Attention

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not represent our advertisers

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Prediction

I'd count on the Daily Times completely ragging on Jim Ireton tomorrow. They're scared to death that he might get elected so they're probably going to do everything they can to bash him to no end on their busiest day of the week. Let's see what happens. Keep your chin up Jim, not many read that rag any more. More importantly, no one trusts them any more either.

Blades Man Arrested On Drugs And Weapons Charges


Seaford – The Delaware State Police have arrested a 46 year old Blades man on drug and weapons offenses after troopers caught him with unauthorized prescription drugs.

The investigation began after detectives received information from an individual who informed police that William E. Smith was in possession of stolen weapons and was involved in the illegal distribution of prescription pills. On Thursday, February 26, 2009 as detectives continued the investigation additional information was provided that Smith would be in possession of illegal prescription pills on that date while operating a vehicle on River Road.

At 3:10 pm, detectives encountered Smith driving a green Chevy pick-up on River Road and conducted a traffic stop. Smith was found to be in possession of 30 Endocet pills packaged in a plastic cigarette box wrapper. He had no valid prescription for them. He was taken into custody without incident.

As the investigation continued detectives learned that Smith did indeed have two handguns at his shop at Poorman’s Auto. Police recovered a stolen Highpoint 9MM handgun that was taken during a residential burglary on Woodland Road, Seaford in May 2008. Troopers also recovered a puppy .22 caliber revolver that was not reported stolen and does not belong to Smith. Police continue to investigate the origin of that weapon.

A subsequent search of his home yielded drug paraphernalia. As a result of the investigation, Smith was arrested for 2 counts of Possession of a Firearm by Person Prohibited, Receiving a Stolen Firearm, Possession with Intent to Deliver a Narcotic Schedule II Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Driving with a Suspended or Revoked Driver’s License. He was released after posting a $13,000 secured bail.

Lost & Found Dogs Tomorrow Morning

At 9:01 AM tomorrow morning I will have a Post up showing 6 dogs that were found this week and are at the Wicomico Humane Society. Here's what I'm asking. If you happen to recognize any one of these 6 dogs, please contact the Humane Society. It would be really cool if their owners saw them but even if you're a neighbor and know where these dogs belong, that would be even better. Perhaps the owners don't have Internet access or come to Salisbury News? Nevertheless, let's do what we can to get these guys back to their homes. We'll be providing street names and areas in which they came from as well. Thanks for your help.

Title This Photo?

PROOF That The New Ladder Truck Can Stop At Traffic Lights

This photo was taken just seconds ago by a loyal reader.
It's just a shame ALL Firefighters can't see this Post any more. LOL

Media Need Not Reveal Web Posters' Identities


MARYLAND COURT OF APPEALS
Ruling Applies 1st Amendment to Internet
By Aaron C. Davis
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, February 28, 2009; Page B08

Operators of newspaper Web sites, blogs and chat rooms that allow readers to post anonymous comments using pseudonyms do not have to readily reveal the posters' identities in defamation suits, Maryland's highest court ruled yesterday, further shaping an emerging area of First Amendment law in the Internet age.

The Maryland Court of Appeals reversed a lower court ruling and ordered that NewsZap.com, an online forum run by Independent Newspapers, does not have to disclose the identities of forum participants who engaged in an online exchange about the cleanliness of a Dunkin' Donuts shop in 2006.

Zebulon J. Brodie, an Eastern Shore businessman, had contended that the anonymous posters -- using such screen names as "CorsicaRiver" and "Born & Raised Here" -- had defamed him in comments about his Centreville restaurant.

The Appeals Court ruled that Brodie had not correctly identified the forum participants and, therefore, was not entitled to learn of their identities.

More broadly, however, the court used the case to recommend a strict, five-step process for judges to follow "to balance the First Amendment right to anonymous speech on the Internet with the opportunity on the part of the object of that speech to seek judicial redress for alleged defamation."


The process, which closely matches one set out by a New Jersey court in 2002, requires a plaintiff claiming defamation from an online comment to try to notify the anonymous poster that the person is the subject of a subpoena -- including by posting a message on the relevant online message board.

The plaintiff must then identify in court filings the exact statements purportedly made by each anonymous poster, as well as show how those comments have caused damage.

Maryland's court also went further than New Jersey's, adding that the plaintiff might have to provide specific evidence supporting each element of the defamation claim. Finally, it indicated that judges also have to balance the anonymous poster's right of free speech against the need to disclose a defendant's identity.

Sam Bayard, assistant director of the Citizen Media Law Project at Harvard Law School, said that, taken together, this and other recent state court cases show a convergence of law surrounding the right to online anonymity.

"It seems to be pretty much following a recent trend that we've been seeing -- that there is at least a qualified right to speak anonymously on the Internet," Bayard said. "Courts are going to require the plaintiff or others seeking identities to make a heightened showing that they have a valid cause of action."

Paul Alan Levy, a lawyer for Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy group that argued the case for Independent Newspapers, agreed. "It's obviously a reaffirmation of the right to speak anonymously," he said, adding that the right is increasingly important as more people post comments online.

"The media are looking to the online world as a place to convey their information and to draw readers into participation and exchanges about what's going on because that leads to increased readership interest in their sites," Levy said.

"In a lot of cases, [the comments] are either hyperbole or just opinion," he said. "But if accusations are of something the community would regard as wrongdoing and you can show that it's false and the damage it's caused, [the court ruling] is saying you then go and proceed" with court action. The Washington Post-Newsweek Interactive and several other media organizations filed a brief in support of Independent Newspapers.

E. Sean Poltrack, a lawyer for Brodie, said in an e-mail that he had not yet read the ruling last night, so any comment would be premature.

Bailey's Taxi

"Joe:

About an hour ago I was driving, doing the speed limit, down the narrow 2 lane Camden Avenue several blocks before the college which contains a double yellow line. A greenish GM station wagon from Bailey's Taxi, with the first three numbers on the Maryland tag being 411, started to ride my bumper and then recklessly spedup and passed me on the left crossing the yellow line. I called the Salisbury police and was told there was nothing they could do. I then called Bailey's and they said they would mention it to the driver.

I have used Bailey's in the past and will no longer do so and urge others to do the same. Such criminal activity could have resulted in a severe accident with horrible consequences. This incident proves that Bailey's does not hire professional or considerate people."

Women Supporting Women TONIGHT!!!!!

Lead News Anchor Stacy Sakai will be hosting an event this Saturday evening at Vinny La Roma's Restaurant from 9 to 12 PM. Tickets will be $25.00 each in advance or $30.00 at the door. Tickets are limited. There will be a Buffet Dinner, Music and Silent Auction.

My Wife and I will be attending and since there's only around 80 total tickets available, you may want to get in early on this fundraiser. You can R.S.V.P. to Stacy at, stacy_sakai@wmdt.com. Come join us for a great time.

All proceeds go to Women Supporting Women - Please make Checks Payable to the Ocean City Parrothead Club. Thank You!

Reduction in Charitable Deductions?

A comment a few days ago concerned me greatly regarding Charitable Deduction in Obama’s 2010 budget. This has to be the most ridiculous things I have ever heard, but it appears to be true.

Working with several non-profits that are already struggling, they might as well get ready to shut their doors. This is scary.

Obama Plan Would Reduce Charitable Deduction for Some Wealthy Donors

Suzanne Perry
Feb. 26, 2009, Chronicle of Philanthropy — President Obama today proposed to cap the rate that high-income taxpayers can use to claim charitable deductions as part of a plan to finance changes to the country’s health-care system.

In a document outlining his 2010 budget plans, the president proposes to limit the tax rate for itemized deductions at 28 percent for families making more than $250,000.

That would reduce by as much as 20 percent the amount wealthy taxpayers could reduce their federal tax payments for charitable donations. Under the current system, taxpayers who are in the 33 percent or 35 percent tax brackets use that rate to claim deductions.

The proposal would raise $318-billion over 10 years, the plan says. That money would help pay for a 10-year $630-billion reserve fund designed to help make health care more affordable and available.

“With this budget, we are making a historic commitment to comprehensive health-care reform,” President Obama told a news conference. “It’s a step that will not only make families healthier and companies more competitive, but over the long term it will also help us bring down our deficit.”

‘Rebalance the Tax Code’
The proposal to limit the itemized-deduction rate is included in a package of measures designed to free up money for the reserve fund, including reducing Medicare overpayments, cutting drug prices, and improving post-hospitalization care as a way to reduce readmissions.

The plan is an effort to “rebalance the tax code so that the wealthiest pay more,” the document says.

But the idea is raising concerns in the nonprofit world.

Sheldon Steinbach, a lawyer in Washington who represents colleges and universities, said the proposal comes at a time when many nonprofit groups are already facing decreased resources. As a result, the plan could have drastic consequences for many groups.

“Any disincentive to charitable giving, especially in the current economic climate, will have an impact far beyond the black letter law,” Mr. Steinbach said. “It will have an exponentially negative impact.”

But while many charitable-giving experts expressed alarm about how reduced rate for charitable deductions would affect giving by wealthy Americans, others said that Mr. Obama’s proposal may be less cause for concern than it initially appeared.

The reason: Many wealthy Americans who would otherwise be in the 33- or 35-percent tax bracket — and thus able to take that same percentage deduction for their charitable gifts — have used mortgage payments and other deductions to qualify for the alternative minimum tax rate of 28 percent, said Robert F. Sharpe, a Memphis planned-giving consultant.
By paying the alternative minimum tax rate of 28 percent, those wealthy taxpayers are already restricted to the same percentage on their charitable deductions, Mr. Sharpe said. “A lot of the rich are already used to the 28-percent deduction,” which means the Obama proposal would not result in any change for them.

Impact on Large Institutions
Bruce Flessner, a fund-raising consultant at Bentz Whaley Flessner, in Minneapolis, says the plan would likely have little impact on organizations that have a broad base of donors. But large institutions — particularly colleges and universities and academic medical centers — could be particularly hard hit if the plan moves forward.

“It seems like unusual public policy to try, as the President announced to the Congress this week, to return the United States to world leadership in access to higher education and then make it more difficult for extraordinary donors to contribute great gifts to colleges and universities,” Mr. Flessner said. “Likewise, it seems like unusual public policy to penalize the great medical centers that contribute so much to scientific breakthroughs by making it more difficult for donors to make the six-, seven-, eight-, and nine-figure gifts.”

Ford Plant In Brazil

This is VERY interesting ...

One look at this and you will be able to tell why there will probably never be another assembly plant built in the USA ..

It will also point out why more assembly plants will go offshore ..

Don't fear that Ford, GM, and Chrysler are going to go under.

They will survive , but their assembly operations in the U.S. likely won't --whether we provide a bailout or not ..

Watch the video .

http://info.detnews.com/video/index.cfm?id=1189

Oh, You Just Have To Love This Ad!

How Did Cutting Off SBYNews Affect Us?

Well, let's take a good hard look at the numbers. First of all, Salisbury News hits are right where they were a week ago, honest to God. Nevertheless, our numbers are actually up.

On Wednesday we had 379 Comments. Thursday brought us 407 Comments. On Friday we had , (so far) 374 Comments. Mind you, we rejected hundreds of comments and death threats that didn't follow our rules on top of the numbers above.

Yeah Barrie and Chiefy See, you really smacked us hard. ROTFLMAO! I told you, no matter what you do any more, Salisbury News is so over the top with visitors every day, we're now the #1 News Source on Delmarva. Hey, I know what you can do. Pass legislation before the door hits you in the butt saying that ALL City of Salisbury Employees can't read SBYNews.com at home either! Then you'll REALLY see who's listening to you even more! 51 more days Barrie!

HISTORICAL MOMENTS BY GEORGE CHEVALLIER


THE GREAT CONCH INCIDENT

Sometime in the 1950’s, after a big storm, there was a bounty of conch shells that washed up on the beaches of Ocean City. Now, it was not unusual for beachcombers to scour the beaches of Ocean City for all kinds of things to wash up on the beaches. They may find an old Spanish coin from the 1700’s or a piece of unusual looking driftwood. I guess the same circumstances exist today. There has never been a situation like the one in the 1950’s.

My grandfather liked to fish in the surf at Ocean City and he went over after this storm to do a little fishing. When he saw the amount of conch shells along the beach, he saw dollars, not conch shells. Upon returning to Salisbury, he called his old friend, Norm Holland, at Pocohantas. Having used Pocohantas many times for their sand and concrete in his construction business, Norm was more than willing to grant my grandfather a favor. So, one of Pocohantas’ trucks went to Ocean City and completely filled it with conch shells. They then proceeded to dump them at the end of my grandfather’s driveway at the corner of Church and Truitt Streets. My grandfather was ecstatic by this display of his new found cache of wealth. He knew that conch shells sold for good money and he was going to clean up.

At this point things started going downhill. Its seems that a portion of the conchs still contained their live inhabitants. Today, that would be a nice bounty, as conch, now known by its Italian name of Scungilli, sells for about $4.00 a pound. That was not the case in the 1950’s. At best, it was fish bait. Time brought about the death of the conchs and the subsequent accompanying fish smell to the whole neighborhood. Needless to say, people started to complain and he saw no solution except to have the Pocohantas truck remove all the conchs and the offending smell.

The only good that came out of it was that my grandmother took a few of the empty shells and lined a walkway in her garden. At the time they were exotic and were a nice addition. I still have some of the shells from her garden and a nice memory of “the great conch incident”.

This Weeks Political Video Recap

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qO3hce5tjxs&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhEiHQyR3GY&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5veFeps6XM&feature=related

Crime Solvers Announcement

Serving Wicomico, Somerset and Worcester Counties

Crime Solvers of the Lower Eastern Shore is pleased to announce that on Wednesday March 4, 2009 at 5:30 PM, the Westside Revitalization Committee will be presenting a check to our organization in the amount of $3,000.00. The presentation will take place at the Salvation Army Richard Hazel Youth Center located at 429 North Lake Drive in Salisbury.

On behalf of the Westside Revitalization Committee, we cordially invite all interested parties and media to attend this event. Any media inquiries may be directed to Tim Robinson at 410-548-4892 X. 207

Crime solvers Unites Local Law Enforcement for a Safer Community
Crime Solvers is a 501C – 3 organization
http://www.crimesolverses.com" 410-548-1776

This Has NEVER Happened To Me, How About YOU?

COMEGYS TURNS TO NEGATIVE CAMPAIGNING BEFORE THE PRIMARY


At the Camden Association's forum for Salisbury’s mayoral candidates, Mr. Comegys distributed a special flyer entitled “Jim Ireton’s Record” that makes various assertions about Mr. Ireton’s position on matters going back to 1995 – when he was 25 years old – several years before he was elected to the City Council. Most of the matters involve Jim’s votes when he served on the Council.


Coming from Comegys, some of the assertions are downright humorous. For example, he suggests that Jim disregarded his constituents’ wishes in annexing the then vacant site of the current Village at Tony Tank Creek subdivision, which has added immensely to the City’s property tax and also the income tax revenue. Does Comegys point out the he himself voted for such annexations as the Hearne site on S. Division Street and Dykes Road and many other sites without requiring any developer funding of the required public infrastructure? Of course he does not.


He also criticizes Ireton for voting for a 5% increase in sewer and water rates in 1998 – but fails to point out the several and much greater increases that he has supported, including the large one last year, or the several tax rate increases that Mr. Comegys has supported, including the double-digit increase in 2007.


Apparently, having decided to hang up the stiletto that she last used on Tim Spies two years ago, Barrie Tilghman is no longer available to do last minute hits on candidates who want to restore Salisbury. That must be why Comegys is doing his own character assassination this time.

New Legislation Alert - AWNNAA

Washington , DC - President Barack Obama and the Democrat controlled Congress is considering sweeping legislation that will provide new benefits for many Americans. The Americans With No Abilities Act. AWNAA is being hailed as a major legislative goal by advocates of the millions of Americans who lack any real skills or ambition.

'Roughly 50 percent of Americans do not possess the competence and drive necessary to carve out a meaningful role for themselves in society,' said California Senator Barbara Boxer. 'We can no longer stand by and allow People of Inability to be ridiculed and passed over. With this legislation, employers will no longer be able to grant special favors to a small group of workers, simply because they have some idea of what they are doing.'

In a Capitol Hill press conference, House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid pointed to the success of the U.S. Postal Service, which has a long-standing policy of providing opportunity without regard to performance. Approximately 74 percent of postal employees lack any job skills, making this agency the single largest U.S employer of Persons of Inability.

Private-sector industries with good records of non-discrimination against the Inept include retail sales (72%), the airline industry (68%), and home improvement 'warehouse' stores (65%). At the state government level, the Department of Motor Vehicles also has an excellent record of hiring Persons of Inability (63%).

Under The Americans With No Abilities Act, more than 25 million 'middle man' positions will be created, with important-sounding titles but little real responsibility, thus providing an illusory sense of purpose and performance.

Mandatory non-performance-based raises and promotions will be given so as to guarantee upward mobility for even the most unremarkable employees. The legislation provides substantial tax breaks to corporations that promote a significant number of Persons of Inability into middle-management positions, and gives a tax credit to small and medium-sized businesses that agree to hire one clueless worker for every two talented hires.

Finally, the AWNAA contains tough new measures to make it more difficult to discriminate against the non-abled, banning, for example, discriminatory interview questions such as, 'Do you have any skills or experience that relate to this job?'

'As a Non-abled person, I can't be expected to keep up with people who have something going for them,' said Mary Lou Gertz, who lost her position as a lug-nut twister at the GM plant in Flint , Michigan , due to her inability to remember 'rightey tightey, lefty loosey.' 'This new law should be real good for people like me,' Gertz added. With the passage of this bill, Gertz and millions of other untalented citizens will finally see a light at the end of the tunnel.

Said Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL): 'As a Senator with no abilities, I believe the same privileges that elected officials enjoy ought to be extended to every American with no abilities. It is our duty as lawmakers to provide each and every American citizen, regardless of his or her inadequacy, with some sort of space to take up in this great nation and a good salary for doing so.

Salisbury Police Department Press Releases

On February 23, 2009 at approximately 9:30 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department received a call to respond to an apartment on Parsons Road for the report of an assault. Upon arrival the officers met with a female victim who advised that she had been assaulted during an argument by the below listed suspect. The victim did not need medical care. During the argument, the suspect also took property from the female victim and refused to return the property.

ARRESTED: Desmond Flamond Gale, 22 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES:
Second degree assault
Reckless endangerment
Theft (under $ 100)

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 200900006004

On February 23, 2009 at approximately 2:08 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department received a call to respond to the area of the railroad tracks behind the Royal Farms Store on North Salisbury Boulevard for the report of an assault. Upon arrival the officers met with a female victim that had received injuries to her facial area. The victim advised the officers that during an argument, the suspect had struck her several times in the facial area with his fist and then hit her head against a concrete slab. The victim was transported to the Peninsula Regional Medical Center for treatment and the suspect, listed below, was taken into custody.

ARRESTED: Darrell Glen Johnson, 50 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES:
First degree assault
Second degree assault
Reckless endangerment

DISPOSITION: Released to central booking CC # 200900006047

On February 23, 2009 at approximately 5:00 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department received a call to respond to the Target Department Store for the report of a shoplifter. Upon arrival the officers met with store security who advised that the below listed suspect had been observed by store personnel taking clothing from the store without making payment. The clothing was recovered and returned to the store.

ARRESTED: Krystalyn Rose Reilly, 19 years of age Seaford, Delaware

CHARGES: Theft (under $ 500)

DISPOSITION: Released to central booking CC # 200900006055

On February 21, 2009 at approximately 9:45 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department arrested the below listed suspect on an outstanding Wicomico County District Court Bench Warrant. The suspect was wanted for failing to appear in court.

ARRESTED: Tony Lamont Franklin, 46 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES:
Wicomico County District Court Bench Warrant-Failure to appear in court for: Driving while suspended

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 200900005855

On February 24, 2009 at approximately 8:45 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department arrested the below listed suspect on an outstanding Wicomico County District Court Bench Warrant. The suspect was wanted for failing to appear in court.

ARRESTED: Dane Charles Strickland, 23 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES: Wicomico Co. District Court Bench Warrant-Failure to appear in court for:
Possession of cds/opiate without prescription
Possession of cds-not marijuana
Possession of marijuana
Possession of cds/paraphernalia (3 counts)

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 200900006180

On February 25, 2009 at approximately 1:05 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department arrested the below listed suspect on an outstanding Bench Warrant for failing to appear in court.

ARRESTED: Thomas James Price, 44 years of age No fixed address

CHARGES:
Bench Warrant-Failure to appear in court for: Child support hearing

DISPOSITION: Released to central booking CC # 200900006203

What was used to cleanup beaches of Prestige oil spill, 2002?

Was trying to post this comment, but couldn't remember my google account

Reading through this article I am reminded of an e-mail I received. I was asked about health of workers who had cleaned up an oil spill in 2002 and were having serious health concerns ... such as the beach workers of the Exxon Valdez oil spill cleanup. So now I am wondering ... was it the cleanup of the Prestige oil spill? And in that clean up did they also use a product that contained 2-butoxyethanol? If so, they should be noticing health signs such as that of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or 'gulf war syndrome' Many housewives are also at risk because this is a component in many home cleaning products and NOT disclosed. March 24, 2009 is the 20 year 'anniversary' of the EVOS and I'm afraid we have not learned anything about the health of the workers. http://www.valdezlink.com/evos/20year.htm

Article: http://sbynews.blogspot.com/2009/02/11-most-expensive-catastrophes-in.html

Margaret Diann Hursh
box 233
Valdez, AK 99686

Marriage

This is what marriage is really all about . . . . ..

He ordered one hamburger, one order of French fries and one drink. The old man unwrapped the plain hamburger and carefully cut it in half. He placed one half in front of his wife. He then carefully counted out the French fries, dividing them into two piles and neatly placed one pile in front of his wife.

He took a sip of the drink, his wife took a sip and then set the cup down between them. As he began to eat his few bites of hamburger, the people around them kept looking over and whispering. You could tell they were thinking, 'That poor old couple - all they can afford is one meal for the two of them.'

As the man began to eat his fries a young man came to the table. He politely offered
to buy another meal for the old couple. The old man said they were just fine - They were used to sharing everything.

The surrounding people noticed the little old lady hadn't eaten a bite. She sat there watching her husband eat and occasionally taking turns sipping the drink.

Again the young man came over and begged them to let him buy another meal for them.
This time the old woman said 'No, thank you, we are used to sharing everything.'

As the old man finished and was wiping his face neatly with the napkin, the young man again came over to the little old lady who had yet to eat a single bite of food and asked 'What is it you're waiting for?'

She answered . . . .

















(This is great)




**********


'THE TEETH.'

10 Fast Facts On The Administration's FY 2010 Budget

Washington, Feb 26 - As the Obama Administration released its FY 2010 budget today, House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) warned taxpayers that “the era of big government is back, and Democrats want you to pay for it.” In 2009, federal spending will approach $4 trillion, or 28 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) – a one-third increase in the size of government in a single year. The budget released by the White House today is loaded with job-killing tax hikes and a slate of even more government spending. Overall, the blueprint projects a record $1.75 trillion deficit this year while doubling the national debt over the next ten years. Following are just 10 fast facts about the Administration’s budget, which our children and grandchildren will be paying for far into the future:

1. The Administration’s projected budget deficit of $1.75 trillion is higher than the last five years of deficits combined, and under this plan, we will see three consecutive trillion dollar deficits between now and FY 2012.

2. While it was purported to cut the budget deficit in half – from $1.75 trillion in 2009 to $533 billion by 2013 – this budget projects higher deficits in 2014 ($570 billion), 2015 ($583 billion), and 2016 ($637 billion). In 2019, the final year in the budget, the deficit is projected to be $712 billion.

3. Including the recently-enacted trillion-dollar “stimulus” spending bill, discretionary spending will soar by 24 percent this year under this budget.

4. The budget projects that the national debt will increase from $8.4 trillion in 2009 to $15.4 trillion in 2019.

5. The Administration’s budget contains $1.4 trillion in tax increases – tax hikes that will impact everyone, from small businesses, charities, and seniors to everyone who owns a 401(k) and anyone who flips on a light switch.

6. After promising that he will reduce taxes on 95 percent of Americans, the Administration’s budget establishes a $646 billion energy tax hike that will impact anyone who uses electricity, drives a car, or relies on energy in any way.

7. This budget forecasts more than $1.5 trillion in new health care spending, including a 10-year, $634 billion health care “reserve fund.” The budget also calls for seven percent annual growth in Medicare and more than six percent annual growth in Medicaid over the next 10 years.

8. The budget includes a $750 billion placeholder for a second round of spending under the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP), even though the first round of TARP spending is not yet finished, nor is there a clear explanation of how funds under the initial round was spent.

9. The Administration’s budget claims that reducing the number of troops in Iraq over the next 10 years will cut the deficit by $1.6 trillion; however, that is only because the budget allocates the same amount of funds for the Iraq war each year over the next decade, even though most combat troops may be withdrawn during the next 19 months. The savings are, at best, deceptive.

10. The budget provides a scant 2.9 percent pay raise for military personnel as required by law, less than a week after Democrats in Congress provided the necessary funding to implement District of Columbia locality pay for overseas Foreign Service officers, which would constitute an 18 percent pay increase.

Source HERE.

Flea Market

Flea Market

Vendors Welcome

Come join us every saturday 7am

St. Paul's Episcopal Church

conveniently located on Rt. 50

in Hebron Md.

Rent a space for just $10.00

Bring your own tables or rent ours for $5.00 each