I've told everyone that will listen to me that Clinton will take the party down before she gives up!!
I think that Hilary has shown that Democrats are not...repeat NOT...ready for a colorblind society. They still judge a person by their skin color and blame the Right for actually ignoring this difference.
Hallelujah!!! Can you imagine 4 years of Obama!??!??!!I just saw this cockamamie piece of legislation offered up by Rep. Kagen (HR 5449) and have a few things I’d like to say.
What the hell is this guy thinking!!!
You mean to tell me the best he can offer to the country in regards to health insurance legislation is this piece of crap that will make us all pay for those not smart enough to get insurance!!
This bill is very specific on what it intends to do:
A group health plan, and a health insurance issuer offering group health insurance coverage, with respect to a participant or beneficiary may not impose any pre-existing condition exclusion.
And:
every health insurance issuer that offers health insurance coverage (as defined in section 2791(b)(1)) in the individual market to individuals residing in an area may not, with respect to an eligible individual (as defined in subsection (b)) residing in the area who desires to enroll in individual health insurance coverage decline to offer such coverage to, or deny enrollment of, such individual; or impose any preexisting condition exclusion (as defined in section 2701(b)(1)(A)) with respect to such coverage.
And:
Each and every health insurance issuer that offers health insurance coverage in the group market in a State shall charge the same premium price for the same coverage.
And:
Each and every health insurance issuer that offers health insurance coverage in the individual market in a State shall charge the same premium price for the same coverage; if the issuer offers such coverage in the group market in the State, shall charge the same premium for the same coverage offered in the group market.
So here we are…if you are sick then you get to pay the same amount as a person who is healthy.
Here is how the system works now…I am healthy so to save myself some money I decide not to pick up any health insurance. I become ill and decide that the medical costs are going to be very high so I try to get insurance…most are going to deny coverage since I did not have insurance prior but lets say that I find one to take me…they are going to make me pay a higher rate since they know that I have medical bills right now and will in the future.
Under Kagen’s plan I save myself some money until I get sick…opt into a plan now since they have to take me…and get to pay the same rate as those that are healthy (as long as the coverage is the same.) Then once I’m healthy again get off the plan! Talk about a
Now I know there are a few of you out there that get all emotional because “this is the health of a person!!” well I’m going to upset you a bit with the following analogy but it makes the most sense:
I own a car.
I have no insurance.
I get into an auto accident and damage my car, someone else’s car, and another person.
Should I be able to get insurance now and pay the same rate as you (who has a clean record) without any penalties?
Well that is exactly what the Kagen “non-discriminatory” health bill will allow!
Kagen is putting a on a little ‘dog and pony’ show that you can read about here: M.D. Congressman Goes Without Health Insurance
Gateway Pundit put together the following which hits it right on the head:
Over the past 30 years:
Which party blocked the development of new sources of petroleum?-- Democrat
Which party blocked drilling in ANWR?-- Democrat
Which party blocked drilling off the coast of Florida?-- Democrat
Which party blocked drilling off of the east coast?-- Democrat
Which party blocked drilling off of the west coast?-- Democrat
Which party blocked drilling off the Alaskan coast?-- Democrat
Which party blocked building oil refineries?-- Democrat
Which party blocked clean nuclear energy production?-- Democrat
Which party blocked clean coal production?—Democrat
H/T Gateway Pundit (and RDW…who pointed it out)
“Representative Don Pridemore: What part of “we are spending too much!” don’t they understand?”
You got to love it when a politician just puts it all out there.
Here is the press release and a few selected quotes:
“Governor Doyle’s own administration continues to demonstrate that they are ignoring the economic condition our state budget is currently in. Mere weeks after the Governor asked state employees to reduce or eliminate their travel expenses, it has been reported that Wisconsin state employees have spent over $900,000 in travel—and this figure does not include Doyle’s own trip to Great Britain!”
“Now is the time for political leadership! What if gas and diesel prices continue to rise at their current rate? Food prices are on the rise mainly due to other government interference. How long can this state survive if we keep trying to tax ourselves out of our economic woes? Cutting
spending is the only answer.”
Last week’s, I had thought, was pretty easy. I guess I was wrong. So this week here is a hint:
This country has 23 states and its constitution recognizes all of the 31 indigenous languages in the country.
This week’s country was very hard for me but I’m sure you’ll have no trouble with it. 8 out of 10
Another Badger Poll released last week…looked at the presidential candidates.
Here are some intriguing numbers:
Impression of Obama:
- Democrats – 64% Favorable
- Independents – 45% Favorable
- Republicans – 25% Favorable
Impression of Clinton:
- Democrats – 63% Favorable
- Independents – 36% Favorable
- Republicans – 12% Favorable
Impression of McCain:
- Democrats – 25% Favorable
- Independents – 42% Favorable
- Republicans – 81% Favorable
McCain vs. Clinton
- Democrats – 16% McCain – 77% Clinton
- Independents – 44% McCain – 38% Clinton
- Republicans – 89% McCain – 9% Clinton
McCain vs. Obama
- Democrats – 15% McCain – 80% Obama
- Independents – 28% McCain – 52% Obama
- Republicans – 89% McCain – 9% Obama
Looks like Democrats might help McCain more than people really think!!
A recent Badger Poll asked the following question:“In the next 12 months or so, do you expect economic conditions in the state of Wisconsin to get better, get worse or stay about the same? “
Now before I tell you then answers let me remind you of some important facts:
The Wisconsin Governor = Democrat
The Wisconsin State Senate = Democrat Controlled
The Wisconsin State Assembly = Republican Controlled
Here is how the answered the question:
Democrats: 13% = get better; 47% = get worse; 39% = about the same
Republicans: 24% = get better; 28% = get worse; 48% = about the same
87% of Democrats believe that Wisconsin’s economic conditions will stay the same or get worse in the next 12 months!!! Even Democrats don’t trust this governor and his minions in the Senate!!
Mathematically the end is here for Hillary. There is no way for her to recover from the loss she suffered last night without a large number of super delegate defects to her side and no one sees that happening.
But I do not think that Hilary will go gently into that good night…I think that she is going to go kicking and screaming…if she has to she will bring the Democrat Party to its knees.
If she does step aside…I believe that she is under the assumption that Obama has no way of winning and that she will have another chance at the White House in 4 years.
Either way it has been an enjoyable ride and I look forward to the action continuing on to Denver.
As if there was really any doubt...
Vos to Seek Reelection in 2008
“We have passed many positive policies over the past session, but there is still much more to be done,” said Vos. “I am running for state representative so I can continue to fight for the values of the residents of our community.”
Vos says his constituents are most concerned about Wisconsin’s high tax burden, maintaining affordable, quality health care, improving our schools and the overall state of the economy.
“The answer to improving our tax burden and our economy is not to give more money to government,” Vos remarked. “I advocate for smaller government every day so that citizens can keep more of their hard earned money. If reelected in November, I will continue to be a tireless advocate for the taxpayers of Racine County.”
Rep. Vos cited a few of his accomplishments in the past session, which included:
- Authoring legislation to eliminate state tax on pension income
- Proposing the State Government Disclosure Act to create a website where taxpayers could monitor the payments made by all state agencies
- Passing a community rehabilitation tax credit for benevolent organizations who help cognitively disabled citizens lead productive lives in the mainstream workforce
- Improving heath care access by voting in favor of health insurance premium deductibility, health care price disclosure, and HSA premium deductibility.
- Supporting K-12 education by voting for an historic increase in state aid.
- Making higher education more affordable for Wisconsin’s college students by voting to cap tuition and fees
- Promoted alternative forms of education by authorizing a proposal in the budget to provide $250,000 to expand the very successful Burlington Construction Academy at Burlington High School to other areas of the state
Vos was also successful in facilitating the incorporation of Caledonia and placing language in the budget that made it possible for the Town and Village of Rochester to consolidate. These municipalities have intended to consolidate for many years, but have been hindered from doing so because of bureaucratic red tape at the Department of Administration.
In addition to passing meaningful legislation for the residents of Racine County, Robin also prides himself on his constituent service. Almost every constituent who contacts his office receives a personal phone call.
“When I first ran for the Assembly in 2004, I adopted the slogan ‘Listening, Learning, Leading’, and I vowed to adhere to that philosophy as long as I remain in office,” recalls Vos. “I make hundreds of phone calls every week and have personally spoken with thousands of constituents from my district to listen and learn about their concerns. Even if we don’t see eye to eye on every issue, I want to make sure that the residents of the 63rd Assembly District know they can always contact me to voice their opinion.”
Vos also makes it a priority to provide as much information as possible to his constituents. Every week, thousands of subscribers read The Robin Vos E-Update, a newsletter detailing current events in the Legislature. In the spring and fall, Robin embarks on a speaking tour to provide legislative updates to school boards, town and village boards, and community and professional groups throughout Racine County.
“I want to remain as accessible as possible to the residents of the 63rd Assembly District,” said Vos. “It’s the only way to ensure that I continue to correctly represent their views in Madison.”
The 63rd Assembly District is comprised of the Towns of Raymond, Dover, Norway, Rochester, and Yorkville; and Villages of Union Grove, Caledonia, Rochester, and portions of Mt. Pleasant. The general election for the 63rd Assembly District will be held on November 4th, 2008.
h/t Real Debate Wisconsin
I posted this last week and now RDW has confirmed that Linda Flashinski has filed papers to run against Assemblyman Robin Vos.
I read this short editorial in the Sheboygan Press today and was surprised to find that they hit it this one on the head.
We have budget problems here in the state and I am tired of hearing politicians give lip service to the issue and not fixing the problem.
Here are the choices:
Raise taxes to fix the budget problem - Democrat solution.
Cut spending to fix it – Republican solution.
But would that actually fix all of the budget problems we have?
Look at what this administration and the legislature has done so far…Used the tobacco settlement to balance the budget…Raided the Transportation Budget to balance the state budget…raised fees without an offsetting lowering of any other tax.
There needs to be clear rules established for the budget process here in Wisconsin and I am beginning to lose faith that either side has the entire budget in mind when they make claims that budget needs to be fixed.
Note to all politicians in Wisconsin: If you want to be a political hero…come up with a comprehensive plan to actually fix the budget process. Not just a few sound bites or the same old “raise fees/cut taxes” banter…I’m talking a real solution that will work in this state for years to come.
Last week was a little too easy, Cuba, so this week is a bit harder…but not by much...4 out of 10.
The post stated the Linda Flashinski, former Administrator of the Board of Education Communication Committee for RUSD (you may remember from RDW post in 2006 where she attacked Senator Stepp) and current Public Relations Officer for the Racine Democrat Party, had announced that she would be running against Assemblyman Robin Vos this fall.
I contacted Mrs. Flashinski for a comment and her response was that she “is exploring the possibility,” and that we will be notified “via a media release” if she decides to run.
To me she seemed that her mind was not made up yet…even asking me “do you think I should run?” Since she never asked what blog I post on I decided not to answer her directly…but lets be honest here…Linda attacked the call for an audit of RUSD and once the audit took place look what we found. Assemblyman Vos is a good guy that is looking out for the taxpayers. In my opinion shows over Robin Vos is the winner.
Ultimately, either Blue Racine was a little too quick to pull the trigger on the information or it was their way of kicking Mrs. Flashinski in the ass and telling her to run, either way it makes an interesting story.
Go Robin!!
While you achieved more in your 102 years on Earth you will always be remembered as the finder of:
I hope your “final trip” is much better than all your others.
Rest in peace.
Algore stating that they are dieing at an alarming rate. We’ve all seen the real photo that shows land (or an ice flow) which is right nearby and these bears in no danger at all. But what really galls me is that these people are trying to use these bears to push the Global Warming agenda!!In 2005 the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) petitioned to have the polar bear listed as a threatened animal due to “global warming” and under pressure by this and other groups the Alaskan Fish and Wildlife Service proposed in 2006 to have the bear listed due to “loss of their primary habitat.” Now a federal judge has ordered that the Interior Department to decide if the bears are truly threatened. (news article)
The CBD has stated “The science is perfectly clear. There's no dispute. The polar bear is an endangered species”
Yet the numbers don’t add up!! Here is the estimated population of the polar bears and to be clear the population is the highest in nearly 20 years!!!
When criminals have guns people can and many times do get hurt but when in the hands of law abiding citizens like Marino Hernandez and Roberto Espinal the criminals come to justice.
Here is the article from the Palm Beach Post: West Palm Beach grocery store shootout lands man in jail
Both the managers never fired their weapon while the criminal did. The criminal was surrounded and held until police arrived.
Chalk one more up for the good guys!
The title of this article is okay but it is the story that has the kicker!
Immigrants' May Day rally to protest jail practice
4/29/2008 6:54 amThe Immigrant Workers Union will hold a march and rally on Thursday to protest Dane County Sheriff Dave Mahoney's practice of notifying federal officials of jailed inmates' immigration status.
The May Day rally will also show support to improve living and working conditions for millions of undocumented immigrant families across the country.
The march will start at Brittingham Park on West Washington Avenue at 11:30 a.m., ending in a rally on the steps of the City-County Building on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in downtown Madison.
Student organizations at UW-Madison will hold a speak-out rally on Library Mall on campus at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, with participants asked to join in the Workers Union march and rally after the student rally.
My recommendation is that the sheriff and his deputies pick up anyone one any violation during this rally (littering, jaywalking, etc) and check their legal status!!
I believe that immigration is the best thing about this country but illegals are just violating the law!!
How can they protest living and working conditions of people that have no legal rights here in this country?!?!
Why do they deserve to be treated fairly when they are violating the law but asking that the law be enforced on others?!??!!
You have spent the last 4 months working for the government but today you are earning money for yourself and your family since today is Tax Freedom Day in Wisconsin.
Have a great day!
This made national news last year and this year Towne Market Mobil is looking to do the same thing.
But the reality is this “protest” is nothing more than a “look at me moment.” They want their 15 minutes of fame and want to look like they are doing something when in reality there is no impact…none…zero…nada!
The economist in the article has it right, “If a lot of people reduced their consumption of gas permanently, that would have an effect.” Barring this there really is no way to force fuel prices down in this fashion.
I know that the media and the lefties out there will point to the $11 billion profit of Exxon and but they ignore that the demand for the product has more to do with the price of gas than the profit margin of Exxon which is only around 10%...Microsoft’s profit margin is around 30% but I don’t hear anyone protesting that.
With me being gone for 4 weeks I thought that it would be fitting to have the Country for the week be the same as the State I was in all that time…yep that is right the Country last week which still unreal got right…was on no ones mind…was Georgia!!!
This week is much easier…2 out of 10
Good Luck
Always assume that people are watching and listening to you...especially if you are running for the Presidency!!
Is the lovefest over yet?
Do you think that Dean will be keeping his job after this election cycle? I almost feel bad for him...okay not really, I'm getting a kick out of the whole deal!!!
Assuming that the 0.8 degree increase over the past 3 decades (30 years for you lefties out there) is man-made...it is more of a slow burn than an urgent disaster.
...but they buy their way out of the hypocracy...right Mr. Gore? Just buy 'carbon off-sets' and your worries about your carbon foot print go away...and get passed on to those that can't afford it...you know those like us in "flyover country."
I read this article today from Reuters: Life expectancy falls in poorer U.S. counties: study
In it they show that the average life expectancy in the US has climbed from 75.8 years in 1995 to 78 years in 2005. I personally think that this is good news but the liberal pundits do not.
They see this as a gap between the “rich and the poor” and blame the US healthcare system. While all the same time pointing to the fact that those in the lower segment of the life expectancy scale fall into the less educated, more likely to smoke, and mostly overweight group of people.
So the question is why in the world would they try to blame the healthcare system when it is obvious that the damage is being done by the individual?
Today’s PA Democrat Primary Prediction:
Not surprising...Hillary wins with a 6 point margin.
Wow! It has been 2 weeks since I posted a new country…The last country I posted was Jordan.
This week’s country is harder than I originally imagined. 8 out of 10
“The key to stemming the tide of climate change is to make personal changes that will help reduce global warming. So it's a bit of a mystery why Gore continues to eat animals and ignores the overwhelming evidence that eating meat is the number one cause of global warming.”
“The following are a few inconvenient truths that the former V.P. ignores:
- A major United Nations study determined that the meat industry generates 40 percent more greenhouse-gas emissions than all the cars, trucks, SUVs, ships, and planes in the world combined.
- Researchers at the University of Chicago concluded that going vegan is 50 percent more effective in combating the climate crisis than switching to a hybrid car.
- The official handbook of the Live Earth concerts that Gore helped organize acknowledges that not eating meat is "the single most effective thing" you can do to reduce your climate change impact (emphasis in original).”
Thanks to the Tax Foundation and their tireless support of those of us that pay taxes they have determined that this year’s “Tax Freedom Day” for the country is April 23rd, while for Wisconsin it is April 24th.
Here is what I found the most interesting:
We pay more to Taxes than to Health & Medical Care and Housing & Household Operations (113 days vs. 110 days)!!
We pay more in Taxes than to Clothing, Transportation, Food, and Recreation combined (113 days vs. 98 days)!!!
So the next time the Democrats talk about helping with Health and Medical Care, demand that they cut your taxes not raise them by instituting Universal Health Care reforms!!!
In a Washington Times article today (Bush prepares global warming initiative) it looks like the President will be asking for legislation that would address global warming.
The science is still on our side not on Algore’s so why would President Bush make any moves to encourage legislation that has no basis in scientific facts? I’m beginning to believe that this is an attempt by the Bush administration to show that McCain is not as far to the left in the GOP as he appears to be.
Good Morning Blog-o-sphere!!
I have been away working long hours in Georgia the last few weeks and have not had time or much of anything.
But I’m back in town and slowly catching up on things that have been happening so I should be ready to start blogging again.
I hope you all missed me!
Last week’s country was Greece!
This week is a bit harder than a relatively easy European country…8 out of 10.
AP: Clinton 'misspoke' about '96 Bosnia trip
Here is what she said last week Monday:
“I remember landing under sniper fire. There was supposed to be some kind of a greeting ceremony at the airport, but instead we just ran with our heads down to get into the vehicles to get to our base.”
Heads down running for the cars vs. walking, smiling, and shaking hands with an 8 year old…that is not a misstatement that is an all out lie.
But she’s a Clinton…what else can we expect from them?
Well last week was easier than I thought it would be. It was, of course, Madagascar!
So if last week was that easy then this week’s should be even easier! 3 out of 10
If you needed any other reason to vote for Lou...this quote about KRM from Diane is precious!
“I don’t think a referendum’s necessary. I think there’s been enough evidence, enough proof.”
Well Diane…I don’t think we need an election on April 1st either…we should just put Lou into your place…There has been enough evidence to show that you have not been really good for Racine...I think that is proof enough.
#1 was the Democratic Republic of the Congo
#2 was Japan!
This week’s might be a little tough. 5 out of 10.
There is still one man out there beating the drum on the whole myth of Global Warming that is an economist and a politician…he is Vaclav Klaus, President of the Czech Republic.
Vaclav spoke at the 2008 International Conference on Climate Change and this article (Climate alarmists pose real threat to freedom) from The Australian is an edited reprint of his speech.
In his speech he proposes the equation seen here:
ECO2 = EI x SEA x POP
Emission Intensity (EI) x GDP per capita (SEA – size of economic activity) x Population (POP) = gives us the volume of CO2 produced
Based on this equation, which is a realistic representation of the CO2 production for any country, President Klaus says the following:
“If we really want to decrease ECO2 we have to either stop the economic growth and thus block further rise in the standard of living, stop the population growth, or make miracles with the emissions intensity.”
So what should we do?
In President Klaus’s speech he proceeds to prove how economic impacts (decreases in GDP) have had these decreases (and increases) to the CO2 output in Europe and how that the alarmists will cause a great deal of destruction to the worlds economies if realistic information such as these are not taken into account.
Personally, I have been a vocal advocate for having all of these “man-made” global warming nuts hold there breath until the matter is resolved…I mean come on the hot CO2 coming out of Algore alone would reduce CO2 emissions by a huge percent!
But in reality we do not want governments determining what the population should be nor do we want them to squash economic growth. If we are to forgo the growth in both population and economies we will never be able to achieve anything more…mankind will come to an abrupt halt.
You know I don’t like the guy because of his political beliefs but I love his moxie!!
Referring to Hillary’s suggestion that Obama might make a good VP for her.
Obama at a rally today: “If I'm not ready, how is it that you think I should be such a great vice president?”
He additionally said: “I don't know how somebody who is in second place is offering the vice presidency to the person who is first place”
More here AP: Obama ridicules notion of VP slot
I guess it is more than "just words"!!!!
I HELPED...and i still feel dirty...
If that ain't the truth.
If I'm going to post comics I have to get at least one kick at Algore...don't I?
It is a good thing that this week’s county is a 1 because none of you even fathomed a guess last week.
My wife looked at the country and said “you know that looks like ******.” My jaw hit the ground…she nailed it…she then shares that she had to do a report on this county when she was in middle school!
This week we will have two countries, last weeks and this weeks.
Good Luck!!!
#1 with the hint it is a 3 out of 10
Hint: To be different from their neighbor they added a word to their new counties name.
#2 no hint needed. 1 out of 10
That was my reaction when I read this article: Virginia Supreme Court Rules that Giving Power to Tax to an Unelected Body is Unconstitutional
This morning (Feb. 29), the Virginia Supreme Court unanimously held that the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) is unconstitutional in Marshall v. NVTA.
The court found that the NVTA, created in 2002 and given the power to tax in 2007, exceeded its powers when it levied seven taxes on residents of Northern Virginia. The taxes will have to be refunded in their entirety.
…
Could this have precipitous effects through out the nation?
Hmmm…
Lou has launched a website for his campaign…go check it out at Lou4Racine.com!!
I’m behind you Lou!!
I had an interesting conversation this weekend. Without saying names or outing anyone I’d like to go through the general issue.
Recently (just last week in fact) there was a person that is publicly saying that they would be willing to do one thing so that they could get something else in return.
I have been told (through a 3rd party) that the individual in question feels like they are being pressured to do something that they do not wish to do.
They are unwilling to say something publicly to oppose the action and there will be action taken on this situation soon.
So what is to be done?
Shouldn’t personal responsibility come into play? Shouldn’t the person state publicly that they feel pressured? Wouldn’t it be better for everyone involved to be open and honest about the situation?
Action will be taken and unless the individual contacts someone that can make a stand for them there is little that can be done.
Last week we had the country of Australia. I don’t think they can get much easier than that!
This week we are looking at a 7 out of 10.
Good luck!
The left loves to say that we are “behind several other states” when it fits their agenda like AB 157 (the Wisconsin Safe Climate for anything other than Business Act).
“I mean there are 10 other states that have already done it why are we so far behind!”
But when a conservative points out that 48 other states have conceal carry for law abiding citizens, they dig in their collective heels and wail that “we don’t want Wisconsin to become the “wild west” do we?”
AB 157 is BAD for Wisconsin.
My favorite quote today about AB 157 was: “Scientists continue to amass data showing the disastrous ecological and economic consequences of global warming pollution,” said Shahla Werner, Ph.D., Director of the John Muir Chapter of the Sierra Club.
You’d think with a Ph.D. she would know that the “data” she is talking about in this press release is hypothetical data NOT actual data!!!
Big difference! Maybe she should stop trying to get crappy legislation through the State House and do a little reading about the subject she should know something about.
Well check this out…I found this photo on Watts Up With That?
Mount Kilamanjaro - Tanzania, Africa - still snowy. Photo by Neil Modie, January 2008
But the better image is the one Kate put together over at Small Dead Animals (don’t ask me I just read the blogs I’m not the one naming them!!)
Well it looks like it is official Wendy Christensen (Caledonia’s Village Clerk) has filed the necessary paperwork to run for Racine County Clerk!
For all of the sorted details head on over to Caledonia Unplugged and get the full scoop!!
Press Release: Assembly Bill 157 not the Answer
“We should all protect our natural resources,” said State Rep. Jim Ott. “However, AB 157 will have no impact on reducing global temperatures, but it would have a significant and negative impact on Wisconsin’s economy.”
“As recently as the late 1970s and early 1980s scientists and the media were talking about the possibility of an approaching ice age,” said Ott. “Imagine if lawmakers had rushed in and mandated all sorts of changes based on that assumption?”
This is why we love you Jim!!
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State Rep. Spencer Black can’t even get the facts correct in a 5 paragraph press release how can the people of Wisconsin even think that the 15 pages of “climate” legislation is worth the paper it is written on?
In the press release it states “carbon dioxide pollution, the main cause of global warming” had they done any research at all they would find that H2O, not CO2, is the “main cause” of global warming; CO2 only contributes about 2-10%.
Next he states that “We have an obligation to act before we see severe damage to our environment, our economy and our quality of life”
Really? A longer growing season here in Wisconsin would be bad? Fewer deaths due to cold weather would be bad? (BTW you do know that more people die due to cold weather than hot, right?) A longer tourist season would be bad for the economy of Wisconsin? What exactly would be wrong with a warmer Wisconsin…assuming we are getting warmer? Have they looked at any of the recent stats about the global climate over the past few years? We are down about 0.3 degrees…oh my!
Lastly, one must only read the first paragraph of the legislation to understand what is going on here. From AB 157:
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. 15.347 (5) of the statutes is created to read:
15.347 (5) GREENHOUSE GAS MANAGEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COUNCIL.
There is created in the department of natural resources a greenhouse gas management environmental justice council consisting of at least 3 members, appointed by the secretary of natural resources from nominations received from environmental justice organizations and community groups, representing communities that have the most significant exposure to air pollutants, including communities with minority populations and communities with low−income populations.
So that is what this is all about…more government bureaucracy and “help” for minority and low-income populations from the state DNR.
But it gets better…you see this bill isn’t as cut and dry as it would seem
286.23 Emission limits and reduction measures.
(2) REQUIREMENTS CONCERNING RULE PROMULGATION.
(b) Ensure that activities undertaken to comply with the rules will not have a disproportionate impact on communities with low−income populations.
So this means even though areas that are “run down” may have a higher out put of CO2…we can not force them to fix it to meet the state requirement under this bill but we would then be able to force other businesses and/or producers of “green house gases”* to further reduce their output in order to make up for these low-income areas.
* limited to carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexaflouride
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRESIDENT WASHINGTON!!!!
On this day in history, February 22:
1732 – George Washington, 1st US President, born
1819 – Spain ceded Florida to the United States
1854 – 1st meeting of the Republican Party, Michigan
1856 – 1st National meeting of the Republican Party, Pittsburgh
1872 – 1st National convention of the Prohibition Party, Columbus, OH
1879 – 1st Woolworths’s opens in Utica, NY
1889 – North and South Dakota, Montana and Washington were admitted to the Union
1900 – Hawaii becomes a US territory
1924 – The first presidential radio broadcast from the White House made by Coolidge
1932 – “Teddy” Kennedy, Senator D-MA, born 
1935 – Planes were no longer allowed to fly over the White House
1968 – Jeri Ryan, Actress, born
1971 – Gilbert Brown, Defensive Tackle, born
1980 – The US Olympic Hockey Team defeats the Soviets 4-3 at Lake Placid
AP: Wolves to be removed from species list
Are they no longer an animal?
AP: Pakistan opposition parties to ally
Isn’t this head line one big oxymoron?
AP: Obama wins global primary
I didn’t know that this election cycle had gone global!?!
Reuters: Total lunar eclipse turns Moon red
I hope it turned it back again!!
Reuters: USDA unsure if Calif. cattle case isolated to plant
You know it’s bad when the government doesn’t know that cattle are not plants!
Now that that is over…Last week was hard but I thought the clue was really good, the country was Fiji.
This week I can’t make it much easier than this…1 out of 10.
Hydrazine is the rocket fuel that was still in the satellite the US Navy destroyed on Wednesday night.
But the question still remains: was the destruction of the satellite really due to this fuel or was it to:
a) show that we could do something the Chinese recently did?
OR
b) destroy a satellite that contained classified information and/or technology that we did not want a foreign country to get a hold of?
Just some food for thought.
This has been in the news quite a bit lately. Can you tell me what it is any why it has been in the news?
Image 1:
Image 2:
I am having an ongoing debate with a co-worker about her (him) not voting and my cross over vote.
Here are the pertinent parts of our many e-mails…you decide if my co-worker has a point.
Why my co-worker did not vote:
“I'm not voting for Hillary, because I'm not convinced she is the most beatable candidate and I think it's wrong and immoral.
I'm not voting for McCain, because I don't support him, yet, and I want him to know that.
I'm not voting for Huckabee, because although he is my favorite candidate and I support him, I do not want to increase the Republican base that is voting. I want Republican voter turnout to be low (which it may likely be due to those voting for Clinton anyways). So, perhaps my choice is more diluted because of that reason. Yet, my mind is made up.
Therefore, my vote is not to vote, because I want to make a point to McCain that he needs to think long and hard about his next steps if he wants the Republican base to support him. I want him to know that I'd rather not vote at all than to vote for him if he stays the current course. Maybe a vote for Huckabee does that, but I don't think so. I think a vote for Huckabee shows that I'm going to vote Republican no matter what; whereas; a no-vote says... maybe not so much.”
What (s)he thinks of me (and any of you) for voting for Hillary (that still leaves a nasty taste in my mouth…ugh!!!):
"Once again - not voting is more of a civic duty than tampering with the election. The founding Fathers would be turning in their graves if they knew people were casting dishonest votes - they should all be ashamed of themselves and should have no say about the state of politics or what policies are originating out of Washington since they consciously tampered with an election bringing down the respect of America to that of a 3rd world country
- Good Job!"
...AND...
"There is no difference between not voting and voting for a candidate you don't want to win. None. Except one is a bit more honorable. You can say it's not tampering, but we all know it is, no matter what shade of gray you want to call it. It was an immoral thing to do and shame on you!"
So what say all of you?
Is staying home because your guy has no chance of winning sending a message to the winner?
Would the founding fathers be proud of my co-worker for sitting on his(her) hands and not voting?
Is voting in an open primary in Wisconsin tantamount to “tampering” with an election?
Is it more “honorable” to stay home and not vote?
How do all of you that crossed over feel about your “immoral” act?
The “show” will begin at about 7:43 p.m. CST and the total eclipse will occur between 9:01 and 9:51 p.m.
Click the graphic for more information!!
When he was later asked to clarify the quote he tries to argue that his campaign is similar to that of Ronald Reagan’s 1976 campaign against Gerald Ford…now that is a laugh!!!
Huckabee actually thinks that being in a no win situation with a zero chance of winning the nomination and a near zero chance of preventing McCain from getting the nod is somehow close to Reagan’s close delegate race with Ford. Reagan won a clear majority of caucuses while Ford won the majority of primaries.
Huckabee is no Reagan!! The fact that he continues to compare himself to Reagan proves just how far off base the guy really is.
It seems that the “left leaning” group One Wisconsin Now is a little upset with Judge Michael Gableman’s campaign and have filled a complaint (way back in December) with the Judicial Campaign Integrity Committee but the Wisconsin State Journal is reporting on it just this last weekend.
They claim that the Gableman campaign violated the judicial ethics code which states in part “a candidate for a judicial office shall not knowingly or with reckless disregard for the statement’s truth or falsity misrepresent the ... present position or other fact concerning ... an opponent."
So the question is “what did the Gableman camp say that violated this rule?”
In a fundraising letter the following was written Louis Butler “provided the deciding vote to overturn a sexual predator decision by a circuit court, resulting in the release of the predator into Milwaukee County.”
Here are the facts:
In a case of Richard A. Brown, Louis Butler voted with the majority, in a 4-3 ruling, that ordered Brown to be released into Milwaukee County.
So the statement in the fundraising letter is in fact truthful and does not misrepresent Louis Butler’s position on this case at all. The One Wisconsin Now crowd is all hung up on the fact that, to date, Brown has not been released. That information does not change the any of the facts of the statement.
Gableman’s campaign will not be found to have violated any ethical standards.
I’m an hour into the show right now and I have to say that it has potential…I will watch another couple of episodes before I say I love the show but at this point it is entertaining!!
Here is more info on the show and the new car!! Knight Rider
Mayor Michael Bloomberg was quoted as saying:
"Nobody wants to sit there and say, 'Well there's no easy solution,' They want to send out a check to everybody to stimulate the economy. I suppose it won't hurt the economy but it's in many senses like giving a drink to an alcoholic."What do you think?
Is the “rebate” program good or bad for us?
Bloomberg also said that the US “has a balance sheet that's starting to look more and more like a third-world country."
Harsh words for a guy that people think will be a 3rd party candidate for President.
I had the good fortune of talking with one of Judge Gableman’s schedulers yesterday…Judge Gableman will be at the Racine County Republican Lincoln Day Dinner next week (I’ll post that Invite later)…and found out that he will be in Racine today!!!
So with a little prompting from his scheduler I set up a “meet and greet” gathering today!!
Come meet Judge Gableman, candidate for the Supreme Court of Wisconsin, today:
4:00 p.m.
JavaVino
424 S Main St
Racine, WI
I guess this goes with my last post…with Romney’s endorsement of McCain…does that mean if I vote for Romney in the WI primary I’m really voting for McCain?
I’m not quite sure what to think of that…
Is anyone really going to “cross-over” and vote the other side of the ticket?
My wife told me she just might do that.
What are you going to do?
This week is 10 out of 10 but with my hint I think it reduces it to an 8.
Hint: The map below depicts less than 2% of the country but accounts for over 87% of the population.
Good Luck and Have Fun!!
I’ve been wondering out loud to anyone who will listen and now to anyone reading this blog…how much more is Huckabee willing to take from the GOP?
I’m not the biggest McCain fan…I’m not even sure that he can win against Obama…but all that aside with Huckabee still in the mix it means that McCain needs to spend more and more money to secure the nomination and that the Party has less and less time to come together and rally around one person.
I know that Huckabee “didn’t major in math, (he) majored in miracles” but I’m sure someone on his staff has done the math and realizes that, since Romney dropped out of the race, Huckabee has only been able to secure <20% of the delegates. Since he has done so poorly he will need to secure more than 55% of the remaining delegates just to prevent McCain from getting the nomination! As well as it is mathematically impossible (miracle or not) for Huckabee to get the nomination with the remaining primaries.
Huckabee has said over and over again that he is not running for the VP spot and based on the way he is going I’m beginning to think that there is no way McCain would now even consider giving him the position anymore.
While I agree with Huckabee that I would rather have a choice not a coronation the facts are the facts…we do not have a choice anymore…McCain is going to be the nominee…numbers do not lie.
Frank Lasee is Wisconsin’s 2nd Assembly District Representative
Lasee’s NotesRep. Lasee hits the nail on the head! More government interaction with Health Care is not the way to drive medical prices down!
February 12, 2008
Government CarAid?
Last week I wrote about the health care cost shifting that goes on because the government pays a discounted rate for medical services. This increases the cost all of us pay for on our own healthcare purchases whether insured or uninsured. Some of the feedback I got on cost shifting was skeptical (many understood it, as well).
Let’s use an analogy of car purchasing. Say a dealer has ten cars that he expects to sell for $21,000 each. When the dealer sells the ten cars for $21,000 each, he will have $210,000. After costs of sale, financing and overhead, the dealer expects to average (for simplicity’s sake) $3,000 profit for each car. The dealer plans to have an income of $30,000 from the sale of these cars after covering his costs.
Suppose the government steps in and says that owning a car is a right. Dependable transportation to and from work is essential, which, of course is true. The government creates CarAid. Under CarAid any dealer must sell cars to program recipients for $5,000 for each car. Also for simplicity, each dealer will sell three cars for this $5,000 (30% of the cars sold, same percentage as government medical programs).
If the dealer wants to make the same profit and cover his costs he will have to charge more for the seven cars he sells to non-government buyers. To make the same income, the dealer has to sell each of the remaining cars for about $28,000. Since dealers have to subsidize CarAid, the cost of a car to you just went up to at least $28,000.
Then the dealer ups the list price of all the remaining cars to $28,000 each. Now a car aggregator (like a big insurance company) comes to him and says “I have a pool of car purchasers who will buy four cars from you and we want a 25% discount or we will buy those four cars from another dealer (because he will give us a discount).” So the dealer sells them at a 25% discount or $21,000 to that pool of people. (Note that the 25% discount brings the cost back to the original sale price of $21,000.)
To continue the analogy…
For those of you who do not know Lou, he is a great guy that can be loud as hell when he needs to be!!! Most importantly he is running for the Racine County Board in District 3.
Yesterday at the Racine Taxpayer Association Lou had the following to say about KRM and Crime:
KRM: “I am unequivocally opposed to anything which increases the net burden on Racine county taxpayers, particularly the taxpayers of my district who already face a fairly onerous burden as it is.” Yet there is a value to building links for the broader economy. He suggested that the project be tested with buses if the public approves it in a referendum.
Crime: “The simple answer is there are no simple answers.” Crime, education and employment are intertwined. We have to make sure that dangerous people are confined, but we also have to look at expanding the local economy so that there are alternatives to crime.
Both quotes are from the JT and the full article including comments from others can be found at this link.
WAY TO GO LOU!!! Keep on fighting man!!!
