Monique Chartier

Re: “40 Year Wish List”

By Monique Chartier | January 28, 2009 |

Another excerpt from that excellent WSJ article cited by Marc: … by our estimate only $90 billion out of $825 billion, or about 12 cents of every $1, is for something that can plausibly be considered a growth stimulus. And even many of these projects aren’t likely to help the economy immediately. One of the…

Snow Storm Tools – Especially For Those at Work and on an I-Palm-Thingy

By Monique Chartier | January 28, 2009 |

Radar loop. Traffic cams. Listen, call, compare notes: WPRO News Talk 630/99.7 FM. ~ AM 920 WHJJ. Addendum And over at Not for Nothing, Ian Donnis came to the conclusion while driving to work today that we are a state of wimps. (Possibly I exaggerate slightly.) He also points out that in the spirit of…

Freeze. Dirt. Bag.

By Monique Chartier | January 25, 2009 |

From the BBC News. Two Japanese companies have unveiled a security robot that can be commanded from a mobile phone to hurl a net that traps suspected intruders. The prototype T-34 was developed jointly by robot firm Tmsuk Co and security firm Alacom Co. It moves at up to 10km/h (6mph), and can be controlled…

Robert Reich – Some Follow Up Questions

By Monique Chartier | January 25, 2009 |

Setting aside the fact that he apparently didn’t get Martin Luther King Jr.’s memo, can former Labor Secretary Robert Reich please clarify several confusing aspects of his remarks a couple of weeks ago in front of the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee? Outlining what he believes should be the focus of President Obama’s economic…

Suddenly, the Casino Rears its Ugly Head Again

By Monique Chartier | January 24, 2009 |

I didn’t support a full fledged casino when proposed with the facade of ownership by the Narragansett, for whom it is difficult not to have some sympathy. Why would I support it when 100% of the post-operator revenue would go to a government that, through the politically motivated actions of its elected officials, has been…

Gov Blago: They’re Impeaching Me to Raise Taxes. (Yeah, that’s the ticket …)

By Monique Chartier | January 23, 2009 |

Please don’t take this guy away too quickly. From the Chicago Sun Times: Gov. Blagojevich continued to hammer away at the rules governing his upcoming impeachment trial this morning, saying the “fix is in in” and Illinoisans would be socked with massive tax increases should he be kicked out of office. “They want to get…

Those Who Face Reality, Those Who Do Not

By Monique Chartier | January 23, 2009 |

AR commenters and contributors have observed for some time that the source of the budget problem now facing the state and locals is not a lack, demonstrated by our high property and other taxes, of revenue but rather, many years of imprudent spending. In Providence, Local 1033 of the Laborers’ International Union of North America…

General Treasurer Frank Caprio on E-Verify and Immigration

By Monique Chartier | January 21, 2009 |

Further to Justin’s post, below is a transcription of General Treasurer’s remarks on these matters. AR: Do you support e-verify? Did you support e-verify? GT: I wasn’t in the Legislature for that. That was more in the last two years. So I didn’t vote on that because I was here, not there. I think we…

Qualifying the First Amendment?

By Monique Chartier | January 18, 2009 |

When East Providence taxpayer Tom Riley spoke during the Public Comment segment of Tuesday’s School Committee meeting, members of the NEA and other unions from around the state boo’ed and shouted him down. (It should be noted that Mr. Riley would, nevertheless, have carried on with his remarks but the School Committee determined that the…

A Disconnect About Motive and Cause

By Monique Chartier | January 14, 2009 |

East Providence is looking at budget deficits of over $4m per year for 2008 and 2009 and some scary tax increases if spending on the largest portion of their budget – personnel costs – is not brought into line. This fact seems inexplicably missing from too many statements by the teachers union. These include but…