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Insider Report from Newsmax.com Headlines (Scroll down for complete stories): 1. Job Growth Twice as High in Red States 2. Survey: 'Criminal Behavior' Behind Unrest in Baltimore 3. FBI: Killing of Police Up 89 Percent in 2014 4. Saudis Seek Presidency of U.N. Human Rights Council 5. Planned Parenthood Sends Mother's Day Cards 6. Student Debt Rises 325 Percent in 10 Years 1. Job Growth Twice as High in Red States Each day between 2003 and 2013, an average of 830 Americans relocated to one of the nine U.S. states with no state income tax, while 944 people moved out of the nine states with the highest personal income tax rates. That's one of the findings disclosed in a new report from The Heritage Foundation, "1,000 People a Day: Why Red States Are Getting Richer and Blue States Poorer." States in recent years have divided into two camps, which the report's authors call the "red state model" and the "blue state model." The red state model is based on low tax rates, right-to-work laws, light regulation, and pro-energy development policies. The blue state model is based on high levels of government spending, high income tax rates on the rich, generous welfare benefits, forced-union requirements, higher minimum wage laws, and restrictions on oil and gas drilling. The nine states with no income tax gained an average of 3.7 percent of their population from domestic migration between 2003 and 2013, led by Nevada with 9.1 percent and Wyoming with 5.6 percent. The nine states with the highest income taxes lost an average of 2 percent of their population over that period, with New York losing 7.5 percent and New Jersey 5.6 percent. The job growth rate in the zero-income tax states was more than double that of the high-income tax states from 2003 to 2013 — an average of 9.9 percent compared to 4.3 percent. Growth was highest in Texas, 19.5 percent, and lowest in New Jersey, minus 1 percent. Of the nation's four largest states, between 1990 and June 2014 the jobs growth rate in red states Florida (46 percent) and Texas (65 percent) was nearly triple the growth in blue states California (24 percent) and New York (9 percent). Report authors Stephen Moore, Arthur Laffer, and Joel Griffith point to two major examples of the shift in jobs. Toyota moved from blue state California to no-income-tax Texas; Boeing, which is based in Washington, a forced-union state, opened a new plant in South Carolina, a right-to-work state. California has the nation's highest top marginal personal income tax rate, 13.30 percent, and the top 1 percent of income earners account for 48 percent of all state and local taxes. New York is next with a 12.7 percent top rate, followed by Hawaii with 11 percent. The authors conclude: "Too many politicians on the left still pretend that taxes, forced-union laws, indebtedness, and heavy regulation do not hurt their states' economies. This study shows that these policies matter a great deal." Stephen Moore is distinguished visiting fellow in the Institute for Economic Freedom and Opportunity at Heritage, and Joel Griffith is a research associate at the institute. Arthur Laffer is the founder and chairman of Laffer Associates, an economic research and consulting firm. Editor's Note: 2. Survey: 'Criminal Behavior' Behind Unrest in Baltimore Americans view a number of factors as having contributed to the recent outbreak of violence and unrest in Baltimore, chief among them "people taking advantage to engage in criminal behavior," a new survey reveals. The poll by the Pew Research Center found that 61 percent of respondents believe that factor contributed a "great deal" to the violence, 21 percent said it contributed a "fair amount," 8 percent said "not too much," 5 percent said "not at all," and 5 percent had no opinion. A majority of black respondents, 54 percent, agreed that "people taking advantage to engage in criminal behavior" contributed a "great deal" to the unrest, compared to 66 percent of whites. The second most-cited factor was "tensions between the African-American community and police" — 56 percent overall and 65 percent of blacks said tensions contributed a "great deal" and 24 percent said a "fair amount." Half of respondents said that "anger over the death of Freddie Gray" contributed "a great deal" to the violence and unrest, 27 percent said a "fair amount," and just 13 percent said "not too much." "Poverty, lack of opportunities in some neighborhoods" contributed a "great deal," according to 40 percent of respondents and 50 percent of blacks, while 28 percent overall said it contributed a "fair amount." Regarding all four factors in the survey, a majority of respondents believe each contributed at least a "fair amount" to the troubles. But Democrats and Republicans were sharply split — 76 percent of Republicans said "people taking advantage" contributed a "great deal" while just 54 percent of Democrats agreed. Pew also found that 65 percent of those polled said it was the "right decision" to bring criminal charges against Baltimore police officers in the death of Freddie Gray, and just 16 percent said it was the "wrong decision." The rest had no opinion. Among blacks, 78 percent said it was right, compared to 60 percent of whites. Three-quarters of Democrats said it was the right decision, but only 45 percent of Republicans agreed. Asked about news organizations' coverage in Baltimore, 44 percent said the media gave the unrest and acts of violence "too much" coverage, 12 percent said "too little," and 38 percent said "the right amount." But 37 percent of respondents said the media gave too little coverage to the "non-violent protests over Freddie Gray's death," compared to 22 percent who said "too much." However, just 20 percent said news organizations' overall coverage was "poor." Editor's Note: 3. FBI: Killing of Police Up 89 Percent in 2014 Amid controversy over the recent shootings by and of police officers, the FBI has issued a report disclosing that the number of officers who were feloniously killed in the line of duty in 2014 rose 89 percent from the previous year. A total of 51 law enforcement officers were feloniously killed last year, compared to 27 officers in 2013. In a video message, FBI Director James Comey hailed those who have "made the ultimate sacrifice to try and make their communities safe." He also referred to the "especially challenging relationship" that currently exists between law enforcement and minority communities. According to the FBI report, 11 officers died from injuries inflicted as a result of answering disturbance calls, 10 were killed while conducting traffic pursuits or stops, eight were killed as a result of ambushes, and six died "while investigating suspicious persons or circumstances." Five officers sustained fatal injuries while performing investigative activities, four "while they were engaged in tactical situations," three while handling persons with mental illness, and one was killed during a drug-related matter. Three died while "attempting other arrests." Offenders used firearms in 46 of the 51 felonious deaths, including 32 incidents with handguns, 11 with rifles, and three with shotguns. Four officers were killed with vehicles used as weapons, and one was killed "with the offender's personal weapons (hands, fists, feet, etc.)." Of the slain officers, 35 were wearing body armor at the time of their death. Five fired their own weapons, and six attempted to fire their service weapons. Seven victims had their weapons stolen, and one officer was killed with his own weapon. An additional 44 officers were accidentally killed in the line of duty in 2014. Of those, 28 died as a result of automobile accidents, six were in motorcycle accidents, and five were struck by vehicles. Two were killed from accidental shootings, one from drowning, one from blunt force trauma, and one as a result of smoke inhalation. Of the 28 officers who died due to automobile accidents, 10 were not wearing seatbelts. The FBI report was released on Monday, two days after two police officers were shot and killed during a traffic stop in Hattiesburg, Miss. Four suspects have been charged in connection with the case. Editor's Note: 4. Saudis Seek Presidency of U.N. Human Rights Council The Insider Report disclosed in April that Iran had been elected to a United Nations women's rights panel even though the Islamic Republic ranks among the worst nations regarding the equal treatment of men and women. Now an even more repressive Muslim country, Saudi Arabia, is seeking the presidency of the U.N. Human Rights Council (HRC) next year. The Geneva-based organization UN Watch reported that it had learned from diplomatic sources that Saudi Arabia, a member of the 47-nation council, is actively lobbying the panel's 13 Asian nations to win the presidency for 2016. The story was recently confirmed by a French-language newspaper in Geneva. The presidency of the council rotates among the five regional groups, and next year is Asia's turn. The HRC would vote for or against Saudi Arabia if no other Asian nation steps forward as an alternative. Germany currently holds the presidency. Saudi Arabia is one of 12 current HRC members designated as "not free" by the Washington-based Freedom House. UN Watch Executive Director Hillel Neuer said: "Electing Saudi Arabia as the world's judge on human rights would be like making a pyromaniac the town fire chief." Saudi Arabia's record on human rights is appalling. Torture of detainees is common. The death penalty can be imposed not just for murder and rape but also for repeated drug use, armed robbery, apostasy, adultery, witchcraft, and even homosexuality, and executions can be carried out at public beheadings. Punishment for robbery includes amputations of hands and feet, and flogging is carried out for crimes such as "sexual deviance" and drunkenness. Women from Asian and African countries are reportedly trafficked into the kingdom for commercial sexual exploitation. Women are forbidden to drive motor vehicles, and they comprise just 5 percent of the workforce. Saudi Arabia does not recognize religious freedom and adherents of religions other than Islam, including Christians, are barred from worshipping openly. Freedom of speech and the press is nonexistent, and estimates put the number of political prisoners in the country as high as 30,000. "We urge U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power and EU foreign minister Federica Mogherini to denounce this despicable act of cynicism by a regime that beheads people in the town square, systematically oppresses women, Christians, and gays, and jails innocent bloggers like Raif Badawi for the crime of challenging the rulers' radical brand of Wahabbist Islam," said Neuer. Badawi has been sentenced to 10 years in jail and 1,000 lashes. The United States and the European Union failed to oppose Saudi Arabia's election to the HRC in 2013, The Jewish Press reported. "We urged them to oppose the election of Saudi Arabia yet Washington and Brussels did nothing," said Neuer. "Now they must take responsibility and at least stop the Saudis from seizing the presidency. It's time for the politics of oil to stop trumping the basic principles of human rights." Over its nine-year history the HRC has included repressive regimes such as China, Cuba, Russia, Pakistan, and Venezuela. Neuer said the election of Saudi Arabia to the presidency would be "the final nail in the coffin" for the council's credibility. Editor's Note: 5. Planned Parenthood Sends Mother's Day Cards Planned Parenthood, the nation's leading abortion provider, chose an odd time to send out messages touting the benefits of abortion and birth control — Mother's Day. The organization provided web users with "inspirational" cards that could be shared on social media. "For Mother's Day, celebrate mothers across the globe by sharing your favorite card on Facebook," Planned Parenthood offered. One card quoted a Planned Parenthood supporter named Chloe: "I'm grateful for Roe v. Wade, I'm grateful for birth control, I'm grateful for quality health coverage. And I'm thankful for the women before me who've fought for and defended the right to be a mom by choice." Another card stated: "Being a mother makes me very appreciative for our rights: all women should have the choice to do what they want with their own body." CNS News observed that "there is a certain degree of irony in Planned Parenthood's attempt to express gratitude for mothers on their special day. You can only celebrate being a mother if you allow your baby to actually be born." According to Planned Parenthood's latest annual report, the organization performed 327,653 abortion procedures in 2013. The report also notes that 41 percent of Planned Parenthood's revenue comes from "Government Health Services Grants & Reimbursements," which amounted to $528 million in the year ending in June 2014. Editor's Note: 6. Student Debt Rises 325 Percent in 10 Years Total student debt in the United States soared 325 percent in just a 10-year period ending in 2014, rising to $1.13 trillion — far more than the $880 billion Americans owe on their credit cards. About 1.8 million students are graduating this spring, and the 70 percent who have a student loan owe an average of $27,000. Almost 40 million people now have student loan debt, which is the only category of household debt that continued to rise during the recession, according to a report from the Manhattan Institute. Since 2004, the number of borrowers owing between $50,000 and $75,000 has doubled, and the number owing more than $200,000 has tripled. Recent graduates often have trouble paying off those loans, and 15 percent of borrowers default within the first three years after graduation. Also, 11 percent of debtors are delinquent in their payments for at least 90 days, higher than the rate for residential real estate (3 percent) and credit cards (7 percent). Two factors are adding to the woes faced by college students and graduates: difficulty finding a suitable job, and rising tuition rates. More than 8 percent of college graduates under age 25 are unemployed. And nearly 44 percent of recent college graduates are underemployed, including 115,000 Americans with college degrees currently working as janitors. Meanwhile college tuition has increased by 1,180 percent since record-keeping began in 1978; by comparison, food costs rose only 240 percent over that period. "Automatically providing student loans through the government or offering loans at low interest rates subsidized by the government increases the demand for college education. These low rates allow schools to raise tuition costs exponentially — and they have been doing just that," note the report's authors Diana Furchtgott-Roth, director of Economics21 at the Manhattan Institute, and Jared Meyer, a fellow at the Manhattan Institute. "Until the underlying reason for increases in college tuition is addressed, student loan burdens will only continue to grow," leaving "many graduates hopeless and suffocating under heavy debt." Note: Newsmax magazine is now available on the iPad. Find us in the App Store. Editor's Note: Editor's Notes: |
Sunday, May 17, 2015
INSIDER REPORT FROM NEWSMAX 05/17/2015
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