Free Republic

Not all George Soros-funded groups are alike. Both Center For American Progress (CAP) and the “media watchdog” it helped to create, Media Matters for America (MMFA), have been roundly criticized for their use of anti-Semitic memes. Most recently the focus has been on the use of the term “Israel-firster” a term meant to portray Jewish Americans as somehow less loyal to the United States than other religious groups. While CAP seems to have taken the charges to heart, and is seeking to change its ways, the Obama/Soros-”firsters” at MMFA are digging in their heels. This dual-loyalty charge, like most anti-Semitic...

I hope you like higher taxes. Much higher taxes. Last night I couldn't figure out at first blush how Boehner/Reid managed to get their "numbers" to work. Well, when I looked at it again this morning, it snapped into focus, along with a backhanded comment and, yes, math. Ok, ok, not really math. It was just a calendar. See, the Bush Tax Cuts and the FICA holiday expire at or before the end of 2012. And guess who's going to be President then - either having just been re-elected or much worse, as a lame duck?

Obama's recent Nixonian speech on the budget

When Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. won election as governor in 2002, he was faced with a tricky problem. He had campaigned on a pledge to build the long-delayed Intercounty Connector in suburban Washington. The highway project would cost a fortune, far more than the state could afford out of its Transportation Trust Fund, and the Republican Ehrlich had taken a hard line against new taxes. He had to come up with some way to pay the $2.6 billion it would eventually cost. The answer? He would make it a toll road. And to give his policies a semblance of geographical...

For whom do the tolls toll? They toll for area motorists, who are threatening to avoid the toll plazas as the state continues to propose substantial fee hikes at its bridges and tunnels. Maryland Transportation Authority officials came to Severn River Middle School yesterday to hear how Anne Arundel County residents felt about a plan to raise $77 million by increasing the tolls at the Bay Bridge and other crossings. Passenger cars at the Bay Bridge would pay $5 by October and $8 by 2013. Vehicles with three or more axles would be paying $24 to $60 at the crossings...

(UPDATE 2:06 p.m.) The Maryland Transportation Authority took one step closer toward making it dramatically more expensive to utilize state tunnels and bridges after its board formally recommended Thursday the largest toll increase in state history. Under the proposal, tolls for passenger cars on the Bay Bridge would, beginning Oct. 1, increase from $2.50 to $5 and eventually would increase to $8 on July 1, 2013. In addition, the cost for a one-way toll on the Fort McHenry Tunnel, the Harbor Tunnel and the Key Bridge would jump from $2 to $3 on Oct. 1 and then $4 on July...

WASHINGTON (AP) - A Metro report says fare increases have been a factor in decreased ridership. Over the summer Metro increased fares for bus and rail riders in an effort to fill a projected $189 million budget deficit. The hikes were expected to generate more than $100 million, but through October the agency is more than $11 million below where it projected it would be according to a new financial report...

Cinangka, Banten. The crater of Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait has expanded to a diameter of 25-26 meters, an Indonesian volcanologist says. The news comes as the frequency of eruptions of the volcano, once misidentified as Krakatoa, increases: On Friday there were 615 eruptions, on Saturday 623 eruptions, and on Sunday 668. Anton S Pambudi, a official from Banten province monitoring the eruptions, said the eruptions over the past two weeks had changed the shape of the crater. He said the team would continue to monitor the volcano. Banten Governor Ratu Atut Chosiyah said she believed that Anak Krakatau...

Amid the worst recession in modern history, the salaries of top Los Angeles County officials have shot up 12 to 45 percent in three years and some public servants are now making more than $400,000 annually in total compensation, according to county records. The analysis of a county salary database obtained through the California Public Records Act found 17,686 of the county's more than 100,000 employees make more than $100,000 annually in total pay. This includes a Coroner's Office executive secretary making $113,825 and a firefighter who collected a whopping $271,498 last year.

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama's Democratic allies in the Senate promise to cut the deficit by almost two-thirds over the next five years, but their budget plan could threaten about 30 million people with tax increases averaging $3,700 in 2012 and after because of the alternative minimum tax. The alternative is tax increases elsewhere in the revenue code averaging up to $100 billion a year after 2011 to continue alternative minimum tax relief and also curb taxes on people inheriting large estates.

The workforce of bureaucrats in the NHS is growing six times as quickly as the number of nurses, according to official figures. While the number of health service managers went up 12 per cent in one year, the number of nurses increased by less than 2 per cent - and the number of health visitors plummeted. Since Labour came to power, the number of managers has almost doubled, partly as a result of the need to monitor stringent Whitehall targets on waiting times.

Sacramento, Calif. (AP) -- California's unemployment rate grew slightly to 12.5 percent in January, the state Employment Development Department reported Friday. But the state also revised its December job numbers to show that about 300,000 additional jobs were lost that month. The state's unemployment rate in December was 12.3 percent. Officials had previously reported December's unemployment rate at 12.4 percent, but revised that figure Friday. Meanwhile, the national unemployment rate held steady at 9.7 percent. ... Despite the increase in unemployment in January, the state added 32,500 jobs. The construction industry saw the largest increase with an additional 16,200 jobs.

More Families Are Becoming Homeless Largest Increases in 2008 Came in Rural and Suburban Areas, Study Finds Alexi Mostrous Washington Post Staff Writer Sunday, July 12, 2009 Louis Gill doesn't like to turn anyone away. The director of the Bakersfield Homeless Center in California has taken to laying out cots and mattresses between the shelter's 174 registered beds to cope with the rush of homeless families brought to his doors by the financial crisis. "Last year, we saw a 34 percent increase in homeless families and a 24 percent increase in homeless children," he said. "Why do we go beyond...

CHICAGO – The largest study of its kind finds that older Americans who eat large amounts of red meat and processed meats face a greater risk of death from heart disease and cancer. The federal study of more than half a million men and women bolsters prior evidence of the health risks of diets laden with red meat like hamburger and processed meats like hot dogs, bacon and cold cuts. Calling the increased risk modest, lead author Rashmi Sinha of the National Cancer Institute said the findings support the advice of several health groups to limit red and processed meat...

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama's Treasury secretary is defending proposed tax increases on the wealthy, saying they are necessary to limit future budget deficits. Timothy Geithner responded on Wednesday to Republican criticism that the administration wants to increase taxes during a recession. Geithner noted that tax increases on couples making more than $250,000 per year would not take effect until 2011.

Politicians and governments seem to want more tax revenue almost at every turn. In response to rising deficits, the Media and the Democrats reflexively demand tax increases. In practice, politicians increase tax “rates,” i.e. income rates, sales tax rates and the like in pursuit of more tax revenue. Tax rate increases, however, yield less revenue over time than tax rate cuts. For instance, when the economy was bad in the early 1990’s, California raised tax rates and over a 3 year period, revenues actually dropped. By 1999, Bill Clinton’s tax rate increase resulted in the highest tax burden in our...

"a single vote by state Sen. Dave Cox, R-Fair Oaks, could determine if the Legislature saves California from going over a financial cliff." ... we urge you to call Cox' senate office (916-651-4001) immediately. Urge him to seek a reasonable resolution of the budget crisis, and not shy away from making the tough, but necessary, choices.

Just for openers, here are the tax cuts that Obama will let expire or will not extend. The net effect: An Obama tax increase. *** Bonus Depreciation - To encourage business investment; expired on 1-1-2005 *** Alternative Minimum Tax - Exemptions decreased by $6,500 per filer on 1-1-2006 *** Small Business Expensing - on 1-1-2008, the maximum business deduction decreased from $100,000 to $25,000 (not inflation indexed). Also the cap on qualifying property decreased from $400,000 to $200,000. *** Capital Gains - rates will rise 10 to 20 percent depending on income, on 1-1-2009. *** Child Credit - will decrease...

SEOUL (AFP) - Energy-starved North Korea has recently increased military manoeuvres, arousing suspicions it may have diverted fuel oil provided under a multinational aid-for-disarmament deal, a report said Sunday. "It is noteworthy that the North's armoured units have sharply increased exercises in the ongoing winter manoeuvring," an unnamed military source told South Korea's Yonhap news agency, adding Seoul and Washington were analysing the moves. The new drills involved fighter jets and armoured vehicles in contrast to previous years which had focused on artillery rather than such oil-consuming exercises, the source added. "We understand North Korea has been enhancing the number...

SACRAMENTO — Acting on the last batch of bills from what experts called a disappointing regular legislative year, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Sunday signed into law a controversial increase in motorists' fees that is intended to raise millions to develop alternative fuel and clean-air technology. Consumer advocates condemned the bill for putting the costs on the backs of motorists rather than oil companies. Schwarzenegger also signed what became known as the "toxic toys" bill, which makes California the first state to prohibit the use of chemical compounds called phthalates in products designed for children under 3 years old. Making his...

Tax wallop: State, county, city seeking hikes 'IT'S GOING TO BE PAINFUL' | From property tax to phone service, your pocketbook will take a hit October 10, 2007 BY FRAN SPIELMAN City Hall Reporter If Mayor Daley and his political cohorts keep this up, they could change Chicago from the "city of big shoulders" to the "city of empty pockets." "There's going to be a consumer and business revolt. This is a Boston Tea Party waiting to happen," said Jerry Roper, president of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. RELATED STORIES • Daley to unveil taxing budget "It's after the election....

University of California leaders raised prices for professional schools Thursday, rejecting arguments that the increases close the door on poor students. The increases, under which some campuses will be charging more than lesser-known branches, were a departure from the tradition of having more-or-less uniform fees by discipline across the 10-campus system. Voting 13-5, the board approved fee hikes for the upcoming school year and endorsed increases for the following two years, although those hikes will require formal approval on a yearly basis. Several professional schools asked for increases of 7 percent, which is in line with previous years, but some...

$28 million rehab of Illinois Statehouse includes $950 urinals, $405 doorknobs. A $38,000 clock... Redecorated bathrooms for state legislators and staff — more than $444,000. Those are among the hidden costs of a multimillion-dollar makeover of the Illinois House and Senate with opulent showpieces re-creating the look of the chambers in the late 1800s. With work finished, a Chicago Sun-Times review of construction documents unearthed expenditures one GOP lawmaker said would “appall” her constituents. “Certainly, the chamber has to be nice and to befit a state of our stature. It’s not like we’re Mississippi. We’re a rich state,” said Rep....

California's fiscal watchdog on Tuesday said Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's revised spending plan for the coming year overstates California's reserves by 75 percent. Legislative Analyst Elizabeth Hill also warned that the governor's reliance on one-time money from selling state assets and raiding public transit and tobacco funds will leave California facing multibillion-dollar deficits for the remainder of the decade. "We do see overly optimistic assumptions in the budget," Hill said about the $103.8 billion general fund budget revision Schwarzenegger released on Monday. Schwarzenegger called the reserve "critical insurance" because the state's budget operates on a "razor's edge". The nonpartisan analyst said...

TUESDAY, Aug. 29 (HealthDay News) -- Adult obesity rates increased in 31 states during the past year, leaving an estimated two-thirds of Americans vulnerable to fatal diseases such as diabetes, stroke and cancer.This, despite federal and state government efforts to curb the overweight epidemic, according to a new report from the Trust for America's Health.The report, titled F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies Are Failing America, 2006, was released Tuesday and is the third in a series of annual reports by the trust detailing state obesity rates as well as the effectiveness of government policies to fight the problem.According...

AL TAQADDUM, Iraq (May 8, 2006) -- Another day on the sand-bitten streets of a small town in Iraq lapsed for the passersby, who carelessly walked to and from their normal routine tasks. A few insurgents entered the town, choosing it as their safe haven while preparing their next strike against the U.S. service members. Cruising just below its ceiling at approximately 15,000 feet, a small unmanned aerial vehicle hovered over the dusty community just beyond earshot, as it tracked the insurgents to their current location with real-time video and relayed the information to the people who could do something...

(GRD Photos) Base Camp Adder (Ali Base) Iraq – Al-Basrah’s offshore oil terminal in Umm Qasr has increased its loading capacity due to the recent completion of repairs to six damaged loading arms on Platform B, Berths 3 and 4. Extensive repairs included total refurbishment of the hydraulic systems, vacuums and power lines. The loading arm repairs provide safer, more efficient equipment and contribute greatly to restoring the terminal to full capacity. The repairs will also accommodate a larger number of vessels which means more oil and other goods can be exported from the terminal. This tasking was one of...

Two newly trained Iraqi border police pose with their British trainer in front of their newly constructed border fort. (USACE Photo) Base Camp Adder (Ali Base) Iraq – Protecting the border between rivaling countries of Iraq and Iran in rural Maysan Province is a daunting mission assignment. The US Army Corps of Engineers soon realized that endeavoring to build border forts to shelter and safe guard border police patrolling these remote borders presented extraordinary construction challenges as well.The challenge was met in Maysan Province. Maysan is now more fortified than ever before, thanks to 22 new border forts constructed...

Sri Lanka has recently witnessed an increase in attacks and threats against the Christian community there. The increase has led to fears that a new wave of anti-Christian violence is about to begin, reports Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW). According to the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL) "there is a visible increase in the number of attacks on Christian places of worship and acts of intimidation during the past two months." A report from NCEASL claimed that the pastor of the Dutch Reformed Church in Galle was subject to a host of virulent threats on 6th February. He...

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A federal push for cars that run on an alternative fuel straight from the heartland isn't winning many converts among American drivers - but is a hit with automakers who use it to skirt mileage standards. Five million cars across the country are equipped to run on the fuel, but almost no one uses it outside the corn belt. Fortunately for carmakers, a 1988 law designed to decrease oil use gives them credits for building vehicles that run on the alternative fuel whether anyone uses it or not. Those credits allow automakers to relax gasoline efficiency...

Highlights of final N.C. House budget 8/10/2005 8:43 AM By: Associated Press & News 14 Carolina Web Staff The figures reflect reductions or increases to base budget expenses, some of them based on projected rises in recurring spending. Salaries and benefits: • Salary increase of two percent or $850, whichever is greater, and one week extra vacation for most state workers; average 2.24 percent raise for public school teachers. Community college faculty and professional staff also would receive an additional 2 percent raise: $237.3 million. • Ensure all employees under State Personnel Act receive a minimum salary of $20,112: $750,000....

Well, well, well…the Department of Veterans Affairs has a fiscal 2005 budget deficit due to exploding health care costs. Imagine that. A U.S. government agency spent more money than Congress and the president budgeted for it. Oh the humanity! And whom would you suppose the left is blaming for this dastardly miscalculation? Senator Murray certainly found a culprit: http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/06/23/veterans.budget.ap/ “‘This shortfall results from either deliberate misdirection or gross incompetence by this administration and the Department of Veteran Affairs,’ said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington.” Don’t you just love it when a member of Congress who almost never has voted against an...

SACRAMENTO – As if to acknowledge that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger may be losing the public relations battle, Assembly Republicans held a news conference yesterday to declare that the governor is proposing increased funding for schools, not a cut. The California Teachers Association has been running radio ads in all major state markets for three weeks that criticize Schwarzenegger for proposing a state budget that will cut billions of dollars from underfunded public schools. A Public Policy Institute of California poll released two weeks ago showed that 34 percent of Californians approve of how Schwarzenegger is handling schools, while 51 percent...

If you are like most Americans, your household income will grow by about 3 percent this year. You would like more, of course, but you will get by just fine. Why, then, can't the California Legislature scrape by on a much larger increase of 4.2 percent in general fund revenues? Why are Democratic majorities in the Senate and Assembly, joined by a chorus of special interests, demanding a variety of tax increases to avert the hardship they foresee in a budget that will grow by only 4.2 percent? Gov. Arnold Schwarz-enegger's proposed 2005-06 budget provides a reality check for lawmakers...

Summary   In the Feb. 15 Democratic debate, Kerry suggested that Bush was being unpatriotic: “He’s cut the VA (Veterans Administration) budget and not kept faith with veterans across this country. And one of the first definitions of patriotism is keeping faith with those who wore the uniform of our country.” It is true that Bush is not seeking as big an increase for next year as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs wanted. It is also true that the administration has tried to slow the growth of spending for veterans by not giving new benefits to some middle-income vets. Yet even so, funding...

Everybody knew Howard Dean's proposal to repeal the Bush tax cuts would prove controversial in the general election. But during the Democratic nomination fight, too? Over the last few weeks, rivals have attacked Dean for saying that, as president, he would rescind even those parts of the Bush tax cut that are not directed at the very rich. "Some in my party want to balance the budget on the backs of the middle class," John Kerry declared recently, in a typical broadside. "Too many middle-class people are getting pummeled everywhere they turn." Several polls suggest that most Democrats agree: The...

Tax Increases for a Recovering Economy By: Andy Obermann 5 November 2003 In case you haven’t heard, the post 9/11 recession, that has plagued the Bush Administration for much of its first term, is over. With third quarter GDP growth at 7.2%, the highest single quarter growth since 1984 (under President Ronald Reagan’s tax cut plan, by the way), Democrats have lost a major weapon in campaign 2004. According to the Howard Dean crew, however, we are in the midst of our darkest economic days since the Great Depression. The recovery has been touted as “jobless” by our esteemed would...

By John Rossiello. Posted 6/21/2003 12:18:00 AM The gubernatorial empire which Governor George Pataki has made himself famous for is crumbling before him. "The man once known for his fiscal conservatism is presiding over a fiscal wreck," says Christopher Grimes of The Financial Times. The State legislature's plan to increase taxes is not only killing the New York economy, but also threatens the 2004 Republican convention. Governor Pataki labeled these "job killing hikes," since they have noticeably damaged the economy. And while Pataki has less than seventeen months to make something happen, increasing taxes is unlikely to stimulate the economy....

SAN FRANCISCO -- The impact of the state's staggering budget deficit hit many California college students Monday when the University of California and California State University approved substantial fee hikes at meetings here and in Long Beach. Beginning next term, UC students will pay an additional $405 a year in fees -- an increase of more than 11 percent. At CSU, undergraduate fees will climb by $144 a year for undergraduates, a 10 percent jump. Graduate students will pay an extra $228 a year, a 15 percent rise. Faced with large and unusual midyear cuts proposed by the governor, university...