During a recent town meeting held by Rep. Waters (D-CA) questioned, "We don't know what the strategy is. We don't know why on this trip that he's in the United States now, he's not in any black communities." President Obama has been on a Midwest bus tour to hold several town hall meetings on the state of the economy in predominately white communities. As a matter of fact if you look at the pictures from the tour one would be hard pressed to find any minorities at all.
President Obama is not dumb as he realizes that if he is going to get re-elected in 2012 he needs the white vote that appears to be slipping away from him. Note to Rep. Waters, President Obama has neglected the black community because he knows you'd never vote against him in the next election. Are you ready to vote for a guy that has enacted policies that has driven up unemployment in the black community to 15.9%? Or are you going to take President Obama up on his offer he made to Diane Sawyer?
While Detroit burns President Obama is going on vacation in Martha's Vineyard among the elite's of America. Prior to ending the bus tour President Obama has stated he will be announcing his plan to get America back to work after Labor Day weekend; we have waited over two years for this so what is a few more weeks? But I digress, as the Congressional Black Caucus is growing frustrated with President Obama and his choice of locations on the bus tour. In case Rep. Water missed it I will say it again: The strategy employed by the bus tour is to engage the White vote that polls show is slipping away while assuming that blacks will vote for re-election no matter what he does.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Carney: Unemployment Benefits Could Create Up To 1 Million Jobs
Okay, I am not a Wall Street Journal writer so someone help me out. How does extending UE or even giving out UE benefits out create jobs let alone 1 million jobs. For if that were the case wouldn't our unemployment rate be below 8%? When I was laid off I had UE benefits but every cent went toward the house payment. I don't think my mortgage payments allowed Citi to hire more employees but I could be wrong. So again, please, someone let me know how this works and how a Ivy educated man in Obama can think this works.
Sen. Franken's recent email
“As I have said all along, the consequences of failing to raise the debt ceiling and defaulting on our debt would be disastrous to all Minnesotans. Unfortunately, in a game of chicken, the player most concerned about protecting the full faith and credit of the United States is put in the most difficult position.
“As a result, the deal that has been struck is not balanced, as I would have preferred. It does achieve the laudable goal of reducing the deficit, but does so with only cuts, even though a significant majority of Americans, including a majority of Republicans, favor closing loopholes for corporations and tax increases on the wealthiest Americans to make sure everyone is paying their fair share.
“Nevertheless, I will vote for this package, because defaulting would have grave economic consequences for my Minnesota constituents. The deal does protect Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. And it will erase some of the uncertainty confronting businesses and the markets.
“I hope now we can get back to our job, which is to facilitate the growth of our economy and create jobs by investing in innovation, in our infrastructure and workforce, and by making sure our children get a world-class education so they are prepared for a 21st century economy.”
“As a result, the deal that has been struck is not balanced, as I would have preferred. It does achieve the laudable goal of reducing the deficit, but does so with only cuts, even though a significant majority of Americans, including a majority of Republicans, favor closing loopholes for corporations and tax increases on the wealthiest Americans to make sure everyone is paying their fair share.
“Nevertheless, I will vote for this package, because defaulting would have grave economic consequences for my Minnesota constituents. The deal does protect Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. And it will erase some of the uncertainty confronting businesses and the markets.
“I hope now we can get back to our job, which is to facilitate the growth of our economy and create jobs by investing in innovation, in our infrastructure and workforce, and by making sure our children get a world-class education so they are prepared for a 21st century economy.”
Hamburg City Council Minutes – Public Hearing – May 24, 2011
CITY OF HAMBURG
PUBLIC HEARING
ORDINANCE NUMBER 141
MAY 24, 2011
Mayor Malz called the Continuation of the Public Hearing to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilmember John Barnes, Councilmember Chris Lund, Councilmember Steve Trebesch, Councilmember Larry Mueller, City Clerk Jeremy Gruenhagen, Deputy Clerk Sue Block, Maintenance Worker Dennis Byerly, and Fire Chief Brad Droege were in attendance. Also in attendance was Greg Kimman (S.E.H.).
The reason for the Public Hearing was to receive public comments on Ordinance Number 141 for adopting a Storm Water Utility Fee.
Public Comments
- No one from the public was in attendance.
Greg Kimman (S.E.H.) gave a presentation of "Financing Stormwater Management with a Stormwater Utility."
- To cover Hamburg's present I & I Project cost a $16.75 monthly Storm Water Utility Fee would need to be set for a 20 year period. This amount would be the highest in Minnesota.
- Greg Kimman and City Clerk Gruenhagen will work together on what would be a reasonable amount the fee should be set at and the remaining amount would have to be levied to General Taxes. They will also work with City Attorney Mac Willemssen on the proper wording for Ordinance Number 141.
At the next City Council meeting on June 14, 2011 Ordinance #141 will have to be adopted and the Storm Water Utility Rate will have to be set.
Councilmember Barns moved to close the Continued Public Hearing on Ordinance Number 141 at 7:20 p.m., seconded by Councilmember Trebesch and motion unanimously carried. All Council members were present.
Submitted By:
Sue Block
Deputy Clerk
Monday, August 8, 2011
Rick Santelli: If Not For Tea Party, U.S. Would Be Rated BBB
Rick Santelli: If Not For Tea Party, U.S. Would Be Rated BBB
After Standard & Poors downgraded the United States credit rating from AAA to AA+ figuring pointing was the spin of the day on Sunday and then again on Monday as the NYSE plunged over 600 points. Many Democrats, including Vice President Biden, asserted that the Tea Party held the country "hostage" and acted like "terrorists" when drawing the line in the sand and saying they would not increase the debt ceiling unless real deficit reduction was done. At the eleventh hour Congress cobbled together a debt ceiling increase with cuts to base line increases in budgets going forward while establishing a Super Congress to come up with more cuts to the budget.
Before the Tea Party faction of Congress held the debt ceiling debate "hostage" all three rating agency warned that government had spent to much. Notice one thing missing in the warnings by S&P, Moody's and Fitch - not one said that raising revenue was the issue for downgrades and lowering the outlook for the United States. All three rating agencies are unified that they are worried that spending will continue to outpace revenues resulting in more debt accumulation. The trouble is that 60% of our budget comes in the form of entitlement programs, 20% of the budget is military spending, and the final 20% is everything else. Many have pointed to two wars as the crux to our budget woes.
While that is part of it, the bigger aspect of our budget that we need to address is the growing costs of entitlement programs. Now, we cannot change the game for those near the retirement goal. So what do we do? What proposals are out there to cut the base line spending increases from the budget because even though we reduced the budget for next year we didn't actually cut it. All one has to do is go back and read the bill that was passed. It spells out how we may cut future spending increases which have been touted as spending cuts. Do our elected officials think we are that stupid?
Essentially what they are telling us is: Joe the Car Buyer is looking to purchase a new SUV. Joe the Car Buyer has budgeted $50,000 to purchase that new car. Joe the Car Buyer is on XYZ Car Lot and sees that sticker price for that new SUV is $70,000. After talking with the Sales guy and the Sales manager the final offer from XYZ Cars is $60,000. To get Joe the Car Buyer over the finish line the Sales Manager said that Joe the Car Buyer was actually saving $10,000 even though he had only a budget of $50,000. This is essentially how Congress and the Obama Administration is treating us.
After Standard & Poors downgraded the United States credit rating from AAA to AA+ figuring pointing was the spin of the day on Sunday and then again on Monday as the NYSE plunged over 600 points. Many Democrats, including Vice President Biden, asserted that the Tea Party held the country "hostage" and acted like "terrorists" when drawing the line in the sand and saying they would not increase the debt ceiling unless real deficit reduction was done. At the eleventh hour Congress cobbled together a debt ceiling increase with cuts to base line increases in budgets going forward while establishing a Super Congress to come up with more cuts to the budget.
Before the Tea Party faction of Congress held the debt ceiling debate "hostage" all three rating agency warned that government had spent to much. Notice one thing missing in the warnings by S&P, Moody's and Fitch - not one said that raising revenue was the issue for downgrades and lowering the outlook for the United States. All three rating agencies are unified that they are worried that spending will continue to outpace revenues resulting in more debt accumulation. The trouble is that 60% of our budget comes in the form of entitlement programs, 20% of the budget is military spending, and the final 20% is everything else. Many have pointed to two wars as the crux to our budget woes.
While that is part of it, the bigger aspect of our budget that we need to address is the growing costs of entitlement programs. Now, we cannot change the game for those near the retirement goal. So what do we do? What proposals are out there to cut the base line spending increases from the budget because even though we reduced the budget for next year we didn't actually cut it. All one has to do is go back and read the bill that was passed. It spells out how we may cut future spending increases which have been touted as spending cuts. Do our elected officials think we are that stupid?
Essentially what they are telling us is: Joe the Car Buyer is looking to purchase a new SUV. Joe the Car Buyer has budgeted $50,000 to purchase that new car. Joe the Car Buyer is on XYZ Car Lot and sees that sticker price for that new SUV is $70,000. After talking with the Sales guy and the Sales manager the final offer from XYZ Cars is $60,000. To get Joe the Car Buyer over the finish line the Sales Manager said that Joe the Car Buyer was actually saving $10,000 even though he had only a budget of $50,000. This is essentially how Congress and the Obama Administration is treating us.
Hamburg City Council Agenda – August 9, 2011
- Call City Council Meeting to Order
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Public Comment
(Individuals may address the City Council about any non-agenda item(s) of concern. Speakers must state their name, address, and limit their remarks to three minutes. The City Council may not take official action on these items and may refer the matter to staff for a future report or direct that the matter be scheduled for a future meeting agenda.)
- Agenda Review (Added Items) and Adoption
- Consent Agenda
(NOTICE TO PUBLIC: All those items listed as part of the Consent Agenda will be approved by a single motion, unless a request to discuss one of those items is made prior to that time. Anyone present at the meeting may request an item to be removed from the consent agenda. Please inform the Council when they approve the agenda for this meeting.)- Approve PH Minutes for May 24, 2011 & Minutes for July 12, 2011
- On-Sale Temporary Liquor License (Lions Club)
- Postcard Memorabilia from 1936
- Safety Partners Article – Regional Safety Groups
- Certificate of Appreciation from LMCIT
- Certificate of Appreciation from LMCIT
- Water Usage Report for 2011
- Cash Flow Statement for June
- HFDRA 2011 YTD Return Summary
- Approve PH Minutes for May 24, 2011 & Minutes for July 12, 2011
- Fire Department Report – Chief Brad Droege
- DNR/FEMA Grants
- 2012 MESB User Fee for Radios
- Extended Warranty for Pagers
- Extended Warranty for Pagers
- Memorial for Public Servants (Protective Services)
- HFD By-Laws/City Personnel Policy
- Selection vs. Election
- Selection vs. Election
- National Night Out – August 2, 2011
- DNR/FEMA Grants
- Carver County Commissioner Jim Ische
- Update on Carver County
- City Concerns/Issues
- Update on Carver County
- Rachel Drees
- Use of Portable Air Conditioners at Hall for Wedding Reception
- Use of Portable Air Conditioners at Hall for Wedding Reception
- Sanitary Sewer & Storm Sewer Improvements Project
- Public Facilities Authority Loan
- Change Order – Substantial Completion Date
- Private Property Service Lines (Illegal Connections/Replacement)
- Letters for Non-Compliance
- Letters for Non-Compliance
- Repairs of Kim Avenue
- City Street Assessment Basis
- City Street Assessment Basis
- Punch List
- Public Facilities Authority Loan
- Old City Business (Memo)
- Community Park Sign
- Employee Job Descriptions
- Review Job Descriptions
- Review Job Descriptions
- City Clean Up Day
- Energy Efficient Lighting – Rebate Programs
- Community Park Sign
- Public Works & Utilities Department Report
- Hall Door Replacement Proposal
- Dan Oelfke Construction, LLC
- Dan Oelfke Construction, LLC
- Utility Locater
- G&K Contract for Cleaning Supplies
- City Alleys (Add Rock/Shape Up)
- Cooler for Community Hall
- Project List (Added Items)
- Deputy/Utility Billing Clerk Report
- Delinquent Utility Bills Report
- Nuisance Letter(s) Report
- MCFOA Clerks Conference - July 11 – 15, 2011
- Project List (Added Items)
- City Clerk/Treasurer Report
- 2010 Census Count/Met Council Population Estimates
- Liquor Liability Insurance Clause for Hall/Park/Community Center Rentals
- Utility Rate Study (Abdo, Eick & Meyers)
- Local Government Aid
- Property/Casualty Insurance Renewal
- Monetary Limits
- Liquor Liability
- Monetary Limits
- Park Rentals (Use of Hot Water)
- Can Trailer (Can Proceeds)
- Dehumidifier for Community Center
- Special Meeting for August 23rd
- 2012 Budget Workshop
- Resolution Accepting MN PFA Loan
- Kim Avenue Repairs
- 2012 Budget Workshop
- Agreement for Ponds
- Project List (Added Items)
- Approve Payment of June/July 2011 Claims
- City Council Reports
- Councilmember Mueller Report (Sewer & Water)
- Councilmember Lund Report (Streets)
- Councilmember Trebesch Report (Buildings)
- Councilmember Barnes Report (Parks)
- Mayor Malz Report
- Adjourn City Council Meeting
COMMUNITY HALL & PARK ACTIVITIES
July 4 – Independence Day - City Offices Closed
13 – Emanuel VBS Day Camp (Park)
16 – Wedding Reception – Rodemacher & Moe
16 – Wedding Reception – Wolter (Park)
18–23 – Community Ed Park Program
August 2 – National Night Out (Park)
14 – Park Rental (Oelfke)
17 – Cub Scouts (Park)
20 – Emanuel Ribfest (Park)
27 – Wedding Reception (Grams) – Park/Hall
COMMUNITY CENTER (FIRE HALL) ACTIVITIES
July 5 – Hamburg Lions Club Meeting (YA Twp Room)
5 – Hamburg Fire Department Training
12 – Hamburg City Council Meeting – 7:00 PM
12 – Young America Township Meeting
16 – Community Center Rental (Kranz)
18 – Hamburg Lions Club
23 – Community Center Rental (Droege)
25 – HFD (Relief Association) – 7:00 PM
August 1 – Hamburg Lions Club Meeting (YA Twp Room)
1 – Hamburg Fire Department Training
9 – Hamburg City Council Meeting – 7:00 PM
9 – Young America Township Meeting
15 – Hamburg Lions Club
29 – HFD (Relief Association) – 7:00 PM
Monday, August 1, 2011
Updated Debt Bill
As I write the House of Representatives are debating the updated Budget Control Act. Here is a link to it:http://rules.house.gov/Media/file/PDF_112_1/Floor_Text/DEBT_016_xml.pdf
I have only been able to get through 10 pages thus far and am curious why baseline budgeting is being used still. In the first 10 pages we see potential raises in spending by capping the amount budget items can go up year over year and its being hailed as a cut in spending.
One item I am hearing that is set up by this Act is to set up a "super Congress" to develop policy going forward. This should scare Americans. We elect people to represent us, we don't elect people to appoint people to represent us. I tried to look for talking points from both sides but nothing I could find.
Is there enough time for this to be properly vetted prior to passage? In a rare event I have turned on MSNBC and Rev. Sharpton was talking with a Tea Party backed Representative from Kansas about why he is voting against the amendment. It was interesting to see that even Rev. Al doesn't understand the impact a Moody's downgrade has on America or what Moody's is looking at to determine the rating. Looking forward to more debate on this.
I have only been able to get through 10 pages thus far and am curious why baseline budgeting is being used still. In the first 10 pages we see potential raises in spending by capping the amount budget items can go up year over year and its being hailed as a cut in spending.
One item I am hearing that is set up by this Act is to set up a "super Congress" to develop policy going forward. This should scare Americans. We elect people to represent us, we don't elect people to appoint people to represent us. I tried to look for talking points from both sides but nothing I could find.
Is there enough time for this to be properly vetted prior to passage? In a rare event I have turned on MSNBC and Rev. Sharpton was talking with a Tea Party backed Representative from Kansas about why he is voting against the amendment. It was interesting to see that even Rev. Al doesn't understand the impact a Moody's downgrade has on America or what Moody's is looking at to determine the rating. Looking forward to more debate on this.
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