News Roundup & Commentary (09/23/2015)

Bloomberg (09/22/2015):
FBI Said to Recover Personal E-Mails From Hillary Clinton Server

COMMENTARYI'll repeat what I said back in April, "If the Democrats are intending to win the Whitehouse they can't put all their chips on Hillary Clinton.. PERIOD!... It seems the Clintons have so much baggage it would give king kong a hernia."
~ ~ ~

Philly.com (09/23/2015):
Montco ends DUI court due to high volume--
"In 2014 alone, DUI Court Judge Cheryl Lynne Austin presided over 1,250 trials and 1,087 cases.."

COMMENTARY
And these were only the ones that got caught !
~ ~ ~

Philly.com (09/23/2015):
Volkswagen admits much wider scope to emissions scandal--
"...admits that 11 million of its diesel vehicles contain software that evades emissions.."

COMMENTARYI find it somewhat unbelievable VW wasn't aware of this for the past 7 years. They're in for a whole world of hurt. Not only because of the financial impacts for repairs, the fines and stock losses. This could be only the tip of the iceberg. The New York Times is reporting, "...one Seattle-based law firm said it had already filed a class-action suit on behalf of car owners..". Imagine if owners in other countries file lawsuits.
~ ~ ~

Money Talks:(09/22/2015):
The 10 Most Expensive NFL Teams to Watch in Person

COMMENTARYThe Philadelphia Eagles are listed as one of them. This could change quickly if come this Sunday the Eagles lose to the Jets making them a 0 in 3 team. If that happens I predict a management shakeup will follow.
~ ~ ~

Money Talks (09/21/2015):
Coca-Cola Owes $3.3 Billion in Back Taxes, IRS Claims

COMMENTARYOf course Coca-Cola disputes this, but imagine what would happen if a individual was accused of shortchanging the IRS from 2007-2009. Then again how many individuals have access to dozens of tax lawyers who can tie up the IRS's resources and budget trying to get their hands on the money. I tend to think who wins is a matter of costing either side more then it's worth pursuing.
~ ~ ~

Pennsylvania Independent (09/23/2015):
Study: Pennsylvania hides $53 billion in debt

COMMENTARYWell obviously it can't be that well hidden since PI is reporting on it. Let's just say it's was well buried. What is at issue here is the unfunded pension liabilities. For decades lawmakers came up with all kinds of creative accounting methods leaving it for the next bunch to deal with. Sooner, rather then later this game of musical chairs is going to hit the fan.

The government(s) is/are the only ones that can make it's own accounting rules. See how far it would get any one of us if we tried paying our debts with IOU's or sent our bills to the state government to pay for us. Yet this exactly what our representatives have done in our name.
~ ~ ~

YouTube: Pa. House Video (09/22/2015):
Should WIC/SNAP Pay For Baby & Senior's Diapers?

COMMENTARYOn the surface this sounds like a good idea. However the justification for them as being a "necessity" could apply to a great deal of other things as well. What about free tampons, water, toilet paper and soap too? I'm not sure how far we should go with this. (SEE: 10 Things You Can't Buy With Food Stamps OR SNAP at the USDA's website)
~ ~ ~