Sunday, March 31, 2013
![From the @[107699875915002:274:The Pragmatic Progressive Page]
Hilarious! And accurate...
Happy Easter from the @[352859651422892:274:Ayn Rand collected Social Security] page](https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/s480x480/24446_521738874534968_725720346_n.jpg)
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Chris Matthews takes on Phil (part one)
Matthews thinks is a great country where they let a moron have their own talk show to talk about things they don't know about on a daily basis.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Chicago Schools Still Under Attack
Watch Chicago Board of Education Plans to Shut Down 54 Schools on PBS. See more from PBS NewsHour.
I wonder why the students aren't going. The best idea is to turn it over to the profitmakers to come in and get free schools. Every spring is school closing season. We want to be done with this business. Frankly, I don't think that will happen as long as there is public schools. We need to give our private individuals public money.
I wonder why the students aren't going. The best idea is to turn it over to the profitmakers to come in and get free schools. Every spring is school closing season. We want to be done with this business. Frankly, I don't think that will happen as long as there is public schools. We need to give our private individuals public money.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Sent over by a friend of mine. Couldn't agree more
When a company falls on difficult times, one of the things that seems to happen is they reduce their staff and workers. The remaining workers must find ways to continue to do a good job or risk that their job would be eliminated as well.
Wall street and the media normally congratulate the CEO for making this type of "tough decision", and the board of directors gives upper corporate management big bonuses.
Our government should not be immune from similar risks.
Therefore:
Reduce the House of Representatives from the current 435 members to 218 members.
Reduce Senate members from 100 to 50(one per State). Then, reduce their remaining staff by 25%.
Accomplish this over the next 8 years (two steps/two elections) and of course this would require some redistricting.
Some Yearly Monetary Gains Include:
$44,108,400 for elimination of base pay for congress. (267 members X $165,200 pay/member/yr.)
$437,100,000 for elimination of their staff. (Estimate $1.3 Million in staff per each member of the House, and $3 Million in staff per each member of the Senate every year)
$108,350,000 for the reduction in remaining staff by 25%.
$7,500,000,000reduction in pork barrel earmarks each year. (Those members whose jobs are gone. Current estimates for total government pork earmarks are at $15 Billion/yr).
The remaining representatives would need to work smarter and improve efficiencies.It might even be in their best interests to work together for the good of our country!
We may also expect that smaller committees might lead to a more efficient resolution of issues as well.It might even be easier to keep track of what your representative is doing.
Congress has more tools available to do their jobs than it had back in 1911 when the current number of representatives was established. (Telephone, computers, cell phones to name a few.)
Note:
Congress does not hesitate to head home for extended weekends, holidays and recesses, when what the nation needs is a real fix for economic problems. Also, we had 3 senators who were not doing their jobs for the 18+ months (on the campaign trail) and still they all accepted full pay. Minnesota survived very well with only one senator for the first half of this year. These facts alone support a reduction in senators and congress.
Summary of opportunity:
$44,108,400 reduction of congress members.
$282,100,000 for elimination of the reduced house member staff.
$150,000,000 for elimination of reduced senate member staff.
$70,850,000 for 25% reduction of staff for remaining house members.
$37,500,000 for 25% reduction of staff for remaining senate members.
$7,500,000,000 reduction in pork added to bills by the reduction of congress members.
$8,084,558,400 per year, estimated total savings. (That's 8-BILLION just to start!)
Corporate America does these types of cuts all the time.
There's even a name for it.
"Downsizing."
------------------------------
Also, if Congresspersons were required to serve 20, 25 or 30 years (like everyone else) in order to collect retirement benefits, taxpayers could save a bundle.
Now they get full retirement after serving only ONE term.
----------------------------------------
IF you are happy with how Washington spends our taxes, delete this message.
Otherwise, it's time to "downsize" Congress.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please consider forwarding, if you agree.
I have cleaned this e-mail of all other names, By copying and pasting it, I'm sending it to you in hopes that you will keep it going and keep it clean. This is something I believe in and I hope you all read it all the way through.
The 26th amendment (granting the right to vote for 18 year-olds) took only 3 months and 8 days to be ratified! Why? Simple! The people demanded it. That was in 1971 before computers, before e-mail, before cell phones, etc.
Of the 27 amendments to the Constitution, seven (7) took 1 year or less to become the law of the land, all because of public pressure.
I'm asking each addressee to forward this email to a minimum of twenty people on their address list; in turn ask each of those to do likewise.
In three days, most people in The United States of America will have the message. This is one idea that really should be passed around.
Congressional Reform Act of 2012
1. Term Limits. 12 years only, one of the possible options below.
A. Two Six-year Senate terms
B. Six Two-year House terms
C.One Six-year Senate term and three Two-Year House terms
2. No Tenure / No Pension.
A Congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office.
3. Congress (past, present and future) participates in Social Security.
All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people.
4. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.
Wall street and the media normally congratulate the CEO for making this type of "tough decision", and the board of directors gives upper corporate management big bonuses.
Our government should not be immune from similar risks.
Therefore:
Reduce the House of Representatives from the current 435 members to 218 members.
Reduce Senate members from 100 to 50(one per State). Then, reduce their remaining staff by 25%.
Accomplish this over the next 8 years (two steps/two elections) and of course this would require some redistricting.
Some Yearly Monetary Gains Include:
$44,108,400 for elimination of base pay for congress. (267 members X $165,200 pay/member/yr.)
$437,100,000 for elimination of their staff. (Estimate $1.3 Million in staff per each member of the House, and $3 Million in staff per each member of the Senate every year)
$108,350,000 for the reduction in remaining staff by 25%.
$7,500,000,000reduction in pork barrel earmarks each year. (Those members whose jobs are gone. Current estimates for total government pork earmarks are at $15 Billion/yr).
The remaining representatives would need to work smarter and improve efficiencies.It might even be in their best interests to work together for the good of our country!
We may also expect that smaller committees might lead to a more efficient resolution of issues as well.It might even be easier to keep track of what your representative is doing.
Congress has more tools available to do their jobs than it had back in 1911 when the current number of representatives was established. (Telephone, computers, cell phones to name a few.)
Note:
Congress does not hesitate to head home for extended weekends, holidays and recesses, when what the nation needs is a real fix for economic problems. Also, we had 3 senators who were not doing their jobs for the 18+ months (on the campaign trail) and still they all accepted full pay. Minnesota survived very well with only one senator for the first half of this year. These facts alone support a reduction in senators and congress.
Summary of opportunity:
$44,108,400 reduction of congress members.
$282,100,000 for elimination of the reduced house member staff.
$150,000,000 for elimination of reduced senate member staff.
$70,850,000 for 25% reduction of staff for remaining house members.
$37,500,000 for 25% reduction of staff for remaining senate members.
$7,500,000,000 reduction in pork added to bills by the reduction of congress members.
$8,084,558,400 per year, estimated total savings. (That's 8-BILLION just to start!)
Corporate America does these types of cuts all the time.
There's even a name for it.
"Downsizing."
------------------------------
Also, if Congresspersons were required to serve 20, 25 or 30 years (like everyone else) in order to collect retirement benefits, taxpayers could save a bundle.
Now they get full retirement after serving only ONE term.
----------------------------------------
IF you are happy with how Washington spends our taxes, delete this message.
Otherwise, it's time to "downsize" Congress.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please consider forwarding, if you agree.
I have cleaned this e-mail of all other names, By copying and pasting it, I'm sending it to you in hopes that you will keep it going and keep it clean. This is something I believe in and I hope you all read it all the way through.
The 26th amendment (granting the right to vote for 18 year-olds) took only 3 months and 8 days to be ratified! Why? Simple! The people demanded it. That was in 1971 before computers, before e-mail, before cell phones, etc.
Of the 27 amendments to the Constitution, seven (7) took 1 year or less to become the law of the land, all because of public pressure.
I'm asking each addressee to forward this email to a minimum of twenty people on their address list; in turn ask each of those to do likewise.
In three days, most people in The United States of America will have the message. This is one idea that really should be passed around.
Congressional Reform Act of 2012
1. Term Limits. 12 years only, one of the possible options below.
A. Two Six-year Senate terms
B. Six Two-year House terms
C.One Six-year Senate term and three Two-Year House terms
2. No Tenure / No Pension.
A Congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office.
3. Congress (past, present and future) participates in Social Security.
All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people.
4. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Monday, March 18, 2013
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Walker on not fostering a culture of dependency
WALKER: This president and his allies measure success in government by how many people are dependent on the government ... We measure success in government by just the opposite, by how many people are no longer dependent upon the government. Not because we kicked them out to the street. Not because we threw them out to the curb.
Friday, March 15, 2013
Thursday, March 14, 2013
When dealing with fascist elements in this country: We need to channel our inner Gandhi (1982) HD
British soldier: You don't expect that we will just walk out of this country.
Gandhi: Yes in the end you will walk out because 100,000 Englishmen cannot control 350 million Indians if those Indians refuse to cooperate and that is what we aim to achieve. Peaceful, non-violent, non-cooperation until you yourself see them wisdom of leaving.
Monday, March 11, 2013
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Friday, March 8, 2013
From Diane Ravitch the war on public education moves to Philly
Public school activists are conducting a sit-in in the office of the mayor of Philadelphia to protest school closings.
This is the announcement I just received:
BREAKING NEWS – March 5, 2013 – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Hello PCAPS (Philadelphia Coalition Advocating for Public Schools & Moratorium Endorsers,
The fight for education has just reached new levels! Parents, community activists, retired teachers and allies are sitting in the Mayor’s office as we speak and they are refusing to leave until we win a one year moratorium on school closings.
Members like yourself are joined by NAACP President Jerry Mondesire and Philadelphia Federation of Teachers President Jerry Jordan.
This is a historic day for public education in Philadelphia!
The School Reform Commission in Philadelphia will vote on March 7, 2013 for the closing of 29 Public Schools after three days of public testimony calling for a one year moratorium. The plan was revised by Dr. William Hite, Superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia.
PCAPS is a combination of Parents, Parent Groups, Community, Unions, Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, Clergy who have come together to fight for Public Education.
Originally posted here: http://dianeravitch.net/2013/03/05/breaking-news-public-school-supporters-sitting-in-philly-mayors-office/
Originally posted here: http://dianeravitch.net/2013/03/05/breaking-news-public-school-supporters-sitting-in-philly-mayors-office/
From Crooks and Liars: Arrests Made At Philly School Closure Meeting
Philadelphia closes 23 schools as another big city getting out of educating their children business.
Original Post: http://crooksandliars.com/susie-madrak/philadelphia-closing-23-more-schools
In a tense, dramatic conclusion to a months-long battle, the Philadelphia School Reform Commission voted Thursday night to close 23 schools across the city - and spare four it had considered shutting.
Taylor and T.M. Peirce Elementaries in North Philadelphia, Roosevelt Middle School in Germantown, and Robeson High School in Southwest Philadelphia were all on the chopping block but will stay open.
The vote capped a long series of protests, rallies, and public outcries against what appears to be one of the largest mass school closings in the nation's history. And it happened after 19 people, including American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten, were arrested when they tried to block SRC members' entrance into the meeting.
Earlier, addressing a crowd that officials estimated numbered at least 700 and that shut down parts of North Broad Street, Weingarten was adamant.
"Philadelphia is being watched across the country," she shouted, standing on a concrete pillar outside the Philadelphia School District's headquarters. "This is a city that is under fire."
After the final votes were taken, the audience erupted.
"Shame on you!" people shouted. "SRC needs to go!"
Retired teacher Lisa Haver, a lifelong city resident, told the SRC that it was "the saddest day ever."
SRC Chairman Pedro Ramos said the large number of closings was the result of years of delayed decisions and a financial crisis for the district, which recently borrowed $300 million just to pay its bills for the rest of the year.
Ramos said the night was "excruciating, difficult, and emotional for all of us. Nobody wants to do this - much less at this scale."
But, he said, it would have been irresponsible for the SRC to have put off the closings for a year, as many had called for.
Initially, 37 school buildings were proposed to shut at the end of the school year, but Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. amended his recommendations late last month. The SRC did not vote Thursday on the recommended closings of Dimner Beeber Middle School and M.H. Stanton Elementary.
Original Post: http://crooksandliars.com/susie-madrak/philadelphia-closing-23-more-schools
Thursday, March 7, 2013
James O’Keefe Ordered to Pay $100,000 to Victim of His False ACORN ‘Exposé’ (VIDEO)
Good question: Where are the journalists.
That's why we sent Elizabeth Warren to Washington
We would have had to get Scott Brown out of bed with the banks first.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Monday, March 4, 2013
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Song For Night: Natalie Merchant Tell Yourself
Great Art
"Tell Yourself"
I know what you tell yourself, you tell yourself.
Look in the mirror, look in the mirror what does it show?
I hear you counting
I know you're adding. adding up the score.
I know, oh yes I know what you tell yourself,
Tell yourself.
Ever since Eden we're built for pleasing everyone knows
And ever since Adam cracked his ribs and let us go
I know, oh yes I know what you tell yourself
Tell yourself
Who taught you how to lie so well
And to believe in each and every word you say?
Who told you that nothing about you is alright
It's just no use, it's just no good you'll never be O.K.?
Well I know, I know that wrong's been done to you
"It's such a tough world," that's what you say
Well I know, I know it's easier said than done
But that's enough girl, give it away,
Give it, give it all away
Tell yourself that you're not pretty
Look at you, you're beautiful.
Tell yourself that no one sees
Plain Jane invisible me, just tell yourself
Tell yourself you'll never be
Like the anorexic beauties in the magazines
Just a bargain basement Barbie Doll
No belle du jour, no femme fatale
Just tell yourself
Tell yourself there's nothing worse
Than the pain inside and the way it hurts
But tell yourself it's nothing new
Cause everybody feels it too
They feel it too
And there's just no getting 'round
The fact that you're thirteen right now
Look in the mirror, look in the mirror what does it show?
I hear you counting
I know you're adding. adding up the score.
I know, oh yes I know what you tell yourself,
Tell yourself.
Ever since Eden we're built for pleasing everyone knows
And ever since Adam cracked his ribs and let us go
I know, oh yes I know what you tell yourself
Tell yourself
Who taught you how to lie so well
And to believe in each and every word you say?
Who told you that nothing about you is alright
It's just no use, it's just no good you'll never be O.K.?
Well I know, I know that wrong's been done to you
"It's such a tough world," that's what you say
Well I know, I know it's easier said than done
But that's enough girl, give it away,
Give it, give it all away
Tell yourself that you're not pretty
Look at you, you're beautiful.
Tell yourself that no one sees
Plain Jane invisible me, just tell yourself
Tell yourself you'll never be
Like the anorexic beauties in the magazines
Just a bargain basement Barbie Doll
No belle du jour, no femme fatale
Just tell yourself
Tell yourself there's nothing worse
Than the pain inside and the way it hurts
But tell yourself it's nothing new
Cause everybody feels it too
They feel it too
And there's just no getting 'round
The fact that you're thirteen right now
Friday, March 1, 2013
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