Teen Unemployment: What Drives It

Posted on March 22, 2011 | 9 comments

The minimum wage debate is an old favorite. Another very visible and clear line of disagreement between conservatives and liberals. There are those on one side that feel we should increase the minimum wage to a level that better represents a living wage. Other, myself included, feel that wages are best left to the negotiations of the employer and the employee.

There are all kinds of debates raging about that people aren’t able to afford to raise a family on the minimum wage. Heck, it can be legitimately argued that you can’t raise YOURSELF on minimum wage. Be that as it may, I don’t wanna get into that. What I wanna look at is what the impact of the minimum wage, specifically changing it, has on the folks earning it.

Let’s look.

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9 Comments

Posted in Economics, Economy, Politics: National

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For Better For Worse

Posted on March 19, 2011 | 14 comments

Look, I get it.  Some of us are okay with military action in order to protect our interests.  Others, not so much.

Some folks would like the US to lead in International affairs.  Again, others would rather we took a more passive role and involve ourselves only insomuch as we are part of a larger coalition.

Be that as it may, we are seeing, and will continue to see, how a world reacts with America acting as a partner, not a leader.

As an aside, I am curious.  Can anyone describe the substantial difference in Libya breaking one single UN resolution that makes force okay while Iraq breaking multiple UN resolutions did not justify force?

14 Comments

Posted in Diplomacy, Politics: International, War

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While Madison Rages On….

Posted on March 19, 2011 | 6 comments

The rest of the nation is moving on the public sector unions.  The inertia is clearly in favor of those who wanna reign in the influence of those unions.

However, that doesn’t mean the fight is over; far from it.  For example, recent developments in Wisconsin show how delicate the balance really is:

MADISON, Wis. – The monthlong saga over Gov. Scott Walker’s plan to drastically curb collective bargaining rights for public workers in Wisconsin took a turn Friday that could force a dramatic rebooting of the entire legislative process.

A judge temporarily blocked the law from taking effect, raising the possibility that the Legislature may have to vote again to pass the bill…

It isn’t over folks.

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Posted in Education, Government, Lobby/PAC, Politics: National

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How Cool Is The Market?

Posted on March 17, 2011 | 7 comments

We’re going to redo the master bath at my house.  I’ve told my wife that I wanna get a mirror that doubles as a computer touch screen so that we can check our calendar and email in the morning.

She laughed.

Who’s laughing now?

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Posted in Energy, Fun, Technology

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If The Point Of Teachers Unions Was Ever In Doubt

Posted on March 17, 2011 | Leave a comment

“Despite what some among us would like to believe it is not because of our creative ideas. It is not because of the merit of our positions. It is not because we care about children and it is not because we have a vision of a great public school for every child. NEA and its affiliates are effective advocates because we have power.

And we have power because there are more than 3.2 million people who are willing to pay us hundreds of millions of dollars in dues each year because they believe we are the unions that can most effectively represent them.

…

But they need not and MUST not, be achieved at the expense of due process, employee rights and collective bargaining.  That simply is too high a price to pay.”

Yeah….sleep well gentle Unionista.  Knowing full well that your organization is about power. And not educating.

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Posted in Education, Government, Lobby/PAC, Politics: National

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We ID Every One Who Is 30 Years Old Or Younger

Posted on March 16, 2011 | 7 comments

Here in North Carolina you are able to vote at a polling location if you have already registered as long as you claim that you who you say you are and live where you say you live.

No requirement to prove you are who you say you are or that you live where you say you live.

Just show up.  State your name and address.  Sign on the line.

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Posted in Government, Politics: North Carolina, Race

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You Know You Are a Unionista If…..

Posted on March 15, 2011 | Leave a comment

Neil Boortz released a Top 1o List that is pure magic:

My favorite, of course, is #1:

You pay more in union dues than you do for your healthcare insurance.

Dood!

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Posted in Fun, Health Care, Politics: National

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More Shameless Self Promotion

Posted on March 15, 2011 | Leave a comment

I just passed another milestone:

More comments than posts!

Next up; more comments that spam 🙁

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Posted in Fun

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Quid pro Quo

Posted on March 15, 2011 | 7 comments

For every decision there is a consequence.

Every action, they say an equal but opposite reaction.  Not acting is, in a way, a decision.

I wonder how the Left feels about military assistance now?

AJDABIYAH, Libya — Moammar Gadhafi’s jets bombed Libyan rebel strongholds on Monday, aiding a counter-offensive that has pushed insurgents 100 miles eastward in a week…

…

Behind rebel lines, Libyan planes bombed Ajdabiyah on Monday, the only sizeable town between Brega and the rebel stronghold of Benghazi. From Ajdabiyah there are roads to Benghazi and to Tobruk to the east, which could allow Gadhafi’s troops to encircle Benghazi.

An indication on how far to the left the US has moved?

France pressed for a no-fly zone “as fast as possible.”

France.  France is calling for a stronger military action than we are.

And what happens as we continue to allow this to continue?

There is now a very real possibility that by the time world powers agree on a response to the conflict in Libya, Gadhafi’s forces may already have won.

Look.  I’m all for lettin’ the world burn.  And I’l all for steppin’ in a helpin’ out.  But either way, we’re ALL in or ALL out.

Just sayin’.

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Posted in Diplomacy, Government, Politics: International

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Did Sexist Men Make Education Better?

Posted on March 15, 2011 | 5 comments

I’m gonna be upfront here.  Don’t read this if you are faint of heart or can’t handle true things.  There are gonna be things called facts strewn about and they may hurt.

I’m just sayin’.

I remember awhile back tellin’ my wife that I thought she was one of the reasons that our education system isn’t doing as well as we would like.

She looked at me and asked “Why?”

I said, “Because you are a woman.”

I had to walk home, but I have my reasons.

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5 Comments

Posted in Economy, Education, Politics: National

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