For years governors, legislators and others have been advocating “shared services” as a way for towns to hold the line on costs and thus halt the rapid rise of property taxes that has been plaguing New Jersey municipalities for decades. The Legislature may get an opportunity to do more than just advocate shared services; it may force Teterboro in Bergen County to be split among the four adjoining municipalities. Read the rest of this entry »
Archive for the ‘Federal Government’ Category
Guest column, Dr. Alieta Eck
08
Jun
ObamaCare, Tried in Greece, Leads to Bankruptcy, Rioting & Bloodshed
Some people learn from others’ mistakes, and some have to “learn the hard way.” Will America follow the lead of countries who have actually tried their own version of ObamaCare, or could we still learn from their mistakes? In a remarkable statement, the International Monetary Fund has recommended that, before any bailouts are considered, the Greek government must privatize transportation, energy and health care to rein in costs. The IMF recognizes that increased government involvement in health care does not save money. It also does not lead to better health care.
The economy sucks: Thanks Obama and Bush, Bernanke and Greenspan and the gang of plunderers AKA as the Congress of the United States
07
Jun
If the U. S economy is recovering from the financial crash and housing bubble of the past several years, it is at best a subpar performance, given the employment data that was released last Friday. Although 431,000 new jobs were created in May, the vast majority were temporary census positions (411,000). The private sector increased the number of jobs by 41,000, and the unemployment rate declined slightly to 9.7%.
Choose free enterprise
02
Jun
Governor Christie announced the creation of a nonprofit organization, Choose New Jersey, to help revitalize the state’s economy. The mission of Choose New Jersey is to market New Jersey’s “strategic strengths” by making the state more attractive for businesses to relocate here and expand their operations if they are already doing business in the Garden State.
Now they’re worried about debt?
28
May
So-called Blue Dog Democrats in the House of Representatives are worried about the latest bill to increase spending and raise taxes before the May 31st deadline, when extended unemployment benefits and Cobra health insurance subsidies expire. The $146 billion spending bill may not be voted upon by today, the last working session before the end of the month, unless the House will meet on Memorial Day weekend–a highly unlikely situation even for the most committed welfare state advocates in Congress who want to spend, spend, and spend.
The financial collapse is accelerating
27
May
In an New York Times op-ed, “Easy Money, Hard Truths,” hedge fund manager David Einhorn lays out the case that we should not worry about future generations feeling the pain of a huge national debt, unfunded liabilities and a weak economy. Instead, Mr. Einhorn argues that the imbalances in our economy are going to get worse, because he observes “I don’t see the political will to steer the country away from crisis.” The most recent crisis that just passed was “fixed” by massive government “stimulus” and a heavy dose of easy money. And more easy money is on the way.
Rand Paul is right, Rachel Maddow is wrong: anti-discrimination laws discriminate
21
May
As I predicted Wednesday, the demonization of Rand Paul has begun. On Wednesday evening Paul was a guest on Rachel Maddow’s MSNBC show and was asked about his support of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the landmark legislation that bans discrimination in so-called public accommodations (i.e., private businesses) and government facilities on the basis of race, color, sex and national origin.
Shameless legal plundering in Trenton
17
May
Last week, both the Assembly Budget Committee and the Senate Budget and Appropriation Committee voted along party lines to impose a “temporary” surcharge (from 8.97 percent to 10.75 percent) on New Jerseyans who have taxable incomes of more than $1 million. The temporary surcharge was in effect last year, and Governor Corzine and the legislature did not renew it during the lame duck session after Corzine lost his reelection bid last November.
Guest column, Dr. Alieta Eck
14
May
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ As Illegals Take, Are Americans Free? By Alieta Eck, MD
We do not have “universal health care. We have mandatory free “health care for the universe.” A middle-aged woman came to our local emergency room, suitcase in tow, complaining of a severe headache and diminished vision. A CT scan of the head showed a brain tumor. The neurosurgeon on call was summoned and within days the patient had surgery to preserve her vision. An inspiring story giving tribute to the wonderful ingenuity, generosity, and high standards in our country? There’s more.
Christie’s micromanaging New Jersey. Free the cities and suburbs instead.
10
May
Chris Christie became governor promising to “shake up Trenton”–exactly what is needed to overhaul the state budget. He has been praised for taking on the Trenton establishment and the NJEA. Christie, however, has been accused of being a “bully” for “waging war” on teachers, cutting school aid to the suburbs, and failing to resurrect the so-called millionaire’s tax to help close the 2011 budget gap.
Will Arizona’s new law be a model for the nation to halt illegal immigration, or will it create a police state in America?
26
Apr
The State of Arizona has thrown down the gauntlet. Fed up with crimes committed by illegal immigrants, Republican Governor Jan Brewer signed into law last Friday that would force immigrants to carry documents proving they are in the country legally. In addition, the police would have the power to question and detain anyone they suspected of entering the country illegally. Read the rest of this entry »
Guest column: Dr. Alieta Eck
23
Apr
Miracle on Page 327
“We have to pass the health care bill, so you can find out what’s in it,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. It’s a good thing doctors don’t practice medicine that way. Imagine sending patients to major surgery and then checking to find out what is in their medical record! Those intent on a government takeover of medicine missed one item that is found in the bill. Read the rest of this entry »
Police salaries handcuff taxpayers
19
Apr
If you think public school teachers are overpaid, The Record (Hackensack, NJ) reports that the award should go to New Jersey police officers, whose average annual salary in 2008 was nearly $80,000, 25% more than school employees and nearly double the average public employee, who made $41,267 that year.
Let teachers run the schools
16
Apr
Governor Christie and the New Jersey Teachers Association (NJEA) are in a war of words over his call for teachers to accept a wage freeze for the 2010-2011 fiscal year. The governor is asking teachers to forgo any salary increase so the more than $800 million cut in state aid to school districts next year would not result in teacher layoffs. Teachers are crying foul. “A contract is a contract and salary increases must be honored, because the sanctity of a contract cannot be violated.”
Millionaires for higher taxes
12
Apr
There is an outfit called the Responsible Wealth Network (RWN) comprised of upper income folks who think they are not paying enough in federal taxes. They and their supporters believe that “economic justice” requires allowing the Bush tax cuts to expire at the end of 2010 and increasing taxes on dividends and capital gains.