Archive for January 4th, 2007
Don’t be surprised when you pay more for gasoline. It will be a result of the twisted logic used by the Democrats to extort money from the oil companies. The result will be less drilling for oil and increased pressure on supplies.
The Interior Department signed binding leases with some of America’s largest oil companies back in 1998-99, “allowing” the firms to drill in deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico, far outside any internationally recognized 6- or 12-mile territorial limit.
The government doesn’t spend any money facilitating that expensive deep drilling, mind you. It doesn’t “subsidize” those operations in any traditional use of the term. Rather, Washington charges the oil companies for the “privilege” of keeping our homes heated and our cars on the road – and then sharply restricts where, in international waters, the drilling can occur.
If the oil companies tried to get away with paying less than called for in the leases, what do you think would happen?
Instead, the oil companies are perfectly happy to pay the amounts agreed upon. But Democrats in Congress say the leases are “flawed” – the Interior Department wrote them incorrectly and now the oil companies aren’t required to pay enough.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi even refers to the difference between what the written leases call for the oil companies to pay, and the amount she’d like them to pay, a “government subsidy.”
Imagine that. If you’ve been paying three dollars a dozen for eggs, but the supermarket manager now wishes he’d charged you 10 dollars a dozen, then the supermarket has been “subsidizing” you by seven dollars a week … and has a right to try and get it back!
This would be merely silly, if the new-majority Democrats hadn’t now declared their plans to “end those subsidies.”
This is a very scary scenario. Pelosi is in effect saying that the right to keep one’s own money is a government subsidy. In essence, no one has the right to use their money without government approval.
The Democrats also have more crazy ideas that will raise the price of gasoline. Read about them here.
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“If history could teach us anything, it would be that private property is inextricably linked with civilization.”
- Ludwig Von Mises
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The District provides health insurance to its current and retired employees. The total
expenditures paid to health insurance companies totaled $30.7 million and $15.8 million for
calendar year 2005 and through June 30, 2006, respectively. The District currently provides these
benefits to about 7,160 enrollees.The District provides their employees and retirees with three provider choices and multiple
options within their primary choice; these include: Independent Health, Univera and Blue
Cross/Blue Shield of Western NY. The District provides both Family and Individual coverage
for retirees based on marital status and dependent/survival status. The District provided a listing
of 3,149 retirees and 1,675 dependent spouses. Of that number, 1,820 retirees do not contribute
to the cost of their health insurance coverage. Spouses and dependents coverage will cease the
day after the death of the retiree. The surviving spouses and/or dependents receive notice from
the District providing information about coverage under COBRA.1
It was noted that the School District paid benefits for deceased people.
Our testing revealed that health insurance premiums were paid for
15 retirees and 14 dependent spouses of retirees, some of which were deceased as far back as
June 1997. The District paid $275,074 for those retirees and an additional $269,371 for family
health insurance coverage for the dependent spouses. The total payments were $544,445
including $232,453 during the audit period.
The figures cited amount to $6508.38 spend annually for health insurance for each enrollee. Overe half of the retirees contribute nothing to that cost. What about currenlty employed employees, do they contribute? If so, what is the amount of the employee’s contribution? Any answers would be appreciated.
[Source]
Mark your calendars now. Below is an exciting list of events will be coming up at the Flying Bison Brewing Company. I’ve tried many of the beers, lagers and ales and they are very good. Whenever I’m in a local bar or restaurant I check to see if they have any Flying Bison products on tap.
Upcoming Brewery Events
Brewery Blowout Saturdays starting with the first Saturday in January. Special events and new beer releases from 11-4 pm!
Jan 6- Air Force Day- Come join members of our very own local air wings.
Jan 13- “Herc 2006 Release” Day- Although it has already landed…we are celebrating this year’s barleywine release while we still have some left!
Jan 20- Chili Cook-off- Just what the doctor ordered for a winter’s day in Buffalo…..great chili and Buffalo best craft beer.
Jan 27- Sausage Sampling- Featuring a variety of tasty sausage from local vendors.
Feb 3- Superbowl Party
Feb 10- Double IPA Release- You heard it here first! “Double Bird” our new double Bird of Prey IPA will be released for growler fills. This is the newest member of our Heavy Support Squadron.
Feb 17- Mardi Gras Party- bring your beads and thirst!
Feb 24- Heavy Support Sampling- Featuring the entire Squadron to date! Herc Barleywine, Royal Skycap Imperial Porter and the Double Bird IPA.
Source: Flying Bison Brewing Company
