Tom Kean Statement On Governor Christie’s Proposed Pension Reform

Senator Tom Kean Jr.

Over the last two years, there has been a history of bipartisan progress that cannot be ignored. Whether it is ending borrowing without voter approval, controlling property taxes or beginning to restore solvency to the pension system, elected representatives of both parties have found common ground.

It is clear now to both sides of the aisle that the pension and healthcare system is out of balance. Hardworking rank-and-file public employees need the economic security of a strong and solvent system in retirement. All middle-class families can’t afford the same costly and inefficient bureaucracy.

The bold ideas proposed by the Governor deserve our immediate attention. Like our previous efforts, if we all acknowledge there is a problem then we all must work towards the solution.

Constitution Day ~ September 17th

Today is Constitution Day, the anniversary of the day in 1787 when the Constitution was approved and submitted to the states for approval. There were two basic schools of argument: that the new country was best served by being united under a strong federal government, and on the other hand, that it would be best served if the individual states had more power, the argument being that common interests in commerce would keep them from acting against one another.

Read More About our Founding Documents

Today is a day to reflect upon our Founding Fathers, whose intent was to create a truly Free Country that ultimately became the greatest country God Gave Man. 

Today it is fitting to really think about and digest the apparent assaults that are being made against their creation, not only from abroad, but also from the highest levels within.

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Obama Looks To NLRB To Circumvent Congress and Implement Card Check

As Congress returns for a brief legislative session, President Barack Obama gave us some good news and some bad news.

First, he stated, regarding EFCA, "The opportunity to get this passed right now is not real high."

While that may be good (if not obvious) news to hear from the president, he followed that up by noting that the principles of card-check organizing could be achieved without passing legislation.  According to The Hill, “the president also pivoted to note that many of the problems in organizing rules that EFCA sought to address might be fixed through administrative action.” 

Read More Here.

As noted in our last CDW Update, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has already begun its move to circumvent the legislative process and force the principles of EFCA on employees and employers via federal regulation. 

Read More About The Recent NLRB Rulings,  Here.

Spotswood Borough Council Takes Stand Against "Prevailing Wage"

Spotswood Takes Stand Against "Prevailing Wage" Mandate For Public Projects

Spotswood borough officials are pushing to eliminate "prevailing wage" mandates from publicly funded projects and hope other New Jersey municipalities and school boards will follow suit.

The borough unanimously passed a resolution that lists drawbacks of the wage mandate, asserting, for instance, that it inflates costs and creates an unnecessary level of bureaucracy.

"It really needs to be made public so taxpayers know where their money is going," said council President Curtis Stollen. "Once you realize what taxpayers are saddled with, it's grossly unfair."

In the coming months, borough officials plan to circulate the resolution to school boards and municipal bodies throughout Middlesex County for support, Stollen said.

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Government Threatens To Black List Insurance Companies That Raise Rates

Obama Hovers Over
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelious

Like a Chicago Gangster, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is threatened to blacklist Health Insurance Companies that raise rates due to increased costs caused by HR 3590, Obamacare.

"There will be zero tolerance for this type of misinformation and unjustified rate increases." That may sound like a schoolroom scolding, But it's from a letter sent from Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to Karen Ignagni, president of America's Health Insurance Plans, the chief lobbyist for private health insurance companies.

Ignagni, the recipient of the letter, points out, "It's a basic law of economics that additional benefits incur additional costs."

Sebelius objects to claims that health insurers are raising premiums because of increased costs imposed by mandates contained within HR 3590, and has "zero tolerance" for that kind of thing. She has threatened to blacklist any Insurance Company that impose unreasonable rate increases (a safe bet would take unreasonable as meaning any rate increase) from participating in Insurance Exchanges when they take effect in 2014.

Sebelius is threatening to put health insurers out of business in a substantial portion of the market if they state that HR 3590 increased their cost of doing business.

The first Amendment reads, "Congress shall make no law, abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press." Sebelius' approach is different: "zero tolerance" for dissent.

The threat to use government regulation to destroy or harm someones business because they disagree with government officials is Chicago style thuggery. just as it was when the Obama administration gave their United Auto Worker minions a hand out at the expense of Chrysler's bondholders who actually had something invested in the company. 

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