Robert Bentley

Dr. Bentley, Stop This Murder Now

September 22, 2011 by Left in Alabama

I had all sorts of interesting topics rolling around in my mind this week about healthcare reform. This morning I realized there was only one thing I could or should talk about today. Today, for the third time in a week in my country, there will be a murder—a legally mandated murder. Today my state will kill Derrick O’Neal Mason.

Our governor, Dr. Robert Bentley— a physician—has said he will not intervene. I guess he has figured out some way in his mind to put aside both the Commandments of his faith and the Hippocratic Oath as not relevant.

I had all sorts of interesting topics rolling around in my mind this week about healthcare reform.  This morning I realized there was only one thing I could or should talk about today.  Today, for the third time in a week in my country, there will be a murder—a legally mandated murder.  Today my state will kill Derrick O’Neal Mason.

Improper Unemployment Payments: Another Example of Incompetent Alabama Government

September 16, 2011 by Left in Alabama

Bad government makes government look bad and Alabama has the worst government of any state I've ever lived in ... a claim I can only make because I haven't lived in Texas for over 30 years. 

Take unemployment benefits for example.  Over 16% of the unemployment benefits paid by the state of Alabama are improper, and that gives the whole unemployment insurance system a bad image.   Understandably so.  Even people who believe in helping others are galled at the idea of paying people who aren't working and aren't looking for work. 

An improper benefits rate of 16% translates to almost $250 million in improper payments over the last 3 years.  For the year that just ended the rate of improper payments was even higher, a whopping 24%. 

Your Tax Dollars At Work - Subsidizing Chinese Corporations

September 15, 2011 by Left in Alabama

The State of Alabama will now be using your tax dollars to pay dumping penalties of foreign corporations in the name of "attracting industry."

"Dumping" is the practice of selling goods for well below their fair value.  Chinese companies have been "dumping" their products in the US for years, undercutting American manufacturers and putting many of them out of business.  Our government has now started penalizing these foreign corporations for dumping their products in the USA.  This is where the State of Alabama steps up to help the poor Chinese corps:

China’s manufacturing industry, which has been plagued by anti-dumping investigations for 15 years, has this month found relief in the State of Alabama.

Under the "2011 Alabama Tariff Subsidy Bill", which was signed by Alabama Governor Robert Bentley in early June and took effect on July 1, non-U.S. enterprises that meet certain investment and job creation criteria will receive tax redemption.

The passing of the bill is the latest act in the “U.S. versus the U.S.” saga, with Alabama the first state to pass legislation to help foreign investors hedge against the federal government's anti-dumping duties.

Republican Hiring Freeze Thaws for Paragon Employee

September 6, 2011 by Left in Alabama

Alabama Republicans are serious about creating jobs ... for a select few of their pals. 

Remember when Gov. Bentley literally gave three of his aides two paychecks to get around the cap on salaries?  Now his administration has ignored its own hiring freeze to give former Paragon employee Thomas Nola an $86,000 a year state job.

Paragon was the no phone, no website, no business license company that raked in $13 million in no-bid contracts with the State of Alabama under Bob Riley's administration.  And their work product was so poor and/or nonexistent that Bentley's administration made a big show of ditching the whole Paragon mess ...

Alabama GOP Rallies 'Round the Flagpole - For A Circular Firing Squad

September 2, 2011 by Left in Alabama

After withering criticism over his administration's refusal to send an Alabama flag to a deployed soldier, Governor Bentley waved the white flag.  Calling his own policy "stupid," the Governor was quick to assign blame to.... former Governor Bob Riley!

Big mistake... Bentley might as well have waved a red flag in front of a charging bull.  Bob Riley was quick to deny responsibility.  In fact, members of his administration flagged down some media types and showed proof that Riley sent flags to soldiers:

Former Riley aide Sandra Lucas said Wednesday their office gave flags to Alabama units departing for overseas. Lucas says the office also fulfilled some requests by Alabamians seeking flags for troops based overseas.

That story is supported by none other than ADP Chair Mark Kennedy.  Speaking in Huntsville yesterday, Judge Kennedy waved the flag for the previous govenor, noting that Riley had even "signed flags for soldiers" before sending them.  (Video is on the flip)