they had to wait a year for Democrats to come to the table on the budget, national voters may soon be wondering why Congressional Democrats fiddled so long while Social Security crumbled.
Just as Washington D.C. Democrats continue to insist either that there is no problem with Social Security or that it is so frail that it will not survive reform efforts, Frankfort House Democrats last year repeatedly refused to meet Republicans to discuss Kentucky's budget.
Just as the media last year failed to report on House Speaker Jody Richards' refusal to meet with Republicans to negotiate on the budget, journalists have blatantly manipulated the debate on Social Security reform. The latest example of this is noteworthy.
The Los Angeles Times yesterday reported on a Social Security opt out program in Ohio that has "attracted few takers" stating that the "popularity of the private accounts" has been "relatively low." (Note that the words in quotes above were words of LA Times reporters and were not attributed to anyone else.)
This dim view of a program that allowed individuals to opt out of Social Security for a private plan was striking. I had never heard of Ohio's plan, but every other plan I had heard of was both popular and successful. So I did a little research.
Bottom line: What was the participation level among eligible employees for Ohio's version of private Social Security accounts?
Ninety seven percent.
While Kentucky voters are asking themselves why they had to wait a year for Democrats to come to the table on the budget, national voters may soon be wondering why Congressional Democrats fiddled so long while Social Security crumbled.
Friday, April 15, 2005
Central Kentucky Deaniacs Go To Washington
The 72% crowd went to the nation's Capitol for a sit down with Rep. Ben Chandler's staffers.
I love the part about "privatization" being a "more accurate" term than "personal account." Which is it, do they really not know what privatization means, or are they lying to each other?
I love the part about "privatization" being a "more accurate" term than "personal account." Which is it, do they really not know what privatization means, or are they lying to each other?
Debunked on SSI, Chandler Attacks Veterans
The question people should be asking in central Kentucky is "Would Happy Chandler approve of grandson Ben Chandler's undistinguished tenure in Washington D.C.?"
Chandler's latest propaganda campaign picks up the party line that Republicans are trying to shortchange veterans. Here at Kentucky Progress we are doing a complete analysis of Chandler's claims (basically the Democratic party line, it seems) and will report next week.
Given Rep. Chandler's fast-and-loose treatment of the facts on Social Security reform and his horrendous record on fiscal issues, constituents have cause for skepticism. A hint -- one thing we are looking at is Bush's record on veterans' benefits and that of Congress since 1994 versus that of the pre-1994 glory days for Democrats.
From the words-have-meaning department: Bush "cuts" don't seem to square with the $20 billion increase in spending on veterans proposed in this year's budget and the 41% increase in spending on veterans medical benefits during the President's first term.
Silly liberal, that's why veterans vote Republican.
Stay tuned for updates.
Chandler's latest propaganda campaign picks up the party line that Republicans are trying to shortchange veterans. Here at Kentucky Progress we are doing a complete analysis of Chandler's claims (basically the Democratic party line, it seems) and will report next week.
Given Rep. Chandler's fast-and-loose treatment of the facts on Social Security reform and his horrendous record on fiscal issues, constituents have cause for skepticism. A hint -- one thing we are looking at is Bush's record on veterans' benefits and that of Congress since 1994 versus that of the pre-1994 glory days for Democrats.
From the words-have-meaning department: Bush "cuts" don't seem to square with the $20 billion increase in spending on veterans proposed in this year's budget and the 41% increase in spending on veterans medical benefits during the President's first term.
Silly liberal, that's why veterans vote Republican.
Stay tuned for updates.
Tax Day Great Time To Consider Reform
On D-Day for federal taxes, now would be a great time to suggest that you go to the Americans For Fair Taxation website for a great program to reform the way we finance our government.
Any comments, complaints, or criticisms?
Any comments, complaints, or criticisms?
The Columnist Who Ate Central Kentucky
As guest host of The Sue Wylie Show on WVLK AM 590, Herald Leader columnist Cheryl Truman this morning suggested county consolidation in Kentucky that would involve expanding Fayette county to include all of Jessamine, Madison, Bourbon, and Woodford counties.
How's that for a takeover?
While an argument can certainly be made for consolidating some local governments, few residents of counties surrounding Lexington want to get sucked into that deal.
How's that for a takeover?
While an argument can certainly be made for consolidating some local governments, few residents of counties surrounding Lexington want to get sucked into that deal.
What All The Excitement Is About..
The Conservative Edge will hold its first annual Conservative Bloggers Conference! If you want to learn why blogs are getting so much attention and what their future impact will be, this is the place for you. We'll have presenters , discussing the role of blogs, show blogging technique and design as well as folks who can help you get sources for information and basic grammar. The event will be held on Saturday April 23rd, from 1 - 3 pm in downtown Lexington. Registration is limited and the cost is $5. For more information contact Brian Goettl at goettllaw@earthlink.net.
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