(31 May 2012) Illegal aliens cost legal residents $113 billion per year, including $84 billion at state and local levels. (Source: 25 May 2012 Liberty News Network)

(27 May 2012) In 2009, Czar Obama gave $49.5 billion in bailout money to Government Motors (GM). GM knew what to do with this money. It created jobs in China, where it has 2,700 dealerships. GM's Cadillac division sponsored a movie produced by the Communist Party of China that praises the history of the founding of the Party. The head of GM bragged in a speech in China that 70% of GM's cars are made outside the U.S. (Source: 25 May 2012 Tea Party Economist)

(27 May 2012) 36% of doctors say they are no longer accepting new Medicaid patients due in large part to declining reimbursements from the government; including 66% of dermatologists, 64% of endocrinologists, 58% of internists, 50% of orthopedic surgeons, 47% of gastroenterologists, 45% of family practitioners, 43% of neurologists, 39% of cardiologists and 35% of urologists. 26% do not accept any Medicaid patients. 17% no longer accept new Medicare patients and 10% do not accept any Medicare patients. (Source: 23 May 2012 Daily Caller)

(27 May 2012) From 2008 to 2011, their Florida vehicle registrations decreased 5.8%, and Asian and European models increased 5.7%. In Pennsylvania, the decrease was 3.1% and the increase in foreign registrations was 3.2%. In California, the decrease was 2.9% and the increase in foreign registrations was 3.7%. (Source: 22 May 2012 CNBC)

(27 May 2012) A Tennessee man fathered 30 kids with 11 different women and is having trouble supporting them all with his minimum-wage job. The state takes half his paycheck and divides it up among the mothers. He wants a reduction in his support payments. How much do the 30 kids and 11 women cost taxpayers for cash welfare, housing assistance, Medicaid and food stamps?

(27 May 2012) Davis High School in Salt Lake City is cutting money from the fine arts programs to pay a $15,000 federal fine for accidentally selling soda during its lunch period. Federal law forbids soda sales during lunch. The school regularly shuts down the vending machines during lunch, but got caught one day when the bookstore sold carbonated beverages. Sales of high-calorie Gatorade and Snickers are allowed. (Source: 18 May 2012 Independent Journal Review)

(14 May 2012) During the 2008 campaign, Czar Obama said, "The first thing you do when you're in a hole is what? ... You stop digging. So the first thing that we're going to have to do is to stop adding to our deficit." More than 3 years later, Czar Obama and tax-spend big-government politicians are driving the U.S. bus closer to the same cliff that Greece and Italy plunged over. During the 39 full months of Czar Obama's reign, the national debt increased by $5.06 trillion to $15.69 trillion, at an annual rate of $1.56 trillion. The increase in the last 12 months was $1.40 trillion.

(14 May 2012) Upon taking office in 2009, Czar Obama projected his $825 billion "stimulus" spending would keep unemployment below 8% and reduce it to approximately 5.9% today (projected to be 6.3% without stimulus). Instead, the rate quickly ascended to 10.1%, stands at 8.1% today and has exceeded that false 8% ceiling for an all-time record 39 consecutive months (every full month of his reign). There are 141.9 million civilian employees, the same as 7 years ago.

(14 May 2012) California has 12% of the U.S. population and 33% of the welfare recipients. (Source: 2 May 2012 Chief Executive Group)

(14 May 2012) The Syosset, Long Island school district has 6600 students in 10 schools. Last June, the superintendent signed a 5-year contract that guarantees an annual salary of at least $405,244, plus a cost-of-living raise when the new school year starts. With benefits, the total this year is $537,767. To make sure she does not have to work too hard, she has a deputy making $419,033 in salary and benefits. (Source: 1 Apr. 2012 New York Post)

(14 May 2012) The 2000 estimate of proven U.S. oil reserves was 20 billion barrels. During the next 10 years, approximately 20 billion barrels were produced and the 2010 estimate of proven reserves was still 20 billion barrels. The estimate of undiscovered, technically recoverable oil is 134 billion barrels. Production on federal lands has declined almost 8% during Czar Obama's reign, while increasing more than 13% on nonfederal lands. (Source: May 2012 Hudson Institute)

(5 May 2012) European residents are paying for the long-term deficit spending by Socialist politicians as they redistributed income / wealth. In March, the unemployment rates in the 17 Eurozone and 27 European Union (EU) countries were 10.9% and 10.2%, respectively. The rate in Spain was 24.1% and it was 21.7% in Greece (January). In March, the under-25 unemployment rates in the Eurozone and EU were 22.1% and 22.6%, respectively. The rate in Spain was 51.1% and it was 51.2% in Greece (January). (Source: 2 May 2012 Eurostat)

(5 May 2012) For 2012, Government Motors, GM, had set a goal of about 45,000 Volt sales in the U.S. Through the first third of the year, GM sold just 5377, 12% of the annual goal. (Source: 1 May 2012 GM.com)

(5 May 2012) In a typical year only about 65 cents of every gasoline tax dollar is spent on roads and highways. The rest is intercepted by members of Congress for earmarks and the public transit lobby. Since 1982, public transit subsidies have totaled $750 billion in today's dollars, yet the share of travelers using public transit has fallen by nearly one-third. In 2010, more people walked to work or telecommuted than used public transit in most major cities. (Sources: Wall Street Journal, Heritage Foundation, 27 Apr. 2012 Tea Party Economist)

(29 Apr 2012) A fleet of 298 unused new cars purchased in 2006 were recently discovered by Miami-Dade County officials. Most of them were Toyota Prius hybrid models. Most of the warranties have expired with only a few miles on the odometers. (Source: 26 Apr. 2012 The Daily Caller)

(28 Apr 2012) Arizona's E-Verify law started in 2008 and SB1070 passed in 2010. The illegal alien population in Arizona shrank to 360,000 last year, 200,000 fewer since 2008. (Source: 24 Apr. 2012 Yahoo!)

(28 Apr 2012) While the number of federal tax returns increased from 107 million in 1987 to 140.5 million in 2009, the number that paid taxes fell from 87 million (81%) to 82 million (58%). Of the 10.8 million households with an adjustable gross income (AGI) between $40,000 and $50,000, 22% percent paid no federal income tax in 2009. Of the 18.7 million taxpayers with an AGI between $50,000 and $75,000, 12% paid no federal income tax. (Source: 25 Apr. 2012 National Center for Policy Analysis)

(27 Apr 2012) The Social Security Disability Insurance trust fund is predicted to run dry in 2016. Medicare Part A (hospitalization) is projected to be out of reserve funds in 2024. The Social Security retirement trust fund will be empty in 2033, three years earlier than predicted last year and 5 years earlier than predicted in 2010. When these reserve funds are depleted, the programs will not be able to pay all benefits to recipients. (Sources: 23 Apr. 2012 The Hill, 25 Apr. IJ Review)

(27 Apr 2012) During the 1980s, 100,000 more Americans were moving to California from other states each year than were moving out to other states. However, nearly 4 million more people have moved out of California to other states in the last 20 years than have moved in from other states. Most of those leaving were between the ages of 5 and 14 or from 34 to 45, i.e., young families. State income tax rates are very high for young families. The rate for income over $48,000 is 9.3%, which is higher than what millionaires pay in 47 states. One reason for the high rate is one out four residents are on Medicaid. (Source: 20 Apr. 2012 Wall Street Journal)

(26 Apr 2012) First Solar Inc., the largest solar panel manufacturer in the U.S., is laying off 2,000 workers (30%) and closing factories, after receiving $3.1 billion in federal loan guarantees last year. Their stock was $160 a share a year ago and is now $18. (Source: 17 Apr. 2012 The Blaze)

(25 Apr 2012) Coal exports topped 107 million tons worth almost $16 billion in 2011 ... more than double the export volume in 2006. The coal will be burned in other countries. (Source: 10 Apr. 2012 Cowboy Byte)

(24 Apr 2012) 30% of all higher education students attend 2-year community colleges. The percentage that graduate in 3 years is in the low 20's. Close to 400 community colleges have graduation rates less than 15%. (Sources: 3 Apr. 2012 American Enterprise Institute, 10 Apr. National Center for Policy Analysis)

(24 Apr 2012) Only 35% of hybrid owners who purchased a new car in 2011 bought another hybrid. Less than 25% did if you do not include Toyota Prius owners. (Source: 9 Apr. 2012 R. L. Polk & Co)

(23 Apr 2012) California offers $18,024 in food stamps per year for a household of 10 if the gross annual income is less than $58,596.

(23 Apr 2012) "Educational failure puts the United States' future economic prosperity, global position and physical safety at risk ... will not be able to keep pace - much less lead - globally unless it moves to fix the problems it has allowed to fester for too long." While the U.S. invests more in K-12 public education than many other developed countries, its students are ill prepared to compete with their global peers. The 2009 Program for International Student Assessment measured the performance of 15-year-olds in reading, math and science. U.S. students rank 14th in reading, 25th in math and 17th in science compared to students in other industrialized countries. Among college-bound seniors, only 43% meet college-ready standards, meaning they need to take remedial courses. (Source: Mar. 2012 Council on Foreign Relations)

(21 Apr 2012) Upon taking office in 2009, Czar Obama projected his $825 billion "stimulus" spending would keep unemployment below 8% and reduce it to approximately 5.9% today (projected to be 6.3% without stimulus). Instead, the rate quickly ascended to 10.1%, stands at 8.2% today and has exceeded that false 8% ceiling for an all-time record 38 consecutive months (every full month of his reign). While the civilian labor force increased from 154.2 million to 154.7 million, the non-farm employees dropped from 133.6 million to 132.8 million.

(21 Apr 2012) A Democrat House bill titled Lifelong Improvements in Food and Exercise (LIFE) Act would allocate $25 million of taxpayers’ money to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “for a coordinated national effort to reverse increasingly sedentary lifestyles and diets … develop intervention strategies to be used in everyday life, such as in the workplace and in community settings.” (Source: 5 Apr. 2012 Vision to America)

(7 Apr 2012) Amtrak has consumed $40 billion in subsidies over the last 40 years. It has never had an annual profit ... most of its routes lose money. Amtrak accounts for only 0.1% of passenger travel. For the fiscal year starting October 2012, Amtrak has requested $2.17 billion from federal taxpayers. (Sources: Cato Institute, 20 Feb. 2012 The Daily Caller)

(7 Apr 2012) During the 2008 campaign, Czar Obama said, "The first thing you do when you're in a hole is what? ... You stop digging. So the first thing that we're going to have to do is to stop adding to our deficit." More than 3 years later, Czar Obama and tax-spend big-government politicians are driving the U.S. bus closer to the same cliff that Greece and Italy plunged over. During the 38 full months of Czar Obama's reign, the national debt increased by $4.95 trillion to $15.58 trillion, at an annual rate of $1.56 trillion. The increase in the last 12 months was $1.31 trillion.

(5 Apr 2012) According to 2010 FBI murder data with 1 victim and 1 offender, 90.4% of blacks were killed by blacks. That percentage is extremely high considering only 12.3% of the population is black.

(5 Apr 2012) From 1989 to 2011, each of 9 labor unions made political contributions between $15 million and $47 million, totaling $264 million. Each gave at least 89% of their contributions to Democrats and 2% or less to Republicans. (Sources: Federal Elections Commission, 25 April 2011 Center for Responsive Politics)

(4 Apr 2012) Only 29% of students who seek a 2-year associate's degree obtain it within 3 years. Only 56% obtain a 4-year bachelor's degree within 6 years. Only 46% of those who enroll complete college. (Sources: Harvard, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, 29 Mar. 2012 The Atlantic, 3 Apr. National Center for Policy Analysis)

(4 Apr 2012) Only 3 flights per day arrive at Murtha Airport in Johnstown, Pa., all of them from D.C. Democrat Representative John Murtha steered $150 million of taxpayer money to this airport over the last decade. About half the cost of every ticket, $100, is paid by federal taxpayers, a subsidy Congress voted to renew in February. (Source: 3 Apr. 2012 Yahoo! News)

(4 Apr 2012) Solar Trust of America, which owns the development rights for the world's largest solar power project (near Blythe, California), received $2.1 billion of conditional loan guarantees from the Dept. of Energy. Solar Millennium (a German Company) has a 70% stake in the project and filed for bankruptcy in December, causing Solar Trust of America to file bankruptcy. Solar Millennium then tried to sell its stake to Solarhybrid, but that transaction collapsed when Solarhybrid also sought bankruptcy protection in Germany. (Sources: Reuters, 2 April 2012 TheBlaze)

(4 Apr 2012) ExxonMobil has fallen from 1st to 3rd in the production of oil by companies that are at least partially owned by private investors. PetroChina (86% owned by China) and Rosneft (75% owned by Russia) have passed ExxonMobil. PetroChina is only 13 years old and Rosneft was a very small company 14 years ago. Since 2010, PetroChina acquisitions have totalled $7 billion, about twice as much as ExxonMobil. (Sources: Deal Logic, 29 Mar. 2012 Associated Press)

(3 Apr 2012) If my Medicare taxes and premiums had been placed in a private account and earned 6.34% per year, my Medicare premiums and the interest during the period I have been on Medicare would have paid for my Medicare benefits. When I die, my heirs would receive $139,000. Instead, they will receive nothing from Medicare.

(3 Apr 2012) Ecotality received a $99.8 million stimulus grant from the Dept. of Energy in 2009 and another $26.3 million in 2011. For the first grant, it was supposed to install 14,000 electric car chargers in 5 states. To date, they have installed only 6,400. Ecotality's stock is trading at $0.95, down from $6.40 two years ago. (Source: 22 March 2012 CBS News)

(3 Apr 2012) In 2009, the high school graduation rate was only 75.5%, including the following: Asia / Pacific Islands 91.8, White 82.0, Hispanic 65.9, Indian / Alaska Native 64.8 and Black 63.5. The worst graduation rates were Nevada 56.3 (population 27% Hispanic, 8% Black), Mississippi 62.0 (37% Black, 3% Hispanic), D.C. 62.4 (51% Black, 9% Hispanic) and New Mexico 64.8 (46% Hispanic, 2% Black). The highest rates were Wisconsin 90.7 (6% Black, 6% Hispanic) and Vermont 89.6 (2% Hispanic, 1% Black). (Sources: Civic Enterprises, Everyone Graduates Center at Johns Hopkins Univ., America’s Promise Alliance, Alliance for Excellent Education)

(28 March 2012) Since1999, the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (Carlsbad, N.M.) has received 10,200 shipments of waste from nuclear weapons facilities totaling 200,000 tons, including 5 tons of plutonium. The trucks logged 22 million miles without any release of radiation. The waste is stored 2,150 feet below the surface. (Source: 13 Feb. 2012 Forbes)

(28 March 2012) Oil production on federal lands was down 14% in 2011 and was 13% lower than it was in 2003. (Source: 22 March 2012 Conservative Byte)

(28 March 2012) Based on a National Health Interview Survey of 230,000 adults between 1999 and 2009, nearly 40% of Medicaid patients visited a hospital emergency department during the previous year, compared with 18% of patients with private insurance. When you do not have to pay the medical bill, why make an appointment and wait to see a doctor? (Source: 19 March U.S. News & World Report)

(28 March 2012) Canadian Pacific Railways transports oil from Canada and North Dakota to the Gulf. The amount from North Dakota increased from 0.33 million barrels in 2009 to 8.5 million in 2011. Shipping by rail instead of pipeline adds between $5 and $10 per barrel. (Source: 20 March 2012 FoxNews)

(23 March 2012) Land devoted to organic farming produces 23% less corn, 50% less wheat, and 55% less asparagus and lettuce compared to conventionally farmed land. (Sources: 15 March 2012 National Center for Policy Analysis)

(21 March 2012) In 2011, the Interior Dept. collected royalties on more than 97 million barrels of oil from on-shore federal lands, a reduction after 5 years of increases. Production from federal leases in the Gulf was 1.15 million barrels per day in 2008, and approximately 1.56 million barrels per day in 2009 and 2010. Production declined to 1.32 million in 2011 and is projected to drop to 1.23 million this year. (Sources: Energy Information Administration, 14 March 2012 The Hill)

(21 March 2012) Czar Obama pledged that Obama Care would cost "around $900 billion over 10 years". The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated the cost would be $940 billion for the first 10 years. CBO's new estimate is a little under $1.5 trillion for the first 10 years and $1.76 trillion for the 10 years starting 2013. A year ago, CBO predicted 1 million would no longer obtain health insurance coverage from their employers by 2016. Now, their estimate is Obama Care will result in 4 million fewer people getting coverage from their employers. (Sources: 14 March 2012 White House Dossier, 14 March Newsmax)

(21 March 2012) Many politicians who talk about ending subsidies for oil and natural gas companies bypassed the opportunity. Sen. DeMint's amendment to the highway bill to end subsidies to all energy companies was defeated. All 53 members of the Democrat Caucus voted "no". 26 Republicans supported the taxpayers by voting "yes".

(21 March 2012) Evergreen Solar built a $450 million plant 5 years ago and filed for bankruptcy last August. The plant was closed and 800 jobs were cut. Unable to find a buyer, the company begged for permission to abandon the plant to avoid paying $543,000 in property taxes. (Source: 13 March 2012 TheBlaze)

(21 March 2012) None of the 10 states with the lowest average gasoline prices apply a sales tax like several states do.

(20 March 2012) If my Social Security taxes had been placed in a private account and earned only 4.34% per year, the current monthly interest would be equal to the monthly payment I receive. When I die, my heirs would receive $345,000. Instead, they will receive nothing from Social Security.

(20 March 2012) (1) Get high-school diploma. (2) Get full-time job. (3) Wait until age 21 to get married before having kids. Do all 3 and you have a 2% probability of winding up in poverty and a 74% probability of winding up in the middle class. Do not do any of them and you have a 76% probability of poverty and 7% probability of middle class. (Source: Census Bureau, 23 December 2011 Brookings Institution)

(20 March 2012) The federal government spent $24 billion on energy subsidies in 2011. Renewable energy and energy efficiency accounted for $16 billion of the federal support. Ethanol was the biggest recipient with $6 billion and wind was second. Fossil fuels received $2.5 billion in tax breaks. In 2010, subsidies per megawatt-hour of electricity produced were $0.63 for natural gas, $0.64 for coal, $52 for wind and $968 for solar. (Sources: Congressional Budget Office, 7 March 2012 CNNMoney, 12 March Daily Caller)

(17 March 2012) Upon taking office in 2009, Czar Obama projected his $825 billion "stimulus" spending would keep unemployment below 8% and reduce it to approximately 6.0% today (projected to be 6.6% without stimulus). Instead, the rate quickly ascended to 10.1%, stands at 8.3% today and has exceeded that false 8% ceiling for an all-time record 37 consecutive months (every full month of his reign).

(17 March 2012) 29 states plus D.C and Puerto Rico have adopted required percentages of electricity from renewable sources. In 2010, the average price of residential electricity in these states was 31.9% higher than it was in the other 21 states. Industrial rates were 30.7% higher and commercial rates were 27.4% higher. The 5 states with the highest rates, all with renewable requirements, were: Hawaii 28.1 cents per kilowatt-hour, Connecticut 19.25, New York 18.74, New Jersey 16.57 and New Hampshire 16.32. Idaho, without requirements, was 7.99. (Source: Feb. 2012 Manhattan Institute)

(17 March 2012) The Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid car seems to have everything the rich and famous, and environmentally correct look for. Sleek silhouette? Check. Green credentials? Check. Six-figure price tag? Check. Reliable battery? Oops. In a test conducted by Consumer Reports magazine, the $107,850 sports car died after a short ride at 65 miles per hour on a Connecticut test track. "We have owned our car for just a few days; it has less than 200 miles on its odometer ... We buy about 80 cars a year and this is the first time in memory that we have had a car that is undriveable before it has finished our check-in process." A light on the dashboard came on, signaling battery trouble. The car wouldn’t restart after the test driver parked it. (Source: 9 March 2012 Daily Caller)

(17 March 2012) Last year, the federal government announced a $10 million "L Prize" for any manufacturer that could create an affordable green light bulb. Energy Secretary Chu said the prize would spur industry to offer costly LEDs at prices "affordable for American families". Portions of the bulb would have to be made in the U.S. The winning bulb is on the market ... for $50. (Source: 8 March 2012 Washington Post)

(17 March 2012) In 2009, hybrid new car sales were 2.8% of the U.S. market. In 2011, they were 2.2%. (Source: 23 February 2012 Bloomberg BusinessWeek)

(12 March 2012) Remarking on the influence of money in politics in 2008, Obama said that "the time for that kind of politics is over". He promised "a new way of doing business" in Washington. He then reverted to the old way of doing business in Washington. About 80% of those who collected more than $500,000 for Obama's campaign took key administration posts. (Source: 8 March 2012 RedState)

(11 March 2012) During the 2008 campaign, Czar Obama said, "The first thing you do when you're in a hole is what? ... You stop digging. So the first thing that we're going to have to do is to stop adding to our deficit." Three years later, Czar Obama and tax-spend big-government politicians are driving the U.S. bus closer to the same cliff that Greece and Italy plunged over. During the 37 full months of Czar Obama's reign, the national debt increased by $4.86 trillion to $15.49 trillion, at an annual rate of $1.58 trillion. The increase in the last 12 months was $1.29 trillion.

(11 March 2012) Wind electricity in the Pacific Northwest ... built with government subsidies and maintained with tax credits for every megawatt produced ... is now getting paid when shut down because the federal agency that manages the region's electricity grid says there is an oversupply of renewable energy. Melting snow filled the Columbia River Basin. The water flowed through the dam's turbines run by the Portland Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), causing peak hydropower generation. At the same time, the wind howled, leading to maximum wind electricity production. BPA shut down the wind farms for nearly 200 hours over 38 days. BPA is offering to compensate wind companies for half their lost revenue ... up to $50 million a year for not producing electricity. BPA says its hands are tied by environmental regulations. If they shut down hydropower generation instead of the wind farms, endangered salmon would be harmed ... spilling too much water over the dam creates too much oxygen in the water at the base of the dam, which kills salmon. (Source: 7 March 2012 Fox News)

(11 March 2012) The Dept. of Health and Human Services announced that it must delay implementation of new reimbursement codes for Medicare. New regulations would have increased the total number of reimbursement codes from the current 18,000 to more than 140,000. There will be 36 different codes for treating a snake bite; depending on the type of snake, its geographical region and whether the incident was accidental, intentional self-harm, assault or undetermined. The new codes also differentiate between 9 different types of hang-gliding injuries, 4 different types of alligator attacks and the important difference between injuries sustained by walking into a wall versus those resulting from walking into a lamppost. (Source: Cato Institute, 2 March 2012 Center for Individual Freedom)

(11 March 2012) Czar Obama's weekly address in July 2010 highlighted his stimulus package's support for the solar industry. He claimed Abound Solar would “create more than 2,000 construction jobs and 1,500 permanent jobs”. Abound drew $70 million of its $400 million loan. In Feb., it announced that it would lay off 180 full time and 100 part time employees, leaving only 120 total, and halt solar panel production. (Source: 29 Feb. 2012 Hot Air)

(11 March 2012) In 2010, the total of all U.S. "energy specific subsidies and support" provided to 14,000 oil-and-gas companies totaled $2.82 billion. Between 2009 and late 2011, $2.6 billion in tax-free grants were given to 4 wind-electricity companies. A Spanish company got $1 billion and a German company got $0.54 billion. The 2 U.S companies got $0.62 billion and $0.47 billion. (Sources: Energy Information Administration, February 2012 Manhattan Institute For Policy Research)

(11 March 2012) There are fewer manufacturing employees than at any time since March 1941. The number dropped from 19.4 million in 1979 to 11.5 million in 2010. During that time, the number of service employees increased from 64.9 million to 112.1 million. 86% of non-farm employees in 2010 had service jobs. There were 398,887 private manufacturing facilities in the U.S. during the first quarter of 2001. By the end of 2010, the number declined to 342,647, a loss of 56,240 facilities. 8,660 factories closed in 2010. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)

(7 March 2012) Here are the New York City regulations for a child to open a lemonade stand. Go to the County Clerk's Office and register as a sole proprietor. Apply to the IRS for an Employer Identification Number. Complete a 15-hour food protection course. Register for a 1-hour exam. Score at least 70%. Wait 3 to 5 weeks to receive a Food Protection Certificate. Register for a sales tax Certificate of Authority. Apply for a Temporary Food Service Establishment Permit. Take copies of the documents and completed forms to the Consumer Affairs Licensing Center. Arrange and wait about 3 weeks for an inspection by the Health Department's Bureau of Food Safety and Community Sanitation. The inspection must be at least 21 days before opening the stand. Buy a portable fire extinguisher from a company certified by the Fire Dept. Set up a contract for waste disposal. (Source: 24 Feb. 2012 Fox News)

(6 March 2012) In 2000, 12.9% of all American men between the ages of 25 and 34 were living with their parents at their parents’ home. Today, that figure is up to an astounding 18.6%. (Source: 24 Feb. 2012 MrConservative)

(6 March 2012) During the 2008 campaign, Czar Obama labeled deficit levels of the Bush era "unpatriotic". In February 2009, he said, "That's why today, I'm pledging to cut the deficit we inherited by half by the end of my first term in office." During each of the first 3 years of his reign, the deficits have been more than twice the deficit in Bush's last year and Obama's budget this year will have a deficit of more than twice. Maybe he does not know the difference between half and twice. (Source: 23 Feb. 2012 Center for Individual Freedom)

(5 March 2012) The basic U.S. corporate income tax rate is 35%. Tyco International reincorporated in Bermuda in 1997 and then moved to Switzerland in 2009, where the tax rate is 16%. It will drop to 14.5% next year. Foster Wheeler reincorporated in Bermuda in 2001 and then moved to Switzerland in 2009. Ingersoll-Rand reincorporated in Bermuda in 2001, and Cooper Industries and Nabors Industries did so in 2002. High wages pushed jobs to other countries and high corporate taxes are chasing companies to other countries. (Source: 23 February 2012 American Spectator)

(2 March 2012) 92,000 (17%) of the non-citizen Hispanic population of Arizona left the state in the year after it passed E-Verify legislation ... most were probably illegal aliens. Researchers said the law, not the recession or highly-publicized raids targeting illegal aliens, was the most likely cause of the exodus. The self-employment rate among non-citizen Hispanics in Arizona nearly doubled post-E-Verify, and a higher proportion of people who said they were self-employed lived in poverty and lacked health insurance. It is likely many of those living in poverty without health insurance will leave the country or move to a state that loves to redistribute income / wealth to illegal aliens. (Sources: Public Policy Institute of California, 23 February 2012 Yahoo News)

(25 February 2012) Medicaid was signed by Lyndon Johnson in 1965. In 2010, spending totaled $375 billion for a monthly average of 51 million people. It is estimated that the average monthly enrollment exceeded 55 million in 2011, with 70 million people having received benefits at some time during the year. (Source: 23 February 2012 National Center for Policy Analysis)

(24 February 2012) 85% of small businesses are currently not looking for new workers and 66% expressed worries about the overall economic situation. 48% of those not hiring said it was due to concerns about possible rising health care costs and 46% said they were worried about new government regulations. (Sources: Gallup Poll, 15 February 2012 Politico)

(24 February 2012) In 2007, Spain vowed to increase electricity consumption from renewable sources to 20% by 2020 via generous subsidies. A 2009 study by the Universidad Rey Juan Carlos found that Spain spent $748,555 to create each green job. The resulting higher electricity costs from renewable sources led to the loss of 110,500 jobs elsewhere in the economy. Last month, the new government of Mariano Rajoy ended all subsidies. Italy's subsidy system effectively instituted a price floor for wind energy at three-times the level dictated by market forces. Italy's Instituto Bruno Leoni found that the capital necessary to create one green job could have created 6.9 jobs if invested in industry. The U.K. set a goal of creating 10% of all electricity from renewable sources by 2010, 15% by 2015 and 20% by 2020. The estimated cost is $6,315 for each household to achieve 20%. (Sources: February 2012 Texas Public Policy Foundation, 17 February National Center for Policy Analysis)

(24 February 2012) Energy Conversion Devices (ECD) lost money during 8 of its last 11 fiscal years, suspended manufacturing operations at its 6 plants, planned to lay off 500 of its 1,300 workers, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and announced plans to sell some of its assets, including its main subsidiary United Solar Ovonic (USO). ECD and USO were awarded at least $170 million in government incentives, including a $210,000 grant from the City of Greenville. (Source: 15 February 2012 Detroit Free Press)

(24 February 2012) A West Hoke Elementary School (Raeford, N.C.) student was in her More-at-Four classroom when a state agent who was inspecting lunch boxes decided that her packed lunch ... a turkey and cheese sandwich, banana, apple juice and potato chips ... did not meet U.S. Dept. of Agriculture guidelines. The decision was made under consideration of a regulation put in place by the Div. of Child Development and Early Education at the Dept. of Health and Human Services, which requires all lunches served in pre-kindergarten programs to meet USDA guidelines. When home-packed lunches do not include all of the required items, child-care providers must supplement them with the missing ones. The student's mother received a note from the school about the incident and was charged $1.25 for the cafeteria tray of food. When the girl came home with her lunch untouched, her mother wanted to know what she ate instead. Three chicken nuggets, the girl answered. Everything else on her cafeteria tray went to waste. If our authoritarian government can dictate what a child can eat at school, it can dictate what they eat at home. (Source: 14 February 2012 Carolina Journal)

(19 February 2012) At least 32 coal-fired electricity plants in 12 states will be closed so utility companies can comply with the EPA's new air pollution regulations. (Source: 12 February 2012 The Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register)

(17 February 2012) In Lincoln's 2nd inaugural address, he said the following about slavery: "It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask ... assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces." A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover they can vote themselves money and benefits from the taxpayers. From that moment on, the majority votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the taxpayers with the result that a democracy collapses. People go from bondage to courage, from courage to liberty, from liberty to abundance, from abundance to selfishness, from selfishness to apathy, from apathy to dependence, from dependence back to bondage. To the extent that people vote themselves benefits from taxpayer's labor, the taxpayers are slaves.

(17 February 2012) During the 2008 campaign, Czar Obama said, "The first thing you do when you're in a hole is what? ... You stop digging. So the first thing that we're going to have to do is to stop adding to our deficit.” Three years later, Czar Obama and tax-spend big-government politicians are driving the U.S. bus closer to the same cliff that Greece and Italy plunged over. During the 36 full months of Czar Obama's reign, the national debt increased by $4.72 trillion to $15.36 trillion, at an annual rate of $1.57 trillion. The increase in the last 12 months was $1.23 trillion.

(17 February 2012) The majority party (PASOK) elected in Greece in 2009 by a landslide is socialist. Greece is in the 5th year of a deep recession. Unemployment is 21%, with youth unemployment a staggering 48%. Industrial output fell 11.3% in December. Years of deficit spending have ruined the economy. The price Greece will pay for a EuroZone bailout is staggering. There will be a 22% cut in the minimum wage. 20% of government employees will lose their jobs. Pensions will be cut. Private creditors will lose $131 billion (70% of their Greek bond holdings). Greece's two major labor unions called a 48-hour strike. 80,000 protested in Athens, throwing rocks, bottles and gasoline-filled fire bombs. At least 45 buildings in central Athens were destroyed. (Sources: 9 February 2012 Reuters, 10 February Associated Press, 13 February The Daily Beast)

(17 February 2012) FirstEnergy Corporation announced it will close 3 coal-fired electricity plants in West Virginia by this fall ... caused by new EPA regulations making it unfeasible to retrofit or continue operating the plants. Last month, it was announced that 6 coal-fired plants in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Maryland would also be retired. All of those plants are due to be shut down by Sept. 1. Less supply will cause the price of electricity to increase. In addition, there may be problems with distribution of electricity from other sources in some localities. (Source: 9 February 2012 West Virginia MetroNews)

(17 February 2012) In 1984, only 14.8% of Americans paid no federal income tax. In 2009, 49.5% (152 million) paid none. (Source: 8 February 2012 Investor's Business Daily, Heritage Foundation)

(16 February 2012) Fisker Automotive received $193 million of a $529 million Dept. of Energy (DOE) loan, mostly for work on the Karma, a hybrid electric car that sells for about $116,000. Sales of the Karma were delayed because of regulatory issues and battery problems that prompted a safety recall. The DOE made the loan availability for the Nina ($45,000) car contingent on Fisker meeting development and sales milestones for the Karma, which the company missed. Now, Fisker is negotiating with the DOE to modify the loan agreement so funds for the Nina car can be released. Delaware's Council on Development Finance approved a $12.5 million loan to Fisker to help build the Nina in Delaware (Vice-Czar Biden's home). The loan will become a grant if Fisker spends at least $175 million renovating the old Government Motors (GM) facility and shows that it created 2,495 jobs in 5 years. The state also agreed to provide a $9 million grant to help Fisker pay utility bills while the former GM plant is retrofitted and restarted. Fisker has just laid off workers in Delaware and California.

(12 February 2012) The 2011 private-sector union membership rate fell to a new record low of 6.9%. The rate among government workers was 37%. (Sources: Dept. of Labor, 27 January 2012 Freedom Line)

(11 February 2012) Upon taking office in 2009, Czar Obama projected his $825 billion "stimulus" spending would keep unemployment below 8% and reduce it to approximately 6.1% today (projected to be 6.7% without stimulus). Instead, the rate quickly ascended to 10.1%, stands at 8.3% today and has exceeded that false 8% ceiling for an all-time record 36 consecutive months.

(11 February 2012) The goal of $500 million in green-jobs training grants funded by the 2009 stimulus was to train 124,893 people, resulting in 79,854 jobs. After 17 months, only 52,762 were trained (42% of goal) and only 8,035 had jobs (10% of goal). Pathstone Corp. spent $2.3 million of its $8 million grant and had trained only 25 people ... $92,000 per person. (Sources: Dept. of Labor, 31 January 2012 USA Today, 1February National Center for Policy Analysis)

(9 February 2012) In 2008, food stamps cost the taxpayers $37.6 billion to feed 28.2 million people ($102.19 monthly per person). In 2011, it was $75.3 billion for 44.7 million ($133.85 monthly).

(9 February 2012) Based on readings from more than 30,000 measuring stations, the rising trend in world temperatures ended in 1997. (Sources: Met Office, University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit, 29 January 2012 Washington Times)

(9 February 2012) Amonix makes solar power systems and received a $5.9 million investment tax credit through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act in 2010. Amonix completed an $18 million plant in North Las Vegas in 2011, but has laid off about 200 of its 300-plus employees. (Source: 25 January 2012 Las Vegas Sun)

(9 February 2012) Government Motors (GM) sold just 7,671 Volt cars in the U.S. in 2011 ... earned recognition as 1 of the 7 "Worst Product Flops Of 2011". A dealer in Clovis, California sold 10 Volts last year and declined 6 more allocated to him in November and December. (Source: 31 December 2011 Business Insider)

(8 February 2012) The wind generates only 2.3% of electricity, but the industry gets 42% of the federal government's financial support. (Source: 29 January 2012 Newsmax)

(8 February 2012) Romney bought the endorsement of Puerto Rico's governor: "I will work with him ... we will go through the process in Washington to provide statehood to Puerto Rico." We do not need Puerto Rico as a state, with its low-income residents sucking up taxpayer-paid benefits. The December unemployment rate was 14.7%, compared to 8.5% in the U.S. The average wage is 61% of the U.S. wage. (Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 28 January 2012 FOX News)

(4 February 2012) There are $261 billion of 2012 appropriations for 259 expired laws. $84 billion are for Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies appropriations for 67 expired laws. $51 billion are for Military Construction and Veteran Affairs appropriations for 11expired laws. $40 billion are for State and Foreign Operations appropriations for 26 expired laws. (Sources: Congressional Budget Office, 27 January 2012 The Blaze)

(3 February 2012) This year, more than 46 million will get food stamps, 45% more than when Czar Obama took office. 45% of all health spending comes from the federal government, up from 32% in 1990. (Source: 26 January 2012 Investor's Business Daily)

(3 February 2012) The U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) increased 3.0% in 2010, but only 1.7% in 2011. China's GDP increased 10.4% in 2010 and 9.2% in 2011. (Sources: 17 January 2012 Agence France-Presse, 27 January 2012 Washington Times)

(3 February 2012) What happens when a herd of school-lunch crusaders runs roughshod over the taste buds of 700,000 grade-school students? In the Los Angeles Unified School District, the result was thousands of lunches thrown away by dissatisfied students at a huge loss to taxpayers. Last fall, the district unveiled a new menu ... the substitution of vegan food for hamburgers and pizza. The authoritarian nanny-state planners didn’t count on the constituency that matters ... the student consumer. There was a 13% drop in school-lunch purchases. The shortfall wreaked havoc on the budget and thousands of unopened food items were tossed into trash bins every day. Over the winter break, the district announced it would bring back favorites like pizza and hamburgers, albeit with whole grain bread and reduced-fat sauces. You can lead students to vegan food, but you cannot make them eat it. (Sources: Los Angeles Times, 25 January 2012 Center for Individual Freedom)

(31 January 2012) Enera1, an Indiana-based company that develops lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles, filed for bankruptcy. EnerDel, a subsidiary, received a $118.5 million stimulus grant from the Energy Dept. and spent $55 million of the federal funding. (Sources: 26 January 2012 The Hill, Cowboy Byte)

(29 January 2012) Sierra Nevada Corp. received a $345 million Air Force contract for military aircraft. The planes (Embraer A-29 Super Tucano) will be built in Brazil. Beechcraft filed a lawsuit and a stop-work order has been issued to Sierra Nevada. This is another indication of the noncompetitive nature of U.S. manufacturing. (Sources: 5 January 2012 Examiner, 26 January Godfather Politics)

(29 January 2012) The Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) bailout paid $413.4 billion to companies. The Treasury Dept. has been slow in selling off its stakes in 458 bailed-out companies. Taxpayers are still owed $132.9 billion. (Sources: 26 January 2012 Associated Press, FOX News)

(26 January 2012) Last month, Government Motors (GM) allocated 104 Volt cars to 14 dealerships in the New York City area and the dealers took just 31 of them (30%), the lowest rate for any Chevy model in that market. That group of dealers ordered more than 90% of the other vehicles they were eligible to take. Consumers do not want Volt cars, even when the federal government forces taxpayers to give them $7500. (Sources: Automotive News, 23 January 2012 Washington Times)

(25 January 2012) The Highway Trust Fund was established in 1956 to fund the Interstate Highway System (IHS). In 1983, Congress began siphoning off some of the gas-tax revenue for urban mass transit. Today, mass transit receives $10.2 billion annually ... 20% of transportation spending. Additionally, the Dept. of Transportation mandates that states use as much as 10% of their funding for pet projects, such as bike paths and roadside flowers. Trust-fund outlays have exceeded revenue by an average of $12 billion per year, even though the IHS – the catalyst for the gasoline tax – has been completed for 20 years. In 2008, the trust fund was bailed out with $35 billion in general revenue. The Highway Trust Fund and its accompanying federal gasoline tax ... 18.4 cents per gallon (24.4 for diesel) ... should be abolished. Each state should levy its own gas tax according to its own transportation needs, rather than the federal government redistributing tax revenue among states. (Source: 19 January 2012 Redstate)

(25 January 2012) The 338-tower Shepherds Flat wind farm in Oregon will be the world's largest. All of the towers will be built in China. U.S. companies' bids were noncompetitive. (Sources: FOX Business, 19 January 2012 Reuters)

(25 January 2012) Since 2006, TransCanada has spent a lot of its resources on the Keystone project. TransCanada began operating the first leg of the pipeline, which brings oil from Canada to Illinois plants, in early 2011. On 19 September 2008, TransCanada submitted its application for Keystone XL, the second leg of the $12.5 billion pipeline project. XL would move crude from Alberta's oil sands to U.S. refineries on the Texas Gulf Coast. In 2011, Czar Obama postponed a decision on XL until 2013. This month, he rejected the application. Enbridge Inc. is proposing the Northern Gateway oil pipeline that would run through British Columbia to the Pacific Ocean, where tankers would carry supplies to Asia. The Northern Gateway plan is being reviewed at hearings in Canada.

(18 January 2012) In the mid-1980's, Los Angeles County had 102 acute-care hospitals with basic emergency departments. In 2000, there were only 81 to care for an increased number of residents. Why did hospitals close and others close their ER's? Because of earthquakes, older hospitals were required to comply with new seismic regulations. Government hospitals complied right away by spending taxpayers' money. Private hospitals cannot do that. Some companies discovered their hospitals could not be profitable if they had to be rebuilt and closed them. Residents ended up with fewer hospitals all the time in exchange for safer hospitals that may never be affected by an earthquake severe enough to cause damage that would be precluded by the rebuilding of hospitals. Another reason that ER's closed is that federal law requires ER's to diagnose and stabilize every patient, even if they have no means of paying for services. LA County has high populations of low-income and illegal-alien residents that go to ER's for even minor medical treatments, rather than going to a doctor's office and paying for services. Also, a state law has fixed nurse-to-patient ratios for each hospital department at all times of the day. Hospitals had to hire nurses and other employees to monitor the ratios at all times to ensure compliance. Los Angeles County lost 6 ER's with the capacity to serve 75,000 patients in the 14 months prior to August 2004. (Sources: 15 March 2000 California Senate Health and Human Services Committee, California Healthline)

(17 January 2012) The Renewable Fuel Standard requires a minimum amount of renewable fuels be used each year at increasingly greater amounts … 15.2 billion gallons of renewable fuel must be blended into transportation fuel in 2012 and 36 billion gallons by 2022. Of the 36 billion, the U.S. must produce 16 billion gallons of cellulosic ethanol, 15 billion gallons of traditional corn-based ethanol, 4 billion gallons of advanced biofuels and 1 billion gallons of biodiesel. Congress passed the law to force companies to develop technologies that are not mature. It mandated 100 million gallons of cellulosic ethanol be blended into transportation fuel in 2011. There was not a single drop blended during the entire second half of 2011. 250 million gallons are mandated for 2012. It is estimated that less than 4 million gallons will be produced. Because certain renewable fuels were not available, the EPA forced oil companies to pay about $10 million in 2010 and 2011 … costs that were inevitably passed onto consumers. (Sources: New York Times, U.S. Energy Administration, 5 January 2012 U.S. News and World Report, 13 January National Center for Policy Analysis)

(17 January 2012) Social Security's reserve fund decreased $49 billion in 2010 and $47 billion in 2011. It is expected to decrease $56 billion this year. Social Security has tens of billions of dollars in Treasury bonds that will mature and be reinvested this year. The interest on the new bonds will be the lowest in history, accelerating the decline in the reserve fund. (Source: 11 January 2012 Business Insider)

(17 January 2012) During the 2008 campaign, Czar Obama said, "The first thing you do when you're in a hole is what? ... You stop digging. So the first thing that we're going to have to do is to stop adding to our deficit.” Three years later, Czar Obama and tax-spend big-government politicians are driving the U.S. bus closer to the same cliff that Greece and Italy plunged over. During the 35 full months of Czar Obama's reign, the national debt increased by $4.59 trillion to $15.22 trillion, at an annual rate of $1.57 trillion. The increase in the last 12 months was $1.20 trillion.

(10 January 2012) A flex-fuel 2010 Chevy Impala equipped with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine gets an EPA-estimated 18/29 mpg (city/highway) on gasoline (10% ethanol) and 14/21 mpg when burning E85 (85% ethanol). E85 is 8% cheaper and results in 22/28% less mpg. (Sources: 20 December 2010 Cars.com, January 2012 E85Prices.com)

(9 January 2012) Range Fuels received $46.3 million of a $76 million Energy Dept. grant, $42 million of an $80 million Agriculture Dept. loan and $6.2 million from Georgia taxpayers before being sold in a foreclosure sale. It completed a $225 million plant in 2010 to process wood chips into cellulosic ethanol, but did not produce a single gallon. The plant was bought by LanzaTech, a New Zealand company, for $5.1 million. LanzaTech had received $7 million from the U.S. Energy and Transportation departments. (Sources: 3 January 2012 Bloomberg, 6 January Godfather Politics

(8 January 2012) The California high-speed rail project was sold to the taxpayers based on false promises, exaggerated benefits and lowball cost estimates. The pre-election cost was estimated at $33 billion for the Los Angeles/Anaheim to San Francisco portion and an additional $7 billion for the spurs to San Diego and Sacramento. Voters approved (53%) a $9.95 billion bond in 2008, and the federal government and private investors were supposed to cover the remaining $30 billion. $3.6 billion is from Czar Obama's stimulus. Voters were promised a one-way fare between LA and SF would cost about $55, making it cheaper than flying. After the election, costs rose from $33 billion to $100 billion for the LA to SF line (chances are the San Diego and Sacramento lines will never be built) and the ticket price estimate nearly doubled to $105. Ridership estimates were projected as high as 117 million passengers a year. The entire Amtrak system, which includes more than 500 destinations and 21,000 miles of track in 46 states, serves only 27 million passengers a year. The original completion date of 2020 has been changed to 2033. (Sources: Reason Foundation, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, 3 April 2011 San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 April and 7 November National Center for Policy Analysis, 14 August sfgate.com, 1 November Investor's Business Daily) "The fact that the Funding Plan fails to identify any long term funding commitments is a fundamental flaw in the program. Without committed funds, a mega-project of this nature could be forced to halt construction for many years before additional funding could be obtained. The benefits of any independent utility proposed by the current Business Plan would be very limited versus the cost and the impact on the State's finances. The CHSRA has also made it clear there will be no private sector interest in the project until the full public role is defined and funded, which means that significant private funding will not be available for many years." (Source: 3 January 2012 California High-Speed Rail Peer Review Group)

(8 January 2012) The focus of public schools should be educating. Cuts in taxpayer funding of public schools should start with transportation, food and athletics. California has become the first state to completely eliminate transportation funding for public schools, saving the taxpayers $248 million through June. The same drivers using the same buses and vans would be happy to continue transporting students for fees paid by parents. Other parents can form car pools. Parents unable to drive in car pools can pay car pools a fee for their kids to participate. Other students can walk or ride a bicycle to school. If you do not think parents should pay for the transportation of their kids, why is it okay to advocate that the government force strangers to do so? (Source: 4 January 2012 The Sacramento Bee)

(7 January 2012) From June 2009 (more than 4 months after Czar Obama took office) to June 2011, the median annual household income (including federal and state unemployment pay and cash welfare) declined 6.7% (adjusted for inflation). The declines for those under 25 and those 25 to 34 were 9.5 and 9.8%, respectively. (Source: 1 November 2011 The Weekly Standard)

(6 January 2012) From 2002 till now, the number collecting disability benefits increased from 7.2 million to 10.6 million ... cost $130 billion last year. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) deficit spends $4 billion per month. Were there really a net 3.4 million more too disabled to work? No. Only 1% of jobless workers age 50 to 65 with access to less than $5,000 applied for disability benefits when they had 50 weeks of unemployment benefits left. 10% applied when their unemployment benefits expired. Many people now view SSDI as an extended unemployment program. They suddenly become disabled when their unemployment checks are about to end. (Sources: 28 December 2011 Wall Street Journal, 3 January 2012 National Center for Policy Analysis)

(6 January 2012) After raising the corporate income tax rate, Illinois offered bribes to at least 5 companies to not move to another state: Motorola Mobility - $100 million, Navistar - $65 million, Mitsubishi - $29 million, Continental Tire - $19 million, U.S. Cellular - $7 million. At least 3 other companies have indicated they might move: CME Group, Caterpillar, Jimmy John's. Also, Sears and the Chicago Board Options Exchange are talking with other states. What more proof does Illinois need that high corporation taxes, relative to other states, will cause higher unemployment? (Source: Chicago Tribune)

(6 January 2012) Congress created ethanol subsidies in 1978 and they continued through 2011 ... totaling $45 billion. Congress adjourned in December without extending either the $6 billion annual tax subsidy for blending corn ethanol into gasoline or the steep import tariffs on the industry's foreign competitors. Now, the requirements to blend gasoline with 10% ethanol and the consumption of 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels by 2022 should be repealed. (Sources: 30 December 2011 Wall Street Journal, 2 January 2012 RedState)

(2 January 2012) Waste Connections, a $3.6 billion company and major Sacramento-area employer, is headed to Houston, despite the $18 million cost to move from California. More than 2,500 employers, accounting for 109,000 jobs, have left California in the past 4 years. (Sources: 22 December 2011 Orange County (California) Register, Fox News)

(2 January 2012) The buyers of Chevrolet's taxpayer-subsidized midsize Chevy Volt have an average income of $170,000, but still receive a $7,500 federal tax credit and thousands more from some states. That income puts them in the top 7% of households. The average income of luxury-brand Lexus buyers is $141,000 and it is almost $130,000 for luxury-brand Cadillac buyers. It is insane for the government to force taxpayers to subsidize the purchase of cars for people with high incomes. (Sources: May 2010 Bloomberg Business Week, Census, Government Motors (GM), December 2011 Associated Press, December The Daily Caller)

(1 January 2012) Only 200,000 jobs were added to our economy over the past 12 months; however, the federal government imported another 1 million new foreign workers. Meanwhile, Congress stood by and did nothing. (Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 22 December 2011 NumbersUSA)

(1 January 2012) The House bill kept everyone's payroll taxes stable for one year. The Senate bill allowed everyone's taxes to go up in two months. The House bill required people who get an unemployment check to prove they are looking for work, or completing a GED or college degree. The Senate took this out. The House bill allowed states to require you to submit to a drug test to receive unemployment benefits. The Senate took this out. The House bill permitted business owners to immediately expense 100% of new investments, dollar-for-dollar, in the current-year tax return. The Senate took this out. The House bill protected industrial boiler manufacturers from being shut down by unachievable EPA restrictions. The Senate took this out. The House bill stopped welfare recipients from using their Texas Lone Star-type cards at ATM machines in casinos, strip clubs and liquor stores. The Senate took this out. The House bill cut off unemployment and food stamps payments to millionaires. The Senate took this out. The House bill required people to produce a Social Security account before receiving a refundable child tax credit. The Senate took this out. (Source: 18 November 2011 Texas Congressman John Culberson)

(1 January 2012) 19% of men between 25 and 34 are living with their parents. 29% of workers have less than $1,000 saved for retirement ... 46% have less than $10,000. 37% of households that are led by someone under 35 have a net worth of zero or less than zero. 27% have been arrested for other than minor traffic violations by the age of 18 ... 41% by age 23. In October 2011, the median sales price of a home in Detroit was $22,700, compared to a national price of $182,000. (Sources: Employee Benefit Research Institute, Pediatrics, December Zillow.com, 18 December 2011 TheBlaze, 20 December Godfather Politics)

(1 January 2012) The Presidential Dollar Coin Act of 2005 required the mint to create a dollar coin in honor of every president. There are more than 1.4 billion unwanted one-dollar coins in the vaults of the Federal Reserve and the number will soon exceed two billion. The Federal Reserve will have to pay $650,000 to build more storage, $1.4 million to renovate existing buildings and purchase pallets, and $3 million to hire armored-truck contractors to move the coins. (Source: 13 December 2011 Senator David Vitter)

(28 December 2011) To fund the Social Security tax cut, the fee that the government-backed mortgage giants Fannie, Freddie and FHA charge to insure home mortgages will increase. The higher fee will also apply to refinances. 90% of new home mortgages are backed by Fannie, Freddie and the FHA. (Source: 17 December 2011 Townhall)

(28 December 2011) 6% of U.S. college undergraduates major in engineering, compared with 12% in Europe and nearly 20% in Japan and South Korea. Fewer than 100 science and math high schools exist in the U.S. and they enroll only 47,000 students. The 3 largest in New York City have 10,000 of the students. Because of the government / union contract at one of them, a gym teacher has the same salary as a teacher with a Ph.D. in mathematics teaching college-level calculus. The gym teacher makes even more if he has more experience or has taken 30 extra college credits in any subject. (Sources: Autumn 2011 City (NY) Journal, National Center for Education Statistics, 16 December National Center for Policy Analysis)

(28 December 2011) In the 12 Midwest electrical-grid states, 45 to 160 coal-fired electricity plants are candidates for closure because of environmental regulations. Xcel Energy has spent $1 billion to replace two coal-fired plants with cleaner-burning natural gas plants in the Twin Cities. (Source: 13 December 2011 Minneapolis StarTribune)

(28 December 2011) The $825 billion stimulus bill added between 600,000 and 3.3 million jobs ... an extremely expensive $250,000 to $1.375 million per job billed to taxpayers. (Sources: November 2011 Congressional Budget Office, 14 December Townhall)

(18 December 2011) Over 17% of Illinois' operating budget ($5.8 billion) goes to public-employee pensions. In January, Illinois raised its corporate tax from 7.3 to 9.5% and personal income tax from 3 to 5%. In May, Motorola Mobility was offered $100 million in financial incentives to retain its corporate headquarters in Illinois, in the hope of retaining 3,000 jobs. Navistar, a truck and engine firm, managed to extract incentives worth $65 million from the state. Sears is also playing the relocation card. Ohio has offered Sears $400 million to move. Two Chicago-based financial exchanges, CME Group and CBOE Holdings, say they will go as well. Next door, Indiana has a personal income tax of 3.4% and has promised to reduce its corporate tax to 6.5% over the next 4 years. (Sources: 3 December 2011 The Economist, 13 December National Center for Policy Analysis)

(18 December 2011) The percentage of union members in the private sector has fallen from 35 to 6. Government-sector unionization has remained steady at around 45% since the early 1980s. (Sources: 26 November 2011 The American, 2 December National Center for Policy Analysis)

(18 December 2011) In 1980, the U.S. had oil reserves of roughly 30 billion barrels. From 1980 through 2010, we produced over 77 billion barrels of oil. Obviously, we continue to find more reserves. North America has 1.7 trillion barrels of recoverable oil, including 1.4 trillion barrels in the U.S. That is more than the world has used since the first oil well was drilled over 150 years ago. Saudi Arabia has about 260 billion barrels of oil in proven reserves. Recoverable oil in the U.S. could fuel our present needs of 7 billion barrels per year for 200 years. The U.S. has 272.5 trillion cubic feet in proven reserves of natural gas. The amount of natural gas that is recoverable in North America is 4244 trillion cubic feet. U.S. consumption is 24 trillion cubic feet per year. (Source: 9 December 2011 Institute for Energy Research)

(17 December 2011) From January 2009 through October 2011, the Treasury distributed $7.6 billion in grants to companies to generate electricity from wind. Five projects in New York received $300 million and operated at only 22.6% of capacity in 2010. They do not produce electricity when there is no wind. Turbine costs represent 55% of a wind project's cost. 63% of the 3355 megawatts installed in the first 3 quarters of 2011 used turbines manufactured in Europe and Asia. (Source: 5 December 2011 MasterResource)

(14 December 2011) Battery maker A123 Systems received $380 million in government support. Instead of up to 3,000 new Michigan jobs as Czar Obama and the company predicted, it has 690 employees. Battery maker EnerDel received a $118 million federal grant and declared bankruptcy. Johnson Controls received a $299 million stimulus grant and opted to build one factory instead of two because of lower-than-projected demand. The one plant is operating at half capacity. California electric-car maker Aptera announced it was shutting its doors because of problems raising capital. Government Motors' (GM) Volt was supposed to drive Czar Obama's push for 1 million alternative vehicles by 2015. GM revealed it would fall roughly 38% shy of its goal of selling 10,000 this year. Sales of electric cars are approximately two-tenths of 1% of 2011 domestic sales. (Source: 7 December 2011 Washington Post)

(14 December 2011) The Renewable Fuel Standard requires transportation fuel to contain 36 billion gallons of biofuels by 2022. The most common biofuel is ethanol. The EPA estimated, if an additional 9.4 billion gallons of ethanol are consumed by 2022, $2.6 billion would be needed to upgrade rail, truck and barge infrastructures to transport ethanol to wholesale markets. Research indicates that gasoline / ethanol blends may degrade or damage some materials used in existing underground storage tank (UST) systems and dispensing equipment, potentially causing leaks. However, important gaps exist in current research efforts ... none of the planned or ongoing studies on UST systems will test actual components and equipment, such as valves and tanks. While EPA officials have stated that additional research will be needed to more fully understand the effects of intermediate blends on UST systems, no such research is currently planned. The cost of installing a single-tank UST system compatible with intermediate blends is more than $100,000. In addition, the cost of installing a single compatible fuel dispenser is over $20,000. Compared to using gasoline containing no ethanol, E-10 reduces fuel economy from 30 to 28.9 mpg. With E-15, the reduction is from 30 to 28.4. (Source: June 2011 Government Accountability Office)

(13 December 2011) The federal minimum wage increased from $4.25 per hour in 1994, to $4.75 in 1996 and to $5.15 in 1997. In 2007, it increased by 70 cents per hour each year until it reached its current level of $7.25 in 2009. People between 15 and 24 have consistently made up approximately half of all minimum-wage earners. The percentages of this age group with earned income were: 74.5 in 1994, 75.3 (peak) in 1995 and 59.9 in 2010. The percentage of young people that work has dropped significantly. The total income of teens and young adults was $349.5 billion in 1995 and $347.5 billion in 2010 (adjusted for inflation) ... virtually unchanged ... despite a 70.6% increase in the federal minimum wage from $4.25 to $7.25 (a 21.8% increase when adjusted for inflation). Those working make more money, but fewer are working. $7.25 per hour is approximately $15,000 per year. The number of individuals with incomes below $15,000 fell by 5,045,000 from 1995 to 2010. Meanwhile, the number of 15-24 year olds with incomes over $15,000 increased by 3,105,000. Overall, there are 1,940,000 fewer individuals between the ages of 15 and 24 with incomes in 2010 than in 1995. (Sources: Census Current Population Survey, 7 December 2011 Townhall)

(8 December 2011) Amtrak lost $507 million in fiscal 2011 and expects to lose $616 million in 2012. It received $1.4 billion in federal subsidies in 2011. It has never once been profitable in its 40 years of existence. A bus from New York to Boston costs up to $30 and takes 4 hours and 15 minutes ... Amtrak is as high as $164 and takes 5 hours and 10 minutes. (Source: November 2011 Smart Money)

(7 December 2011) U.S. students rank 31st in math among 65 industrialized countries. 68% of 8th-grade students cannot read at 8th-grade level. 30% do not graduate from high school. These dismal statistics are in spite of expenditures per student for elementary and secondary public schools increasing from $5,718 in 1980-81 to $10,441 in 2007-08 (corrected for inflation). (Sources: Broad Foundation, U.S. Dept. of Education, 10 October 2011 Forbes)

(6 December 2011) Maryland has given $150 million in clean-energy grants in the last 2 years after passing a law requiring utilities to buy 20% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2022. Realizing the law is increasing electricity costs, 43% of the grant money is used to subsidize low-income residents' bills. (Sources: Maryland Energy Administration, 30 November 2011 Washington Examiner)

(4 December 2011) Canada's national debt was approximately 29% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 1980 and steadily grew to 68% in 1995-1996. Economists repeatedly called for austerity; however, it wasn't until the drastic spending cuts and moderate tax increases of 1994 and 1995 that the Canadian government took steps to balance its budget. The spending cuts were 7 times the tax increases. Almost every government department was cut by between 5 and 65%. Today, the national debt is back to 29% of GDP. Unemployment was 9.9% in September to December 1996 and has steadily decreased to 7.4%. The U.S. debt ratio: 32.5% (1981), 56.4% (2001), 64.4% (2007), 100% (now). U.S. unemployment rate: 4.4% (May 2007), 5.0% (May 2008), 7.4% (January 2009), 10.1% (October 2009), 8.6% (now). (Sources: Trading Economics, 21 November 2011 Reuters, 29 November National Center for Policy Analysis)

(3 December 2011) The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) 2007 report indicated a rise in the earth's surface temperatures of between 3.6 to 8.1 F degrees, with a median increase of 5.4, resulting from a hypothetical doubling of the atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) from pre-industrial-revolution levels. A new analysis indicated a range of 3.1 to 4.7 F degrees, with a median increase of 4.1. (Sources: 24 November 2011 Science, 25 November BBC News)

(30 November 2011) Since 2003, total U.S. oil and gas production employees increased 80%. North Dakota is pumping 440,000 barrels of oil a day, four times the amount in 2006, and has the nation's lowest jobless rate ... 3.5%. However, the federal government has all but stopped offshore lease sales ... $0.04 billion in fiscal 2011, down from $9.5 billion in fiscal 2008. (Sources: 26 November 2011 Wall Street Journal, 26 November Vision to America)

(26 November 2011) The historical average government approval rate of oil-drilling plans in the Gulf of Mexico is 73%. This year, it is just 35%. The historical average approval time is 61 days. This year, it is 115 days. This year, deep-water drilling plans have an average approval time of 222 days. (Sources: Greater New Orleans Inc., 24 November 2011 The Heritage Foundation, 25 November Conservative Byte)

(24 November 2011) Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) paid out $55 billion in 2001 and $124 billion in 2010. Its reserve fund will be gone within 2015 to 2018. (Sources: 21 November 2011 Wall Street Journal, 22 November National Center for Policy Analysis)

(24 November 2011) The current estimated cost of the federal government's $60 billion bailout of Government Motors (GM) is $38.6 billion, including $15 billion in lost tax revenue. Had GM gone through a normal bankruptcy, previous losses of $45 billion could not have been carried forward like they were for GM's special bankruptcy. (Sources: Treasury Dept., 17 November 2011 Reason Magazine Blog, 22 November National Center for Policy Analysis)

(19 November 2011) In October, Government Motors (GM) sold more vehicles in China (220,412) than in the U.S. (186,895). The same is true for the first 10 months of 2011 ... 2,113,274 versus 2,089,067. Maybe Czar Obama should have pressured China to help the U.S. taxpayers when he ordered us to provide a bailout for GM. More than half (53.5%) of Chrysler is owned by Italy's Fiat.

(19 November 2011) Czar Obama and tax-spend big-government politicians are driving the U.S. bus closer to the same cliff that Greece and Italy plunged over. During the first 33 full months of Czar Obama's reign, the national debt increased by $4.36 trillion to $14.99 trillion, at an annual rate of $1.59 trillion. The increase in the last 12 months was $1.32 trillion.

(19 November 2011) One measure of a country's wealth is its annual gross domestic product (GDP) per adult resident. As of June 2011, the top 5 countries were Switzerland (540,000 U.S. dollars), Australia (397,000), Norway (356,000), France (294,000), and Singapore (285,000). Japan was 10th at 249,000. The U.S. was not in the top 10. (Source: 19 October 2011 Credit Suisse Research Institute)

(14 November 2011) If my Social Security taxes had been placed in a private account and earned only 4.38% per year, the current monthly interest would be equal to the monthly payment I receive. When I die, my heirs would receive $348,000. Instead, they will receive nothing from Social Security.

(13 November 2011) The California high-speed rail project was sold to the taxpayers based on false promises, exaggerated benefits and lowball cost estimates. The pre-election cost was estimated at $33 billion for the Los Angeles/Anaheim to San Francisco portion and an additional $7 billion for the spurs to San Diego and Sacramento. Voters approved a $9.95 billion bond in 2008, and the federal government and private investors were supposed to cover the remaining $30 billion. Voters were promised a one-way fare between LA and SF would cost about $55, making it cheaper than flying. After the election, costs rose from $33 to $100 billion for the LA to SF line (chances are the San Diego and Sacramento lines will never be built) and the ticket price estimate nearly doubled to $105. Ridership estimates were projected as high as 117 million passengers a year. The entire Amtrak system, which includes more than 500 destinations and 21,000 miles of track in 46 states, serves only 27 million passengers a year. The original completion date of 2020 has been changed to 2033. (Sources: Reason Foundation, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, 3 Apr. 2011 San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. and 7 November National Center for Policy Analysis, 1 November Investor's Business Daily)

(13 November 2011) The Department of Energy (DOE) Inspector General said: expecting $35.2 billion funneled through the DOE to stimulate the economy was like screwing a lawn hose to a fire hydrant ... the infrastructure - both at the federal, state and local level - simply was not there to accept the burden ... the concept of "shovel-ready" projects was not realized, nor was it a realistic expectation … launched more than 100 investigations of stimulus-funded companies that have resulted in five criminal prosecutions. (Source: 2 November 2011 Los Angeles Times)

(13 November 2011) 45.8 million people (15%) participate in the food stamp program. 21.5% of Mississippi residents are on food stamps ... New Mexico (20.7%), Oregon (20.6%), Tennessee (20.2%), Louisiana (19.9%), Wyoming (6%). (Sources: Department of Agriculture, 2 November Yahoo! News)

(13 November 2011) California is the first jurisdiction in the U.S. to adopt a full-scale cap-and-trade system for its carbon emissions. The new tax calls for a 30% reduction in carbon emissions from power plants, manufacturers, cars and trucks by 2020. The California Small Business Roundtable concluded the new tax could cost $3857 per household by the end of 2020. The Western State Petroleum Administration estimated the new law could cost its members up to $540 million in higher costs in the first two years. California has the second highest unemployment rate (11.9%). Afraid the new taxes could increase the flow of jobs out of the state, union workers protested the tax to the California Air Resources Board, but to no avail. (Sources: 1 November 2011 Wall Street Journal, 2 November National Center for Policy Analysis)

(5 November 2011) Some people cite national security concerns as a reason to support renewable-energy technologies. Czar Obama has touted solar-panel manufacturing as a green-jobs growth sector. From 2003 to 2009, China's production of the world's solar panels increased from 1% to 38%. U.S. production fell from 14% to 4%. The U.S. cannot compete in this industry without massive tax subsidies. Switching to solar panels made in China will not alleviate national security concerns ... more domestic oil will. (Source: 2 November 2011 National Center for Policy Analysis)

(5 November 2011) Beacon Power Corp. received a $43 million loan guarantee from the Dept. of Energy for a $69 million plant in Stephentown, N.Y. and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Beacon develops flywheel energy storage systems. The company is struggling to attract private investment and is facing de-listing from NASDAQ. Beacon also received $29 million in grants from the Dept. of Energy and the state of Pennsylvania for a plant in Hazle Township, Pa. This is reckless abuse of taxpayers' dollars in the pursuit of green jobs. (Source: 31 October 2011 FOX News)

(5 November 2011) There are 9.2 million "dual eligible" people ... have both Medicare and Medicaid. They are 16% of Medicare's enrollees and get 27% of its spending, and 15% of Medicaid's enrollees and get 39% of its spending. (Sources: 27 October 2011 Wall Street Journal, 31 October National Center for Policy Analysis)

(5 November 2011) States are using a variety of strategies to control rising Medicaid costs as they look ahead to a massive expansion of the program in 2014 ... 16 million more people due to Obama Care. California plans to eliminate adult day-care coverage and limit patients to 7 doctor visits a year. North Carolina stopped covering regular eye exams and glasses for adults. Connecticut cut the number of dental exams covered for adults from 2 to 1 a year. Pennsylvania began requiring adults to get state permission for crowns. More cuts will be necessary to save taxpayers billions of dollars in new taxes. (Sources: 24 October 2011 USA Today, 31 October National Center for Policy Analysis)

(5 November 2011) In July, the EPA issued the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule. Ameren Corp. said it will close 2 power plants in Illinois by the end of the year, blaming the cost of complying with new pollution rules. 90 jobs will be eliminated. (Source: 4 October 2011 Associated Press)

(4 November 2011) Over the past 25 years, the number of students in college has increased by about 50%, but the number of students graduating with degrees in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math has been flat. Many of the graduates in those fields are foreign-born and often return to their native countries upon graduation. (Sources: 19 October 2011 Investor's Business Daily, 26 October National Center for Policy Analysis)

(31 October 2011) Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac continue to bail out mortgage investors. After a home loan is obtained from a lender, the mortgage is sold into a secondary market where 95% of them are bought by Fannie and Freddie. They then package it with other mortgages, sell the bundled mortgages to investors and promise to continue payments on the mortgages even if the consumers stop paying. This became a problem in 2008 when many consumers stopped paying, depleting the excess reserves, causing insolvency and forcing Fannie and Freddie to default on their guarantees. Fannie and Freddie continue to post losses every quarter and receive subsidies from the federal government (taxpayers) to keep them solvent -- these subsidies currently total $169 billion. Taxpayers should be outraged that this process is facilitated by compliant politicians. (Sources: 19 October 2011 Reason Foundation, 25 October 2011 National Center for Policy Analysis)

(30 October 2011) The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Czar Obama's stimulus) spent $825 billion. The recipients of stimulus funds reported the equivalent of more than 550,000 full-time jobs in the second quarter of this year. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the actual total might be greater than that ... between 600,000 and 2 million will be employed in the fourth quarter at a cost of between $412,500 and $1.375 million per job. (Sources: Congressional Budget Office, 24 October 2011 CNSNews)

(30 October 2011) Only 14 of the 120 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) schools made money from athletics in the 2009 fiscal year. Half of the 120 schools paid more than $10 million each to support athletics. 68 FBS schools made a profit on football and 52 lost money. (Source: 23 August 2010 Bay News 9)

(30 October 2011) The federal government is projected to spend $80 billion on food stamps this year ... twice what is was 3 years ago. One of the reasons the program has ballooned is allowing states to make households automatically eligible for food stamps if they receive other federal benefits. They are exempt from meeting the asset and income requirements for food stamps. A Senate amendment to repeal the exemption was defeated 41 to 58. Meanwhile, the national debt keeps increasing at an annual rate of $1.56 trillion. (Source: 24 October 2011 The Daily Caller)

(29 October 2011) Washington, D.C. nosed out San Jose, California as the nation's highest-income metropolitan region, fueled mainly by its army of government workers, attorneys, consultants, lobbyists and outside contractors. D.C.'s median household income was approximately $85,000 last year, compared to the national average of approximately $50,000. D.C.'s 6% unemployment rate is well below the nationwide rate of 9.1%. (Source: Wall Street Journal)

(29 October 2011) Upon taking office in 2009, the Obama Administration projected that its massive "stimulus" spending would keep unemployment below 8% and reduce it to approximately 6.3% today. Instead, the rate quickly ascended to 10.1%, stands at 9.1% today and has exceeded that false 8% ceiling for an all-time record 32 consecutive months. (Source: 20 October 2011 Center for Individual Freedom)

(29 October 2011) A study found that 46 of the 53 colleges examined subsidize their sports programs, supporting a statement by the NCAA that most athletic departments operate in the red. Six Virginia colleges charged each of their students more than $1,000 as an athletics fee for the 2008-2009 school year, constituting between 10% and 23% of the total tuition and mandatory-fee charges for in-state students. Public colleges should eliminate taxpayers' subsidies for athletics. (Sources: Bloomberg, USA Today, 14 October 2011 Reason Magazine, 21 October 21 National Center for Policy Analysis)

(29 October 2011) Fisker, a start-up electric car company, received a $529 million loan guarantee from the Energy Dept., but is assembling its first line of cars in Finland. Vice-Czar Biden heralded Fisker as a bright new path to thousands of American manufacturing jobs. The U.S. did not get the jobs and very few can afford the Karma sports car's price of $97,000. Former Vice-Czar Gore is a Fisker partner. Tesla, another start-up electric car company, has lost money every quarter and accumulated $523 million in net losses. It received a $465 million loan guarantee and plans to produce a $57,400 sedan. (Sources: 20 October 2011 ABC News, 20 October Vision To America)

(25 October 2011) The sugar program, created in 1934 and modified several times, includes (1) price supports that establish an artificial floor on sugar, (2) import restrictions that prevent foreign sugar from bringing U.S. sugar prices in line with the rest of the world and (3) market controls that dictate to the nation's established sugar producers how much each company is allowed to sell and precludes other companies from entering the market. It costs consumers and sugar-using businesses $4 billion a year. The U.S. sugar price is almost twice the world average. (Sources: 17 October 2011 Politico, 20 October National Center for Policy Analysis)

(23 October 2011) The U.S. Energy Dept. distributed $35.2 billion in funds for energy initiatives as a part of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), promising to create more green jobs. The ARRA's $7.2 billion in "clean tech" money created only 7140 jobs, at a cost of about $1.01 million each. Additionally, $15 million in funding went to a program to train workers in new skills such as solar panel installation, yet 62% of the program's graduates remain unemployed. (Sources: November 2011 Reason Magazine, 12 October Wall Street Journal, 18 and 19 October 2011 National Center for Policy Analysis)

(23 October 2011) Between 2004 and 2007, 94% of U.S. school districts had average math achievement scores that were below the 67th percentile for developed nations. 68% had scores that were below the 50th percentile for developed nations. None of the largest 20 school districts (collectively they contained 5.2 million students ... 10% of the nation's total) were above the 50th percentile for developed nations. (Sources: Education Next, 18 October 2011 National Center for Policy Analysis)

(23 October 2011) During the first 32 full months of Czar Obama's reign, the national debt increased by $4.16 trillion to $14.79 trillion, at an annual rate of $1.56 trillion.

(23 October 2011) The Dodd-Frank CARD Act, with a Durbin amendment, forced price fixing on banks. It will reduce retailer-paid debit-card fees from approximately 44 to 24 cents on a $38 transaction. B of A decided it will impose a $5 monthly fee on card-holders’ accounts, rather than eat the reduction in revenue. During a Senate session, Durbin said, “What B of A has done is an outrage ... get the heck out of that bank.” B of A had negative net incomes of $2.2 billion in 2010 and $8.8 billion in the 2nd quarter of 2011. Are Dodd, Frank and Durbin (all Democrats) trying to bankrupt B of A? International Bancshares Corp. (IBC) is closing 55 branches in grocery stores because of the government's price fixing. As a result, the grocery stores will lose lease revenue and bank employees will lose their jobs.

(16 October 2011) Three taxpayer-backed clean-energy companies that specialize in capturing heat from the earth and turning it into electricity are facing financial difficulties. Raser Technologies received a $33 million Treasury Department grant and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Nevada Geothermal Power received $66 million in government grants and a $98.5 million loan guarantee, but has never operated profitably and is at risk. U.S. Geothermal received a $97 million Energy Department loan in February, but has not turned a profit in four years. (Sources: 6 October 2011 USA Today, 10 October National Center for Policy Analysis)

(16 October 2011) 1134 Arizona public high school students were asked 10 questions. Only 3.5% knew 6 of the 10 answers. None knew more than 7 answers. Results of 5 questions: 58.8% knew what ocean is on the east coast. 49.6% knew the names of the two major political parties. 26.5% knew the first president. 14.5% knew the term of U.S. Senators. 9.4% knew the number of U.S. Supreme Court justices. (Sources: Goldwater Institute, 7 October 2011 Goldwater Politics)

(12 October 2011) From 1983 to 2010, the percentage of the population that received some type of government benefit increased from 29 to 48.5. 34.2% of Americans live in a household that receives benefits such as food stamps, subsidized housing, cash welfare or Medicaid. Nearly 16% live in households receiving Social Security. 14.5% live in homes where someone is on Medicare. 46.4% of households will pay no federal income tax this year. When our authoritarian government robs Peter to pay Paul, the politicians can count on Paul's support at the polls. (Sources: U.S. Census, Tax Policy Center, 5 October 2011 Wall Street Journal, Fox Nation)

(3 October 2011) In 2009 and 2010, Ecotality was handed $115 million in Dept. of Energy (taxpayer) grants to install 14,000 of its electric-car chargers, including in homes at no cost to electric-car owners. Only 33% of Nissan Leaf owners with the chargers have had no problems. Leaf and Volt owners also get a $7500 tax credit, courtesy of federal taxpayers. Would Ecotality be alive without the $115 million in grants? In 2008, revenue was $11.2 million and costs were $19.3 million. In 2009, revenue was $8.6 and costs were $38.1 million. In 2010, revenue was $13.7 million and costs were $30.1 million. (Sources: 20 September 2011 plugincars.com, MyNissanLeaf.com)

(30 September 2011) In August, there were 9 areas with unemployment rates higher than 15.0% and 8 of them were in California. (Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 29 September 2011 Washington Post)

(30 September 2011) People have complained about Texas highway 195 being unsafe since 1950. In Bell County, it was widened from 2 to 4 lanes. In 2003, the preliminary environmental assessment was approved for widening in Williamson County with no significant negative findings. Then, the EPA started its detailed research. Construction of the section starting at Bell County started last spring and the section intersecting I-35 will be started soon. 8 years after the preliminary approval, the center section is on hold because the EPA found Bone Cave Harvestman spiders in a cave that was going to be destroyed to widen the road. The spider is on the endangered list. They are known to live in caves in Austin and Williamson Counties. They need a relative constant temperature and humidity. That is why they live in caves. However, since caves are totally dark, the spiders are blind. They are also tiny … less than 1/8th inch long. The EPA has no idea how many exist. Because of their size and they live in caves under rocks, where moisture accumulates, the EPA has never attempted to count them and very few people have ever seen one or know they exist. The EPA is not requiring the spiders to be captured and relocated. Instead, the government (taxpayers) is going to buy another cave from a landowner where the spiders also live. The government will then secure and maintain the cave as a home for the spiders for eternity. Is delaying the widening of an unsafe road, which will likely increase the cost and result in avoidable accidents, and buying and maintaining one of the numerous caves where the spiders live anything more than an academic exercise? Would anyone’s life be altered in any way if the EPA allowed the road to be widened and did not buy a cave?

(24 September 2011) Employment in Texas increased by 279,000 from the 2nd quarter of 2007 to the 2nd quarter of 2011. The increase in employment of newly-arrived legal immigrants and illegal aliens was 81% of that total. The increase in employment of newly-arrived illegal aliens was 75% of the total. (Sources: Census Bureau's Current Population Survey, Center for Immigration Studies, 22 September 2011 NumbersUSA)

(24 September 2011) This year, households making more than $1 million will pay an average of 29.1% of their income in federal taxes. Households making $50,000 - $75,000 will pay 15.0%. Households making $20,000 - $30,000 will pay 5.7%. Warren Buffett's justification to increase taxes is flawed. (Sources: Tax Policy Center, 20 September 2011 Associated Press, 23 September National Center for Policy Analysis)

(22 September 2011) Government data showed there were more deaths caused by drug use (37,485) than there were motor vehicle fatalities in 2009 ... the first time drugs have outnumbered traffic incidents as a cause of death since the government began tracking drug-induced deaths in 1979. The annual death toll from drugs has doubled in the past decade. The rise is largely due to the growing popularity of powerful prescription pain and anxiety drugs. Prescription drugs now account for more deaths than heroin and cocaine combined. A growing number of people would rather be high on drugs than be in control of a brain that functions in the real world. (Sources: 18 September 2011 Associated Press, 18 September Los Angeles Times, 18 September Fox News)

(17 September 2011) Solar-panel company Solyndra isn't the only business to go belly up after benefiting from the taxpayers. At least 4 other companies have recently received government funding, only to later file for bankruptcy. Evergreen Solar received a $43 million Massachusetts grant, and then laid off 800 people. The company filed for bankruptcy last month and moved to China. Solar-cell company SpectraWatt was spun off from Intel in 2008. In June 2009, SpectraWatt received a $500,000 grant from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory as part of the stimulus package. The company filed for bankruptcy last month. Mountain Plaza, despite declaring bankruptcy in 2003, received $424,000 from the Tennessee Dept. of Transportation (TDOT) as part of a grant aimed at installing "truck stop electrification" systems that allow idling truckers to plug-in during extended stops and turn off their engines. Mountain Plaza filed for bankruptcy again in June 2010. TDOT said it didn't learn about the bankruptcy until October. After Olsen's Mills Acquisition filed for bankruptcy protection for defaulting on a $60 million bank loan, it received $10 million to increase employment, add equipment / machinery, refinance existing debts and increase capital for operations / land acquisition. Did Czar Obama or any of his bureaucrats invest any of their own money in these companies? I’ll bet not. (Source: 15 September 2011 Fox News)

(16 September 2011) The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has estimated that up to 91 gigawatts of existing electricity generation capacity (8% of the total) are "likely" or "very likely" to be closed as a result of new EPA rules. (Sources: 14 September 2011 Investor's Business Daily, 16 September 2011 National Center for Policy Analysis)

(15 September 2011) Luminant Energy announced it would lay off 500 employees on the same morning that Czar Obama unveiled legislation designed to promote job growth. The company said that the EPA's new cross-state pollution rule will force it to cease operations at two electricity generating plants and close three coal mines. (Sources: Energy and Environment; 12 September 2011 The Foundry, The Heritage Foundation)

(13 September 2011) When an Arizona woman learned she'd have to pay a one-time $25 background-check fee to visit her imprisoned son, she was angry. "For me, it is not the $25 fee that is an issue," she said. "It is when it is combined with the other costs … then it becomes a burden to me." She has it backwards … it is her son, a criminal, that is a burden to taxpayers. Prison operations costs are $23,200 per inmate per year. A large part of the burden is due to illegal aliens. Illegal aliens are 7% of Arizona's population, but 14.8% of the prison population. (Sources: 12 September 2011 Associated Press, CBS News)

(10 September 2011) This is prosperity, isn't it? During the first 31 full months of Czar Obama's reign, the national debt increased to $14.68 trillion, at an annual rate of $1.57 trillion.

(9 September 2011) The World Economic Forum ranks 142 of the world's most competitive economies. The U.S. was number 1 until 2008. It was 4th last year, but fell to 5th this year because of its huge deficits and declining public faith in government. Switzerland held onto the top spot for the third consecutive year. Singapore, Sweden and Finland were also ahead of the U.S. Germany, Netherlands, Denmark, Japan and Britain followed the U.S. (Source: 7 September 2011 Associated Press)

(9 September 2011) Solyndra, a company that served as a showcase for Czar Obama’s effort to create green jobs, is filing for chapter 11 bankruptcy, leaving 1100 people out of work. Taxpayers are obligated for $535 million in federal loan guarantees for capital from billionaire Democratic fundraiser George Kaiser. Most of the loans had been dispersed. (Source: 31 August 2011 Washington Post)

(9 September 2011) Rick Perry has been among the most vocal critics of Obama Care and Romney Care. But in 1993, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Perry praised the efforts of Hillary Clinton's failed reform of health care. In a letter to Clinton, Perry wrote: I think your efforts in trying to reform the nation's health care system are most commendable. I would like to request that the task force give particular consideration to the needs of the nation's farmers, ranchers, and agriculture workers, and other members of rural communities. Rural populations have a high proportion of uninsured people, rising health care costs, and often experience lack of services. Again, your efforts are worthy and I hope you will remember this constituency as the task force progresses. Clinton's plan called for universal health care along with a federal mandate for employers to provide health insurance for their employees. (Source: 30 August 2011 The Daily Caller)

(31 August 2011) Czar Obama’s recently-arrested-for-drunk-driving uncle has ignored a deportation order to Kenya since 1992 and presented a Social Security account that year to get a driver's license. (Sources: 30 August 2011 Boston Herald, 30 August Americans for Legal Immigration, 31 August The Boston Globe)

(30 August 2011) Vectren customers pay the highest residential electricity rates in Indiana. Indiana’s average is $100.58, while Vectren’s is $155.10 per 1000 kilowatt-hours. A big reason is that Vectren spent $410 million to reduce emissions and then bragged it is “… among the cleanest in the Midwest”. Under new EPA regulations, other utilities will have to make similar expenditures. (Sources: Utility Regulatory Commission, Associated Press)

(29 August 2011) On August 2, one of the hottest days in Texas, wind was able to provide only about 2.2% of the electricity demand even though the capacity of Texas's wind turbines is nearly 15%. Why? It was not windy that day. Wind is an unreliable source of electricity. (Sources: 19 August 2011 National Review, 24 August National Center for Policy Analysis)

(29 August 2011) In 2007, there were 390,000 federal tax filers with adjusted gross incomes of $1 million or more and they paid $309 billion in taxes. In 2009, there were 237,000 such filers and they paid $178 billion. Those with $10 million or more in income fell from 18,394 to 8,274. The loss of millionaires accounts for at least $130 billion of the higher federal budget deficit in 2009. Those who make $1 million accounted for only 0.2% of all tax returns but they paid 20.4% of the federal income taxes in 2009. Those with income above $200,000 were 3% of tax filers but paid 50.1% of the taxes. The other 97% paid only 49.9% of the taxes. The top 3% paid more than the bottom 97%, but Czar Obama claims they don't pay their fair share. He wants to take money from those who earn it and distribute it to those who did not. (Sources: 17 August 2011 Wall Street Journal, 22 August National Center for Policy Analysis)

(29 August 2011) A record 45.8 million received food stamps in May … up 12% from a year ago, and 34% higher than 2 years ago. The average benefit was $283.65 per household. This is another example of our authoritarian welfare-state. (Source: 4 August 2011 money.cnn)

(29 August 2011) The economy added 117,000 jobs in July and 125,000 foreign workers received new work permits. The unemployment rate will not drop with that many new foreign workers competing with citizens every month. (Source: 5 August 2011 Numbers USA)

(26 August 2011) Medicare and Medicaid spend $992 billion per year … 57.5% of patient bills for hospitals, doctors, drugs and other care … 49.3% in 2005. (Sources: 3 August 2011 Bureau of Economic Analysis, 3 August USA Today, 4 August National Center for Policy Analysis)

(26 August 2011) Government employees outnumber manufacturing employees by a ratio of nearly 2 to 1 ... a record high level.

(13 August 2011) The nissanusa.com all-electric LEAF website states, “… no tailpipe emissions of CO2 or other gases.” That is true, but what it does not state is that 46% of the electricity used to charge the batteries is generated by burning coal. What about those emissions?

(12 August 2011) Some cities and states are requiring commercial building owners to track and disclose their electricity use. After collecting data, they will mandate owners reduce their use. Then, data servers will be relocated to other cities and states. The U.S. Dept. of Energy plans to start a voluntary program next spring that would rate the energy efficiency of commercial buildings. Then, "voluntary" will become "mandatory" ... building owners will be required to reduce electricity use ... and data servers will be relocated to other countries.

(11 August 2011) Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain recently wrecked their economies with uncontrolled deficit spending. There are 194 countries plus 10 that are disputed. Only 17 had an AAA debt rating by both Moody’s and Standard and Poor’s. Now, there are 16 … Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Isle of Man, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom. The U.S. rating by Standard and Poor’s was reduced to AA+.

(10 August 2011) Scientists, both alarmists and realists, agree that the DIRECT increase in the earth’s temperature caused by additional carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere is too small to worry about. The alarmists’ claims about increases in temperature are based entirely on hypothetical INDIRECT consequences of additional CO2. But these alleged feedback effects are not based on empirical observation … they are merely hypothesized by the alarmists and incorporated into their computer models. NASA satellite data from the years 2000 through 2011 show the earth’s atmosphere is allowing far more heat to be released into space than alarmists’ computer models have predicted. The data indicates far less future global warming will occur than United Nations computer models have predicted and supports prior studies indicating increases in atmospheric CO2 trap far less heat than alarmists have claimed. The new NASA Terra satellite data are consistent with long-term NOAA and NASA data indicating atmospheric humidity and cirrus clouds are not increasing in the manner predicted by alarmists’ computer models. The Terra satellite data also supports data collected by NASA’s ERBS satellite showing far more longwave radiation (and thus, heat) escaped into space between 1985 and 1999 than alarmists’ computer models had predicted. Together, the NASA ERBS and Terra satellite data show that for 25 years and counting, CO2 emissions have directly and indirectly trapped far less heat than alarmists’ computer models have predicted. (Sources: Remote Sensing, 28 July 2011 Climate, 28 July Powerline)

(8 August 2011) In 2009, the U.S. relied on Persian Gulf countries for 14.4% of its oil imports, down from 24.5% in 1979. During the same period, oil from Canada increased to 21.2%, from 6.4%. (Sources: 19 July 2011 Fraser Institute, 27 July National Center for Policy Analysis)

(8 August 2011) Government subsidies to farmers amount to $11 billion per year. (Sources: 25 July 2011 Wall Street Journal, 27 July National Center for Policy Analysis)

(29 July 2011) When it comes to taxpayers’ money, politicians like to pretend they’re venture capitalists. But when government gambles fail, it’s the coerced taxpayers, not voluntary investors, who are left to pay the bill. The latest government fad is promoting “green jobs” with seed money the private sector won’t sow. Salinas, California, a city of 143,000, wanted to attract “new businesses and industries that provide higher paying jobs while meeting the sensitivity of no impact or low impact to the region’s physical environment.” It gave grants of $300,000 and $240,000 to start-up electric car company Green Vehicles to relocate to Salinas in 2009. Green Vehicles also received $187,000 from the California Energy Commission. Flush with public funding, Green Vehicles President / Co-Founder Mike Ryan gushed that a firm that had yet to manufacture a car could create 70 high-paying, low impact jobs, while generating $700,000 in taxes a year to the city. None of the politicians invested their own money. Total taxpayer subsidies paid to Green Vehicles: $727,000. Total cars sold: 0. Total “sustainable” jobs created: 0. Possibility of getting any of that money back now that Green Vehicles has closed its doors: 0. (Source: 21 July 2011 Center for Individual Freedom)

(28 July 2011) Gasoline is relatively more expensive in California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and New York because they are the only states that apply a sales tax. (Source: American Petroleum Institute)

(27 July 2011) The Government Accountability Office recently estimated that federal ethanol subsidies are approximately $6.7 billion per year. (Sources: July 2011 American Enterprise Institute, 21 July 2011 National Center for Policy Analysis)

(26 July 2011) In 2010, the 1,800-employee Federal Communications Commission and the 1,200-employee Federal Trade Commission didn't lay off or fire a single employee. Only 0.18% of the nearly 500,000 federal employees earning $100,000 or more lost their job. (Sources: 20 July 2011 USA Today, 21 July National Center for Policy Analysis)

(26 July 2011) To most, "poverty" implies significant material deprivation … a family without adequate food, shelter and clothing. The actual living conditions of the poor are far different. In 2005, according to the government's data, “poor” households had a refrigerator (99.6%), television (97.7), stove / oven (97.7), microwave (81.4), air conditioning (78.3), VCR (70.6), television (65.1), DVD player (64.8), cable / satellite reception (63.7), washer (62.0), cell phone (54.5), dryer (53.2), own home (43.0), personal computer (38.2), two cars (33.3), two televisions (32.2), internet (29.3), video game system (29.3), two VCR’s (27.5), two DVD players (21.9) and two refrigerators (9.0). Politicians love to increase the poverty level to justify increasing the amount of income / wealth redistribution … take from those who earn it and give to those who do not … destroy individual liberty. (Sources: 18 July 2011 Heritage Foundation, 20 July National Center for Policy Analysis)

(26 July 2011) Almost all farmers can obtain heavily subsidized federal crop insurance (Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments Program) at a cost of $2 billion per year to taxpayers. (Sources: July 2011 American Enterprise Institute, 19 July 2011 National Center for Policy Analysis)

(21 July 2011) Nearly 1 million Texas public school students’ discipline records were studied for their 7th through 12th grades. Nearly 60% were suspended or expelled at least once. 15% were suspended or expelled 11 times or more and more than half of those students had been on probation or incarcerated by juvenile justice authorities. 60% of students disciplined 11 times or more did not graduate. 31% of students disciplined one or more times repeated their grade at least once. (Sources: Public Research Institute of Texas A&M Univ., Council of State Governments Justice Center, 18 July 2011 Austin American-Statesman)

(19 July 2011) The federal government is spending more than $30,000 per household per year and 51% of them pay no federal income taxes … massive redistribution of income / wealth … take from those who earn it and give to those who do not. (Source: 18 July 2011 Sen. Cornyn)

(15 July 2011) In 2004, the median net worth of black households was $13,450. In 2009, it was $2,170. (Sources: Federal Reserve, Economic Policy Institute, 10 July 2011 Chicago Sun-Times)

(7 July 2011) The Texas Taxpayer Savings Grant Program is designed to reduce the amount of general revenue spent on public education by reducing enrollment and the associated costs of the state's public K-12 schools. The program reimburses parents and legal guardians for the amount of tuition or 60% of the state average per pupil spending for maintenance and operations of public schools, whichever is less, if they enroll their child in a private school, rather than a Texas public school. Students eligible for the program must be either entering kindergarten for the first time in Texas or have been enrolled in a Texas public school the previous year. Currently, Texas spends $8,572 per student for public schools. Assuming that every student received the maximum grant of 60%, Texas would save $3,429 per participating student. (Sources: June 2011 Texas Public Policy Foundation, 5 July National Center for Policy Analysis)

(6 July 2011) Only 24% of teens 16 to 19 years old are working, the lowest percentage since statistics began in 1948. In 2001, 42% were working. Instead of learning valuable job skills and gaining work experience, millions will spend the summer playing computer games or hanging out. One of the reasons for the high rate of teen unemployment was the raising of the minimum wage from $5.15 in 2007 to $7.25 in 2009. (Sources: Dept. of Labor, 1 July Wall Street Journal)

(5 July 2011) The Natural Gas Act would offer $5 billion in tax subsidies with up to $7,500 for standard passenger cars and $64,000 for large trucks that are capable of using natural gas. Gas stations that install natural gas pumps could be eligible for tax credits up to $100,000. Instead of forcing taxpayers to help strangers buy vehicles that use natural gas, tax subsidies for hybrid cars, corn farmers and ethanol production / distribution should be repealed. Let the marketplace determine what vehicles are purchased … without politicians writing tax codes to encourage people to live according to politicians’ values. (Source: 30 June 2011 Washington Examiner)

(28 June 2011) Government health insurance subsidies increase the demand for medical appointments. However, since they do not pay medical providers adequately, it is difficult to find a doctor and get an appointment. Commonwealth Care (Romney Care), established 5 years ago in Massachusetts, uses taxpayer subsidies to provide health insurance for adults not eligible for Medicaid. 98.1% of Massachusetts residents have health insurance. For all 5 years, the Mass. Medical Society has recorded critical and severe shortages of internists and family physicians. A survey released in April showed that emergency room usage has risen, due in part to physician shortages. 51% of internists and 53% of family physicians are not accepting new patients. Average wait times for appointments are: internal medicine = 48 days, gastroenterologists = 43, obstetricians/gynecologists = 41 and family medicine = 36. 85% of internists and 87% of family physicians accept Medicare, but only 53% of internists and 62% of family physicians accept MassHealth (Medicaid and CHIP). 89% of pediatricians accept MassHealth, but only 50% accept Commonwealth Care. 96% of cardiologists accept Medicare, but only 78% accept Commonwealth Care. 98% of orthopedic surgeons accept Medicare, but only 59% accept Commonwealth Care. (Sources: April 2011 American College of Emergency Physicians, 9 May 2011 Massachusetts Medical Society)

(26 June 2011) The Dept. of Agriculture will hand out a record $20 billion in crop support payments this year. Over 70% will go the wealthiest 10% of farmers. 70% of all subsidies go to corn, wheat, cotton, rice and soybean farmers. About every ten years, public outrage forces Congress to promise to curtail the subsidy programs. It never happens because of the influence of farmers lobbying the politicians from the farm states in the midwest. (Sources: Hoover Institution, 23 June 2011 National Review Online)

(23 June 2011) … but do not favor Arizona. Hispanic population percentages are: New Mexico 46.3, California 37.6, Texas 37.6, Arizona 29.6, North Dakota 2.0, Vermont 1.5, Maine 1.3 and West Virginia 1.2. (Sources: Census Bureau, June 2011 AARP)

(20 June 2011) Researchers used a “secret shopper” technique to see how many specialists in Cook County, Illinois turned away children with Medicaid compared to private insurance. 11% of privately insured children and 66% of children with Medicaid were unable to get an appointment. For those who did get an appointment, the waiting time was 22 days longer for Medicaid patients. Doctors not making appointments for 66% of Medicaid patients is not surprising. The government's primary way of containing Medicaid costs is to pay doctors only portions of their standard fees. When Obamacare adds 20 million more to Medicaid, the situation will get worse. (Sources: New York Times, 17 June 2011 The Foundry)

(18 June 2011) In February 2009, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 141.7 million people were employed. By the end of May 2011, the number of employed had fallen to 139.8 million, a drop of 1.9 million. 28 months after Congress passed Czar Obama’s economic stimulus law, and nearly 1 year after he declared the summer of 2010 to be “Recovery Summer,” 1.9 million fewer people were employed. (Source: 14 June 2011 CNSNews)

(18 June 2011) The unemployment rate for blacks is 16.2%. Only 46.4% of black men more than 16 years old have a full-time job. Only 58% of black men more than 16 years old are employed. Only 43% of black men 18 to 29 have a full-time job. At least 15 million legal and illegal immigrants, mostly young and unskilled, entered the country between 1994 and 2007. A large number of them have displaced black workers. (Source: 9 and 10 June 2011 The Daily Caller)

(18 June 2011) 44.5 million (nearly 21 million households) receive benefits from food stamps … 11% more than 1 year ago and nearly 61% more than 4 years ago. They cost taxpayers $68 billion last year, double the amount in 2007. This is forced charity … the government takes income / wealth from those who earned it and gives it to those who did not. (Sources: 31 May 2011 ABC News, 1 June Vision To America)

(18 June 2011) Rather than forcing taxpayers to pay more for educating other parents’ kids or laying off teachers, some public schools are imposing fees for riding a bus, lab safety goggles, workbooks, honors English, honors physics, advanced math, advanced science, music, art, drama, advanced placement art history, sports, enrichment programs for gifted students and foreign languages. Medina, Ohio Senior High imposes fees for earth sciences, band, concert choir and to act in the spring play. Pennsylvania’s Palmyra Area School District charges lab fees for science, art and music courses. The Overland Park, Kansas Blue Valley School District charges an enrollment fee and fees for class supplies. Wheaton, Illinois’s North High School charges a registration fee and class fees. Ohio’s Marietta High charges fees for chemistry, honors chemistry and the advanced placement course. Littleton, Colorado’s Dakota Ridge High charges for English, honors English and advanced placement English literature. (Source: 25 May 2011 Wall Street Journal)

(5 June 2011) Subsidies for electricity from various energy sources (cents per kilowatt-hour) are: natural gas = 0.025, conventional coal = 0.044, nuclear = 0.159, and solar & wind = 2.3. The average cost of electricity is 11 cents and solar electricity costs between 22 and 30 cents. (Sources: Heritage Foundation, 20 May 2011 Wall Street Journal, 23 May National Center for Policy Analysis)

(5 June 2011) Unemployment rates are: blacks = 16.1%, Hispanics = 11.8%, whites = 8.0% and Asians = 6.4%. A part of the high rate among blacks is due to illegal aliens. (Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 18 May 2011 Daily Caller)

(4 June 2011) From 1990 to 2010, Medicaid spending increased from $72 billion to over $400 billion, including federal spending increasing from $40 billion to $271 billion. Medicaid also requires an enormous amount of paperwork with lag times for payment twice as long as those for Medicare or commercial insurance. Only half of all physicians accept new Medicaid patients. (Sources: 6 May 2011 Heritage Foundation, 18 May National Center for Policy Analysis)

(4 June 2011) Medicare’s hospital insurance (Part A) trust fund is predicted to be depleted in 2024, five years earlier than last year’s projection. If no action is taken before then, taxes will have to be increased or benefits cut. Social Security is now permanently in a deficit spending mode. During the past year, its trust fund came two years closer to being depleted … in 2036. (Sources: 13 May 2011 The Daily Caller, 14 May Vision to America)

(4 June 2011) From 1954 to 2010, the percentage of U.S. men between the ages of 25 and 54 that worked dropped from 96 to 80. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the U.S. has a smaller share of prime-age men in the work force than any other G-7 nation. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 35% of those without a high school diploma are out of the labor force, compared with less than 10% of those with a college degree. (Source: 9 May 2011 New York Times)

(4 June 2011) Pension benefits paid to retirees by state and local governments have increased from 11.1 to 23.8% of payroll from 1990 to 2009. By contrast, pension payouts in private industry grew only from 6.1 to 9.9%. Politicians are very generous with money earned by taxpayers so they can buy the votes of government union members. (Sources: 3 May 2011 Investor's Business Daily, 9 May National Center for Policy Analysis)

(24 May 2011) California's average residential electricity rate, 14.4 cents per kilowatt-hour, is 30% higher than the national average. Gov. Brown signed a bill requiring utilities to increase their electricity from renewable sources to 33% by 2020. In 2009, the LA Dept. of Water and Power told the City Council that the headlong pursuit of electricity from renewable sources could raise the city's electric rates by as much as 50% by 2014. Over the next five years or so, electricity from natural gas will cost about 6.3 cents per kilowatt-hour. By comparison, onshore wind-generated electricity is expected to cost almost 50% more. Offshore wind-generated electricity will cost nearly 300% more and solar-generated electricity will cost nearly 400% more. (Sources: 3 May 2011 National Review Online, 6 May National Center for Policy Analysis)

(18 May 2011) Czar Obama initiated the phase out of the D.C. Opportunities Scholarship Program, which finances tuition vouchers for low-income kids to attend private schools. Voucher recipients had a graduation rate of 91%. The graduation rate for students who applied for a voucher but didn't win the lottery was 70%. The D.C. public school average was 56%. Czar Obama rewarded his public school teachers union buddies at the expense of low-income students’ diplomas. Milwaukee's older and larger voucher program found that 94% of students who stayed in the program graduated, versus just 75% in Milwaukee's traditional public schools. (Sources: University of Arkansas, 3 May 2011 Wall Street Journal, 4 May National Center for Policy Analysis)

(17 May 2011) A congressional study concluded that U.S. households owing no federal income tax climbed to 51% in 2009. Because of tax credits, many within the 51% received checks from the IRS, even though they paid no taxes. (Source: 3 May 2011 Wall Street Journal)

(17 May 2011) Romney Care increased the demand for health care, but did nothing to expand the supply of doctors. As a result, the average wait to get an appointment grew from 33 to over 55 days. An American College of Emergency Physicians survey showed 97% of ER doctors said they treated patients daily who can't find doctors who will accept Medicaid. (Sources: New York Post, Vision To America, 28 Apr. 2011 NPR, 2 May National Center for Policy Analysis)

(13 May 2011) In 2010, Americans depended more on government assistance than at any other time in the nation's history. A record 18.3% of the nation's total personal income came from the government … Social Security, Medicare, food stamps, unemployment benefits and other programs. Wages accounted for the lowest share of income, 51.0%, since the government began keeping track in 1929. (Sources: April 26, 2011 USA Today, 27 Apr. National Center for Policy Analysis)

(10 May 2011) 25.8% of U.S. children are being raised by a single parent, compared with an average of 14.9% in the other Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries. Government spending on child welfare and education is higher in the U.S., $160,000 per child, than in other countries. (Source: 27 Apr. 2011 Associated Press)

(10 May 2011) For the last 5 years, Social Security (SS) has paid disabled workers more than it has received in payroll taxes. In the last 10 years, disabled workers increased from 5 to 8.2 million … benefits totaled $115 billion last year. Of the 567,395 medical reviews conducted on beneficiaries in 2009, SS expects less than 1% to leave because of improved health. (Sources: 6 Apr. 2011 New York Times, 15 Apr. National Center for Policy Analysis)

(8 May 2011) 57% of immigrant-headed (legal and illegal) households with at least one child participate in at least one welfare program – cash assistance, food assistance, housing assistance and Medicaid. (Sources: Center for Immigration Studies, 13 Apr. 2011 The Patriot Update)

(8 May 2011) From 2000 to 2010, the population of white children declined by 4.3 million, while the number of Hispanic and Asian children grew by 5.5 million. In Texas, 95% of child population growth occurred among Hispanics, 931,012 of the 979,065 increase. The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington and Houston areas gained more children than any other metropolitan area, with Hispanic children accounting for 250,703 of Dallas’ increase of 323,151, and 255,000 of Houston’s increase of 294,000. White child populations dropped in 46 states and in 86 of the 100 largest metro areas. White children are now a minority in 10 states, including Texas, and 35 metro areas, including Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington. In Texas, 43% of Hispanics 25 and older have less than a high school education. (Sources: U.S. Census, Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program, 5 Apr. 2011 Dallas Morning News)

(8 May 2011) Carlos Bejarano, 58, superintendent of the Isaac School District in west Phoenix, intends to officially retire on June 30 and then go back to work the next day at the same job, but working for a private education firm. He will receive the same salary and benefits of about $150,000 a year, along with his pension of about $100,000 … all paid by the school district (taxpayers), that is planning to lay off staff members and close two schools. (Sources: 1 Apr. 2011 New York Times, 5 Apr. National Center for Policy Analysis)

(28 Apr. 2011) In 1971, the world's proven oil reserves were 612 billion barrels. Since then, the world has produced 990 billion barrels. Today's proven reserves are 1,354 billion barrels. New proven reserves are being found faster than oil is brought to the surface to extend the reliable supply. (Sources: 31 March 2011 Cato Institute, 5 Apr. National Center for Policy Analysis)

(28 Apr. 2011) A Colorado Secretary of State department study identified nearly 12,000 registered voters who were not citizens. 5,000 of them voted illegally last November. (Sources: 31 Mar. 2011 The Hill, Americans for Legal Immigration)

(28 Apr. 2011) The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is a group of 34 advanced nations with economies most comparable to the U.S. The percentages of students who do not receive a high school diploma are: Germany, 2.8 (ranked 1st); Japan, 5.3; U.K., 8.9, U.S., 23.3 (ranked 26th) and Mexico, 56.0. Nearly half of all students in the U.S.’s 50 largest school districts drop out before graduation. Dropouts cost U.S. taxpayers more than $8 billion a year in public assistance programs such as food stamps. They earn about $10,000 a year less than workers with only high school diplomas. They are more likely to be unemployed. Nearly 60% of federal prison inmates are high school dropouts. (Sources: Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, CBS News, Wall Street Journal, 3 Apr. 2011 Newsmax)

(10 Apr. 2011) Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano said illegal alien students and young adults who meet the criteria in last year’s failed legalization bill in Congress are not a “priority” for her department’s law enforcement efforts … said she cannot unilaterally ignore deportation laws for broad groups of illegal aliens, but students and young adults who would have been legalized had last year’s “Dream Act” legislation passed Congress are not a chief target of federal authorities. She will not ignore federal laws for large groups, but will for small groups. If the House and Senate will not pass the laws she wants, she will implement them by setting priorities according to her values. Czar Obama oversees an authoritarian executive branch. (Source: 2 Apr. 2011 Patriot Update)

(9 Apr. 2011) The Government Accountability Office (responsible for “auditing agency operations to determine whether federal funds are being spent efficiently and effectively”), told the Senate Homeland Security Committee that the federal government can actually prevent or stop illegal aliens from entering the U.S. along only 129 miles of the 1954-mile-long Mexico border. Cochise County Sheriff Dever said a supervisor with the U.S. Border Patrol told him that the federal agency’s office on Arizona’s southern border was under orders to keep apprehension numbers down during specific reporting time periods. If fewer are caught, they can claim fewer are attempting to enter. (Sources: 31 Mar. 2011 CNSNews.com, 1 Apr. Conservative Byte)

(3 Apr. 2011) Dayton, Ohio police officer applicants must correctly answer 66% and 73% of the questions on a 2-part exam. Dayton's Civil Service Board reported that 490 of 1100 candidates passed the test, including 57 blacks. The U.S. Dept. of Justice (DOJ), led by AG Eric Holder, rejected the results because not enough blacks passed and ordered the city to lower the passing scores to 58% and 63%, respectively. The DOJ-approved scoring requires potential officers to earn the equivalent of an "F" on the first part and a "D" on the second. The Southern Christian Leadership Conference Dayton chapter chairman and the Dayton NAACP president condemned the DOJ actions … "Lowering the test score is insulting to black people … The DOJ is creating the perception that black people are dumb by lowering the score … The NAACP does not support individuals failing a test and then having the opportunity to be gainfully employed … If you lower the score for any group of people, you're not getting the best qualified people for the job." (Source: 30 Mar. 2011 Townhall Daily)

(31 Mar. 2011) Puerto Rico (PR) is an easy place to get payments from the U.S. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. In 2009, benefits averaged $12,768 a year. 9 of the top 10 U.S. zip codes for disabled workers receiving benefits are in PR. The Social Security (SS) retirement fund will deplete its reserves in about 2037 and Medicare in about 2029. SSDI will run dry in about 2015-2018. Unlike Medicare and the SS retirement fund, which provide benefits mostly based on age, SSDI decisions are based in large part on medical opinions, which can vary from doctor to doctor. Because someone else pays the bills, PR officials have little incentive to keep the number of recipients low. (Sources: 22 Mar. 2011 Wall Street Journal, 24 Mar. National Center for Policy Analysis)

(30 Mar. 2011) For the first time, more than half of Texas public school students are Hispanic. Anglo students stopped being a majority several years ago. The number of Anglo students peaked during the 95-96 school year. (Sources: Texas Education Agency, El Paso Times, 23 Mar. 2011 Austin American-Statesman)

(29 Mar. 2011) In 2008, the world’s nuclear electricity plants generated 80% of their capacity, compared to only 8% for solar. Solar plants do not seem to work when the sun does not shine and it is not feasible to store electricity to use when the sun is not shining. That is one of the reasons why nuclear plants generated 13.5% of the world's electricity and solar plants produced 0.06%. (Sources: International Energy Agency, 16 Mar. 2011 Wall Street Journal, 17 Mar. National Center for Policy Analysis)

(29 Mar. 2011) China is the world's largest manufacturer, having manufactured 19.9% of the world's goods in 2010 … the U.S. accounted for 19.4%. (Sources: IHS Global Insight, 14 Mar. 2011 Yahoo Finance)

(28 Mar. 2011) 463,382 illegal aliens who tried to cross the border in fiscal year 2010 were apprehended by government agents, including only 59,017 that were not Mexican. A total of 8905 were smugglers. (Sources: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Judicial Watch, 15 Mar. 2011 Personal Liberty Digest)

(28 Mar. 2011) The national “public” debt (held by other than the U.S. government) was $0.28 trillion in 1970, $2.4 trillion in 1990 and $8.4 trillion in 2010. The percentages of our public debt held in foreign countries were 5, 19 and 47, respectively.

(19 Mar. 2011) Government social-welfare payouts, including Social Security, Medicare and unemployment insurance, make up a record 35% of total wages and salaries … was 10% in 1960 and 21% in 2000. (Sources: TrimTabs Investment Research, 9 Mar. 2011 The Patriot Update)

(19 Mar. 2011) EPA data indicates carbon dioxide emissions in the U.S. declined 6% in 2009 and were 8% below 2000 levels. Global emissions, by contrast, rose more than 25% since 2000. Underdeveloped nations, which are not required to make emissions cuts under the Kyoto Protocol, accounted for virtually all of the global increase in carbon dioxide emissions since 2000. China, considered an underdeveloped nation, accounted for roughly half the global increase. In 2009, China accounted for 24% of global emissions, compared to 17% for the U.S. (Sources: Heartland Institute, 24 Feb. 2011 Forbes, 7 Mar. National Center for Policy Analysis)

(18 Mar. 2011) According to the Energy and Commerce Committee, and Oversight Subcommittee, solar panel manufacturer Solyndra should never have received a $535 million loan guarantee. The loan was intended to finance construction of the first phase of the company’s new manufacturing facility. The Energy Dept. estimated the facility would create 3000 construction jobs and 1000 permanent jobs when the plant opened. Czar Obama and Vice Czar Biden visited the company. Two months after groundbreaking, Solyndra postponed construction, and announced it was closing one of its plants and laying off 135 temporary / contract and 40 full-time employees. (Sources: Wall Street Journal, 23 Feb. 2011 The Patriot Update)

(17 Mar. 2011) Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) operates the biggest light rail system in the U.S. Bus and rail ridership on DART is less than it was 10 years ago, despite population in the service area growing 17%. In 10 years, DART has collected almost $4 billion in sales taxes and hundreds of millions of federal tax dollars on a system that makes hardly a dent in area traffic congestion. DART's staff has grown from just under 2,800 employees in 2000 to 3,900 in 2010. For comparison, the Dallas district of the state Transportation Department, which includes 7 counties with a population of more than 4 million and oversees almost 11,000 lane miles of highways, has fewer than 1,000 employees. DART's operating expenses grew from $242 million to $402 million annually from 2000 to 2010, with declining ridership. Every time a rider stepped on a rail car or bus in 2010, local taxpayers were paying a $4.45 subsidy for that ride, compared with $2.94 in 2000. The rider pays a little over $1. (Sources: 18 Feb. 2011 Dallas Morning News, 21 Feb. National Center for Policy Analysis)

(11 Mar. 2011) After receiving $43 million in Massachusetts aid, Evergreen Solar announced it would be closing its plant in Devens, laying off 800 workers and moving its operations to China. Evergreen Solar's CEO explained: “… we expect the U.S. will continue to be at a disadvantage from a manufacturing standpoint." Average monthly wages are below $300 in China, compared to $4500 in Mass. Czar Obama went to solar-panel manufacturer Solyndra in Fremont, California to celebrate a new plant … creating 3000 construction jobs and 1000 permanent workers. Within months, Solyndra, which has yet to turn a profit, announced that it was canceling the expansion and shifted more than half of its production to China. More shovel-ready jobs … in China. (Source: 5 Feb. 2011 Townhall Daily)

(11 Mar. 2011) 43.6 million, more than 14%, relied on food stamps in November, an increase of 14.2% from a year earlier. More than 20% in Washington, D.C. and Mississippi received food stamps. (Sources: Dept. Of Agriculture, 3 Feb. 2011 The Patriot Update)

(8 Mar. 2011) The number of illegal aliens in the U.S. was about 11.2 million in March 2010, including 1.65 million in Texas. That is about 6.7% percent of Texas’ population. About 1.1 million of Texas’ estimated 12.3 million labor force, 9%, were illegal aliens. Nationwide, about 8 million workers, 5.2%, were illegal aliens. (Sources: Pew Hispanic Center, 1 Feb. 2011 The Texas Tribune)

(7 Mar. 2011) In 1970, the Federal Government spent $435 per K-12 student; by 2006, it was $1,015. In the 2008-09 school year, Washington spent $83 billion on K-12 education. Nevertheless, scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress have been stagnant for 17-year-olds. In 1973, the average math score was 304 (out of 500); in 2008, it was 306. In 1971, the average reading score was 285; in 2008, it was 286. (Sources: 25 Jan. 2011 Cato Institute, 1 Feb. National Center for Policy Analysis)

(6 Mar. 2011) Projections show Social Security (SS) running deficits every year until its reserves are drained in about 2037. This year, SS is projected to collect $45 billion less in taxes than it will pay out in benefits. That figure swells to $130 billion when the one-year cut in payroll taxes is included, but Congress has promised to repay the lost revenue. (Sources: Congressional Budget Office, 27 Jan. 2011 Associated Press)

(28 Feb. 2011) Tests were given to more than 150,000 students in both the 4th and 8th grades, and 11,100 high-school seniors. 72% of 4th-graders, 63% of 8th-graders and 60% of 12th-graders showed a basic level or above of science knowledge and skills. Only 10% of black students are proficient in science in the 4th grade, compared to 46% of whites. Only 21% of 12th-graders scored at the proficient level or above, including only 4% of blacks. 71% of blacks, 58% of Hispanics and 21% of whites are below the basic knowledge level in the 12th grade. (Sources: 2009 National Assessment of Educational Progress Test, 25 Jan. 2011 Associated Press)

(27 Feb. 2011) Bureau of Labor Statistics show that of the 14.7 million workers who were members of a union in 2010, 7.6 million work in government jobs while 7.1 million are in the private sector. Union membership fell from 12.3 to 11.9% percent of the working population. The membership rate was 36.2% for government employees, but only 6.9% for the private sector. (Source: 24 Jan. 2011 Fox News)

(17 Feb. 2011) From 1979 to 2008, the number of school-age children who spoke a language other than English at home increased from 3.8 million to 10.9 million … from 9% to 21% of the population in this age range. The majorities in California and Arizona school districts are Latino. (Sources: U.S. Dept. of Education, 28 Nov. 2010 Anderson (Ind.) Herald Bulletin)

(31 Jan. 2011) Los Angeles County Supervisor Antonovich released data showing welfare benefits for illegal alien families of more than $600 million in 2010. Combined with public safety and health care costs, the total cost for illegal aliens in LA County was $1.6 billion, not including hundreds of millions of dollars for education. The Federation for American Immigration Reform reported that the cost of illegal immigration stands at about $113 billion a year in the U.S. Nearly half went toward education costs. California accounted for $21.8 billion of the $113 billion. This constitutes massive redistribution of income / wealth. (Source: 19 Jan. 2011 Fox News)

(31 Jan. 2011) The current annual interest on the national debt is $197 billion. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the payment will be $778 billion within 10 years. (Sources: 6 Jan. 2011 Washington Times, 10 Jan. 2011 National Center for Policy Analysis)

(30 Jan. 2011) More than two months after Obama lifted the ban on deep-water drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, oil companies are still waiting for approval to drill the first new oil well. Experts expect the wait to continue until the second half of 2011, and perhaps into 2012. A year ago, The Dept. of Energy’s Energy Information Administration predicted that domestic offshore oil production would rise 6% in 2011. Now, they predict production will fall 13% from 2010 due to the moratorium and the slow return to drilling. The difference is a loss of about 220,000 barrels of oil a day. (Sources: 4 Jan. 2011 Wall Street Journal, 4 Jan. The Patriot Update)

(29 Jan. 2011) The Principal Financial Group announced that it planned to stop selling health insurance, another sign of upheaval emerging among insurers as ObamaCare starts to take effect. The company, based in Iowa, provides coverage to about 840,000 people who receive their insurance through an employer. (Source: New York Times)

(29 Jan. 2011) The populations of 7 of the 9 states that do not have a state income tax grew more than the national average. The other two had the most growth in their regions. 35 percent of the nation’s population growth occurred in those 9 states. (Sources: Washington Examiner, 2010 Census, 24 Dec. 2010 Personal Liberty Digest)

(17 Jan. 2011) The data is based on 350,000 high-school graduates, ages 17 to 20, between 2004 and 2009… a grim picture of high schools that produce graduates who can't answer basic math, science and reading questions. Questions are often basic, such as: if 2 plus X equals 4, what is the value of X? Failure rates are: blacks, nearly 40% … Hispanics, 30% … whites, 16%. (Sources: The Education Trust, 21 Dec. 2010 Associated Press)

(10 Jan. 2011) Only 45% of teenagers have spent their childhood with both their birth mother and biological father legally married to each other since before or around the time of the teen’s birth … 62% of Asian-American teens, 54% of whites, 41% of multiracials, 40% of Hispanics, 24% of American Indians and Alaskan Natives, and just 17% of blacks … 59% in Utah and 16% in D.C. (Sources: Family Research Council’s Marriage and Religion Research Institute, U.S. Census Bureau, 19 Dec. 2010 Newsmax)

(10 Jan. 2011) In 1992, 5.1 million college graduates were employed in non-college-graduate level jobs … 17% of the employed graduates. In 2008, the numbers were 17.4 million … 35%. In 1992, there were 119,000 waiters and waitresses with college degrees. By 2008, there were 318,000. It seems too many of the younger population are mindlessly pursuing a college degree … many of them at taxpayers’ expense. (Sources: The Chronicle of Higher Education, 19 Dec. 2010 Newsmax)

(7 Jan. 2011) A 2001 Texas law allows illegal aliens, non-citizen immigrants and non-permanent residents to pay in-state tuition at state post-secondary schools, colleges and universities if they reside with a parent while attending high school in Texas, graduate from a high school or receive a GED in Texas, live in Texas for the 3 years leading up to graduation or receiving a GED and sign an affidavit indicating an intent to apply for permanent resident status as soon as they are able to do so. During the 2009 fall semester, 12,138 students benefited from the law, including 3725 at universities. Because of the law, taxpayers paid $33.6 million in state and institutional financial aid between the fall of 2004 and the summer of 2008.

(31 Dec. 2010) Congressional negotiators agreed to extend the 45-cents-per-gallon subsidy and the 54-cents-per-gallon import tariff for ethanol for one year. The bill also resurrected for one year the $1-per-gallon subsidy for biodiesel that expired at the end of 2009. Not surprisingly, biodiesel production slowed significantly this year and many plants closed. (Source: 10 Dec. 2010 Des Moines Register)

(25 Dec. 2010) National Health, John Alden, Principal and Aetna all have told New Mexico’s Division of Insurance they will no longer write individual or small group plans. Our authoritarian government can impose strict regulations, but cannot force companies to sell policies. (Source: 26 Oct. 2010 New Mexico Independent)

(23 Dec. 2010) The Federal Highway Administration is ordering all local governments to buy new street signs with increased sizes of letters (6 inches, instead of 4) on roads with speed limits over 25 mph by Jan. 2012 and more-reflective letters by Jan. 2018. Whenever street name signs are changed for any reason, they can no longer be in all capital letters. It will cost Milwaukee nearly $2 million … double the city's annual budget for traffic control. The American Traffic Safety Services Association, which represents companies that make signs and the reflective material used on them, lobbied hard for the new rules. One key study used to justify the changes was funded by 3M, one of the few companies that make the reflective material now required on street signs. (Sources: 29 Nov. 2010 ABC News, 3 Dec. National Center for Policy Analysis)

(21 Dec. 2010) In 2004, the government started offering a tax credit worth 51 cents per gallon of ethanol blended in gasoline. The 2008 farm bill lowered the credit to 45 cents for 2 years. Diverting grain to ethanol production caused corn prices to increase, lining the pockets of corn growers and refiners, and increasing costs of food for humans and animals. In 2009, 41% of corn production was devoted to ethanol. Higher feed costs have driven farmers to cut their herds … in July, the number of beef cattle dropped to the lowest since 1973 and the number of breeding hogs fell to near the lowest level ever. In Oct., the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) raised the amount of ethanol that can be blended with gasoline from 10 to15% for fueling late model cars. An EPA analysis found that current ethanol production techniques result in higher emissions of greenhouse gases than refining and burning gasoline. David Pimentel (Cornell Univ.) and Tad Patzek (UC Berkeley) estimate that making ethanol from corn requires 29% more fossil energy than the ethanol contains. (Sources: 16 Nov. 2010 Reason Magazine, 19 Nov. National Center for Policy Analysis, 12 Dec. Townhall Daily)

(8 Dec. 2010) Stanford Univ. and Munich researchers analyzed math test scores of 15-year-olds in 56 nations, including questions on algebra, logic and basic computation. U.S. students ranked 31st in the world. 6% of U.S. 8th-graders performed at the advanced level, compared with 28% of Taiwanese students and more than 20% of students in Hong Kong, Finland and South Korea. Researchers also examined two U.S. subgroups: white students and students from college-educated families. U.S. white students were outscored by all students in each of 24 other countries and U.S. students from college-educated families were outscored by all students in each of 16 other countries. (Sources: 10 Nov. 2010 Contra Costa (Calif.) Times, 15 Nov. National Center for Policy Analysis)

(5 Dec. 2010) Amtrak passengers paid an average of $59.23 per ticket last year and taxpayers were forced to pay an additional $51.92 for each of those tickets, not including the $1.3 billion in Czar Obama’s stimulus funding. (Source: 19 Oct. 2010 USA TODAY)

(22 Nov. 2010) $900,000 in secret sexual harassment payments got the head of Philadelphia's housing authority fired. Dysfunctional housing agencies across the country operate with no budgets, untrained staff and shoddy record-keeping, according to inspection and audit records of 146 housing authorities that the federal government considered the most troubled. In Dallas, housing employees made income calculation errors in the files of two out of every three tenants. Sen. Grassley is investigating HUD for subsidizing housing for thousands of sex offenders. Housing authorities draw most of their money from the $26 billion budget of HUD's Office of Public and Indian Housing. But that money doesn't buy Washington control of the nation's 3,300 housing authorities. For years, Doris Marie Abeyta wrote checks to her family from the Alamosa, Colo., housing authority accounts. It wasn't difficult: Board members regularly signed blank checks and relied on employees to fill them out. The executive director, Patricia Martinez, didn't mind. She was embezzling, too. By the time they got caught, Abeyta had taken more than $400,000, Martinez nearly $1.3 million. Prosecutors said the two began dipping into the accounts in 1998, stopped when HUD audited the housing authority in 2006, then started up again in 2007. Both pleaded guilty to embezzlement and are serving prison terms. (Source: 28 Oct. 2010 Associated Press)

(18 Nov. 2010) In 2008, the 1% of taxpayers with the highest incomes ($380,354 and higher) earned 20% of the income and paid 38% of the income taxes. The top 5% (incomes over $159,619) earned 35% of the income and paid 59% of the income taxes. The top 10% (incomes above $113,799) earned 46% of the income and paid 70% of the income taxes. The top 50% (incomes above $33,048) earned 87% of the income and paid 97% of the income taxes. (Sources: 14 Oct. 2010 Center for Individual Freedom, IRS)

(14 Nov. 2010) In early 2009, Czar Obama was asked on "Meet the Press" how quickly he could create jobs. Oh, very fast, he said. He'd already consulted with a gaggle of governors and "all of them have projects that are shovel-ready." When Obama revealed the members of his energy team, he explained that they were part of his effort to get started on "shovel-ready projects all across the country." When he unveiled his education secretary, he assured everyone that he was going to get started "helping states and local governments with shovel-ready projects." Now it turns out that the president was shoveling something all right when he was talking about shovel-ready jobs -- it was manure. In the current issue of the New York Times magazine, Obama admits that there's "no such thing as shovel-ready" when it comes to public works. (Source: Townhall.com)

(30 Oct. 2010) The Dept. of Energy was instituted in 1977 to lessen our dependence on foreign oil. 33 years later, the annual budget for this “necessary” department is $24 billion. It has 16,000 federal employees and 100,000 contract employees. During those 33 years, our imported oil increased from 30% to 70% of our consumption. The more the government’s plans fail, the more they plan.

(30 Oct. 2010) Czar Obama’s claim: "Here's a guarantee that I have made. If you have insurance that you like, then you will be able to keep that insurance. If you've got a doctor that you like, you will be able to keep your doctor." McDonald’s made headlines when it revealed that a low-cost “mini-med” healthcare plan for 30,000 employees may now be “economically prohibitive” due to ObamaCare. 3M will discontinue a group healthcare plan for retirees not old enough to receive Medicare by 2015. The reason? “Health care reform has made it more difficult for employers like 3M to provide a plan that will remain competitive.” (Source: 4 Oct. 2010 Freedom Line)

(27 Oct. 2010) GE closed its last major incandescent-light-bulb factory in the U.S., a victim of a 2007 law imposing energy efficiency requirements by 2014 that cannot be met by traditional incandescent light bulbs. Environmental activist groups promised the restrictions would create green jobs … they did, in China. Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), which are much more expensive than incandescent light bulbs, are the least expensive alternative; however, the manufacture of CFLs is labor intensive and too expensive at U.S. wage rates. GE could retrofit the plant to produce CFLs, but GE CFLs would be 50% more expensive than bulbs made in China. 200 U.S. workers lost their jobs. In 1987, Traer, Iowa handed out 18,000 free fluorescent bulbs to its residents in a demonstration project aimed at reducing power consumption. Instead, residential electricity use rose 8% because people used more lights and kept them on longer once they realized their lighting was cheaper. (Sources: 4 Oct. 2010 Heartland Institute, 6 Oct. National Center for Policy Analysis)

(26 Oct. 2010) Harvard Pilgrim, Massachusetts’ second largest insurance company, plans to cancel its Medicare Advantage plan by 2011, forcing 22,000 seniors to find another plan. The company decided to dump its Medicare Advantage because “We know that cuts in Medicare are being used to fund national health care reform … and we also had concerns about our ability to build a network of health care providers that would meet the needs of our seniors.” Czar Obama told America: "Here's a guarantee that I have made. If you have insurance that you like, then you will be able to keep that insurance. If you've got a doctor that you like, you will be able to keep your doctor." (Sources: 30 Sept. 2010 The Heritage Foundation, 1 Oct. The Patriot Update)

(14 Oct. 2010) A record number of people signed up for Medicaid last year … total now exceeds 48 million. Since the fall of 2008, the federal government has provided more than $100 billion to the states to help cover the growth. When that money runs out in June 2011, states will be in trouble. In spite of the federal help, 48 states cut benefits in 2009. Arizona, Calif., Hawaii and Mass. eliminated or cut dental coverage. 39 states cut or froze payments to hospitals, doctors and other service providers. Some states limited medical imaging, therapies, supplies and personal care. 18 states placed limits on long-term care services. Medicaid payment rates are so low that in many states it's hard to find doctors who will accept patients. Obamacare will add another 18 million adults in 2014. (Sources: Kaiser Family Foundation, Associated Press)

(11 Oct. 2010) In 2009, 20% of U.S. residents spoke a language other than English at home. The number of households receiving food stamps was a record 11.7 million … 1 out of every 10 families. (Source: 28 Sept. 2010 Associated Press)

(30 Sept. 2010) 18% who attended Nevada's public schools during the 2008-09 academic year were students with limited English proficiency (LEP). The state spends an average of $9,273 per year to educate an LEP student, 30% more than for those fluent in English … $730 million a year more. (Sources: Federation for American Immigration Reform, 28 Sept. 2010 Personal Liberty News Desk)

(18 Sept. 2010) Welfare payments to children of illegal aliens in Los Angeles County were $52 million in July, 23% of the county’s entire welfare / food stamp program. The refusal to find and deport illegal aliens will help sink Los Angeles financially. (Source: 17 Sept. 2010 Personal Liberty News Desk)

(18 Sept. 2010) The number of people living below the subjective poverty level was 14.3% in 2009. The percentage of whites was 9.4 … blacks was 25.8 … Hispanics was 25.3. More illegal aliens will mean more redistribution of income / wealth from those who earn it to illegal aliens who do not. (Sources: 2009 Census Report, 16 Sept. 2010 Associated Press)

(11 Sept. 2010) Only 24% of 2010 high-school graduates scored high enough on the ACT college entrance exams in math, reading, English and science to ensure they would pass entry-level college courses. The results raise questions about how well the nation's high schools are preparing students for college. It is not surprising the U.S. is not very competitive, ranking 12th in the percentage of adults aged 25-34 who have a college degree. (Sources: 18 Aug. 2010 Wall Street Journal, 19 Aug. National Center for Policy Analysis)

(31 Aug. 2010) 60,000 to 65,000 babies per year are added to the households of an estimated 1.5 million illegal aliens in Texas. One hospital, Parkland Memorial (Dallas), delivered 11,071 babies in 2009 to women who were not citizens. Most of these women were believed to be in the country illegally. Between 2001 and 2009, births to illegal immigrant women in Texas totaled 542,152. In the last decade, over 60 percent of the state population increase in Texas was due to Hispanics. (Sources: 8 Aug. 2010 The Dallas Morning News, Newsmax)

(25 Aug. 2010) The 14th Amendment ("All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.") was added after the Civil War to overrule the Supreme Court's Dred Scott decision, which held that black slaves were not citizens. The purpose of the amendment was to stop states from denying citizenship rights to newly freed slaves. The drafters of the 14th Amendment had no intention of conferring citizenship on the children of aliens who happened to be born in the U.S. The author of the clause, Sen. Howard, said: "This will not, of course, include persons born in the United States who are foreigners, aliens, who belong to the families of ambassadors or foreign ministers. In the 1884 case Elk v. Wilkins, the Supreme Court ruled that the 14th Amendment did not even confer citizenship on Indians – because they were subject to tribal jurisdiction, not U.S. jurisdiction. That is how it was for 100 years, with only one case adding the caveat that children born to legal permanent residents of the U.S., gainfully employed, and who were not employed by a foreign government would also be deemed citizens under the 14th Amendment (United States v. Wong Kim Ark, 1898). Then, in 1982, Justice Brennan slipped a footnote into his 5-4 opinion in Plyler v. Doe, asserting that "no plausible distinction with respect to 14th Amendment 'jurisdiction' can be drawn between resident aliens whose entry into the United States was lawful, and resident aliens whose entry was unlawful." Brennan's authority for his statement was that it appeared in a 1912 book written by Clement L. Bouve, who was not an elected official or judge – just some guy who wrote a book. So, we have the history, the objective, the author's intent and 100 years of history that says that the 14th Amendment does not confer citizenship on children born to illegal immigrants. Then, we have a random outburst by some guy named Clement used to support Justice Brennan's footnote. (Sources: Ann Coulter, 4 Aug. 2010 WorldNetDaily)

(15 Aug. 2010) In 2009, 24 million members of the labor force were foreign born … 15.5% … up from 10.0% in 1994. 40% of the foreign-born labor force was from Mexico and Central America, and more than 25% was from Asia. 55% of the workers from Mexico and Central America did not have a high school diploma or GED credential (the average was 9.8 years of school), compared to 6% of U.S.-born workers without a diploma or GED. In contrast, nearly 50% of the workers from places other than Mexico and Central America had at least a bachelor's degree, compared to 35% of U.S.-born workers. Those born in Mexico and Central America made up 64% of those in the labor force with an 8th-grade education or less. Foreign-born workers from places other than Mexico and Central America were more than twice as likely as U.S.-born workers to be in fields such as computer and mathematical sciences. The weekly full-time earnings of men from Mexico and Central America were just over 50% of those of U.S.-born men. (Sources: July 2010 Congressional Budget Office, Census Bureau Current Population Survey, 4 August 2010 National Center for Policy Analysis)

(7 Aug. 2010) The number of hospitals with emergency rooms (ERs) declined from more than 5,000 in 1991 to fewer than 4,000 in 2006. In March 2010, 17% of ERs exceeded capacity at some point in the month. 22% of hospitals reported periods when they diverted ambulances to other facilities as a result of capacity problems. The average time spent in ERs was 4 hours, 7 minutes in 2009. In Utah, the average time was 8 hours, 17 minutes. Iowa had the shortest average at 2 hours, 55 minutes. Non-obstetric hospital admissions via ERs increased from 36.0% in 1996 to 50.2% in 2006. Low-income people, including illegal aliens, go to ERs, instead of doctors, because they do not have to pay … hospitals lose money and close their ERs … the remaining ERs become more overcrowded … hospitals lose money and close more ERs. (Sources: 2010 Press Ganey Associates, 29 July 2010 National Center for Policy Analysis )

(7 Aug. 2010) Mandates have hiked the amounts of ethanol blended into gasoline, and the ethanol industry and farmers are pushing for higher levels of the corn-based fuel. At the same time, trade barriers keep out cheaper ethanol produced from sugar in Brazil and other countries. The Congressional Budget Office calculated how much taxpayers provide in biofuel subsidies … $1.78 for every gallon when the biofuel is made from corn. Ethanol from cellulose costs $3 a gallon in subsidies. (Sources: 27 July 2010. Columbus Dispatch, 28 July 28 National Center for Policy Analysis)

(4 Aug. 2010) A House bill (5741) would reinstate a military draft during war time and require those not selected for military duty to perform a "national service obligation", to be defined by President Obama, for two years. The law would apply to every citizen and permanent resident aged 18 to 42. Deferments may be made only to finish high school, for physical or mental disability, or under claims of conscientious objector. (Source: 27 July 2010 WorldNetDaily)

(28 July 2010) Starting Sept. 23, Obamacare requires insurance companies issuing new individual policies for children to do so regardless of pre-existing medical problems. In Florida, Blue Cross / Blue Shield, Aetna and Golden Rule (a subsidiary of UnitedHealthcare) said they would stop issuing these policies. Blue Cross / Blue Shield of Florida issues about 9,000-10,000 of these policies a year. They believe that the majority of people who would buy this policy are going to use it immediately, probably for high cost claims … they could buy the policies on the way to the hospital or hospitals could buy them after they arrive. Czar Obama can force insurers to accept great risk of losing money, but he cannot force them to write policies. (Sources: Associated Press, 26 July 2010 National Center for Policy Analysis)

(22 July 2010) Czar Obama appointed Donald Berwick as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services during a 2-week congressional recess, in order to avoid a congressional hearing. Berwick has said: "The decision is not whether or not we will ration care, the decision is whether we will ration with ... eyes open. Any health care funding plan … must redistribute wealth from the richer among us to the poorer and less fortunate. The primary functions [of health regulation is] to constrain individual decision making [and] weigh public welfare against the choices of private consumers. Don't trust market forces, trust leaders with plans." Bureaucrats (“leaders”) have begun “planning” your healthcare future by issuing regulations to fill in the blanks in the Obamacare bill. Beginning 23 Sept., all new private health plans must cover preventive tests such as blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, many cancer screenings, routine vaccinations, prenatal care and regular wellness checkups for infants / children with no direct cost-sharing from the recipient. Insurance companies will recover the costs by increasing everyone’s premiums. Thus, income / wealth will be redistributed from those who do not receive these tests very often to those who do. Obama keeps pushing us to an authoritarian, cradle-to-grave welfare-state. (Sources: 14 July 2010 Drugs.com, National Center for Policy Analysis)

(14 July 2010) Maywood, California, near downtown L.A., has 30,000 residents … 97% are Hispanic. More than half are foreign born and 40% are illegal. Only 29.6% of those 25 or older have a high school diploma and 18.2% were unemployed in October. In June, the City Council announced the city was broke, all employees would be laid off and essential services would be contracted out to neighboring cities or to L.A. County. Only the city council and a city manager remain, to manage the contracts with other agencies for city services. Maywood was the first California city with an elected Hispanic City Council, one of the first "sanctuary" cities for illegal aliens, the first city to pass a resolution calling for a boycott of Arizona after that state passed a law to enforce federal immigration laws, the first California city to order its police department not to enforce state laws requiring drivers to have licenses to drive and the first American city to call on Congress to grant amnesty to all illegal aliens. Council meetings were conducted in Spanish. Maywood is represented in Congress by Democrat Lucille Roybal-Allard, an advocate of amnesty for illegal aliens. (Sources: 25 June 2010 Human Events, 26 June Americans for Legal Immigration)