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.
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