Politics and other nightmares

The Indianapolis Star has a conflict-of-interest piece about the General Assembly that attempts to show "just how cozy the relationship between state officials and industry can be in this state." It focuses on a bill that would limit the number of licensed nursing home beds in Indiana because the state's Family and Social Services Administration thinks that would keeps costs down and improve patient care.

Another extremist with a dangerously radical idea:

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, considering a White House bid, said Tuesday that states need more flexibility to devise their health care programs for the poor and predicted costs would skyrocket under the health care overhaul pushed by the Obama administration.

Cheese it, the cops! We'd better lie low for a while -- Robert Reich has us figured out. After recalling his boyhood trials with bullies who took his cupcakes and half his sandwiches -- until he bravely stood up to them! -- he counsels President Obama:

Want to know what a colossal disaster Obamacare is going to be? Just consider what a colossal disaster Romneycare already is:

As governor, Mitt Romney accomplished a feat that most Republicans would have thought impossible. With the single stroke of a pen he convinced the liberal population of Massachusetts that they, too, hate government-run health care.

South Bend City Council members order themselves to pay attention:

The controversial bill prohibiting the use of cell phones and other electronic devices by Common Council members, all city boards and commissions while a meeting is in progress passed 8-1.

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Cuts? Exactly what cuts would those be?

The federal debt increased $54.1 billion in the eight days preceding the deal made by President Barack Obama, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D.-Nev.) and House Speaker John Boehner (R.-Ohio) to cut $38.5 billion in federal spending for the remainder of fiscal year 2011, which runs through September.

Looks like Texas isn't satisfied with bigger -- it wants faster, too:

As lead singer of Van Halen, Sammy Hagar once crooned, "I can't drive 55." To show how far things have come, now some Texans aren't happy about only driving 80 miles per hour. The Legislature is considering raising the maximum speed limit to 85 mph, highest in the country.

It's a fact of life -- people congregate, and the sparse few who don't join the crowd are at a disadvantage politically:

Awww:

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels and President Obama were set to meet Friday in Indianapolis. But with the ongoing budget deadlock, the president's trip was canceled.

Finally, some good revenue news for the state:

Indiana revenues grew last month compared to a year ago and came in higher than projected in December.

According to a report by the Indiana State Budget Agency, the state took in $977.2 million in March, up $69 million, or 8 percent, from the same month a year ago and $32 million more than the forecast.

And you just know there are some legislators who can't wait to spend it.