From BLOOMBERG: Industrial production in the U.S. increased more than forecast in November and consumer prices slowed, indicating the recovery is gaining momentum without generating inflation. Output at factories, mines and utilities rose 0.4 percent, the biggest gain since July, after a revised 0.2 percent drop in October, a Federal Reserve report showed today in Washington.
Tag: featured
The world is shifting on its axis
“Apart from its extraordinary longevity and bursts of efflorescent invention, the most striking feature of Chinese history is the fact that while Europe, following the fall of the Roman Empire, fragmented into many parts, and ultimately into many nations, China was already moving in exactly the opposite direction and starting to coalesce…
The Watchdog in Budapest
For two decades, the old dog has enjoyed his stays at the stately Danubius Grand Hotel and Spa on Margitziget Island in the middle of the Danube between downtown Buda and Pest, a surrounding like Central Park in New York City. During this sharp recession, Hungary is going through the agonies of governmental austerity, malnutrition, spreading homelessness, and the resulting separation of families.
A great senator lectures the nation
During his travels yesterday, the Watchdog heard snatches of Senator Bernie Sanders filibuster on CNN-Radio. Would that Sanders’ speech and colloquy with other senators were a required course in every college in America. The following is from Sanders’ web site . We look forward to viewing his speech over the days to come while visiting Hungary for purposes of political activism and philanthropy (with a little business mixed in.)
Should USA have open borders with its neighbors?
“When China Rules the World, The End of the Western World and the Birth of a New Global Order” focuses attention on the world of 2050, the world of our children and grandchildren. With the rapid development of China, India and Brazil and their areas of hegemony, the world’s great economies will likely be in the following order: China, India and the United States, Europe, then Japan and Brazil.
High Noon show down tomorrow at the Southern Market
According to Patrick Hopkins, City Administrator, the City Finance Committee will address funding for the downtown Lancaster Public Library early in the public meeting on Saturday, December 11, which will commence at Noon. Herb Landau, Administrator of the Lancaster Public Library on Duke Street, has encouraged library users and supporters to attend the meeting and to protest the reduction of the City annual subsidy from $100,000 to $50,000.
Good result on state bond
From the TIMES-TRIBUNE: Part of the orderly transition from one state administration to another is the completion of projects that the outgoing administration has agreed to fund. Without a mechanism in place to ensure that continuity, many billions of dollars worth of economic development, which relies partly on state contributions, never would get off the ground.
We endorsed the Obama compromise too quickly
When NewsLanc endorsed President Barack Obama’s compromise deal with the Republican leaders, we were aware that the top estate tax would be 35%, down from 55%, but we were unaware that the level where the top tax rate took effect had been raised from $1 million to $5 million for individuals and from $2 million to $10 million for couples.
Gorbachev: America ‘Itching’ for War with Iran
From NEWSMAX: Mikhail Gorbachev, the former president and general secretary of the Soviet Union, said in an exclusive Newsmax interview that Americans are “itching” to resort to military action against Iran — but he cautioned that more time is needed to allow negotiations to work.
LETTER: Throw city into bankruptcy and renegotiate contracts
I am so sick of hearing about the understaffed fire department that I could puke. Most of the reason taxes are so high is that the salaries AND BENEFITS of the police and firefighters have become obscenely high. Most citizens have no idea what a sweet deal these public unions have – short work weeks, easy days, limited education required, huge salaries, etc.
Capitolwire: Corbett names longtime aides as top administration officials.
Gov.-elect Tom Corbett named four longtime staff members from the attorney general’s office Tuesday as his first appointments to lead his newly forming administration. Three of those staffers were key figures in his gubernatorial campaign: Brian Nutt has served as campaign manager and transition chief of staff…
LETTER: Lobby Harrisburg, not City
Lancaster City has narrowly avoided a tax increase in 2011 – for now. ANY additional expenses (such as an arbitration award) would guarantee higher real estate taxes; this includes restoring library funding. ALL Lancaster City departments are currently understaffed, some desperately so (like the fire department).
INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL
Editorial “Library at a crossroads” states “[Administrator Susan] Hauer’s efforts have been largely successful. During her tenure, circulation increased by 40 percent, local funding rose by 60 percent, a business library was established, four new libraries were opened under the library system umbrella and strategic planning was implemented….A non-binding referendum to tax county residents an average of $25 per person per year was narrowly defeated in the 2005 primary election.”
Aspirin Cuts Death Rates From Range of Cancers, Researchers Say
From BLOOMBERG: Aspirin, a century-old medicine known to relieve pain and prevent blood clots, also reduces the risk of death from a variety of cancers, researchers said. Taking 75 milligrams of aspirin a day for more than five years cut deaths from cancer by 20 percent, according to the study published in The Lancet medical journal today.