Friends of ATR

Leaders condemn Oslo terrorist attacks

2011-07-24T15:33:00.000-07:00

A bomb has exploded in the heart of Oslo, killing at least seven people, while a gunman dressed as a policeman has opened fire on a group of young people attending a political convention on a nearby island.

View on 9News

Dissertation writing

2011-05-31T19:59:00.000-07:00

We painstakingly filter romanian pool of top-notch dissertation writers who are keen and competent enough to provide help with dissertation writing at the level and efficiency we need. Many dissertation writers submit applications but a very small number make it. On average we only appoint 1 dissertation writer out of every 275 candidates. We only hire candidates with at least a Master's degree and/or a PhD from well-known romanian universities and have a writing experience of 5 years.

Decorativa.org - HOME DECORS - HOME ACCENTS & ACCESSORIES - MODERN & CONTEMPORARY HOME ACCENTS

2011-05-28T14:40:00.000-07:00

Your home environment should be an extension of your personality and style. Anyone coming into your home should immediately be able to tell and appreciate the impression your home decor is meant to achieve. Walls, shelves and your living space should bear decorative pieces that reflect your personality. Light fixtures and modern curtains and drapes should be carefully and tastefully selected not just as inanimate objects but as a living whole of the very essence of your home. That is why it is important to shop only for the best planning your home decor. Select from a wide array of decorative pieces and accents that will reflect your style as well as compliment the beauty of your home! Decorate your home’s interiors to your tastes today!

More Heartache for Gibbons

2011-04-24T06:03:00.000-07:00

Nevada's governor is facing the heat from both sides of the aisle.

Following his proposal to cut state agency budgets by 14 percent in order to patch up the state's projected $1 billion deficit, Democrats and teachers' unions have been putting the pressure on Gibbons to 'lighten up on necessary services' and raise taxes as an alternative.

Here's the rub: While Gibbons may be tempted to reneg in order to save face with the unions, he has committed to the taxpayers of Nevada to oppose and veto any and all effort to raise taxes. If the unions have their way, Gibbons will be faced with a ballot proposal (or just a closed-door agreement with casino heads) to raise the gaming tax. In either scenario, taxpayers will hold him to his commitment to oppose this tax hike.

Check out what fiscal conservatives in the state have been saying about Gibbons's rapidly falling star.

Unions Starting To Get Desperate?

2011-04-24T05:53:00.000-07:00

It certainly seems like that might be the case. According to a story in the Wall Street Journal (posted by The Union Label), Andy Stern, the Services Employee International Union president, has been hard at work, stealthily making some secret deals, some with other unions, and some with, of all people, employers. And these deals just happen to be secret to not just the public but the union's members too. There's just nothing quite like having unions on your side, eh?

He claims that he's just trying to increase membership because “The old ways aren’t working." Hmm, wonder why? Maybe, and keep in mind, this is a maybe, it isn't the methods that are the problem. Maybe the problem is that more and more workers are figuring out that unions don't look out for workers, they just appropriate money from them and funnel it towards political causes they themselves don't agree with. Or they've realized just how much unions cost America in terms of jobs and economic growth.

It would certainly explain the horrendous attempts to create government-sanctioned union thuggery through card check - and surpise, surprise, when we look at what details of Stern's secret bargains are available what do we find?

"The agreements enable the unions to organize workers through a simple card-signing process in which the companies agree to remain neutral, rather than a secret-ballot election. The companies agree to provide the unions with lists of employees and access to workers. The unions give up the ability to strike and agree that they will present issues before a labor-management committee before engaging in leafleting or rallies"

So, since it seems card check stands a good chance at failing by legislative mandate Andy Stern decided to hedge his bets and get it through secret bargains. Here's to worker freedom.

For the latest updates on union-related issues check out the Alliance for Worker Freedom.

Wipe out!

2011-04-16T11:06:00.001-07:00

When it comes to politics in Lansing, you never quite know what to expect next.

After the swift defeat of a measure to place a one cent sales tax hike on the January ballot, Democrats in the Michigan State House pulled an even swifter (but dirtier) procedural move. The vote board was cleared before the votes could be tabulated.

After sneaking a $1.35 phone tax into "911 stable funding" legislation (the tax hike bill wasn't palpable on its own), we're not surprised by this cheap trick. Come hell or high water, the Democrats seem determined to pull the rug out from under the opposition and raise taxes on Michiganders.

Let The Sunshine In!

2011-04-16T11:05:00.000-07:00

Curious what your tax dollars are spent on? You may soon be able to track them.

A movement to bring transparency into government spending is currently gaining steam across the country. Governors and legislatures in a number of states are working to set up websites which would allow taxpayers to see just how much their government is spending, and what their hard-earned tax dollars are spent on.

As Governor Rick Perry of Texas, who is championing transparency efforts in his state, has said: "If the taxpayers are picking up the bill, they ought to be able to look at every item on the receipt."

In Oklahoma, a bill modeled after the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (sponsored by Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) and signed into law last year) was passed unanimously just a few days ago. Among other things, the website would include relevant information on government grants, contracts, subcontracts, tax refunds, rebates or credits, and expenditures from the Constitutional Reserve Fund. The bill is unlikely to meet major opposition in the house, and, since Governor Brad Henry (D) endorsed the idea in his state of the state speech earlier this year, he is expected to sign it into law. And why shouldn't he? - After all, the concept is supported by 72% of Oklahomans, according to the Oklahoma Council on Public Affairs.
http://www.ocpathink.org/

In Kansas, a bill which would create a website disclosing state and local revenue and expenditure information passed the House of Representatives at an overwhelming margin of 102-20 on February 22nd, but it is now facing scrutiny in the State Senate. If you live in Kansas, you may want to contact your senator and let him or her know that you support the "Taxpayer Transparency Act." You can type in your address here, and will be able to see who your state senator is: http://capwiz.com/atr/state/main/?state=KS&view=myofficials. By clicking on his or her name, you will get the relevant contact information.

Other states are also working on the issue. Americans for Tax Reform has put together a memo on efforts to shine a light on government spending across the country. You will findthe memo and more information on the issue here:http://www.atr.org/.