Uh, Abdul…the unemployment thing…that’s state law, and you don’t have tpo belong to a union to be a part of that program. And I’d be real careful relying on those figures. Especially if Phil Hinkle or the IMA moles gave them to you.

If you think Wayne Twp. is nuts, try this: Washington Township, when they lost their Fire Department, levied the maximum they could, knowing they wouldn’t need it all. They’ve been sitting on a fund balance of $3-4 million, and they want to “give” it to IFD to build a new fire station on Ditch Road.

No, I’m not kidding.

TA – if consolidation is good, what’s the matter with them giving the money away? In principle, if consolidation is the right thing, that’s not Washington Township money. That’s Marion County money. Am I wrong?

Again, I go back to the same point. We, the people, deserve the representation we get. We continue to vote for the same self-serving politicians who could not hold a job in a competitive work environment. All they have to do is be selected by their party to represent their particular area and bingo, they are in. We, the sheeple, just continue to go along, and then wonder why things don’t change. Until we are willing to get beyond the worship of our own particular party choice and vote for a shake up, we will continue to be led by these mentally challenged party, self-serving (blank,blank,blank’s). They exist on both sides of the aisle. Collectively it is a disaster. Individually, we support each one. Talk about crazy. What ever happened to the will of the people, and for the common good?

I learned something on Org Day: Bank of America is spending $7 Billion of our dollars to expand it;s business in China. Tar and feathers, folks:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=ax0plIpzNUy0&refer=infowars

Abdul, it seems your evil twin, Alan Keyes, has filed a lawsuit over Barry’s questionable citizenship. I hope he covered his tracks when he visited his gravely-ill grandmother last month.

The half-full part of the glass is that there are ample opportunities for teeth-grinders like Greg & myself:
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Thurs- 6:15PM- Washington Township Board mttg to suppossedly approve a budget including a large township raise, despite the current economic slump.
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Sat- Travel to Louisville to protest the inept fiscal management of the Federal Reserve.
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Weds- 8 PM- Indy Libertarians meet, presumably not to sing the praises of our two-party system.
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For all the belly-aching I do, I’m trying to actually attend at least one or two of these. I hope other folks are as well.
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The voice-mail & staff for the following Congressmen have been very cooperative in hearing earfuls on bailout mismanagement: Senator Bayh: 317-5540750 Senator Lugar: 317-226-5555 Representative Burton: 317-848-0201.

I’m not quite ready for my 24K Obama coin. I sincerely hope he’ll prove me wrong.

Government Consolidation for Marion county has about as much chance getting past Bill Crawford as I have dunking on Shaq. Regardless of who take Carolene Mays spot on the Ways & Means committee, Crawford can keep it from ever coming to a vote in committee. Look for Cherish Pryor to replace Carolene Mays.

I’m trying to remember, let’s see, who was it that ran against Crwaford in the General Election? Oh yeah, that’s right. NOBODY.

Ed…Abu Henderson, a democrat precinct committee person, ran against Crawford in the primary. I know because I gave $100 to his campaign and don’t even live in the district. Abu Henderson is a terrific patriot and he did all he could with what little support he was given. He needed more help.
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Crawford is slimey. Don’t like the guy, never have, never will.

END THE FED RALLY: The closest nationwide Federal Reserve Bank rally to Indy is in Louisville this Saturday.
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We are meeting on Saturday morning 9:30 am at Einstein’s Bagels at 1055 Broad Ripple Avenue oto caravan. We will be home by 6pm. If you don’t want to drive, you can easily get a ride. If you need picked up, let me know.
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I hope you will join us as we raise awareness of the Federal Reserve Bank. It’s not Federal and there is no reserve.

Shorebreak, you asked a good questioon regarding the township money. Here’s one answer. It’s worth what you paid for it, but I think it’s sound:

The township board raised that money unnecessarily from township residents. No fire department, no need to continue raising large sums of money. (A small cushion is wise…this one amounted to a huge surplus).

The IFD’s fire station problems are for the entire taxing unit to face, not just Wash Township residents.

Thus, the township board’s hoarding of money, for a potential check to the IFD, is misappropriation. It’s not that board’s job to provide a fire station for IFD. It’s not their responsiblity any more.

The City-County Council can screw it up all by themselves, thank you very much. And their leadership, past and present, could screw up a 2-car parade.

You have to love Crawford, the man fought tooth and nail to have Indy works. Now, it appears he has lost his passion for a better Marion County, and better government for the taxpayers.

Thanks for the answer, TA. Unfortunately, this is the Pandora’s Box that those who promote consolidation don’t want the public to consider. What’s gonna happen when county government plays the same games? Will the people in Washington Township have more influence, less influence, or the same influence over those who are setting the levies?
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I suspect that if Washington Township is paying the maximum, yet the new fire department is being built in Center Township, more than a few citizens will be concerned. Don’t you?

I think that was an original concern, SHore…which is frankly all the more reason to push forward with consolidation county-wide and now. After a year of the new IFD, nobody up here carea ll that much. Except this freaking township board, which insists on trying to “help” us.

It isn’t a Pandora’s box. It’s really quite simple. Efficiencies drive consolidation in business, and should in government, were applicable and reasonable.

Pandora implies that something is unknown about the outcome. This is as plain as the nose on your face. No surprises whatsoever.

Sometimes, it IS exactly as it appears. Overthinking it just multiples the problem.

Companies have been using the states unemployment insurance fund as their personal piggy bank for years to retain employees during short term down times in manufacturing or seasonal layoffs in agriculture.

That is the way the system works. Nothing wrong with it as long as companies put enough into the unemployment and workers comp system to sustain what they take out of it.