How the Affordable Care Act helps Immigration Reform equal Corporate Profit

There are roughly over 18 million different types of business operating in the United States today, ranging from 1 to 10,000 employees and the way the Media has been reporting lately, one could easily think that every one of those business’ has been laying off employees since the Affordable Care Act became law.

Sometimes the Media gets it right but way too often they pad the numbers for great political theatre to get people talking. Take for instance the report of one of Pres O's favorite medical facilities, the Cleveland Clinic.

It’s been reported that because of the Affordable Care Act that the Cleveland Clinic, a massive 4,400 bed hospital system that stretches operations from Cleveland, Ohio to Miami Florida, announced it will be laying off some 3,000 employees.

However this report is over dramatized as the Cleveland Clinic actually stated that they are streamlining many services and departments that will not impact employees and those "3,000 employees" reported to be laid off are employees eligible for voluntary early retirement.

This sounds very familiar, as the move to push employees eligible for early retirement is no different than that of some States that recently forced early retirement on State Union Employees from 2009 to 2012, wouldn't you agree Ohio Gov Kasich?

Now I do recall many in so-called Media praising those Governors for their action as taxpayers pay those Union salaries. But isn’t one of the issues of high Health Care costs that of expensive overhead?

Why praise one form of lay-off or early retirement over another?

But the misrepresentation of the Cleveland Clinic announcement is only one in a few of poor Media reporting, as even my own employer made one of the “lay-off” Affordable Care Act lists during the summer of 2012.

I work for a worldwide company (I will not state their name) and it was reported that my company was laying-off employees due to Affordable Care Act. That couldn't be further from the truth as the "lay-off" in question was due to a worldwide re-organization as a portion of the company was sold. There was no need to have excessive employees in Management, Sales, Logistics, and so on. So a corporate stream line was set in place, not because of the Affordable Care Act.

It doesn’t matter how many credits and/or deductions Congress creates to get business to hire, they will not hire unless they need bodies. And business will not give benefits if it is not warranted, so if the Affordable Care Act states a fine will be imposed if business does not offer health insurance, well it’s cheaper for business to take the $2k-$3k “fine” then pay an individual the average American median income of $51k + benefits.

Yes, I understand it’s the principle of Government imposing law and fines upon business. I agree, it’s wrong, as business shouldn’t be forced to give benefits, be it health insurance to retirement to any employee unless the business exercises that option.

But what does the Affordable Care Act have to do with Immigration?

It has been reported since the beginning of 2013 and it has been my understanding that under the Affordable Care Act a business with fewer than 50 employees does not have to offer/buy health insurance for their employees. However those business’ with 50 or more employees has to either provide a form of health insurance or pay a “fine” between $2k to $3k for employees that buy into one of the various health insurance exchanges created under the Affordable Care Act.

Also consider that the majority of legislation is written and/or driven by business lobbyists, so while the majority of business have been announcing lay-offs due to the Affordable Care Act, many of them are also lobbying for a new Immigration law to hire temporary visa or blue card holding workers at a cheaper labor rate while not having to offer a single benefit as they are not eligible for the health insurance exchange.

So in layman terms, the Affordable Care Act is the enabling scapegoat for business to hire a new immigrant over an American citizen. And for Corporate America, everyone knows that cheaper labor equates to a higher profit margin which leads to a sweet payout on the stock options.

So who does one hate or point a crooked finger at: Our ineffective Congress or our inept President or Corporate America?

That’s it “slap the tap,” and enjoy a frosty arrogant bastard ale while watching Speaker Boehner’s tan fade as I stole the lights to his tanning bed from his Congressional office. Hey he’s not paying the electric bill!!

Government Shutdown? More like "5 O'Clock Charlie"

If there's one thing we've learned in the 2 weeks of what was the government shutdown, it's that America has become more divided then ever thanks to Media and Social Networking.

They've become "5 o'clock Charlie (M*A*S*H* reference) that without doubt they drop bombs that miss the mark thanks to partisan reporting. Yet we buy it as a truth and most re-post over and over again.

How gullible have many become? Extremely as way too many only read the Headline or the first paragraph to determine their belief.

I love the site dailycurrant.com, its political satire of another form. Recently they posted an article titled "House Republicans Schedule Obama Impeachment Hearings" to which I had to link to my Facebook page just to see who would bite. And many did and re-posted as well.

Others posted stories they swore to be true, yet were only abbreviated narrative from their favorite "Right or Left" website, only to be revised by others of the complete story.

Stop reading partisan websites as they only tell part of the story!

There is so much discourse and hate for either side of political thought that many discredit the idea of actually listening, respectfully listening to another thought that, well we end up with the 535 current incompetent, grandstanding, photo opt, leeches in Congress today.

Just think about it for a moment.

The best examples of my description come from the weekend of Oct 14-15, when a planned Immigration rally had Democrats run for to shake hands of possible future voters and the other being the Million Vet March the next day when a large group of Veterans planned a protest the barricading (the Right uses the cute "Barrycade" slogan) of War Memorials.

Yes, I was disgusted by Democrats for campaigning on the Immigration shoulders but I was even more disgusted by members of Congress using veterans to photo op for their personal political gain.

Some of those veterans were upset about it as well, as the reports of Veterans carrying barricades from the Memorials to the White House weren't Veterans but members of the Tea Party, who "hi-jacked" someone else's protest.

I have no problem with protests, it's part of American history and lore, however, unfortunately so is one's joining a protest for political gain as well.
Democrats, Republicans and the Tea Party all gained financially as well during the shutdown.

Media darling Ted Cruz (R-TX) campaign received close to $1 million in donations during shutdown and the DCCC reports a September haul of $8.4 million on pre-shutdown fear.

So was the shutdown more for political gain or true political stance?

Currently there are reports that the Tea Party is planning a new fundraising campaign on the betrayal of the Republican Party alone.

Some will blame the President, whether past, present or future and not look within their own party as these battles are becoming too predictable as well as too common, that the World is laughing at us.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) blames the House Republicans for the current deal because they gave him nothing viable to work with while House Republicans are calling the shutdown a victory, yet they won nothing.

Americans are calling for a third option and I say it's time for the Tea Party to get off the Republican teat and break away. But, just as they complain Americans are too dependent on Government money, they themselves are too dependent on Republican financial backing to stay in the game.

What should the American voter do?

For me the answer was simple.

Although I have always had the dreaded "D" on my voter registration card (thanks to parental influence of my youth and the fact you gotta have "D" or "R" to vote in PA primaries) I have never voted straight party ticket.

The beginning of 2013, I threw away that voter registration card and applied for a new one, this one with an "I" for Independent.

I refuse to give money to any candidate and I think it's wrong that taxpayers must pay for their primaries as well.

If the American voter wants to prove a point to our politicians, I suggest everyone should do the same. Re-register as either an Independent or No Party Affiliation, stop giving your money to their campaigns or PAC's, push for Congressional (and Supreme Court) term limits, write letters to Capitol Hill telling them to repeal the Constitutional Amendment that states that they get paid whether Government is funded or not, and by all means turn off the partisan media and listen, truthfully listen to the other side not in sound bites or abbreviation but as a whole.

I fear many will not do so, because we always need a villain to hate yet blind to the villain that stands before them.

So please stop being a “5 O’clock Charlie” and discontinue the meaningless misleading Social Media posts from partisan reports. Don’t we have enough mislead lemming voters?

That’s it, slap the tap on some Jack’s Pumpkin Spice Ale and a huge shout at to my friend (and sometimes political cohort) Laura on the release of her blog http://themilfsurvivalguide.com.

Cheers!

THE IMPEACHMENT IS COMING! THE IMPEACHMENT IS COMING!

No not really, but since so many members of Congress and Media alike have been voicing such for the past month, I figured I’d pull at your heart strings as well.

Over the past few weeks there have been many article and blog rumblings contemplating impeachment of President Obama and, as normal, the majority of those posts only speak of possible “high crimes and misdemeanors” in abbreviated narrative all the while forgetting the process of impeachment.

Here's a hint: It doesn't happen over night!

It would be boring to the entire story, which is the problem with today’s Media; they only want you to know the juicy stuff. Why would anyone want to have a well informed reader?

Any Political novice knows that Political Science 101 informs us that for any Impeachment of a President to happen it must begin with the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee and only the House Judiciary Committee chairman can decide whether or not a presidential action is an impeachable action.

So let’s stop there and think about that. Has any member of the HRJC introduced any impeachment resolution? No.

Yet the talk of such is lustful just to get the people enraged for one.

Take Texas Rep Blake Farenthold, whom at a town hall meeting in August stated that “the House Republicans have enough votes to impeach President Obama” but within the same breathe said “it would be unsuccessful and could damage the country.”

Dangle the carrot a little more why don’t you Blake?

No, ok so I will just for your entertainment value or is it my entertainment value?

Of all the complaints of NSA spying, Benghazi, IRS scandal and even the “Birther” notion, not one of these constitutes reason for resolution?

Cowards

Now, if the Judiciary Committee chairman deems an action as impeachable, that person can introduce a resolution calling for a formal inquiry into the issue of impeachment and those findings will create yet another resolution to be sent to the House on whether or not impeachment proceeding get a “green light.”

But the amount of time between the formal inquiry resolution and “green light” resolution can be lengthy.

For example, in 1994, the House began an inquiry investigation into President Clinton over Whitewater within months of taking office. That investigation led into the Monica Lewinsky inquiry investigation over a year later.

By December 1998, the House finally had the “green light” to start the Impeachment debate

Got that, it took 4 years to go from Point A to Point B.

Once the House has voted in favor of Impeachment, it all comes down to the Senate to hold the trial and they get to set the rules (Reminder: Democrats hold the majority in today's Senate, so guess how this may go).

In any impeachment trial, the President is represented by his lawyers, selected House members play Prosecutors, Supreme Court Chief Justice holds the gavel and all 100 members of the Senate play jury.

Returning to the example of the President Clinton impeachment trial, it began on Jan 9, 1999 and ended on Feb 12, 1999. That’s 5 weeks of trial, so that’s plenty of time for Senator John McCain to play his Iphone poker app.

For a sitting president to be convicted it takes 2/3 of the Senate to vote in favor of impeachment and removal from office. And for added salt to the impeachment wound, the Senate can also add a provision of prohibiting the impeached from ever holding public office in any form ever again.

See how boring fact-filled articles can be? No wonder Media strays away from it so often.

So fast forwarded to today and the calls to start Impeachment of President Barrack Obama and just using the exampled President Clinton time frame, if the House began Impeachment inquiry today, one could expect a Senate impeachment trial to begin for President Obama around December 28, 2016 and vote by Inauguration Day 2017.

That’s it, slap the tap, I’ll keep the beer cool and the peanut bowl filled waiting for you on the ascension swearing in of the new President Biden/VP Boehner.

Until then, pay your political tab.

Cheers!

SEPARATED AT BIRTH #371

SEPARATED AT BIRTH? YOU DECIDE.....

ACTOR DAVE FOLEY FROM KIDS IN THE HALL AND NEWSRADIO FAME AND SENATOR LINDSAY GRAHAM, BETTER KNOWN FOR HIS BROMANCE WITH SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN





SLAP THE TAP

CHEERS!

How The Platypus Can Save The 2016 Presidential Campaign

Oh what sweet hell is this?

A political party has decided to vote against the media exposure of their 2016 primary season, to which is 3 years away, due to their involvement to 2 different bio-pics of a person who has yet to even announce their intention of a possible presidential campaign for an election that is over 3 ½ years away.

Someone’s been hitting the fantasy bottle a little too early haven’t they?

OK, so of course I’m talking about Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus squawking the past few weeks about MSNBC and CNN’s involvement in 2 bio-pics of Hillary Rodham Clinton. A person who has already been anointed as the Democratic challenger for the 2016 Presidential campaign that has yet to even announce her candidacy.

Hm, maybe if Chairman Priebus hit the bottle he wouldn’t slur his words and make sense.

It’s absolutely hilarious that the RBC is of single-thought and focusing all their talking points against Clinton to an election that’s 3 ½ years away. It would be even funnier if all the wasted time on her is for not and she says “nope I gotta keep an eye on Billy boy.”

But low and behold, the RNC voted last Friday to stick it to MSNBC and CNN by unanimous vote and will block them from the Party primaries.

Thank the maker, as I was worried about possibly missing an episode of “America’s Got Talent” or whatever they broadcast on CNN as entertainment.

Priebus is so busy blaming these bio-pics as an unfair advantage towards their candidates, yet fails to comprehend that “it’s not the primary coverage that’s at issue with the GOP, it’s their candidates” as Business Insider’s David Swerdlick happily pointed out.

Of the cast of characters that ran in 2012, only Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum were worth the 20+ primary debates scheduled. The rest had no reason to be there, if not to further their political persona in book deals or lame TV/radio shows.

However, when it comes to the 2016 campaigns, without doubt, both the Democratic and Republican candidates will be a cast of characters, with a higher entertainment value than that of any Reality TV show featuring Duck Decoys or Has-Been Music stars.

Yes, it’s easy to blame the moderators for the failure of the candidates’ performance, but as many forget, the parties agree (!) to who moderates what and when. They can only blame themselves and if that happened, well the Apocalypse is near.

So I present the “Platypus Effect” to help the candidates, the parties and overall ratings.

To paraphrase Robin Williams, “You think God was stoned when he created the Platypus? (Take a huge bong hit) OK let’s take a beaver, slap on a duck’s bill and let it lay eggs! Screw you Darwin”

So the body of this political platypus starts with the Primaries by limiting their existence to just 6 debates for each, using only 6 of the most Conservative and Liberal “Media” Journalists one can find and only let these 6 moderate.

It’s already been rumored that the RNC was hinting at having Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Mark Levin play moderator too which Limbaugh mockingly answered that he was too famous to do such a stint.

Or was that stunt?

But the slap of the political platypus’ bill comes in the form that the opposition shall moderate the others debate.

So basically at the first DNC primary, the candidates of Hillary Clinton, Sen. Mark Warner, VP Joe Biden and Sec John Kerry could be standing in front of Ann Coulter, Paul Gigot and Nick Gillespie.

Or at the first RNC primary, the candidates of Gov. Chris Christie, Sen. Rand Paul, Sen. Marco Rubio and Rick Santorum could be standing in front of Ed Shultz, Ezra Klein, and Fred Hiatt.

Sounds fair and yes, you have to have at least 2 characters amongst the lot just for entertainment value, hence the choice of Coulter and Shultz.

Once the primaries are over and those that conceded their campaigns for lucrative book deals or quick short term contract with the Media networks, we shall be left with 2 contenders. Not chosen by you, that would be ludicrous; no everyone knows the Media chooses the victors.

Now comes the egg laying part by the political platypus as 2 new moderators, one Liberal and one Conservative appear before us for 3 wonderful over-bloated Presidential debates.

Yes the chosen ones shall have to face that of………………. Bill O’Reilly and Jon Stewart.

Now that’s a golden platypus egg worth millions.

That’s it, special thanks to the good people of Sam Adams for quenching my Summer Ale thirst, pass the salty nuts and pay your political tab

Cheer

Summer vacation is over

Summer vacation is over.. OK so it's been since Tax Day 2013 since my last blog. But it's time to re-open the Big Poppa Politics

The Boston Marathon explosion: Our Perversion to Tragedy exploited by Media

It didn’t take long after the twin explosions during the Boston Marathon for everyone from News Media to Hack Conspiracy Media to Social Media to point fingers and lay blame. As the saying goes “If it bleeds it leads” and our perversion for tragedy is a Media ratings juggernaut.

There is a desire for many in this country to watch any report that has to deal with death and despair, whether it about the Boston Marathon or Jodi Arias trial to Louisville basketball player Kevin Ware, that attracts people like moths to the flame.

But the disregard for death is the most disgusting response one can have.

Immediately after the blast was reported, reporters and social media hacks took to interweb to give a recount of the happenings. So quickly that the first response by all was “it’s a bomb,” yet no one knew for sure.

What if it were a gas explosion from days gone by frail gas line?

Or a propane tank from a food vendor?

Nope, it was a bomb regardless and of course a Middle Eastern terrorist, a “Muslim Saudi” man that was in the area so rapidly reported. Or so Media presumed as it’s the go-to knee jerk reaction to blame any bomb involved tragedy as of Muslim work.

Funny how quick our Media wants to be first to (mis)lead the masses and cement the thought.

Yet in today’s ratings infused Media journalists affairs, it only took about an hour for conspiracies to reign supreme on Social media.

The “Conspiracy King,” Alex Jones, was quick to blame the Boston Marathon tragedy as a “Governmental Inside Job.” Yes the same guy that still calls 9/11 an inside job, jumped his own proverbial shark of Nut-Job padded cell thought to place Waldo in the grassy knoll across the street by the hot dog vendor holding a thermal detonator while Chewbacca stood on point.

Not to be outdone, MSNBC’s resident ass-clown, Chris Matthews along with Massachusetts Rep William Keating (D) spent quality air time trying to link the bombing with it being April 15th, better known to all Americans as “Tax Day.”

Note to MSNBC Media management, next time just show a clip of Abbott and Costello’s “Who’s on first” comedy sketch. The viewing public would enjoy it more.
Yet I think the best was over at CNN for people to play connect the dots of journalistic conspiracy thought.

Wolfe Blitzer, one of great historical intrigue and lack of journalistic skill, let viewers know that it was a Bostonian holiday, “Patriot Day.” Yes Patriot Day, a day when Boston celebrates the American Revolution’s battles of Lexington and Concorde.

Think about it? Tax Day + Patriot’s Day = Tea Party. Light the fuse.

Yes, somebody connected the dots and gave notion that “Wolfie” tried to subliminally link the Boston Marathon bombing and Patriot’s Day to the dreaded affair of Tax Day and therefore a possible Tea Party involvement.

I find reading the jokes on a Bazooka Joe gum wrapper gives one higher intelligence.
Sometimes I think the conspiracy theorists have more involvement in the incident than just spewing stupidity.

But let’s have fun with this and I’ll create my own conspiracy theory:
Most marathons are won by Kenyans or Ethiopians and since the “birther” notion has President Obama born in either of these two countries and didn’t have a strong contingent of runners this year, President Obama devised a plan to have bombs placed throughout the course. By using his “Obama phone” he was able to detonate the bombs, causing great tragedy and forcing runners and spectators harm and injury to be rushed to any of the nearby hospitals for care. Thereby, thanks to his Affordable Care Act, all will receive medical attention without having to worry about massive future hospital bills.

WOW! I don’t think that theory is too far-fetched. How about you?

So as stupidity saturated the interweb throughout the day, we leave it to President Obama to give people the biggest nugget to verbal diarrhea.

Yes, people cried foul that it took the Big “O” 3.2 hours (!) to address the nation about the Boston Marathon bombings. That’s the biggest atrocity of the day was that it took a sitting president over three hours to respond?!

When I questioned one of these great Social Media thinkers about how long did it take President “W” to address the nation about 9/11, they immediately went to the well with “Oh sure bring President Bush into this! He was traveling the nation, flying on Air Force 1 from base to base to keep safe!”

Actually, neither “W” or “O’s” whereabouts nor the amount of time it took them to address the nation means nothing to me. But then again, I wonder if people will complain about the amount of time it takes any sitting president to address the nation after nuclear annihilation? (Think about it…. We’d all be dead to listen.)

But the true disgust was the non-stop viewing of the victims. And I’m not just talking about events that happen here, but from around the World.

Why are we such a bloodlust society that we are entranced by the violent pictures of blood soaked victims and/or dead bodies? Do we have no personal filter?

Within the next few days, like an avalanche, these pictures will be posted on Facebook or Twitter with political statements condemning affiliations from politics to religious belief to gun control. Hell I’ve already seen the “Arm yourself to stop this from happening” posts and it’s disgusting.

Be thankful for our first responders who don’t put themselves first.

Say prays to all victims and families of tragedy.

And to all the Alex Jones' disciples, the day you can prove to me that the plastic ball at the bottom of my Guinness Draught can is a government devise that tracks how many times the can is tilted in consumption to somehow re-instate the anti-saloon temperance prohibition due to excess, well then I’ll tip the can in your direction in approval.

That’s it, “Slap the Tap” on the Ol’ Leghumper Ale and pay the political tab


Cheers!

The NRA’s School Shield Study or better known as “Don’t Fuck with the French Teacher”

It’s here! It’s here!

The much anticipated, newly improved National Rifle Association’s $1 million, 225 page School Shield study arrived and here’s the clincher: No price tag, no new ideas, just filled with updated stats (resourced from FBI, DHS, FEMA and Uni of Texas) in a fancy colorful PDF packet.

All that was missing was a pretty red bow around it.



The NRASS study is an incomplete work, for it lacks any estimated costs, therefore the viewing public are relegated to assumption of ease to implement to all public schools across the nation. So let me add the depth to which the study lacks for free!

There are roughly 98,800 public schools in the United States with over 49,800,000 students attending on any given day of a school year. Fuzzy math will place that around 500 students per school.

Now, the average student to teacher per classroom ratio is 16:1, so the thought of placing an armed guard in every class room needs to thrown out the door. Although, the amount of security hires would crush the Unemployment rate if anyone off the street were to be hired.

So, let’s go with 2 Security guards per school with a total of number of hires would be 197,600.

But what should they get paid? Well according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly wage is $11.76/hour or $24,450/yearly for those working in the Investigation and Security Service.

But these are public schools where local /state government rule as well as unionized labor, so we’ll have to bump that up as per the BLS states that this sector of security average $15.56/hour or $32,370/yearly.

So going with the latter average and the need for 2 guards per school, that’s additional $64,740 the school district and/or local/state government needs to shell out.

I don’t even want to get into the additional Insurances needed, but the number could jump close to $80-$90,000 yearly for 2 security guards.

Now there’s also the cost for needed equipment.

Every school will need to install a Walk-Thru metal detector at the front entrance and there’s a large assortment of these on the market. Versions for courthouses, schools, airports, and loss prevention are available in the security market and the price range for a school Walk-Thru metal detector range from $2598 to $4195.

Now there’s a lot of human traffic in the morning at a school, so if a school wishes they can go on the cheap and get a cool Random Fail System which portable and can be set up anywhere for around $2000.

However, outside of carrying a firearm our schools should also invest in the Handheld metal detector wands as well and those can be bought for from anywhere from $93 to $435.

So let’s see how our School Security shopping lists looks so far:
1. 2 Security guards = $64,740 (combined yearly salary)
2. 2 Handheld metal detector wands= $186 (using the cheapest market value)
3. 1 Walk-Thru metal detector= $2598 (using the cheapest market value)

OK, so not including the Insurances, it’s gonna cost a school district roughly $67,524 to start up. With the insurances the start up price jumps to $92,784.

By why stop there, why not give every student a neat little Magnet Strip ID Card as well. A school can buy the cards in bulk (up to 1,000 cards) for $200, as well as the printer from anywhere from $1400 to $3500.

Alrighty so now we’re at $69,124 ($94,384 w/insurances) for taxpayers, school district and the local/state government to split.

But wait, according to the NRASS study, costs could be offset by having charity or corporate sponsorship. Wouldn’t be cool to have a corporate logo like Pepsi or Taco Bell on your son or daughter’s ID card?

There’s also the cost of the Magnetic Card readers that range from $98 to $399, which should be placed at every entrance/exit doorway at the school, well if the school has 6 of said doorways, that’s 12 needed at the cost of $1176 (using lowest market value).
Not to mention the cost of the electrician and/or security firm to set up the card swipes and card reader technology.

Hmm, I lost track of total cost… Oh yeah we’re just around $71,000 ($96,000w/insurance.) So we’re really near the $100Kbudget buster mark.



Of course, this is cost for one school building; I haven’t gotten to the other part of the NRASS Study of landscaping and outside security measures from fencing /walls to deter climbing to road/pathway barriers to security cameras.

Hell, I’d add a few roaming Doberman’s to the list, but that’s just preposterous in thought and couldn’t make this study seem realistic.

I know, I know, many of you are saying “Let’s arm a few teachers” instead of hiring new security officers and save a few bucks.

Well good idea, but who will man the front door entrance to the school when class is in session? Maude the 70 year old cafeteria lady is not as big of threat as one might believe.

Personally, I am not against having members of a school staff armed, but only limiting to: Principle, Vice Principle and Maintenance Staff as they are not bound to any classroom and can freely roam the halls without much interruption.

I’m against arming a teacher in the thought of if an armed intruder were to gain access to a school, that the armed teacher would huddle their class to the back of the room, then leave the students unprotected in the classroom and go rogue to roam the halls in search of the intruder.

That and I’m positive the Teachers Union would want extra-activity pay for these armed educators as well.

In the end, when we round up the cost of one school adding to what the NRASS study suggests it will cost that school between $100,000- $175,000 for building and grounds security improvements.

Remember, I said there’s roughly 98,800 public schools, so nationwide and some fuzzy math, the first year start up comes to somewhere between $9,880,000,000 to $17,290,000,000.

Now we know why the NRASS study has ZERO monetary values entered to the final version.
One thing that must be agreed on, there is no “one fix fits all” answer in protecting the 98,800 public schools in the Nation. The main problem for any school district will be money and affordability of the security improvement.

Hmm, come to think about, seems about time to start the Big Poppa Security Agency before Halliburton jumps on this study.



That’s it, Slap the Tap on some “Great Dane Un-leashed” and put some fuzzy math to work on how many ounces I’ll drink tonight. Pass the cafeteria Sloppy Joe and Green potato salad and pay the political tab.

Cheers!
Facebook- todd.kelly.3591
Twitter- @bigpopapolitics

http://www.nraschoolshield.com/NSS_Final_FULL.pdf
http://www.nraschoolshield.com/NSS_Final.pdf
http://thehill.com/homenews/news/291435-nra-task-force-recommends-armed-staff-in-every-school

Legislation hits Senate floor to fire federal employees who owe back taxes

The article below is something I would normally post on my Facebook page with some sort of sarcastic comment. However, there's just way to much here to question.

http://dailycaller.com/2013/03/20/federal-employees-who-dont-pay-taxes-would-be-fired-under-bill-that-passed-committee/

Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz's legislation to make it legal to fire federal employees that do not pay taxes has passed committee and being sent to the Senate floor for debate.

It's an interesting piece of legislation but the question is "is firing to extreme?"

According to article written by Alex Pappas, over 100K federal employees owe more than $1 billion in federal taxes. That's a ridiculous sum of money to owe our close-to-bankrupt government, but what is the definition of a "federal employee?"

Think about it, what do you consider a federal employee?

Many simply believe a federal employee is one that sits behind a desk or in a cubicle at a federal building across the country, but what about those that work abroad? What about the soldier in the field or the government contractor or (yes) a member of Congress?

To use the term "federal employee" is a broad stroke at best. Yes, unfortunately everyone has to pay taxes, but to fire seems harsh at best.

Of course, Rep. Chaffetz has opposition to his legislation in the form of Rep. Elijah Cummings, but even Rep. Cummings opposition is weak in punch.

“In fact enactment of this legislation will increase costs to the taxpayers by requiring agencies to spend time and resources to review public records to find tax liens filed against current or prospective employees,” per Rep. Cummings.

If the federal employee is a contractor, well many contractor normally file tax extension to get their finances in order. Hell, many accountants do the same as they are busy during tax season.

Why not wage garnishment for federal employees to pay the back tax? Yes, the employee would receive a smaller paycheck as the outcome, but would still be working, receiving a paycheck, and still contributing to the community in many forms.

As people argue about shrinking the size of government, we don't want to shrink the size of its bank account either. The less that are working means the less goes into funding for Military, Social Security, Medicare and paying off the of two Wars.

You make the call while I "slap the tap" on a frosty cold brew.

As always, please join the conversation on Facebook (todd kelly) and Twitter (@bigpopapolitics). Just look for the Leprechaun icon

http://dailycaller.com/2013/03/20/federal-employees-who-dont-pay-taxes-would-be-fired-under-bill-that-passed-committee/

Sorry for lack of blogging in 2013

SORRY FOLKS FOR THE LACK OF BLOGS IN 2013, BUT LIFE GETS IN THE WAY OF RANTIN' AND RAVIN' ABOUT OUR AMERICAN POLITICAL POP CULTURE.

BUT IN THE MEANTIME, I'VE BEEN ATTEMPTING TO RE-BUILD THE WEBSITE AND GET AWAY FROM SMALL BLOGGING SITES. HEY, WHO KNOWS WHERE A "INTER-WEB" PRESENCE SHALL LEAD MY WARPED MIND.

BUT NEW THOUGHTS ARE ON THE WAY WHILE CURL UP IN A FETAL POSITION AND THINK ABOUT TURNING 40 IN A FEW WEEKS.

SO UNTIL THE NEXT POST, HAPPY ST PATRICK'S DAY AND SOME FOOD FOR THOUGHT.

SLAP THE TAP.... BIG POPPA POLITICS

The Love Of Unions Or Are You Ready For Some Football

This Sunday, it's expected that about 115 million people will watch the San Francisco 49ers Vs the Baltimore Ravens play in Super Bowl XLVII and the Unions, from all forms of industry, want to thank you for your patronage.

From professional hockey, football, bull-riding and even the officials, Unions are everywhere in sports. Yet even those that despise Unions still tune in to watch or pay the outrageous cost to attend at the taxpayer built arena. I find it hilarious how people will talk about their blood boiling hatred of Unions, yet the exception comes in the form of professional sports and the unionized players & officials.

The best example of this irony happened at the beginning of the 2012 NFL season as the Union officials were locked out by the NFL owners due to contract negotiations. Replacement officials were brought in and the fans became outraged, due to a multitude of mistakes being made by the “scabs.”

First of all, these replacement officials weren’t just some guys off the street, they officiated football games from smaller divisional college brackets to the lingerie league. OK, not your typical acclaimed officiating gigs, but the rulebooks are similar.

So as the NFL owners locked out the Union officials, the replacements hurt the games in play and folks from fandom to Vegas to sports journalism became enraged. Seems rather strange, or maybe because many fans are also involved in gambling on games, run the weekly office poll or take part in the billion dollar fantasy football industry, to throw disgust at non-Union employees trying to a job.

Unlike other pro sports like hockey, basketball and baseball, NFL referees are considered “part-timers” yet earn on average $149K/yearly with benefits, while holding down regular gigs during the Monday-Friday work week.

Outside of Congress, who else can say they have a $149k/yearly part-time job with benefits?

The NFL prides itself in the off field employment endeavors of their Union officiating staff. The most famous amongst the modern official is Ed Hochuli, better known for his massive biceps; well he’s a partner of a civil litigation firm. Others such as Walt Anderson (Dentist), Gene Seratore (NCAA Basketball official), and Bill Leavy (police officer) all hold well paid normal jobs.

Well it only took the NFL owners a few weeks into the season to make a generous contract offer, too which the Union officials signed and were welcomed back with standing ovations by fans and Media at the next game.

So what did they get? Well apart from their new benefit package, the game officials’ compensation will increase from an average of $149K in 2011 to $173K in 2013, and then rise again to $205K by 2019. Not bad for part-timers, eh?

But why when the Union officials held a strike, the fans stood behind them, not the NFL ownership? If this were GM or Ford locking out the UAW, people would stand by the company, with the complaint that their next car could cost more even though no one is holding a gun to their head to buy a GM or Ford product.

Is this the only instance that the CEO/Owner back-lash is possible, our recreational television viewing?

The Super Bowl isn’t just big for the NFL, but for many of their sponsors. The Super Bowl counts for a ¼ of the yearly revenue. And many of those companies have Union employees and once again they thank you.

Guess one never thought about how many Union jobs depend on the Super Bowl being a success. From the Pepsi delivery driver to the grocery store clerk to the food/beverage suppliers at the Mercedes Benz Superdome, one’s passion of football carries over to the very same to which one despises, Unions.

It’s estimated that during Super Bowl Week, New Orleans could see between $300-$450 million pumped into its economy and probably a quarter of it will land in the paychecks of Union employees.

If you able to attend the game, Union labor will be tossing your peanuts, pouring your frosty cold beverage, keeping you safe & secure, flying the plane, cleaning up after the 76K attendees leave the Superdome and those who visited just to relish in the festivities

Just think, while you and others sit around the house, devouring 2500 calories in the first half, many companies spent roughly $4 million/30 second commercial to be viewed, with some only showing one commercial 3xs or just one commercial 1x.

Pepsi-Frito Lay, Coca-Cola, Chrysler, Anheuser-Busch, Volkswagen, Papa John’s and a host of others shelled out $4- $8- $12 million advertising dollars that could’ve been shifted, along with the multi millions in their Political contributions, to other company departments for fuel costs, equipment updates and even the dreaded healthcare costs. That $4 million for 30 seconds is not going to turn into revenue immediately either.

And half those companies have some type of Union employee thanking you for shelling out so much cash to shovel artichoke dip and beverage down your throat. Of course after eating and drinking too much, the Union nurse in the emergency room won’t be happy lifting your overstuffed fat ass into the hospital bed.

Yep, hate Unions except when it comes to recreational activity.

That’s it, “Slap the Tap,” pour me a tall glass of Arrogant Bastard Ale, keep your dirty hands off my 6 pounds of Buffalo Chicken Dip as I lip-sync with Beyonce singing Nugent's "Cat Scratch Fever."

CHEERS!

The2nd Inaugural Indoctrination of the People by the People (well 51.9% of the People)

Let the silliness begin by the partisan media and the minions that enjoy their escapades. No, it has nothing to do with the Kardashians! It’s the Presidential Inauguration.

Yes folks, it comes every 4 years, it’s the American version of celebrating royalty.

As the countdown to the 57th Presidential Inauguration is under way, today’s “interweb” linked world gives Americans multiple ways of communicating their love and loathe of the First Family. Oh I can just imagine the snarky remarks over Michelle’s dress plastered across Facebook and Twitter or the trail of Kleenex left by Speaker Boehner on his way to his favorite stool at the Dubliner.

Everyone should know by now that since the 20th Amendment was ratified on January 23, 1933, the Inauguration happens on January 20th, which this year happens to fall on a Sunday.

There will be multiple times that Media will talk about how we celebrate the late Martin Luther King, Jr on January 21st, with panning shots of the Lincoln Memorial and significance of the ceremonial coronation of the Big “O’s” 2nd term as the first black President and how he’ll use both the Lincoln and MLK, Jr bibles to be sworn in.

Nauseated yet?

Already there have been postings about “Keeping the Bible in the Inauguration,” as well as people decrying that “If Obama doesn’t use a Bible at his ‘swearing in’ then it’s not a legal Presidency.” If the latter is the case, then, um, well by that notion there would be quite a few Presidencies that were illegal actions.





Per the wonderful folks at www.inaugural.senate.gov, the following “Swearing In” proceedings did not have Bibles present: Washington (2nd), Jefferson (1st & 2nd), Madison (1st & 2nd), Monroe (1st & 2nd), Jackson (1st & 2nd), Van Buren, W.H. Harrison, Tyler, Taylor, Fillmore, Pierce, Buchanan, Grant (1st), T Roosevelt (after McKinley death), and L.B. Johnson (after Kennedy death) .

John Quincy Adams used some variant volume of Law book at his only Inauguration.

So what’s the count equal then? Yes that would be 20 illegitimate Presidencies, and some by the very Founding Fathers!

There is no rule that states a Bible needs to be used for the “swearing in” of any President, it just sounds good.

Outside of the whole “Bible qualification” spasms by a small grouping, I actually have an argument for this Inauguration, as I do for all 2nd terms. It’s not needed!

Inauguration Day has grown into an annoyance of monstrous proportions that I’d rather watch a Honey Boo-Boo marathon on TLC. Such a dog and pony show it has become that I think sitting through a 2 hour Ben Stein lectern would have more appeal and zest.

By Noon on Sunday, January 20th, the Big “O” will begin his 2nd term, whether or not Justice Roberts has him take the oath of office. And the Big “O” is not the first to have this happen.

Here’s some history for the naysayers.

The first President-elect to have his Inauguration Day land on a Sunday was James Monroe in 1821. Go figure, Congress didn’t know what to do, since Courts and Public Institutions were closed, they had to confer with the Supreme Court on what to do. So after some debate the Supreme Court said “Move it to Monday.” GENUIS!

In 1849, once again Inauguration Day fell upon a Sunday and Zachary Taylor was told to wait 24 hours to take his oath of office.

President-elects Rutherford B. Hayes, Woodrow Wilson and Dwight Eisenhower all fell victim to the calendar as well and decided to take their oaths of office in private ceremony at the White House and hold a public ceremony the following Monday.

But the best nugget of useless historical Inauguration fact happened under William McKinley.

Back in 1897, the Senate received twice as many Inauguration tickets then the House of Representatives, so naturally the House held a protest of holding their breath and stomping their feet. Apparently the Senate felt that since they confer more with the President then the House, they deserved more tickets.

So what does a split Congress do in such a situation? They form a committee to make sure tickets are properly distributed among Congress and in 1901 the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies was formed.

Yes, even then special committees were formed to break impasse in Congress.

So at Noon on Sunday January 20th, no matter what, the Big “O” will begin his 2nd term no matter when the 'swearing in' begins. I did hear that ESPN’s NFL pre-show will broadcast from outside the Oval Office.

But with great ceremony comes great expense and who pays for it? Believe it or not, the winning party pays the majority of the bill.

Which leads into the latest Obama controversy as to why he is hitting up Corporate America for donations?

In 2009 the Big “O” raised over $53 million in private cash to pay for his Royal, err, I mean Inauguration. That cash was to pay for all the many pageant balls, enormous parade, and even the toilets! Just bring your own toilet paper.

But, yes, we taxpayers have to flip some the bill, because it wouldn’t be a Washington DC function if we didn’t pay something and in 2009 that came at a cool $40+ million.

So what did we pay for?

How about $4.2 million(!) paid to some person with the title of “Architect of the Capital” $4.2 million for the responsibility of making the Capital all pretty and clearing out all the vagrants that reside inside the Capitol as well as the building of the grandstand and bleachers.

Of course one of the most corrupt cities receives around $2 million for the US Capital Police to direct people to the port-a-potties.

And the remaining $35 million went to Secret Services, but they won't talk about it.

It wouldn’t shock me if less people watched the Big “O’s” 2nd Inauguration then tuned in to watch the Royal Wedding in 2011. Hell more people may have watched the final episode of Full House.

In the end, as with many past Inaugurations, we will hear the newly elected President speak of “the greatness of America past and how the future is bright (gotta wear shades)” and “we’ve seen great riches (head over seas), prosperity has strengthen and bound us together like a Rawlings baseball” and the ever present “there’s a shiny house on a hill with a foreclosed sign on it, we need to restore that house.”

All the while, many students will be enjoying the day off school in Remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by playing HALO 4 or posting complaints on Facebook that there’s nothing on TV.

That’s it, Slap the Tap, as I’ll be spending Inauguration Day drinking a $100 6-pack of Westvleren 12 beer with the Belgian Monks.

Cheers!

Grandfather who comforted Sandy Hook Elementary kids says 'truthers' are targeting him

THIS WHOLE CONSPIRACY OF "GOVERNMENT CRISIS ACTORS" IS GETTING OUT OF CONTROL THANKS IN PART TO SOCIAL MEDIA AND WAY TOO MANY "LEMMINGS" IN OUR SOCIETY. IF PEOPLE PUT MORE EFFORT INTO OTHER VENUES THAN CONSPIRACY THEORY WE MIGHT ACTUALLY HAVE A CONGRESS THAT EARNS THEIR PAYCHECKS.

FOR PEOPLE TO SPEND THEIR DAY HARASSING MR ROSEN, I WONDER IF YOU'RE DOING SO WHILE ON THE TAXPAYERS DOLLAR AND YOUR "OBAMA" PHONE.

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/15/16529522-grandfather-who-comforted-sandy-hook-elementary-kids-says-truthers-are-targeting-him?lite

Build a Death Star? Imagine the amount of Illegals that want that job

http://movies.msn.com/movies/article.aspx?news=785334


© Lucasfilm / Darth Varder & Stormtroppers
'Star Wars' responds to White House Death Star rejection with sneering letter
Jan. 15, 2013, 3:36 PM EST
By Jordan Zakarin, The Hollywood Reporter
The Hollywood Reporter

The Galactic Empire shot a rhetorical tractor beam at the White House on Tuesday, issuing a statement that mocked President Obama's decision not to pursue the construction of a "Death Star."

The Obama administration said Friday that it would not build the planet-sized superweapon despite a robust petition effort, citing its distaste for the destruction of planets, among other reasons. The "Empire" -- via a playful statement on StarWars.com -- claimed that the decision confirmed its "overwhelming military superiority," and dismissed the White House's claims that the Death Star's construction -- estimated to cost $850 quadrillion -- would increase the deficit.

Bing: New 'Star Wars' comics

"Representatives on behalf of the nation-state leader from the unimaginatively named planet refused to acknowledge the obvious cowardice of their choice, preferring instead to attribute the decision to fiscal responsibility," the Empire wrote in its sneering statement.

The White House also poked at the first Death Star's destruction, which came from a single, well-placed shot from Luke Skywalker's X-Wing fighter.

"Any attacks made upon such a station -- should one ever be built -- would be a useless gesture," Adm. Conan Motti stated.

The full statement is below:

"IMPERIAL CENTER, CORUSCANT -- The overwhelming military superiority of the Galactic Empire has been confirmed once again by the recent announcement by the President of the United States that his nation would not attempt to build a Death Star, despite the bellicose demands of the people of his tiny, aggressive planet. "It is doubtless that such a technological terror in the hands of so primitive a world would be used to upset the peace and sanctity of the citizens of the Galactic Empire," said Governor Wilhuff Tarkin of the Outer Rim Territories. Such destructive power can only be wielded to protect and defend by so enlightened a leader as Emperor Palpatine.

Representatives on behalf of the nation-state leader from the unimaginatively named planet refused to acknowledge the obvious cowardice of their choice, preferring instead to attribute the decision to fiscal responsibility. The costs of construction they cited were ridiculously overestimated, though I suppose we must keep in mind that this miniscule planet does not have our massive means of production," added Admiral Conan Motti of the Imperial Starfleet.

Emissaries of the Emperor also caution any seditious elements within the Galactic Senate not to believe Earth's exaggerated claims of there being a weakness in the Death Star design. "Any attacks made upon such a station — should one ever be built — would be a useless gesture," added Motti."



Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

Oh Come On! Who Didn't Know Pres Clinton Watched Late Night "Porn" On Cinemax?

http://dailycaller.com/2013/01/15/taxpayers-pay-for-bill-clintons-cinemax-jimmy-carters-dish-network/