Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Family Jobs

rappers

Uncle Don takes care of his niece

The Governor of Rhode Island put his niece into a state paid job.  I did a story on it.  Some people didn’t like it, or the 10 News Conference program where I asked him about it.  Some did.  Here’s a few who wrote me.

Governor Don Carcieri is living in his own little world privatizing Rhode Island....OMG I completely agree that he is talking out of both sides of his mouth by saying there was nothing wrong with hiring his niece while other State Workers get the boot!  He was very personable when I met him six years ago and believe me I voted for him the first time around.  Since then I’ve seen so many red flags..I tried to vote him out this past election but no one halfway decent was running against him.  I know a 911 operator who make less than 40,000.00 a year (after 20 years)when our Governor tells the citizens of Rhode Island that these state workers are making over 90,000.00 a year!!  And the money to fund the operations that keep our citizens safe (911 charge on our phone bill) most of it isn’t even going to 911!  So while the governor is swimming in the “General Fund” swimming pool the rest of us are drowning.  Impeach him before the state files for Bankruptcy.
A.M, West Warwick

It was a struggle watching you with the Gov. this morning on ‘10 Newsconference’.  The quote “we’re not picking on kass, we’re picking on you, governor”. Ouch. 
Please don’t buy into the leftist-unionborn propoganda. 74 years of democrat control and how are we doing in our state?  Who’s responsible?  How much is the rest of the government cutting THEIR STAFFS ?  The topic was ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT--where were the Marine Industry related questions ???  We’re the “Ocean State” producing the finest seafood in the world--always sold out--AND we produce the finest underwater machinery.  No questions.  (Ouch.) I didn’t care for the interruptions and talking-over.  I learn more when I listen.
Paul M, Wickford, RI

Great job Sunday morning!!!!!!
You are 100% right about his niece, what the heck is she doing working there, SHE SHOULD NOT BE THERE.
Anne

In my considered opinion, this piece is quite simply one that panders to the unions and the democratic party of this state, in a the most blatant manner possible.  It is also an NBC 10 condoned attempt at character assassination, by you Mr. Rappleye.  I have no idea as to what your motivation actually is but I do know this, you have lost your objectivity and you obviously did not do your due diligence, before airing this piece.  Dan York, however, did do his homework and, by so doing, has made you look like a pawn of the unions and the democratic party.

Your attempt to impugn our governor, who, whether or not you like his politics, is a good, hardworking, innovative, diligent, honest and HONORABLE man, is nothing more than a political assassination job, obviously prompted by the unions and the democratic party, which illustrates the unions’ and the democratic party’s willingness to help the taxpayers of this state.

I have been a a WJAR-TV Channel 10 News viewer since 1947, when we got our first tv but, because of the direction that Channel 10 News has been taking, I find that I must reassess my viewing habits.  This piece is the straw that broke the camel’s back.

This epistle does not scratch the the surface of the contempt this piece has raised in me and some of that contempt has rubbed off on both you and Channel 10.  This is one of the saddest chores I have set for myself in a very long time.
Joe T, East Providence

HI BILL. YOU SURE GAVE IT TO THE GOVERNOR THIS MORNING. I WOULD BET YOUR FATHER WAS A BIG UNION MAN. THATS THE WAY YOU COME ACROSS. YOU WERE SCREAMING ABOUT A $50,000 DOLLAR JOB.WHY DON’T YOU INVESTIGATE THE CUSHY JOBS AT URI? START WITH BOB WEYGAND. HE MAKES WITH BENEFITS NEARLY $200,000 OR MORE WITH A REAL CUSHY JOB. HE ALSO IS A POLITICAL ANALYST ON YOUR STATION AND PROBABLY TAPES PIECES WHILE HE IS GETTING PAID BY URI. THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL DID A STORY ABOUT URI’S BASKETBALL COACH MAKING ALOT OF MONEY. I HOPE YOU DO A STORY ABOUT THE HIGH PRICE JOBS AT URI. START WITH WEYGAND.THANKS FOR LISTENING,
MARVIN

i wanted say that the reason you are getting so much flak is that you opened a can of worms for both democrats and republicans.  if you look at ethic laws, school committee members vote for raises for their spouses.  this is allowed by the ethics commissions.  this is also done by town council members.  look into this and you will have stories for the just 3 years.  you have them all scared, it’s the ethic laws that need to be looked at but the politicians are the ones who write them so they leave all these loop holes.  great job on the story to bad more people do not think that just because it isn’t against the law some things still do not look right and should not be done. 
bob

toll booths

rappers

winner or loser?

What about toll booths in rhode island to raise money?  Here’s what you think.

Absolutely. Every time I go to Maine and pay the toll at the MA-NH line I think about how much RI is losing out on. You cant get to the cape from NJ NY and points west without passing through RI. And think about it. NH has no sales tax. I guess those toll booths pay off.

Mr.ed

Screaming with laughter here.  All that would do is cause MORE back ups and accidents and over load secondary roads.  NO ONE is gonna want to pay to use 95 it’s such a mess in this state.
Judith
A toll plaza anywhere would create additional deficit with hirings of toll collectors, managers and supervisors, in the grand scheme of things it would just be a new scam to get cronies in high paying jobs. Whats next, “Guess the Governors weight for a buck”?
Spencer
For one reason this won’t work; this had been done before, as my husband told me, back in early 1970’s as he recalls since I wasn’t here until 20 yrs. later; but since it had been done before then why did the state take it down?  My husband’s response to that question was “It was useless according to the state response”.  Back then, I suppose there was no need or the state wasn’t in a deficit as it is now - and why is that?  Because of the “pork-barrel” government spending and the recent state corruptions since then and now we have to pay for it?  For the other reason, you’ll have a lot of angry Rhode Islanders on your hands because some of us go to work at the borders around here (especially those who live in Westerly) since jobs are scarce in this state.  So why should we pay to get back into the state where we live after working in a neighboring state to earn an income we desperately need to stay alive?  It doesn’t make sense; as does the high rise in gas prices as it is now, and now the state is considering putting a toll booth on the North side of 95 at the Connecticut border?  If that happens, you’ll see a lot of Rhode Islanders moving to Connecticut and Massachusetts, and then we’ll really be hurting for certain.
C-Ann-C, Coventry
You have to be kidding! What would charge? A dime to cross the smallest state in the country? We need every bit of happy people visiting our small state, not turning them off with a fee!
Guilford

Sure, why not & at the Ma. border too, but, only if they are going to use 100% of it for upkeep on our sad infrastructure, like state roads & bridges. However, if the state is going to hijack that money, like it did with the lottery money, to add more unnecessary people to the upper levels of an already grossly top heavy bureaucracy, then I would say, absolutely not.
Hound Dog, Bristol
Absolutely not! The state of Rhode Island is like a child who keeps overspending his allowance money. As I remember, lottery revenue was supposed to go to help fund education, now it disappears into the general fund. Until government officials learn to budget, like the rest of us are forced to do ( especially with gas going-over $4.00 a gallon), them this will be a perpetual cycle that we will play out year after year.
Korinne B
No, we don’t need a tollbooth. How about cutting some fat & starting with the Governor’s niece @ a $52,000 a year salalry!!! Now there’s a good start!!
Jane, Johnston

then what’s next?  pay toilets at the rest areas????  oh crap (no pun intended)...perhaps I just gave Governor Carcieri another idea.  What if we, as RI residents, work in Groton or someplace else in CT?  However, I really don’t need to complain anymore.....I’m moving out of state like so many other educated, tax abused people.  We’re just sick of this nonsense.
Michele, West Kingston

The roads are built with tax payer money. Why should we pay again? Poor leadership in local government
Peter

What’s the next step to putting toll booths up—forcing each citizen to donate a pint of blood so that is could be sold for the going price?
Vin, Cranston

Absolutely we are in debt 500 million this would be a great idea so the state could get out of this deficit
Kerry

A toll booth? How about a sign at the state line that reads what am I bid for this turkey!  B.E.

We should have tolls at the CT, RI border, most of the traffic on 95 is Mass and Ct and NY either going to casinos or from the casinos.  If the casinos can make the money then let RI roads make the money also.
On 95 south bound they are more Mass and CT plates heading towards the casinos. I live right near the RI, CT border and it is crazy how many Mass plates are going to the casinos.
Lorna, Hope Valley, RI

It is ironic that you use the Connecticut highways as your comparison. If you go back several years ago Connecticut said it could not give up the money that they received when they had tool booths on there section of the interstate. That was until a driver driving a eighteen wheeler feel asleep at the wheel and wiped out a tool booth killing several people as I remember it. We do not need to add any more revenue raising schemes. We need to cut spending.
Howie, North Providence

How could you put a toll booth on the border of Conn. and RI but not Massachusetts. If they [ the government] wants to put a toll booth there they should put one on all the roads that lead into our beloved state. Heck we have to pay to park to a out of town beach.
Big Joe

Toll booths cost more money than they will ever generate.  This state cannot afford to stop traffic from coming or going to Connecticut as they wish.
Celia

Whose idea is this?  Is this a joke?  A tollbooth would probable be a negative influence for tourists and visitors, possible family get togethers, and economic development.
If the state wants to make money, and this idea is a joke, put a tollbooth to get through the 37 school districts (their cities/towns).  Of course, if the tollbooths were not automated, it would mean more jobs...........hummmm
Darlene, Woonsocket

i live in bear country in coventry, i work at electric boat in groton, does that idiot understand .THEIR ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO WORK IN CT from RI, #1this state cannot provide decent jobs that pay [ i dont make that great of money either, i work most of the time 7 DAYS A WEEK just to get by.4$/day toll plus 4$ a gallon at 80miles per day .#2 its highway robbery , this state is run by pirates, it always has.why don’t they try to find the 39million that was lost a few years ago. maybe its under a rock or something . leave the people alone that work in ct your not going to balance the budget you screwed up on our backs . its so easy to spend someone else’s money, isn’t it . thank you .why not [i could be wrong here] TRY TO GET SOME DECENT PAYING JOBS IN R. I.  its the only state in new england that lose people each year. instead of always trying to bleed us dry, state government do your job for once
tom

Rhode Island could make millions just from all the hypocrites
who don’t want a casino, but go down to Foxwoods to gamble.
Not to mention all the people who have to go out of state for a job.
The “Unemployed Man” on the state house will leave pretty soon.
of course the Governor has no problem finding jobs for his buddies.
more of the same
stuck in ri

We are one of the few local states to not have a toll on the Interstate. From the placement, it is obvious they are trying to capture as much out-of-state money as possible, without inconveniencing the locals. I wonder if a toll at the Connecticut border will drive traffic away from Foxwoods, and towards Twin River?
As infrequently as I travel that stretch of road, I am all for the
toll- as long as the Turnpike Authority runs it (and they include EZPass), since they haven’t had to raise the bridge tolls in forty years.
Bill in Portsmouth

I realize that we are a unique (?) state but do you really think real people will pay admission, to visit????????????
Joe T East Providence

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Hillary’s Continued Run

rappers

Does it Help or hurt Barack

Most rappers believe Hillary’s continued candidacy is hurting Barack’s.  As the Democrats keep up their fight…here are your comments.

Definitely helped. It gave us time to get to know him better, and for him to address all the misconceptions put out about him. And it gave us time to remember why we came to distrust the Clintons.
Glee v

The prolonged Democratic contest has tested the human spirit of Barack Obama and has enabled him to show the American public that he has what it takes to be President of the United States.
Dennis T

The only reason Obama is even in the picture is that Hillary voted to authorize the Iraq war despite the fact that CIA’s lead weapons inspector and the Chief UN arms inspector had not yet found weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

Americans are tired of the Reichstag like rhetoric. If Prescott Bush and his unregulated corporate ilk hadn’t financed Hitler, and the schools and the media had discussed the topic with the people there never would have been a Hitler to appease.

From a beacon on the hill to a military killing machine, instead of looking at their failed cowboy diplomacy and addressing the conditions that give rise to hostility’ they pray for a Pearl Harbor like attack in order to “Birth the New Middle East” The Johns in Washington need your child to secure the market for Wall Street so that they can continue living their life style.

From the overthrow of the elected Mossadeq and the installation of the Shah as Dictator to financing and schooling Saddam Hussein there are a lot of things that need to be talked about.
Zuke

I don’t think either one of them has a chance against John McCain.  This whole Election thing is just a formality.
Anakin

Thursday, May 15, 2008

same sex divorce

rappers

can the knot be untied?

Both sides represented in this collection of responses…54% of rappers in our survey say Rhode island should not grant same sex divorces.  But there are other points of view too.

Should divorces in same sex marriages be legal in Rhode Island?  Of course not!  If same sex marriages aren’t recognized, why should the divorces??  It appears that proponents of same sex marriages are just using this issue (divorce) as a loophole and way to valid same sex marriages in general for their own agenda.
Kent, West Warwick

I don’t think it would be right for the state to divorce a same sex couple and not allow them to get married in this state. How can the state of rhode island divorce a couple that they don’t recognize as a couple in the first place? the state can easily say okay your divorced in our eyes you were never married.
Bill

Yes divorces should be given to gay couples married outside Rhode Island.......but first Rhode Island should legalize some sort of domestic partnership laws....Its time to take notice that better then 45% of straight marriages end in divorce and gay unions in no way jeopardize the marriages of straights.. Lots of gay partnerships are and can be lifetime commitments It’s time to move to the 21st century...Equal rights for all citizens of the USA…
Imjustli

How can the people of Rhode Island recognize the divorce of a couple whose marriage is not recognized? Instead of spending time on this non-issue, the legislators should get on with balancing the budget.
Doris

How can the state consider making it legal to get a same sex divorce when the state does not recognize the legality of same sex marriage? It is like telling a child molester that if he says he made a mistake the police will forgive the crime he committed.
RAYMOND M, MANVILLE

Please forgive me if I am being “dense”, but if “gay marriages” are NOT legal in this state....would someone please explain to me how divorce is????  If you had to go to Ma. to “get married” ( which I think civil union would be the more appropriate term), then for goodness sake, go back there and get your divorce!  Why are you trying to involve us here in RI??  WE have enough problems as is!!! 
Elaine from Glocester, where common sense still prevails....

Any married person should be allowed to get a divorce, anywhere they happen to be residing, no matter whom they happen to be married to. Sexual orientation is genetic, not legislative, and you can’t dictate someone else’s emotions.
Karen L, North Kingstown

No, that will open the door for challenges to the state’s law banning same sex marriages and we can be pretty sure as to how our judiciary will “LEGISLATE” on that issue.
Joe T East Providence

WHY NOT???
CM, NK

Homosexuals are allowed to marry in Massachusetts so let them get divorced there Rhode Island should not allow homosexuals to get married.
Art R

Why not.  If they can make a decision to marry why not be able to divorce like everyone else.  Why should they have to stay together just because they are the same sex.  Lots of marriages fall apart for many reasons, theirs can also.
D, Smithfield

If we stopped paying institutions and policy makers to license and sanction Love, Liberty and Life; in this free country, we might be able to save a little money for priceless education.
Zuke

no if the couple got married in another state, then file for a divorce in that state, why file here if they were’t married here
alrae

Not until they make it legal to get married in RI! If they can’t get married in Rhode Island why should they be able to get divorced? It doesn’t make sense!!! It’s the same as buying something illegal in Rhode Island and then trying to sell it in Rhode Island!!!!
Big Joe

Gay marriage and gay divorce should be legal here in Rhode Island.  Let’s see if they can do better than the heterosexuals who can only manage about a 50% success rate in their attempt at marrying each other.  Contrary to most of the yelling and screaming, gay marriage poses no threat or danger to the “institution”; at least not the one I’m in!!!!
Hla

No, if we don’t recognize them , then how can we give them a divorce, it’s like forgiving someone for something that never happened.
Ken, Coventry

Same Sex Divorce should not be legal in R I . The recent attempt by the 2 women who were “married ‘ in Mass was nothing more than a “backdoor” attempt to “legalize gay marriage in RI. If their divorce were granted -then RI would be recognizing their marriage as legal-how else could RI grant a “legal” divorce. So without any legislation but by “judical discision” RI would be in effect legalizing gay marriage. Nice try -but uht un -no dice.
Let the spineless legislators go on the record and vote up or down for Gay Marriage so we can hold them accountable. The rather large bloc of gay legislators want to have their “partners” on the public dole (Healthcare -pension benificiaries-etc.) but don’t want to have to “come out”
and vote on the record for a stupid law that will cost RI money it doesn’t have for the personal benefit on a relatively small amount of people. If someone wants to be gay fine. Why do I have to pay for their healthcare?
Bob H

No, marriage is between a 1 man and a 1 women. And if they are not legally married under our state law, then how can their marriage even be recognized in our state for a divorce.

Dan, Coventry

Thursday, May 08, 2008

budget responsibility

rappers

who’s to blame?

Rappers believe by 57-36 that the Rhode island budget crisis is the fault of the legislature, not the governor…the comments run the gamut though…and not a few of you say it’s the fault of voters for putting into office irresponsible fiscal managers.  Here we go….

With regards to the budget crisis in the State of Rhode Island, placing blame is useless. Rhode Islanders, which include the Governor and the General Assembly, need to raise their financial awareness and work together with properly allocating funds, cutting costs and devoting their passions for a better community, accordingly.
JW, Providence

you’d have to be a real idiot to blame the governor for this mess the general assembly has got to take this mess on their own. look at what they did this week on the co-payment for health care they weren’t about to give up on that perk, that wasn’t the head man’s fault. i really don’t know what it’s going to take to get these people to wake up but i for one will not vote for one incumbent in again
cowboy joe

You for got to put BOTH, they are BOTH equally to blame.  the gov for his head in the sand, give my friends high paying jobs that I created for them.
The idiots on the hill for their living high on our money.  Taking care of all their special interests friends and families.
It is disgusting and as far as no new taxes you can bet the towns are gonna kill us.  I have NO more to give and I know I am not alone.
Judith, Coventry

The legislature - no question. They are the only ones who can spend the money and it’s spending that has gotten us into this mess.  Apparently they finally got the message from those of us who are not “special interest” groups but rather the tax payers who have to pay the bill.  I think we got the message across that we also vote! 
KHS, Smithfield

Of course the blame belongs with the state legislators for the mess we’re in, and it also belongs to the voters who put them in office and allowed them to run our state into the ground as they have.  The governor is trying his best to fix it, but they fight him every step of the way because they really don’t want to make any changes.  It’s time for them to take Economics 101, stop their foolishness and face reality!
Magster

I think we all know what is driving RI into a pit.  The cause starts from bad spending, a war that has gone from saddam being a threat, to double dipping.  The US Economy is the way it is because we are driving our markets of oil and food to new high level.  All countries are importing our beef, pork, chicken, and oils their country leaving americans needing more so now we suffer for other countries.  We need to watch ourselves because this country is all for it self and i am not going to kill myself working to have a hard life so that we can do business with other countries.  At least with immigration some of the immigrants in this country are hard working, even more than real americans.  Now selling our products cheap to other countries and drive cost and markets up is crazy. 
Proud American

The blame should left entirely on the voters...past, present, and future. You can’t properly maintain a car for long without the right tools, so how can a state budget be properly maintained with the current “tools” we voted into office.
Spencer J, Warwick

WHO TO BLAME. THAT’S A NO BRAINER. THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. THE ONE PARTY AND, LAWYER, UNION OFFICIALS, TEACHERS, POLICE OFFICERS, FIREMEN, ARE ALL TO BE BLAMED. TERM LIMITS MAY HELP, BUT THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN. NOT IN THIS STATE.
RCMAC, CUMBERLAND

we are in a mess because we are corrupt and the welfare system has been helping people for years who are not really in need . this state is a joke and many people are leaving
renee

Without a doubt, the General Assembly must bear the blame for the budget mess we are in.  They can’t grab all the power and then shift the blame when things go bad. This state is a perfect example of the old adage that goes something like “Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely” We have a few men in the House who control everything, without change, THIS STATE IS DOOMED.
Norm, North Providence

I say its the general assembly and the unions....In that order..
Ray R, Cumberland

Ever since Governor Don Carcieri was re-elected, he has done nothing but tear this state apart.  All of these cuts to programs at our schools are ridiculous.  They are our future and to take from them is disgusting.  If anything, we need to decrease funding to our Welfare Program and get these people working.  I am tired of paying huge taxes and watching our money go to people that drain the system.  I would love to know were all of our tax money is going.  It is definitely not our roads.  This is why people are moving out of RI.  I know I am.
Mike L, East Greenwich

We can only blame the General Assembly!  Has anyone ever watched these clowns in session on TV???  It is a comedy show.  Anyone who tries to argue using common sense is cut down immediately. This governor has really tried to get this state under control but has had no support from the circus at the capital.
Pat, Cranston

The Governor has faced this issue proposing harsh, yet neccessary cuts. The General Assembly is not making the difficult decisions, that are neccessary to reforming the budget crisis. It is their fault for this mess, not the Governor. Who has done a good job trying to pull our state out of this, and plan for the long term.
Dan, Coventry

In his press conference, the Gov. stated that the current deficit had been building for “a couple of decades”. Who’s been in charge for over 20% of that time?
Steve, Nk

The answer to this question is a non-brainer. 
All politicians who have given away the future to special interest groups. The same politicians are re-elected by the voters and now the voters are getting what they deserve - OUCH!!
Paul

The lack of leadership on the part of the governor and Assembly.
They should give up their benefits 100% and the governor should be put on layoff triple the amount of time of the state workers. What`s good for the goose is good for the them and the governor.
Tom, Providence

The legislature. Then the town councils/mayors. Since the governor has limited powers in this state, it is difficult to blame the office for any problems. When the state and towns share revenues to fund operations, it would seem to me that some operational costs become standardized to create uniformity of expenses. This may also reduce ‘gold-plated’ benefits thus keeping the arguments focused on real economic issues.
Steve D, Westerly

To start with, the Politicians, too many state workers and crazy spending. But Rhode Island isn’t alone. Living here in Florida is no better.
Paul

Our RI government gave away the store, and we let it happen. 
TS

We need to start a grass-roots effort to achieve operation clean-out.
This would ideally clean out all special interest and ineffective legislators in the general assembly.  Does Rhode Island have an oversight group who actively monitor and score individual legislators success in representing their constituents, positively impacting their local and overall economy as well as improving the overall quality of life throughout Rhode Island?
Our news media then needs to take these legislator scores and actively communicate these within the varied media channels so that all Rhode Islanders become fully aware of how their legislators are performing so that we can make informed and proper choices come election time.
I appreciate your feedback and ideas.
Tom S

The budget mess is due to the same old incompetent people (and their relatives), who couldn’t run a lemonade stand. And also too much debt, borrowing on top of borrowing and the same group of people “insiders”, benefiting from the fiascos.  The only thing that changes is that there are more potholes every year.
same old, same old

Governor Carcieri was elected on his supposed business acumen. The
state has never been in such dire straits.  His cuts have targeted the most needy.  Has anyone looked at the positions that he has added to the payroll
and at what cost? This is after promising to cut the number of state
employees.  What about privatization? Has this saved money or added to the cost of government.  I believe that I moved out of state at the right time, after spending more than 50 years in R.I.
LRL

We have had 40 years of corrupt knucklehead Democratic legislature and 14 years of clueless knucklehead Republican governors.  It is a toss-up as to who is the most to blame for anything. The best thing we can do is vote out all the useless b*&$#s and keep doing that until we get somebody that can do things right.
Bill G, Cranston

How about we start with every Governor and General Assembly since the Sundlun Administration.
JM, Cranston

I say Don Carceri and all the people who voted for it! If we weren’t spending so much money on things that are not so important
Big JB

I am sure the general public cannot be blamed. Our law makers predict their own salary, health benefits and retirement. They just rejected paying a part of health care, yet the state workers are being made to pay 20%. Wouldn’t it be a nice gesture if our lawmakers offered to pay part of their healthcare? I think not. There is too much greed on the hill.
Lee L. Woonsocket

THE GOVERNOR HAS HAD THE COURAGE TO TAKE A STANCE WHILE THE LEGISLATORS HIDE BEHING HIS PANTS LETTING HIM TAKE THE BRUNT OF THE OBVIOUS DISCONTENT. THIS IS ALL THE DOING OF OUR LEGISLATURE WHOSE ONLY INTEREST IS WORKING OUT SWEETHEART DEALS FOR THOSE WHO PAY FOR THEIR CAMPAIGNS AND GETTING THEIR HOT WIENER AFTER HOURS! THEY APPROVED THE GOVERNOR’S BUDGET PROPOSAL WHILE LETTING HIM TAKE THE FALL. SPINELESS PEOPLE’ FOR SHAME ON THEM BUT MORESO, FOR SHAME ON US WHO CONTINOUSLY ELECT THE SAME PEOPLE. FOR SHAME. THEY HAVE NO REGARD FOR THE VOTERS WHO ELECTED THEM; THIS MESS IS ALL THEIR DOING AND WE CONTINUE TO ELECT THESE SPI NLESS EXCUSES FOR LEGISLATORS. CAN THE GREEN PARTY AND REPUBLICANS DO ANY WORSE? I DOUBT IT!! MAYBE IT’S TIME TO START THINKING ABOUT VOTING SERIOUSLY INSTEAD OF RELIVING THE 1930S EVERY ELECTION DAY. RHODE ISLANDERS WAKE UP!!
BOBBY BEE, PROVIDENCE

Million/multi-million dollar companies paying $500/yr in state taxes, constant cost overruns on construction projects...the twin bridges between Barrington & Warren is just one of many examples...the hijacking the lottery money & using it to create this exceedingly & increasingly, top heavy, cronyism infested corrupt bureaucracy we now have...& has anyone bothered to check on the kinds of money the state gets charged by venders for anything from vehicle repairs, maintenance/electrical work up to computers, plus their software, maintenance & replacements??......Need I say more??...I would say that the state is to blame.
Hound Dog, Bristol

There are many factors that add up to create the budget deficit in RI.  In my opinion, one of the biggest contributors to this deficit is the fact that State workers don’t have to cover the cost of their medical insurance.  I think they should be responsible for a certain percentage of the premiums, as well as higher co-pays for services.
If you take into consideration the cost of insurance, depending on the plan, individual cost can run well above $500 per month for individual and over $1000 per month for a family plan.  It is unfair for the taxpayers of this state to foot the bill while many in the private sector cannot afford health insurance at all.
Deb L, Pawtucket

The General Assembly, of course.  For years they’ve given away obscenely generous benefits to special interest groups and political supporters—to the detriment of the rest of us. I doubt we can climb out of this financial hole. I see state bankruptcy ahead.
Dee, Johnston

Thursday, May 01, 2008

early release

rappers

false savings

Very few rappers agree with Rhode Island’s plan to save money by letting prisoners out of the ACI early.

mr rapp why would we want to have early release for prisoners when 75% of the prison population ends up back in prison with in the first 2 months of being release there is enough crime on the streets without adding more i say build another prison if there isn’nt enought room in our prisons and but the prisoners to work all over rhode island streets not just the highways there is trash on all are streets mostly in low income cities and i think rhode island should but more of the prisoners on the city streets not just highways and lets get rhode island streets clean
vinman

Yes! But only on good behavior. It should also depend on how bad there crime was.  If the ACI is getting to full and it’s costing so much money then why do they still send them there?!
Joey B

WELL, I was the first one to vote tonight LOL.
Anyway, No I do not believe inmates should be let out early.  They were sentenced for a reason and by empting out the ACI that just dumps MORE problems out onto this state.
Crime is already up.
Here in Coventry 2 times in the last week and a half my neighborhood has been hit with people going into cars and taking stuff.  Like GPS units Expensive radios and elctronics.  This is a quiet area, we have lived here since 1995 and this is the first time anything like this has happened.
With all the unrest and the economy the way it is these people have NO training NO jobs and are elegible for NOTHING in aid thanks to the rich man from E.G. it leaves we the people open to having our hard earned lives really messed up.
Judith, Coventry.

Yes, of course!  They will need to make room for all the State legislators!
Bill, Cranston

Good grief!  Who comes up with these ideas? People have been sent to jail for a reason.  Talk about sending the WRONG message!
Kristin P, Coventry

NO. - IF THE STATE WANTS TO CHANGE SENTENCING LAWS,
THEY SHOULD DO THAT THROUGH LEGISLATION.  OTHERWISE,
TO SIMPLY LET PRISONERS GO “EARLY” TO SAVE MONEY FLYS IN THE FACE OF THE JUDGES, JURY’S AND VICTIMS OF CRIME.
Bill

No, I don’t think prisoners should be released early for any reason. The best way to save the state money is for all the fancy cars and trucks to be taken away from state workers, most of which are gas guzzlers.  I always see them in the stores parking lots or at Dunkin Donuts, or out for a drive on a weekend day. Tell me that is state business! DEM just got a load of new vehicles, what was wrong with the ones they had? Let the state workers pay for their own cell phones, let them pay for some of their own health insurance, I know there must be a million ways the governor could save money without hurting the aged or handicapped. Why is it they always go after the ones who need it the most! Take from the poor and give to the rich! Yeah, that makes sense! Anyway, how about he let go of some of his own job perks! He went on a trip to Iraq, why! That must of cost the tax payer a pretty penny. It’s not like he solved a major problem by going.  Letting prisoners out early really isn’t a way to stop crime, stop repeat offenders, or protect the public. Let’s spend the money where it is truly needed, stop spending it were it is not and take away all these job perks that are ridiculous and there will be no problems with the budget. Tough times call for tough measures and that means for all of us including state workers and friends and relations of people holding state offices. I think it’s about time to stop cutting programs that are truly needed, enough is enough! 
RS

No.  There are not enough consequences for misbehavior as it is.  Letting prisoners out early only says that their crime is ok and not important.  Letting them out early will cause more crimes to be committed.
D.A.

sounds like a future case for more funding on prisons when criminals are let loose, instead of working on prevention and real rehabilitation in the community.
With no share in the community but compelled to monotonous toil on the plantation with no shared prosperity; working for the plantation to make the rich richer becomes a futile attempt to make ends meet.Setting fires to abandoned buildings for the landlords to collect insurance money or selling your body to a politician may look like a more viable option than serving the plantation. There needs to be a redistribution of wealth where the underclass won’t venture into criminal behavior to eke out an existence.
5 percent of the world’s population but more prisoners than Russia and China combined. What is wrong with that picture?
Zuke

I think that judges have too much latitude when handing out sentences.
If someone is put in jail for a non-violent crime he/she should be given
a chance to show he/she is worthy of early release. The jails are overloaded
with people caught for minor first time offenses, like a small amount of marijuana.
I don’t think anybody wants to spend even one day in jail.
“affordable housing in RI”
Stuckinri

Absolutely Not! I don’t care how bad the budget crisis is, we need to teach these criminals that if they have done something wrong they are going to be held accountable. I don’t care how petty the offence, they need to learn that it is unacceptable. It is the state’s job to keep us safe, they will be spending more money if they let these criminals out and get arrested again and have to go back through the court system. It is time for the legislature to get going and find better ways to trim this budget! My generation will be stuck trying to fix it, and it is not looking so good for the legislature 10 years from know, half the kids in my high school, do not even know who Govenor is never mind the Senate President, and the Speaker of the House.
Dan, Coventry

A John Lennon - House of Reps.resolve:
A.T.Wall / Governor
correctional officers / High School Liaisons
ACI / condos
Expunged Inmates / outstanding citizens
Imagine / living somewhere else
B.Mac, Cumberland,RI

Friday, April 25, 2008

police and fire pensions

rappers

must they wait until age 55?

Rappers overwhelmingly say police and firefighters should wait until age 55 to receive their pensions…but a number of e-mailers disagree…see what came into the rapp session e-mail box-

In my opinion, I feel as though if they earned it, they should get it when they are entitled to it.  It is not their fault this state is in the disastrous mess it is in.  Further more, that crazy guy who is enforcing all the changes in the pensions with these workers should really get a life.  Also, this business of changing the pension system even for people who have already earned it is insane.  If you are going to change the system, you should at least grandfather the people who have already been working so hard towards this goal.  It just isn’t fair. 
Jaime N
PS, I am neither of the above workers....  this is a strictly unbiased point of view.

Senator Alves is rattling the cage of an animal that should be let alone. If I started as a firefighter or a cop at age 18 I would be on the job over 35 years by then and quite possibly burnt out, now imagine getting hired at age 30 or older! I may want to enjoy my well deserved and hard-worked-for pension a little early. Senator Alves needs show more appreciation and compassion for those who serve us. It’s pathetic how 7 years ago, bringing action like this would be sacrilegious and career ending for a politician.
Guess we just need another tragedy to grease the wheels.
Spencer J, Warwick

No, especially police officers, should not have to wait until age 55. It should be determined by the number of years of service, for example 22 years, or 25 years. Given the nature of the work, this seems more than reasonable.
Jane, Johnston

Not everyone can stay physically fit or in good physical health until age 55. Taking into consideration the jobs they do, it would be beneficial for them to be younger rather than older, especially later in their careers. If required for everyone, there will undoubtedly be older officers and firefighters working in the streets. Can you see a 55 year old chasing an 18 year old? Let’s not lose quality in place of quantity.
Dan, Cranston

All city, state employees should have to wait to collect their pensions same as social security, 66 years old for full retirement or reduced retirement at 62 years which is a 30% reduction in benefits. We the public that finance their retirement can’t afford to retire because we have to pay for their early retirement benefits!
Mary S

No.... They should have to wait at least, until they reach age 62, preferably age 65.  However, should they have a job-related disabling injury or illness, they should begin to collect a pension immediately and the pension should be awarded based on the percentage of that person’s disability, using the VA’s model for making the award.  Their eligibility and disability status should be reviewed every three, or so, years.
Joe T, East Providence

“$2 billion in unfunded liability that cities and towns owe” who is responsible for that? Certainly not police, firefighters, laborers and Unions!

The unrelenting anti-labor administration and its contract with America oversaw the privatizing of corporate profits and socializing its losses on the backs of the taxpayer. The Unions did not outsource American jobs overseas and across borders to create wealth that works for who? The American worker is hurting, but no one is offering a bailout. They come up with trillions of dollars for foreign wars and banker bailouts, but no money for Social Security and Medicare.

They borrowed big to spur growth and bet heavily on debt-strapped American consumers ability to repay negative equity. Booming prices for food, rising gasoline, electricity, heating and water bills give Americans less to consume. Retail sales sink, layoffs mount, and wages falter.

The parasites to the system and protected criminals in the temple with their complex debt-instruments, shady derivatives and junk bonds; society’s planners, resource allocators are serving their own short-term interest, skimming off excessive profits and bonuses, getting a salary to speculate and gamble and not get stuck with the risk.

we need to dismantle this corrupt Ponzi-system, and rebuild the economy on a solid foundation of productive labor, worker solidarity and and above all the redistribution of income and purchasing power away from the system which flows to the top two or three per cent. Then people will actually be able to afford a house, not default on credit and have money for health care.

Or start handing our keys to the bank, buy a tent, cut our jobs work on a corporate farm illegally for food.
Zuke

WHAT THE HELL HAS AGE GOT TO DO WITH IT ? IT’S WHAT THE CONTRACT OR RULES THAT ARE AGREED TO BY BOTH PARTIES THAT DETERMINE WHEN AND HOW MUCH.
Capt. Cod

If Police/Firefighters are required to wait until 55 to collect their pensions then they will probably stay until 55. This makes for the most unsafe and Dangerous for these people.( Fire and Police have a Heart and Lung bill built into the system), this raises costs but Fed mandated. Firefighters have “used up their bodies” by about 40-45 years of age. If they came on the job at 21-25, and retired at 20 years the cities would only have to pay 50% of salaries, by making 55 the age to collect they stay and now have 34 years or so and after 32.5 they are to get 75% of salary. Studies have shown that Firefighters die of heart attacks 8-12 times higher than others in the age group due to “surprise waking” and going flat out at 2 am to a fire and working for hours. If someone has a heart attack, and lives the city is responsible for .667% of their pay Tax Free and full benefits. It makes sense to allow retirement after 20 years and pay a smaller pension than chance millions extra if that person lives with a heart condition for 25-40 years.
V.S.
ret’d Prov.Fire Dept

...and how long has this been in effect?  You mean they think they should get their pensions earlier than that?!  How absurd is that compared to what our own state’s National Guard soldiers have to wait until they get their retirement checks?  Your state soldiers have to wait until they are 60 years old to collect retirement checks and you think police and firefighters deserve better than that?  I’ve been trying to help push the “Retire at 55” legislation for all National Guardsmen that’s been going around the entire nation, but I heard it’s not even on the table for discussion yet.  Let’s think about this for a minute....your state soldiers and airmen are being led into a warring country, fighting off terrorist aggressors, human “bombs”, insurgents aggressively attacking military posts and killing citizens and soldiers every day......police and firemen may be putting their lives on the line, too, but every day like our state soldiers are doing?  If police and firemen can collect at age 55, why haven’t the state legislators pushed to award their own soldiers the same privileges?  Yes!  Police and firefighters who are to collect pensions at age 55 should wait that long......why give it to them any sooner when a state soldier comes back from the war, scarred from wounds, a leg missing, an arm missing, has to use a wheelchair to get around, and when he/she is old enough to collect their retirement checks, they have to wait until they’re 60 years old!  Give me a break!
C-Ann-C, Coventry

Yes! The unions have forced us into a Ponzi scheme. It doesn’t take a genius to see that working for twenty years then collecting for twenty or thirty or more, is unsustainable. It may have been acceptable in the past, but people live much too long now.
Bill, Portsmouth

1. Governor takes pay cut.  And furlough days. A 50% cut wouldn’t hurt him given all the perks.
2. All his Appointed friends in high places also get pay cuts for 45% and unpaid medical.
3.Turn OFF the heating systems in ALL State Bldgs.(seasonally, and regulate the thermostats to 62degrees!!!
4. All judges are to pay INTO the retirement systems and take a pay cut.
5.How about attempting to draw MORE TAXPAYERS INTO the state, instead of Driving the current ones out of state with over taxing.
6. If you review the state employment structure, you will notice a larger quantity of upper management, Directors, Managers, Assistant Directors,Associate Directors, Assistant managers....delete the positions to ONE manager or Director not both!
7. Why does the state college need a senator on the payroll.
8.Why exactly does a retired Governor need to be a “governor in residence"at the college, collecting another salary?
9. Where exactly is old stone bank? And it’s employees?
10. How about a higher pay-back requirement from the crooks . ( Mollicone, Pari, etc.)
DM

I think that ALL state workers, including teachers, should have to
be 55 years old before collecting a pension. Give a tax break to all
the people who won’t get pensions, but pay taxes that many times
pay for the “double-dippers” who collect pensions one after the other. However, I heard somewhere that 85 percent of firemen retire on disability, and they collect 2/3 of their pay tax free; that’s like a full pay; police and firemen will retire on disability even more. pay now,pay later
stuckin ri

Due to the fact that it a mandatory retirement, I have no problem with them collecting their pensions right away. Is the state hoping they will pass away before they have a chance to collect?
Lee L. Woonsocket

Friday, April 18, 2008

snitch on illegal immigrants?

rappers

should we get paid to turn them in?

a proposal at the rhode island statehouse would share any fines against employers of illegal workers, with the person who informed on the law breakers.  the idea of a virtual bounty for turning in illegal workers, got rappers thinking.  here are their ruminations.  add yours at the end.

YES YES YES.  Employers who knowingly employ illegal immigrants (at lower wages and no taxes) do not support the government nor the state.  So the tattler would be making a profit instead of the business owner.  Hip Hip horary.  Joyce

I am a first time respondent.  I don’t believe “a bounty” should be paid to anyone.  If the racist political machine of Rhode Island wants to find these illegals they should have to take the time to search for them.  This is just another example of the racists in the state house attempting to pit everyone against one another!  The same way they fought against the Narraganset Indian Casino pitting everyone they could against the tribe.
B.W.

Absolutely not!!  Giving a portion of fines collected to those who “rat out” illegal immigrants would be tantamount to condoning vigilantism.
The situation in RI is bad enough now with undue suspicion being leveled at anyone who may seem “different” for any number of reasons.
We need to take a breath and consider more reasonable solutions to deal with this very complex issue.  There are no easy answers to this problem.
Angela R, Warwick

Yes, I think there should be a bounty paid but I also think that there should be a punishment for people that just want to harass hard working, non english speaking citizens.  How can anyone really tell these days who is legal and who is illegal.  Another idea is to give drug tests to all welfare recipients.  That could save us a lot of money.  Imagine no illegals AND money for people that need it.  hmmmmmm, that’s just crazy now.
Bonnie, Pawtucket

Yes, I agree wholeheartedly that a bounty be set in place. It’s about time we cleaned out our state, since it seems the Feds only want to debate the issue, and/or grant an amnesty. Look in any dictionary, and the word ILLEGAL is generally defined as ‘Contrary to established laws.’ If used with the word Drugs, possession of, use of, is a criminal act. Where does the meaning change when describing an Immigrant who has not entered this country by the standards that all previous immigrants have had to adhere by?
Food for thought.
Bill

Would I give some one up for being illegal, yes.  I have been job hunting for a while, and am a bit older.  Most jobs want bi-lingual, Spanish. 
I want a job, I want my kids who pay taxes to have a job.  I don’t want to pay to educate an illegal person, I don’t want to pay for the hospital fee, or a translator for someone who can’t be bothered to learn the hosting country’s language.  I am tired of paying for lazy people, if you want to live legally, in this country, learn to speak the language, pay your way. 
That’s the “American Way”, we also fly one flag! 
Pam, Warwick

yes, there definitely should be. The majority of illegals in RI are getting a lot for free (welfare, food stamps, low income housing) from us legal tax payers. having a bounty for employers or any one for that matter would definitely get many people to turn illegals in.  If they want to be here they should do it the right way and learn our language.
Wilfred A

No, On top of Racial Profiling we will now have Vigilante Justice.  This is not right and should be stopped.
Illegals should be handled by the Feds, Not RI State troopers and Local PDs.  Now on top of that you have people dropping dimes all over the place so maybe they can make money.
The sad truth is that Business owners have a strict set of rules they must go by when hiring and can only go so far without infringing on people’s rights. So, the idiots on Smith Hill want to punish innocent business owners because someone might not be legal.
Reminds me kind of like the Witch Hunts in colonial New England.
Makes me so proud to live in this state.  this Gov needs to get back to trying to figure out how to deal with the budget mess that he and the fools on Smith Hill have created.
Judith

Try this on for size. Obey the laws of the United States and the State of Rhode Island because that’s what responsible citizenship is about. Bounties aren’t desirable as an underlying premise for good or responsible behavior. It would also be refreshing if elected officials and their subordinates carry out their constitutional and statutory oaths to execute the laws. That means all of them. Even those with which they are not in agreement. If they can’t find their way to do that, they should seek other lines of work, period. Meanwhile, why don’t you poll whether or not Rhode Island residents want the immigration laws enforced? Afraid that most residents don’t agree with your biases? Too bad!
Binyamin E

Absolutely! There are rewards given for tipsters for reporting on other criminals – illegal immigrants are criminals. The bleeding heart liberals will undoubtedly say the illegal immigrants aren’t hurting anyone, but they are. Their presence and failure to pay taxes causes a larger strain on our already overburdened budget. They should come to the United States the right way…or not at all.
Tammy C, West Warwick

I’m one of the state employees who is on King Don’s “B” lay-off list, which where postponed to June, I got an idea perhaps he’ll hire me back as bounty hunter, through Smart Staffing!!!!!!!!!!
Wyatt Earp

Oh God no! Where as I do not agree with people being here illegally this is not the way to go about it. The first thing that came to mind when I read that question was Hitler Germany and neighbors turning in neighbors to survive. This whole thing is going to end up making victims out of the illegal aliens. They will be afraid to contact the police if they are a victim of a crime which to some people will make them easy targets. Hey, let get them. they won’t report it kind of thing.
Yes crack down on the employer’s that hire them but having the local police enforce this is the wrong way to go about it. Turning neighbor against neighbor is just wrong.
Gagnet

Absolutely!  Illegal is Illegal no matter what race, creed or ...... !  Need we say more?
‘Tired of paying people who break the law’
Ann-Marie
No Bounty.  Concerned citizens should do this without a bounty.  All police should do their job and turn illegal immigrants over to immigration officials for deportation. Immigration officials should deport them ASAP.
Also, police/court system should notify immigration if someone that is here with a green card commits and is convicted of a felony.  These immigrants are supposed to lose their privilege of being in the USA as soon as they commit a crime.  Who’s checking on these folks I wonder.  All of us are paying the price for these criminals too.  We are the victims of the crime and then we get to pay for their jail time or their probation and they don’t get deported.  We can spot a Taliban fighter from a drone but we can’t seem to find criminals right in front of us.
Kelli, South County

I am still amazed that logic on this issue seems to be non existent. I spent my life trying to obey the laws of this country, state and locally, the word “illegal” seems to be selective depending on who you are.
As for paying a “bounty” for reporting illegals, why reward anyone for obeying the laws or reporting law breakers. Its a sorry state of affairs when people who DO obey the laws are made to feel they are doing wrong by expecting the same from people who come into this country, state or locality.
MAS

What part of illegal doesn’t every one understand. It’s OK to call if you see a drunk driver! If your going to let illegals off, the next thing should be bank robbers and drug dealers. Or are they not illegal?
Sea Rap

Although I agree to harsh penalties against employers who hire illegal aliens; I certainly don’t want to reward someone for reporting the act. It should be done because it is the right thing to do.
Rene L.

Why should the state pay us to snitch? Whether we are supposed to turn in a person who is breaking the law or not, what’s next? Ten dollars for every stop-sign creeper? No thanks! 
Jeff, Pawtucket

I believe no rewards should be tendered to anyone “ratting out” another worker.  Too many people would use this avenue to make a buck and to advance themselves in the company workplace.  We deplored Hitler why should we be copycats.
Bob

While acknowledging that illegal immigration is a problem in which people hold deeply held convictions, one can’t help but be offended by the: “Are you broke?  Wanna make a fast buck?  Turn in that neighbor ya know is just some illegal alien!  That guy that got the promotion at work, ya know he’s not legal.  Right?  Yeah, make an easy $25!  Operators available 24/7.  Call now… “
No matter which side of this matter one happens to be on, this methodology will create far more problems than can be addressed.  What would the verification process be, and who would control that function?  Would those “Identified” be ousted within 48 hours, 72 maybe?  Where would they be held?  The list of logistics goes on, and with stretched police forces, and a decimated National Guard, would this function be “Outsourced”?
One can easily envision lines of people waiting, en masse, to be deported.  Many of the people identified, by neighbors and coworkers, principally, will be identified, not because they are known illegal aliens, but because they may be unliked or resented simply because they’re from another country.  McCarthyism returns- in 2008!  Whodathunkit! ?
Mark-Alan L, Providence

There is no homeland security with out border security !
Breeding an atmosphere of contempt with individuals that are coming across the border based on their race, rather then focusing on how they get through that border and how to reform that border system in a manner in which the border can be enforced in a humane and professional manner reveals how out of touch this administration is. Out of touch ? Nay they conspire to build a North American Union. The vehemently anti-labor party with its “free” markets, “free”
trade, free-floating currencies, deregulation, privatization, globalization, derivatives, hedge funds, private equity, wildcat mortgages and leverage-without-limit collateralized debt obligations
(CDOs) credit default swaps(CDS) and mortgage-backed securities (MBS) exotic “financial innovations” that are not regulated. Has gutted out the working class.
They’re even eyeing our pensions. Enriched beyond imagination with windfall profits while We lose our jobs, our homes, our sons in wars without end to protect their lifestyle they seek a scapegoat; a fascist gestapo system is being put in place.

A strong economy requires a strong workforce and an equitable distribution of wealth. When money is concentrated in the hands of the few, and the political system to the needs of its people; and the nation’s laws and institutions are shaped to reflect the ambitions of rich and powerful; That is not the American dream its a Ponzi scheme.

As long as the borders are not secured, illegals will keep coming. hold the administration responsible for its utter failure to keep them out.
Zuke

I live in the area of the country where whistle blowing is frequent.  There is no difference between a whistle-blower and a “tattler”.  If there is compensation for one, there should be for the other.
Grace, N.M.

I don’t think we should reward American citizens for doing what is expected of them. It is the responsibility of every American to report illegal activity. This is my country and I do not need rewards to help defend her. Thank You.
Lee L. Woonsocket

What is wrong with this country?  No I don’t believe anyone who rats out these illegals should get paid.  They are here illegally and should be thrown out asap.  Stop paying for their health coverage, their food, etc. Why are they given benefits when they should not be in this country?  THEY ARE ILLEGAL and should be treated as such.  What would happen to us US Citizens who wanted to get into their country?  This is unbelievable.
Kathy, Harrisville

I almost didn’t answer this one because I couldn’t decide if that was a good idea. I think the law already allows people who point out government corruption or tax fraud to share in the spoils, so this seems an extension of that.
However, encouraging people to snitch on their neighbors was a Nazi tactic.
Bill, Portsmouth

so-called journalist

bill rappleye and bin

didn’t like the question

this week’s rapp session asked if there should be a bounty paid to citizens who point out illegal workers.  it’s from a bill in the package of immigration bills at the statehouse.  i get the following response from a viewer:

Try this on for size. Obey the laws of the United States and the State of Rhode Island because that’s what responsible citizenship is about. Bounties aren’t desirable as an underlying premise for good or responsible behavior. It would also be refreshing if elected officials and their subordinates carry out their constitutional and statutrory oaths to execute the laws. That means all of them. Even those with which they are not in agreement. If they can’t find their way to do that, they should seek other lines of work,period. Meanwhile, why don’t you poll whether or not Rhode Island residents want the immigration laws enforced? Afraid that most residents don’t agree with your biases? Too bad!

so i tell him-
I don’t ask that question as to whether citizens want the laws enforced because I don’t like surveys that result in unanimous consensus.  What’s my bias? What’s your problem? 
Keep watching, and thanks for writing.
bill

My problem is how phony your class of so called journalists are. Your so called question reflects the distorted point of view most of your class exhibit.
It also explains why mainstream America holds most “journalists” in contempt.  Bin.E

i say to mr. bin-you’d be better informed if you opened your ears and eyes and listened and watched what we do, rather than jump ugly because your skewed view of the planet is not represented by objective observers.  i still don’t know what in the world you’re thinking my bias is, when asking a question that i thought might get a balanced response...some people find it unattractive that we’re being told to snitch on our neighbors.  others say it’s the least we can do to protect our country from being overwhelmed.  the results of the survey (http://info.mgnetwork.com/autopoll/poll.cgi) bear this out.
i’d suggest that the problem is not with the journalists, so-called or otherwise, but with the prejudices of people like you, bin, who can’t believe there may be people out there who don’t see the world through the narrow prism you have adopted,
write on!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Friday, April 04, 2008

bear stearns rescue

rappers

30-billion to bankersx and investors

Not too many people sympathize with the financiers whyo say Bear Stearns needed help to keep our financial system afloat.  Most of you, that’s more than 90 percent, say the bail-out of the giant investment bank was wrong.  Here are your opinions.

Let’s see.. hhmmmm $30,000,000,000 divided “buy” 300,000,000 American people comes to...hmmm,more people better able to bail themselves out of debt.
or better yet divide it between everyone whose lost a home or has credit card debt or pays high fuel, food, rent or utilities bills.
Redwolf

No way should the government bail these institutions out.
Alfred s

There should only be assistance of private institutions when there is a danger of one failure snowballing into collapse of an industry ,or where the unemployment that would ensue would be of great cost to the general population. In our state the potential closure of community hospitals due to heavy financial burden is an example where public assistance would certainly be well spent.
Russell L

Big investment houses that were exempt from federal regulation will use Policy makers and Judges that have interest and stock in keeping the casino going in favor of the house to cover up the fact that they have utterly failed to fulfill their fiduciary duties, inflicting long-term harm on the working class.
These financial wizards did not lose their shirts on the sub-prime mortgage disaster, they got out while it was good and Stuck the loss to their fellow wo/man.
These officers and directors allowed the imprudent investment despite the fact that they clearly knew or should have known that such investment was imprudent.
Will you let me take your money and loan it to a crackhead and let me take my cut and let you deal with getting your money back ?
Zuke

It’s not the institutions that need the bailout, it’s the people, such as my family that got caught up in the subprime and predatory lending schemes that need the help.  We’re the ones losing our homes, livelihoods and families because of it.  Give the people the money
Sue T, Lakeland, FL

I do not think we should be bailing these companies out!  If I make bad investments, who bails me out??  No one, and no one should.....my fault, my loss.  I am tired of hearing of people being bailed out for being GREEDY!!  Elaine, Glocester

If I owed that much money to people, would my government bail me out?
No because, I am not a special interest group and I can donate to their campaign fund.
Leo S, West Warwick

Most definitely NOT ! We should not bail out Bear Stearns. If it were you or I looking for a bail out from a financial blunder there would be no government assistance. I don’t want any of my tax dollars spent trying to help save a company that was out to take advantage of people who were stuck in a sub prime mortgage “Black Hole”.  Thirty billion dollars is a lot of money and it could go a long way toward helping people who are truly needy. This craziness of giving our tax dollars away to “Pork Barrel” projects or foreign assistance or financial bail out’s must stop. If the politicians in Washington feel so bad for Bear Stearns then I think they should all donate all their personal assets and their salaries, to help bail out Bear Stearns. As for me...I would rather sit back and watch a company like Bear Stearns drown and if they were to ask me for help....I’d throw them a ROCK.
Fred G, Shannock

This government, state or federal has no connection to its constituency. We are played as cash cows (taxes) to finance idiotic policies. Examples of genius planning--consumer/service economy (manufacture nothing ,just consume) sub-prime mortgages (bad credit, cannot handle daily expenses, maybe a mortgage will help!!) “gambling” to balance state budget (a dependable income , you can BET on it). What we need is a new political base, not lawyers and union officials but someone with financial or accounting backgrounds. The Bear Sterns etc. celebrated huge profits for years in the housing bubble my feelings now -the free ride is over- I didn’t get any of their profits and they shouldn’t get any of my money (taxes).
Risk equals Return. 
B.Mac, Cumberland

It’s a catch 22 situation. If you over-regulate banks etc. they won’t do much business. But if you let them do whatever they want to do, it brings on shady practices. However, once the horse is out of the barn, it’s too late to regulate. Now you have to restore confidence in the system. The only way is a bail-out to stop the bleeding. Then repair the system.
the bank stank

Of course we should, we wouldn’t want to decrease their opportunity to SCREW US.  OUCH, I forgot that I had my tongue in my cheek and I bit it; actually I should have bitten it before I said that we should bail them out.  LET THE S.O.B.s SINK AND THEN THROW THEM A BOULDER !!!  A REALLY BIG ONE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joe T East Providence

By all means, let us the tax payer take it in the posterior one more time.  Singularly, we’re just poor, dumb smucks!  Together we’re a mass of boobs with a seemingly bottomless wallet.  After we bail out Bear Stearns, let’s identify some other deserving Wall Street Fat Cat institution and hand out an early Christmas bonus.  Hey, where can I sign up for this dole?
Robert c

Must be nice to have a deep pocketed parachute packing admirer who can bail out the bigshot risk takers.  You can call it the government but it really is US paying for the parachute!  Maybe we SHOULD have privatized the SSA and all retirement funds letting the investments in Stearns issue the coup de grace’ to those who REALLY NEED a parachute.  The best is yet to come...er...or I mean the worst.  Our house of cards is tilting and class wars are on the horizon.
Leave me alone daddy government!  Let me be free!  Oh Oh I’m in trouble!  DADDY!  DADDY!  COME QUICK!!! No! No! I don’t want advice or regulation.  Just refill my toy box and GO AWAY AGAIN DADDY!!  I’ll call you if I need you!  GO clean up football like that nice Spector guy does....we got this handled....... right........ after you bail us out!
You can always invest in the military complex.  You may need it. Hey I have another investment idea.... Halliburton! Can you invest in a company recently moved to the Arab Emirates?
Dave, Harmony

I don’t normally answer a question with a question but here goes. Who will bail us out when we go bankrupt? The” Genius” should have the answer without taxpayer help. Let them sink.
Lee L. Woonsocket.
No. No. No.
I’m sick of taxpayers having to bail out incredibly stupid people. Those financials morons were greedy enough to lend money to anyone, with no regard for anyone’s ability to pay it back, so they could pocket millions of dollars in commissions and fees. They deserve to lose their shirts. Furthermore, they should all be fined heavily.

Dee
Johnston

Friday, March 21, 2008

color blind?

bill rappleye and the rappers

can a black man win the presidency?

The week when race took center stage in the presidential campaign is the same week we talked about the possibility of a black president in our rapp session…here it is:

What the ---- is an African America?  Why is it necessary to use the label?  Is it to state that the candidate has dual citizenship?  Or maybe its to let blind people know what color the candidate’s skin is. Let’s get real. We are all AMERICANS!! No need to add a qualifier. It suggests that the candidate is somehow different from all other Americans. Once you start thinking along those lines its an easy jump to stereotyping all races/nationalities. This applies to so called Irish Americans (drunks), Italian Americans (Mafia), Hispanic Americans (Illegals), Muslim Americans (Terrorists), African Americans (Criminals) etc. Lets drop the qualifiers!!  We are Americans-period!  America is becoming too polarized and this is a great time for candidate Barack Obama to lead the way on this issue.
Reggie N, PortsmouthI

To start off, this question never would have come up had it not been for you media people to go bananas over an inexperienced, undecided-vote swinger Senator from Illinois named Barack Obama in the first place, putting him up on a pedestal so high that those who’ve decided to support him can’t see past his “sheep disguise”.  Not a day goes by without the main-stream-media hypos screaming the name of Barack Obama this, Barack Obama that, and not one word about his foreseeable opponent for the Presidency. Why is that?  Because all main-stream-medias are on the left - liberal left, that is. Hence, we see everything on “Obamamaniacs” on every news source that the networks can get their liberal mitts on.
You can have your best analyst on this subject matter and tell you that the country isn’t ready for an “African-American” and the reasons why in his/her best analytical conjecture, but it all boils down to is an African-American, woman, or Caucasian American, qualified enough to hold such a prestigious office and the highest military title of Commander-In-Chief in order to lead this country in the way our forefathers before lead this country to what it’s supposed to be?  If General (Ret.?) Colin Powell were in this race for President, I am most certain, and possibly guarantee, that he would have won the seat to the White House hands down, including my vote and passionate support for him.  Why?  Because he has experienced military leadership, held a high ranking military officer, and his military bearing and mannerisms stand ahead of any other candidate, and I think that should be the pre-requisite for wanting to become the President of the United States.  I would have no problem electing Powell even though he’s an African-American, too, but he would’ve had the most, and best, experience (especially way over the top of Obama) and have the respectable honors to hold the title of Commander-In-Chief, and that in my opinion is what this country is ready for.  Obama is not, nor never will be, ready to hold that title, ever!  Ask a soldier, then thank one.
C-Ann-C, Coventry

This is what I am afraid of, that an African American cannot win an election for presidency.  I mean, I would vote for Mickey Mouse to get the republicans out of there, but that doesn’t mean everyone would. The republicans have gotten this country in such a mess, it is time for a democrat to get in and straighten out this country.  I think a woman would have a better chance to win the election over a black man.  The state of the country was the best it had ever been when Bill Clinton was in, so I think Hillary would do a good job leading and I also think that she would have a better chance of taking it. 
Ruth S, West Greenwich

I think it is a shame that a question of that nature has to be asked. A country that pushes democracy and civil rights should be ashamed to have to ask such a question. Are some people afraid he will make being white illegal? How much worse than Bush could he be? The eyes of the world are upon us. We must get it right this time.
Lee L. Woonsocket

So, how about asking this question, then:  Can an Irish-Scotchman be elected president in 2008?  Oh, that doesn’t get national attention as much as yours though, does it?  Well, we even had one way back in 1829-1837 - Andrew Jackson, of which his family were immigrants back then, where his mother gave birth to him in South Carolina.

Or how ‘bout this question?  Can an Italian-American be elected president in 2008?  Why not, as long as he/she is a US born citizens, of course.  Maybe if an Italian-American could get ties to the “MAFIA”, he’d put them all around our borders and they’ll put an end to the illegal-immigration problem once and for all!  How ‘bout that for a President? 

How ‘bout, Can a German-American born citizen be elected President, too?  That would be even better, if whomever that would be could attain diplomatic relations with Germany and have their military forces wipe out the Al-Qaeda all over Europe and Southeast Asia, we’d have no worries about any terrorist attacks! 

What about a Chinese-American born citizen; could we elect such a President?  China would be happy about that election, now wouldn’t they?  Maybe relations with that country could chill things down with worries about their nuclear arsenals in Korea then, too? 

I could go on and on with this, including a Russian-American born citizen as well who could be a President, too - but where does all this lead?  It all boils down to the main question; are these nationalities-born Americans qualified enough to hold the most prestigious office of our United States of America and also hold the honorable and highest ranking military title of “Commander-In-Chief” who would be qualified enough to order our troops to a war?  Americans need to wake-up and think about this very deeply and honestly.  Ask a soldier, then thank one.
C-Ann-C, Coventry

It’s 3 a.m. and your child is sleeping. Bushes foreign policy has insured the needed blowback. Black or white, the marginalized, victims of debt Peonage wake up your kid. There’s $600 coming in may to revive the housing slump, There’s, a call in the White House the oil barons need your child to secure hegemony of the world market for Wall Street. Its not about Race or gender its about change !
Zuke

1) At this stage in the game we have more pressing matters than race,
gender or religion.  I want to hear more about the economy from our
candidate’s. Obama was giving a speech today on race.  To be honest, I
don’t care.  Why doesn’t he give a speech on what he’s going to do to
improve our quickly failing economy?

2) Has Pres, Bush not realized yet what a economic mess our country is in? We haven’t heard much from me.  Can someone please tell him?

3) Where’s the congress and senate with the high oil prices?  How could our government let the large oil companies continue to have records high
profits?  Are they profiting from this also?  They haven’t said a word..

Our elected officials should be speaking out on what matters to us, the
American People.  After all, we elected them and they work for us.  I say, if our elected official continue to remain quite on issues that concern us working people, then it’s time for a change.  Vote them out.
Patti O, W. Greenwich

The right black american could be elected in 2008 . i think the present candidate does not have the experience that is required to become president. If Colin Powell were the candidate, i would vote for him in a heart beat.
Betty D . Johnston

Yes I think he can but my greatest fear is that in a country where there are still small, narrow minds he won’t live to serve out his term. There are still people in this country that won’t stand for the thought of an African- American president. I believe we would have the next presidential assassination since Kennedy.
Nancy, Warwick

I believe that an African American can be elected president and also believe a qualified candidate of most ethnicities could do so as well.
However, in order for this to be possible, the media must take a close look at how it covers campaigns. To date, this campaign has been marked by sensationalism as it always has been, causing the average voter great difficulty in properly assessing each candidate. The Ferraro and Rev. Wright matters serve to highlighting this type f reporting. In the case of the latter, how many times have CNN and MSNBC replayed snippets over and over and over.  For what purpose? For the purpose of providing sensational footage at the expense of examining the issues in more substantive and thoughtful way. The media need to serve the public interest first, and their shareholders second. Until this is done, many Americans will not have the opportunity to think about and discuss these issues in a more productive way.
Eric w.

I don’t think it has anything to do with African-American. We should try the opposite sex because so far the males haven’t done a good job! Give the women a chance! If we could run a household we can run a country!
Tired of the same old!!!

I firmly believe a black man, Colin Powell, could have run and been elected President had he not been dragged into the muck of politics by the present administration. He carried no political baggage and had the admiration of the entire country regardless of race.  No candidate in the last election or this one could claim more experience or leadership ability that he has shown in and out of government.
Capt Al, Exeter

Please! can we stop talking about race. Why aren’t we talking about the solution.  Are we afraid that there isn’t one. Who cares what color someone is, if he or she can solve the problems.  Wake up ,we are going down the tubes.  If an outerspace person had an answer we would all be voting for them. 
Kathy, Barrington

Friday, March 14, 2008

obama/clinton?

bill rappleye & the rappers

can they run together?

GOOD FEEDBACK ON THE QUESTION OF AN OBAMA-CLINTON TICKET…HERE YOU GO, RAPPERS.

In my opinion, if Hillary Clinton were to nominate Obama as her running mate it would crush her chances for a presidency, now that one of Obama’s Foreign Policy Advisors resigned for name-calling to Hillary (not good for Obama’s campaign stance in attempting to run “a clean” campaign.  There are always “skeletons in the closet” no matter how good you think he is.) However, if Hillary were to choose a different running mate, like Edwards, for example, the race for President could prove tough for Sen. McCain’s campaign.  On the other hand, if Obama were to get the democrat nomination, I don’t think he’ll even consider Hillary for a running mate - nor would I think Hillary would even accept to be his running mate either; thereby McCain would most likely win over Obama across the board.  Obama’s plan to withdraw troops from Iraq by 2009 is an unplanned, unrealistic attempt to sway voters his way.  People need to think logically here (I am, since I’m a retired veteran), and try thinking this way, “When you fail to plan, your plan will fail.” Both Democrat candidates really need to read that statement several times. 
C-Ann-C, Coventry

I think that Clinton and Obama should indeed combine their campaign, with Clinton leading.  They both have so much to offer and they would make a great team.
Lesllie S

Democratic party 2008 ticket: Clinton/Obama or Obama/Clinton? It makes no difference as neither are qualified for either office.
David A

A Clinton-Obama or Obama-Clinton ticket is only wishful thinking on anyone’s part.  By the time the convention convenes they will have beat up on each other so badly with negative ads that they will never be able to make amends with each other or agree to anything.  The other major problem is very simple, their ego’s will never allow either of them to play second banana to the other.
Bob D, Warwick

I, for one, can’t even imagine either one of them on a voter’s ticket, but by now we all know what Obama’s answer to that is from his comments at one of his rallies recently.  He’s not even considering that to be a possibility, nor would a Hillary/Obama ticket be any better either. You already know his answer to a Hillary/Obama ticket.  In the long run, Obama’s indecisions and his “changes” to some of his past vote records while in the Senate (he voted for the 700-mile fence on our southern borders, now he wants to change his vote on that), will abstain his chances for a presidency, and most Americans already know that.  However, if by luck, Obama were to get the Democrat nomination, it will be easier for McCain to win the presidential vote.  But McCain might have a tougher time against Hillary, if she won the nomination, and only if she were to pick a different running mate (i.e., Edwards, or someone else, not Obama).  Neither one of them has a realistic plan for troop withdrawals in Iraq, and another one of Obama’s “changes” on that topic, as he had stated, changed his so-called “plan” for troops coming home from his original non-thought-out, unrealistic, liberal plan.  That’s what we can expect, a “change"-ling President.  From an old adage that needs repeating to these politicians on a daily basis:  “If you fail to plan, your plan will fail.”
C-Ann-C, Coventry

No , i cannot imagine a obama clinton ticket . As it is neither should have been considered for the nomination. Edwards who i thought was the better of the three left us out to dry. I guess mccain will have to do for america.
Jorge

As far as who will be leading the race between Obama and Clinton should be done by the popular vote.. And if that is very narrow margin then it should be done at the Convention. 
But whoever is nominated should however should have first choice in picking there running mate.  Just think how history will read.the year 2009 will have it first African American President/Vise President and its first women President /Vise President what an election year…
Tony L

I do not think that Clinton and Obama could merge into one team. As for who would lead, your guess is as good as mine. I think both candidates are much too strong willed to give in to the other.
Lee L. Woonsocket

SEN. OBAMA PROMISED HIS CONSTITUENCY THAT IF ELECTED HE WOULD CARRY OUT HIS 6 YEAR TERM AS SENATOR AND NOT RUN FOR THE PRESIDENCY; HE WASN’T IN OFFICE A MONTH WHEN HE DECLARES HIS CANDIDACY AND HAS SPENT THE ENTIRE TIME CAMPAIGNING FOR THAT OFFICE. FIRST OF ALL HIS WORD MEANS VERY LITTLE AND SECONDLY, HOW CAN HE FULFIL HIS OBLIGATION TO THE PEOPLE WHO ELECTED HIM IF HE IS CONTINUALLY RUNNING AROUND THE COUNTRY?? HE IS SAYING NOTHING BUT HE IS SAYING IT VERY WELL. AND FOR HILLARY, SHE SHOULD HAVE WON AN OSCAR FOR BEST ACTRESS THIS YEAR; FROM THE EMOTIONAL CANDIDATE TO THE SYCOPHANTIC OPPOSITION TO A POLITICAL MOTHER TERESA OF CALCUTTA WHO WAKES UP EVERY MORNING WORRYING ABOUT THE PERSON SHE CAN HELP TODAY. REFLECTING ABOUT THESE TWO NAUSEA SETS IN!
BOBBY B (PROVIDENCE)

Friday, February 22, 2008

CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION

bill rappleye and the rappers

more important things to do than quiz athletes about steroids

90 PERCENT OF YOU RAPPERS THINK THE GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATION INTO THE NFL AND MAJOR LEAGUERS STEROID USE IS A WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY…
AND YOU WERE NOT SHY ABOUT YOUR CRITICISMS…SOME GOOD COMMENTS HERE.

No I do not feel that congress should be investing sports, they have a commison to do that. I think congress should look at themselves, how they spent our money, and what they take from big business and lobbiest. You got elected to take care of the people back home, food, shelter, medical, and education not boost your war chest.Thanks, Bill.

Absolutely not!  Congress has more pressing issues to deal with!  Last time I checked, we still have problems with social security, our economy, the war…shall I continue?

Evan from Woonsocket

I am 62 years old. I can’t afford to retire. I can’t afford my medical insurance. I can’t afford to put fuel in my car. I can’t afford to heat my home.
Our young our being killed and wounded in a war we don’t belong in. Congress is investigating which professional ball players were taking drugs!!!
One thing I can do is vote for someone who will set get their priorities in order..
Paul G

Bill,I don’t usually agree with your views or even care to watch your segments but I couldn’t resist spouting off about this subject. With all of the tragedy ,homelessness, joblessness, banking crisis,& on & on in this country it is completely ridiculous to turn on the tv & see all of these stuffed shirt politicians spending our money on some athletes use of steroids or hgh. Did they forget there is a war going on,& the people of New Orleans, Tenn.& all of the other people of this country that are depending on them. I guess their box seats at the hometown game are much more of an issue. It’s good to see Roger (greasing a few palms) I mean signing a few autographs for our elected officials.  thanks, Bill.......p.s. I guess I am a fan of yours now!,MOJO

To think that capital hill is concerned with Pro sports and not the fact that we are headed into a recession, in a war we shouldn’t be in, oil prices, violence on the streets and in schools, do I really need to go on?  Who elected these morons and how do we stop them?  They are egotistic blowhards!  It’s maddening and I feel like my head is going to explode!
Katy, Providence

I think this is the most outrageous and ridiculous waste of our representatives time while in session that they could ever have come up with. 
Don’t they have anything else to do, I can give them a little help in this area, How about the war, how about the loss of jobs, how about the housing financial crisis, how about the loss of the United States industrial leadership, how about the devaluation of the dollar overseas, how about the increase of violence and crime in the united states, how about the illegal immigration crisis, how about the eroding of states rights, how about homeland secur ity, how about the stock market dump, and on and on and on
Give up on this sports thing and deal with the real problems, HURRY UP!  we are watching!
Steve A

It seems to me that there is an election coming up and congress critters on both side of the aisle need some face time!  Hence the baseball hearings, Sen. Spector investigating “spygate”. If Congress wanted to really do the people’s business, they could be holding hearings in pre-Iraq war intelligence and law breaking in the current administration. Afterall, 4000 soldiers are DEAD! Maybe Im too grumpy!
Tom, New Hampshire

No the professional Leagues are not supported by tax payer dollars.  They are PRIVATE companies who happen to know how to run successfully within a budget. 
These hearings are a chance for these super idiots to waste time and MY tax dollars on something that they have no business getting into.
IF laws have been broken and I am sure they have then it is up to the LEGAL system to take care of it not some fools in suits and bad hairpieces ranting an raving on and on about how “disappointed” they are.
Judith, Coventry

Definitely not!! Our illustrious congress should be concentrating on education, terrorism, the economy and sealing our borders. Baseball officials should handle the steroid issue.

Joe V.
Westerly, RI

It’s tough enough to get our ‘legislators’ in D.C. to do their expected tasks (handle the countries problems), without this malarkey. We are being overrun with illegal (read as CRIMINALS, look at the definition of ‘illegal in any dictionary!!!) immigrants, economic concerns, the war in Iraq, terrorism, etc.... It’s about time this do nothing Congress did something!!
They have no problem bashing the President, and the troops, but the American Tax-paying public seems to be ever so slowly getting fed-up with all these clowns, Republicans & Democrats!!!
STOP THE COMMITEES THAT ARE INVESTIGATING THE STEROIDS AND SPYGATE!!!! STOP WASTING THE TAXPAYERS’ MONEY, NOW!!!!!
Bill I

Watching Fox News yesterday, (2/14) Shepard Smith was interviewing a reporter from Boston.  This reporter told Shepard Smith that Sen. Spector is on and has been on the receiving end of campaign money and other funds from Comcast.  Comcast is in a big fight with the NFL over broadcasting of future football.  Shepard Smith said that he was glad the reporter said what the smoking gun in all this was.
Jean K, Somerset

The Congress still doesn’t get it, and they wonder why their approval rating is so low.  Our Country’s military is spilling it’s blood all over the world, our economy is in the toilet, and our children are getting shot to death in our schools.  Their answer, let’s find out if Roger Clemens used HGH or Steroids when they were legal, or better yet, whether or not the Patriots taped opposing coaches signals, an act that is unethical at best, but not illegal.  Next they’ll be digging up Gillette Stadium for Jimmy Hoffa’s body, leaking out information that Osama Bin Laden is the hot dog vendor in section 110, or that Bob Kraft has somehow enlisted the help of alien spacecraft in gaining an unfair advantage.  Their priorities are so out of whack it’s scary.  Can’t wait for November. 
WFG

The senate needs to focus on the economy, health insurance, high fuel costs and not spend time and tax dollars on sports.  Let the leagues deal with the sports issues and congress with the economy and other issues that effect the entire economy.
Jackie & Dave

I can’t believe that Fededal law makers would get involved in professional sports. Do they think they don’t have enough other things to do for our country? Does it make them feel bigger in some way?
I don’t want my tax dollars to go for such frivolity compared to much bigger problems in our country.
I don’t think it helps our young people either to try and discredit their “heroes” on such a grand scale.
Shirley

Before I moved to RI from Philadelphia, I voted for Mr. Specter. Sorry I did. Mr Specter seems to think that a football team stealing an opponent’s signals is a huge catastrophic event for the American public at large and worthy of the attention of the US Congress. He forgets that this quaint custom has been going on in baseball for over 100 years.
Frank R, Westerly

their time, our money and We the People would be better served if they looked into how lies and deception lead us into an illegal war; and how americans losing jobs to immigrants will service debt.
zuke

It is amazing how busy the U.S. Senate can pretend to be over the use of steroids in sports-if only they could show the same dedication for the things that really matter. How about solutions for the economy. or health insurance, or resolving the quagmire in Iraq etc. If athletes want to ruin their bodies then they should be the ones to suffer the consequences at their own expense not the taxpayers. If the use of steroids is illegal well then what happens to people who break the law??? They get arrested. When did the so called lawmakers of this country get so stupid? Oh I get it - it is a publicity op that would make Celona proud.
CM in NK

no, they should keep their nose out of it.  we elected them to run this country not get involved in sports. what every american needs to do this next election lets clean house and senate put all new people in office out with old in with the new just like the president but make sure they are for the people not just themselves lets turn this country around, tired of bush and not for any old timers either.
b, woonsocket

Don’t you think it’s about time that the people that we elected to run the government in Washington actually did the job they were asked to do?  I think it’s a large waste of taxpayer money to investigate steroid use in professional sports.  Take that time expended on the steroid controversy and fix the major issues like the economy, healthcare and that war.  If the overpaid professional sportspeople want to harm themselves by using illegal substances, then let them.
Trikie

Whatever sport we are talking about is the fault of the league itself, they let it happen and they knew about it.  Our politicians have much more important matters to attend to.  They are wasting time and the money of the taxpayers getting involved in business that should have been taken care of at the local level.  The local level are the leagues themselves.
Ken B, Gulfport, Florida

Our government has no business investigating anything that is not a government involvement.
Elaine, who is not a sports enthusiast

This is why people are disgusted with Congress. With all of the important issues - and despite all of their big promises when they were campaigning- THIS is what they consider most important? Important enough for live television coverage? Neil Postman was right; we are Amusing Ourselves to Death.
Bill in Portsmouth

With so many more important issues in the country today (Iraq, health care reform, a poor economy), congress should let the sports leagues police themselves and get back to things that really matter.
Paul K, Providence

Let’s see....  Congress is more interested in BASEBALL than the recession that they say we are not in?!  lets see Gas prices, inflation, recession, unemployment, healthcare, bringing our troops home… No No BASEBALL and
steroids!  And I voted some of them in.  What a waste of time and money, next they will plan a trip to the Zoo to make sure the monkeys have the right peanuts and bananas.
All I can say is wow.
Dave, Warwick

The Congress should not be involved to the extent they are concerning sports professionals. They should have some control. Senator Specter should pay more attention to running this country. He should be focused on the economy and our problems in the world. We have war on two fronts and he is worried about SPYGATE. What is his agenda?
Bill F, North Providence

Re: The senate hearings on sports, Congress is defined as “The law-making branch of the federal government of the United States of America.”, whereas The Department of Justice is defined as “The United States federal department responsible for enforcing federal laws.” The legislators are elected to lead, execute, and help build a better America, not ask questions that members of the judicial system should be involved with.
MR

No I feel that the congress should work on the problems that they have some control over such as the economy, wars, healthcare problems, education problems to list a few of the important things that they should be doing.  If they took just healthcare alone and try to work on that they would have more then enough to deal with and not worry about the sports problems. That should be left for the teams and commissioners to deal with. Congress should but out. 
JJ

NO !  , Congress seems to be “ running the clock “ in this pre-
election session.  ,These third rate sports issues use up the time
that should be focused on vital matters such as :  Affordable
Health care , All aspects of the wars , Escalating cost of living
and serious threats to Constitutional Rights .  B.V.  . North Scituate

If Senator Specter was as interested & enthusiastic about investigating conspiracies & shady behavior, when he was legal council for the Warren Commission, as he is about such things in the sports world, maybe we would have more answers & fewer questions about the assassination of President Kennedy.
Hound Dog, Bristol

Friday, February 15, 2008

Taxing RI businesses

bill rappleye & the rappers

can’t take it!

Following the effort by State Senator Stephen alves to raise the corporate tax on businesses in Rhode Island, we asked how you felt about the inititative…in our survey..the majority of you said n o way…but surprisingly, about a third said yes, raise taxes on business.  Here are all the e-mails we got on the matter.

Just what we need, another elected official trying to raising taxes.
We need to reduce spending. Please wake up Rhode Island. You’re looking at the wrong side of the ledger.
Joe, Johnston

The “devil is in the details” it’s not just businesses it’s also developers of all kinds too, who on occasion work hand in hand with some businesses. They all get a variety of different combinations of tax breaks/incentives & not just from the state but also from the municipalities they settle in & had their eyes on. They pocket money from both sides with both hands at the same time & we’re stuck paying for that with the ever increasing taxes & fees we pay in the short & long-term. The “devil is in the details.”
Hound Dog, Bristol

You know as well as I do that if taxes were raised on business in RI it would be the SMALL business people who would be driven out of business while the BIG business people would pay little or nothing due to the GIVE A WAYS that the fools on the hill seem to think is the only way to get them to stay here and rip us off.
What a joke.
Judith, Coventry

Raise the Corporate tax?  They just raised it, matter of fact they just doubled it. The $500 is a ‘franchise fee’.  It is important to remember that the majority of Corporations are small businesses called ‘S’ corps. The Federal SBA has Rhode Island ranked last, yup, number 50, making it the most expensive place in the country to operate a business.  Rhode Island should do what the IRS does- tax a business based on their profit at the end of the year. Raise the Corporate tax? Sure why not- put some more businesses and people out of work. Then maybe there will be TWO sections of real estate foreclosures in the ProJo.
Jim, Cranston

Your question of “should business’ pay more taxes” is misleading! 
There are many small business of 1 -6 people that that any additional tax would either drive them out of RI or make it difficult for their operation. The business climate is extremely challenging & needs more incentives than taxes.
Margarita

yes yes yes they should...i’m a homeowner and i cant take it anymore...they are taxing us to death
Harry B

Nope.....We need to attract new business, not drive existing business away.
Joe T East Providence

Corporate welfare programs
legally extort money from
those working to get capital;
and entitles them to write off
Big Risk speculative investments
gone bad.

connections and corruption
crooks and frauds you know the bunch.
Enron, Worldcom, and the murky world
of hedge funds and derivatives
dizzying growth, absence of regulation
with no trickle down.
stagnant wages and the setting in motion of inflation to devalue the debt, they don’t work for you!

They conspire behind closed doors.
They work toward the NAU.

“and tonight I am pleased to announce that, in April, we will host this year’s North American Summit of Canada, Mexico and the United States in the great city of New Orleans.”

State of the Union address by our president working for us.
Zuke

I think the non-profits and illegals should pay more taxes
Carol B

RI needs some real leadership, which it doesn’t have.
We keep electing incompetent governors #1.
Any new ideas that come up are shot down #2.

FYI
Rhode Island Corporate tax rate is 9 percent.
This is 9 times higher than some states.
Since 1989 corporate taxes have decreased 40 percent.
Corporations have many tax loopholes that working people
don’t have, and many corporations pay no tax at all.
As long as companies provide jobs so that the working people
will pay taxes, the government is ok with that, and the
companies will get a free ride.
That’s the way it is, in all states,
not just Rhode Island.
Rich people don’t pay much tax either, because they don’t work for wages
that are taxed at 40 percent, they make money from capital gains
that are taxed at only 15 percent. And they avoid that too.
matrix

taxing businesses sounds good, it’s good for political rhetoric. but most people know if a business is taxed they will either pass on the tax to the consumer, or leave the state. lose lose proposition. bottom line taxes kill economic growth, the real problem is government bureaucracy. the poor will stay poor, and the rich will stay rich, the middle class until they learn to be poor or become rich will continue to be taxed into submission. 
Rw

If this concerns the small businesses, then I would say no, since they pay more out on taxes to keep their property, liens, insurances, employees taxes, workman’s comp., etc., than the bigger businesses around here.  Plus, if the small businesses have to pay more taxes, that would spill upon their clients/customers, and that would not be a good thing for them and their customers who would not use that business anymore because of that.  The larger businesses, who make over $1M in profits or more, can afford the higher tax rates, and still save their customers money in some other way - more likely in other tax credits that they can take, where the small businesses can’t do the same.  I say the bigger the business and profit maker, the higher the taxes they should have to pay. 
C-Ann-C, Coventry

NO, NO, a thousand times NO!!  The business climate in this state is bad enough as it is.  The solution to the budget crisis is to cut spending.  If you give the government more money, they’ll spend more.  How many times do we have to go through this before the voters realize this? 
Scott, Warwick

1. Businesses hire people to produce their goods and services, those people pay taxes
2. Businesses are more apt to come to RI or stay here if their tax burdens are lower.
3. Perhaps the democrats should look at lower spending rather than raising taxes as a solution.
4. Business especially small business keeps the economy going, perhaps democrats should go back to school and study basic economics.
Ralph C

Do you think businesses in RI should pay more taxes?
No. We should lower and expand the sales tax, eliminate the property and income tax and give business a reason to want to stay in Rhode Island. Then again that would take an act of God in the General Assembly and that might upset the behind the scenes, sinister back room deals they have become so good at.
Sergio, Narragansett

When will the politicians learn? We are already (as the smallest state) ranked #7 in the country for taxes. People and businesses are leaving the state, laying off workers, or changing the way they do business. If we must live within a budget ( or suffer the consequences ) is it too much to expect our ELECTED officials to do the same?
As a result of family and friends taking part in kitchen table politics, we have formed a group that we call V.O.I.D. for Vote Out Incumbents Decisively and as our little group grows we believe there is only way to solve the problems with the politicians (almost all of them ) get rid of them and start over. THEY HAVE FORGOTTEN THAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO WORK FOR AND IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE. We are tired of and furious with the way they do business.
Carol, NK

Friday, January 25, 2008

What’s Operation Dollar Bill Worth?

rappers

heloping or hurting ‘culture of curruption’

What about US Attorney Robert Corrente’s vaunted ‘Operation Dollar Bill’?  So far, Rhode Island Senator John Celona has landed in jail…Representative Gerry Martineau has been convicted…and there’s been a lot of talk and suspicion.  There was a conviction of the Roger Williams Medical Center officials that Celona pointed to…but federal judges threw out that case, and the trial will start over again.  So the ‘Operation’ is now three years old.  And the US Attorney’s prosecutor said there are at least seven politicians and seven businesses under investigation.  Which has a bunch of lawmakers at the Statehouse kind of nervous…and many in the public believing all politicians are crooks.  Is it time to pull this investigation to the finish line?
Here are your answers to the question of whether ‘Operation Dollar Bill’ is cleansing Rhode Island of the culture of corruption…or perpetuating it:

Who gives a rat!! This is more of the “Rhode Island “as it is story. We don’t even have lawyers who can fight for the citizens correctly!! We are all doomed to die at the hands of unscrupulous individuals as has been the case for the past 50 years!
Ed, Coventry

There is no “so-called climate of corruption” in this state: there is major CORRUPTION in this state.
State jobs filled with someone’s relative or hanger on, never mind if they are qualified or not.  I know of someone with a couple of advanced degrees that worked for DEM and he was treated like a gofer by the people who worked with him and a couple of them had not made it through high school, never mind college with wildlife management degrees.  My friend left the state employ. The others are still there doing not much of anything except collecting their pay checks.  That they can manage to do.
UNTIL someone cleans out the deadwood and the slackers this state is going no where but down the tubes.
Our elected officials are made of teflon and nothing sticks it slides off and stinks and we keep electing these crooks.  I guess we get what we deserve.
Judith, Coventry

Several times a year, we hear about this one stealing that, as a tax paypayer I’m sick of it! Where is the restitution? Joe Mollicone won’t live long enough to repay the money he ripped off.  Especially at a hundred dollars a week.  He’s just one of MANY. Yet the Governor wants to make the state workers suffer the consequences of a SHORT FALL by layoffs, and furloughs for state workers. Sundlen did it too. As Governor, Mr. Carceri needs to MAKE THE CROOKS PAY BACK ALL THE CASH. Sell their homes, realestate, jewelry, Stocks, bonds ....everything they own , to PAY back to the people of RI who don’t deserve to suffer .
Dawn M

I don’t think this scandal is hurting corruption accusations any more than any other scandal. The problem of corruption goes much farther than Rhode Island. My question is when is everybody stop crying and complaining and do something about it?
Roger G

Operation Dollar Bill is definitely hurting RI. The criminals get caught, then get off on a technicality or their sent