The effort by Wisconsin's Governor, Scott Walker, to rein in State Employee unions, has gripped the nation. It seems that most people grasp the significance of the struggle.
Frankly, many states, like New York, are going broke and one of the main reasons is compensation of public employees. At one time, public employees were underpaid versus the private sector, so enhanced fringe benefits made sense. Today, however, public employees have higher average compensation. Public employee wages and pensions threaten to bankrupt many states.
Clearly, the battle lines are being drawn. The Democrats strongly support the unions in this battle, because public employees, particularly teachers, are the backbone of the party. Republicans seem determined to get these unions under control, arguing that the system is broken and unsustainable. This fight may well be a defining moment for our nation.
Charles Krauthammer thinks so. Read his take on the issue from National Review Online.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Washington Claims Another Victim
Fox News is reporting that Congressman Chris Lee is resigning over the "topless" picture of himself which was posted on Craig's List.
Initially, Lee denied having posted the picture, indicating his e-mail account was hacked.
Lee would be the second Upstate NY Congressman who resigned due to "personal impropriety" in two years, following Eric Massa's exit early in 2010.
Initially, Lee denied having posted the picture, indicating his e-mail account was hacked.
Lee would be the second Upstate NY Congressman who resigned due to "personal impropriety" in two years, following Eric Massa's exit early in 2010.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
He's No Mr. Smith
Senator Richard Lugar, Republican (so called) of Indiana, had harsh words for Tea Party members who criticised his support of the new START Treaty with Russia and his votes in favor of confirmation of Obama nominees to the US Supreme Court.
Talking about how some tea partiers had criticized his support of the treaty, Lugar said, “I’ve got to say ‘get real’". He also suggested that votes against liberal justices would lead to difficulty in confirming conservative judges appointed by Republican presidents.
Wow, no kidding? Does he really think that might happen? Oh, yeah, it has been happening since Reagan nominated Bork. Has Senator Lugar been asleep?
Its pretty clear that Lugar has been in Washington too long. He is one of those "Washingtonians" who lose track of what the people who elected him really want. He "knows" more than "they" do. "They" just don't get it. "They" need to 'get real'.
No Senator, you're the one who doesn't get it. But I have a feeling that in 2012, you just may.
Talking about how some tea partiers had criticized his support of the treaty, Lugar said, “I’ve got to say ‘get real’". He also suggested that votes against liberal justices would lead to difficulty in confirming conservative judges appointed by Republican presidents.
Wow, no kidding? Does he really think that might happen? Oh, yeah, it has been happening since Reagan nominated Bork. Has Senator Lugar been asleep?
Its pretty clear that Lugar has been in Washington too long. He is one of those "Washingtonians" who lose track of what the people who elected him really want. He "knows" more than "they" do. "They" just don't get it. "They" need to 'get real'.
No Senator, you're the one who doesn't get it. But I have a feeling that in 2012, you just may.
Super Bowl (Final)
One last Super Bowl post.
This one is from Crabbylami. She outlines the real reason the Steelers lost Super Bowl XLV here. Karma is everything, you know.
Make sure you check out the picture of the Primanti Bros.-like sandwiches we ate. The food and the Iron City beer were the only highlights for me.
This one is from Crabbylami. She outlines the real reason the Steelers lost Super Bowl XLV here. Karma is everything, you know.
Make sure you check out the picture of the Primanti Bros.-like sandwiches we ate. The food and the Iron City beer were the only highlights for me.
Super Bowl II
Well, Aaron Rodgers is going to Disney World. And deservedly so.
Unfortunately, the Packers defeated my beloved Steelers in the big game. Rodgers was the main reason. He lived up to the hype and played a great game. Had his receivers not dropped several passes, he may have gone over 400 yards passing.
The Steelers never led, but they never quit. They fought right down to the wire and had a last chance to pull it out. Alas, it was not to be.
Congratulations to the Pack. They are deserving champions. I'm rooting for a rematch in Indy next year!
Unfortunately, the Packers defeated my beloved Steelers in the big game. Rodgers was the main reason. He lived up to the hype and played a great game. Had his receivers not dropped several passes, he may have gone over 400 yards passing.
The Steelers never led, but they never quit. They fought right down to the wire and had a last chance to pull it out. Alas, it was not to be.
Congratulations to the Pack. They are deserving champions. I'm rooting for a rematch in Indy next year!
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Super Bowl
As you probably know, I am a long-time and dyed-in-the-wool Steelers fan.
Green Bay seems to be the favorite. I guess they are the trendy pick and Aaron Rodgers is the poster boy QB everybody wants to succeed.
I had wondered if I could root for the Steelers with Ben at QB. I found that I could and I do. Ben has proved to be a tough and tenacious leader on the field. I have found a way to respect that part of his persona, while reserving judgment on the rest.
I think that Ben Roethlisberger is the better quarterback. I agree with many, though, that he still has much to prove. Not on the football field, but in the field of life. He still needs to prove he has changed from the arrogant, boorish heel that he had been through his brush with the law in Georgia. According to many close to the team, he has changed his behavior. But the jury is still out.
I'll be rooting for the Black and Gold on Sunday. I hope they and Ben prevail. I also hope that Ben, like Michael Vick, has really had that sort of epiphany that allows a person to change for the better. I am rooting for Ben in that game, as well.
Green Bay seems to be the favorite. I guess they are the trendy pick and Aaron Rodgers is the poster boy QB everybody wants to succeed.
I had wondered if I could root for the Steelers with Ben at QB. I found that I could and I do. Ben has proved to be a tough and tenacious leader on the field. I have found a way to respect that part of his persona, while reserving judgment on the rest.
I think that Ben Roethlisberger is the better quarterback. I agree with many, though, that he still has much to prove. Not on the football field, but in the field of life. He still needs to prove he has changed from the arrogant, boorish heel that he had been through his brush with the law in Georgia. According to many close to the team, he has changed his behavior. But the jury is still out.
I'll be rooting for the Black and Gold on Sunday. I hope they and Ben prevail. I also hope that Ben, like Michael Vick, has really had that sort of epiphany that allows a person to change for the better. I am rooting for Ben in that game, as well.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
