• Pinboard Links

    Flap’s Links and Comments for May 16th on 13:35

    These are my links for May 16th from 13:35 to 16:21:

  • Illegal Immigration

    Illegal Immigration Myths: Jobs Americans Won’t Do

    Mark Krikorian explores the myths over at National Review.

    I appreciate Prof. Codevilla’s responding last week to my response to his article on the futility of border controls in the Claremont Review of Books (the original article now appears to be online). (…)

    I’ll address several other misconceptions in his article below the fold.

    Jobs Americans won’t do: At the center of Prof. Codevilla’s jeremiad is the hoary claim that there just aren’t enough Americans suited to do the hard work our society needs to function, and therefore Mexican workers are necessary to fill the vacuum.

    Simply as a matter of numbers, this is incorrect. There are perhaps 7 million illegal aliens in the labor force (the other four million or so don’t work), but there are three times that many native-born Americans of working age, with no more than a high-school education, who aren’t even in the labor force. And this doesn’t count those who are unemployed (i.e., actually looking for work) or underemployed (for instance, they have a part-time job but want a full-time one).

    What’s more, a detailed look at immigrants by occupation shows that virtually every occupation contains a majority of native-born workers. Some examples:

    • Maids and housekeepers: 55 percent native-born
    • Taxi drivers and chauffeurs: 58 percent native-born
    • Butchers and meat processors: 63 percent native-born
    • Grounds maintenance workers: 65 percent native-born
    • Construction laborers: 65 percent native-born
    • Porters, bellhops, and concierges: 71 percent native-born
    • Janitors: 75 percent native-born

    How can an occupation be described as “a job Americans won’t do” when most people who do it are, in fact, native-born Americans?

    Nor is this just the tail end of some better time, with Americans represented by aging holdovers still willing to do blue-collar work; fully one-third of the native-born in high-immigrant occupations are under 30.

    What’s more, the presence of large-scale immigration appears to exacerbate the exodus of Americans from blue-collar occupations. One of my colleagues frequently drives from Washington to central Pennsylvania and notes that it’s remarkable how, as you leave the immigrant-heavy Washington area, the fast food places at each subsequent interchange seem to somehow find a larger and larger share of American kids able to flip burgers.

    The data on teen employment bear this out. While it is true that labor force participation for teenagers — the “swarms of youth in malls and campuses” Prof. Codevilla sniffs at — has been declining across all ethnic groups and levels of education, immigration accelerates the process. My colleague Steven Camarota has estimated that “On average, a 10 percentage-point increase in the immigrant share of the labor force reduces the labor force participation rate of U.S.-born teenagers by 5.79 percentage points in 1994-95 and 4.57 percentage points in 2006-07.” More immigrants means fewer teenagers working.

    Read all of the rest and the destruction of the other myths.

  • Amazon Tax,  Internet Sales Taxes

    eBay Says Let’s Make a Deal to California’s Internet Sales Tax Legislation – Part Two

    As I said before eBay doesn’t care much for Amazon.com but business is business.

    Unsurprisingly, eBay has not been enamored with such efforts which would hit eBay sellers, and has been seeking to work into legislation a threshold designed to ensure that at least some of its out-of-state sellers will not be subject to California sales/use tax collection and remittance obligations where they sell to customers in the Golden State (California-based sellers who sell to Californians are already on the hook).

    A possible threshold of $10,000 a year or less in sales to Californians has been reported, but sources say that eBay and/or some of its sellers want that limit raised higher– potentially up to $2 million per year.

    EBay has its California sellers engaged in a grassroots lobbying effort aimed at forcing amendments to the legislation, which would  defang it.  No doubt eBay sellers located outside of California, who are currently not obliged to collect and remit sales tax on purchases made by Californians, are ecstatic about this. California-based sellers would not benefit from building in a sales threshold, though, especially a high one that could tilt the eBay marketplace distinctly to the advantage of out-of-state sellers. However, their legislators are being urged to make amendments that, if put through, could seriously reduce the already rather pitiful revenues that backers of the legislation claim they would obtain by ramming it through.

    The very best case scenario, according to a Board of Equalization staff analysis produced earlier this year, was that this “revenue
    enhancement” measure would bring in a measly $200-or-so million maximum in 2012-13.

    Let’s see as we repeat – no real, substantive tax revenue for California, a loss of California jobs and a costly litigation. The Skinner Bill (AB 153) et. al is a loser all around.

    But, it WILL proceed because the POLS will milk those who have a stake in the legislation for campaign contributions.

    Eventually, this will die a quiet, but expensive death.

    Previous:

    An Amazon Tax Lesson for California Legislators – Businesses Move and Job Loss Occurs

    eBay Says Let’s Make a Deal to California’s Internet Sales Tax Legislation

    Democrat Senator Dick Duban to Introduce Bill to Tax Internet Sales

    Poll Watch: 63 Per Cent Oppose Taxing Online Transactions

    Video: California and the Amazon Internet Sales Tax

    Video: How Amazon Internet Sales Tax Legislation Hurts California Small Business

    Overstock.Com Threatens to Terminate California-Based Affiliates Should Internet Tax Legislation – AB 153 Passes

    Amazon Internet Sales Tax WILL Require Super Majority in California Legislature

    Video: California Board of Equalization Casts Doubt on Amazon Internet Sales Tax Legislation

    The Amazon Tax Returns to California

  • Pinboard Links

    Flap’s Links and Comments for May 16th on 04:39

    These are my links for May 16th from 04:39 to 13:23:

  • Newt Gingrich,  Obamacare,  President 2012

    President 2012: Newt Gingrich, Paul Ryan and Medicare Reforms

    Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

    Former Speaker Newt Gingrich is out before he was ever in the 2012 Presidential race with his criticism of Rep. Paul Ryan’s Medicare reform plan.

    This morning Republicans are just beginning to assess the damage that former House Speaker and current presidential candidate Newt Gingrich has done to the GOP budget plan currently before Congress.  On “Meet the Press” Sunday, Gingrich denounced House Budget Committee chairman Paul Ryan’s plan to restructure Medicare, saying, “I don’t think right-wing social engineering is any more desirable than left-wing social engineering.  I don’t think imposing radical change from the right or the left is a very good way for a free society to operate.”

    On his radio program Monday morning, former Education Secretary Bill Bennett, who knows Gingrich well but is also close to Ryan, reacted angrily to Gingrich’s remarks.  Referring to Ryan’s Medicare plan as “right-wing social engineering” is, Bennett said, “an unforgivable mistake, in my judgment.”  Bennett went on to say that Gingrich “has taken himself out of serious consideration for the [2012] race.”

    Yeah, I would say Newt is toast for his hypocrisy alone on ObamaCare.

    The individual mandate is unconstitutional and is at the heart of ObamaCare. Newt understand this and in efforts to stand out from the GOP Presidential crowd has shot himself in the foot.

    Say good night, Gracie.

    Here is today’s video of Gingrich trying to climb back after his Meet the Press performance yesterday.

  • Polling,  President 2012,  Sarah Palin

    President 2012: With Huckabee Out – Is Sarah Palin In?

    Is Sarah Palin getting ready to duke it out in the 2012 Presidential primary election?

    Perhaps or may be just a player.

    Former Alaska governor S arah Pali n is sending direct mail solicitations nationwide to raise money for her political action committee titled “2012 Can’t Come Fast Enough,” a move that is certain to re-stoke talk of whether she will run for the presidential nomination.

    The copy of the letter sent to The Fix came from South Carolina, and SarahPAC Treasurer Tim Crawford said that about 400,000 solicitations were sent out nationwide. While the mailing, which aims to raise contributions for Sarah PAC, says nothing specific about Palin’s own political future the decision to send it will surely raise eyebrows.

    “Taking back control of the House last year was only the first step,” Palin writes in the mailer. “Now you and I must fix our eyes on 2012. Our goal is to take back the White House and the Senate.”

    I don’t see Sarah running but she is unpredictable. As I said before, she risks her brand with a loss, but maybe with so many good Republicans waiting in the wings for 2016, maybe she feels it is now or never.

    Her recent polling against President Obama is very weak, however.

  • Pasadena Half Marathon,  Running

    Pasadena Half Marathon – May 15, 2011 – Race Report

    Tara and me on Colorado Blvd. Photo by Walt

    This was the race that was not supposed to be.

    Some months ago, Alice, my wife, decided she wanted to celebrate her birthday this year with a half marathon race with her friend and running partner, Nancy. Alice and I met Nancy at the Los Angeles Raodrunners Marathon training program a few years ago and usually run together every Saturday topped off with breakfast or lunch at Ronnie’s Diner in Culver City/Playa Vista.

    Nancy’s birthday is a few days before Alice’s, so the Pasadena Half Marathon was to be the birthday fun run weekend. I was going to be the driver and breakfast lunch planner. But…..

    Alice was injured shortly before the Los Angeles Marathon (torn calf muscle), ran the marathon anyway and exacerbated the injury. The orthopod said NO running and physical therapy for 6-8 weeks.

    Alice’s Pasadena Half Marathon birthday race was over.

    However, Alice had already signed up for the race and why waste the bib, right?

    I was pressed into a decision. Do I run or not?

    An easy decision really – I would wear Alice’s bib and run the race.

    Tara from the Los Angeles Running Club and Los Angeles Marathon Roadrunners Run/Walk 5 also decided to run – so it was perfect. I would run with Tara and Nancy would run with Mary – also from Los Angeles Roadrunners and a Pace Leader with Run/Walk 5.

    Alice and I arose at the customary 2:30 AM, showered, coffee’d up, and hit the road around 4:15 AM. Race Time was 6:30 AM, but since we had never run this race before, we wanted plenty of time to find the parking lots – we also prepared for the massive traffic jams.

    We were lucky and the traffic was manageable, the directions on how to find parking very accurate and we parked with relative easy. There was one pit stop for my old man’s bladder in Tujunga at the 7-11. Thanks to the cashier who let me use the employees bathroom at 5 AM. I was turned away at a gas station, told to go to a Jack in the Box which was closed. But, the 7-11 was all good.

    After leaving the car, it was easy following all of my fellow runners through Pasadena City College up to Colorado Blvd. and the Porta Potties. On the way, I met up with Nancy and Mary. Tara soon joined us along with Peggy who is also a pace leader with Run/Walk 5.

    I did some more business at the Porta Potties (old man’s bladder) and noticed that there were no hand sanitizers inside the structure. There were hand washing stations outside the potties but they were nearly out of water and there were not sufficient numbers to handle all of the racers.

    Around 6:15 AM we moved onto Colorado Blvd., lined up and I drank my pre-race Coke.

    The race started on time and Tara and I made our way out.

    We tried to stay to the right as much as we could so as to avoid the pushing and shoving as racers try to claw their way to the front. Since we are not the fastest runners in the world, we did not want to be either pushed to the ground, have racers yell at us, or be run over – seriously.

    I had settled on a pace between 15-16 minutes per mile. My previous PR was at the Disneyland Half Marathon last September but I have been doing a great deal of training since then. Also, I was going to run/walk/run the entire course for the first time. I settled on a run/walk ratio of 30 seconds run and 45 seconds walk.

    Here is the chart from my Garmin:

    We settled into a nice 15 min/mile pace or so for the first five miles. This early part of the course is downhill for the first two miles with some rolling hills later. But, Tara was hanging in there with this pace and the race course was beautiful – even with the intermittent rain showers.

    The rain did not bother us. I mean, after a full marathon with torrential rains and flash floods, we could handle some rain and wetness. It was nice and cool as well and the rain was kind of refreshing.

    The old man’s bladder acted up again and I looked for some porta potties around mile 6. I told Tara to keep going and that I would catch up. I ran ahead, reached a short line and then disaster.

    I had to poop.

    6-7 minutes later I was finally finished and then the dilemma. How to clean up my hands. There was NO sanitizer in the structure, it was raining outside – but not enough. I really needed to wash my hands.

    Luckily, there was a water station next to the porta potty bank but they were dispensing mainly gatorade! Finally, I found a nice lady who reached for a gallon jug of water and I had my hands diluged with water.

    Done.

    The funny thing is that I knew about this dilemma from a previous story from Walt, my Los Angeles Roadrunner, who related his same experience at the Chicago Marathon. He advised always taking baby wipes with you on your races. In Chicago, Walt’s porta potty was out of toilet paper and had to use his hand! Yuk! And, then find a water station up the road.

    So, be advised. Place some baby wipes in your Camelbak or pockets – just in case.

    Speaking about Walt, Tara and I saw him three times during the race. What a great guy for being out there for us and all of his family of Roadrunners. He snapped the photo above when it was raining earlier in the course. The third time we saw him, he was waiting for us with a big bag of pretzels. Yum!

    I told Tara earlier to run on ahead and after cleaning my hands, I sprinted to catch up – as best I could. I knew I could crash later in the race, but by this time I wanted to make up the time and would take my chances.

    I caught up with her around mile 8.5 just in time to run the hilly part of the course with her. Tara does not like hills and the grade was not steep but it was relentless. We made it.

    Earlier, I had told Tara that if I felt good, that I would after mile 10, push the pace. If she wanted to join me, then great, if not then I would look for her at the finish line.

    I took off and while I did not run all out, it was close.

    After filtering out the 8 minute bathroom break, I finished with a PR in 3:23:33 or a 15:33 minute/mile pace.

    I was pleased with the around 5% improvement form last year’s Disneyland Half Marathon and the fact I ran/walk/ran the entire course. Also, I was not knackered when I finished.

    Alice met me after I received my (really her) medal. And, we soon met up with Nancy and Mary who had previously finished in 2 hours and 54 minutes. Tara soon finished and we all went to breakfast/lunch topped off with chocolate birthday cake.

    Next year, Alice will be healed up and we will run this race again. Yes, I won’t be the driver next year, but a registered racer.

    So, what did I learn from this race?

    • Watch my diet for up to three days before the race – no salads or bulky carbohydrates.
    • Place some baby wipes in my CamelBak.

    The Pasadena Half Marathon and Marathon have a beautiful course and the logistics to get to the race are easy – I highly recommend this race.

  • Barack Obama,  Day By Day

    Day By Day May 13, 2011 – Just Skip It



    Day By Day by Chris Muir

    Sorry readers, but with my race on Sunday (Pasadena Half Marathon) I have fallen behind in my postings.

    President Obama will need all of the technology at his disposal in order to persuade American voters to re-elect him. The 2012 spin platform will be the mobile phone market and Obama is taking off with the technology.

    But, persuasion is tough with unemployment and gasoline prices high.

    The GOP nominee will be in the game as soon as the select a nominee. There is plenty of time.

    Previous:

    The Day By Day Archive

  • Pinboard Links

    Flap’s Links and Comments for May 15th through May 16th

    These are my links for May 15th through May 16th: