The Jim Shrader Blog ~ Riverbend School Zone

Nothing is Free. Somebody has to pay.

February 10th, 2012, 5:02 pm by

See AP story here: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_BIRTH_CONTROL_POLITICS?SITE=ILALT&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2012-02-10-17-12-39
“Under fire, Obama adjusts his birth control policy”

Our President back-peddled on Friday and offered a solution to his PR problem caused when he announced that religious organizations would have to provide contraceptive drug coverage to their employees, even when it was against the beliefs of that organization.

President Obama’s solution? Quoting from the AP story: “Under the new plan, religious employers such as charities, universities and hospitals will not have to offer contraception and will not have to refer their employees to places that provide it. If an employer opts out of the requirement, its insurance company must provide birth control for free in a separate arrangement with workers who want it.”

Please read that last sentence again. “If an employer opts out of the requirement, its insurance company must provide birth control for free…….”

Excuse me? Insurance companies are for profit companies. Simplified, insurance premiums are based upon obtaining the employer’s list of offered benefits, then determining what it costs to offer those services, plus a profit. So now, insurers will have to offer an additional benefit – for “free” – because the government says so.

Another quote from the story: “Administration officials say providing birth control won’t cost insurers any more in the long run, because it’s less expensive than the costs of maternal care and delivery. But insurers say they’ll have to pay drug companies for pills and doctors for prescriptions, so it won’t be free to them.” You don’t think the drug companies are going to supply the pills for “free” do you?

And I love the quote about it not costing the insurers any more in the long run, because its less expensive than maternal care. That’s like saying department stores should give everyone a free leather coat because it will cut down on shoplifting! Unbelievable!

We all know the adage “there’s no such thing as a free lunch”, and there’s not such thing as a free medical benefit. If one group is getting it free, another group is paying for it. So if you buy health insurance or pay a portion of your employer paid premium, expect your premiums to go up so the President can offer free coverage to those that want it.

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Dear Occupant: You owe the State $26,800.

July 20th, 2011, 3:27 pm by

Yes, YOU. If you are a taxpayer in the Land of Lincoln, your share of Illinois’ bills is almost $27,000.

According to the Institute for Truth in Accounting (www.truthinaccounting.org), each Illinois citizen owes $26,800 for the combined total state debt. The Institute ranks Illinois’s per-capita debt as the third highest of all 50 states; falling behind Connecticut and New Jersey. The ranking includes the pension and retiree health care obligations. See the data at http://www.truthinaccounting.org/uploads/files/States_financial_burdens.pdf

Pardon the capital letters, but ILLINOIS’ PER CAPITA DEBT IS 3RD WORST IN THE NATION!!

So, if you are the kind that likes to keep score, we’re #3 in Financial Burden. But wait! If you study the chart you’ll see that our total financial obligation to operate the state is $110,631,129,000. (I’ll save you counting zeroes -that’s $110.6 Billion.) That $110.6 Billion is second only to California which needs $163,594,912,000 ($163.6 Billion) to operate. That’s better…. Were #2! (and like the old Avis commercial – we’re trying harder… we only have about half the population of California).

That staggering number should make us all squirm- and make our legislators ashamed of themselves. Not only has our state government mortgaged our lives, they’ve mortgaged our grandkid’s grandkids!

So for all the talk out of Springfield about the balanced Budget for fiscal 2011-12, they conveniently forgot to tell you about a pile of unpaid bills. I hope you have a stack of extra cash handy when the IOUs comes due.

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My meeting with the President.

July 14th, 2011, 3:46 pm by

No, not THE President, the President.

Illinois Senate President John Cullerton stopped by our office on Wednesday for his periodic “sit and chat.” I call it that, as opposed to many meetings that we have with politicians that are set with a specific agenda (or upcoming election) in mind.

And sit and chat we did. No news release handouts, no spreadsheets or pie charts, just a chat about what went well and not-so-well in the latest legislative session.

Sen. Cullerton is one of those guys that, on paper, I shouldn’t like. Longtime Democratic Chicago politician, lawyer, and one of the Big Three in Springfield that is a bit too powerful for my liking. Instead I find him very personable, affable and not the “everything is the Republicans’ fault” type individual. He admits that some things went well this session, others didn’t. He answers questions promptly and thoughtfully, and doesn’t have to fiddle with notes and ask aides for assistance in answering questions.

All in all, I really like Senate President Cullerton, and respect the job he is doing in Springfield. I hope he likes me as well. Our area could use an ace in the hole ‘come next session.

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My Super Bowl Diet

February 7th, 2011, 1:33 pm by

At my recent physical, my doctor cautioned that I should get some more exercise, and drop a few pounds. The weather has been lousy for outside activities, so I’m postponing that for now.

I am watching what I eat more closely, so I counted exactly what I consumed during a one hour pre-game show and the Super Bowl broadcast.

Here’s my list:

-16 potato chips with French Onion Dip.
-A cup of chili.
-Approx. four ounces of hot and spicy pork rinds.
-Nine bone-in buffalo wings, no sauce.
-A Vlasic crisp pickle spear.

Not bad for four plus hours, right?

Oh yeah, and I washed it all down with eight cans of Busch Light. I’m glad I don’t own a scale.

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Will the new tax rates in Illinois cause an exodus?

January 19th, 2011, 3:47 pm by

Last week’s news of our Illinois Legislature passing and Gov. Pat Quinn fast tracking his signature on hefty tax increases sure lit up the Internet and talk radio discussions. For those who haven’t been paying attention, income taxes in Illinois were raised from a flat 3% to 5% effective immediately (and retroactive to Jan. 1). And the same legislation raised corporate income taxes from 4.8% to 7%.

No doubt, a 66% increase in personal and a 46% increase in corporate taxes are causing a firestorm.

Nobody wants to pay more taxes, but it has become increasingly apparent that the state of Illinois cannot cut or save itself into prosperity. I, and people much smarter than I, have long said the state would have to make substantial cuts and increase revenue (read: increase taxes) to manage the $15 billion annual deficit. And that’s what is happening. It hurts, deeply, but the good news is that these taxes sunset in four years.
In 2015, income taxes will be set at 3.75% and corporate income taxes will drop back to 5.25%. It will be a painful four years, and if the situation is not much improved, the lawmakers who passed the bill will probably be fired. Or at least, they should be.

The tax increase has also fueled some misconceptions. Governors from surrounding states have used the increase to predict a mass exodus as residents and businesses flee the oppressive new taxes. However, as we reported in The Telegraph on Sunday, the taxes in surrounding states are almost as bad, if not worse, than the new tax rates in effect in Illinois.

And that’s something those governors didn’t say in their sound bites.

Illinois has raised its individual income tax from 3 percent to 5 percent. Here are individual income tax rates for neighboring states:

STATE TAX RATE RANGE; NUMBER OF BRACKETS
Iowa 0.36% to 8.98% ; nine brackets
Indiana 3.4% flat rate; one bracket
Kentucky 2% to 6%; six brackets
Missouri 1.5% to 6%; 10 brackets
Wisconsin 4.6% to 7.75%; five brackets

The Illinois corporate tax rate has increased from 4.8 percent to 7 percent. Here are corporate tax rates for neighboring states:
Iowa 6% to 12%; four brackets
Indiana 8.5% flat rate; one bracket
Kentucky 4% to 6%; three brackets
Missouri 6.25% flat rate; one bracket
Wisconsin 7.9% flat rate; one bracket

Note: My favorite quote was from Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels: “You guys are nothing if not entertaining over there… It’s like living next-door to the Simpsons – the dysfunctional family down the block.”

Really, Mitch? Our new corporate tax is 7%. Yours is 8.5%. Now, I didn’t go to school in Indiana, but unless Hoosier math is different, 8.5% is HIGHER than 7%.

Certainly a lot more than state taxes is considered in a decision to move a business or a family for that matter, but it is interesting – maybe even helpful – to know how our neighbors are taxed.

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The Real Meaning of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”

December 6th, 2010, 1:36 pm by

Friday evening I was taking my girlfriend, Bev, and her two kids out to dinner. Her daughter, Leah, was stuck on the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas”. She wondered, aloud, what the song really meant. After all, who would give their True Love ten lords jumping around all over the place?

I told her that I remembered the song was an Olde English song and the words were meant to be symbols, but I couldn’t remember what they meant. When we got to the restaurant, I got out my smart phone and “Googled” the song. She was amazed at what she discovered and you may be, too.

So here, according to the website http://www.carols.org.uk/the_twelve_days_of_christmas.htm, is the true meaning of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”:

Religious symbolism of The Twelve Days of Christmas
(The 12 Days of Christmas)
1 True Love refers to God
2 Turtle Doves refers to the Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens refers to Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
4 Calling Birds refers to the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 Golden Rings refers to the first Five Books of the Old Testament, the “Pentateuch”, which gives the history of man’s fall from grace.
6 Geese A-laying refers to the six days of creation
7 Swans A-swimming refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the sacraments
8 Maids A-milking refers to the eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing refers to the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords A-leaping refers to the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping refers to the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming refers to the points of doctrine in the Apostle’s Creed

So, the next time you hear the annual report that some economist has determined that it would cost $96,000 to give all the gifts listed in the song, remember that the gifts given to us were actually priceless.

Merry Christmas!

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Don’t vote for Jim Shrader

October 12th, 2010, 2:46 pm by

When last I visited this space I complained that political attack ads insult my intelligence. I have received a few comments, most in agreement. But one reader indicated that they want to know the “skeletons” in a candidate’s past before they decide their vote.

So, I decided to write an attack ad against a fictional candidate for Congress. I’ll call this fictional candidate, uh, Jim Shrader.

(Open with meaningless sound effects and dark, ominous music. Announcer emphasizes bold words.)

“Jim Shrader says he wants to represent you in Washington. Let’s see what he REALLY stands for:

-Jim Shrader never served his country in the military and actually avoided the draft.

-This so-called “businessman” has worked for companies that sold out twice and even worked for a company that filed bankruptcy.

-The “liberal newspaper” he operates regularly and openly criticizes your elected officials for how they spend your money.

-This high roller smokes imported cigars and drinks beer brewed by a company owned by multi-millionaires based in Belgium.

-This flamboyant, twice-divorced playboy openly wears a chain, a ring and a bracelet he bought from street vendors in Mexico.

Do you really trust Jim Shrader to represent YOUR “family values” in Washington?”

Paid for by the Committee to StopShrader, Dewey Cheatam, Treasurer.

OK – how was that? I sound like a real bum. Now let’s analyze the attack:

-Jim Shrader never served his country in the military and actually avoided the draft.
True. I was in college when I turned 18 in 1972 and had a college deferment. And, due to a high number in the Draft Lottery that year I was not drafted.

-This so-called “businessman” has worked for companies that sold out twice and even worked for a company that filed bankruptcy.
True. I have worked for a newspaper company that has been sold twice, but I didn’t work for them when it happened. And two companies I’ve worked for filed for, and emerged from, reorganization bankruptcies.

-The “liberal newspaper” he operates regularly and openly criticizes your elected officials for how they spend your money.
True. I guess “liberal” is open to your opinion, but in our editorial opinions we do regularly question and criticize how government spends tax dollars (that’s your money, folks).

-This high roller smokes imported cigars and drinks beer brewed by a company owned by multi-millionaires based in Belgium.
True. Know any cigar smokers? Check their cigar bands. I’ll bet you they were made in the Dominican Republic, Honduras or Nicaragua. And that millionaire controlled beer from Belgium? That would be Busch Light.

-This flamboyant, twice-divorced playboy openly wears a chain, a ring and a bracelet he bought from street vendors in Mexico.
I can’t argue with the twice-divorced, that part is true. Flamboyant or playboy? Not guilty. And the chain, ring and bracelet? It was purchased from Licensed street vendors in Puerto Vallarta while on vacation with my girlfriend.

Now my question to you: Could you stand the scrutiny of an attack ad copywriter? Take what you hear with several grains of salt and a healthy dose of skepticism.

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Political attack ads insult my intelligence

October 8th, 2010, 1:10 pm by

In case you just woke from a long summer nap, there is a mid-term election on November 2.

I say that to the more than 65% of registered voters that probably won’t bother to participate. There are fewer things every year that differentiate us from other countries in the world, but the freedom to cast a vote without fear of reprisal is still an important right to American citizens.

But the right to participate doesn’t necessarily mean we have all the information we need to cast an “educated” vote. I am a dyed-in-the-wool independent. Over the course of my voting lifetime (38 years) I have probably voted for as many Democrats as Republicans with a few “independent” and “no selection” ballots thrown in for good measure. To get my vote a candidate needs to tell me what they believe (versus their opponent) and how they will work for (or against) issues that important to me.

I say “work for” because I don’t believe any candidate that says they “will change the way Washington (Springfield, Madison County, Bethalto) does business.” I have voted in many elections, but I have yet to see a ballot that allows us to vote for “king” or “dictator”. Our government process is a three-legged stool of Executive, Legislative and Judicial design, so no candidate is going to do anything on their own.

The vast majority of the political ads I am bombarded with daily do little but infuriate me. We know what is at stake – 20% or so will only vote for a Democrat, and 20% or so only a Republican. The attack ads target the 60% in the middle – many of which will sort of remember a name when they get to the ballot box. That scares me.

You don’t have to take a “Current Events” quiz or pass an IQ test before voting, but I am concerned when anyone casts a vote based on attack ads that are carefully crafted (and liberally exaggerated) to tell us what the other guy did wrong. You want my vote? Tell me what you are going to do right.

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“Wasteful stimulus” status depends on your standpoint.

August 5th, 2010, 11:49 am by

It’s all over the news today. On Tuesday, U.S. Senators John McCain (R- AZ) and Tom Coburn (R- OK) released a report they call “Summertime Blues” listing their top 100 federal stimulus projects they term as “wasteful”.

Hitting a little too close for comfort is item No. 27 –$450,695 earmarked to build a museum exhibit on the “natural and cultural” heritage of the Mississippi River, to be housed at the National Great Rivers Museum.

Now from our local standpoint, dollars spent in this area that may lead to additional tourists attending the museum and, in turn, eating in our restaurants, buying our gasoline and staying in our motels, is not wasteful, it is economic stimulus (there’s that word again).

So while Sens. McCain and Coburn think spending $450K on a museum is wasteful, we think it is, well, stimulating.

But, after reviewing their list of Top 100 “wasteful stimulus projects” I pretty well agree with their assessment of most of the other 99.

Here’s a few of their low points (or highpoints, depending on where you’re from):

$1.9 million for international ant research (Domestic ants not good enough for ya?)

$677,462 for Research on Monkey and Chimpanzee Responses to Inequity (Prediction: they don’t like it.)

$180,935 for a Better Way to Freeze Rat DNA (You want to clone Rats?)

$298,543 – Weather Predictions for Other Planets (Record lows tonight on Jupiter-bring your houseplants inside)

$199,862 for Helping Siberians Lobby Russian Policymakers (Bring the Siberians here and give ‘em an office in the Capital Building)

$529,648 for Studying the Effect of Local Populations on the Environment…in the Himalayas (I guess they didn’t have enough tourists to study)

$1.2 million for Research: Marketing Video Games to the Elderly (“Ethel, it’s my turn to play Grand Theft Auto”)

$253,123 for museum With 44 Annual Visitors Gets Funding for Bug Storage (…and we’re not talking VW Beetles )

$497,117 for Helping Drinkers Control Their Alcohol Consumption With Creative Labeling (Yeah, it worked so well on cigarette packs)

$712,883 – Scientist Attempts to Create Joke Machine (Too late, we call them “elections”)

and my favorite:

$193,956 for Understanding Perceptions of the Economic Stimulus (See above)

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When you wish upon a STAR

April 30th, 2010, 4:04 pm by

When you wish upon a star
Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires
Will come to you

If your heart is in your dream
No request is too extreme
When you wish upon a star
As dreamers do

Like a bolt out of the blue
Fate steps in and sees you through
When you wish upon a star
Your dreams come true
— Jiminy Cricket (1940)

Well, this time, Jiminy Cricket’s words are not prophetic.

If you’ve been following the news lately, you are aware of a proposed billion-dollar “destination” development planned for the Glen Carbon area by developer Bruce Holland and his partners. University Town Center, as proposed, would be a mixed-use development of commercial and retail spaces located in the southeastern corner of the intersection of Interstates 270 and 255. Plans for a “destination” tenant such as a Legoland amusement park, a Bass Pro Shop or Cabela’s, or perhaps a huge Nebraska Furniture Mart, prompted area legislators to salivate at the proposition to bring new sales tax dollars and construction jobs to the area.

Then things began to get interesting. In order for the development to go forward, Holland and partners asked for the establishment of STAR bonds in Illinois, which essentially would pay for all construction costs by diverting sales tax dollars from area taxing districts for at least 20 years. The General Assembly’s initial passage of the legislation was amendatorily vetoed by Governor Pat Quinn as being “too rich” for the developers if it failed. The idea again was proposed in this year’s legislation, and early indications were that it would pass.

Not so fast. A group of area mayors, who rarely agree on anything, began to discuss the potential of impact the UTC might have on surrounding retailers. If the UTC was built using tax-diverted revenues, that would place other retail developers at a clear disadvantage and halt any growth in surrounding communities. Plus, the mayors believed, many of the sales dollars generated at UTC would come at the expense of retailers in their communities and thus affect the tax-supported services their constituents expected.

Just last week, Sen. Bill Haine and Rep. Jay Hoffman sent a letter opposing the UTC to their counterparts in the Legislature, and asked them to oppose the bill, as well. Even Rep. Tom Holbrook, who originally supported the STAR bonds legislation, indicated to the developer that he no longer would support it in the House. The wheels began to come off.

But behind the scenes, area leaders thought the legislation still might pass because of the involvement of one of the partners in the venture. Bruce Holland’s partners in UTC are his nephews, Chad and Ryan Holland, and John Costello, son of U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello. Some elected officials quietly believed the legislation would pass in order to curry favor with Rep. Costello, who, to my knowledge, never has given an opinion on the matter.

Yesterday, Chad Holland said in an e-mail to supporters that there is not enough support for the STAR bonds legislation and, for now, the idea is scrubbed.

So, sometimes, it really “makes no difference who you are” — your dreams on a STAR do not come true.

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