Salisbury News

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Reforming How We Reimburse Doctors

How much physicians are paid for the work they perform is a perennial problem for Maryland doctors and policymakers. While groups representing doctors claim low reimbursement rates contribute to doctor shortages in the state and jeopardize Marylanders' health care, there is no consensus on just how much doctors should be paid. In fact, there is no real way to tell how much a doctor should be paid, since there is no real market for health care service. With the state government and federal government paying for most health care services in the state and little competition in the private insurance market, physician services are not paid a market price. The lack of a real market for doctors' services is at the heart of this problem. Until market forces are brought to bear on this situation, doctors and legislators in Maryland will continue grappling with this issue.

The goal of any policy changes by state policymakers should not be merely to increase payment for doctors' services. While doctors may desire to be paid higher rates, if higher rates do not lead to better service to the taxpayers, health insurance companies, and consumers who are paying them, then any rate hike would be undeserved. Instead, policymakers should try and reform the health care marketplace in the state to allow doctors and those who pay them to determine a fair price for doctors' services.

READ MORE …

Marc Kilmer is a Maryland Public Policy Institute senior fellow specializing in health care issues. Besides his work with MPPI, he also works with the Buckeye Institute for Public Policy Solutions, a free market think tank in Ohio. Kilmer has a Bachelor of Arts in history and political science from Hillsdale College in Michigan and lives in Salisbury, Maryland, with his wife and daughter.

Editor’s Choice – 07/12/2011

These were the five (5) best, or most important, posts for July 11th, as judged by the editors of Salisbury News.

STATE POLICE ON SCENE OF BARRICADE IN ALLEGANY COUNTY

(Cresaptown, MD) Maryland State Police are on the scene of a barricade situation in Allegany County after responding to a phone call of reported gun shots.

At 11:30 p.m. last night, a 9-1-1 call was received at the Cumberland Barracks. The caller reported hearing gun shots from a nearby residence. Troopers responded to the 14,000 block of Spruce Street in Cresaptown. When troopers arrived and attempted to approach the home, additional gunshots were heard coming from inside the residence.

Officers retreated, immediately secured the area and called for backup. Maryland State Troopers, Sheriff Deputies from the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office, and officers from the Department of Natural Resources police responded.

The Maryland Special Tactical Assault Team Element (S.T.A.T.E.) Team responded, as did negotiators from the Hostage Recovery Team. The Maryland State Police K-9 Unit also responded.

State Police are attempting to make contact with the individual who is thought to be inside the single family home. The suspect is believed to be a 36 year old man. Police believe the man had recently moved in with his father at this location. While police are not sure if anyone else is inside the home, it is believed the man is there by himself.

No further shots have been fired since the initial 9-1-1 phone call was made late last night. Troopers want to resolve this situation peacefully.

Reader's Choice - 07/12/2011

These were the most popular posts for July 11th, judged by the most approved comments.

Students Keeping Busy With Learning Activities This Summer

School's out for the summer, but that doesn't mean all students are taking a break from learning.

Throughout this week, the Maryland Summer Center for Historical Research at Pemberton Hall will allow students to explore the past while conducting research into the lives of former residents of Pemberton Hall, an 18th-century plantation. Students entering grades 5-7 will conduct historical research to get insights into the daily lives of real people who lived in our area. The students will learn about the crafts, clothing, cooking, and chores of the inhabitants using primary and secondary sources. They will study characterization and drama techniques to create and present a first-person characterization of someone who once lived in the area.

The Summer Scholars Program at Wor-Wic Community College opened for its 2011 session on Monday, July 11, with classes scheduled over the next three weeks in everything from cooking to photography to art to CSI. The program is open to gifted and talented students from throughout the Lower Shore. http://www.worwic.edu/summerscholars

Through this Friday, students in grades 7-12 are participating in the Maryland Summer Center for the Fine and Performing Arts at Salisbury University. This two-week residential program allows these aspiring artists to gain a sense of living in an artists’ community. The students will enhance their unique abilities and learning style while they participate in one of the following course offerings: orchestra, musical theater, acting, integrated visual arts, or digital video production. The community can see and hear their artistic endeavors at Barnes & Noble on North Salisbury Boulevard on the following schedule, all at 3 p.m.: Tuesday, July 12, acting and drama, with short pieces for children; Wednesday, July 13, orchestra and jazz band; Thursday, July 14, musical theatre troupe.

Wicomico's Elementary Summer School and Summer STARS, at Charles H. Chipman and Glen Avenue Elementary Schools, began June 16 and will end July 13. Attendance in summer school is for remediation only; invitations to attend summer school come from elementary schools, for students who the school believes would benefit from the summer academic experience. The Summer Stars Program is held from 1-4:30 p.m. at Chipman and Glen Avenue Summer School sites for grades 1-4.

Secondary Summer School is going on now, with courses for remediation as well as original credit. Classes began June 27 and will continue through Aug. 5.

O’Malley Expected to Announce Wicomico BOE Appointments Today

Yesterday Maryland governor Martin O’Malley announced the appointments of James D. Thornton and Ronald G. Browning to the Harford County Board of Education. Today he is expected to announce his appointments for Wicomico County.

If so, O’Malley is expected to announce the re-appointment of Michelle Wright to another term and the appointment of Carolyn Elmore to replace Robin Holloway. Mrs. Elmore is the widow of the late Del. Page Elmore (R-38A).

More news as this develops.

Dems Balk As Obama Offers Entitlement Cuts

President Obama's has offered to raise the Medicare eligibility age from 65 to 67 as part of a larger deficit-reduction package, a move sure to anger congressional Democrats who want to exclude entitlement programs from the ongoing talks.

Democrats already have criticized Republicans over proposed cuts to programs such as Social Security and Medicare, and with Obama showing he is open to program changes, some Democrats are taking a hard line.

"As long as the entitlement programs are part of a cut program, I can't support it," Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., told Fox News, calling such cuts a political and fiscal "mistake."

President Obama talks about the ongoing budget negotiations July 11 in the briefing room of the White House.

"Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security -- we should deal with them ... separate and beyond the discussions that tie their existence to this debt ceiling discussion."

READ MORE …

Sheila Jackson Lee Sued By Former Aide

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee's former legislative director is suing the Democratic congresswoman, claiming she made "humiliating" comments about her vision disability while refusing to do anything to accommodate her.

At one point, the lawsuit claims, the congresswoman told her: "I don't care anything about your disability."

The lawsuit, filed last month in District of Columbia federal court, seeks unspecified damages in the form of "back and front pay," as well as punitive damages. Former aide Mona Floyd claims Jackson Lee's treatment of her amounted to "unlawful discrimination" and contributed to her resignation last fall.

The suit states that Floyd suffers from "monocular vision," causing eye fatigue and reducing reading speed -- symptoms that worsen without adequate rest during the day.

READ MORE …

It’s ironic that devout leftist like Rep. Lee never mind telling the rest of us how to live our lives. They just don’t like following the laws that they pass themselves. – Ed.

BREAKING NEWS: Afghan President's Brother Assassinated

Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s powerful half brother, Ahmed Wali Karzai, has been killed by a bodyguard, with the Taliban claiming responsibility.

Chase Those Hiccups Away

Holding your breath, gulping water and getting scared are the traditional ways to eradicate the hiccup menace, but those tend to be hit and miss. Just when you think you've managed to stop hiccups, on comes the next round.

The Awl checks in with alternative home remedies. A sampling:

*Trigger your gag reflex with a tongue depressor.

*Place some sugar or a lemon wedge on the back of your tongue.

*Breathe into a paper bag.

*Just give up and wait the hiccups out.

I've found that forcing myself to yawn gets rid of my hiccups. How do you get rid of yours?

Some Cures For The Hiccups [The Awl]

from Phil Villarreal @ The Consumerist

Will Democrats Try to Slip Taxes Into Special Session

The all-Republican delegation representing Carroll County in the General Assembly is concerned Democrats may try to slip in issues not related to the main purpose of the upcoming special session.

Gov. Martin O'Malley recently announced a special session of the General Assembly will be convened Oct. 17 to decide new boundaries for Maryland's Congressional representatives. The boundaries are required to be redrawn following the completion of the 2010 Census.

Members of the Carroll County delegation are concerned that the special session will be about more than congressional redistricting. Local legislators said they don't want the Democratic administration to push for a tax increase, similar to what occurred in the 2007 special session.

"Knowing what has happened in other special sessions, things seem to be thrown in," said Sen. Allan Kittleman, R-District 9. "Hopefully that won't happen and we can focus on the congressional redistricting, get that done and save everything else for the normal session in January."

Del. Justin Ready, R-District 5A, said the General Assembly needs a full, 90-day session to discuss and debate controversial topics. A proposed tax increase, Ready said, shouldn't be crammed in to a special session.

Del. Susan Krebs, R-District 9B, said she also thinks a full legislative session is required to discuss a tax increase. Sticking to the congressional redistricting issue, Krebs said, should only take a couple days.

"There's not enough time to really vet the issues," she said.

READ MORE …

Dream Act Repeal Plan Is No Hit on the Web

While confident that last week they had the required signatures to bring the Dream Act to referendum, petition drive leaders had advice on future efforts to overturn Maryland laws: A strong Internet presence alone doesn’t ensure success.

Del. Patrick L. McDonough, honorary chairman of mdpetitions.com, which made downloadable forms available online to help spearhead a drive to overturn the law that grants in-state college tuition to illegal immigrants, said website submissions did not make up the majority of signatures his group collected by the evening of June 30.

“If the passion and the drive were absent, the Internet wouldn’t make a difference,” McDonough (R-Harford, Baltimore County) said. “The real untold story here are the passion and the drive have been the motivating factor behind the success.”

McDonough and his group have asked voters to put their names on the petition to bring the law to the general election ballot in 2012. The law, which was scheduled to take effect July 1 but will be delayed as Board of Elections staff verify the signatures allows students who graduate from a Maryland high school and whose families have filed state income taxes to pay in-state tuition at public colleges and universities.

READ MORE …

Treasury Prints Less Money as Credit Card Use Climbs

Last year, the Treasury Department didn't even bother printing any new $10 bills.

NYT reports the number of $5 bills the Treasury made fell to a 30 year low, and the number of George Washingtons also hit a new bottom. It's all about supply and demand. More and more people are opting to use plastic for even small purchases, so there's not as much need for the paper.

What about coins? Metal currency production is down, but for a different reason. It's Coinstar. These machines that let you dump in a bucket of coins and get cash back have helped get a massive amount of coins back into circulation, whereas before they would just sit in people's jars and between their couch cushions. With so many coins coming back into the stream, the Mint doesn't have to make as many of them.

I prefer to use cash because I think I spend less when I have to use physical money. But sometimes it's definitely easier to whip out the plastic, even if it's just for a $2.50 gallon of milk.

Now, the Treasury "printing money" through quantitative easing is a whole other story...

As Plastic Reigns, the Treasury Slows Its Printing Presses [NYT]
Yes, Coins Too [Economix Blog]

from Ben Popken @ The Consumerist

Mississippi Authorities to Review Black Man’s Hanging

Mississippi authorities are reviewing the case of a black man who was found hanging dead from a tree after relatives claimed the state's deputy medical examiner can't be trusted because he falsified information about a British woman's death while working in Africa in the 1980s.

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety said it began its investigation Monday after allegations surfaced that Dr. Adel Shaker falsified information in the 1998 death of Julie Ward, a British tourist killed on a visit to Kenya. Shaker was a pathologist in Kenya at the time.

Shaker told The Associated Press on Monday that his boss in Kenya changed his report to make it look like Ward was killed by wild animals instead of being murdered. Shaker said top officials in Kenya were involved in the cover-up and he had not been able to do anything about it because of Kenya's oppressive regime at the time.

Shaker said he set the record straight during a British inquest in 2004.

READ MORE …

Family of Missing Woman Seeks Answers

The family of a west-central Pennsylvania woman missing since the remains of her infant son were found in her burned home four years ago is now offering a $25,000 reward for information on her whereabouts.

State police have yet to determine whether Joey Lynn Offutt, who would now be 37, was abducted or killed, or whether she left of her own accord after the fire that destroyed her home on July 12, 2007 in Sykesville, about 75 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. The remains of a six-week-old boy found in the fire were later determined to be those of Offutt's son, though her two daughters -- now 12 and 6 years old -- weren't home and continue to live with relatives, according to Jason Hungerford, Offutt's nephew and spokesman for her family.

"We believe it was foul play," said Hungerford, 34, of Ithaca, N.Y. "Above all else, Joey was a mother. She would never willingly leave her children behind."

READ MORE …

Gunmen Blow Up Gas Pipeline to Israel

Masked gunmen blew up a terminal of the Egyptian natural gas pipeline to Israel and Jordan in a predawn attack Tuesday, security officials said.

The officials said the attack was carried out by at least four assailants. The terminal is located in the city of El-Arish in the northern part of Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, about 30 miles west of the Israeli border.

The attackers ordered the guards on duty to leave and then blew up the terminal, starting a huge fire that sent flames shooting into the air that lit up the night sky, according to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

There were no casualties, they said.

It was the second attack on the pipeline in as many weeks and the fourth since an 18-day uprising toppled President Hosni Mubarak's regime on Feb. 11.

No one claimed responsibility for Tuesday's explosion but disgruntled Bedouin tribesmen in the area have been blamed for attacking the pipeline in the past. Islamists opposed to Egypt's 1979 peace treaty with Israel have also been suspected.

from FOXNews / AP

Six Reasons to Live a Cash Only Life

With every story we write about increased credit card fees, slashed rewards programs or hacked bank databases, a growing number of readers have expressed a growing interest in ditching their plastic and going cash-only.

Over at SmartMoney.com, columnist Brett Arends gives a pretty in-depth explanation of the 10 reasons he's opted to live a life without credit cards.

Here are some of the highlights:
The card bonuses aren't worth it.
"A lot of people use their credit cards for the frequent flyer miles or other bonuses. But... deals are getting less valuable, and are increasingly focused on cards with annual fees. Most of us are doing very well if we manage to get back 2% on our cards. Compared to the extra amount you spend, that's chicken feed."

Cash makes budgeting easy.
"I have a confession: I'm just not that organized. Nor, I suspect, are lots of people. But if I go to the bank once a week and draw out a certain amount of cash, it makes the budgeting automatic. Easy."

Less worry about identity theft.
"Do you worry about handing out your card or details every time you make a purchase? I do. The banks and online merchants work hard to maintain security, but the crooks are just as inventive. And there are plenty of them."

READ MORE …

Monday, July 11, 2011

Salisbury City Council Majority Votes Out Lord's Prayer AND Pledge of Allegiance

The Salisbury City Council voted tonight to eliminate in the Rules of Order the Lord's Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. This means that IF those visiting the meeting want to recite any of the above they must do so before the meeting becomes official.

Councilwoman Debbie Campbell was the ONLY Council Member to vote NO. Other Council Members stated that at least it wouldn't be removed completely.

Say goodbye to America as we always knew it Folks. Knowing that Julie Brewington was there, I'm sure she was ecstatic about the removal of the Lord's Prayer, since she can't recite it anyway, proven with her performance (or lack thereof) of such at the beginning of an AFP meeting last year.

I hope Mayor Ireton is proud of his participation and the screen he threw out there tonight with a prayer vigil. You truly have to wonder, just where are we headed any more.

Publishers Notes: I made a mistake above. Julie Brewington forgot the words to the Pledge of Allegiance, not the Lords Prayer. My apologies to Julie. ;-)

Big Budget Lies

The President ran up a deficit that has brought America to the brink of bankruptcy and now paints himself as the fiscally responsible party who will solve the problem so long as the Republicans will do the moral thing and just give him more revenues. He pronounced that this negotiation is tough and he would much "rather be working on new programs." And that is the problem. Give him more revenue and there will be new programs and new spending. We need spending cuts; and not five years from now that will never happen. We need them NOW.

I am sick of the class warfare demagouging. I am tired of hearing about "shared sacrifice" to pay for Obama's 24% increase in discretionary government spending. I am tired of the demonizing of corporate jets from a President who runs around the world at my expense on Air Force One. And I am disgusted that every form of domestic energy development has been hindered by this administration while American Oil Companies are targeted because they receive the same "subsidy" for depreciation awarded all businesses. Clearly, liberals believe that everything belongs to the government and anything we are allowed to keep is a "tax break" or a "tax expenditure".

Florida Senator Marco Rubio says it best, “We don't need new taxes. We need new taxpayers, people that are gainfully employed, making money, and paying into the tax system. And then we need a government that has the discipline to take that additional revenue and use it to pay down the debt and never grow it again.”

Read the article HERE.

Mayors Prayer Vigil Is A Flop

While the Mayor of Salisbury, Maryland called out for a prayer vigil today at the steps of the Government Office Building, there are only FIVE people who showed up. The Mayor, Laura Mitchell and 3 ~~Afro-Americans~~ African-Americans are present at this very moment.

Clearly Mayor Ireton has absolutely NO following and the planned stunt flopped right in his face, again.

Breaking News: Tim Spies and Shanie Shields just arrived.

UPDATE: Debbie Campbell, Kris Adams and Julie Brewington also showed up.

WICOMICO BURN BAN EXTENDED TILL FURTHER NOTICE

At the request of Wicomico County Executive Richard M. Pollitt, Jr., the Wicomico County Council has indefinitely extended the burn ban order first issued by Pollitt on June 9^th. The County Charter requires that the Council take action on such an order within seven days of its issuance.

Pollitt issued the ban on the advice of his Burn Ban Committee following an assessment of the drought-like conditions in Wicomico County. The group is composed of representatives of the County Health Department, the Forestry Service, Emergency Management Services, fire fighters and a local meteorologist.

All outdoor burning is prohibited with the following exemptions:

Supervised burning in the presence of a volunteer or paid fire department on site with equipment, qualified personnel and available water supply for the duration of the event, as provided by State law;
Gas and charcoal grill for their proper use;
Campfires at Roaring Point and Sandy Hill campgrounds which must be monitored at all times. All such campfires shall be confined to designated fire rings, grills, fire pits, fireplaces or other facilities constructed for fires. Before breaking camp, fires should be drowned and completely extinguished.
Recreational campfires on private property and public campgrounds are permitted. The campfires are limited to a size of 2 feet in width and 3 feet in height;
The staging of professional fireworks displays.

Burn ban violations carry a $500 fine per incident. County Planning & Zoning administers Burn Ban enforcement. Citizens may call 410-548-4860 to report violations during regular business hours. At other times, citizens may call the Sheriff’s Department at 410-548-4891.

Pollitt restated his original urging that all residents practice caution while engaging in the exempted burning practices, saying, “I suggest that citizens keep a garden hose and fire extinguisher nearby while using their gas or charcoal grills or enjoying a recreational fire. Also, all fires should be completely extinguished and should never be left unsupervised.”

Pollitt added that all burning permits are voided for the duration of the Burn Ban and that the Health Department will not be issuing burning permits until further notice.

U.N. To Seize Jerusalem From Israel On July 11th, 26th

U.N. Security Council preparing to seize Jerusalem from Israel on July 11th, 26th.

The "Quartet" of USA, Russia, EU, and UN has scheduled July 11th in DC, and the United Nations Security Council has scheduled July 26th in New York, for open "debate" about whether or not they will seize Israeli land in September, and divide Jerusalem by establishing a Palestinian state, without negotiation or approval from Israel.

Haaretz newspaper reported Wednesday, "The UN Security Council plans to discuss in July [on the 26th] the possibility of Palestine becoming a United Nations member state, the Security Council president said on Tuesday. The Arab League has said it would request UN membership for a Palestinian state in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, with East Jerusalem as its capital at the UN General Assembly in September."
Only the U.N. Security Council (seen right-->) can vote to recognize new nations, and move borders. It is composed of 15 member nations among which only 5 have veto authority: USA, Britain, France, China, and Russia.

"An upcoming Quartet meeting [is] a possible indicator on the situation," reported Haaretz. "The Quartet of Middle East peace negotiators...are expected to meet July 11th. The meeting, expected to take place in Washington, will come amid a U.S. push to revive peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians."

The fact any debate will occur on 11 or 26 July confirms a big U.N. vote will occur in September, and if President Obama's U.N. delegation fails to veto, Israel will forfeit half its land and Jerusalem will become the Muslim capitol of the new state of Palestine.

President Obama has recently signaled that the U.S. may not veto such a land-grab, as Abbas said last week on Lebanese TV, quote: "President Obama says he wants to see an independent Palestinian state by September." No wonder Abbas met with PLO leaders and decided to seize the moment, and East Jerusalem with it.

Israel would likely not recognize such a vote, and refuse to forfeit their land. Palestinians will declare independence and start a war in September, with the whole world against Israel. Except us. We must awaken the U.S. Congress to defend Israel now.

A pro-Israel U.S. Congressman has introduced a brand new law to de-fund the United Nations if they dare to seize Israeli land, or if President Obama fails to veto any Palestinian land-grab of Jerusalem without permission from Israel.

More

EXECUTIVE POLLITT ANNOUNCES “CITIZEN SELF-SERVICE,” A NEW WEB-BASED PAYMENT FEATURE, TO START ON THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2011

Wicomico County Executive Richard M. Pollitt, Jr., announced today that, starting on Thursday, July 14th, residents and businesses may go online to view and pay real estate, personal property and county utility bills.

Pollitt said that users can access the new service by logging on to the county web page at

http://www.wicomicocounty.org/ and selecting a button on the left that reads, “Pay Real Estate Taxes Online – Citizen Self-Service.” Users should then follow the link to “Citizen Self Service.”

With the new service, Pollitt said that users can view tax bills and make payment by credit card, debit card or electronic check.

A third party service provider, Official Payments, operates the new process. There is a convenience fee of 2.75% of the bill amount or a $3.95 minimum for credit or debit card use. There is a flat fee of $3.00 for electronic check payments. The fees are in addition to the amount due the county. The user will see the fees involved before payments are processed.

Pollitt concluded that, “This should be a great convenience for our county tax payers. I also anticipate that the service will greatly improve the efficiency of the county Finance Department. I encourage the use of this new feature.”

108 Stores With Senior Discounts

Gone are the days of your grandmother’s “early bird special” at the local diner. As our baby boomers reach retirement age, hundreds of retailers are featuring new and improved discounts exclusively for the 60 and older crowd. We have composed a list of senior savings that will help you keep more cash in your pocket. Whoever said getting older was a bad thing, obviously didn’t know about these fantastic senior discounts!

Restaurants

Applebee’s: 15% off with Golden Apple Card (60+)
Arby’s: 10% off (55+)
Ben & Jerry’s: 10% off (60+)
Bennigan’s: discount varies by location
Bob’s Big Boy: discount varies by location (60+)
Boston Market: 10% off (65+)
Burger King: 10% off (60+)
Captain D’s Seafood: discount varies on location (62+)
Chick-Fil-A: 10% off or free small drink or coffee (55+)
Chili’s: 10% off (55+)
CiCi’s Pizza: 10% off (60+)
Culver’s: 10% off (60+)
Denny’s: 10% off, 20% off for AARP members (55+)
Dunkin’ Donuts: 10% off or free coffee (55+)
Einstein’s Bagels: 10% off baker’s dozen of bagels (60+)
Fuddrucker’s: 10% off any senior platter (55+)
Gatti’s Pizza: 10% off (60+)
Golden Corral: 10% off (60+)
Hardee’s: $0.33 beverages everyday (65+)
IHOP: 10% off (55+)
Jack in the Box: up to 20% off (55+)
KFC: free small drink with any meal (55+)
Krispy Kreme: 10% off (50+)
Long John Silver’s: various discounts at participating locations (55+)
McDonald’s: discounts on coffee everyday (55+)
Mrs. Fields: 10% off at participating locations (60+)
Shoney’s: 10% off
Sonic: 10% off or free beverage (60+)
Steak ‘n Shake: 10% off every Monday & Tuesday (50+)
Subway: 10% off (60+)
Sweet Tomatoes 10% off (62+)
Taco Bell: 5% off; free beverages for seniors (65+)
TCBY: 10% off (55+)
Tea Room Cafe: 10% off (50+)
Village Inn: 10% off (60+)
Waffle House: 10% off every Monday (60+)
Wendy’s: 10% off (55+)
White Castle: 10% off (62+)

Retail and Apparel

Banana Republic: 10% off (50+)
Bealls: 20% off first Tuesday of each month (50+)
Belk’s: 15% off first Tuesday of every month (55+)
Big Lots: 10% off
Bon-Ton Department Stores: 15% off on senior discount days (55+)
C.J. Banks: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
Clarks: 10% off (62+)
Dress Barn: 10% off (55+)
Goodwill: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Hallmark: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Kmart: 20% off (50+)
Kohl’s: 15% off (60+)
Modell’s Sporting Goods: 10% off
Rite Aid: 10% off on Tuesdays & 10% off prescriptions
Ross Stores: 10% off every Tuesday (55+)
The Salvation Army Thrift Stores: up to 50% off (55+)
Stein Mart: 20% off red dot/clearance items first Monday of every month (55+)

Grocery

Albertson’s: 10% off first Wednesday of each month (55+)
American Discount Stores: 10% off every Monday (50+)
Compare Foods Supermarket: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
DeCicco Family Markets: 5% off every Wednesday (60+)
Food Lion: 6% off every Monday (60+)
Fry’s Supermarket: free Fry’s VIP Club Membership & 10% off every Monday (55+)
Great Valu Food Store: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
Gristedes Supermarket: 10% off every Tuesday (60+)
Harris Teeter: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
Hy-Vee: 5% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Kroger: 10% off (date varies by location)
Morton Williams Supermarket: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
The Plant Shed: 10% off every Tuesday (50+)
Publix: 5% off every Wednesday (55+)
Rogers Marketplace: 5% off every Thursday (60+)
Uncle Guiseppe’s Marketplace: 5% off (62+)

Travel

Alaska Airlines: 10% off (65+)
Alamo: up to 25% off for AARP members
American Airlines: various discounts for 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
Amtrak: 15% off (62+)
Avis: up to 25% off for AARP members
Best Western: 10% off (55+)
Budget Rental Cars: 10% off; up to 20% off for AARP members (50+)
Cambria Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
Clarion: 20%-30% off (60+)
Comfort Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Comfort Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
Continental Airlines: no initiation fee for Continental Presidents Club & special fares for select destinations
Dollar Rent-A-Car: 10% off (50+)
Econo Lodge: 20%-30% off (60+)
Enterprise Rent-A-Car: 5% off for AARP members
Greyhound: 5% off (62+)
Hampton Inns & Suites: 10% off when booked 72 hours in advance
Hertz: up t0 25% off for AARP members
Holiday Inn: 10%-30% off depending on location (62+)
Hyatt Hotels: 25%-50% off (62+)
InterContinental Hotels Group: various discounts at all hotels (65+)
Mainstay Suites: 10% off with Mature Traveler’s Discount (50+); 20%-30% off (60+)
Marriott Hotels: 15% off (62+)
Motel 6: 10% off (60+)
Myrtle Beach Resort: 10% off (55+)
National Rent-A-Car: up to 30% off for AARP members
Quality Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Rodeway Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Sleep Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Southwest Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
Trailways Transportation System: various discounts for ages 50 and up
United Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
U.S. Airways: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)

Activities & Entertainment

AMC Theaters: up to 30% off (55+)
Bally Total Fitness: up to $100 off memberships (62+)
Busch Gardens Tampa: $3 off one-day tickets (50+)
Carmike Cinemas: 35% off (65+)
Cinemark/Century Theaters: up to 35% off
U.S. National Parks: $10 lifetime pass; 50% off additional services including camping (62+)
Regal Cinemas: 30% off
Ripley’s Believe it or Not: @ off one-day ticket (55+)
SeaWorld Orlando: $3 off one-day tickets (50+)

Cell Phone Discounts

AT&T: Special Senior Nation 200 Plan $29.99/month (65+)
Jitterbug: $10/month cell phone service (50+)
Verizon Wireless: Verizon Nationwide 65 Plus Plan $29.99/month (65+)

*Check out our Secret Cell Phone Discounts to view all cell phone discounts available to you!

Miscellaneous

Great Clips: $3 off hair cuts (60+)
Super Cuts: $2 off haircuts (60+)

Since many senior discounts are not advertised to the public, our advice to men and women over 55 is to ALWAYS ask a sales associate if that store provides a senior discount. That way, you can be sure to get the most bang for you buck.

Does Government Matter?

Washington's fight over the debt ceiling has obscured a larger reality: Government has lost its ability to influence the economy

As Americans celebrate the 235th anniversary of their independence, the country is embroiled in a typically noisy debate. This time, the argument centers around whether Congress should raise the ceiling on national debt in the interest of preventing a potential government default. The issue has proved to be partisan catnip. The GOP opposes any new taxes to pay down the U.S. debt, which is close to 95 percent of the country’s gross domestic product, on the basis that government has created this problem and that more government cannot be the answer. The U.S. debt burden, House Speaker John Boehner says, “can be traced to a misguided belief by politicians that the American economy is something that can be … influenced positively by government intervention and borrowing.”

Republicans want deep cuts in government spending to be part of any deal to raise the debt ceiling. Democrats counter that such measures would imperil the recovery. And they insist that robust government remains a key element of future growth. “We can’t cut our way to prosperity,” President Barack Obama recently said.

Government as the problem, government as a solution: The impasse over the debt is new, but the debate is old. From the Progressive Era of the late 19th century through the laissez-faire of the 1920s, from the New Deal and the Great Society to Ronald Reagan’s declaration that “government is the problem,” perhaps the only thing the left and the right have agreed on is that government matters. Liberals believe that if government does its job well, prosperity will follow. Conservatives argue that good government is less government, but they are no less obsessed with the role that Washington plays. Our entire political and economic debate takes place in the context of a shared assumption that government determines the nation’s collective economic success or failure, either because of the harm it does or because of the good.

But what if this assumption is wrong? What if government is neither a solution nor a problem? What if, when it comes to dealing with the economic challenges facing the U.S. today, government actually doesn’t matter?

More

Malls Even More Vacant Than They Were 3 Months Ago

Following a first quarter of 2011 that saw mall vacancies rise to 9.1 percent, the second quarter was no kinder, with the vacancy rate inching up to 9.3 percent. Strip malls are having an even tougher time keeping tenants, with 11 percent of storefronts sitting empty.

Reuters relays the bleak numbers — the highest since 1990 — from Reis, a real estate research firm. Says a Reis senior economist:

Even though we've been out of a recession for two years, there aren't a lot of jobs out there, and people are still risk adverse. That's depressing demand for both retail goods and retail space.

What stores have disappeared from your malls?

US mall vacancies rise in 2nd quarter, rents flat [Reuters]

from Phil Villarreal @ The Consumerist

Secondhand Smoke Boosts Kids' ADHD, Learning Disability Risks

Two new studies from the American Academy of Pediatrics look at how exposure to secondhand smoke affects American youths' learning behaviors and their attitudes toward smoking.

The first found that children exposed to secondhand smoke in the home had a 50% increased risk of developing two or more childhood neurobehavioral disorders compared with children who were not exposed at home.

The study, conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Center for Health Statistics, estimates that nearly 5 million children younger than 12 are exposed to secondhand smoke at home and up to 8% of them – or more than 274,000 children – suffer from learning disabilities, ADHD and other behavioral disorders.

More

U.S. Holding Millions In Aid To Pakistan, Says Obama's Chief Of Staff

Washington (CNN) -- The United States is holding back $800 million in aid to Pakistan, President Barack Obama's chief of staff said Sunday.

Appearing on ABC's "This Week," White House Chief of Staff William Daley confirmed a report in the New York Times that the aid was being withheld.

While Pakistan has "been an important ally in the fight on terrorism," Daley said, "now they've taken some steps that have given us reason to pause on some of the aid which we're giving to the military, and we're trying to work through that."

More

Comedy Show Coming To Salisbury & Berlin

Fair Trade Comedy
Bent Theatre's Coffeehouse Comedy Show
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Common Grounds Coffeehouse
701 East Naylor Mill Rd
Salisbury, MD

7:30PM
FREE

A Night of Comedy w/ Bent Theatre

Sunday, July 31, 2011
Globe Theater
12 Broad St.
Berlin, MD

7:30PM
Price TBD

Boston Mayor Withdraws City from “Secure Communities” Program

In an abrupt turnaround, Mayor Thomas M. Menino has said he will withdraw Boston police from the federal Secure Communities program unless US federal immigration officials limit their deportation efforts to only those immigrants who have committed serious crimes.

In a letter to be delivered today to the Department of Homeland Security’s Secure Communities task force, Menino said the program, which requires that fingerprints from arrests be cross-referenced with federal immigration databases, has caused a breakdown of relations between residents and law enforcement officials in Boston’s immigrant communities. The cross-referencing means that people picked up for relatively minor crimes can face deportation, along with the more serious criminals the program was meant to target.
“As operated now, Secure Communities is diminishing trust, an essential part of the neighborhood fabric and a vital public safety tool,’’ Menino wrote.
“Secure Communities must change substantially or be scrapped,’’ he wrote.
READ MORE …

Reporter Suzanne Collins Sends In This Message To Salisbury News

Suzanne Collins has left a new comment on your post "Casey Anthony Case Inspires Maryland Legislation":

I am Senator Nancy Jacobs' Chief of Staff, Suzanne Collins. Lets start with anonymity. If you want to criticize give your name or your motive becomes suspect. As a reporter for nearly 30 years in Maryland prior to this position, I ran into several cases in which a "Caylee's Law" could apply. Even in Anne Arundel County in recent years a man buried his dead son who died of illness and told no one. When the remains were found it became a huge homicide investigation until the details were uncovered. Certanly someone who kills a child and buries or disposes of the body, causing the evidence to decay, should be punished by law. Yet there is no such statute in Maryland. A child's death should be reported promptly. We are also investigating to see if requiring the dissapearance of a child in a set amount of time should be included in the bill. There have been 22 constituents who wrote Senator Jacobs in the first two days after the Anthony verdict asking that someone in Maryland not be able to get away with a "Casey Anthony" type case, going a month without reporting a dead child. There are more e-mails today. Other states are introducing similar bills including Florida, where people saw first hand why it's needed. Finally Senator Jacobs confered with a State's Attorney first to be sure it would be worthy to put on the books. The process in Annapolis allows for debate, input, voting and ammendments to prevent the state code from being filled with unnecessary laws.
Suzanne Collins

Wicomico County Sheriff's Office Press Releases

Assault
Date of Incident:
10 July 2011
Location:
700 block of Olivia Street, Salisbury, MD
Suspect:
: On 10 July 2011 at 12:35 AM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office
responded to a residence in the 700 block of Olivia Street for a reported altercation. On scene, the deputy
met with a female victim that told the deputy she was involved in a verbal altercation with her boyfriend,
Robert Brown that turned physical. According to the victim, Brown struck her in the head which left an
obvious knot on her forehead.

The deputy placed Brown under arrest and transported him to the Central Booking Unit where he was
processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the
Commissioner released Brown on Personal Recognizance.

Incident:
Theft
Date of Incident:
10 July 2011
Location:
300 block of Parker Road, Salisbury, MD
Suspect:
: On 10 July 2011 at 11:09 PM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office
responded for a report of a subject in a cornfield adjacent to Parker Road who was believed to be
tampering with the field’s irrigation system. Upon arrival, the deputy drove back on an access r
came upon Thomas Wood engaged in the process of dismantling the metal irrigation pipes. The deputy
determined that Wood intended to steal the pipes and sell them for their scrap metal value.

The deputy placed Wood under arrest and transported him to the Central Booking Unit where he was
processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the
Commissioner released Wood on Personal Recognizance.

oad and
Charges:
Trespass

The Following individuals were arrested by the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office on Arrest Warrants 4 July – 10 July 2011
1. Marzel Dowell Lake, 36, Parsonsburg, MD; Theft / Assault 2
2. Phillip Scott Parsons, 29, Parsonsburg, MD; Escape 2
3. Amanda Davis, 32, Willards, MD; Theft $1,000- $10,000, held WCDC $3,000.00 bond
4. Donald Russell White, Sr., 45, Salisbury, MD; Assault 2
5. Charles Alexander Myers, III, 27, Salisbury, MD; CDS Distribution, held WCDC $250,000.00 bond.
6. Wiley Edgar Mills, 18, Pittsville, MD; Theft $1,000- $10,000, held WCDC $5,000.00 bond.
7. Heather Ashley Vanderwende, Delmar, MD; Assault 2nd Degree, held WCDC $3,000.00 bond nd Degree, held WCDC without bond. nd Degree / Reckless Endangerment, released on Personal Recognizance. nd Degree, released on Personal Recognizance.
Failure to Appear Bench Warrant
1. Jessica Ann Gaydosh, 20, Salisbury, MD; FTA for a VOP Hearing – Theft under $100, held WCDC $10,000.00 bond
2. Robert Lee Little, 32, Fruitland, MD; FTA – Theft under $1,000.00, held WCDC without bond
3. Devaurus Ronvon Bowen, Salisbury, MD; FTA – Drive without a License, held WCDC $1,000.00 bond.
4. Duane Bernard Williams, 27, Salisbury, MD; FTA – Assault 2
5. Tonya Lynne Willoughby, 35, Delmar, DE; FTA – VOP Hearing / CDS Possession, held WCDC $50,000.00 bond.
6. Elizabeth Ashley Hicks, 19, Salisbury, MD; FTA – Rogue and vagabond, held WCDC without bond.

7. Daniel Todd Wiltbank, 35, Salisbury, MD; FTA for a VOP Hearing, CDS Possession, held WCDC without bond
8. Carlton Edward Givens, 26, Philadelphia, PA; FTA Drive Suspended, held WCDC $10,000.00 bond

Violation of Probation Bench Warrant
1. Gabrielle Nicole Day, 20, Salisbury, MD; VOP – Theft under $1,000 – Held WCDC $1,000.00 bond
2. Robin W. Clark, 25, Salisbury, MD; VOP – CDS Possession, held WCDC $5,000.00 bond
3. Dennis John Cross, 19, Berlin, MD; VOP – Burglary 1st degree, held WCDC $25,000.00 bond
4. Dallas Irving Ruark, 48, Salisbury, MD; VOP – Burglary 4th degree, held WCDC $25,000.00 bond
5. Lisa Marie Wright, 45, Salisbury, MD; VOP – CDS Distribution, held WCDC without bond.
6. Tony Andrew Curtis, 45, Salisbury, MD; VOP – Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, held $20,000.00 bond.
7. Rufino Malvez Tapia, 34, Salisbury, MD; VOP – Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, held $10,000.00 bond.
8. Ray Tyndall, 55, Hebron, MD; VOP – Assault 2nd Degree, held WCDC $15,000.00 bond
9. James John Graves, 27, Ocean City, MD; Indecent Exposure / Trespass, held WCDC $10,000.00 bond.

Circuit Court Indictment
1. Joseph Glenn Stanton, Jr., 25, Salisbury, MD; Firearm / Drug Trafficking Crime, held WCDC without bond.
2. Arnold Cornelius Williams, 33, Salisbury, MD; CDS Distribution, held WCDC without bond.

Circuit Court Juvenile
1. Male Juvenile, 16, Salisbury, MD; Writ of Attachment, held at Lower Eastern Shore Children’s Center.
2. Male Juvenile, 17, Delmar, MD; Violation of Probation, held at Lower Eastern Shore Children’s Center

Misc.

1.
2.
3. Troy McCray Williams, 38, Hebron, MD; Fugitive from Colorado, Felony Driving While Revoked, held without bond pending extradition to Colorado. Lacher Nicole Ware, 21, Salisbury, MD; Failure to Pay deferred payment, held WCDC $525.00 bond. Lorenzo C. Aydelott, 27, Salisbury, MD; Civil Attachment for Contempt, held WCDC $2,500.00 bond. nd degree, held WCDC without bond

Arrest Warrants Theft

Narrative
Thomas A. Wood, 60, Salisbury, MD

Narrative
Robert Brown, 39, Salisbury, MD

Incident:

Consent Of The Governed?

What gives some people the right to rule others? At least since John Locke’s time, the most common and seemingly compelling answer has been “the consent of the governed.” When the North American revolutionaries set out to justify their secession from the British Empire, they declared, among other things: “Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed.” This sounds good, especially if one doesn’t think about it very hard or very long, but the harder and longer one thinks about it, the more problematic it becomes.

One question after another comes to mind. Must every person consent? If not, how many must, and what options do those who do not consent have? What form must the consent take ― verbal, written, explicit, implicit? If implicit, how is it to be registered? Given that the composition of society is constantly changing, owing to births, deaths, and international migration, how often must the rulers confirm that they retain the consent of the governed? And so on and on. Political legitimacy, it would appear, presents a multitude of difficulties when we move from the realm of theoretical abstraction to that of practical realization.

I raise this question because in regard to the so-called social contract, I have often had occasion to protest that I haven’t even seen the contract, much less been asked to consent to it. A valid contract requires voluntary offer, acceptance, and consideration. I’ve never received an offer from my rulers, so I certainly have not accepted one; and rather than consideration, I have received nothing but contempt from the rulers, who, notwithstanding the absence of any agreement, have indubitably threatened me with grave harm in the event that I fail to comply with their edicts. What monumental effrontery these people exhibit! What gives them the right to rob me and push me around? It certainly is not my desire to be a sheep for them to shear or slaughter as they deem expedient for the attainment of their own ends.

Moreover, when we flesh out the idea of “consent of the governed” in realistic detail, the whole notion quickly becomes utterly preposterous. Just consider how it would work. A would-be ruler approaches you and offers a contract for your approval. Here, says he, is the deal.

More

Rep. Harris Proposes Amendment To Cut $6 Million To Stop Shipping Jobs To China

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Andy Harris, M.D., will propose an amendment to the Department of Energy appropriations bill that would cut $6 million from a Department of Energy program which spends the money making factories in China more energy efficient and building windmills in Mexico. The savings from the proposed cut would all be directed to reduce the federal deficit, now over $1.5 trillion dollars.

“We need to create jobs in America, not China and Mexico,” said Rep. Harris. “Borrowing money from China to pay for Chinese and Mexican jobs is outrageous and that’s why I’m proposing this pro-American jobs amendment. We need to protect American workers and American taxpayers.”

The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) International Program would help create programs to make Chinese factories more energy efficient and create wind energy projects in Mexico. In addition, the program would spend money in other countries such as India.

Attention

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Monday, July 11, 2011

Washington's fight over the debt ceiling has obscured a larger reality: Government has lost its ability to influence the economy