ihollywoodchina.com

In a move to block designation of $8.5 billion in economic stimulus funds, Republicans on a House committee released a report calling for a criminal investigation of ACORN, the community activist group tied to numerous charges of voter fraud nationwide.

The 88-page report asks whether ACORN, the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, is intentionally structured as a criminal enterprise.

Commissioned by Rep. Darrell Issa of California, the ranking Republican on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, the report charges ACORN "hides behind a paper wall of nonprofit corporate protections to conceal a criminal conspiracy on the part of its directors, to launder federal money in order to pursue a partisan political agenda and to manipulate the American electorate."

The report expresses concern that ACORN would channel $8.5 billion in economic stimulus funds through a criminal corporate structure designed to mask the distribution of public money to partisan activities, including voter fraud to advance the campaigns of radical Democratic politicians.

"It is undisputed that ACORN engages in politically partisan activity," the report declared, noting ACORN was paid $832,000 by the Obama 2008 presidential campaign for get-out-the-vote efforts. One-third of the 1.3 million voter registration cards turned in by ACORN in 2008 were invalid, the report said, noting a series of criminal actions involving voter fraud have been taken against ACORN in Arkansas, Pennsylvania and Nevada since 1998.

"ACORN cannot be receiving government money," Issa told Glenn Beck on the Fox News Channel in his first interview after releasing the report. "ACORN should lose its tax-free status."

Since 1994, ACORN has received more than $53 million in federal funds, according to the report.

Specifically, the report made the following criminal allegations:

ACORN has evaded taxes, obstructed justice, engaged in self-dealing, and aided and abetted a cover-up of embezzlement by Dale Rathke, the brother of ACORN founder Wade Rathke.

ACORN has committed investment fraud, deprived the public of its right to honest services, and engaged in racketeering affecting interstate commerce.

ACORN has committed a conspiracy to defraud the United States by using taxpayer funds for partisan political activities.

ACORN has submitted false filings to the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Labor, in addition to violating the Fair Labor Standards Act.

ACORN falsified and concealed facts concerning an illegal transaction between related parties in violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

I think Pelosi will stop any investigation of ACORN.

NewsTarget.com printablearticle

(NewsTarget) Hospitals in the United States have been charging self-paying patients, including the uninsured, vastly more for health services than they charge insurance providers and much more than the maximum costs allowed by Medicare, according to a 2004 study published in the journal Health Affairs.

"Over time, the uninsured have been paying higher and higher prices for hospital care compared to what the insured population pays," said study author Gerard F. Anderson, director of the Center for Hospital Finance and Management at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore. "The markup on hospital care for these individuals, especially for those who can afford it least, are unjustifiable."

Anderson’s study found that self-paying patients were charged an average of 2.5 times as much as insurers, and 3.07 times the Medicare-allowable levels. The markup was higher at for-profit hospitals (4.10 times) than at public hospitals (2.49), and higher at small urban hospitals (3.25 times) than at rural hospitals (2.42).

The price inflation varied by state, as well. The states with the highest markups were California, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, with charges four times higher than Medicare-allowable costs. The states with the lowest markups, at less than two times higher than Medicare, were Idaho, Maryland, Montana, Vermont and Wyoming.

Anderson also found that this price discrepancy has worsened over the years, more than doubling since the 1984 average of a 1.35 times markup over Medicare-allowable levels. In 1984, the study noted, hospitals charged approximately 35 percent more than their costs, which made their charges about 25 percent higher than their net revenue.

"Hospitals should do the right thing and lower the prices they charge the uninsured. Fifty years ago, the poor and uninsured were often charged the lowest prices for medical services. The markups on care for those who can least afford it have got to end," Anderson said.
Our medical system is really sick if they resort to padding the bills of poor people. There is never a good reason for lying and cheating.

This is news? This has been going on for years and years. Insurance companies negotiate rates with hospitals and the hospital accepts it or they lose the business. If you don’t have insurance, they can charge you whatever they want since losing that business doesn’t mean all that much to them.

I just did some research to answer a Y/A! question and I found it to me interresting enough to merit it’s own question. As a smoker, would you be willing to purchase a licence to smoke cigarettes? One of the links said that a government advisor proposed this in the UK. (My research pertains to the US)

Here’s what my research revealed:

The FEDERAL cigarette tax will go up 62 cents to $1.01 April 1, 2009.
State taxes vary, of course. In Pennsylvania, the STATE tax will go up to $1.35 per pack ( ranking 21st among all states) on June 30, 2009. In additation are sales taxes (6% in PA) and some cities have additional sales tax (Allegheny and Philadelphia counties impose an additional 1% sales tax.)

$1.01 + 1.35 = $2.36 + 0.30 (6% on $5.00 pack) = $2.66 taxes per pack.

$2.66 per pack x 365 (pack-a-day habit) = $970.90 extra taxes paid every year to smoke.

If the government required smokers to buy a $1000 license each year to smoke, there probably would be a lot fewer smokers! Keep in mind, some states’ cigarette taxes are even higher. (see links)

I’m not preaching from the pulpet; I, personally, am using this information to motivate myself to quit. What kind of fool am I for willingly giving the government more of my hard-earned money? And isn’t that crazy when I look for every dollar I can find to lower the amount I owe to the IRS? Add to all the cigarette taxes the cost of the cigarettes themselves and it is simply ridiculous! (Not to mention how bad it is for my health). I just wish I didn’t enjoy smoking as much as I do…… it would be so much easier. But now that I’m focusing on the TAX…..I think I have the motivation I need.

Wish me luck.
Source(s):
http://www.revenue.state.pa.us/revenue/c…
http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/research/…
http://www.wkrg.com/financial/article/fe…
http://www.strategypage.com/militaryforums/567-9344.aspx

Is there any point to implementing a law that is practically unenforceable?
As it is the courts are clogged up.

Rep. Matt Baker discusses the administration’s plans to push forward with some type of revenue boost for this year’s budget.

Duration : 0:0:27

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Title:A Haven indeed; Illegal immigration.(ID cards in Connecticut). Source:The Economist (US) 384.8540 (August 4, 2007): p.29US. (598 words) From Expanded Academic ASAP. Document Type:Magazine/Journal Bookmark:Bookmark this Document Library Links:
Full Text :COPYRIGHT 2007 Economist Newspaper Ltd.

One city devises its own immigration policy

MARICELA was eight when, with her parents, she crossed the border from Mexico. Twelve years later, a high-school graduate with an American accent, she is still illegal, unable easily to rent a flat, open a bank account or get a library card. She and the 10,000-12,000 other undocumented immigrants in New Haven, Connecticut, are hoping that a new policy may make their lives better.

As the federal government has proved itself incapable of formulating an immigration policy, local governments are stepping in as they did on health care and the environment. New Haven, home to Yale University, is already considered a sanctuary for illegal immigrants. It offers help in filing federal taxes, and it has ordered its police not to inquire about immigrants’ status. Last week it became the first city to issue its own ID card. All 125,000 residents may have one: legal and illegal, children as well as adults.

The card cannot be used for federal or state services, but it will allow holders to use city beaches and libraries. It can also be used as a debit card at many downtown restaurants and shops, and for parking meters. Two banks, First City and Sovereign, have agreed to accept the card, allowing users to open accounts. Until now, most of the city’s undocumented immigrants were forced either to carry their cash or to hide it at home, making themselves easy targets for muggers and burglars.

These immigrants, mostly from Latin America, make up most of the block-long application queue at city hall. The card costs $10 for adults and $5 for children. The rest of the programme’s costs will be funded by a $250,000 grant from First City.

In June the town’s board of aldermen approved the measure by a vote of 25 to one. Less than two days later, immigration and customs enforcement agents conducted home raids on undocumented immigrants, with 32 arrests. Only five of those arrested had outstanding warrants. John DeStefano, New Haven’s mayor, suspects the raids were in retaliation for the card. Michael Chertoff, the secretary of homeland security, has denied it. Further raids have been suspended.

City officials say the data collected during the application process will be kept confidential. Information will probably not be shared with the federal government unless someone is under criminal investigation. Michael Wishnie, a Yale law professor who has been retained by the city to fight any court challenges, points out the cards are no different from records already possessed by the Internal Revenue Service and by health and welfare agencies.

While cities like New York, Miami and San Francisco are considering adapting similar programmes, others are trying to tighten laws. Last year Hazelton, a small Pennsylvania town, began fining landlords who rent to illegal immigrants and penalising employers for hiring them. On July 26th a federal judge struck down the measure. The ruling has national implications, as 100 other cities have adopted something similar.

New Haven’s anti-immigration groups say the cards violate federal laws against aiding illegal immigration. And they fear the city will be inundated with illegal migrants. But it is not easy to obtain a card. Residents must show valid government-issued photo identification, such as a passport, driving licence or consular document. They must also prove residency in New Haven with two utility bills, a pay stub, tax statements, or documents from health and social-service agencies. About 25-50% of applicants are turned away for not having the papers required. Maricela did not get a card; she could not prove she was a resident of New Haven.

Source Citation:"A Haven indeed; Illegal immigration.(ID cards in Connecticut)." The Economist (US) 384.8540 (August 4, 2007): 29US. Expanded Academic ASAP. Gale. Los Medanos College. 23 Aug. 2007
<http://0-find.galegroup.com.alice.dvc.edu:80/ips/start.do?prodId=IPS>.

No.She is already integrated,why not give her status?

I am a college student who plans on starting a magazine sometime around next January.The magazine will deal with music and culture, specifically around my hometown in Pennsylvania, and to a lesser extent music and culture all around the whole state. I have already assembled a staff of writers and photographers. They are mainly my friends who know they may not be able to be compensated greatly but who are rather doing it to help me out. My question is how do I go about selling ads for the first issue. Should I just call local music stores and other businesses around the area and explain to them what I’m doing. And how to I find places to carry this magazine. It will be a free magazine with all profit coming from ad revenue. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

how to sell selling space… that is interesting

I’d guess that you would do like any other kind of product… find your target market

if you are making a "teen" magazine then approach people whom would be selling to teens and will benefit from advertising in your mag! (don’t approach random business or car dealers)

I’d tell you to approach music, clothing stores and offer them an ad at a price. in exchange for the first edition you will write an article saying "who made this things possible" and thank them.

getting people to carry your product is easy(since it is free) but remember: PRINTING COSTS MONEY distribute them where your target audience will be, not at walmart

yours is a really cool idea. good luck

Visit http://www.bid2win.com: Schlouch Inc. puts a high degree of importance on its customer relations and customer communications; they know that it is largely the people behind the service that determine the success of the company. So it’s no surprise that the people at BID2WIN played a direct role in Schlouch’s decision to change its estimating software over to BID2WIN. “I was impressed by the eagerness that I saw in the people at BID2WIN. They are very committed to what they do,” explains Barry Schlouch, president of the 20 year old company. “I’ve always been enthused with their breadth of talent and passion for excellence.”

Blandon, Pennsylvania-based Schlouch Inc. serves southeastern Pennsylvania in all areas of site design, earthwork, pipework, paving, and concrete. With a staff of 400, including eight estimators, they are a company with $50 million-plus annual revenue and enjoy repeat business from most major local and regional owners, developers, and contractors, as well as from many national firms handling construction management in the area. To learn more go to www.schlouch.com.

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We prefer outdoor ceremony and outdoor reception. Will consider places in Pennsylvania as well as New Jersey. We don’t want to spend a fortune and it will probably be no more than 75 people, possibly less. Also interested in indoor revenues with options for outdoors as well. Prefer open space with grass and trees, perhaps gardens, although gardens not a must. If you know of specific locations, please let me know! Thanks so much for your help!
I would also like to add that we are anti-ballroom reception, so please don’t bother with those sorts of answers. We are looking for a little untraditional here. Thanks again!

Find a mansion that caters or ask people about nice gardens.

Rep. Mauree Gingrich talks about the state of Pennsylvania’s budget.

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I was wondering if you need business insurance no matter what kind of business you own. I am starting a business that is nothing more than a website that is free for users and only makes revenue from advertising. I have no employees and am registered with the state. Do i need any type of business insurance? LLC.

Pennsylvania if it matters.

Thanks for your help/

If you want to protect your business property – your computers, printers, routers, etc. and other office supplies & furnishings you need business property coverage.

Every business also has exposures to liability losses. In your case, there is not much exposure to people being injured on your premises. But maintaining a web site falls into the same general category of publishing – just like a book, magazine or newspaper. You can be sued for a variety of things including libel, slander, invasion of privacy, false advertising, copywrite infringement, etc. There is no legal requirement for you to have liability insurance, but if you don’t have personal assets to cover a $1,000,000 or more judgement against you, you better have liability insurance.

You should contact a local, independant insurance agent to see about a small business owners package policy. I have handled many of these for businesses just like yours. Coverage for your business property and liability could be as little as $50 – $75 a month.