Members of Wisconsin State Employees Union, AFSCME Council 24, have begun circulating letters to businesses in southeast Wisconsin, asking them to support workers’ rights by putting up a sign in their windows.
If businesses fail to comply, the letter says, “Failure to do so will leave us no choice but (to) do a public boycott of your business. And sorry, neutral means 'no' to those who work for the largest employer in the area and are union members."
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Third Attempt on ASU Student Protest
Sunday's Watauga Democrat reported that 200 students and faculty protested higher tuition. Commenters keep stepping all over my message regarding these costs. No more sabotaging this message allowed.
25 WAYS TO REDUCE UNIVERSITY COSTS
“The recent explosion in tuition is at least partially attributable to the fact that administrative bureaucracies have ballooned out of control. This trend simply cannot continue as public sentiment over the upward spiraling costs worsens. Colleges need to refocus their mission on
providing a quality education at an affordable cost. This requires increases in worker efficiency and a return to a realistic pay structure. These goals can be achieved in a multitude of ways, including the consolidating comparable departments and positions, implementing an incentive-based compensation system, filling administrative roles with students, outsourcing non- education related services and making effective use of technology.”
The above is the conclusions of a research study regarding cutting costs in higher education.
25 WAYS TO REDUCE UNIVERSITY COSTS
“The recent explosion in tuition is at least partially attributable to the fact that administrative bureaucracies have ballooned out of control. This trend simply cannot continue as public sentiment over the upward spiraling costs worsens. Colleges need to refocus their mission on
providing a quality education at an affordable cost. This requires increases in worker efficiency and a return to a realistic pay structure. These goals can be achieved in a multitude of ways, including the consolidating comparable departments and positions, implementing an incentive-based compensation system, filling administrative roles with students, outsourcing non- education related services and making effective use of technology.”
The above is the conclusions of a research study regarding cutting costs in higher education.
Surviving On Grants
There Really Isn't Any Santa Claus!
A few months back I was reading something in the local press about the town of Boone's "lobbying expenses". As I recall, the town budgeted for two lobbyists whose job was to lobby Washington for tax dollars to be spent on grants and/or projects in Boone.
Probably I was the only one that saw the irony in paying taxes to a federal government and then paying MORE taxes to local government so that they could spend those tax dollars lobbying the federal government for the return of some of the tax dollars I had sent there.
We have conditioned our people to believe that Federal money is "free" money - if we don't get it here, then it will go somewhere else. The problem is, Federal money is still MY TAX DOLLARS. It may come out of a different pocket, but it's still MY pants they are taking it from.
Federal grants to state/local governments also come with strings attached. Subsidizing a new program for a year or two in exchange for local governments continuing to fund the program for years and years thereafter. We thus start with Federal dollars from one pocket being spent locally and then, after two years, we start paying for the program out of a different pocket. How does this make sense for a program that we can little afford and which is unnecessary to begin with?
And then there is the law of unintended consequences.
Clinton Township in Michigan was tempted by a federal grant from "Homeland Security" for rehiring of seven laid-off firefighters. The catch? Once the money was accepted, Clinton could not lay off any firefighters for a future specified period of time. Township officials were reluctant to commit to the future 'no lay-off' provision; with a declining tax base and facing severe budgetary problems, they felt it was not prudent to make such a commitment.
They did find a solution though.....they voted to lay off an additional 12 firefighters BEFORE applying for the grant!
A few months back I was reading something in the local press about the town of Boone's "lobbying expenses". As I recall, the town budgeted for two lobbyists whose job was to lobby Washington for tax dollars to be spent on grants and/or projects in Boone.
Probably I was the only one that saw the irony in paying taxes to a federal government and then paying MORE taxes to local government so that they could spend those tax dollars lobbying the federal government for the return of some of the tax dollars I had sent there.
We have conditioned our people to believe that Federal money is "free" money - if we don't get it here, then it will go somewhere else. The problem is, Federal money is still MY TAX DOLLARS. It may come out of a different pocket, but it's still MY pants they are taking it from.
Federal grants to state/local governments also come with strings attached. Subsidizing a new program for a year or two in exchange for local governments continuing to fund the program for years and years thereafter. We thus start with Federal dollars from one pocket being spent locally and then, after two years, we start paying for the program out of a different pocket. How does this make sense for a program that we can little afford and which is unnecessary to begin with?
And then there is the law of unintended consequences.
Clinton Township in Michigan was tempted by a federal grant from "Homeland Security" for rehiring of seven laid-off firefighters. The catch? Once the money was accepted, Clinton could not lay off any firefighters for a future specified period of time. Township officials were reluctant to commit to the future 'no lay-off' provision; with a declining tax base and facing severe budgetary problems, they felt it was not prudent to make such a commitment.
They did find a solution though.....they voted to lay off an additional 12 firefighters BEFORE applying for the grant!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Morris Suggests Cuts
"And, if the negotiations do not succeed and a government shutdown looms, just shut down the foreign aid budget. The House should pass the rest of the CR. Let the rest of the government operate as usual; just foreign aid will no longer be dispensed. Democrats cannot and will not trigger a general shutdown to protect the foreign aid budget, believe me."Dick Morris
Aid to nations
Aid to nations
Students to protest ASU budget cuts
From Wednesday DEMOCRAT
By: Lauren K. Ohnesorge
Newly minted student organization Appalachian Defends Education plans a student walk out at Appalachian State University Thursday to protest yet-to-be-decided budget cuts.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
another variation on the theme!
By: Lauren K. Ohnesorge
Newly minted student organization Appalachian Defends Education plans a student walk out at Appalachian State University Thursday to protest yet-to-be-decided budget cuts.
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another variation on the theme!
Debt May Force Alabama County Into Bankruptcy
There is a lot more to this story than just excessive spending. There is corruption, financial speculation AND a county that spent more than it could afford to pay back.
In this case, they actually PASSED a tax increase at the county level, but were overturned by the courts.
Fortunately, Watagua county voters had enough sense to elect a County Commission who recognize that we can't continue to borrow, spend and then raise taxes to cover our excesses.
We still have the debt though, and we must still pay it back and, the voters have made it pretty clear that they don't want their pockets picked any more!
The Alabama Story
In this case, they actually PASSED a tax increase at the county level, but were overturned by the courts.
Fortunately, Watagua county voters had enough sense to elect a County Commission who recognize that we can't continue to borrow, spend and then raise taxes to cover our excesses.
We still have the debt though, and we must still pay it back and, the voters have made it pretty clear that they don't want their pockets picked any more!
The Alabama Story
Monday, March 28, 2011
How Government Budget Cuts Work
Everybody wants to go to heaven - B U T , Nobody wants to die!
Following the 2010 elections, I made a point here that voters wanted the hard decisions to be made, but once our newly elected representatives started to make those hard decisions, the constituents effected would rebel.
County commissioners who oppose a sales tax increase will likely not receive many votes from members of the local branch of the teachers union, who see a tax increase as synonymous with a pay increase for themselves.
State level cuts in funding the UNC system will draw protests from those whose paychecks come from colleges within that system. Cuts to the road maintenance budget will not go down well with rural people who live on state roads which are almost impassable at times. And, of course, any reduction in welfare payments or social programs will create a political backlash from the beneficiaries of those programs.
A good article in today's POLITICO focuses on this issue in some specific states.
County commissioners who oppose a sales tax increase will likely not receive many votes from members of the local branch of the teachers union, who see a tax increase as synonymous with a pay increase for themselves.
State level cuts in funding the UNC system will draw protests from those whose paychecks come from colleges within that system. Cuts to the road maintenance budget will not go down well with rural people who live on state roads which are almost impassable at times. And, of course, any reduction in welfare payments or social programs will create a political backlash from the beneficiaries of those programs.
A good article in today's POLITICO focuses on this issue in some specific states.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Obama's Manipulation of the Media
Limbaugh calls CBS, NBC and ABC, government controlled media. Today Obama provided him with more empirical evidence. Hillary Clinton and Gates were sent by the administration to talk about Libya on both NBC and ABC Sunday talk shows. They refused to be on Fox. Reward those you control and punish those you can’t.
Thinking about Single Payer Health Care?
THIS is government provided health care
the country. The Leader reports that unemployment on Pine Ridge is more than 70 percent. The resultant deep-rooted poverty and rural isolation foster depression, alcoholism, drug use/abuse and malnutrition, creating what the Leader terms Third World health conditions.
SEE ARTICLE
South Dakota's Pine Ridge Indian Reservation Has Third World Health Conditions
U.S. Govt. Agreement to Provide Native Americans' Health Care is Underfunded
According to the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, Native Americans living on South Dakota's largest Indian reservation, Pine Ridge, are among the most impoverished and most lacking in health care of any people inSEE ARTICLE
Budget Crunch
It's not just NC, it's certainly not just Watuaga County and it's probably not going to get a lot better in the next year or two. Property values have declined, people are fed up with increasing taxes, fewer people are working and those that are working are making less money and income taxes are not producing the revenue they once did. All levels of government (that don't print money) are feeling the crunch. At the same time, public employee unions are insisting that they somehow be exempted from the economic realities everyone else is facing.
The following article from today's Washington Post is about Montgomery County - an affluent county of DC suburbs which has been a liberal stronghold for years. But, it could be anywhere -
WASHINGTON POST ARTICLE
(click on link and then click on article "A COUNTY LEAVES IT'S COMFORT ZONE" )
The following article from today's Washington Post is about Montgomery County - an affluent county of DC suburbs which has been a liberal stronghold for years. But, it could be anywhere -
WASHINGTON POST ARTICLE
(click on link and then click on article "A COUNTY LEAVES IT'S COMFORT ZONE" )
Saturday, March 26, 2011
For any who thought "MEDIA MATTERS" was an unbiased source....
Maybe NOW you will believe what conservatives have been telling you..
from POLITICO
The liberal group Media Matters has quietly transformed itself in preparation for what its founder, David Brock, described in an interview as an all-out campaign of “guerrilla warfare and sabotage” aimed at the Fox News Channel.
The group, launched as a more traditional media critic, has all but abandoned its monitoring of newspapers and other television networks and is narrowing its focus to Fox and a handful of conservative websites, which its leaders view as political organizations and the “nerve center” of the conservative movement. The shift reflects the centrality of the cable channel to the contemporary conservative movement, as well as the loathing it inspires among liberals — not least among the donors who fund Media Matters’ staff of about 90, who are arrayed in neat rows in a giant war room above Massachusetts Avenue.
from POLITICO
The liberal group Media Matters has quietly transformed itself in preparation for what its founder, David Brock, described in an interview as an all-out campaign of “guerrilla warfare and sabotage” aimed at the Fox News Channel.
The group, launched as a more traditional media critic, has all but abandoned its monitoring of newspapers and other television networks and is narrowing its focus to Fox and a handful of conservative websites, which its leaders view as political organizations and the “nerve center” of the conservative movement. The shift reflects the centrality of the cable channel to the contemporary conservative movement, as well as the loathing it inspires among liberals — not least among the donors who fund Media Matters’ staff of about 90, who are arrayed in neat rows in a giant war room above Massachusetts Avenue.
Heaven, Hell, Ralph and Roger
One man's opinion on life ever after.
Ralph was a hell of a drummer. As a younger man he served in the Navy as a medic. He had a manicured beard and a tattoo. He was the coolest guy in the band. Men would share their drugs and women their bodies in every city at every gig. Ralph had a worldly presence about him, you wanted to hang with him. He was wrapped in a perfect package.
Roger was a drunk. He was as redneck as they come. He had a garage and could fix anything that ran. His passion was dirt track racing. Most of his time and profits were spent in his garage working on race cars. He lived hard. He was usually dirty. He couldn't spell very well and didn't know many 12th grade words. He didn't think twice about knocking on your door, drunk as hell at 2:30 in the morning just to visit. He was wrapped in a less than flattering package.
Ralph was married with two children. One had Down's Syndrome. His wife wasn't stupid. We came home to Boone one week and she and the kids were gone. Ralph was devastated but at the next gig it was business as usual. After he left the band we lost touch. I'd see him here and there from time to time but that was all. He remarried but that didn't last either. At one point I heard he was in jail for breaking and entering. I figured it was drugs at the root of it. I knew Ralph well and was sure he was not trustworthy. Finally I heard he found God. He got involved with a local church. He was out of jail and working on the grounds. The preacher, as a sponsor, was letting him live and work there as part of his parole arrangement. Everything was peachy until the preacher caught Ralph in bed with his wife. He could not be trusted. He left a trail of deceit that resulted in real people being hurt. The list goes on.
Roger was a man of his word. If he said he would do something then you could take it to the bank. I helped him out a little while he was down on his luck and he never forgot it. I could count on him whenever I needed a friend. He once changed a water pump on my wife's truck in the middle of the night on the side of the road 40 miles away while I was out of town. He insisted. He would never dream of cheating in a game of checkers, it was beyond comprehension for him to cheat on his girlfriend. He had awesome respect for women but even that got him in trouble. He once got beat up and thrown out (literally) of the "SidePocket Lounge". I talked to him about it later and he told me he was standing up for a woman he didn't know who was being harassed by cowboys. He told me they "crossed the line" and drunk and out numbered or not he had to put a stop to it. He was a simple man of high honor. He knew the meaning of a handshake. He valued passion driven obsession to a fault.
I heard that Ralph had died in a house fire from a friend and former bandmate. Witnesses say he ran back into the house. He survived for about two days. Later it was revealed he set the fire. It's all a mystery. A few years ago at a jam party deep in the woods around Todd, I was talking with a few friends about Ralph. One said Ralph had stolen from him. Another recounted how Ralph took his girlfriend and then broke her heart. Aside from the metaphorical aspect of his dying in a fire this is what hell means to me. Ralph lives on and those that knew him well enough to see beyond his impeccable veneer will forever hold him in contempt.
I heard about Roger's death by sheer happenstance. I was at a gig in Gastonia and the emcee from the Taylorsville dirt track was there. When I realized where he was from I asked about Roger and learned he had died of colon cancer. Sometime earlier Roger came by out of the blue. I surmised in hindsight that he knew he was dying and was saying goodbye. We had a great visit and he never mentioned his illness. I learned a lot from Roger as I'm sure many who got to know him did. The girl he got in a fight over was actually a prostitute. I'd like to think Roger's act of redneck chivalry was not lost on her. Maybe she found some respect for herself inspired by Roger taking her honor more seriously than she did. Towards the end Roger was so weak he had to be loaded into his race car. He won his last race. He's a legend in the Taylorsville dirt track world. Anyone who recalls Roger does so with a smile. He lives on. To me that's heaven.
I believe, if you strip away the veneer to the pit of their soul, people are either good or bad. The bible says "Judge not, lest ye be judged" but I don't think that means don't be judgmental. Just be careful and realize you could be as wrong as someone may be about you. One must take stock of people they deal with.
When asked I say I'm agnostic. It means more than I don't know it means I think it's impossible to know. I understand and respect some have had epiphanies that are real and do believe they know truth. I can't argue. I don't think this existence is pure coincidence. I am in awe at our insignificance. I look up and cannot comprehend the confines of the universe much less what's on the other side.
We define ourselves everyday and when we put it in writing as on this blog it last forever. It probably doesn't matter much especially if you use a pen name. I like to think I'll happily own up (as Gregg) to anything I write. I hope I always feel that way. If anyone ever writes anything about me after I'm gone I hope they don't feel compelled to change my name to protect my loved ones from some dirty truth. Ralph and Roger were real people. "Ralph" wasn't his real name, I changed it. I did not change Roger's.
Ralph was a hell of a drummer. As a younger man he served in the Navy as a medic. He had a manicured beard and a tattoo. He was the coolest guy in the band. Men would share their drugs and women their bodies in every city at every gig. Ralph had a worldly presence about him, you wanted to hang with him. He was wrapped in a perfect package.
Roger was a drunk. He was as redneck as they come. He had a garage and could fix anything that ran. His passion was dirt track racing. Most of his time and profits were spent in his garage working on race cars. He lived hard. He was usually dirty. He couldn't spell very well and didn't know many 12th grade words. He didn't think twice about knocking on your door, drunk as hell at 2:30 in the morning just to visit. He was wrapped in a less than flattering package.
Ralph was married with two children. One had Down's Syndrome. His wife wasn't stupid. We came home to Boone one week and she and the kids were gone. Ralph was devastated but at the next gig it was business as usual. After he left the band we lost touch. I'd see him here and there from time to time but that was all. He remarried but that didn't last either. At one point I heard he was in jail for breaking and entering. I figured it was drugs at the root of it. I knew Ralph well and was sure he was not trustworthy. Finally I heard he found God. He got involved with a local church. He was out of jail and working on the grounds. The preacher, as a sponsor, was letting him live and work there as part of his parole arrangement. Everything was peachy until the preacher caught Ralph in bed with his wife. He could not be trusted. He left a trail of deceit that resulted in real people being hurt. The list goes on.
Roger was a man of his word. If he said he would do something then you could take it to the bank. I helped him out a little while he was down on his luck and he never forgot it. I could count on him whenever I needed a friend. He once changed a water pump on my wife's truck in the middle of the night on the side of the road 40 miles away while I was out of town. He insisted. He would never dream of cheating in a game of checkers, it was beyond comprehension for him to cheat on his girlfriend. He had awesome respect for women but even that got him in trouble. He once got beat up and thrown out (literally) of the "SidePocket Lounge". I talked to him about it later and he told me he was standing up for a woman he didn't know who was being harassed by cowboys. He told me they "crossed the line" and drunk and out numbered or not he had to put a stop to it. He was a simple man of high honor. He knew the meaning of a handshake. He valued passion driven obsession to a fault.
I heard that Ralph had died in a house fire from a friend and former bandmate. Witnesses say he ran back into the house. He survived for about two days. Later it was revealed he set the fire. It's all a mystery. A few years ago at a jam party deep in the woods around Todd, I was talking with a few friends about Ralph. One said Ralph had stolen from him. Another recounted how Ralph took his girlfriend and then broke her heart. Aside from the metaphorical aspect of his dying in a fire this is what hell means to me. Ralph lives on and those that knew him well enough to see beyond his impeccable veneer will forever hold him in contempt.
I heard about Roger's death by sheer happenstance. I was at a gig in Gastonia and the emcee from the Taylorsville dirt track was there. When I realized where he was from I asked about Roger and learned he had died of colon cancer. Sometime earlier Roger came by out of the blue. I surmised in hindsight that he knew he was dying and was saying goodbye. We had a great visit and he never mentioned his illness. I learned a lot from Roger as I'm sure many who got to know him did. The girl he got in a fight over was actually a prostitute. I'd like to think Roger's act of redneck chivalry was not lost on her. Maybe she found some respect for herself inspired by Roger taking her honor more seriously than she did. Towards the end Roger was so weak he had to be loaded into his race car. He won his last race. He's a legend in the Taylorsville dirt track world. Anyone who recalls Roger does so with a smile. He lives on. To me that's heaven.
I believe, if you strip away the veneer to the pit of their soul, people are either good or bad. The bible says "Judge not, lest ye be judged" but I don't think that means don't be judgmental. Just be careful and realize you could be as wrong as someone may be about you. One must take stock of people they deal with.
When asked I say I'm agnostic. It means more than I don't know it means I think it's impossible to know. I understand and respect some have had epiphanies that are real and do believe they know truth. I can't argue. I don't think this existence is pure coincidence. I am in awe at our insignificance. I look up and cannot comprehend the confines of the universe much less what's on the other side.
We define ourselves everyday and when we put it in writing as on this blog it last forever. It probably doesn't matter much especially if you use a pen name. I like to think I'll happily own up (as Gregg) to anything I write. I hope I always feel that way. If anyone ever writes anything about me after I'm gone I hope they don't feel compelled to change my name to protect my loved ones from some dirty truth. Ralph and Roger were real people. "Ralph" wasn't his real name, I changed it. I did not change Roger's.
Friday, March 25, 2011
From Dan Soucek
Senate approves health plan reforms that will save millions
by Dan Soucek, NC State Senate on Friday, March 25, 2011 at 10:06am
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Rep. Jonathan Jordan's Report
From Watauga GOP e-mail:
In public service it is often the case that you receive little recognition for what goes right, but all of the blame when things go wrong. It is therefore a delight to read the headline in the Charlotte Observer that, "N.C. legislature Moving at a Dizzying Clip." Jim Morrill wrote in that same article, "In its first two months,
Biker Bard, May you Rest In Peace
- BikerBard passed away this morning. I know he gave us all a hard time now and then, but in real life, he was a really nice guy, and he was my friend. Please take a moment to join me in saying a little prayer for him to whomever you pray. Peace be with you, Tom.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
One World Government Obama
"Where did Mr. Obama get the authority to commit United States forces to war in Libya? There was no declaration of war. There was no authorizing resolution by Congress allowing money to be spent on a war against Col. Gaddafi.
There was just a vote by the United Nations Security Council, a very far from unanimous vote, and suddenly, the President's Secretary of State, Mrs. Hillary Rodham Clinton, solemnly announced that we were at war.
This time, zip. Nada. Nothing. Just France and the U.K. and Norway saying that it's time to go to war, and off America goes to war.”
Excerpted from AMERICAN SPECTATOR
Excerpted from: AMERICAN SPECTATOR
There was just a vote by the United Nations Security Council, a very far from unanimous vote, and suddenly, the President's Secretary of State, Mrs. Hillary Rodham Clinton, solemnly announced that we were at war.
This time, zip. Nada. Nothing. Just France and the U.K. and Norway saying that it's time to go to war, and off America goes to war.”
Excerpted from AMERICAN SPECTATOR
Excerpted from: AMERICAN SPECTATOR
Another War....this one from the NEA
“We are at war,” incoming NEA executive director John Stocks told the union’s board of directors last month, outlining a plan to keep NEA from joining the private sector industrial unions in a slow, steady decline into irrelevancy to anyone outside the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee. And like any good war plan for an army under siege, it allows for a defense-in-depth while preparing for a decisive counterattack.
See Article
See Article
If it WAS a war, France would have surrendered by now!
White House reassures congressional aides: Er, we’re not at war with Libya
We are, of course , dropping bombs, firing missiles and blowing things up. They are shooting at our planes, but it isn't a war.
We have a war in Afghanistan, one in Iraq. We have a war on poverty, a war on drugs,
but, whatever you do, don't start thinking that just because we are shooting at each other in Libya, that it's a war.
Makes me wonder how many Libs will be taking up this mantra!
SEE ARTICLE HERE
2012 Dems Distancing Themselves From Obama
We were discussing on another thread the Dems in congress who are jumping off the Obama bandwagon....either because they face difficult re-election in 2012, or because some of them may have their eye on the presidential primaries coming up!
Excerpt from article in todays POLITICO
"Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has given politically vulnerable Democrats license to do almost anything they need to survive a grim political environment, even if that means ripping the president, voting against Democratic bills and teaming up with Republicans to appear bipartisan. For Reid, it seems that, at this point in the election cycle, keeping his imperiled majority after 2012 is a far more important goal than preserving party unity on legislation."
Excerpt from article in todays POLITICO
Harry Reid lets 2012 Democrats off the hook
"Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has given politically vulnerable Democrats license to do almost anything they need to survive a grim political environment, even if that means ripping the president, voting against Democratic bills and teaming up with Republicans to appear bipartisan. For Reid, it seems that, at this point in the election cycle, keeping his imperiled majority after 2012 is a far more important goal than preserving party unity on legislation."
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Econmy Biggest Concern, Deficit/govt spending second says GALLUP POLL
Americans' Worries About Economy, Budget Top Other Issues
Worry about energy up since 2010, flat for other issues
PRINCETON, NJ -- Nearly three in four Americans (71%) say they worry about the economy "a great deal," more than worry about 13 other issues Gallup measured in a March 3-6 poll. Nearly two in three (64%) worry a great deal about federal spending and the budget deficit. Americans show the least anxiety about race relations -- the only issue about which the majority is "only a little" or "not at all" concerned.LINK TO GALLUP POLL
OBAMA SHOULD BE IMPEACHED FOR LIBYA says Congressman
From the article:
“Now, it doesn’t necessarily follow that simply because a president has committed an impeachable offense, that the process should start to impeach and remove him,” he said. “That’s a whole separate question. But we have to clearly understand what this Constitution is about.”
“Now, it doesn’t necessarily follow that simply because a president has committed an impeachable offense, that the process should start to impeach and remove him,” he said. “That’s a whole separate question. But we have to clearly understand what this Constitution is about.”
Monday, March 21, 2011
Commissioner Vince Gable's Letter To The Editor
A letter to the editor, from our County Commissioner, Vince Gable
March 20, 2011
The question of a tax increase dominated my campaign for County Commissioner. My steadfast answer was, I will not vote for any tax increase unless as a last resort. I also stated any such increase would go to reducing our debt and should expire in 3 years or less. I'm still committed to this principle.
At the County Commissioner's Pre-Budget Retreat on February 25 - 26, we heard from many county agencies, which were all requesting funding. The most significant funding request came from the Watauga County School Board for a $1 million increase above their current budget. All the agencies, including education, presented compelling arguments.
During this same time, Governor Perdue published her proposed budget for the state. It contained provisions for numerous unfunded mandates to the counties. The state has historically provided funding for teacher's worker's compensation insurance, school bus purchases, road maintenance, and many other programs. The Governor's proposed budget would shift these burdens to the counties. Such action would devastate Watauga County's ability to maintain basic services. Because the state budget
Sunday, March 20, 2011
OBAMA POLL NUMBERS
Just 31% Now Give Obama Positive Marks for the Economy.
Today's Rasmussen Poll
The number of voters nationwide who give President Obama good or excellent marks for his handling of economic issues has fallen to a new low.
Today's Rasmussen Poll
The number of voters nationwide who give President Obama good or excellent marks for his handling of economic issues has fallen to a new low.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Possible Buyer For High School?
"Anonymous posted this on the "Taxpayer" thread.
Anonymous said... Article in todays paper says that the high school property MIGHT have a buyer.
Link To Article
This could be great for the county. not only would the money benefit the counties financial situation, but if new construction is started there using LOCAL builders, workers, etc, it could be a real boost to the economy.
Anonymous said... Article in todays paper says that the high school property MIGHT have a buyer.
Link To Article
This could be great for the county. not only would the money benefit the counties financial situation, but if new construction is started there using LOCAL builders, workers, etc, it could be a real boost to the economy.
Michigan Dems charged with ELECTION Fraud
Unfortunately, no one is surprised by articles like this anymore.
YAHOO ARTICLE
Two Michigan Democrats were arraigned Wednesday on election corruption charges for allegedly propping up of fake tea party candidates in 2010, the Detroit News reports.
YAHOO ARTICLE
Two Michigan Democrats were arraigned Wednesday on election corruption charges for allegedly propping up of fake tea party candidates in 2010, the Detroit News reports.
Inquiring Mind on Public Hearings
inquiringmind said...
There was a distinct difference, in the attitude toward the public,of Chairman Nathan Miller, Watauga County Board of Commissioners and Deborah Miller, Watauga County School Board. Chairman Nathan Miller was cordial, engaging and relaxed with the speakers at the public hearing. He, Commissioners Gable and Blust have restored that small town atmosphere to the board.
However, I attended my first meeting with the school board in February; it was more along the lines of ex-Chairman Deal's attitude. A man approached the board
There was a distinct difference, in the attitude toward the public,of Chairman Nathan Miller, Watauga County Board of Commissioners and Deborah Miller, Watauga County School Board. Chairman Nathan Miller was cordial, engaging and relaxed with the speakers at the public hearing. He, Commissioners Gable and Blust have restored that small town atmosphere to the board.
However, I attended my first meeting with the school board in February; it was more along the lines of ex-Chairman Deal's attitude. A man approached the board
Friday, March 18, 2011
Deficit Understated? CBO
WASHINGTON – A new assessment of President Barack Obama's budget released Friday says the White House underestimates future budget deficits by more than $2 trillion over the upcoming decade.
The estimate from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office says that if Obama's February budget submission is enacted into law it would produce deficits totaling $9.5 trillion over 10 years — an average of almost $1 trillion a year.
Cost Per Student - Watauga compared to Similar NC counties
We have had some discussion about the cost per student of educating our young people.
This is a link I came across which shows the 2008 costs. These costs include day to day operating expenses, salaries, etc. But, do NOT include Capital Expense such as school construction.
There are other rankings/comparisions throughout the site...One of which shows generally higher achievement of Watauga Students vs. State averages..
At any rate, there is plenty of food for thought here.
Link: Watauga Cost Per Student
This is a link I came across which shows the 2008 costs. These costs include day to day operating expenses, salaries, etc. But, do NOT include Capital Expense such as school construction.
There are other rankings/comparisions throughout the site...One of which shows generally higher achievement of Watauga Students vs. State averages..
At any rate, there is plenty of food for thought here.
Link: Watauga Cost Per Student
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Inquiringmind Posts More On TAXPAYERS WIN
inquiringmind posts: (Thanks)
The school board was in a FRENZY. And, Commissioner Deal saw an opportunity to exploit principals, teachers, counselors and even children and he seized the moment. He wanted to get his failed sales tax referendum passed ("It's all ONE POT OF MONEY.").
He wanted to be sure that it would pass this time so he chose "for the children’s education" instead of “recreation” (It has worked for him before.). Deal and the school board only told half of the story to the principals, teachers, counselors and children – Gov. Perdue's proposed budget cuts to education. They didn't tell them that the legislature REJECTED her proposal and had their own. If the school board had been smart they would have helped organize a bus to Raleigh and a rally on the steps of the Govenor’s mansion.
HERE IS GOV PERDUE'S PROPOSAL:
Public Education
4,410 non-teaching school positions are slated to be eliminated, for a savings of $160 million. A breakdown of the positions:
1,900 school transportation
1,700 clerical and custodial
380 school building administrators
290 instructional support
140 school central office positions
$40 million reduction in funding for textbooks, lowering the allotment to $75 million
$31 million in savings realized by the Retirement Incentive Program
Millions in savings by eliminating and reducing pass-through funding to non-profits. Most notable among these is $13 million from dropout prevention grants. Other nonprofits include Kids Voting, Science Olympiad, North Carolina Science, Math, and Technology Education Center, Communities in Schools and Teach for America.
A $38 million expansion of the budget for projected enrollment growth
Pushes $39 million in spending on workers’ compensation and tort claims onto local entities
Forces another $57 million in spending onto local entities to fund school bus replacement
Ends the portion of the corporate tax revenue traditionally directed to the school building fund, increasing instead available revenue to general operations by $72 million.
The school board was in a FRENZY. And, Commissioner Deal saw an opportunity to exploit principals, teachers, counselors and even children and he seized the moment. He wanted to get his failed sales tax referendum passed ("It's all ONE POT OF MONEY.").
He wanted to be sure that it would pass this time so he chose "for the children’s education" instead of “recreation” (It has worked for him before.). Deal and the school board only told half of the story to the principals, teachers, counselors and children – Gov. Perdue's proposed budget cuts to education. They didn't tell them that the legislature REJECTED her proposal and had their own. If the school board had been smart they would have helped organize a bus to Raleigh and a rally on the steps of the Govenor’s mansion.
HERE IS GOV PERDUE'S PROPOSAL:
Public Education
4,410 non-teaching school positions are slated to be eliminated, for a savings of $160 million. A breakdown of the positions:
1,900 school transportation
1,700 clerical and custodial
380 school building administrators
290 instructional support
140 school central office positions
$40 million reduction in funding for textbooks, lowering the allotment to $75 million
$31 million in savings realized by the Retirement Incentive Program
Millions in savings by eliminating and reducing pass-through funding to non-profits. Most notable among these is $13 million from dropout prevention grants. Other nonprofits include Kids Voting, Science Olympiad, North Carolina Science, Math, and Technology Education Center, Communities in Schools and Teach for America.
A $38 million expansion of the budget for projected enrollment growth
Pushes $39 million in spending on workers’ compensation and tort claims onto local entities
Forces another $57 million in spending onto local entities to fund school bus replacement
Ends the portion of the corporate tax revenue traditionally directed to the school building fund, increasing instead available revenue to general operations by $72 million.
Farmers Market Moving To Kmart Parking Lot
Watauga Farmers Market TO MOVE TO KMART
according to GOBLUERIDGE.NET
LINK HERE
Looks to me like this is the best thing for all concerned.
The county doesn't end up subsidizing a private business at the expense of the other independent produce stands in the area....
The county doesn't enter the real estate leasing business in competition with private businesses (such as kmart)
The bad Saturday traffic situation on King Street in downtown Boone - especially on ASU game days - won't be made worse by locating the Farmers Market in that area
K Mart parking lot is going to be easier to access!
An issue which has been divisive to our local community appears to have been resolved to everyone's satisfaction.
according to GOBLUERIDGE.NET
LINK HERE
Looks to me like this is the best thing for all concerned.
The county doesn't end up subsidizing a private business at the expense of the other independent produce stands in the area....
The county doesn't enter the real estate leasing business in competition with private businesses (such as kmart)
The bad Saturday traffic situation on King Street in downtown Boone - especially on ASU game days - won't be made worse by locating the Farmers Market in that area
K Mart parking lot is going to be easier to access!
An issue which has been divisive to our local community appears to have been resolved to everyone's satisfaction.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
TAXPAYERS WIN
OP UPDATED MARCH 16 ---Details added
THE MEETING
TAXPAYERS WIN
Despite an organized effort by local school teachers and administrators to turn the issue into increasing sales taxes and using the revenue for additional school funding, the commissioners voted to cancel the proposed referendum and not raise sales taxes.
More details:
The agenda for the March 15, B.O.C. meeting included this item:
PUBLIC HEARING TO ALLOW FOR CITIZEN COMMENT ON A
RESOLUTION ORDERING THE REFERENDUM FOR AND DEDICATING
THE PROCEEDS FROM A QUARTER-CENT LOCAL OPTION SALES
TAX FOR THE RETIREMENT OF DEBT IN WATAUGA COUNTY
Local school teachers and adminstrators however, saw this as an opportunity to support a sales tax increase,
BUT to utiilize those funds for Watauga Schools- not for debt reduction. I didn't count the crowd that showed
up at the courthouse for the meeting, but I would estimate that around 225 to 275 people were there.
Seats in the courtroom were full and people stood along the walls on both sides and in the back.
Nearly 50 people signed up to speak on the issue, the great majority being school personnel.
As the public comments portion of the meeting began, Dem Commissioner J. Deal announced that he had been unable
to attend the previous BOC meeting where the referendum for a sales tax increase for reducing debt was proposed.
Mr. Deal stated that he was in favor of a sales tax increase, but not for debt reduction - rather for public education.
Mr. Futrelle, who had voted against the proposed referendum in the prior meeting, now explained that he just hadn't wanted
to rush into things but that actually, he was in favor of the referendum!
Then came the parade of school employees, some bringing little children up with them, all of them speaking in favor of a
referendum for a sales tax increase and for using the money for local schools. Several of them claimed that, without a sales
tax increase, we would be forced to lay off teachers (numbers of teachers to be laid off ran from 70 to around 100).
Probably 5 or 6 people addressed the BOC on the topic of a sales tax referendum for reducing the debt. Some voiced the opinion
that the only reason the county was even facing potentially difficult financial times, was because of the out of control spending
of the prior board. Almost all of these people opposed a tax increase and opposed spending money on a referendum. I believe I can
recall one individual who spoke in favor of a referendum and an increase in sales tax to be used to reduce debt.
Following the public comments, there was a brief recess. When the meeting reconvened, commissioner Blust stated that the intent of
the proposed referendum was for debt reduction and that was what was voted on in the prior meeting. If the referendum - and any subsequent
tax increase - was not to be targeted toward debt reduction, he moved that the referendum be cancelled. Commissioner Gable seconded and
the motion carried 3 - 2 with Deal and Futrelle against.
THE MEETING
TAXPAYERS WIN
Despite an organized effort by local school teachers and administrators to turn the issue into increasing sales taxes and using the revenue for additional school funding, the commissioners voted to cancel the proposed referendum and not raise sales taxes.
More details:
The agenda for the March 15, B.O.C. meeting included this item:
PUBLIC HEARING TO ALLOW FOR CITIZEN COMMENT ON A
RESOLUTION ORDERING THE REFERENDUM FOR AND DEDICATING
THE PROCEEDS FROM A QUARTER-CENT LOCAL OPTION SALES
TAX FOR THE RETIREMENT OF DEBT IN WATAUGA COUNTY
Local school teachers and adminstrators however, saw this as an opportunity to support a sales tax increase,
BUT to utiilize those funds for Watauga Schools- not for debt reduction. I didn't count the crowd that showed
up at the courthouse for the meeting, but I would estimate that around 225 to 275 people were there.
Seats in the courtroom were full and people stood along the walls on both sides and in the back.
Nearly 50 people signed up to speak on the issue, the great majority being school personnel.
As the public comments portion of the meeting began, Dem Commissioner J. Deal announced that he had been unable
to attend the previous BOC meeting where the referendum for a sales tax increase for reducing debt was proposed.
Mr. Deal stated that he was in favor of a sales tax increase, but not for debt reduction - rather for public education.
Mr. Futrelle, who had voted against the proposed referendum in the prior meeting, now explained that he just hadn't wanted
to rush into things but that actually, he was in favor of the referendum!
Then came the parade of school employees, some bringing little children up with them, all of them speaking in favor of a
referendum for a sales tax increase and for using the money for local schools. Several of them claimed that, without a sales
tax increase, we would be forced to lay off teachers (numbers of teachers to be laid off ran from 70 to around 100).
Probably 5 or 6 people addressed the BOC on the topic of a sales tax referendum for reducing the debt. Some voiced the opinion
that the only reason the county was even facing potentially difficult financial times, was because of the out of control spending
of the prior board. Almost all of these people opposed a tax increase and opposed spending money on a referendum. I believe I can
recall one individual who spoke in favor of a referendum and an increase in sales tax to be used to reduce debt.
Following the public comments, there was a brief recess. When the meeting reconvened, commissioner Blust stated that the intent of
the proposed referendum was for debt reduction and that was what was voted on in the prior meeting. If the referendum - and any subsequent
tax increase - was not to be targeted toward debt reduction, he moved that the referendum be cancelled. Commissioner Gable seconded and
the motion carried 3 - 2 with Deal and Futrelle against.
Obama Officially Embraces Bush Policy
- Rush Limbaugh pre-inauguation Jan. 16, 2009
Last Monday (3/7) President Obama signed an executive order to conduct military tribunals and hold prisoners indefinitely at Guantanamo Bay. The newly elected President in his speech to Congress Feb. 24, 2009 said: “… I have ordered the closing of the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, and will seek swift and certain justice for captured terrorists…” Two years after he promised to close Gitmo in one he reverses completely. Did he lie?
I say no. It is impossible to lie without knowing you are lying. It must be intentional or it is not a lie. Any definition from any dictionary cites intent as a condition. I give our President a pass because I think he honestly thought, due to his naivete and inexperience, he could close Gitmo. Most of us knew during the campaign there was no way.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Agenda for MARCH 15 B.O.C. MEETING
deleted for space reasons Agenda is available on County Commissioners web site
ObamaCare Yay Or Nay? The Truth About Canada!
"Anonymous" Posted this on another thread. I thought it was worth looking at for those who are believers in government run health care.
If you like your DMV, you will LOVE government health care!
An experiment in Surveying - WATAUGA COUNTY BUDGET ISSUES
Let's see if we can get an unscientific look at current local opinion on this topic
Click here to take survey
Click here to take survey
Sunday, March 13, 2011
New Guy Posts on Watauga County Budget
NewGuy posted: I was interested in hearing the views of our Republican county commissioners about the referendum for a proposed sales tax increase.
I talked to Vince Gable and to Nathan Miller about it. (I didn't get a chance to talk to David Blust but Vince and Nathan assure me that his position is pretty much in line with theirs).
From what I understood, the county has, in addition to normal budget items for county schools, services, etc, now having to pay millions of dollars annually in servicing the debt that the prior commissioners burdened this county with. Add to that the very real possibility that the state government, facing a serious deficit due to their years of outlandish spending under Democrat rule, are likely to push some costs down to the county level. These are things like workman's compensation for teachers, school buses, etc which have previously been paid for with state funds.
Knowing that our county budget will be difficult under any circumstances, and recognizing that there is a POSSIBILITY of state mandated costs to the county which cannot be funded with current revenues, the commissioners have - as a contingency - opened the possibility of a sales tax increase and have decided to ask for public input on whether or not to pursue a referendum for raising taxes.
Miller and Gable BOTH stated that they personally might not vote for a sales tax increase IF such a referendum were held - but, that given the possibility of heavy cuts from the states, some additional revenue sources might need to be considered, they decided to make arrangements for public input.
I have to applaud them for their decision. I too, am against a sales tax increase, but given the unknown costs to the county of potential state decisions, developing contingencies is certainly not a bad idea.
I will be at the county courthouse TUESDAY at 6pm for the public input session with the county commissioners.
I hope to see as many of you there as possible!
I talked to Vince Gable and to Nathan Miller about it. (I didn't get a chance to talk to David Blust but Vince and Nathan assure me that his position is pretty much in line with theirs).
From what I understood, the county has, in addition to normal budget items for county schools, services, etc, now having to pay millions of dollars annually in servicing the debt that the prior commissioners burdened this county with. Add to that the very real possibility that the state government, facing a serious deficit due to their years of outlandish spending under Democrat rule, are likely to push some costs down to the county level. These are things like workman's compensation for teachers, school buses, etc which have previously been paid for with state funds.
Knowing that our county budget will be difficult under any circumstances, and recognizing that there is a POSSIBILITY of state mandated costs to the county which cannot be funded with current revenues, the commissioners have - as a contingency - opened the possibility of a sales tax increase and have decided to ask for public input on whether or not to pursue a referendum for raising taxes.
Miller and Gable BOTH stated that they personally might not vote for a sales tax increase IF such a referendum were held - but, that given the possibility of heavy cuts from the states, some additional revenue sources might need to be considered, they decided to make arrangements for public input.
I have to applaud them for their decision. I too, am against a sales tax increase, but given the unknown costs to the county of potential state decisions, developing contingencies is certainly not a bad idea.
I will be at the county courthouse TUESDAY at 6pm for the public input session with the county commissioners.
I hope to see as many of you there as possible!
Saturday, March 12, 2011
The Implosion of NPR
Surprise, surprise, surprise! NPR is biased against Conservatives, who knew? I mean besides anybody with half a brain, who?
I'll spare you the details of the above video because you probably already know them, we can hash it out in the comments. Instead I'll concentrate on providing some documentation of the events as they have unfolded thus far. Click "read more" to read more.
The target of the first video is NPR's chief fundraiser Ron Schiller. He was scheduled to leave NPR before the scandal to go to the "Aspen Institute" but that time line has moved up and he's out. Now Aspen doesn't want him. CEO Vivian Schiller (no relation to Ron) is also out.
Now we come to part two. Here is the second video. The link for this one comes from Glenn Beck's site "The Blaze". The reason I used this particular link is because Beck has been critical of the editing. Make sure you click on his links. NPR has released internal emails to refute the claim that they would accept the donation from the supposed "Muslim Brotherhood". The emails show the conversation about hiding the donation from the IRS got farther up the corporate ladder than the meeting with Betsy Lily. Betsy Lily is the Senior Executive for institutional giving and the question I have (given her title) is, why didn't she ax the idea immediately? She has since been put on administrative leave.
This brings us to the disgracefully low journalistic standards of NPR's ombudsman Alicia Shepard. Her job is to be a disinterested third party and shine the light of truth letting the chips fall where they may. Instead she lies in an attempt to cover NPR's collective ass. She should be fired.
The sanest voice from within that I've read so far comes from board member Sue Schardt who admits: "... we unwittingly cultivated a core audience that is predominately white, liberal, highly educated, elite. "Super-serve the core" — that was the mantra, for many, many years." The full context can be found here.
Finally, the following links provide a very good overview and I'm adding them because I absolutely LOVE the names of the sites. Here and here.
If there is any justice in this world, NPR's (and word is PBS is next) public funding will be cut off and James O'Keefe will get a Pulitzer.
Watauga GOP 2011 Convention Heard from U.S. Representative Foxx
She advised us to pay attention to what they were doing and not to let the media bother us. She then went over what is happening. As many of us know, the Democrats never completed their job last year and left without passing a budget. Now to keep the government from being shut down, the House has to keep passing continuing resolutions (CR’s). Everyone also probably knows that the House wants to save the taxpayers 61billion dollars but the Democrats who control the Senate and the president’s veto won’t let them. Dems only want four and a half billion.
This is where it gets good. House members gave them the CR for several weeks but the Dems had to give them four billion in tax payer savings. Harry Reid of course said “No way,” thus threatening a government shutdown. Then he and his fellow senators read the proposal and realized the cuts were those the president had proposed. So the Dems quickly passed the CR.
Now it is getting ready to happen again and this time the cost cutters are asking for six billion. And, again, the cuts are those the president asked for. Bottom line, is that Boehner and his troops will then have gotten way more than the original four and one half billion Harry Reid proposed.
Ain’t this fun?
Watauga GOP 2011 Convention Hears from The Hon. Pat McCrory
Watauga Republicans gathered for their 2011 Convention. The keynote speaker was The Honorable Pat McCrory, former Charlotte mayor and hopefully our next governor. McCrory told us he was proud of the work he had done as mayor of Charlotte. Then he jokingly quipped that perhaps he had done too good a job as it had attracted the Democrat Convention. “There will be some things we won’t hear Obama say at the convention, he grinned, and one of them is that North Carolina is a ‘Right to Work’ state. That drew a great round of applause.
Like the rest of us, he is thrilled by the Republicans we sent to Raleigh. We can now expect a fair election in 2012, including voter ID (more applause).
He described how hard it has been for the Democrat leaders to give up their positions in the Assembly. They still are convinced that the 2010 election was just a fluke. Symbolically of this was some who had held power for years, saying that they would move out of their offices when they could get around to it–that there was a lot of paper work connected with their moves etc. So, the Republican leaders called in workers from the prisons and moved them in 24 hours (laughter and applause.)
He told us to brace ourselves for the fight of our lives in the next election. North Carolina, not Florida, has become the swing state–a must state for the Democrats. Therefore, they will throw every thing they have at us. We can expect the High Country to fill up with people we have never seen before from all over the country. We will have to be twice as good as we were last time.
Watauga GOP 2011 Convention Hears from Rep. Jordan
Jonathan told us not to dismay when the Governor vetoes significant Republican bills. He informed us that just because the bills are vetoed does not mean they are gone. Jonathan made them sound like Lazarus suddenly rising from the dead.
Jonathan described how the Democrats are just like the national ones. He said that every paragraph proposed by Republicans can be greeted by such charges that “children won’t get an education.” “People will be denied health care.” “Old people will suffer.” He says this goes on “paragraph by paragraph.”
Jonathan is already a primary sponsor of seven bills. He is also the Deputy Majority Whip which he says allows him that special role of knowing how all his colleagues vote. That gives him that extra edge of knowing how his colleagues think on bills, even the ones he is proposing.
As to this vetoing governor, Jonathan says we need to work for a governor next election who won’t be vetoing important bills.
Watauga GOP 2011 Convention Hears from Sen Dan Soucek
Before the Republicans arrived, the Assembly was run much like Pelosi’s House, dominated by Democrat leaders with much done behind closed doors. Dan says all that has changed and he is very high on the new leadership. Already, as a Freshman, he is chairing an important committee. He is being allowed to sponsor and co-sponsor bills.
He illustrated how amazing it is. In his third week, he was asked to present a committee bill on the floor. A former Democrat power house began to harangue the body. Finally, Dan did the unbelievable for a Freshman. He informed this powerful man that his time was up. Then he added, we have heard from your side, and we have some people here in the audience that need to be heard. The gasp from the Assembly members was almost audible.
Summarizing the goals, Dan said “We are not going to balance the budget on the backs of the counties. We are not going to raise taxes.”
Then Dan shared with us the threats and abuse he and his family have had because of his co-sponsoring of the Defense of Marriage Act. He told us that even when his wife is dropping the children off at schools, hostile people knock on the car windows and make threatening gestures.
Even so, Dan loves his work serving the people of the district.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Watauga Republicans Hold Annual Convention February 12
Blogger, I have mentioned it before but nobody seems to have picked up on it.
I wonder if you could remind Republicans that the Watauga County Republican Party convention is tomorrow at the courthouse. Registration is from 9:00 to 10:00. Precinct meetings from 10:00 to 10:30 and the general meeting after that. Speaker will be Pat McCrory, gubernatorial candidate and former Charlotte mayor (A Democratic polling shows him with a 12 point lead over Gov. Perdue.) Also addressing the group will be U.S. Rep Virginia Foxx, NC Sen. Dan Soucek and NC Rep. Jonathan Jordan.
Even if people are not active in politics, it's good to interface with other Republicans and to have a chance to hear and talk to our elected representatives.
Hope to see a good turnout there.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Perdue Keeps Taking Us From the Mainstream
After visiting President Obama and liberal Democrats in Washington DC last week, Governor Perdue vetoed HB2, the Health Care Freedom Act.
This legislation would have allowed North Carolinians to opt out of major provisions of Obama's federal health care law, such as the IRS-enforced mandate that citizens purchase health insurance.
"Not worth a battle"
A few weeks ago, Governor Perdue said vetoing HB2 was "not worth a battle." After one visit to Washington DC, Perdue quickly forgot about North Carolinians and decided to be partisan politics over the wishes of her home state.
But it's not too late for the Health Care Freedom Act.
If four House Democrats join with Republicans to promote freedom, the General Assembly can override Perdue's veto.
We need your help right now to make this happen. Call Bev Perdue and the House Democrats listed below. Tell them where you stand on health care freedom!
Gov. Bev Perdue - 800-662-7952
Rep. William Brisson - 919-733-5772
Rep. James Crawford - 919-733-5824
Rep. Elmer Floyd - 919-733-5959
Rep. Dewey Hill - 919-733-5830
Rep. Frank McGuirt - 919-715-3007
Rep. Tim Spear - 919-715-3029
Rep. Winkie Wilkins - 919-715-0850
Forward this email to your friends. Ask them to join you in standing up against Obamacare and Big Government!
Respectfully,
Rep. Thom Tillis
Speaker of the House
Rep. Paul "Skip" Stam
Majority Leader
Rep. Ruth Samuelson
Republican House Whip
Monday, March 7, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Local School Board Votes to Block Competition
Headlines from yesterday’s Watauga Democrat read: WCS Opposes Charter Bill The bill in question, Senate Bill 8 co-sponsored by Senator Dan Soucek,would remove the 100-school limit on the number of charter schools allowed in the state and expand more avenues of funding to them. The bill passed the N.C. Senate last week and is now being reviewed in the House.
I ran into Dan in the grocery store today and asked him what this brouhaha was all about. Dan said his main concern was the amount of misinformation being circulated–for example, “Charter schools are for the elite.” He explained that was not so. Charter schools have to take everyone. Another misconception Dan said was that charter schools take money from the public schools. Dan described to me how funding follows the student. Thus if the charter school gets the student, that only means the public school has one less student they have to teach.
My personal bias Myths regarding Charter Schools automatically lead me to believe that this debate is not about educating students but about public school people protecting turf.
Senator Richard Stevens (R-Wake), is the author of the legislation. In response to the attacks such as those from the officials of Watauga County School System, he said: "The education establishment has not liked charter schools from the very first." "They consider them competition, as opposed to what they should be doing, in my opinion, which is embracing flexibility, creativity and alternatives for parents."
For those of you who have not been following this issue, Charter Schools "Although charter schools are found in many cities and towns, students and parents often do not fully understand them. Some mistakenly refer to charter schools as “voucher” or “private” schools. Others wrongly believe that the schools can be selective and therefore discriminatory in their enrollment, or that they are unaccountable to any governing body regarding curriculum or the reporting of student achievement. Many people would be surprised to learn that charter schools are actually public schools created to add choice.
The private group is given public money to run a public school. In exchange, it agrees to produce specified results. That’s the contract, or charter.
It’s not unlike the distinction our school district makes between the ends set by the School Board and the means for reaching them chosen by the superintendent.
Charter schools can innovate with any means, so long as they reach the ends. When they don’t, the charter can be revoked.
Without charter school legislation, the state holds the monopoly. That’s why it’s called public education.”
Dan reports that the NCAEcame against them hard from the get go.
I ran into Dan in the grocery store today and asked him what this brouhaha was all about. Dan said his main concern was the amount of misinformation being circulated–for example, “Charter schools are for the elite.” He explained that was not so. Charter schools have to take everyone. Another misconception Dan said was that charter schools take money from the public schools. Dan described to me how funding follows the student. Thus if the charter school gets the student, that only means the public school has one less student they have to teach.
My personal bias Myths regarding Charter Schools automatically lead me to believe that this debate is not about educating students but about public school people protecting turf.
Senator Richard Stevens (R-Wake), is the author of the legislation. In response to the attacks such as those from the officials of Watauga County School System, he said: "The education establishment has not liked charter schools from the very first." "They consider them competition, as opposed to what they should be doing, in my opinion, which is embracing flexibility, creativity and alternatives for parents."
For those of you who have not been following this issue, Charter Schools "Although charter schools are found in many cities and towns, students and parents often do not fully understand them. Some mistakenly refer to charter schools as “voucher” or “private” schools. Others wrongly believe that the schools can be selective and therefore discriminatory in their enrollment, or that they are unaccountable to any governing body regarding curriculum or the reporting of student achievement. Many people would be surprised to learn that charter schools are actually public schools created to add choice.
The private group is given public money to run a public school. In exchange, it agrees to produce specified results. That’s the contract, or charter.
It’s not unlike the distinction our school district makes between the ends set by the School Board and the means for reaching them chosen by the superintendent.
Charter schools can innovate with any means, so long as they reach the ends. When they don’t, the charter can be revoked.
Without charter school legislation, the state holds the monopoly. That’s why it’s called public education.”
Dan reports that the NCAEcame against them hard from the get go.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Local Rotarians Honor Veterans
Some hunched over their walkers, or leaned on canes. Some carried their oxygen tanks. There also were those who still looked healthy. However they appeared, they were all heroes. All of them had stepped forward to serve their country at its critical moment. And, you could not help but reflect on the powerful stories they brought with them.
This coming May, the group of 20 will be flown to Washington to visit their two memorials–WW II and Korea.
From the Honor Flight Network Web Page Honor Flight: “Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization created solely to honor America's veterans for all their sacrifices. We transport our heroes to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect at their memorials. Top priority is given to the senior veterans – World War II survivors, along with those other veterans who may be terminally ill.
Of all of the wars in recent memory, it was World War II that truly threatened our very existence as a nation—and as a culturally diverse, free society. Now, with over one thousand World War II veterans dying each day, our time to express our thanks to these brave men and women is running out.”
Unexpressible gratitude to the members of the Rotary Club.
Reader Requests More Local Issues
High Country Press
Because of the reader's request for more local issues, here is a post for someone called Anonymous. Also, I moved the appropriate comments to this thread.
Because of the reader's request for more local issues, here is a post for someone called Anonymous. Also, I moved the appropriate comments to this thread.
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