Thursday, September 30, 2010

Community Announcement

Official News Release



For immediate release

September 30, 2010 (39)
Contact:

Peoria County Animal Protection 309-672-2440




Link to this news release: http://www.peoriacounty.org



Experience Joy by Adopting a Dog



Peoria - October is Adopt-a-Dog Month and Peoria County's Animal Protection Services (PCAPS) is encouraging animal lovers who are seeking a canine companion to visit the animal shelter this fall. PCAPS has lowered its adoption fees for dogs that are already spayed or neutered to just $25.00. And cat lovers can now adopt a spayed or neutered cat at the shelter for $10.00. The adoption fee includes a microchip, bag of pet food, and adoption packet.



PCAPS has dogs of every type, size, age, and personality waiting for loving homes. "Whether you want an exercise buddy, a best friend for your child, a partner in agility competitions, a constant companion for an aging parent, or simply a fuzzy face to greet you after a hard day at work, an adopted dog can be all of these - and more," explains Lauren Malmberg, Director of Animal Protection Services. "Adopt-a-Dog Month is the perfect time for people to adopt a shelter dog and experience the joy of finding a loving companion."



Visit PCAPS this October to discover what a shelter dog can bring to your life. The public is invited to visit the shelter at 2600 NE Perry Street in Peoria between noon - 5:00 p.m., Monday - Saturday. For more information, call the shelter at (309) 672-2440 or visit www.peoriacounty.org/pcaps to view animals waiting for new homes.





# # #



Peoria County Animal Protection Services, 2600 NE Perry Ave., Peoria, Illinois 61603

More on Phil Ryan

Might be time for a change in management at the YW. It has appeared to me that perhaps a majority of social workers believe the theory that Jesus said "Teach a man to fish.....but don't follow through on the teaching and assisting or guiding the jobless to find a job. As Ryan says and I've said frequently in my blogs on poverty that "A number of drunkards will die in the gutter; it is not the business of a free society to tax the sober to prevent them from doing so. The government doesn't give you anything that it doesn't take from someone else."

Having served 5-6 years on a local homeless committee back in the 1990's, I learned that those who WANT to live on the streets, doorways, sewers, etc., have that right that can't be taken away from them despite all the "do-gooders" money, therapy and efforts.

Ryan urges a radical change in focus; "Don't promote relief; foster jobs. Used to be a sincere job search would yield something. No more."

Schubach has been on the job a long time. Probably time for a change. Promote Ryan to her position. He is one of a minority doing social work that has it right.


Look for a follow-up on this blog. I have some investigative work to do.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

A Sleeping Nation? Maybe Not

When my term expires this December, I plan to spend more time supporting the Tea Party movememt.

Merle

Barack Obama has awakened a sleeping nation
Gary Hubbell
Aspen Times Weekly February 2010

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




Barack Obama is the best thing that has happened to America in the last 100 years. Truly, he is the savior of America 's future.

Despite the fact that he has some of the lowest approval ratings among recent presidents, history will see Barack Obama as the source of America 's resurrection. Barack Obama has plunged the country into levels of debt that we could not have previously imagined; his efforts to nationalize health care have been met with fierce resistance nationwide; TARP bailouts and stimulus spending have shown little positive effect on the national economy; unemployment is unacceptably high and looks to remain that way for most of a decade; legacy entitlement programs have ballooned to unsustainable levels, and there is a seething anger in the populace.

That's why Barack Obama is such a good thing for America . Here's why.

Obama is the symbol of a creeping liberalism that has infected our society like a cancer for the last 100 years. Just as Hitler is the face of fascism, Obama will go down in history as the face of unchecked liberalism. The cancer metastasized to the point where it could no longer be ignored.

Average Americans who have quietly gone about their lives, earning a paycheck, contributing to their favorite charities, going to high school football games on Friday night, spending their weekends at the beach or on hunting trips - they've gotten off the fence. They've woken up. There is a level of political activism in this country that we haven't seen since the American Revolution, and Barack Obama has been the catalyst that has sparked a restructuring of the American political and social consciousness.

Think of the crap we've slowly learned to tolerate over the past 50 years as liberalism sought to re-structure the America that was the symbol of freedom and liberty to all the people of the world. Immigration laws were ignored on the basis of compassion.. Welfare policies encouraged irresponsibility, the fracturing of families, and a cycle of generations of dependency. Debt was regarded as a tonic to lubricate the economy. Our children left school having been taught that they are exceptional and special, while great numbers of them cannot perform basic functions of mathematics and literacy. Legislators decided that people could not be trusted to defend their own homes, and stripped citizens of their rights to own firearms. Productive members of society have been penalized with a heavy burden of taxes in order to support legions of do-nothings who loll around, reveling in their addictions, obesity, indolence, ignorance and "disabilities." Criminals have been arrested and re-arrested, coddled and set free to pillage the citizenry yet again. Lawyers routinely extort fortunes from doctors, contractors and business people with dubious torts.

We slowly learned to tolerate these outrages, shaking our heads in disbelief, and we went on with our lives.

But Barack Obama has ripped the lid off a seething cauldron of dissatisfaction and unrest.

A former Communist is given a paid government position in the White House as an advisor to the president. Auto companies are taken over by the government, and the auto workers' union - whose contracts are completely insupportable in any economic sense - is rewarded with a stake in the company. Government bails out Wall Street investment bankers and insurance companies, who pay their executives outrageous bonuses as thanks for the public support. Terrorists are read their Miranda rights and given free lawyers. And, despite overwhelming public disapproval, Barack Obama has pushed forward with a health care plan that would re-structure one-sixth of the American economy.

Literally millions of Americans have had enough. They're organizing, they're studying the Constitution and the Federalist Papers, they're reading history and case law, they're showing up at rallies and meetings, and a slew of conservative candidates are throwing their hats into the ring. Is there a revolution brewing? Yes, in the sense that there is a keen awareness that our priorities and sensibilities must be radically re-structured. Will it be a violent revolution? No. It will be done through the interpretation of the original document that has guided us for 220 "FANTASTIC" years--- the Constitution. Just as the pendulum swung to embrace political correctness and liberalism, there will be a backlash, a complete repudiation of a hundred years of nonsense. A hundred years from now, history will perceive the year 2010 as the time when America got back on the right track. And for that, we can thank Barack Hussein Obama.

Gary Hubbell is a hunter, rancher, and former hunting and fly-fishing guide. Gary works as a Colorado ranch real estate broker. He can be reached through his website, aspenranchrealestate.com

IF YOU AGREE, SHARE THIS . IF YOU DON'T, DO NOTHING AND KEEP YOUR HEAD IN THE SAND.

Sue




------ End

Monday, September 27, 2010

Petition Efforts by Harding and Sandberg

Leaders of this "drive", Brad Harding and Gary Sandberg, reported 1650+ petition signatures in total. My supporters, 15 in all and myself, collected 1080 of these signatures leaving all other involved in this campaign securing a grand total of 600+ signatures.

Wow, some effort, Gary and Brad!

If you recall City Councilman Sandberg said "every where he goes, he is besieged by people irritated" by the boondoogle $147+ million dollar Peoria Riverfront Museum Project.

Yes, I have no doubt that the 15,000 "no" voters on the public facility tax referendum this spring are even more disturbed that the PRM group spent $640,000 for an education program promising an IMAX theater before and after the referendum. Yet, they never had a contract with IMAX and the possibility of a contract at this late date, is greatly in doubt. A group went at taxpayer expense to visit an out of state "big screen" comparable?? what say, IMAX is a brand name draw, not a possible no-brand name XAMI or something.

Taxpayer should be concerned that the museum itself which includes the underground parking deck was started BEFORE the money was raised which is a contradiction of what an unconcerned Peoria County Board was told nothing would start before ALL the money was raised.

The PRM group and Peoria County have already spent approximately $14 million on design, consultants, out of town attorneys, trips, hotels and dinners, etc. and now more will be spent to configure the building to accommodate something other than the long promised IMAX.

Major reasons for the low number of signatures, bad timing, too short of time to reach 15,000 unknown voters who voted "no" on the referendum, no leadership from the two most vocal "leaders", Harding and Sandberg plus their apparent lack of effort, no money to advertise and a fear of Caterpillar and the unions. Plus a general apathy that the powers that run Peoria were going to go full steam ahead under ANY circumstance.

And evidently a lack of effort other than myself and 15 supporters, of which Steve Pauli and myself secured the most of our 1080 signatures.

My thanks to all who did sign these petitions and the hard work of the petition circulators, especially my group.

In the meantime Dave Ransburg has vowed to raise at least $10 million. Or more. Isn't that the same promise we've heard before? The endowment will be funded partially by collected pledges as Peoria County rolls over $6+ million to the museum from the facility tax.

It's called "creative bookkeeping". The private sector won't fund the needed $11+ million endowment so in a round-about-creative way, the PRM funds it with facility tax money. They all say, not so, we will now be able to fund the endowment with "private donations!

Hmmmmm.

Interesting, but why would the moneyed set give more to the fund raising when they are ALREADY funding the museum building with 72% taxpayer dollars??

Good question, right???

Sandberg and Harding, the two "leaders" of this "drive" turned in there signed petitions, approximately 300 total at 3:20 PM today, about an hour before the deadline of submission. The Book Nook on University collected approximately 200 signatures. The best source in Peoria, in my opinion, for used books, buy, trade of sell.

My barber friends. Junction Barbers collected over 40 signatures and my friend, Joe Shyrock collected 60.

A lesson to be learned. Never brag about how you are going to cure a situation such as the switch by Peoria County to tax-payer-on-the hook General Obligation Bonds from private investors General Revenue bonds, IMAX to a big screen, a highly inadequate endowment (endowments are almost always funded by a philanthropist) until you have your "ducks" in line, leadership established and a willingness to put in countless hours.

This was not my "dog" but I accepted the challenge. My dog remains, show me the money and that this project will make Peoria a destination despite a new $27 million African Zoo, a new ball park, an expanded Civic Center, etc., all partially taxpayer funded, yet contributing LITTLE OR NO GROWTH IN PEORIA COUNTY IN THE PAST 10 YEARS.

Phil Ryan - Letter to the JSEB

Jack,

What a great letter to the editors of the Journal Star.

We need thousands more who think like you do.

Thanks for telling us what we should already know, but evidently don't know.

Merle

> 10 Tough Lessons of Recession -
>
> Posted Sep 24, 2010 @ 11:14 PM
> Last update Sep 26, 2010 @ 07:18 PM
>
> Hard times teach hard lessons. I've had a front-row seat for the great
> economic downturn as a homeless shelter director. Here are 10 things I've
> learned in the last two years:
>
> 1) The web of entitlement programs enacted since 1935 has shielded the
> least
> productive elements of society from the worst effects of the recession, at
> the expense of society's more productive members. This is not a
> prescription
> for job creation. With rare exceptions, individuals who don't add value to
> the economy over a lifetime should not draw value from it. This isn't
> ethics. It's arithmetic.
>
> 2) What passes for a level of poverty that merits public relief in the
> United States is a vastly higher standard of living than in most of the
> world. A third of those who moved into YWCA shelter programs last year
> owned
> automobiles. Half brought TV sets. Nearly all had cell phones. It's
> possible
> they have exercised their economic free will imprudently in purchasing
> non-essentials instead of housing. Perhaps they should be expected to live
> with the consequences of their choices.
>
> 3) In a modern, market-based, democratic republic it should not be the
> task
> of government or private charity to shield individuals from the worst
> consequences of their behavior. A number of drunkards will die in the
> gutter; it's not the business of a free society to tax the sober to
> prevent
> them from doing so.
>
> 4) When taxation becomes confiscatory and threatens to go higher - the
> impending expiration of the Bush tax cuts - and regulation becomes ever
> more
> tangled and complex, employers do not add to their payrolls.
>
> 5) Economic and political debate in the U.S. has shifted so far to the
> left
> that the most conservative, electable candidates are not much farther to
> the
> right than Ronald Reagan, who only managed to slow the growth of the
> welfare
> state, not stop or reduce it.
>
> 6) Major government spending programs never go away. They create their own
> constituencies and vested interests. In the 75 years since the Social
> Security Act became law, entitlement programs have grown to 64.3 percent
> of
> all federal spending.
>
> 7) The Keynesian concept of stimulating economic growth through borrowing
> does not work at the poorest levels of society. I have yet to see anyone
> get
> a real return on a title or payday loan. Why would the dynamic be
> different
> with state and federal spending?
>
> 8) Minimum-wage laws are wrongheaded and price less-skilled labor out of
> the
> market. Unemployment among our participants rose markedly when the minimum
> wage went up in July.
>
> 9) Interest rates held too low over too long a time discourage savings and
> encourage reckless borrowing.
>
> 10) "Value for value" drives everything my agency does. We are not a
> charity
> but investors of public/private funds in human capital, accountable to
> taxpayers and United Way contributors for realizing a quantifiable return
> on
> their investment in real economic productivity. Hold us to it.
>
> Phil Ryan
>
> Emergency Shelter Director, YWCA
>
> Peoria
>
>
>
>
>>
>
>

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Why Obama May be Re-Elected

I blogged recently about "Why Obama is Still the Favorite in 2012", an article written by Michael Medved, author of "The 5 Big Lies About American Business" and host of a syndicated talk radio show. George Bernard Shaw correctly summed up part of the "why" when he said "A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul."

The other major reason is that Hispanics (and most other ethnic minority voters), who have higher birth rates, hold the balance of power--and Republicans aren't, so far, winning their support in large enough numbers. Obama may be successful in passing laws changing laws to convert illegals, who also have a higher birth rate, into American citizens before November, 2012. Many have forgotten that Obama enjoys huge popularity among people of color; huge support among blacks and a 2to 1 edge with the Latinos. However, polls indicate that 35% of Latinos do not as yet have a preference in the 2010 election. Progress by Republicans in persuading Obama supporters to become "I voted for him once, but never again" people and Tea Party people will have a huge impact on the 2012 election.

And then there is the "Paul" factor. The more people who "owe their living to the government man", the more votes Obama and the Democrat incumbents will collect.

Payback time. Unions bosses, probably without exception, will urge their members to not support ANY Republican. Especially in the growing, job secure, federal, state and local bureaucracies.

A factor in the Republicans favor will be the effectiveness of the Tea Party in getting out the vote to oust the embedded (in more ways that one) semi-corrupt or corrupt incumbents.

So much depends on the Republicans breaking from the the "good old boys and girls club" established patterns, and standing "real" people for office. To date, I do not believe Palin, Jindahl, Gingrich, Huckabee, Romney or any of the most commonly mentioned big name can win in 2012. Not that all of them would be an improvement over the incumbent. They would. So much depends on the elections of 2010 and the performance of the new politicians elected in the period between 2010-2012.

And of course, Obama's actions and the economy which includes, of course, the job market.

America - Governed by a Ghost

So writes Dinesh D'Souza, a native of Mumbai, India and now president of the King's College in NYC. His article, "Obama's Problem With Business", appears in the September, 27 issue of Forbes magazine. D'Souza is also the author of the forthcoming book, "Roots of Obama's Rage".

D'Souza writes, "Barack Obama is the most antibusiness president in a generation, perhaps in America's history. Thanks to him the era of big government is back. Obama runs the taxpayer debt not in billions but in trillions. He has expanded government control over home mortgages, investment banking, health care, auto and energy. The Weekly Standard summarizes Obama's approach as omnipotence at home, impotence abroad.

Obama's solutions to 'level the playing fields' are simple. Reject the socialist formula. He has shown no intention of to nationalize the investment bank or the health sector. Rather, he seeks to decolonize these institutions and this means bringing them under government's leash. Colonialism is a dead issue, except with Barack Obama. Emerging markets realize this and are growing much faster than we are. That's why Obama retains the right to refuse bailouts paybacks--so that he can retain his control. For Obama, health insurance companies on their own are oppressive racketeers, but once they submitted to federal oversight he was happy to do business with them. He even promised them expanded business as a result of his law forcing every American to buy health insurance"

The presidents actions are so bizarre that they mystify critics and supporters alike. His rationale 'our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakable' in supporting the mosque near Ground Zero seems utterly irrelevant.

His domestic policies are inadequate and his foreign policy unexplainable. His statements about what the Iranian psycho ranted, sounded like, gee, you shouldn't say those things and you'd better take them back.

Like a scrawny bully and a big kid arguing in grammar school with the big kid backing down.

My formative years were spent on the farm. In contrast, Obama's formative years were spent in Hawaii,Indonesia and Pakistan with a great deal of time spent listening to his Marxist, inebriated, African socialist father rage against the colonial system, a system that Obama,Jr. candidly believes and that he is now living out his father's dream.

Obama has studied his fathers history well, but yet he never mentions his fathers 1965 important published article "Problems facing our Socialism". In fact there has been virtually no reporting on this document so relevant as to what his son is doing in the White House today.

D"Souza continues, "Note the title of our president's book, "Dreams From My Father" and not "Dreams of My Father"'. The invisible father provides the inspiration, and the son dutifully gets the job done. America is today governed by a ghost."

Read the article. It is very analytic and states why so many of us are worried.

More Obamaisms and Religous Strife

Take time to read an article in the October issue of the Smithsonian magazine, titled "God and Country" by Kenneth C. Davis. The article quotes Obama lending his support to the now world famous New York "mosque", Obama said, "This is America. And our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakable. The principle that people of all faiths are welcome and that they will not be treated differently."

Really? It is so? Perhaps Obama and his speech writers should have had a brush-up on religious tolerance history in America. Quoting from Davis's article, "From the earliest arrival of Europeans on America's shores, religion has often been a cudgel, used to discriminate, suppress, and even kill the foreign, the 'heretic' and the 'non-believer'-including the heathen natives already here. Moreover, while it is true that the vast majority of the early-generation Americans were Christian, the pitched battles between various Protestant sects and, more explosively, between Protestants and Catholics, present an unavoidable contradiction to the widely held notion that America is a Christian nation."

Davis continues, "The much ballyhooed arrival of the Pilgrims and Puritans in New England in the early 1600's was indeed a response to persecution that these religious dissenters had experienced in England. But the Puritan fathers of Massachusetts did not countenance tolerance of opposing religious views. Their 'city on a hill' was a theocracy that brooked no dissent, religious or political."

Better read more history, Mr. President, religious strife, including the forced removal of the heathen natives, has been a major fact and a controversial topic in America and the world millenniums before I learned to read and comprehend. Even Presidential nominee, Catholic Jack Kennedy had to announce that his loyalty was to America, rather than the Pope, before he was elected.

I am not going to enter into a debate about loyalty and tolerance; where I stand has been made obvious in my writings. Here in America, worship as you please, just don't try to force (you can tell about your religious beliefs if we wish to listen) your religious beliefs; there are a reputed 10,000 different religious groups in this country, on me or others. I show respect to most all religions and to every religion that demonstrates loyalty to the United States of America.

My family and close relatives consider ourselves Christians and number among our friends Jews, Arabs, etc., and people (or their ancestors) who came from distant shores.

Anyway, read the article. It is a refresher course that Obama should have read before he reiterated hanging out the welcome mat.

On Ground Zero, I have capsulized all the information to date and stand by my original blog. Muslims who support this mosque, please show more common sense and respect for others feelings. You have thousands of mosques in this country. Why did you plan one that you had to know would become so controversial about it's location?

In Peoria, Muslims are even opening a school. I hope this school welcomes all religious beliefs to visit and that your school turns out well rounded Americans who support the Constitution (with it's Amendments and the right to legally add more) and the Bill of Rights.

Sharia law is not welcome here nor are Muslim national holidays. Neither is the closing of public schools or governments or blocking streets to pray. Although it appears anything is possible if we elect the wrong people.

We all have the right of legal and orderly dissent although it is not always welcomed.

Also, to Hispanic newcomers and all others, English is our national language so learn it quickly and tell your kids what my German and Swiss descent parents told us kids; you live in America now, speak the language and obey the laws of this land.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Old News? Why does it Still Surface?

Forwarded to me by a whole bunch of people at different times. If its not true, why would Obama and his ilk be concerned?

They appear to be. Or is this man and his ilk like that dangerous squirell from Iran, all smoke, mirrors and lies?

My research started in 2007. My opinion of this man has not changed. He may appear to be eating a little "humble pie" right now but don't kid yourself. His goal is the same.

Merle

> WELL, HERE IT IS....
>
> Lolo Soetoro, Stanley Ann Dunham Soetoro, baby Maya Soetoro, and 9 year
> old Barry Soetoro.
>
>
>
> This registration document, made available on Jan. 24, 2007, by the
> Fransiskus Assisi school in
>
>
>
> Jakarta, Indonesia, shows the registration of Barack Obama under the name
> Barry Soetoro made by his step-father, Lolo Soetoro.
>
> Name: Barry Soetoro
> Religion: Islam
> Nationality: Indonesian
>
>
>
>
> How did this little INDONESIAN Muslim child - Barry Soetoro, (A.K.A.
> Barack Obama) get around the issue of nationality to become President of
> the United States of America ?
>
> PART 2:
>
> In a move certain to fuel the debate over Obama's qualifications for the
> presidency, the group "Americans for Freedom of Information" has released
> copies of President Obama's college transcripts from Occidental
> College ..
>
> The transcript indicates that Obama, under the name Barry Soetoro,
> received financial aid as a
>
>
>
> foreign student from Indonesia while an undergraduate at the school.
> The transcript was released
>
>
>
> by Occidental College in compliance with a court order in a suit
> brought by the group in the
>
>
>
>
> Superior Court of California . The transcript shows that Obama (Soetoro)
> applied for financial aid and was awarded a fellowship for foreign
> students from the Fulbright Foundation Scholarship program.
>
>
>
>
> To qualify for this scholarship, a student must claim foreign citizenship.
>
> This document provides the smoking gun that many of Obama's detractors
> have been seeking -
> that he is NOT a natural-born citizen of the United States - necessary
> to be President of these
>
>
>
>
> United States . Along with the evidence that he was first born in Kenya
> , here we see that there is
>
>
>
> no record of him ever applying for US citizenship..
>
> Gary Kreep of the United States Justice Foundation has released the
> results of their investigation of Obama's campaign spending. This study
> estimates that Obama has spent upwards of $950,000 in campaign funds in
> the past year with eleven law firms in 12 states for legal resources to
> block
>
>
>
> disclosure of any of his personal records.
>
> Mr. Kreep indicated that the investigation is still on-going but that the
> final report will be provided
>
>
>
> to the U.S. attorney general, Eric Holder.
>
> Mr. Holder has refused comment on this matter.
>
> LET OTHER FOLKS KNOW THIS NEWS - THE MEDIA WON'T!
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Tire Collection Saturday

Official News Release



For immediate release

September 23, 2010 (32)
Contact:

Peoria County Administration 309-672-6056




Link to this news release: http://www.peoriacounty.org



Peoria County to Hold Tire Collections


Mapleton - Mapleton is hosting Peoria County's first of four fall tire collections this Saturday:



September 25, 2010

9:00am - Noon

Hollis Township Building

6430 W. Wheeler Rd, Mapleton


Residents living in the 61547 zip code are encouraged to recycle used or discarded tires found on roadways, in alleys, or in vacant lots by bringing them to the township building on Saturday. Participating residents must show proof of residency by presenting either a driver's license or a current utility bill. Peoria County has partnered with Peoria Disposal Company, Hollis Township, and the Village of Mapleton to ensure a successful tire collection event this weekend.



Local tire collection events are a great way for residents to clean up their neighborhoods by removing unwanted debris. Up to 5 tires will be accepted from each resident; a maximum number of 600 tires will be accepted at this event. Only car and light truck tires are acceptable; tractor, off-road, heavy equipment and semi-truck tires will not be accepted. Tires can either be on or off the rim. After collection, tires will be transported to a processing facility for recycling.

Peoria County will also host three additional community tire collections this year; all events are 9:00 a.m. - noon. Residents eligible to participate in the following events will be notified via postcard:



October 2: Residents of 61607 November 6: Residents of West Peoria

Bartonville Public Works Building West Peoria City Hall

1607 W Garfield Ave, Bartonville 2506 W Rohmann Blvd, West Peoria



October 16: Residents of 61616

Peoria Heights Village Hall

4901 N Prospect, Peoria Heights



Peoria County's Recycling and Resource Conservation Department has collected over 5900 tires at its 15 events since the program's implementation five years ago. For more information on the tire collections, call (309) 681-2550.



###



Peoria County Courthouse, 324 Main Street, Room 502, Peoria, Illinois 61602

Citizens for Responsible Spending Petitions

These notarized petitions are due today or tomorrow at the latest according to Karrie Alms. Brad Harding and Gary Sandberg, the leaders of this petition drive have been strangely silent in my request for information over the past 10 days or so. Sandberg was to supply 'blockthebonds' T shirts. Maybe my size were all gone.

I have 800 signatures and I know at least two locations gathered a fair number of signatures, still a long way from 10,000+.

The url site blockthebonds.com today says 3 more days for petitions to be turned in to the County Clerk, but first, these petitions need to be counted, pages numbered and bound before handing them over to the County Clerk before the office closes Monday. Not all petition gatherers know the location of the url site. Some were surprised that petitions were due now.

pjstar.com Unscientific Survey

The question posed to viewers asked: Are you interested in hearing what Newt Gingrich has to say when he visits the Peoria Area? 60% of the 238 polled said "not interested".

I suggest these 60% Democrats could learn quite a bit from one of the most knowledgeable people alive in the United States of America.

The Democrats in government nationally outnumber the Republicans by a considerable margin. Look at the mess, with help from some Republicans; a mess we are not only in but growing worse even though the economy is showing a slight gain.

Count me as one who would have voted yes, if asked, but I do not plan to hear him as I've already read his books, his articles and his testimonies.

Obamaism's - Yes, This Statement is True

The Associated Press reported Obama as making the following statement about his health care law: "We just got (great use of the English language, 'just got') to give people some basic peace of mind, sometimes I fault myself for not being able to make the case more clearly to the country."

Add to the other descriptive phrases added to his to his present and past, the term 'jokester'. No, Barack, the country has known that "your case" is one of the more destructive cases of your career.

Chris Dodd - Can This Statement be True?

Forwarded to me by a friend. Knowing Dodd's history I could believe this.

Merle


" This is sheer genius"
In a bid to stem taxpayer losses for bad loans guaranteed by federal
housing agencies Fanny Mae and Freddy Mac, Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn)
proposed that borrowers be required to make a 5% down payment in order
to qualify. His proposal was rejected 57-42 on a party-line vote
because, as Senator Chris Dodd (D-Conn) explained, "passage of such a
requirement would restrict home ownership to only those who can afford it."

I can't add anything to this.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

DREAM Act - Another Nightmare for America Courtesy of the Democrats

This nightmare has been defeated 56-43. Thankfully there are Democrats breaking away from Obama and not just it because elections are coming up.

Hopefully it is dead.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Obama's Hypocrisy

Not just Ben Stein but several million other people have determined that the man is a charismatic charlatan.

Merle

“Fathom the odd hypocrisy that Obama wants every citizen to prove they are insured, but people don't have to prove they are citizens . "

~ Ben Stein

The Shock Report - Obamascare Health Plan Details

When you are half way through this report on Obamascare Health Plan, you should be feeling worse than you feel now if you are a moderate conservative citizen.

Merle

THE SCHOCK REPORT
Dear Friend:

I recently completed a bus tour of the entire district, visiting with local employers and holding 12 town hall meetings. One of the most frequent questions I received was how the new health care legislation would change our health care system.

Below is a list of new boards, programs and commissions created in the bill and each one will require your tax dollar to support:

1. Grant program for consumer assistance offices (Section 1002, p. 37)
2. Grant program for states to monitor premium increases (Section 1003, p. 42)
3. Committee to review administrative simplification standards (Section 1104, p. 71)
4. Demonstration program for state wellness programs (Section 1201, p. 93)
5. Grant program to establish state Exchanges (Section 1311(a), p. 130)
6. State American Health Benefit Exchanges (Section 1311(b), p. 131)
7. Exchange grants to establish consumer navigator programs (Section 1311(i), p. 150)
8. Grant program for state cooperatives (Section 1322, p. 169)
9. Advisory board for state cooperatives (Section 1322(b)(3), p. 173)
10. Private purchasing council for state cooperatives (Section 1322(d), p. 177)
11. State basic health plan programs (Section 1331, p. 201)
12. State-based reinsurance program (Section 1341, p. 226)
13. Program of risk corridors for individual and small group markets (Section 1342, p. 233)
14. Program to determine eligibility for Exchange participation (Section 1411, p. 267)
15. Program for advance determination of tax credit eligibility (Section 1412, p. 288)
16. Grant program to implement health IT enrollment standards (Section 1561, p. 370)
17. Federal Coordinated Health Care Office for dual eligible beneficiaries (Section 2602, p. 512)
18. Medicaid quality measurement program (Section 2701, p. 518)
19. Medicaid health home program for people with chronic conditions, and grants for planning same (Section 2703, p. 524)
20. Medicaid demonstration project to evaluate bundled payments (Section 2704, p. 532)
21. Medicaid demonstration project for global payment system (Section 2705, p. 536)
22. Medicaid demonstration project for accountable care organizations (Section 2706, p. 538)
23. Medicaid demonstration project for emergency psychiatric care (Section 2707, p. 540)
24. Grant program for delivery of services to individuals with postpartum depression (Section 2952(b), p. 591)
25. State allotments for grants to promote personal responsibility education programs (Section 2953, p. 596)
26. Medicare value-based purchasing program (Section 3001(a), p. 613)
27. Medicare value-based purchasing demonstration program for critical access hospitals (Section 3001(b), p. 637)
28. Medicare value-based purchasing program for skilled nursing facilities (Section 3006(a), p. 666)
29. Medicare value-based purchasing program for home health agencies (Section 3006(b), p. 668)
30. Interagency Working Group on Health Care Quality (Section 3012, p. 688)
31. Grant program to develop health care quality measures (Section 3013, p. 693)
32. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (Section 3021, p. 712)
33. Medicare shared savings program (Section 3022, p. 728)
34. Medicare pilot program on payment bundling (Section 3023, p. 739)
35. Independence at home medical practice demonstration program (Section 3024, p. 752)
36. Program for use of patient safety organizations to reduce hospital readmission rates (Section 3025(b), p. 775)
37. Community-based care transitions program (Section 3026, p. 776)
38. Demonstration project for payment of complex diagnostic laboratory tests (Section 3113, p. 800)
39. Medicare hospice concurrent care demonstration project (Section 3140, p. 850)
40. Independent Payment Advisory Board (Section 3403, p. 982)
41. Consumer Advisory Council for Independent Payment Advisory Board (Section 3403, p. 1027)
42. Grant program for technical assistance to providers implementing health quality practices (Section 3501, p. 1043)
43. Grant program to establish interdisciplinary health teams (Section 3502, p. 1048)
44. Grant program to implement medication therapy management (Section 3503, p. 1055)
45. Grant program to support emergency care pilot programs (Section 3504, p. 1061)
46. Grant program to promote universal access to trauma services (Section 3505(b), p. 1081)
47. Grant program to develop and promote shared decision-making aids (Section 3506, p. 1088)
48. Grant program to support implementation of shared decision-making (Section 3506, p. 1091)
49. Grant program to integrate quality improvement in clinical education (Section 3508, p. 1095)
50. Health and Human Services Coordinating Committee on Women's Health (Section 3509(a), p. 1098)
51. Centers for Disease Control Office of Women's Health (Section 3509(b), p. 1102)
52. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Office of Women's Health (Section 3509(e), p. 1105)
53. Health Resources and Services Administration Office of Women's Health (Section 3509(f), p. 1106)
54. Food and Drug Administration Office of Women's Health (Section 3509(g), p. 1109)
55. National Prevention, Health Promotion, and Public Health Council (Section 4001, p. 1114)
56. Advisory Group on Prevention, Health Promotion, and Integrative and Public Health (Section 4001(f), p. 1117)
57. Prevention and Public Health Fund (Section 4002, p. 1121)
58. Community Preventive Services Task Force (Section 4003(b), p. 1126)
59. Grant program to support school-based health centers (Section 4101, p. 1135)
60. Grant program to promote research-based dental caries disease management (Section 4102, p. 1147)
61. Grant program for States to prevent chronic disease in Medicaid beneficiaries (Section 4108, p. 1174)
62. Community transformation grants (Section 4201, p. 1182)
63. Grant program to provide public health interventions (Section 4202, p. 1188)
64. Demonstration program of grants to improve child immunization rates (Section 4204(b), p. 1200)
65. Pilot program for risk-factor assessments provided through community health centers (Section 4206, p. 1215)
66. Grant program to increase epidemiology and laboratory capacity (Section 4304, p. 1233)
67. Interagency Pain Research Coordinating Committee (Section 4305, p. 1238)
68. National Health Care Workforce Commission (Section 5101, p. 1256)
69. Grant program to plan health care workforce development activities (Section 5102(c), p. 1275)
70. Grant program to implement health care workforce development activities (Section 5102(d), p. 1279)
71. Pediatric specialty loan repayment program (Section 5203, p. 1295)
72. Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program (Section 5204, p. 1300)
73. Allied Health Loan Forgiveness Program (Section 5205, p. 1305)
74. Grant program to provide mid-career training for health professionals (Section 5206, p. 1307)
75. Grant program to fund nurse-managed health clinics (Section 5208, p. 1310)
76. Grant program to support primary care training programs (Section 5301, p. 1315)
77. Grant program to fund training for direct care workers (Section 5302, p. 1322)
78. Grant program to develop dental training programs (Section 5303, p. 1325)
79. Demonstration program to increase access to dental health care in underserved communities (Section 5304, p. 1331)
80. Grant program to promote geriatric education centers (Section 5305, p. 1334)
81. Grant program to promote health professionals entering geriatrics (Section 5305, p. 1339)
82. Grant program to promote training in mental and behavioral health (Section 5306, p. 1344)
83. Grant program to promote nurse retention programs (Section 5309, p. 1354)
84. Student loan forgiveness for nursing school faculty (Section 5311(b), p. 1360)
85. Grant program to promote positive health behaviors and outcomes (Section 5313, p. 1364)
86. Public Health Sciences Track for medical students (Section 5315, p. 1372)
87. Primary Care Extension Program to educate providers (Section 5405, p. 1404)
88. Grant program for demonstration projects to address health workforce shortage needs (Section 5507, p. 1442)
89. Grant program for demonstration projects to develop training programs for home health aides (Section 5507, p. 1447)
90. Grant program to establish new primary care residency programs (Section 5508(a), p. 1458)
91. Program of payments to teaching health centers that sponsor medical residency training (Section 5508(c), p. 1462)
92. Graduate nurse education demonstration program (Section 5509, p. 1472)
93. Grant program to establish demonstration projects for community-based mental health settings (Section 5604, p. 1486)
94. Commission on Key National Indicators (Section 5605, p. 1489)
95. Quality assurance and performance improvement program for skilled nursing facilities (Section 6102, p. 1554)
96. Special focus facility program for skilled nursing facilities (Section 6103(a)(3), p. 1561)
97. Special focus facility program for nursing facilities (Section 6103(b)(3), p. 1568)
98. National independent monitor pilot program for skilled nursing facilities and nursing facilities (Section 6112, p. 1589)
99. Demonstration projects for nursing facilities involved in the culture change movement (Section 6114, p. 1597)
100. Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (Section 6301, p. 1619)
101. Standing methodology committee for Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (Section 6301, p. 1629)
102. Board of Governors for Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (Section 6301, p. 1638)
103. Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Trust Fund (Section 6301(e), p. 1656)
104. Elder Justice Coordinating Council (Section 6703, p. 1773)
105. Advisory Board on Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation (Section 6703, p. 1776)
106. Grant program to create elder abuse forensic centers (Section 6703, p. 1783)
107. Grant program to promote continuing education for long-term care staffers (Section 6703, p. 1787)
108. Grant program to improve management practices and training (Section 6703, p. 1788)
109. Grant program to subsidize costs of electronic health records (Section 6703, p. 1791)
110. Grant program to promote adult protective services (Section 6703, p. 1796)
111. Grant program to conduct elder abuse detection and prevention (Section 6703, p. 1798)
112. Grant program to support long-term care ombudsmen (Section 6703, p. 1800)
113. National Training Institute for long-term care surveyors (Section 6703, p. 1806)
114. Grant program to fund State surveys of long-term care residences (Section 6703, p. 1809)
115. CLASS Independence Fund (Section 8002, p. 1926)
116. CLASS Independence Fund Board of Trustees (Section 8002, p. 1927)
117. CLASS Independence Advisory Council (Section 8002, p. 1931)
118. Personal Care Attendants Workforce Advisory Panel (Section 8002(c), p. 1938)
119. Multi-state health plans offered by Office of Personnel Management (Section 10104(p), p. 2086)
120. Advisory board for multi-state health plans (Section 10104(p), p. 2094)
121. Pregnancy Assistance Fund (Section 10212, p. 2164)
122. Value-based purchasing program for ambulatory surgical centers (Section 10301, p. 2176)
123. Demonstration project for payment adjustments to home health services (Section 10315, p. 2200)
124. Pilot program for care of individuals in environmental emergency declaration areas (Section 10323, p. 2223)
125. Grant program to screen at-risk individuals for environmental health conditions (Section 10323(b), p. 2231)
126. Pilot programs to implement value-based purchasing (Section 10326, p. 2242)
127. Grant program to support community-based collaborative care networks (Section 10333, p. 2265)
128. Centers for Disease Control Office of Minority Health (Section 10334, p. 2272)
129. Health Resources and Services Administration Office of Minority Health (Section 10334, p. 2272)
130. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Office of Minority Health (Section 10334, p. 2272)
131. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Office of Minority Health (Section 10334, p. 2272)
132. Food and Drug Administration Office of Minority Health (Section 10334, p. 2272)
133. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health (Section 10334, p. 2272)
134. Grant program to promote small business wellness programs (Section 10408, p. 2285)
135. Cures Acceleration Network (Section 10409, p. 2289)
136. Cures Acceleration Network Review Board (Section 10409, p. 2291)
137. Grant program for Cures Acceleration Network (Section 10409, p. 2297)
138. Grant program to promote centers of excellence for depression (Section 10410, p. 2304)
139. Advisory committee for young women's breast health awareness education campaign (Section 10413, p. 2322)
140. Grant program to provide assistance to provide information to young women with breast cancer (Section 10413, p. 2326)
141. Interagency Access to Health Care in Alaska Task Force (Section 10501, p. 2329)
142. Grant program to train nurse practitioners as primary care providers (Section 10501(e), p. 2332)
143. Grant program for community-based diabetes prevention (Section 10501(g), p. 2337)
144. Grant program for providers who treat a high percentage of medically underserved populations (Section 10501(k), p. 2343)
145. Grant program to recruit students to practice in underserved communities (Section 10501(l), p. 2344)
146. Community Health Center Fund (Section 10503, p. 2355)
147. Demonstration project to provide access to health care for the uninsured at reduced fees (Section 10504, p. 2357)
148. Demonstration program to explore alternatives to tort litigation (Section 10607, p. 2369)
149. Indian Health demonstration program for chronic shortages of health professionals (S. 1790, Section 112, p. 24)*
150. Office of Indian Men's Health (S. 1790, Section 136, p. 71)*
151. Indian Country modular component facilities demonstration program (S. 1790, Section 146, p. 108)*
152. Indian mobile health stations demonstration program (S. 1790, Section 147, p. 111)*
153. Office of Direct Service Tribes (S. 1790, Section 172, p. 151)*
154. Indian Health Service mental health technician training program (S. 1790, Section 181, p. 173)*
155. Indian Health Service program for treatment of child sexual abuse victims (S. 1790, Section 181, p. 192)*
156. Indian Health Service program for treatment of domestic violence and sexual abuse (S. 1790, Section 181, p. 194)*
157. Indian youth telemental health demonstration project (S. 1790, Section 181, p. 204)*
158. Indian youth life skills demonstration project (S. 1790, Section 181, p. 220)*
159. Indian Health Service Director of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Treatment (S. 1790, Section 199B, p. 258)*

*Section 10221, page 2173 of H.R. 3590 deems that S. 1790 shall be deemed as passed with certain amendments.


HOW CAN I HELP | ABOUT AARON | THE 18TH DISTRICT | ISSUES | MEDIA RESOURCES | CONTACT

DREAM Act - Another Nightmare for America Courtesy of the Democrats

DREAM Act a Nightmare for America
by Virgil Goode

09/21/2010



Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D.-Nev.) announced last week he would tack on the DREAM Act on to a defense appropriations bill. A cloture vote on the act is expected this afternoon.

The DREAM Act grants amnesty to illegal aliens who claim they came to this country before the age of 16 and also claim they will join the military or enroll in college.

Even to the vast majority of Americans who oppose a blanket amnesty, the DREAM Act might appear reasonable at first glance. It is hard to blame illegal aliens who were brought to this country as children for their current status. With additional requirements such as higher education, it seemingly only applies to a few of the best and brightest.



However, the DREAM Act is much more expansive than its supporters make it out to be, is filled with loopholes, and has a directly negative effect on young American citizens.

Harry Reid said that the DREAM Act will “ensure that millions of children who grow up as Americans will be able to get the education they need to contribute to our economy.” DREAM Act advocates often claim the number of eligible illegal aliens would be a small fraction of this. Sen. Richard Durbin (D.-Ill.) claimed that only 38% of those eligible would get amnesty.

In July, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R.-Iowa) discovered a memo from Denise Vanison, Obama’s chief of policy and strategy for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, entitled “Administrative Alternatives to Comprehensive Immigration Reform.”

The memo discussed various ways the White House could enact an amnesty by Executive Order through “deferred action.” Vanison writes, “Rather than making deferred action widely available to hundreds of thousands and as a non-legislative version of ‘amnesty,’ USCIS could tailor the use of this discretionary option for particular groups such as individuals who would be eligible for relief under the DREAM Act (an estimated 50,000).”

So how many people will get the DREAM Act? 50,000 children? Millions of children? Actually, it will be available to millions of adults.

Approximately 50,000 to 70,000 illegal immigrants graduate from high school each year, and not all of them have been here for five years or would attend college. If the DREAM Act were limited to its supposed intended purpose, at most a few hundred thousand illegal aliens would be eligible.

However, the DREAM Act is much more expansive than it appears. Anyone up to the age of 35 who claims they came here before age 16 can apply for amnesty. Because illegal aliens are, as the media likes to call them, “undocumented,” anyone can claim to have come here before they were 16 and we have no way to make sure they are telling the truth.

In fact, illegal aliens do not need to attend college or join the military to receive legal status, they simply need to affirm that they intend to do so during the next six years. In order to receive legal status, they do not need to show they are of “good moral character” and can be convicted criminals.

There are many other loopholes, invitations to fraud, and troublesome provisions hidden into the DREAM Act such as repealing the ban on in-state tuition for illegal aliens. Those who receive amnesty can sponsor their family members who brought them to this country illegally.

Even if the DREAM Act were only applicable to truly college-bound illegal aliens, there are still many reasons to oppose it. The recession hit young Americans especially hard. Seventy percent of high school graduates from 2009 are currently enrolled in college, the highest level in history. With admissions becoming more competitive and tuition skyrocketing, the last thing we need is tens of thousands of illegal aliens applying for college—many of whom will be eligible for both affirmative action and in-state tuition.

The high college enrollment rate is not necessarily cause for celebration because it is caused in part by the lack of jobs for high school graduates. Thirty percent of high school graduates not enrolled in college are out of the workforce. Illegal aliens amnestied under the DREAM Act will get work visas, not just education visas, so they will be competing directly against these Americans for the few jobs available to them.

No one wants to punish children because their parents brought them to this country illegally. But this consideration does not give them a right to live in this country, compete with Americans for our limited jobs, and attend public colleges with in-state tuition.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Goode represented Virginia's 5th Congressional District from 1997 through 2009.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reader Comments: (29)

Here are a few of the comments submitted by our readers. Click to view all
Please remember the opinions expressed by our readers are in no way those of Human Events, nor are they condoned by us, and we reserve the right to remove abusive posts.Report Abusive Post
Any bill Harry Reid supports is a "Nightmare for America". I trust his judgment about as far as I can throw the state of Nevada. He`s the reason I no longer trust any politician and it`ll be generations before I regain that trust, if I live that long.

Sep 21, 2010 @ 04:46 AM
Jrod, Las Vegas
Report Abusive Post
This is more business as usual for the Obama administration. If your bills aren't passing the smill test with the electorate, re-name them and present them as something new. If that doesn't work attach them to another bill that is benign and accuse the opponents of not supporting the original bill even though they do support it, just not with your mischief attached to it. If all else fails, make it a presidential order. After all, these ignorant people should recognize that you know what is best for them.

Sep 21, 2010 @ 07:45 AM
Frank Lloyd Right, New York
Report Abusive Post
---ACROSS THE POLITICAL BOARDS the illegal labor
and borders 'issue' is being flagrantly manipulated
and balked.

NO ONE is being identified, outted, fined or
denounced for 'using' the unserviced, untaxed,
underpaid illegal labor. NO ONE!

BIG MONEY wants the borders melted and the
entire north american land mass as one homogenized
easily managed franshise-slum.

GLOBALIST PC biz-nilist sellouts want the turmoil
as a welcome smokescreen and distraction from the VIRAL
issue of their 4 decades of sellout to history's
--MOST-- awesonmely genocidal regime ACROSS the
Pacific.

MEANWHILE, Bill Gates himself is soft-selling
selective extermination of the old and infirm
in the name of 'efficiency and savings' ---which
is greeted with ho-hum deliberation by our 'daring'
press.

EVEN AS estimates for our 'fave' creditor's
'peacetime' genocide NOW surge well beyond
80 MILLION.

---SO
-----enjoy your football and nachos
------NOT!

LOL!!!



Sep 21, 2010 @ 08:36 AM
ttt 2010, new york
Report Abusive Post
I told you gringos we would get amnesty for our undocumented regardless of hat you white boys wanted. La Raza is the future.

Sep 21, 2010 @ 08:47 AM
el diablo, Where gringos dare to roam
Report Abusive Post
Amnesty no. Deportation yes.

Hire unemployed Americans as immigration officers to guard the borders and to find, capture, and deport illegals. Offer citizens $2,500 rewards for tips leading to the capture of illegals. Offer $5,000 rewards for turning in employers who hire illegals. Create a nation wide job web site that lists jobs formerly held by illegals. Watch unemployment figures plummet.

Change the citizen law so that children born of illegals are illegals. Make the law retroactive.

Make it a law that if you are caught in the U.S. illegally you will never be able to become a U.S. citizen.

Reverse the supereme court ruling that requires schools to educate illegals.

Make it clear to those who chose to ignore our laws and our borders that they are unwelcome.

Sep 21, 2010 @ 09:34 AM
Timothy, Olympia
Report Abusive Post
Sep 21, 2010 @ 09:34 AM
Timothy, Olympia
Amnesty no. Deportation yes
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Well I'll be. You finally said something we both can agree on.

Sep 21, 2010 @ 09:40 AM
Dustoff, WA state
Report Abusive Post
Oh if only Ronald Reagan was here. He could give amnesty and it would be a great idea.

Oh it was great then in the 1980 when Reagan granted amnesty to 3 million illegals. It made a lot of folks richer by forcing down salaries, shrinking the unions and started the decline of the middle class. The first group hit were the blacks, but who cares about them. The illegals do the jobs American won't. Remember?

Now that the economy is going poorly and white folks are losing their jobs. Well you know the rest of the story.

The following is from Putting America Back to Work website:


We all deserve a just and fair chance to achieve the American Dream. Our national identity is rooted in the ideal that all people �quot; regardless of race, class, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, heritage or ability �quot; should have the opportunity to fulfill their potential.

One Nation Working Together will chart a bold, pragmatic path toward a more unified, sustainable, prosperous future by building support for these core principles and policy ideals.

What We Stand For

Putting America Back to Work

On Saturday, October 2, 2010, hundreds of thousands of people from across America will gather at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. to demonstrate our re-commitment to change. The One Nation March will feature human and civil rights leaders, labor leaders, environmental and peace activists, faith leaders, celebrities and sports figures �quot; all marching together to help Put America Back to Work and to Pull America Back Together. And to help reorder our national priorities so that investments in people come first.


Provide immediate relief for those who are currently unemployed.

Extend jobless benefits, COBRA, mortgage assistance, and other initiatives for those currently out of work.

Target help for populations and communities in the greatest need. Quality and Affordable Public Education
Ensure that all people have access to affordable, high quality education throughout their lives, from pre-school through college.

Provide for teacher training and support necessary to continuously improve classroom practice and serve students better.

Equality for All

Refocus Our Nation's Fiscal Priorities
End the foreclosure epidemic and save the homes of America's families.

Reform bankruptcy laws to protect families and working people.

Prioritize affordable housing for all .

Join us in Washington DC 10/2/10

http://action.onenationworkingtogether.org/pages/putting-america-back-to-work


Sep 21, 2010 @ 09:40 AM
greg, washington, dcShare Your Comment Show All Comments


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Classical Mystery Tour: A Tribute to the Beatles - Change of Venue

Dear Friends,



Due to the threat of inclement weather, for those of you attending or interested in attending the Project Pack the Place "Classicial Mystery Tour: A Tribute to the Beatles" with the Peoria Symphony Orchestra on Friday, the event will move a few blocks east to the Peoria Civic Center Theater, where it's sure to be dry and 72 degrees. The concert will still go on as planned on Friday, September 24 at 7:00 p.m.

For those who have already purchased tickets, the $40 seats will be in rows D through H of the Theater, with the remainder of the Theater including the First Balcony reserved for $30 tickets. Seating in all sections will be general admission, and the doors will open at 6:00 p.m. Tickets can now be purchased by calling the Peoria Civic Center box office at 673-3200, or at the Theater box office on the evening of the concert. The "Pack the Place" group discount of $20 per ticket for groups of ten or more can still be purchased by calling the Peoria Symphony Orchestra at 671-1096.

"Classical Mystery Tour" features the four Beatles recreators from Broadway's "Beatlemania," backed by the Peoria Symphony Orchestra. It features nearly thirty Beatles tunes ranging from their early works through their solo years.



Project Pack the Place is an initiative to increase community vibrancy, generate enthusiasm for the great entertainment venues of our region and boost the regional economy. It is sponsored by PNC. Project Pack the Place is part of the I'm Stepping Up campaign. Learn more at www.ismteppingup.net.

Upcoming Taxes Courtesy of the Democrats?

This is unbelievable. This is how Dems think! Talk about killing capitalism! Why is it so hard for them to understand "FREE ENTERPRISE". Pelosi feels these taxes have "merit".

Lets get these idiots out as soon as possible. Do your part in Nov.











Pelosi: "Transaction Tax Has Great Deal Of Merit"

Read the following before clicking on the link...



President Obama's finance team and Speaker Pelosi are recom-

mending a 1% transaction tax on all financial transactions. It's

anticipated that there will be an attempt to pass this legislation

under the radar after the midterm elections in November.



This is a 1% tax on all transactions to or from any financial institution

i.e. banks, credit unions, mutual funds, brokers, etc., etc., etc.

> any deposit you make will have a 1% tax charged...

> any withdrawal you make, 1% tax...

> any transfer within your account, a transfer to or from savings and

checking will have a 1% tax charged...

> any ATM transaction, withdrawal or deposit, 1% tax...

> if your pay check or your Social Security is direct deposit, 1% tax...

> if you carry a check to your bank to deposit, 1% tax...

> if you take cash in to be deposited, 1% tax...

> if you receive any income from bond or a dividend from stock, 1% tax...

> Any Real Estate Transaction, 1% tax.



Now click on the link below to see how Speaker Pelosi feels about a new

"Transaction Tax"...





http://tinyurl.com/24dn5ud

RealClearPolitics - Video - Pelosi: Transaction Tax Has "Great Deal Of Merit"



click on above

Obama Tax - Did You Know?

Real Estate Taxes in the Health Care Bill passed by Democrats.



Subject: Fw: Fw: REAL ESTATE SALES TAX TO GO INTO EFFECT 2013 (Part of HC Bill)













Did you know that if you sell your house after 2012 you will pay a 3.8% sales tax on it? That's $3,800 on a $100,000 home etc.



When did this happen? It's in the healthcare bill. Just thought you should know.

SALES TAX TO GO INTO EFFECT 2013 (Part of HC Bill)


REAL ESTATE SALES TAX




So, this is "change you can believe in"?

Under the new health care bill - did you know that all real

estate transactions will be subject to a 3.8% Sales Tax?

The bulk of these new taxes don't kick in until 2013

(presumably after obama's re-election). You can thank Nancy,

Harry and Barack and your local Democrat Congressman

for this one. If you sell your $400,000 home, there will be a

$15,200 tax. This bill is set to screw the retiring generation

who often downsize their homes. Is this Hope & Change great

or what? Does this stuff makes your November and 2012

votes more important?

Oh, you weren't aware this was in the obamacare bill?

Guess what, you aren't alone. There are more than a few

members of Congress that aren't aware of it either

(result of clandestine midnight voting for huge bills they've

never read). AND, there are a few other surprises lurking.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Democrats and Republicans - Accurate Assessment??

Forwarded to me by a friend. A somewhat accurate summation. Having served nearly 10 years as an Independent Republican on a Democrat dominated County Board, I could add a few more tests. I could throw in some different tests for quite a few Republicans, also.

I would like to see Peoria County and the State of Illinois have stronger leadership from the Conservative Tea Party folks.

Merle

Which side of the fence?


If you ever wondered which side of the fence you sit on, this is a

great test!


If a Republican doesn't like guns, he doesn’t buy one.
If a Democrat doesn't like guns, he wants all guns outlawed.


If a Republican is a vegetarian, he doesn’t eat meat.
If a Democrat is a vegetarian, he wants all meat products banned for everyone.


If a Republican is homosexual, he quietly leads his life.
If a Democrat is homosexual, he demands legislated respect.


If a Republican is down-and-out, he thinks about how to better his situation.
A Democrat wonders who is going to take care of him.


If a Republican doesn't like a talk show host, he switches channels.
Democrats demand that those they don't like be shut down.


If a Republican is a non-believer, he doesn't go to church.
A Democrat non-believer wants any mention of God and religion silenced.


If a Republican decides he needs health care, he either shops for it or accepts a job that makes it available. A Democrat demands the rest of us pay for his.

If a Republican reads this, he'll forward it so his friends can have a good laugh.
A Democrat will delete it because he's "offended".


Well, I forwarded it.

Trouble Accessing My Blog Site?

Two people have reported trouble accessing my site. If you know anyone have this problem, please have them email me as I am averaging my usual number of visits..
You can also find me by entering merle widmer's blog on your search engine.

Thanks

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Journal Star - Peoria Park District News

No, this news did not appear in the JS. It appeared in the League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria September, 2010 new letter. It reads, "Peoria Park District: Camera are being installed in park police vehicles; lockers at the RiverPlex have been broken into (again) with the locks apparently needing to be replaced to provide better security; and female fighting has occurred at parks; including a fight promoted to draw an audience."

The time may come when museum promoters rue the day they didn't expand Lakeview; the PPD President says the PPD was never asked, that parking was forced to go underground and costs of the museum building escalated from early $60 million to $92+ million and possibly rising.

Total project cost now projected to be $145-7 million. While the size has shrunk and XAMI my be an IMAX substitute.

What will happen if an unsavory incident happens in the underground parking lot at night? Is added security included in the now $4.4 million yearly (and rising each year) operating budget??

I highly doubt that the Caterpillar Visitors Center will be open after dark.

And why no temperature controlled vault in the PRM? Use the one at Lakeview? Did anyone notice that NO notables from the Peoria Park District were actively involved in any promotion of the new PRM??

Good question.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Councilman Concerned About Museum Opposition

Any Councilman who sits on the Peoria City Coucnil who doesn't believe in the right of a minority or dissenting group to petition is not the person you want to send to Springfield to "change" things.

In a WEEK TV interview on 9/2/10, State Representative candidate, Jim Montelongo said, "I think it is their right to protest something. And try to see if there is enough support behind it. I'm not particularly happy about that."

He is not happy about a situation the public is showing considerable consternation and dissenters are circulating petitions to block the GO Bonds?

WEEK TV 25 in their statement "Last week, a group against the museum........ forbiding the county from issusing bonds....etc. Bunch of bull crap; this protest is about using General Obliation Bonds that are payable from both of General Sales Taxes and Public Facility tax, in effect making the taxpayer liable for the possible failure of the museum; liable to make up possible deficit in museum revenues, for all the years the building is standing, while pointing out that the museum PROJECT is underfunded, the endowment is totally under-funded and the public misled before the referendum about a promised IMAX theater in the museum. While the museum still seeks taxpayer funding when the TAXPAYER is already funding over 70% of the museum project???

Putting up another minority to run against a minority incumbent, is another mistake of the "good old boys and girls club", Republican Central Committee.

A couple of years ago, Montelongo asked me to take his name off my email list, one of four people in 6 years, because he felt that I was opposed to his ethnic group. I have never opposed any ethnic person that enters our country LEGALLY. If they plan to live here and after a reasonable time, they must apply for citizenry to becomes a greater asset to our community. They are welcome to their religious beliefs but are not welcome to try to force their religious belief on our government or people. They absolutely must abide by the laws of THIS country.

I ask that you examine the voting record of both the incumbent and the Republican Candidate. Both are not bashful about spending your money. Check again the financial condition of the Peoria City Council where Montelongo now votes.

Both parties could have put up stronger candidates if change is going to happen in Springfield.

Too bad. Illinois could be a much better place to live. And perhaps, stronger Tea Party leadership.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Peoria Riverfront Museum Still Seeks New Market Tax Credits

As of September, 2010, Caterpillar PRM Committee member, Doug Beasley, said that THEY? are still seeking NMTC. What are these tax credits the museum project is seeking? As Peoria County Administrator Urich explains, "New Market Tax Credits are federal income TAX credits granted to equity investors in project(s) that serve low income communities. The eligible project areas are determined by the TREASURY DEPARTMENT and downtown Peoria qualifies for these types of investments."

Whew. Now you know that all those people who live in the Twin Towers, the 400 or so who live in expensive downtown lofts and the people who work in all the public and private sector buildings downtown, including Caterpillar Corporate Headquarters qualify as low income.

Or that all those people who work for the public sector, or at Bradley and ICC North, the Ag Lab, all the hospital managers and employees, banker, lawyers, Indian Chiefs, etc, are all low income? If so why do we build all these enhancements. Oh, I see, they are for potential resident visitors from Las Vegas, California, Chicago, New York, St. Louis, etc.

But we were told that most visitors would come from the Tri-County area and people from Bloomington, Galesburg, Springfield and LaSalle-Peru would probably not stay overnight n Peoria. Was it because of so much murder and violence such as lockers still being vandalized at the RiverPlex?? Or just safer to use the drugs they buy from Peoria dealers maybe after visiting the museum, in the safety of their own homes?

Evidently people can afford to belong to the RiverPlex, attend the expensive shows at the Civic Center, go to the ballpark, will be able to afford the high cost of attending the new museum with pay-for-underground-parking, attend, work and teach at Bradley, the AG CEnter, ICC North, work at the Cat Hdqtrs., the law offices, hospitals and doctors, the high cost of living downtown Condos, etc., but are all still low income people?

Hm.

Maybe the reason these "movers and shakers" who have been trying to get these NMTC since 2007, haven't convinced the feds that this area is "low income". Or that maybe investors who stand to make money on these NMTC bonds are skeptical of the success of this watered down "Regional World Class Museum".

Hmm.

Now you know why your property taxes, sales taxes, fees, fines, permits, etc., are increasing at a faster percentage than the net worth of the rest of the county.

2nd point is that this museum project was budgeted at $79,767,588 less than nine months ago, but is currently budgeted at between $92-94 million (Letter from Administrator Urich to County Board Chairman Thomas O'Neill 111, dated 1/14/2010).

The same letter quotes Urich, "the endowment needs to be at a minimum of $6,750,000and to hedge against NOT MEETING REVENUE collections, it should be over $12,000,000. The costs of construction of the museum building, estimated $41 million, are virtually covered (they were completely covered before the planned roll-over or $5+ million facility tax dollars given to the museum folks to "rollover" to help fund the STILL underfunded endowment).

Need I remind you again that almost $14 million has already been spent, or maybe more by now. Or remind you that "The National Citizens Survey TM, dated 2010, Peoria, County showed that 65% of those surveyed "somewhat oppose or strongly oppose a sales tax increase for the Riverfront Museum".

Copy available from Jennifer Zinkel, Peoria County Courthouse, 5th floor.

And now, most likely nooooooooooooo IMAX but a big wide digital screen maybe called XAMI??

Monday, September 13, 2010

Public Benefits to Illegal's on the Rise Not Only in California but Peoria, Il. Also.

L.A. NOW
Southern California -- this just in
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Rise in public benefits to children of illegal immigrants in L.A. County has supervisor 'very concerned'
September 3, 2010 | 2:47 pm
Welfare payments to children of illegal immigrants in Los Angeles County increased in July to $52 million, prompting renewed calls from one county supervisor to rein in public benefits to such families.

The payments, made to illegal immigrants for their U.S. citizen children, included $30 million in food stamps and $22 million from the CalWORKS welfare program, according to Los Angeles County figures released Friday by Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich.

The new figure represents an increase of $3.7 million from July 2009 and makes up 23% of all county welfare and food stamp assistance, according to county records.

Last year, welfare and food stamp issuances totaled nearly $570 million, an amount projected to exceed $600 million this year. In addition, county taxpayers spend $550 million in public safety -- mostly for jail costs -- and nearly $500 million for healthcare for illegal immigrants, Antonovich said.

“The supervisor is very concerned,” said Antonovich spokesman Tony Bell. “He believes we have an economic catastrophe on our hands.”

Shirley Christensen of the county Department of Public Social Services said the number of households with illegal immigrant parents and U.S. citizen children receiving welfare increased by 7% from January to June of this year.

“With the economy the way it is, a lot of people have had to avail themselves of programs they may not have needed before,” Christensen said. “Everyone is taking a hit, including undocumented immigrants.”

Amid continued economic gloom, debate has intensified over the public cost of providing benefits to illegal immigrants and their U.S. citizen children. In recent months, calls have grown for a constitutional amendment that would effectively deny citizenship to the children of illegal immigrants, whose numbers have increased from 2.7 million in 2003 to 4 million in 2008, according to the Pew Hispanic Center.

At present, U.S. citizenship is automatically granted to children born on U.S. soil. Last month, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) announced he might introduce a constitutional amendment to deny citizenship to children of illegal immigrants. Antonovich and several legal scholars, however, argue that a federal statute is sufficient to change the law.

But even some immigration hawks are wary of such a move. Steven Camarota of the Center for Immigration Studies, a Washington-based research organization that supports immigration restrictions, said ending birthright citizenship would hurt children for their parents' misdeeds, require new federal registration systems and create other problems. The ultimate solution, he said, is to continue driving down illegal immigration with tough enforcement.

-- Teresa Watanabe

More from L.A. Now
• L.A. County wants food trucks to carry health letter grades
• ESPN sports personality Jay Mariotti charged with misdemeanor domestic battery
• Boxer and Feinstein ask federal regulators to order inspection of gas pipelines


Email: newstips@latimes.com
Twitter: @latimescitydesk

I'm 85, Bob, and I'm Tired Too - Of All Self-Promoting Politicians Led by the Master in Demagoguery - Barack Obama

Don't count on big changes in 2010 unless we have the right people running. And don't count Obama out in 2012. Find Michael Medved author of "Five Big Lies About American Business" and author of a column in the Wall Street Journal, dated 8/12/10, titled, "Why Obama is Still the Favorite in 2012".

Above comments are by the author of this blog.

I'm 63 and I'm Tired

Robert A. Hall is the actor who plays the coroner on CSI if you watch that show. He is much more than an actor.
Please read to the end.

This should be required reading for every man, woman and child in Canada and the United States of America .


"I'm 63 and I'm Tired"
By Robert A. Hall


I'm 63. Except for one semester in college when jobs were scarce and a six-month period when I was between jobs, but job-hunting every day, I've worked, hard, since I was 18. Despite some health challenges, I still put in 50-hour weeks, and haven't called in sick in seven or eight years. I make a good salary, but I didn't inherit my job or my income, and I worked to get where I am. Given the economy, there's no retirement in sight, and I'm tired. Very tired.

I'm tired of being told that I have to "spread the wealth" to people who don't have my work ethic. I'm tired of being told the government will take the money I earned, by force if necessary, and give it to people too lazy to earn it.

I'm tired of being told that I have to pay more taxes to "keep people in their homes." Sure, if they lost their jobs or got sick, I'm willing to help. But if they bought McMansions at three times the price of our paid-off, $250,000 condo, on one-third of my salary, then let the left-wing Congress-critters who passed Fannie and Freddie and the Community Reinvestment Act that created the bubble help them with their own money.

I'm tired of being told how bad America is by left-wing millionaires like Michael Moore, George Soros and Hollywood Entertainers who live in luxury because of the opportunities America offers. In thirty years, if they get their way, the United States will have the economy of Zimbabwe, the freedom of the press of China, the crime and violence of Mexico, the tolerance for Christian people of Iran, and the freedom of speech of Venezuela.

I'm tired of being told that Islam is a "Religion of Peace," when every day I can read dozens of stories of Muslim men killing their sisters, wives and daughters for their family "honor"; of Muslims rioting over some slight offense; of Muslims murdering Christian and Jews because they aren't "believers"; of Muslims burning schools for girls; of Muslims stoning teenage rape victims to death for "adultery"; of Muslims mutilating the genitals of little girls; all in the name of Allah, because the Qur'an and Shari'a law tells them to.

I'm tired of being told that "race doesn't matter" in the post-racial world of Obama, when it's all that matters in affirmative action jobs, lower college admission and graduation standards for minorities (harming them the most), government contract set-asides, tolerance for the ghetto culture of violence and fatherless children that hurts minorities more than anyone, and in the appointment of U.S. Senators from Illinois.

I think it's very cool that we have a black president and that a black child is doing her homework at the desk where Lincoln wrote the Emancipation Proclamation. I just wish the black president was Condi Rice, or someone who believes more in freedom and the individual and less arrogantly of an all-knowing government.

I'm tired of being told that out of "tolerance for other cultures" we must let Saudi Arabia use our oil money to fund mosques and mandrassa Islamic schools to preach hate in America, while no American group is allowed to fund a church, synagogue or religious school in Saudi Arabia to teach love and tolerance.

I'm tired of being told I must lower my living standard to fight global warming, which no one is allowed to debate. My wife and I live in a two-bedroom apartment and carpool together five miles to our jobs. We also own a three-bedroom condo where our daughter and granddaughter live. Our carbon footprint is about 5% of Al Gore's, and if you're greener than Gore, you're green enough.

I'm tired of being told that drug addicts have a disease, and I must help support and treat them, and pay for the damage they do. Did a giant germ rush out of a dark alley, grab them, and stuff white powder up their noses while they tried to fight it off? I damn sure think druggies chose to take drugs. And I'm tired of harassment from cool people treating me like a freak when I tell them I never tried marijuana.

I'm tired of illegal aliens being called "undocumented workers," especially the ones who aren't working, but are living on welfare or crime. What's next? Calling drug dealers, "Undocumented Pharmacists"? And, no, I'm not against Hispanics. Most of them are Catholic, and it's been a few hundred years since Catholics wanted to kill me for my religion. I'm willing to fast track for citizenship any Hispanic person, who can speak English, doesn't have a criminal record and who is self-supporting without family on welfare, or who serves honorably for three years in our military.... Those are the citizens we need.

I'm tired of latte liberals and journalists, who would never wear the uniform of the Republic themselves, or let their entitlement-handicapped kids near a recruiting station, trashing our military. They and their kids can sit at home, never having to make split-second decisions under life and death circumstances, and bad mouth better people than themselves. Do bad things happen in war? You bet. Do our troops sometimes misbehave? Sure. Does this compare with the atrocities that were the policy of our enemies for the last fifty years and still are? Not even close. So here's the deal. I'll let myself be subjected to all the humiliation and abuse that was heaped on terrorists at Abu Ghraib or Gitmo, and the critics can let themselves be subject to captivity by the Muslims, who tortured and beheaded Daniel Pearl in Pakistan, or the Muslims who tortured and murdered Marine Lt. Col. William Higgins in Lebanon, or the Muslims who ran the blood-spattered Al Qaeda torture rooms our troops found in Iraq, or the Muslims who cut off the heads of schoolgirls in Indonesia, because the girls were Christian. Then we'll compare notes. British, Canadian and American soldiers are the only troops in history that civilians came to for help and handouts, instead of hiding from in fear.

I'm tired of people telling me that their party has a corner on virtue and the other party has a corner on corruption. Read the papers; bums are bipartisan. And I'm tired of people telling me we need bipartisanship. I live in Illinois, where the "Illinois Combine" of Democrats has worked to loot the public for years. Not to mention the tax cheats in Obama's cabinet.

I'm tired of hearing wealthy athletes, entertainers and politicians of both parties talking about innocent mistakes, stupid mistakes or youthful mistakes, when we all know they think their only mistake was getting caught. I'm tired of people with a sense of entitlement, rich or poor.

Speaking of poor, I'm tired of hearing people with air-conditioned homes, color TVs and two cars called poor. The majority of Americans didn't have that in 1970, but we didn't know we were "poor." The poverty pimps have to keep changing the definition of poor to keep the dollars flowing.

I'm real tired of people who don't take responsibility for their lives and actions. I'm tired of hearing them blame the government, or discrimination or big-whatever for their problems.

Yes, I'm damn tired. But I'm also glad to be 63. Because, mostly, I'm not going to have to see the world these people are making. I'm just sorry for my granddaughter.

Robert A. Hall is a Marine Vietnam veteran who served five terms in the Massachusetts State Senate.

There is no way this will be widely publicized, unless each of us sends it on!
This is your chance to make a difference.











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Obama Demagoguery - A Snake Oil Smooth Talking Politician

Subject:�Note to family from soldier who is stationed in Iraq

Hey, everybody! I just wanted to send a quick update and give y'all the REAL story on what's going on over here with the troop withdrawal.� The picture is of my crew and I on a break during a mission. � The guy to the far left is my gunner�and the guy in the middle is my driver.� They go with me on every mission and are great guys.� The reason I'm sending this out is because I have had a few people ask if I left Iraq early because all of the combat troops are out of Iraq and I wanted to let everyone know the real deal.� It's kind of ridiculous how the news is saying that the last of the "combat" troops are out of Iraq because of Pres. Obama.� He says that it was his campaign promise.� Take our Brigade for example.� We were originally called a HBCT (Heavy Brigade Combat Team).� Well, since Obama said he would pull all of the "combat" troops out by Aug, all they did before we left was change our name from a HBCT to a AAB (Advise and Assist Brigade).� We have the same personnel/equipment layout as before and are doing the same missions.� The ONLY difference is that they changed our name from a HBCT to an AAB and that's how he is getting away with saying that he has pulled all of the "combat" troops out.� It is really ridiculous what he's doing and he has ticked a lot of people off.� And it's funny how the media is buying all of it, too.� So no the last combat troops are not out of Iraq. We are still here.� There are other Brigades just like ours that are doing the same missions that are still over here.� Sorry for going on about it but we are just sitting over here watching it and are like "You've got to be kidding me!"� So anyway now you know the REAL story, so that's why I'm not coming back earl



Further Comments:�


Oddly enough, my son called this morning from Iraq after arriving just a week ago (2nd tour of duty) and told me the exact same thing as this email below.� Furthermore, he told me they�are no longer getting "combat pay"�as they used to get in�addition to their base pay, because .......they're no longer in combat.� Right!�


Secondly, and get this.....the troops have been told they can no longer engage the enemy until after the enemy�has fired on them first, since they're not "in combat" anymore.� My son said they can see the enemy get as close as 15 feet to the base, watch them load their launchers, and can do nothing to protect themselves until after the bombs/shells have landed.�All thanks to Obama.� How many more troops will come home in body bags?� God help them and us!� Obama has got to go!

Census Employees Inefficiencies

----- Original Message -----

From: TREVOR HOLMES

To: merlewidmer@msn.com

Sent: Monday, September 13, 2010 11:01 AM

Subject: U.S. CENSUS

MERLE, I HAVE MET YOU A FEW TIMES AND I USUALLY ENJOY YOUR BLOGS. I HAVE A TOPIC YOU MIGHT LIKE TO INVESTIGATE. I OWN AND OPERATE ROUGHLY 300 RENTAL UNITS IN THE PEORIA AREA, AND RECENTLY THE UNITED STATES HAS BEEN TAKING A CENSUS. I KID YOU NOT I HAVE BEEN CONTACT NO LESS THAN 20 TIMES BY 20 DIFFERENT WORKERS ASKING THE SAME EXACT QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SAME EXACT UNITS. THE FIRST 10 TIMES, MY STAFF AND I GAVE THE CENSUS WORKERS THE INFORMATION THAT THEY REQUESTED. THE REST OF TIME I WAS LESS THAN ACCOMMODATING. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WAS HIRING MORE PEOPLE THAN NECESSARY TO DO THE CENSUS TO IMPROVE THERE UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS. ANYWAY JUST THOUGHT THAT WAS IRRITATING AND INTERESTING.


Merle said:

Trevor,

Washington Census Bureau bureaucrats sure took advantage of the public money tree. Here's a good example of the inefficiency of so much of the public sector leadership. It would be interesting to know how the hiring of minorities compared by percentages or quotas. However, lack of communication skills are not only a minority problem.

Inefficiencies at a lot of different levels but what do we expect when most high school students graduate (or drop out) at a freshman reading level and are seldom taught communication skills.

Annunity check from Prudential arrived today. I guess they were back-logged.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Museum Endowments

An article in the Wall Street Journal on 8/20/05 reads "Museums have long been accustomed to covering their operating costs (the new PRM estimates $4.1-2-3? million per year projected to grow to $8 million a year by 2033) through their Endowments rather than through retail operations or ticket sales. According to a principal in cultural firm AEA Consulting, the average visitor costs the museum about $80, substantially more than the typical price of a ticket."

The PRM plans to charge $10 with a discount to Peoria County residents?? This means that the museum directors must spend energy raising funds each year to support a business premised on losing money. These efforts will be needed to support the PRM as the $41 million is just to help build the museum building, not to cover operating shortfalls.

More on rising cost of the museum project in my next blog.

BelWood Planned New Nursing home and the PRM

At the time of the $640,000 (JS, 2/13/08) promotion of the sales tax referendum by Lakeview Museum, contributions and grants were expected to total $42.5 million. That forecast has missed by a mile. Peoria County Administrator Urich said "to be safe" the Endowment Fund should be $12 million. At last accounting to all board members, the Endowment stood at a maximum of $3.6 million again, missing by a mile.

As I originally reported, expect approximately $5.3+ million of the facility tax handed over to the museum to use as they chose. The PRM is on record as saying they will use that $5+ million to help fund the Endowment.

Originally, the public was told the museum needed only public facility sales tax. Now, it's going to be "backstopped" with general sales tax revenue as is the new BelWood. Belwood, in 2009, collected over $3,200,000 in property taxes and replacement costs have risen to around $54 million depending on location, approval by the County Board, by the State, etc.

Opposition on the board to the rising cost of the BelWood Nursing home has risen from my one vote a year ago to 5 votes as our last meeting. The public should also be questioning the need, as one board member said, of a "Taj Mahal" for 165 Medicaid residents and 57 Medicare and Private pay residents.

All Democrats and at least one Republican claim we need this new facility as a "safety net" for the poor.

Hm.

Back Taxes Owed by Federal Employees - $1 Billion Owed to the IRS

A billion here and a billion there, adds up. I believe deceased Senator Dirksen from Pekin used to say, "$1 million here.........My, how things have changed, most of these changes came in this decade. The last four years, wit the Democrats were in control, our debt has risen to figures so high, few can comprehend.

Merle - This info comes from a friend.

Top of the Ticket
Politics and commentary, coast to coast, from the Los Angeles Times
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41 Obama White House aides owe the IRS $831,000 in back taxes -- and they're not alone
September 10, 2010 | 2:54 am


Over the years a lot of suspicion has built up across the country about Washington and its population of opportunistic transients coming to see themselves as a special kind of person, somehow above average working Americans who don't labor down in that monument-strewn former swamp.

Well, finally, an end to all those undocumented doubts. Thanks to some diligent digging by the Washington Post, those suspicions can at last be put to rest.

They're correct. Accurate. Dead-on. Laser-guided. On target. Bingo-bango. As clear as it's always seemed to those Americans who don't feel special entitlements and do meet their government obligations.

We now know that federal employees across the nation owe fully $1 billion in back taxes to the Internal Revenue Service.

As in, 1,000 times one million dollars. All this political jabber about giving middle-class ...

... Americans a tax cut. Thousands of feds have been giving themselves one all along -- unofficially. And these tax scofflaws include more than three dozen folks who work for the president with that newly decorated Oval Office.
The Post's T.W. Farnum did some research and found that out of the total sum, just 638 workers on Capitol Hill owe the IRS $9.3 million in back taxes. As in, overdue. The IRS gets stiffed by the legislative body that controls its budget. How Washington works.

Now, back taxes have been a problem for the Obama-Biden administration. You may recall early on that Tom Daschle was the president's top pick to run the Health and Human Services Department. But it turned out the former Democratic senator, who was un-elected from South Dakota in 2004, owed something like $120,000 to the IRS for things from his subsequent benefactor that he just forgot to pay taxes on. You know how that is. $120G's here or there. So he dropped out.

And then we learned this guy Timothy Geithner owed something like $42,000 in back taxes and penalties to the IRS, which is one of the agencies that he'd be in charge of as secretary of the Treasury. The fine fellow who's supposed to know about handling everyone else's money. In the end this was excused by Washington's bipartisan CYA culture as one of those inadvertent accidental oversights that somehow never seem to happen on the side of paying too much taxes.

And under Geithner's expert guidance the U.S. economy has been, well, wow! Just look at it.

Privacy laws prevent release of individual tax delinquents' names. But we do know that as of the end of 2009, 41 people inside Obama's very own White House owe the government they're allegedly running a total of $831,055 in back taxes. That would cover a lot of special chocolate desserts in the White House Mess.

In the House of Representatives, 421 people owe a total $6,524,892. In the Senate, 217 owe $2,774,836. In the IRS' parent department, Treasury, 1,204 owe $7,670,814. At the Labor Department, where Secretary Hilda Solis' husband had some back-tax problems before her confirmation, 463 owe $7,481,463. Eighty-one workers for the Federal Reserve System's board of governors owe $1,076,733.

Over at the Justice Department, which is so busy enforcing other laws and suing Arizona, 1,971 employees still owe $14,350,152 in overdue taxes.

Then, we come to the Department of Homeland Security, which is run by Janet Napolitano, the former governor of Arizona who preferred to call terrorist acts "man-caused disasters." Homeland Security is keeping all of us safe by ensuring that a Dutch tourist is aboard every inbound international flight to thwart any would-be bomber with explosives in his underpants.

Within that department, there reside 4,856 people who owe the tax agency a whopping total of $37,012,174.

And they're checking our pockets for metal and coins?

-- Andrew Malcolm

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