Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Citizens wish to reduce townships from 17 to 8 in McHenry County

The organization currently only has a one page website on which donations are taken.  SEE:  http://www.mcc4tc.org/

 

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Cal Skinner’s McHenry County Blog has a good summary of the proposal.

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“….A press release from Nunda Township Trustee and Nunda Township Republican Central Committee Chairman Mike Shorten:

Township Consolidation Initiative Launched Citizen Lead Effort to Reduce Government Units in McHenry County

Crystal Lake, IL March 31, 2015 — The McHenry County Citizens for Township Consolidation (MCCTC) announced plans today to pursue an initiative to reduce the number of Townships in McHenry County through consolidation via a binding referendum in the March 15, 2016 primary.”

….”This could be accomplished through petition, which would mean gathering 10,000 signatures, or by having the McHenry County Board place a referendum on the ballot.

Organizers are looking at the March, 2016, primary election date so township governments would have about a year to figure out details. The next township elections would occur in the spring of 2017.

Voters in any township could vote down the referendum.  If a township’s residents did so, there would be no change in their township government.

Township populations in 2010 were as follows:

  • Algonquin – 88,389
  • Grafton – 53,137
  • McHenry – 47,653
  • Nunda – 38,245
  • Dorr – 20,911
  • Greenwood – 13,990
  • Chemung – 9,134
  • Marengo – 7,564
  • Richmond – 6,683
  • Burton – 5,003
  • Coral – 3,552
  • Seneca – 2,994
  • Riley – 2,922
  • Dunham – 2,844
  • Hebron – 2,356
  • Hartland – 2,031
  • Alden – 1,402

To read all this article go to:  http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2015/03/31/effort-to-combine-townships-announced/

Obama vetoes Republican bid to block union election rules - Yahoo News

 

(Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama on Tuesday vetoed a measure by Republicans in Congress that would have blocked a government labor agency's rules designed to speed up the time it takes to unionize workers.

The rules would shorten the period between a union filing a petition to represent workers and an election, from the current median of 38 days to as little as 14 days. Employers would be required to share workers' names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses with unions.

The National Labor Relations Board adopted the rules last year and they are set to take effect April 14.

The Senate and House of Representatives, voting along party lines, approved a resolution this month that would have stopped enactment of the rules.

On Tuesday Obama, following through on a threat to reject the resolution, said the rules represented modest changes that would make it easier for workers to unionize.

"Unions historically have been at the forefront of establishing things like the 40-hour work week, the weekend, child labor laws, fair benefits and decent wages," Obama said at a press conference.

The labor board still faces court challenges in Washington, D.C. and Texas over the new process from business groups who say it violates the National Labor Relations Act by not giving employers enough time to prepare for elections.

Rep. John Kline, a Minnesota Republican and chair of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, said in a statement that the new process would only help unions.

"With his veto, the president has endorsed an ambush election rule that will stifle employer free speech, cripple worker free choice, and jeopardize the privacy of working families," Kline said.

The NLRB and Democrats who support the rules say they were designed to rein in misconduct by a minority of employers who draw out the union election process in order to threaten and intimidate workers.

An NLRB spokeswoman declined to comment on Obama's rejection of the resolution.

(Reporting by Daniel Wiessner in Albany, N.Y. and Julia Edwards in Washington; Editing by Grant McCool)

Obama vetoes Republican bid to block union election rules - Yahoo News

Monday, March 30, 2015

JUF News : Governor Rauner hosts model Seder

 

Governor Bruce Rauner and first lady Diana Rauner hosted a model Seder at the Governor’s Mansion Tuesday night.  About 75 legislators and executive branch officials as well as Jewish Federation leaders from across the state participated.

The evening’s co-host committee included JUF board members Keith (Marci) Shapiro and Morrie Silverman (Lori Komisar) and former JUF Annual Campaign Chairman Andy (Diane) Lappin as well as Kelly and Jeff Brincat. The service was led by Rabbi Avraham Kagan of Lubavitch Chabad of Illinois.

Each of the 10 tables took turns leading the Seder, the first ever for several of the legislators present.

Governor Rauner welcomed the attendees – not to his and his wife’s governor’s mansion, but to “the house of the people of Illinois … your house,” indicating a desire to have many more such events in the future.  He also stressed the eternal lessons that are central to the Passover story, and their enduring relevance to the challenges our world and community still face.

Talking about nefarious efforts to impose boycotts, divestments and sanctions (BDS) on Israel, the governor stressed how disingenuous and dangerous such efforts are in general and especially on college campuses, pledging not only his opposition to such campaigns but that Illinois will be a national leader in the battle against BDS.

The first lady added, “It was very meaningful for us to celebrate this very important holiday in our new home with representatives of the Jewish community throughout the state.”

JUF Executive Vice President Jay Tcath, who attended Tuesday night’s Seder as well as ones hosted by previous governors, welcomed the re-launching of the tradition, saying, “it’s a treat to take time off from the usual business of pressing state governmental affairs and to share, with the Governor, Diana, state senators and reps and Jewish Federation colleagues from across Illinois, something as enjoyable and meaningful as a model Seder.

"The chance to schmooze in such an informal, beautiful, historic setting is always special, and many thanks are due to the Rauners and the four co-host families, all great supporters of JUF and our Jewish community. And thanks also to Richard Goldberg, Rauner's deputy chief of staff for legislative affairs for his partnership on this and on the many issues of concern to our community."

JUF News : Governor Rauner hosts model Seder

U.S. Supreme Court rejects Obamacare 'death panel' challenge - Yahoo News

 

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a new challenge to President Barack Obama's healthcare law that took aim at a bureaucratic board labeled by some Republicans as a "death panel" because it was designed to cut Medicare costs.

The high court left intact a ruling by the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that threw out the lawsuit.

The court’s action in an unsigned order was a victory for Obama administration, which has faced a barrage of legal challenges to the 2010 Affordable Care Act, often called Obamacare. The court is currently weighing a separate case challenging health insurance subsidies that are key to Obamacare’s implementation. A ruling is due by the end of June.

In the case that the justices rejected on Monday, Arizona-based business owner Nick Coons and Dr. Eric Novack, an orthopedic surgeon, sued in 2011 in litigation backed by a conservative legal group.

Among other things, they challenged the Independent Payment Advisory Board, or IPAB, a 15-member government panel dubbed by some Republicans as a "death panel" because of its intended role in trimming costs within Medicare, the government healthcare program for the elderly and disabled.

Lower courts threw out the lawsuit. In its August 2014 ruling, the appeals court said that the plaintiffs had not shown they had suffered any harm that they could sue over.

On the IPAB claim, the court noted that under the terms of the healthcare law, the board acts only if Medicare spending increases at a certain level. The earliest it could ever take any action that could potentially reduce Novack’s Medicare reimbursements would be in 2019.

The plaintiffs, represented by the Phoenix, Arizona-based conservative Goldwater Institute, also challenged a provision of the law, known as the individual mandate, that requires Americans to obtain health insurance. Those claims were also rejected.

The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the individual mandate in 2012.

The case on which the court acted on is Coons v. Lew, U.S. Supreme Court, No. 14-525

U.S. Supreme Court rejects Obamacare 'death panel' challenge - Yahoo News

No action on wind farm by Brown County health board | Wind Energy News

 

Credit: Doug Schneider | Press-Gazette Media | March 3, 2015 | www.greenbaypressgazette.com ~~

They met for 90 minutes behind closed doors with their attorney Tuesday, but members of the Brown County Board of Health were unable to agree on their next step regarding a wind farm they say poses a health threat to its neighbors.

Board members had hoped they might act on their October declaration that the turbines at the Shirley Wind Farm in southern Brown County emit low-frequency noise that poses health risks. They met with county Corporation Counsel Juliana Ruenzel, but the only concrete action they took was to draft a brief statement.

The board “is working on strategies to help the citizens of Glenmore,” said Dr. Jay Tibbetts, the panel’s medical adviser. “Period.”

Members then adjourned.

County officials in October said the board needed to take action to protect people living near the turbines from adverse health effects. But it remains unclear what action the board can take, and Tibbetts couldn’t say when they will act.

Duke Energy Renewables operates the farm. Company representatives weren’t at the meeting, but have said repeatedly that sounds produced by the turbines cannot be linked to health problems.

About 20 families have experienced health issues they blame on the turbines, which began operating in 2010. Three families abandoned their homes, citing health problems they link to the wind farm.

“There people weren’t interested in moving out of their communities,” said Barbara Vanden Boogart, vice president of the grassroots group Brown County Citizens for Responsible Wind Energy. She said the families who left believed they had no other way to stay healthy.

Tibbetts said the health board is paying attention to two recent studies from Australia that found people living in three homes near a wind farm were suffering health issues linked to the sounds from the turbines. The board also has taken notice of a municipally owned wind farm in Massachusetts that has cut its hours of operation by more than half because of concerns that turbines are making neighbors ill.

“We continue to take (citizens’ concerns) seriously, and we are working on the problem,” Tibbetts said after Tuesday’s meeting. “We’re tackling a problem that a lot of communities have not.”

Learn more

Wind turbine page from the Brown County Board of Health: http://bit.ly/1CtatJH

Brown County Citizens for Responsible Wind Energy: http://www.bccrwe.com/

Duke Energy Renewables: http://www.duke-energy.com/commercial-renewables/

No action on wind farm by county health board | Wind Energy News

BC Health Department report finds “no evidence” of health threat from noise from wind turbines

Following report was submitted by Boone County Health Department staff regarding noise concerns voiced by several board members of Boone County Health Board. At Monday’s board meeting the directors discussed the report and took no action.

As stated on Page C:  Report:  “This review has not found enough consistent or empirical evidence to suggest that sub-threshold noise generated by wind turbines is a direct health threat to the general public”

BC Health Staff Report on WInd Turbine sound 1of 4

BC Health Staff Report on WInd Turbine sound 2of 4

BC Health Staff Report on WInd Turbine sound 3of 4

BC Health Staff Report on WInd Turbine sound 4of 4

You can also make and see comments regarding this posting on Boone County Community Forum. 

Go to: https://www.facebook.com/bccforum Shown below is the entry regarding this issue.

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22 States Where You Could Lose Your License for Not Paying Your Student Loans - Yahoo Finance

 

Failing to repay student loans has all sorts of terrible consequences, but in some states, more than just your financial well-being is at risk — student loan default could cost you your professional certification or even your driver's license.

Two state legislatures (Iowa and Montana) are considering bills that would repeal laws that allow states to suspend the driver's licenses of student loan defaulters, Bloomberg reported in a March 25 piece on the topic. Even if those repeals succeed, several other states have such laws in place. Some states suspend licenses needed to practice in certain fields, from health care to cosmetology, though license suspension can extend to driving, too.

Repeal advocates argue that license suspension is a counterintuitive punishment for student loan defaulters, because it may keep them from working, which theoretically enables them to repay their debts. That's the case Montana state Rep. Moffie Funk is making for the bill she introduced to repeal the state's law that allows driver's license suspension, Bloomberg reports.

According to a list from the National Consumer Law Center, 22 states have laws that enable suspension of state licenses issued to student loan defaulters. The professions and licenses affected by suspensions vary by state and cover a wide range of earning potential, but some of them include doctors, social workers, barbers, transportation professionals and lawyers — the lists can be quite extensive. If your state is on the list and you're at risk of defaulting, you might want to research the details:

Alabama
Alaska
California
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Illinois
Iowa
Kentucky
Louisiana
Massachusetts
Minnesota
Mississippi
Montana
New Jersey
New Mexico
North Dakota
Oklahoma
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
Washington

Student loan default trashes your credit, and the loans continue to incur interest and fees as long as they remain unpaid, so getting out of default can be very challenging. If you have federal student loans, as most people who borrow do, there are many options available to you before you're 270 days past due on your student loan payments (that's the definition of default): You can apply for income-based repayment or pay-as-you-earn programs, in addition to applying for an extended repayment period, which will raise the cost of your loans in the long run but make them more affordable now.

If you want to see how your student loans are affecting your credit, you can get your free credit scores, updated monthly, on Credit.com. You can check your credit reports for free once a year from each of the three major credit reporting agencies at AnnualCreditReport.com. Because student loans are generally not dischargeable in bankruptcy and default can be catastrophic for your credit, it's crucial to prioritize making your loan payments on time.

22 States Where You Could Lose Your License for Not Paying Your Student Loans - Yahoo Finance

Sunday, March 29, 2015

Chuck Sweeny: Don't hide behind Amtrak's skirts GOP - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

 

  • Despite what Rep. John Cabello said Wednesday about the future of passenger trains coming to Rockford — that Amtrak told him no at a House Transportation Committee meeting — this is not Amtrak's call. Anyone who went to the Feb. 25 hearing of the Senate Transportation Committee in Rockford knows that.
    And the facts have not changed. This is a matter that legislators, including Cabello, R-Machesney Park, must decide. The ball is in Cabello's court, not Amtrak's.
    As Marc Magliari, Amtrak's Midwest spokesman, told me late Wednesday night to set the record straight:
    "The incoming governor has halted several projects pending further review. This is not a new fact. As we testified in Rockford on Feb. 25 and in Springfield this afternoon, the budget proposed by the governor does not contain sufficient funds for the current service levels elsewhere in the state. The state will decide how much service it will contract with Amtrak to provide. The decision about this route to Rockford rests with the state of Illinois, not Amtrak. That is what we have always said."
    This project is in two phases. First, before any passenger service can be considered, the Union Pacific's track and bridges across the Fox and Rock rivers must be improved and a connecting track built near Elgin to connect the Rockford track with Metra's line. That will cost north of $200 million. That's an Illinois Department of Transportation responsibility that has absolutely nothing to do with Amtrak. It would also enable the UP to add freight customers in Rockford, something the railroad is interested in doing.
    The second phase would be operating the train. That, too, is the state's responsibility. Illinois operates passenger trains on three lines: Chicago to Quincy, Chicago to Carbondale, Chicago to Springfield and St. Louis.
    Gov. Bruce Rauner's proposed budget would cut the $41 million state subsidy for those trains to $26 million, meaning the number of trains will have to be reduced. There's no money for new services, needless to say.
    Again, that depends on the budget that legislators actually approve. At this point, Rauner's budget amounts to a series of suggestions. None of it has been passed by the Legislature.
    I talked to Mayor Larry Morrissey on Friday morning, and he emphasized that what's important is for our legislative team to agitate together for continuation of the track and bridge upgrades — 15 to 20 percent of the engineering has been done — so that we will eventually have good track to connect Rockford, Belvidere and Huntley to Elgin. Oh, and despite a rumor going around, the trip to downtown Chicago will take no more than two hours, not three. The eventual goal is to have fast, frequent commuter trains operating between Chicago and Rockford, bypassing the multiple stops between Chicago and Elgin.
    Page 2 of 2 - This project was part of then-Gov. Pat Quinn's re-election campaign. When Quinn came to Rockford to announce it last April, Republican legislators were caught off guard. I am not convinced that they really supported it, but no one has said so to this point.
    However, this isn't really just a partisan project. Locally, we've been developing plans for rail service since the 1990s, and it was started by leaders in Boone County. Last time I checked, they were Republicans.
    If Republican legislators from the area do not support the train project they need to come out and say so. Have a joint press conference and tell us why this is a bad idea that needs to be scrapped.
    It's a valid position. I don't agree with it, but hey, that's politics. I respect people who are honest with me about their beliefs and positions on issues. I'm sure you do, too.
    Amtrak will run trains if they're compensated for the service. Trains that run 750 miles or less are the responsibility of the states.
    I remind you that all passenger transportation, as well as road and water-borne freight, is heavily subsidized by government, which owns the roads, airports, and locks and dams. Taxes and fees maintain these assets. None dare call it socialism, but that's what it is and always has been. Only the nation's freight railroads build, own and maintain their rights of way. They pay taxes on it, too.
    So, how about it, Republicans. Take responsibility. Show your cards. Tell us where you really stand. Because this project's future depends on YOU, not Amtrak. Are we clear?
    Chuck Sweeny: 815-987-1366; csweeny@rrstar.com; @chucksweeny
  • By Chuck Sweeny
    Rockford Register Star

Chuck Sweeny: Don't hide behind Amtrak's skirts GOP - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

Bill pushes for possible municipal bankruptcies in Illinois - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

 

SPRINGFIELD — Stressed by pension debt, other financial issues and the possibility of losing a chunk of their state aid, some Illinois cities want the option to file for bankruptcy.
They’ve found an ally in a Republican, who’s proposed legislation to allow municipalities to follow in the footsteps of Detroit and other cities in restructuring debt and paying back creditors. Opponents, however, say there are less drastic, intermediate steps.
One thing is clear, Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey told senators this month: “If history has proven anything in this state, delay, deferral and denial are not solutions.”
Twelve states authorize cities to file Chapter 9 bankruptcy filings, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, and another 12 grant conditional ability to file. Twenty-six states either don’t have Chapter 9 authorization or prohibit it.
Rep. Ron Sandack of Downers Grove is sponsoring legislation that would grant authority for communities to file for bankruptcy under Chapter 9 of the federal code. He says House Bill 298 is a “measure of last resort,” especially with Gov. Bruce Rauner’s proposal in next year’s budget to cut in half the local governments’ share of state income taxes by 50 percent.
“It’s just giving time and space to do things right.”
But not even wealthy towns are immune to costs associated with unsustainable pensions and personal and long-term debt, which can make bankruptcy seem like a viable option. Laurence Msall, president of the Civic Federation, a Chicago-based, nonpartisan government research organization, and other critics recommend establishing an authority that can work with the local government before a bankruptcy judge would consider approving a filing.
“Bankruptcy is a very dangerous place for us to be heading,” he said.
Municipal bankruptcies are rare, NCSL data shows. Of 37 local government filings since 2010, eight are cities; the majority were filed by utilities and special districts.
Detroit filed for the nation’s largest municipal bankruptcy in July 2013, looking to restructure $12 billion of debt. Michigan allows Chapter 9 filing when certain conditions are met, and Gov. Rick Synder appointed an emergency manager to handle Detroit’s finances and negotiations with creditors. Late last year, a federal judge approved a plan in which Detroit was able to erase or restructure $7 billion of its debt.

READ THE ENTIRE ARTRICLE BY CLICKING ON THE FOLLOWING:  Bill pushes for possible municipal bankruptcies in Illinois - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

Vote April 7: Municipal election and school board election.

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In Person Absentee

For the April 7, 2015, Consolidated Election, In Person Absentee Voting will begin March 16, 2015 and end April 6, 2015.  In Person Absentee voting will be conducted at the Boone County Clerk's Office, 1212 Logan Ave, Suite 103, Belvidere, Illinois from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday and Saturday morning April 4, 2015 from 9:00 am until Noon.  Please note that the office will be closed Friday, April 3, 2015, in observance of Good Friday.  For more information about In Person Absentee Voting please contact the Boone County Clerk's Office at (815) 544-3103.

Absentee by Mail

For the April 7, 2015, Consolidated Primary Election, the Boone County Clerk's Office is now accepting applications to vote by mail.  If you wish to vote by mail, click on the attachment below, fill it out, and return to the Boone County Clerk's Office at 1212 Logan Ave, Suite 103, Belvidere, IL 61008.  The last day applications are being accepted is Thursday, April 2, 2015.  If you have any questions please call the County Clerk's Office at (815) 544-3103.

Application for Absentee Ballot 2015_04_07.pdf
128.34 KB

Above is from:  http://www.boonecountyil.org/news/early-and-absentee-voting-information-april-7-2015-consolidated-election

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Municipal election and school board election. 

Based upon past experience less than 300 votes will be cast for some of the alderman races in Belvidere and less than 1500 for District 100 school board candidates.  Please vote.  Remind your neighbors and friends—if they vote it certainly will count a great deal.

For the District 100 election Bill P. is supporting Allison Reid-Niemiec and Holly Houk.

Every voter has three votes:  One for one of the three Belvidere Township candidates.  Two votes for two of the four candidates from the other townships.

The following advertising literature was handed out at the District 100 Candidates Forum on Monday, March 9, 2015.

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Click on the photocopy to enlarge:

VOTE FOR ONE OF THESE THREE:

DIstrict 100 Candidate  REID

DIstrict 100 Candidate  REID

DIstrict 100 Candidate  Marks 1 of 3

DIstrict 100 Candidate  Marks 2 of 3

DIstrict 100 Candidate  Marks 3 of 3

Current School Board President, Michael Rathbun had no literature.  A statement regarding his candidacy  and the other candidates’ statements are available at: http://district100watchdog.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2015-02-21T15:07:00-06:00&max-results=7

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VOTE FOR TWO OF THESE FOUR

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DIstrict 100 Candidate  Houk

imageDIstrict 100 Candidate  Dnazl-Tauer 1 of 3

DIstrict 100 Candidate  Dnazl-Tauer 2 of 3

DIstrict 100 Candidate  Dnazl-Tauer 3 of 3

imageDIstrict 100 Candidate  Sell-Wick 1 of 3

DIstrict 100 Candidate  Sell-Wick 2 of 2

DIstrict 100 Candidate  Galluzzo 1 of 2

DIstrict 100 Candidate  Galluzzo 2 of 2


















15 things everyone would know if there were a liberal media

 

1. Where the jobs went.

Outsourcing (or offshoring) is a bigger contributor to unemployment in the U.S. than laziness.

Since 2000, U.S. multinationals have cut 2.9 million jobs here while increasing employment overseas by 2.4 million. This is likely just the tip of the iceberg as multinational corporations account for only about 20% of the labor force.

When was the last time you saw a front-page headline about outsourcing?

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Source: Wall Street Journal via Think Progress.

2.  Upward wealth redistribution and/or inequality.

In 2010, 20% of the people held approximately 88% of the net worth in the U.S. The top 1% alone held 35% of all net worth.

The bottom 80% of people held only 12% of net worth in 2010. In 1983, the bottom 80% held 18% of net worth.

These statistics are not Democrat or Republican. They are widely available to reporters. Why aren't they discussed in the "liberal" media?

 photo ownership_occupy_poster_zps7879609f.jpg

Source: Occupy Posters

3. ALEC.

If there was a corporate organization that drafted laws and then passed them on to legislators to implement, wouldn't you think the "liberal" media would report on them?

The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is such an organization. Need legislation drafted? No need to go through a lobbyist to reach state legislatures anymore. Just contact ALEC. Among other things, ALEC is responsible for:

  • Stand Your Ground laws
  • Voter ID laws
  • Right to Work laws
  • Privatizing schools
  • Health savings account bills which benefit health care companies
  • Tobacco industry legislation

Many legislators don’t even change the proposals handed to them by this group of corporations. They simply take the corporate bills and bring them to the legislative floor.

This is the primary reason for so much similar bad legislation in different states. 

Hello ... "liberal media" ... over here!!!

They're meeting in Chicago this weekend. Maybe the "liberal media" will send some reporters.

4. The number of people in prison. 

Which country in the world has the most people in prison?

You might think it would be China (with 1+ billion people and a restrictive government) or former Soviets still imprisoned in Russia.

Wrong. The United States has the most people in prison by far of any country in the world. With 5% of the world’s population, we have 25% of the world’s prisoners – 2.3 million criminals. China with a population 4 times our size is second with 1.6 million people in prison.

In 1972, 350,000 Americans were in imprisoned. In 2010, this number had grown to 2.3 million. Yet from 1988 – 2008, crime rates have declined by 25%.

Isn't anyone in the liberal media interested in why so many people are in prison when crime has dropped? WTF "liberal media"?

 photo incarcerated_americans_zpsb7c891bd.jpg

Source: Wikipedia/Justice Policy Institute Report.

5. The number of black people in prison.

In 2009, non-Hispanic blacks, while only 13.6% of the population, accounted for 39.4% of the total prison and jail population.

In 2011, according to FBI statistics, whites accounted for 69.2% of arrests.

Numbers like these suggest a racial bias in our justice system.

To me, this is a much bigger story than any single incident like Travyon Martin. Or, at the very least, why didn't the "liberal media" ever mention this while covering the Martin story?

6. U.S. health care costs are the highest in the world.

The expenditure per person in the U.S. is $8,233. Norway is second with $5,388.
Total amount of GDP spent on health care is also the highest of any country in the world at 17.6 percent. The next closest country is the Netherlands at 12%.

As a liberal, I’d like to ask why the market isn’t bringing down costs. I’d think a "liberal" media might too.

7. Glass-Steagall.

Glass-Steagall separated risky financial investments from government backed deposits for 66 years.

The idea is simple. Banks were prohibited from using your federally insured savings to make risky investments.

Why is this a good idea?

Risky investments should be risky. If banks can use federally insured funds, there is no risk to them. If they win, they win. If they lose, we cover the cost.

Elizabeth Warren does a great job explaining this to the "liberal news" desk at CNBC:

8. Gerrymandering.

When was the last time you saw a front page headline about gerrymandering?

Before the 2010 election, conservatives launched a plan to win control of state legislatures before the census. The idea was to be in power when national congressional districts were redrawn in order to fix them so Republicans would win a majority of districts.

The Redistricting Majority Project was hugely successful. In 2012, Barack Obama was elected President by nearly 3.5 million votes. In Congressional races, Democrats drew nearly 1.4 million more votes than Republicans yet  Republicans won control of the House 234 seats to 201 seats.

How is this possible?

By pumping $30 million into state races to win the legislatures, Republicans redrew state maps in states such as Arizona, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Texas, Florida and Ohio to place all of the Democrats into just a few districts.
In this manner, Democrats win heavily in a couple districts and lose the rest.

In North Carolina, the statewide vote was 51 percent Democrat and 49 percent Republican yet 9 Republicans won and only 4 Democrats.

Where is your coverage of this vote stealing, "liberal media"? You're willing to cover voter ID laws, why can't you cover real vote stealing?

 photo 5459fab1-8d5b-44e5-a728-b31ed72bf00d_zps9a434c5a.jpg

Source: Mother Jones.

9. The number of bills blocked by Republicans in Congress.

The filibuster has been used a record number of time since Obama was elected President. From 2008-2012, 375 bills weren’t even allowed to come to a vote in the Senate because Republicans threatened the filibuster.

In 2013, during the first 6 months, Congress has only passed 15 bills that were signed into law. This is 8 fewer than in the first 6 months of 2012 and 19 fewer than 2011.

Also, until the Senate recently threatened to reform the filibuster, the GOP had succeeded in holding up 79 of President Obama’s picks to the U.S. Circuit Court and Courts of Appeal. They’re blocking these appointments regardless of qualification.

Where's the coverage? Where are the reporters asking why nothing is getting done?

* crickets *

10. The Citizens' United Supreme Court decision

In a 2011 Hart poll, only 22% of those polled had actually heard of the Citizens’ United decision before taking the survey.

If 77% believe that corporations have more control over our political process than people, why isn't the liberal media talking more about the Citizens’ United decision?

11. Nixon’s Southern Strategy.

The Southern Strategy is a strategy for gaining political power by exploiting the greatest number of ethnic prejudices. Kevin Philips, Republican and Nixon campaign strategist, speaking about this strategy in a 1970 interview with the New York Times:

From now on, the Republicans are never going to get more than 10 to 20 percent of the Negro vote and they don't need any more than that...but Republicans would be shortsighted if they weakened enforcement of the Voting Rights Act. The more Negroes who register as Democrats in the South, the sooner the Negrophobe whites will quit the Democrats and become Republicans. That's where the votes are. Without that prodding from the blacks, the whites will backslide into their old comfortable arrangement with the local Democrats.
This strategy has been used since President Johnson and Democrats in Congress passed the Civil Rights Act to build the Republican party.

Examples of this strategy were evident as recently as 2008 and 2012 as Republicans took up their assault on Medicaid, Social Security, labor unions, and Obamacare – programs which, though they benefit more white seniors, retirees, women, and children, have been sold to many Americans as handouts to lazy, undeserving blacks and minorities.

Yet you never hear the "liberal media" (at least since the 1970 NY Times) talking about the use of this strategy. At least not like this:

"P (President) emphasized that you have to face the fact that the whole problem is really the blacks. The key is to devise a system that recognizes this while not appearing to." - H.R. Haldeman's diary, President Richard Nixon’s White House Chief of Staff
12. Tax cuts primarily benefit the wealthy.

A progressive tax program is designed to tax people very little as they are starting out and progressively increase their rates as they do better.

Republican plans seem designed to do exactly the opposite: shift the tax burden off of the wealthy and onto working people.

Take the repeal of the estate tax. In Ohio this was recently repealed by Republicans. The benefit is only realized by people with estates larger than $338,000 (as the first $338k was exempt) and realized most by people with even wealthier estates.

This also explains why Republicans want to shift the system from income taxes to consumption taxes. Consumption taxes are paid most by those at the bottom as basic consumption remains the same regardless of income.

It also explains why capital gain taxes are so low. Income through capital gains is only taxed at 20% (increased from 15% in 2012) instead of at the rate of other income (closer to 35%).

It also explains why Republicans were so willing to let the payroll tax cut expire. The payroll tax cut benefited people who were getting paid, not those issuing the paychecks. How much fight did you see to save this tax cut?

While tax cuts are sold to us as benefiting everyone, they really benefit a select few at the very top.

If everyone knew who tax cuts really benefit, would so many people vote for them?

13. What's happening to the bees?

40-50% of commercial U.S. bee hives were lost this year to colony collapse disorder.

This seems like an odd one to include, why is this important?

The Agriculture Department says a quarter of the American diet depends on pollination by honeybees.

Dating from 2006, colony collapse disorder is a relatively new problem. More "liberal media" coverage might push the urgency of the issue.

Instead here's a typical media story about bees: Thousands of Bees Attack Texas Couple, Kill Horses.

14. The impact of temporary workers on our economy.

The number of temporary workers has grown by more than 50 percent since the recession ended to nearly 2.7 million.

If freelancers, contract workers, and consultants are included, the number is nearly 17 million workers not directly employed by the companies who hire them. This equals 12 percent of the workforce.

What's the impact of a "just in time" workforce on workers and our economy? How about that for a story "liberal media"?

15. Media consolidation

Six corporations - Time Warner, Disney, News Corporation, Viacom, Comcast, and CBS - control roughly 90% of the media in the U.S.

These companies are in business to make a profit.

This is why you'll find plenty of advertisements in the media. Entertainment? Check. Sports? Definitely. Weather? Yep.

You'll also find plenty of "if it bleeds, it leads" stories designed to hook you in. Vendors, witnesses recall Venice hit-and-run horror. Fort Hood trial turns bizarre as shooter grills witnesses.

There's also plenty of political bickering: Democrats said this, Republicans said that. We let you decide (but we never weigh in with any facts or fact-checking).

What won't you hear? You won't hear the "liberal media" discuss the corporate media.

What to make of this

If the media were "liberal," it would serve the public interest and shine a light on issues like the ones above.

More people would also have a better understanding of global warming, peak oil, population growth, political lobbying, government's role in a functioning economy, how much we spend on the military, and countless other issues.

What you’re more likely to see in the media, however, are stories designed to get you to buy their paper, or watch their show, or listen to their radio station. If it bleeds, it ledes. This is why the media is concerned with scandal, celebrities, gossip, and fear.

If anything, our news consists of paid advertisements and outlets too scared of offending anyone to publish much of substance. Investigative journalism is also expensive; entertainment is cheap.

The way this corporate media behaves may not be surprising. I apologize if you feel any of this is beating you over the head.

This Buzzfeed-style list wasn't intended to introduce this idea as new (others have done a much better job), but rather to highlight the sheer absurdity of a "liberal media" for an audience who may not see it.

One way to approach the topic is to simply ask: If we have a "liberal media," where are the liberal stories?

---

The Little Book of Revolution
David Akadjian is the author of The Little Book of Revolution: A Distributive Strategy for Democracy.

15 things everyone would know if there were a liberal media

Canadian-born Ted Cruz getting birther meds from left and right

 

Canadian-born Ted Cruz getting birther meds from left and right

byEgberto Willies

Ted Cruz is getting some of his tea party's own medicine. To be clear, Ted Cruz is a US citizen. He is born of an American mother and a Cuban father. He was born in Calgary, Canada. US statute says the following:

A child born abroad to one U.S. citizen parent and one alien parent acquires U.S. citizenship at birth under Section 301(g) of the INA provided the U.S. citizen parent was physically present in the United States or one of its outlying possessions for the time period required by the law applicable at the time of the child's birth. (For birth on or after November 14, 1986, a period of five years physical presence, two after the age of fourteen, is required. For birth between December 24, 1952 and November 13, 1986, a period of ten years, five after the age of fourteen, is required for physical presence in the United States or one of its outlying possessions to transmit U.S. citizenship to the child.) The U.S. citizen parent must be the genetic or the gestational parent and the legal parent of the child under local law at the time and place of the child’s birth to transmit U.S. citizenship.
The hypocrisy of the right on this issue is astounding. President Obama was born in Hawaii. It is understood that many are geographically challenged in believing Hawaii is not the USA. But everyone knew the president's mother was born in Wichita, Kansas. One cannot get more American than that. At least the same statute that applies to Ted Cruz applied to President Obama. Yet many in the media gave the birther's stories traction and a platform.

What is ironic is that Ted Cruz's journey to "natural born citizen" is pretty dubious if one wanted to be crass about it. Head below the fold for more on this story.

The Salon article"Ted Cruz's ironic birther predicament" is spot on:

Cruz’s official Canadian birth certificate, as posted by the Dallas Morning News, shows that Rafael Edward Cruz was born in Calgary, Alberta, on December 22, 1970. Oddly, however, the birth was not registered until December 31, leaving an unexplained gap of nine days. But where was baby Ted over Christmas, an astute birther might ask. Donald Trump could build a casino in a hole that size.

Still, the birth certificate does state that Cruz’s mother, Eleanor Elizabeth Wilson, was born in Wilmington, Delaware. As Cruz has often said, that made him a U.S. citizen at birth, and therefore eligible to be president – but only if the birth certificate is accurate. The Canadian officials would have had no reason to question Cruz’s mother about her native country, nor would they have demanded any proof. Her word alone was good enough for Canadian purposes. Why would they care about the baby’s future qualification for the U.S. presidency?

President Obama did not have to produce any documents if he did not want to. Again, he was born in the United States of America. He was born on US land, not a Canal Zone in Panama like John McCain or Canada soil like Ted Cruz. It seems Ted Cruz may be missing some papers. Will the tea party start requesting these? As the Salon article continues:
Which brings us – or rather, which ought to bring the birthers – to the documents Cruz has not produced. Where, for example, is the Consular Report of Birth Abroad, which Cruz’s parents could have obtained at the U.S. consulate in Calgary? That would at least establish their intention to register him as an American citizen while they were living in Canada. For that matter, where is Eleanor Wilson’s own birth certificate? I mean, anyone can claim to have been born in Delaware, and everyone (including this dual citizen of the United States and Canada) knows that Canadians are too polite to ask tough questions. Birthers will have no such qualms. Will they require documentary proof?

Of course, even a sheaf of birth certificates would still leave Cruz’s citizenship technically open to question. Under the law in effect in 1970, Cruz would only have acquired U.S. citizenship if his mother had been “physically present” in the United States for ten years prior to his birth, including five years after she reached the age of fourteen. Neither Cruz’s birth certificate, nor his mother’s, nor the Consular Report could irrefutably establish Eleanor Wilson’s residence for the necessary length of time. For all birthers know, she might have been living in Kenya.

Poetic justice is wonderful. Ted Cruz, the present day politician channeling McCarthy will likely have his McCarthy deflation moment sooner than later.
Originally posted to ProgressiveLiberal on Tue Mar 24, 2015 at 09:19 AM PDT.
Also republished by TexKos-Messing with Texas with Nothing but Love for Texans.

Canadian-born Ted Cruz getting birther meds from left and right

Saturday, March 28, 2015

Forces duel over what the PSB referendum means

 
Below is the advertising/information bulletin supplied to voters for the Public Safety Building referendum. The two opinion articles from the Rockford Register Star which follow give contracting opinions from Mr. Bob Walberg and Mrs. Cathy Ward as to what should happen to the .5 cent sales tax.

The ad very clearly  answered the question regarding “will the tax end?”.  Not a mere “yes” but three “yes’s”

PSB tax 2 of 3

Any also states excess money from the referendum shortens sunset.  But this did not happen.

image

PSB tax 1 of 3

PSB tax 2 of 3

PSB tax 3 of 3

 

 

 

 

My View: 2018 Boone County Board will decide future of tax - Opinion - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

By Bob Walberg
Boone County Board chairman

Posted Mar. 28, 2015 at 3:02 PM
Updated at 3:46 PM

The Boone County Board of 2018 will still have the decision to stop or continue collecting the Public Safety Tax. An ordinance to abate property taxes used to guarantee the bond payments was on the board agenda and was properly published. One of the “whereas” statements was the pledge to demand that the board in 2018 will stop collecting the tax. One member pointed this out and remarked that we promised to only use the money for the jail and stop collecting it when the jail bonds are paid. Discussion during the meeting led to amending the ordinance and removing the “whereas” pledge to stop collecting the tax in 2018.
Who are the people who promised to stop collecting the Boone County Public Safety Tax when the jail bonds are paid in 2018?
They made a promise with no authority to back them up. The ballot made no mention of a sunset to this referendum that created the Public Safety Sales Tax. No one can promise and obligate a board 20 years down the road. The board of 2018 will have that difficult decision to make regarding the future of this tax.
That group promised to only use the money to pay for the jail building. In 2003 the board decided to also pay jailor salaries with the money. Since then, the money has also been used for Public Safety Capital Improvements. Every year the board voted for the budget with this spending included.
All the talk of removing this is a distraction and publicity stunt. I believe the real reasons most people supported the referendum is because they saw the need for public safety as the ballot stated. They believed that it was better to pay for this need with sales taxes instead of real estate taxes. The Public Safety Sales Tax does not tax food, medicine or titled property. If the board of 2018 stops collecting the sales tax, their next decision will be on how to replace those revenues or stop paying those expenses.
It was foolish to think that when the jail bonds were paid we would close the jail because there was no money to operate it.
Every year the Boone County Board makes cuts because our revenues are increasing much less than the increase in our costs. The state is making very large reductions to county revenues. Some of the proposed reductions include freezing property taxes and cutting the county’s share of the income tax by 50 percent.
The Boone County Board will need level-headed, responsible members to deal with the apparent overwhelming challenges that appear to be facing them.

A similar problem happened to the District 100 School Board. Rapid growth was impacting the district. The plan was to build schools to accommodate the future growth. They planned to pay for the schools with the larger population that would generate property tax dollars. That would require a smaller share of the cost of the new buildings for each taxpayer. Again, unforeseen events took place, and a declining population faced very large bond payments for the schools.

Page 2 of 2 - The community clearly saw the problem and passed a referendum for a sales tax to give relief to the property tax obligation of the school district.
In 20 years the situation can change. We can’t expect board members to bury their heads in the sand and ignore the responsibility of providing public safety for the county. Our present board only removed the demand being placed on the board of 2018. The decision to stop collection of the tax will still be the 2018 board's challenge.
Bob Walberg is chairman of the Boone County Board

Above is from:  My View: 2018 Boone County Board will decide future of tax - Opinion - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

 

 

My View: Boone County Board breaks promise to taxpayers with sales tax vote - Opinion - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

by Cathy Ward
Boone County Board

Posted Mar. 28, 2015 at 2:11 PM

BELVIDERE — The Boone County Board, with strong encouragement from Chairman Bob Walberg, voted last week to extend Public Safety Sales tax essentially forever, totally disregarding the promise made to taxpayers to end the tax in 2018 when the jail bonds will be completely paid.
The board voted 8-4 to extend the tax forever despite the fact that the proposal to extend the tax was not even on the agenda to be discussed.
The motion was made by board vice chair Paul Larson and quickly seconded by new board member Sherry Giesckie. Board members voting to ignore the promise were Jeff Carlisle, Denny Ellingson, Sherry Giesckie, Karl Johnson, Paul Larson, Ray Larson, Craig Schutz, and Walberg.
Those opposed were Sherry Branson, Ken Freeman, Brad Stark and Ward.
When the tax was approved by voters in 1999, the supporters promised voters, “The proposed one-half percent increase is projected to generate enough additional revenue to finance bond payments only. Other costs related to the jail expansion will be financed by county general fund operating funds, and/or grants. The statue allows the county to sunset (end) the tax when the bonds are paid. ” (2018)
Those who campaigned for the new jail, including former Sheriff Duane Wirth, always told me that was the promise was definitely made.
Debate over the use of public safety sales tax has gone on for years, especially when finances started to get tight in the recession. Some board members always objected, but it was expected by most of us that the tax would end as promised in 2018. Since 2004, more than $6 million has been siphoned off for other general fund expenses. Therefore, the total bill for the jail could  have been paid years ago.
Last February, Larson started his campaign to ignore the wishes of the voters and asked that the 2018 date be eliminated. Walberg had supported this same plan for years, but the majority of board members, even though we, at times, agreed that safety needs should be financed and agreed to pay them, always stated emphatically that the tax must end in 2018 as promised.
When questioned about voting last week on an important issue that was not on the agenda for the public to review, Walberg said the matter could be included with a related public safety sales tax issue.
I totally disagree. This is an important public trust issue — this is an important Open Meetings Act issue. This is an issue of being transparent.
Walberg and Larson have always argued that the county needs the money. If we don't use this source of revenue, they say, cuts will have to be in county government.
So be it.

I believe we should let our taxpayers decide in a referendum to extend the tax. They should decide if we should make cuts or increase taxes. I trust our taxpayers. Even in the recession, they agreed to a property tax three years ago to help our veterans and another property tax last year to help our animals with a new shelter.

It's no wonder with Walberg's attitude that the taxpayers don't trust government.
It's kind of interesting that Walberg recently wanted a slice of any revenue coming from a proposed gambling casino in Rockford because he seemed sure Boone County people would go.
Following that same logic since half the people in Boone Countv reside in Belvidere, half of the millions collected from the public safety sales tax should be repaid to the city of Belvidere because it can be assumed that about half of the crime in the county happens in the city.
Only seems fair with Walberg's logic.
Cathy Ward is a member of the Boone County Board.

Above is from:  My View: Boone County Board breaks promise to taxpayers with sales tax vote - Opinion - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL