Several instances of the past couple of weeks have shown me how "unmannerly" we've become. Manners are not just a matter of being polite. They show respect toward others. They help to maintain order. I believe it was Madison in Federalist 51 (?) who wrote, "If men were angels, no government would be necessary."
At a local large art fair, one esp egregious example was some woman who was elbowing her way passed other fair-goers. Oh, she wasn't going anywhere, just to see exhibits. If others were in her way, well, it was her way--so out came the elbows. My friend Carrie was a bit ahead of me and came back to tell me about the rudeness which I had experienced a few moments before. We both said something about "Excuse me?" but the lady just sneered at us. At a craft brewery in Healdsburg, CA a group of young kids, maybe in their mid-20s, was being loud and obnoxious--right next to our older table of six. In fact, we were unable to hear each other. That there was an open space (the hooligans were standing, not yet seated at a table) just the other side of the aisle way made no difference. When asked if they could tone it down so we could hear each other at our own table, one of them said, "We have a right to have fun." Ah, how typical. First, there's the misunderstanding of "rights." Then, there's the concern--or lack of concern--for others. On the flight home from CA, two people tried to rush down the aisle to get off the plane, cutting off others. Row-by-row exiting wasn't good enough for them. Karen said something to the first one who whistled by, but it did nothing but get some smart-Aleck reply. I said nothing, but did move out into the aisle to block the second one. And, no, they weren't rushing to make another flight connection. They were at the luggage turntable, waiting with others. (They couldn't cut in front there.) And the luggage turntable...... Both in SF and at Metro, K and I waited for the luggage to come around. We stood back, not crowding, but still able to see when ours appeared. Except, people just crowded in front, waiting for their own pieces, blocking our and those with us from seeing our luggage.
Maybe these people just don't know any better. Where were their parents in raising them? I don't know if this is stereotyping, but in each of these instances the perpetrators (I had to use that term!) were in their 20s or early 30s. Maybe they weren't thinking. But I suspect it's the sense of entitlement that has pervaded our culture. It's all about me. Others be damned. I'm entitled to make as much noise as I want. I'm entitled to have fun at others' expense. I'm entitled to see art exhibits before other people. I'm entitled to get off the plane before anyone else. I'm entitled to get to my luggage regardless if it hinders others.
It reminds me of so many people who think they don't have to have jobs they don't like. They are entitled to enjoy their jobs and, if those jobs don't pay enough or have perks that provide things like health insurance, etc., well then other people ("the greedy rich?") should pay for the perks.
Upon our return, catching up with the local newspapers (I usually just scan the front pages, but look more closely at the op-eds and, of course, do the puzzles.) was a large editorial about liberal arts degrees in college. I may or may not have written of this before. Several weeks ago, a letter writer in one of the Detroit newspapers was vehement in his opposition to colleges providing liberal arts degrees, "worthless" he called them. Colleges should provide degrees that lead to jobs, that provide the wherewithal to pay off student loans, that produce marketable job skills, etc.
Coincidentally, I discussed this with one of my college buddies in CA last week. We both have liberal arts from Amherst and both thank our lucky stars daily for the opportunity.
"Worthless" degrees? I think those who think this are Neanderthals in their thinking, evidence that they themselves didn't get liberal arts educations or, if they did, not very good ones. Who says colleges should make graduates "job-ready?" Well, of course, corporations and other businesses say so. They have foisted the expenses of training employees on to taxpayers and tuition-payers. And the backward-thinking colleges seem to be going right along with this. In many ways, I think people misunderstand liberal arts education--its purposes and its content.
Of course, graduates from college should be able to find and do jobs. But a legitimate liberal arts degree will ensure they can--if others understand what a liberal arts degree (at least a good one) is all about. I fear many corporate-types don't understand this at all. Perhaps they are lazy. Perhaps they know what they are doing, in foisted off the costs of training. After all those CEOs and other upper level managers have to make their millions of dollars.
As my friend Carrie and I have often asked, at least each other, "Is love of learning no longer enough?" The answer is becoming more and more manifest--No, it isn't.
Saturday, July 25, 2015
Saturday, July 11, 2015
Smart People
One thing, at least, I know is that there are a lot of smart people out there. I learn from them every day. It's not just their ideas, but that they make me think and rethink. Sometimes, due to their forceful opinions, I change mine. Sometimes not. But I always respect well-thought opinions.
A few weeks back, I talked with the author of a book on the partisan divide in the US Congress. He, as one might have guessed, is critical of our current Congress. I fully understand that. I left our conversation with two thoughts. One, which drew a look of disapproval from him, was that "Maybe we deserve the rascals" we have sent to Congress. Two, how difficult it is to form educated opinions when there are so many differing "facts" out there. Who are folks like you and me to believe? Can we trust the LameStream Media, from whatever side, to give us the straight talk? Somehow I think not.
I really have a great deal of respect for my blind running buddy. I'm not at all certain, were I blind, that I could get out there and run like he does--especially with a Bozo like me for a guide runner! I admit that sometimes I don't pay attention and he trips, sometimes falling. That's my job, to watch for potholes, uneven pavement, sticks/branches, etc. And I forget...... This AM, he laughed, "Today you have this blind fool dragging you through six tough hill repeats." Yes, I did and it reminded me of the respect I have for him.
Karen bought some item that had the label "Echo Valley." It must be a brand name. I was reminded, again, of my physics teacher at Amherst, Professor Romer. He was outstanding, so much so that, in my US Government, AP I think, class back when I taught in the high school, I sometimes devoted a day a week to reviewing students' physics with them. Yes, I taught physics! That's how good Prof. Romer was, teaching this history major enough physics...... Prof. Turgeon, my French teacher, was so good, I also helped struggling students with French, even answering a few questions from one of the teachers several times. But, back to "Echo Valley." Prof. Romer lived on a street named "Echo Valley." He was a runner and, to celebrate his 50th birthday (I think), he devised his own marathon, "The Echo Valley Marathon." It was run on Prof. Romer's street, a cul-de-sac of about a quarter mile. That's about 104-105 laps of his street. He did it, with the help of some neighbors. He later said, "That was stupid." Well, that's one word I'd never use in the same sentence with Prof. Romer's name, never. I had many really outstanding teachers at Amherst and he was right up there with them. And, the older I get, the better they become. I am sorry I missed him at the recent reunion. Maybe next year......
I know I've ranted about this before, but do people, namely my neighbors, really have to cut their grass with mowers whose engines sound like they belong on airplanes? Most of them wear the ear muffs, that's how loud they are. So, they must know how irksome the noise is. At the least they could hand out ear muffs to neighbors. And, it seems, they always pull out the airplanes, er, mowers at dinner time, when we are trying to eat on the deck, outside.
Charlie Sanders recently died. The former Detroit Lion was All-Pro a number of years, about 9 or so. One of my Amherst mates, Jean Fugett, played in the NFL with the Cowboys and Redskins, He was in several Super Bowls, with winners' rings to prove it. He was in the Pro Bowl several times, but in an e-mail to me admitted, "[Sanders] kept me from being All-Pro about four or five times." I think the NFL players, at the time, voted him the best single player at his position. That is, Sanders was better as a tight end than any running back or quarterback was at running back or quarterback, better than any linebacker was at linebacker, etc. That's some compliment. And, best of all, from all accounts, Sanders was every bit as good a person as he was a player.
In the same vein, NFL, Ken Stabler the former Raiders QB died. I was very surprised to learn he is not in the NFL Hall of Fame. He deserves to be, no doubt. Hmmm...... I wonder why he isn't. We are so quick to put others in various halls of fame, to label them "legends" or "icons." Stabler actually did something!!!!!!
A few weeks back, I talked with the author of a book on the partisan divide in the US Congress. He, as one might have guessed, is critical of our current Congress. I fully understand that. I left our conversation with two thoughts. One, which drew a look of disapproval from him, was that "Maybe we deserve the rascals" we have sent to Congress. Two, how difficult it is to form educated opinions when there are so many differing "facts" out there. Who are folks like you and me to believe? Can we trust the LameStream Media, from whatever side, to give us the straight talk? Somehow I think not.
I really have a great deal of respect for my blind running buddy. I'm not at all certain, were I blind, that I could get out there and run like he does--especially with a Bozo like me for a guide runner! I admit that sometimes I don't pay attention and he trips, sometimes falling. That's my job, to watch for potholes, uneven pavement, sticks/branches, etc. And I forget...... This AM, he laughed, "Today you have this blind fool dragging you through six tough hill repeats." Yes, I did and it reminded me of the respect I have for him.
Karen bought some item that had the label "Echo Valley." It must be a brand name. I was reminded, again, of my physics teacher at Amherst, Professor Romer. He was outstanding, so much so that, in my US Government, AP I think, class back when I taught in the high school, I sometimes devoted a day a week to reviewing students' physics with them. Yes, I taught physics! That's how good Prof. Romer was, teaching this history major enough physics...... Prof. Turgeon, my French teacher, was so good, I also helped struggling students with French, even answering a few questions from one of the teachers several times. But, back to "Echo Valley." Prof. Romer lived on a street named "Echo Valley." He was a runner and, to celebrate his 50th birthday (I think), he devised his own marathon, "The Echo Valley Marathon." It was run on Prof. Romer's street, a cul-de-sac of about a quarter mile. That's about 104-105 laps of his street. He did it, with the help of some neighbors. He later said, "That was stupid." Well, that's one word I'd never use in the same sentence with Prof. Romer's name, never. I had many really outstanding teachers at Amherst and he was right up there with them. And, the older I get, the better they become. I am sorry I missed him at the recent reunion. Maybe next year......
I know I've ranted about this before, but do people, namely my neighbors, really have to cut their grass with mowers whose engines sound like they belong on airplanes? Most of them wear the ear muffs, that's how loud they are. So, they must know how irksome the noise is. At the least they could hand out ear muffs to neighbors. And, it seems, they always pull out the airplanes, er, mowers at dinner time, when we are trying to eat on the deck, outside.
Charlie Sanders recently died. The former Detroit Lion was All-Pro a number of years, about 9 or so. One of my Amherst mates, Jean Fugett, played in the NFL with the Cowboys and Redskins, He was in several Super Bowls, with winners' rings to prove it. He was in the Pro Bowl several times, but in an e-mail to me admitted, "[Sanders] kept me from being All-Pro about four or five times." I think the NFL players, at the time, voted him the best single player at his position. That is, Sanders was better as a tight end than any running back or quarterback was at running back or quarterback, better than any linebacker was at linebacker, etc. That's some compliment. And, best of all, from all accounts, Sanders was every bit as good a person as he was a player.
In the same vein, NFL, Ken Stabler the former Raiders QB died. I was very surprised to learn he is not in the NFL Hall of Fame. He deserves to be, no doubt. Hmmm...... I wonder why he isn't. We are so quick to put others in various halls of fame, to label them "legends" or "icons." Stabler actually did something!!!!!!
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Quick Laugh......
OK, it's not "ha ha" funny, but......
A letter to the editor in today's newspaper asks why car makers can't put in some electronic device that blocks cell phone usage while driving. He notes the dangers and inconveniences of cell phone-using drivers: "weaving all over the road at half the speed limit, blocking traffic, sitting at the green light until they finish dialing, or just not paying attention......" Let me add causing fatal and near-fatal accidents. I know, from personal experience. What was it, four months ago, when some cell phone-using fool plowed into the back of my car, while I was at a stop light with cars stopped in front of me, too. She was going full-tilt, maybe at 45 or 50 mph. The limit there is 45 mph, but who goes the speed limit? There was no screech of the brakes, so she was going "full-tilt." My car was totaled, looking like an accordion front and back. (She drove my rear bumper up to the back seat and forced my car into the car ahead of me, smashing the left half of my hood/engine to the windshield.) And that lady fully admitted she was on the phone. She rambled in front of me and the police officer, who kept looking at me out of the corner of his eye, as if to say, "Is she stupid or.....?", "I always tell my kids not to use their cell phones while driving. Maybe I should follow my own advice." Ya think??????
I think this letter writer is a little out of touch. The car makers aren't going to install any such device (which could include a way to make 911 calls). They are far too interested in adding more and more electronic diversions to cars. Yes, there's a lot of money to be made in helping drivers become even more distracted.
A couple of weeks back there was a good article from an automotive writer, a self-admitted "car guy," about this--that is, the added distractions to driving. Note the last paragraph. Government puts ridiculously low blood-alcohol limits (In effect, I might be in big trouble if I have two beers with dinner within a couple of hours and then drive.) on driving, yet mandates all these electronic distractions. Of course, the auto makers are fully on board with the diversions--Hey, man! There's money to be made.
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/opinion/2015/06/11/peters-distracted-driving-problem/71025082/
A letter to the editor in today's newspaper asks why car makers can't put in some electronic device that blocks cell phone usage while driving. He notes the dangers and inconveniences of cell phone-using drivers: "weaving all over the road at half the speed limit, blocking traffic, sitting at the green light until they finish dialing, or just not paying attention......" Let me add causing fatal and near-fatal accidents. I know, from personal experience. What was it, four months ago, when some cell phone-using fool plowed into the back of my car, while I was at a stop light with cars stopped in front of me, too. She was going full-tilt, maybe at 45 or 50 mph. The limit there is 45 mph, but who goes the speed limit? There was no screech of the brakes, so she was going "full-tilt." My car was totaled, looking like an accordion front and back. (She drove my rear bumper up to the back seat and forced my car into the car ahead of me, smashing the left half of my hood/engine to the windshield.) And that lady fully admitted she was on the phone. She rambled in front of me and the police officer, who kept looking at me out of the corner of his eye, as if to say, "Is she stupid or.....?", "I always tell my kids not to use their cell phones while driving. Maybe I should follow my own advice." Ya think??????
I think this letter writer is a little out of touch. The car makers aren't going to install any such device (which could include a way to make 911 calls). They are far too interested in adding more and more electronic diversions to cars. Yes, there's a lot of money to be made in helping drivers become even more distracted.
A couple of weeks back there was a good article from an automotive writer, a self-admitted "car guy," about this--that is, the added distractions to driving. Note the last paragraph. Government puts ridiculously low blood-alcohol limits (In effect, I might be in big trouble if I have two beers with dinner within a couple of hours and then drive.) on driving, yet mandates all these electronic distractions. Of course, the auto makers are fully on board with the diversions--Hey, man! There's money to be made.
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/opinion/2015/06/11/peters-distracted-driving-problem/71025082/
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Paradise?
I returned a couple weeks ago (already!) from a 45th class reunion at Amherst. If there is a heaven, this is what it must be like. The campus was, as usual, beautiful and, at least to me, almost mystical in aura. There were all the great classmates. They once again were able to combine just the right amounts of humor, seriousness, and intelligence in conversations. Toss in the wonderful lectures and panel discussions, etc. as a bonus. I am already looking forward to the next one!
I am reading a book of essays about the history of Amherst College. There are a variety of them, including several on Robert Frost (who taught there for a long time), the controversial president Alexander Meiklejohn, and Emily Dickinson (The Belle of Amherst), among others. Not all are about classes or curriculum or teachers/professors. But enough are that I am reminded (although I don't ever really forget) of how great many of my professors were. And the essays demonstrate the greatness of those teachers, past and present. It wasn't just the "facts," but, more relevant and important, the ideas that emanated from them. Granted, as one of my buddies/teammates once later said, "It took about five years before it [our educational fortune/experience] kicked in. I said, 'I get it!'" I didn't appreciate or even know how luck I was. But many of those ideas and, especially, the desire to learn and learn and learn was instilled in me by them. I thank my lucky stars every day.
How about that travesty of the MLB online voting for the All-Star team? Among other stars, Miguel Cabrera is apparently not the leader in voting for first base in the AL. C'mon! He's the best hitter of our generation (of several generations!) and is currently at or near the top of the league in BA, RBIs, etc. But, MLB must think it's cool to be trendy, to allow fans to vote--up to 35 times per computer--online. Who am I to challenge the new God--Technology?
Just coincidentally, today's "Word of the Day" is technophobe. Ha Ha Ha.
I was behind for more than a week with my newspapers, but I finally caught up. How distressing to read, several days in a row, of the murders in Detroit and the area. It seemed there were three or four daily. Where is the outrage, other than the immediate family and friends and only for a few days? If there is any, the media cover it up/ignore it. Where are Al Charlatan and Jesse Jackson and the others of their ilk? If they come, it's not reported and one would think their appearance would have the lapdog media all over it.
How about that woman in Seattle (?) who has tried to pass herself off as black? She is a leader in the area NAACP. People are asking why she'd do such a thing. I don't know, but maybe she has seen how much money there is in the "race industry" and wants a slice of the pie. Maybe she just wants to help people and thinks this would aid in doing that. But maybe she should know a bit about the history of the NAACP. It was founded by mostly white folks; the only black founder was W.E.B. DuBois. People can help others regardless of their race.
More of the "Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics......" Unemployment figures are decreasing, yet, as a recent newspaper article noted, there are fewer people working in Michigan. Hmmm...... That leads to a logical conclusion or two. Fewer people are looking for work; for whatever reasons, they just give up. And people are still leaving the state. I'd guess, too, that whatever "new jobs" there are, they pay a whole lot less than before. That is, for many people, the governor's claims of Michigan as "The Comeback State" is a bunch of hooey.
Yesterday was the 800 anniversary of the Magna Carta. My guess is that most Americans have no idea what that is. It is one of the foundations of Western Civilization, including the US system of government and jurisprudence. Where to start with it? The rule of law. No taxation without representation. Trial by jury. No double jeopardy (except on television!). A host of other rights guaranteed in the Constitution/Bill of Rights. Evidence that our Founding Fathers read and knew history.
On the drive home from class yesterday, the radio stations were playing lousy music, as usual. Before just shutting off the radio and riding in the quiet (as I often do), I switched to AM. I don't remember what show/host noted that the 20 top hedge fund managers made more money last year than all the kindergarten (or was it first grade) teachers in the US combined......combined! I don't blame the hedge funders, not at all; who wouldn't take the money? But isn't that yet another sign of how perverted we have become? Where are our priorities? And, remember, I am a critic of many teachers. Still, this seems absolutely insane to me. (I hated just writing/typing "absolutely" and "insane." Each of these words has been so overused as to have become trite, losing the unique emphasis each can bring--or could have brought.
I am reading a book of essays about the history of Amherst College. There are a variety of them, including several on Robert Frost (who taught there for a long time), the controversial president Alexander Meiklejohn, and Emily Dickinson (The Belle of Amherst), among others. Not all are about classes or curriculum or teachers/professors. But enough are that I am reminded (although I don't ever really forget) of how great many of my professors were. And the essays demonstrate the greatness of those teachers, past and present. It wasn't just the "facts," but, more relevant and important, the ideas that emanated from them. Granted, as one of my buddies/teammates once later said, "It took about five years before it [our educational fortune/experience] kicked in. I said, 'I get it!'" I didn't appreciate or even know how luck I was. But many of those ideas and, especially, the desire to learn and learn and learn was instilled in me by them. I thank my lucky stars every day.
How about that travesty of the MLB online voting for the All-Star team? Among other stars, Miguel Cabrera is apparently not the leader in voting for first base in the AL. C'mon! He's the best hitter of our generation (of several generations!) and is currently at or near the top of the league in BA, RBIs, etc. But, MLB must think it's cool to be trendy, to allow fans to vote--up to 35 times per computer--online. Who am I to challenge the new God--Technology?
Just coincidentally, today's "Word of the Day" is technophobe. Ha Ha Ha.
I was behind for more than a week with my newspapers, but I finally caught up. How distressing to read, several days in a row, of the murders in Detroit and the area. It seemed there were three or four daily. Where is the outrage, other than the immediate family and friends and only for a few days? If there is any, the media cover it up/ignore it. Where are Al Charlatan and Jesse Jackson and the others of their ilk? If they come, it's not reported and one would think their appearance would have the lapdog media all over it.
How about that woman in Seattle (?) who has tried to pass herself off as black? She is a leader in the area NAACP. People are asking why she'd do such a thing. I don't know, but maybe she has seen how much money there is in the "race industry" and wants a slice of the pie. Maybe she just wants to help people and thinks this would aid in doing that. But maybe she should know a bit about the history of the NAACP. It was founded by mostly white folks; the only black founder was W.E.B. DuBois. People can help others regardless of their race.
More of the "Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics......" Unemployment figures are decreasing, yet, as a recent newspaper article noted, there are fewer people working in Michigan. Hmmm...... That leads to a logical conclusion or two. Fewer people are looking for work; for whatever reasons, they just give up. And people are still leaving the state. I'd guess, too, that whatever "new jobs" there are, they pay a whole lot less than before. That is, for many people, the governor's claims of Michigan as "The Comeback State" is a bunch of hooey.
Yesterday was the 800 anniversary of the Magna Carta. My guess is that most Americans have no idea what that is. It is one of the foundations of Western Civilization, including the US system of government and jurisprudence. Where to start with it? The rule of law. No taxation without representation. Trial by jury. No double jeopardy (except on television!). A host of other rights guaranteed in the Constitution/Bill of Rights. Evidence that our Founding Fathers read and knew history.
On the drive home from class yesterday, the radio stations were playing lousy music, as usual. Before just shutting off the radio and riding in the quiet (as I often do), I switched to AM. I don't remember what show/host noted that the 20 top hedge fund managers made more money last year than all the kindergarten (or was it first grade) teachers in the US combined......combined! I don't blame the hedge funders, not at all; who wouldn't take the money? But isn't that yet another sign of how perverted we have become? Where are our priorities? And, remember, I am a critic of many teachers. Still, this seems absolutely insane to me. (I hated just writing/typing "absolutely" and "insane." Each of these words has been so overused as to have become trite, losing the unique emphasis each can bring--or could have brought.
Friday, May 8, 2015
More "Hate Speech"
It befuddles my mind that the right-thinking people want to silence those like Pamela Geller. I don't know anything about Geller--she might be a nice lady or a rotten person; I don't know. But to characterize her as being the cause of the deaths of the Islamo-terrorists at the Muhammad Cartoon Festival in Texas is revealing and ignorant.
I turn to Abraham Lincoln's Cooper Union Address. I think this is a propos. "A highwayman holds a pistol to my ear, and mutters through his teeth, 'Stand and deliver, or I shall kill you, and then you will be a murderer!'" Yep......
And, locally, there was some opposition to a military memorial that depicted, of all things, a rifle! Yes a soldier and a rifle! It was the the rifle, a gun, that upset some folks. Fortunately, the local council didn't cave and the memorial goes ahead as planned. To quote another famous American, Dirty Harry Callahan, in another, but similar context, [Of the bad guys, like the Germans and Japanese in WW2, "What did you want me to do, yell 'trick or treat' at 'em?"
I turn to Abraham Lincoln's Cooper Union Address. I think this is a propos. "A highwayman holds a pistol to my ear, and mutters through his teeth, 'Stand and deliver, or I shall kill you, and then you will be a murderer!'" Yep......
And, locally, there was some opposition to a military memorial that depicted, of all things, a rifle! Yes a soldier and a rifle! It was the the rifle, a gun, that upset some folks. Fortunately, the local council didn't cave and the memorial goes ahead as planned. To quote another famous American, Dirty Harry Callahan, in another, but similar context, [Of the bad guys, like the Germans and Japanese in WW2, "What did you want me to do, yell 'trick or treat' at 'em?"
Thursday, May 7, 2015
Hate Speech
The recent shootings of Islamist terrorists (OK, call them something else if you wish.) in Texas has sparked a discussion of "hate speech." Many folks seem to be blaming the woman who organized the Muhammad cartoon event for the shootings. Hogwash!
If anything should be protected under the First Amendment it's "hate speech." What kind of freedom of speech is it if only expression we like is protected? That's the real test of "freedom," how far we go to protect speech we (or at least some of us) hate.
BTW, I'm waiting for the play, "The Book of Islam." It's probably being screen written right now. And it will probably get all the awards and accolades as "The Book of Mormon."
And when will some guy win art prizes for putting, say, a Quran in a beaker of urine? Where's Mapplethorpe when we need him?
Both tax measures here went down by sizable margins the other day. Locally, the school millage was defeated by 10%. Statewide, the so-called (and misnamed) road repair proposal was lambasted by more than 3 to 1. Of course people voted against higher taxes. It probably wasn't such a hot idea to have a tax-increase election so soon after April 15. But I wonder if many people voted no as a protest against those who spend our money. We just don't trust our elected and appointed officials to spend money wisely. Their track records are pitiful, aren't they? That was a good part of my opposition to both proposals, a lack of trust that the money would be spent intelligently.
It was great, though, hearing proponents, of both proposals, tell us that the increase in taxes we'd see would be "just a drop in the bucket." Apparently none of them ever thought of the cumulative increase(s). Let's just put it this way, if they had passed and we toss in the extra money ObamaCare has cost me over the past year and a half, that "drop in the bucket" has cost me about $3000. That's some "drop." In fact, I taught a whole semester of college history last winter to pay for that "drop," just the "drop," not all of our taxes.
Ah, but remember that sage of DC, Joe Biden, reminding us that "paying taxes is patriotic." If that is so, I would certainly invite all those who think I'm being unreasonable in opposing so much taxation to voluntarily pay more on their own. I guess until I see that, we'll have no real discussion.
If anything should be protected under the First Amendment it's "hate speech." What kind of freedom of speech is it if only expression we like is protected? That's the real test of "freedom," how far we go to protect speech we (or at least some of us) hate.
BTW, I'm waiting for the play, "The Book of Islam." It's probably being screen written right now. And it will probably get all the awards and accolades as "The Book of Mormon."
And when will some guy win art prizes for putting, say, a Quran in a beaker of urine? Where's Mapplethorpe when we need him?
Both tax measures here went down by sizable margins the other day. Locally, the school millage was defeated by 10%. Statewide, the so-called (and misnamed) road repair proposal was lambasted by more than 3 to 1. Of course people voted against higher taxes. It probably wasn't such a hot idea to have a tax-increase election so soon after April 15. But I wonder if many people voted no as a protest against those who spend our money. We just don't trust our elected and appointed officials to spend money wisely. Their track records are pitiful, aren't they? That was a good part of my opposition to both proposals, a lack of trust that the money would be spent intelligently.
It was great, though, hearing proponents, of both proposals, tell us that the increase in taxes we'd see would be "just a drop in the bucket." Apparently none of them ever thought of the cumulative increase(s). Let's just put it this way, if they had passed and we toss in the extra money ObamaCare has cost me over the past year and a half, that "drop in the bucket" has cost me about $3000. That's some "drop." In fact, I taught a whole semester of college history last winter to pay for that "drop," just the "drop," not all of our taxes.
Ah, but remember that sage of DC, Joe Biden, reminding us that "paying taxes is patriotic." If that is so, I would certainly invite all those who think I'm being unreasonable in opposing so much taxation to voluntarily pay more on their own. I guess until I see that, we'll have no real discussion.
Friday, May 1, 2015
The Who......
What was it The Who sang? "Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss."
That appears to be the case with Proposal 1 coming here in Michigan; the election is Tue. Proponents claim passage will "fix the roads." Nobody argues that Michigan's roads aren't in need of massive "fixing." But despite all the propaganda, and that's what it is, propaganda, I can't see voting for the proposal.
Let's start with this proposal would amend the state constitution, always a chancy move. It would increase the sales tax and gasoline taxes. Far less than half of the money raised (I guess I've heard $1.7 billion??????) would actually go to repairing the roads. Further claims say the average tax increase for Michigan residents would be about $200 a year. I think that's quite disingenuous; one must also consider residuals. My guess the increased burden would be twice or three times that, at least.
But The Who bring me back to what's most unappealing with all of this. These folks in Lansing want us to trust them with more of our money. But they've never come clean on a number of questions. For instance, the governor claims Ohio, right next door, spends more than $1.3 billion more on its roads than we do here in Michigan. How can that be so when Michigan taxes are higher than those in Ohio? Also, if the tax increase would raise about half a billion dollars for the roads, why can't a state budget of almost $60 billion find the money for fixes? Also, since the governor took office, state spending has increased, what?, almost $5 billion. Why didn't that money go for the roads? And, if, as proponents claim, the roads are so vital to Michigan, why weren't they a priority in the budget? Why were they allowed to deteriorate so much?
"Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss." No thanks, I won't vote to trust more of my money to those who have shown an inability to spend it wisely. Finish the song, "We won't get fooled again!"
The same goes for a local school election, a millage of sorts. This is a second go-around of sorts for this money grab. Last August it was soundly defeated. This time, though, the rate is doubled for twice as long. So, do the math!!!!!! Again, in the same vein as the state and Proposal 1. I won't vote for this. I am supposed to trust people who've unwisely spent money in the past?????? What? Have they had some sort of awakening? Let's go back the to the $43,000 bonus given to the superintendent. I know, I know. As one board member told me, "It wasn't a'bonus,'" It was a contractual "performance incentive." Right. As I told her, "If it looks like a duck, sounds like a duck, walks like a duck, you can call it a chicken all you want. It's still a duck."
BTW, it looks like ObamaCare is going to cost me at least another $700-800 this year. So, in two years, it's taken more than $2000, that's additional, out of my wallet.
From the world of sports, more signs that the Apocalypse is near. The U of Michigan offered a football scholarship to some 8th grader in Florida! And, the first pick of the NFL draft was apparently a guy who's been accused of sexual assault. I guess no charges were ever filed, but the wagons sure circled down there in a hurry. But, hey, after all, this is football, the NFL!
That appears to be the case with Proposal 1 coming here in Michigan; the election is Tue. Proponents claim passage will "fix the roads." Nobody argues that Michigan's roads aren't in need of massive "fixing." But despite all the propaganda, and that's what it is, propaganda, I can't see voting for the proposal.
Let's start with this proposal would amend the state constitution, always a chancy move. It would increase the sales tax and gasoline taxes. Far less than half of the money raised (I guess I've heard $1.7 billion??????) would actually go to repairing the roads. Further claims say the average tax increase for Michigan residents would be about $200 a year. I think that's quite disingenuous; one must also consider residuals. My guess the increased burden would be twice or three times that, at least.
But The Who bring me back to what's most unappealing with all of this. These folks in Lansing want us to trust them with more of our money. But they've never come clean on a number of questions. For instance, the governor claims Ohio, right next door, spends more than $1.3 billion more on its roads than we do here in Michigan. How can that be so when Michigan taxes are higher than those in Ohio? Also, if the tax increase would raise about half a billion dollars for the roads, why can't a state budget of almost $60 billion find the money for fixes? Also, since the governor took office, state spending has increased, what?, almost $5 billion. Why didn't that money go for the roads? And, if, as proponents claim, the roads are so vital to Michigan, why weren't they a priority in the budget? Why were they allowed to deteriorate so much?
"Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss." No thanks, I won't vote to trust more of my money to those who have shown an inability to spend it wisely. Finish the song, "We won't get fooled again!"
The same goes for a local school election, a millage of sorts. This is a second go-around of sorts for this money grab. Last August it was soundly defeated. This time, though, the rate is doubled for twice as long. So, do the math!!!!!! Again, in the same vein as the state and Proposal 1. I won't vote for this. I am supposed to trust people who've unwisely spent money in the past?????? What? Have they had some sort of awakening? Let's go back the to the $43,000 bonus given to the superintendent. I know, I know. As one board member told me, "It wasn't a'bonus,'" It was a contractual "performance incentive." Right. As I told her, "If it looks like a duck, sounds like a duck, walks like a duck, you can call it a chicken all you want. It's still a duck."
BTW, it looks like ObamaCare is going to cost me at least another $700-800 this year. So, in two years, it's taken more than $2000, that's additional, out of my wallet.
From the world of sports, more signs that the Apocalypse is near. The U of Michigan offered a football scholarship to some 8th grader in Florida! And, the first pick of the NFL draft was apparently a guy who's been accused of sexual assault. I guess no charges were ever filed, but the wagons sure circled down there in a hurry. But, hey, after all, this is football, the NFL!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
