Issues
Ups and Downs
UPS – The Governor’s up for somehow convincing House and Senate Republican leaders to attack her for juggling the state’s books to send out $300 million in tax refunds. The Republicans are up for raiding (or trying to raid because they failed) the Governor’s Golden Leaf pork-barrel fund to use the money to pay…
Read MoreWisconsin
I don’t understand exactly what ‘collective bargaining’ means but if it means what it sounds like – a group of workers banding together to increase their power when they bargain for better pay – it seems they have a right to do that. At the same time, looking at what is happening in Wisconsin…
Read MoreRepublicans and Insurance Deadbeats
A Democratic reader wonders why Republicans have gone soft on deadbeats. Ronald Reagan excoriated “welfare queens.” The Tea Party denounced freeloaders who sponge off hard-working taxpayers. Republican Governors pick loud fights with public-employee “leeches” who get big salaries and generous benefits, courtesy of the taxpayers. The reader asks: What about people who don’t…
Read MorePolitical Point Scoring
Having a Republican legislature and a Democratic Governor fighting over how to best save North Carolina has sure made our politics more entertaining. The Republicans passed a bill to save us from Obama-care – which didn’t go down at all well with Democratic Attorney General Roy Cooper who the Republican legislative leaders ordered to…
Read MoreFailing the School Test
As Stephen Colbert would say, a tip of the hat to Democrats in the legislature who are fighting Republican bills that would hurt public schools: teacher layoffs, larger class sizes, less early education and private-school vouchers. But a wag of the finger to those same Democrats who would hurt public schools by eliminating state…
Read MoreThis is Business-Friendly?
Maybe legislative Republicans are trying to counter’s Carter’s charge that they’re too cozy with business. They’re talking now about making it easier for gun-owners to pack heat at the workplace. That will make performance reviews more exciting.
Read MoreBev Gets a Break
Governor Perdue must be happy. She’s had a hard two years but she’s finally gotten a break. Two of them. Her stand to extend the ‘temporary’ sales tax increase (in order to lessen spending cuts) has turned out to be popular. Voters – 60% of them – agree with Perdue and disagree with…
Read MoreThe Worst Idea Since Reconstruction
Over the last three years Wall Street has taken it on the chin – what with bank bailouts and corporate subsidies and Stimulus Bills corporate America has become about as popular as, well, politicians. In fact, a recent Gallup poll showed that big business has almost caught up with Congress – in unpopularity. That…
Read MoreSubsidizing Corporations
Limiting jury verdicts for the Medical Society, legalizing negligence in the emergency room for the Hospital Association, cutting worker’s compensation for the Chamber of Commerce – business is having a field day like it never had before in the legislature. In the blink of an eye after the election last November lobbyists and CEO’s…
Read MoreSenator Rucho’s Bill
Having gotten his bill for the Medical Society to “cap” jury awards in malpractice lawsuits rolling, Senator Bob Rucho now has his sights set on getting his friends at the Hospital Association immunity when they commit malpractice in the emergency room. Now a lot of folks have the idea you can sue a doctor…
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