How state lawmakers pump up pensions in ways you can't – USATODAY.com

I heard people talking about this at the coffee shop--thought they must be wrong, but apparently not. More than 4,100 legislators in 33 states are positioned to benefit from special retirement laws that they and their predecessors have enacted to boost their pensions by up to $100,000 a year.

How state lawmakers pump up pensions in ways you can't – USATODAY.com

Too noisy today for my regular table

I think they were bandies (members of the Upper Arlington High School Band) having a good time, but it was too noisy to read, so I moved to another part of the store. There I overheard some men talking about friends and relatives they love, but don't understand because they voted for Obama.

"My brother and sister-in-law are very liberal--we no longer discuss politics. They have an expensive car, nice home, but they cheat on their taxes. Drives my mother crazy."

Coffee Art® | coffee + creativity = art

I've noted this "coffee as watercolor" blog before. Still enjoy looking at it.

Coffee Art® | coffee + creativity = art

Proud and relieved Dad

Chatted with a man in the coffee shop who said his son just got an MBA at The Ohio State University--and a job! His daughter received a B.S. in Education (also from OSU) and has her first teaching job. His third child is a junior. He says it's very, very quiet at home.