DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Over 214,000 Doctors Opt Out of Obamacare Exchanges
Over 214,000 doctors won't participate in the new plans under the Affordable Care Act (ACA,) analysis of a new survey by Medical Group Management Association shows. That number of 214,524, estimated by American Action Forum, is through May 2014, but appears to be growing due to plans that force doctors to take on burdensome costs. It's also about a quarter of thetotal number of 893,851 active professional physicians reported by the Kaiser Family Foundation.
In January, an estimated 70% of California's physicians were not participating in Covered California plans.
Here are some of the reasons why:
1. Reimbursements under Obamacare are at bottom-dollar - they are even lower than Medicare reimbursements, which are already significantly below market rates. "It is estimated that where private plans pay $1.00 for a service, Medicare pays $0.80, and ACA exchange plans are now paying about $0.60," a study by the think-tank American Action Forum finds. "For example, Covered California plans are setting their plan fee schedules in line with that of Medi-Cal-California's Medicaid Program-which means exchange plans are cutting provider reimbursement by up to 40 percent."
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In January, an estimated 70% of California's physicians were not participating in Covered California plans.
Here are some of the reasons why:
1. Reimbursements under Obamacare are at bottom-dollar - they are even lower than Medicare reimbursements, which are already significantly below market rates. "It is estimated that where private plans pay $1.00 for a service, Medicare pays $0.80, and ACA exchange plans are now paying about $0.60," a study by the think-tank American Action Forum finds. "For example, Covered California plans are setting their plan fee schedules in line with that of Medi-Cal-California's Medicaid Program-which means exchange plans are cutting provider reimbursement by up to 40 percent."
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Massive Non-Citizen Voting Uncovered in Maryland
An election integrity watchdog group is suing the state of Maryland, alleging that it has discovered massive and ongoing fraudulent voting by non-U.S. citizens in one county. But because of the way that the non-citizens are able to cast votes in elections, the fraud is likely happening in every single county and subdivision across the state. The group believes that the illegal voting has been happening for years.
The group, Virginia Voters Alliance, says that it compared how voters in Frederick County filled out jury duty statements compared with their voting records. The group’s investigation found that thousands of people in Frederick County who stated that they are not U.S. citizens on jury duty forms went on to cast votes in elections. Either they failed to tell the truth when they were summoned for jury duty, or they cast illegal votes. Both are crimes. The same group previously found that about 40,000 people are registered to vote in both Virginia and Maryland.
It is a federal crime to cast votes if you are not legally eligible to vote. Non-citizens, whether in the country legally or not, are prohibited from voting in most local and all state and federal elections. Yet the VVA investigation found that hundreds of non-citizens have been voting in Frederick County, Maryland. One in seven Maryland residents are non-U.S. citizens.
“The lawsuit is the equivalent of the lookout spotting the iceberg ahead of the Titanic,” state Del. Pat McDonough told the Tatler. He added that the group’s investigation found a voter fraud “smoking gun.”
More
The group, Virginia Voters Alliance, says that it compared how voters in Frederick County filled out jury duty statements compared with their voting records. The group’s investigation found that thousands of people in Frederick County who stated that they are not U.S. citizens on jury duty forms went on to cast votes in elections. Either they failed to tell the truth when they were summoned for jury duty, or they cast illegal votes. Both are crimes. The same group previously found that about 40,000 people are registered to vote in both Virginia and Maryland.
It is a federal crime to cast votes if you are not legally eligible to vote. Non-citizens, whether in the country legally or not, are prohibited from voting in most local and all state and federal elections. Yet the VVA investigation found that hundreds of non-citizens have been voting in Frederick County, Maryland. One in seven Maryland residents are non-U.S. citizens.
“The lawsuit is the equivalent of the lookout spotting the iceberg ahead of the Titanic,” state Del. Pat McDonough told the Tatler. He added that the group’s investigation found a voter fraud “smoking gun.”
More
CONFIRMED: NON-CITIZEN VOTERS BOOSTING DEMOCRATS
The study authored by Jesse T. Richman, Gulshan A. Chattha and David C. Earnest, who are affiliated with Old Dominion and George Mason universities, found the number of non-citizen voters “could range from just over 38,000 at the very minimum to nearly 2.8 million at the maximum.”
Of the non-citizens who voted in 2008, the study found “81.8 percent reported voting for Barack Obama compared to 17.5 percent for John McCain.”
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Were You Sent One Of These Notices?
Remember Folks, YOU HAVE TO TELL A COMPUTER WHAT TO DO.
When you go on your calculator and try to add 2+2, it does NOT come out saying =6. Just like the VOTING MACHINES.
Don't you believe for a single second they weren't rigged. Politicians are so full of crap, all too many of them will LIE. There's no glitch, just LIARS.
La Raza Promotes Washington Post Guide On Where People Can Vote Without An ID
The pro-amnesty Hispanic activist organization the National Council of La Raza helpfully promoted a Washington Post article explaining which states people can vote in without having to use a photo ID.
“Voter ID laws are at-issue across the country, with newly Republican-controlled legislatures having passed them in numerous states after the 2010 election,”explained The Washington Post’s Aaron Blake. “Most states still request some form of ID, but don’t require it. Another 20 states don’t require identification. In case you’re wondering where your state is at in all of this, a helpful (sic) graphic from the Post’s graphics team.”
So who ended up using the Post’s helpful graphic? The country’s foremost pro-amnesty Hispanic immigrant organization.
The Chicago chapter of Asian Americans Advancing Justice tweeted Blake’s article with the message, “Reminder — #Illinois does NOT require #voterID to cast a ballot,” along with the pro-Democrat hashtag #TurnOutForWhat. The tweet was helpfully retweeted by the National Council of La Raza.
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“Voter ID laws are at-issue across the country, with newly Republican-controlled legislatures having passed them in numerous states after the 2010 election,”explained The Washington Post’s Aaron Blake. “Most states still request some form of ID, but don’t require it. Another 20 states don’t require identification. In case you’re wondering where your state is at in all of this, a helpful (sic) graphic from the Post’s graphics team.”
So who ended up using the Post’s helpful graphic? The country’s foremost pro-amnesty Hispanic immigrant organization.
The Chicago chapter of Asian Americans Advancing Justice tweeted Blake’s article with the message, “Reminder — #Illinois does NOT require #voterID to cast a ballot,” along with the pro-Democrat hashtag #TurnOutForWhat. The tweet was helpfully retweeted by the National Council of La Raza.
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TRICK OR TREAT NOT DRINK AND DRIVE
(PIKESVILLE, MD) – With Halloween quickly approaching, troopers remind folks as they carve their pumpkins and pick out their costumes, the best choices they can make are to drive sober or designate a sober driver before the celebrating begins.
The Maryland State Police is reminding all drivers that ‘Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving’ because every Halloween there are still some people who think they can drive after drinking. There will be additional patrols out specifically looking for and removing dangerous and impaired drivers from the roadways to ensure everyone has a safe Halloween celebration.
“We want to encourage people to trick or treat this Halloween but never to drink and drive,” said Colonel Marcus L. Brown, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police. “Before you take your first sip of alcohol on October 31, figure out who your designated sober driver will be. If you wait until you’re ‘buzzed’ to make that decision, you may make the wrong choice.”
Remember, designate a sober driver and give them the keys. If you find yourself impaired, call a friend or family member, use public transportation, or call a taxi. If you see a driver you think is impaired, keep a safe distance and contact law enforcement. The extra troopers will be saturating roads with high documented DUI crashes. They will also be focusing on impaired and distracted drivers.
The Maryland State Police is reminding all drivers that ‘Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving’ because every Halloween there are still some people who think they can drive after drinking. There will be additional patrols out specifically looking for and removing dangerous and impaired drivers from the roadways to ensure everyone has a safe Halloween celebration.
“We want to encourage people to trick or treat this Halloween but never to drink and drive,” said Colonel Marcus L. Brown, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police. “Before you take your first sip of alcohol on October 31, figure out who your designated sober driver will be. If you wait until you’re ‘buzzed’ to make that decision, you may make the wrong choice.”
Remember, designate a sober driver and give them the keys. If you find yourself impaired, call a friend or family member, use public transportation, or call a taxi. If you see a driver you think is impaired, keep a safe distance and contact law enforcement. The extra troopers will be saturating roads with high documented DUI crashes. They will also be focusing on impaired and distracted drivers.
BREAKING NEWS: Suspect in deadly ambush of Pa. state trooper captured
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HAUNTED HULL: COAST GUARD CUTTER TANEY
The Coast Guard cutter Taney shines in all its glory in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor as “the last survivor of Pearl Harbor,” but it has a darker story to tell – the ship may still carry souls aboard.The Taney’s story begins Oct. 24, 1936, when the ship was commissioned at the Philadelphia Navy yard. Shortly after being commissioned, the Taney was moved to its first homeport in Honolulu. There, the crew carried out supply and search and rescue
missions until World War II.
On Dec. 7, 1941, the alarms sounded: AIR RAID, PEARL HARBOR. THIS IS NO DRILL. Chaos erupted as Japanese planes flew overhead. Crewmembers scrambled to get to general quarters. Anti-aircraft guns were manned and ready to fire.
20-Year CBS News Veteran Details Massive Censorship And Propaganda In Mainstream Media
Journalists should be dark, funny, mean people. It’s appropriate for their antagonistic, adversarial role.
– Matt Taibbi, in this New York Magazine article
Reporters on the ground aren’t necessarily ideological, Attkisson says, but the major network news decisions get made by a handful of New York execs who read the same papers and think the same thoughts.
Often they dream up stories beforehand and turn the reporters into “casting agents,” told “we need to find someone who will say . . .” that a given policy is good or bad. “We’re asked to create a reality that fits their New York image of what they believe,” she writes.
– From the excellent New York Post article: Ex-CBS reporter’s book reveals how liberal media protects Obama.
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Growing Number Of UMd. Students Contracting Viral Meningitis
Tracey Leong explains what the school is now telling students.
There are now 20 confirmed or suspected cases of viral meningitis at the University of Maryland. Health officials are now urging students to practice good hygiene to slow down the spread.
In less than two weeks, at least 20 students contracted viral meningitis–a number expected to grow.
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GANG UNIT RECOVERS DRUGS AND GUNS
(ELKTON, MD) – Members of the Maryland State Police Northern Region Gang Enforcement Unit arrested multiple suspects at an Elkton residence yesterday evening where crack cocaine, heroin, marijuana, pills and firearms were recovered and kept from making it to the streets of Cecil County.
Brittaney Hall, 26, Christopher Everette, 28, and Douglas Heald, 43 all of the 100 block of Huntsman Drive, Elkton, Maryland, are being charged with possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, heroin and prescription pills, as well as CDS distribution with a firearm, and drug trafficking with a firearm. They were arrested without incident and taken before a Cecil County Court Commissioner. Hall has been released after posting a $75,000 bail. Everett is being held on a $250,000 bond. Hearld is being held without bond pending extradition to Pennsylvania for an unrelated charge.
As the result of several weeks of investigation by the Northern Region Gang Enforcement Unit, a search and seizure warrant was obtained for the Huntsman Drive location. Just after 6:00 p.m. on October 29, 2014, the warrant was served. Several adults were at the location, and during the search of the residence investigators discovered large amounts of drugs and illegal weapons.
Recovered from the residence were 100 baggies of crack cocaine, over 26 grams of heroin, and over 90 suboxone pills. Also found during the search was one loaded handgun and two shotguns. The warrant was executed by members of the gang unit with the assistance of investigators from Maryland State Police Northeast Barrack and officers from the Elkton Police Department.
Brittaney Hall, 26, Christopher Everette, 28, and Douglas Heald, 43 all of the 100 block of Huntsman Drive, Elkton, Maryland, are being charged with possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, heroin and prescription pills, as well as CDS distribution with a firearm, and drug trafficking with a firearm. They were arrested without incident and taken before a Cecil County Court Commissioner. Hall has been released after posting a $75,000 bail. Everett is being held on a $250,000 bond. Hearld is being held without bond pending extradition to Pennsylvania for an unrelated charge.
As the result of several weeks of investigation by the Northern Region Gang Enforcement Unit, a search and seizure warrant was obtained for the Huntsman Drive location. Just after 6:00 p.m. on October 29, 2014, the warrant was served. Several adults were at the location, and during the search of the residence investigators discovered large amounts of drugs and illegal weapons.
Recovered from the residence were 100 baggies of crack cocaine, over 26 grams of heroin, and over 90 suboxone pills. Also found during the search was one loaded handgun and two shotguns. The warrant was executed by members of the gang unit with the assistance of investigators from Maryland State Police Northeast Barrack and officers from the Elkton Police Department.
State To Open Sussex Drug Treatment Center
“Lewes may be their optimum location,” said Jill Fredel, communications director for the Department of Health and Social Services.
Fredel said she does not know where the facility will be located, noting it is early on in the application process.
Marc Richman, assistant director for Community Mental Health and Addiction Services, said the state will contract management of the facility to Connections, a Delaware nonprofit that will provide counselors and medical staff for the treatment center.
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82-Year-Old Black Grandma Votes Republican “Because of What Democrats Have Done to My People”
A self-described “82-year-old black senior citizen grandmother” named Joyce called C-SPAN to explain why she voted for the Republican candidate in every race on the ballot this cycle.
I voted straight Republican because I have noticed for years what the Democrat Party has done to my people,” she said. “Unemployment is higher in the black community that it is — double with unemployment than it is anywhere else.”
“There’s no way I could continue to say I’m a Christian and stay with the Democrat Party,” she continued. “They advocate the killing of babies and taking from the doers and giving to the ones sitting doing nothing.”
I voted straight Republican because I have noticed for years what the Democrat Party has done to my people,” she said. “Unemployment is higher in the black community that it is — double with unemployment than it is anywhere else.”
“There’s no way I could continue to say I’m a Christian and stay with the Democrat Party,” she continued. “They advocate the killing of babies and taking from the doers and giving to the ones sitting doing nothing.”
BREAKING NEWS: At least 2 dead as small plane crashes into building at Wichita, Kansas, airport
At least two people are dead -- and some reportedly may be trapped -- after a small plane crashed into a building at the Wichita, Kansas, airport.
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Baltimore City Police Officer Charged In Beating
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That beating was caught on a City Watch camera.
Officer Vincent Cosom was seen punching the man several times outside of a liquor store at Greenmount and North Avenues.
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Social Security Disability Will Go Bust In 2016—-Unless Work Incentives Are Restored
In 2013, the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program spent $143 billion while taking in just $111 billion. That shortfall, explains Jagadeesh Gokhale, economist for the Cato Institute, will only continue, and the SSDI Trust Fund is projected to run out of money entirely in 2016.
In addition to being insolvent, Gokhale explains that the SSDI program — intended to provide a safety net for individuals unable to work — is full of work disincentives. Many individuals enrolled in the program are actually able to work, at least to some degree, but they choose not to for fear of losing SSDI benefits.
Gokhale explains that some individuals move into the SSDI program after exhausting unemployment benefits. Indeed, various research indicates that there are a number of SSDI enrollees with work capabilities:
In addition to being insolvent, Gokhale explains that the SSDI program — intended to provide a safety net for individuals unable to work — is full of work disincentives. Many individuals enrolled in the program are actually able to work, at least to some degree, but they choose not to for fear of losing SSDI benefits.
Gokhale explains that some individuals move into the SSDI program after exhausting unemployment benefits. Indeed, various research indicates that there are a number of SSDI enrollees with work capabilities:
A study comparing identical SSDI applicants — some of whom were admitted to the program while the rest were rejected from the program — found that many rejected applicants returned to the work force, indicating that over 25 percent of current SSDI beneficiaries actually have work capacity.
Another study found the likelihood of a rejected SSDI applicant returning to work to be 35 percent.
What Maryland Thinks About The Voting Machine Mistake: Take The Poll
The Baltimore Sun
WHAT MARYLAND THINKS: What do you think is behind the reported voting machine mistakes of Republican votes being switched to Democrats? VOTE HERE: http://bsun.md/1wgYfPM
Politics At Play In Delay Of PMT Study Release
“This is unacceptable”, continued Delegate McDermott, “The report is done and we need to see it. Our farmers deserve better than ‘unforeseen circumstances’ as a reason for any delay. Frankly, the General Election is less than a week away and it seems obvious that the PMT has now become the ‘Political Management Tool’ in a vain effort to keep democrats in their seats.”
Politics should not play a role in making good policy decisions. The report should be released immediately so our farming community can review the findings and be prepared to address any changes to be proposed by the O’Malley-Brown administration.
Jim Mathias has publicly claimed that he has “stopped the PMT” when nothing could be further from the truth. While the senator remains idle, the economy of the Eastern Shore hangs in the balance.
Following the election, O’Malley will roll out his changes by Executive Order. Election delays aside, there is only one thing that will stop the implementation of the Phosphorus Management Tool and that is a new governor with a decidedly different view of agriculture than the current administration.
Our people deserve better than delays and false statements from their elected legislators.
Massive Non-Citizen Voting Uncovered in Maryland
An election integrity watchdog group is suing the state of Maryland, alleging that it has discovered massive and ongoing fraudulent voting by non-U.S. citizens in one county. But because of the way that the non-citizens are able to cast votes in elections, the fraud is likely happening in every single county and subdivision across the state. The group believes that the illegal voting has been happening for years.
The group, Virginia Voters Alliance, says that it compared how voters in Frederick County filled out jury duty statements compared with their voting records. The group’s investigation found that thousands of people in Frederick County who stated that they are not U.S. citizens on jury duty forms went on to cast votes in elections. Either they failed to tell the truth when they were summoned for jury duty, or they cast illegal votes. Both are crimes. The same group previously found that about 40,000 people are registered to vote in both Virginia and Maryland.
It is a federal crime to cast votes if you are not legally eligible to vote. Non-citizens, whether in the country legally or not, are prohibited from voting in most local and all state and federal elections. Yet the VVA investigation found that hundreds of non-citizens have been voting in Frederick County, Maryland. One in seven Maryland residents are non-U.S. citizens.
“The lawsuit is the equivalent of the lookout spotting the iceberg ahead of the Titanic,” state Del. Pat McDonough told the Tatler. He added that the group’s investigation found a voter fraud “smoking gun.”
More
The group, Virginia Voters Alliance, says that it compared how voters in Frederick County filled out jury duty statements compared with their voting records. The group’s investigation found that thousands of people in Frederick County who stated that they are not U.S. citizens on jury duty forms went on to cast votes in elections. Either they failed to tell the truth when they were summoned for jury duty, or they cast illegal votes. Both are crimes. The same group previously found that about 40,000 people are registered to vote in both Virginia and Maryland.
It is a federal crime to cast votes if you are not legally eligible to vote. Non-citizens, whether in the country legally or not, are prohibited from voting in most local and all state and federal elections. Yet the VVA investigation found that hundreds of non-citizens have been voting in Frederick County, Maryland. One in seven Maryland residents are non-U.S. citizens.
“The lawsuit is the equivalent of the lookout spotting the iceberg ahead of the Titanic,” state Del. Pat McDonough told the Tatler. He added that the group’s investigation found a voter fraud “smoking gun.”
More
SFD Calls For Service 10-29-14
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- Wednesday October, 29 2014 @ 23:48 Nature: Odor InvestigationAddress: 1101 Camden Ave Salisbury, MD 21801
- Wednesday October, 29 2014 @ 22:26Nature: Medical EmergencyCity:Salisbury
- Wednesday October, 29 2014 @ 21:28Nature: Assist Fire DepartmentAddress: 153 Apple Ln Salisbury, MD 21801
- Wednesday October, 29 2014 @ 21:27Nature: Odor InvestigationAddress: 153 Apple Ln Salisbury, MD 21801
- Wednesday October, 29 2014 @ 19:52Nature: Medical EmergencyCity:Salisbury
Check This List BEFORE You Take Your Children Out To Trick or Treat
Worcester County Sheriff's Office
Please share with parents. For those interested. The below is a link for those persons convicted of sex offenses. The search bar will allow you to search in your neighborhood, by city, or county. This is valuable information during trick or treating and also for your awareness.
http://www.dpscs.state.md.us/sorSearch/search.do
Please share with parents. For those interested. The below is a link for those persons convicted of sex offenses. The search bar will allow you to search in your neighborhood, by city, or county. This is valuable information during trick or treating and also for your awareness.
http://www.dpscs.state.md.us/sorSearch/search.do
Why I’m excited about Hillary Clinton
But we can’t relax. It’s one week until Election Day and so far Republicans have been outpacing Democrats at Early Voting. We expect the Democrats to start fighting back hard. That means we all have to pitch in and work tirelessly over the next 6 days.
On November 4th when the polls close, it’ll all be worthwhile.
Sign waving daily. Door knocking and lit drops this weekend. Phone banking every single day from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Working a poll during Early Voting or on November 4th. There is so much to be done, and giving 2-3 hours of your time can and will make a difference this year.
I’m out on the streets campaigning, and I hope you join me. Please emailchevy@AndyHarris.com or call 443-955-3048 to sign up for a volunteer shift today.
Andy
Rick Pollitt: Do You Approve Anthony Brown’s Blatant Race Baiting?
Here’s how the Frederick newspaper (News-Post) views this outrageous conduct by Mr. Pollitt’s leader:
In the latest round of questionably cheap politics in a tight race that has apparently left them nowhere else to go, the Maryland Democratic Party finally played the race card, The Daily Record reported Friday, sending out a mailer to voters in Charles and Prince George’s county bearing a couple of segregation images from the Civil Rights era alongside a “Must show ID to vote” sign and a picture of Donald Trump next to a billboard asking, “Where’s the birth certificate.”
“In Maryland, it’s our turn to take an important step in the journey,” the flier states, a none-to-subtle reference to Brown, who would be the first black man to hold the state’s highest office.
“It’s making a direct appeal to race and clearly targeting black voters,” John Bullock, an assistant professor of political science at Towson University told the Record.
Reducing one man’s qualifications for holding office to skin color, and encouraging voters to vote based on that simplistic assertion is blatantly racist, whether dressed up as a civil rights achievement or not. This is lowest-common denominator politics at its worst. We thought the state had already hit the bottom of the barrel, but with [more] days to go to Nov. 4, there’s deeper to go.
Are "noncitizens" voting here as well as in Frederick County?
The state and Frederick County election boards are expected to respond today to a lawsuit alleging that noncitizens who are registered to vote could influence the Nov. 4 election.
It is “possible” that noncitizens are voting, said Mary Cramer Wagner, director of voter registration for the Maryland Board of Elections, because no verification system exists.
“There’s no database that I can or local boards can turn to and say, ‘Aha, Mary Cramer Wagner is not a legal citizen,’” she said.
The voters in question in the lawsuit were on Frederick County’s registered voter list; when called for jury duty, they were required to tell the county if they were U.S. citizens.
“They answered no and continued to vote,” said Cathy Kelleher, president of Election Integrity Maryland.
The lawsuit was filed by John Miller and Virginia Grant, of Frederick, and Kathy Troxell and Robert Bogley, of New Market, on Friday in U.S. District Court.
It was served on the attorney general’s office Tuesday, according to online court records.
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It is “possible” that noncitizens are voting, said Mary Cramer Wagner, director of voter registration for the Maryland Board of Elections, because no verification system exists.
“There’s no database that I can or local boards can turn to and say, ‘Aha, Mary Cramer Wagner is not a legal citizen,’” she said.
The voters in question in the lawsuit were on Frederick County’s registered voter list; when called for jury duty, they were required to tell the county if they were U.S. citizens.
“They answered no and continued to vote,” said Cathy Kelleher, president of Election Integrity Maryland.
The lawsuit was filed by John Miller and Virginia Grant, of Frederick, and Kathy Troxell and Robert Bogley, of New Market, on Friday in U.S. District Court.
It was served on the attorney general’s office Tuesday, according to online court records.
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Ms. Mizeur Whines Again -- This Time About Anthony Brown
What I have witnessed in watching the general election campaign for governor of Maryland unfold has been nothing short of a tragic, missed opportunity to lead our state with vision, passion and a positive outlook for how to build a better Maryland. Voters who are fed up with status quo politics as usual have started to organize an organic effort to write my name on the ballot and their campaign appears to be gaining some traction. For this reason, I am writing to explain why I ask you to stay focused on making a difference, not making a statement.
Let's start this conversation with some heavy doses of truth. I share your frustration. This campaign cycle has been an epic disaster. Maryland's race for governor has been labeled one of the nastiest in the nation. It didn't have to be this way and we deserve better.
I met with Lt. Gov. Brown just a couple of weeks after the primary and pledged my support in barnstorming the state on his behalf if we could work together to run a general election strategy that was focused on the issues that matter to Maryland. We discussed partnering on a few items that my campaign had promoted as a way to bridge support between the voters who were inspired by my candidacy and my desire to excite them about the man who could now get this work done. We discussed campaign finance reform, equal pay for equal work, improving the minimum wage law, small business tax cuts and protections against fracking.
We walked away from the meeting with a plan – I would write a policy memo highlighting a range of options; Mr. Brown would pick a few that suited him best, and we would do a joint press conference to announce the alliance. Weeks after delivering the memo, I received word that the campaign "was taking a different approach." I was told they had no interest in promoting new policies but were instead locked on a strategy to just draw contrasts with their opponent. That is campaign doublespeak for settling to run negative attack ads rather than to promote a positive vision.
More
Let's start this conversation with some heavy doses of truth. I share your frustration. This campaign cycle has been an epic disaster. Maryland's race for governor has been labeled one of the nastiest in the nation. It didn't have to be this way and we deserve better.
I met with Lt. Gov. Brown just a couple of weeks after the primary and pledged my support in barnstorming the state on his behalf if we could work together to run a general election strategy that was focused on the issues that matter to Maryland. We discussed partnering on a few items that my campaign had promoted as a way to bridge support between the voters who were inspired by my candidacy and my desire to excite them about the man who could now get this work done. We discussed campaign finance reform, equal pay for equal work, improving the minimum wage law, small business tax cuts and protections against fracking.
We walked away from the meeting with a plan – I would write a policy memo highlighting a range of options; Mr. Brown would pick a few that suited him best, and we would do a joint press conference to announce the alliance. Weeks after delivering the memo, I received word that the campaign "was taking a different approach." I was told they had no interest in promoting new policies but were instead locked on a strategy to just draw contrasts with their opponent. That is campaign doublespeak for settling to run negative attack ads rather than to promote a positive vision.
More
Election could tip historic number of legislatures into Republican hands
Republicans have the opportunity to take control of a record number of state legislative chambers across the country this year, as Democrats play defense in unfavorable terrain.
The Republican landslide in 2010 and the subsequent redistricting process in 2012 gave the GOP control of a nearly unprecedented number of legislative chambers. Today, the party controls 59 of the 98 partisan chambers in 49 states, while Democrats control only 39 chambers (One legislature, Nebraska’s is officially nonpartisan).
Once election results are tabulated in the 6,049 legislative races on the ballot in 46 states this year, Republicans could find themselves running even more.
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The Republican landslide in 2010 and the subsequent redistricting process in 2012 gave the GOP control of a nearly unprecedented number of legislative chambers. Today, the party controls 59 of the 98 partisan chambers in 49 states, while Democrats control only 39 chambers (One legislature, Nebraska’s is officially nonpartisan).
Once election results are tabulated in the 6,049 legislative races on the ballot in 46 states this year, Republicans could find themselves running even more.
More
Jeb Bush's tax stand could plague presidential run
There is something about taxes, spending and the name “Bush” that can set conservatives on edge, especially now that Jeb Bush is talking like a man who might run for president.
The latest example came earlier this month when testimony Mr. Bush gave at a 2012 House Budget Committee hearing suddenly resurfaced in a news story. In those two-year-old comments, Mr. Bush said he could accept a fiscal deal of $1 in tax increases for every $10 in spending cuts that Democrats would agree to — a position that drew sharp criticism from one of the nation’s fiscal hawks.
“Jeb stabbed Republicans in the back just when they were unified in insisting on major spending cuts with no tax increases,” Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist told The Washington Times.
President Obama and the Democrats had made no quid pro quo offer on taxes and spending at the time, Mr. Norquist said. The statement also revived for many Republicans the famous “read my lips” promise of Mr. Bush’s father, President George H.W. Bush, a promise later broken in a 1990 budget deal with congressional Democrats.
In an email to The Washington Times, Jeb Bush’s spokeswoman Kristy Campbell said flatly that her boss does not favor raising taxes, despite the testimony recounted in the story that ran in Politico last week.
“As Florida’s chief executive, Gov. Bush cut taxes by more than $19 billion dollars for families and businesses. At the same time, budget reserves in the state rose from $1.3 billion in 1998 to $9.8 billion in 2006,” Ms. Campbell said. “His record on cutting taxes and exercising strong fiscal discipline speaks for itself.”
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The latest example came earlier this month when testimony Mr. Bush gave at a 2012 House Budget Committee hearing suddenly resurfaced in a news story. In those two-year-old comments, Mr. Bush said he could accept a fiscal deal of $1 in tax increases for every $10 in spending cuts that Democrats would agree to — a position that drew sharp criticism from one of the nation’s fiscal hawks.
“Jeb stabbed Republicans in the back just when they were unified in insisting on major spending cuts with no tax increases,” Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist told The Washington Times.
President Obama and the Democrats had made no quid pro quo offer on taxes and spending at the time, Mr. Norquist said. The statement also revived for many Republicans the famous “read my lips” promise of Mr. Bush’s father, President George H.W. Bush, a promise later broken in a 1990 budget deal with congressional Democrats.
In an email to The Washington Times, Jeb Bush’s spokeswoman Kristy Campbell said flatly that her boss does not favor raising taxes, despite the testimony recounted in the story that ran in Politico last week.
“As Florida’s chief executive, Gov. Bush cut taxes by more than $19 billion dollars for families and businesses. At the same time, budget reserves in the state rose from $1.3 billion in 1998 to $9.8 billion in 2006,” Ms. Campbell said. “His record on cutting taxes and exercising strong fiscal discipline speaks for itself.”
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Delaware State Fairgrounds Is Venue For Country Music Fest
The proposed Sussex County country music festival is following World Championship Punkin Chunkin to Kent County. Originally planned for a large farm in the middle of Sussex, the festival is now headed north to the Delaware State Fairgrounds in Harrington.
Dewey Beach businessman and promoter Alex Pires said he would stage a country music festival in August 2015, and he's living up to his word.
While he withdrew plans for the venue on a farm near Harbeson in Sussex County, he has signed a deal with state fair officials to put on the festival next summer Aug. 14-16.
The fair has scheduled a press conference for noon, Thursday, Oct. 30, to announce details about the event.
Known for promoting rock music concerts for years at his Dewey Beach clubs, Pires has taken a keen interest in country music, attending several of the country's top festivals over the past two years. “Country music is an American institution with really big stars,” Pires said.
More
Dewey Beach businessman and promoter Alex Pires said he would stage a country music festival in August 2015, and he's living up to his word.
While he withdrew plans for the venue on a farm near Harbeson in Sussex County, he has signed a deal with state fair officials to put on the festival next summer Aug. 14-16.
The fair has scheduled a press conference for noon, Thursday, Oct. 30, to announce details about the event.
Known for promoting rock music concerts for years at his Dewey Beach clubs, Pires has taken a keen interest in country music, attending several of the country's top festivals over the past two years. “Country music is an American institution with really big stars,” Pires said.
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Sage Stuff
1. In my many years I have come to a conclusion that one useless man is a shame, two is a law firm, and three or more is a congress.
-- John Adams
2. If you don't read the newspaper you are uninformed, if you do read the newspaper you are misinformed. -- Mark Twain
3. Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of
Congress. But then I repeat myself. -- Mark Twain
4. I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle. --Winston Churchill
5. A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on
the support of Paul. -- George Bernard Shaw
6. Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.
-- P.J. O'Rourke, Civil Libertarian
7. Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
--Ronald Reagan (1986)
8. I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts. -- Will Rogers
9. If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it costs when it's free! -- P. J. O'Rourke
10. Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you! -- Pericles (430 B.C.)
11. No man's life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session. -- Mark Twain (1866)
12. Talk is cheap, except when Congress does it. -- Anonymous
13. The only difference between a tax man and a taxidermist is that the taxidermist leaves the skin. -- Mark Twain
14. What this country needs are more unemployed politicians
--Edward Langley, Artist (1928-1995)
15. A government big enough to give you everything you want, is
strong enough to take everything you have. -- Thomas Jefferson
16. We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public
office. -- Aesop
-- John Adams
2. If you don't read the newspaper you are uninformed, if you do read the newspaper you are misinformed. -- Mark Twain
3. Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of
Congress. But then I repeat myself. -- Mark Twain
4. I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle. --Winston Churchill
5. A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on
the support of Paul. -- George Bernard Shaw
6. Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.
-- P.J. O'Rourke, Civil Libertarian
7. Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
--Ronald Reagan (1986)
8. I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts. -- Will Rogers
9. If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it costs when it's free! -- P. J. O'Rourke
10. Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you! -- Pericles (430 B.C.)
11. No man's life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session. -- Mark Twain (1866)
12. Talk is cheap, except when Congress does it. -- Anonymous
13. The only difference between a tax man and a taxidermist is that the taxidermist leaves the skin. -- Mark Twain
14. What this country needs are more unemployed politicians
--Edward Langley, Artist (1928-1995)
15. A government big enough to give you everything you want, is
strong enough to take everything you have. -- Thomas Jefferson
16. We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public
office. -- Aesop
Navy SEAL who killed Osama Bin Laden to reveal himself on television
One of the greatest mysteries in American military history will be solved next month, when Fox News will air an interview with the Nacy SEAL who shot dead Osama Bin Laden.
The identity of the SEAL Team 6 member called 'The Shooter' was fiercely guarded in the aftermath of the May 2011 raid on Bin Laden's Abbottabad, Pakisatan compound, fearing the SEAL could be targeted by al-Qaeda as retribution.
But he has since retired and is apparently ready to take off his mask of anonymity to details the events leading up to and during Operation Neptune's Spear.
According to a Fox News press release, the two-part special The Man Who Killed Usama Bin Laden will air Tuesday November 11 and Wednesday November 12 from 10-11pm ET. The interview will be conducted by Washington Correspondent Peter Doocy.
'Revealing his identity and speaking out publicly for the first time, the Navy SEAL, also known as “The Shooter,” will share his story of training to be a member of America’s elite fighting force and explain his involvement in Operation Neptune Spear, the mission that killed Bin Laden,' the press release states.
More
The identity of the SEAL Team 6 member called 'The Shooter' was fiercely guarded in the aftermath of the May 2011 raid on Bin Laden's Abbottabad, Pakisatan compound, fearing the SEAL could be targeted by al-Qaeda as retribution.
But he has since retired and is apparently ready to take off his mask of anonymity to details the events leading up to and during Operation Neptune's Spear.
According to a Fox News press release, the two-part special The Man Who Killed Usama Bin Laden will air Tuesday November 11 and Wednesday November 12 from 10-11pm ET. The interview will be conducted by Washington Correspondent Peter Doocy.
'Revealing his identity and speaking out publicly for the first time, the Navy SEAL, also known as “The Shooter,” will share his story of training to be a member of America’s elite fighting force and explain his involvement in Operation Neptune Spear, the mission that killed Bin Laden,' the press release states.
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A Letter To The Editor: Concerned About My Vote
I came across the article that the Wicomico civic center voter machines may have been tampered with or faulty. I voted this past Monday and I had machine #9. I did not review my votes before I removed my card. I am very upset to think that MY VOTE WONT COUNT, I feel we should be able to VOTE AGAIN. I am sure officals know which machines were at fault and the general public ESPECIALLY if you took the time to VOTE, should be notified and be aloud to do it again.
1,000 Bibles Sent to Houston Mayor Over Subpoenas to Pastors
The subpoenas from local officials to pastors came amid opposition to a city ordinance allowing transgender people to identify as the opposite gender.
In a fiery commentary on Mayor Annise Parker's actions, Mike Huckabee called for American pastors to show their opposition by sending her their sermons and a Bible.
"So, I've got an idea - if she wants some sermons, here's my suggestion. I'd like to ask every pastor in America, not just the ones in Houston, send her your sermons. Obviously, she could use a few. So, if you're a pastor, send them to her. And here's another thought, everybody watching the show ought to send her a Bible. That's right, everybody. I hope she gets thousands and thousands of sermons and Bibles," said the former governor on Oct. 20.
Well, now the mayor's office has said that it has gotten between 500-1,000 Bibles and that they will be distributed to churches.
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US Taxpayers Pay For SEC To Arrange Early Release Of Data To HFTs
The SEC reportedly does not like trading on information that is not yet public. Just ask SAC Capital, or if you prefer, watch the plethora of insider trading SEC news conferences in general.
Why, even this morning there is a WSJ story about theSEC’s investigation into the early leak and release of Medicare cancer related funding data, which is an investigation into a different government agency!
And remember last year, when the SEC began investigatingThompson Reuter’s early release of ISM data to certain high speed subscribers. While the SEC brought no charges against Thompson Reuters, the data firm did subsequently suspend its “tiered release” practice:
On Monday, Thomson Reuters announced that it was suspending a so-called “tiered release” of market moving data to elite clients. The data and news service had been selling the University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment numbers to paying clients at 9:54:58 on release days—two seconds before the information went to a broader set of clients at 9:55 am. That created an opportunity for high speed trading firms to rake in profits before the rest of the market knew which direction the impending news would propel trading.
More
Why, even this morning there is a WSJ story about theSEC’s investigation into the early leak and release of Medicare cancer related funding data, which is an investigation into a different government agency!
And remember last year, when the SEC began investigatingThompson Reuter’s early release of ISM data to certain high speed subscribers. While the SEC brought no charges against Thompson Reuters, the data firm did subsequently suspend its “tiered release” practice:
On Monday, Thomson Reuters announced that it was suspending a so-called “tiered release” of market moving data to elite clients. The data and news service had been selling the University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment numbers to paying clients at 9:54:58 on release days—two seconds before the information went to a broader set of clients at 9:55 am. That created an opportunity for high speed trading firms to rake in profits before the rest of the market knew which direction the impending news would propel trading.
More
FBI created fake Seattle Times Web page to nab bomb-threat suspect
The FBI created a fake news story on a bogus Seattle Times Web page to plant software in the computer of a suspect in a series of bomb threats to Timberline High School in 2007, documents reveal.
The FBI in Seattle created a fake news story on a bogus Seattle Times web page to plant software in the computer of a suspect in a series of bomb threats to Lacey’s Timberline High School in 2007, according to documents obtained by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) in San Francisco.
The deception was publicized Monday when Christopher Soghoian, the principal technologist for the American Civil Liberties Union in Washington, D.C., revealed it on Twitter.
In an interview, Soghoian called the incident “outrageous” and said the practice could result in “significant collateral damage to the public trust” if law enforcement begins co-opting the media for its purposes.
More
The FBI in Seattle created a fake news story on a bogus Seattle Times web page to plant software in the computer of a suspect in a series of bomb threats to Lacey’s Timberline High School in 2007, according to documents obtained by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) in San Francisco.
The deception was publicized Monday when Christopher Soghoian, the principal technologist for the American Civil Liberties Union in Washington, D.C., revealed it on Twitter.
In an interview, Soghoian called the incident “outrageous” and said the practice could result in “significant collateral damage to the public trust” if law enforcement begins co-opting the media for its purposes.
More
Far Fewer Maryland Homes Are Entering Foreclosure This Year
Just 2.3 percent of all homes in Maryland are entering foreclosure, the report said. The number of completed foreclosures on homes is falling as well, dropping from 9,873 in September 2013 to 7,199 in September 2014, Corelogic found.
Nationally, 1.6 percent of homes on the market are foreclosed homes.
"Although the foreclosure inventory and rates of serious delinquent loans remain elevated in many states, progress is being made," CoreLogic CEO Anand Nallathambi said in a statement. "This bodes well for a better housing market in 2015 and beyond."
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Democrat ad in N.C. evokes Trayvon Martin
Cites Republican's support for 'stand your ground' laws
(WASHINGTON FREE BEACON) A Super PAC run by former aides to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.) is running a radio ad in North Carolina that accuses of GOP Senate candidate Thom Tillis of helping to “cause the shooting death of Trayvon Martin,” the Florida teenager who was killed under controversial circumstances in early 2012.
Financed by Senate Majority PAC—one of the outside groups that have spent more than $30 million attacking Republicans in North Carolina—the ad is targeted at African-American voters.
“Tillis won’t fight for us … he made it harder for communities of color to vote,” the ad says. “Tillis even led the effort to pass the type of stand your ground laws that caused the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.”
(WASHINGTON FREE BEACON) A Super PAC run by former aides to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.) is running a radio ad in North Carolina that accuses of GOP Senate candidate Thom Tillis of helping to “cause the shooting death of Trayvon Martin,” the Florida teenager who was killed under controversial circumstances in early 2012.
Financed by Senate Majority PAC—one of the outside groups that have spent more than $30 million attacking Republicans in North Carolina—the ad is targeted at African-American voters.
“Tillis won’t fight for us … he made it harder for communities of color to vote,” the ad says. “Tillis even led the effort to pass the type of stand your ground laws that caused the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.”
FEC Republicans Vow to Fight Regulations on Online Political Speech
Chairman warns of abuses of power in efforts to roll back Internet speech protections
Republicans on the Federal Election Commission are vowing to fight regulations on online political advocacy that they say would chill free speech and potentially lead to politicized targeting of Internet writers and video-makers.
The commission’s chairman is warning that such regulations would allow the federal government to impose onerous new regulations on websites such as the Drudge Report or the Washington Free Beacon.
“I vow to fight any additional regulation on online political speech,” FEC chairman Lee Goodman said in an interview.
At issue is a recent FEC ruling on a series of YouTube videos made by a conservative group called Checks and Balances for Economic Growth that criticized various Obama administration policies.
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a litigious liberal group headed by pro-Hillary Clinton operative David Brock, brought a complaint against the group claiming that it violated FEC rules by failing to report expenses associated with those videos.
The commission deadlocked on the question. Its 3-3 vote resulted in a dismissal of the complaint.
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Republicans on the Federal Election Commission are vowing to fight regulations on online political advocacy that they say would chill free speech and potentially lead to politicized targeting of Internet writers and video-makers.
The commission’s chairman is warning that such regulations would allow the federal government to impose onerous new regulations on websites such as the Drudge Report or the Washington Free Beacon.
“I vow to fight any additional regulation on online political speech,” FEC chairman Lee Goodman said in an interview.
At issue is a recent FEC ruling on a series of YouTube videos made by a conservative group called Checks and Balances for Economic Growth that criticized various Obama administration policies.
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a litigious liberal group headed by pro-Hillary Clinton operative David Brock, brought a complaint against the group claiming that it violated FEC rules by failing to report expenses associated with those videos.
The commission deadlocked on the question. Its 3-3 vote resulted in a dismissal of the complaint.
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SMKC DOG SHOWS NEXT WEEK
Salisbury Md. Kennel Club, Inc.
This is just a note to remind you that there will be FIVE (5) days of dog shows at the Civic Center on Nov 5 (Wed), 6 (Thur), 7 (Fri), 8 (Sat) and 9 (Sun). Each day is a completely separate dog show. There are approximately 5,000 entries in total for the five days. Daily admission is $5.00 (Students $1.00, Age 5&< Free). Five-day Catalog is $12.00. NO STROLLERS allowed. Unentered dogs are not allowed except for the SATURDAYCARDIAC AND EYE HEALTH CLINICS WHICH ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.(www.easternshoreclassic.com to enroll.)
At our invitation, the Talbot Kennel Club will host the Wednesday and Thursday dog shows and the Mispillion Kennel Club will host the Sunday dog show. Salisbury Md Kennel Club will host Friday and Saturday shows. This year we also welcome the BLACK RUSSIAN TERRIER CLUB NATIONAL SPECIALTY SHOW which will be held separately, but during our regular show on Saturday.
The Salisbury Md Kennel Club was incorporated in 1954 for the purpose of furthering an interest in pure-bred dogs in our community. We are IRS-approved non-profit, with an all volunteer membership. Donations to SMKC CHARITABLE TRUST are solicited and are "IRS 501(c)(3)" tax-deductible. This is our 61st year of service to our community. A portion of our profits from operations has been regularly donated to support local dog-related projects. Continuing projects are to equip the police K-9's on the lower shore with safety/bullet-proof vests, equip k-9 police cars with special safety devices, and to visit classrooms to teach children about the love and care of their pets.
We built a "state of the art" 8,000 sq.ft. building at 31663 Winterplace Parkway where we have training classes and mini dog shows year-round. We also hold twelve days of Agility trials throughout the year at the Crown building in Fruitland, and we are host to POODLE CLUB OF AMERICA'S INTERNATIONAL DOG SHOW. Our goal is to make our area the dog show capital of the East Coast.
Thank you for your attendance and support to help make our shows successful.
Barbara Furbush, Show Chairman
SHOW INFO : www.easternshoreclassic.com
House Dems fret debilitating losses
With President Barack Obama’s unpopularity hindering their candidates and Republican cash flooding into races across the country, Democrats are increasingly worried that the election will push them deep into the minority and diminish their hopes of winning back the majority in 2016 or beyond.
Looking to contain the damage, Democrats are pumping money into liberal congressional districts that were long thought to be safely in their column. Over the last several days, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has directed resources to maintain seats in Hawaii and Nevada, both of which broke sharply for the president in 2012 — an indication of just how much the terrain has shifted against the party over the past two years.
Other unexpected races are suddenly in play. Some Democrats, for example, have begun to worry about the prospects of California Rep. Lois Capps, an eight-term congresswoman who is typically a lock for reelection but who now finds herself in a competitive race against Republican Chris Mitchum, a perennial candidate and the son of the late actor Robert Mitchum. In a sign of how seriously national Democrats are taking the threat, the DCCC is making a last-minute purchase of $99,000 worth of radio advertising in the Santa Barbara area to boost Capps, according to a committee aide.
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Attorney General’s office cites phone line for election-related complaints
ANNAPOLIS, MD – After the Hogan campaign called on the Attorney General’s office to set up a hotline for voters who have experienced trouble at the voting machine, David Paulson, a spokesman for Attorney General Doug Gansler, today told WBAL News that he wanted to “clarify procedures for reporting voting-related irregularities.”
Paulson said, “Any voter who experiences a problem in the voting booth should immediately report it to an election judge at their polling place. Voters may also contact the State Board of Elections at a special statewide toll-free phone line dedicated to fielding election-related complaints. That number is 1-800-222-8683. Any potential legal issues will be referred directly to the Office of the Attorney General for prompt review.”
Paulson said, “Any voter who experiences a problem in the voting booth should immediately report it to an election judge at their polling place. Voters may also contact the State Board of Elections at a special statewide toll-free phone line dedicated to fielding election-related complaints. That number is 1-800-222-8683. Any potential legal issues will be referred directly to the Office of the Attorney General for prompt review.”
OCPD CHARGES PITTSVILLE CONTRACTOR WITH THEFT
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| John Alan Stull |
Ocean City police officers were contacted on October 25 by an individual who stated that she contracted Stull to complete work on her home in September 2014. The victim reported that Stull was contracted to replace the roof of her private home and was paid $1,900 as a deposit. Stull never began the work and could not be reached by the victim. Charges against Stull are pending in this case.
During the investigation, detectives determined that Stull had previously been charged with similar theft crimes. On July 18, 2014, Ocean City detectives began an investigation after a victim reported that Stull had been paid over $10,000 to replace the stairs of a local condo building. After more than two months had passed, Stull never started the job and the victims attempts to contact him were unsuccessful. In this case, Stull was charged with theft and other related charges. Stull failed to appear in court in this case and is currently wanted.
The Ocean City Police Department Criminal Investigation Division is asking citizens that feel they may have been victimized by Stull to contact Dfc. David Whitmer at 410-520-5390 or dwhitmer@oceancitymd.gov.
We Don't Have One Problem - We Have Three Interlocking Sets Of Problems
The additional sets of problems added as "solutions" only guarantee that the third and final crash of asset bubbles just ahead will be far more devastating than the crashes of 2000 and 2009.
The conventional view tacitly assumes the global economy is dealing with one problem: recovering from the Global Financial Meltdown of 2008-09. Stimulating a "recovery" has been the focus of central banks and states everywhere.
Short-sighted political expediency is a hallmark of the modern state's reaction to crisis, but political expediency isn't the only flaw in the central banks/states' obsessive focus on "recovery;" it's not even the primary flaw.
The real flaw is the central banks/states don't even recognize that we face three interlocking sets of problems, not one. Each set of problems is layered on top of the previous layer, and each sets reinforces the other two. In other words, the entire problem set is more than just the sum of the three problem sets.
1. Financialization of the economy. As the post-industrial funk of the 1970s dragged on, the neoliberal ideology of liberalizing credit markets and eliminating the regulatory wall between investment banking and commercial/mortgage banking was presented as the fundamental fix to post-industrial stagnation: free up credit, leverage and speculation, and the results would be an expansion of asset prices and growth.
The first wave of financialization in the 1980s did indeed boost asset valuations and growth, but it did so by eroding the productive economy and the middle class that arose from gains in productivity. Financialization substitutes finance for productive investments, such that financial games such as originating subprime home mortgages become far more profitable than non-financial capital investments.
I've covered the immense structural damage wrought by financialization for years. Here is a small sample of essays from the 10+ pages of links available in the archives:
What's the Primary Cause of Wealth Inequality? Financialization (March 24, 2014)
Financialization and Crony Capitalism Have Gutted the Middle Class (July 13, 2012)
Our "Let's Pretend" Economy: Let's Pretend Financialization Hasn't Killed the Economy (March 8, 2012)
The E.U., Neofeudalism and the Neocolonial-Financialization Model (May 24, 2012)
Productive Vs. Unproductive: Manufacturing Vs. Financialization (June 6, 2011)
The Heart of Financialization: Counterfeiting Risk-Free Assets (December 7, 2012)
Why have the central banks and central states allowed financialization to hollow out the real economy? Because they have no choice. As I explained in Why the State Has Failed to Reform Our Broken Financial System (October 16, 2014), extreme financialization is the last source of the monumental profits the state needs to fund itself, and the last source of economic "growth" in an economy gutted by previous rounds of financialization.
The conventional view tacitly assumes the global economy is dealing with one problem: recovering from the Global Financial Meltdown of 2008-09. Stimulating a "recovery" has been the focus of central banks and states everywhere.
Short-sighted political expediency is a hallmark of the modern state's reaction to crisis, but political expediency isn't the only flaw in the central banks/states' obsessive focus on "recovery;" it's not even the primary flaw.
The real flaw is the central banks/states don't even recognize that we face three interlocking sets of problems, not one. Each set of problems is layered on top of the previous layer, and each sets reinforces the other two. In other words, the entire problem set is more than just the sum of the three problem sets.
1. Financialization of the economy. As the post-industrial funk of the 1970s dragged on, the neoliberal ideology of liberalizing credit markets and eliminating the regulatory wall between investment banking and commercial/mortgage banking was presented as the fundamental fix to post-industrial stagnation: free up credit, leverage and speculation, and the results would be an expansion of asset prices and growth.
The first wave of financialization in the 1980s did indeed boost asset valuations and growth, but it did so by eroding the productive economy and the middle class that arose from gains in productivity. Financialization substitutes finance for productive investments, such that financial games such as originating subprime home mortgages become far more profitable than non-financial capital investments.
I've covered the immense structural damage wrought by financialization for years. Here is a small sample of essays from the 10+ pages of links available in the archives:
What's the Primary Cause of Wealth Inequality? Financialization (March 24, 2014)
Financialization and Crony Capitalism Have Gutted the Middle Class (July 13, 2012)
Our "Let's Pretend" Economy: Let's Pretend Financialization Hasn't Killed the Economy (March 8, 2012)
The E.U., Neofeudalism and the Neocolonial-Financialization Model (May 24, 2012)
Productive Vs. Unproductive: Manufacturing Vs. Financialization (June 6, 2011)
The Heart of Financialization: Counterfeiting Risk-Free Assets (December 7, 2012)
Why have the central banks and central states allowed financialization to hollow out the real economy? Because they have no choice. As I explained in Why the State Has Failed to Reform Our Broken Financial System (October 16, 2014), extreme financialization is the last source of the monumental profits the state needs to fund itself, and the last source of economic "growth" in an economy gutted by previous rounds of financialization.
Upcoming Farm Bill Workshops Announced
Workshops will be held on in:
- November 13 – Washington County UME office, Boonesboro MD (dairy and commodity emphasis);
- November 24 – Frederick County UME office, Frederick, MD (dairy and commodity emphasis);
- November 25 – Chesapeake College, Wye Mills, MD (commodity emphasis);
- December 4 – Baltimore County UME office, Cockeysville, MD (commodity emphasis); and
- Jan. 7 - Wor-Wic Community College (commodity emphasis).
Organizers are planning to also offer a workshop on the Lower Shore and in Southern Maryland in January and will announce those dates and locations once finalized.
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Populism for Plutocrats
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Shortly before Kay Hagan took the stage at the Charlotte Convention Center on Saturday, the loudspeakers blared Bruce Springsteen’s aptly titled Democratic Party theme song “We Take Care of Our Own.”
In recent weeks, Hagan’s campaign has stumbled amid revelations that companies owned by her husband, son, and future son-in-law, benefited from hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayer funding as part of the 2009 stimulus package, which Hagan supported. She took care of her own.
The appearance of cronyism was so embarrassing for Hagan that she opted to skip her final debate with Republican Thom Tillis rather than confront the charges in public.
In an effort to punch back against this unfavorable narrative, Hagan called in the most populist, anti-cronyist figure she could find: Hillary Clinton.
Hagan opened by invoking a line from the official North Carolina toast, imagining a world “Where the weak grow strong and the strong grow great.” It would be hard to find two politicians who better embody the second part of that statement than Kay Hagan and Hillary Clinton, the latter of whom has parlayed her political power into millions of dollars on the corporate public speaking circuit. Meanwhile, the Hagan-Clinton security team showed its strength by denying access to filmmakers and manhandling protesters.
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In recent weeks, Hagan’s campaign has stumbled amid revelations that companies owned by her husband, son, and future son-in-law, benefited from hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayer funding as part of the 2009 stimulus package, which Hagan supported. She took care of her own.
The appearance of cronyism was so embarrassing for Hagan that she opted to skip her final debate with Republican Thom Tillis rather than confront the charges in public.
In an effort to punch back against this unfavorable narrative, Hagan called in the most populist, anti-cronyist figure she could find: Hillary Clinton.
Hagan opened by invoking a line from the official North Carolina toast, imagining a world “Where the weak grow strong and the strong grow great.” It would be hard to find two politicians who better embody the second part of that statement than Kay Hagan and Hillary Clinton, the latter of whom has parlayed her political power into millions of dollars on the corporate public speaking circuit. Meanwhile, the Hagan-Clinton security team showed its strength by denying access to filmmakers and manhandling protesters.
More
Pennsylvania's Largest Obamacare Insurer Hiking Premiums
Now Pennsylvania’s largest health insurer is reporting that it’s hiking premiums for individual Obamacare policies by double digits in 2015.
Highmark Inc., Pennsylvania’s Blue Cross Blue Shield insurer, is requesting to increase its prices for 180,000 people in the fall. They’ve requested increases of between 13.4 percent and 15 percent, according to Pennsylvania’s Trib Live. (RELATED: Biggest North Carolina Insurer Ups Obamacare Premiums By Double-Digits)
The Pennsylvania state insurance department reviews health insurance rate increases above 10 percent. So far, Geisinger Health is looking to hike prices between 14.8 percent and 19.4 percent and Independence Blue Cross is asking for a 14.9 percent boost. Aetna and UPMC Helath Plan do not have any public filings.
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Highmark Inc., Pennsylvania’s Blue Cross Blue Shield insurer, is requesting to increase its prices for 180,000 people in the fall. They’ve requested increases of between 13.4 percent and 15 percent, according to Pennsylvania’s Trib Live. (RELATED: Biggest North Carolina Insurer Ups Obamacare Premiums By Double-Digits)
The Pennsylvania state insurance department reviews health insurance rate increases above 10 percent. So far, Geisinger Health is looking to hike prices between 14.8 percent and 19.4 percent and Independence Blue Cross is asking for a 14.9 percent boost. Aetna and UPMC Helath Plan do not have any public filings.
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Marine Banned From Md. School After Homework Assignment Dispute
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Kevin Wood told FOX5 he was banned from La Plata High School after he objected to a three-page assignment asking students to examine Islam. Wood, a veteran, told FOX5 he and his wife believe religion should not be taught in schools, and Islam should not get priority over other religions.
"We cannot discuss our Ten Commandments at school, but they can discuss Islam's Five Pillars," Melissa Wood, Kevin's wife, said to FOX5.
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Home Run!
I am the Democratic - Republican – Liberal - Progressive's Worst Nightmare. I am a White, Conservative, Tax-Paying, American Veteran, Gun Owning Biker. That’s me!
I am a Master Mason. I work hard and long hours with my hands to earn a living.
I believe in God and the freedom of religion, but I don't push it on others.
I ride Harley Davidson Motorcycles, and drive American-made cars.
I believe in American products and buy them whenever I can.
I believe the money I make belongs to me and not some liberal governmental functionary, Democratic or Republican, who wants to share it with others who don't work!
I'm in touch with my feelings and I like it that way!
I think owning a gun doesn't make you a killer; it makes you a smart American.
I think being a minority does not make you noble or victimized, and does not entitle you to anything. Get over it!
I believe that if you are selling me a Big Mac or any other item, you should do it in English.
I believe there should be no other language option.
I believe everyone has a right to pray to his or her God when and where they want to.
My heroes are Malcolm Forbes, Bill Gates, John Wayne, Babe Ruth, Roy Rogers, and Willie G. Davidson, who makes the awesome Harley Davidson Motorcycles.
I don't hate the rich. I don't pity the poor.
I know wrestling is fake and I don't waste my time watching or arguing about it.
I've never owned a slave, nor was I a slave. I haven't burned any witches or been persecuted by the Turks, and neither have you!
I believe if you don't like the way things are here, go back to where you came from and change your own country!
I am a Master Mason. I work hard and long hours with my hands to earn a living.
I believe in God and the freedom of religion, but I don't push it on others.
I ride Harley Davidson Motorcycles, and drive American-made cars.
I believe in American products and buy them whenever I can.
I believe the money I make belongs to me and not some liberal governmental functionary, Democratic or Republican, who wants to share it with others who don't work!
I'm in touch with my feelings and I like it that way!
I think owning a gun doesn't make you a killer; it makes you a smart American.
I think being a minority does not make you noble or victimized, and does not entitle you to anything. Get over it!
I believe that if you are selling me a Big Mac or any other item, you should do it in English.
I believe there should be no other language option.
I believe everyone has a right to pray to his or her God when and where they want to.
My heroes are Malcolm Forbes, Bill Gates, John Wayne, Babe Ruth, Roy Rogers, and Willie G. Davidson, who makes the awesome Harley Davidson Motorcycles.
I don't hate the rich. I don't pity the poor.
I know wrestling is fake and I don't waste my time watching or arguing about it.
I've never owned a slave, nor was I a slave. I haven't burned any witches or been persecuted by the Turks, and neither have you!
I believe if you don't like the way things are here, go back to where you came from and change your own country!
This is AMERICA ...We like it the way it is and more so the way it was ...so stop trying to change it to look like Russia or China , or some other socialist country!
If you were born here and don't like it... you are free to move to any Socialist country that will have you. I believe it is time to really clean house, starting with the White House, the seat of our biggest problems.
I want to know which church is it, exactly, where the Reverend Jesse Jackson preaches, where he gets his money, and why he is always part of the problem and not the solution? Can I get an AMEN on that one?
I also think the cops have the right to pull you over if you're breaking the law, regardless of what color you are, but not just because you happen to ride a bike.
And, no, I don't mind having my face shown on my driver's license. I think it's good....
And I'm proud that 'God' is written on my money.
I think if you are too stupid to know how a ballot works, I don't want you deciding who should be running the most powerful nation in the world for the next four years.
I dislike those people standing in the intersections trying to sell me stuff or trying to guilt me into making 'donations' to their cause....Get a job and do your part to support yourself and your family!
I believe that it doesn't take a village to raise a child, it takes two parents....
I believe 'illegal' is illegal no matter what the lawyers say!
I believe the American flag should be the only one allowed in AMERICA! If this makes me a BAD American, then yes, I'm a BAD American. If you are a BAD American too, please forward this to everyone you know...
We want to return our country to the values it was founded on, and prospered under, for over 200 years!
My Country..... I hope this offends all illegal aliens.
My great, great, great, great grandfather watched and bled as his friends died in the Revolution & the War of 1812.
My great, great, great grandfather watched as his friends died in the Mexican American War.
My great, great grandfather watched as his friends & brothers died in the Civil War.
My great grandfather watched as his friends died in the Spanish-American War.
My grandfather watched as his friends died in WW I.
My father watched as his friends died in WW II.
I watched as my friends died in Vietnam, Panama & Desert Storm.
My son watched & bled as his friends died in Afghanistan and Iraq.
None of them died for the Mexican Flag.
Everyone died for the American flag.
Texas high school students raised a Mexican flag on a school flag pole, other students took it down. Guess who was expelled...the students who took it down.
California high school students were sent home on Cinco de Mayo, because they wore T-shirts with the American flag printed on them.
Enough is enough
This message needs to be viewed by every American; and every American needs to stand up for America.
We've bent over to appease the America-haters long enough.
I'm taking a stand.
I'm standing up because of the hundreds of thousands who died fighting in wars for this country, and for the American flag.
If you agree, stand up with me.
And shame on anyone who tries to make this a racist message.
AMERICANS, stop giving away Your RIGHTS ! Let me make this clear! THIS IS MY COUNTRY !
This statement DOES NOT mean I'm against immigration!
YOU ARE WELCOME HERE, IN MY COUNTRY, welcome to come legally:
1. Get a sponsor
2. Learn the LANGUAGE, as immigrants have in the past!
3. Live by OUR rules!
4. Get a job !
5. Pay YOUR Taxes!
6. No Social Security until you have earned it and Paid for it!
7. NOW find a place to lay your head!
If you don't want to forward this for fear of offending someone, then YOU'RE PART OF THE PROBLEM !
We've gone so far the other way . . . bent over backwards not to offend anyone.
Only AMERICANS seems to care when American Citizens are being offended!
WAKE UP America! ! !
MSP Press Release Motor Vehicle Collision with Injuries 10-29-14 (Berlin Barrack)
Date: 10/29/2014
Time: 0858 hours
Location: Eastbound MD Rt. 610 @ Peerless Rd., Whaleyville, Worcester County
Incident: Motor Vehicle Collision with Injuries
Narrative: On 10/29/2014 at approximately 0858 hours the Maryland State Police responded to motor vehicle collision on E/B MD Rt. 610 at Peerless Road, Whaleyville, and Worcester County, MD.
The initial investigation revealed that a 1982 Kawasaki motorcycle bearing Maryland registration 26024LD operated by Richard Lee Stafford (W/M, 10/15/38) of Berlin, MD was traveling on E/B MD Rt. 610. The Kawasaki motorcycle collided with a 2002 Chevy S-10 bearing Maryland registration 60366M3 operated by John Emory Taylor (W/M, 08/24/49) of Bishopville, MD. The Chevy S-10 was attempting to turn onto MD Rt. 610 from Peerless Road at the time of the collision.
Stafford was transported to Peninsula Regional Medical Center by ambulance. He is currently in critical condition. Taylor was not injured during the collision.
The collision is still under investigation. Charges are pending.
Investigating Trooper(s): Tpr. Marshall
Duty Officer: Sgt Sweitzer
Barrack Commander: Lt. E.W. Starner
Assistant Commander: F/Sgt. Davala
Criminal Investigation Commander: D/Sgt Sharp