In this article on Human Events.com, Jed Babbin discusses a proposal by Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) that would exempt union members and their families from paying the new proposed tax on employer provided healthcare benefits.

It is incredible that 7% of the workforce can command such obedience and loyalty from the current administration. But then again, it’s not the size of the workforce, but the amount of money they are willing to spend to have their interests looked after. So much for the needs of the many out-weighing the needs of the few – Teachers Union vs. School Vouchers, UAW vs. Bond Holders, etc.

This could also be viewed as a master stroke of genius from the union leadership. Why fight the battle for the Employee Free Choice Act (Card Check), when you can attract new members with the lure of non-taxable health benefits. Not to mention controlling the means of production, oops, I mean having the opportunity to have an ownership stake in their employer.

The following message is for the Czar: 49 20 73 65 65 20 79 6f 75 20 61 72 65 20 68 65 72 65 20 74 6f 20 68 61 76 65 20 74 68 65 20 68 69 64 65 6f 75 73 20 67 72 6f 77 74 68 20 72 65 6d 6f 76 65 64 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 79 6f 75 72 20 6e 65 63 6b 2e 20 20 4f 68 2c 20 6d 79 20 62 61 64 2c 20 74 68 61 74 20 69 73 20 79 6f 75 72 20 68 65 61 64 2e

The Mandarin

The Mandarin, whose real name is 吏恆, joined the order in 1309, and introduced the Gormogons into England during the 18th Century.

The Mandarin enjoys spending time with his pet manticore, Βάρἰκος, or Barry (who can be found in the Bestiary). When not in the Castle…well, frankly, nobody is quite sure where he goes.

The Mandarin popularized the fine art of “gut booting,” by which he delivers a powerful kick to the stomach of anyone that annoys him. Although nearly universal today, the act of gut booting or threatening someone or something with a gut boot is solely due to him.