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It is said that a single picture is worth 1000 words.  This picture fully illustrates the 2011 Federal Budget.

This cartoon puts the recently passed budget plan in proper perspective. It is simply crumbs compared to the current budget and budget deficit! Even after the November election Congress still doesn’t get it do they? During the debate leading up to this “groundbreaking” POS, I called my representative and let him know that I would rather see the government shut down than compromise on a budget bill. Didn’t help did it?

After spending several hours under the car this weekend I have added a new How To page to the site, “How to Change O2 sensors on a ’94 Corvette.” Several weeks ago I came across a good deal on a very clean ’94 Corvette and I couldn’t resist it. It is very clean, but it is a 17 year old car and it does need some repairs to get it back into tip top shape. I’ve often thought that I would like a Corvette and now I have one. It is somewhat a “his” and “hers” thing. Barb has the ’81 Trans Am, and now I have something to take to the car shows.

The How To gives a brief description on what tools are needed and how to get the sensors out and back into the car. It is not really a hard job, but it does require being a bit careful as not to cause more damage. It could be a knuckle buster if you aren’t prepared.

It’s on the home page, or follow this link:

How to: Change O2 sensors on a ’94 C4 Corvette

A friend sent me this cartoon.  It needs no explanation!

During the Obamacare debate, I couldn’t understand why AARP would roll over on it’s membership and support a government take over of the nation’s healthcare system.  All along in the back of my mind I figured it had to do either with a political advantage to be had, or money.  It turns out that it was money.

The AARP stands to benefit to the tune of about $1 Billion over the next 10 years selling gap insurance coverage for senior citizens.  In a report from the House Ways and Means Committee titled “Behind the Veil:  The AARP that America Doesn’t Know” are details of the potential revenue gains for the AARP.

Here are a couple of highlights:

AARP’s revenue comes from royalty payments from insurance companies, membership dues, publication advertising, and government grants.

Since 2002 AARP revenue from membership dues has increased 32% to $60 million.  During the same period income from royalties from insurance companies has increased 300% to $417 million.

As a result of Obamacare 7 million seniors will lose their current Medicare Advantage plans causing seniors to migrate to Medigap plans.  Guess who is the largest provider of these plans?  AARP.  (That wasn’t a really hard one to guess was it?)

AARP received $97 million in government grants.

AARP is a tax exempt corporation.  As a result of this information on AARP’s profits from royalties, their tax exempt status is being questioned by the congress.

$97 million in government grants, and they are bringing down millions each year in revenue from the insurance companies?  I think I see $97 million that can be cut from the US budget!

Yep, you read that headline correctly. President Obama received his award for transparency in government in a private ceremony. The press was not present, it was not posted on the White House Calendar, it was a secret! Here are a coupe of articles on the ceremony.

http://patriotupdate.com/4919/obama-accepts-transparency-award-in-secret

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/federal-eye/post/obama-finally-accepts-his-transparency-award-behind-closed-doors/2011/03/31/AFRplO9B_blog.html

http://www.politico.com/politico44/perm/0311/not_a_secret_anymore_a00ccd98-0d9e-4822-8936-168f3a51b959.html

One observer likened it to the Nobel Peace Prize, saying that it was awarded for the hope of what he would do rather that what he actually did.

In the words of Tom Cruise in the movie Risky Business, sometimes you just have to say “WTF.”