First Read - Economist predicts GOP cuts would cost 700,000 jobs
When it comes to the deficit there is kill and then there is overkill.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Darrell Issa probes staff; spokesman Kurt Bardella at center of controversy - Jake Sherman and Marin Cogan - POLITICO.com
Darrell Issa probes staff; spokesman Kurt Bardella at center of controversy - Jake Sherman and Marin Cogan - POLITICO.com
could we be seeing spooks? you know what they say. just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you.
could we be seeing spooks? you know what they say. just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you.
Report: U.S. Has Wasted Tens Of Billions Of Dollars On Contractors In Iraq And Afghanistan | TPMDC
Report: U.S. Has Wasted Tens Of Billions Of Dollars On Contractors In Iraq And Afghanistan | TPMDC
perhaps the deficit hawks could take a look at this rather than the relatively small amount for NPR and PBS.
perhaps the deficit hawks could take a look at this rather than the relatively small amount for NPR and PBS.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
The Future: Bright or Dim?
As I write this piece gasoline around here is $3.29 per gallon. Diesel fuel is higher. Food prices are expected to increase about 18% by summer and gasoline is projected to go to more than $4.00 per gallon. More if Saudi Arabia is drawn into the uprisings in the Middle East. What we are seeing is a dramatic restructuring of economies that have factors held in check for some time. Just like the housing bubble that burst is restructuring housing prices these events have the potential to do the same for energy and food.
Corn is selling at its highest prices ever and is being driven by our insatiable thirst for fuel that will drive an internal combustion engine. The demand for ethanol is spiking and the resultant prices for corn are taking food pricing with it since corn plays such a large part in food production.
I want to make a point here, before we go much further. In my opinion, if you think the worst of our economic downturn is over then you at least have to recognize the potential for it to get much worse. If fuel prices rise and stay high that is money that is desperately required to keep our economy from slipping back into recession or even depression. Food prices will necessarily remove that money from the discretionary column and put it into the non-discretionary column.
Here is my point. Do you think that we can’t afford to begin to design and implement alternative forms of energy production? Well, it seems to be obvious that we cannot afford to wait.
Here is my point. A trucker on television today said that the fuel bills for operating his truck are eliminating the income he generates. Trucks move a preponderance of our food and are very susceptible to fuel prices. Do you think we can’t afford to develop alternative means of transportation or is it plain to see that we cannot wait?
What we will hear is that we must pour more into developing domestic fossil fuel production and that may indeed be the case. However, it should be clear that we can’t put all of our eggs in that basket. Fossil fuel is dying and we are dying with it. The changes that have to be made are immense and the only entity that is equipped to marshal the resources in advance of desperation is government. Government is best equipped to deal with these huge projects either by encouraging private investment or by building infrastructure and maybe both.
Understand this. The United States still has the largest economy in the world by far. We are still the richest country in the world by far. We still are the leader in invention and innovation by far. But it is not as far as it used to be and it will get tighter. There is nothing wrong with that and it is a good thing that people in the rest of the world will rise out of poverty and want to share a piece of the wealth. What we need to do as a people, as a nation is to prepare for a future in which we do not overconsume to the point where we use up 25% of the earth’s resources. We must become better stewards of our natural resources and smarter consumers of imported resources.
The mantra you hear now on the evening news and on the talk shows is that we are broke and can’t afford to do these things. I am going to tell you that is poppycock. Yes, that’s right. Poppycock. How can it be that the richest country in the world with the best educational institutions and the best incubators for innovation and invention is too broke to plan for its future? The answer is that it can’t be and that our problem is not that we are broke. What we are suffering from is an underutilization of resources and misallocation of assets. We have the resources and assets to do anything we want to do if we do it properly. The problem is that we have allowed those resources to occupy an artificially created and sanctified space that removes them from being used by our country.
Can we afford to care for our people who need health care? Yes. Can we afford to provide a modicum of security for our aged and infirm? Absolutely. Can we afford to create a nation that gets its energy from renewable resources? Of course. The answers are there to be seen by anyone who has eyes to see.
That is my take on our future. If you are curious just how we can do this drop me a line.
Corn is selling at its highest prices ever and is being driven by our insatiable thirst for fuel that will drive an internal combustion engine. The demand for ethanol is spiking and the resultant prices for corn are taking food pricing with it since corn plays such a large part in food production.
I want to make a point here, before we go much further. In my opinion, if you think the worst of our economic downturn is over then you at least have to recognize the potential for it to get much worse. If fuel prices rise and stay high that is money that is desperately required to keep our economy from slipping back into recession or even depression. Food prices will necessarily remove that money from the discretionary column and put it into the non-discretionary column.
Here is my point. Do you think that we can’t afford to begin to design and implement alternative forms of energy production? Well, it seems to be obvious that we cannot afford to wait.
Here is my point. A trucker on television today said that the fuel bills for operating his truck are eliminating the income he generates. Trucks move a preponderance of our food and are very susceptible to fuel prices. Do you think we can’t afford to develop alternative means of transportation or is it plain to see that we cannot wait?
What we will hear is that we must pour more into developing domestic fossil fuel production and that may indeed be the case. However, it should be clear that we can’t put all of our eggs in that basket. Fossil fuel is dying and we are dying with it. The changes that have to be made are immense and the only entity that is equipped to marshal the resources in advance of desperation is government. Government is best equipped to deal with these huge projects either by encouraging private investment or by building infrastructure and maybe both.
Understand this. The United States still has the largest economy in the world by far. We are still the richest country in the world by far. We still are the leader in invention and innovation by far. But it is not as far as it used to be and it will get tighter. There is nothing wrong with that and it is a good thing that people in the rest of the world will rise out of poverty and want to share a piece of the wealth. What we need to do as a people, as a nation is to prepare for a future in which we do not overconsume to the point where we use up 25% of the earth’s resources. We must become better stewards of our natural resources and smarter consumers of imported resources.
The mantra you hear now on the evening news and on the talk shows is that we are broke and can’t afford to do these things. I am going to tell you that is poppycock. Yes, that’s right. Poppycock. How can it be that the richest country in the world with the best educational institutions and the best incubators for innovation and invention is too broke to plan for its future? The answer is that it can’t be and that our problem is not that we are broke. What we are suffering from is an underutilization of resources and misallocation of assets. We have the resources and assets to do anything we want to do if we do it properly. The problem is that we have allowed those resources to occupy an artificially created and sanctified space that removes them from being used by our country.
Can we afford to care for our people who need health care? Yes. Can we afford to provide a modicum of security for our aged and infirm? Absolutely. Can we afford to create a nation that gets its energy from renewable resources? Of course. The answers are there to be seen by anyone who has eyes to see.
That is my take on our future. If you are curious just how we can do this drop me a line.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Ken Burns - Public broadcasting, a 'luxury' we can't do without
Ken Burns - Public broadcasting, a 'luxury' we can't do without
It is possible that many people who have never seen the benefit of public television and radio programming just don't understand the need for it. It is the only programming that is not created for the express purpose of selling some commercial product. It allows us to see things that would not be commercially viable.
A society is historically defined by its culture. The arts lift us all from the tedium of our day to day existence. For me, the PBS newshour develops a topic and looks at it from different perspectives and does it with enough depth to be able to understand some of the motivations.
Some call it programming for the elite but, in my opinion, it attempts to lift us all and asks us to try harder to look beneath the surface. We have enough of that already.
It is possible that many people who have never seen the benefit of public television and radio programming just don't understand the need for it. It is the only programming that is not created for the express purpose of selling some commercial product. It allows us to see things that would not be commercially viable.
A society is historically defined by its culture. The arts lift us all from the tedium of our day to day existence. For me, the PBS newshour develops a topic and looks at it from different perspectives and does it with enough depth to be able to understand some of the motivations.
Some call it programming for the elite but, in my opinion, it attempts to lift us all and asks us to try harder to look beneath the surface. We have enough of that already.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
National Symphony Orchestra
Well, I had to go alone and I gave my extra ticket back to the Center for someone else. A very nice lady about 75 or so sat in that seat and was a splendid date. She enjoyed the concert more than I did.
Everything about this kind of concert is new to me so just watching the mechanics of the operation was interesting. After the orchestra was seated and had been tuning for some time a violinist (who I assume is 1st violinist) came out and struck a note or two to inform the orchestra of proper tuning. Shortly, the conductor came out and informed us of what the evening would hold. Then the orchestra struck up the Star Spangled Banner the way it should be played. Then we settled into a rendition of "Route 66" by someone named Daugherty. That was followed by some selections from Beethoven and then intermission. The second part was a ballet by Copland from "Appalachian Spring". Then we heard another ballet by Ravel. Each one was explained by the conductor as to its significance. It closed very grandly and left the audience on its feet clapping and shouting. Pretty cool.
The the conductor said they would play one for Kentucky and gave us a wonderful rendition of "My Old Kentucky Home" for which we all stood. Some sang. I lip synced. I thought it was over but then they struck up some Sousa marches that got the house all charged up and finished with "The Stars and Stripes Forever". Congressman Rogers surely was the first to leap to his feet and we all followed suit. If the orchestra could not deduce our appreciation from our applause, etc. then their battery is dead.
I suppose they hear that a lot but it was as enthusiastic as any applause I hear anywhere else. The drama of listening to this music live and being able to watch the faces of the performers makes the music unlike any recording. I'm not that crazy about recorded classical but this was more than I had hoped.
If you missed it, sorry.
Everything about this kind of concert is new to me so just watching the mechanics of the operation was interesting. After the orchestra was seated and had been tuning for some time a violinist (who I assume is 1st violinist) came out and struck a note or two to inform the orchestra of proper tuning. Shortly, the conductor came out and informed us of what the evening would hold. Then the orchestra struck up the Star Spangled Banner the way it should be played. Then we settled into a rendition of "Route 66" by someone named Daugherty. That was followed by some selections from Beethoven and then intermission. The second part was a ballet by Copland from "Appalachian Spring". Then we heard another ballet by Ravel. Each one was explained by the conductor as to its significance. It closed very grandly and left the audience on its feet clapping and shouting. Pretty cool.
The the conductor said they would play one for Kentucky and gave us a wonderful rendition of "My Old Kentucky Home" for which we all stood. Some sang. I lip synced. I thought it was over but then they struck up some Sousa marches that got the house all charged up and finished with "The Stars and Stripes Forever". Congressman Rogers surely was the first to leap to his feet and we all followed suit. If the orchestra could not deduce our appreciation from our applause, etc. then their battery is dead.
I suppose they hear that a lot but it was as enthusiastic as any applause I hear anywhere else. The drama of listening to this music live and being able to watch the faces of the performers makes the music unlike any recording. I'm not that crazy about recorded classical but this was more than I had hoped.
If you missed it, sorry.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Tennessee bill would jail Shariah followers - USATODAY.com
Tennessee bill would jail Shariah followers - USATODAY.com
Just when you think things can't get any crazier. Isn't it enough to just deal with OUR own laws?
Just when you think things can't get any crazier. Isn't it enough to just deal with OUR own laws?
Supreme Court's Thomas goes 5 years without questions - USATODAY.com
Supreme Court's Thomas goes 5 years without questions - USATODAY.com
Someone check his pulse. This could be the answer.
Someone check his pulse. This could be the answer.
As GOP slashes budget, lawmakers who built careers on earmarks must re-brand
As GOP slashes budget, lawmakers who built careers on earmarks must re-brand
A lot of programs in Rogers' 5th district were funded by earmarks. By and large they were worthy projects but it remains to be seen how they will be funded now. Just because they were earmarks doesn't kill them but it may make them be justified as a line in the budget.
A lot of programs in Rogers' 5th district were funded by earmarks. By and large they were worthy projects but it remains to be seen how they will be funded now. Just because they were earmarks doesn't kill them but it may make them be justified as a line in the budget.
Drugs To Prevent Weak Bones Linked To Unusual Fractures In Women : Shots - Health Blog : NPR
Drugs To Prevent Weak Bones Linked To Unusual Fractures In Women : Shots - Health Blog : NPR
My Mother began taking fosamax at least 20 years ago and has actually seen an increase in bone density and much less pain due to osteoarthritis. She is 90 now and still gets around pretty good. Can't complain.
My Mother began taking fosamax at least 20 years ago and has actually seen an increase in bone density and much less pain due to osteoarthritis. She is 90 now and still gets around pretty good. Can't complain.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
The Future: Bright or Dim
Our entire country, indeed, the world is awash with calamity. What does this mean to us? Are we coming to the end of American prosperity?
I have a column that I will be posting and submitting for publication in the local paper this weekend that will deal with this. I hope to begin to answer some questions and encourage us to seek solutions.
Stay tuned.
Bob
I have a column that I will be posting and submitting for publication in the local paper this weekend that will deal with this. I hope to begin to answer some questions and encourage us to seek solutions.
Stay tuned.
Bob
Supreme Court Rejects New Kentucky Case On 10 Commandments | LEX18.com | Lexington, Kentucky
Supreme Court Rejects New Kentucky Case On 10 Commandments | LEX18.com | Lexington, Kentucky
But we can still post them on our own property, worship without fear of persecution and teach our children what we wish. All without fear of retribution. How great is that?! Not too many places in the world where a person can do that.
But we can still post them on our own property, worship without fear of persecution and teach our children what we wish. All without fear of retribution. How great is that?! Not too many places in the world where a person can do that.
Americans slain by captors on hijacked yacht; pirates killed, arrested - CNN.com
Americans slain by captors on hijacked yacht; pirates killed, arrested - CNN.com
A sad end to what we hoped would be a better story. A reminder of how dangerous the world can be.
A sad end to what we hoped would be a better story. A reminder of how dangerous the world can be.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Wisconsin Governor Refuses Unions' Offer : NPR
Wisconsin Governor Refuses Unions' Offer : NPR
and the story continues. difficult to believe this is not about union busting.
and the story continues. difficult to believe this is not about union busting.
In the Swamp with the Budget
Budget Morass
We have met the enemy and he is us.
Walt Kelly
These days everyone is an economics expert. Everyone thinks that he or she can take personal experiences and translate them into macroeconomics. It just does not work that way. Now, I won’t try to tell you that deficits don’t matter like Dick Cheney did. Nor will I try to convince you that we can live forever running trillion dollar deficits in a stagnant economy. What I will tell you is that if we are getting our talking points from Keith Olberman or Glenn Beck we are probably not anyplace near where we need to be.
I am the operator of a small business with emphasis on “small.” Even at that there are some business principles that I have learned the hard way. One is that you have to stay relevant or your competition will run off and leave you in the dust. Another is that you have to keep up enough inventory to be able to respond to demand. One that took me a while to learn was that if you deplete operating capital you are effectively out of business.
A business, any business, can’t stay in business long if it does not attend to the future possibilities. In my business it is important that I stay current on technological changes and regulatory changes. If I don’t do this then I will lose market share to my competition. Revenue and standard of living will suffer. Government is a bit different in that revenues are not determined strictly by competitive factors but by taxation. In turn taxation depends on the health of the overall economy and its ability to compete in the markets in which it is involved.
It is in this light that we must consider just what the role of government is in relation to a free market economy. We must consider what kind of services we expect government to render and what the cost of those services might be. If government is to render services then it must have sufficient revenue to do so and to do so it must consider what the future may look like. Government will not participate directly in generating revenue but it can foster a climate conducive to a free market doing so. As a matter of fact, only government has the resources to be able to tackle a problem of this size.
Consider this. Federal government largely pays for and maintains the highway system and especially so at the interstate level. Already our highways are crowded and our transportation infrastructure is crumbling. Do we wait for our economy to be detrimentally impacted to compensate or do we try to get out in front of the problem? Can we envision our interstate system growing infinitely or should we begin to consider alternative forms of mass transportation? If we can envision alternative forms of transportation then should we wait for consumers to create demand to answer the call or should we try to create an incentive for business to prepare? If we can see a future that will demand a more advanced work force and a better educated populace should we wait for traditional supply and demand to cause business to create a better worker or should we try to get out ahead of it?
A fact of business is that businesses have a financial obligation to their shareholders. Businesses will not incur expenses if they do not promise revenues to recover the investment. For now major corporations are able to deal with this by moving operations overseas to compensate for production costs and to locate a suitable workforce. As a matter of fact, the major corporations have hired 1.4 million people in the last year. All overseas. But what about the operations that will necessarily be domestic such as transportation? Will we allow foreign companies to perform the work since we will not have the technological capability to do so? If we expect to maintain our standard of living then what will we do to foster that? It is cheaper for companies to move to the workforce than it is to spend twenty years educating people to fill their needs. Who can fill the need to create a better educated workforce? Government, of course.
So, here we are and it is time for the budget debate again. On the one hand you have those who would just stop spending money until the budget balances no matter the cost. On the other hand you have the President’s budget that manages to make small cuts this year but maintains options that will prepare us for future opportunities such as energy production and high speed rail. Already China has overtaken Germany as the leading producer of wind turbines. China is proposing to spend six times the amount that the United States is on high speed rail. Our innovation and invention are two of the things that keeps the United States ahead but other countries are investing more in education in sciences and mathematics. If we do not keep up our commitment to the future the downside will be immense and dramatic.
Yes, there are many decisions to be made going forward but we must not destroy the things that will sustain us in the future nor do we need to.
My take on preparing for a future economy.
We have met the enemy and he is us.
Walt Kelly
These days everyone is an economics expert. Everyone thinks that he or she can take personal experiences and translate them into macroeconomics. It just does not work that way. Now, I won’t try to tell you that deficits don’t matter like Dick Cheney did. Nor will I try to convince you that we can live forever running trillion dollar deficits in a stagnant economy. What I will tell you is that if we are getting our talking points from Keith Olberman or Glenn Beck we are probably not anyplace near where we need to be.
I am the operator of a small business with emphasis on “small.” Even at that there are some business principles that I have learned the hard way. One is that you have to stay relevant or your competition will run off and leave you in the dust. Another is that you have to keep up enough inventory to be able to respond to demand. One that took me a while to learn was that if you deplete operating capital you are effectively out of business.
A business, any business, can’t stay in business long if it does not attend to the future possibilities. In my business it is important that I stay current on technological changes and regulatory changes. If I don’t do this then I will lose market share to my competition. Revenue and standard of living will suffer. Government is a bit different in that revenues are not determined strictly by competitive factors but by taxation. In turn taxation depends on the health of the overall economy and its ability to compete in the markets in which it is involved.
It is in this light that we must consider just what the role of government is in relation to a free market economy. We must consider what kind of services we expect government to render and what the cost of those services might be. If government is to render services then it must have sufficient revenue to do so and to do so it must consider what the future may look like. Government will not participate directly in generating revenue but it can foster a climate conducive to a free market doing so. As a matter of fact, only government has the resources to be able to tackle a problem of this size.
Consider this. Federal government largely pays for and maintains the highway system and especially so at the interstate level. Already our highways are crowded and our transportation infrastructure is crumbling. Do we wait for our economy to be detrimentally impacted to compensate or do we try to get out in front of the problem? Can we envision our interstate system growing infinitely or should we begin to consider alternative forms of mass transportation? If we can envision alternative forms of transportation then should we wait for consumers to create demand to answer the call or should we try to create an incentive for business to prepare? If we can see a future that will demand a more advanced work force and a better educated populace should we wait for traditional supply and demand to cause business to create a better worker or should we try to get out ahead of it?
A fact of business is that businesses have a financial obligation to their shareholders. Businesses will not incur expenses if they do not promise revenues to recover the investment. For now major corporations are able to deal with this by moving operations overseas to compensate for production costs and to locate a suitable workforce. As a matter of fact, the major corporations have hired 1.4 million people in the last year. All overseas. But what about the operations that will necessarily be domestic such as transportation? Will we allow foreign companies to perform the work since we will not have the technological capability to do so? If we expect to maintain our standard of living then what will we do to foster that? It is cheaper for companies to move to the workforce than it is to spend twenty years educating people to fill their needs. Who can fill the need to create a better educated workforce? Government, of course.
So, here we are and it is time for the budget debate again. On the one hand you have those who would just stop spending money until the budget balances no matter the cost. On the other hand you have the President’s budget that manages to make small cuts this year but maintains options that will prepare us for future opportunities such as energy production and high speed rail. Already China has overtaken Germany as the leading producer of wind turbines. China is proposing to spend six times the amount that the United States is on high speed rail. Our innovation and invention are two of the things that keeps the United States ahead but other countries are investing more in education in sciences and mathematics. If we do not keep up our commitment to the future the downside will be immense and dramatic.
Yes, there are many decisions to be made going forward but we must not destroy the things that will sustain us in the future nor do we need to.
My take on preparing for a future economy.
Moderate Wisconsin Republicans Offer Compromise on Unions - WSJ.com
Moderate Wisconsin Republicans Offer Compromise on Unions - WSJ.com
In my opinion, any agreement to restrict collective bargaining rights is not acceptable. However, renegotiating benefits structures is acceptable and should be done. In the South we have little history of unions and also we have endemic low wages. Without collective bargaining there is no incentive to offer the workers a piece of the pie.
In my opinion, any agreement to restrict collective bargaining rights is not acceptable. However, renegotiating benefits structures is acceptable and should be done. In the South we have little history of unions and also we have endemic low wages. Without collective bargaining there is no incentive to offer the workers a piece of the pie.
States turn to private insurance companies for managed care - USATODAY.com
States turn to private insurance companies for managed care - USATODAY.com
Kentucky already uses this model in some urban areas. It is one avenue to explore in the effort to control health care costs. The danger is that private companies will cut care to inflate profits. I suppose we will see.
Kentucky already uses this model in some urban areas. It is one avenue to explore in the effort to control health care costs. The danger is that private companies will cut care to inflate profits. I suppose we will see.
Hey, readers!
there seems to be a small number, some 10 or 15 that visit this blog from time to time. I encourage you to sign up as followers and to pass the link on to others. I appreciate your attention to my writing. Thanks.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Bayne becomes youngest Daytona 500 winner - Feb 20, 2011 - NASCAR.COM
Bayne becomes youngest Daytona 500 winner - Feb 20, 2011 - NASCAR.COM
Very strange racing, indeed. The two car modules are a whole different thing. Lots of lead changes but not much individual racing. I have mixed feelings about the restrictor plates. Whatever the case, the 24 didn't fare too well.
Very strange racing, indeed. The two car modules are a whole different thing. Lots of lead changes but not much individual racing. I have mixed feelings about the restrictor plates. Whatever the case, the 24 didn't fare too well.
Protests Start For 6th Day At Wisconsin Capitol : NPR
Protests Start For 6th Day At Wisconsin Capitol : NPR
This is a scene that is due to be played out at many different venues across our land as the people begin to realize that cuts to the budget will impact them personally. The right to organize and to negotiate salary packages seems only fair. The problem is that state governments all over have seriously miscalculated the cost of the packages and have failed to sustain revenues with which to pay for them. After all, these are legally binding contracts between the state and the teachers.
This is a scene that is due to be played out at many different venues across our land as the people begin to realize that cuts to the budget will impact them personally. The right to organize and to negotiate salary packages seems only fair. The problem is that state governments all over have seriously miscalculated the cost of the packages and have failed to sustain revenues with which to pay for them. After all, these are legally binding contracts between the state and the teachers.
Eat Pray Love (2010) - IMDb
Eat Pray Love (2010) - IMDb
I watched this movie with Juanita Saturday night. Usually I will try to pick out a chick flick and she likes Julia Roberts. I figured this to be a winner but it turned out I liked it better than she did. It is a movie that examines relationships and expectations that we place upon ourselves. Those expectations become burdens be we are loathe to relinquish them because we are certain they are what we are supposed to do. In the end we find that peacefulness and love are the simplest of things and the most important to possess. I gave it a 7 out of ten but Juanita only gave it a 4.
I watched this movie with Juanita Saturday night. Usually I will try to pick out a chick flick and she likes Julia Roberts. I figured this to be a winner but it turned out I liked it better than she did. It is a movie that examines relationships and expectations that we place upon ourselves. Those expectations become burdens be we are loathe to relinquish them because we are certain they are what we are supposed to do. In the end we find that peacefulness and love are the simplest of things and the most important to possess. I gave it a 7 out of ten but Juanita only gave it a 4.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Boomers Find 401(k) Plans Come Up Short - WSJ.com
Boomers Find 401(k) Plans Come Up Short - WSJ.com
This doesn't surprise me. The middle class has been under attack for over 30 years now. Economic growth has not been permitted to reach into the middle class but has instead been increasingly focused into the top 10% of earners. The market crash totaled out some others and the attacks on pension plans threaten to wipe out the cushion some thought they had. Who is to blame?
This doesn't surprise me. The middle class has been under attack for over 30 years now. Economic growth has not been permitted to reach into the middle class but has instead been increasingly focused into the top 10% of earners. The market crash totaled out some others and the attacks on pension plans threaten to wipe out the cushion some thought they had. Who is to blame?
Florida shuts down pill monitoring system
Tracking system still needed for pill pipeline
Simply run an Internet search with the keywords “Florida Kentucky pipeline,” and you’ll be inundated with any number of stories originating both from Florida and Kentucky detailing how prescription pills are making their way north from the Sunshine state to the Bluegrass. That’s why it’s so upsetting here in Kentucky, where prescription pill abuse continues to ravage our communities, that Florida Gov. Rick Scott would propose a measure that would eliminate a prescription-tracking system that many, like ourselves, believe would lessen the impact of the Florida-Kentucky pill pipeline. Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo is right to be “infuriated” with Scott’s proposal. Here in Kentucky where we do actually have a prescription monitoring system (which is sorely underused), we know that tracking narcotic prescriptions can help responsible physicians prevent the prescription of pain medications to people who are taking part in the act of “doctor shopping.” There is no secret that many are traveling from Kentucky to Florida to get prescriptions for pain medications that they otherwise may not be able to get at home. It’s also no secret that many of these pills are making their way to Kentucky streets for sale to addicts. It’s unconscionable that anyone sworn to uphold the law of the land would cut a service that could do just that, and also maybe save a few lives in the process. a couple of years ago it was proposed that the Federal Government create a system modeled on Kentucky's that would function across the states. It was opposed by Rep. Hal Rogers R-KY who said he preferred that the states do their own systems and then cooperate. Like many of Congressman Rogers' projects it is funded through earmarks which are now in jeopardy.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Curtis Ingram
Another one of the EHS Class of 1965 has gone. Curtis is the 6th to go, I think.
I find I appreciate those people more in the later years than I did when we were in school together. I don't know if that is universal or not. I know when I was in high school that thoughts of being this age never even crossed my mind except as an exercise in math.
Farewell, Curtis. We will see you again but, until then, you won't be forgotten.
I find I appreciate those people more in the later years than I did when we were in school together. I don't know if that is universal or not. I know when I was in high school that thoughts of being this age never even crossed my mind except as an exercise in math.
Farewell, Curtis. We will see you again but, until then, you won't be forgotten.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
State giving back stimulus funds intended for broadband expansion - JSOnline
State giving back stimulus funds intended for broadband expansion - JSOnline
This goes hand in hand with the problems in Wisconsin and the actions by the Governor to not allow collective bargaining for state employees. This is a matter of philosophical versus practical. Access to broadband will open up opportunities for employment and business in the future. Of course, the future is not now.
This goes hand in hand with the problems in Wisconsin and the actions by the Governor to not allow collective bargaining for state employees. This is a matter of philosophical versus practical. Access to broadband will open up opportunities for employment and business in the future. Of course, the future is not now.
Paul Begala: It’s Time to Defund Kentucky - The Daily Beast
Paul Begala: It’s Time to Defund Kentucky - The Daily Beast
Couldn't have said it better myself. For a state that has one of the largest percentage of people receiving federal benefits we certainly seem to bite the hand that feeds us.
Couldn't have said it better myself. For a state that has one of the largest percentage of people receiving federal benefits we certainly seem to bite the hand that feeds us.
Junior wrecks Daytona 500 car, must forfeit pole - Feb 16, 2011 - NASCAR.COM
Junior wrecks Daytona 500 car, must forfeit pole - Feb 16, 2011 - NASCAR.COM
The other night Junior Nation was ecstatic when he nonchalantly drew the pole position for the Daytona 500. Now he just as cavalierly loses it.
The other night Junior Nation was ecstatic when he nonchalantly drew the pole position for the Daytona 500. Now he just as cavalierly loses it.
Why Are Food Prices Going Crazy? : Planet Money : NPR
Why Are Food Prices Going Crazy? : Planet Money : NPR
Coming to a supermarket near you. Various factors are driving up the cost of food while people are experiencing falling wages in a relative sense. What can we do? For one thing, control speculation in commodities.
Coming to a supermarket near you. Various factors are driving up the cost of food while people are experiencing falling wages in a relative sense. What can we do? For one thing, control speculation in commodities.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Somerset's bid for annexation
the action of the city council to not allow Somerset to annex territory and people on Slate Branch Road is short-sighted and just plain dumb. For annexation to work it needs to include population whereas the efforts by Burnside and Ferguson annex mainly public highway. The thought there is that it may lead to possible annexation of properties in the future but is a back door effort. The process advocated by Mayor Girdler is a fair example of what annexation should be, a trade of city services for tax revenues.
One has to wonder if there is political motivation to prevent Mayor Girdler from achieving success. The skinny on the Mayor is that he can be too authoritarian in his administration but it this is how the council responds then one can understand that.
One has to wonder if there is political motivation to prevent Mayor Girdler from achieving success. The skinny on the Mayor is that he can be too authoritarian in his administration but it this is how the council responds then one can understand that.
U.S. wholesale prices rise 0.8% in January Economic Report - MarketWatch
U.S. wholesale prices rise 0.8% in January Economic Report - MarketWatch
agricultural calamities around the world and the conversion of grains to ethanol to fuel our energy thirst are driving commodity prices to new highs. When that happens the speculators jump into the fray to trade on the futures market as a hedge on their stock investments. This drives the price of the commodity higher and costs us in the aisles at Kroger and Wal-Mart.
agricultural calamities around the world and the conversion of grains to ethanol to fuel our energy thirst are driving commodity prices to new highs. When that happens the speculators jump into the fray to trade on the futures market as a hedge on their stock investments. This drives the price of the commodity higher and costs us in the aisles at Kroger and Wal-Mart.
Just in time: NC couple claims $1M lottery prize
Just in time: NC couple claims $1M lottery prize
Do you think they just didn't need the money? Now you can compute the tax burden on unearned income. Did you really want to win that showcase on The Price is Right?
Do you think they just didn't need the money? Now you can compute the tax burden on unearned income. Did you really want to win that showcase on The Price is Right?
Paul Begala: It’s Time to Defund Kentucky - The Daily Beast
Paul Begala: It’s Time to Defund Kentucky - The Daily Beast
The facts are the facts. Need I say more?
The facts are the facts. Need I say more?
Obama calls for budget compromise - CNN.com
Obama calls for budget compromise - CNN.com
Everyone is faulting the President for not taking on the entitlements for budget cuts. Let's not forget, anything changing the entitlements will have to be passed by Congress and any tripe accusing the President of skirting his duty is just political posturing. There will have to be some adjustments but Social Security is not the problem. It is Medicare and that is what the health care bill is designed to moderate, not fix.
Any talk of balancing the budget that does not include a tax increase of some kind is just off the mark. Likely, it can't be done. Let's get real. This is the lowest portion of income Americans have paid in 60 years as taxes.
There is no upside for the President to get out front on entitlement reform and take the arrows. It is going to take a concerted effort by all parties who will have to bear the heat.
Everyone is faulting the President for not taking on the entitlements for budget cuts. Let's not forget, anything changing the entitlements will have to be passed by Congress and any tripe accusing the President of skirting his duty is just political posturing. There will have to be some adjustments but Social Security is not the problem. It is Medicare and that is what the health care bill is designed to moderate, not fix.
Any talk of balancing the budget that does not include a tax increase of some kind is just off the mark. Likely, it can't be done. Let's get real. This is the lowest portion of income Americans have paid in 60 years as taxes.
There is no upside for the President to get out front on entitlement reform and take the arrows. It is going to take a concerted effort by all parties who will have to bear the heat.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Mubarak's Fall Spurs Calls For U.S. Policy Rethink : NPR
Mubarak's Fall Spurs Calls For U.S. Policy Rethink : NPR
The thirst for oil and security for Israel have long influenced American foreign policy for governments in the Middle East. We have come up on the wrong side in Iraq and Iran and we risk losing the people in Jordan and Egypt. We have pursued short term advantage at the expense of long term benefit.
The thirst for oil and security for Israel have long influenced American foreign policy for governments in the Middle East. We have come up on the wrong side in Iraq and Iran and we risk losing the people in Jordan and Egypt. We have pursued short term advantage at the expense of long term benefit.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Grammys
Not too impressed at the Grammys. Probably just "old fogie" setting in. Rap doesn't move me and the dancing by some of the female artists maybe should move me but doesn't. We've come a long way baby from TV not showing Elvis from the waist down.
Lady Antebellum was good but not country. Arcade Fire lives up to the hype from "All Songs Considered." Electronika meets Talking Heads. Not my cup of absinthe. Way too artsy.
I wish I was in as good shape as Sir Mick.
Lady Antebellum was good but not country. Arcade Fire lives up to the hype from "All Songs Considered." Electronika meets Talking Heads. Not my cup of absinthe. Way too artsy.
I wish I was in as good shape as Sir Mick.
Is this Crazy?
2012 Budget: Cash For Body Scans, Cuts For EPA
() NPR reporters offer topic-by-topic analysis of President Obama's $3.7 trillion proposal. One area getting a boost in the budget is homeland security: The president is proposing money for more of the controversial full-body scanners at airports.just call me nuts but this is totally insane. I am stunned for the moment, more later.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Egypt’s Path After Uprising Does Not Have to Follow Iran’s - NYTimes.com
Egypt’s Path After Uprising Does Not Have to Follow Iran’s - NYTimes.com
I will venture to say that Egypt will not go the way of Iran. Firstly, the military is more of a people's institution and Egypt has a strong history of secular government even if autocratic. In addition, the young population is better educated and will expect greater opportunity to follow.
I will venture to say that Egypt will not go the way of Iran. Firstly, the military is more of a people's institution and Egypt has a strong history of secular government even if autocratic. In addition, the young population is better educated and will expect greater opportunity to follow.
Where Do We Go Now
Where Do We Go Now?
I have been carping on this topic for several years now but now it seems that the time has come for the buzzards to come home to roost. Last week Cline Calhoun had a column in this paper bemoaning the sad situation in which the Social Security System finds itself. This is especially alarming to me since I am in the first wave of boomers that will reach that magical cutoff point where that money that has been disappearing into the arcane pockets of the FDIC will begin to flow in the opposite direction. Many of my compatriots have already begun to dip into the so called trust fund as a result of the unfortunate demise of their economy and suspicion they may not live long enough to get the maximum amount possible in return.
In what is possibly a sign of the approaching apocalypse, Mr. Calhoun and I find ourselves in agreement. Since 1935 this money has been accumulating and paying benefits with nary a hint of red ink. That is about to come to an end. NPR reports that the Social Security Administration has taken in over 2.5 trillion dollars more than it has paid out. A lot of people don’t know that but it shows the success of that New Deal program that has brought a modicum of security to the aged and infirm. That money has not been put in a lockbox as Al Gore wished during the 2000 election but has instead been placed in that most secure of investments, U.S. Treasury Bonds. Yes, it’s true. Those investments, and I use that term loosely, have financed the budget deficit that now is somewhere in the neighborhood of 13 or 14 trillion dollars. You may be surprised to find that only a small part of that is owed to the Chinese.
So now, this year the Social Security Administration is slated to pay out more than 35 billion dollars more than it receives. This turning point was not scheduled to arrive for several more years but it has been hastened by declining revenues and early retirements. But now it is time to pay the piper and let the “trust fund” kick in. In 1935 it was not unusual for one to go on to his or her (eternal) reward before the (temporal) reward kicked in. Now one can expect to enjoy (if that is the right term) several years of payments during which one may receive much more than he or she ever contributed. The “trust fund” is expected to be rendered incapable of delivering full benefits past 2037 and that may be long enough for that to not be my problem.
Here are a couple of quotes that illuminate the difficulty facing dealing with the issue
.
"It's very significant that this year, Social Security has more money going out than coming in," says Lamar Alexander, a member of the Senate GOP leadership team. "And it's very significant that in the next 10 years, Social Security will add a half-trillion dollars to the deficit. Social Security would be a good place to start when dealing with these mandatory entitlement programs that are 57 percent of our budget."
"Social Security has not contributed one penny to the debt, and as I've said before, people should leave Social Security alone," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said earlier this month. "I will do everything that I can in throwing my legislative body in front of any efforts to weaken Social Security."
Now, this should really be no problem since all that is required is for the U.S. Treasury to repay the Social Security Administration the money it is owed plus interest. Realistically, that is going to be a bit difficult since we are already slashing budgets to the bone and repayment of that debt will have to be taken from other national endeavors that may or may not be worthy of their funding.
Social Security was never intended to be a retirement fund but only to provide a floor under which a citizen could not fall. Obviously, in light of the increasing life span some tinkering is required but that still does not get us out of the present situation. How we make room in the budget to pay existing obligations requires a lot of thought.
I have often wondered just how successive generations of lawmakers allowed the situation to become this dire. The fact of the matter is that we have failed to generate sufficient revenues to finance negative budgets. You can gripe about deficits all you want but the truth is that the money went for things the people wanted such as defense spending, Social Security and Medicare. The problem is that we did not have sufficient taxation to support them. For thirty years we have bought into the lie that we can grow our way out of the problem through tax cuts. Or the Cheneyism that “deficits don’t matter.” I think both of those have been proven false but we still are preaching the sermon of lower taxes and growth.
The fact of the matter is that if you want services they have to be paid for. Taxation is how it is done. Even the newly reinvigorated GOP is finding that a little difficult to do when it comes time to specify what will be cut that will make a difference.
That’s my take on Social Security. I want the government to keep its hands off my Social Security and my Medicare. Oh! Mr. Calhoun and I can agree on quite a few things. As can most of us. Perhaps we need to accentuate the commonalties and set differences aside whenever possible.
I have been carping on this topic for several years now but now it seems that the time has come for the buzzards to come home to roost. Last week Cline Calhoun had a column in this paper bemoaning the sad situation in which the Social Security System finds itself. This is especially alarming to me since I am in the first wave of boomers that will reach that magical cutoff point where that money that has been disappearing into the arcane pockets of the FDIC will begin to flow in the opposite direction. Many of my compatriots have already begun to dip into the so called trust fund as a result of the unfortunate demise of their economy and suspicion they may not live long enough to get the maximum amount possible in return.
In what is possibly a sign of the approaching apocalypse, Mr. Calhoun and I find ourselves in agreement. Since 1935 this money has been accumulating and paying benefits with nary a hint of red ink. That is about to come to an end. NPR reports that the Social Security Administration has taken in over 2.5 trillion dollars more than it has paid out. A lot of people don’t know that but it shows the success of that New Deal program that has brought a modicum of security to the aged and infirm. That money has not been put in a lockbox as Al Gore wished during the 2000 election but has instead been placed in that most secure of investments, U.S. Treasury Bonds. Yes, it’s true. Those investments, and I use that term loosely, have financed the budget deficit that now is somewhere in the neighborhood of 13 or 14 trillion dollars. You may be surprised to find that only a small part of that is owed to the Chinese.
So now, this year the Social Security Administration is slated to pay out more than 35 billion dollars more than it receives. This turning point was not scheduled to arrive for several more years but it has been hastened by declining revenues and early retirements. But now it is time to pay the piper and let the “trust fund” kick in. In 1935 it was not unusual for one to go on to his or her (eternal) reward before the (temporal) reward kicked in. Now one can expect to enjoy (if that is the right term) several years of payments during which one may receive much more than he or she ever contributed. The “trust fund” is expected to be rendered incapable of delivering full benefits past 2037 and that may be long enough for that to not be my problem.
Here are a couple of quotes that illuminate the difficulty facing dealing with the issue
.
"It's very significant that this year, Social Security has more money going out than coming in," says Lamar Alexander, a member of the Senate GOP leadership team. "And it's very significant that in the next 10 years, Social Security will add a half-trillion dollars to the deficit. Social Security would be a good place to start when dealing with these mandatory entitlement programs that are 57 percent of our budget."
"Social Security has not contributed one penny to the debt, and as I've said before, people should leave Social Security alone," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said earlier this month. "I will do everything that I can in throwing my legislative body in front of any efforts to weaken Social Security."
Now, this should really be no problem since all that is required is for the U.S. Treasury to repay the Social Security Administration the money it is owed plus interest. Realistically, that is going to be a bit difficult since we are already slashing budgets to the bone and repayment of that debt will have to be taken from other national endeavors that may or may not be worthy of their funding.
Social Security was never intended to be a retirement fund but only to provide a floor under which a citizen could not fall. Obviously, in light of the increasing life span some tinkering is required but that still does not get us out of the present situation. How we make room in the budget to pay existing obligations requires a lot of thought.
I have often wondered just how successive generations of lawmakers allowed the situation to become this dire. The fact of the matter is that we have failed to generate sufficient revenues to finance negative budgets. You can gripe about deficits all you want but the truth is that the money went for things the people wanted such as defense spending, Social Security and Medicare. The problem is that we did not have sufficient taxation to support them. For thirty years we have bought into the lie that we can grow our way out of the problem through tax cuts. Or the Cheneyism that “deficits don’t matter.” I think both of those have been proven false but we still are preaching the sermon of lower taxes and growth.
The fact of the matter is that if you want services they have to be paid for. Taxation is how it is done. Even the newly reinvigorated GOP is finding that a little difficult to do when it comes time to specify what will be cut that will make a difference.
That’s my take on Social Security. I want the government to keep its hands off my Social Security and my Medicare. Oh! Mr. Calhoun and I can agree on quite a few things. As can most of us. Perhaps we need to accentuate the commonalties and set differences aside whenever possible.
Democracy In Egypt An Uncertainty, Analysts Fear : NPR
Democracy In Egypt An Uncertainty, Analysts Fear : NPR
Now comes the hard part. Now the naysayers will come out of the woodwork to worry about how Egypt will deal with us. It will be different but the more we can allow that neck of the woods to take care of its own problems the better off we will be.
Now comes the hard part. Now the naysayers will come out of the woodwork to worry about how Egypt will deal with us. It will be different but the more we can allow that neck of the woods to take care of its own problems the better off we will be.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Military Backs Mubarak As Fury Grows : NPR
Military Backs Mubarak As Fury Grows : NPR
A significant development in Egyptian quest for democracy. I am not sure how the army perceives their move, whether for orderly transition or just order.
A significant development in Egyptian quest for democracy. I am not sure how the army perceives their move, whether for orderly transition or just order.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Mubarak refuses to resign - Africa, World - The Independent
Mubarak refuses to resign - Africa, World - The Independent
if you can tell what is going on please drop me a line. I waver between outright democracy and bringing in the army. at this point I think odds favor bringing in the army to quell the demonstrations. My take is that the party in power will make many gestures but will not relinquish power.
if you can tell what is going on please drop me a line. I waver between outright democracy and bringing in the army. at this point I think odds favor bringing in the army to quell the demonstrations. My take is that the party in power will make many gestures but will not relinquish power.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Demonstrations Stir Fear Among Egypt's Copts : NPR
Demonstrations Stir Fear Among Egypt's Copts : NPR
Autocracies have generally protected the welfare of the Christian communities but when the people at large are allowed to take power they use it to persecute the Christians. It presents a difficult dilemma. As lovers of democracy how are we to respond?
Autocracies have generally protected the welfare of the Christian communities but when the people at large are allowed to take power they use it to persecute the Christians. It presents a difficult dilemma. As lovers of democracy how are we to respond?
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
The Amazing Details Behind How Two Hedge Funders Tried To Hide Their Insider Trading
The Amazing Details Behind How Two Hedge Funders Tried To Hide Their Insider Trading
And the hedge fund managers can't understand why the people are so down on them? Go figure! If we don't get some prosecutions and prison out of the crash then something is wrong.
And the hedge fund managers can't understand why the people are so down on them? Go figure! If we don't get some prosecutions and prison out of the crash then something is wrong.
Keith Olbermann’s Current TV Job: More Control - The Daily Beast
Keith Olbermann’s Current TV Job: More Control - The Daily Beast
What to make of this? Reminds me of Huffington's sale to AOL. That means Huffington will fall off my favorites list. But, Olberman? The move may be good for Olberman but not so much for Gore. I'm not going to drop the hammer on that just yet.
What to make of this? Reminds me of Huffington's sale to AOL. That means Huffington will fall off my favorites list. But, Olberman? The move may be good for Olberman but not so much for Gore. I'm not going to drop the hammer on that just yet.
Obama says businesses must hire, invest to grow economy
Obama says businesses must hire, invest to grow economy
Businesses are hiring. They have added 1.4 million jobs since the crash. Overseas.
Businesses are hiring. They have added 1.4 million jobs since the crash. Overseas.
Friday, February 4, 2011
National Symphony Orchestra to perform here � Local News � Commonwealth Journal
I already have ticket confirmation to attend this event. If you have never seen a performance of this type it is an opportunity you do not want to pass up. We see precious few of such performances here.
National Symphony Orchestra to perform here � Local News � Commonwealth Journal
National Symphony Orchestra to perform here � Local News � Commonwealth Journal
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Mubarak Warns Of 'Chaos' If He Leaves Office Early : NPR
Mubarak Warns Of 'Chaos' If He Leaves Office Early : NPR
Mubarak is half right. Egypt has no democratic institutions that can simply change leaders. Mubarak must move to set up groups that can provide for governing until national elections can be held. Egypt's welfare does not depend on Mubarak, only on his doing the right thing.
Mubarak is half right. Egypt has no democratic institutions that can simply change leaders. Mubarak must move to set up groups that can provide for governing until national elections can be held. Egypt's welfare does not depend on Mubarak, only on his doing the right thing.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
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