Category Archives: Abolition Of Work

Members of Nehawu burning tyres outside the offices of Gauteng Social Development. Photo: eNCA / Bafana Nzimande

Nehawu demands improved working conditions for child and youth care workers. Photo: eNCA / Bafana Nzimande

JOHANNESBURG Workers at the Department of Social Development belonging to the National Education Health and Allied Workers' Union have embarked on a nationwide strike.

Nehawu members declared a total shutdown of the Social Development offices in Johannesburg on Friday morning, burning tyres in the process.

They are demanding improved working conditions for child and youth care workers.

READ: Nehawu gears for national strike in Social Development sector

The union says its demands were first tabled to the employer in August 2015 and this year, on February 10, their members stageda nation-wide protest to resubmit the demands.

The union has accused the department of releasing an insulting propaganda statement after failing to table a counter offer to their proposal, which the department had for a month.

Nehawu members are demanding the following:

1. Placement of assistant community development practitioners (Masupatsela cadres) at the correct salary level.

2. Entry level for support staff from salary level 5 to 6.

3. Abolition of salary levels 2 and 3 for support staff.

4. The immediate roll-out of uniforms for cleaners and security officers.

5. The review of occupation specific dispensation (OSD) for social service professionals and occupations.

6. The introduction of a rural allowance.

7. The provision of tools of the trade.

8. The absorption of unemployed social workers on a permanent basis.

9. The permanent employment of all employees who are under the gender-based violence command centre.

10. Improved conditions of service for all employees in the Department of Social Development.

11. The implementation of the 2015 Social Work Indaba resolutions.

12. The insourcing of all Public Secure Care Centres outsourced to Bosasa.

13. The protection and respect of our noble council for social service professionals.

eNCA

23 February 2017

The warning was made following the march of about 1000 Nehawu members, who marched on the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Treasury in Pietermaritzburg to demand better conditions.

22 February 2017

The education and health workers believe their pay increases and job security will be affected by the finance minister's announcements.

01 February 2017

Nehawu said it plans to shut down all Western Cape National Student Financial Aid Scheme operations on Thursday, in the wake of the start of the new academic year.

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Social Development workers shut down offices - eNCA

Sometimes I wonder if we appreciate how much tax we actually pay and for what collective or personal benefit.

PAYE workers pay 25% (30% on earnings over $6m/annum) of taxable salary. What we can sometimes overlook - unless we carefully review our payslips - are the additional deductions (2.5% of total emoluments to NIS; 2.25% as Education tax; and 3% to NHT). So our intrepid PAYE worker finds at least 32.75% of his/her taxable salary separated at birth. Then he/she goes out into the world and pays another 11% of gross (16.5% of 67.5% left in the pay packet) as GCT.

It gets worse. If the frugal worker manages to save some 'what lef', Government gleefully slurps up 25% of any interest paid by his/her greedy banker, who has already extorted excessive 'fees' (plus GCT) for putting your money in a teller's drawer (or cashing your NIS pension cheque). By this time, our glassy-eyed PAYE worker ends up paying almost 50% of weakly (pun intended) sweat and tears to Government. Self-employed hacks pay over 50%, and companies pay 33.3% profits tax, plus matching contributions to the rest. In addition, companies are put to administrative cost as Government's tax collector for free as they must deduct these payroll taxes from employees' salary for remission to Government.

It's in this context that we should consider the feasibility of 2017-18 budgetary estimates that predict a massive increase in collections of 'old taxes', PLUS $14b in new taxes from the empty pockets of beat-up taxpayers already raped to the tune of 50%+ of their earnings. Also, before we roll over, wiggle our legs in the air, and apply Vaseline, we should carefully review what we're receiving in return for these taxes.

1. Income tax: This is the most egregious of all taxation because it literally represents Government picking the pockets of the poor to fund its operations while the wealthy and connected get away with murder. It's well known that Jamaica nurtures and nourishes flourishing underground economies (including a vast religious economic macrocosm) from which not a penny of tax is collected.

Income taxes should ensure that Government can provide, inter alia, educational, health, security, and infrastructural services. The philosophy underpinning this agreed pickpocketing exercise is that if taxpayers are prepared to utilise public-health services or public educational services, the additional expense should be as close to zero as makes no difference. Furthermore, infrastructural improvements should come with ongoing maintenance, so, for example, minefield-like potholes don't put harried taxpayers to unnecessary additional expense out of the 50% of salary he/she's permitted to keep, and modern, efficient, effective security forces should keep taxpayers safe.

Bottom line: We pay taxes to ensure we can spend the rest of our earnings as we like and not to repeat spend on things our taxes should be funding in full.

The premature abolition of hospital 'user fees' results in a broken-down public health system exemplified by the Cornwall Regional fiasco. Long before that particular kerfuffle, I was again prophetic when I wrote on January 29 ('The truth about leadership'):

"Leaders, tell us the truth about health care. Jamaica's health minister can make love to a camera better than Gary Cooper at high noon but only to broadcast babbling platitudes. Want to know the TRUTH? None of our public hospitals deserves the designation. All should be closed down for causing more disease than they cure."

Interior road surfaces destroy our ancient cars and eliminate taxis from participating. Key infrastructure is neglected until it becomes dangerous.

The JCF is so corrupt that no 'crime plan' can succeed or even be fairly assessed. CISOCA declared that the majority of high-profile perpetrators of alleged sexual intercourse involving underage persons were pastors and policemen.

Jamaica's education system focuses on standardised tests and cramming students through narrow tunnels to graduation like cattle with foot-and-mouth disease.

2. Education Tax: This 'dedicated tax', introduced with much fanfare for the express purpose of improving education, has instead been unceremoniously dumped in the Consolidated Fund with the same 'benefit' to taxpayers as income tax. No MP condemns this pusillanimous pilfering of taxpayers' earnings.

3. NIS: Miserly NIS pensions give senior citizens no social security. The delays in starting pension payments and the trouble seniors endure to collect make matters worse. Then seniors try to lodge their pension cheques in a bank that charges them twice the cheque's value (+ GCT).

4. NHT: This must be the Guy Lombardo Show! Created to provide low-cost housing solutions for the poor, the 'Trust' has proven most untrustworthy. When it isn't bailing out party hacks ('Outameni'), it's meekly handing over its surplus funds to central government for 'fiscal consolidation'. Bah, humbug!

All this is why one of the worst things done by this Government is the pernicious gas tax imposed on Thursday by Audley 'Are You' Shaw. Another was lowering the threshold for GCT on electricity. We know what this means. Deceptive devices like boasting 61% of JPS customers still fall below the threshold are cruel and unworthy.

No taxpayer can avoid this gas-electricity tax hike combo. If you don't drive, you must take buses or taxis, whose fares are about to shoot up commensurate with their increased petrol expenditure. If you decide to 'walk foot', you'll still buy bread, patty, yam, or flour, which will all be affected by increased transportation or electricity costs. Every business falls above the electricity threshold and must also pay the gas tax. Every business will pass along its increased expenditures to its customers. Tell us the truth, Audley.

All this is why one of the best things done by this Government was the significant increase in the income tax threshold to $1.5 million. This makes a real difference in people's disposable income. It's more than regrettable that the tax relief is given by the right hand and retrieved by the left, but Government does have a point that, at least, the additional taxation imposed to pay for '1.5' affects discretionary spending rather than coming directly from salaries.

Although this isn't what was promised, it's a reasonable compromise in all the circumstances, and one can easily read between the lines to see why it became necessary.

Speaking of reading brings me to Booklist Boyne's latest flight of fantasy. Either completely failing to comprehend my meaning or maliciously misrepresenting it, Booklist commented obliquely on my column on Vybz, suggesting that I supported Kartel's apparent ability to corrupt the prison system. Exposing himself as either a devout dunce or an incorrigible illiterate, Booklist wrote: "A silly comparison is made with Oku Onuora, who was allowed to do his poetry and to perform outside of prison as part of Manley's progressive prisoner rehabilitation programme in the 1970s. That was not done secretly. It was a part of government policy."

Really, Booklist? Seriously? I strongly recommend a course of JAMAL classes followed by a reread of my column when you'll discover I said EXACTYLY THAT. Oku Onuora, who I used as an example of creative work pursued while imprisoned, did so (in the main) within the rules, unlike Kartel, who appears to be breaking the rules.

THIS is what I wrote:

"There's nothing wrong with any artiste producing while in prison if it can be done within the rules. The 1970s dub poet Oku Onuora (born Orlando Wong) wrote while serving a 15-year sentence for armed robbery. In 1974, he was permitted by prison authorities to read his poetry with Cedric 'Im' Brooks' Light of Saba band performing in the prison. Afterwards, his work had to be smuggled out of prison (labelled 'subversive'). By 1976, all was forgiven and he won three prizes in the Jamaica Literary Festival. In 1977, he was allowed to perform in public at Tom Redcam library.

"If Kartel has corrupted the prison system to make this music, he should be convicted and sentenced along with prison officers found helping him.

"Any music produced by this method should be withdrawn from all aspects of the market. The fundamental characteristic of a prison sentence is that it's decided by a judge, not the convict. Also, it's meant to restrict the convict's freedom. Why should Vybz be free to bend prison rules as he likes while police hunt down robot taxis and strip off their tints?"

C'mon, Booklist! There are no multisyllabic words used. What REALLY is your problem?

Peace and love.

- Gordon Robinson is an attorney-at-law. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.

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Gordon Robinson | Taxed to death - Jamaica Gleaner

Edison-Steinmetz statue at the corner of Erie Boulevard and South Ferry Street.

Photographer: PETER R. BARBER

What would Eliphalet do?

As Union College mulls a decision on whether to accept a statue depicting two historic figures, one a notable alumnus and the other a heroine of the Underground Railroad, it may want to consider what longtime president Eliphalet Nott would have done.

For Frank Wicks, a retired electrical engineer, a Union emeritus professor and the individual putting up most of the money to finance a likeness of William Seward and Harriet Tubman, that question is a no-brainer. Nott would have enthusiastically welcomed it.

Seward was one of Notts prized pupils, Nott was his mentor, and Seward and Tubman had a very close connection, said Wicks, who has commissioned Penn Yann artist Dexter Benedict to produce a statue of Seward and Tubman. Nott had a very close relationship with a runaway slave, Moses Viney, and Seward and Tubman had the common cause of abolition. They were friends before, during and after the Civil War, and without Seward helping Tubman and providing a home for her in Auburn, we might not have heard so much about her.

Benedict, an art professor at Keuka College in central New York, is the same sculptor who in 2015 created a statue of General Electric icons Thomas Edison and Charles Steinmetz that isnow located on Erie Boulevard in Schenectady. Benedict also created a bust of Steinmetz on display on Wendell Avenue, where the Wizard of Schenectady lived. The man mostly responsible for those two pieces of work being in Schenectady is Brian Merriam, and Merriam heartily supports Wicks effort to bring another Benedict creation to the Union College campus.

Seward is an amazing character who is recognized in Washington, D.C., and Auburn, but not here in Schenectady, said Merriam, who only last week completed the work of lighting the Edison-Steinmetz statue at the corner of Erie Boulevard and South Ferry Street. Hes a Union graduate, a governor of New York, a secretary of state during the Civil War. I could argue hes done a lot more for this country than Chester Arthur, whose statue is on campus.

Wicks is hopeful the college will agree to place Seward and Tubman somewhere on the Union campus, preferably next to the statue of Arthur, the nations 21st president and 1848 Union grad. Dexters model shows Seward with a cane and Tubman holding a shepherds staff.

Im hoping and thinking the college will probably accept the statue, and if they dont well look for a spot off campus, maybe somewhere on Erie Boulevard, said Wicks, who has also gained support for his project from fellow Union professors Carl George and Twitty Styles. Im guaranteeing $62,000, thats my cost for the statue, but Im also looking for contributions.

With Tubman scheduled to replace Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill sometime by 2020, Merriam says her story and its connection to Seward is one that needs to be told.

This is going to be a national story, and where better to tell that story than at Union College in Schenectady, said Merriam, who added that another statue project honoring early female physician and state legislator Elizabeth Gillette is also taking formThere is a small plaque honoring Seward at the corner of Seward Place and Union Street, but if youre not looking for it youll miss it. A statue really draws everyones attention to this really dramatic story, and a prominent story like this one is a great way for Union to get national attention.

According to Marsha Mortimore of Rotterdam, a local black historian who helped Wicks research Tubmans life, a Seward-Tubman statue on the grounds of Union College makes perfect sense.

Its a natural fit, said Mortimore, who researched the history of blacks in Schenectady in her book, The Early African American Presence in the City and County of Schenectady. Its an awesome tribute. Along with their personal relationship, Seward and his wife financed some of Tubmans work with the Underground Railroad.

Tubmans friendship with Seward isnt her only tie to the Capital Region. Included in her many exploits is the story of runaway slave Charles Nalle, who was jailed in Troy in 1860 before a daring escape aided by Tubman. The pair reportedly hid out in Schenectady before Nalle continued his flight to freedom in Canada. He was eventually allowed to return to Troy after friends raised enough money to secure his freedom.

In May 2014, the Duryee Memorial AME Zion Church, with Mortimore leading the project, put up a historical marker at the southeast corner of State and Hulett streets in Hamilton Hill. The location near the church was chosenwhen its members chose to honor Tubman by changing the name of that section of Hulett Street to Harriet Tubman Way. Tubman was into her 90s when she died in her Auburn home, given her by Seward, in 1913.

Excerpt from:

Seward-Tubman statue hopes to find home at Union - The Daily Gazette

BENGALURU: Trained constables serving as cooks, manual workers and gardeners at the homes of senior police officers in state police will now be a thing of the past. After dilly-dallying for years, the Karnataka government has finally decided to do away with the system introduced by the British in the late 19th century through a formal notification on March 9.

"We have formally issued a government order to end the orderly system and replace it with followers," said P K Garg, principal secretary, home department.

According to the notification, the government has authorized different arms of the home department to directly appoint 50% of followers for their eligible officials, and extend home orderly allowance to officials to engage followers of their choice on a part-time basis. The home orderly allowances will enable the officers to engage a person of their choice to assist them in disposal of official work at their residence on a part-time basis.

To claim home orderly allowance, the notification says, the officer should certify that he has utilized the allowance for the specified purpose. Officers should also certify that they haven't utilized the service of any police constable, government orderly, and peon at their residence as home orderly.

According to estimates, over 3,000 constables and head constables in the state, including 1,229 in Bengaluru, work as orderlies for senior police officers.

Efforts to abolish 'koi hai', a legacy of British Raj, had faced stiff resistance, especially from senior IPS officers. However, abolition of this system was one of the long-pending demands of the constabulary. Though the idea was first mooted by former DG&IGP Ajai Kumar Singh, it gained steam after constables threatened to go on mass leave last year, pressing for their various demands, including abolition of the orderly system.

Senior police officers said the move will also help the state police save around Rs 50 crore that it spends on salaries of orderly constables and head constables. According to them, the government incurs an expenditure of nearly Rs 70-80 crore a year for providing orderlies to police officers. An orderly's average salary, including all benefits, ranges between Rs 3 lakh and Rs 3.5 lakh a year.

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With govt notification, orderly system finally out - Times of India

Junior Minister of Education, Culture Youth and Sport calls Phagwah Festival of Lights

Junior Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, Nicolette Henry on Friday saidDiwali-the Festival of Lights- instead of Phagwah, would be celebrated next Sunday

On Sunday, March 12, here in Guyana and around the world, Hindus will be celebrating Diwali- the Festival of Lights- and today, my Department of Culture, Youth and Sport is holding this its annual Phagwah celebrations in honour of this festival, she said.

Phagwah, the Hindu festival of colours or festival of love, will be celebrated on Sunday.

She described the festival as one of the most joyous festivals that helps to foster national harmony among the diverse Guyanese society and again called it Diwali. It is important that in this Diwali Celebration (several persons were heard correcting her) Phagwah, sorry, celebrations we all hold high to the vision for justice and betterment for all especially to the poor who will always be among us, she said.

This is not the first time that Henry has come under the spotlight, the first having to do with the use of plastic plates at a 50th Independence Anniversary State Dinner last year and the bungling of seating accommodation for the opposition at that years Flag Raising ceremony at Durban Park.

The Government Information Agency (GINA), in a release on the event, quoted Henry as saying during brief remarks at the event which was held at the Ministrys Main Street office, that Guyana is one of few countries blessed with many cultures.

May it bring joy, peace, health and wealth to you; may the festivities brighten your lives and those near and dear to you, Minister Henry said while extending Phagwah greetings to all Guyanese. She expressed hope that Guyanese can appreciate and enjoy each others culture, in keeping with the countrys motto, One People, One Nation, and One Destiny.

Persons were treated to cultural presentations in the form dance, songs, tassa drumming and a fashion display by members of the Cove and John Ashram.

Meanwhile, President David Granger and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo also extended Phagwah greetings to Guyanese.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo stated that, This years celebration coincides with the observance of the 100thAnniversary of the Abolition of Indian Indentureship. The ending of that system of exploitation of cheap labour, is indeed a triumph of good over evil. We are forever indebted to our Indian ancestors for preserving, against great odds, their religion, their rituals and their festivities, such as Phagwah, and Diwali, Mother Kali Puja and Yesu Kathas, Eid-ul-Adha, Youman Nabi, as well as other Christian ceremonies.

The Prime Minister added that, Though we face our challenges, we must all work together to overcome them, and to realise our common hope for the good life for all.

President David Granger speaking at a recent mela and cultural event hosted by the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh to mark the 100thyear since the abolition of Indian indentureship in Guyana, declared that there will be three national days of observance.

GINA said on March 12, President Granger is expected to officially announce that day as a national day of observance. The following day (March 13), Guyana will observe 104 years since the Rose Hall Estate Massacre where 15 persons were killed. That event is usually observed on different days in March each year.

The Head of State said that on May 3, the Government will officially declare that day as Portuguese Day since that is the day that ethnic group arrived in what was then British Guiana.

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Junior Culture Minister calls Phagwah Festival of Lights - Demerara Waves

After years of slogging away at work, even those who love their jobs have days where they cant wait for that magical period of retirement. But for a generation of the UK population, daydreams of holidays, rest and relaxation are being clouded by worries about whether they will ever be able to afford not to work.

Last summer, Theresa May promised to build an economy that works for every one of us, and the government established an Inclusive Economy Unit. But intergenerational inequality has continued to grow, due to the longterm shift in the pensions landscape.

There is now an entire generation those aged 30-45, the in-betweeners of people who are at a huge risk of under-saving for retirement. The previous generation has been provided for through a combination of funded pension provision and home ownership, and the generation after was introduced to auto-enrolment from a younger age, which should help to ensure that their income in retirement is at least adequate.

A closer look confirms our suspicions. The ONS recently found that while household incomes have increased for retirees in recent years, non-retired households still have less money, on average, than before the 2008 crash. At the same time, it released data showing overall income inequality had shrunk to levels comparable with the 1980s. This means that the gap between high and low earners has decreased, but the gap between the young and old has widened.

The generation following these in-betweeners has time on its side. Modelling by the Pension Policy Institute in 2015 showed that a median earner would need to contribute between 11 and 14 per cent of their earnings from age 22 to the State Pension age to maintain their living standards. Even then, this isnt certain these people only have a two-thirds probability of maintaining their standard of living.

For people who begin contributing later, the PPI says contribution levels to replicate working life living standards could be as high as 27 per cent. The average in-betweener would have been in their 30s when auto-enrolment was introduced, meaning they face a colossal challenge to make up the shortfall. Furthermore, the PPI report shows average employer contribution levels into defined contribution schemes were below four per cent of salary in 2014. While the minimum contribution levels are due to rise in 2018, the scale of the challenge for this generation is clear.

This growing intergenerational inequality has not gone unnoticed. Labour MP Frank Field has launched a select committee review of intergenerational fairness. In its preliminary report, the committee recommended the government undertake a forward-looking assessment of intergenerational income and wealth. Old Mutual Wealth has already embarked on the same process.

We recently conducted research with YouGov to better understand this generation who they are, what their savings habits are, and how they feel about their retirement. Of the more than 3,000 respondents, almost nine out of 10 agree it is important to save/ invest for the future. But 22 percent save 100 or less per month. Why? After they fork out each month for childcare costs, student debts and rent or mortgage payments, they simply dont have enough money left at the end of the month. The Bank of England says this trend is set to worsen: it predicts on record as households dig into savings to fuel spending.

Another key element of the problem is that this in-between generation keeps putting financial planning on the back burner. On average, those aged 30 said it would take them almost 10 years to start planning. As they moved through their mid-thirties, people began delaying even more.

This planning procrastination has resulted in just 13 per cent of 44- and 45-year-olds reporting to have a plan in place and we believe this is a key contributor to high levels of concern. Over half of the people surveyed feel negatively about their financial future.

The situation these in-betweeners find themselves in is not generally of their own making. The reasons are complex, but things that may have been taken as fairly straightforward by previous generations owning your own home and building up a funded pension are much more challenging for this generation.

At the moment we operate a pay as you go system for state pensions, meaning the national insurance paid today funds the current generation of retirees. While the system has its merits, society has changed and its creating a problem. As society gets greyer, working-age taxpayers face a growing bill to cover the state pension.

Changes to the state pension were introduced, in part, in recognition of this. The package of changes included the triple lock, rising state pension ages and the abolition of the earnings-related part of the state pension. The underlying premise of these three changes was to replace the state pension with a new deal, in which the state pension started later but was of a decent amount, indexed at a reasonable level. The triple lock ensures that the state pension increases each year by either earnings growth, inflation or 2.5 per cent, whichever is highest. The issue with the triple lock is that regardless of what is happening to peoples earnings generally or the state of the economy, the state pension will ratchet up by at least 2.5 per cent. This ratchet effect has been key to rectifying the relative decline in the state pension that occurred between the 80s to the 00s.

However, the scenario has changed again and policy needs to reflect that. There are some options that could ensure the social contract remains in place. For instance, now that the relative decline in the state pension has reversed, the triple lock should be reviewed from 2020 and replaced with an earnings link. In times when earnings fall behind price inflation, an above-earnings increase could kick in until real earnings growth resumes. The government should also consider future policy on universal pensioner benefits. Targeting these benefits more efficiently could help leave something in the pot for younger generations.

Another option for policymakers to consider is increasing auto-enrolment contributions to help this generation make ground more quickly. An agerelated approach to maximum autoenrolment contributions and the use of nudge techniques to minimise opt-outs should be considered.

Doing nothing is not an option. If Theresa May wants to build an economy for all of us, she must not forget that a whole generation currently has little hope of escaping work and spending its days of retirement in the sun.

To view all of Old Mutual Wealths retirement reports, visit: https://www.oldmutualwealth.co.uk/products-and-investments/pensions/pensions2015/retirement-reports/

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Decisive action is needed to prevent a retirement crisis - New Statesman

Ad will collapse in seconds CLOSE March 9, 2017 03/09/2017 10:15 a.m. By Ed Kilgore

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There have been a lot of raised eyebrows about congressional Republicans rushing out an Obamacare repeal-and-replace bill before it could be scored that is, evaluated for its impact on federal spending and revenues and health-care coverage by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. Generally, CBO scoring would be a foundational step before trying to advance legislation significantly overhauling an industry that constitutes 20 percent of the national economy. One reason for the hastiness is that Republicans wanted to get something out there before its members go home for a long and potentially protest-filled Easter recess and perhaps come back gun-shy. Another is that they are on a self-imposed (and potentially self-imploding) timetable to get health care out of the way so they can deal with other legislative priorities, including a giant tax-cut bill.

But it is the third reason for not waiting on CBO that is looking most compelling right now: Republicans are terrified that CBOs numbers will paint a disastrous picture of the American Health Care Acts impact. The bill has problems enough without being described by Congresss own hirelings as a bill that blows up budget deficits, throws many millions of people out of their health insurance, and, perhaps most importantly, undermines the tax cuts and defense-spending increases Republicans are itching to enact by setting a baseline that already looks bad.

Indeed, as Jennifer Haberkorn reports, there is so much Republican angst over what CBO might say that there is a sudden barrage of advance criticism of the agency, which is likely to reveal its score later this week or early next week:

If you go back to what CBO predicted would be covered on the exchanges today [under the ACA] theyre only off by only a two-to-one ratio, Energy and Commerce Chairman Greg Walden (R-Ore.) told reporters. CBO said 21 million projected would be covered, but only 10 million people are covered.

When former House Speaker Newt Gingrich called for the abolition of CBO back in January, most observers probably chuckled at the old bomb-thrower insisting that an objective assessment of GOP plans would screw everything up. Now thats rapidly becoming the conventional wisdom. Keep in mind that Republicans, after taking control of both congressional chambers in 2014, hired CBOs current director, George W. Bush administration veteran Keith Hall. Its safe to say that Hall hardly resembles Gingrichs description of CBO as a left-wing, corrupt, bureaucratic defender of big government and liberalism.

So whats the solution? Republicans seem to have found an alternative source of authoritative-sounding numbers that is more ideologically reliable: the Office of Management and Budget, which is directly under the control of the president.

This helps explain why Trumps OMB director, Mick Mulvaney, is suddenly being described as a player in the GOPs very crowded health-care-policy arena. As budget maven Stan Collender pointed out when Gingrich proposed eliminating CBO, such a step would quite literally turn the clock back to those pre-1974 days when OMB was the only scoring entity, and Congress had no independent source of information. In the end Congress can use whatever numbers it chooses. But trying to boost the credibility of its agenda by cooking the books is probably not going to be a very persuasive approach.

One would normally think Mulvaney had enough on his plate developing Trumps first budget, for example without having to leap into the middle of the health-care fray. Thats how panicked Republicans have become by the consequences of their shoddy work on repealing and replacing Obamacare. Its one thing to work the refs when you are in danger of losing a game. Its another thing altogether to fire and replace the scorekeeper while the balls in play.

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Her ouster following a corruption scandal could have a major impact on how Asia and the U.S. handle North Korea.

Tom Cotton tells CNN that Paul Ryans bill would not solve the problems of our health-care system and would make things probably worse.

A suspect was arrested in the rampage that occurred at the main train station in Dusseldorf. Police have not named a motive.

He appears ready to move from one doomed bill to another.

Low unemployment and minimum-wage increases sparked strong wage growth at the bottom of Americas income ladder in Obamas final year.

The space probe Cassini captured these shots as its mission nears the end.

Police say the person is likely using a spoofer device, which makes it seem as if the threat is coming from the inside.

He also addressed domestic-violence allegations raised against him.

Three states will ask him to rule that his suspension of the first travel ban applies to the second.

Temperatures in the 50s and 60s Thursday, three to five inches of snow Friday.

Even as Trumpcare hemorrhages support, Republicans are working around the clock to get it to the floor.

Landlords also continued offering near-record levels of sweeteners, such as a months free rent.

Once hes done with Obamacare and tax reform, Trump hopes to fund highway renovation, high-speed rail, and, possibly, Elon Musks Hyperloop.

One British paper is reporting that Farage and Assange met at the Ecuadorian embassy.

One of its attorneys tells the Washingtonian that hes clearly using the office to gain an advantage over local businesses.

A decrease of about 40 percent from January, and coyotes have more than doubled their fees since November.

That puts him at odds with NASA and NOAA, among many others.

Gulp.

On the brink of what many fear will be a terrible-looking score of its health-care bill, congressional Republicans may just get a new scorekeeper.

The proposed budget would slash all funding for community development and drastically reduce rental assistance to the poor.

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How Republicans Might Fudge the Numbers to Make Their Health Care Bill Seem Less Irresponsible - New York Magazine

In this system of proportional representation, even the smallest parties can play an outsize role as kingmakers in building a 76-seat majority.

Here is a guide for navigating the alphabet soup of Dutch politics:

Liberal party. Led by Prime Minister Mark Rutte, the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy leans towards the right on the economy but is more progressive on social issues. Founded in 1948, it has been the ruling coalition partner in two successive governments since 2010. Rutte is vying for a third term as premier, but has vowed not to work with anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders.

Campaign theme: "Act. Normally." Despite positioning itself as the party of the status quo, Rutte has hardened his tone and recently told immigrants they should respect the country's norms "or leave".

Poll position: 1st, with 23-27 seats

Dutch Prime Minister Rutte.

Far-right, anti-Islam, anti-EU. Led by outspoken MP Geert Wilders, known for his blonde bouffant hair. With his Freedom Party (PVV) topping the polls he is eyeing the premiership but many say they will not work with him. Campaign theme: "Reclaim The Netherlands For Us". He has vowed to bar Muslim immigrants, close mosques, ban sales of the Koran and quit the EU.

The party is officially an association with just one member - Wilders.

Poll position: 2nd, with 21-25 seats

Dutch populist anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders.

The centrist Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), now led by Sybrand Buma, was founded in 1980. It has long held an important place in Dutch politics but as the country has become more secular, support has waned. Campaign slogan: "Choice for a better Netherlands". Its themes revolve around a strong society and the family.

Poll position: 3rd, with 18-20 seats

Leader of the Christian Democratic Appeal party Sybrand Buma, right, takes the escalator to the news desk of De Telegraaf newspaper.

Progressive and pro-European, D66, led by Alexander Pechthold is the Democracy party founded in 1966. Campaign slogan: "Together Stronger. Chances for Everyone" stressing education and jobs.

Poll position: 4th, with 17-19 seats

Alexander Pechtold of the D66 party stands second from the right for a group picture at De Telegraaf.

Ecologist. Founded in 1990, the "GreenLeft" party is led by Jesse Klaver, at 30 the country's youngest party leader. Amid a certain weariness with traditional politics, it has drawn increasing support, particularly among young voters. Campaign theme: "Time For Change".

Poll position: 5th, with 16-18 seats

Green Left party leader Jesse Klaver.

Founded in 1972, the Socialist Party is anti-EU. Campaign slogan: "Seize the Power". Has called for a fight against poverty, an increase of the minimum wage and the abolition of the European Commission.

Polls position: 6th with 13-15 seats

Socialist Party leader Emile Roemer laughs when talking to firebrand anti Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders.

Labour. Founded in 1946, it is the junior party in the outgoing coalition. Campaign slogan: "Forward Together". It has been campaigning on jobs, better housing, health and education. It has sought to reposition itself on the left, but lacks credibility after four years in government.

Poll position: 7th, with 11-13 seats

Leader of the Dutch Labour party PvdA Lodewijk Asscher.

SGP: Orthodox Protestant Calvinist, the Reformed Political Party was founded in 1918. It did not admit women members until 2006. Is against abortion and euthanasia. Could win three to five seats.

Christian Union (CU): May also take five to seven seats.

50+: The party for the over 50s. Could boost its seats to between four and six.

Animal Party: founded in 2002, works for animal rights. May take four to six seats.

Denk: Founded in 2015 by immigrants. Drawing increasing support from the Turkish and Moroccan communities. May take up to two seats.

Niet-stemmers: The party of non-voters. Has vowed never to vote in parliament.

FVD: Forum for Democracy, led by eurosceptic Thierry Baudet. Helped initiate last year's referendum against the EU-Ukraine treaty.

Artikel 1: The country's newest party launched in December by black TV presenter Sylvana Simons to fight racism.

Jesus Lives: Evangelist, founded in 2013 and says it lives by the commands of Jesus.

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Who's who in Dutch politics - SBS

Self-employed people such as plumbers will face higher national insurance contributions thanks to measures in the budget. Photograph: Alamy Stock Photo

The tax advantages enjoyed by the UKs millions of self-employed people will be dramatically reduced following a series of major changes in the budget.

Appearing to reverse a Conservative party manifesto pledge from 2015, Philip Hammond risked irking his backbenchers and party supporters by announcing he is to close tax benefits that are no longer justified by increasing the national insurance contributions (NICs) for self-employed people earning more than 16,250 a year.

Announcing his changes, the chancellor said an employee earning 32,000 a year currently faces an NI bill of 6,170 along with their employer, while the bill for a self-employed person earning the same salary would be 2,300.

Historically, the differences in NICs between those in employment and the self-employed reflected differences in state pensions and contributory welfare benefits, he said.

But with the introduction of the new state pension, these differences have been very substantially reduced.

Hammond told MPs the changes would raise 145m a year after taking into account George Osbornes abolition of a separate class of self-employed national insurance contributions, class 2.

He said class 4 NICs for the self-employed would rise from 9% to 10% in April 2018 and then to 11% in April 2019 on income up to the higher rate threshold of 45,000. The new rates are still lower than for employees who pay NI at 12% on the same income levels, while both groups will continue to pay at 2% on income above the higher rate threshold.

However, some self-employed people appeared to have been insulated from another of the chancellors new initiatives.

The changes to the taxation of dividends was criticised for leaving the door open to massive tax avoidance by wealthy people working for their own companies. New data published by the Office for Budget Responsibility showed that a previous increase in dividend taxes resulted in much of the benefit falling to just 100 individuals who were able to withdraw dividends averaging 30m each from their companies before the higher tax rate took effect.

The new NI policy was welcomed by the Resolution Foundation, a living standards thinktank, which said: These tax differences are actually driving the big increase in self-employment weve seen in recent years, which in turn is undermining the taxmans ability to get revenues in.

To put that in context: 45% of the employment growth since 2008 has been driven by rising self-employment (and no, its got very little to do with headlines about the gig economy), with the lower tax take that implies.

However, the increase has triggered criticisms that the Conservatives are reneging on a 2015 manifesto pledge that committed the government to no increases in VAT, income tax or national insurance while the reception from the business community was less than positive.

Labour said it would oppose the policy, with the shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, saying: Labour will oppose the 2bn Tory tax on self-employed lower-middle earners.

Chris Leslie, former Labour shadow chancellor, said during the Commons debate on the budget: On the point about the increase in national insurance contributions for the self-employed, dont you think that the chancellor needs to explain why hes breaking a manifesto promise made in the 2015 general election manifesto on that?

Hammond suggested the tax rise was justified because the self-employed could now access the state pension more easily. He planned to consult on extending parental rights to the self-employed, after a review by former Tony Blair adviser Matthew Taylor on the changing nature of the labour market reports later this year.

Rachel Reeves, a Labour MP on the treasury select committee, said: While it is right for the chancellor to say that we should look at access to maternity and paternity benefits for the self-employed, what about the other benefits that people take for granted if they are direct employees, such as sickness benefits, out-of-work benefits and access to universal credit?

John Overs, partner at international law firm Berwin Leighton Paisner, said: The chancellor equates the position of the employed and self-employed, including those working for their own companies, doing similar jobs and earning similar amounts, but fails to appreciate the self-employed normally have much more financial risk and much less security than the employed. Trying to equalise tax treatment fails to recognise these differences.

A rethink may be in order if we do not want to turn away entrepreneurs and wealth creators from this country.

Chas Roy-Chowdhury, head of taxation at the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, added: Before this tax is raised, the government needs to think carefully about ways to align the level of benefits.

In a time when we are trying to encourage innovation and create a Britain that is open for business, we should not be creating barriers to entrepreneurship and self-employment.

In his speech, the chancellor said: Since 2016 self-employed workers now build up the same entitlement to the state pension as employees, a big pension boost to the self-employed.

The most significant remaining area of difference is in relation to parental benefits, and I can announce today that we will consult in the summer on options to address the disparities in this area as the FSB [Federation of Small Businesses] and others have proposed.

Hammond also announced that he was addressing similar benefits enjoyed by people who are directors and shareholders, by cutting the tax-free allowance on the dividends they take out of their companies from 5,000 to 2,000 from April next year.

However, the moves may not prove to be as costly to people drawing dividends as assumed, as the announcement of the lower allowance presents taxpayers with the opportunity of lowering their bills by drawing dividends in advance.

In the July 2015 budget, the basic, higher and additional rates of taxation on individual dividend income rose by 7.5 percentage points, with the changes coming into effect in April 2016.

In the OBRs economic and fiscal outlook, which is published alongside the budget, the watchdog estimated that such action cost the exchequer 800m.

The report added: HMRC analysis suggests that around one pound in seven of that saving benefited just 100 individuals who were able to withdraw dividends averaging 30m each from their companies before the higher tax rate took effect.

Jolyon Maugham QC, a tax barrister at Devereux Chambers and a director of the Good Law Project, said: Every now and then the government does something so awful with the tax system as almost to be venal. Why would you deliberately because the government knew this would happen leave the door open to massive tax avoidance?

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Self-employed hit by national insurance hike in budget - The Guardian

Women around the world took to the streets on Wednesday to protest for equal rights and against President Donald Trump for International Women's Day .

Many women skipped work, boycotted stores or wore red to demand economic fairness as part of the 'A Day Without a Woman' demonstration.

Americans seized on the momentum of the Women's March on Washington DC on January 21, the day after Trump's inauguration , to once again denounce his policies on abortion and healthcare.

The nationwide events were modelled in part after pro-immigrant demonstrations on February 16, the latest in a series of anti-Trump protests since his election.

By having women flex their economic muscle, organisers hope to call attention to the gender pay gap, access to reproductive health services, and Trump's actions that have restricted abortion overseas.

Protesters calling for a repeal of Ireland's strict abortion laws brought traffic in Dublin's city centre to a standstill.

Rules on terminating a pregnancy in once stridently Catholic Ireland are among the world's most restrictive and thousands of Irish women travel abroad, mostly to England, for abortions each year.

A referendum on widening access could be held if a citizens' assembly set up by the government recommends it in a decision expected next month.

Some 2,000 activists seeking the abolition of the eighth amendment of the constitution, which enshrines an equal right to life of the mother and her unborn child, blocked Dublin's O'Connell bridge on the main thoroughfare of the capital.

Pictures on social media showed hundreds more marching in cities and university campuses around the country in protests timed to coincide with International Women's Day celebrations.

"I would like to have the right to autonomy over my own body," said Grainne O'Sullivan, a pregnant 38-year-old graphic designer who closed her studio to join the Strike 4 Repeal protest in Dublin.

"It's a disgrace in today's age that Ireland doesn't have that, that women still have to march, have to strike to let people know that they deserve to make choices. Women in pain shouldn't have to get on an airplane to go to a different country to solve the problems in Ireland."

Cat Little, a 38-year-old animator who also took the day off work, said she wanted to have a third child without the health risk she said the constitutional amendment places her under.

More protesters, some dressed in black like many in the main march in Dublin, also gathered outside the Irish Embassy in London, photographs on social media showed.

If a referendum is recommended by the citizens' assembly -- which consists of 99 randomly selected members of the public -- a vote would then be needed in parliament to set one up, potentially paving the way for a plebiscite in 2018.

Abortion has been a divisive issue for decades in Ireland.

At present, terminations are allowed only if a mother's life is in danger, after a complete ban was lifted in 2013 following large street protests by people on both sides of the debate.

Anti-abortion supporters demand no further changes to the law, to safeguard all life.

"The reality is that this is not a strike, this is a stunt," Niamh U Bhriain, a spokeswoman for the Life Institute, an anti-abortion group, said in a statement.

Debra Sands, 37, a middle school teacher, joined thousands of women at New York City's Central Park after her students convinced her to attend the rally.

"This past year's election made me realize that voting in November isn't enough," Sands said.

New York police reported 13 arrests at the protest in midtown Manhattan although details were not immediately available.

In San Francisco, where about 1,500 people gathered, Christine Bussenius, 37, said she and her female colleagues at Grey Advertising convinced their all-male managers to give them the day off and participate in the rally.

"We were nervous," she admitted. "But the men stepped up to fill in the void."

Rallies were held in numerous US cities, including Washington, where demonstrators gathered at the US Labor Department.

Female staffers at Fusion Media Group's Gizmodo declared they were striking for the day.

At least three US school districts, in Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina, closed because of staff shortages after teachers requested the day off.

Nearly 1,000 women converged outside Los Angeles City Hall, many of them critical of the Republican-backed healthcare bill that would strip women's health and abortion provider Planned Parenthood of funding.

"It's terrifying. It's anti-woman," said Kassia Krozsur, 53, a finance professional.

About 200 gathered in Atlanta, where signs read "We are sisters" and "Stop Trump."

"If we want to change what is going on, we need to turn anger into action. People need to run for local office," organiser Rebekah Joy said.

Events large and small were held in cities around the world.

Across the Texas border, women in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, painted crosses on lamp posts in solemn remembrance of the hundreds of women who have gone missing or were murdered there in recent years.

In Tbilisi, Georgia, women performed "Glass Ceiling," simulating being trapped by the barely visible barrier that stands between women and workplace equality.

They banged drums in Kiev, Ukraine, and played soccer in Nairobi, Kenya.

In Sanaa, capital of war-torn Yemen, women dressed in niqabs, the all-black garments that cover the entire body except for an opening over their eyes, held up a sign reading, "You keep silent while our children die!"

Not all American women, however, were on board with the call for a women's strike, with some critics citing the vagueness of the movement's aims and the disruption of work stoppages.

Trump, whose 11-year-old comments about grabbing and kissing women against their will surfaced during the campaign, took to his Twitter account early on Wednesday to cite International Women's Day and the "critical role" of women around the world.

"I have tremendous respect for women and the many roles they serve that are vital to the fabric of our society and our economy," the Republican president tweeted.

International Women's Day protests spread globally

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Women worldwide skip work to protest pay gap, abortion laws and Donald Trump on International Women's Day - Mirror.co.uk