Month: December 2012

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Weekend Fun – Sort of

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Springfield and Pensions

Thanks to the Illinois Policy Institute for this graph.  Also noted by IPI, Illinois has the worst credit rating in the country and will be downgraded again.   http://illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=5347 TRS = Teachers Retirement System SERS = State Employees Retirement System SURS = State Universities Retirement System JRS = Judicial Retirement System GARS = General Assembly Retirement System At least the General Assembly […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

The EPA Role in Agenda 21

by Diane Benjamin While the United Nations Flag stands in the Bloomington City Council chambers, the town of Normal is IN BED with the United Nations. Recent posts have tied the government activities in Normal Il directly to the United Nations through Agenda 21.  The United Nations does not believe in the America as founded-they […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Agenda 21 – Example

Oyster farmer battles federal government’s order to shuck operation A California family that has operated an oyster farm on the bucolic Northern California coast is fighting back after the federal government moved to kick it off of the National Park Service property where the shellfish have been legally harvested for nearly 80 years. The Drakes […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Bloomington – Normal Illinois: GOVERNMENTAL “THEFT”

Editor Note:  Alderman Judy Stearns voted against at least 2 budgets specifically because of unfunded pensions.  She was ignored by the Mayor, City Manager, and the rest of the Council. by:  Carl Woodward CPA The two communities where I am located (Bloomington/Normal, Illinois) have not fully funded their pension and health care obligations over the […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Durbin: Medical Device Hypocrite

Earlier this week the Wall Street Journal reported: “A group of 17 Democratic U.S. senators and senators-elect have signed a letter urging for a delay in implementing a tax on the medical-device industry that is scheduled to go into effect Jan. 1.” The signatories include a number of Democrats up for reelection in 2014 (Sen. Dick Durbin (Ill.), […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Humanity Lost

by:  Diane Benjamin Government thinks they are capable of making better decisions than citizens.  There is no more obvious example than the take-over of the healthcare industry.  Massive regulations and fees are issued every month by the un-elected, all supposedly to cover the un-insured. Regulations do nothing to promote healthcare for all.   Large providers […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

POLL: BRITAIN WANTS TO RETURN TO ITS CHRISTIAN ROOTS

In a nation that is often described as “post-Christian,” a spark of revival might be on the horizon. A breeding ground of Darwinian evolution and atheism — and more recently, spreading Islamization — England has been recognized as falling away from its Christian heritage for generations. But recent survey results released by Oxford University indicate […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Progressives – Part 3 (why Obama won)

by Diane Benjamin Please read Parts 1 and 2, the narrative continues from the progressive ideas spelled out so far. Part II of The Little Blue Book is titled:  The Epidemic of Extreme Conservatism.  The concept that conservatives follow the strict authoritarian father model continue painting anyone wanting limited government as a threat to democracy.  They fail to mention […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

McLean County Taxes Compared to ALL Counties

This report was released by the tax foundation in 2011 for 2005-2009.  http://taxfoundation.org/article/property-taxes-owner-occupied-housing-county-ranked-taxes-paid-2005-2009-five-year-average The comparison is for ALL Counties in the United States.  McLean County isn’t far down the list: #130 for medium property tax paid on homes #61 for % of tax paid based on home value #151 for % of tax based on […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Veterinarians and pet owners don’t get a free pass on ObamaCare

by:  Scott Reeder, Illinois Policy Institute SPRINGFIELD – Is the Internal Revenue Service barking up the wrong tree? When ObamaCare was approved by Congress, few would have guessed that pet owners would be helping pick up part of the tab for the health care overhaul. But earlier this month, the IRS decided that most of […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Hillary Clinton for President!?!

Maybe somebody is trying to convince her to run, after a stay at a weight loss clinic and a major makeover, but don’t forget her campaign of 2008. There wasn’t a lot of difference between her policies and President Obama.  Government is here to take care of you!  Remember this commercial? Once Obama is done […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Progressives – Part 2

by:  Diane Benjamin Read Part 1 from yesterday because this story evolves.  You must understand how progressives view progressive families (nurturant) and conservative families (authoritarian). Although they admit this is over-simplified, it clearly shows the progressive’s views: Quoted from the book: Progressives: Moral Values:  Democracy requires that citizens care about each other and take both personal […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

A German’s View on Islam – worth reading

This is by far the best explanation of the Muslim terrorist situation I have ever read. His references to past history are accurate and clear. Not long, easy to understand, and well worth the read. The author of this email is Dr. Emanuel Tanya, a well-known and well-respected psychiatrist. A man, whose family was German […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Doha – the zombie UN climate change charade staggers on (fracking)

Peter Foster at the Financial Post sums up the Doha “climate change” conference best: The UN climate conferences have descended into ritual farce, as naked money-grabbing on behalf of poor countries contrasts with finagling impossible solutions to what is likely a much-exaggerated problem. One leading question is how dubious science, shoddy economics and tried-and-failed socialist policies have […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Progressives – Part 1

by Diane Benjamin In June 2012, progressives published a book subtitled  “The Essential Guide to Thinking and Talking Democratic”.  I am withholding the actual name of the book, for now. The book is the game plan used by President Obama and other progressives in the 2012 election.  It is very apparent that JFK type Democrats no longer exist […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Fly on the Wall – dysfunctional Illinois

From a current State of Illinois purchasing employee: All purchases must be bid to small businesses first.  Storage of supplies is limited, so they are needed “Just in Time”.  I could be sending bids to more than 80 small businesses. They have 2-3 days to get bids in, but if they are still higher than […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Some questions for retired teachers

Talking with retired teachers, even those who believe that Illinois needs to get its budget in order, they all say, “Don’t touch my pension,” In fact, don’t touch anybody’s pension — it might affect me. Most won’t even consider giving up their 3 percent annual COLA. And so I ask all retired teachers, professors and […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Originally posted September 10, 2012. Everything is true except the American people weren’t smart enough to see lies in front of their faces.

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Weekend fun – Sort of

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Merry Christmas!

2 Down, a couple hundred to go.

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

US Tax System is Stupid

When you account for all forms of taxation, there are some Americans that “play by the rules” that are sending more than half of their incomes to the government. This is why “tax avoidance” has become a multi-billion dollar industry in the United States.  People are sick and tired of being drained dry by a system that […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

IL GOP platform on Illegal Immigration

Below is a section of the Illinois GOP platform adopted 6/9/2012.  This section speaks to immigration issues in Illinois.  Note E and F. Where does issuing drivers licenses to illegal immigrants fit into the platform?  Bill Brady, can you answer since you voted Yes?  How does your vote “abandon incentives for illegal aliens to settle in Illinois”? […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Why won’t Climate Change Believers Debate?

It is impossible to debate the facts of Global Warming or Climate Change because believers refuse to discuss it.  Doubters are called “flat-earthers” and “science deniers”.  Meanwhile billions of our tax dollars are used to cure a problem that can’t be proven or discussed.  Fossil fuels and the jobs that go with them are severely limited and we […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

More on Driver’s Licenses for illegal aliens

by Diane Benjamin If you want a clear picture of who in the Illinois Senate is a conservative and who is pandering for votes, click here to see who voted to give drivers licenses to illegal aliens in Illinois:  http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=957&GAID=11&DocTypeID=SB&LegId=55832&SessionID=84&GA=97 Note 2 persons wanting to be governor, Dillard and Brady, voted YES. If a vehicle […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Report: Obamacare Patients Likely To Struggle To Find Doctors

J.D. Tuccille|Dec. 5, 2012 6:01 pm The big selling point of the Affordable Care Act — “Obamacare” to you and I — has been the extension of health-plan coverage to uninsured Americans. The implicit promise was that extending coverage would extend actual care. But yet another study suggests that these new medical customers, many of […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Conservative group launches campaign to ‘depose’ Boehner from speakership

The backlash against Speaker of the House John Boehner’s removal of several conservative members of Congress from committees continued Wednesday, with one conservative group calling for Republicans to “depose” Boehner from his speakership. American Majority Action (AMA) is launching a #FireBoehner campaign. If 16 members of the Republican Party abstain from voting for Boehner as […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Fly on the Wall – Jennifer McDade (Update)

I hear Jennifer is very upset her petitions are being challenged. Evidently following the law doesn’t matter – things like putting the correct date for the election on the petitions aren’t important.  Pretty sad an elected official doesn’t even know the right date!  How smart can she be? Funny, Jennifer tried her hardest to keep Judy […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Congrats to the GOP

Speaker Boehner, Eric Cantor, and all other Republicans In Name Only: You have been defeated by a Community Organizer! “Revenues” mean “taxes” instead of growing the economy to produce more taxable income. “Fair Share” means “tax the rich” some undetermined amount.   The citizens paying no income taxes believe the rich can afford more. “Investments” in […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

7 Reasons Socialism Will Make You Poorer Than Capitalism

By John Hawkins Given what we know in 2012, saying that capitalism will make a society richer than socialism should be about as controversial as saying the earth is round, not flat. Yet, a recent Gallup poll shows that more liberals have a positive view of socialism than capitalism. This is only possible because there are so […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Detroit councilwoman to Obama: We voted for you, now bail us out

DETROIT (WJBK) — The city of Detroit faces a major financial crisis and one member of city council thinks President Barack Obamashould step in and help. City Council member JoAnn Watson said Tuesday the citizens support of Obama in last month’s election was enough reason for the president to bailout the struggling the city. (Click the video player […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Purged conservative reps: Boehner planning to ‘run over’ conservatives, vote for tax hike

Conservative Republican Reps. Tim Huelskamp of Kansas and Justin Amash of Michigan hit back at Republican leadership on Tuesday, following their Monday removal from prominent committees, calling the move “petty” and “vindictive,” and accusing Speaker of the House John Boehner and his deputies of silencing independent conservative voices in preparation to steamroll a tax hike […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

No difference between Democrats and Republicans in Illinois

The #GOP leadership is supporting drivers licenses for illegal aliens.  http://www.sj-r.com/breaking/x1156351109/State-GOP-leaders-back-drivers-licenses-for-illegal-immigrants According to the GOP, it’s okay to break the law by being in Illinois, work in Illinois, but somehow they will magically follow other laws?  What makes them believe illegals will buy insurance? Pandering to illegal immigrants, just like the Democrats do, will not win any […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

The Brady Bunch

Dollars for leaders Of the 177 Illinois state legislators, 136 receive some type of salary boost for a leadership post, which will cost taxpayers an additional $1.7 million this year. Annual salaries for all 177 is $64,716. Both Dan Brady and Bill Brady receive extra money for their leaderships rolls: Dan   $9,851 Total  $  74,567 […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Right to Work States vrs Unions

The biggest problem in politics?  Liars! MEA Misleads on Oklahoma Right-to-Work Numbers In the past decade, Oklahoma jobs are up 3.8 percent while Michigan is down 13.8 percent By JARRETT SKORUP | Nov. 30, 2012 |  Follow Jarrett Skorup on Twitter If Michigan were to become a right-to-work state, unions could no longer force members to financially support them. Around the county, […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor
Written by Diane Benjamin - editor
Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Fracking and ethics

The FIRST question to ask the anti-fracking fanatics:  What energy sources do you support?  NONE of them will be anything but green energy.  Therefore, not wanting to use God-given sources of energy invalidates their opinions. An Open Letter to the Oil and Gas Industry: The Ethical Case for Fracking by JOE BAST, JAY LEHR AND MIKE GEMMELL on DECEMBER 11, […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

GALLUP: HALF OF DEMOCRATS, QUARTER OF REPUBLICANS APPROVE OF SOCIALISM

by WILLIAM BIGELOW 1 Dec 2012 According to a Gallup poll conducted  November 18-19, more than half of Democrats (53%) approve of socialism, which isn’t surprising, but almost one-quarter of Republicans (23%) also do. What the poll reveals is that there is a significant difference between the reality of what voters approve and their reactions to terms that represent […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Daddy’s Poem

  Her hair was up in a pony tail, Her favorite dress tied with a bow. Today was Daddy’s Day at school, And she couldn’t wait to go. But her mommy tried to tell her, That she probably should stay home; Why the kids might not understand, If she went to school alone. But she […]