Marathon Pundit

SEIU boss threatens Boy Scout volunteers

2009-11-22T12:11:00.000-06:00

Since Barack Obama's inauguration, Service Employees International Union president has visited the White House an astounding 22 times. Stern boasts that his union spent $60 million to place Obama inside 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Stories like this one from Michelle Malkin tells us why this is a problem:

The Boy Scouts' motto is: Be prepared. Who knew it meant preparing to defend themselves against purple-shirted union thuggery over community service? Kids, pay attention. This is a teachable moment for all of you on power, politics and Big Labor's culture of corruption.

Last week at a city council meeting in Allentown, Pa., a top official of the local Service Employees International Union chapter ranted about 17-year-old Scout Kevin Anderson's park cleanup work. Anderson devoted some 200 hours to the job in order to earn an Eagle Scout badge. He picked up trash and helped clear a 1,000-foot walking path with fellow members of Boy Scouts Troop 301 of Center Valley.

But SEIU's Nick Balzano gave them hell instead of thanks.

Balzano disparaged altruistic efforts in city parks and asserted that "there is (sic) to be no volunteers" since his union members were laid off. He then issued a witch hunt threat: "We'll also be looking into the Cub Scout or Boy Scout who did the trails. We may file another grievance on that." Citing union rules, he gave the Allentown city council, the Boy Scouts and all potential volunteers an iron-fisted ultimatum: "None of them can pick up a hoe. They can't pick up a shovel. They can't plant a flower. They can't clear a bicycle path. They can't do anything. Our people do that."

An SEIU official called Balzano's comments "completely unauthorized and insensitive."

Lovely. Keep in the mind that Obama, our first community organizer president, appeared in this Ad Council public service announcement stressing the importance of volunteering.

Hope and change, baby.

Hat tip to Freedom@Work.

Related post:

SEIU prez: Union spent $60.7 million to elect Obama

Technorati tags: politics Democrats labor unions seiu Pennsylvania andy stern Barack Obama Obama boyscouts cubscouts allentown

White House: Gitmo North could create 3,000 jobs

2009-11-22T09:26:00.001-06:00

In this morning's Chicago Sun-Times, Lynn Sweet reports that the proposed Gitmo North in Thomson, Illinois could create 3,000 jobs, mostly be expanding the mostly empty prison and using it to house inmates besides al Qaeda terrorists.

Be skeptical. This is the same administration that has been exposed as liars for touting the jobs it has "saved or created."

Related posts:

Stimulus jobs lies: The exclamation point
Chicago's south suburbs: Stimulus jobs? What stimulus jobs?
More stimulus lies: Michigan
Stimulus smoke and mirror show in Nevada
Still more "saved" jobs lies: Massachusetts, South Carolina
"Created or saved" jobs lies: Colorado
New "saved" jobs lies: Washington state, Nevada
"Saved" jobs lies: California
And yet even more "saved or created" jobs mischief: Wisconsin
Yet more "saved" jobs mischief: Kentucky
More White House "saved" jobs mischief: Georgia and Illinois
Ohio: Not all "saved" jobs were in danger

Technorati tags: Barack Obama Obama government democrat <jobs Gitmo guantanamo War on Terror

McConnell: "The health care debate is now officially underway"

2009-11-21T20:04:00.000-06:00

A few minutes ago, 60 Senate Democrats--but no Republicans--voted to proceed with debate on the Harry Reid health care bill.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell issued the following statement:

The health care debate is now officially underway on this 2,074 page, multi-trillion-dollar health care experiment.

This bill may have been drafted behind closed doors but now it's the American people's turn to have their voices heard. For months, they have been asking Congress to do something about the high cost of healthcare and yet the sponsors of this bill responded with a half-trillion dollars in Medicare cuts, massive tax hikes, and an unsustainable expansion of new government programs which Congress's non-partisan scorekeeper says will result in higher premiums, not lower. It may be a lot of things, but it's sure not reform.

Republicans will now provide what the closed-door sessions did not. We will continue to offer the commonsense, step-by-step cost-saving reform that Americans really want.

Technorati tags: politics Congress health universal health care obamacare McConnell Harry Reid

Some Dem Senators not thrilled about Reid bill

2009-11-21T19:52:00.000-06:00

The Harry Reid health care reform bill is not getting great reviews from some key Senate Democrats:

From a Senate Republican press release:

SEN. MARY LANDRIEU (D-LA): "My Vote Today To Move Forward On This Important Debate Should In No Way Be Construed By The Supporters Of This Current Framework As An Indication Of How I Might Vote As This Debate Comes To An End." (Sen. Landrieu, Floor Remarks, 11/21/09)

SEN. BLANCHE LINCOLN (D-AR): "I Am Opposed To A New Government-Administered Health Care Plan As A Part Of Comprehensive Health Insurance Reform, And I Will Not Vote In Favor Of The Proposal That Has Been Introduced By Leader Reid As It Is Written." (Sen. Lincoln, Floor Remarks, 11/21/09)

SEN. BEN NELSON (D-NE): “If That's Not Possible, I Will Oppose The Second Cloture Motion--Needing 60 Votes--To End Debate, And Oppose The Final Bill.” (Sen. Nelson, "Nelson: Nebraskans' Views Must Be Heard In Health Care Debate," Press Release, 11/20/09)

SEN. EVAN BAYH (D-IN): "At The End Of The Process, I'll Avoid The Washington Two-Step Of Voting To Go Forward But Then Voting Against The Final Bill … But This Is Just A Starting Point, So At This Point I Do Think There's A Difference." ("Bayh To Support First Procedural Vote On Healthcare" The Hill, 11/18/09)

Technorati tags: Nebraska Democrats Politics government omaha Harry Reid health universal health care socialism obamacare

McConnell on Reid bill: "The battle has just begun"

2009-11-21T18:18:00.004-06:00

Barring an unforeseen flip-flop, the Democrats apparently have the necessary 60 votes to pass Harry Reid's health care bill. The Dems have won a battle, but the struggle continues, as Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) tells us.

From The Hill:

Speaking at an afternoon press conference four hours before an 8 p.m. procedural vote that would bring the bill to the Senate floor, McConnell said Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) appears to have the necessary 60 votes for the procedural motion — and that, based on Senate history, eventual passage is likely.

"Well over 95 percent of the time, I'm told, when we approve a motion to proceed to a bill, the bill is ultimately approved," McConnell said. "Most of the time, when we proceed on the bill, the bill eventually passes."

The Republican leader quickly denied his observation was an admission of defeat, promising stiff opposition up until the final vote in the near future.

"If 60 senators decide to go forward on the bill, then we're obviously going to try to change it, through the amendment process," he said. “There will be at some point, in late December or mid-January or whenever, an opportunity to have 60 votes again to see if 60 senators out of 100 want to terminate the process. The battle has just begun."

Technorati tags: politics Congress health universal health care obamacare McConnell Harry Reid

VIDEO: Sen. Mike Crapo delivers weekly GOP address on health care

2009-11-21T17:54:00.000-06:00

In today's Weekly GOP Address, Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) acknowledges the need for health care reform, but not Harry Reids bill, which means higher taxes and higher premiums.

Technorati tags: news obamacare health universal health care health care reform Obama politics mike crapo idaho GOP

Upper Peninsula Upventure: Party Store

2009-11-21T14:33:00.001-06:00

Quite a few liquor stores on Michigan's Upper Peninsula call themselves "Party Stores," such as this one in Seney. I don't know if fairly recent use of the word "party," as in "Let's Party," comes from the U.P., but I won't rule it out.

It's Saturday, so "Let's Party!"

Related post:

Seney, Hemingway, and Post-traumatic Stress Syndrome

Technorati tags: michigan upper peninsula photography photos byways travel travel blog

Video: McConnell's opening remarks on Reid health care bill

2009-11-21T12:42:00.001-06:00

Most Americans do not support the Harry Reid health care bill. Sen Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) explained today in his opening remarks on the floor of the Senate.

Here are an excerpt of his remarks:

In tomorrow's Washington Post, David Broder, their distinguished senior columnist, certainly not a political conservative, expresses his reservations as a citizen about the steps that we could be about to take. Broder says in part in his column:

Today after the Congressional Budget Office gave its qualified blessing to the version of health care reform produced by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Quinnipiac University poll of a national cross section of voters reported its latest results.’

Now, the reason Broder picks Quinnipiac is he says he is familiar with the pollsters and the process, knows that they are thoroughly nonpartisan and credible. And, of course, the Quinnipiac poll is echoed by every other poll that we’ve seen no matter who is taking it. We know the American people are opposed to this 2,074-page proposal.

Broder points out that in the Quinnipiac survey, less than one-fifth of voters, 19 percent -- a mere 19 percent of the sample – support this bill. Nine of ten Republicans, eight of ten independents said that whatever passes will add to a torrent – a literal torrent – of red ink. By a margin of 4 to 3 – this is extremely significant – by a margin of 4 to 3, even Democrats agreed that this will produce a torrent of red ink. That fear contributed directly to the fact that by a 16-point margin, the majority in this poll said they oppose this legislation moving through Congress.

Technorati tags: politics Congress health universal health care obamacare McConnell Kentucky

Chicago Tribune remembers Durbin's doubletalk

2009-11-21T10:27:00.000-06:00

Man oh man, I thought I was the only one who remembered that Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL)a called for a special election to choose Barack Obama's replacement in the US Senate. Instead we ended up with Roland Burris.

The Chicago Tribune remembers:

Then came the maneuvering we've characterized in headlines as "Profiles in cowardice" and "The silence of the Dems." Wow, if we schedule a special election, we could . . . lose it!

Illinois Dems didn't try to strip Blagojevich of his power to replace Obama. And they didn't try to slate a special election so the people of Illinois -- rather than Blagojevich -- could choose their own senator.

When Blagojevich picked Burris, (Harry) Reid and Durbin leaped about like crazed tadpoles: They wouldn't seat Burris or maybe they would but he really, really, really did have to tell the truth to an Illinois House impeachment committee. Then, after Burris flatly contradicted his Version 1 (I spoke with no Blagojevich cronies) by feeding the impeachment committee Version 2 (OK, I spoke with the guv's close pal Lon Monk), Reid and Durbin seated Burris anyway.

But wait! Justice still could prevail. On Feb. 18, three days after Burris admitted in Version 4 that in fact he had spoken with six top Blagojevich associates about snagging the seat, Durbin warned: "At this point, his future in the Senate seat is in question." Say, maybe the Senate Ethics Committee would take an interest in, um, Senate ethics.

And then there is this:

"(T)his is not about Mr. Burris; it is about the integrity of a governor accused of attempting to sell this United States Senate seat. Anyone appointed by Gov. Blagojevich cannot be an effective representative of the people of Illinois and, as we have said, will not be seated by the Democratic Caucus."

-- U.S. Sens. Harry Reid (D-NV) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) Dec. 30, 2008.

Durbin doesn't face voters until 2014. But we can send a message to him next year--by sending a Republican to replace Burris.

Technorati tags: Chicago Blagojevich Illinois Politics corruption Illinois Democrats senate Roland Burris Durbin special election

Humor: Holder and Obama's circus

2009-11-21T08:55:00.000-06:00

It's November, and that's the month Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus comes to Chicago. So it makes sense that fellow Chicago area blogger Rev. Right of America is an Obamanation has some PhotoShop fun with Bungling Brothers and Obama & Holder Terrorist Circus.

Technorati tags: humor satire humour Democrats politics Barack Obama Obama

McConnell: 10 things to know about Senate health care bill

2009-11-20T22:30:00.000-06:00

Saturday could be a pivotal day in the history of our republic. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) says there are 10 things you should now about the Senate health care bill:

"Democrats have spent six weeks behind closed doors putting together a trillion-dollar experiment in government-run health care that raises premiums, raises taxes, and cuts Medicare—a 2,074-page bureaucratic nightmare."

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks (as prepared) on the Senate floor Friday regarding the importance of getting it right on health care reform:

"Democrats have spent six weeks behind closed doors putting together a trillion-dollar experiment in government-run health care that raises premiums, raises taxes, and cuts Medicare. We've now had less than 48 hours to look through this 2,074-page bureaucratic nightmare. But here are 10 things that every American should know about this bill.

• The Democrat bill includes nearly half a trillion dollars in new taxes that hit virtually every American, including middle class families making less than $250,000 a year.

• The Democrat bill would increase insurance premiums for individuals and families.

• The Democrat bill cuts Medicare for seniors by nearly half a trillion dollars ($465 billion) and limits the choices that millions of seniors now enjoy.

• The Democrat bill won't lower health care costs according to the Congressional Budget Office.

• The true cost of this bill over 10 years, when fully implemented, is about $2.5 trillion.

• Under the Democrat bill, if you like the health insurance you have, you may not be able to keep it.

• The Democrat bill would let government bureaucrats dictate what kind of health plans Americans must purchase and what benefits they can receive.

• The Democrat bill creates a government plan that CBO has said would have higher premiums.

• The Democrat bill would, for the first time in history, allow federal programs to pay for elective abortions.

• Finally, Americans should know that this bill doesn't have the common-sense reforms that they have been asking for all along, like getting rid of junk lawsuits and leveling the playing field when it comes to health care taxes.

"Americans want reform. But higher premiums, higher taxes, and cuts to Medicare to create more government isn't reform. Yet that's precisely what they’d get with this Democrat bill."

Technorati tags: politics Congress health universal health care obamacare McConnell Kentucky

Omaha World-Herald to Sen. Ben Nelson: Vote "no" on Reid health bill

2009-11-20T16:01:00.001-06:00

Below is just a portion of a great editorial written by the Omaha World-Herald. It has one person in mind, Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE).

Sixty votes will be needed to send Sen. Harry Reid's health care proposal to the Senate floor for debate. Sen. Ben Nelson, one of the most closely watched swing votes, should vote no.

Why? Because Reid's proposal, like that approved in the U.S. House, would place immense burdens on small and medium-sized rural hospitals in the Midlands. It would not prevent further steep increases in health care costs.

It would, however, shunt billions in new costs onto state governments. And its budget savings at the federal level depend on empty, misleading promises of fiscal discipline that Congress has shown it’s utterly incapable of fulfilling.

If anyone doubts the threat to Nebraska, especially its rural areas, remember that it was Reid himself who tried to get a side deal to hold his own state of Nevada harmless from the increased Medicaid expenses that would raise costs steeply for state governments — and thus state taxpayers.

Technorati tags: Nebraska Democrats Politics government omaha Harry Reid health universal health care socialism obamacare

Senate Ethics Committee: No Punishment for Burris

2009-11-20T14:56:00.000-06:00

Roland Burris (D-Blagojevich), who nominally represents me in the United States Senate, at best got a hand-slap from the Senate Ethics Committee for giving evasive and dishonest answers when he explained how he ended up getting appointed to Barack Obama's former seat.

From AP:

The Senate ethics committee on Friday admonished Sen. Roland Burris, D-Ill., for making "inconsistent, misleading or incomplete" statements about the circumstances surrounding his appointment to the seat once held by Barack Obama. The committee recommended no action beyond the letter.

Burris was appointed by disgraced former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was impeached and driven from office after he was accused of trying to sell the Senate seat.

The committee cited at least one example, a phone conversation with the governor's brother, where Burris linked his willingness to raise funds for the governor with appointment to the Senate.

While finding no violation of law, the committee's "Public Letter of Qualified Admonition" told Burris that "Senators must meet a much higher standard of conduct" than he exhibited with his constantly changing statements.

The Democrats of course control the Senate and the Senate Ethics Committee.

Once again, I have to point out that this embarrassment could have been avoided. Within a few hours of Blago's arrest, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) suggested that a special election be held to replace Obama. But because a Republican could have won that election, Durbin changed his mind.

Dr. Bill Smith of the ARRA News Service is calling for Burris to resign.

Technorati tags: Chicago Blagojevich Illinois Politics corruption Illinois Democrats senate Roland Burris Durbin special election

Upper Peninsula Upventure: Hiawatha, the World's Tallest Indian

2009-11-20T14:05:00.000-06:00

By the shores of Gitche Gumee,
By the shining Big-Sea-Water,
Stood the wigwam of Nokomis,
Daughter of the Moon, Nokomis.
Dark behind it rose the forest,
Rose the black and gloomy pine-trees,
Rose the firs with cones upon them;
Bright before it beat the water,
Beat the clear and sunny water,
Beat the shining Big-Sea-Water.

That is how Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's "Song of Hiawatha" begins, it's an epic poem about a Native American from Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

In honor of that poem, Ironwood, Michigan built the Hiawatha statue, billed as the world's tallest Indian, it's 50 feet high. The fiberglass sentinel weighs 16,000 pounds and is said to be able to withstand winds of 140 miles per hour.

Hiawatha is built on cave-in land from an old iron mine.

Related post:

Hiawatha National Forest's Obama stimulus "campaign sign"

Technorati tags: michigan upper peninsula hiawatha longfellow poetry photography photos byways travel travel blog

Sometimes I'm speechless

2009-11-20T12:02:00.000-06:00

Yes, sometimes even the Marathon Pundit can't think of anything to say.

I discovered this sign just outside of Niles, Illinois' Golf Mill Mall.

Technorati tags: Chicago Illinois photography photos Niles

End of Oprah Show? Not so fast

2009-11-20T10:22:00.000-06:00

I was planning to ignore this story, but I've been pulled into the "Oprah is quitting" frenzy.

In this CBS 2 Chicago story, California and Chicago get knocked.

There has been talk for some time that Winfrey would move Harpo Productions Inc., her production company, out of Chicago and possibly create her own network.

A Deadline.com report indicated that Winfrey's new show will be based in Los Angeles, and that Winfrey hopes to divest her Chicago real estate "as soon as possible."

Deadline.com quoted Winfrey as saying to "insiders:" "Why would anybody stay in Chicago? It's freezing here, and I have a mansion in Montecito that I haven't been able to enjoy."

The report said Winfrey has continued to live part-time in Chicago so she wouldn't have to pay high taxes as a California resident.

Winfrey was an enthusiastic backer of Barack "Spread the Wealth" Obama's presidential campaign.

Technorati tags: illinois Politics Illinois Politics Democrats news Oprah entertainment television Barack Obama Obama California

Obama's weak and ineffectual Asian trip

2009-11-20T09:55:00.001-06:00

This is where we are now--living through Jimmy Carter's second term.

Politico's Mike Allen explains:

President Barack Obama returns from his maiden Asian swing with none of the concrete accomplishments that White Houses typically put in place before big trips, setting up a stark test for his idealistic theory that the United States should act more like a wise neighbor than a swaggering superpower.

Obama's minimalist approach was most consequential in China, where he did not meet with Christians, dissidents or bloggers, or directly challenge his hosts for repressive tactics that are again on the rise.

The Chinese in turn rebuffed longstanding U.S. concerns – whether on human rights, Iran or currency policy – in a heavily stage-managed visit where China, not Obama, clearly sought the upper hand.

It's an approach that carries great risk for Obama – playing straight into his critics' accusations that his new, more multilateral style isn't paying dividends, and worse, is making him look weak and ineffectual abroad.

Carter/Obama is incapable of ascertaining that weakness is viewed as an opportunity by our enemies.

Technorati tags: Jimmy Carter Barack Obama Obama Politics news democrats history Yes we can China 中國中国

Jim Ryan, leading in poll, only GOP gov candidate with executive branch experience

2009-11-20T08:53:00.000-06:00

WSIL-TV Carterville reports on Jim Ryan's lead in a poll. The former Illinois attorney general is the only Republican candidate for governor who has executive branch experience.

Ryan says he can solve Illinois' $11 billion dollar budget woes without raising taxes.

Click here to visit the official Jim Ryan site. You'll find Ryan's Facebook group here, and you can follow his Tweets here.

Related post:

Marathon Pundit endorses Jim Ryan for Illinois governor

Technorati tags: Illinois illinois politics Republican jim ryan 2010 gop

ObamaCare: Not reform, but a half trillion in higher taxes

2009-11-19T23:24:00.002-06:00

A 10 hour debate on the Senate's version $848 billion of ObamaCare on Saturday. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) gets 60 votes that evening, it will move forward government-run health care, which polls say most Americans don't want. The Senate Republicans say that means higher taxes and more:

A Half Trillion Dollars In Higher Taxes? That's Not Reform

Higher Taxes On Individuals, Businesses, Various Health Care Industries, Hospices And More

$36 BILLION IN NEW TAXES & FINES LEVIED ON INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES

"Penalty Payments By Employers And Uninsured Individuals… 2010-2019… 36 [Billion Dollars]." (CBO Director Doug Elmendorf, Letter To Sen. Harry Reid, 11/18/09, P. 6)

INDIVIDUALS WITHOUT INSURANCE FINED UP TO $750, FAMILES UP TO $2,250

"A Person Without Insurance Could Be Required To Pay A Financial Penalty, Starting At $95 In 2014 And Rising To $750 In 2016, With A Maximum Of $2,250 For A Family." ("Senate Health Plan Seeks To Add Coverage To 31 Million," The New York Times, 11/19/09)

COMPANIES THAT DON'T PROVIDE INSURANCE FINED $750 PER WORKER

"Firms With More Than 50 Workers That Did Not Offer Coverage Would Have To Pay A Penalty Of $750 For Each Full-Time Worker If Any Of Their Workers Obtained Subsidized Coverage Through The Insurance Exchanges; That Dollar Amount Would Be Indexed." (CBO Director Doug Elmendorf, Letter To Sen. Harry Reid, 11/18/09, P. 7)

$149 BILLION TAX INCREASE ON PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS

"Excise Tax On High-Premium Plans… 2010-2019… 149 [Billion Dollars]." (CBO Director Doug Elmendorf, Letter To Sen. Harry Reid, 11/18/09, P. 6)

"Reid's Version Of The Cadillac Tax Is Scaled Back From The Version In The Senate Finance Committee, Which Drew The Ire Of Labor Unions, A Key Democratic Constituency, which said it would affect middle-income workers." ("Reid Unveils Broad Senate Healthcare Plan," Reuters, 11/19/09)

$54 BILLION MEDICARE PAYROLL TAX INCREASE

"Senate Democratic Aides Said The Payroll Tax Increase Would Raise $54 Billion Over 10 Years." "Senate Health Plan Seeks To Add Coverage To 31 Million," The New York Times, 11/19/09)

"Under Current Law, Employers And Employees Each Pay A Tax Equal To 1.45 Percent Of Wages. Mr. Reid Would Increase The Rate To 1.95 Percent For Individuals With Annual Incomes Over $200,000 And Couples Over $250,000." ("Senate Health Plan Seeks To Add Coverage To 31 Million," The New York Times, 11/19/09)

MORE THAN $100 BILLION IN TAXES & FEES ON THE HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY

"Fees On Certain Manufacturers And Insurers… 2010-2019… 102 [Billion Dollars]." (CBO Director Doug Elmendorf, Letter To Sen. Harry Reid, 11/18/09, P. 6)

"The Medical Device Tax Has Been Cut In Half To $2 Billion Annually To Appease Minnesota, Indiana And Massachusetts Senators." ("Reid Releases $849b Bill, Initial Vote Expected Saturday," Congress Daily, 11/19/09)

"A Fee On Insurers Remained At $6 Billion A Year As Well As A Fee On Drugmakers At $2 Billion Annually." ("Reid Releases $849b Bill, Initial Vote Expected Saturday," Congress Daily, 11/19/09)

$54 BILLION "HOSPITAL INSURANCE TAX"

"Additional Hospital Insurance Tax… 2010-2019… 54 [Billion Dollars]." (CBO Director Doug Elmendorf, Letter To Sen. Harry Reid, 11/18/09, P. 6)

$5 BILLION FROM A 5% TAX ON ELECTIVE MEDICAL COSMETIC PROCEDURES

"Desperately Seeking Money To Pay For The Legislation, Mr. Reid Came Up With A New Source Of Financing: A 5 Percent Tax On Elective Cosmetic Medical Procedures. The tax would be paid by patients, but collected by doctors and clinics and forwarded to the government. The tax would be calculated as 5 percent of the amount paid for an elective cosmetic procedure, whether by the patient, insurance or other sources." ("Senate Health Plan Seeks To Add Coverage To 31 Million," The New York Times, 11/19/09)

AND MORE…

Technorati tags: Politics democrats Senate Congress government Harry Reid health universal health care socialism obamacare

Online petition: No Terrorists in Illinois

2009-11-19T21:53:00.000-06:00

If you oppose Gitmo North in Illinois, as I do, then please sign an online petition here.

Technorati tags: Illinois illinois politics Gitmo guantanamo War on Terror

Look who is an Illinois Policy Institute must read for today

2009-11-19T17:33:00.000-06:00

I support the work that the Illinois Policy Institute does--and I'm humbled that they chose my most recent Chicago trade show post as a must read for today.

Technorati tags: news Illinois chicago business trade shows

Illinois unemployment rate now at 11 percent

2009-11-19T16:23:00.000-06:00

Despite the plethora of "Putting America Back To Work" signs across Illinois, our state unemployment rate is now at 11 percent, the highest in over 26 years. One year ago it was at 6.8 percent.

As with everyone else who lives here, I know many people who are unemployed.

I'm hoping that the Democrats won't use this news to push Gitmo North in Thomson.

But I bet they do.

Technorati tags: Gitmo guantanamo War on Terror illinois politics boondoggle arra government democrat stimulus jobs

Upper Peninsula Upventure: The Moose Capital of Michigan

2009-11-19T14:13:00.003-06:00

Get on the blue highways, follow the blue highways
You know that they're there, you know that they're there
Where the real America lies
Graham Parker, "Blue Highways," 1988.

Graham Parker likely got the inspiration for that song from William Least Heat-Moons, Blue Highways: A Journey into America. His follow up, PrairyErth (A Deep Map): An Epic History of the Tallgrass Prairie Country, have both been inspirations for my travel writings. His follow ups (although I admit I haven't read his most recent book) have strayed into strident liberalism, and should be avoided. Unless of course you dig that sort of thing.

If you wander off interstates, that is, onto blue highways, you do see the "real America." Such as Newberry, Michigan. I filled up my gas tank at a BP station across the street from that moose sign, and I asked the twenty-ish check out clerk if there are really moose to be seen. Her reply was, "Well, we are the moose capital of Michigan." Great evasive answer--she has a future in politics. After a couple of more questions, she revealed that she's a lifelong Newberry resident, and she told me she had only once seen a moose--but it was on the very road--to Whitefish Point, that I was taking.

And guess what? I didn't see a moose.

Maybe next time.

Related post:

Upper Peninsula Upventure: Whitefish Point

Technorati tags: michigan upper peninsula photography photos byways travel travel blog

WSJ: Obama's phantom job stimulus

2009-11-19T10:45:00.003-06:00

The Obama jobs "stimulus" is becoming comic. It's dark humor, because it's our money the goverment is spending.

From the Wall Street Journal:

To wit, how many Americans does it take to make nine pairs of work boots? According to the White House's recovery.gov site, an $890 shoe order for the Army Corps of Engineers, courtesy of the stimulus package, created nine new jobs at Moore's Shoes & Services in Campbellsville, Kentucky.

The job-for-a-boot plan may not be American productivity at its best. But such stories go a ways toward explaining how the Administration has come up with 640,329 jobs "created/saved" by the American Recovery Act as of October 30.

Jonathan Karl of ABC News deserves credit among Beltway reporters for committing journalism and actually fact-checking White House claims. Head Start in Augusta, Georgia claimed 317 jobs were created by a $790,000 grant. In reality, as Mr. Karl reported this week, the money went toward a one-off pay hike for 317 employees.

Other media outlets and government watchdog groups have also found numerous errors in the stimulus filings. Jobs have been overstated or counted multiple times. One Alabama housing authority claimed that a $540,071 grant would create 7,280 jobs. The Birmingham News reports that only 14 were created. In some cases, Recovery Act funds went to nonexistent Congressional districts, such as the 26th in Louisiana or the 12th in Virginia. Up to $6.4 billion went to imaginary places in America, according to the Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity.

Video: Americans don't want higher taxes and higher premiums

2009-11-19T09:04:00.000-06:00

This Republican Senators' video reminds us that Americans don't want higher taxes and health insurance premiums.

Technorati tags: government Republican senate health universal health care obamacare