Major elements, as summarized by "Health Reform Talk"
--An "above the line" deduction that is equal to the cost of an individual's or family's insurance premiums.
--Incentives for individuals to build health savings accounts and IRC Sec. 125 flexible spending accounts.
--An option for Medicaid beneficiaries to "transfer" the value of their coverage to a private insurer.
--Allowing youths up to age 25 to remain on their parents insurance policies.
--Limits on malpractice lawsuits.
--Insurance pools that would encourage states, small businesses and others to share risk in low-cost plans.
Same post also shows the Daschle/Dole/Baker plan.
Anything with the Bob Dole name attached will have artificial manhood chemicals contained therein, of course.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Petri Alert!
There may be .06 people who read this blog and live in Petri's district. Well, take action!
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Energy and Commmerce Committee chairman Henry Waxman are reaching out to the following House Republicans for their support on Waxman-Markey, according to Carbon Control News:
Tom Petri, (R) WI.
(Rest of the list at the link here.)
One would think that Rep. Petri is aware of the remaining manufacturers in his district, not to mention the very significant agricultural sector up there.
I'm sure he doesn't want to represent a bunch of nothing.........
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Energy and Commmerce Committee chairman Henry Waxman are reaching out to the following House Republicans for their support on Waxman-Markey, according to Carbon Control News:
Tom Petri, (R) WI.
(Rest of the list at the link here.)
One would think that Rep. Petri is aware of the remaining manufacturers in his district, not to mention the very significant agricultural sector up there.
I'm sure he doesn't want to represent a bunch of nothing.........
The Usual "Polling" Nonsense For Obama
The NYTimes, slobbering excess fluids from its lips, runs a custom-designed "poll" supporting ObamaHealth.
Custom-designed, indeed.
BUT, according to the actual poll data, of the 73% of respondents who said they voted in 2008 only 34% voted for McCain and 66% for Obama. The actual vote was 46% (corrected) McCain. So, 29% of McCain voters ignored by the poll must not be Americans, according to the NYTs methodology, and there are about as much an overpolling of Obama voters. NYT's Shady Lady polling.
Interesting that even this heavy slanting of the results STILL couldn't pull more than 78%, no?
HT: Ace
Custom-designed, indeed.
BUT, according to the actual poll data, of the 73% of respondents who said they voted in 2008 only 34% voted for McCain and 66% for Obama. The actual vote was 46% (corrected) McCain. So, 29% of McCain voters ignored by the poll must not be Americans, according to the NYTs methodology, and there are about as much an overpolling of Obama voters. NYT's Shady Lady polling.
Interesting that even this heavy slanting of the results STILL couldn't pull more than 78%, no?
HT: Ace
It's "The Inflation", Not "The Liquidity Trap"
Alan Reynolds absolutely demolishes Krugman's "liquidity trap" theory, using actual history instead of (carefully) selected date/date comparos.
...His column says, "A rising monetary base isn't inflationary when you're in a liquidity trap. America's monetary base doubled between 1929 and 1939; prices fell 19%. Japan's monetary base rose 85% between 1997 and 2003; deflation continued apace."
Oh, really?
...With the exception of a brief Fed easing in the spring of 1932, the U.S. monetary base was generally falling or flat from January 1929 to early 1934. From March 1934 to July 1937, by contrast, the rate of growth of the monetary base jumped above 16% on a year-to-year basis. If we had been in a "liquidity trap" that would have had no effect. Yet real gross domestic product grew by 9.5% a year from 1934 to 1937, and consumer prices by 2.6% a year. Since the facts contradict his liquidity trap thesis, Krugman pretends the rebound after 1933 was "helped along by New Deal policies."
There's plenty more at the link.
For what it's worth, even my Econ prof (Les Aspin, no (R)) had conceded by 1970 that economic policies had to utilize both Keynesian and Friedmanite principles at the same time, and probably in small doses, not large ones.
HT: The Winning McCain
...His column says, "A rising monetary base isn't inflationary when you're in a liquidity trap. America's monetary base doubled between 1929 and 1939; prices fell 19%. Japan's monetary base rose 85% between 1997 and 2003; deflation continued apace."
Oh, really?
...With the exception of a brief Fed easing in the spring of 1932, the U.S. monetary base was generally falling or flat from January 1929 to early 1934. From March 1934 to July 1937, by contrast, the rate of growth of the monetary base jumped above 16% on a year-to-year basis. If we had been in a "liquidity trap" that would have had no effect. Yet real gross domestic product grew by 9.5% a year from 1934 to 1937, and consumer prices by 2.6% a year. Since the facts contradict his liquidity trap thesis, Krugman pretends the rebound after 1933 was "helped along by New Deal policies."
There's plenty more at the link.
For what it's worth, even my Econ prof (Les Aspin, no (R)) had conceded by 1970 that economic policies had to utilize both Keynesian and Friedmanite principles at the same time, and probably in small doses, not large ones.
HT: The Winning McCain
What, Exactly, SHOULD Obama Do About Iran?
Seems as though everyone has an opinion about Iran's election.
Most likely, the election was not exactly honest. No question that the election is largely irrelevant, as the Mullah Council runs the country no matter what the hoi polloi do. So in the case at hand, the Mullahs allowed a few candidates to run. One of them was backed by a Mullah who is also a corrupt-o-crat: Rafsanjani. The other was backed (more or less) by the current Maximum Mullah, Khameni.
The loser wanted to reform Iran to a "purer Mohammedan model," not exactly the liberte, egalite, fraternite sorta system that we have here. The winner is a twit. Both of them intend to continue their quest for nukes, and both use the US as the rhetorical punching bag.
Obama has stated that the US doesn't like repressive tactics, or repression of free speech. He's also stated that the US will continue talks with Iran no matter who actually emerges as the winner.
A bunch of other politicians in the US have demanded that Obama say or do "more." Of course, they don't have any suggestions as to what that might be. While Obama may be clueless, at least he's operating from his plan, which is to 'talk' with the Iranians. (That is the 'clueless' part--the Iranian government doesn't really want to talk productively with the US about nukes, period.)
If "regime change" is the objective of the pols who object to Obama's method, they have an uphill climb. A military intervention is out of the question and the CIA is not particularly useful at this time in Iran. Besides all that, it is valid to question whether the typical Iranian really wants the US messing in their sandbox.
As to economic sanctions--maybe. But that requires the US to marshall allies, few of which seem to have interest in cutting off Iran's purchases from their own domestic industries.
We await a suggestion........
Most likely, the election was not exactly honest. No question that the election is largely irrelevant, as the Mullah Council runs the country no matter what the hoi polloi do. So in the case at hand, the Mullahs allowed a few candidates to run. One of them was backed by a Mullah who is also a corrupt-o-crat: Rafsanjani. The other was backed (more or less) by the current Maximum Mullah, Khameni.
The loser wanted to reform Iran to a "purer Mohammedan model," not exactly the liberte, egalite, fraternite sorta system that we have here. The winner is a twit. Both of them intend to continue their quest for nukes, and both use the US as the rhetorical punching bag.
Obama has stated that the US doesn't like repressive tactics, or repression of free speech. He's also stated that the US will continue talks with Iran no matter who actually emerges as the winner.
A bunch of other politicians in the US have demanded that Obama say or do "more." Of course, they don't have any suggestions as to what that might be. While Obama may be clueless, at least he's operating from his plan, which is to 'talk' with the Iranians. (That is the 'clueless' part--the Iranian government doesn't really want to talk productively with the US about nukes, period.)
If "regime change" is the objective of the pols who object to Obama's method, they have an uphill climb. A military intervention is out of the question and the CIA is not particularly useful at this time in Iran. Besides all that, it is valid to question whether the typical Iranian really wants the US messing in their sandbox.
As to economic sanctions--maybe. But that requires the US to marshall allies, few of which seem to have interest in cutting off Iran's purchases from their own domestic industries.
We await a suggestion........
BOHICA, Part 24,389
The State's defined-benefit plan is in a pickle.
The solution, of course, is more money from the taxpayer!
The contribution rate for the Wisconsin Retirement System will increase in 2010, with the fund that pays pensions for most teachers and municipal workers in the state increasing to its highest level in more than a decade.
The decision by the Employee Trust Funds Board raises the amount that has to be paid on behalf of employees to the equivalent of 11% of employee salaries. For the current year, that amount is 10.4%.
The Department of Employee Trust Funds attributed the increase to investment losses in 2008.
Well, yah. Investments have been kinda nasty.
Here's the part which is just obnoxious:
The increase largely will burden local governments, most of which have contract agreements requiring them to pay both the full employee and employer contributions to the retirement system.
That line about "preparing for your own retirement" is NOT operative under WEAC and AFSCME-negotiated contracts.
Fortunately,
Rep. Mark Gottlieb (R-Port Washington) [is] reviv[ing] calls for passage of legislation that would require most public employees to pay 3% of the pension contributions
Meaning that Gottlieb now has a large target painted on his back.
The solution, of course, is more money from the taxpayer!
The contribution rate for the Wisconsin Retirement System will increase in 2010, with the fund that pays pensions for most teachers and municipal workers in the state increasing to its highest level in more than a decade.
The decision by the Employee Trust Funds Board raises the amount that has to be paid on behalf of employees to the equivalent of 11% of employee salaries. For the current year, that amount is 10.4%.
The Department of Employee Trust Funds attributed the increase to investment losses in 2008.
Well, yah. Investments have been kinda nasty.
Here's the part which is just obnoxious:
The increase largely will burden local governments, most of which have contract agreements requiring them to pay both the full employee and employer contributions to the retirement system.
That line about "preparing for your own retirement" is NOT operative under WEAC and AFSCME-negotiated contracts.
Fortunately,
Rep. Mark Gottlieb (R-Port Washington) [is] reviv[ing] calls for passage of legislation that would require most public employees to pay 3% of the pension contributions
Meaning that Gottlieb now has a large target painted on his back.
Milwaukee and Iran
Same difference, no?
Iran's Guardian Council has suggested that the number of votes collected in 50 cities surpass the number of people eligible to cast ballot in those areas.
The mullahs studied Milwaukee's Election Commission.
Iran's Guardian Council has suggested that the number of votes collected in 50 cities surpass the number of people eligible to cast ballot in those areas.
The mullahs studied Milwaukee's Election Commission.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Welcome to Chicago, D.C. (Part 2 of a Long Series...)
Walpin was fired from his position as I.G. of AmeriCorps and then slandered. That clears the way for AmeriCorps to become Michelle Obama's personal playground (and likely as the tax-dollar conduit to ACORN.)
The I.G. responsible for oversight of TARP allocations is being stiffarmed by Geithner.
The I.G. of the International Trade Commission was "not renewed."
And now:
The inspector general of Amtrak unexpectedly resigned Thursday night, becoming the third such federal official to leave prematurely since the Obama administration took office and the latest in a string of potentially controversial moves involving government watchdogs.
We don't need no steeeeenking Inspector Generals.
HT: NTCNews
The I.G. responsible for oversight of TARP allocations is being stiffarmed by Geithner.
The I.G. of the International Trade Commission was "not renewed."
And now:
The inspector general of Amtrak unexpectedly resigned Thursday night, becoming the third such federal official to leave prematurely since the Obama administration took office and the latest in a string of potentially controversial moves involving government watchdogs.
We don't need no steeeeenking Inspector Generals.
HT: NTCNews
Clever Line
Heard on this weekend's Prairie Home Companion, allegedly a note from husband to wife:
"I wouldn't trade our marriage for all the happiness in the world."
"I wouldn't trade our marriage for all the happiness in the world."
Transparency from O? Fuggeddaboutit
Even Isikoff is unhappy.
As a senator, Barack Obama denounced the Bush administration for holding "secret energy meetings" with oil executives at the White House. But last week public-interest groups were dismayed when his own administration rejected a Freedom of Information Act request for Secret Service logs showing the identities of coal executives who had visited the White House to discuss Obama's "clean coal" policies. One reason: the disclosure of such records might impinge on privileged "presidential communications." The refusal, approved by White House counsel Greg Craig's office, is the latest in a series of cases in which Obama officials have opted against public disclosure.
There is, of course, a DofJ memo supporting Obama's Secret Club meetings.
Administration officials say the Holder memo was drafted by senior Justice lawyers in consultation with Craig's office.
Craig is White House counsel.
Isikoff compares this to the Bush secrecy games. Maybe, maybe not--but it certainly is not "openness."
As a senator, Barack Obama denounced the Bush administration for holding "secret energy meetings" with oil executives at the White House. But last week public-interest groups were dismayed when his own administration rejected a Freedom of Information Act request for Secret Service logs showing the identities of coal executives who had visited the White House to discuss Obama's "clean coal" policies. One reason: the disclosure of such records might impinge on privileged "presidential communications." The refusal, approved by White House counsel Greg Craig's office, is the latest in a series of cases in which Obama officials have opted against public disclosure.
There is, of course, a DofJ memo supporting Obama's Secret Club meetings.
Administration officials say the Holder memo was drafted by senior Justice lawyers in consultation with Craig's office.
Craig is White House counsel.
Isikoff compares this to the Bush secrecy games. Maybe, maybe not--but it certainly is not "openness."
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Something ELSE You Can Do With Ethanol
Ethanol is good for us. (Repeat until in zombie-state...)
Tank cars loaded with thousands of gallons of highly flammable ethanol exploded and blazed through the night after a freight train derailed, killing one person in a car at a crossing
That's not the worst part.
Firefighters say the best tactic is to let the ethanol burn out. They're staying a good distance back and have some unmanned hoses on the cars. They don't want to risk any injury to firefighters.
They're keeping the firefighters 100 yards out, and watching with binox.
Oh, there's more:
There is a mandatory evacuation for the area around the scene. If you live 1/2 a mile from Sandy Hollow and Mulford, you are to leave your home until further notice
Three others were treated for serious burns.
Tank cars loaded with thousands of gallons of highly flammable ethanol exploded and blazed through the night after a freight train derailed, killing one person in a car at a crossing
That's not the worst part.
Firefighters say the best tactic is to let the ethanol burn out. They're staying a good distance back and have some unmanned hoses on the cars. They don't want to risk any injury to firefighters.
They're keeping the firefighters 100 yards out, and watching with binox.
Oh, there's more:
There is a mandatory evacuation for the area around the scene. If you live 1/2 a mile from Sandy Hollow and Mulford, you are to leave your home until further notice
Three others were treated for serious burns.
Actually, Boxer DID Earn Something
After reading the post below, you need humor!
Clearly, it was inappropriate for a mere Brigadier General to display a level of respect typically reserved for commoners. Sure, he served a tour in Iraq, but she serves on the Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation.
You try sitting next to John Kerry for five hours.
Plenty more on The Most Honorific-Deserving Beeeyotch of All Time at the link.
Clearly, it was inappropriate for a mere Brigadier General to display a level of respect typically reserved for commoners. Sure, he served a tour in Iraq, but she serves on the Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation.
You try sitting next to John Kerry for five hours.
Plenty more on The Most Honorific-Deserving Beeeyotch of All Time at the link.
Congressional 'Destroy Everybody' Act: Update
In a way, the CPSIA is an icon. It is THE story of how Congress can screw up a one-car funeral procession. Neither Twain nor Mencken nor Rogers could have dreamed this up; only Congress (and a feckless President) could have created this monster.
Overlawyered has been keeping track.
...the next all-out debacle on the CPSIA front is expected to result from the law’s tracking and labeling regulations, due to take effect August 14, and for which the CPSC has not yet issued guidance, although product makers ordinarily need to resolve crucial issues of manufacturing (as with etching of lot numbers) and packaging at least many months if not longer in advance of sale
..."When you think through the implications, it means closing our libraries to children”. And in a sign of possible things to come, ABC-affiliated stations in Seattle and Washington, D.C. have now run sensationalist “toxic books!” attacks on local libraries
(Maybe this is the solution in West Bend!!)
... The CPSC’s stay of enforcement didn’t really solve the problem of the ban on dirtbikes and mini-ATVs, and responsible users and dealers end up getting the short end of the stick
...Those who remain in the kids’-product business after coping with all the other parts of the law will also want to educate themselves about “recall escrows”
Congress: Certified Damn Fools.
Overlawyered has been keeping track.
...the next all-out debacle on the CPSIA front is expected to result from the law’s tracking and labeling regulations, due to take effect August 14, and for which the CPSC has not yet issued guidance, although product makers ordinarily need to resolve crucial issues of manufacturing (as with etching of lot numbers) and packaging at least many months if not longer in advance of sale
..."When you think through the implications, it means closing our libraries to children”. And in a sign of possible things to come, ABC-affiliated stations in Seattle and Washington, D.C. have now run sensationalist “toxic books!” attacks on local libraries
(Maybe this is the solution in West Bend!!)
... The CPSC’s stay of enforcement didn’t really solve the problem of the ban on dirtbikes and mini-ATVs, and responsible users and dealers end up getting the short end of the stick
...Those who remain in the kids’-product business after coping with all the other parts of the law will also want to educate themselves about “recall escrows”
Congress: Certified Damn Fools.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Ever Think of Crashing This Party?
Sometimes, it's fun to think about simply over-running the personal police-force of Doyle and the Dems and crashing these little tete-a-tetes.
There will be no formal action on the state budget until Tuesday, a delay that allows legislative leaders to meet privately to try to resolve major differences between the spending plans of the Assembly and Senate.
That would continue what has been a pattern of secrecy surrounding the $62.5 billion two-year budget.
"Politicians never seem to learn that operating in secrecy only convinces the public that they are hiding something and makes people that much more suspicious of all politicians," said Mike McCabe, head of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign.
McCabe makes the point very well.
Things are manageable at the office, what with most people trying to figure out how to get the hell OUT of this State. Maybe there's be time for a quick run to Madistan's Capitol-area taverns.
HT: Kevin
There will be no formal action on the state budget until Tuesday, a delay that allows legislative leaders to meet privately to try to resolve major differences between the spending plans of the Assembly and Senate.
That would continue what has been a pattern of secrecy surrounding the $62.5 billion two-year budget.
"Politicians never seem to learn that operating in secrecy only convinces the public that they are hiding something and makes people that much more suspicious of all politicians," said Mike McCabe, head of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign.
McCabe makes the point very well.
Things are manageable at the office, what with most people trying to figure out how to get the hell OUT of this State. Maybe there's be time for a quick run to Madistan's Capitol-area taverns.
HT: Kevin
Browner Off the Hook, For Now
We mentioned that Jim Sensenbrenner was extremely upset about Carol Browner's apparently top-secret meetings. It's a story that the local "news" paper did not mention.
House Republicans accused Obama climate czar Carol Browner of deliberately violating the Presidential Records Act by ordering a shroud of secrecy around the development of Obama’s CAFE standards and the EPA’s CO2 endangerment finding.
Waxman, who is as slimy as any (D) in DC, cut this off at the pass.
[Waxman] is pledging to “monitor” and potentially hold hearings on the decision-making process behind EPA’s proposed finding that carbon dioxide endangers public health…
So? Oh, yeah, there's more:
Democrats… may be willing to investigate the issue given their own interest in obtaining Bush-era EPA documents
To which my response is: GO FOR IT! If Bush & Co. were playing fast and loose on this, we should know. You know, "accountablity," and "open-ness" and all that rot.
HT: GreenHell
What say, Jim Sensenbrenner?
House Republicans accused Obama climate czar Carol Browner of deliberately violating the Presidential Records Act by ordering a shroud of secrecy around the development of Obama’s CAFE standards and the EPA’s CO2 endangerment finding.
Waxman, who is as slimy as any (D) in DC, cut this off at the pass.
[Waxman] is pledging to “monitor” and potentially hold hearings on the decision-making process behind EPA’s proposed finding that carbon dioxide endangers public health…
So? Oh, yeah, there's more:
Democrats… may be willing to investigate the issue given their own interest in obtaining Bush-era EPA documents
To which my response is: GO FOR IT! If Bush & Co. were playing fast and loose on this, we should know. You know, "accountablity," and "open-ness" and all that rot.
HT: GreenHell
What say, Jim Sensenbrenner?
This Pump Will Fail
He's trying to pump up a balloon which popped, folks.
President Barack Obama’s program to help more homeowners refinance may be expanded to include borrowers who owe more than 105 percent of their homes’ values, Federal Housing Finance Agency Director James Lockhart said.
The Obama administration is considering allowing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to refinance loans with current loan-to-value ratios of 125 percent or higher, Lockhart said at a National Association of Real Estate Editors Association conference in Washington yesterday.
It ain't gonna work, and the sludge will splatter directly into the taxpayer's "pay IRS" account.
HT: Ticker
President Barack Obama’s program to help more homeowners refinance may be expanded to include borrowers who owe more than 105 percent of their homes’ values, Federal Housing Finance Agency Director James Lockhart said.
The Obama administration is considering allowing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to refinance loans with current loan-to-value ratios of 125 percent or higher, Lockhart said at a National Association of Real Estate Editors Association conference in Washington yesterday.
It ain't gonna work, and the sludge will splatter directly into the taxpayer's "pay IRS" account.
HT: Ticker
Contingent Federal Liabilities
Yah, there's the SpendSpendSpendSpend porkulus and budget proposals.
And there's the imminent collapse of Social Security and Medicare.
And then there's "contingent liabilities," found by PowerLine.
The summer 2009 issue of the FDIC's Supervisory Insightscarries an article summarizing the government support for financial assets and liabilities announced in 2008 and soon thereafter...
The numbers are prefaced by an important note explaining that "the amounts are gross loans, asset and liability guarantee and asset purchases, do not represent net cost to taxpayers, do not reflect expected private capital expected to accompany some programs, and are announced maximum program limits so that actual support may well fall short of these levels." Nevertheless, they signify something.
According to table 1, the total gross support extended in 2008 was $6,788 billion (i.e., $6.78 trillion). That's a big number, but it has increased with stunning rapidity during the Obama administration. The "maximum capacity of support programs" announced or in place through the first quarter of 2009 was $13,903 billion (i.e., $13.93 trillion). The breakdown of the numbers provided comes with 22 footnotes that should be consulted for clarification
.
For reference it may be helpful to compare these newly created government programs with the the gross domestic product of the United States. In 2008 the GDP of the United States was about $14 trillion. The recession will probably cause it to contract in 2009 to an amount that is exceeded by the total of the government support programs announced or in place through the first quarter of 2009.
Happy banks and brokerage firms.
And there's the imminent collapse of Social Security and Medicare.
And then there's "contingent liabilities," found by PowerLine.
The summer 2009 issue of the FDIC's Supervisory Insightscarries an article summarizing the government support for financial assets and liabilities announced in 2008 and soon thereafter...
The numbers are prefaced by an important note explaining that "the amounts are gross loans, asset and liability guarantee and asset purchases, do not represent net cost to taxpayers, do not reflect expected private capital expected to accompany some programs, and are announced maximum program limits so that actual support may well fall short of these levels." Nevertheless, they signify something.
According to table 1, the total gross support extended in 2008 was $6,788 billion (i.e., $6.78 trillion). That's a big number, but it has increased with stunning rapidity during the Obama administration. The "maximum capacity of support programs" announced or in place through the first quarter of 2009 was $13,903 billion (i.e., $13.93 trillion). The breakdown of the numbers provided comes with 22 footnotes that should be consulted for clarification
.
For reference it may be helpful to compare these newly created government programs with the the gross domestic product of the United States. In 2008 the GDP of the United States was about $14 trillion. The recession will probably cause it to contract in 2009 to an amount that is exceeded by the total of the government support programs announced or in place through the first quarter of 2009.
Happy banks and brokerage firms.
Hint to GOP: How to Play the ObamaCare Bill
Easily the best idea I've seen:
Barack Obama compares our current health care system to General Motors. Seeing as the government bailout/restructuring of GM isn't too popular, and that 41% of people predict the quality of GM vehicles will suffer, I think this is a good metaphor to stick with.
Outstanding thinking!
Barack Obama compares our current health care system to General Motors. Seeing as the government bailout/restructuring of GM isn't too popular, and that 41% of people predict the quality of GM vehicles will suffer, I think this is a good metaphor to stick with.
Outstanding thinking!
BOHICA!! How to Pay for ObamaCare
Well, you really didn't think it was "free", did you?
House Democrats have lots of potential targets for higher taxes as they aim to expand health care coverage, from wealthy Americans and the nation's employers to anyone who pops the top on a soft drink.
Also under consideration are higher alcohol taxes, increases to the Medicare payroll tax and a value-added tax, a sort of national sales tax, of up to 1.5 percent or more.
Have we mentioned that "It's the SPENDING, Stupid"?
House Democrats have lots of potential targets for higher taxes as they aim to expand health care coverage, from wealthy Americans and the nation's employers to anyone who pops the top on a soft drink.
Also under consideration are higher alcohol taxes, increases to the Medicare payroll tax and a value-added tax, a sort of national sales tax, of up to 1.5 percent or more.
Have we mentioned that "It's the SPENDING, Stupid"?
Roeder's Favorite Court
Roeder kills "Tiller the Killer."
And a 4th Amendment ruling in a Kansas Appeals Court might have helped him.
About 13 years ago Roeder was under suspicion due to his "Freemen" association and a rise in activity by that bunch of wackos. This led to an arrest, which led to discovery of all sorts of interesting gizmos in his (unlicensed) car--like wires, blasting caps, batteries, gunpowder, a rifle and ammo, and a copy of "The Underground Cookbook".
You know. The kind of stuff everybody keeps handy in their car-trunk, just in case.
On behalf of the state, Brown argued in his brief to the appeals court that the law enforcement officers’ action was reasonable and justified. “For this court to require law enforcement officers to leave a vehicle without license tags or insurance, whose ownership is unknown, in a private parking lot or on a public street on the word of one who claims ownership but cannot furnish evidence of the same is so unreasonable as to be ridiculous,” Brown wrote.
A three-judge panel of the appeal’s court--the late Kaye Royse, Jerry G. Elliott and Barry A. Bennington—agreed with Roeder.
That was on Christmas Eve; certainly ironic timing, in retrospect.
There's more at the link...
And a 4th Amendment ruling in a Kansas Appeals Court might have helped him.
About 13 years ago Roeder was under suspicion due to his "Freemen" association and a rise in activity by that bunch of wackos. This led to an arrest, which led to discovery of all sorts of interesting gizmos in his (unlicensed) car--like wires, blasting caps, batteries, gunpowder, a rifle and ammo, and a copy of "The Underground Cookbook".
You know. The kind of stuff everybody keeps handy in their car-trunk, just in case.
On behalf of the state, Brown argued in his brief to the appeals court that the law enforcement officers’ action was reasonable and justified. “For this court to require law enforcement officers to leave a vehicle without license tags or insurance, whose ownership is unknown, in a private parking lot or on a public street on the word of one who claims ownership but cannot furnish evidence of the same is so unreasonable as to be ridiculous,” Brown wrote.
A three-judge panel of the appeal’s court--the late Kaye Royse, Jerry G. Elliott and Barry A. Bennington—agreed with Roeder.
That was on Christmas Eve; certainly ironic timing, in retrospect.
There's more at the link...
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