Yes indeed. The House Democrats are actually proposing a budget cut.
Now, you must be thinking that this is some kind of mistake, Democrats hate budget cuts.
The devil is in the details on this one.
The Democrats have cut the funding on a government watchdog that keeps an eye on union dues to make sure they funds are spent legally.
Washinton Times-
The Bush administration says the Democrat-controlled Congress is trying to shortchange the lone federal agency responsible for ensuring unions spend their dues legally — an effort Republicans consider political payback that must be rebuffed.
At least two Republican senators are expected to propose legislation to restore nearly 4 percent of funding the House cut from the Office of Labor-Management Standards, Capitol Hill aides said.
"Union members are entitled to know where their money is going," Labor Department Secretary Elaine L. Chao said. "Less than one-tenth of 1 percent of the department's budget goes to OLMS — the one federal entity charged with protecting union members from corruption — and it is the one singled out for budget cuts."
The House last week approved $45.7 million for OLMS for fiscal year 2008 — $2 million less than in 2007, and about $11 million short of the Bush administration's budget request. It was the only major Labor agency to get less money than in 2007.
"When it came to the office whose responsibility is to find the crooks who are stealing from union members, [Democrats] found a way to impose a 4 percent cut in that office," said Rep. John Kline, Minnesota Republican, whose bid to restore OLMS funding to its 2007 level failed. "And what a shame that is."
Of course, Rep. Obey would have you believe that everything is just fine and that no one needs to watch the unions any longer.
Once again, the devil is in the details-
House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rep. David R. Obey, Wisconsin Democrat, has questioned the need to give the agency more money when he said unions are complying with disclosure reporting requirements at a rate of 96 percent.
"I'd say if you are getting 96 percent, that's an A — at least it was when I went to school," Mr. Obey said.
The Labor Department says Mr. Obey is only referring to the percentage of unions who filled out their financial forms correctly — not the percentage of unions that were in compliance. The rate of unions who submitted disclosure reports on time last year was about 64 percent.
The only agency that faces this cuts is the one agency that protects union members from being ripped off by their unions. That's it. No other cuts to the budget- only the one that protects union members from union bosses.
Guess what folks? It has been working.
OLMS investigators and auditors in the past six years referred cases to U.S. attorneys that resulted in 775 convictions and more than $70 million in restitution for union members, the Labor Department says.
Wow- this is complete and blatant pandering to the union bosses. Clearly the Democrats want to protect their union piggy banks, but could give a rip about the people these unions are stealing from.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Government greed rears it's ugly head again
Not only in Wisconsin, but all across the country, the newly elected Democrats have decided that they just cannot get enough of your money.
Seriously folks, some of these folks are trying to take us back to the President Carter days, when the economy was atrocious.
From the Wall Street Journal-
Raise the capital gains rate to 28% from the current 15%. This would repeal not only the capital gains tax cut of 2003 but also the tax cut (to 20% from 28%) that Bill Clinton signed into law in 1997. Presidential candidate John Edwards proposed this 86% increase in the capital gains tax last week, and he's been echoed in recent days by such Democratic tax sachems as Alan Blinder and Leonard Burman. Mr. Blinder thinks capital gains should be taxed no differently than regular income, which means the tax rate would rise to 39.6% if the 2003 tax cuts expire in 2010. The last time the U.S. had a capital gains rate that high was 1978--the Jimmy Carter era.
So who wants to go back to the Jimmy Carter days? Do they remember what the economy was like back then?
With each new week, another tax increase is proposed by a Democrat in Congress.
Can you imagine what would happen to the American business climate if John Edwards has his way and increases capital gains taxes by 86%?
86%!!
Seriously folks, some of these folks are trying to take us back to the President Carter days, when the economy was atrocious.
From the Wall Street Journal-
Raise the capital gains rate to 28% from the current 15%. This would repeal not only the capital gains tax cut of 2003 but also the tax cut (to 20% from 28%) that Bill Clinton signed into law in 1997. Presidential candidate John Edwards proposed this 86% increase in the capital gains tax last week, and he's been echoed in recent days by such Democratic tax sachems as Alan Blinder and Leonard Burman. Mr. Blinder thinks capital gains should be taxed no differently than regular income, which means the tax rate would rise to 39.6% if the 2003 tax cuts expire in 2010. The last time the U.S. had a capital gains rate that high was 1978--the Jimmy Carter era.
So who wants to go back to the Jimmy Carter days? Do they remember what the economy was like back then?
With each new week, another tax increase is proposed by a Democrat in Congress.
Can you imagine what would happen to the American business climate if John Edwards has his way and increases capital gains taxes by 86%?
86%!!
Monday, July 30, 2007
What is a law enforcement officer to do?
All the talk in Kenosha today is about a young man that was shot and killed on Saturday night.
I have spoken to several individuals about this- everyone I have spoken too seems to agree- the final outcome was unavoidable.
For five hours- the officers and the deputies did everything they could to save this man's life. In the end- he pointed a gun at the officers and it cost him his life.
Here is the story-
A Randall man was shot and killed early Sunday morning by the Sheriff Department's Tactical Response Team after he led deputies on a chase and then reportedly raised a gun at them.
David J. Estes, 21, had a criminal and mental health history and appeared to want the officers to shoot him, Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth said Sunday afternoon.
But a member of Estes' family said she believes deputies mishandled the situation and said family members would have never called 911 if they knew this was how it would end.
According to the department, Estes' wife called 911 about 8:39 p.m. Saturday to say her husband had left their house with four loaded weapons, including a handgun and long-barreled weapons.
She said they had an argument, and he left their house in the Nippersink area saying he was going to kill himself. The woman also told dispatchers that Estes might be headed for Paddock Lake, where he had friends and family, and he was driving a red Dodge pickup truck.
A deputy assigned to the Paddock Lake area spotted the truck and followed it until backup arrived. The deputy then tried to pull over the truck, but Estes didn't stop, leading officers on a long chase at speeds of 35 to 65 mph.
Estes apparently stopped at stop signs and stop lights during the chase but wouldn't pull over.
The chase traveled on Highway 45 and onto Highway 50 into Paddock Lake, then onto 60th Street, then onto Highway 83.
Officers tried to use blow-out spike strips several times to stop the truck, but Estes made U-turns to avoid the strips at least four times.
Estes finally drove over a set of the strips and stopped the car on Highway C west of Highway 83 about 9:39 p.m. after stopping for a train. His car was surrounded, and all area streets were blocked off.
Over the next 2½ hours, several sheriff's deputies spoke to the man to try and convince him to give up. Beth said during that time, Estes frequently made quick movements to compartments in the truck in an attempt to make officers believe he was getting a gun.
Estes, who had apparently been shot with bean bags by police before, repeated that he didn't want to be shot with one again and said, "You're going to have to kill me this time."
At one point Estes started the truck in an attempt to leave the scene but couldn't because his tires were blown, Beth said.Estes eventually opened the driver door and sat on the edge of the seat. The tactical team then shot him in the chest wtih a bean bag in an attempt to disable him and let a police dog loose, causing Estes to double over and get back into the truck.
Estes then apparently reached for a rifle and brought the gun up toward officers, according to the department.
The five-member tactical team then fired on him. Beth said the shots broke the window first, but Estes still brought the gun up.
Beth said Estes was shot, but where and how many times remains unclear. All members of the team fired on him, Beth said, and Estes may have shot his gun before he was shot.
Beth said that hadn't been confirmed.
Estes was immediately taken by ambulance to St. Catherine's Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 1:07 a.m.
Family upset about handling
Estes' mother-in-law Teri White said her daughter, Estes' wife, wasn't contacted throughout the night and didn't know Estes' condition.
"Nobody bothered to even let his wife know that he was dead," she said.
White said Estes was a sweet person who had two kids, ages 9 months and 2 years. He had mental health problems in the past, she said, including anxiety attacks.
He had attempted suicide twice before, and medications that doctors prescribed didn't seem to work, she said.
"I don't think the doctors were giving him the right medicine," she said. "It seems like he got lost in the system."White said Estes had been improving lately and had worked on getting his GED while preparing to take a welding class at a local technical college.
Family members couldn't speak with Estes during the standoff, she said, though it may have helped.
"I know (his wife) could have talked him down," she said.White said the family called police so they would help Estes and said they believe Estes never would have shot at officers.
"He would not have hurt them," she said. "For this to happen is unbelievable," she said.
Man has criminal history
But Beth said the department has had at least three serious and violent contacts with Estes that required hands-on contact by deputies.
Court records show that Estes was twice charged with and found guilty of disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property in 2003, and faced one obstructing charge in the same year.
He also pleaded guilty to battery in 2006 after he, according to Kenosha News archives, bit a woman's cheek during an argument.
Beth said Estes had been taken into custody under Chapter 51 at least twice before.
That means that Estes was committed to a mental health institution because he was mentally ill and had or was likely to harm himself or others.
Beth said the last contact his department had with Estes was last October.
Officers on leave
Beth said the tactical team is made up of two deputies and three Kenosha Police Department officers.
The two deputies were placed on administrative leave for two days, he said, and it's unknown whether the officers are also on leave.
Both deputies are seasoned department veterans with more than 10 years experience, he said.
In line with department policy, the Racine County Sheriff's Department is investigating the incident.
The last time deputies shot and killed someone was 1972, according to the department.
Beth said more information would be available today after deputies finished writing their reports.
I think we all wished for a better outcome- including the law enforcement officers on the scene.
However, if you point a gun at a law enforcement officers, something bad will always happen. Either the officer gets hurt or killed or the person doing the aiming is hurt or killed.
I have spoken to several individuals about this- everyone I have spoken too seems to agree- the final outcome was unavoidable.
For five hours- the officers and the deputies did everything they could to save this man's life. In the end- he pointed a gun at the officers and it cost him his life.
Here is the story-
A Randall man was shot and killed early Sunday morning by the Sheriff Department's Tactical Response Team after he led deputies on a chase and then reportedly raised a gun at them.
David J. Estes, 21, had a criminal and mental health history and appeared to want the officers to shoot him, Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth said Sunday afternoon.
But a member of Estes' family said she believes deputies mishandled the situation and said family members would have never called 911 if they knew this was how it would end.
According to the department, Estes' wife called 911 about 8:39 p.m. Saturday to say her husband had left their house with four loaded weapons, including a handgun and long-barreled weapons.
She said they had an argument, and he left their house in the Nippersink area saying he was going to kill himself. The woman also told dispatchers that Estes might be headed for Paddock Lake, where he had friends and family, and he was driving a red Dodge pickup truck.
A deputy assigned to the Paddock Lake area spotted the truck and followed it until backup arrived. The deputy then tried to pull over the truck, but Estes didn't stop, leading officers on a long chase at speeds of 35 to 65 mph.
Estes apparently stopped at stop signs and stop lights during the chase but wouldn't pull over.
The chase traveled on Highway 45 and onto Highway 50 into Paddock Lake, then onto 60th Street, then onto Highway 83.
Officers tried to use blow-out spike strips several times to stop the truck, but Estes made U-turns to avoid the strips at least four times.
Estes finally drove over a set of the strips and stopped the car on Highway C west of Highway 83 about 9:39 p.m. after stopping for a train. His car was surrounded, and all area streets were blocked off.
Over the next 2½ hours, several sheriff's deputies spoke to the man to try and convince him to give up. Beth said during that time, Estes frequently made quick movements to compartments in the truck in an attempt to make officers believe he was getting a gun.
Estes, who had apparently been shot with bean bags by police before, repeated that he didn't want to be shot with one again and said, "You're going to have to kill me this time."
At one point Estes started the truck in an attempt to leave the scene but couldn't because his tires were blown, Beth said.Estes eventually opened the driver door and sat on the edge of the seat. The tactical team then shot him in the chest wtih a bean bag in an attempt to disable him and let a police dog loose, causing Estes to double over and get back into the truck.
Estes then apparently reached for a rifle and brought the gun up toward officers, according to the department.
The five-member tactical team then fired on him. Beth said the shots broke the window first, but Estes still brought the gun up.
Beth said Estes was shot, but where and how many times remains unclear. All members of the team fired on him, Beth said, and Estes may have shot his gun before he was shot.
Beth said that hadn't been confirmed.
Estes was immediately taken by ambulance to St. Catherine's Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 1:07 a.m.
Family upset about handling
Estes' mother-in-law Teri White said her daughter, Estes' wife, wasn't contacted throughout the night and didn't know Estes' condition.
"Nobody bothered to even let his wife know that he was dead," she said.
White said Estes was a sweet person who had two kids, ages 9 months and 2 years. He had mental health problems in the past, she said, including anxiety attacks.
He had attempted suicide twice before, and medications that doctors prescribed didn't seem to work, she said.
"I don't think the doctors were giving him the right medicine," she said. "It seems like he got lost in the system."White said Estes had been improving lately and had worked on getting his GED while preparing to take a welding class at a local technical college.
Family members couldn't speak with Estes during the standoff, she said, though it may have helped.
"I know (his wife) could have talked him down," she said.White said the family called police so they would help Estes and said they believe Estes never would have shot at officers.
"He would not have hurt them," she said. "For this to happen is unbelievable," she said.
Man has criminal history
But Beth said the department has had at least three serious and violent contacts with Estes that required hands-on contact by deputies.
Court records show that Estes was twice charged with and found guilty of disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property in 2003, and faced one obstructing charge in the same year.
He also pleaded guilty to battery in 2006 after he, according to Kenosha News archives, bit a woman's cheek during an argument.
Beth said Estes had been taken into custody under Chapter 51 at least twice before.
That means that Estes was committed to a mental health institution because he was mentally ill and had or was likely to harm himself or others.
Beth said the last contact his department had with Estes was last October.
Officers on leave
Beth said the tactical team is made up of two deputies and three Kenosha Police Department officers.
The two deputies were placed on administrative leave for two days, he said, and it's unknown whether the officers are also on leave.
Both deputies are seasoned department veterans with more than 10 years experience, he said.
In line with department policy, the Racine County Sheriff's Department is investigating the incident.
The last time deputies shot and killed someone was 1972, according to the department.
Beth said more information would be available today after deputies finished writing their reports.
I think we all wished for a better outcome- including the law enforcement officers on the scene.
However, if you point a gun at a law enforcement officers, something bad will always happen. Either the officer gets hurt or killed or the person doing the aiming is hurt or killed.
Congratulations Iraq!
Of course- the AP headlines reads:
However- a great big congratulations to the Iraqi soccer team. This is a huge victory for Iraq. They are the Asian Cup champions!
Gunfire Erupts After Iraq Soccer Win
Instead of celebrating with Iraq- the media immediately focused on the negative.However- a great big congratulations to the Iraqi soccer team. This is a huge victory for Iraq. They are the Asian Cup champions!
Sunday, July 29, 2007
They're back!
Quite frankly they were not gone for long.
Fans of Dan and Nicole, from The Early Spin, will be happy to note that they are back to blogging again.
Since my schedule had changed, I could not listen to Dan and Nicole for the last several months. However, I did get a chance to read their blog.
The great news is that they did not disappear for very long.
Their new blog is called Still Spinnin' Blog. Check it out-
They may take our jobs….. but they will never take…. OUR FREEDOM!!!
Welcome back, Dan and Nicole.
Fans of Dan and Nicole, from The Early Spin, will be happy to note that they are back to blogging again.
Since my schedule had changed, I could not listen to Dan and Nicole for the last several months. However, I did get a chance to read their blog.
The great news is that they did not disappear for very long.
Their new blog is called Still Spinnin' Blog. Check it out-
They may take our jobs….. but they will never take…. OUR FREEDOM!!!
Welcome back, Dan and Nicole.
The Vinehout truth
Almost two weeks after their original story on Senator Vinehout and her health insurance crisis, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel finally addressed the $9000 she donated to her campaign, even as she stated she could not afford the health insurance.
No matter how many excuses Senator Vinehout makes, she and her husband made a choice on whether or not they would carry health insurance. It was her choice, not anyone else's choice.
Now, I have no right to tell the Senator how she should spend her money. Frankly, it is none of my business. However, this is one of main reasons I am dead set against government-controlled health care. The government is deciding that I have to have health-care insurance and they are mandating that the money be taken out of my paycheck. No choice.
There are some people, like the Senator, who made the choice of not paying for health care insurance. Even I made that choice for myself.
Over 15 years ago, I was without health care coverage. My employer did give me the option of insurance, but I turned it down. I felt it was more important to be able to pay my rent, than to carry health insurance.
Like the Senator, I chose to gamble and I lost. Total cost of my medical bills was over $3000. It took me over a year and a half to pay for the medical bills.
Unlike the Senator, I do not believe that because I gambled and lost, gives me any right to take away this choice from anyone else.
How many folks are out there today who are currently making the same choice that I made 15 years ago? Rent or health insurance?
To some, this may not be a fair choice. For years, Americans have made that type of choice. It is very American. Just like the Senator, who chose to chase the American dream of owning her own business, Americans have made these types of sacrifices for years.
If this forced government controlled is passed, how many Wisconsinites will lose the same choice that the Senator had? Follow your dream, quite your job and open your own business. Yes, you will have to make sacrifices like the Senator did and perhaps opt to go without health insurance until you are on your feet.
Now- the Senator wants to take that choice from you. Mandatory health care! An additional 10% of what you make under the self-employment rules would go to the government for health insurance that you may or may not need. No choice!
How many Wisconsinites will forgo their dreams of being their own boss because they no longer can afford the mandatory programs forced on them?
Of course, that is only the tip of the iceberg. What happens to the person that is working full time, like I was, but still trying to pay the rent? Now they lose at least 4% of their paychecks.
How about the highly touted minimum wage increases that the Democrats are so proud of? Now they are trying to take 4% away immediately. Government hands them an increase and then takes it away immediately. What was the point?
How about the person that made tons of sacrifices just to own a home? Will they have to drop homeowner’s insurance?
Possibly, at least until government mandates homeowner’s insurance. That could be fun. Government could just add it right to your property taxes.
I do not fault the choice that Senator Vinehout and her husband made. It was her choice.
I do fault the Senator for believing that she has the right to make that choice for me and everyone else in Wisconsin.
I did not go looking for a government bailout when I ran into a bit of bad luck. Like most Americans that came before me, I just worked a little harder. That is the American way. Waiting for a government bailout is not!
The Vinehout truth is that she had a choice and I should be able to make my own choice too.
Interesting discussion taking place at Boots and Sabers on this subject.
No matter how many excuses Senator Vinehout makes, she and her husband made a choice on whether or not they would carry health insurance. It was her choice, not anyone else's choice.
Now, I have no right to tell the Senator how she should spend her money. Frankly, it is none of my business. However, this is one of main reasons I am dead set against government-controlled health care. The government is deciding that I have to have health-care insurance and they are mandating that the money be taken out of my paycheck. No choice.
There are some people, like the Senator, who made the choice of not paying for health care insurance. Even I made that choice for myself.
Over 15 years ago, I was without health care coverage. My employer did give me the option of insurance, but I turned it down. I felt it was more important to be able to pay my rent, than to carry health insurance.
Like the Senator, I chose to gamble and I lost. Total cost of my medical bills was over $3000. It took me over a year and a half to pay for the medical bills.
Unlike the Senator, I do not believe that because I gambled and lost, gives me any right to take away this choice from anyone else.
How many folks are out there today who are currently making the same choice that I made 15 years ago? Rent or health insurance?
To some, this may not be a fair choice. For years, Americans have made that type of choice. It is very American. Just like the Senator, who chose to chase the American dream of owning her own business, Americans have made these types of sacrifices for years.
If this forced government controlled is passed, how many Wisconsinites will lose the same choice that the Senator had? Follow your dream, quite your job and open your own business. Yes, you will have to make sacrifices like the Senator did and perhaps opt to go without health insurance until you are on your feet.
Now- the Senator wants to take that choice from you. Mandatory health care! An additional 10% of what you make under the self-employment rules would go to the government for health insurance that you may or may not need. No choice!
How many Wisconsinites will forgo their dreams of being their own boss because they no longer can afford the mandatory programs forced on them?
Of course, that is only the tip of the iceberg. What happens to the person that is working full time, like I was, but still trying to pay the rent? Now they lose at least 4% of their paychecks.
How about the highly touted minimum wage increases that the Democrats are so proud of? Now they are trying to take 4% away immediately. Government hands them an increase and then takes it away immediately. What was the point?
How about the person that made tons of sacrifices just to own a home? Will they have to drop homeowner’s insurance?
Possibly, at least until government mandates homeowner’s insurance. That could be fun. Government could just add it right to your property taxes.
I do not fault the choice that Senator Vinehout and her husband made. It was her choice.
I do fault the Senator for believing that she has the right to make that choice for me and everyone else in Wisconsin.
I did not go looking for a government bailout when I ran into a bit of bad luck. Like most Americans that came before me, I just worked a little harder. That is the American way. Waiting for a government bailout is not!
The Vinehout truth is that she had a choice and I should be able to make my own choice too.
Interesting discussion taking place at Boots and Sabers on this subject.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Uh-oh
He will be sleeping on the couch tonight. Maybe for the entire week.
*Potential fire alert for later today in Franklin*
*Potential fire alert for later today in Franklin*
Now this is embarrassing...
H/T Asian Badger
This is flat out embarrassing.
Wisconsin taxes are so bad, that retirees don't have to run very far in order to avoid our outrageous taxes. Just go to Michigan and they will be fine.
Forbes magazine writes:
When John Jazdcyk retired in 2004 from his management job at a Green Bay, Wis. Procter & Gamble plant, he and his wife, Susan, debated whether to move full-time to their vacation home on Lake Mullet in Cheboygan, Mich. Then they learned that Michigan exempts $81,840 a year in private retirement income per couple, in addition to Social Security, from its 3.9% state income tax. Wisconsin, by contrast, taxes private retirement payments, as it does salary and other income, at 5.6%. "Whenever taxes can be avoided, I feel better," says new Michigan resident Jazdcyk, 59.
Continued... (signing up for Forbes is free, you will need a log-in)
Let's start with the fact that income taxes in Michigan are 3.9% and in Wisconsin they are 5.6%. That alone is an embarrassment.
Then, you pile on the fact that we cannot cut any tax breaks for our most valued residents, senior citizens.
That is pathetic, folks!
When faced with exorbitant tax rate in Wisconsin, what do our state democrats do?
Well, pile on more taxes, of course! To the tune of $1.7 billion from Governor Doyle and $18+ billion from the Senate democrats!
This is flat out embarrassing.
Wisconsin taxes are so bad, that retirees don't have to run very far in order to avoid our outrageous taxes. Just go to Michigan and they will be fine.
Forbes magazine writes:
When John Jazdcyk retired in 2004 from his management job at a Green Bay, Wis. Procter & Gamble plant, he and his wife, Susan, debated whether to move full-time to their vacation home on Lake Mullet in Cheboygan, Mich. Then they learned that Michigan exempts $81,840 a year in private retirement income per couple, in addition to Social Security, from its 3.9% state income tax. Wisconsin, by contrast, taxes private retirement payments, as it does salary and other income, at 5.6%. "Whenever taxes can be avoided, I feel better," says new Michigan resident Jazdcyk, 59.
Continued... (signing up for Forbes is free, you will need a log-in)
Let's start with the fact that income taxes in Michigan are 3.9% and in Wisconsin they are 5.6%. That alone is an embarrassment.
Then, you pile on the fact that we cannot cut any tax breaks for our most valued residents, senior citizens.
That is pathetic, folks!
When faced with exorbitant tax rate in Wisconsin, what do our state democrats do?
Well, pile on more taxes, of course! To the tune of $1.7 billion from Governor Doyle and $18+ billion from the Senate democrats!
Step up and join Fantasy Football
Feeling inspired by Fred at Real Debate Wisconsin, and after attempting to sign up a few moments to late, there has been another league created for the Cheddarsphere football fans.
Join today-
http://football.fantasysports.yahoo.com/f1/register/joinprivateleague_league_select?.scrumb=
League ID is 237466
Password is kenosha
I have learned from experience, spots fill up quick- so join today
Join today-
http://football.fantasysports.yahoo.com/f1/register/joinprivateleague_league_select?.scrumb=
League ID is 237466
Password is kenosha
I have learned from experience, spots fill up quick- so join today
Name this famous person
Friday, July 27, 2007
An honest debate
I am becoming increasingly more frustrated with the Healthy Wisconsin. Getting a straight answer is becoming increasingly difficult.
I, like everyone else, listened to the taunting from the liberal side of the aisle, on the new poll that came out. According to the Senate Democrats and Senator Erpenbach in particular- everybody loves healthy Wisconsin.
Well, apparently, the poll was anything but accurate. As it turns out, the poll was taken two weeks before any details had been released about Healthy Wisconsin.
Two weeks!
The results of the poll are not an accurate assessment of the Democrats Health Wisconsin plan.
This little tidbit of information was released yesterday on Mark Belling’s show, with Kevin Fischer hosting.
There just is not any single way to take an accurate poll when all of the details are not given the i
After hearing Kevin Fischer on the air yesterday, Senator Erpenbach took great offense to his poll being called a lie. The Senator called the show and proceeded to defend his poll numbers.
It was during the Senator’s rant that I realized that the Senate Democrats would do anything and say anything for Healthy Wisconsin. On several occasions, Senator Erpenbach insisted that the Healthy Wisconsin would lower health care costs.
However, a little more than a week ago, the Senator looked me in the eyes and stated that this plan will not lower health care costs at all. He was hoping it would just slow down the increases to Wisconsin health care systems.
I have my own issues with this poll. In fact, I am not even sure it is possible to take an accurate poll on the Healthy Wisconsin proposal.
One of the most basic questions that Senate Democrats cannot answer is –“How much will this cost me?”
The Senate democrats do not know how much this will cost you because they have not yet defined “gainfully employed.”
Senate democrats cannot tell us if “gainfully employed” means full time or part time.
Folks we have no idea what it will cost us, individually, for this plan.
What if, the definition for “gainfully employed” turns out to mean any person working full time(30 hours a week)?
Does that mean that every single person that is employed, but working only 29 hours a week will not have to pay into the system? How about their employer?
What if your employer, in order to sidestep healthcare costs, cuts everyone’s hours to 29 hours a week?
There are so many “what ifs” that it is impossible to keep up with all. However- all of the questions need to be answered before shoving a health care system down our throats.
I think that it is only fair that we find out exactly how much this plan will cost each and every one of us, before a decision is made to move forwar.
Senator Erpenbach and Senate Democrats- you guys are the ones who insisted on having the health care debate right now.
However- we are now being entertained into believing that everyone loves the Healthy Wisconsin. However, not it is being discovered that the polling results were inaccurate. Worse yet, it may be impossible to accurate numbers until every single detail is worked out. Until we can define who is going to pay for this and how much will they pay, this is all a guessing game
It is actually impossible to know exactly how Healthy Wisconsin, if enacted, will affect us after the first year alone.
What we do know is the Senate Democrats demanded this debate. However, when some of their talking points are challenged, they react exactly as Senator Erpenbach did yesterday. One week we hear that health care costs will continue to rise, but the next week, we hear that Healthy Wisconsin will lower health care costs.
Wisconsin deserves a honest debate on health care.
Senate Democrats- you wanted this debate- let us keep it honest. This poll was not an honest reflection of Healthy Wisconsin.
I, like everyone else, listened to the taunting from the liberal side of the aisle, on the new poll that came out. According to the Senate Democrats and Senator Erpenbach in particular- everybody loves healthy Wisconsin.
Well, apparently, the poll was anything but accurate. As it turns out, the poll was taken two weeks before any details had been released about Healthy Wisconsin.
Two weeks!
The results of the poll are not an accurate assessment of the Democrats Health Wisconsin plan.
This little tidbit of information was released yesterday on Mark Belling’s show, with Kevin Fischer hosting.
There just is not any single way to take an accurate poll when all of the details are not given the i
After hearing Kevin Fischer on the air yesterday, Senator Erpenbach took great offense to his poll being called a lie. The Senator called the show and proceeded to defend his poll numbers.
It was during the Senator’s rant that I realized that the Senate Democrats would do anything and say anything for Healthy Wisconsin. On several occasions, Senator Erpenbach insisted that the Healthy Wisconsin would lower health care costs.
However, a little more than a week ago, the Senator looked me in the eyes and stated that this plan will not lower health care costs at all. He was hoping it would just slow down the increases to Wisconsin health care systems.
I have my own issues with this poll. In fact, I am not even sure it is possible to take an accurate poll on the Healthy Wisconsin proposal.
One of the most basic questions that Senate Democrats cannot answer is –“How much will this cost me?”
The Senate democrats do not know how much this will cost you because they have not yet defined “gainfully employed.”
Senate democrats cannot tell us if “gainfully employed” means full time or part time.
Folks we have no idea what it will cost us, individually, for this plan.
What if, the definition for “gainfully employed” turns out to mean any person working full time(30 hours a week)?
Does that mean that every single person that is employed, but working only 29 hours a week will not have to pay into the system? How about their employer?
What if your employer, in order to sidestep healthcare costs, cuts everyone’s hours to 29 hours a week?
There are so many “what ifs” that it is impossible to keep up with all. However- all of the questions need to be answered before shoving a health care system down our throats.
I think that it is only fair that we find out exactly how much this plan will cost each and every one of us, before a decision is made to move forwar.
Senator Erpenbach and Senate Democrats- you guys are the ones who insisted on having the health care debate right now.
However- we are now being entertained into believing that everyone loves the Healthy Wisconsin. However, not it is being discovered that the polling results were inaccurate. Worse yet, it may be impossible to accurate numbers until every single detail is worked out. Until we can define who is going to pay for this and how much will they pay, this is all a guessing game
It is actually impossible to know exactly how Healthy Wisconsin, if enacted, will affect us after the first year alone.
What we do know is the Senate Democrats demanded this debate. However, when some of their talking points are challenged, they react exactly as Senator Erpenbach did yesterday. One week we hear that health care costs will continue to rise, but the next week, we hear that Healthy Wisconsin will lower health care costs.
Wisconsin deserves a honest debate on health care.
Senate Democrats- you wanted this debate- let us keep it honest. This poll was not an honest reflection of Healthy Wisconsin.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Goodbye Midwest, hello AirTran
This is not good news for Midwest. This may be the straw that breaks the camel's back-
Midwest Air earnings plunge 44.6%
Hurt by what it called "industrywide pricing weakness," Midwest Air Group Inc. (MEH) said today earnings fell 44.6% in the second quarter, well below Wall Street expectations.
The Oak Creek-based parent of Midwest and Midwest Connect Airlines said net income dropped to $4.87 million, or 19 cents a share, from $8.80 million, or 39 cents, a year earlier. Revenue grew 10% to $194.5 million from $176.9 million.
Two analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research had expected earnings of 36 cents a share.
"While the pricing environment was challenging, demand for travel remained strong in the second quarter," said Timothy E. Hoeksema, Midwest Air chairman and chief executive officer. "Going forward, we are continuing to roll out our wide-ranging 2007 strategic plan, which includes aggressive route expansion, frequency increases and equipment upgrades.
"Midwest is fighting a hostile takeover offer from AirTran Holdings Inc. (AAI), which earlier in the day posted a 30% gain in second-quarter earnings, beating analyst expectations.
Midwest is the leading carrier at Milwaukee's Mitchell International Airport.
This is sad. I was out purchasing tickets to DC today- the Midwest tickets were $200 more than the Air Tran tickets.
I bought Air Tran. The cookies are not that good on Midwest.
Midwest Air earnings plunge 44.6%
Hurt by what it called "industrywide pricing weakness," Midwest Air Group Inc. (MEH) said today earnings fell 44.6% in the second quarter, well below Wall Street expectations.
The Oak Creek-based parent of Midwest and Midwest Connect Airlines said net income dropped to $4.87 million, or 19 cents a share, from $8.80 million, or 39 cents, a year earlier. Revenue grew 10% to $194.5 million from $176.9 million.
Two analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research had expected earnings of 36 cents a share.
"While the pricing environment was challenging, demand for travel remained strong in the second quarter," said Timothy E. Hoeksema, Midwest Air chairman and chief executive officer. "Going forward, we are continuing to roll out our wide-ranging 2007 strategic plan, which includes aggressive route expansion, frequency increases and equipment upgrades.
"Midwest is fighting a hostile takeover offer from AirTran Holdings Inc. (AAI), which earlier in the day posted a 30% gain in second-quarter earnings, beating analyst expectations.
Midwest is the leading carrier at Milwaukee's Mitchell International Airport.
This is sad. I was out purchasing tickets to DC today- the Midwest tickets were $200 more than the Air Tran tickets.
I bought Air Tran. The cookies are not that good on Midwest.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Bush admin only fired eight
H/T- Jessica McBride
Where is the congressional investigation?
Why is Governor Doyle given a pass for the firing of 15 prosecutors?
Today- the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel blames the legislators, Jessica McBride points out the truth.
As this article from 2003 points out- there may have been other ways to keep the prosecutors from being cut-
"Unlike the elected district attorneys, we made every attempt to try and prevent these cuts from ever occurring in the first place. We told the governor that there were ways to make up the shortfall without cutting personnel. But he felt that cutting bodies was more important.
So, were the firings politically motivated? Who hired these folks? Who fired these folks?
Where is the congressional investigation?
Why is Governor Doyle given a pass for the firing of 15 prosecutors?
Today- the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel blames the legislators, Jessica McBride points out the truth.
District attorneys from Waukesha, Racine and four other counties plan to ask the state Supreme Court today to halt the Doyle administration's plans to fire 15 prosecutors from 12 counties effective Sunday.
The lawsuit will ask the state's highest court to temporarily stay the layoffs ordered by the state Department of Administration and to decide whether the Doyle administration has the authority to eliminate jobs created by the Legislature.
As this article from 2003 points out- there may have been other ways to keep the prosecutors from being cut-
"Unlike the elected district attorneys, we made every attempt to try and prevent these cuts from ever occurring in the first place. We told the governor that there were ways to make up the shortfall without cutting personnel. But he felt that cutting bodies was more important.
So, were the firings politically motivated? Who hired these folks? Who fired these folks?
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Democrats- we tried to warn ya'
Hey Democrats- we tried to warn you. But did you listen?
NO!
We told you the woman was a fruit loop. Now she is coming back to bite ya!
Sure- when she was camped out in front of Bush's house, you Democrats considered this woman a hero.
Now that she was camped out in Congressman Conyers' office, not so funny, huh?
I wonder if you Democrats will enjoy all of the "netroots" money being thrown into her campaign and Pelosi is left high and dry by this group?
Have fun, Democrats! She is your problem now!
Antiwar activist Cindy Sheehan was arrested Monday at the Capitol for disorderly conduct, shortly after saying she would run against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi over the California Democrat’s refusal to try to impeach President George W. Bush.
Sheehan was taken into custody inside Rep. John Conyers’ office, where she had spent an hour imploring him to launch impeachment proceedings against Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney. Conyers, D-Mich., chairs the House Judiciary Committee, where any impeachment effort would have to begin.
continued...
NO!
We told you the woman was a fruit loop. Now she is coming back to bite ya!
Sure- when she was camped out in front of Bush's house, you Democrats considered this woman a hero.
Now that she was camped out in Congressman Conyers' office, not so funny, huh?
I wonder if you Democrats will enjoy all of the "netroots" money being thrown into her campaign and Pelosi is left high and dry by this group?
Have fun, Democrats! She is your problem now!
Antiwar activist Cindy Sheehan was arrested Monday at the Capitol for disorderly conduct, shortly after saying she would run against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi over the California Democrat’s refusal to try to impeach President George W. Bush.
Sheehan was taken into custody inside Rep. John Conyers’ office, where she had spent an hour imploring him to launch impeachment proceedings against Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney. Conyers, D-Mich., chairs the House Judiciary Committee, where any impeachment effort would have to begin.
continued...
Who is to blame?
The "Who is to blame" Katrina debate has re-opened.
Today, the charges were dropped against a Katrina doctor.
Murder charges dropped against Katrina doctor
Of course some folks start blaming "this administration" for Katrina again. Yes, "this administration" should carry some of the blame, but there are many others to include.
This was my response on the blog-
If the mayor of the city, Ray Nagin, or the Louisiana Department of Health and Human Services, had done their jobs for the five days proceeding this crisis, this would not have happened. There was an evacuation plan, buses available to evacuate and the plan was not followed. They had 5 days to implement this plan. They failed.
If so many police officers had not skeedadled in the middle of this crisis, this would not have happened.
If the local government had not have swiped millions upon millions of dollars from the New Orleans levy systems, this would not have happened.
The governor, herself, ordered the National Guard to hold back and not send any additional help into the city.
The federal government should have taken over on day 1. Instead they held back, waiting for local and state officials to tell them what they needed.
I even blame the media personnel for their part in this. The media seemed to be having no problems getting in and out of the area. They had a dry place to sleep and place to get their hair done. They should have set aside their cameras and computers and started packing their trucks full of medical supplies and water. For Pete's sake, they should have set down their cameras and helped their fellow Americans. They were too busy reporting rumors, innuendo and fake stories. They were so desperate to be first with any story, that they added to the confusion.
There are a lot of people to blame.However, once the flooding began- there was no stopping this from happening. Ever try to stop a flood of this nature? There is no way humanly possible to hold back that water once it started.
Shoot it is even hard to get the flooding stopped once your toilet overflows. Imagine trying to hold this thing back?I agree with dropping the charges against this doctor.
If any one of us were standing in the same position she was, would we have done things differently? Maybe, Maybe not.
To try and pin this solely on a few medical personnel and the President is ridiculous.
My biggest fear is that we are so quick to blame a handful of people, that we fail to learn from this.
Every single one of these people have died in vain, if every person involved with this fails to learn something from this.
Blaming a handful of people and the President means that we absolve everyone else for this catostrophic failure.
Local government learns nothing. State government learns nothing. The media learns nothing. We, as a nation, learn nothing.
It is imperative that we, as a nation, learn something from this. I am afraid we have not.
Instead, it became all about politics. Well, that is just not good enough for the people that died.
Today, the charges were dropped against a Katrina doctor.
Murder charges dropped against Katrina doctor
Of course some folks start blaming "this administration" for Katrina again. Yes, "this administration" should carry some of the blame, but there are many others to include.
This was my response on the blog-
If the mayor of the city, Ray Nagin, or the Louisiana Department of Health and Human Services, had done their jobs for the five days proceeding this crisis, this would not have happened. There was an evacuation plan, buses available to evacuate and the plan was not followed. They had 5 days to implement this plan. They failed.
If so many police officers had not skeedadled in the middle of this crisis, this would not have happened.
If the local government had not have swiped millions upon millions of dollars from the New Orleans levy systems, this would not have happened.
The governor, herself, ordered the National Guard to hold back and not send any additional help into the city.
The federal government should have taken over on day 1. Instead they held back, waiting for local and state officials to tell them what they needed.
I even blame the media personnel for their part in this. The media seemed to be having no problems getting in and out of the area. They had a dry place to sleep and place to get their hair done. They should have set aside their cameras and computers and started packing their trucks full of medical supplies and water. For Pete's sake, they should have set down their cameras and helped their fellow Americans. They were too busy reporting rumors, innuendo and fake stories. They were so desperate to be first with any story, that they added to the confusion.
There are a lot of people to blame.However, once the flooding began- there was no stopping this from happening. Ever try to stop a flood of this nature? There is no way humanly possible to hold back that water once it started.
Shoot it is even hard to get the flooding stopped once your toilet overflows. Imagine trying to hold this thing back?I agree with dropping the charges against this doctor.
If any one of us were standing in the same position she was, would we have done things differently? Maybe, Maybe not.
To try and pin this solely on a few medical personnel and the President is ridiculous.
My biggest fear is that we are so quick to blame a handful of people, that we fail to learn from this.
Every single one of these people have died in vain, if every person involved with this fails to learn something from this.
Blaming a handful of people and the President means that we absolve everyone else for this catostrophic failure.
Local government learns nothing. State government learns nothing. The media learns nothing. We, as a nation, learn nothing.
It is imperative that we, as a nation, learn something from this. I am afraid we have not.
Instead, it became all about politics. Well, that is just not good enough for the people that died.
This is good
This is one of the best editorials that I have read in a long time. I actually laughed out loud while reading it, plus the editorial still gets it point across-
From Wesley Pruden, Washington Times
The presidential candidates, particularly the Democrats, are beginning to feel sorry for themselves. They ought to feel sorry for us.
The Democratic worthies took up places last night at The Citadel in Charleston, S.C., and none looked as if he (or particularly she) had joined the ranks of the homeless and hungry. Nor did they look particularly fatigued. Why should they? Aides are always there to cut their roast beef, butter their bread, button their overcoats, knot their ties, polish their shoes, and, in the case of John Edwards and Hillary Clinton, touch up eye shadow, lip gloss and moisturizer.
The Washington Post, tireless seeker of obscure victims of life, which is always unfair, and resolute worrier about things like this, reported on the eve of the latest Democratic gong show that "already, debate fatigue is setting in." Naive readers might have thought that "debate fatigue" is what the rest of us are suffering, and awarded the candidates points for worrying about us, but naive reader is wrong as usual. Nobody much is watching the gong show of either party so far, with Election Day 2008 as remote as a distant star, so no, it couldn't be about the rest of us.
John Edwards, who may actually be a little bushed from his day job of, as he puts it, worrying about the poor, and Hillary are eager to ditch everybody else and debate only each other for very different reasons. They're even willing to suffer Dennis Kucinich as straight man in three for the road. Bill and Hillary think they can quickly lap the field if they can get Barack Obama out of the way, and the Breck girl is desperate to get out of his rut at distant third place. Mr. Kucinich, grateful for anybody's table scraps, would make any of the other candidates look measured and middle of the road. Nice work if Bill's gal and the Breck girl can get it.
But debate fatigue is the problem. The tales the candidates tell would break a hooker's heart. All the traveling, even in the pampered style that our top pols quickly become accustomed to, is so, so wearying. You just can't imagine.
The problem, as Steve Elmendorf, a Democratic strategist, tells The Post, "is not the debate itself, it is the debate prep, it is the travel. The problem with the debates is, you don't control your fate or your schedule. If you're a candidate, you want to be the one to decide when you go to Los Angeles or Miami. You don't want to be told you have to be there." The sorrow, the pity of it all.
Doing what you have to do to do your job is for working slobs, not guys and gals on ego trips to the moon. "Some group is sponsoring [a debate] who is an important constituency and [the candidate] doesn't want to get in trouble," Mr. Elmendorf explains. "The candidate's staff all sit around and wring their hands and say, 'We wish we weren't doing all these.' "
And we ain't seen nothing yet, speaking both figuratively and literally. So far our fatigued worthies have put on only "unofficial debates," together with "forums." Given the size of the audiences, these are actually "availabilities," which few voters are availing themselves of. Masochism is not an American taste. The "debate" last night was sponsored mostly by YouTube.com, the popular Web site where anybody can post videos of himself (or herself) singing, dancing, skateboarding, talking on a cell phone, primping, polluting or even wolfing down hot dogs in training for something called "competitive eating contests." It's a venue tailor-made for our times and "the early presidential cycle."
The next "serious" debate will be showtime for one of the most important Democratic constituencies. Everybody will come in from the road next month for a command performance in Los Angeles to debate "gay and lesbian issues." How to stage a debate when everybody agrees is something everybody is working on. After that come Iowa and New Hampshire, where faking interest becomes art.
John Edwards says he's only doing it for us; naturally, he had rather be somewhere else, thinking about the poor. A campaign aide explains that he thinks a few little debates with only two real candidates and a guaranteed empty suit will guarantee the "real" thing later. "You cannot explain how you will end the war in Iraq or solve the climate crisis in 60 seconds." Even if 60 seconds is about all the rest of us can stand.
From Wesley Pruden, Washington Times
The presidential candidates, particularly the Democrats, are beginning to feel sorry for themselves. They ought to feel sorry for us.
The Democratic worthies took up places last night at The Citadel in Charleston, S.C., and none looked as if he (or particularly she) had joined the ranks of the homeless and hungry. Nor did they look particularly fatigued. Why should they? Aides are always there to cut their roast beef, butter their bread, button their overcoats, knot their ties, polish their shoes, and, in the case of John Edwards and Hillary Clinton, touch up eye shadow, lip gloss and moisturizer.
The Washington Post, tireless seeker of obscure victims of life, which is always unfair, and resolute worrier about things like this, reported on the eve of the latest Democratic gong show that "already, debate fatigue is setting in." Naive readers might have thought that "debate fatigue" is what the rest of us are suffering, and awarded the candidates points for worrying about us, but naive reader is wrong as usual. Nobody much is watching the gong show of either party so far, with Election Day 2008 as remote as a distant star, so no, it couldn't be about the rest of us.
John Edwards, who may actually be a little bushed from his day job of, as he puts it, worrying about the poor, and Hillary are eager to ditch everybody else and debate only each other for very different reasons. They're even willing to suffer Dennis Kucinich as straight man in three for the road. Bill and Hillary think they can quickly lap the field if they can get Barack Obama out of the way, and the Breck girl is desperate to get out of his rut at distant third place. Mr. Kucinich, grateful for anybody's table scraps, would make any of the other candidates look measured and middle of the road. Nice work if Bill's gal and the Breck girl can get it.
But debate fatigue is the problem. The tales the candidates tell would break a hooker's heart. All the traveling, even in the pampered style that our top pols quickly become accustomed to, is so, so wearying. You just can't imagine.
The problem, as Steve Elmendorf, a Democratic strategist, tells The Post, "is not the debate itself, it is the debate prep, it is the travel. The problem with the debates is, you don't control your fate or your schedule. If you're a candidate, you want to be the one to decide when you go to Los Angeles or Miami. You don't want to be told you have to be there." The sorrow, the pity of it all.
Doing what you have to do to do your job is for working slobs, not guys and gals on ego trips to the moon. "Some group is sponsoring [a debate] who is an important constituency and [the candidate] doesn't want to get in trouble," Mr. Elmendorf explains. "The candidate's staff all sit around and wring their hands and say, 'We wish we weren't doing all these.' "
And we ain't seen nothing yet, speaking both figuratively and literally. So far our fatigued worthies have put on only "unofficial debates," together with "forums." Given the size of the audiences, these are actually "availabilities," which few voters are availing themselves of. Masochism is not an American taste. The "debate" last night was sponsored mostly by YouTube.com, the popular Web site where anybody can post videos of himself (or herself) singing, dancing, skateboarding, talking on a cell phone, primping, polluting or even wolfing down hot dogs in training for something called "competitive eating contests." It's a venue tailor-made for our times and "the early presidential cycle."
The next "serious" debate will be showtime for one of the most important Democratic constituencies. Everybody will come in from the road next month for a command performance in Los Angeles to debate "gay and lesbian issues." How to stage a debate when everybody agrees is something everybody is working on. After that come Iowa and New Hampshire, where faking interest becomes art.
John Edwards says he's only doing it for us; naturally, he had rather be somewhere else, thinking about the poor. A campaign aide explains that he thinks a few little debates with only two real candidates and a guaranteed empty suit will guarantee the "real" thing later. "You cannot explain how you will end the war in Iraq or solve the climate crisis in 60 seconds." Even if 60 seconds is about all the rest of us can stand.
Are you sure you want to go there?
Mike McCabe and the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign think they understand what is wrong with our healthcare system.
Of course, the problems rest on the shoulders of Republicans.
Wealthy special interests that oppose a universal health care system – like the one in the Senate Democrats’ proposed 2007-09 state budget – have contributed nearly $2 of every $3 raised in the past four election cycles by Republicans who control the Assembly, a Wisconsin Democracy Campaign analysis shows.
Of course, it doesn't dawn on the WDC that it could be that many folks don't want to hand their health care over to the government.
Just like the Democrats in the State Senate, the WDC believes that my personal health care is their own political football.
When it comes to health care, my life is at stake. This is not a political game.
In fact, there are alot of lives at stake here.
Mike McCabe and the WDC- Are you sure you want to go there?
By the way, Mr. McCabe- while you continue to bash away- are you plan on releasing the names of the folks that are personally financing the WDC?
Of course, the problems rest on the shoulders of Republicans.
Wealthy special interests that oppose a universal health care system – like the one in the Senate Democrats’ proposed 2007-09 state budget – have contributed nearly $2 of every $3 raised in the past four election cycles by Republicans who control the Assembly, a Wisconsin Democracy Campaign analysis shows.
Of course, it doesn't dawn on the WDC that it could be that many folks don't want to hand their health care over to the government.
Just like the Democrats in the State Senate, the WDC believes that my personal health care is their own political football.
When it comes to health care, my life is at stake. This is not a political game.
In fact, there are alot of lives at stake here.
Mike McCabe and the WDC- Are you sure you want to go there?
By the way, Mr. McCabe- while you continue to bash away- are you plan on releasing the names of the folks that are personally financing the WDC?
Monday, July 23, 2007
Could the Senate Democrats Healthy Wisconsin destroy the Wisconsin business climate?
Probably one of the most important questions that should be answered during this debate is-
Could the Senate Democrats Healthy Wisconsin destroy the Wisconsin business climate?
What is so surprising is the fact that the Senate Democrats actually passed this plan in the budget without fully checking out all the facts, nor do they understand the full ramifications of their decision to pass this piece of legislation.
This is one of the most important questions that should have been answered long before proceeding with a vote on the Senate floor.
Before we go too far into this, let us discuss for a second a few questions that we need to think about.
- What if this is only bad news for 50% of Wisconsin companies? Is losing 50% of Wisconsin businesses acceptable? No- of course not.
- What if this is only bad news for 10% of Wisconsin companies? Is losing 10% of Wisconsin businesses acceptable? No- of course not. Even if we only lose 10% of our businesses that means unemployment skyrockets in Wisconsin.
- What if we lose no Wisconsin business, instead we only discourage new businesses from opening up? Is this acceptable? Of course not. Unless we continue to grow as state, we will not be able to sustain ourselves for very long.
Now the only folks that the Senate Democrats believe will be really hurt are the Wisconsin companies that do not provide insurance or provide inadequate insurance, and insurance companies.
I completely disagree with the Senate Democrats. This could devastate the business climate in every single county that is within driving distance of a Wisconsin border.
Here's why.
One of the tidbits of information that we received from the Senate Democrats at Thursday's meeting was that any Wisconsin resident that works in Illinois will have to pay the 4% just like everyone else in Wisconsin. However, the Illinois employer has to pay nothing.
Legally, under the Wisconsin Democratic Senator's plan, they cannot force any out of state business the 10.5% that they will be charge Wisconsin businesses.
I listened very intently to this tidbit of information, because I live in Kenosha and I work in Illinois.
Originally, when we heard about the Healthy Wisconsin plan, one of the first questions being asked down here in Kenosha, is how will this work for those of us employed in Illinois. As it is, over 30% of Kenosha County's workforce is working in Illinois. Our concern was that as employees, we would be stuck paying our employer's share of the Healthy Wisconsin burden.
However, we have been assured by Senator Erpenbach that we would only be charged 4%- the same as anyone else.
Now on the surface, you would figure that there are a ton of employers, that have to be thrilled. Their employees will receive insurance and it does not cost them a dime. There are many employers who will be turning backflips.
However, what does that do to Kenosha? Why would a single Kenosha business stay in Kenosha?
We are right on the border. Some can literally stand on their front porches and wave to their Illinois neighbors.
Illinois just is not that far away. A smart business would pick up their assets and move their business 5 minutes away, into Illinois. They can continue to keep their same employees and their same customer base.
In doing this, they save themselves an incredible amount of money in healthcare costs.
So how much work would it take to move some of our businesses to move to Illinois?
Not much, I am guessing.
Right now, Illinois is busting their humps to bring in new business to their state. They are literally paying companies to move to their state. They are also offering tax incentives and guaranteed business loans.
Smart business with be doing exactly this. Pick it up and move it. Illinois will help pay the moving costs for you.
The same is true for every single border county. Actually, not only border counties, but also counties that utilize interstates and major highways.
The drive is so easy down I-94, that businesses in Milwaukee and Racine counties are also in danger. Any county with-in driving distance of another state is in danger.
I know the Senate Democrats have themselves convinced that businesses from all over the country will be flocking to Wisconsin, because of the wonderful insurance plan.
Smart businesses will actually be flocking from all over the country in to set up camp just outside of the Wisconsin state lines.
I know that one of the Democrats goals for doing this was to take some of the pressures off of Wisconsin business and to improve the overall business climate.
If this passes- it sure appears as if they accomplished this goal.
Unfortunately, they improved the business climate in Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and Minnesota, not Wisconsin.
Could the Senate Democrats Healthy Wisconsin destroy the Wisconsin business climate?
What is so surprising is the fact that the Senate Democrats actually passed this plan in the budget without fully checking out all the facts, nor do they understand the full ramifications of their decision to pass this piece of legislation.
This is one of the most important questions that should have been answered long before proceeding with a vote on the Senate floor.
Before we go too far into this, let us discuss for a second a few questions that we need to think about.
- What if this is only bad news for 50% of Wisconsin companies? Is losing 50% of Wisconsin businesses acceptable? No- of course not.
- What if this is only bad news for 10% of Wisconsin companies? Is losing 10% of Wisconsin businesses acceptable? No- of course not. Even if we only lose 10% of our businesses that means unemployment skyrockets in Wisconsin.
- What if we lose no Wisconsin business, instead we only discourage new businesses from opening up? Is this acceptable? Of course not. Unless we continue to grow as state, we will not be able to sustain ourselves for very long.
Now the only folks that the Senate Democrats believe will be really hurt are the Wisconsin companies that do not provide insurance or provide inadequate insurance, and insurance companies.
I completely disagree with the Senate Democrats. This could devastate the business climate in every single county that is within driving distance of a Wisconsin border.
Here's why.
One of the tidbits of information that we received from the Senate Democrats at Thursday's meeting was that any Wisconsin resident that works in Illinois will have to pay the 4% just like everyone else in Wisconsin. However, the Illinois employer has to pay nothing.
Legally, under the Wisconsin Democratic Senator's plan, they cannot force any out of state business the 10.5% that they will be charge Wisconsin businesses.
I listened very intently to this tidbit of information, because I live in Kenosha and I work in Illinois.
Originally, when we heard about the Healthy Wisconsin plan, one of the first questions being asked down here in Kenosha, is how will this work for those of us employed in Illinois. As it is, over 30% of Kenosha County's workforce is working in Illinois. Our concern was that as employees, we would be stuck paying our employer's share of the Healthy Wisconsin burden.
However, we have been assured by Senator Erpenbach that we would only be charged 4%- the same as anyone else.
Now on the surface, you would figure that there are a ton of employers, that have to be thrilled. Their employees will receive insurance and it does not cost them a dime. There are many employers who will be turning backflips.
However, what does that do to Kenosha? Why would a single Kenosha business stay in Kenosha?
We are right on the border. Some can literally stand on their front porches and wave to their Illinois neighbors.
Illinois just is not that far away. A smart business would pick up their assets and move their business 5 minutes away, into Illinois. They can continue to keep their same employees and their same customer base.
In doing this, they save themselves an incredible amount of money in healthcare costs.
So how much work would it take to move some of our businesses to move to Illinois?
Not much, I am guessing.
Right now, Illinois is busting their humps to bring in new business to their state. They are literally paying companies to move to their state. They are also offering tax incentives and guaranteed business loans.
Smart business with be doing exactly this. Pick it up and move it. Illinois will help pay the moving costs for you.
The same is true for every single border county. Actually, not only border counties, but also counties that utilize interstates and major highways.
The drive is so easy down I-94, that businesses in Milwaukee and Racine counties are also in danger. Any county with-in driving distance of another state is in danger.
I know the Senate Democrats have themselves convinced that businesses from all over the country will be flocking to Wisconsin, because of the wonderful insurance plan.
Smart businesses will actually be flocking from all over the country in to set up camp just outside of the Wisconsin state lines.
I know that one of the Democrats goals for doing this was to take some of the pressures off of Wisconsin business and to improve the overall business climate.
If this passes- it sure appears as if they accomplished this goal.
Unfortunately, they improved the business climate in Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and Minnesota, not Wisconsin.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
You mean there is two sides to the health care debate?
After listening, for the last month, to wonderful stories about how perfect government controlled health care would be to all Wisconsinites, it appears that some folks are beginning to get it.
On the front page of today's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel the question is asked-
Is Senate's health bill best for all?
Well I'll be jiggered- there is a flip side to the Senate Democrat's government controlled health care. I have be squawking for a month about the flip side.
After all of the fuss and muss about whether or not the government will be controlling this plan, I could not help but giggle when I read this passage in today's MJS article-
Yet a key question is whether the Senate's proposal - to create a system controlled in part by the government and based on taxes - is the best solution.
On the front page of today's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel the question is asked-
Is Senate's health bill best for all?
Well I'll be jiggered- there is a flip side to the Senate Democrat's government controlled health care. I have be squawking for a month about the flip side.
After all of the fuss and muss about whether or not the government will be controlling this plan, I could not help but giggle when I read this passage in today's MJS article-
Yet a key question is whether the Senate's proposal - to create a system controlled in part by the government and based on taxes - is the best solution.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Hang onto your wallets
Hang onto your wallets folks, the price of gas is getting ready to jump again.
After the price of gas finally worked it's way below $3 a gallon, after some refinery damage-we are about to get hit again by the evironmentalist and the liberal US 9th circuit court-
A federal appeals court has ordered Shell Oil to stop its exploratory drilling program off the north coast of Alaska at least until a hearing in August.
The order, issued Thursday by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, comes after the federal Minerals Management Service in February approved Shell's offshore exploration plan for the Beaufort Sea.
"Vessels currently located in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas shall cease all operations performed in furtherance of that program, but need not depart the area," the order said.
Opponents contend that the Minerals Management Service approved Shell's plan without fully considering that a large spill would harm marine mammals, including bowhead and beluga whales. They say polar bears could also be harmed, and they question whether cleaning up a sizable spill would even be possible in the icy waters.
continued...
After the price of gas finally worked it's way below $3 a gallon, after some refinery damage-we are about to get hit again by the evironmentalist and the liberal US 9th circuit court-
A federal appeals court has ordered Shell Oil to stop its exploratory drilling program off the north coast of Alaska at least until a hearing in August.
The order, issued Thursday by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, comes after the federal Minerals Management Service in February approved Shell's offshore exploration plan for the Beaufort Sea.
"Vessels currently located in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas shall cease all operations performed in furtherance of that program, but need not depart the area," the order said.
Opponents contend that the Minerals Management Service approved Shell's plan without fully considering that a large spill would harm marine mammals, including bowhead and beluga whales. They say polar bears could also be harmed, and they question whether cleaning up a sizable spill would even be possible in the icy waters.
continued...
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