A Gap In the Barricades

Wisconsin public-sector union leaders have offered Governor Scott Walker and the Republican-majority state legislature a deal. The unions will accept all of the fiscal aspects of Walker's bill: Henceforth members will pay 5.8 percent of their salary toward their pensions and 12.6 percent of their health-care premiums, up substantially in both areas. All they ask in return is that Walker and the legislature not gut their collective bargaining rights. Sounds statesmanlike, right?

I have my doubts. Certainly, this offer undercuts the unions' claim that there is no budget crisis in Wisconsin, and that Walker manufactured one as a pretext for union-busting. If there's no budget crisis, on what possible basis can union leaders instruct their members to give up an estimated $330 million worth of hard-earned, contractually guaranteed benefits over the next couple of years? Are they saying that the rank and file is better off giving up their money now, even though it isn't necessary to fix the state's budget, as long as they still have the chance to get the money back at the bargaining table later, maybe?

via PostPartisan - For Wisconsin unions, a telling concession.

Somebody just blinked.

Pimp My Voter-Pimp

Several weeks after Kwame R. Brown was elected D.C. Council chairman in November, city officials were asked to order for him a "fully loaded" Lincoln Navigator L with a DVD entertainment system, power moonroof and polished aluminum wheels.

It had to be black - all black, inside and out - and it had to arrive in time for his inauguration Jan. 2, never mind the District's projected $400 million budget shortfall.

Later, when he was asked on television why taxpayers should foot the $1,900-a-month lease payments, Brown (D) said he had merely requested a black sport-utility vehicle and was driving the vehicle that the District had procured for him.

via 'Fully loaded' SUV puts D.C. Council Chairman Kwame Brown on the spot.

If ever there was an example of the adage "you get the government you deserve", it is DC.

More Clinton Collateral Damage

The indictment of a top Northern Virginia fundraiser last week is the latest in a series of criminal cases that have ensnared campaign donors to Hillary Rodham Clinton, who relied heavily on wealthy bundlers in her failed 2008 bid for the presidency.

Federal grand jury indictments handed up in Alexandria allege that Galen Capital Group Chairman William P. Danielczyk Jr. and his treasurer illegally reimbursed nearly $190,000 in donations to Clinton's 2006 and 2008 campaigns, sometimes with corporate funds.

via Several big donors to Hillary Clinton now facing criminal allegations.

That's what happens when you back the wrong horse. Rely upon the Clintons to distance themselves as far as possible from this poor schnook. After all, he is of no further use to them.

Wisconsin Cheese

MADISON, WIS. - President Obama thrust himself and his political operation this week into Wisconsin's broiling budget battle, mobilizing opposition Thursday to a Republican bill that would curb public-worker benefits and planning similar protests in other state capitals.

Obama accused Scott Walker, the state's new Republican governor, of unleashing an "assault" on unions in pushing emergency legislation that would change future collective-bargaining agreements that affect most public employees, including teachers.

The president's political machine worked in close coordination Thursday with state and national union officials to get thousands of protesters to gather in Madison and to plan similar demonstrations in other state capitals.

via Obama joins Wisconsin's budget battle, opposing Republican anti-union bill.

The Great Deficit Buster shows his true colors. Has there ever been a President with more contempt for the middle class?

A Deeper Hole

TRENTON — Mayor Tony Mack is proposing a tax hike beyond the increase already approved by city council in order to close Trenton’s budget deficit, and he is applying for a waiver from the state cap on municipal tax increases.

The city council previously approved a rate increase of 30 cents per $100 of assessed value to raise an extra $5 million. Mack now wants to boost the rate by 43 cents to $3.76, which would raise $8.5 million, he said in a press release last night. For a home valued at $100,000, that would represent an annual increase in the city portion of the owner’s tax bill of $430, to $3,760.

via Trenton Mayor Tony Mack proposes another tax hike to close budget gap | NJ.com.

Astonishing when you consider the ever-increasing body of evidence that shows you can’t tax your way out of debt. But then, Mack is a Democrat.

Intestinal Fortitude

BURLINGTON COUNTY — Two Burlington County officials who were elected to office as Democrats have decided to become Republicans, according to a report on PhillyBurbs.com.

Surrogate George Kotch of Burlington Township and Clerk Timothy Tyler say their values are now more aligned with with the Republican party. Only Kotch is expected to seek re-election.

via Two elected Democrats in Burlington County decide to become Republicans | NJ.com.

Rats leaving the ship.

"Wall of Debt"

Interest payments on the national debt will quadruple in the next decade and every man, woman and child in the United States will be paying more than $2,500 a year to cover for the nation's past profligacy, according to figures in President Obama's new budget plan.

via Obama budget plan shows interest owed on national debt quadrupling in next decade.

Every President needs a legacy. Now Barry has one.