More Evidence the Government is Running a Giant Ponzi Scheme

The U.S. birth rate just hit a new low which has liberal media outlets like NPR pointing out that Medicare and Social Security are in trouble as a result. Why? Because the program isn't being paid for with money former workers put into the system, that's already been spent by the government, but by young people currently working.

The U.S. birth rate hit an all-time low last year, according to a report from the Pew Research Center — just 63 births per 1000 women of childbearing age.

This is a problem. Not just because there is less chubby-cuteness in the country. But also, as I reported earlier this month, fewer babies now means fewer working-age people a couple decades from now. And that means fewer workers helping to pay for programs like Medicare and Social Security that support the elderly.

This is the government's definition of a Ponzi Scheme:

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Pepco Seeks Rate Increases For Md. Customers

Pepco is seeking another rate increase just months after Maryland regulators approved another increase to customers' bills.

Pepco is asking the Maryland Public Service Commission for a rate adjustment of $60.8 million.

If the PSC approves the full amount, the typical customer would pay an extra $7.13 a month. Pepco is also seeking a three-year "grid resiliency surcharge," which would add another $0.96 to bills per month in the first year with small increases to follow, according to Pepco.

The rate increase is to cover part of what's needed to improve the utility's infrastructure and to implement "cost-effective distribution technologies" and provide a reasonable rate of return for investors. The surcharge would cover tree trimming and to begin bringing overhead distribution feeders underground, according to Friday's filing with the PSC.
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Surreal: Obama's Fiscal Cliff Proposal Stuns Washington

Republicans have been asking for the White House's plan for some time now -- well, they finally got one.  Oh my:
 

House Republicans said on Thursday that Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner presented the House speaker, John A. Boehner, a detailed proposal to avert the year-end fiscal crisis with $1.6 trillion in tax increases over 10 years, an immediate new round of stimulus spending, home mortgage refinancing and a permanent end to Congressional control over statutory borrowing limits. The proposal, loaded with Democratic priorities and short on detailed spending cuts, was likely to meet strong Republican resistance. In exchange for locking in the $1.6 trillion in added revenues, President Obama embraced $400 billion in savings from Medicare and other entitlements, to be worked out next year, with no guarantees. He did propose some upfront cuts in programs like farm price supports, but did not specify an amount or any details.

And senior Republican aides familiar with the offer said those initial spending cuts might well be outnumbered by upfront spending increases, including at least $50 billion in infrastructure spending, mortgage relief, an extension of unemployment insurance and a deferral of automatic cuts to physician reimbursements under Medicare … The upfront tax increases in the proposal go beyond what Senate Democrats were able to pass earlier this year. Tax rates would go up for higher-income earners, as in the Senate bill, but Mr. Obama wants their dividends to be taxed as ordinary income, something the Senate did not approve. He also wants the estate tax to be levied at 45 percent on inheritances over $3.5 million, a step several Democratic senators balked at. The Senate bill made no changes to the estate tax, which currently taxes inheritances over $5 million at 35 percent. 

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Soldiers Deck of Cards

WASHINGTON PROPOSES $1 TRILLION BAILOUT FOR DELINQUENT STUDENT LOANS

A possible $1 trillion bailout is coming—and soon.

America’s now-nationalized student loan industry just reached a value of $1 trillion, according to Citigroup, growing at a 20 percent-per-year pace. Since President Obama nationalized the industry (a tacked-on provision of the Obamacare bill), tuition has gone up 25 percent and the three-year default rate is at a record 13.4 percent.

Ron discussed this problem last night with Larry Kudlow:
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Ocean City Scores $150K In Md. Community Legacy Grants

OCEAN CITY -- Worcester County, Ocean City and the entire lower shore did well this week when the latest round of state Community Legacy program awards were announced with $150,000 dedicated to the resort alone.

The state Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) on Wednesday announced an award of over $5.5 million in Community Legacy grants to jurisdictions and municipalities all over Maryland for various projects and programs. Worcester County alone was awarded a combined $270,000 for various projects including $150,000 in grants for the Ocean City Development Corporation (OCDC).

“The OCDC is very pleased with the latest round of grants from Community Legacy,” said Executive Director Glenn Irwin on Wednesday. “Community Legacy is such a major part of our revitalization efforts in Ocean City and the award of these grants kind of validates what we’re doing here.”
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UK DOCTOR’S HORRIFYING ADMISSION REVEALS HOW SICK & DISABLED BABIES ARE PUT ON ‘DEATH PATHWAYS’, DEPRIVED OF FOOD & FLUID FOR 10 DAYS

Sick children and even disabled newborn babies, are reportedly being discharged from NHS hospitals in England only to die slowly at home or in hospices in an unfathomable manner. The innocent children are being put on controversial “death pathways,” once only thought to have involved elderly and terminally ill adult patients.

The Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP), an organization that facilitates end-of-life treatment, is behind the inhumane program. The Daily Mail has learned the process of “withdrawing food and fluid by tube is being used on young patients as well as severely disabled newborn babies.” In other words, patients — young and old — are slowly starved and dehydrated to death.
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NJ Mayor To Live On Food Stamps Starting Tuesday

Mayor Cory Booker said he will live on food stamps for a week starting Tuesday.

Booker told The Associated Press on Thursday that he will honor the challenge he made to a Twitter follower earlier this month and try living on the monetary equivalent of food stamps for at least a week.

"December 4 to 11. Seven days," Booker said after the ribbon cutting for new loft apartments in Newark. He said he will be limited to $1.40 for each meal.
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Proposed Beach Music Festival Delayed Till 2014

OCEAN CITY – The much-anticipated High Tide Music Festival has been postponed for the second year in a row and has taken a turn toward boot stomping versus fist pumping.

After an update on the scheduled High Tide Music Festival for this summer was postponed twice, Tom Russell of Founders Entertainment was present for this week’s Mayor and City Council meeting asking for the event to be postponed for another year.

When the music festival was first proposed in October of 2011, it was to be a rock event held in June of last summer, targeting talent such as Paul Simon, Tom Petty, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Mumford and Sons, Florence & The Machine, Adele and more.
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Boehner Joins Filibuster Fight Against Democrats

House Speaker John Boehner joined fellow Republicans in the Senate on Thursday in their battle to stop Democrats controlling that chamber from curbing filibusters, threatening to ignore bills the Senate sends him if Democrats have abused GOP senators' rights to slow consideration of legislation.

The threat by Boehner, R-Ohio, represents an unusual escalation across the Capitol building of a bitter partisan fight that has been brewing in the Senate for weeks. It also underscores a Republican effort to retain as much power as they can next year, when Democrats will control the White House and Senate and Republicans will lead only the House.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has said that on the first day of the new Congress in January, he may take the unusual step of using a simple majority vote to limit filibusters.
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Fiscal Cliff Idea: How About We Tax Your 401k?

How do you feel about the government touching your private retirement account known as your 401k in order to "pay down the deficit?" Not so good? Already feel like the government has stolen your retirement through Social Security? Well get ready because taxing the 401k is floating around as an idea while the fiscal cliff talks on Capitol Hill continue.


One of the earliest fears about tax-favored savings accounts like IRAs and 401(k) plans was that when this pool of savings grew large enough Congress would not be able to resist tapping it to help solve the nation’s debt problems. We’re about to find out if those fears—persistent for decades—have been justified.

Everything including the sacred mortgage deduction is on the table as lawmakers wrestle with the fiscal cliff, a year-end avalanche of scheduled spending cuts and tax increases. With a combined $10 trillion sitting in IRAs and 401(k) plans, retirement accounts make a juicy target. Some of this money has never been taxed, and under current law never will be.
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I Really Must Apologize To WBOC

About a month ago I did and article criticizing WBOC and a broadcast they had done. I won't get into all of the details but I will say I targeted Alice Bavis and Steve Hammond.

It was clearly a bad day for WBOC whereas they were having some technical problems and I was simply way over the top with criticism.

That being said, I want to apologize the WBOC, Steve Hammond and Alice Bavis in hope they will forgive me for my own lack of professionalism.

We all have bad days and if there's one thing I should recognize is their help and support towards our community.

No Injuries Reported In North OC Fire

No injuries were reported during a fire at a north-end condominium building Wednesday night, although the building did suffer considerable damage.

Around 9:20 p.m. on Wednesday, the Ocean City Fire Department (OCFD) responded to a reported residential fire at the Harbor Woods North condo building on 142nd Street near Laurel Ave. First responders reported heavy fire showing from the roof of the three-story, 12-unit building. The Bethany Beach Volunteer Fire Company was called to provide support assistance.

The fire was contained to the roof area and the soffit around the roof, which suffered significant damage. There was also some fire and water damage to some of the third-floor units. The building was occupied at the time of the fire.
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The Reward for Surviving Sandy May Be Higher Taxes

Superstorm Sandy may have one more nasty surprise still to come: higher taxes.

The math is simple and cruel. The storm left fewer properties standing, often wrecking waterfront communities that paid the highest taxes because of the desirability of living near the water.

Unless shore towns from Rhode Island to New Jersey get a big influx of aid from the state and federal governments, which are themselves strapped for cash, they will have no choice but to raise taxes on homes and businesses that survived to make up for the loss. Even with federal reimbursement of 75 percent, the towns — many of which were already struggling before the storm — could still be on the hook for tens of millions of dollars. 
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Lawsuit Seeks To Overturn Ariz. Gov. Brewer’s Immigration Order

A coalition of immigrant-rights advocates filed a lawsuit Thursday seeking to overturn an order by Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer that denies driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants who avoided deportation under a new Obama administration policy.

The class-action lawsuit seeks to block an Aug. 15 executive order issued by the governor after the federal government implemented the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which allows youths who came to the U.S. illegally as children to live and work in this country for renewable periods of two years.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the Arizona Dream Act Coalition, an immigrant youth-led organization.
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It's All About Choices, Stupid

There is a phony conflict afoot that statists are fond of bringing up when they try to
discredit the free society. It is about the individual versus the community.
Champions of human liberty are often mis-characterized as denying the
significance of human community life. As if individualists advocated that people live
like hermits, apart from their fellows, in solitude.


Of course, individualists do not advocate anything of the kind. What they insist upon
is that human beings be understood as choosing their associations instead of
being simply herded into groups that some of them prefer to be part of.

Nearly everyone is better off living in the company of others. Hardly any human activity is carried out isolated from others and even when it appears like it, others are usually surrounding it, supporting it, helping it along and so forth. Solitary existence isn't the objective that individualists are promoting.

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Gay Marriage Cases Could See Supreme Court Action

The running fight over gay marriage is shifting from the ballot box to the Supreme Court.

Three weeks after voters backed same-sex marriage in three states and defeated a ban in a fourth, the justices are meeting Friday to decide whether they should deal sooner rather than later with the claim that the Constitution gives people the right to marry regardless of sexual orientation.
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Ugly Q3 GDP Confirms Personal Consumption Collapsing; Headline "Growth" Driven By Government, Inventory Accumulation

One glance at today's second read of Q3 GDP [5]may leave some with the false impression that the US economy is soaring, because after sliding to 1.3% in Q2, and after a preliminary read of 2.0% in the first Q3 estimate, today's print, which missed estimates of a 2.8% print, did nonetheless rise to 2.7%. "A stunning success", the administration sycophants would say. Absolutely wrong. Because a quick glance at the underlying numbers shows the true picture of the economy which contracted far more than most expected, with personal consumption collapsing to 1.4% Q/Q, on hopes of a 1.9% rise, and down from 2.0%. In fact, at 0.99% personal consumption expenditures - the core driver of 70% of the US economy - were a tiny 36% of the headline number. Ironically today's second GDP revision was far worse when analyzed at the component level, than the first Q3 estimate, which while lower overall at 2.0%, at least had personalconsumption nearly 50% higher at 1.42 [6]%, or well over half of the total contribution. So what drove "growth" in Q3? Nothing short of the most hollow and worst components of GDP: Government Spending, which soared to 0.67% of the annualized number, the first positive print in years, and of course, Inventories, which were responsible for 30% of the headline number. Finally, and most importantly, Fixed Investment, aka CapEx, was a meager 0.1%, or the lowest GDP contribution since Q1 2011. Without CapEx there is no corporate revenue growth (and future hiring intentions) period.

Sadly not even Sandy can be blamed on the collapse in consumption in Q3, for the simple reason that the Hurricane did not hit until 1 month into Q4. Perhaps it is Sandy's fault it did not hit sooner. In the meantime, all those hoping that the US consumer is finally waking up from his slumber and is spending (on credit of course) like a drunken sailor (for anything more than iPads using student loan proceeds), will have to wait until Q1 2013, as the Q4 2012 number will be even uglier than the one just released.

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Obama Plans Campaign-Style Trip To Push Higher Taxes

President Obama is hitting the hustings in a campaign-style push for tax increases, and his first stop is Pennsylvania — a battleground state with the kinds of Republicans who he thinks could be amenable to being swayed by grass-roots pressure.

Since his re-election three weeks ago, Mr. Obama has stuck to his campaign message that raising taxes on high earners is the best way to reduce the nation’s soaring deficits and avoid veering off the so-called “fiscal cliff.” He has spent the past two weeks trying to drum up additional public support for the plan, resisting GOP efforts to find the revenue strictly in other areas of the tax code by closing loopholes and eliminating deductions.

Instead of meeting with congressional leaders, Mr. Obama has focused on trying to build more support for his plan outside Washington — sitting down with small-business owners and big-business leaders to rally their support and holding a photo-op with a group of supportive middle-class Americans as the backdrop.
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Why The Totalitarians Among Us Love Lincoln

"It is in vain to say that enlightened statesmen will be able to adjust these clashing [political] interests, and render them all subservient to the public good."

~ James Madison, Federalist #10

"The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge . . . is itself a frightful despotism."

~ George Washington’s Farewell Address

"That government is best which governs least."

~ Thomas Jefferson

One of the distinctive features of my book, The Real Lincoln, is that unlike almost all other books on the subject, I portray the sixteenth president as a real-life, flesh-and-blood politician. I quoted Murray Rothbard, who described Lincoln as a "master politician" which, to Rothbard, meant that he was a masterful liar, conniver, and manipulator. I also quoted the Pulitzer prize-winning Lincoln biographer, David Donald, as saying that Lincoln was "the master string puller" of Illinois politics before he ran for president. He was just as motivated by a compulsive quest for money and power as any other successful politician, I wrote.

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Report Finds Counties’ Preservation Grades Vary

Two lower shore counties were on opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of protecting rural land and preventing sprawl with Worcester heading in a positive direction and Wicomico heading the other way, according to a report released by an independent environmental group.

The 1,000 Friends of Maryland environmental group on Tuesday released a report entitled “Maryland’s Rural Lands in Danger: Which Way is Your County Headed,” outlining each Maryland county’s efforts in preserving rural land and preventing high-pollution, costly sprawl. The report examined rural zoning, the implementation of Maryland’s Sustainable Growth and Agricultural Preservation Act of 2012 and the number of building lots considered to be a minor subdivision among others.

Worcester was one of only a few counties in the state to gain good marks on the criteria, along with Caroline, Kent and Baltimore with Allegany and Montgomery close behind.
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PAYROLL TAX HOLIDAY IS KAPUT

No matter what happens with the fiscal cliff, your paycheck will be getting smaller in January. Neither party is pushing for an extension of the payroll tax cut. Of course, the impact on the rich will be zero. The impact on a middle class working family making $75,000 per year will be $30 per week. There goes that dinner at Applebees or new sneakers for Johnny.  

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'Santa' Showers $100 Bills On Storm-Hit NJ, NY

A wealthy Missouri man posing as "Secret Santa" stunned New Yorkers on Thursday, handing $100 bills to many in Staten Island who had lost everything to Superstorm Sandy.

The Kansas City businessman is giving away $100,000 this holiday season, and spent the day in New Jersey and New York giving away thousands. But he says money is not the issue.

"The money is not the point at all," said the anonymous benefactor as he walked up to surprised Staten Island residents and thrust crisp bills into their hands. "It's about the random acts of kindness. I'm just setting an example, and if 10 percent of the people who see me emulate what I'm doing, anybody can be a Secret Santa!"
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Bureaucratic Despotism

"A great civilization is not conquered from without, until it has destroyed itself from within. The essential causes of Rome's decline lay in her people, her morals, her class struggle, her failing trade, her bureaucratic despotism, her stifling taxes, her consuming wars."

- Will Durant, The Story Of Civilization III, Epilogue, 1944

A number of sources list this as a quote, but it is a synthesis of the Epilogue "Why Rome Fell". It is valid then as well as now. America as we know it won't collapse, but Americans have been unusually successful in dealing with "bureaucratic despotism". They will be successful again. Bankruptcy of another experiment in bureaucratic despotism will prompt a refreshing turn to reform of bullying politics.

The election was a big day for the implacable forces of big bureaucracy, main stream media and big unions. There is no change from before the election.

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Iran Tries To Conceal Muslim Killing Of Jew

Pictured here, Jameh Mosque in Isfahan. Isfahan, the third largest city in Iran, was 

home to some 1,200 Jews in 2009. Now, fewer than 100 families remain.

A Jewish woman was stabbed to death in Isfahan, Iran, in what her family said was a religiously motivated crime.

Menashe Amir, an Iranian Jewry expert, told The Times of Israel the 57-year-old woman, identified as Tuba N., was killed Monday, allegedly by her Muslim neighbors, who had been trying to drive the family from their home and confiscate their property, which is adjacent to a mosque.

"The religious radicals even expropriated part of the house and attached it to the mosque's courtyard," Amir said. "The Jewish family appealed to the courts ... despite the threats to their lives."

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LETTER FROM THE POST OFFICE

A letter from the Post Office... this is absolutely the best!

We don't know who replied, but there is a beautiful soul working in the dead letter office
who understands LOVE . . .

Our 14-year-old dog Abbey died last month.

The day after she passed away my 4-year-old daughter Meredith was
crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey.

She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to
heaven, God would recognize her.

I told her that I thought that we could, so she dictated these words:

Dear God,

Will you please take care of my dog?
Abbey died yesterday and is with you in heaven.
I miss her very much.
I 'm happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick.
I hope you will play with her.
She likes to swim and play with balls.
I am sending a picture of her so when you see her you will know that she is my dog.
I really miss her.


Love, Meredith


We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey & Meredith,
addressed it to God/Heaven.

We put our return address on it.

Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she
said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven.


That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office.
A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet.
I told her that I thought He had.
Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch
addressed, 'To Meredith' in an unfamiliar hand.
Meredith opened it.

Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies.'
Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God
in its opened envelope.
On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:


Dear Meredith,

Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help and I
recognized her right away.
Abbey isn't sick anymore.
Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart.
Abbey loved being your dog.
Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to
keep your picture in so I'm sending it back to you in this little book for
you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by.

Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you
write it and sending it to me.

What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you.

I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much.

By the way, I'm easy to find..


I am wherever there is love.

Love,
God

Two-County Power Outage Affected 5,000

BERLIN -- Thousands were without power across a wide swath of northern Worcester County early yesterday morning when a breaker tripped at a substation near Berlin after running low on gas.

Around 4:45 a.m. on Thursday, a breaker tripped at a Delmarva Power substation at Route 346 on the outskirts of Berlin leaving around 5,000 customers without power on a frigid fall morning.

The outage area was framed by Pittsville on the eastern edge of Wicomico County to the Glen Riddle community near West Ocean City, and from Newark, Md. to areas around Bishopville and the Maryland-Delaware line.

According to Delmarva Power spokesman Matt Likovich, the transmission breaker at the substation near Berlin ran low on gas and tripped, causing the extensive outages across the area.
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THANK YOU SIGN

Twinkies Maker Hostess Has Plenty Of Suitors

The future of Twinkies is virtually assured.

Hostess Brands Inc. got final approval for its wind-down plans in bankruptcy court Thursday, setting the stage for its iconic snack cakes to find a second life with new owners — even as 18,000 jobs will be wiped out.

The company said in court that it’s in talks with 110 potential buyers for its brands, which include CupCakes, Ding Dongs and Ho Hos. The suitors include at least five national retailers such as supermarkets, a financial adviser for Hostess said. The process has been “so fast and furious” Hostess wasn’t able to make its planned calls to potential buyers, said Joshua Scherer of Perella Weinberg Partners.

“Not only are these buyers serious, but they are expecting to spend substantial sums,” he said, noting that six of them had hired investment banks to help in the process.
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Eastern Shore Soccer League

Franchot: "More Patriotic" To Shop Local Rather Than Online

Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot says it is "more patriotic" for Marylanders to shop at small locally owned businesses, rather than shop at large "big box" stores, or shop online.

"Much as I love the out of state Internet companies, you want to help Maryland, gosh darn it take your wallet out and go down to your own family owned small businesses on Main Street and, because that will help us help our great state," Franchot told WBAL News, as he toured businesses in Glyndon on Thursday.

Franchot says small businesses collect state sales taxes, and invest their profits back into the community.
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Caption This Photo 11-30-12

1910 Ford

Make sure you read all the statistics under the photo.

This is only 102 years ago! Amazing ...... Show this to your friends, children and/or grandchildren! The year is 1910, over 102 years ago. What a difference a century makes! Here are some statistics for 1910: • The average life expectancy for men was 47. • Fuel for this car was sold in drug stores only. • 14 percent of homes had a bathtub. • 8 percent of homes had a telephone. • There were only 8,000 cars & 144 miles of paved roads. • Speed limit in most cities - 10 mph. • The tallest structure in the world - Eiffel Tower . • Average US wage in 1910 - 22c per hour. • Average US worker made between $200 & $400 per year. • Accountant -$2000 per year,dentist -$2,500 per year, veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year, mechanical engineer - $5,000 per year. • More than 95 percent of all births took place at HOME. • 90% of doctors had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION! Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press AND the government as 'substandard.' • Sugar - 4c lb. • Eggs - 14c a dozen. • Coffee - 15c lb. • Most women washed their hair once a month, used Borax or egg yolks for shampoo. • Canada passed a law prohibiting poor people from entering the country for any reason. • The five leading causes of death were: 1. Pneumonia/influenza 2.Tuberculosis 3. Diarrhea 4. Heart disease 5. Stroke • The American flag had 45 stars. • The population of Las Vegas was 30 ! • Crossword puzzles, canned beer, & iced tea - unknown! • No Mother's Day/Father's Day. • 20% of adults couldn't read or write. • 6% of Americans graduated from high school. • Marijuana, heroin, & morphine were all available over the counter at the drugstore. Back then, pharmacists said 'Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, regulates the stomach & bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health' • 18% of households had at least one full-time servant or domestic help. • There were about 230 reported murders in the ENTIRE COUNTRY!

Potato Chips

            A little boy wanted to meet God.  He knew it was a long trip to where God
            Lived, so he packed his suitcase with a bag of potato chips and a six-pack
            Of root beer and started his journey.
 
            When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old man.  He was sitting in
            The park, just staring at some pigeons.  The boy sat down next to him and
            Opened his suitcase.  He was about to take a drink from his root beer when
            He noticed that the old man looked hungry, so he offered him some chips. He
            Gratefully accepted it and smiled at him.
 
            His smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered
            Him a root beer.  Again, he smiled at him.  The boy was delighted!
            They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a
            Word..
 
            As twilight approached, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to
            Leave; but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran
            Back to the old man, and gave him a hug.  He gave him his biggest smile
            Ever..
 
            When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother
            Was surprised by the look of joy on his face.    She asked him, "What did
            You do today that made you so happy?"
            He replied, "I had lunch with God."  But before his mother could respond, he
            Added, "You know what?  He's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!"

            Meanwhile, the old man, also radiant with joy, returned to his home. His son
            Was stunned by the look of peace on his face and he asked, "dad, what did
            You do today that made you so happy?"
 
            He replied "I ate potato chips in the park with God."  However, before his
            Son responded, he added,  "You know, he's much younger than I expected."

            Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a
            Listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of
            Which have the potential to turn a life around.  People come into our lives
            For a reason, a season, or a lifetime!  Embrace all equally!
 
            Have lunch with God.......bring chips.

Baywater Animal Rescue Gives Thanks For Volunteers And Community Support

Cambridge, MD--   Forty guests attended a Giving Thanks party Baywater Animal Rescue recently hosted to recognize volunteers and community leaders who donated their time and talents.  “We would never be able to rescue so many animals without our volunteers,” said Suzette Stitely Executive Director.  “They are truly life-savers and it’s an honor to work with them.”  Jennifer Taylor received a 500 hour award along with Recognition Awards from the Maryland House & Senate presented by Delegates Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio and Addie Eckardt along with Senator Richard Colburn.  Rebecca Bowers, Dr. Craig Caldwell, Natalie Porter, Peggy Sanner, and Joe Taylor received 250 hour awards.  Elissa Chillog, Jeannine Freeman, Ann & Bob Musser, and Peggy Tillier received 100 hour awards.  Certificates of appreciation were given to: Betsey Harrington Bookkeeping Services, Dr. William Spofford, The Banner, The Dorchester Star, The Star Democrat, and Shane Walker & MTS Braodcasting.  Catering was donated by Josh Horner, owner of Chick-fil-A in Easton.  If you would like to get involved, please contact Baywater Animal Rescue atinfo@baywateranimalrescue.org or call 410-228-3090.  

Just A Reminder

Red Kettles & Bell Ringers

As you open your pocketbooks for the next holiday or natural disaster, please keep these facts in mind:

The American Red Cross President and CEO Marsha J. Evans' salary for the year 2011 was $951,957 plus expenses.

The United Way President Brian Gallagher receives a $675,000 base salary along with numerous expense benefits .

UNICEF CEO Caryl M. Stern receives $1,900,000 per year ($158K) per month,
plus all expenses including a ROLLS ROYCE.
Less than 5 cents (4.4 cents) per donated dollar goes to the cause.

The Salvation Army's Commissioner Todd Bassett receives a salary of only$13,000 per year (plus housing) for managing this $2 billion dollar organization. 96 percent of donated dollars go to the cause.
The American Legion National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

The Veterans of Foreign Wars National Commander receives $0.00 zero salary .
Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

The Disabled American Veterans National Commander receives $0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans, their families and youth!

 

The Military Order of Purple Hearts National Commander receives $0.00 zero salary . Your donations go to help Veterans, their families and youth

 

The Vietnam Veterans Association National Commander receives $0.00 zero salary . Your donations go to help Veterans, their families and youth!

Today's Advertiser Of The Day 11-30-12

SALISBURY CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION AGENDA

DECEMBER 3, 2012

CONFERENCE ROOM 306

GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING

4:30 p.m. Audit Discussion – Pam Baker

5:30 p.m. Follow-up Discussion - U.S. 50 East /Moore Annexation – John Pick/Jack Lenox

6:15 p.m. Break

6:30 p.m. Closed Session [held in accordance with Annotated Code of Maryland Section 10-508(a)(3)(7) -

Land Acquisition]

7:15 p.m. General Discussion/Upcoming agenda items

7:30 p.m. Adjournment

SU Community Volunteers For The Holidays

Salisbury University students, faculty and staff are preparing for  the holidays with projects that benefit the whole community. A homeless pet supply drive, bell-ringing for  the Salvation Army and collections of non-perishable goods for  the less for tunate are just a few examples.

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Maryland Woman Accidentally Wins Millions From Powerball

It seems that sometimes it actually works in your favor when you forget your glasses. Just ask one Harford County woman.

Almerta Williams, 55, of Edgewood is Maryland’s newest millionaire, claiming the second-tier prize of $2 million from the record-setting $587.5 million jackpot.

On Thursday afternoon, Williams arrived at the Baltimore Lottery Offices with her three children, niece, and grandchild to claim her prize.
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California Youth Crime Plunged After Weed Decriminalization

Arrests of youths under age 18 in California fell by 20 percent from 2010 to 2011, and researchers identified marijuana decriminalization as the largest contributor to the sharp decline.

An analysis of arrest data by The Center on Juvenile & Criminal Justice (CJCJ) found that all crime decreased substantially among youths from 2010 to 2011, reaching its lowest level since statewide statistics were first compiled in 1954.

The researchers note that the stunning 47 percent drop in drug offense arrests was primarily caused by "a drop of 9,000 in youths’ low-level marijuana possession arrests under a new state law reducing that offense from a misdemeanor to an infraction," although other drug offenses decreased considerably as well.

California's new law makes the possession of under an ounce of pot punishable by a $100 fine.

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Today's Survey Question 11-20-12

What Town/City has the best Christmas Parade?

No-Show CSB Worker Won't Have To Repay Norfolk

The former employee of the Community Services Board who remained on paid suspension for 12 years will not have to repay the city for the nearly $320,000 she collected in salary and benefits now that a judge has granted her bankruptcy request. 

Jill McGlone, who was an administrative assistant at the CSB, filed a voluntary petition in federal bankruptcy court in August, just days before she was due in Norfolk Circuit Court for a hearing on a lawsuit the city had filed against her. 

Her bankruptcy likely means that the city’s attempts to collect money from a handful of employees it forced out over the incident, which became known as the no-show worker scandal, are over.

City Attorney Bernard Pishko said Tuesday that the city had not yet decided how to proceed, but Mayor Paul Fraim said the city is out of options. 

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Troopers Seek Public’s Help In Locating A Wanted Subject

Location:
Five Points Liquor Store, 511 North Central Avenue, Laurel, DE

Date of Occurrence:
Thursday November 29, 2012 at approximately 4:00 p.m.

Victim:
27 year old male

Suspect and Charges:

Manuel Vasquez, 24, Delmar, DE (Photo Attached)
Attempted Murder 1st
Assault 1st
Possession of Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony

Resume:
Laurel, DE- The Delaware State Police is asking the public’s assistance in locating Manuel Vasquez, 24 of Delmar, DE. Vasquez is wanted by the State Police for Attempted Murder 1st during an incident that occurred in Laurel.

Troopers were called to the Five Points Liquor Store on North Central Avenue in Laurel around 4:00 p.m. yesterday after a 27 year old male was found lying on the ground near the rear of the store with stab wounds to his face. The investigation revealed the 27 year old victim had just left the liquor store when he was confronted by Vasquez. As the victim attempted to walk away from Vasquez, a physical altercation ensued and Vasquez stabbed the victim in the face with a knife multiple times. Vasquez then fled the scene in an unknown direction.

The 27 year old victim was initially transported to Nanticoke Memorial Hospital and then later transferred to Christiana Hospital where he is currently admitted for his injuries.

If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of Manuel Vasquez, they are asked to contact Troop 4 at 302-856-5850 ext. 227 or Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333. Information may also be provided via the internet at www.tipsubmit.com

Send an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword "DSP."

MVA Announces New Way To Learn How To Drive

There's a whole new way to learn how to drive.

Officials from the Maryland Vehicle Administration on Thursday introduced a new driving phone application that includes a driving test tutorial that can challenge anyone's driving knowledge. It will also keep Maryland drivers updated with recent driving information.

Known as the MD Practice Driving Test app, this new application has already been downloaded by nearly 100,000 people. It can be used on Androids, IPhones, and IPads.
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Troopers Investigate Felton Home Invasion

Location:
1200 block of Barney Jenkins Road, Felton, DE

Date of Occurrence:
Friday November 30, 2012 at approximately 2:00 a.m.

Victims:
52 year old male
31 year old male
25 year old male

Suspects:
2 Black males (no further description), one armed with unknown type handgun.

Resume:
Felton, DE- The Delaware State Police are investigating a home invasion that occurred in the 1200 block of Barney Jenkins Road, Felton early this morning.

The incident occurred at approximately 2:00 a.m. as two black male suspects, one armed with a handgun, forced their way into the residence targeting the victims for illegal drug activity. A physical altercation ensued between the 52 year old victim and one of the suspects which lead to the victim being shot multiple times in the upper body. A 31 year old male victim was also injured as he attempted to escape through a window of the residence. The two suspects then fled the residence on foot in an unknown direction without any property.

The 52 year old victim and 31 year old victim were transported to Kent General Hospital in Dover where the 52 year old is listed in stable condition. The 31 year old was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. A 25 year old victim was not injured in the incident.

If anyone has any information in reference to this incident, they are asked to contact the Troop 3 at 302-741-2803 or Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333. Information may also be provided via the internet at www.tipsubmit.com

Send an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword "DSP."

Thank God Its Friday 11-30-12

What will you be doing this weekend?

Congress Looks At Doing Away With The $1 Bill

WASHINGTON (AP) — American consumers have shown about as much appetite for the $1 coin as kids do their spinach. They may not know what's best for them either. Congressional auditors say doing away with dollar bills entirely and replacing them with dollar coins could save taxpayers some $4.4 billion over the next 30 years.

Vending machine operators have long championed the use of $1 coins because they don't jam the machines, cutting down on repair costs and lost sales. But most people don't seem to like carrying them. In the past five years, the U.S. Mint has produced 2.4 billion Presidential $1 coins. Most are stored by the Federal Reserve, and production was suspended about a year ago.

The latest projection from the Government Accountability Office on the potential savings from switching to dollar coins entirely comes as lawmakers begin exploring new ways for the government to save money by changing the money itself.

The Mint is preparing a report for Congress showing how changes in the metal content of coins could save money.

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Ocean City Christmas Parade Marches Saturday, Dec. 1

The 30th Annual Ocean City Christmas Parade marches along Coastal Highway on Saturday, December 1 at 11 a.m. The holiday parade, which starts at 100th Street and marches northbound in the southbound lanes of Coastal Highway to the Gold Coast Mall at 115th Street, will feature more than 80 units, including high school bands, horses, llamas, antique cars and colorful holiday floats.

Professional judges will be on hand to review bands and other marching units in nine categories and trophies will be awarded inside the mall following the parade for first, second and third places in each category. To participate in the parade, which is sponsored by the Gold Coast Mall Merchants Association, citizens should call Elaine Jarvis at 410-524-9000. There is no charge to participate.

For those simply wishing to spectate, plenty of seating will be located in the parking lot of the Gold Coast Mall. Spectators will not be permitted to watch the parade from the median area of Coastal Highway. The parade is expected to last approximately two hours. Motorists traveling in the area are reminded that traffic pattern changes will occur starting at approximately 9 a.m.

Santa With 4 Legs Helps Military With PTSD This Xmas

SURF DOG RICOCHET LEADS A MILITARY GIVING DRIVE TO
BENEFIT SOLDIERS WITH PTSD, TBI AND OTHER COMBAT INJURIES

SAN DIEGO, CA, November 28, 2012... Surf dog Ricochet, the SURFice dog traded her life jacket for a Santa jacket to kick off her 4th annual Surfin' Santa Paws Howliday Giving Drive which starts December 1st and goes through Christmas day. This year it benefits several military re-integration programs for soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and other combat injuries. The drive also includes military working dogs that are injured or suffer PTSD.

This past summer, Ricochet had the privilege of utilizing her goal directed therapy dog certification to work with members of our military with PTSD, TBI and other combat injuries through Pawsitive Teams Canine Inspired Community Re-integration program. She learned how important these programs are for returning soldiers.

According to reports, traumatic brain injury is named the “signature injury” for the current war in Iraq & Afghanistan. PTSD affects one in 5 active duty and/or veterans. And, at least 10% of military working dogs have developed canine PTSD.

It is very difficult for some of these soldiers to re-integrate back into day-to-day life after they have been engulfed in war and/or injured. They leave for combat as young men and women. But, when they return, they are forever changed with life altering injuries. They experience anxiety, stress, flashbacks, sleep disorders, nightmares, detachment, depression, isolation, survivor guilt, pain, hyper-vigilance, alcohol or substance abuse and more.

These soldiers and military working dogs have sacrificed everything for our freedom. Now, Ricochet is urging everyone to make one small sacrifice, and forego a simple pleasure for one day. Take the money you would normally spend on a cup of coffee, lunch, a movie, etc., and make a tax deductible donation at DONATE http://bit.ly/SantaPawsMilitaryGivingDrive.

Ricochet sincerely thanks the members of our military for their dedication and service. She also thanks everyone who donates, and shares this Military Giving Drive to raise more awareness of these vital programs that help our injured soldiers. The funds donated will benefit the re-integration programs below…

The Balboa Warrior Athlete/Recreational Therapy Program restores and rehabilitates wounded, ill and injured soldiers’ level of function and independence in day-to-day life activities.

American Humane Association in partnership with the National Military Family Association's provides “Operation Purple Camps” for children of deployed and returning soldiers.

Warrior Canine Connection teaches Service Members with PTSD, the skill of training mobility service dogs, which are then partnered with soldiers who have mobility impairments.

The Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation supports the recovery of mental and physical illness of soldiers through the healing power of ocean related activities.

The Wounded Warrior Project provides services to severely injured soldiers who are transitioning to civilian life, including their “Warriors to Work” program.

The United States War Dog Association honors and assists our nation's former and current US Military Dogs and Handlers who provide an invaluable canine service to our country

Military Working Dog Adoptions helps retiring military working dogs find Forever Homes. They also work tirelessly for the passage of the bill “Canine Members of the Armed Forces”.