Round And Round

Incredible
Shumlin administration officials and the state employees union announced on Friday afternoon that they have come to an agreement on a two-year contract that includes the restoration of the 3 percent pay cut that was instituted two and a half years ago and a 2 percent pay increase in July 2012 plus a 2 percent increase in July 2013....John Reese, the president of the union, which represents about 5,500 members, said he was “incredibly” happy with the arrangement....In fiscal year 2013, the restoration of the 3 percent cut will cost $9.2 million, according to Joint Fiscal Office estimates. The 2 percent increase in pay will cost $7.7 million, Spaulding said. (VTdigger.org, 12/9/2011)


Throughout the country, tough-minded governors (Republican and Democrat) are forcing concessions from public unions. Not in Vermont! No wonder the union president is ecstatic. And the taxpayer, pays.


Know Your Enemy
The White House on Monday defended Vice President Joe Biden for saying that the Taliban isn't an enemy of the United States despite the years spent fighting the militant Islamic group that gave a home to Al Qaeda and its leader Usama bin Laden while he plotted the Sept. 11 terror attacks. (Foxnews.com, 12/19/2011)


Ramping up for the coming election we get the return of Crazy Joe. We missed him!  And his comment could not have been better, reminding us of how Liberals will always choose appeasement. This is exactly why you guys should not be in charge.


Statistics
New York City has a little more than 8 million residents. Of those many millions, 1% -- ONE PERCENT -- pays 43% of the income taxes. You know how many people that works out to? About 35,000 people.  (T.J. McCormack, Foxnews.com, 12/16/2011)


This is the kind of thing that George Will does so well. Put a number on it.