Invest in your future!!
Students are finding that their investment in education is not paying off in the job market. Many are now holding student debts that exceed a normal house mortgage.
My off the cuff idea - Colleges and Universities are the ones that encouraged their students to take on large debt loads, as the way to "Invest in their future".
Seems like those universities should now reciprocate. Let's require the Universities (via the Teacher Pension Funds) to hold at least 25% of their assets in Student Loans. Then the pension payments can be tied to the repayment ability of those students.
College professors are happy to have students tie their financial future to the University's ability to deliver a career building education. Maybe the College Professors should have their financial futures tied to that promise..
Well, they are clearly capable of it.........
Members of Congress (Senators & Representatives), all 535 of them are required to operate their offices under strict budget guidelines. They are each allowed $1,438,000 to run their offices, each year. If they go over that amount, they are required to fund the deficit from their own pocket.
So out of 535 members of Congress, how many are able to stay within the prescribed budget?
- Keep in mind, this is a group that has racked up the biggest deficits in history of the world.
- They were also required to cut their office budgets by 4% last year - THAT's A REDUCTION in spending!!
So what percentage of these prolific spenders were able to keep their own spending in check?
Would you believe 99.8% were able to stay within the budget stipulation? That's right, only one member of Congress, Rep. John Lewis of Georgia, exceeded the budget - and he by less than 1%.
What gives? Clearly, this group is capable of balancing a budget..........but only when its out of their own pocket. With our money, they throw caution, and their own budgeting prowess, to the wind.
There has been a suggestion that their pay and office budget be reduced by 10% each year, until the budget is balanced.
Clearly Congress has the skill set - now they just need the incentive.
Buffett Rule
If you can't see the graph, you can find it here.
Assorted items
Exciting times!
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Is it just me or does anyone else see the subtlety of the Romney logo (which I like, by the way).
Every time I see it, I always see the letters "R R" or Ronald Reagan.
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A friend's daughter is completing her student teaching, in a Metro East school. The 3rd grade class of 22 students, has 3 students who are incredible standouts (straight A's). The majority of the class have real "issues". Her class includes two 12 years olds! (normal age for a 3rd grader is 9.)
The three top students share one common trait, one factor that might point to their academic success. Care to guess what it is?
The top three students in the class are the only students, out of 22, that come from a traditional two-parent home.
We ought to be asking ourselves - what are we doing as a society to explore that connectivity to high performance and then encourage opportunities for promoting responsible families?
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THIS IS AN OUTRAGE!!!
Okay, I can tolerate (only slightly) the higher gas prices.
And I'm willing to endure (with gritted teeth) the new Illinois tax increase.
But, THIS must not be allowed to stand:
Vanilla shortage will lead to higher Ice Cream Prices.
As a daily imbiber of Vanilla Ice Cream, I'm in shock. And more than a little scared.
Don't we have some sort of strategic reserve for this? Shouldn't we create one?
If this endures, I predict guns in the streets (or at least lots of clenched fists with empty spoons).
Clearly this is being driven by speculators. I would offer more commentary, but I'm heading out to the store to secure a six month supply for myself.
The rest of you..........are on your own.
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Have a Happy Easter.
To those in the Effingham Community -
Since the Cross at the Crossroads was formally dedicated in 2001, the Cross has been illuminated every evening for the past 3,800 nights. Tonight, for the first time, the Cross will be illuminated in a unique manner to commemorate Christ's crucifixion and death.
If you are in the area, you might want to check it out.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
So much for those obstructionist Republicans..........who were joined by EVERY Democrat in defeating Obama's call for more taxes and more spending.
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More Treyvon Martin - from my favorite blog poster (Instapundit) - "A Hispanic Democrat shoots a black guy and somehow it’s the fault of white Republicans. Because, I guess, everything is."
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Congress may be taking up the "Farm Bill" in the future.
This $300 billion transfer of taxpayer money is often characterized as an Ag benefit. In fact, nearly 70% of the money in the Farm Bill is actually spent through Food Stamps.
Farmers, enjoying the benefit of higher commodity prices, are doing quite well. In fact, a majority of those farmers that I talk to would prefer that the Farm Bill be ended. Some political leaders meet that statement with shocked horror. You see, our elected leaders have used the term "farm bill" to push through all sorts of entitlement spending that has little to do with direct agriculture, and everything to do with hiding behind an image of that pitchfork toting couple.
Frankly, farmers wish that the Obama regime would stop inventing new problems (like regulating dust) just to get deeper into the pockets of farm families.
End the farm bill tomorrow and the entitlement program ends as well.
What does that say about our government and the elected representatives, when they are pushing for a benefit that the recipients no longer want?
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Yesterday's item about Food Stamps elicited the following suggestion from a loyal reader:
Bob,
I agree with you as I have often said that those who prefer to “live” on “Link” cards should not have the same shopping experiences as those of us who are “supporting” their habits. Let me be clear on the following recommendations. I am setting forth examples for those people who are fully “Wards of the State” but who are capable of acquiring an education or trade in order to be a contributing member to society. I am NOT referring to those who suffer debilitating mental or physical health. (No, being STUPID is not debilitating, just a continual aggravation to society.)
Therefore, I decree that the government should take over the “empty” Wal-Mart buildings, K-Mart, Kroger buildings etc and have the newly acquired “State Run Food Stores” stocked with basic staple foods that a family needs to sustain a healthy life. (Fruit juices, off-brand
Soft drinks (no energy drinks – these people are not exerting themselves in any fashion) appropriate cuts of meats (not t-bones, filets) no “sugary” children’s cereal, no frozen dinners, (they have all day to prepare a healthy meal). Oh, and by the way, there will be basic cake mixes where a family can bake their “own” birthday cakes instead of ordering a $50 birthday cake from the bakery !! - (Can’t you see the family sharing quality time baking their “own” birthday cakes.?) This State Store will not have a liquor sales department but will have a hair analysis drug testing center. If the hair analysis shows evidence of drug use, the State issued Link card will be confiscated. The Link card will be reinstated once the “drug addict” can
Be retested and deemed free of drugs. (Should the drug addict eventually become baldheaded during the ongoing process, other testing means will be provided.) (No, the State Store will not have a cell phone department, remember, they all have one of those already.)
This State Store will also be voluntarily manned by Link recipients. They will be responsible for the following:
Unloading the delivery trucks (Yes that could possibly mean an “early” morning trip to the store – we’ll furnish them with an alarm clock)
Stocking the shelves
Cleaning the store
Preparing fruits, vegetables etc. for display
Basic tracking of inventory
Policing the attempted shoplifters
Filling grocery bags
Assisting the disabled to their vehicle
Etc., Etc.
Their “wages” would be the equivalent to their acquisition of needed household food. “What do I do with my four children, (three different dads) while it is my turn to volunteer at the State Run store??” You find another Link recipient and share in the babysitting needs. Something tells me you know of other people in your predicament who could help you !! Also, a body scan will be taken on your first trip to “The Store.” The Store will document tattoos and piercings. Any person who obtains another tattoo or piercing while “on tax-payer’s assistance” will most likely have their Link card confiscated.
The Link Card also has an expiration date. Should the recipient prove (with a payroll check stub) that they are duly employed OR in an educational/ work training program, the taxpayers will be more than happy to assist them while they are struggling with their household budget. However, if the recipient is NOT working, nor actively seeking employment or educating/training for re-introduction into the workforce, the taxpayers can request that 18 months is sufficient in their subsidizing this individual’s lifestyle, and have the Link card terminated. You ask, “what will happen to this poor individual, he must eat ??” We can only assume
that “HE”LL FIND A JOB and FEED HIMSELF !!!”
Just my thoughts on the subject. I too, shop at (DELETED) (when I must) and the other day a female truck driver in front of me, after seeing a young couple with two very small children, no wedding rings, but tattoos, piercings and a Link card, check out their cart with frozen dinners, Oreos, Coke, Gatorade, etc. turns to me and says, “you would think that these young people could at least crawl out of their pajamas to shop for the food that WE are paying for.” She has a point !
It's worth a try. Ever notice how Democrats are ADAMANTLY opposed to any type of experiment like this. Even Charter Schools and School choice are HORRORS, even if tested on a limited basis. Frankly, it's that form of experimentation that leads to some great innovations.
It's always important to remember, that the automobile was invented more than 500 miles from our Nation's capitol. As one member of congress told me, "If the federal government had been responsible for creating the automobile, we would have had a mechanical horse!"
Democrats support innovation, but only if it emanates from DC. And yet, there in nothing in our history to suggest that they deliver.
Wednesday, March 28th
As the Florida tragedy continues to unfold, I'm somewhat shocked by the near instantaneous and loud pronouncements of Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. Their inciteful words, combined with the $10,000 bounty for the "capture" of George Zimmerman (nice to know our justice department is letting that one slide), are clearly amplifying the emotion around this event.
What are these reactions doing to the racial divide? No I'm not talking about a african-american/white conflict. I'm referring to the tenuous coalition of the Hispanic and African-American communities. The relationship between the two communities has never been strong. The one unifying connector between the two has been that both are voting minorities - but with growing influence. The Hispanic voting bloc has voted both Republican and Democrat - while being wooed by both parties. Now comes Jesse and Al. As they form their mass demonstrations, directed at Mr. Zimmerman - a member of the Florida hispanic community, they are incitng anger at Mr. Zimmerman, while horrifying the Hispanic community.
Jackson and Shaprton's words might solidify the African-American voting block. But 96% of african americans voted for Obama in 2008. Are they trying to garner that last 4%? Because it seems that the animosity they are creating in the hispanic community will certainly drive a wedge - nationally - between the two groups. Democrats need the hispanic vote, if they hope to succeed in the 2012 elections.
(I predict the Main Stream Media and Democrats will realize this error in the next few days, as they will try to extricate themselves from what is not in their best interest)
Food Stamps - My lovely bride returned from the store yesterday and reported that 2 out of 3 shoppers, she observed, were using Links Cards (food stamps). She was heartened to see that one of the Links holders was using coupons, as part of their purchase. Of course, the other Links Card user had a card filled with every name brand (expensive) food item you can imagine.
The Food Stamp conversation triggered two recent conversations with local surgeons (one an Opthalmologist, the other an Orthopedic surgeon) both have related how the compensation for surgical procedures (from Medicare and Medicaid) continues to decline. In fact, the surgeon's compensation for cataract surgery is about 66% less than 15 years ago.
The idea of capping medical payments is standard. Why not consider the same for Food Stamps?
Rather than allowing the FOOD STAMP abuser to pick out any food item they want, why not put the onus on the Grocery store? The federal government will only pay $2 for a gallon of milk, and $1 for a box of macaroni and cheese. The store can have name brand (expensive items out), but it is in the stores best interest to make sure the food stamp items are clearly marked.
Just as the opthalmologist and Orthopod each can provide more expensive products and services, they are compensated for providing a base item. Compel the stores to do the same, and we will create a more efficient Links system.
Obamacare - Day one
The Supreme Court Justices heard the first day of oral arguments on Obamacare, yesterday. The compulsory aspect of Obamacare is the main bone of contention. While PRESIDENT Obama feels the mandate is essential to his health care plan, CANDIDATE Obama spoke and campaigned against it (when Hillary Clinton suggested it.)
Here's a great video of Obama arguing with himself before the Supreme Court on that very point.
Illinois Primary
College roommate Peter C. (lifelong resident of Massachusetts) offered an interesting perspective on Romney's long, slow journey to the nomination:
"Romney's trouble locking down the nomination may actually help with some independents in the general election as it paints him as a moderate."
I hadn't thought about that. Let's hope.
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While I've lamented Obama's attack on organized religion, I've never really talked about the faith aspect much. On Tuesday evening, I attended a retirement dinner for an individual, and the host quoted the following passage from the Bible. As you read it, think about the approach that the Obama administration has taken towards all things:
Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here’s what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It’s the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. Mean-spirited ambition isn’t wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn’t wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn’t wisdom. It’s the furthest thing from wisdom – it’s animal cunning, devilish conniving. Whenever you’re trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others’ throats.
Until I heard that passage, I hadn't reflected on the fact that Obama was not a "community builder". He was a "community organizer". Community organizing in the city of Chicago is about creating enemies and anger. It's more about the blind ambition of winning, than the actual goal of improving. You need look no further than the South Side of Chicago to realize the community is nothing more than a springboard for political leaders (and organizers) than for really improving lives. Generating anger is not improving lives (or creating responsible citizens).
Primary Eve
Tomorrow is Illinois' Primary. Effingham was graced with the arrival of Rick Santorum, who spoke at one of Effingham's oldest firms, John Boos & Company. A crowd of more than 1,000 were on hand for the Senator's speech. My mother-in-law thought that Santorum was the first presidential candidate to appear in Effingham since the 1950s.
Illinois Republicans, including myself, complain about the fact that our primary is usually so late in the season, as to have little or no impact on picking the nominee. Clearly, we have the ability to influence this year's results. Some commentators suggest that Illinois will either breathe new life into the Santorum campaign, or seal the victory for Romney.
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Sweet Home Chicago - 10 people were killed and 39 were injured - just this weekend - in Chicago!! This is the city that wants to lecture the rest of the state (and the nation) on gun control. My brother Jim pointed out that Illinois is now the only state that does not have some form of conceal-carry laws. I'm thinking there are 50 families that now think Chicago should look at a radical new approach to handling crime in their city.
But the 50 acts of violence wasn't the worst news for Mayor Emmanuel this Monday morning. It was this. ccupy-stlouis-20120319,0,2036253.story" target="">Occupy Protestors plan to disrupt upcoming Chicago NATO conference.
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Obamacare poll - Just out, 67% of American's either want Obamacare scrapped, or to remove the individual mandate of the law.
Last week, I had a chance to visit with a Catholic Priest. If Obama thought the Catholic Church has gotten tired of battling the Obamacare mandate requiring abortion services be paid with Catholic dollars, he's in for a rude shock.
The Catholic Church is gearing up for an all out battle on this issue. While Obama and friends have tried to characterize this as a "women's rights" issue, the church views this as a religious freedoms issue.
As the priest said, "If the mandate is allowed to stand, the church believes this is the end of religious freedom and the Catholic Church as we know if." Pretty strong words - but they clearly reflect the line in the sand that the church will be taking this November.
Ted R. pointed me to CatholicVote.org, a web site that helps track the lawsuits and political actions being taken against Obamacare. Very interesting site.
I am waiting for my call, Mr. President.
Last Wednesday, Rush Limbaugh made an inappropriate comment regarding a Law Student who testified about the financial burden of paying for birth control (while she's paying $70,000 per year for tuition.) Limbaugh made an excellent point regarding this woman's expectations for the government to pay for her birth control, while she's spending $70,000 a year on tuition. He chose an inappropriate word to describe the woman. Given the fact she's studying to become an attorney, while wanting to be so sexually active, conjures up a whole set of lawyer jokes. But I digress.
President Obama, who is working night and day to solve our unemployment problems (in between vacations and golf matches) found time to give the "poor" student a call, because of Mr. Limbaugh's words. Mr. :Limbaugh has apologized for his remarks. But that's hardly preventing the mainstream media from piling on.
Mr. President, I'm waiting for my call. I, and whole group of my friends, have been derided with a derogatory name. Nearly every political commentator (starting with MSNBC) has called me a horrific name that I find reprehensible. I would like them to apologize, and I'd appreciate a call from you, as well.
The name? Well, it's because of our activities involving the tea party. We were called "Tea Baggers". It's as equally offensive as the name that Mr. Limbaugh used. But I don't recall the commentators getting so upset. Like Limbaugh, they too should apologize. And like the Georgetown woman desperate for birth control, I would appreciate a call from you!