Florida’s legislature is taking action on one of the most pressing problems facing the state – the amount of toilet paper in restaurant bathrooms.
“State Senator Victor Crist, a Republican from Tampa, felt the problem was so important, a law must be passed to protect the backsides of anyone in Florida.”
Posted in Political Animals, regulation
The Capitol Visitor Center began construction in 2000. It was supposed to cost $265 million, and open in January of 2005.
Eight years later, it is still unfinished.
Delays and cost overruns have so far resulted in a $621 million price tag and a November 2008 opening.
Congress is less than pleased. “Anything later than a November 2008 opening or more than a $621 million price tag isn’t going to cut it,” said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
She continued, “If [the opening] is delayed again, I will personally send the contractors a very strongly worded letter.”
Just kidding about that last part.
Comments Off on Capitol Visitor Center
Posted in Economics, Political Animals
It’s still up in the air if Gov. Spitzer will resign or not.
Here’s something that probably won’t help his cause. There are already “Client 9” t-shirts for sale. Less than 24 hours after the scandal broke.
Classy.
Comments Off on A New Record
Posted in General Foolishness, Political Animals
It’s being reported that New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer may resign tonight.
Earlier today the New York Times revealed that he was a client of a recently-busted prostitution ring.
Ironically, Gov. Spitzer prosecuted at least two prostitution rings earlier in his career, and sent people to jail for it.
Now, I’m no fan of Spitzer’s policies or his hardball tactics. It would be good for New York if he were to step down. But if he’s going to resign, it should be over something substantive.
Victimless crimes aren’t really crimes, if you think about it. Prostitution should be legal, if disreputable. This matter should be between Gov. Spitzer and his wife and family.
Comments Off on Spitzer to Resign?
Posted in Political Animals
“Steelworkers press Obama, Clinton to tackle China,” says a recent article in The Hill.
Taken literally, this is a very strange headline.
Those steelworkers must really not want to have any competitors to deal with.
Comments Off on Campaign Oddities
Posted in Economics, General Foolishness, Political Animals, Trade
Having solved all of America’s other problems, the FBI is opening an investigation on Roger Clemens.
I fail to see how the steroids issue concerns the federal government in any way. It is just sad how often this kind of over-reach happens.
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Posted in Political Animals, Sports
In tonight’s debate, both candidates opposed NAFTA. Very strange. Sen. Clinton said it kills jobs. But it hasn’t; net employment grew by 2 million jobs per year for the first ten years of the agreement. The trend has continued; we’re talking about 26 million more jobs on net since NAFTA.
Both candidates want tougher labor and environmental standards added to the agreement. This is largely aimed at Mexico. Now, everyone wants workers to have higher pay, and everyone wants a cleaner environment. But those things cost money, which Mexico just doesn’t have much of. They need to grow before they can afford the standards the candidates favor. If we make them adopt them now, that growth will happen more slowly.
Then there’s the general nature of trade agreements. They’re basically agreements to lower tariffs. It’s like saying, “I’ll stop shooting myself in the foot, but only if you do the same.” Better to stop the shooting altogether and do away with protective tariffs, period.
Comments Off on Clinton, Obama, and NAFTA
Posted in Economics, Elections, Political Animals, Trade
John McCain is opting out of public financing for his campaign, and now the DNC is filing a complaint against him with the FEC.
McCain will never admit this publicly, but he probably doesn’t like his own campaign finance restriction legislation as much as he used to.
Comments Off on Hoist upon His Own Petard
Posted in Elections, Free Speech, Political Animals
You know it’s a slow news day when pointless articles appear in prominent places in major newspapers, filling what is probably better left as empty space.
Today, the NY Times asks, “Is Obama a Mac and Clinton a PC?”
Short answer: No. They are both, in fact, people. They only seem like computers.
Comments Off on More Fun with Headlines
Posted in Elections, Media, Political Animals
Bush says Congress putting US in danger
He’s right, but not for the reason he thinks:
“No man’s life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session.”
-Mark Twain
Comments Off on Right Headline, Wrong Reasons
Posted in Great Thinkers, Pith, Political Animals, Security Theater
Inertia Wins! 