Monday, June 27, 2005
Liberals: Hug a Tree, Claim Two Plus Two Is Three
Still wondering why the left is so adamantly against Social Security reform? It's called rainforest algebra.
Sunday, June 26, 2005
Democrats To Lose Big on Social Security
As basic math, retirement security, and common sense become killer wedge issues, 2006 is shaping up to be a very good year for Republicans. Don't see it? Maybe you should read this.
Saturday, June 25, 2005
Chandler Votes to Keep Public Broadcasting Liberal
Congressional Democrats slipped an amendment into an appropriations bill yesterday that would have prohibited the administration from balancing out the liberal bias that overwhelms our taxpayer supported Public Broadcasting System.
Fortunately, Republican majority turned back the Keep Public Broadcasting Liberal Act of 2005 on a party line vote.
Fortunately, Republican majority turned back the Keep Public Broadcasting Liberal Act of 2005 on a party line vote.
Friday, June 24, 2005
Kentucky Dems to Hang With Howard
Insiders report that tomorrow's Democratic Party State Central Committee meeting will NOT have the votes to repudiate DNC Chair Howard Dean and his wacky policy positions and actions such as supporting an admitted Socialist for the U.S. Senate and expressing his hatred for people who don't think like he does.
Disgusted Democrats are encouraged to contact your local Republican party. The Grand Old Party needs you and appreciates your values. Have a great weekend.
Disgusted Democrats are encouraged to contact your local Republican party. The Grand Old Party needs you and appreciates your values. Have a great weekend.
Thursday, June 23, 2005
What's the Biggest Issue Facing Kentucky?
I think the biggest national issue is the war on terror. Entitlement reform is an important second. The feeding frenzy over the merit hiring in state government is taking up a lot of space in Kentucky, but what should we be doing to move the state forward that we are not?
We have a serious debate about Medicaid looming on the horizon. The key to that problem, which I think is our state's biggest, is increasing co-payments for recipients. We just have to lower our costs here. What do you think?
We have a serious debate about Medicaid looming on the horizon. The key to that problem, which I think is our state's biggest, is increasing co-payments for recipients. We just have to lower our costs here. What do you think?
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Kentucky Progress Radio
Please tune in to WEKY 1340 AM in Richmond, WIRV 1550 AM in Irvine, and WKXO 1500 AM in Berea this afternoon 5:15 to 6:15 pm.
We'll be talking about Medicaid reform, Social Security reform, the KAPT "Government Cheese" Tour, and more.
See you then.
We'll be talking about Medicaid reform, Social Security reform, the KAPT "Government Cheese" Tour, and more.
See you then.
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Cheaper By the Dozen?
Far left wing website Daily Chaos is running a straw poll of favored Dem nominees for President in 2008. So far, No Frickin' Clue and Other are giving Wesley Clark a run for his money.
Interesting to read some of the comments about Hillary Clinton.
Interesting to read some of the comments about Hillary Clinton.
Monday, June 20, 2005
Not Dead Yet: Social Security Proposal Tuesday
Despite Democrat obstruction against Social Security reform, expect a new proposal tomorrow that turns the surplus in the Social Security Trust Fund into personal accounts.
The downside is the funds would only be invested in Treasury securities. Call it the best you can get with 45 Democrats in the Senate. In filibuster math that is six too many.
The downside is the funds would only be invested in Treasury securities. Call it the best you can get with 45 Democrats in the Senate. In filibuster math that is six too many.
Sunday, June 19, 2005
Another Serious Issue That Is Over Liberals' Heads
David Hawpe is at it again, turning what should be a very important debate into a full-scale partisan attack.
The Louisville C-J columnist took all of his allotted space in Sunday's paper to rip Rep. Anne Northup for her role in funding cuts for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB).
Let me say that I appreciate KET's programming for kids. My little boys love several of their shows and they seem to have a somewhat positive impact. But the marketplace is changing and CPB needs to change as well.
The educational industrial complex that we have built up (of which CPB is a part) badly needs reform. Technology has become much more efficient, yet much of our government's approach to education has struggled to adequately integrate these efficiencies into the system of helping our kids learn. Try a google search for home schooling resources sometime. It will blow your mind to see what is available. While we have made a big deal out of $1500 from every GM car purchase going to employee health costs, we don't give so much thought to how many of our tax dollars are going to fund bloated education bureaucracies without benefit to our children. We are spending more on computers in schools -- and all their related expenses -- while showing little gain for the increase in expenditures.
Four years ago, we got my then-four year old son a reading program for $400 that made him cry every time we pulled it out. We now have another four year old who is learning to read with two $9 DVD's that he loves to watch. That's what technology is supposed to do: provide better production from fewer resources. That process works; it just needs to be more widely applied in how our government's educational processes function.
Our discussion needs to start here, but we can't really expect more than Hawpe's fanciful demolition of Republicans when attempting to discuss this or any other type of reform with opponents on the left. Better then, perhaps, to ram changes down their throats and dismiss their complaints of indigestion as simple eructation.
Look it up. And then thank a teacher -- and a system of free enterprise that will be allowed to work its magic through the creative destruction process coming to CPB. May it be applied to other areas of public education as well.
The Louisville C-J columnist took all of his allotted space in Sunday's paper to rip Rep. Anne Northup for her role in funding cuts for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB).
Let me say that I appreciate KET's programming for kids. My little boys love several of their shows and they seem to have a somewhat positive impact. But the marketplace is changing and CPB needs to change as well.
The educational industrial complex that we have built up (of which CPB is a part) badly needs reform. Technology has become much more efficient, yet much of our government's approach to education has struggled to adequately integrate these efficiencies into the system of helping our kids learn. Try a google search for home schooling resources sometime. It will blow your mind to see what is available. While we have made a big deal out of $1500 from every GM car purchase going to employee health costs, we don't give so much thought to how many of our tax dollars are going to fund bloated education bureaucracies without benefit to our children. We are spending more on computers in schools -- and all their related expenses -- while showing little gain for the increase in expenditures.
Four years ago, we got my then-four year old son a reading program for $400 that made him cry every time we pulled it out. We now have another four year old who is learning to read with two $9 DVD's that he loves to watch. That's what technology is supposed to do: provide better production from fewer resources. That process works; it just needs to be more widely applied in how our government's educational processes function.
Our discussion needs to start here, but we can't really expect more than Hawpe's fanciful demolition of Republicans when attempting to discuss this or any other type of reform with opponents on the left. Better then, perhaps, to ram changes down their throats and dismiss their complaints of indigestion as simple eructation.
Look it up. And then thank a teacher -- and a system of free enterprise that will be allowed to work its magic through the creative destruction process coming to CPB. May it be applied to other areas of public education as well.
Saturday, June 18, 2005
Ralph Nader Pulls A Happy Chandler...
... and gets a pass from Al Sharpton because, well, socialists need to stick together.
Friday, June 17, 2005
WHAS Finds 85 People Who Don't Like Fletcher
When is a poll not really a poll?
When a "poll" asks questions in such a way as to get a certain answer or if the number of people questioned is too small to draw any conclusions, it isn't really a poll.
WHAS TV ran as a story on the air (and on the net) that 38% of Kentuckians thought Governor Ernie Fletcher should resign office because AG Greg Stumbo is investigating his administration's approach to the merit system.
Pretty sensational numbers, right? Well, not so fast.
The alert staff at Kentucky Progress called the WHAS studio to question some red flags that were evident in the reporting of the "poll."
The response from WHAS to this questioning was to amend its story to say that only 224 Kentuckians were asked "What should happen to the governor now?"
Why would they poll 224 people and then report it as news? Well, the claim is that 500 people were called and asked if they were familiar with the investigation. The original reporting claimed that 45% said they were familiar. Interestingly, the original reporting also claimed that 59% of the 500 said the hiring practices were corrupt. So how was it, we wondered, that more people had an opinion than had a familiarity? We wondered what "information" was given by pollsters that might explain this discrepancy. That is when the story changed to indicate that only those respondents who claimed an awareness of the investigation were asked follow up questions. That would be 224 people. So which is it: was this merely a push poll to create a story, or are we really being asked to draw conclusions about a straw poll of 224 people?
The far left is already getting worked up about this. Sure hate to rain on that parade.
When a "poll" asks questions in such a way as to get a certain answer or if the number of people questioned is too small to draw any conclusions, it isn't really a poll.
WHAS TV ran as a story on the air (and on the net) that 38% of Kentuckians thought Governor Ernie Fletcher should resign office because AG Greg Stumbo is investigating his administration's approach to the merit system.
Pretty sensational numbers, right? Well, not so fast.
The alert staff at Kentucky Progress called the WHAS studio to question some red flags that were evident in the reporting of the "poll."
The response from WHAS to this questioning was to amend its story to say that only 224 Kentuckians were asked "What should happen to the governor now?"
Why would they poll 224 people and then report it as news? Well, the claim is that 500 people were called and asked if they were familiar with the investigation. The original reporting claimed that 45% said they were familiar. Interestingly, the original reporting also claimed that 59% of the 500 said the hiring practices were corrupt. So how was it, we wondered, that more people had an opinion than had a familiarity? We wondered what "information" was given by pollsters that might explain this discrepancy. That is when the story changed to indicate that only those respondents who claimed an awareness of the investigation were asked follow up questions. That would be 224 people. So which is it: was this merely a push poll to create a story, or are we really being asked to draw conclusions about a straw poll of 224 people?
The far left is already getting worked up about this. Sure hate to rain on that parade.
Thursday, June 16, 2005
It's the Lack of Ideas, Stupid
Democrats can arrest all the elected Republicans in Frankfort if they want to, but they really need to take care of this.
No, Mr. Stumbo, They Are Talking About You
Women often claim to fall for men who make them laugh. Greg Stumbo has established a reputation as a pretty reckless funnyman on the No Tell Motel circuit. But Stumbo's recent attempts to turn his merit hiring investigation into a display of his wit are in desperate need of some rhetorical Viagra.
Stumbo chuckled when he ducked a question about his political motivations by saying that Doug Doerting wasn't running for governor. Now he is sending out subordinates to deflect criticism of inaccuracies in his indictments by acting as if the Administration is impugning "twelve ordinary citizens" on the grand jury.
Stumbo chuckled when he ducked a question about his political motivations by saying that Doug Doerting wasn't running for governor. Now he is sending out subordinates to deflect criticism of inaccuracies in his indictments by acting as if the Administration is impugning "twelve ordinary citizens" on the grand jury.
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
On the Radio
I'll be on the radio this afternoon 5:15 to 6:15 pm (WEKY 1340 AM) talking about the merit system case, the Government Cheese tour, and the 2006 local elections.
Hey You! Over Here! GOVERNMENT CHEESE!
State Treasurer Jonathan Miller(D-GC) kicked off his "Save My KAPT" effort last night. Also known as the Government Cheese Tour, Miller's series of campaign stops this month seek to find support for using taxpayer dollars to prop up the mounting unfunded liability in his prepaid tuition ponzi scheme.
Bad idea and, unfortunately, no links to news articles available. Is the media going to let this waste of our most precious resource (money) go unscrutinized?
Bad idea and, unfortunately, no links to news articles available. Is the media going to let this waste of our most precious resource (money) go unscrutinized?
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Merit Hiring Indictment Puzzling
The indictments handed down today seem to revolve around the ability to read a calendar. Mike Duncan claims he was fired after his six month probation ended and that the firing was motivated by his support for Ben Chandler. Louisville Courier Journal reporter Mark Pitsch reported without attribution on May 27 that Duncan was fired one month short of the six month point.
The indictment states that the probation period had ended. Vicki Glass, Greg Stumbo's spokeswoman, said "The indictments speak for themselves."
But they don't if they are based on false information, right?
The indictment states that the probation period had ended. Vicki Glass, Greg Stumbo's spokeswoman, said "The indictments speak for themselves."
But they don't if they are based on false information, right?
New Dogs and Old Tricks
President Bush's push for an Ownership Society to empower the individual has frustrated and angered his opponents.
Now, it seems, they have an answer: Communism.
In this article the author promotes, as a progressive new strategy, government ownership of land and business. Read the article. It is happening already right under our noses. The idea is as bad as socialized medicine and the threat to society is as bad or worse. But we will be hearing more about this.
Now, it seems, they have an answer: Communism.
In this article the author promotes, as a progressive new strategy, government ownership of land and business. Read the article. It is happening already right under our noses. The idea is as bad as socialized medicine and the threat to society is as bad or worse. But we will be hearing more about this.
Monday, June 13, 2005
Trouble in Paradise
Shouldn't Frankfort Democratic Party officials be walking Cheshire Cat Grins with the Kentucky media printing all their press releases on the state government hiring probe?
But it isn't so.
Ben Chandler's campaign manager found one Dem who isn't piling on fast enough and he is hot on Bruce Lunsford's trail.
Mark Nickolas even rips KDP communications director Dale Emmons for calling Chandler a "crybaby," and urges Emmons to make Lunsford jump on the bandwagon, suggesting that if he doesn't he is a liar.
Nickolas goes on to wax eloquently about sodomy and teen sex, conjures up a secret meeting with Louie Nunn (who predicts that Fletcher will be as bad as Patton, of course), and calls the Jessamine Journal a "conservative weekly" and the Danville Advocate Messenger the most biased newspaper in the state on his new web site.
His site is complete with links to way-far left bomb throwers Daily Kos and Eschaton.
Beautiful.
But it isn't so.
Ben Chandler's campaign manager found one Dem who isn't piling on fast enough and he is hot on Bruce Lunsford's trail.
Mark Nickolas even rips KDP communications director Dale Emmons for calling Chandler a "crybaby," and urges Emmons to make Lunsford jump on the bandwagon, suggesting that if he doesn't he is a liar.
Nickolas goes on to wax eloquently about sodomy and teen sex, conjures up a secret meeting with Louie Nunn (who predicts that Fletcher will be as bad as Patton, of course), and calls the Jessamine Journal a "conservative weekly" and the Danville Advocate Messenger the most biased newspaper in the state on his new web site.
His site is complete with links to way-far left bomb throwers Daily Kos and Eschaton.
Beautiful.
GOP Congressman Goes Squishy On War
Recently we extolled the virtues of Rep. Walter Jones' Restoration of Free Speech Rights for Houses of Worship bill on this site. Now that he is calling for surrender on one of the two main foreign fronts in the War on Terror, we have to question the wisdom of associating with him at all.
Rep. Jones totally missed the point of what we are doing in Iraq when he said "This is what I believe is the right thing to do for our military first; and secondly, I think we are doing everything we can do in Iraq to give them an opportunity to have a democracy, to defend themselves." The fact is that we are helping Iraq to develop freedom for our own benefit and the safety of our own people. If the war was some kind of altruistic exercise, I would agree with Rep. Jones. But this kind of talk only serves to embolden our enemies, both foreign and domestic. It is shocking that people in greater numbers seem to be forgetting what the terrorists are capable of doing to us.
We've come to expect Democrats to grouse about the war effort, but a North Carolina Republican?
Rep. Jones totally missed the point of what we are doing in Iraq when he said "This is what I believe is the right thing to do for our military first; and secondly, I think we are doing everything we can do in Iraq to give them an opportunity to have a democracy, to defend themselves." The fact is that we are helping Iraq to develop freedom for our own benefit and the safety of our own people. If the war was some kind of altruistic exercise, I would agree with Rep. Jones. But this kind of talk only serves to embolden our enemies, both foreign and domestic. It is shocking that people in greater numbers seem to be forgetting what the terrorists are capable of doing to us.
We've come to expect Democrats to grouse about the war effort, but a North Carolina Republican?
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