Rochester, New York Announces Incentive Bonuses

While performance-based pay is commonplace in the private sector, the Mayor of Rochester, New York has decided to implement the practice at the government level. As a result of his new plan, the already cash-strapped City of Rochester, is handing out thousands of dollars in bonus pay. This plan, especially coming at this point in time, has at least three major problems.

• The economy is in a bad way.
• Mayor Duffy is handing out taxpayer money to pay huge bonuses.
• Mayor Duffy spends more time crying for money in Albany than he does at home. How can he justify this reckless spending?

All of this also comes at a time when the President of the University of Rochester, Joel Seligman, announced this week he will not take a pay increase next year because the U of R is uncertain of what will happen to their funding stream in the midst of the current economy.

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Thanksgiving Day Is On The Way!

Thursday, November 27 is Thanksgiving Day

Do you have plans for Thanksgiving Day this year? With the price of gas dropping down to a cost not seen for three years, early reports from AAA say travel will once again be up. People are discovering that even in the midst of shaky economic times, with the price of gas dropping, now is a good time to spend with family. Of course Thanksgiving also signals the start of the holiday season which takes us right through to the New Year. The day after Thanksgiving, known as Black Friday, will soon be upon us and many people will hit the stores in search of those early holiday specials.

What exactly does Black Friday mean?

Really, it’s not a bad thing. Black Friday got it’s name because it marks the one day when retailers will determine if they will actually get out of the red into the black for Christmas holiday sales. Of course it comes on the heels of Thanksgiving Day when people stuff themselves with turkey, and then stuff themselves with sales the following day.

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Trimming An Already Bloated Budget

Governor David Paterson’s job approval rating may have dipped to 51% this week, but one thing is for sure - New Yorkers overwhelming support his message that the state should cut spending. The question is, just how to cut that spending. The Governor is projecting a $2 billion dollar shortfall for this fiscal year, and it looks even worse, rising into the double digit billions for next year. In a recent poll, 75% of voters think the state budget gap of $2 billion should be closed by cutting spending. 10% support increasing taxes while just 9% favor borrowing money.

Earlier this week I addressed the New York State budget crisis in two other posts;

1. A Republican Money Machine
2. A New York State Stalemate

In the New York State Stalemate post I quoted a recent press release from Assembly Republican Leader Jim Tedisco which said “Some serious and substantive proposals were offered to help address New York’s mounting budget deficit.” Later in the post I mentioned I planned to ask Republican Assemblyman Brian Kolb what those proposals were. I also pointed out that I had an interview with the Assemblyman and I took some Twitter questions from people. Assemblyman Kolb had some great budget cut suggestions, and he also addressed some other key issues as well.

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Danger Will Robinson! Danger Will Robinson!

Another space shuttle mission is well underway with lots of work being done to the International Space Station. The Shuttle Endeavour arrived at the ISS on Sunday, and it’s scheduled to return to Earth later this month. The main objective of the trip is expanding the living quarters on the space station so it can accommodate a fourth astronaut in late 2009. However, a few other things have been taking place during this latest trip too. It’s not just about a Space Station Makeover.

At least two other big events have taken place during the mission;

1. A Tim ‘The Toolman’ Look-Alike-Show
2. Testing A New Filtration System

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When No One Wins…

Chess is a game of strategy where you always need to be at least one move ahead of your opponent. The ultimate victor is the one who declares Checkmate! However, more often than not, many chess games end in a stalemate. No one wins, you’re simply left sitting in your chair looking at your opponent as the chess pieces on the board can move no more. When it’s a game, that’s fine. You just pick up the pieces and move on. However, when governmental leaders play a game of chess with taxpayer money, we expect more. That’s exactly what’s happening in New York State these days.

New York State leaders are playing chess, they’re at a stalemate,
and they’re all poor losers.

New York State is in the midst of a budgetary crisis. Governor Paterson appears to be working hard to deal with the crisis. But many other leaders are simply playing a game of chess. However, they have no clue what their opponents next move will be. As a result, the leaders have egg on their face, and are in the midst of a stalemate. The so-called leaders have stooped to name-calling and are exhibiting the traits of a poor loser.

These so-called leaders of New York State should be ashamed of themselves.

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New York State Legislators Balking At Budget Cuts

New York State Governor David Paterson is set to meet with legislative leaders today to discuss mid-year budget cuts once again. However, it appears not everyone is on board with the idea of cutting the budget. Not only do some of the Albany-fat-cats not want to trim the budget this year, but they’re even balking at trimming the budget for next year. The Governor keeps say the budget deficit needs to be addressed now before it gets worse. While he’s partially right, he is on the mark when trying to cut the budget. We did not get here overnight. New York State spending has been out of control for years. In the past, instead of trimming an already bloated budget, legislators decided to take loans to cover the losses.

How stupid is that? Borrowing to cover loss, does not get you out of the hole.

Reality is, thanks to some of the legislators who’ve enjoyed the gravy-train ride to Albany, New York State is facing a huge budget deficit. The sad thing is, many of those same legislators are busy drawing political lines in the sand, than really trying to work a solution for the budget shortfall we now find ourselves in.

Could it be some are waiting for a Federal Government bailout?

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New Poll Shows Anxiety Is On The Rise

As Gomer Pyle used to say - “Surprise, surprise, surprise!” - Well okay, so this really isn’t much of a surprise. The economy continues to slide down and Wall Street continues the trend of record downfalls. The government is tossing money around like candy and now they’re talking about giving automakers bailout money. Maybe they should look at the fact that unions have a strangle hold on automakers with workers making sometimes $30 plus an hour! (But alas, that’s a topic for an entirely different blog post.)

As a result of what’s going on in the nation, everyone is worried.

With all that’s going on in the nation today, there’s a couple things I want to look at today;

• Polls Show Anxiety Rising
• ‘Tis The Season To Cut Back on Spending

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Everybody Wants A Piece of Your Paycheck!

Every time you turn around these days someone wants another piece of your paycheck. When will the craziness end? Of course another amazing aspect of the whole economy revolves around the fact that finally government officials and news media types are calling this what it is — We are in a recession folks! — This is a headline now? It’s about time those in office figured out what the normal people already knew. But then again, these are the same guys with bloated budgets and fat expense accounts. I guess when you’re paid with taxpayer dollars, you don’t notice a recession because it’s not your money in the first place.

So, what’s going on in the wonderful world of big money today?

• AIG Gets More Money While Execs Party!
• Auto Makers On The List for Bailout Money!
• American Express Credit Card Company Becomes A Bank!
• McDonald’s Making Money On Dollar Menu

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Tuesday, November 11 — Veterans Day — Remembrance Day

This is the day set aside to remember our Veterans who fought, and in many cases gave their lives, so we might enjoy freedom here in this country.

What are you doing to remember those who fought for our freedom today?

As for me, I got up this morning and made sure I put my poppy on my shirt collar. It’s the least I can do in order to show respect, honor, and remembrance for those who bravely fought in past wars, and are currently fighting in wars today. However, as I, along with many others, choose to remember our veterans today, some schools have decided to not teach about Veterans Day. They say the topic is no longer relevant for our young people. This is an outrageous claim, and it’s a news story pretty much flying under the radar.

Students today need to understand and know this is not just another day off from school. This is a day to remember those who fought for our freedom.

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You’ve Got Mail!

Day Two In A President-Elect Obama World

Yesterday my prescription for the nation was Everyone Take A Deep Breathe. As part of the prescription, I encouraged people to breath in and breath out deeply. Nice cleansing type breathes which would help not only to clear the air, but also clear your head. As we find ourselves in day two of a President-Elect Obama world, the sun once again set last night, and rose again this morning. All remains well in the universe. Well, at least it remains well in our universe. If you’re President-Elect Obama you woke up this morning to the news that Japan is mad at you. That’s right folks, in day two of his now forming administration, it’s being reported that Japan is upset with the new President-Elect already.

News reports out today say the Japanese Olympic Committee is worried Tokyo may lose its bid for the 2016 Olympic Games to Chicago.

I received a number of emails on yesterdays post asking “What’s next?” Probably one of the best comments came from Ken Davis who wrote;

Now that I have taken a breath, I will speak. Before last night I was armed with a vote with which I could fight for what I felt was right. I wasn’t swallowing the conspiracy stuff. But I was seriously concerned about Obama’s stand on many of the issues. I used up my ammo last night. Today, what do I use to fight for what I believe to be right ? I feel a little flat footed and vulnerable. My gun is empty!

Opps, I need more oxygen!!!!

Do I just sit back and pray? Do I retreat from the political fray to live out my faith in a smaller more personal world? Or do I search for five small stones in a creek bed and continue to do battle?

Not bitter, not defeated, just a little out of breath and confused as to where to go from here.

Ken Davis @ LightenUp
(On November 5th, 2008 at 8:56 pm)

Well Ken, I’m glad you asked that question, and thanks for commenting on the post! In response to you, and others who asked similar questions, I hope this Open Letter To The Conservative Movement will help.

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