Name:	Casey -	Reply
Subject:	Local politics
Date:	4/12/2017 8:47:40 AM (updated 4/12/2017 8:50:42 AM)

What's your opinion on Kay Ivey?  She already saved the state $90,000 in one day by terminating Jon Mason.

Name:	phil -	Reply
Subject:	Local politics
Date:	4/12/2017 2:26:51 PM

From what little I know of her I like her, she can not do any worse the Bentley and should hopefully by her age have her lust under control.

She accepted the resignation of Jon Mason - good start.

Name:	lucky67 -	Reply
Subject:	Local politics
Date:	4/12/2017 6:04:16 PM

lock up the mini-bar

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Local politics
Date:	4/12/2017 11:18:07 PM

I just heard that today.  And she has a very manly voice. 

I think it is going to be interesting to see where the Mason's end up in all of this.  It has always been my theory that Mason and his wife were in this together, to get as much for themselves as they could get.  Did anyone ever think that perhaps she was keeping all his messages and texts to eventually file a sexual harassment suit against him, but the news leaked before she could do so? 

Anyway, Ms. Ivey will only be on the job for another year and a half.  Even if she doesn't do anything, she'll be better than Bentley.  But I suspect we will see heads roll as she applies some justice for those who knew and said nothing.  We can only hope that between now and the next election, they will find someone half way decent to run.  I thought NJ had corrupt politics until I moved here.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	sorry for all the deletes
Date:	4/12/2017 11:21:32 PM

My computer is acting up.  It's been doing it all night.

Name:	Mack -	Reply
Subject:	Ummm, That Would Be a No...
Date:	4/15/2017 8:01:29 PM

MS. Ivey held the reins to the Alabama Treasury purse 2003 thru 2012 during which time the Stock Market "adjusted" itself downward by about 8000 DJIA points over several months. I was a participant in the State's PACT education pre-funding program. I had invested $22,000 for my Grandson's college in-state tuition to be paid in @ 2022.

Disaster. Ms. Ivey did not divert PACT investments to more stable funds available at the time. The PACT nearly bankrupted as a result. The next Treasurer < Mr. Young Boozer (my, my) settled class action suits for the State that will result in a PACT valuation at 2010 levels rather than the cost of tuition in 2021.

Confidence in Ms. Ivey? No way. She did not control her responsibilities to citizens in 2008 and she will not now. That experience taught me, finally, to NEVER>>>NEVER allow a GOVERNMENT AGENCY to manage anything for me that I can manage myself. NOTHING.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Ummm, That Would Be a No...
Date:	4/15/2017 8:28:32 PM

It's sad to think that all the smart people, and people who want to make a difference don't go into politics.  Or if they do, they quickly get corrupted.  I knew before I got here that Alabama politics that it wasn't pretty (and after all, I am from NJ), but this last year has set a new low bar. 

Name:	MrHodja -	Reply
Subject:	A Conundrum
Date:	4/15/2017 8:51:54 PM

So the conservative movement in Congress wants to move many programs back to the states.  Now I am a conservative but when I think about sending power AND MONEY back to places like Alabama, I wonder if that is really a wise move.  Maybe the money stays in DC but the states are able to point at the legitimate uses the states would like to see funded.  I don't know the answer but my wife worked for a company that did business with the State of Alabama and she said the level of systemic corruption is vast and pervasive.  I shudder at the thought but maybe the money is better held by an entity not mired in the sewage of Alabama politics.

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	A Conundrum
Date:	4/15/2017 9:26:26 PM

ONE issue is we should repeal the ammendment (17th Ithink) that changed senators to statewide elective office. The system was designed that the states two senators were there to represent the state interests, not the people directly. It was one of the first big wins of the progressive movement. We are screwed Billy now that Jeff Sessions isn't in the Senate any longer, replaced by Luther can't tell the truth er Strange. The ONLY time you hear anything from or about Shelby is when he is on the ballot. Bentleys appointment of Strange was at the very least unethical and quite possibly illegal. He was the AG with an open investigation into Bentley when Bentley appointed him. There is a law against prosecutors accepting jobs from folks they are investigating. There is one representative that swears Bentley told him he was aware Luther was corrupt so he was sending him to Washington to get him out of Alabama. I believe that probably did happen. Of course the real reason was to end the investigation. That worked out well for him, huh. I have also heard three representatives say if not for that appointment Bentley would still be governor. That was the straw that broke the camels back. Bentley also didn't set a special election so Luther won't have to run till next fall. He's been in Washington a few short days already raised nearly a million bucks. He is also already running campaign ads for an election in November of 2018..

I am hoping someone files ethics complaints or even a legal challenge to the appointment before we are stuck with him for 30+ years along with worthless Shelby.

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	Ummm, That Would Be a No...
Date:	4/15/2017 9:30:16 PM

WHat is interesting is compare the Retirement System of Alabama (RSA) performance over the same period. I am not praising RSA and the fellow running it, but pointing out the difference when it is their future income at stake compared to care given yours and many others money. It is shameful.

Name:	realfast64 -	Reply
Subject:	A Conundrum
Date:	4/15/2017 9:31:49 PM

 I have been told Bently and Strange share the same family tree!!

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Ummm, That Would Be a No...
Date:	4/16/2017 9:38:11 PM

I have long felt that the only reason people get into politics is to get richer.  Even if you aren't a millionaire when you enter office, you will be when you leave.  Shelby has long been known as a porker - ie. attaching add ons to bills, to bring money into AL.  But where does it go?  I'd bet it goes to cronies for projects that never get done and cronies keep re-electing him.  As far as Montgomery, it reminds me of a pile of rats, and every once in while a rat falls out, and they all scream "not me!"  Look at ASU.  Bentley was going to "fix" ASU, but then suddenly he decided that he didn't need to take it over. 

I think Hodja is right to a point, that maybe the money needs to stay in Washington and be doled out in limited amounts.  But then I imagine someone in Washington would decide that they could "borrow" that money (like SS) and never pay it back. 

Having lived in NJ for years, it's pretty corrupt there.  They started a lottery to fund education, but they continually have to fire teachers to keep education afloat.  Atlantic City gambling was supposed to be a huge boon to the state, but then the whole thing collapsed. 

Then look at governor McDonnel (can't remember if that is the right name) in VA.  He was corrupt, his wife was corrupt and ultimately he threw his wife under the bus so he could stay out of prison.  They convicted him, but he filed an appeal and got out. 

And I'm sure there are the same stories in every state.  No wonder cities are crime ridden and bankrupt. 

I had a woman who worked for me for a time.  Her husband's family was involved in DC city government, in contracts.... Mink coats, diamonds and other designer goods were gifts for Christmas.  You know they didn't get that money from their Christmas Clubs. 

Then there was a woman that worked in the DC tax office, that was writing "tax refunds" to a bunch of phony companies.  They figure over the years she embezzled millions.  Two other DC employees were in on it.  The only reason that they got caught was because she was using her niece as the check runner, and the bank became suspicious that the same women was depositing so much money into these accounts. 

Name:	GoneFishin -	Reply
Subject:	Ummm, That Would Be a No...
Date:	4/17/2017 1:40:27 PM

I can't imagine living a life where everytime there is a knock on the front door you wonder if it is the FBI. 

Name:	alahusker -	Reply
Subject:	A Conundrum
Date:	4/29/2017 9:01:59 PM

Have to think on this one Mr Hodji. Pretty sure leaving it with a corrupt/potentially corrupt unaccountable federal entity to be distributed to potentially corrupt, but hopefully accountable, state guys is not good idea.  A conundrum..  Might have to turn the donkey around on this one.. 

Name:	MrHodja -	Reply
Subject:	A Conundrum
Date:	4/29/2017 10:33:11 PM

Lol.  Even my donkey is at a loss for words on this one.

Name:	Mack -	Reply
Subject:	A Conundrum
Date:	4/30/2017 6:31:44 PM

Either way, today, one would meet an ass in both directions handling my money??

Name:	alahusker -	Reply
Subject:	A Conundrum
Date:	4/30/2017 6:59:02 PM

Nailed it mack.  just need decide which ass we want in front..  Social security, VA and lots of others might be a clue..