FDA - Politicians Influence Approval for Device

New Jersey senators Menedez and Lautenberg, and representatives Pallone and Rathman seems to have influenced the Food and Drug Administration to approve a device (Menaflex) not fully proven to be safe.

The Congressmen received a total of $26,000 from ReGen beginning in October 2007

NY Times (09/25/09) - F.D.A. Reveals It Fell to a Push by Lawmakers

March of Protest at Cal-Berkeley

Students and teachers marched in protest of cuts to their budget, layoffs, and increases in fees. The board is looking to increase tuition from $7,126 to $10,302.

The protesters, shoulder to shoulder and chanting "Education should be free. No cuts, no fees,"

Do these people even know what they are saying? They want free education while at the same time wanting no cuts in pay. Who pays the workers if the students don't pay? No wonder California is a mess.

SF Gate (09/24/09) - Thousands march in Berkeley over UC cuts

NY Mayor - Green in Theory Only

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg admits that taking a helicopter to the U2 show might not have been the most environmentally friendly way to travel.

The billionaire - who likes to portray himself as a national environmental leader - travels frequently by helicopter and private plane, but rarely talks about it.

AP (09/25/09) - NYC mayor: Taking copter to U2 show not so 'green'

ACORN Funded Political Profit Organizations

Based on 2006 data researched by Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA)

Project Vote, one of the most recognized organizations in the ACORN family, took in $8.6 million in 2006 but paid more than 60 percent of that -- $5.4 million -- to two groups then controlled by Rathke. About $4.6 million went to ACORN for "contractual and campaign services" and $779,000 went to Citizens Consulting Inc., which charged ACORN affiliates on a percentage basis for bookkeeping services.

Washington Post (09/25/09) - ACORN Funded Political, For-Profit Efforts, Data Show

No Online Senate Health Bill From Congress

I guess they won't make this "mistake" again.

A proposal by Sen. Jim Bunning, R-Ky., that would have required the Senate Finance Committee to post the final language of the $900 billion health care reform bill, as well as a Congressional Budget Office cost analysis, on the committee’s website for 72 hours prior to a vote was rejected 12-11.

Washington Examiner (09/24/09) - Baucus claims it's too difficult to put health care bill online

Terror Arrest - Illinois

Michael Finton a.k.a. Talib Islam, charged with intent to blow up a federal building in Springfield, Illinois.

Rueters (9/24/09) - Illinois man charged in plot to bomb federal offices

Bribery Charges for DC Councilman's Chief of Staff

Ted Loza, chief of staff for D.C. Councilman Jim Graham, was arrested on bribery charges.

The record says an unidentified man paid Loza $1,000 to get legislation exempting hybrid vehicles from getting taxicab licenses. The legislation was introduced by Graham. Then Loza received another $500 in appreciation.

AP - DC Councilman's aide indicted on bribery charges

Median Household Income by State for 2008

Top Five - Maryland, New Jersey, Connecticut, Alaska, and Hawaii.
Bottom Five - Alabama, Kentucky, Arkansas, West Virginia, Mississippi

Links available back to 2005.

US Census - R1901. Median Household Income (In 2008 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars)

Gore's Company Gets Green Stimulus

A Finnish car company back by Al Gore gets $529 million in a government loan to help build hybrid sports cars.  The Department of Energy helped the company craft its application. Other companies, seeking less money, have been denied.

Wall Street Journal: Gore-Backed Car Firm Gets Large U.S. Loan

The VA Does Not Pay

277,000 filed for college tuition benefits.  200,000 approved.  11% have received benefits.  The excuse?

During testimony March 12 before the House Appropriations subcommittee on military construction, veterans affairs and related agencies, the agency's inspector general warned that the agency didn't have enough manpower to launch the new GI Bill.

Washington Times:  Veterans' promised tuition checks AWOL

Cutting Federal Spending via the Postal Service

$3 billion projected savings through eliminating Saturday delivery - will begin after 2010 elections. Finally - spending cuts other than from the Defense Dept.

Kiplinger:  Saturday Mail Service Getting the Sack