In Wisconsin we have been under the regime of lefty Governor Jim Doyle
since 2003. He has illegally negotiated Casino contracts with the Indians.
He has diverted funds from the Department of Transportation to fund his
pet social projects. (Money that was designated to improve our highways.)
To replace the raided money he increased automobile license fees by $30.
After running for re-election on a no tax increase pledge he has proposed one
new tax or fee after another.
Two recent proposals go ‘beyond the pale’ (to use an expression presently
in vogue). They also have national implications in light of the recent actions
taken by the Obama administration involving government intervention in the
free market.
First, the Cell Phone Rebate.
In response to a 1999 Federal mandate to update wireless 911 systems a
bill was passed in 2003 to add a surcharge to cell phone use through
November 2008. The work was completed early and 25 million dollars is
left over. Wisconsin’s Public Service Commission rules require that the
money be returned to the cell phone providers to be rebated to their
customers. Governor Doyle wants to divert this money “back to the
communities’ which really means to patch a hole in his budget.
He is confiscating money from the free market.
Second, the Education Surcharge.
In the last couple of days a ‘trial balloon’ has been floated about adding a
tuition surcharge on rich students. The charge would apply to Wisconsin
State Universities and would effect tuitions paid by those making $80,000
or more.
Notice how the definition of RICH is down to $80,000.
League of Dorks
One of my distractions that have kept me from blogging of late is Fantasy
Baseball. (dubbed League of Dorks by the sports gal at ESPN.com)
As anyone involved in fantasy sports knows, it’s all in the draft. I am drafted
and ready on all 4 of my teams. If you search fantasy baseball in any search
engine the results are overwhelming, so I won’t bore you with that aspect.
A lesser talked about aspect is the emotional pick.
Fantasy baseball is about numbers and statistics that happen to have a
player attached to them. Sound strategy dictates to go with the numbers.
The names attached to those numbers are a different story. One might think,
‘wouldn’t it be cool to have (insert favorite player here) on my team?”
We all think that. We all have those emotional picks on our teams.
I define an emotional pick as a favorite player that may or may not be
justified by statistics.
Here are some of mine:
Kevin Youkilis, Boston Red Sox, 1 team. May be fading in fantasy
value and is prone to minor injuries but he has always been on 1 or more
of my teams.
Yovani Gallardo, Milwaukee Brewers, 1 team. While he may produce
numbers, failing to do so will doom the Brewers and dent my fantasy team.
Coco Crisp Kansas City Royals, 1 team. I like the name and maybe
one day the cereal guy will live up to his potential.
CC Sabathia, New York Yankees (late of the Brewers), 1 team. He will
produce stats and I have missed him in drafts the last 2 years.
Hope he justifies the chase and the 2nd round draft pick.
Manny Parra and Trevor Hoffman, Milwaukee Brewers, 1 team.
Free agent Trevor ‘Hells Bells’ Hoffman, the great closing hope, is already
on the disabled list.
This continues
Milwaukee’s closing pitcher jinx.
Manny Parra is all hope and no numbers. But he’s on the hometown team!
Any other League of Dorks addicts out there feel free to comment.