What’s in a Poll? McClatchy-Marist finds Obama Job Approval Plummeting – Congress at bottom, Two-Thirds Disapprove of Democrats.- When Will Voters Wise Up?

A new McClatchy-Marist poll released yesterday, pretty much sums up the salient fact that a majority of American’s don’t particularly like their elected officials. The poll suggests that Obama’s numbers are “still higher than Congress”, but notes that the 41% approval is the lowest since “September of 2011”, yet remind readers that he still managed to get the popular vote by (a somewhat anemic) 51%.

Apparently, the nation is paying attention to the “controversies” surrounding the White House (without mentioning the IRS, the NSA, Benghazi, ad naseum), and McClatchy further suggests that the President does best when he talks about the economy – so he’s going to give some speeches. Of course, McClatchy also found that only 37% of those polled actually trusts the President with the economy, therefore, it’s somewhat difficult to see the silver-lining – yet they do.

The fact that Congress fares worse does not mitigate the fact that all of D.C. is viewed with a bit of wariness by those who sent their Congressional Representatives and Senators to the Golden City to do their bidding. Although McClatchy underscores that the Republican’s are in trouble, due to the fact that Congressional members polled at a low point and that those Republicans are in control of Congress. One can’t help but wonder where those Republican’s polled against the dismal numbers that the Democrats received (1 out of 3 approve of the job Democrats are doing.) One has to guess it is close, unless of course they weren’t polling many Libertarians.

Suffice it to say, that despite the IRS attempting to blot out the Tea Party, (with a little help from MSNBC), the regular folk apparently are becoming “Fed Up”. Obamacare also is weighing heavily as more details come out about the bill Pelosi famously spoke, “ “But we have to pass the [health care] bill so that you can find out what’s in it....” (Washington Post). From skyrocketing premiums, to layoffs and part-time positions only as employers try to evade the heavy fees, to the IRS in charge of enforcement, and the fact that the Data Hub program designed to oversee all data, and sign-up those for Obamacare, will be staffed by individuals who are less than qualified:

In June, the Government Accountability Office reported that HHS is considering allowing navigators to assist with outreach and enrollment tasks even before completing their formal training. The reason? Like so much of Obamacare, the navigators program is behind schedule and drowning in its own complexity.

This spring, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee lawyers were also told by HHS that, despite the fact that navigators will have access to sensitive data such as Social Security numbers and tax returns, there will be no criminal background checks required for them. Indeed, they won’t even have to have high-school diplomas.

But HHS is unconcerned. It points out that navigators will have to take a 20–30 hour online course about how the 1,200-page law works, which, given its demonstrated complexity, is like giving someone a first-aid course and then making him a med-school professor. “I want to assure you and all Americans that, when they fill out their [health-insurance] marketplace applications, they can trust the information they’re providing is protected,” said Marilyn Tavenner, head of HHS’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, at a congressional hearing last week”

(Weekly Standard)

Now that’s comforting. The hope is that those in Washington will realize what a mess this system is and repeal it entirely, of course, that might not be the case as lobbyist come in all shapes, sizes, and well, family members of Congress, both Republicans and Democrats alike.

Watch for more poll numbers dropping in coming months. The question now remains: “Will the general public, including those “low information voters”, get a grip and vote incumbents out of office, especially those who’ve made a career out of a job meant to be a public service? That remains to be seen – but odds aren’t good.

A side note: From the LA times, Sarah Palin is remembered for being right about those darn Death Panels – a shocking op-ed.

Detroit Debt and Pension Funding – First in a Series of Domino’s to Fall

From the website: Slums in the USA at www.nairaland.com

The City of Detroit declaring bankruptcy should not come as a shock to the nation nor the people who live in Motor City – the signs of a problem that was out of control were there for all to see. As recently as May of last year, the City of Detroit cut the street lights to the highest crime areas in an effort to cut some of the budget(Degrees). In that case, the argument was that the City was unable to attract private businesses – in essence depending upon what was left of the tax base to bolster up the massive public employees pensions, and the mismanagement that had taken place for decades.

Now, as the City tries to get out from under, by eliminating payments to pensioners, it appears that the media has finally gotten wind of the fact that there may be a problem – by looking at the human interest side of the “story”.

The Washington Post headlines: “After Detroit bankruptcy filing, city retirees on edge as they face pension cuts”. There are 20,000 retirees about to lose their pensions, with no other recourses available. The reason:” Of Detroit’s overall debt, about half — $9.2 billion — represents pension and health benefits that the city has promised retirees but that it now says it does not have enough money to fully pay.”

The Washington Post, somewhat erroneously blames fear and prejudice for the fiscal nightmare facing Detroit – In an op-ed “White Flight and Detroit’s Decline”, the premise of race riots in the 1960’s, and the resultant flight of “white” residents either due to fear or prejudice is partly to blame. However, one might want to take a look at the fact that the City has been bleeding jobs and businesses for decades, one of the chief elements in maintaining some sort of balancing act. One might look to Massachusetts, where the unemployment rate is rising again; taxes are on the docket, again, and those residents that are packing up for more tax friendly, employment friendly environments. Texas being the first destination, as well as border states such as New Hampshire, where personal taxes are lower and there is more opportunity. It makes sense that when opportunities are not available, regardless of race or ethnicity, individuals move.

What might have helped Detroit? What might help the other cities across the U.S. that are headed in the same direction? The answer: reasonable pensions and possibly a state appointed budget overseer for cities that show the first sign of decline. The Detroit Free Press names a few in its article: ”Detroit not alone under mountain of long-term debt” in which the following cities are discussed as being in the “same situation” as the Motor City: Cincinnati and Baltimore, along with LA and Chicago: “Chicago recently saw its credit rating downgraded because of a $19-billion unfunded pension liability that the ratings service Moody’s puts closer to $36 billion. And Los Angeles could be facing a liability of more than $30 billion, by some estimates.”.

The years of public officials promising hefty pensions in return for votes has finally come home to roost – and unfortunately, so many of those who rely solely on public pension funds, are now facing severe hardships. Each city that is faced with public employee pensions that are not in line with the public sector, regardless of size, should look towards renegotiating union contracts going forward, in order to stop the bleeding – and insure that their employees are offered a 401K or similar vehicle, not only as an addition to their “promised pension” but as a safeguard in the event that the City goes “bust” and can no longer fund the pension.

It is the same story as that being played over in Europe, Greece in particular, where public pensions destroyed the economy. The fact of the matter is that without private enterprises, and seven years of skyrocketing unemployment, one might think that the Federal Government, and those legislators and Senators which the people have sent to DC, would be looking closely at any programs that overly burden the private sector –either now, or in the near future (see: disaster that is Obamacare).

One might also suggest seeking advice from the management of cities, perhaps not that large, where there is a business friendly environment (See Texas), where there are jobs, as well as fiscal responsibility of the part of the City government.

In the case of Detroit, the writing was on the wall, yet, the proverbial can kept on being kicked down the long road to bankruptcy. Playing Monday morning quarterback, had the City government offered the alternative of a 401K to those union members, (and regardless of the brouhaha it would have caused), cut local business taxes, and sought the advice of solvent Cities, this would not have occurred. One wonders where, as those who are facing a loss in pension, would have recourse, given a bankrupt City – without the income from private enterprise, they simply don’t have the tax base to break even, let alone fund pensions.

Democrats Block Vote on Lowering Student Loan Rates - The Upside Down world of Washington.

From the the New York Times – headline: “Rift Among Democrats Stalls Effort to Reverse Rise in College Loan Rates”, speaks to the unimaginable – Democrats are divided regarding reducing student loan interest rates.

The Gist:

The Stafford subsidized student loans are set to increase, the suggestion was to lower the interest rate on these loans prior to fall, when millions of student loan consumers would be faced with the current high interest rate – which, the entire student loan industry takeover, was part of a budget passed by Democrats prior to 2010.

A bi-partisan committee worked out a compromise they felts sure the Democrats and Republicans could get behind – the Republicans basically endorsed Barack Obama’s plan, and the Democrats could not agree – voting no against the bill – the crusty old crazy man from Utah – Harry Reid.

Normally the headlines blare – Republican’s in Disarray or Republican block important – name and entitlement. However, to understand that both parties have their issues, infighting and degrees of stupidity, is the big announcement on this one.

Pony up and pay more, and thank Harry Reid and those stalwarts that refuse to compromise on something that would actually help the economy.

Other bills most likely not to get anywhere:

Immigration – stalled in the House – project pushed until after 2014 elections

The Affordable Health Care Act – now that the employer mandate has been removed, it is only fair, form the Republican House point of view, that the individual mandate also be removed (as that would leave everyone in the nation subject to fines, and having proof of extremely pricey insurance policies. The House can also defund the entire program, starting with the IRS. Although law, it appears to have hit a brick wall. – Repeal and rewrite a reasonable health care bill, including border crossing insurance buys, with possible subsidies, would fit the bill. Take off the penalties, and let a doctor or twenty write the language. Put the consumer back in control of their own health.