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California ... state revenue for the month of November 2012 fell $806.8 million, or 10.8%, below budget.
Democrats thought they could hammer "the rich" by convincing voters to pass Proposition 30 to create the highest state income tax in the nation.
But it now appears that high income earners have already "voted with their feet" by moving themselves and their businesses out of state, resulting in over $1 billion shortfall in corporate and income taxes last month and the beginning of a new financial crisis.
Passage of Proposition 30 set off euphoria and expectations of higher spending for public employees. The California Teachers' Association (CTA) trumpeted: "California students and working families won a clear victory today as voters clearly demonstrated their willingness to invest in our public schools and colleges and also rejected a deceptive ballot measure aimed at silencing educators, other workers and their unions."
State bureaucrats immediately ramped up deficit spending far beyond the state's $6 billion annual tax increase, with the Departments of Health Services and Developmental Services increasing this month's spending by over $1 billion versus last year. The lower tax collection and higher spending drove the State's deficit after the tax increase to $2.7 billion for the first 5 months of this fiscal year...
Who could have predicted such a phenomenon?
Oh, wait. I did. Just three short weeks ago*.
*See: DELUSIONAL: California Predicts Budget Surplus in 2014 Thanks to Tax Hikes, Anti-Business Regulations.


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Breaking news in the Beijing Olympics controversy: They're fixing the toilets. I've prayed for this day (dabs at eye with hankie). It makes sense. The Chinese government realized that if it wants the Olympics to run efficiently, then it needs to address this pressing issue. Simply put, American athletes will put up with a little Tibetan monk gassing, but they refuse to squat!
Most toilets in China are still of the squat rather than sit-down variety, as spectators and competitors at recent test events in otherwise state of the art venues like the "Water Cube" aquatics centre discovered. "In my personal point of view, there are cultural differences between Chinese and Western people. Chinese are more used to squat toilets," said Yao Hui, a senior official responsible for the management of Olympic venues. "Toilet alteration projects at the Bird's Nest (National Stadium), the Water Cube and National Indoor Stadium are ongoing and if technical conditions permit, all the toilets in these stadiums will be changed."
Meanwhile, in Japan, toilet technology is light years ahead of that in China. The Boston Red Sox and Oakland Athletics came home from their two-game series in Tokyo raving about the toilets. They practically could talk of nothing else. Said Oakland's Emil Brown:
"The toilets are the best. Do we have those? I mean, they're, like, way ahead of us as far as putting stuff out there."
Best feature, according to Brown: The heated seats.
But when he says that Japan's toilet technology is ahead of ours, I have to laugh (photo below from Dave Barry's blog).
A's Turn Up The Heat On Red Sox [Yahoo Sports]
No More Squatting In Water Cube Toilets, Beijing Says [Guardian UK]

subset: commoncrawl


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Invite Your Friends to Join the Constitution Club
Click Here
George Lewis has not received any gifts yet
According to Article I Section 2 Clause 3 each state is entitled to 1 representative in Congress for every 30,000 people in their state. Based on that ratio, the State of Wyoming which currently has only 1 representative should have 18 representatives.
By following the Constitution we would have much smaller Congressional Districts and a lobbyists who control the 435 politicians In Washington D.C. would have a tough time influencing over 10,000 representatives of the people in nearly all of the 3,142 counties.
Reducing the size of the Congressional Districts and increasing the number of representatives does not increase the power of the Congressional Representatives it increases the voice and power of the people they were elected to represent.


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Express services
Our range of express services.
Sometimes you may need to have a parcel sent quickly. You may also want to be sure exactly when a parcel will be delivered. In these cases, our Express Service is perfect for you. For DPD, it makes no difference whether the destination is in Belgium or another country, except for the timing. As part of our Express Service, we distinguish between DPD Express (10 am, 12 pm, 6 pm*), DPD Express International (both of which are time-definite) and DPD Guarantee (which is day-definite).
Whether domestic or elsewhere in Europe, DPD enables you to always find the right delivery solution:
* DPD 10:00, DPD 12:00 and DPD 18:00 are available for limited area codes. Download here the excluded postcodes


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3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy
(3-dih-MEN-shuh-nul kun-FOR-mul RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uh-pee)
A procedure that uses a computer to create a 3-dimensional picture of the tumor. This allows doctors to give the highest possible dose of radiation to the tumor, while sparing the normal tissue as much as possible. Also called 3-dimensional radiation therapy and 3D-CRT.


text: Friday, December 23, 2011 Legislation Passed Today to Prevent Caps and Cuts for 2 Months December 23, 2011: The House of Representatives passed legislation today to extend the payroll tax break, fee schedule update, rural payment update, therapy cap exception extension, and other end of the year provisions. The Senate also passed the measure this morning and it was signed by the President this afternoon. This will prevent the 27.4% fee schedule reduction on January 1, 2012, maintain the 1.0 GPCI floor on rural payments, and provide for a continuation of the exceptions process to the $1,880 therapy cap until February 29, 2012. When Congress returns next year, attention will turn to the conference committee assigned to hammer out a deal between the two chambers to prevent these cuts and caps effective March 1, 2012. But the differences remain large over how to pay for the deal. The profession must continue to remain vigilant to prevent this from happening next year. If you're not currently part of APTA's Grassroots Network, PTeam, sign up today. PTeam will be the main source of information for legislative updates and breaking news on the effort to pass legislation to extend the therapy cap exceptions process.


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Crystal Coast Areas
- 1. Emerald Isle
- 2. Indian Beach
- 3. Pine Knoll Shores
- 4. Atlantic Beach
- 5. Morehead City
- 6. Beaufort
- 7. Harkers Island
- 8. Shackleford Banks
- 9. Cape lookout
J R Dunn Jewelers
Featuring two locations along the Crystal Coast, and serving the region for nearly 50 years, J R Dunn Jewelers is a time-tested resource for a wealth of special occasions, gifts, and "just because" treasures for vacationers and Carteret County locals alike. With a fine selection of everything from men's timepieces to wedding and engagement rings, shoppers can find just the delicate piece of jewelry they are looking for with a visit to this exquisite and elegant shop.
- Morehead City
- 252-726-8700
- Map it
- Emerald Isle
- 252-354-5074
- Map it
AB Watersport Adventures
There are literally endless ways to enjoy the water along the Crystal Coast, and AB Watersport Adventures has explorers of all varieties covered with a suite of rental equipment and gear to make an on-the-water expedition a day at the beach. Located along the Atlantic Beach Causeway, and easy to reach for folks staying along the barrier island as well as Morehead City, this convenient and accommodating watersports company serves as a launching point for a host of fun-filled days on the Southern Outer Banks.
- Atlantic Beach
- 252-422-0520
- Map it
The Inn at Pine Knoll Shores
The Inn at Pine Knoll Shoresoffers oceanfront rooms, direct access to the beach, sun, sand, surf and breathtaking views of the Atlantic ocean. Always just a few steps from the ocean. Whether you are here for business, pleasure or simply want to decompress, the oceanfront rooms at the The Inn offer all the comforts of home. Featuring free WiFi, a restaurant, and an outdoor pool, The Inn offers accommodations in Pine Knoll Shores. Free private parking is available on site. Every room at this hotel is air-conditioned and has a flat-screen TV. You will find a coffee machine in the room. All rooms have a private bathroom. Extras include free toiletries and a hairdryer. There is a 24-hour front desk at the property. You can play pool at the hotel. Havelock is 13 miles from Clamdigger Inn, and New Bern is 31 miles away. The nearest airport is Albert J. Ellis Airport, 45 miles from the property. This property also has one of the top-rated locations in Pine Knoll Shores! Guests are happier about it compared to other properties in the area.
- Pine Knoll Shores
- 252-247-4155
- Map it


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Whether taking the kids or releasing your inner child, Orlando and the rest of Central Florida offer some of Florida's most treasured memories from theme parks to relaxing country getaways. Famous for its theme parks, Orlando actually includes the areas of Kissimmee and Lake Buena Vista, and nearby Seminole County. Visitors looking for respite from the typical tourist attractions can explore museums, malls, state parks, countless restaurants, and nearby small towns offering antiques, boutiques, and even wilderness adventure. But Orlando's main attractions are its theme parks - Disney World, EPCOT, Universal Studios and Universal's Islands of Adventure, SeaWorld, and several waterparks await.
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