Are we bailing out unions next?

Well, looks like The U.S. Senate thinks we should be on the hook for $165 B to bail out union pensions now as well.  Basically it amounts to another propping up of an entity that failed to play by the rules, and made bad decisions with their money.  Senate Bill 3157, aka Create Jobs and Save Benefits Act of 2010, was introduced  March 23, but this is the first I have heard of it.

Some might say this is because of the recession, bad investments and money lost in the market, but according to experts pensions have been in trouble since long before the recession.  So union leadership made mistakes with their members’ money, and now they want us to pay the price.

Even more maddening the house has a similar bill, which seems to be stalled in committee known as H.R. 3936.  I don’t have any information on what this bill is proposed to cost, and that isn’t what has me upset about this one.  Contrary to their stance on fiscal responsibility, and anti-bailout promises, ten Republicans co sponsor the House bill.  One of them is my own representative, Aaron Schock (R-IL).  You can be assured I will be contacting Mr. Schock and asking him if he needs help getting his head out of his backside.

Biden gets off free in Peoria, Palin and Schock pay freely

Ok, if you are local you will remember Bush’s visit to Peoria a couple of years ago to help raise money for Aaron Schock.  The cost to the city was brought up, the city demanded reimbursement, and Schock paid.  This sounds all well and good right?  If someone visits, and costs the city money, someone other than the taxpayer should foot the bill.  I am all for that.  Now, here is what I am not for…Jim Ardis was asked about Obama’s trip to CAT last year, and who would pay.  He said:

“the cost of public services during Obama’s visit on Thursday will not be an issue. He said the issue last July [Bush's trip] involved a political fundraiser.”

Ok, get it?  Since Bush’s trip was a fundraiser, someone should have to pay.  Since Obama’s trip wasn’t a fundraiser it was fine for the taxpayer to foot the bill for added security and other expenses.

Now fast forward to a couple of weeks ago.  Joe Biden visits Peoria for a, wait for it…fund raising event at the center for prevention of abuse.  It cost the city an estimated $43,000 in extra costs for the visit.  Now, at this point you are probably thinking that someone is going to cover it right?  I mean, it’s a fundraiser.  Mayor Ardis said that’s the criteria right?  Well, you would be wrong, the taxpayer is expected to pick this one up.

Also a couple of weeks ago was Palin’s visit to Five Points Washington.  She spoke to a sold-out crowd of 1,100 to kick off Five Points leadership series.  Now, this wasn’t a fundraiser right?  This was a seminar, so according to Jim Ardis the city should have to cover it.  Well, if it were in Peoria I guess.  Maybe since it was in Washington and not Peoria…oh well it doesn’t matter because it was arranged with the city ahead of time, and Five Points Washington paid the city for the added security.

You see, fundraiser or not, there is one common criteria here.  If the visiting head of state is a Democrat, Peoria is all fine and good with the citizens footing tens of thousands of dollars for security.  If they are a Republican however, they better pay their own way.  Funny because Ardis is a Republican Mayor, you would think that he would be concerned about everyone paying so that his city could remain fiscally responsible.  Maybe he signed up for the wrong party.

2010 Census: Our Tax Dollars at Work

So I was stumped yesterday when I received a letter in the mail from the Census Bureau.  I am sure that all of you received one as well, so I don’t have to quote it or anything.  Doesn’t it strike you as a massive waste of our tax payer money to send out a letter, warning you that you are going to get a census form in one week?  Seriously, the letter doesn’t have any important information in it.  Weren’t the advertisements all over TV, radio, and the Super Bowl enough?

The last line made me laugh a little:

“Without a complete, accurate census, your community may not receive its fair share.”

Does anyone believe, anymore, that anything government does is fair?  Do you believe that all it takes is an accurate count to make it fair?  It has nothing to do with the census, but everything to do with how much your congressman or senator is willing to bend over for the regime in power.  I for one would like less than our fair share.  Take care of the immediate needs, but all this extra bull that my congressman is bringing home?  Send it back Aaron Schock.  Well, at least mine isn’t willing to sell his vote on the very important legislation, he does have that going for him.

So anyway, I am going to write the director of the census bureau, ask him to respond via e-mail (no more wasting my money), and demand he explain himself.  I will keep you guys posted, but I wouldn’t hold my breath.  These clowns forgot a long time ago whose money it was they were spending.

So after writing this, I found a spot at the census bureau’s website where they try to justify it.