Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
In the next biennium new taxes will generate, at most, ~$3B. In the same period *old* taxes will generate ~$5B. Do you know what that means? By exchanging the old taxes for new ones we could cut the current size of government by ~40%! Not bad.
No old taxes!
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
Fibbons Portrait
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Hang Fibbons' potrait in the Ladies Room, and abolish that elitist Arts Council.
Rushworth should have painted the backside of Fibbons' horse.
Hang Fibbons' potrait in the Ladies Room, and abolish that elitist Arts Council.
Rushworth should have painted the backside of Fibbons' horse.
Both Sandoval & Jones Support Education "Stamps"
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Why are political conservatives, a group associated with opposition to food stamps, housing stamps and other forms of social welfare programs, also associated with SUPPORT for education stamps (vouchers)?
"Means testing" vouchers just means hiring *more* CCSD bureaucrats AND private school administrators to certify who has limited means. It means more test cases for lawyers to argue over process; more activist judges to decide what is "fair".
More "education" money diverted to non-teaching activities. Higher private school cost structures and higher tuitions. More government. Higher taxes.
How about parents who actually *have* kids take the responsibility for educating them? We need to go back to the inexpensive, little red schoolhouse model, where parents joined together to hire/board a teacher and kids actually learned to read and write quite elegantly by 6th grade, instead of the bulky, expensive, one-size-fits-all bureaucratic model we have today where HS graduates who can't even read their own diplomans are encouraged to enter college and educrats make out like bandits.
You want vouchers? I'll give you vouchers.
The absolute minimum amount of government required by the Nevada Constitution REQUIRES would cost ~$100M/yr (and probably less). Everything else is PORK which the legislature could simply vote out of existence.
Tax revenues are currently running ~$2.5B/yr. The legislature chooses to spend ~all of it on pork. Send us VOUCHER (rebate) checks instead.
It works out to ~$1,000 per resident.
Why are political conservatives, a group associated with opposition to food stamps, housing stamps and other forms of social welfare programs, also associated with SUPPORT for education stamps (vouchers)?
"Means testing" vouchers just means hiring *more* CCSD bureaucrats AND private school administrators to certify who has limited means. It means more test cases for lawyers to argue over process; more activist judges to decide what is "fair".
More "education" money diverted to non-teaching activities. Higher private school cost structures and higher tuitions. More government. Higher taxes.
How about parents who actually *have* kids take the responsibility for educating them? We need to go back to the inexpensive, little red schoolhouse model, where parents joined together to hire/board a teacher and kids actually learned to read and write quite elegantly by 6th grade, instead of the bulky, expensive, one-size-fits-all bureaucratic model we have today where HS graduates who can't even read their own diplomans are encouraged to enter college and educrats make out like bandits.
You want vouchers? I'll give you vouchers.
The absolute minimum amount of government required by the Nevada Constitution REQUIRES would cost ~$100M/yr (and probably less). Everything else is PORK which the legislature could simply vote out of existence.
Tax revenues are currently running ~$2.5B/yr. The legislature chooses to spend ~all of it on pork. Send us VOUCHER (rebate) checks instead.
It works out to ~$1,000 per resident.
$300K Superintendent Opposes Cuts. Big Surprise.
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Instead of assigning schools letter grades, Jones prefers a student growth model that was developed in Colorado while he was education commissioner.
More gimmicks. More $450/d consultants. More empire building. More $300K+/y Superintendents. More deck chair rearranging. How many more generations of young people are we prepared to ruin before we admit the obvious: public education is a CATRASTROPHE and CANNOT be reformed.
We homeschool. No consultants, teacher days, vouchers, whatever.
No PhDs, MBAs, CFAs, etc.
No constant whining about underfunding and calls for more taxpayer dollars.
No football chit-chat, special ed, lesson plans, analyses, ratings, federally funded presentations, photo-ops, whatever.
The kids are doing just fine, thanks. And we do it all for a *fraction* of what CCSD is charging.
Instead of assigning schools letter grades, Jones prefers a student growth model that was developed in Colorado while he was education commissioner.
More gimmicks. More $450/d consultants. More empire building. More $300K+/y Superintendents. More deck chair rearranging. How many more generations of young people are we prepared to ruin before we admit the obvious: public education is a CATRASTROPHE and CANNOT be reformed.
We homeschool. No consultants, teacher days, vouchers, whatever.
No PhDs, MBAs, CFAs, etc.
No constant whining about underfunding and calls for more taxpayer dollars.
No football chit-chat, special ed, lesson plans, analyses, ratings, federally funded presentations, photo-ops, whatever.
The kids are doing just fine, thanks. And we do it all for a *fraction* of what CCSD is charging.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
E-ntervention
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Secretary of State Ross Miller wants the state, and all companies in Nevada, to use the federal E-Verify system to ensure they hire only workers who are in the country legally.
More unconstitutional federal government intervention in our economy. More Nevada government officials backing the idea. Less freedom for Nevadans.
Why should anybody care who gets hired by somebody else? Besides, Nevada government is already TOO BIG. Miller should be LAYING OFF state workers/contractors, not imposing bureucratic mandates on the hiring of new ones.
Secretary of State Ross Miller wants the state, and all companies in Nevada, to use the federal E-Verify system to ensure they hire only workers who are in the country legally.
More unconstitutional federal government intervention in our economy. More Nevada government officials backing the idea. Less freedom for Nevadans.
Why should anybody care who gets hired by somebody else? Besides, Nevada government is already TOO BIG. Miller should be LAYING OFF state workers/contractors, not imposing bureucratic mandates on the hiring of new ones.
Dr. Lowden, Medicine Woman
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Gov. Jim Gibbons on Tuesday appointed Lowden to the state Board of Medical Examiners
Sue is perfect for the job. Remember, this is the same Board which recently ruled that the public needs to be protected from MD's behind on their child support but not from ones who prescribe I-V Propofol as though it were Somanex.
Gov. Jim Gibbons on Tuesday appointed Lowden to the state Board of Medical Examiners
Sue is perfect for the job. Remember, this is the same Board which recently ruled that the public needs to be protected from MD's behind on their child support but not from ones who prescribe I-V Propofol as though it were Somanex.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Without CCSD Our Kids Would Wander The Streets
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Many people oppose the idea of abolishing public education. One common criticism is that without public schools kids would be aimlessly wandering the streets, otherwise known as "child neglect".
Many people oppose the idea of abolishing public education. One common criticism is that without public schools kids would be aimlessly wandering the streets, otherwise known as "child neglect".
- Public education is no cure for that.
- We already have laws against loitering and child neglect.
- Nevada government has NO authority to operate daycare facilities.
- We already have packs of children wandering The Strip, especially on "Teacher Training" days, after-school, and vacation breaks.
CSN Baseball Scholarships
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
The University of Nevada is supposed to be about training the next generation of applied scientists, not future inductees at Cooperstown. If these "students" want to learn how to throw sliders there are any number of minor league teams they can tryout for. Why are Nevada taxpayers forced to subsidize billionaire MLB team owners?
The University of Nevada is supposed to be about training the next generation of applied scientists, not future inductees at Cooperstown. If these "students" want to learn how to throw sliders there are any number of minor league teams they can tryout for. Why are Nevada taxpayers forced to subsidize billionaire MLB team owners?
Chamber of Commerce Pushes For Education Reform (Contracts)
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
[LV Chamber of Commerce Director] added that having a quality education system is an important factor in attracting new businesses to the state.
I am so sick of these BIG Government business association statements about the need to "improve" public education. Public education is a CATASTROPHE and CANNOT be reformed. The only reason that groups like the LV Chamber (of Horrors) continually call for "reform" (instead of abolition) is because so many of its Members are public education contractors who make MONEY off the system.
What's with this fuzzy accounting that Nevada spends "only" $7,806/pupil?! When you take into account real expenses like PERS, capital improvements and interest Nevada's education funding is > $10,000/kid.
Money down a rat hole.
BTW, the politically connected consultants who crafted the report make a LOT of money off government contracts.
[LV Chamber of Commerce Director] added that having a quality education system is an important factor in attracting new businesses to the state.
I am so sick of these BIG Government business association statements about the need to "improve" public education. Public education is a CATASTROPHE and CANNOT be reformed. The only reason that groups like the LV Chamber (of Horrors) continually call for "reform" (instead of abolition) is because so many of its Members are public education contractors who make MONEY off the system.
What's with this fuzzy accounting that Nevada spends "only" $7,806/pupil?! When you take into account real expenses like PERS, capital improvements and interest Nevada's education funding is > $10,000/kid.
Money down a rat hole.
BTW, the politically connected consultants who crafted the report make a LOT of money off government contracts.
Friday, December 10, 2010
NSHE's List of Lobbyists
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
According to the NV Legislature, in the 75th ('09) Regular Session, NSHE employed the following individuals as PAID lobbyists:
According to the NV Legislature, in the 75th ('09) Regular Session, NSHE employed the following individuals as PAID lobbyists:
- Jessica Ferrato
- Josh Griffin
- Daniel Klaich
- Daniel Miles
- Richard Perkins
- Dylan Shaver
The Academic-Legal Complex
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Former Gov. and U.S. Sen. Richard Bryan has agreed to chair a team of six lobbyists who will work for free in representing the Nevada System of Higher Education at the 2011 Legislature.
The government should NOT be able to hire lobbyists to lobby for ... MORE government! Either paid (a complete travesty) or *unpaid*.
If that shyster Bryan -- whose law firm makes a LOT of money on government contracts and its "services" as insiders/fixers -- wants to advocate as a private citizen for MORE government there's nothing to stop him. But this whole coordinated effort between his "team" and NSHE is the Government-Union Complex in action.
By the way, Klaich makes ~$325K/yr, so you can see why he wants the gravy train to keep rolling.
Former Gov. and U.S. Sen. Richard Bryan has agreed to chair a team of six lobbyists who will work for free in representing the Nevada System of Higher Education at the 2011 Legislature.
The government should NOT be able to hire lobbyists to lobby for ... MORE government! Either paid (a complete travesty) or *unpaid*.
If that shyster Bryan -- whose law firm makes a LOT of money on government contracts and its "services" as insiders/fixers -- wants to advocate as a private citizen for MORE government there's nothing to stop him. But this whole coordinated effort between his "team" and NSHE is the Government-Union Complex in action.
By the way, Klaich makes ~$325K/yr, so you can see why he wants the gravy train to keep rolling.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Medical Board: Deadbeat Dads Bad; Drug Dealers Good
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Dr. Conrad Murray .. can still practice medicine in Nevada. On Friday, the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners, which can strip a doctor of his license for failing to pay child support, ruled that Murray is up to date on his payments.
The Medical Board is a joke. Like all the other Boards.
The Board obviously considers setting up nightly I-V Propofol at full bore (@$150K/month!) to be good medicine, but that the public needs to be "protected" from foreign-educated GP's who don't speak perfect English and natives who fall behind on their child support.
And then Democrats fulminate how HMO gatekeepers deny patients access to specialists and greedy health insurance companies deny treatment.
Dr. Conrad Murray .. can still practice medicine in Nevada. On Friday, the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners, which can strip a doctor of his license for failing to pay child support, ruled that Murray is up to date on his payments.
The Medical Board is a joke. Like all the other Boards.
The Board obviously considers setting up nightly I-V Propofol at full bore (@$150K/month!) to be good medicine, but that the public needs to be "protected" from foreign-educated GP's who don't speak perfect English and natives who fall behind on their child support.
And then Democrats fulminate how HMO gatekeepers deny patients access to specialists and greedy health insurance companies deny treatment.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
ESD Dictatorship
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Under state law, the administrator of the Employment Security Division has the sole authority to decide whether to increase or decrease the unemployment rate.
More of a Freudian slip than a typo! I don't know exactly what NRS says but NSC Article 4 §18 explicitly requires a 2/3 majority to raise taxes (or contribution rates).
The Legislature can't get around this requirement by simply delegating the decision to some political appointee.
Under state law, the administrator of the Employment Security Division has the sole authority to decide whether to increase or decrease the unemployment rate.
More of a Freudian slip than a typo! I don't know exactly what NRS says but NSC Article 4 §18 explicitly requires a 2/3 majority to raise taxes (or contribution rates).
The Legislature can't get around this requirement by simply delegating the decision to some political appointee.
Livengood Into Us For One Year (and $300K)
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
[Livengood's] other notable goals include at least half of the athletes achieving a semester 3.0 grade-point average
If Livengood's jocks are able to maintain B GPA's it's only because they're majoring in faux programs like Interdisciplinary where you can "earn" a C just by showing up for team practice. Presumably a winning score merits an automatic 'A' and a get-out-of-jail free card.
BTW, for management practices like this Livengood takes home ~$300K. That's livin' good at OUR expense.
[Livengood's] other notable goals include at least half of the athletes achieving a semester 3.0 grade-point average
If Livengood's jocks are able to maintain B GPA's it's only because they're majoring in faux programs like Interdisciplinary where you can "earn" a C just by showing up for team practice. Presumably a winning score merits an automatic 'A' and a get-out-of-jail free card.
BTW, for management practices like this Livengood takes home ~$300K. That's livin' good at OUR expense.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Employment Security For ... ESD Bureaucrats
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
State Employment Security Division administrator Cindy Jones decided Tuesday to increase the average unemployment tax rate paid by employers by 50 percent starting in January.
Who elected this coffee drinker? We're sine die. Who called her into session?
Unemployment "insurance" is actuarially UNSOUND because the risks are correlated. That is, when a poor economy causes you to be out of work chances are it's causing a LOT of other people to lose their jobs, also. YOU CAN'T INSURE FOR THAT. It's like offering life insurance in a war zone. What's worse, our economy is overweighted in leisure activities, so we're going to be hit harder than states with more diversified economies. As if this isn't bad enough, the government puts no real limit on lifetime benefits. If you have unlimited use of the replacement vehicle you're not going to be that motivated to get your accident damage repaired.
The reason ESD has to borrow MegaMillion$ from the USG is because our fund is BANKRUPT. Again. The reason ESD is raising unemployment insurance contribution rates is because the fund is BANKRUPT. So what if higher employment taxes cause fewer jobs in the private sector. The reason the unemployment insurance fund is bankrupt is because it is statistically *impossible* to make such a system profitable. So they why do we continue to maintain such a Ponzi scheme? Because it's a good way to reward friends like Jones with high paying jobs. That is, it's a full-employment system for friends of politicians.
State Employment Security Division administrator Cindy Jones decided Tuesday to increase the average unemployment tax rate paid by employers by 50 percent starting in January.
Who elected this coffee drinker? We're sine die. Who called her into session?
Unemployment "insurance" is actuarially UNSOUND because the risks are correlated. That is, when a poor economy causes you to be out of work chances are it's causing a LOT of other people to lose their jobs, also. YOU CAN'T INSURE FOR THAT. It's like offering life insurance in a war zone. What's worse, our economy is overweighted in leisure activities, so we're going to be hit harder than states with more diversified economies. As if this isn't bad enough, the government puts no real limit on lifetime benefits. If you have unlimited use of the replacement vehicle you're not going to be that motivated to get your accident damage repaired.
The reason ESD has to borrow MegaMillion$ from the USG is because our fund is BANKRUPT. Again. The reason ESD is raising unemployment insurance contribution rates is because the fund is BANKRUPT. So what if higher employment taxes cause fewer jobs in the private sector. The reason the unemployment insurance fund is bankrupt is because it is statistically *impossible* to make such a system profitable. So they why do we continue to maintain such a Ponzi scheme? Because it's a good way to reward friends like Jones with high paying jobs. That is, it's a full-employment system for friends of politicians.
UNLV Basketball Roster (2010)
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Coach Kruger makes $1M/yr.
Why are Nevada taxpayers forced to fund this scam?
- (#5) Jasper: Degree in University Studies (AKA Jockology)
- (#10) Norman: Majoring in PE (Not serious)
- (#15) Martinez: Majoring in Interdisciplinary (AKA University Studies)
- (#2) Wallace: Interdisciplinary
- (#33) Willis: Interdisciplinary
- (#12) Massamba: Interdisciplinary
- (#22) Stanback: Interdisciplinary
Coach Kruger makes $1M/yr.
Why are Nevada taxpayers forced to fund this scam?
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Nevada BIG Government Economic Forum
Reported by LVRJ
... members of Nevada's Economic Forum and for the moment have more power over future state government spending than Gov.-elect Brian Sandoval or any legislator.
Not a small government type in the bunch. Their natural propensity to underestimate revenues.
Actually, these polititically appointed beancounters only estimate future revenues -- based on current taxation levels. Hannibal and the Legislature can vote to increase -- or decrease -- taxes as much as they want to fund their target spending.
... members of Nevada's Economic Forum and for the moment have more power over future state government spending than Gov.-elect Brian Sandoval or any legislator.
Not a small government type in the bunch. Their natural propensity to underestimate revenues.
Actually, these polititically appointed beancounters only estimate future revenues -- based on current taxation levels. Hannibal and the Legislature can vote to increase -- or decrease -- taxes as much as they want to fund their target spending.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Hickey Says "No New Taxes!" (New User Fees OK)
From LVRJ
[Newly elected Reno GOP Assemblyman] Hickey also has requested a bill that would impose a fee on money wire transfers outside the country ..
Taxes are user fees and user fees are taxes. Somehow that distinction was lost on Fascist Hickey.
Hickey and his fellow Conservatives campaign with slogans like "No new taxes!" and "Less government!" but what they really mean is "Old taxes fine!", "New user fees OK!", "Conservative BIG Government good!" Small government types like me oppose BIG government and the high taxes and/or user fees necesssary to fund it.
We have one-party rule in this state. The BIG Government liberals and the BIG Government conservatives.
[Newly elected Reno GOP Assemblyman] Hickey also has requested a bill that would impose a fee on money wire transfers outside the country ..
Taxes are user fees and user fees are taxes. Somehow that distinction was lost on Fascist Hickey.
Hickey and his fellow Conservatives campaign with slogans like "No new taxes!" and "Less government!" but what they really mean is "Old taxes fine!", "New user fees OK!", "Conservative BIG Government good!" Small government types like me oppose BIG government and the high taxes and/or user fees necesssary to fund it.
We have one-party rule in this state. The BIG Government liberals and the BIG Government conservatives.
Pat "Sicky" Hickey
From LVRJ
[Pat Hickey] has requested a bill that would require employers to use the federal E-Verify program to determine whether employees are authorized to work in the United States.
Here's a newly elected (but legacy) GOP Assemblymen pushing for ... more unconstitutional federal control over our domestic businesses. Another Fascist, GOP busybody. Sicky can't run a real business but he wants to control how you run yours.
Why do voters call the Republicans "the party of big business"? It's more like the party of your business.
We have one-party rule in this state. The BIG Government Communists and the BIG Government Fascists.
[Pat Hickey] has requested a bill that would require employers to use the federal E-Verify program to determine whether employees are authorized to work in the United States.
Here's a newly elected (but legacy) GOP Assemblymen pushing for ... more unconstitutional federal control over our domestic businesses. Another Fascist, GOP busybody. Sicky can't run a real business but he wants to control how you run yours.
Why do voters call the Republicans "the party of big business"? It's more like the party of your business.
We have one-party rule in this state. The BIG Government Communists and the BIG Government Fascists.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Edward Goldman
From the LVRJ
Edward Goldman, the district's associate superintendent for educational services, believes a foreign language boosts children's intellectual development
Another non-teaching position. Does Goldman report to the Deputy Superintendent of Occidental Theatre or the Associate Vice Superintendent For Curriculum Oversight?
Edward Goldman, the district's associate superintendent for educational services, believes a foreign language boosts children's intellectual development
Another non-teaching position. Does Goldman report to the Deputy Superintendent of Occidental Theatre or the Associate Vice Superintendent For Curriculum Oversight?
Abolir l'éducation publique!
From the LVRJ:
High school students might one day read Victor Hugo's classic "Les Misérables" in the original French and graduate as fluent speakers.
Is this reporter out of touch, or what? CCSD graduates can't even read their own diplomas.
High school students might one day read Victor Hugo's classic "Les Misérables" in the original French and graduate as fluent speakers.
Is this reporter out of touch, or what? CCSD graduates can't even read their own diplomas.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Don't Vote!
Orginally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Based on the BIG government caliber of the gubernatorial candidates currently announced, whoever wins the November election deserves to be recalled. A certifiable recall petition must contain valid signatures numbering >= 25% of the votes cast in the general election. The fewer the votes cast the lower the recall bar.
Hey Republicans. If your Party nominates a US Senate candidate other than Sharron, don't vote on Election Day. A recall election of the new Governor could occur as soon as July 1, 2011, possibly while a special session he called to pass the blowout FY '12/'13 is convening. That will make the shnook think twice about signing the Horsefurd-Raggio-Oceguera Republicrat budget.
Based on the BIG government caliber of the gubernatorial candidates currently announced, whoever wins the November election deserves to be recalled. A certifiable recall petition must contain valid signatures numbering >= 25% of the votes cast in the general election. The fewer the votes cast the lower the recall bar.
Hey Republicans. If your Party nominates a US Senate candidate other than Sharron, don't vote on Election Day. A recall election of the new Governor could occur as soon as July 1, 2011, possibly while a special session he called to pass the blowout FY '12/'13 is convening. That will make the shnook think twice about signing the Horsefurd-Raggio-Oceguera Republicrat budget.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Got Kids In Public School? You Don't Vote.
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Nevada public schools ill-serve ~400,000 kids. At 2.2 kids/family, that represents ~182,000 individual parents, 99% of whom must be voting age. Nevada spends > $10,000 per K-12 student (including debt service and PERS). Public school parents are receiving a huge, material benefit from BIG government. Not all of them are parasites, however.
Compulsory attendance laws *force* parents to put their kids in school, leaving them little choice but to sign up for the public education system (at least until age 16). If we abolished truancy laws ~80% of the kids would dropout. Therefore, 20% of public school parents (but 100% of those with kids >= age 16)) should be disenfranchised.
That would be ~50,000 voters.
Nevada public schools ill-serve ~400,000 kids. At 2.2 kids/family, that represents ~182,000 individual parents, 99% of whom must be voting age. Nevada spends > $10,000 per K-12 student (including debt service and PERS). Public school parents are receiving a huge, material benefit from BIG government. Not all of them are parasites, however.
Compulsory attendance laws *force* parents to put their kids in school, leaving them little choice but to sign up for the public education system (at least until age 16). If we abolished truancy laws ~80% of the kids would dropout. Therefore, 20% of public school parents (but 100% of those with kids >= age 16)) should be disenfranchised.
That would be ~50,000 voters.
UNLV Kinesiology
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
The UNLV Kinesiology program is just another jock major, used to provide academic cover to jocks who couldn't care less about education. Elimininate it. The jocks affected can always take Bio 196-197, along with the pre-meds.
Kinesiology is a JOKE degree. It contains about as much science as stamp collecting. Fold UNLV's program into one of those *real* Biology degree programs -- you know, the ones with *serious* requirements and standards -- and watch the Kinesiology types switch into one of those ridiculous Sports Education jock degree programs.
The UNLV Kinesiology program is just another jock major, used to provide academic cover to jocks who couldn't care less about education. Elimininate it. The jocks affected can always take Bio 196-197, along with the pre-meds.
Kinesiology is a JOKE degree. It contains about as much science as stamp collecting. Fold UNLV's program into one of those *real* Biology degree programs -- you know, the ones with *serious* requirements and standards -- and watch the Kinesiology types switch into one of those ridiculous Sports Education jock degree programs.
Disenfranchisement NOW!
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Anyone who receives a direct, material benefit from the governement should NOT be allowed to vote. I don't mean citizens who use the roads, parks, courts or swim in Lake Mead. I mean those who have a financial stake in BIG government.
No more federal voting rights for those who work for (or retired from) Uncle Sam or its contractors. No federal voting rights for those who receive FICA or Medicare, Section 8 vouchers, food stamps, etc. No more federal voting rights for workers/retirees for/from the DoD (or its contractors), the Depts of this-&-that, etc. Active duty US Military OK (it's debatable).
No more state voting rights for workers/retirees of the NV government (or its contractors). Disenfranchise CCSD employees/contractors, NSHE employees/contractors/students, UMC workers and ER patients, employees/contractors of NVDOT/NHP/NVDMV/etc.
No more state voting rights for members of special interest groups which receive government-sanctioned, monopoly protection which affords them economic advantage. Deregister union members, Attorneys, Physicians, PE's, RE brokers, etc.
The coalition for BIG government counts all these favorees as members. In toto ~10% of voters in this state. An unbeatable, self-interested bloc.
Actually, that 10% figure is just the BIG government, inner-orbit coalition (employees, contractors, & PERS). Many more voting bodies are in BIG goverment outer-orbit.
NV VOTING AGE POPULATION: 1.87M
# of NV VOTERS WHO ARE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES: ~123,000
In FY '07, in this state, on avg, each month, 92,353 people received gov benefits such as Mental Health services & food stamps. No way of knowing how many of them are current public employees.
168,197 were eligible for Medicaid.
According to NSHE's budget request, in FY '07 NSHE served 61,322 students, > 90% undergraduates. ~85% of them are NV residents.
~250,000 of our residents are eligible for FICA/Medicare.
Small government doesn't stand a chance!
** Statistics taken from gov pubs, NPRI, RGJ, etc.
Anyone who receives a direct, material benefit from the governement should NOT be allowed to vote. I don't mean citizens who use the roads, parks, courts or swim in Lake Mead. I mean those who have a financial stake in BIG government.
No more federal voting rights for those who work for (or retired from) Uncle Sam or its contractors. No federal voting rights for those who receive FICA or Medicare, Section 8 vouchers, food stamps, etc. No more federal voting rights for workers/retirees for/from the DoD (or its contractors), the Depts of this-&-that, etc. Active duty US Military OK (it's debatable).
No more state voting rights for workers/retirees of the NV government (or its contractors). Disenfranchise CCSD employees/contractors, NSHE employees/contractors/students, UMC workers and ER patients, employees/contractors of NVDOT/NHP/NVDMV/etc.
No more state voting rights for members of special interest groups which receive government-sanctioned, monopoly protection which affords them economic advantage. Deregister union members, Attorneys, Physicians, PE's, RE brokers, etc.
The coalition for BIG government counts all these favorees as members. In toto ~10% of voters in this state. An unbeatable, self-interested bloc.
Actually, that 10% figure is just the BIG government, inner-orbit coalition (employees, contractors, & PERS). Many more voting bodies are in BIG goverment outer-orbit.
NV VOTING AGE POPULATION: 1.87M
# of NV VOTERS WHO ARE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES: ~123,000
In FY '07, in this state, on avg, each month, 92,353 people received gov benefits such as Mental Health services & food stamps. No way of knowing how many of them are current public employees.
168,197 were eligible for Medicaid.
According to NSHE's budget request, in FY '07 NSHE served 61,322 students, > 90% undergraduates. ~85% of them are NV residents.
~250,000 of our residents are eligible for FICA/Medicare.
Small government doesn't stand a chance!
** Statistics taken from gov pubs, NPRI, RGJ, etc.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Library District Promises
Originally posted in a LVRJ forum
The kids can't read. What do we need libraries for?
Library districts, transportation authorities, and all the rest are just BIG government. These politically controlled, nonessential services are always sold to a skeptical voting public with high-ball promises (sales pitches) of low costs ("free?!", convenient schedules, pent up demand which the private sector can't satisfy, etc. The promises, Promises, PROMISES keep coming until the crooked politicians finally hit enough voter "hot buttons" to pass the measure.
Eventually, after the photo-op ribbon-cutting ceremonies have passed and all the political constituencies have been paid off (ie jobs for DEMs, parking spaces for the Blind, construction and muni-bond fees for GOPs), economic reality sets in. The first things the politicians eliminate are the "must have" features the public was counting on when they voted YES.
The few jobs cut here and there are token concessions designed to distract us from the fact that our taxes will NOT be reduced accordingly. Nope, we're left holding the bag for the huge fixed costs.
Scheming BIG government wins again.
The kids can't read. What do we need libraries for?
Library districts, transportation authorities, and all the rest are just BIG government. These politically controlled, nonessential services are always sold to a skeptical voting public with high-ball promises (sales pitches) of low costs ("free?!", convenient schedules, pent up demand which the private sector can't satisfy, etc. The promises, Promises, PROMISES keep coming until the crooked politicians finally hit enough voter "hot buttons" to pass the measure.
Eventually, after the photo-op ribbon-cutting ceremonies have passed and all the political constituencies have been paid off (ie jobs for DEMs, parking spaces for the Blind, construction and muni-bond fees for GOPs), economic reality sets in. The first things the politicians eliminate are the "must have" features the public was counting on when they voted YES.
The few jobs cut here and there are token concessions designed to distract us from the fact that our taxes will NOT be reduced accordingly. Nope, we're left holding the bag for the huge fixed costs.
Scheming BIG government wins again.
LobbyList For Sue
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
You can't spell "lobbyist" without L-I-S-T. He's another one of those creeps who spent his political career making government BIGGER and its ways more inscrutable, so that as a "private" citizen he could sell his fixer (bagman) services to special interests (like Nuclear) at $500/hr plus expenses.
In our "pay to play" system shnooks like LobbyList win no matter who gets elected. It's just easier for him to work with rich, nice looking, finishing school, insider types like Sue.
You can't spell "lobbyist" without L-I-S-T. He's another one of those creeps who spent his political career making government BIGGER and its ways more inscrutable, so that as a "private" citizen he could sell his fixer (bagman) services to special interests (like Nuclear) at $500/hr plus expenses.
In our "pay to play" system shnooks like LobbyList win no matter who gets elected. It's just easier for him to work with rich, nice looking, finishing school, insider types like Sue.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Chowderheads
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
College football players absolutely SHOULD be paid. Most will never make the NFL. Many will finish their careers with painful, permanent injuries.
Most never grauduate. Those that do typically major in worthless, basketweaving programs.
How much does USC pay its football players? The front line as a whole must be worth as much as the Coach. Do you mean to tell me that the guy who takes tickets at the Coliseum gate can get paid for each game but the Trojans' star QB can't?
Hey Rebel footballer starters. This is likely your only chance to make money off your obsolescing skill. Tell Coach Hauck that you're NOT going to play unless he kickback some of his delicious $400K salary with you. What's he going to do -- recruit a Chemistry major to replace you?
Hauck gets paid to WIN. He'll cave.
College football players absolutely SHOULD be paid. Most will never make the NFL. Many will finish their careers with painful, permanent injuries.
Most never grauduate. Those that do typically major in worthless, basketweaving programs.
How much does USC pay its football players? The front line as a whole must be worth as much as the Coach. Do you mean to tell me that the guy who takes tickets at the Coliseum gate can get paid for each game but the Trojans' star QB can't?
Hey Rebel footballer starters. This is likely your only chance to make money off your obsolescing skill. Tell Coach Hauck that you're NOT going to play unless he kickback some of his delicious $400K salary with you. What's he going to do -- recruit a Chemistry major to replace you?
Hauck gets paid to WIN. He'll cave.
Pay UNLV Football Players
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
College football players absolutely SHOULD be paid. Most will never make the NFL. Many will finish their careers with painful, permanent injuries.
Most never grauduate. Those that do typically major in worthless, basketweaving programs.
How much does USC pay its football players? The front line as a whole must be worth as much as the Coach. Do you mean to tell me that the guy who takes tickets at the Coliseum gate can get paid for each game but the Trojans' star QB can't?
Hey Rebel footballer starters. This is likely your only chance to make money off your obsolescing skill. Tell Coach Hauck that you're NOT going to play unless he kickback some of his delicious $400K salary with you. What's he going to do -- recruit a Chemistry major to replace you?
Hauck gets paid to WIN. He'll cave.
College football players absolutely SHOULD be paid. Most will never make the NFL. Many will finish their careers with painful, permanent injuries.
Most never grauduate. Those that do typically major in worthless, basketweaving programs.
How much does USC pay its football players? The front line as a whole must be worth as much as the Coach. Do you mean to tell me that the guy who takes tickets at the Coliseum gate can get paid for each game but the Trojans' star QB can't?
Hey Rebel footballer starters. This is likely your only chance to make money off your obsolescing skill. Tell Coach Hauck that you're NOT going to play unless he kickback some of his delicious $400K salary with you. What's he going to do -- recruit a Chemistry major to replace you?
Hauck gets paid to WIN. He'll cave.
Agassi Dropped Out of CCSD. Do As He Did ..
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
[AA] spends about $13,000 per student each year, more than twice what local public schools spend.
Actually, CCSD spends > $10,000 per kid, when you account for capital budget, interest, and PERS.
Charter schools are PUBLIC schools.
Charter schools are *taxpayer* funded schools.
Charter schools are just another public education gimmick, like NCLB, empowerment, magnets, Race to the Top, and on and on and on. Charter schools are a CATASTROPHE and ought to be abolished.
What is this nonsense about giving admission preference to residents within a 2 mi radius? How would folks react if public parks in Summerlin were similarly rationed?
What does it tell you when a CCSD dropout can write an autobiography but many CCSD graduates can't even spell their own names? I didn't read AA's book. Did he come clean about steroid use? He sure did put on a lot of muscle mass during his absence and subsequent comeback!
Hey Agassi. You wisely dropped out of school in 8th grade. Why do you want to lend your name to ruining these kids? Open a tennis academy and give these kids a truly useful skill.
[AA] spends about $13,000 per student each year, more than twice what local public schools spend.
Actually, CCSD spends > $10,000 per kid, when you account for capital budget, interest, and PERS.
Charter schools are PUBLIC schools.
Charter schools are *taxpayer* funded schools.
Charter schools are just another public education gimmick, like NCLB, empowerment, magnets, Race to the Top, and on and on and on. Charter schools are a CATASTROPHE and ought to be abolished.
What is this nonsense about giving admission preference to residents within a 2 mi radius? How would folks react if public parks in Summerlin were similarly rationed?
What does it tell you when a CCSD dropout can write an autobiography but many CCSD graduates can't even spell their own names? I didn't read AA's book. Did he come clean about steroid use? He sure did put on a lot of muscle mass during his absence and subsequent comeback!
Hey Agassi. You wisely dropped out of school in 8th grade. Why do you want to lend your name to ruining these kids? Open a tennis academy and give these kids a truly useful skill.
Don't Fill Out That Census Form
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
for every person not counted in Nevada, the state will lose $917 in federal money every year
"Federal" money is simply redistribution (to political cronies) of the tax dollars we pay to Washington. The "loss" is money the crooked politicians stole from us in the first place.
Redistricting is a dirty business, the political equivalent to making sausage. One reason why it's hard to unseat incumbents is because almost all districts are noncompetitive.
The Nevada census is going to be off by at least one.
for every person not counted in Nevada, the state will lose $917 in federal money every year
"Federal" money is simply redistribution (to political cronies) of the tax dollars we pay to Washington. The "loss" is money the crooked politicians stole from us in the first place.
Redistricting is a dirty business, the political equivalent to making sausage. One reason why it's hard to unseat incumbents is because almost all districts are noncompetitive.
The Nevada census is going to be off by at least one.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
UNLV Majors Crafted For Dumb Jocks
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
[Jocks] take the same difficult math, english composition and biology classes that non athletes take ..
Propaganda, spread by sports boosters.
Biology (and no doubt the other serious life science programs) requires Bio 196-197 and Math 181 (Calc). Kinesiology requires Bio 189 and Physio 223-224 -- science courses for NON-majors -- and Math 124 (Algebra). *All* complete jokes. The X education programs have even *lower* standards.
Everyone takes English Composition but somehow I doubt that a passing grade is hard to come by.
[Jocks] take the same difficult math, english composition and biology classes that non athletes take ..
Propaganda, spread by sports boosters.
Biology (and no doubt the other serious life science programs) requires Bio 196-197 and Math 181 (Calc). Kinesiology requires Bio 189 and Physio 223-224 -- science courses for NON-majors -- and Math 124 (Algebra). *All* complete jokes. The X education programs have even *lower* standards.
Everyone takes English Composition but somehow I doubt that a passing grade is hard to come by.
UNLV College of Athletics
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Based on Endowment accounts, UNLV should *eliminate* ~1/2 of its colleges (like Science) and establish a formal College of Athletics, which would offer degree programs in Baseball, Football, etc. This would allow jocks to pursue their goal of professional sports training without compromising the rest of the University.
I do not really oppose that idea. BIG government sports education is no better/worse than BIG government *science* education.
Based on Endowment accounts, UNLV should *eliminate* ~1/2 of its colleges (like Science) and establish a formal College of Athletics, which would offer degree programs in Baseball, Football, etc. This would allow jocks to pursue their goal of professional sports training without compromising the rest of the University.
I do not really oppose that idea. BIG government sports education is no better/worse than BIG government *science* education.
UNR Engineering Goes Green (Taxpayers Lose)
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
We don't want BIG government, politically controlled federal grants funding bureaucracies in this state. Next thing you know UNR will announce a Basketweaving Institute!
Don't get me wrong. Geothermal Engineering seems like a valid program for a Nevada public university which was constitutionally chartered to teach engineering, but the money to fund it should come from the Trust. As such, cutoff funding for the ridiculous, politically motivated UNR programs (like College of Education) and use the money to broaden the core ones.
We don't want BIG government, politically controlled federal grants funding bureaucracies in this state. Next thing you know UNR will announce a Basketweaving Institute!
Don't get me wrong. Geothermal Engineering seems like a valid program for a Nevada public university which was constitutionally chartered to teach engineering, but the money to fund it should come from the Trust. As such, cutoff funding for the ridiculous, politically motivated UNR programs (like College of Education) and use the money to broaden the core ones.
Smatresk's Priorities
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Smatrick constantly politicizes UNLV with his threats to cut (or raise fees for) serious academic programs while he defends ridiculous majors for jocks, scholarships even for OUT-OF-STATE jocks who couldn't care less about education, high salaries for coaches, Offices of Left Wing political goals, and all the rest.
If the UNLV baseball team were composed of applied science majors then win or lose, I would be its biggest fan. The Coach could be a member of the Chemistry faculty; assistants her graduate students. The pay is $75/game. Anyone who can teach Physical Chemistry should have little difficulty explaining how to turn a double play.
Smatrick constantly politicizes UNLV with his threats to cut (or raise fees for) serious academic programs while he defends ridiculous majors for jocks, scholarships even for OUT-OF-STATE jocks who couldn't care less about education, high salaries for coaches, Offices of Left Wing political goals, and all the rest.
If the UNLV baseball team were composed of applied science majors then win or lose, I would be its biggest fan. The Coach could be a member of the Chemistry faculty; assistants her graduate students. The pay is $75/game. Anyone who can teach Physical Chemistry should have little difficulty explaining how to turn a double play.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
UNLV Baseball Studying pre-MLB; So Why Was Gouldsmith Fired?
Originally posted in a LVRJ forum
.. because he has a .500 career record. BTW, Coach Gouldsmith was making ~$75K.
Here's the 2010 UNLV BaseBall team roster:
#1 Beaty, majoring in Communications. Not serious.
#3 Berke, majoring in Sociology. Not serious.
#9 Beuerlein, majoring in Physical Education. Not serious.
#25 De La Cruz, majoring in Physical Education. Not serious.
#39 DeWeese, majoring in Sociology. Not serious.
#20 Feiner, majoring in Physical Education. Not serious.
#6 Frierson, majoring in Physical Education. Not serious.
#35 Gilbertson, majoring in Physical Education. Not serious.
#34 Hutchinson, majoring in Physical Education. Not serious.
#49 Javate, majoring in Kinesiology. Not serious.
$5 Jimenez, majoring in Physical Education. Not serious.
#36 Kretchmer, majoring in Kinesiology. Not serious.
#28 Nading, majoring in Physical Education. Not serious.
#12 Roundy, majoring in Physical Education. Not serious.
#33 Singer, majoring in Business Finance. Semi-serious.
#40 Thomas, majoring in Physical Education. Not serious.
#38 Whitsett, majoring in Communications. Not serious.
#7 Wilson, majoring in Kinesiology. Not serious.
.. because he has a .500 career record. BTW, Coach Gouldsmith was making ~$75K.
Here's the 2010 UNLV BaseBall team roster:
#1 Beaty, majoring in Communications. Not serious.
#3 Berke, majoring in Sociology. Not serious.
#9 Beuerlein, majoring in Physical Education. Not serious.
#25 De La Cruz, majoring in Physical Education. Not serious.
#39 DeWeese, majoring in Sociology. Not serious.
#20 Feiner, majoring in Physical Education. Not serious.
#6 Frierson, majoring in Physical Education. Not serious.
#35 Gilbertson, majoring in Physical Education. Not serious.
#34 Hutchinson, majoring in Physical Education. Not serious.
#49 Javate, majoring in Kinesiology. Not serious.
$5 Jimenez, majoring in Physical Education. Not serious.
#36 Kretchmer, majoring in Kinesiology. Not serious.
#28 Nading, majoring in Physical Education. Not serious.
#12 Roundy, majoring in Physical Education. Not serious.
#33 Singer, majoring in Business Finance. Semi-serious.
#40 Thomas, majoring in Physical Education. Not serious.
#38 Whitsett, majoring in Communications. Not serious.
#7 Wilson, majoring in Kinesiology. Not serious.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Mark Amodei
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
The Nevada Republican Party elected state Sen. Mark Amodei as its new chairman
Amodei is BIG government all-the-way. He wouldn't recognize a small-government candidate if one came along dressed up in a Don't Tread on Me! constume.
Maybe next time the GOP will choose Reid.
Party Chair is all about keeping the donors happy. That means recruiting candidates who will implement the donors' agenda. Donors are generally special interests who benefit from government favors. Is it any surprise then that *both* major political parties support BIG government?
The Democrats and Republicans are like the Bolsheviks and the Mensheviks. Different sides of the same Socialist coin.
The Nevada Republican Party elected state Sen. Mark Amodei as its new chairman
Amodei is BIG government all-the-way. He wouldn't recognize a small-government candidate if one came along dressed up in a Don't Tread on Me! constume.
Maybe next time the GOP will choose Reid.
Party Chair is all about keeping the donors happy. That means recruiting candidates who will implement the donors' agenda. Donors are generally special interests who benefit from government favors. Is it any surprise then that *both* major political parties support BIG government?
The Democrats and Republicans are like the Bolsheviks and the Mensheviks. Different sides of the same Socialist coin.
Job Security For UNLV Researchers
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
If reprocessing questions are answered during the next few decades or sooner ..
Cosmological-lifetime employment for nuclear chemists and a black hole for taxpayer money. Research is an uncertain activity best left to the *private* sector. The half life of a government program makes Tc look like 204Pb.
Not everything the private sector does should be done, but that which it does not do should NOT be done.
Basic research is an activity with a very low time preference (payoff in the distant future), not unlike planting tree seedlings to make 2x4's. But unlike timber, the practical value of future scientific discovery is impossible to quantify. The only way to make economic sense of it is to make it *highly* focused. The way Intel tackles miniaturization and Genentech virology. Purely academic research has no market discipline. Like all governent programs.
I also oppose public university research funded (corrupted) by private firms.
If reprocessing questions are answered during the next few decades or sooner ..
Cosmological-lifetime employment for nuclear chemists and a black hole for taxpayer money. Research is an uncertain activity best left to the *private* sector. The half life of a government program makes Tc look like 204Pb.
Not everything the private sector does should be done, but that which it does not do should NOT be done.
Basic research is an activity with a very low time preference (payoff in the distant future), not unlike planting tree seedlings to make 2x4's. But unlike timber, the practical value of future scientific discovery is impossible to quantify. The only way to make economic sense of it is to make it *highly* focused. The way Intel tackles miniaturization and Genentech virology. Purely academic research has no market discipline. Like all governent programs.
I also oppose public university research funded (corrupted) by private firms.
Controlled Experiments For CCSD
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Some have suggested breaking up CCSD into a handful of smaller districts.
Start by dividing CCSD in two. Give one half to Rogers and the other half to Rulffes. Equal census, demographics, etc. Normalize for all the factors. Wait 5 years, then standardize test the two districts. No significant difference will be observed. Results for *both* groups will be dreadful.
Repeat the experiment with any two Superintendents of your choice. Bill Gates, Elaine Wynn, Ken Guinn, etc. No difference will be observed. Choice of Superintendent does *not* matter.
Then test the funding variable. Give one district $20,000/kid, the other $4,000 per. No difference.
Test the "alternative" model. Turn all the schools into charters, magnets, empowerments, etc. No difference.
Why so incorrigible? Public schools have to comply with *thousands* of education regulations. Private schools are free to innovate. Most don't, but at least they have a chance.
Get rid of all the ridiculous reguations -- starting with compulsory attendance. Give us 15,000 small districts. Each one a little red schoolhouse.
Some have suggested breaking up CCSD into a handful of smaller districts.
Start by dividing CCSD in two. Give one half to Rogers and the other half to Rulffes. Equal census, demographics, etc. Normalize for all the factors. Wait 5 years, then standardize test the two districts. No significant difference will be observed. Results for *both* groups will be dreadful.
Repeat the experiment with any two Superintendents of your choice. Bill Gates, Elaine Wynn, Ken Guinn, etc. No difference will be observed. Choice of Superintendent does *not* matter.
Then test the funding variable. Give one district $20,000/kid, the other $4,000 per. No difference.
Test the "alternative" model. Turn all the schools into charters, magnets, empowerments, etc. No difference.
Why so incorrigible? Public schools have to comply with *thousands* of education regulations. Private schools are free to innovate. Most don't, but at least they have a chance.
Get rid of all the ridiculous reguations -- starting with compulsory attendance. Give us 15,000 small districts. Each one a little red schoolhouse.
Friday, May 14, 2010
UNLV Football Coach's Night Out
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
It was a recruiting trip. How many football players have received free lap dances as an inducement to play for UNLV?
It was a recruiting trip. How many football players have received free lap dances as an inducement to play for UNLV?
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Disenfranchise Public Union Members
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
The ESEA is the second largest union in the district with about 12,000 members. Every one of them VOTES. As a bloc. What politician can afford to oppose them? You could make the same argument about all the other public employee unions in this state.
We give teachers, firefighters, etc a legal, protected monopoly. They shouldn't be able to use their monopoly wages and key voting strength to extort even more blood out of the taxpayers.
A casino union (like Culinary) should use its own capital to buy a controlling stake in MGM, and then replace the CEO with someone who will give them 10% annual raises. AFAIK, that's perfectly legal. Why don't they?
Because non-union shareholders would dump the stock. The share price would fall to book value. The union would take a bath. Public unions leverage their political and financial strength to control the crooked politicians. Taxpayers' only recourse is to dump their homes.
That's why you can't give voting rights to *public* union members.
The ESEA is the second largest union in the district with about 12,000 members. Every one of them VOTES. As a bloc. What politician can afford to oppose them? You could make the same argument about all the other public employee unions in this state.
We give teachers, firefighters, etc a legal, protected monopoly. They shouldn't be able to use their monopoly wages and key voting strength to extort even more blood out of the taxpayers.
A casino union (like Culinary) should use its own capital to buy a controlling stake in MGM, and then replace the CEO with someone who will give them 10% annual raises. AFAIK, that's perfectly legal. Why don't they?
Because non-union shareholders would dump the stock. The share price would fall to book value. The union would take a bath. Public unions leverage their political and financial strength to control the crooked politicians. Taxpayers' only recourse is to dump their homes.
That's why you can't give voting rights to *public* union members.
CCSD Grant Writing
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
- a narrative that would capture the attention of the grant evaluators.
More non-teaching positions for grant writers and lawyers. Public education is a jobs program for college-educated derelicts. - Allison Serafin, the executive director of Teach for America in the Las Vegas Valley, is a member of the governor's task force and was responsible for the section of the application that calls for more investment of her organization. Serafin said there was no conflict of interest.
I see. Public education is all about lucrative service contracts to politically connected firms. - Superintendent of Public Instruction Keith Rheault said the two counties were concerned they would not receive much money for their effort under the funding formulas. Because the state Department of Education has promised to supplement their shares, they have agreed to reconsider the endorsement, Rheault said.
Public education is a *political* institution. - new evaluation standards for teachers and principals, and creating an accountability task force
More regulations. More bureaucracy. Public education is a CATASTROPHE, and cannot be reformed.
UNLV Football Integrity: Roughing the Taxpayers
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
$280K Livengood said we have a responsibility to the integrity of the program and perception of our program.
What "integrity" is that? How do we know it was a *personal* trip? Because $400K Coach Hauck says so? No way!
The Regents -- the bozos accountable to the taxpayers for the way NSHE funds are spent -- should conduct an independent, *public* investigation.
$280K Livengood said we have a responsibility to the integrity of the program and perception of our program.
What "integrity" is that? How do we know it was a *personal* trip? Because $400K Coach Hauck says so? No way!
The Regents -- the bozos accountable to the taxpayers for the way NSHE funds are spent -- should conduct an independent, *public* investigation.
- Was Gregorak's trip/expenses charged to a UNLV AD credit card?
- Does UNLV football have any Colorado high school prospects on its recruitment list?
- Has Gregorak visited strip clubs on his previous, "official" recruiting trips, either for UNLV or Montana?
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Fluff Courses Out
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
UNLV's left wing faculty supports every one of those ridiculous "Leadership" programs except *Military* leadership.
Save Urban Horticulture! That's a serious science program, with *real* requirements like Organic/Bio Chem, Physics, Calc/Stats, etc. Applied Biology is a legitimate function of a state university. Urban Horticulture should be the *only* major available to jocks.
Informatics is a light science program. Too much required fluff. Dump it.
MFT is another left wing, bonehead program. Majors are taught that all society's problems are caused by employment discrimination.
Pro Golf Management. Really.
UNLV's left wing faculty supports every one of those ridiculous "Leadership" programs except *Military* leadership.
Save Urban Horticulture! That's a serious science program, with *real* requirements like Organic/Bio Chem, Physics, Calc/Stats, etc. Applied Biology is a legitimate function of a state university. Urban Horticulture should be the *only* major available to jocks.
Informatics is a light science program. Too much required fluff. Dump it.
MFT is another left wing, bonehead program. Majors are taught that all society's problems are caused by employment discrimination.
Pro Golf Management. Really.
CCSD: One HUGE Conflict-of-Interest
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Public education is a *political* institution. It's all about
Besides, the true constituency for education fled to the private schools long ago.
Those of you who believe that CCSD is about "the kids" need look no further than all the ridiculous, self-interested unions which fight tooth-&-nail to keep their good things going. And this is just the stuff that we can see.
The sort of crooked deals which go on among Legislators, Board Members, BIG political donors (representing special interests in construction, finance, textbooks, food service, etc), in expensive restaurants here in LV, up in Carson City, and even at exclusive tropical resorts, I can only imagine.
Public education is a *political* institution. It's all about
- Retainers to politically connected law firms.
- Lucrative union contracts.
- Lawsuits for shysters.
- Sinecures for friends.
Besides, the true constituency for education fled to the private schools long ago.
Those of you who believe that CCSD is about "the kids" need look no further than all the ridiculous, self-interested unions which fight tooth-&-nail to keep their good things going. And this is just the stuff that we can see.
The sort of crooked deals which go on among Legislators, Board Members, BIG political donors (representing special interests in construction, finance, textbooks, food service, etc), in expensive restaurants here in LV, up in Carson City, and even at exclusive tropical resorts, I can only imagine.
Monday, May 10, 2010
UNLV Eliminates Academic Programs Which Don't Advance Football
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
UNLV .. does have experience with eliminating programs .. [which do not further] the university's mission.
The mission of UNLV is to play football. Very few jocks major in computer science or engineering. Those programs do *nothing* to provide jocks with the academic cover necessary to make them NCAA eligible. Therefore, they're prime candidates for elimination.
Smatrick must EXPAND the number of jock majors. It looks really bad when 90% of the jocks major in Interdisciplinary. BTW, here are the requirements for that Jockology department:
Notice they wouldn't challenge a 5th grader. Nevertheless, few jocks can get through the "program".
UNLV .. does have experience with eliminating programs .. [which do not further] the university's mission.
The mission of UNLV is to play football. Very few jocks major in computer science or engineering. Those programs do *nothing* to provide jocks with the academic cover necessary to make them NCAA eligible. Therefore, they're prime candidates for elimination.
Smatrick must EXPAND the number of jock majors. It looks really bad when 90% of the jocks major in Interdisciplinary. BTW, here are the requirements for that Jockology department:
Notice they wouldn't challenge a 5th grader. Nevertheless, few jocks can get through the "program".
Smatresk Con Job
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Two years ago, the bachelor's degree in University Studies was eliminated. The program had about 400 students in it, but Smatresk, then the provost, didn't believe it fit with the university's mission.
Pure spin. The reason University Studies was phased out was because of an embarassing USA Today article which revealed that some huge percentage of majors were JOCKS.
Yeah, all but 50 of them have "finished", but that just means they've dematriculated from UNLV, not that they completed their degree. Probably fewer than 15% of them *ever* went to class, much less graduated.
"Interdisciplinary", AKA Jockology.
Two years ago, the bachelor's degree in University Studies was eliminated. The program had about 400 students in it, but Smatresk, then the provost, didn't believe it fit with the university's mission.
Pure spin. The reason University Studies was phased out was because of an embarassing USA Today article which revealed that some huge percentage of majors were JOCKS.
Yeah, all but 50 of them have "finished", but that just means they've dematriculated from UNLV, not that they completed their degree. Probably fewer than 15% of them *ever* went to class, much less graduated.
"Interdisciplinary", AKA Jockology.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Union Seniority More Valuable Than Results
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Teachers who have worked in the district for 14 years or more are no longer eligible for pay increases based on experience.
Most of them should be weeded out. Their jobs given to younger, more motivated, less expensive employees. It's always the same story with the unions. Job security based on seniority.
A private teaching firm would always be on the lookout for hot, young talent with executive material. Those are the kinds of go-getters who would get picked (ie promoted to Principal) to operate *expansion* schools.
Teachers who have worked in the district for 14 years or more are no longer eligible for pay increases based on experience.
Most of them should be weeded out. Their jobs given to younger, more motivated, less expensive employees. It's always the same story with the unions. Job security based on seniority.
A private teaching firm would always be on the lookout for hot, young talent with executive material. Those are the kinds of go-getters who would get picked (ie promoted to Principal) to operate *expansion* schools.
Protectionism For CCEA Members
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
preserve pay increases based on a teacher's academic credentials
Whenever I see a business which gives raises based on acquisition of academic letters I know it's an enterprise which is dominated by the GOVERNMENT. A teacher's worth should be measured by how well she teaches and how many, not by how much idiotic pedagogy she has soaked up in a lecture hall.
Kobe would not make even 10¢/hr more if he held a PhD in Hoops.
I know an in-house trainer for a Fortune 50 firm. He doesn't have a lot of formal education but he gets the job done. For that he's well-paid. Don't know whether he received a raise this year.
preserve pay increases based on a teacher's academic credentials
Whenever I see a business which gives raises based on acquisition of academic letters I know it's an enterprise which is dominated by the GOVERNMENT. A teacher's worth should be measured by how well she teaches and how many, not by how much idiotic pedagogy she has soaked up in a lecture hall.
Kobe would not make even 10¢/hr more if he held a PhD in Hoops.
I know an in-house trainer for a Fortune 50 firm. He doesn't have a lot of formal education but he gets the job done. For that he's well-paid. Don't know whether he received a raise this year.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Privatize Our Federal Lands
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
As sort of a condition of entry into the Union, Nevada pledged to forever respect federal lands within our boundaries. See "Ordinance §3" (NSC) Good luck getting this state behind the federal lands privatization effort!
Actually, Nevada could expedite this by only awarding its electoral votes to presidential candidates who promise to privatize. The way the Southern States ended Reconstruction. Good luck with that. The two BIG Government Parties have rigged state election law to ensure that their respective candidate gets the votes unconditionally.
As sort of a condition of entry into the Union, Nevada pledged to forever respect federal lands within our boundaries. See "Ordinance §3" (NSC) Good luck getting this state behind the federal lands privatization effort!
Actually, Nevada could expedite this by only awarding its electoral votes to presidential candidates who promise to privatize. The way the Southern States ended Reconstruction. Good luck with that. The two BIG Government Parties have rigged state election law to ensure that their respective candidate gets the votes unconditionally.
Cry Me a Rebel River
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
[Beuerlein] will graduate this summer
I doubt it. The graduation rate for jocks is *significantly* lower than that of non-jocks.
Beuerlein is majoring in "sport management and physical education". Pre-MLB. Jockology. Not serious. The program is so ridiculous that even Smatrick can't defend it. He's going to discontinue it.
UNLV is not supposed to be a MLB farm team. Why do taxpayers continue to give scholarships to jocks who couldn't care less about education? Why do we continue to fund junk departments which give jocks academic cover? This "triumph over adversity" story must have planted by UNLV's Sport Management faculty as a way to further politicize the department and save their jobs.
[Beuerlein] will graduate this summer
I doubt it. The graduation rate for jocks is *significantly* lower than that of non-jocks.
Beuerlein is majoring in "sport management and physical education". Pre-MLB. Jockology. Not serious. The program is so ridiculous that even Smatrick can't defend it. He's going to discontinue it.
UNLV is not supposed to be a MLB farm team. Why do taxpayers continue to give scholarships to jocks who couldn't care less about education? Why do we continue to fund junk departments which give jocks academic cover? This "triumph over adversity" story must have planted by UNLV's Sport Management faculty as a way to further politicize the department and save their jobs.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Motorcyclist Killed By CCSD Bus
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Another victim of public education.
Don Gustavson (R-Sparks) is the only pro-freedom guy in Carson City. Every session he sponsors a motorcycle helmet choice bill. It never gets out of committee. He can't even get votes from legislators who identify themselves as "pro-choice".
Don is resigning his Assembly seat to run for state Senate. He deserves our support.
Another victim of public education.
Don Gustavson (R-Sparks) is the only pro-freedom guy in Carson City. Every session he sponsors a motorcycle helmet choice bill. It never gets out of committee. He can't even get votes from legislators who identify themselves as "pro-choice".
Don is resigning his Assembly seat to run for state Senate. He deserves our support.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Millenium Scholarships: Bad For Nevada
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
The [Millenium] program now costs $25 million a year, but that total is increasing by about $1 million per year.
What is this $25M++/yr taxpayer burden to fund Millenium Scholarships? When the UNV was "sold" to a skeptical voting public, that annual expenditure wasn't part of the deal. Neither was the $14M/yr the state gives to fund NCAA sports, nor the hundreds of millions we spend each year on NSHE.
The [Millenium] program now costs $25 million a year, but that total is increasing by about $1 million per year.
What is this $25M++/yr taxpayer burden to fund Millenium Scholarships? When the UNV was "sold" to a skeptical voting public, that annual expenditure wasn't part of the deal. Neither was the $14M/yr the state gives to fund NCAA sports, nor the hundreds of millions we spend each year on NSHE.
Too Much Nevada Government
Originally posted in a LVRJ forum
Lawyer Polsenberg said It was a clever legislator's trick to pass the spending side ... and then be forced to vote on whether to pass the revenue
It's not "clever". Under NSC Article 9 §2 it's the law.
The crooked politicians allocate the first 115 days of the legislative session to impose upon us as much government as they can think of. More K-12. More football scholarships. More senior, mental health, and employment training programs.
More retirement benefits for state employees.
Pile it on.
When they add it all up .. SURPRSE! Government in the next biennium needs to be 10% larger than it already is. For FY '12/'13 the Republicrats are hinting 20% (~$8.2B)! A small government legislator would vote NAY on all government spending except that which is absolutely, constitutionally required. The three branches, 18 public schools, three UNR applied science departments, a few other small things, and that's it. ~$200M.
In correct sequence, next starts the acrimonious five day debate over how to pay for it. That typically means higher business and sales taxes, though it would be perfectly legitimate for legislators to fund BIG government through user fees. For instance, $10,000 per K-12 student. $800 per UNLV credit. That sort of thing. A small government legislator would have little problem voting YEA to such "new" taxes. That is, "no" on the spending, "yes" on the taxes.
Seems like every session you get a few "Conservatives" who vote YEA on the spending and NAY on the funding mechanism. As if BIG government will somehow pay for itself. Of course lets them demagogue I SUPPORT public education! and No new taxes!
That's clever like a thief.
Lawyer Polsenberg said It was a clever legislator's trick to pass the spending side ... and then be forced to vote on whether to pass the revenue
It's not "clever". Under NSC Article 9 §2 it's the law.
The crooked politicians allocate the first 115 days of the legislative session to impose upon us as much government as they can think of. More K-12. More football scholarships. More senior, mental health, and employment training programs.
More retirement benefits for state employees.
Pile it on.
When they add it all up .. SURPRSE! Government in the next biennium needs to be 10% larger than it already is. For FY '12/'13 the Republicrats are hinting 20% (~$8.2B)! A small government legislator would vote NAY on all government spending except that which is absolutely, constitutionally required. The three branches, 18 public schools, three UNR applied science departments, a few other small things, and that's it. ~$200M.
In correct sequence, next starts the acrimonious five day debate over how to pay for it. That typically means higher business and sales taxes, though it would be perfectly legitimate for legislators to fund BIG government through user fees. For instance, $10,000 per K-12 student. $800 per UNLV credit. That sort of thing. A small government legislator would have little problem voting YEA to such "new" taxes. That is, "no" on the spending, "yes" on the taxes.
Seems like every session you get a few "Conservatives" who vote YEA on the spending and NAY on the funding mechanism. As if BIG government will somehow pay for itself. Of course lets them demagogue I SUPPORT public education! and No new taxes!
That's clever like a thief.
Hannibal Sandoval
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Hannibal Sandoval lawyered That is not raising taxes
Let's be fair to the RINO. An AG cannot raise taxes. But it is also true that Sandoval's role in Guinn's tax hike cannot be dismissed as simply a lawyer reresenting his client.
The AG is supposed to provide a legal opinion. Sandoval probably told Guinn "you have a good case".
Strike 1.
The AG must take legal action when the Governor so directs. He can also take legal action INDEPENDENT of the Governor. The NSC is silent about tie-breaks. That is, when the Governor wants to sue and the AG doesn't.
Constutional issues aside, Sandoval could have simply refused to comply. The way that Cortez-Masto has refused to participate in Fibbons' Obamacare lawsuit.
Strike 2.
Sandoval is a close political ally of archetype RINO Raggio. He even works at the same politically connected, BIG government law firm.
STRIKE THREE!
Hannibal Sandoval lawyered That is not raising taxes
Let's be fair to the RINO. An AG cannot raise taxes. But it is also true that Sandoval's role in Guinn's tax hike cannot be dismissed as simply a lawyer reresenting his client.
The AG is supposed to provide a legal opinion. Sandoval probably told Guinn "you have a good case".
Strike 1.
The AG must take legal action when the Governor so directs. He can also take legal action INDEPENDENT of the Governor. The NSC is silent about tie-breaks. That is, when the Governor wants to sue and the AG doesn't.
Constutional issues aside, Sandoval could have simply refused to comply. The way that Cortez-Masto has refused to participate in Fibbons' Obamacare lawsuit.
Strike 2.
Sandoval is a close political ally of archetype RINO Raggio. He even works at the same politically connected, BIG government law firm.
STRIKE THREE!
Friday, April 30, 2010
Bureaucrats Bully High School Kids
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
This article is a synopsis of everything that's wrong with this state.
This article is a synopsis of everything that's wrong with this state.
- The NV Chief Justice goes on record favoring convictions of youthful "offenders" presumed to be innocent. More judicial misconduct.
- High school students -- who are coerced into school to begin with -- are driven into videoconference (police detention) rooms like criminal suspects to get lectured about some new BIG government law. The schools are just government re-education camps.
- Some government "woman" lawyer is permitted to *bully* innocent school boys with threats like "we'll find you!" More LGBT/Women's rights activism.
- While the private sector is *shrinking* an entirely new "cyberbullying" (a non-crime crime) legal racket is *forming*. More billable hours for lobbyists and lawyers.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Public Education CANNOT Be Reformed
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
You people who argue for a 9/12 month school year, new Board members, an interim Superintendent, a teacher/student Bill of Rights, higher/lower academic standards, etc just don't get it. Public education is a CATASTROPHE and *cannot* be reformed.
The private sector is perfectly capable of providing enough classrooms, bandwidth, mobile tutors, etc to satisfy the real demand for primary/secondary/higher education. For all tastes, pricepoints, and degrees of quality.
What's this blather about 9 months vs year-round (5 tracks)? School "years" should be variable and tracks multitudinous. Like the students the schools are supposed to serve.
1 day/wk schools. 1 hr/night schools. $10,000/yr schools. $10/wk schools. Sports schools. Drama schools. Science schools. How about a school which guarantees your child admission to an IVY or your money back! And on and on.
This is all so obvious. The only reason we haven't moved to this paradyne *decades* ago is because the Republicrats have HUGE financial stakes in continuing the status quo.
No more "one size fits all" operating hours and curriculum. No more consultants, union contracts, and vapid pedagogies.
No more political teacher performance evaluations. Everyone will know who are the good teachers are. They'll be the ones with wait lists.
No more political school performance evalutions. Everyone will know which schools are good. They'll be the ones which are expanding.
No more bond measures, court test cases and rigged, riotous (draft) board meetings.
You people who argue for a 9/12 month school year, new Board members, an interim Superintendent, a teacher/student Bill of Rights, higher/lower academic standards, etc just don't get it. Public education is a CATASTROPHE and *cannot* be reformed.
The private sector is perfectly capable of providing enough classrooms, bandwidth, mobile tutors, etc to satisfy the real demand for primary/secondary/higher education. For all tastes, pricepoints, and degrees of quality.
What's this blather about 9 months vs year-round (5 tracks)? School "years" should be variable and tracks multitudinous. Like the students the schools are supposed to serve.
1 day/wk schools. 1 hr/night schools. $10,000/yr schools. $10/wk schools. Sports schools. Drama schools. Science schools. How about a school which guarantees your child admission to an IVY or your money back! And on and on.
This is all so obvious. The only reason we haven't moved to this paradyne *decades* ago is because the Republicrats have HUGE financial stakes in continuing the status quo.
No more "one size fits all" operating hours and curriculum. No more consultants, union contracts, and vapid pedagogies.
No more political teacher performance evaluations. Everyone will know who are the good teachers are. They'll be the ones with wait lists.
No more political school performance evalutions. Everyone will know which schools are good. They'll be the ones which are expanding.
No more bond measures, court test cases and rigged, riotous (draft) board meetings.
Abolish Truancy Laws!
Originally posted in a LVRJ forum
Scott Weissinger, a school [CCSD] attendance officer
This predator is like that mean character in Chitty Bang Bang who captured and imprisoned helpless small children.
This bastard is the sort of powermonger who'd put your child in front of a firing squad for evading the draft.
This abject bounty hunter is the spiritual descendent of runaway-slave catchers.
This thug (and his colleagues) are too dumb to pass the Metro entrance exam yet they're CCSD's *most* essential employees. They keep state money coming in.
State funding is awarded through a wonkish formula based on student headcount. Absences cost. Truant officers (like Weissinger) keep the schools filled with warm bodies. The (draft) Board would soooner *burn down* the schools than fire truant officers.
We shouldn't DRAFT kids into CCSD. If they don't want to be there, or their parents don't care, it's *insane* to send truant officers out to capture them. Like MPs rounding up AWOLs.
Scott Weissinger, a school [CCSD] attendance officer
This predator is like that mean character in Chitty Bang Bang who captured and imprisoned helpless small children.
This bastard is the sort of powermonger who'd put your child in front of a firing squad for evading the draft.
This abject bounty hunter is the spiritual descendent of runaway-slave catchers.
This thug (and his colleagues) are too dumb to pass the Metro entrance exam yet they're CCSD's *most* essential employees. They keep state money coming in.
State funding is awarded through a wonkish formula based on student headcount. Absences cost. Truant officers (like Weissinger) keep the schools filled with warm bodies. The (draft) Board would soooner *burn down* the schools than fire truant officers.
We shouldn't DRAFT kids into CCSD. If they don't want to be there, or their parents don't care, it's *insane* to send truant officers out to capture them. Like MPs rounding up AWOLs.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
CCSD: "One Size Fits All"
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
This "one size fits all" philosophy might work for a Ford Motor assembly line (circa 1910) but it has NO place in an education system which purports to serve a 24 hr town. If we privatized education then some enterprising fellow might decide to operate an overnight kindergarten. Wouldn't *that* be an innovation!
The system we have now is like Southwest Air scheduling all their flights in/out to/of LAS between [0730-0900]/[1430-1700]. Soon only nine months a year! Shareholders would RIOT.
A private education system would operate during hours convenient to its customers, not its employees.
Of course school "years" should be variable length. Kids learn at different rates. Of course tracks should be numerous. Why does everyone have to start/stop at the same time.
We homeschool. Our kids go on break when it's convenient for *us*, not for a bunch of union members.
We increase our kids' individual work loads and complexities when *they're* ready, not when some MA/Ed bureaucrat's scheduling chart says so.
This "one size fits all" philosophy might work for a Ford Motor assembly line (circa 1910) but it has NO place in an education system which purports to serve a 24 hr town. If we privatized education then some enterprising fellow might decide to operate an overnight kindergarten. Wouldn't *that* be an innovation!
The system we have now is like Southwest Air scheduling all their flights in/out to/of LAS between [0730-0900]/[1430-1700]. Soon only nine months a year! Shareholders would RIOT.
A private education system would operate during hours convenient to its customers, not its employees.
Of course school "years" should be variable length. Kids learn at different rates. Of course tracks should be numerous. Why does everyone have to start/stop at the same time.
We homeschool. Our kids go on break when it's convenient for *us*, not for a bunch of union members.
We increase our kids' individual work loads and complexities when *they're* ready, not when some MA/Ed bureaucrat's scheduling chart says so.
Fund Millenium Scholarships Out of the Football Budget
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
The Legislature spends some $14M per year to fund Division 1 sports. That is, scholarships to chowderhead jocks who couldn't care LESS about education. Many of whom are from out-of-state. That's right.
Though I oppose government funding of education, if the crooked politicians want to bailout the Millenium Scholarship fund the "Intercollegiate Athletics" budget is a good place to get the money to do so.
The Legislature spends some $14M per year to fund Division 1 sports. That is, scholarships to chowderhead jocks who couldn't care LESS about education. Many of whom are from out-of-state. That's right.
Though I oppose government funding of education, if the crooked politicians want to bailout the Millenium Scholarship fund the "Intercollegiate Athletics" budget is a good place to get the money to do so.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
UNLV Jock Kicked Off Team For Flunking ...
.. a drug test.
The guy was admitted to UNLV even though he couldn't spell his own name. He is majoring in University Studies. He couldn't care less about education. He probably never goes to class.
He gets dropped from the team for smoking pot?!
Maybe now he'll focus on academics.
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
The guy was admitted to UNLV even though he couldn't spell his own name. He is majoring in University Studies. He couldn't care less about education. He probably never goes to class.
He gets dropped from the team for smoking pot?!
Maybe now he'll focus on academics.
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Monday, April 26, 2010
Ridiculous Majors at UNLV
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
"University Studies" (AKA "jockology") is a pseudo-major which exists to give academic cover to athletes who can't get through Basketweaving 101. The program has no objective standards. Its "requirements" wouldn't challenge a third grader. Even so, most jocks who declare in it can't amass enough credits to graduate.
A few years ago USA Today noted that some huge percentage of UNLV footballers were majoring it. Very embarassing to UNLV. As a result, UNLV announced it was phasing out University Studies and replacing it with yet another faux major -- "Interdisciplinary". Same program. New name.
It's almost meaningless for jocks to declare a major since such a minor percentage of them graduate -- even after 6 years. Still, "criminal Justice"? What the heck is that? Do prison guards need 4 yr degrees, too?
Physical Education? So now the 3R's stand for reading defenses, writing rosters, and adding up runs. It's just ridiculous. Wooden was an English major. Paterno was a college dropout (though majoring in Economics).
Kinesiology? Another one of those "ology" programs which sounds sophisticated but is actually quite worthless.
Physiology, Biology, Eschatology, Etiology, etc. Serious.
Kinesiology, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, etc. Not serious.
Astrology & Numerology. The next great jock majors.
"University Studies" (AKA "jockology") is a pseudo-major which exists to give academic cover to athletes who can't get through Basketweaving 101. The program has no objective standards. Its "requirements" wouldn't challenge a third grader. Even so, most jocks who declare in it can't amass enough credits to graduate.
A few years ago USA Today noted that some huge percentage of UNLV footballers were majoring it. Very embarassing to UNLV. As a result, UNLV announced it was phasing out University Studies and replacing it with yet another faux major -- "Interdisciplinary". Same program. New name.
It's almost meaningless for jocks to declare a major since such a minor percentage of them graduate -- even after 6 years. Still, "criminal Justice"? What the heck is that? Do prison guards need 4 yr degrees, too?
Physical Education? So now the 3R's stand for reading defenses, writing rosters, and adding up runs. It's just ridiculous. Wooden was an English major. Paterno was a college dropout (though majoring in Economics).
Kinesiology? Another one of those "ology" programs which sounds sophisticated but is actually quite worthless.
Physiology, Biology, Eschatology, Etiology, etc. Serious.
Kinesiology, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, etc. Not serious.
Astrology & Numerology. The next great jock majors.
UNLV Alchemy
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
117Craponium.
118Wastinium.
119Spendon.
Z= 120, 121, ... A bunch of alchemists.
Not sure what the theoretical limit is to the number of protons in the nucleus, but leave it to the government to fund research to keep adding protons to create elements with 10-77 s half-lives, while simultaneously funding research to smash protons into a zillion pieces.
Let the Tritium decay.
The job of University of Nevada Chemistry Professors is to *teach* the next generation of Nevada applied scientists. If you want to design nuclear weapons go work for Sandia.
Droput Nevada casino workers shouldn't have to pay higher taxes to maintain a SiO2-box for educated derelicts.
117Craponium.
118Wastinium.
119Spendon.
Z= 120, 121, ... A bunch of alchemists.
Not sure what the theoretical limit is to the number of protons in the nucleus, but leave it to the government to fund research to keep adding protons to create elements with 10-77 s half-lives, while simultaneously funding research to smash protons into a zillion pieces.
Let the Tritium decay.
The job of University of Nevada Chemistry Professors is to *teach* the next generation of Nevada applied scientists. If you want to design nuclear weapons go work for Sandia.
Droput Nevada casino workers shouldn't have to pay higher taxes to maintain a SiO2-box for educated derelicts.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
UNLV Football Players Drafted by the NFL
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Wolfe earned a bachelor's degree in kinesiological sciences and is currently pursuing a master's degree in sports education leadership. Not serious.
Hawley majoring in Physical Education. Not serious.
The University of Nevada is not supposed to be a NFL training camp.
Wolfe earned a bachelor's degree in kinesiological sciences and is currently pursuing a master's degree in sports education leadership. Not serious.
Hawley majoring in Physical Education. Not serious.
The University of Nevada is not supposed to be a NFL training camp.
Illegals Underwhelming CCSD
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
CCSD has ~310,000 students. How many of them are illegal? 1%? 10%? 20?!
Big deal.
Keep them. Get rid of the *legal* 80%+. Save a bundle. Abolish the system altogether. Save a bigger bundle.
CCSD has ~310,000 students. How many of them are illegal? 1%? 10%? 20?!
Big deal.
Keep them. Get rid of the *legal* 80%+. Save a bundle. Abolish the system altogether. Save a bigger bundle.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Farewell Rulffes
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
CCSD has *dozens* of competing constituencies. CCSD has *thousands* of regulations controlling it. The best candidate for Superintendent is someone with *political* skills.
Someone PC. Someone who can utter all the right platitudes to whichever audience s/he's in front of. Someone who can deal with the Legislature.
Yes, Rulffes is a dope, but he's well-suited for the job. I'm sorry to see him go.
CCSD has *dozens* of competing constituencies. CCSD has *thousands* of regulations controlling it. The best candidate for Superintendent is someone with *political* skills.
Someone PC. Someone who can utter all the right platitudes to whichever audience s/he's in front of. Someone who can deal with the Legislature.
Yes, Rulffes is a dope, but he's well-suited for the job. I'm sorry to see him go.
Republicrats Eyeballing Your Wallet Again
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
In 2011 the governor and Legislature are projected to face a budget scenario in which expected revenue is as much as $3 billion less than projected spending.
How much government are the Republicrats planning to shove down our throats in the next biennium?
Current tax revenues are running ~$2.5B/yr, with ~$150M of that set to expire in FY '12. That means if the economy stablizes, in the next biennium old taxes (which "No new taxes!" Fibbons adores) will generate ~$4.7B. A $3B "gap" indicates that Horsefurd, Raggio and the gang are looking to spend ~$7.7B! Up from $6.9B in the current biennium. ~11% more.
Are they serious? Where is all this money going to come from? The crooked politicians are not going to find it in the Dairy Commission or the Taxicab Authority. What do the scheming politicians have up their sleeves?
In 2011 the governor and Legislature are projected to face a budget scenario in which expected revenue is as much as $3 billion less than projected spending.
How much government are the Republicrats planning to shove down our throats in the next biennium?
Current tax revenues are running ~$2.5B/yr, with ~$150M of that set to expire in FY '12. That means if the economy stablizes, in the next biennium old taxes (which "No new taxes!" Fibbons adores) will generate ~$4.7B. A $3B "gap" indicates that Horsefurd, Raggio and the gang are looking to spend ~$7.7B! Up from $6.9B in the current biennium. ~11% more.
Are they serious? Where is all this money going to come from? The crooked politicians are not going to find it in the Dairy Commission or the Taxicab Authority. What do the scheming politicians have up their sleeves?
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Public Schools OPPOSE "Take Your Kids To Work" Day
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
The reason public school cogs oppose absences so vociferously is because state education funds are allocated based on a wonkish formula which scores school attendance.
That is why the most important employee a public school system is its truancy officer. That is why school districts fight tooth-&-nail to keep compulsory attendance laws on the books. That is why the local School Board should more accurately be called the DRAFT Board.
We homeschool. We take our kids to work every day.
Many public school teachers won't allow their kids to come to work with them.
#1) It's too dangerous.
#2) They're paying good money to send their kids to *private* schools.
The reason public school cogs oppose absences so vociferously is because state education funds are allocated based on a wonkish formula which scores school attendance.
That is why the most important employee a public school system is its truancy officer. That is why school districts fight tooth-&-nail to keep compulsory attendance laws on the books. That is why the local School Board should more accurately be called the DRAFT Board.
We homeschool. We take our kids to work every day.
Many public school teachers won't allow their kids to come to work with them.
#1) It's too dangerous.
#2) They're paying good money to send their kids to *private* schools.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Little Red School Modular
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
the district's 76 year-round schools ..
The constitutional minimum is ONE school. Attendance optional. Squeeze up to 310,000 kids into a single portable.
the district's 76 year-round schools ..
The constitutional minimum is ONE school. Attendance optional. Squeeze up to 310,000 kids into a single portable.
Teachers Who Went to Graduate School
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
I am so sick of this constant whining about underpaid teachers with advanced degrees. As though a CCSD incompetent with a Masters is worth more than an incompetent without. Academic credentials only matter in fields which are dominated by the government.
At the stove a dropout who can flip 400 burgers/hr is worth twice as much as a doctor who can only flip 200.
I am so sick of this constant whining about underpaid teachers with advanced degrees. As though a CCSD incompetent with a Masters is worth more than an incompetent without. Academic credentials only matter in fields which are dominated by the government.
At the stove a dropout who can flip 400 burgers/hr is worth twice as much as a doctor who can only flip 200.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Livengood's Fuzzy Accounting
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
[Livengood] kept [UAZ Athletic] department in the black
For college sports you can't really talk about black/red in a way that makes business sense. How can you claim to make a "profit" when your *star* employees are officially unpaid? Or is involuntary servitude legal in Arizona?
How can you claim to make a profit when you don't even make a good-faith attempt to account for your expenses? For example, the cost of tossing admission/grading standards. Athletic Dept accountants never factor in the cost of the numerous basketweaving departments which need to be maintained to give jocks academic cover, like Sociology, Physical Education, Sports Management, etc. Those real costs are conveniently shifted to social "science" college budgets. The old shell game.
FYI, that "$28M subsidy" figure is over the biennium.
Sorry, but UNLV will not renounce federal funding. Title IX *stays*.
[Livengood] kept [UAZ Athletic] department in the black
For college sports you can't really talk about black/red in a way that makes business sense. How can you claim to make a "profit" when your *star* employees are officially unpaid? Or is involuntary servitude legal in Arizona?
How can you claim to make a profit when you don't even make a good-faith attempt to account for your expenses? For example, the cost of tossing admission/grading standards. Athletic Dept accountants never factor in the cost of the numerous basketweaving departments which need to be maintained to give jocks academic cover, like Sociology, Physical Education, Sports Management, etc. Those real costs are conveniently shifted to social "science" college budgets. The old shell game.
FYI, that "$28M subsidy" figure is over the biennium.
Sorry, but UNLV will not renounce federal funding. Title IX *stays*.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Eliminate UNLV Sports
Originally posted in a LVRJ forum
$280K/yr AD Livengood said: A good development person [like its $109K/yr ex-head fundraiser, Bill Brady] can quadruple what you pay them just because they're that good at raising money.
This outrage cannot pass unconfronted.
When a beggar asks you to donate to a charity (like UNLV) you might expect him to be uncompensated. After all, you want all of the money to go directly to the nominal beneficiaries (ie students). Then you find out that "Whoa!" The money is used to pay the $100K+ salary of the hustler.
I've actually met a couple of jokers like that. They were full-time fundraisers for some of those BIG charities you probably heard of. Each was making ~$400K! That's right.
UNLV is like all the other big charities out there. Probably ~96% of its charitable support goes to pay for executive salaries, wine-&-cheese parties, and Lake Tahoe chalets. Virtually NONE of the money goes to *real* students who truly need assistance. The "charity" is reserved for athletic scholarships for jocks who couldn't care less about education.
Sorry. UNLV accepts federal funds. It can't escape Title IX. The cost of Men's football is WOMEN'S football.
$280K/yr AD Livengood said: A good development person [like its $109K/yr ex-head fundraiser, Bill Brady] can quadruple what you pay them just because they're that good at raising money.
This outrage cannot pass unconfronted.
When a beggar asks you to donate to a charity (like UNLV) you might expect him to be uncompensated. After all, you want all of the money to go directly to the nominal beneficiaries (ie students). Then you find out that "Whoa!" The money is used to pay the $100K+ salary of the hustler.
I've actually met a couple of jokers like that. They were full-time fundraisers for some of those BIG charities you probably heard of. Each was making ~$400K! That's right.
UNLV is like all the other big charities out there. Probably ~96% of its charitable support goes to pay for executive salaries, wine-&-cheese parties, and Lake Tahoe chalets. Virtually NONE of the money goes to *real* students who truly need assistance. The "charity" is reserved for athletic scholarships for jocks who couldn't care less about education.
Sorry. UNLV accepts federal funds. It can't escape Title IX. The cost of Men's football is WOMEN'S football.
UNLV Athletics Dept Needs Remedial Math
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
UNLV [Athletics] estimates that it will end its fiscal year June 30 with $26.06 million in revenues and $27.99 million in expenses.
Those budget figures DON'T add up. It's not rounding errors. That $26M revenue figure isn't even close. Even so, the $280K Athletic Director is employing fuzzy accounting.
Sports boosters never factor in the ridiculous departments (lke Sports this-&-that) and degree programs (like University Studies) which need to be maintained in order to provide jocks with academic cover, nor the compromised admission standards (non-existent, really) required to get the chowderhead jocks in the door in the first place, nor the complete distraction to Admnistration and disruption of what should be a tranquil, ivy tower environment.
When you look at how UNLV prioritizes (ie the $1M hoops coach and $450K football coach) you could conclude that UNLV exists to play BIG sports. Academics is just a pretext. The true cost of UNLV sports is closer to the entire cost of the University.
UNLV [Athletics] estimates that it will end its fiscal year June 30 with $26.06 million in revenues and $27.99 million in expenses.
Those budget figures DON'T add up. It's not rounding errors. That $26M revenue figure isn't even close. Even so, the $280K Athletic Director is employing fuzzy accounting.
Sports boosters never factor in the ridiculous departments (lke Sports this-&-that) and degree programs (like University Studies) which need to be maintained in order to provide jocks with academic cover, nor the compromised admission standards (non-existent, really) required to get the chowderhead jocks in the door in the first place, nor the complete distraction to Admnistration and disruption of what should be a tranquil, ivy tower environment.
When you look at how UNLV prioritizes (ie the $1M hoops coach and $450K football coach) you could conclude that UNLV exists to play BIG sports. Academics is just a pretext. The true cost of UNLV sports is closer to the entire cost of the University.
Monday, April 12, 2010
University of NV for Free!
Originally posted in a LVRJ forum
There are ~450,000 kids in Nevada K-12 (public+private). Assume, 35,000 enter 1st grade with 25% attrition. That means ~25,000 HS diplomas awarded here each yr.
The University of Nevada (now UNR) was established as a small A&M school. It was endowed with capital sufficient to make further taxpayer obligation to it unnecessary. Basically all of UNR's applied science students should be getting free rides or else paying just nominal tuition. That's right.
UNR's endowment is on the order of $200M. The trust manager should be able to yield 5% -- $10M/yr. [I doubt that highly paid, politically connected nincompoop returns even *half* of that]. 1/2 gets paid out to cover operating expenses (the rest reinvested).
I could argue for much a lower number, but assume operating expenses are $10,000 per student. That means you could enroll ~500 students TUITION FREE. UNLV is similar. Consolidate its endowment and science programs at UNR and you can support ~1,000 students (250 per class).
The top 1% of NV high school graduates would be eligible.
If our political constituencies object we could modify this structure slightly. Reserve 500 seats for women, 10 for ethnic minorities, another 100 for jocks, etc.
There are ~450,000 kids in Nevada K-12 (public+private). Assume, 35,000 enter 1st grade with 25% attrition. That means ~25,000 HS diplomas awarded here each yr.
The University of Nevada (now UNR) was established as a small A&M school. It was endowed with capital sufficient to make further taxpayer obligation to it unnecessary. Basically all of UNR's applied science students should be getting free rides or else paying just nominal tuition. That's right.
UNR's endowment is on the order of $200M. The trust manager should be able to yield 5% -- $10M/yr. [I doubt that highly paid, politically connected nincompoop returns even *half* of that]. 1/2 gets paid out to cover operating expenses (the rest reinvested).
I could argue for much a lower number, but assume operating expenses are $10,000 per student. That means you could enroll ~500 students TUITION FREE. UNLV is similar. Consolidate its endowment and science programs at UNR and you can support ~1,000 students (250 per class).
The top 1% of NV high school graduates would be eligible.
If our political constituencies object we could modify this structure slightly. Reserve 500 seats for women, 10 for ethnic minorities, another 100 for jocks, etc.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Ronald McDonal For CCSD Superintendent
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
It doesn't matter who replaces Rulffes. NOTHING will change. Why should a bureaucracy controlled by Rogers or Rhoust be any better than one controlled by Rulffes?
On a personal level, Rogers is quite a demagogue. Someone less pompous (and cheaper) would be better.
My personal favorite is a poster named 'Jack' who sometimes lurks in CCSD-related fora. My second choice is Ronald McDonald. He's great with kids, has enterprise experience, and he is already familiar with McEducation products.
It doesn't matter who replaces Rulffes. NOTHING will change. Why should a bureaucracy controlled by Rogers or Rhoust be any better than one controlled by Rulffes?
On a personal level, Rogers is quite a demagogue. Someone less pompous (and cheaper) would be better.
My personal favorite is a poster named 'Jack' who sometimes lurks in CCSD-related fora. My second choice is Ronald McDonald. He's great with kids, has enterprise experience, and he is already familiar with McEducation products.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Hey CCSD Parents: Demand A Revenue Share!
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
CCSD makes >$10,000 per kid. Students receive little education value in return.
Hey >20 parents from Glen Taylor, Twitchell and Vanderburg. Threaten to pull your kids OUT of CCSD unless it revenue shares. The way it already does with its unions. In the aggregate, over your kids' dubious CCSD careers, they represent >$1.2M in state revenue for CCSD. It can't afford to lose you. It'll find a way to accomodate you.
CCSD makes >$10,000 per kid. Students receive little education value in return.
Hey >20 parents from Glen Taylor, Twitchell and Vanderburg. Threaten to pull your kids OUT of CCSD unless it revenue shares. The way it already does with its unions. In the aggregate, over your kids' dubious CCSD careers, they represent >$1.2M in state revenue for CCSD. It can't afford to lose you. It'll find a way to accomodate you.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Administrators Make Money For Public Schools
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
A lot of people are going to post loud comments about cutting administrators. You folks don't understand the economics of public education.
CCSD has *thousands* of regulations it needs to comply with. You can't expect teachers to know them all. Only a small army of $100K+ bureaucrats can do the job.
Then you have all the non-teaching positions which were built into the grant applications. You can't eliminate them without violating -- penalties apply -- the terms of the grant. Besides, those "cost-plus" positions actually make money for the district. Fire them and the "profits" go too.
Then you have all the political hires whose jobs serve to curry favor with state legislators and large voting constituencies.
So you see, Administrators are valuable. *Teachers* are burden.
Teachers have expensive and inflexible employment contracts. State funding is per *student*, not per teacher. Fewer teachers reduce CCSD expenses without reducing state funding. Teachers are susceptible to making controversial statements and having illicit contact with students, which exposes CCSD to costly lawsuits and political embarrassment. And finally, many teachers are just incompetent. Get rid of them now en masse and avoid lengthy, expensive individual employment discrimination suits.
A lot of people are going to post loud comments about cutting administrators. You folks don't understand the economics of public education.
CCSD has *thousands* of regulations it needs to comply with. You can't expect teachers to know them all. Only a small army of $100K+ bureaucrats can do the job.
Then you have all the non-teaching positions which were built into the grant applications. You can't eliminate them without violating -- penalties apply -- the terms of the grant. Besides, those "cost-plus" positions actually make money for the district. Fire them and the "profits" go too.
Then you have all the political hires whose jobs serve to curry favor with state legislators and large voting constituencies.
So you see, Administrators are valuable. *Teachers* are burden.
Teachers have expensive and inflexible employment contracts. State funding is per *student*, not per teacher. Fewer teachers reduce CCSD expenses without reducing state funding. Teachers are susceptible to making controversial statements and having illicit contact with students, which exposes CCSD to costly lawsuits and political embarrassment. And finally, many teachers are just incompetent. Get rid of them now en masse and avoid lengthy, expensive individual employment discrimination suits.
School Volunteering
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
CCSD receives > $10,000 per "normal" student per year, including debt service and PERS. I think NPRI calculates ~$12K.
That private school is on the high end. Volunteering/fundraising is also required! I don't know about $/punch but I'm sure if CCSD spent that much its incidence of violence wounldn't *diminish* -- not even if all the additional money went toward hiring extra security. That private school simply attracts a higher class of kid.
Parents who use CCSD should be the ones volunteering. For all the good that would do. I know a bright lady, a former full-time K-12 teacher, who volunteers regularly at her boy's school. Let me be clear. This lady spends a LOT of time in her son's classroom.
During recent parent teacher conference the teacher suggested that the boy get tested for a learning disability. He doesn't read in reading group. THE BOY CAN READ TWO YEARS ABOVE GRADE LEVEL. The lady is so disgusted she has asked my wife about homeschool options!
CCSD receives > $10,000 per "normal" student per year, including debt service and PERS. I think NPRI calculates ~$12K.
That private school is on the high end. Volunteering/fundraising is also required! I don't know about $/punch but I'm sure if CCSD spent that much its incidence of violence wounldn't *diminish* -- not even if all the additional money went toward hiring extra security. That private school simply attracts a higher class of kid.
Parents who use CCSD should be the ones volunteering. For all the good that would do. I know a bright lady, a former full-time K-12 teacher, who volunteers regularly at her boy's school. Let me be clear. This lady spends a LOT of time in her son's classroom.
During recent parent teacher conference the teacher suggested that the boy get tested for a learning disability. He doesn't read in reading group. THE BOY CAN READ TWO YEARS ABOVE GRADE LEVEL. The lady is so disgusted she has asked my wife about homeschool options!
CCSD For Union Convenience
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Private busineses operate during hours most convenient to their customers. Employee scheduling and compensation are adjusted accordingly. Nobody cares.
Government control of education means that even decisions which should be decided by objective measures of customer response -- ie how many students sign up for midnight chemistry -- get *politicized*. The paramount focus on customer convenience gets lost in the debate about air conditioning, bussing, union work rules and PERS.
It would be like Southwest scheduling all their flights to LAS to arrive between 0745-0930 and depart between 1445-1730. Shareholders would *revolt* if management was paralyzed over the foolish question of whether such obviously rigid scheduling should operate for 9 months or year round.
Private busineses operate during hours most convenient to their customers. Employee scheduling and compensation are adjusted accordingly. Nobody cares.
Government control of education means that even decisions which should be decided by objective measures of customer response -- ie how many students sign up for midnight chemistry -- get *politicized*. The paramount focus on customer convenience gets lost in the debate about air conditioning, bussing, union work rules and PERS.
It would be like Southwest scheduling all their flights to LAS to arrive between 0745-0930 and depart between 1445-1730. Shareholders would *revolt* if management was paralyzed over the foolish question of whether such obviously rigid scheduling should operate for 9 months or year round.
ESL Students In Your Kids' School
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
a majority of students are limited English speakers who come from low-income families
Recently my wife received an emergency phone call from a PhD scientist friend who was leading a group of 3 kids (including his own son) in some sort of public middle school homework group science project. Our friend is absolutely *dynamite* with kids, passionate about science, and even teaches part-time at a University.
So what's the problem?
Neither the two other kids nor their PARENTS (who were also in the room) understood English. My wife, who speaks Spanish but is not a science person, had to spend two hours providing technical translation! Why are all of these kids in the same class?
This was probably the last straw for my friend. His small, somewhat geeky but very brainy son is constantly bullied at school. Teacher/principal do nothing. The kid is bored to tears by unchallenging work.
Next year, he'll be going to a $22,000/yr *private* school. They're holding a spot for him.
a majority of students are limited English speakers who come from low-income families
Recently my wife received an emergency phone call from a PhD scientist friend who was leading a group of 3 kids (including his own son) in some sort of public middle school homework group science project. Our friend is absolutely *dynamite* with kids, passionate about science, and even teaches part-time at a University.
So what's the problem?
Neither the two other kids nor their PARENTS (who were also in the room) understood English. My wife, who speaks Spanish but is not a science person, had to spend two hours providing technical translation! Why are all of these kids in the same class?
This was probably the last straw for my friend. His small, somewhat geeky but very brainy son is constantly bullied at school. Teacher/principal do nothing. The kid is bored to tears by unchallenging work.
Next year, he'll be going to a $22,000/yr *private* school. They're holding a spot for him.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Public School Regulations
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Changes in school calendars are currently based on a complex formula based on class sizes and at least two years of demographic patterns in a school zone
There are *thousands* of school regulations. Some of them (like this "complex formula") are just silly. Many are outright *destructive* (like compulsory attendance). Rulffes' replacement is going to have to ensure compliance with every one of them -- or else hire lawyers to seek exemptions. Public education is CATASTROPHE and CANNOT be reformed.
We homeschool. We never close.
Carrying lunch trays in the wind. Really.
Changes in school calendars are currently based on a complex formula based on class sizes and at least two years of demographic patterns in a school zone
There are *thousands* of school regulations. Some of them (like this "complex formula") are just silly. Many are outright *destructive* (like compulsory attendance). Rulffes' replacement is going to have to ensure compliance with every one of them -- or else hire lawyers to seek exemptions. Public education is CATASTROPHE and CANNOT be reformed.
We homeschool. We never close.
Carrying lunch trays in the wind. Really.
Monday, April 5, 2010
One School Size Fits All
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
I know that not everyone can afford to pay $25,000/yr to send junior to Kindergarten. The best way to educate the masses is to get the government completely OUT of education. Almost overnight a vibrant, quality, efficient *private* education industry would emerge. For all tastes and pricepoints.
$25/wk schools. Drama schools. Gun schools. Green schools. On and on. NCLB!
The problem is not that people like me don't care about other people's children. It's that parents don't care enough about their OWN children. If they did they wouldn't leave K-12 in the hands of bureaucracies like CCSD.
All the objective evidence shows that the public school kids are being ruined. You public education advocates should be honest enough to admit that it's not "for the children". It's really about the pride you take in feeling morally superior.
I know that not everyone can afford to pay $25,000/yr to send junior to Kindergarten. The best way to educate the masses is to get the government completely OUT of education. Almost overnight a vibrant, quality, efficient *private* education industry would emerge. For all tastes and pricepoints.
$25/wk schools. Drama schools. Gun schools. Green schools. On and on. NCLB!
The problem is not that people like me don't care about other people's children. It's that parents don't care enough about their OWN children. If they did they wouldn't leave K-12 in the hands of bureaucracies like CCSD.
All the objective evidence shows that the public school kids are being ruined. You public education advocates should be honest enough to admit that it's not "for the children". It's really about the pride you take in feeling morally superior.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Nevada Taxpayers Making Hauck Rich
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
The trip was organized by Koeberle & Associates, a Pittsburgh-based sports and entertainment marketing agency.
Division 1 makes money for a lot of people. Hauck is making ~$450K. TV broadcast networks sell millions in advertising. Then there are all the sports marketing related firms (like Koeberle) which collect nice fees from negotiating sports/endorsement contracts, merchandising, etc. The football players (officially) work for free. They're not called "dumb jocks" for nothing.
Why do Nevada residents continue to support this abuse?
The trip was organized by Koeberle & Associates, a Pittsburgh-based sports and entertainment marketing agency.
Division 1 makes money for a lot of people. Hauck is making ~$450K. TV broadcast networks sell millions in advertising. Then there are all the sports marketing related firms (like Koeberle) which collect nice fees from negotiating sports/endorsement contracts, merchandising, etc. The football players (officially) work for free. They're not called "dumb jocks" for nothing.
Why do Nevada residents continue to support this abuse?
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
NSHE Is Certainly Not A Benevolent Institution
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Lots of confusion out there.
Pro sports leagues are private, for-profit businesses. Profits accrue to the Owners. Players work for the highest bidder. Nothing wrong with that.
True charities are non-profit benevolent organizations. Money leftover after (very low) expenses ("net income") gets distributed to the nominal beneficiaries. I am aware of exactly ONE charity like that.
Most charities are non-profit businesses. There is relatively *little* (~5%) net income because expenses are very high. The money goes to pay for executive salaries, wine-&-cheese parties, and condos in Ft Lauderdale. Even then, distributions are not very discriminating. NSHE comes to mind. Where's its executive retreat?
I hope to influence people, especially those inclined toward small government who've never really thought about NSHE before. It's working.
Hey Klaich, Smatresk, Kruger, Hauck, Livengood, Sandgren et al. We're on to you!
Lots of confusion out there.
Pro sports leagues are private, for-profit businesses. Profits accrue to the Owners. Players work for the highest bidder. Nothing wrong with that.
True charities are non-profit benevolent organizations. Money leftover after (very low) expenses ("net income") gets distributed to the nominal beneficiaries. I am aware of exactly ONE charity like that.
Most charities are non-profit businesses. There is relatively *little* (~5%) net income because expenses are very high. The money goes to pay for executive salaries, wine-&-cheese parties, and condos in Ft Lauderdale. Even then, distributions are not very discriminating. NSHE comes to mind. Where's its executive retreat?
I hope to influence people, especially those inclined toward small government who've never really thought about NSHE before. It's working.
Hey Klaich, Smatresk, Kruger, Hauck, Livengood, Sandgren et al. We're on to you!
Academic Welfare
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
The University of Nevada is like a charity. Here's a hint. The beneficiaries are not meant to be its employees.
So what if UNV faculty salaries are not competitive with the private sector. Teaching is a low paying job.
So what is UNV faculty salaries are not competitive with other universities. Why should we copy their mistakes?
So what if UNV Administrative salaries are not competitive with those of their academe peer group or Fortune 500 Executives. The public sector is NOT supposed to be a place to get rich.
UNV is like all those other BIG charities. MDA, Dimes, United Way, etc. ~95% of the money goes to pay for overhead. What is UNV in business for?
The Regents should choose as President (for $1/yr) the guy who can best sell the following:
You know our work rules. We don't pay a lot or offer tenure. We don't do big research or sports. Our main mission is to teach the next generation of applied scientists. Teaching is a sacred task you took upon yourself when you accepted your doctorate. Feel free to pursue your research interests in your spare time. Please join us.
Labor of love. I don't personally know any PhDs who would accept such an offer, but I'm sure there are many who would.
The University of Nevada is like a charity. Here's a hint. The beneficiaries are not meant to be its employees.
So what if UNV faculty salaries are not competitive with the private sector. Teaching is a low paying job.
So what is UNV faculty salaries are not competitive with other universities. Why should we copy their mistakes?
So what if UNV Administrative salaries are not competitive with those of their academe peer group or Fortune 500 Executives. The public sector is NOT supposed to be a place to get rich.
UNV is like all those other BIG charities. MDA, Dimes, United Way, etc. ~95% of the money goes to pay for overhead. What is UNV in business for?
The Regents should choose as President (for $1/yr) the guy who can best sell the following:
You know our work rules. We don't pay a lot or offer tenure. We don't do big research or sports. Our main mission is to teach the next generation of applied scientists. Teaching is a sacred task you took upon yourself when you accepted your doctorate. Feel free to pursue your research interests in your spare time. Please join us.
Labor of love. I don't personally know any PhDs who would accept such an offer, but I'm sure there are many who would.
UNLV Professors Get Paid >> the Governor
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
The ex-Dean's salary is outrageously high. Why does he make more than the Governor? If Sandgren is such a talented engineer he should be working in the *private* sector.
This whole notion about paying "competitive" salaries to attract top-notch NSHE faculty/admin is such a load of bull. Maybe CalTech needs (and can afford) to do that, but a *public* university should be structured more like a benevolent society. From each according to his ability, as it were.
No more Fortune-500 payscale for Profs/Deans. All we can do is pay them token honoraria (a little extra if they agree to coach football) and award them distinguished titles ("Coach", if they so desire). Professor/Dean symbolizes a fellow's commitment to *teaching/management* and his renunciation of personal financial gain.
No more leveraging the titles we bestow into lucrative private sector consulting contracts. If you covet the prestige of being addressed as "NV Professor", then sorry. Strict limits on outside income. Of course a power systems professor should be able to consult for NV Energy. All fees revert to the University of Nevada.
If a PhD, talented teacher is unwilling to abide by those rules, hire him as an instructor (part time) -- if we can afford it. If need be, recruit emeritus professors from Princeton.
The ex-Dean's salary is outrageously high. Why does he make more than the Governor? If Sandgren is such a talented engineer he should be working in the *private* sector.
This whole notion about paying "competitive" salaries to attract top-notch NSHE faculty/admin is such a load of bull. Maybe CalTech needs (and can afford) to do that, but a *public* university should be structured more like a benevolent society. From each according to his ability, as it were.
No more Fortune-500 payscale for Profs/Deans. All we can do is pay them token honoraria (a little extra if they agree to coach football) and award them distinguished titles ("Coach", if they so desire). Professor/Dean symbolizes a fellow's commitment to *teaching/management* and his renunciation of personal financial gain.
No more leveraging the titles we bestow into lucrative private sector consulting contracts. If you covet the prestige of being addressed as "NV Professor", then sorry. Strict limits on outside income. Of course a power systems professor should be able to consult for NV Energy. All fees revert to the University of Nevada.
If a PhD, talented teacher is unwilling to abide by those rules, hire him as an instructor (part time) -- if we can afford it. If need be, recruit emeritus professors from Princeton.
Monday, March 29, 2010
DRI: Political Science
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
- What enables DRI to receive government grants? Politics.
- How are DRI experiments prioritized? Politics.
- Why does a so-called scientific research institution need an Office of Diversity? Politics.
- Who gets appointed to Administration sinecures? Politics.
- What firms receive DRI Purchasing approval as vendors? Politics.
- How was DRI's mission decided? Politics.
- How was DRI's site chosen? Politics
Political Insiders Picks Candidates
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
The RNC .. picked .. The Sarah
Someday the BIG government cabal will just assign us prefects from out of state. Our only job as voters will be to confirm candidates who don't even *live* here. The DEMs will assign us Northeastern professors and UN bureaucrats. The GOPs members of the military-industrial complex and NY bankers.
The RNC .. picked .. The Sarah
Someday the BIG government cabal will just assign us prefects from out of state. Our only job as voters will be to confirm candidates who don't even *live* here. The DEMs will assign us Northeastern professors and UN bureaucrats. The GOPs members of the military-industrial complex and NY bankers.
Abolish DRI
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
DRI is a tax CONSUMER. It's just another government contractor. Like Sandia, LBL and Oak Ridge. It could NEVER survive as a *commercial* research firm. It's the post office with no water.
We don't want a Nevada government owned and operated research lab whose business model is winning politically controlled federal government grants. That's not diversification of our economy. It's diversification of *government*.
Research is an uncertain activity best left to the *private* sector. DRI's full-time researchers don't teach. They train career-track research graduate students and post-docs. They pay themselves huge salaries. For instance, President Wells makes ~$305K/yr. That's right.
Academic welfare.
DRI also has the usual political structure, including a "Diversity Office". We pay for their clubby desert playground. They have all the fun and get rich in the process. Outrageous!
ABOLISH DRI.
DRI is a tax CONSUMER. It's just another government contractor. Like Sandia, LBL and Oak Ridge. It could NEVER survive as a *commercial* research firm. It's the post office with no water.
We don't want a Nevada government owned and operated research lab whose business model is winning politically controlled federal government grants. That's not diversification of our economy. It's diversification of *government*.
Research is an uncertain activity best left to the *private* sector. DRI's full-time researchers don't teach. They train career-track research graduate students and post-docs. They pay themselves huge salaries. For instance, President Wells makes ~$305K/yr. That's right.
Academic welfare.
DRI also has the usual political structure, including a "Diversity Office". We pay for their clubby desert playground. They have all the fun and get rich in the process. Outrageous!
ABOLISH DRI.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Hey CCSD Parents: Opt OUT Of Federal Testing
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
The NAEP tests are strictly voluntary. Schools which accept federal funds must administer them but the students who attend those schools DON'T have to take them.
Hey public school parents. Tell the US Dept of Education that you don't want any part of their schemes. PROHIBIT your child from taking federal assessment tests. Beware! Your child will likely be singled out and sent to the principal. Admnistrators will browbeat him, even threatening him with EXPULSION unless he submits.
Know your rights! If they threaten your kid, SUE.
I had an experience like this in high school. The US Army came to the school to administer aptitude tests to the seniors. Huh? The junior officer started explaining the intructions. Then he said "Sign at the bottom, otherwise we won't be any point to taking the test .." We all looked at each other and dropped our #2 pencils. A mutiny!
Yup, the principal had us over to his office for individual interrogation sessions. None of us backed down. A few days later he sort of told us "Oh, forget the whole thing." and that was that. He must have heard from somebody's lawyer.
The NAEP tests are strictly voluntary. Schools which accept federal funds must administer them but the students who attend those schools DON'T have to take them.
Hey public school parents. Tell the US Dept of Education that you don't want any part of their schemes. PROHIBIT your child from taking federal assessment tests. Beware! Your child will likely be singled out and sent to the principal. Admnistrators will browbeat him, even threatening him with EXPULSION unless he submits.
Know your rights! If they threaten your kid, SUE.
I had an experience like this in high school. The US Army came to the school to administer aptitude tests to the seniors. Huh? The junior officer started explaining the intructions. Then he said "Sign at the bottom, otherwise we won't be any point to taking the test .." We all looked at each other and dropped our #2 pencils. A mutiny!
Yup, the principal had us over to his office for individual interrogation sessions. None of us backed down. A few days later he sort of told us "Oh, forget the whole thing." and that was that. He must have heard from somebody's lawyer.
Regent Abuse
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
We don't want to hear any more ivy tower debates. No more pompous statements about higher education representing the future of this state. No more opportunistic, plaintive admissions of taxpayer abuse long after revelations first came to light.
Division 1 sports is the ultimate vertical cut. No more mealy mouth Wixom talk advocating vertical cuts after he and the other hack Regents approved contracts for a new UNLV head football coach ($450K) and athletic director ($280K).
We don't want to hear any more ivy tower debates. No more pompous statements about higher education representing the future of this state. No more opportunistic, plaintive admissions of taxpayer abuse long after revelations first came to light.
Division 1 sports is the ultimate vertical cut. No more mealy mouth Wixom talk advocating vertical cuts after he and the other hack Regents approved contracts for a new UNLV head football coach ($450K) and athletic director ($280K).
Public Education: Everywhere A DISASTER
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Florida's fourth graders -- whose test scores essentially matched ours in 1998 -- are now a full grade level ahead of ours
Statistics.
Last week RJ published a story about 4th grade scores on federal government standardized reading tests.
Yes, NV and FL were at opposite poles, but overall not too far apart.
Yes, FL's score (226) was higher than most, but ND matched it. VA was even *higher* (227), and a few states came close (OH, NY, PA, MO, etc). How many of *those* states follow FL's model?
I oppose federal involvement in K-12, however if the 2009, 4th grade test results show anything, it's that public education is *everywhere* a CATASTROPHE.
NPRI has a pro-alternative government school agenda. If NPRI had a dental health agenda they would have attributed FL's statistical rise in test scores to water fluoridation.
Florida's fourth graders -- whose test scores essentially matched ours in 1998 -- are now a full grade level ahead of ours
Statistics.
Last week RJ published a story about 4th grade scores on federal government standardized reading tests.
Yes, NV and FL were at opposite poles, but overall not too far apart.
Yes, FL's score (226) was higher than most, but ND matched it. VA was even *higher* (227), and a few states came close (OH, NY, PA, MO, etc). How many of *those* states follow FL's model?
I oppose federal involvement in K-12, however if the 2009, 4th grade test results show anything, it's that public education is *everywhere* a CATASTROPHE.
NPRI has a pro-alternative government school agenda. If NPRI had a dental health agenda they would have attributed FL's statistical rise in test scores to water fluoridation.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
CCSD & NSHE. Two Sides of the Same Pork.
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Klaich doesn't care how poorly CCSD does its job so long as it keeps awarding HS diplomas. Graduates are potential NHSE warm bodies. Klaich needs them to justify his $330K/yr salary. In fact, the less prepared the better. Kids who require *remedial* instruction represent a potentially longer subscription.
Nevada taxpayes want to know. How many times do we have to pay to teach kids the 3R's?
Klaich doesn't care how poorly CCSD does its job so long as it keeps awarding HS diplomas. Graduates are potential NHSE warm bodies. Klaich needs them to justify his $330K/yr salary. In fact, the less prepared the better. Kids who require *remedial* instruction represent a potentially longer subscription.
Nevada taxpayes want to know. How many times do we have to pay to teach kids the 3R's?
National Education Testing
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Although I believe it's a good idea to track how kids are doing, I oppose federal testing/standards. Washington has NO constitutional role in K-12. Besides, their own district consistently scores *poorly*. Why are they so concerned about *Nevada* schoolkids?
I've analyzed the 4th grade test and the results (nationsreportcard.gov). As expected, public education is *everywhere* a disaster.
Going back ~20 years US results are basically *flat* -- and skewed heavily to the low achieving side. The raw score for "advanced" (top 10%) is also flat (~264). You'd think it would be closer to 400 (out of a possible 500). Can anyone argue that per-pupil spending has gone *down* over that period?
Yes, Nevada does a little worse than the national average. But the issue is NOT that FL beats us. It's that EVERY state has a crappy public eduction system. We can talk about beating the US average til we're blue, but that's still a race to mediocrity -- MUCH lower than that on a global scale.
How many more *trillions* of dollars is this country going to spend on public education before we get the message that the system is a CATASTROPHE and CANNOT be reformed.
Although I believe it's a good idea to track how kids are doing, I oppose federal testing/standards. Washington has NO constitutional role in K-12. Besides, their own district consistently scores *poorly*. Why are they so concerned about *Nevada* schoolkids?
I've analyzed the 4th grade test and the results (nationsreportcard.gov). As expected, public education is *everywhere* a disaster.
Going back ~20 years US results are basically *flat* -- and skewed heavily to the low achieving side. The raw score for "advanced" (top 10%) is also flat (~264). You'd think it would be closer to 400 (out of a possible 500). Can anyone argue that per-pupil spending has gone *down* over that period?
Yes, Nevada does a little worse than the national average. But the issue is NOT that FL beats us. It's that EVERY state has a crappy public eduction system. We can talk about beating the US average til we're blue, but that's still a race to mediocrity -- MUCH lower than that on a global scale.
How many more *trillions* of dollars is this country going to spend on public education before we get the message that the system is a CATASTROPHE and CANNOT be reformed.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Nevada Reading Test Scores Only Slightly Below Average
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
the average reading score is 211 .. national average is 220.
What's the scale? Seems like NV kids are not that fsr below national average. Public education is *everywhere* a CATASTROPHE.
I believe that DC -- the perennial last place finisher in these competitions -- has the HIGHEST per-student public education spending in the USA.
the average reading score is 211 .. national average is 220.
What's the scale? Seems like NV kids are not that fsr below national average. Public education is *everywhere* a CATASTROPHE.
I believe that DC -- the perennial last place finisher in these competitions -- has the HIGHEST per-student public education spending in the USA.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
NSHE Officials for BIG Government
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Wonder why so many of these derelicts support NSHE? Chancellor Klaich makes $330K. President Maryanski $250K. Provost Bowers $189K. VP Divine $190K (best guess).
ALL these guys vote for Democrats.
The public sector is NOT supposed to be a place to get rich.
Wonder why so many of these derelicts support NSHE? Chancellor Klaich makes $330K. President Maryanski $250K. Provost Bowers $189K. VP Divine $190K (best guess).
ALL these guys vote for Democrats.
The public sector is NOT supposed to be a place to get rich.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
The Coalition For BIG Governnment
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
The Republicans represent the right (anti-abortion) wing of the Democrat Party -- which is skewed pretty far to the left to begin with. That is why when the Democrats propose a huge expansion of the federal healthcare program the Republicans can't find the right words with which to oppose them. All we hear from them is slogans like "No federal funding for abortions!" and "No cuts to Medicare!" The Republicans cannot come up with a principled argument in favor of smaller government because they are BIG government all-the-way.
The only thing Republicans stand for (statistically) is NOT-Democrat. Democrat healthcare reform bad. Republican prescription drug benefit good. Democrat war in Afganistan bad. Republican war in Iraq good. Democrat economic stimulus bad. Republican good. COLOSSAL government Democrat incumbent bad. HUGE government Republican challenger good.
Medicare is the *definition* of BIG government. Which party is defending it? I get confused sometimes.
This GOP opposition demagoging is such a crock. After this election season ends and people forget about (or are resigned to) national healthcare the Republicans will be that entitlement's BIGGEST defenders. That's right.
They way they defend the US Dept of Education, Medicare, FICA, and all the other Washington BIG government programs.
Still don't believe me? Ask your favorite Conservative candidate which Washington programs s/he wants to cut. There's ~$4T of existing, on-budget pork to choose from. It shouldn't be that hard for him/her to find a few trillion. See if s/he'll even give you a straight answer.
The Republicans represent the right (anti-abortion) wing of the Democrat Party -- which is skewed pretty far to the left to begin with. That is why when the Democrats propose a huge expansion of the federal healthcare program the Republicans can't find the right words with which to oppose them. All we hear from them is slogans like "No federal funding for abortions!" and "No cuts to Medicare!" The Republicans cannot come up with a principled argument in favor of smaller government because they are BIG government all-the-way.
The only thing Republicans stand for (statistically) is NOT-Democrat. Democrat healthcare reform bad. Republican prescription drug benefit good. Democrat war in Afganistan bad. Republican war in Iraq good. Democrat economic stimulus bad. Republican good. COLOSSAL government Democrat incumbent bad. HUGE government Republican challenger good.
Medicare is the *definition* of BIG government. Which party is defending it? I get confused sometimes.
This GOP opposition demagoging is such a crock. After this election season ends and people forget about (or are resigned to) national healthcare the Republicans will be that entitlement's BIGGEST defenders. That's right.
They way they defend the US Dept of Education, Medicare, FICA, and all the other Washington BIG government programs.
Still don't believe me? Ask your favorite Conservative candidate which Washington programs s/he wants to cut. There's ~$4T of existing, on-budget pork to choose from. It shouldn't be that hard for him/her to find a few trillion. See if s/he'll even give you a straight answer.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Busybody Judge Hears PLAN's Petition
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
PLAN is hard left. Throwbacks to the Soviet Krushchev era. Even their name reveals their propensity toward central planning.
PLAN is an anti-Capitalist, extreme environmentalist group. Of course they want to ruin natural resource firms wherever they be. But PLAN would just as soon ruin big box stores, banks, casinos, auto manufacturers; anything which smacks of capitalism.
PLAN is supported by AFSCME, SEIU, NSEA, NOW, PP. The usual suspects. They're even supported by the NV Shakespeare Company -- a NEA recipient! Your tax dollars at work. Individual donors include
Hey Fulkerson. Why don't you share with us the names of some of your other high profile donors?
As much as I oppose this future ballot initiative the lawyers involved here are even *more* contemptible.
The crooked state judges have NO constitutional authority to review -- meaning reject -- ballot initiatives which seek to Amend the NSC. Certainly not *before* the people have had a chance to vote YES/NO. Not *ever*. Their only role is to referee that that votes were properly counted. Government by the lawyers for the lawyers.
The initiative process was created to bypass roadblocks the special interests always set up to thwart unfriendly bills emanating from the normal legislative process. Here we have lawyers fighting over what sort of language the voters will be allowed to consider. What are we? Too stupid to figure out what it means by ourselves?!
Ross Miller is supposed to be the only public official who has any say about who/what gets on the ballot. Suing him over obvious errors in process in one thing. But a bunch of lawyers should not be able to frivolously and arbitrarily challenge (and even reverse) his decisions. This is legal tyranny.
Note: I do not own shares in (or receive any money from) natural resource firms. I oppose BIG government and the high taxes necessary to pay for it.
PLAN is hard left. Throwbacks to the Soviet Krushchev era. Even their name reveals their propensity toward central planning.
PLAN is an anti-Capitalist, extreme environmentalist group. Of course they want to ruin natural resource firms wherever they be. But PLAN would just as soon ruin big box stores, banks, casinos, auto manufacturers; anything which smacks of capitalism.
PLAN is supported by AFSCME, SEIU, NSEA, NOW, PP. The usual suspects. They're even supported by the NV Shakespeare Company -- a NEA recipient! Your tax dollars at work. Individual donors include
- Chris Giunchigliani ($250)
- Jan Jones ($1,000)
- Sheila Leslie ($250; "Sustained Giver & PLAN Hero")
- Renee Ruiz ($100; "Sustained Giver")
- Frankie Sue Del Papa ($100)
- David R. Parks ($100)
Hey Fulkerson. Why don't you share with us the names of some of your other high profile donors?
As much as I oppose this future ballot initiative the lawyers involved here are even *more* contemptible.
The crooked state judges have NO constitutional authority to review -- meaning reject -- ballot initiatives which seek to Amend the NSC. Certainly not *before* the people have had a chance to vote YES/NO. Not *ever*. Their only role is to referee that that votes were properly counted. Government by the lawyers for the lawyers.
The initiative process was created to bypass roadblocks the special interests always set up to thwart unfriendly bills emanating from the normal legislative process. Here we have lawyers fighting over what sort of language the voters will be allowed to consider. What are we? Too stupid to figure out what it means by ourselves?!
Ross Miller is supposed to be the only public official who has any say about who/what gets on the ballot. Suing him over obvious errors in process in one thing. But a bunch of lawyers should not be able to frivolously and arbitrarily challenge (and even reverse) his decisions. This is legal tyranny.
Note: I do not own shares in (or receive any money from) natural resource firms. I oppose BIG government and the high taxes necessary to pay for it.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
The Tax Code: GOP's Favorite Tool
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Gibbons will propose tax breaks for businesses that move to Nevada.
The GOP's favorite device for controlling the economy. The tax code. End corporate welfare. Don't cut newcomer taxes by 50%. Eliminate ALL business taxes.
Who wants to invest money in a business when the crooked politicians see it as a money tree they can shake when they need extra cash. We've all heard the relentless screams -- especially from DEMs -- to raise taxes on banks, mining, casinos, big box stores etc, because they're "not paying their fair share". I'm surprised Buckley hasn't called for "Statizing" them!
The uncertainty argument is valid, although Fibbons should not be the one making it. His two biennium budgets (FY '07-'11) were both partially (and increasingly) dependent on BUSINESS taxes. Didn't Fibbons just sign special session legislation raising corporate fees? So what the heck is this clown talking about?
Gibbons will propose tax breaks for businesses that move to Nevada.
The GOP's favorite device for controlling the economy. The tax code. End corporate welfare. Don't cut newcomer taxes by 50%. Eliminate ALL business taxes.
Who wants to invest money in a business when the crooked politicians see it as a money tree they can shake when they need extra cash. We've all heard the relentless screams -- especially from DEMs -- to raise taxes on banks, mining, casinos, big box stores etc, because they're "not paying their fair share". I'm surprised Buckley hasn't called for "Statizing" them!
The uncertainty argument is valid, although Fibbons should not be the one making it. His two biennium budgets (FY '07-'11) were both partially (and increasingly) dependent on BUSINESS taxes. Didn't Fibbons just sign special session legislation raising corporate fees? So what the heck is this clown talking about?
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