It's the weekend! No topics for today.
Check out the top 10 topics from last week.
|
|
Opinion: Obamacare will derail successful Indiana program
|
|
|
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniel says he expects Obamacare to be the demise of his states’s successful Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP). HiP is currently providing health insurance to 50,000 low-income Hoosiers. With Health Savings Account-style personal accounts and numerous incentives for healthy lifestyle choices, it has been enormously popular and successful. Daniel says Obamacare’s expansion of Medicaid, soon to cover one in every four citizens, will not only scoop up most of HIP’s participants, but will also cost the state between $3.1 and $3.9 billion over the next decade. He says it’s hard to see how the next governor will be able to avoid steep tax increases to pay for it.
|
|
|
 heritage.org: Exclusive Video: Gov. Mitch Daniels on Obamacare’s Devastating Consequences
|
Ground Zero mosque seeks, may get tax-free financing
|
|
|
There’s one more potentially controversial angle to the proposed mosque in the shadow of Ground Zero. A spokesman for City Comptroller John Liu said on Friday, and Liu is willing to consider approving tax-free financing for the development. There are still a lot of “ifs” to be considered: "If (1) it turns out to be financially feasible and if (2) they can demonstrate an ability to pay off the bonds and if (3) they comply with the laws concerning tax-exempt financing, we'd certainly consider it," Liu spokesman, Scott Sieber told Reuters. The mosque's backers hope to raise a total of $70 million in tax-exempt debt to build the center, according to the New York Times. Tax laws allow such funding for religiously affiliated non-profits if (4) they can prove the facility will benefit the general public and their religious activities are funded separately.
|
|
|
reuters.com: Ground Zero Muslim center may get public financing
|
Paper explores "myths" about Bush tax cuts
|
|
|
It seems I may have been slightly wrong about former President Bush and his (at the time) GOP Congress about an important tax issue – the nature of the 10 year expiration date on taxes. In a background paper: “Obama Tax Hikes Defended by Myths and Straw Men,” Heritage Foundation Senior Fellow J.D. Foster takes on a statement that I have made in the past, that President Bush’s tax cuts were designed to expire, so we have to blame Bush and his Republican Congress, not the Democrats in control now, if they expire. Foster writes (with further explanation) “The tax cuts were intended to be permanent and were enacted on a temporary basis solely to overcome a parliamentary hurdle.” After further review of his argument and some research on the so-called “Byrd rule,” I conclude that he’s probably right. The tax cuts were passed under the “reconciliation rule” in the Senate to avoid the need to get 60 votes, which they could not get (partly because John McCain opposed them), but under the reconciliation rule, the Byrd Rule also kicks into effect, which mandates a 10-year expiration of any new law that would affect the budget for a period longer than the budget resolution covers. Foster says Bush made it clear from the beginning that he wanted the tax cuts to be permanent and “In every budget President Bush submitted in the following years he proposed that Congress make the tax relief permanent.”
|
|
|
heritage.org: Obama Tax Hikes Defended by Myths and Straw Men
|
Feds probe Murfreesboro mosque fire
|
|
|
Federal authorities are investigating a fire at the construction site of a proposed new Islamic Center in Murfreesboro, TN. Authorities told mosque officials that four pieces of heavy construction equipment on the site were doused with an accelerant and one set ablaze Saturday night. Federal investigators have not ruled it arson, saying only that the fire was being probed and asked the public to call in tips. Rutherford County resident Kevin Fisher, who has led protests against the mosque, issued a statement Saturday to the Daily News Journal of Murfreesboro, condemning what he called “vigilantism.” “We in this community believe strongly in the rule of law, and choose to settle our disagreements through peaceful deliberations and discussion, not vigilantism. ... We who stand in opposition to this mosque have made our concerns known through proper legal channels and have conducted ourselves with dignity, respect and out of a spirit of love for our community, and we will continue to do so."
|
|
|
Washington Post: Fire at proposed Tenn. mosque site probed by feds
|
Congresswoman caught cheating on scholarships
|
|
|
Longtime Dallas congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson concedes that she violated the rules, but that’s only because she didn’t know what the rules were. Johnson awarded thousands of dollars in college scholarships to four relatives and a top aide's two children since 2005, using foundation funds set aside for black lawmakers' causes. The recipients were ineligible under anti-nepotism rules of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, which provided the money. And all of the awards violated a foundation requirement that scholarship winners live or study in a caucus member's district. So, the rules say the scholarships cannot go to friends or relatives, and they must go to students in your district – but she awarded them only to friends and relatives who live outside her district – just a minor violation of the rules. The foundation – which is supported by private and corporate donations, provides $10,000 annually for each member of the Congressional Black Caucus to award in scholarships. Each gets to decide how many ways to split the money and whether to create a judging panel, choose personally or delegate the task. The foundation's general counsel said Saturday that the scholarships Johnson awarded violated eligibility rules regarding relatives and residency and her actions are "of great concern" that violates the letter and spirit of the foundations requirements.
|
|
|
dallasnews.com: Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson violated rules, steered scholarships to relatives
|
TV execs, employees donate heavily to Dems
|
|
|
Democrats made a big deal last week of the fact that Rupert Murdoch, the owner of News Corp., (which owns Fox News) contributed $1 million to the Republican Govenors Association. So, it’s only fair to see where other news media has contributed their campaign dollars. As it turns out, Senior executives, on-air personalities, producers, reporters, editors, writers and other self-identifying employees of ABC, CBS and NBC contributed more than $1 million to Democratic candidates and campaign committees in 2008 –about seven times more than they gave to Republicans. President Obama received 710 such contributions worth a total of $461,898, while Republican Sen. John McCain received only 39 contributions totaling $26,926. Nathan Daschle, executive director of the Democratic Governors Association and son of former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, demanded in a letter to Fox News chairman Roger Ailes that the cable news outlet include a disclaimer in its coverage of gubernatorial campaigns. Ailes should do just that – immediately after ABC, CBS and NBC air disclaimers in all of their presidential and congressional campaign coverage.
|
|
|
Washtington Examiner: Obama, Democrats got 88 percent of 2008 contributions by TV network execs, writers, reporters
|
Emmy winners
|
|
|
You didn’t stay up for the Emmy Awards and you don’t need the details – just the winners. Here they are, courtesy USA Today.
|
|
|
USA Today: The 2010 Emmy Awards winners list
|
Officials sell Pre-K as crime-fighting tool
|
|
|
The “spend more on education” lobby never seems to run out of new ways to tout its favorite failed education programs. By now, the jury is fairly settled on the fact that Pre-K programs produce no long-lasting education improvement, so it’s time for a new justification for the massive and growing spending on Pre-K. Are you ready? It’s a crime-fighting tool. I was not aware of the Pre-K crime wave until now, but he have Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons to thank for this gem. At a Thursday news conference on behalf of a national group called Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, Gibbons highlighted quality pre-kindergarten programs as a way to excite children about learning and help them avoid lives of crime. “They are not going to be stealing our cars and breaking into our homes and robbing us at gunpoint,” Gibbons said. “It’s that simple.” So – if your neighborhood is alive with gangs of 4-year-old stealing cars, breaking into homes and robbing residents at gunpoint, I understand your support for Pre-K. If not, then please refer to the body of research that proves the Pre-K student will have no advantage over his peers by third grade or thereafter. All this time, I thought the Pre-K lobby was worried about job opportunities for 2nd graders. Now, I understand they are more concerned about the Pre-K crime wave. It’s hard to keep up.
|
|
|
The Tennessean: Officials tout pre-K as anti-crime tool
|
Investigators call for 'fundamental reform' of climate panel
|
|
|
An independent investigation called for "fundamental reform" at the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, saying the organization's 2007 report played down uncertainty about some aspects of global warming. The probe of the IPCC, the climate-science body that won the Nobel Peace Price three years ago, was conducted by the InterAcademy Council, a consortium of national scientific academies. The InterAcademy Council investigation didn't question whether human activity is causing global warming. Instead, it focused on the IPCC's process for forming conclusions, including one that projected Himalayan glaciers would melt by 2035. A particular problem in the 2007 report was that it didn't consistently reflect uncertainty in some aspects of climate change, the investigation found. For instance, the investigation noted, the 2007 IPCC report said it had "high confidence" that climate change could halve the output of rain-fed agriculture in Africa by 2020. But a fuller explanation about how the IPCC came up with that "high confidence," the investigation said, "would have made clear the weak evidentiary basis" for that statement. The investigation also said the IPCC sometimes failed to adequately reflect "properly documented" views of scientists who disagreed with the consensus conclusions.
|
|
|
Wall Street Journal: Climate Panel Faces Heat
|
Opinion: Conservatives to have more influence in Senate
|
|
|
The Heritage Foundation’s Director of Senate Relations has a dream – that Jim DeMint will be the next Senate Majority Leader. Brian Darling doesn’t actually expect that to happen, but says DeMint should be the “most important player in the next Congress.” We’ll discuss Darling’s latest column, “Will solid conservatives run new Senate” with the author this morning on Nashville’s Morning News.
|
|
|
humanevents.com: Will Solid Conservatives Run New Senate?
|
|
|
|
Sen. Alexander undecided on Kagan
|
|
|
June 29, 2010 - Sen. Lamar Alexander says he's undecided on how he will vote on the confirmation of Elana Kagan to the Supreme Court.
|
Blackburn explains Puerto Rico vote
|
|
|
May 4, 2010 - Congressman Marsha Blackburn's vote on Puerto Rico statehood has come under considerable scrutiny. Here's her explanation and understanding of the issue.
|
Corker defends work on finance bill
|
|
|
April 22, 2010 - Sen. Bob Corker responds to a Tea Party protest of his work of the financial regulation bill, saying he opposes the bill and will vote to filubuster it, but hopes to improve it since it's likely to pass.
|
Ralph Rant - U.S. doesn't belong to middle
|
|
|
April 20, 2010 - A listener invites me to "get out" of America because the U.S. doesn't belong to people like me. It belongs to people like him - people in the middle. I graciously reject his invitation in this premeditated Ralph Rant.
|
Corker condemns spending
|
|
|
April 15, 2010 - After first swearing off "earmarks," at least for a year, Sen. Bob Corker joins Ralph in condemning all runaway spending by Congress and pledges to make it a top priority going forward.
|
Taxation Townhall highlight
|
|
|
April 12, 2010 - Author, historian William Federer was a big hit at our Taxation Townhall Meeting on April 9th. Here's his 3-minute lesson on the history of concentrated power.
|
Taxation townhall highlight 2
|
|
|
April 12, 2010 - Here's another William Federer highlight from the WTN Taxation Townhall Meeting on taxes. It's a primer on Machiavelliism.
|
Blackburn supports radio 'performance tax'
|
|
|
April 5, 2010 - From time to time, we argue with our friends too. Congressman Marsha Blackburn and I have very different views on a proposed new performance tax on radio.
|
|
|
Click here to see view the albums in Ralph's photo gallery.
|
Music City Honor Flight
|
|
|
Learn more about Honor Flight, which provides free trips to Washington D.C. to WWII Vets to see the WWII Memorial. The site includes a link to make a donation online, or address to send a check to help with the cause.
|
Accurate Mortgage
|
|
|
Accurate Mortgage sponsors Nashville's Morning News and helped me refinance my mortgage. Ph: (615) 833-0456 or click on the link. Mike, Joe and the gang will take good care of you.
|
Cool Springs Ear, Nose, Throat and Allergy
|
|
|
For a hearing problem, allergies, sleep disorders or any problems with you ears, nose or throat, call my friends at Cool Spring ENT. (615) 739-6646
|
Cornerstone Brokerage
|
|
|
For all of your health insurance needs, contact Kelly Albert at Cornerstone Brokerage. Ph: 860-8922. Cornerstone is an independent insurance agency that provides other useful insurance products as well. Click the link for more information.
|
Huffines Dental Excellence
|
|
|
Need a dentist? Call mine. Dr. Ricky Huffines and his wonderful staff can take care of all of your dental needs. Ph (615)815-1559 or click on the link.
|
Inception Network Stragegies
|
|
|
If you are a small to medium sized business needing IT support, contact my sponsor, Inception Network Strategies at (615) 236-5402 or click on the link. Brian and his team are top-knotch IT professionals.
|
Liquidation Outlet
|
|
|
For bargain basement prices on general merchandise, visit Liquidation outlet in Murfreesboro at 1020 West College Street.
|
Mr. B's Air Duct Cleaning
|
|
|
If you need your air ducts cleaned, call Mr. B's Air Duct Cleaning. Warren and his crew will do a great job - or you pay nothing! Call (615) 244-1785.
|
Myers Plumbing, Heating & Cooling
|
|
|
This Nashville family owned business since 1977 is now servicing some of the grandchildren of their original customers. Myers has been a BBB accredited business since 1989 and receives an A+ rating from the BBB. You can depend on Myers for fair pricing and excellent service, whether you need plumbing, heating or AC service.
|
Paul Winkler, The Investor Coach
|
|
|
It's hard to break bad habits, but Paul and his team can help you break bad investment habits and adopt much better ones. Start investing with confidence by calling Paul for a free initial consultation. (615) 851-1950
|
Pilotjourney.com
|
|
|
Click here to view a video of my Discovery Flight experience from Pilotjourney.com
|
|
|
|
|
 Ralph Bristol is a 30-year veteran of radio and TV broadcasting. He is a US Air Force veteran and holds a BS degree from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. Ralph was a radio and TV reporter, anchor and news director in Missouri and Illinois before joining WORD Radio in Greenville/Spartanburg, SC in 1995.
In the spring of 2007, Supertalk 99.7 WWTN beckoned Ralph to Nashville. Ralph defies political labels, and has no partisan loyalties, but can best be described as a libertarian/conservative. Ralph writes and speaks extensively on education, tax and economic issues. In his spare time, Ralph terrorizes golf courses, invents useful things with sharp tools and dead wood, and entertains audiences with irreverent humor and contrarian insight. Invite him to speak to your group at your own risk. |
|
|