Tuesday, March 24, 2009

This'n'That; March 26th[FUBO;HR1388;FactCheck]

More "Resist-a-Wear" Coming!
Bob Lonsberry, the preeminent local talk show host on the preeminent local AM station-WHAM;1180, revealed something today. It's [probably t-shirts and bumper snickers] in the development stages, but it's gonna say something like "we earned it-you don't get it." I encourage Bob to continue to grow his "resist-a-wear" mercantile empire [ http://www.fubowear.com ] with new products that reflect the public's disgust and distrust!
H.R. 1388-Fluffy Social Engineering
[This is but one part, one section of the Fluffy Social Engineering ....er....Innovation Fund. Sure looks like another socialist giveaway program to me! Try readin' it.... BAFFLING!! The jist of this seems to be.... the democRATS haven't figured out that more giveaways aren't the answer.... gettin' 'em off their dead asses and to work IS the answer!! Just another multi-billion-dollar boondoggle the taxpayer has to fund.]
`PART III--SOCIAL INNOVATION FUND `SEC. 198F. SOCIAL INNOVATION FUND. `(a) Findings- Congress finds the following: `(1) Social entrepreneurs and other nonprofit community organizations are developing innovative and effective solutions to national and local challenges. `(2) Increased public and private investment in replicating and expanding proven effective solutions developed by social entrepreneurs and other nonprofit community organizations, could allow those entrepreneurs and organizations to replicate and expand proven initiatives in communities. `(3) Increased public and private investment to seed new solutions to our nation's most serious challenges will create a pipeline of new social innovations. `(4) A Social Innovation Fund could leverage Federal investments to increase State, local, business, and philanthropic resources to replicate and expand proven solutions, and invest in seeding new innovations, to tackle specific identified community challenges. `(b) Purposes- The purposes of this section are-- `(1) to recognize and increase the impact of social entrepreneurs and other nonprofit community organizations in tackling national and local challenges; `(2) to stimulate the development of a Social Innovation Fund that will increase private and public investment in nonprofit community organizations that are effectively addressing national and local challenges to allow such organizations to replicate and expand successful initiatives; `(3) to assess the effectiveness of-- `(A) leveraging Federal investments to increase State, local, business, and philanthropic resources to address national and local challenges; `(B) providing resources to replicate and expand effective initiatives; and `(C) seeding experimental initiatives; and `(4) to strengthen the infrastructure to identify, invest in, and replicate and expand, initiatives with effective solutions to national and local challenges. `(c) Program- The Corporation shall establish a Social Innovation Fund grant program to make grants on a competitive basis to eligible entities. `(d) Periods; Amounts- `(1) For covered entities described in subsection (c)(2)(A) and (B), the Corporation shall make such grants for periods of 5 years, and may renew the grants for additional periods of 5 years, in amounts of not less than $1,000,000 and not more than $10,000,000 per year. `(2) For covered entities described in subsection (c)(2)(C), the Corporation shall make grants for up to 3 years, and may renew the grants for additional periods of 3 years, in amounts up to $500,000 per year. `(e) Eligibility- To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an entity shall-- `(1) be a covered entity; `(2) be focused on-- `(A) serving a specific local geographical area; or `(B) addressing a specific issue area, in geographical areas that have the highest need in that issue area, as demonstrated by statistics concerning that need. `(3) be focused on improving measurable outcomes relating to-- `(A) education for economically disadvantaged students; `(B) child and youth development; `(C) reductions in poverty or increases in economic opportunity for economically disadvantaged individuals; `(D) health, including access to health care and health education; `(E) resource conservation and local environmental quality; `(F) individual or community energy efficiency; `(G) civic engagement; or `(H) reductions in crime; `(4) For covered entities described in subsection (c)(2)(A) and (B), have an evidence-based decision-making strategy including, but not limited to-- `(A) use of evidence produced by prior rigorous evaluations of program effectiveness including, where available, well-implemented randomized controlled trials; and `(B) a well-articulated plan to-- `(i) replicate and expand research-proven initiatives that have been shown to produce sizeable, sustained benefits to participants or society; or `(ii) partner with a research organization to carry out rigorous evaluations to assess the effectiveness of approaches. `(5) For covered entities described in subsection (c)(2)(C), have an evidence-based decision-making strategy including, but not limited to-- `(A) use of evidence produced by prior rigorous evaluations of program effectiveness including, where available, well-implemented randomized controlled trials; or `(B) a well-articulated plan to-- `(i) conduct rigorous evaluations to assess the effectiveness of approaches; or `(ii) partner with a research organization to carry out rigorous evaluations to assess the effectiveness of approaches to addressing national or local challenges. `(6) For covered entities described in subsection (c)(2)(A) and (B), have a well-articulated process for assessing community organizations for subgrants; and `(7) have appropriate policies, as determined by the Corporation, that protect against conflict of interest, self-dealing, and other improper practices. `(f) Application- To be eligible to receive a grant under subsection (d) for national leveraging capital, an eligible entity shall submit an application to the Corporation at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Corporation may specify, including, at a minimum-- `(1) an assurance that the eligible entity will-- `(A) use the funds received through that capital in order to make subgrants to community organizations that will use the funds to test new initiatives, or replicate or expand proven initiatives in low-income communities; `(B) use the funds for growth capital or to test new initiatives; `(C) in making decisions about subgrants for communities, consult with a diverse cross section of community representatives in the decisions, including individuals from the public, nonprofit, and for-profit private sectors; and `(D) make subgrants of a sufficient size and scope to enable the community organizations to build their capacity to test or manage initiatives, and sustain replication or expansion of the initiatives; `(2) an assurance that the eligible entity will not make any subgrants to the parent organizations of the eligible entity, a subsidiary organization of the parent organization, or, if the eligible entity applied for funds under this section as a partnership, any member of the partnership; `(3) an identification of, as appropriate-- `(A) the specific local geographical area referred to in subsection (f)(2)(A) that the eligible entity is proposing to serve; or `(B) geographical areas referred to in subsection (f)(2)(B) that the eligible entity is likely to serve; `(4)(A) information identifying the issue areas in which the eligible entity will work to improve measurable outcomes; `(B) statistics on the needs related to those issue areas in, as appropriate-- `(i) the specific local geographical area described in paragraph (3)(A); or `(ii) the geographical areas described in paragraph (3)(B), including statistics demonstrating that those geographical areas have the highest need in the specific issue area that the eligible entity is proposing to address; and `(C) information on the specific measurable outcomes related to the issue areas involved that the eligible entity will seek to improve; `(5) information describing the process by which the eligible entity selected, or will select, community organizations to receive the subgrants, to ensure that the community organizations-- `(A) are institutions with proven initiatives, with track records of achieving specific outcomes related to the measurable outcomes for the eligible entity, or are institutions that articulate a new solution with potential for substantial impact; `(B) articulate measurable outcomes for the use of the subgrant funds that are connected to the measurable outcomes for the eligible entity; `(C) will use the funds to test, replicate or expand their initiatives; `(D) provide a well-defined plan for testing, replicating or expanding the initiatives funded; `(E) can sustain the initiatives after the subgrant period concludes through reliable public revenues, earned income, or private sector funding; `(F) have strong leadership and financial and management systems; `(G) are committed to the use of data collection and evaluation for improvement of the initiatives; `(H) will implement and evaluate innovative initiatives, to be important contributors to knowledge in their fields; and `(I) will meet the requirements for providing matching funds specified in subsection (k); `(6) information about the eligible entity, including its experience managing collaborative initiatives, or assessing applicants for grants and evaluating the performance of grant recipients for outcome-focused initiatives, and any other relevant information; `(7) a commitment to meet the requirements of subsection (i) and a plan for meeting the requirements, including information on any funding that the eligible entity has secured to provide the matching funds required under that subsection; `(8) a description of the eligible entity's plan for providing technical assistance and support, other than financial support, to the community organizations that will increase the ability of the community organizations to achieve their measurable outcomes; `(9) information on the commitment, institutional capacity, and expertise of the eligible entity concerning-- `(A) collecting and analyzing data required for evaluations, compliance efforts, and other purposes; `(B) supporting relevant research; and `(C) submitting regular reports to the Corporation, including information on the initiatives of the community organizations, and the replication or expansion of such initiatives; and `(10) a commitment to use data and evaluations to improve their model and be more transparent about its challenges; and `(11) a commitment to cooperate with any evaluation activities undertaken by the Corporation. `(g) Selection Criteria- In selecting eligible entities to receive grants under this section, the Corporation shall-- `(1) select eligible entities on a competitive basis; `(2) select eligible entities on the basis of the quality of their selection process, as described in subsection (g)(5), the capacity of the eligible entities to manage Social Innovation Funds, and the potential of the eligible entities to sustain the Funds after the conclusion of the grant period; `(3) solicit broad community perspectives that inform grant-making decisions; `(4) include among the grant recipients eligible entities that propose to provide subgrants to serve communities (such as rural low-income communities) that the eligible entities can demonstrate are significantly philanthropically underserved; and `(5) select a geographically diverse set of eligible entities. `(h) Matching Funds for Grants- `(1) IN GENERAL- The Corporation may not make a grant to an eligible entity under this section for a Community Solutions Fund unless the entity agrees that, with respect to the cost described in subsection (d) for that Fund, the entity will make available matching funds in an amount not less than $1 for every $1 of funds provided under the grant. `(2) NON-FEDERAL SHARE- The eligible entity shall provide the matching funds in cash. `(i) Reserved Program Funds for Research and Evaluation- The Corporation may reserve up to 5 percent of total program funds appropriated to carry out this section for a fiscal year to support research and evaluation related to this section. `(j) Advisory Panel- `(1) IN GENERAL- Under authority of section 195 (f) of the National and Community Service Act of 1990, the Chief Executive Officer, in consultation with the Board, shall establish an Advisory Panel to provide advice and input about carrying out this section. The Advisory Panel may collectively have experience in-- `(A) social entrepreneurship and social enterprise; `(B) the management and operation of small nonprofit organizations and large nonprofit organizations; `(C) business, including a business with experience working with a startup enterprises, experience growing businesses, experience with corporate social responsibility or a business with experience working with the nonprofit sector; `(D) philanthropy, including an understanding of philanthropic challenges in urban and rural areas and in areas that are philanthropically underserved; `(E) qualitative and quantitative social science research, including scientifically-rigorous evaluations of program effectiveness; data driven decision making and evidence-based policymaking; `(F) volunteering, including effective volunteer management; and `(G) government, including the management of government agencies and the role of government programs in providing services. `(2) OTHER QUALIFICATIONS- The Advisory Panel shall include a diverse range of individuals, including young people, and individuals from diverse economic, racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds, and individuals from diverse geographic areas. `(k) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.'.
1806. CLEARINGHOUSES. Subtitle H is further amended by adding at the end the following: `PART IV--NATIONAL SERVICE PROGRAMS CLEARINGHOUSE `SEC. 198G. NATIONAL SERVICE PROGRAMS CLEARINGHOUSE. `(a) In General- The Corporation shall provide assistance, either by grant, contract, or cooperative agreement, to entities with expertise in the dissemination of information through clearinghouses to establish one or more clearinghouses for the national service laws. `(b) Function of Clearinghouse- Such a clearinghouse may-- `(1) assist entities carrying out State or local service-learning and national service programs with needs assessments and planning; `(2) conduct research and evaluations concerning service-learning or programs receiving assistance under the national service laws unless the recipient is receiving funds for such purpose under part III of subtitle B and under subtitle H; `(3)(A) provide leadership development and training to State and local service-learning program administrators, supervisors, service sponsors, and participants; and `(B) provide training to persons who can provide the leadership development and training described in subparagraph (A); `(4) facilitate communication among entities carrying out service-learning programs and programs offered under the national service laws and participants in such programs; `(5) provide and disseminate information and curriculum materials relating to planning and operating service-learning programs and programs offered under the national service laws, to States, Territories, Indian tribes, and local entities eligible to receive financial assistance under the national service laws; `(6) provide and disseminate information regarding methods to make service-learning programs and programs offered under the national service laws accessible to individuals with disabilities; `(7) disseminate applications in languages other than English; `(8)(A) gather and disseminate information on successful service-learning programs and programs offered under the national service laws, components of such successful programs, innovative curricula related to service-learning, and service-learning projects; and `(B) coordinate the activities of the Clearinghouse with appropriate entities to avoid duplication of effort; `(9) make recommendations to State and local entities on quality controls to improve the quality of service-learning programs and programs offered under the national service laws; `(10) assist organizations in recruiting, screening, and placing a diverse population of service-learning coordinators and program sponsors; `(11) disseminate effective strategies for working with disadvantaged youth in national service programs as determined by organizations with an established expertise working with such youth; `(12) collaborate with State and local Mentoring Partnerships and directly with youth mentoring organizations to disseminate effective strategies for the recruiting, training, and screening of responsible adult mentors and best practices for building quality relationships between adult mentors and youth mentees; and `(13) carry out such other activities as the Chief Executive Officer determines to be appropriate.'
Credit Where Credit's Due
I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!! The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle published a "fact check" article on the oFluffy speech of Tuesday evening. Mr Zoibi... does Craig Dubow know you did this [Ziobi-President/Pub, D&C; Dubow-CEO of parent company, Gannett Co.]? Given the whole newpaper chain's socialist bent, I was taken aback to see this AP article published. Here's what they published, throwing caution to the wind as far as the kool-aid drinkers are concerned:
***"We will recover from this recession [blah,blah,blah]. No one really knows when the recession will end. The oFluffy budget forecasts the recession will continue through this year with a decline of 1.2% in the GDP. The budget predicts 3.2% for 2010; 4% annual growth for the next three years.
***"In this budget, we have made the tough choices necessary to cut our deficit in half by the end of my first term evern under the most pessimistic estimates." Not all credible estimates foresee a deficit halved in that time. oFluffy's budget forecast a deficit of $530billion by the end of 2013. To succeed, oFluffy is counting on a recovered economy, a tax boost for the rich and success in easing foreign entanglements. BUT his assertion that he can accomplish that "even under the most pessimistic estimates" flies in the face of an answer he gave moments later.
***"I suspect that some of the Republican critics have a short memeory, because, as I recall, I'm inheriting a $1.3trillion deficit, annual devicit, from them." True, former President Bush left that deficit but the Congress is deserving of a great majority of the "credit." The Congress which authorizes spending and is not blameless in driving up deficits, was controlled by democRATS in the last two years of the previous presidential term. [You have to decide for yourself; I contend that "Joe and Jane Six-pack" are not, and for many years have not, been represented in Congress. Now is the time to retake the U.S. Constitution and all it stands for!! Now is the time to prepare to VOTE THE BASTARDS OUT-all of 'em!!]
Til Nex'Time....

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