So Mitch seldom true to his word, (and in defiance of a state law,) has decreed that St. Josephs County shouldn't be allowed to move to central daylight savings time. And he is demanding that the DOT rule immediately. But he has a reason:
"so that our state can enter the New Year with certain that our decades of chaos are behind us."
Yeah, because adding more counties to the split will really help things. And it isn't like people won't be confused about with counties are on central and witch counties are on eastern, no it all be smooth sailing from here. Those million or so computers that will need to be set to the correct time zone, well computers are so smart these days they'll just set themselves, right? No I'm sure that time zone induced chaos is a thing of the past because good old Mitch said so.
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Thursday, November 24, 2005
You've Gotta Be Kidding Me
Rep Chocola (R-Himself) has introduced a bill making it "easier" for farmers to buy new farm equipment by changing the tax code. Now this is interesting for two reasons.
1. Chris Chocola was the CEO of (wait for it) a company that makes agricultural equipment! I'm sure that there is no way possible that he might benefit from this, right?
2. He really doesn't seem to understand the economics of farming very well for a guy who was the CEO of a company that made agricultural equipment. Farmers don't hold onto old equipment because of the tax codes, they hold onto them because A.) they're meant to be used for years, and B.)given the pressure on prices caused by corporate farms and imports, farmers can't afford to buy new equipment, tax breaks or not. When combines can cost a quarter of a million dollars or more, you're gonna use that piece of equipment for a long, long time, not get rid of it the first time it breaks.
1. Chris Chocola was the CEO of (wait for it) a company that makes agricultural equipment! I'm sure that there is no way possible that he might benefit from this, right?
2. He really doesn't seem to understand the economics of farming very well for a guy who was the CEO of a company that made agricultural equipment. Farmers don't hold onto old equipment because of the tax codes, they hold onto them because A.) they're meant to be used for years, and B.)given the pressure on prices caused by corporate farms and imports, farmers can't afford to buy new equipment, tax breaks or not. When combines can cost a quarter of a million dollars or more, you're gonna use that piece of equipment for a long, long time, not get rid of it the first time it breaks.
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Economic Development Brought to You by 16 Years of Democratic Leadership
Before Mitch tries to take credit for this I'd like to remind everybody that Toyota and Subaru both came to Indiana because of the hard work of Democrats like Governors O'Bannon and Kernan. Mitch's only involvement will be in showing up a for a press photo dressed like Forrest Gump.
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Buy Blue & Green this Christmas
Even though it has been a rough year financially for a lot of us, it is the traditional start of the holiday shopping season. The best bet would be not to buy at all, in my own opinion, but I don't think I can get away with that. The best thing to do would be to give to our local charities. However, if we must buy, I propose we, as Democrats, make a real effort to do some selective buying this year.
First and foremost, I advocate buying as much locally as possible, whether it be from a known Republican owner or not. Buying locally helps to retain jobs and stimulates the local economy. Second, I advocate buying anything made within the USA and not made from places around the world where the workers (often children) are treated unfairly and are underpaid like in "sweatshops". Third, I support people buying things that don't hurt the environment or things that are renewable or recycled. Fourth, if we must buy outside of these contexts, then buying from businesses that donate to Democratic campaigns and causes is the next best thing. It's called "buying blue".
With these four points in mind, I offer a few links I've come across to help in your search:
www.buyblue.org
Global Exchange: Fair Trade and Socially Conscious Gifts Online
Boycott Bush
The Progressive Pages
Method Products (environmentally safe)
Shop Union Made
Source of Items Made in USA (or with non-sweatshop labor)
National Green Pages
Green People
Starve the Beast
Economic Activism and Progressive Action Group (discussion board)
Java Soy Coffee (Indiana-owned non-GMO food)
I hope this is enough to get you started. Like I said--buying local should be first and foremost. I realize it's difficult to buy for teens. My own daughter wants an iPod. What I did find out through one of these links, however, is that iPod is a Democratic party-friendly business. So at least I'm supporting one of my causes! You'll just have to hash the pros and cons out and figure out what's the best route to take. The rest of my purchases will be made locally no matter what.
Remember these four conditions for buying: local, union, green, and blue!
First and foremost, I advocate buying as much locally as possible, whether it be from a known Republican owner or not. Buying locally helps to retain jobs and stimulates the local economy. Second, I advocate buying anything made within the USA and not made from places around the world where the workers (often children) are treated unfairly and are underpaid like in "sweatshops". Third, I support people buying things that don't hurt the environment or things that are renewable or recycled. Fourth, if we must buy outside of these contexts, then buying from businesses that donate to Democratic campaigns and causes is the next best thing. It's called "buying blue".
With these four points in mind, I offer a few links I've come across to help in your search:
www.buyblue.org
Global Exchange: Fair Trade and Socially Conscious Gifts Online
Boycott Bush
The Progressive Pages
Method Products (environmentally safe)
Shop Union Made
Source of Items Made in USA (or with non-sweatshop labor)
National Green Pages
Green People
Starve the Beast
Economic Activism and Progressive Action Group (discussion board)
Java Soy Coffee (Indiana-owned non-GMO food)
I hope this is enough to get you started. Like I said--buying local should be first and foremost. I realize it's difficult to buy for teens. My own daughter wants an iPod. What I did find out through one of these links, however, is that iPod is a Democratic party-friendly business. So at least I'm supporting one of my causes! You'll just have to hash the pros and cons out and figure out what's the best route to take. The rest of my purchases will be made locally no matter what.
Remember these four conditions for buying: local, union, green, and blue!
Ag Director: We're Really Sorry, Sorta
Some of you may remember that a few months ago the Blackford County commissioners rejected a mega dairy, much to the ire of the state's Agriculture Director Andrew Miller. Well now that the dust has mostly settled he made his way up to Hartford City to apologize, in a way.
"Our intent was pure, our method was flawed" said Miller.
Well sure, you intent was to bully the commissioners into doing what you wanted. Your method was flawed in that it's not a good idea to try and bully county commissioners, they generally don't take that well.
I think the Ag Director's intent is a really good thing to question here, what was his intent? A 2000 head dairy is only going to create a few low paying jobs, not the sort of jobs Indiana should be focused on creating. And the impact that such a dairy would have on the prices other family farms would be able to get would be destructive to say the least. So what was the Ag Director's intent? To help out another out of state corporation in the "Buy Indiana" program? Or is a stranger, just a donor you haven't steamrolled local official for yet?
"Our intent was pure, our method was flawed" said Miller.
Well sure, you intent was to bully the commissioners into doing what you wanted. Your method was flawed in that it's not a good idea to try and bully county commissioners, they generally don't take that well.
I think the Ag Director's intent is a really good thing to question here, what was his intent? A 2000 head dairy is only going to create a few low paying jobs, not the sort of jobs Indiana should be focused on creating. And the impact that such a dairy would have on the prices other family farms would be able to get would be destructive to say the least. So what was the Ag Director's intent? To help out another out of state corporation in the "Buy Indiana" program? Or is a stranger, just a donor you haven't steamrolled local official for yet?
Monday, November 21, 2005
So This is What He Meant by "Buy Indiana"
Apparently the whole state is for sale, provided you aren't from Indiana. News from Indianapolis is that the Medicaid and welfare administration is for lease, the price tag is expected to be around $1 billion. Now I'm sure we all remember Gov Gump campaigned on the idea of "Buy Indiana." So how's that going you ask? With this contract the state will so far have funneled $1.5 billion in state contracts to out of state companies, all tax-payer funded. And we still have his fiasco idea of leasing the toll roads to come.
$1.5 billion in state contracts being pumped back into the Indiana economy would help offset the cost of these contracts, but $1.5 billion going out of state doesn't help anybody. Maybe some day people like Brian Howey will notice. I won't hold my breath waiting for it.
$1.5 billion in state contracts being pumped back into the Indiana economy would help offset the cost of these contracts, but $1.5 billion going out of state doesn't help anybody. Maybe some day people like Brian Howey will notice. I won't hold my breath waiting for it.
Friday, November 18, 2005
Republicans: "What Can the Poor Do For Us Today"
"House Republicans basked in triumph after the razor-thin passage of a sweeping budget cut plan in the wee hours of Friday morning."
Ok let's look at what these champions of the people accomplished:
Cut food stamps? Check.
Cut student loans? Check.
Cut Medicaid? Check.
Passed another tax cut for the rich? Check.
Now ask yourself, does this sound like a fair way to balance a budget, on the backs of the poor and middle class? And then to top it off with another tax cut? Look at these cuts, and explain how they show a strong moral center. How does denying food stamps to the poor, and college to the middle class help build strong families?
I would seriously love to hear a conservative defend this type of action, refusing to take back the $250 million for the "bridge to nowhere in Alaska," (sure they killed the bridge, but the state gets to keep the money for whatever they can think up)and refusing to take away the tax cuts companies get for moving the offices over seas, but instead taking money away from the poor and middle class. How do these people live with themselves at night?
Ok let's look at what these champions of the people accomplished:
Cut food stamps? Check.
Cut student loans? Check.
Cut Medicaid? Check.
Passed another tax cut for the rich? Check.
Now ask yourself, does this sound like a fair way to balance a budget, on the backs of the poor and middle class? And then to top it off with another tax cut? Look at these cuts, and explain how they show a strong moral center. How does denying food stamps to the poor, and college to the middle class help build strong families?
I would seriously love to hear a conservative defend this type of action, refusing to take back the $250 million for the "bridge to nowhere in Alaska," (sure they killed the bridge, but the state gets to keep the money for whatever they can think up)and refusing to take away the tax cuts companies get for moving the offices over seas, but instead taking money away from the poor and middle class. How do these people live with themselves at night?
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Apparently Mitch Didn't Ask Rokita First
"What is government for except to come to the aid of people in times like this?” Daniels said.
I'm surprised that Rokita isn't down in Evansville setting up a bingo game at a local church to raise the money, since according to him this is the last thing government is for.
I'm surprised that Rokita isn't down in Evansville setting up a bingo game at a local church to raise the money, since according to him this is the last thing government is for.
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Wrong Question
"Are we more like Pennsylvania or are we more like Kansas?" Friend, R-Macy, asked. "That's what we're trying to find out."
Rep. Friend, you're supposed to be a leader. Stop asking you constituents whether they want to be like Kansas or Pennsylvania, it's your job to lead us down the right path.
And for the record ask yourself where would you rather live? Pittsburgh could've ended up like Gary, but it didn't, so maybe we have a few things to learn from Pennsylvania. Nobody ever wrote a book called "What's the Matter with Pennsylvania."
Rep. Friend, you're supposed to be a leader. Stop asking you constituents whether they want to be like Kansas or Pennsylvania, it's your job to lead us down the right path.
And for the record ask yourself where would you rather live? Pittsburgh could've ended up like Gary, but it didn't, so maybe we have a few things to learn from Pennsylvania. Nobody ever wrote a book called "What's the Matter with Pennsylvania."
Thursday, November 10, 2005
All Mitch All the Time
Taking Down Words discovered a website devoted to Governor Gump, and only Governor Gump.
Monday, November 07, 2005
Gov. Gump: Cut Me Some Slack
The idea that the guy who has bashed Governors Kernan and O'Bannon for absolutely everything is asking that we "give him some slack" is sickening. Why should we allow him a double standard? Why is it that he's still laying into Kernan 10 months on, but he should get a pass? Why we would allow a man who clearly had a list of ideas, but no plans to make them work skate on his failures?
In other words, when is he going to acknowledge that leadership is more then bashing the last guy, and that he isn't a leader?
In other words, when is he going to acknowledge that leadership is more then bashing the last guy, and that he isn't a leader?
Friday, November 04, 2005
TomPaine.com - Confronting The American Lifestyle
Entire article here.
"It is time for Democrats to confront one of the third rails remaining in Washington politics: the "American way of life." I'm not talking democracy and apple pie, although Washington could use truckloads more of both. Rather, it's time to mount a frontal assault on the failure of the post-war social experiment called suburbia. The prize is not only peace and prosperity, but a political realignment that staggers the imagination."...
..."At the same time, Dems will also have to show that it's not Americans who have chosen their unsustainable way of life, but that their way of life is the product of government policies. Transportation, mortgage assistance, energy, agriculture and natural resource policies have all contributed to give Americans no viable option for living sustainable lives.
Take transportation, for example. The federal government is subsidizing domestic oil production with ridiculously low royalties (approximately $2/barrel) that perpetuates our dependence on oil while forgoing billions in tax revenues. The government also oversubsidizes highways and undersubsidizes subways, light rail and inter-city railroads. And, even though hybrids use remarkably less gasoline and greatly reduce carbon emissions, Congress has limited the number of hybrid rebates available, virtually strangling this burgeoning market. Jane Q. Public might want to drive a hybrid and live in a beautiful walkable neighborhood, but they either don't exist or they're priced way out of reach. It's not her fault or the market's fault. It's the government's fault.
Americans basically want peace and prosperity. But right now, our economy is driving the opposite. In order to secure the oil we need, we're trapped in a major war in Iraq. The commuting, shopping and activities that comprise our day-to-day lives are draining our pocketbooks and keeping families apart. Again, it's not Jane Q. Public's fault, it's not the market's fault. It's the government's fault for laying out the rules so poorly."...
"It is time for Democrats to confront one of the third rails remaining in Washington politics: the "American way of life." I'm not talking democracy and apple pie, although Washington could use truckloads more of both. Rather, it's time to mount a frontal assault on the failure of the post-war social experiment called suburbia. The prize is not only peace and prosperity, but a political realignment that staggers the imagination."...
..."At the same time, Dems will also have to show that it's not Americans who have chosen their unsustainable way of life, but that their way of life is the product of government policies. Transportation, mortgage assistance, energy, agriculture and natural resource policies have all contributed to give Americans no viable option for living sustainable lives.
Take transportation, for example. The federal government is subsidizing domestic oil production with ridiculously low royalties (approximately $2/barrel) that perpetuates our dependence on oil while forgoing billions in tax revenues. The government also oversubsidizes highways and undersubsidizes subways, light rail and inter-city railroads. And, even though hybrids use remarkably less gasoline and greatly reduce carbon emissions, Congress has limited the number of hybrid rebates available, virtually strangling this burgeoning market. Jane Q. Public might want to drive a hybrid and live in a beautiful walkable neighborhood, but they either don't exist or they're priced way out of reach. It's not her fault or the market's fault. It's the government's fault.
Americans basically want peace and prosperity. But right now, our economy is driving the opposite. In order to secure the oil we need, we're trapped in a major war in Iraq. The commuting, shopping and activities that comprise our day-to-day lives are draining our pocketbooks and keeping families apart. Again, it's not Jane Q. Public's fault, it's not the market's fault. It's the government's fault for laying out the rules so poorly."...
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Forging the Case for War
The American Conservative
Yes. I got this little tidbit from a conservative magazine! Believe it or not, there ARE conservative Dems around here who might like the magazine! LoL
Anyway, could there be a link between the uranium niger document and the Office of Special Plans? We'll have to wait and see. Go get 'em Harry!
Yes. I got this little tidbit from a conservative magazine! Believe it or not, there ARE conservative Dems around here who might like the magazine! LoL
Anyway, could there be a link between the uranium niger document and the Office of Special Plans? We'll have to wait and see. Go get 'em Harry!
Middle Earth Journal: The SCOTUS and Roe VS Wade
Middle Earth Journal: The SCOTUS and Roe VS Wade
I thought this was an interesting perspective on the Roe vs Wade issue surrounding the Republican party. I never thought about the fact that most of the right-wing fundamentalist conservatives are one-issue voters, and if this issue was overturned in their favor, they would lose their interest in voting any longer, and then the moderate middle Republicans would then lose favor for their party as well. Quite an interesting perspective. I do believe that would be the case. So, in conclusion, it would be in the Republican party's interests to keep Roe vs Wade an ongoing issue in order to keep up their voting numbers. Hmmm.
I thought this was an interesting perspective on the Roe vs Wade issue surrounding the Republican party. I never thought about the fact that most of the right-wing fundamentalist conservatives are one-issue voters, and if this issue was overturned in their favor, they would lose their interest in voting any longer, and then the moderate middle Republicans would then lose favor for their party as well. Quite an interesting perspective. I do believe that would be the case. So, in conclusion, it would be in the Republican party's interests to keep Roe vs Wade an ongoing issue in order to keep up their voting numbers. Hmmm.
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