Broken window theory of Obamacare

Mozilla CEO fired, er, resigns due to thuggery

Political donations are covered under the first amendment--freedom of speech. Belief in traditional marriage is covered under the first amendment--freedom of religion. In 2008, Obama assured his supporters he was a Christian and supported traditional marriage--one man and one woman--he even supported don't ask don't tell for the military throughout his first term. And now a CEO Brendan Eich  is ripped by the left, deprived of his first amendment rights to speak and believe, and forced to resign because in 2008 he donated money for California's Proposition 8. Why not fire Obama for what he did in 2008 (and 2009-2012)?

 http://hotair.com/archives/2014/04/03/mozilla-ceo-resigns-after-uproar-over-his-opposition-to-gay-marriage/

In theory, it is not the government trying to coerce him, it's a private business, (try firing a Muslim or Orthodox Jew for their beliefs), but we know who are controlling business culture these days, and it isn't businesses like Hobby Lobby or Chick-fil-a.

Never did like Firefox. And supposedly, Mozilla is a non-profit 501c3 getting government perks for existing and competing with for-profits.You know he won't sue and further be smeared by militant gays, but I wish he would.

Gay activists are for purging, discrimination, stifling free speech, denying religious freedom, burning heretics at the stake of their profession, and bullying in the worst way. In 2008 the president made the same stand as the Mozilla CEO, Brendan Eich . I'm sorry he caved at the hands of despicable thugs. Did the President speak out for what he believed and campaigned on in 2008? Of course not. He's not for basic American values of speech and religion.

Easter humor (secular)

Let’s play raise the minimum wage

In Ohio minimum wage is for entry level and part time work and workers quickly rise above that.  But let's play Obama's game.  Two adults working full time at minimum ($7.95) would be above 210% of federal poverty level for a household and lose eligibility for many government programs.  200% of FPL is considered, “self-sufficient.”  That’s too much to get SNAP (food stamps) or HEAP (energy assistance). There are people who actually cut their hours so they can maintain government benefits because of the tax advantage.

In Ohio: To be eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, for example, a family's income cannot exceed 130 percent of the FPL. To be eligible for publicly funded child care initially, a family's income cannot exceed 125 percent of the FPL. After that, families may remain eligible until their income exceeds 200 percent of the FPL.

http://www.accaa.org/povertyInfo.asp

The Unaffordable health insurance act

Shannon Wendt of Michigan details her problems with “affordable.” She’s in an Americans for Prosperity ad, one of those that Obama and Reid say are lying. Link

Their 2013 plan: $221 monthly premium, deductible of $5,000, 20 percent coinsurance, $10,000 out-of-pocket maximum, and no lifetime or yearly maximums. The plan did not include maternity care, because the Wendts decided it was cheaper to pay those expenses in cash. It did cover any complications involved in pregnancy or childbirth, such as an extra tests or procedures.

Their 2014 plan: $381 monthly premium, $10,000 deductible, 30 percent coinsurance, and $17,000 out-of-pocket maximum. The plan could cost nearly $10,000 more than the previous plan, Wendt says. Also, the plan does not meet ACA standards and will be canceled at the end of 2014.

An ACA-compliant plan that fits the family’s needs: $981.49 monthly premiums, $2,800 deductible, 20 percent co-insurance, and a $12,000 out-of-pocket maximum. The plan, quoted to her by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, would raise premium costs more than $8,000.

This is legal in Ohio in late 2nd trimester (23-24 weeks)

A needle is guided to the fetus’ heart with the aid of an ultrasound, and poison (often digoxin or potassium chloride) is injected directly into the beating heart of the fetus, causing an immediate heart attack.  Another method is to sever the umbilical cord essentially destroying its lifeline to the mother—but the cord is part of the baby, not the mother. Did you know that the baby has a sense of touch at that age and can grab the umbilical cord? When the baby is dead, either from a heart attack or lack of oxygen, it can then be cut up and removed.

Democrats support this. Feminists support this.  Progressives support this. Even some Republicans and Libertarians support this.  It’s called “reproductive health.”  No reproduction. And definitely not health.

What Democrats call this

Protecting “A Woman's Right to Choose” The Democratic Party strongly and unequivocally supports Roe v. Wade and a woman's right to make decisions regarding her pregnancy, including a safe and legal abortion, regardless of ability to pay. We oppose any and all efforts to weaken or undermine that right.  2012 Democratic Platform

                 

Just the facts, please.

It’s just a movie, but . . .

G’nite

Hutterites from Canada looking for roots in Ukraine

Interesting story of a group of Hutterites from Canada who go to Russia to display their hog equipment for sale and then go on the Ukraine (Hutterthal and Johannesruh) to look for their roots.  German Mennonites were moved to Ukraine in the 18th century because they were such good farmers, always keeping their language (Plattdeutsch), which caused them a lot of discrimination during WWI and WWII.  Many fled to U.S., Canada and South America.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9k3ga8jbmuA

The milking scenes are interesting—the women just go into the field, the cows are not restrained. Then deliver it.

Gorgeous scenes of farms and villages in Ukraine (2007).  Wonder what is happening there now?

Some history of the Hutterites and Jacob Hutter. How Lutherans became Hutterites after being banished for not converting to Catholicism.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERBHXGUkcXM

                  

Tina Brown wants to empower women

After 40+ years I'm awfully tired of hearing that women are oppressed victims. Their college graduation rate is higher than men and has been since 1982, and salaries given the same life choices are the same or higher. Brown supposedly is looking at poverty. For that, I suggest a smaller government and a freer market so women stop looking to Uncle Sam as their Sugar Daddy. Very few children grow up poor if Mom and Dad are married.

From 1999–2000 to 2009–10, the percentage of degrees earned by females remained between approximately 60 and 62 percent for associate's degrees and between 57 and 58 percent for bachelor's degrees. In contrast, the percentages of both master's and doctor's degrees earned by females increased from 1999–2000 to 2009–10 (from 58 to 60 percent and from 45 to 52 percent, respectively.)

http://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=72

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/02/01/no-women-don-t-make-less-money-than-men.html#url=/articles/2014/02/01/no-women-don-t-make-less-money-than-men.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/she-the-people/wp/2014/04/01/tina-brown-aims-to-fire-up-the-womens-empowerment-movement/

Affordable, affordable, affordable

Listening to Obama jive talking today about the glories of the ACA reminds of the time about 20 years ago I ran in a marathon. Well, not exactly running--within a few blocks I was walking--even stumbling because I wasn't in shape and hadn't prepared, and everyone else finished way before me, but finally (after cutting and cheating a little bit) I did make it across the finish line. There were still a few people there to cheer--or maybe waiting to take down the barricades and go home. I still have the t-shirt.

He was only kidding.

Common Core Concerns

Mike Rowe of Dirty Jobs contemplates the Hoover Dam

[He read] an article about the men who maintain the Hoover Dam - one of the greatest engineering and architectural wonders of the modern era. Apparently, a big chunk of these men are about to retire. And guess what? There’s no one to replace them!

This is potentially unfortunate news for the many millions of Americans currently addicted to the electricity provided by The Hoover Dam. For that reason, I suggest you read the attached, or at least watch the video. It’s illuminating.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/03/31/wave-retirements-hitting-hoover-dam-workforce-as-government-scrambles-to-fill/

Probate in Ohio—Elder Law

The executor or administrator takes care of the following tasks:

• caring for all property of the decedent;

• receiving payments due the estate, including interest, dividends and other income;

• collecting debts, claims and notes due the decedent;

• determining the names, ages, addresses and degree of relationship of all heirs;

• determining the names, ages and addresses of all beneficiaries, if there is a will;

• investigating the validity of all claims against the estate and paying all outstanding obligations including federal, state and local estate and income taxes;

• planning for federal and state taxes and preparing and filing estate tax returns when required;

• carrying out the instructions of the probate court pertaining to the estate and distributing the assets of the estate to the heirs.

The probate court judge and support staff supervise the work of the executor or administrator.

These actions may require the preparation and filing of numerous legal documents, the provision of notices, hearings in court, an appraisal of the assets of the estate, an inventory of the assets, completion of final income tax returns and possibly gift and estate tax returns, an accounting of funds, final transfer of all assets to beneficiaries, termination of the probate proceeding, and discharge of the executor or administrator by the probate court. Because of the complexity of these procedures, the assistance of an attorney usually is needed.

If the total value of all property in the decedent’s individual name is $35,000 or less, the estate can be relieved from some of these administrative requirements. Where the decedent’s spouse is entitled to receive all of the estate’s assets, the amount that can be relieved from formal administration is increased to $100,000.

Non-probate assets include: insurance policies, IRAs and pensions that are payable on death to a beneficiary; and a home, car or bank account that the decedent owned jointly with rights of survivorship. In many cases, the bulk of a decedent’s assets may be non-probate assets. The administrator must identify non-probate assets for tax purposes, but these assets are not otherwise included in the estate for which the administrator is responsible.

Duties of the Executor

What are the duties of an administrator (executor)?

The basic duties of an administrator and an executor are:

1. Inventory and appraisal. The administrator must identify and determine the fair market value of all financial assets and property that were owned by the decedent at the time of death.* The administrator must file an inventory listing all of the decedent’s probate assets and their date-of-death values with the probate court within three months of the administrator’s appointment, unless an extension is granted.

If the value of an asset is “readily ascertainable” (for example, shares of stock in a publicly traded company or the balance in a bank account), then no professional appraisal is required; however, items such as jewelry, art objects, antiques, real estate and any other possessions whose value cannot be readily established must be appraised by a qualified person.

2. Collecting assets. The administrator must collect all assets of the decedent. This is very important (especially to prospective heirs) because it is these assets that will be distributed to the heirs after debts and taxes have been paid. Complications can arise in this process if assets legally owned by a decedent are in the possession of someone else at the time of death, or if property belonging to the decedent has been concealed or misappropriated by a third party. [. . .]

3. Payment of debts and expenses. Creditors (people to whom the decedent, or his or her estate, owe money) have six months from the date of death to present their claims against the estate. In most cases, any claim not submitted within six months is barred forever. Claims must be in writing and sent directly to the administrator or mailed to the decedent’s address, and must be received by the administrator within six months. In addition to ordinary bills the decedent owed at the time of death, other debts typically include expenses to keep up property; local, state and federal taxes; hospital and funeral expenses; and expenses of administration including probate court costs, bond premiums and fees charged by appraisers, attorneys and the administrator. [. . . ]

4. Distribution of assets. When all debts, taxes, costs and expenses of the estate have been paid, the administrator must distribute the balance of the estate to the decedent’s heirs according to a strict formula spelled out in Ohio’s statute of descent and distribution. Because an administrator may be held personally liable for an error or excess distribution to an heir that cannot later be recovered, legal advice should be obtained before making a final disposition of estate assets. Sometimes an administrator will make a partial distribution of certain assets before all claims have been received. In such cases, it may be prudent to advise persons receiving early partial distributions that they may be required to return money or property to the estate if it is needed to satisfy valid claims.

 

Welcome April

Happy birthday, Cesar Chavez

Cesar Chavez, founder of the United Farm Workers union, was a fierce opponent of illegal immigration and supporter of tight border controls. He organized U.S. farm workers, not illegals who would work for less than Americans. http://www.nationalreview.com/article/374564/happy-border-control-day-mark-krikorian#!

Time to think outside the Bush box

I know nothing about Jeb Bush, perhaps he's better than his father and brother, but if Republicans can't find anyone other than a Bush when the party has some great leaders like Paul, Cruz, Jindal, etc. then perhaps it's time to throw in the towel.

Spinach/kale corn chips

Today I bought a bag of spinach/kale corn chips. Mainly out of curiosity. Lots of vitamin K and vitamin A, and fat and salt to make it palatable. Still tastes like your lawn smells.

All the buzz words. Non-GMO, gluten-free, vegan friendly, nut-free environment.   And I had to break my rule—no food from Mexico.