Friday, March 31, 2017

Wichita State Leaving the MV is a Done Deal - They Will Join the AAC

With one of the best coaches in the nation and outstanding win-loss records, why would they continue to play losers like Bradley, Drake, Southern and Indiana State,etc.? They would earn a big financial draw in the AAC as opposed to the disappointing turnouts in regular season away games in the MV and the disappointing attendance in St, Louis.

With Wichita State out of the MV, Bradley may look a little better. But do not expect much from Bradley in the future. They will never again attract more than third rung players.

Traveler Weekly Praises Marxist Dr. Cornel West

I've been following the career for the past 20 years of one of the most militant black "leaders" alive today in our country.. Dr.West says our President is "a gangster, out of control. It is easy to think it is just about him and the one percent being in control".

West says "we have been hated for 400 years; he is wrong in more ways than one". Slavery and hatred is recorded as far back as 500 BC and is still practiced today under different names in a gazillion countries including Africa.

West lauds the black winners of the Grammy Awards and lamented the downfall of so many other black talented artists, appearing to put the blame for their downfall mostly on "white" people.But he says he has little credibility in the establishment  and the awards show, because the public doesn't know what happens behind the the scenes".

With that statement I agree. Dr. West has no idea what is happening in the Trump first 100 days, only what he reads in the biased press. Nor does he refer to how the Obamacrites and Democrat leadership are working day and night "behind the scenes" to discredit this President in every way know to mankind. Nor does he recognize millions blacks outside the music industry who have succeeded by the millions, including Condezella Rice, Clarence Thomas, many starred Generals, business people, and just plain good black people who ae seldom recognized like so many of us for our good deeds etc.,

If black youths would pay more attention to getting an education than participating in nefarious activities and just basketball, they would become employable instead of being unemployed.

Jim Ardis For Mayor - Again??

Soon, most Peorians will face the fact that Peoria is broke. Who, of any ability wants this thankless job except the incumbent and one other candidate. People forget. Ardis was a strong supporter (Dave Leitch was a stronger supporter) of the bankrupt Firefly that was supposed to be the greatest thing that was happening in Peoria and Illinois since Caterpillar arrived; now with it's 16.000 present local employees. Taxpayer loss between the County and City on the bankrupt FireFly was near $8 million.

Ardis put us on the hook for over $37 million in deals with Gary Matthews who may or may not be in very strong financial position.Should know shortly.

Ardis also supported the PRM (the City gave land valued between $11 and $14 million); a PRM yhat is at this point, approximately 700,000 short of projected visitors. And the County is on the hook for their ownership of the PRM building which includes maintenance.

Ardis changed over the years from a supporter of the little guy to a servant of the elite.Peoria elite got what they wanted. Now they leave it to the taxpayers to meet the bond payments with interest running into the high millions.

And then their is the abandoned Cub Building. The failed Tech Center, and the failure of three  big box stores. With probably more to come in 2017-18.

And then their is the Warehouse District on which somewhere in the neighborhood of $32 million  of taxpayers money was spent.The developers scored but the little guy lost.

Little is heard in the JS about the Cities investment in the new sports complex. No one I know has played there as yet. It came in approximately one year behind schedule and when I drove out there last fall, the entrance was blocked.

And the Peoria Baseball Chiefs, who have not disclosed their 2016 attendance (neither has the PRM and no census figures from the taxpayer supported Pere and Marriott) and who are supplemented by about $8-9 million taxpayer dollars

Then there our our streets, curbs and sidewalks, probably in the worst condition of any State north of the Mason-Dixon line. And no hope for repairs in sight as the City has elected to widen Northmoor and probably do $10-12 million dollars of work on Western.

Hmmm.

The City of Peoria is controlled by the unions, especially the notorious AFSCME. Read my blog titled "AFSCME Union", dated 6/30/2009.  Ardis, a quasi-Republican with his Democrat brother Tony, are strong union supporters and would never agree to making Illinois a RTW State and abolish the disaster called the Bacon-Davis act or Davis-Bacon Act that has cost taxpayers a trillion or more dollars since its' inception..

I will vote for neither. I will write in a vote for Bob Manning, one of the best City Councilman in recent history.

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Russia - My Largest Audience With U.S.A a Close Second

My viewing audience has changed drastically from Russia being last is now first among my page viewers.

Interesting. 725 page view from Russia yesterday.

Monday, March 27, 2017

Sanctuary Cities? Cut Almost All Federal Funding

Time to stop the overly Compassionate who are helping to further ruin this country. time to toughen up as it is getting VERY LATE IN THE GAME.

Illinois Democrat Raise Their Ugly Heads to Push For a $15 Minimum Wage

(See Peoria County Chronicle, dated March 22). Many wage earners are worth $15 and hour and some more. Minimum wages were once a starting of earning for someone on their way up. Not now. I saw it when I visited over 15 classrooms and saw the way most of the students ignored the teacher (most of them black kids). Union man Dan Silverthorn decried the present and upcoming lack of skilled workers in Peoria. Peoria Public School System, with their unpaid weak boards, never understood that so many of these kids were not believers in what was attempted to be taught and should have been strongly encouraged to enter a Vocational School.

The boards catered to the wealth-born elite. See what they have brought to Peoria?

But the problem was there was no REAL Vocational school to attend. Finally, Woodruff was supposed to be turned into a Vocational School. It is a failure.

Minimum wage is actually a Socialistic system similar to our unions to equalize all workers. Merit is seldom considered as tenure rules the past and present. No new hire is expected to work any harder than those, who over the years, learned how to "game" the union system. And Peoria has plenty of "gamers'".

When I ran my business, merit ruled the day. I'll never forget the day I fired one of my best friends because he was not moving in the same direction I was leading my country.

My belief stands, Workers should be paid fairly for their value where they are employed. It's supposed to be a free county. If  one is not satisfied, look for a better job where one is qualified to be hired for higher wages.

My company was represented by the Teamsters Union. I knew how to work with my employees Many of them are still employed by the company.

Those Who Would Socialis Our Government Have Nearly Reached Their Goal

And this country may be looking at a Dictatorship in the near future. No point in me blogging what is destroying this country by the Clinton's, power brokers like George Soros, the Democrat "leadership", a number of those high ranking in intelligence community, many "Republicans", militant women's organizations, much of mainstream media such as the local JS, many union leaders, a number of hostile countries like Iran, Etc.

I no longer support the Tea Party nor half the Republican Party. Paul Ryan stabbed Trump in the back by convincing President Trump that he had a bill that would garner 60 votes.

Even so, I support most of the views of the Republicans; an exception being most of the "right wingers who Trump must 'kow-tow' to because the helped elect him. Much as I respect the office of the Vice-President, I do trust him on women's rights. I believe he is pretty much a "right winger" who is a good actor, which most politicians tend to be.

Trump is not. he is, except when forced to do what he doesn't believe, a very politically INCORRECT President. I certainly do not believe in everything Trump wants to do. The WALL is a desperate move to stop illegals from further flooding this country. No one or group has come up with a better solution.

If Wall Street goes into a topspin, look eventually for a depression greater than the 1930's. A very strong person will need to to emerge. I doubt that this person is President Trump and of course the Islamist Obama is young enough and is in the wings doing everything he can go destroy the current presidency of the U.S.A.

Any Muslim living and preaching in our communities who believe in the Koran, Koren, or whatever name their bible goes by, is a potential threat to this once great country.

Obama was taught to believe in "One World" and  he dreams of being the "chosen" one to lead it. Hopefully, one day he will no longer be the the destroyer/

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

SEARS - "Cash Crush Could Kill Chain"

Next big box store to close in Peoria soon???

Realtor in Peoria Says, Business For Him Is Booming!!

Sure, with 300 CAT execs moving and houses and properties being sold by those affected by CAT'S decision, of course their is a lot of Realtor business.

Doesn't show a sign of prosperity for Peoria in the long run.

Interesting fact is that Doug O knew of the move to Chicago early on and that his wife is a nationwide Realtor?

Hmm.

Peoria, Il. Big Box Stores Closing

Now Gordman's, whose stock selection was questionable and MC Sports in E. Peoria. Who else is leaving besides these and Gander Mountain? Who of any size is moving in? Don't look for any sizable manufacturers moving in. They are not.

Illegal Immigration - A Costly Project - But Necessary To do..

How to handle it? I posted the best way years ago. To sum up, deport eventually all who came here illegally. It may take 4 years to do it. Those who have a job or a job and family. must return to to their country of origin and re-enter legally. For those employed or with families, or both, systems must be in place to fast-track them back to their jobs and families. For those unemployed, have been convicted of a crime or a high misdemeanor, or are here illegally? Deport them. Period.

None of this will work unless we spend some billions to defend our borders. Rather sad that our National Debt goes up over 2 billions a DAY mainly because of entitlements and wasteful spending. That does not bother protesters, but PROTECTING OUR BORDERS, DOES.

"Bleeding hearts" will say , 'you can't separate them from their families. BS. In the Civil War, the 2 World Wars, Vietnam, etc., people were separated from their families, some not months but years.

Please, people, get real. These people committed a crime. Why do "bleeding hearts" not acknowledge that fact?

Legal and Illegal Immigrants - Only a Fool Would Lump them All as "Immigrants"

And we have a lot of fools in this world,especially in the U.S.A. Democrat/Socialist/Marxist Maxine Waters of California wants to impeach Trump. I suggest she is a "nut case' and has always been one. She is the one I would like to see removed by any means necessary.

Schumer is also a Democrat/Socialist/Communist and a similar educated "nut case".

One Democrat in the SCOUS Hearing kept referring to her mother who immigrated to this country and compared it as the SAME as illegals looking to make a better life or to rob, kill and rape the populace. My Dad was born in Switzerland and came here LEGALLY.

BIG DIFFERENCE. Oh, what fools we have in this country running our government. GET OUT OF THIS COUNTRY OR BE REASONABLE.

Those who are organized to stop Trump in everything he does, should note what happened in Socialist England today.It's already here and more tragedies are going to happen RIGHT HERE SOON.

Listen up!

"60 Minutes" - If You Watched Sunday I Suspect You Felt Sick Like I Did

Corporations are terminating longtime skilled workers, then hiring unskilled workers from other countries to fill their jobs. The terminated workers are then told that if they want termination pay, they must stay on for 3-6 months to train their replacement.

The unskilled replacement, of course, is paid less the person he/she replaced.

This made me feel ill. "60 Minutes" did not list any of the corporations doing this. If protesters need more to protest, get out and protest. This is terrible to happen in this country once great country now  dominated by greed.

Give this current administration to make some major changes. Trump has a steak of "populism" in him.

Ivanka Trump - An Assert to Women's Rigjhts

Pleased to have such a brilliant daughter working with her Dad to make America Great Again. Nepotism? No, MERIT.

Monday, March 20, 2017

Wire Tapping Surveillance Dead??

I saw on my computer where a $4 million dollar settlement was agreed on by two companies in the sex toy business. It involved a device that is inserted in a woman's vagina from which electronic waves transmitted through wireless space to erotically stimulate jointly a male or female from as far as the U.S.A. to Australia. To as far away as Australia, the article says their "is an additional charge".

You don't believe that some people wear or insert or a device that can STIMULATE OR MORE while they work.Don't believe, look it up. It's somewhere on the internet.

If such a thing can be done with sex toys, think of the many ways. Trump's conversations could be intercepted in other ways than "wire tapping" which is similar to main frame computers being basically obsolete.

 If you don't see the connection, I suggest you join the REAL world. With all trump's haters and enemies like multi-billionaire, George Soros providing the dollars, he absolutely was BEING LISTENED TO BY SOME ELECTRONIC  DEVICE.

The Democrats and Socialists are doing their best to stop our elected President from doing his job.

What Gorsuch Said About Maternity is So True

Hard to prove but actually happening. He said that some women wait till after their maternity leave to quit their jobs. That is a very true statement. It happens often but No way to prove it wasn't their health, family needs, etc. that caused them to never return AFTER collecting their maternity pay.

You will find a flaw in EVERY PERSON IN THE USA if you have staff to dig deep enough.That's why our best potential leaders DO NOT RUN FOR OFFICE.

Yes, after the upcoming violent revolution, their probably will be a dictator in this country. No, Democrats, it won't be Trump. And it won't be a Democrat, either.

Other Types of Surveillence Used in Trump Tower??

Damn Betcha. If you don't believe this, you are either a Democrat, socialist wanabee or you are not reading what is going on in the REAL world; not the fantasy world of the leftist mainstream media.  Read Ron Susskind, Michael Savage, the Rush or Greta, Laura Ingraham, Martha McSally, Judicial Watch, Imprimis, latest monthly edition especially (3,500,000 readers, Published by Hillsdale College, where I would have sent my kids if I knew then what I know know) RTW publications, Illinois Policy Institute, Freedom Center,etc. Yes, I read them all and avoid watching CNN and I do listen to Shawn Hannity as he tells it like it is, and O[Reilly.

Evil is increasing in the U.S.A. and it is not Trump. You will see and I hope I live long enough to help all I am able to help undo the damage of those who have turned from just being angry to being VERY HATEFUL. I hope God damns them all.

Friday, March 17, 2017

Last One Of 15 Still Alive

Mom and Dad, 7 of my sisters and their husbands, my brother and his wife have left me alone with my two daughters and my basically bedridden  wife. My two lovely daughter, one of which lost her husband to ALS, live with their families in the St. Louis area. How much longer I will stay in this area before I join them depends on my health which is still pretty good. Considering I survived 3 cancers and a triple by-pass.

How much longer I can blog is questionable. I know some of my readers would like me to stop blogging. The truth hurts.

Still looking for someone to take my years of Peoria history. I know my 3100+ post will remain somewhere in blogger space. but I have about 6-7 drawers of hard copy. My daughter Nancy said she will store them in her warehouse but I prefer they stay in Peoria.

I regret that the financial and infrastructure is so bad in Peoria, But I'm happy to report that my old company has doubled their revenue since I sold out in 1992. I was doing $10 million in sales at the time but had a much larger presence, 73,000 sq. ft. in Peoria and 8,000 sq ft in Bloomington.

I am pleased that they have kept my name for the past 25 years and I thank them.

Thank God and my genetics for keeping me alive. The fact that I quit smoking 39 years ago, never did drugs, except some drinking alcohol, which I stopped completely, never really smoked and tried to eat the right foods so my weight is same as it was 20 years ago.

Still, I never know when I will stop blogging . I believe I am the oldest blogger by far in the area. Thanks for reading me.


Peoria Survives J.C. Penny's Closing - Bloomington Doesn't

I predicted 2 big box stores in Peoria would close either in late 2016 or early 2017. Macy's is gone and now Gordman's has declared bankruptcy. I believe the unfortunate closing of Macy's has helped some shops in the mall

I hear Gander Mountain, considered a big box store, is closing.  I believe their will be at least one more in the next 12 months.

So sad.

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Judges - Are They Sometimes Prejudiced? They Are Humans You Know

Years ago, when I sued the City, I appeared before Judge Joe Vespa. When I presented a GPS as to who owned the property where I incurred damage to my car, Judge Joe Vespa grabbed the material before I could speak and said he would make a decision. The next day I lost the case.

In my first appearance, Vespa asked me to go back and correct my complaint. I said the incident happened on Lake Street. I had to amend my complaint that it "happened on the right-a-way" bordering Lake Street.

Judge Joe Vespa was at one time City Attorney.

Hmmmmm.

Davis-Bacon Act and the Building Of the Peoria Riverfront Museum

As you read my previous blogs, you will note that since the PRM was financed by approximately 2/3rds taxpayer dollars, the Davis- Bacon Act would not have come into play. You may remember that the B-D only applies to government building or maintenance projects.

Which really makes no sense as to why the B-D was ever voted in by the Democrats. THE TAXPAYERS SUPPORT THE GOVERNMENT. Why did the Democrats vote to approve this law?

When you are up for election, the unions note what you have done for them.

Hmmm..


St. Pat's Day in Peoria Parade Will Be Dominated, As Usual, By the Unions

Unions and their Democrat supporters are helping turn this City, County and State, into eventual bankruptcy. Most don't remember that the unions pledged $600,000 to build the PRM if  the both boards promised to use all union labor. The boards agreed, I guess, I was never, as a board member, asked to approve. Never was it mentioned by any local ,media if  and how the union donation was used.

(Nor did the media ever ask why the promised 15% discount for County residents, never happened}.

No media mentioned that by using ONLY union labor, taxpayers paid for the additional  cost of building the museum. For those of who read our major source of information, may note that they have stopped telling the taxpayer, who paid 2/3 of the total cost of the $97 million project, the attendance, the amount of money in the Endowment and how much of this money in the Endowment fund came from a round-about way to include at least $5 million of taxpayer dollars.

In fact, information is very difficult to get from organizations using taxpayer dollars. Think Pere Marquette.

The Democrat Controlled County Board owns the PRM and is responsible for it's maintenance. I estimate at this time that the County has 26 more years to pay off the bond with it's interest alone of around $20 million.

Bacon-Davis Act - Will Trump and the Republicans have the GUTS to Repeal It??

One of  the most destructive acts ever created by the Democrats. Read my blog, " Prevailing Wages" dated December 28th, 2008, the JSEB column, "How to save $40 billion" dated 1/21/2009, the Wall Street Journal Editorial titled, "Expanding Davis-Bacon" and "Big Labor's Comeback" dated 8/27/2008.

I believe as the WSJ and the JS believe, "We have long believed that if workers want to form a union, they have every right to do so. And businesses that get a union often deserve what they get. What Americans need to know ,it is that the Democrat Party wants to make it that much more difficult for them to NOT JOIN A UNION.

The artificial  wage floors of the Davis-Bacon Act freezes low income laborers, primarily black and Hispanic out of competition with their union counterparts. Small business contractors are especially hurt by compliance costs.

Without right to work law is voted in in Illinois, this state is DEAD IN THE WATER. Why would anyone want to sell to a State that can't pay its bills.


Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Hospital's Outrageous Costs

I recently spent 2 days at Unity/Proctor or Proctor/Unity and the bill was $34,000.00+.  Fortunately I have Humana. My GI doctor could barely speak English. He said I should stay another day for lab test results and prescriptions. I asked him, since he knew my pharmacy, why not just call the prescriptions in? He said he could. I[m still waiting to hear from my pharmacy who said they did not receive any requests for me.

Maybe because the hospital has it's own pharmacy that like all hospital pharmacy's their costs are much higher than outside pharmacies.

When this doctor talked to me, I told him I was hard of hearing. He took a couple of steps toward me, but then as he talked, he kept backing up. At this point and after waiting too long for a lab report, I said "get me out of here." Another doctor said he would expedite my lab reports. He did and I was released in two days instead of three days.

Did they discover my problem? No, I did.

While Congress is debating an Obama/Care replacement and the high cost of some prescription drugs, I suggest they look into "care and treatment" of patients other than just a the VA.

Nice hospital though. and all personnel were friendly. It is my personal opinion that there is need of another full service hospital in the area.

Pension Costs, Way Too High, Will Further Decimate Student Performance in Public Schools

Read the article titled, "School Districts forced to Offset Pension Costs. Funds meant to aid low-income students' academic performance are often used to pay down the state's retirement system liability". JS article in 3/8/17 edition.

Peoria Journal Star Quiet on Upcoming Acquisition by a Japanese Tycoon.

"Peoria's only daily newspaper once family owned, was purchased by a privately held Japanese conglomerate aiming to become a global telecommunication leader. The sale is expected to close by year-end".  Reprint from the locally owned Community Word. Read the rest of the story in their March issue.

Hillary Clinton - Press Rather Silent About Her Associates Conversations With Russian Ambassador

Interesting. And before the Presidential election. Biased press? You bet.

This Time Listen to What Mark Cuban is Saying About Automation

He says this administration or any administration is NOT going to bring back many factories. He says automation will replace automation, meaning that we will eventually become so automated that our unskilled workers will have few places to find a living wage job.

Some of our "leaders' had better be thinking of some form of a CCC (Civilian Conservation Cooperative) to employee hundreds of thousands who will be out of jobs and factory type opportunities.

Marijuana Good For You Or Not, People are Going To Use It, Legal Or Not

Period. If Sessions and Trump do some of the things I think they are thinking of doing, I may turn against The Donald. If they want to do something about illegal drugs, stop them from coming in from sealing them in everything like furniture, ships, boats, airplanes and vehicles coming across our borders.

Problem is they can't. The profits are greater than the risk. Every time you read about a drug bust, there are hundreds coming in without detection. Crack down on the user or legalize and collect the profits for use in the states to reducer the pension cost that will eventually bankrupt Illinois and other states.

This "ain't" the country it once was. Even though our hired man on our farm was a cocaine user way back then.

Overuse drugs kill; the worst one being alcohol. Overuse or improper use of prescription drugs kill. Excessive smoking usually causes an earlier ugly death.

Drug use is rampant in Peoria, believe it or not. Sorry to say.

Charles Barkley, Talented Basketball Player - Now All Mouth

He is prejudiced against white leadership (so am I sometimes), carries a big chip on his shoulder and don't let facts get into his way of thinking. He is a great example of a "talking head".

Of which we have many. "Talking heads" with half-truths confusing the citizenry.

Influx of Koran Believing Muslims Into the U.S.A.

Are my readers paying attention to what is happening in Europe? And places like Dearborn, Michigan? President Trump is aware that "bleeding hearts" and billionaires like George Soros want to make this a Socialist nation. Soros may even be a Marxist.

I have predicted an upcoming VIOLENT  revolution in this country inspired by the left-leaning mainstream media, the over-compassionate people and the "thugs" taking advantage of them in this country and Socialists like Soros. I won't be around to see it but my written record will.

Monday, March 13, 2017

Dozens, Maybe Thousands Voted Illegally in Wisconsin,i

Mainstream media debunked Trump's claim of illegas voting, Now Wisconsin admits that 17 year olds voted in a state won by Ted Cruz.

I stand by Trump's and my claim that a million or more illegal votes were cast for the Democrats in November. Justice department must make a full investigation as to how 17 year olds were allowed to vote and who was behind encouraging them to break the law..

Media Says "Illegals are Very Tense"

Some of them should be. They have all committed a crime that would get them imprisoned in almost any other country.Very few of the 11-15 million will be deported.

Wait and see.

Sunday, March 12, 2017

Why Trump Could Lose His Next Election

These are ordinary Trump supporters beliefs. In the beginning of the Trump campaign, many angry voters turned out to elect him. Then, led by Democrats, especially Obama/Clinton supporters and by Obama himself, plus unregistered and a few paid trouble makers and the usually left-leaning mainstream medias, the anger was turned into hatred. This trend must be stopped as should 80% of President Trumps tweets. If he:

Considers ALL illegal Hispanics as dangerous as illegal Muslims
Cuts off federal funding of Planned Parenthood
Consider ALL abortions illegal
Attempst to encourage overthrow of Roe/Wade
Actually enforces the head start of legalizing marijuana  which would cause a continuing rise in the illegal sale of all drugs
Builds the COMPLETE  wall against overwhelming opposition
Attempt to deport ALL illegals
Does not GREATLY  improve ObamaCare
Allows military to build more obsolete tanks, aircraft carriers and battleships
Fails to unite the Republican Party
Considers too many entitlement requests worthy of federal funding
Dumps a trillion dollars on infrastructure on the recommendations of the Civil Engineers WITHOUT further due diligence of other qualified individuals
Doesn't greatly reduce the power and number of employees of the sometimes impotent or overly potent of the EPA
Fails to "Drain the swap" of 20/25% of excess bureaucrats who actually run most of all Federal Government
Doesn't encourage States right to work laws (28 states now have RTW laws) and repeal the Davis/Bacon law that makes all bidders on federal projects pay union wages to all their employees that are classified similar to union law.
Doesn't fully understand what benefits there is to having a "diverse" populace instead of the destructive "diversity" promoted by most college Sociology Professors, bureaucrats, social agencies and elected officials .
Doesn't slow down the growth of the National debt with the  proposition of eventually reducing our rapidly growing national debt.
Must greatly reduce the over-regulation of laws impeding the growth and reasonable profits of all businesses especially those considered "small business"
Tries to take away the incentives such as R and D of drug companies attempting to produce new cures for diseases

This is a partial list that must include, "accomplish at least a third of his promises that were mostly beneficial to all". Understand that you cannot please ALL THE PEOPLE ANY TIME





Friday, March 10, 2017

Reason Why Growth Was Down Oct.- December?

Protesters out protesting and gossiping about Trump hurt the companies where they were employed????

Drain the Swap of Bureaucrats in DC.

Don't know how Trump can do it but I suggest a cut of 25% would hardly be noticed. During my 10 years on the Peoria County Board we cut employees and the only complaint I got was from those leaving. Certainly, I felt sorry for them but all businesses, private and especially public MUST operate on the lean side.

That is why Trump is going to create more opportunities for those hardly making a living wage or good workers who remain unemployed.

Critics should speak out but have the facts in hand.

Time To Buy CAT Stock?

If you bought when I suggested you buy and sold before it dropped to 91 you did OK.  I suggest it might be time to buy again. If you held, I suggest you continue to hold.

These are only thoughts but I still invest and follow the market. I was misled and lost on both IMAX and Taser. Hope those who bought got out at 38 or 39.

CAT

 Merv, this story has the makings of a
> new book.  Some government agency, we are not clear
> precisely which one, hires an academic accounting
> professor/expert who spends 200 hours reviewing material and
> doing calculations regarding a complicated tax
> strategy.  She then produces a report in which she
> accuses the company of fraud – in writing. Her report
> does not mention the tax strategy is legally used by
> numerous companies.  She doesn’t bother to
> contact anyone at the company to review or discuss her
> findings and the company is not given a copy of the
> report.  She also does not have any contact with the
> company’s public auditing firm which would undoubtedly
> have been advising the company regarding the tax strategy
> formulation and execution.  However, the NYT is given
> the report and publishes a potentially damaging summary of
> the report – CAT stock price down 2.8%
> yesterday.
>   
> I’m neither a lawyer nor an
> accounting expert but I do have a nose and this story really
> stinks.  It resembles the old here is our conclusion go
> find evidence to support it strategy.  I wonder if the
> accounting professor has exposed herself to potential legal
> action.
>   
> This report is a strong argument in
> favor of Trump’s drain the tax code swamp
> position.  My own experience in the world of corporate
> taxation has convinced me there is virtually no way to avoid
> violating some aspect of the tax code.  It’s
> beyond ridiculous.  I also suspect there is a secondary
> target and it is Trump.  The msm is eager to publish
> anything to discredit him.
>   
> By the way, the CEO should move the
> wife to Chicago – much simpler.  It would,
> however, not be the first time for such a move.
>   
> I did read an article the other day
> which claimed major corporations are moving out of the
> suburbs and back into the cities because the suburbs are in
> the process of dying.  The millennials are no longer
> into big houses (mcmansions are out), commuting and shopping
> malls – shopping is increasingly being done on line.
>   The authors point was the companies need to
> follow the labor source.
>   
> We live in interesting
> times.
> __________
>
>  

>  next Wednesday.
>  
>  

>  
> Merv Renn

Thursday, March 09, 2017

Roger Marshall, Republican From Kansas, Is So Rightt

Read carefully everything he said. Sure, it wasn't "politically correct' but he was right on. Bleeding hearts will hate him but that is the nature of not being "politically correct" I told a Sister one time that you can't save all people. She said"no but we try".

That is what the Bible says but it also says we will always have the poor.

Correct and millions of them will always stay that way no matter how much you help them. Look at the thousands of "homeless" attempts that have failed worldwide. Read my blog about the 5 years I was on a homeless committee in Peoria years ago.

So sad but what he said is absolutely true.If he runs for reelection, he will win if voters in Kansas have any sense. They did when I lived there but things always change.

Only One President of the U.S.A. - Not Donald Junior or ANYONE Else

President Trump can listen to anyone, including members of his own family. Junior is a big boy now. So did every President ever elected to anything. How much more stupid can the left-leaning mainstream press, the unfulfilled women, (you'll see them protesting) and some Democrats, be???

Dear God.

So Junior got paid $50,000 for speaking to some kind of group in France. How much does Bill Clinton, who was impeached, and records prove him to be the husband and CONFIDANT of a recent Democrat loser get last year, get when he addressed group last year? $200,000 minimum?

Water Company Buyout _ Expect New City Council Will Spend Gazillions on Another Study

Actually, it was a group called the PAAG that lent the City a million dollars for the study. Minus the 9% interest so the amount the City received was only $816,000.00. When the City Council voted no, the PAAG sued the City to get it's money back. Attorney Lee Smith represented the City and Steve Wakeman (good grief) represented the PAAG group.  Result of the lawsuit was never made public to my knowledge.

Much was made of foreign ownership of American Water. Some even thought foreigners owned our water. Haven't heard a word about Japanese ownership of our theoretically only newspaper, the Peoria Journal Star. Hmm.

Anybody that was anybody wanted to buy the water company, the Chamber, prominent realtors, the Mayor of Morton, also a realtor, The Community Civic Group, composed of the wealthiest people in the area, the Pekin Mayor but the wise ones on the council stood firm. Dave Williams, then the competent President of the Peoria County Board, said "no thanks". Things change and now PCBC, friend to the wealthy and his housemate Sid R might vote to study again. If the City or County would buy the water company, I would expect the City to go bankrupt (I'm kidding, they won't go belly up) they will just raise taxes and fees sooner than I predicted,

The ones involved in lending the $816,000 to the City was as follows: (Note no one from Caterpillar was involved in the loan, Maybe another reason to relocate Hdqrs.)

Dale and Shirley Burklund
Mike Cullinan
Underwood Furniture owned back then by Rita Kress, owner of Kress Mfg. in Brimfield
Ted Fleming
Tom Lund
Otto Baum and Company
Cullinan Construction
Wayne Oberlander
South Side Bank
Geerald and Helen Stephens
D.A. Hoerr

Rita Kress had property out by Brimfield, as did Diane Cullinan, at that time, the wife of Michael Cullinan, both needed City water to properly develop.

Live Longer With Better Health

Drink a glass of water when you get up in the morning or whenever you get up. Cut your diet of regular soft drinks to next to zero. Avoid fast food greasy, but tasty, foods. If you don't drink alcohol, never start. You would be surprised of the number of addicts in this community. I have one too many. Not me.

Me a doctor of a health expert? No, just some common sense suggestions ad I approach the age of 92 still living in a large house and trying to take care of  our house, my wife and myself.

No, I've never been indicted for even a misdemeanor and never will be. Questionable judgments many times but I just join the crowd on that subject.

Thanks for reading me and I do like many regular Democrats who try to sort out the facts of what is going on in this somewhat chaotic world.

How Politics Really Work - Pretty True But Read As Humor

 
*I told my son, "You will marry the girl I choose."*
 

   - *He said, "No."*
   - *I told him, "She is Bill Gate's daughter."*
   - *He said, "Yes."*
   - *I called Bill Gates and said, "I want your daughter to marry my son."*
   - *Bill Gates said, "No".*
   - *I told Bill Gates, "My son is the CEO of World Bank."*
   - *Bill Gates said, "Okay".*
   - *I called the president of World Bank and asked him to make my son the
   CEO.*
   - *He said, "No".*
   - *I told him, "My son is Bill Gate's son-in-law."*
   - *He said, "Okay."*
   - *And this is How Politics Works!!!*
 
 

American Society of Civil Engineers On Our Infrastructure Needs

Best to read an article in "the weekly STANDARD" dated March 8, 2017 to get an unbiased revue that the ASCE opinions might be biased.

If you are reading my blogs consistently you will note that I and thousands of other wonder why it takes our highway employees so long to complete a job. Some of you might remember an unfilled small part of War Memorial entry from the North into the Big Hollow Shopping Center was partially blocked with dozens of barrels for over 6 months before they completed this one small task

If you go back far enough far enough you will find my blog about 13 people with 13 public vehicles worked to create an 18" wide 14" deep ditch along one wide the Collingwood Cr. Truck drivers sat in their vehicles and listened to music or rested on the lawn of a resident while workers with brooms and shovels cleaned out the excess dirt left by the excavator. Then they left the job for a full week and guess what, they had workers with brooms and shovels cleaning out the debris that accumulated. For the lack of a water drain a couple hundred feet has deteriorated. In a bad winter, I have a 30 feet by 30 feet ice pond in front of my drive and mailbox. The City is aware of it and that something will be done. Fortunately, this mild winter, I only had one pond..

And my blogs about one person working and three standing waiting for something to happen, I guess. I often jokingly ask  "do you need more help". They generally laugh or smile.

As a departing Public Woks Manager told me that the union controls the department..

Why Cat Headquarters is Leaving Peoria - The Rest of the Story - Part 2

Peoria Public Schools. No amount of money will solve their problems. Why? Suggest if interested, read my numerous blogs titled, "Peoria Public School Dist #150". I have also visited 15 schools or more when classes were in session,

The upcoming announcement of an inefficient IEPA to finally DEMAND that Peoria quit polluting the Illinois River. Cost - $200-300 million.

I already mentioned the 50-100 year old water lines that will cost in the hundreds or millions to replace.

$200 million needed for County roads and bridges. City? Millions more to bring streets, curbs, bridges, etc. up to only 75% of needs. ( I already made that blog) Yet they will still have the very dangerous Knoxville-War Memorial intersection to contend with. Plus other intersections where they would like to build round-abouts but have to money to do so.

Slow growth or no growth in the region.

Taxes which have no where to go except up and up. From the PPD, expect higher fees that are noticeable only to the user.

Peoria;s tattered infrastructure with no money to buy Cat equipment to repair.

I'm certain the non-Peoria resident new President is listening to his board, few who live in this area. One of two?

Disappointment in the PRM which Cat supported with millions and built a Visitors Center probably costing $2 million or more to maintain; a Visitors Center they really admitted they didn't need. The PRM has had 400-500 thousand less visitors than projected. And had now hired a local man whose career was not museum oriented.

Illinois and Bradley Basketall

Illinois coach will be gone soon. (He is gone) Suggest the AD also. Bradley: Coach Wardle should convince Reynolds, the President and the Board of Directors, that Bradley should sponsor a new league or at least join a league in which they have a better chance to compete.

Forget the theme "we are building with freshmen, etc" Bradley will always be "building".

Half the fans are gone and the Civic Center is probably facing a million dollar loss this year to go with the $500,000 they lost last year. The glory days are over. Bradley has not been able to attract high caliber player as in days of Joe Allen, Hershey Hawkins, David Thrdkill, etc.

Believe me.

Chicago Bulls Inherit Chicago Cubs Old "Moniker"

"Lovable Losers" Problem is they are not lovable. The coach is a nice guy so is Paxton. Fire them both. If, as Wade said, "this is Jimmy Butlers team" my recommendation is they trade both. This is a team in slight chaos. They are no longer fun to watch. Butler is not coachable. He plays hard only when he wants to. The Bulls have some height but they don't know how to use a big man.

Like the Cubs did, they trade player who come back to haunt them.

Time to start over. I will no long watch after watching the last two disasters.

My qualifications? Five years as head high school basketball and two years as a high school and college referee. And a person who played full court BB until the age of 75 at the Clubs at River City. I played on three Club Championship teams. Ask Bob Humbles. Who also won a gold medal while playing for Mesa, AZ. winning over a team from San Diego and one from Albuquerque, NM.

Global Warming? Of Course There Is

I did not hear or read that Trump denied global warming. As I've written before, the warming and cooling is debatable. Always will be. Much of the information released has been proven to be false. Their are lairs in every profession. Of course their is global warming going on right now. Maybe ask the Chinese why their citizens in Beijing and other large cities, are wearing masks? What caused the "Ice Age" in Central Europe in the 15 Century.And why did it not last? What about the Glacier East of Peoria and a couple mile moth of Eureka 10,000 years ago and why did it retreat.?

The burning of wood in caves caused it to retreat??? Animal (methane) farts???

U.S.A. Security Agencies - Not All Employees Do Work Approved By Their Boss in Writing

Some of the protesters should read more books on espionage. One writer is Ron Susskind. His 2006 book is the best. The U.S.A. has spies in EVERY country in the world. It's called Counter Intelligence and has thousands of workers who do espionage; some on a "wink" or smile or just walk away. Nothing is in emails that can be traced. Perhaps on a "secured" phone.. Trump headwaters WAS wired. Someone did it. No one from the Russian Government needed to.They had access to 'Wiki-leak'.

The Intelligence community of which their are 17 Agencies are hardly transparent.

Why Cat Headquarters Is Leaving Peoria? The Rest of the Story - Part One

Fact. Several hundred people knew Cat was leaving month before the news was issued. I suspect that Doug Oberhelman's wife was in contact with high level Cat administrators and SUSPECT that she may be under a contract to help find and help decide where to relocate. I have no proof of this but common sense might enter in the equation??

Peoria is classified by those who classify cities as a RURAL community. Many of the elite have done their best, mostly at taxpayers expense, to make this an Indianapolis or Cincinnati. All their projects missed projections, some by a mile or more.

All Public bodies in Peoria are in poor shape, both in lack of finances, infrastructure and much needed businesses of fill the huge amount of empty commercial buildings,. Some sitting empty for a long time.

Growing pensions in Peoria public bodies are a growing disaster. Our Governor is rightly attempting to slow down this Statewide trend. The unions really don't give a damn about the rest of us, only for their employees who are vast in numbers, especially in the public sector.

To hold your job as a union boss, you always have to get better condition and more money or you will no longer be BOSS. The union motto is, "we don't give a damn what you build, just build it".

Cat is again faced with the possibility of a strike. If either union involved, strikes, Peoria is "dead in the water"

Peoria has a water cleanser and distribution problem. No one know the cost of replacing water mains and water lines, yet at least 2 Councilmen and one expecting to be elected want the system to go for a public referendum. The government owns the water. Many people do not understand this. Those who want a referendum evidently didn't pay much attention to the last one that indicated 82% of the people did NOT want  city ownership. The City Manager wrote that city owned water cost to consumers would RISE 3% per YEAR if the City owned the Water Company.

I have an inch thick file on his "almost" disaster. Find me on my search bar under "Waterlogged" or water, 6 blogs or more,  or anything connected to the past attempts to get the council to agree they want to buy. I am given credit by many to have been the one who convinced the Councilman with my blogs who cast the 6th vote that killed going forward with the buyout.

Cat did not want their name on the ballpark because knew it had financial problems so they used "Dozer". They will miss their luxury suites and so will the Chiefs.

Davis-Bacon Act - Passed By The Democrats

Republicans will try to kill it. It shroud have been killed long ago. Even our Democrat former County Administrator admitted it was a bad law. By making every business pay their employees the same amount of the union scale on government projects, killed competitive bidding. 

The Demos and perhaps some politically motivated Republicans, and the unions will fight hard to stop the erasing of this nasty bill, I hope the WISE Republicans will win.

Trump Administration All Talk - Hardly

God Bless America
 
PAUL 
RYAN'S PROPOSED BUDGET CUTS
A List of Republican Budget Cuts
 
Notice 
S.S. And the
 military 
are NOT on this list
.
 
These are all the programs that the 
new Republican House has proposed 
cutting.
 
* Corporation for Public Broadcasting Subsidy -- $445 
million annual savings.
* Save America 's Treasures Program -- $25 million annual savings.
* International Fund for Ireland -- $17 million annual savings.
* Legal Services Corporation -- $420 million annual savings
* National Endowment for the Arts -- $167.5 million annual savings.
* National Endowment for the Humanities -- $167.5 million annual savings.
* Hope VI Program -- $250 million annual savings.
* Amtrak Subsidies -- $1.565 billion annual savings.
* Eliminate duplicating education programs -- H.R. 2274 (in last 
Congress), authored by Rep. McKeon , eliminates 68 at a savings of $1.3 billion annually.
* U.S. Trade Development Agency -- $55 million annual savings.
* Woodrow Wilson Center Subsid y -- $20 million annual savings.
* Cut in half funding for congressional printing and binding -- $47 million annual savings.
* John C. Stennis Center Subsi dy --$430,000 annual savings.
* Community Development Fund -- $4.5 billion annual savings.
* Heritage Area Grants and Statutory Aid -- $24 million annual savings.
* Cut Federal Travel Budget in Half --$7.5 billion annual savings
*Trim Federal Vehicle Budget by 20% -- $600 million annual savings.
* Essential Air Service -- $150 million annual savings.
* Technology Innovation Program -- $70 million annual savings.
*Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Program -- $125 million annual savings..
* Department of Energy Grants to States for Weatherization -- $530 million annual savings.
* Beach Replenishment -- $95 million annual savings.
* New Starts Transit -- $2 billion annual savings.
*Exchange Programs for Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Their Historical Trading Partners in 
Massachusetts -- $9 million annual savings
* Intercity and High Speed Rail Grants -- $2.5 billion annual savings.
* Title X Family Planning -- $318 million annual savings.
* Appalachian Regional Commission -- $76 million annual savings.
* Economic Development Administration -- $293 million annual savings.
* Programs under the National and Community Services Act -- $1.15 billion annual savings.
* Applied Research at Department of Energy -- $1.27 billion annual savings.
* Freedom CAR and Fuel Partnership -- $200 million annual savings. 
*Energy Star Program -- $52 million annual savings.
*Economic Assistance to Egypt -- $250 million annually.
* U.S. Agency for International Development -- $1.39 billion annual savings.
* General Assistance to District of Columbia -- $210 million annual savings.
* Subsidy for Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority -- $150 million annual savings.
*Presidential Campaign Fund -- $775 million savings over ten years.
* No funding for federal office space acquisition -- $864 million annual savings.
* End prohibitions on competitive sourcing of government services.
* Repeal the Davis-Bacon Act -- More than $1 billion annually.
* IRS Direct Deposit: Require the IRS to deposit fees for some services it offers (such as processing payment plans 
for taxpayers) to the Treasury, instead of allowing it to remain as part of its budget -- $1.8 billion savings over ten years.
*Require collection of unpaid taxes by federal employees -- $1 billion total savings. WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?
* Prohibit taxpayer funded union activities by federal employees -- $1.2 billion savings over ten years.
* Sell excess federal properties the government does not make use of -- $15 billion total savings.
*Eliminate death gratuity for Members of Congress. WHAT???
* Eliminate Mohair Subsidies -- $1 million annual savings.
*Eliminate taxpayer subsidies to the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change -- $12.5 million annual 
savings. WELL ISN'T THAT SPECIAL
* Eliminate Market Access Program -- $200 million annual savings.
* USDA Sugar Program -- $14 million annual savings.
* Subsidy to Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) -- $93 million annual savings.
* Eliminate the National Organic Certification Cost-Share Program -- $56.2 million annual savings.
*Eliminate fund for Obamacare administrative costs -- $900 million savings.
* Ready to Learn TV Program -- $27 million savings.
* HUD Ph.D. Program.
* Deficit Reduction Check-Off Act.
 
*TOTAL SAVINGS: $2.5 Trillion over Ten Years

My question is, what is all 
this doing in the budget in the first 
place
?!
 
Maybe this is why the Democrats are attacking Paul Ryan.
 
Now will you....send this to.... everyone you know.