All competitive sports are valuable IF they are properly coached and supervised. So many lessons can be learned by the participants which include the parents and other fans.
I have expressed my studied opinion on the subject before. You can find these blogs on my sidebar archives if you scroll down. My archives contain over 1200 blogs (columns) starting in 2004 and they are all on this site. Four of my blogs on sports are listed below:
"No Seniority (Tenure) in Sports of Life" dated 11/23/04; "How Sports Helped Mold My Life" dated 10/14/05; "Breakdown of Codes of Conduct" dated 7/14/06; and "Friendly Confines" dated 7/26/08.
Read on. I also have comments at the end of this article.
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From the Chronicle of Higher Education, Friday, April 23, 2010, p. A 30. See http://chronicle.com/article/How-Butler-Won-the-NCAA/65071/
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COMMENTARY
How Butler Won the NCAA Tournament
By Bobby Fong (Butler University President)
I am not the first university president ever to crowd-surf: Penn State's Graham Spanier was one who experienced that particular thrill before I did. But I'll tell you that my moment was one of the more exhilarating of my nine years as Butler University's president.
Our men's basketball team, the Bulldogs, had just beaten Kansas State to earn a berth in the first Final Four in Butler's history. A crowd of students began to congregate in front of our union. My wife, Suzanne, and I gave a lot of high-fives, shook hands, and posed for pictures.
The crowd began to pack together. Suddenly I found that three football players were protecting me, watching my blind side. One of them, Ryan Myers, said, "Dr. Fong, get on my shoulders." Up I went. It was my Peyton Manning moment. Cheers erupted, and I raised four fingers on each hand to signify the Final Four. People took photos of me with cellphones and cameras and forwarded them around campus and to the team. The next week, sophomore guard Ron Nored was asked what was the most unusual thing that happened as a result of the victory. He said, "Getting pictures of the president crowd-surfing."
I was touched by the joy and affection that evening, which marked the beginning of a wild 10-day ride for Butler. Our small university of 3,900 undergrads and 550 grad students found itself in the national spotlight as we basked in the reflected glory of our team's success. It was in many ways as if the institution itself had caught a wave. Preparation and opportunity came together in a remarkable confluence of circumstances. Not only were we playing in the Final Four, but we were playing at home. The games were six miles from campus, in downtown Indianapolis, and interest in our university and team grew immensely.
The public wondered about this little university playing on the national stage. They heard that our players continued to go to classes, even on the day of the national championship game, and wondered whether that could be true. (It was.) Many were curious about whether the Butler Way, as we like to call it, could be replicated.
The attention was gratifying. Butler didn't just stand as a model for small institutions being able to compete in the tournament. For many people, we exemplified how a university could seek a proper balance between academic seriousness and athletic excellence-and without breaking the bank.
Internally, we have always positioned ourselves as a university with a basketball team, rather than the other way around. We take to heart our commitment to student-athletes. The overwhelming majority of them will never play professional sports. Get an M.B.A., yes. Go to the NBA, probably not.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association estimates that only 2 percent of college basketball players go pro. I tell potential Butler basketball recruits: "Your odds of going to medical school are better than your odds of playing in the NBA. If you understand that we'll ask you to work as hard in the classroom as you will on the court, Butler may be the right fit for you."
We keep in sight what Butler's approach to education is. We want our students not just to make a living but to make a life of purpose, where individual flourishing is intertwined with the welfare of others.
A fellow president wrote me: "When the announcers were pointing out that there were two academic all-Americans on the floor tonight and both of them were from Butler, and that eight of your players were in class this morning, I swelled with pride. This is what intercollegiate athletics is all about. I am a member of the NCAA Board now and we are struggling with what is appropriate for college sports. All we need do is look to Butler, and we have our answer." That was the image I wanted us to project during the Final Four, and I think that is what occurred.
Meanwhile, we received overwhelming encouragement from around the world-from a Butler alumnus serving in Iraq, from New Zealand, from Europe, and from a cruise ship at sea. We had former Butler basketball players come back from Sweden and Switzerland to attend an alumni reunion and pose for a picture with the team.
Our bookstore sold in one week what it usually sells in a year. T-shirts came in literally hot off the press-they were actually warm in the boxes as they were unpacked.
News-media coverage was abundant and overwhelmingly positive. After reading an article by the sports columnist William C. Rhoden of The New York Times, an Oakland Tribune reporter in California discovered that I grew up in Oakland. After the Tribune reporter wrote his story, I heard from old elementary- and Sunday-school friends from 50 years ago. I also suggested to Mr. Rhoden that our ballet program was as distinguished in its way as the basketball team. He proceeded to research the program, and Butler ballet became an item in the Times's sports page.
We saw increased pride in Butler from friends and alumni. On the day I'm writing this, we received a check from a man with no ties to the university and a note that said: "Here is a gift to your scholarship fund; a place represented by such a classy coach and students has to be a wonderful university."
A friend put it best, I think, when she said, "Duke won the game, but Butler won the hearts of the nation."
Now that the games are over, everyone wants to know what's next for Butler. I was asked in a Parents Council meeting: With the heightened attention, what do you see Butler becoming? I thought for a moment and said, "We've become an inspiration to other colleges-that they could do what we did. We don't want to be anything other than the best version of what we are. I think our future is continuing to be Butler."
Our men's basketball coach, Brad Stevens, was asked how such success would change his recruiting practices. He said he wasn't planning to change. "The guys we recruited got within one shot of a national championship," he said. "Why would we want to change our formula?"
The best news for us is that more people now know who we are. The Nielsen ratings showed that 134 million people saw some portion of our game against Duke. As Tom Weede, our vice president for enrollment management, pointed out: 100 percent of students who have never heard of an institution will never apply to it. We don't have to worry about that now.
Athletics has become the front porch to a university, and our front porch has been crowded of late. We're proud of the attention because our athletic achievement has been consonant with our academic mission. As the president of an educational foundation wrote, "It was a privilege ... to appreciate how the educational values of an institution can be so perfectly reflected in the accomplishments of its athletes."
Many college leaders are devoted to finding the right stories to tell that tap into our past and legacy, our present challenges and opportunities, and our hopes for the future. I hope this experience has helped us create more stories that get to the heart of what Butler is. Our basketball triumphs have become a metaphor, a trope, for the larger story of Butler University.
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Bobby Fong is president of Butler University.
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--
On 2/06/07, then JS Sports writer Lonnie Schwendenhammer wrote "Too Many People Behaving Badly", about a basketball game between Cairo and host Mounds Meridan. The blame can be squarely placed. On the School Board and the people they hired and the community including the parents. As a former high school and grade school head coach, I had NO problems, other than a couple of minor disciplines, because I had good administration to back me if I was right. All kids including who had school or community problems were invited to participate. Only one was dismissed. My kids, parents, community and administration had no problems that would have been embarrassing to the schools. And I did have a winning record overall.
This plug for Butler that is well deserved.
Merle
Saturday, May 01, 2010
Disclosure of Donors? Absolutely
Legislation to pass a new finance disclosure law by Congress before November is running into objections from some of their own supporters. Under current law it is NOT required to disclose the names of companies that help pay for political ads.
Foremost among the objectors, as you might imagine are liberal groups such as the Sierra Club, more radical environmental groups and the liberal Alliance for Justice. Easy to figure. There donors, who probably made a great deal of money one way or another, now feel it is their duty to NOW protect the very environment they may have helped to destroy. They feel it would hurt their business if their identity became known.
Liberal and conservatives groups are concerned that donors wouldn't want to give to political campaigns if their names had to be used.
Anyone with common sense know why not. American greed. It would hurt their businesses.
In my OPINION it is somewhat of a shame that actions are taken where people are afraid to identity themselves for any cause.
Foremost among the objectors, as you might imagine are liberal groups such as the Sierra Club, more radical environmental groups and the liberal Alliance for Justice. Easy to figure. There donors, who probably made a great deal of money one way or another, now feel it is their duty to NOW protect the very environment they may have helped to destroy. They feel it would hurt their business if their identity became known.
Liberal and conservatives groups are concerned that donors wouldn't want to give to political campaigns if their names had to be used.
Anyone with common sense know why not. American greed. It would hurt their businesses.
In my OPINION it is somewhat of a shame that actions are taken where people are afraid to identity themselves for any cause.
Video Gambling - Just Another Uncontrollable Vice?
Experts say that pathological gambling is a problem that effects 11 million people, a biological illness with a distinct pathophysiology, that many people don't have a clue. Trying to stop people who gamble is more difficult than banning video-gambling in Peoria County. Programs like Gambling Anonymous and and residential treatment centers such as "The Center for Recovery in Louisiana" help a limited number of gambling addicts.
In fact, the more we attempt to regulate vice from illicit sex to drugs and gambling the more we seem to promote it. I recall vividly the day (1994) sex education manuals were introduced to Peoria Public School District #150. Did sexual disease and out-of-wedlock pregancies decline? Better check with the County Health Department who have figures showing it hasn't. Sexual disease with treament most usually supported by the taxpayer, teen age pregnancies, most parents WITH NO training or financial support. This is repeated not only in the City of Peoria and is a national disgrace. You think most sexual activity, even in a marriage, is not a gamble? Think really hard about what I just said.
Back to video gambling. Check my blog of 8/4/09. "Video gambling ban may return" where I said "you can write laws till the cows come home" and people will still exercise their vices in one form or another. I also said why aren't those who feel stopping video-gambling haven't been able to stop the Illinois Lottery, the casinos, on-line gambling, their own kids playing hold-em or all kinds of poker for money.
It is often said their are only 2 things you have to do; pay taxes and die. That, of course, is no longer true. Most people are going to feel that they must have sex, one way or another, gamble one way or another , drink moderately or in excess and smoke somewhere and use drugs. Did I leave out that they must steal, cheat or enter politics?
A portion of the gamblers go broke; the house never does, a portion of those with a desire to drink will drink and some will be busted on way or another, a portion of those who want sex will have it before, during, and after marriage. A portion will catch more than they bargained for and those who want drugs can find them in dozens of places in just Peoria alone. Some claim they can handle the use but most can't.
The law and well-meaning; usually, do-gooders say they can control or even eliminate all of these human vices. The record will show that in some cases they have had some successes but everywhere in the U.S. these vices are growing and at a fastest rate of growth.
People who could care less about this country but care only about how much money that they can make with the immense amounts of profits from gambling (and drugs) overshadowing risk, are taking peoples money and paying no taxes, no duty's and taking innocent lives.
I would estimate that for every drug bust that makes the media, 10,000 drug deals are happening on a daily basis. With billions in taxes lost, 100's of thousands of people employed at taxpayer cost in frustrating and sometimes dangerous efforts to stop the tsunami.
All this money cdould go into prevventive teaching and education.
Saying this, I support union boss Mike Everett and his article in the Labor paper in legalizing and taxing video gambling as being the lesser vice of trying to stop people from gambling. Collect taxes from those who say that they will gamble and if not video gaming, they Will bet on something else. There are hundreds of ways to make monetary bets, most major gambling is legal, including the gamble of hopefully picking the winner of the Kentucky Derby which is on TV this afternoon.
For those who are compulsive gamblers, seek help. One of my friends did and succeeded. For those who can't enjoy the ride, let the government collect gambling taxes, know that the deck is stacked against you. On those "lucky" days you do win, understand the odds say you will eventually give all your winnings back plus more. You should know you fight a losing battle at the casinos as the casino will report your winning as taxable and that you can not deduct your loses.
Better to play the stock market, which is a gamble, buy a house you THINK you can afford which today is another form of gambling. Or get married, which may be the biggest gamble of your lifetime.
Try not to lose more than you or your dependents can afford to lose or seek help.
Good luck.
In fact, the more we attempt to regulate vice from illicit sex to drugs and gambling the more we seem to promote it. I recall vividly the day (1994) sex education manuals were introduced to Peoria Public School District #150. Did sexual disease and out-of-wedlock pregancies decline? Better check with the County Health Department who have figures showing it hasn't. Sexual disease with treament most usually supported by the taxpayer, teen age pregnancies, most parents WITH NO training or financial support. This is repeated not only in the City of Peoria and is a national disgrace. You think most sexual activity, even in a marriage, is not a gamble? Think really hard about what I just said.
Back to video gambling. Check my blog of 8/4/09. "Video gambling ban may return" where I said "you can write laws till the cows come home" and people will still exercise their vices in one form or another. I also said why aren't those who feel stopping video-gambling haven't been able to stop the Illinois Lottery, the casinos, on-line gambling, their own kids playing hold-em or all kinds of poker for money.
It is often said their are only 2 things you have to do; pay taxes and die. That, of course, is no longer true. Most people are going to feel that they must have sex, one way or another, gamble one way or another , drink moderately or in excess and smoke somewhere and use drugs. Did I leave out that they must steal, cheat or enter politics?
A portion of the gamblers go broke; the house never does, a portion of those with a desire to drink will drink and some will be busted on way or another, a portion of those who want sex will have it before, during, and after marriage. A portion will catch more than they bargained for and those who want drugs can find them in dozens of places in just Peoria alone. Some claim they can handle the use but most can't.
The law and well-meaning; usually, do-gooders say they can control or even eliminate all of these human vices. The record will show that in some cases they have had some successes but everywhere in the U.S. these vices are growing and at a fastest rate of growth.
People who could care less about this country but care only about how much money that they can make with the immense amounts of profits from gambling (and drugs) overshadowing risk, are taking peoples money and paying no taxes, no duty's and taking innocent lives.
I would estimate that for every drug bust that makes the media, 10,000 drug deals are happening on a daily basis. With billions in taxes lost, 100's of thousands of people employed at taxpayer cost in frustrating and sometimes dangerous efforts to stop the tsunami.
All this money cdould go into prevventive teaching and education.
Saying this, I support union boss Mike Everett and his article in the Labor paper in legalizing and taxing video gambling as being the lesser vice of trying to stop people from gambling. Collect taxes from those who say that they will gamble and if not video gaming, they Will bet on something else. There are hundreds of ways to make monetary bets, most major gambling is legal, including the gamble of hopefully picking the winner of the Kentucky Derby which is on TV this afternoon.
For those who are compulsive gamblers, seek help. One of my friends did and succeeded. For those who can't enjoy the ride, let the government collect gambling taxes, know that the deck is stacked against you. On those "lucky" days you do win, understand the odds say you will eventually give all your winnings back plus more. You should know you fight a losing battle at the casinos as the casino will report your winning as taxable and that you can not deduct your loses.
Better to play the stock market, which is a gamble, buy a house you THINK you can afford which today is another form of gambling. Or get married, which may be the biggest gamble of your lifetime.
Try not to lose more than you or your dependents can afford to lose or seek help.
Good luck.
Obama's Fly Arounds - Confirmation
I published this blog a couple of weeks ago and was challenged by a J. Thomas (could he be the liberal ICC college professor who served several terms on the county board?When Jim, a pleasant fellow with a lovely and astute wife, was on the Peoria County board, most of the Democrats would go out to dinner after a full board meeting, Thomas was never invited. That's a fact, too, easily confirmed why he wasn't invited.
Anyway, J. Thomas, whoever you are, said I should back up my statement with facts that Obama was conducting a series of expensive fly-arounds to stretch the truth about a few of a multitude of new government programs and regulations. I told J.Thomas he should read the news. (Mad Magazine or reading this Moore idiot will not suffice to make a person well- informed)
I might be wrong in "approaching 300 fly-arounds" but I don't believe I'm far off. He is the most visible president in history to date.
So here it is. Journal Star, 4/29/2010, "Obama talks reform during Midwest tour. President praises financial bill while speaking to Quincy, Il. crowd". Wall Street Journal, April 28, 2010, "Obama holds town hall meeting in Iowa". "The Democrats latest plan is to energize its base and appeal to such distinct groups as African-American groups, (I'm a Swiss-German-Dutch guy myself) Latinos and younger voters. These younger voters are mostly college kids, these kids educated by mostly left leaning liberal professors who can be seen of TV on the beaches half drunk and four-fifths naked during spring break) and black. An Obama visit to somewhere in Missouri is upcoming or maybe recently happened.
Meanwhile, in New York City, Democrat National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine, accepted an invitation to speak from the notorious "Rev" Al Sharpton, said "the Republicans were waging and "intentional strategy to undermine President Obama".
Gosh and gee-wizz. Undermine? How deep? The WSJ said "Sharpton is helping to mobilize black voters", and that Mr. Kaine made similar remarks. Also that Obama is trying to re-connect with middle aged and older white voters and other minority groups.
Anyway, J.T, there is your answer with facts. Sorry, but what I print is factual and when my facts are "proven" wrong, I correct them with an appropriate apology.
Meanwhile, many Democrats are doing a pretty good job in D,C, as are many Republicans. They just don't know how to say "no" to the special interest groups and their multitude of lobbyists. Sound like you've heard this before? On the local scene, perhaps?
An after thought. When watching Tea Party protesting "tax and spend" governments on TV or if you were there in person, how many blacks have you seen in the crowds? Latinos? Asians? Muslims? Good question, Merle.
Anyway, J. Thomas, whoever you are, said I should back up my statement with facts that Obama was conducting a series of expensive fly-arounds to stretch the truth about a few of a multitude of new government programs and regulations. I told J.Thomas he should read the news. (Mad Magazine or reading this Moore idiot will not suffice to make a person well- informed)
I might be wrong in "approaching 300 fly-arounds" but I don't believe I'm far off. He is the most visible president in history to date.
So here it is. Journal Star, 4/29/2010, "Obama talks reform during Midwest tour. President praises financial bill while speaking to Quincy, Il. crowd". Wall Street Journal, April 28, 2010, "Obama holds town hall meeting in Iowa". "The Democrats latest plan is to energize its base and appeal to such distinct groups as African-American groups, (I'm a Swiss-German-Dutch guy myself) Latinos and younger voters. These younger voters are mostly college kids, these kids educated by mostly left leaning liberal professors who can be seen of TV on the beaches half drunk and four-fifths naked during spring break) and black. An Obama visit to somewhere in Missouri is upcoming or maybe recently happened.
Meanwhile, in New York City, Democrat National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine, accepted an invitation to speak from the notorious "Rev" Al Sharpton, said "the Republicans were waging and "intentional strategy to undermine President Obama".
Gosh and gee-wizz. Undermine? How deep? The WSJ said "Sharpton is helping to mobilize black voters", and that Mr. Kaine made similar remarks. Also that Obama is trying to re-connect with middle aged and older white voters and other minority groups.
Anyway, J.T, there is your answer with facts. Sorry, but what I print is factual and when my facts are "proven" wrong, I correct them with an appropriate apology.
Meanwhile, many Democrats are doing a pretty good job in D,C, as are many Republicans. They just don't know how to say "no" to the special interest groups and their multitude of lobbyists. Sound like you've heard this before? On the local scene, perhaps?
An after thought. When watching Tea Party protesting "tax and spend" governments on TV or if you were there in person, how many blacks have you seen in the crowds? Latinos? Asians? Muslims? Good question, Merle.
How The Public School System Steals Your Money
McLean County School Unit 5 recently hired Peoria County Chief Financial officer by offering him $130,000 plus benefits and perhaps other incentives. Mr. Bush was earning $96,373. I thank Mr. Bush for his good work with the county and do not begrudge his upward movement. But, do not believe that schools lack money. They are by-and large poorly managed by unpaid (volunteer type) board members. They, like so many other public bodies, have great success in by-passing the voter such as District #150 did when they went to the Public Building Commission to fund $93+ million for new schools and renovations. Most agreed that the schools had some of the needs but are in major disagreements with some of the actions taken. (The 2002 "Summitt" three day meeting held by #150, recommended the closing of Glen Oak and Harrison). Instead, over $50 million was spent to rebuild those two school that will re-open this fall.
I suspect that if these two schools don't show heft gains in turning out "world class citizens, the Mayor and the community, one way or another will bring on some major changes to our agrarian school "system".
Merle
‘Money Laundering’ Bill Passed by Both Houses
By Warner Todd Huston Friday, April 30, 2010
Unfortunately, a bill that will allow schools to pull a bait-and-switch and pilfer funds that are supposed to go for other things and apply those funds to unapproved building projects has now passed both houses in Springfield. This means that schools might now be able to take funds that are supposed to be used for specific things and pour them into building projects (or any other use) for which the schools did not get voter’s approval. I wrote about this bill on April 28.
The way our system is supposed to work is that schools that want major new building projects or other such high ticket needs must go before the voters for a bond issue, for taxes to be raised. The voters say yes and taxes are raised or bonds issued to satisfy the school’s needs. But if voters say no, then the schools are supposed to do without. That is they way democracy is supposed to work.
But, lo and behold, special interests and consultants that make their living off our schools by consulting them on bond issues and spending plans wrote HB6041 that convinced lawmakers to allow schools to raid specified funds any time they feel like doing so and use those funds for whatever they want to use them for. This is now misappropriation of funds made legal.
This practice was already deemed illegal by the Illinois Appellate Courts and schools were ordered to stop this practice. Not only did Illinois schools thumb their noses at the Courts, but they hired these special interest consultants to write a sham law and cajoled our lawmakers into passing it.
I spoke to Senator Chris Lauzen (R, Aurora), and asked him about this bill. Initially, even Senator Lauzen was lulled into supporting this bill. But in retrospect he felt he was misled about how this law was going to work when the bill was discussed earlier this year. He felt that the bill was “badly misrepresented” by its sponsors all they way along this process. He spoke out against this bill on the floor of the Senate today, but it looks like the bill has passed anyway.
This is little else but a money laundering scheme extraordinaire. With this bill, the schools can raid funds and use them however they like quite despite if these funds were earmarked for a specific purpose or not. They can make an end run around the will of the voters and fund building projects that were never approved. They can even use money from taxes that have not even yet been taken in if page five of the bill can be believed. (my emphasis)
The school board may appropriate moneys to the working cash fund up to the maximum amount allowable in the fund, and the working cash fund may receive such appropriations and any other contributions. Moneys in the fund may be used by the school board for any and all school purposes and may be transferred in whole or in part to the general funds or both of the school district and disbursed therefrom in anticipation of the collection of taxes lawfully levied for any or all purposes, or in anticipation of such taxes as by law now or hereafter enacted or amended are imposed by the General Assembly … Moneys so transferred to any other fund shall be deemed to be transferred in anticipation of the collection of that part of the taxes so levied or to be received which is in excess of the amount thereof required to pay any warrants or notes and the interest thereon theretofore and thereafter …
So, no matter what the funds that the school wants to raid was raised for, they can empty the account and use it for whatever they want. Then, on top of that, they can use money BEFORE said taxes are even raised.
And I remind you that this bill was not written by our lawmakers, but was written by special interests, people we did not elect. Yet our profligate state lawmakers dutifully voted “yes” in a led-by-the-nose vote.
I tell you, it must be nice to be an employee of the state. You don’t have to follow court rulings, you can steal money all day long, spend it even before you get it, yet. And then, if you don’t like the way things are going still you can hire crooked lawyers to write the laws tailor made for your needs and get uninformed, compliant politicians to just rubber stamp them for you.
I have to say, it makes me wonder why the heck I bother paying my bills and trying to do the right thing? How about you?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I suspect that if these two schools don't show heft gains in turning out "world class citizens, the Mayor and the community, one way or another will bring on some major changes to our agrarian school "system".
Merle
‘Money Laundering’ Bill Passed by Both Houses
By Warner Todd Huston Friday, April 30, 2010
Unfortunately, a bill that will allow schools to pull a bait-and-switch and pilfer funds that are supposed to go for other things and apply those funds to unapproved building projects has now passed both houses in Springfield. This means that schools might now be able to take funds that are supposed to be used for specific things and pour them into building projects (or any other use) for which the schools did not get voter’s approval. I wrote about this bill on April 28.
The way our system is supposed to work is that schools that want major new building projects or other such high ticket needs must go before the voters for a bond issue, for taxes to be raised. The voters say yes and taxes are raised or bonds issued to satisfy the school’s needs. But if voters say no, then the schools are supposed to do without. That is they way democracy is supposed to work.
But, lo and behold, special interests and consultants that make their living off our schools by consulting them on bond issues and spending plans wrote HB6041 that convinced lawmakers to allow schools to raid specified funds any time they feel like doing so and use those funds for whatever they want to use them for. This is now misappropriation of funds made legal.
This practice was already deemed illegal by the Illinois Appellate Courts and schools were ordered to stop this practice. Not only did Illinois schools thumb their noses at the Courts, but they hired these special interest consultants to write a sham law and cajoled our lawmakers into passing it.
I spoke to Senator Chris Lauzen (R, Aurora), and asked him about this bill. Initially, even Senator Lauzen was lulled into supporting this bill. But in retrospect he felt he was misled about how this law was going to work when the bill was discussed earlier this year. He felt that the bill was “badly misrepresented” by its sponsors all they way along this process. He spoke out against this bill on the floor of the Senate today, but it looks like the bill has passed anyway.
This is little else but a money laundering scheme extraordinaire. With this bill, the schools can raid funds and use them however they like quite despite if these funds were earmarked for a specific purpose or not. They can make an end run around the will of the voters and fund building projects that were never approved. They can even use money from taxes that have not even yet been taken in if page five of the bill can be believed. (my emphasis)
The school board may appropriate moneys to the working cash fund up to the maximum amount allowable in the fund, and the working cash fund may receive such appropriations and any other contributions. Moneys in the fund may be used by the school board for any and all school purposes and may be transferred in whole or in part to the general funds or both of the school district and disbursed therefrom in anticipation of the collection of taxes lawfully levied for any or all purposes, or in anticipation of such taxes as by law now or hereafter enacted or amended are imposed by the General Assembly … Moneys so transferred to any other fund shall be deemed to be transferred in anticipation of the collection of that part of the taxes so levied or to be received which is in excess of the amount thereof required to pay any warrants or notes and the interest thereon theretofore and thereafter …
So, no matter what the funds that the school wants to raid was raised for, they can empty the account and use it for whatever they want. Then, on top of that, they can use money BEFORE said taxes are even raised.
And I remind you that this bill was not written by our lawmakers, but was written by special interests, people we did not elect. Yet our profligate state lawmakers dutifully voted “yes” in a led-by-the-nose vote.
I tell you, it must be nice to be an employee of the state. You don’t have to follow court rulings, you can steal money all day long, spend it even before you get it, yet. And then, if you don’t like the way things are going still you can hire crooked lawyers to write the laws tailor made for your needs and get uninformed, compliant politicians to just rubber stamp them for you.
I have to say, it makes me wonder why the heck I bother paying my bills and trying to do the right thing? How about you?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Obama - You're The Man, But For The Good of The Country, I Hope You Are a One-Termer
Forwarded to me by a friend on the Peoria County Board
Now that I am retiring at the end of this year, I was debating where to spend some winter time; Florida or Arizona. I will also never again visit Mexico, Cancun or not. Now it will be Arizona to help the common sense citizen. Also, affecting my decision, is the correct actions of the Governor of Arizona and the State Government action in killing the tax on visitors to keep the Cubs in Arizona - let those overpaid losers go where they want to go, I could care less.
I want to remind my reader that I am an INDEPENDENT Republican with emphasis on the independent. I was not happy with previous administrations not taking action on illegal entry into our country. Will all the pacifists out there stop calling them immigrants? They are not. They are people committing and illegal act.
I realize that many of our legal citizens get the free benefits now in the U.S that are mentioned in the article.
Merle
Moving to Mexico
Dear President Obama:
I'm planning to move my family and extended family into Mexico for my health, and I would like to ask you to assist me.
We're planning to simply walk across the border from the U.S. Into Mexico, and we'll need your help to make a few arrangements.
We plan to skip all the legal stuff like visas, passports, immigration quotas and laws.
I'm sure they handle those things the same way you do here. So, would you mind telling your buddy, President Calderon, that I'm on my way over?
Please let him know that I will be expecting the following:
1. Free medical care for my entire family.
2. English-speaking government bureaucrats for all services I might need, whether I use them or not.
3. Please print all Mexican government forms in English.
4. I want my grandkids to be taught Spanish by English-speaking (bi-lingual) teachers.
5. Tell their schools they need to include classes on American culture and history.
6. I want my grandkids to see the American flag on one of the flag poles at their school.
7. Please plan to feed my grand kids at school for both breakfast and lunch.
8. I will need a local Mexican driver's license so I can get easy access to government services.
9. I do plan to get a car and drive in Mexico, but, I don't plan to purchase car insurance, and I probably won't make any special effort to learn local traffic laws.
10. In case one of the Mexican police officers does not get the memo from their president to leave me alone, please be sure that every patrol car has at least one English-speaking officer.
11. I plan to fly the U.S. Flag from my house top, put U S. Flag decals on my car, and have a gigantic celebration on July 4th. I do not want any complaints or negative comments from the locals.
12. I would also like to have a nice job without paying any taxes, or have any labor or tax laws enforced on any business I may start.
13. Please have the president tell all the Mexican people to be extremely nice and never say critical things about me or my family, or about the strain we might place on their economy.
14. I want to receive free food stamps.
15. Naturally, I'll expect free rent subsidies.
16. I'll need Income tax credits so although I don't pay Mexican Taxes, I'll receive money from the government.
17. Please arrange it so that the Mexican Gov't pays $4,500 to help me buy a new car.
18. Oh yes, I almost forgot, please enroll me free into the Mexican Social Security program so that I'll get a monthly income in retirement.
I know this is an easy request because you already do all these things for all his people who walk over to the U.S. From Mexico. I am sure that President Calderon won't mind returning the favor if you ask him nicely.
Thank you so much for your kind help. You're the man!!!
Now that I am retiring at the end of this year, I was debating where to spend some winter time; Florida or Arizona. I will also never again visit Mexico, Cancun or not. Now it will be Arizona to help the common sense citizen. Also, affecting my decision, is the correct actions of the Governor of Arizona and the State Government action in killing the tax on visitors to keep the Cubs in Arizona - let those overpaid losers go where they want to go, I could care less.
I want to remind my reader that I am an INDEPENDENT Republican with emphasis on the independent. I was not happy with previous administrations not taking action on illegal entry into our country. Will all the pacifists out there stop calling them immigrants? They are not. They are people committing and illegal act.
I realize that many of our legal citizens get the free benefits now in the U.S that are mentioned in the article.
Merle
Moving to Mexico
Dear President Obama:
I'm planning to move my family and extended family into Mexico for my health, and I would like to ask you to assist me.
We're planning to simply walk across the border from the U.S. Into Mexico, and we'll need your help to make a few arrangements.
We plan to skip all the legal stuff like visas, passports, immigration quotas and laws.
I'm sure they handle those things the same way you do here. So, would you mind telling your buddy, President Calderon, that I'm on my way over?
Please let him know that I will be expecting the following:
1. Free medical care for my entire family.
2. English-speaking government bureaucrats for all services I might need, whether I use them or not.
3. Please print all Mexican government forms in English.
4. I want my grandkids to be taught Spanish by English-speaking (bi-lingual) teachers.
5. Tell their schools they need to include classes on American culture and history.
6. I want my grandkids to see the American flag on one of the flag poles at their school.
7. Please plan to feed my grand kids at school for both breakfast and lunch.
8. I will need a local Mexican driver's license so I can get easy access to government services.
9. I do plan to get a car and drive in Mexico, but, I don't plan to purchase car insurance, and I probably won't make any special effort to learn local traffic laws.
10. In case one of the Mexican police officers does not get the memo from their president to leave me alone, please be sure that every patrol car has at least one English-speaking officer.
11. I plan to fly the U.S. Flag from my house top, put U S. Flag decals on my car, and have a gigantic celebration on July 4th. I do not want any complaints or negative comments from the locals.
12. I would also like to have a nice job without paying any taxes, or have any labor or tax laws enforced on any business I may start.
13. Please have the president tell all the Mexican people to be extremely nice and never say critical things about me or my family, or about the strain we might place on their economy.
14. I want to receive free food stamps.
15. Naturally, I'll expect free rent subsidies.
16. I'll need Income tax credits so although I don't pay Mexican Taxes, I'll receive money from the government.
17. Please arrange it so that the Mexican Gov't pays $4,500 to help me buy a new car.
18. Oh yes, I almost forgot, please enroll me free into the Mexican Social Security program so that I'll get a monthly income in retirement.
I know this is an easy request because you already do all these things for all his people who walk over to the U.S. From Mexico. I am sure that President Calderon won't mind returning the favor if you ask him nicely.
Thank you so much for your kind help. You're the man!!!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
District #150 - How They Could Save Money
Not only save money but could get the kids involved in after school sports and physical sports activities. I visited high school tennis intra-school competition matches for many years; in fact I was assistant coach at Woodruff the year they had the best season in the school's history. This week Manual High's tennis "team" played Notre Dame at Manual courts. Two, that's right, two kids showed up to represent Manual, so there was no competitive matches. A couple of weeks earlier, Manual played Central at Manual. Three Manual players showed up.
Several weeks ago, I stopped by Manual to watch the "coach" hold a practice session. First, two kids showed up, eventually three so with the coach as a player, they played doubles. At no time during any of these visits, did I see the coach do any coaching.
About three years ago, I attended a tournament at the Richwoods tennis courts. All conference schools were invited. Manual showed up with ONE lonely kid who was quickly eliminated. As he came off the court, I asked him where his coach was. He said he didn't come.
Why do I point out Manual? I was largely responsible for getting then Superintendent Dr. Griffin to put in four new courts up closer to the school. I was assisting Connie Cassidy who if I recall, coached both boys and girls Manual tennis teams. Connie was a good player and a good coach.
Last week, I asked Manual graduate and now School Board Member Jim Stowell, if he was aware of this situation. He said he was and something needed to be done. All these years have passed with paid coaches who don't really know how to coach yet collect good pay while building their tenure to enhance their retirement pensions while few kids come out to practice and play. What a sorry situation..
Minor sports where kids, principals and coaches show little interest or put out much effort, must be eliminated. Allow kids who want to play tennis, softball, volleyball to play or at least try out, with other area schools and hire coaches who know the sport and are qualified to be real coaches. If the coaches can't coach, can't encourage kids to participate, waste money on bus trips, then set up inter-school intramurals to give them some exercise in a fun and learning environment, keep them out of trouble and save the property tax payers money.
It appears few people care. The emphasis for a few is on basketball and football. Who cares about the minor sports at #150? I have called attention to this situation many times and blogged on the subject.
What a shame and waste of money. And in my general visits over the years, the sports and after school atmosphere at Manual overall appears pretty laid back.
Arne Duncan and all the brass are only partly on track to better the public school systems in the larger cities. Until Board members are full time, rotating 3 year terms, elected at large or dividing #150 in three districts, well paid, each with an office and a shared secretary and the Superintendent has a doctorate or equivalent in finance and business with Associate Directors or whatever title appropriate, in curriculum, Human Services, etc., our leaders can hold all the summits they wish and the system will still fail.
In all the years I followed high school tennis in Peoria Public Schools I noted no board members in attendance and at one time a new principal came to the courts to show his interest. He came one time.
Several weeks ago, I stopped by Manual to watch the "coach" hold a practice session. First, two kids showed up, eventually three so with the coach as a player, they played doubles. At no time during any of these visits, did I see the coach do any coaching.
About three years ago, I attended a tournament at the Richwoods tennis courts. All conference schools were invited. Manual showed up with ONE lonely kid who was quickly eliminated. As he came off the court, I asked him where his coach was. He said he didn't come.
Why do I point out Manual? I was largely responsible for getting then Superintendent Dr. Griffin to put in four new courts up closer to the school. I was assisting Connie Cassidy who if I recall, coached both boys and girls Manual tennis teams. Connie was a good player and a good coach.
Last week, I asked Manual graduate and now School Board Member Jim Stowell, if he was aware of this situation. He said he was and something needed to be done. All these years have passed with paid coaches who don't really know how to coach yet collect good pay while building their tenure to enhance their retirement pensions while few kids come out to practice and play. What a sorry situation..
Minor sports where kids, principals and coaches show little interest or put out much effort, must be eliminated. Allow kids who want to play tennis, softball, volleyball to play or at least try out, with other area schools and hire coaches who know the sport and are qualified to be real coaches. If the coaches can't coach, can't encourage kids to participate, waste money on bus trips, then set up inter-school intramurals to give them some exercise in a fun and learning environment, keep them out of trouble and save the property tax payers money.
It appears few people care. The emphasis for a few is on basketball and football. Who cares about the minor sports at #150? I have called attention to this situation many times and blogged on the subject.
What a shame and waste of money. And in my general visits over the years, the sports and after school atmosphere at Manual overall appears pretty laid back.
Arne Duncan and all the brass are only partly on track to better the public school systems in the larger cities. Until Board members are full time, rotating 3 year terms, elected at large or dividing #150 in three districts, well paid, each with an office and a shared secretary and the Superintendent has a doctorate or equivalent in finance and business with Associate Directors or whatever title appropriate, in curriculum, Human Services, etc., our leaders can hold all the summits they wish and the system will still fail.
In all the years I followed high school tennis in Peoria Public Schools I noted no board members in attendance and at one time a new principal came to the courts to show his interest. He came one time.
Peoria Riverfront Museum Problems
All County Board members plus administration received a letter from Peoria City Mayor Ardis dated 4/21/10 saying although construction contracts will not be required in advance of closing, nevertheless we note that there has been considerable delay in getting versions of the proposed Agreement to the City. Ardis concludes "The point of this letter is to express that the City is ready and willing to move forward with the Project, but will do so with reasonable time to review the necessary documents and does not intend to vote on the agreement just days after it is received in final form."
I don't blame the mayor or the City of Peoria on any of the delays. But there is the possibility this Contract will be "dumped" on the City as the time marches on.
So what is the problem? The problem is Lakeview Museum has handled this Project poorly from the getgo. In fact, a $11 to $14 million Endowment fund needed to operate the museum is anywhere from $9,400,000 upwards, short. In fact, the whole Project may be short over $14 million. I think donors would be disturbed to find that over $11 million cash has been spent on this Project with NO GROUND AS YET BROKEN.
There are five entities involved in coming to an agreement; Lakeview Museum, the Peoria Riverfront Museum, (new group, new board, etc.), the City of Peoria, Peoria County and Caterpillar. Most of those on the county will quietly acknowledge that working with the Lakeview Museum, which includes getting accurate financial information and a current operating statement, has been anything but easy. Mark Johnson, formerly the liaison person from Caterpillar and now a hired liaison employee for the County has said the situation is a "mess".
Lakeview reports they raised $400,000 in their recent fund drive. I understand that most of this "new" money is in the form of pledges. According to Lakeview financial documents, over $1 million in pledges were cancelled by June 30, 2009.
The Project is in jeopardy of losing the $3.8 million secured by then U.S. Representative Ray LaHood in 2007 to be used to finance part of the $8+ underground parking deck.
It is my opinion that the County Board has some reluctance to start on the $8+ million dollar underground parking deck until Lakeview has guaranteed the money has been raised. I doubt that many of their constiuents might raise some concern. I also know that the majority of the bard is influnced by unions who are demanding the Project get started becuase their workers need jobs. (So do many workers in the non-union private sector)
No guarantee that the funds have been raised has been made to the full County Board. It would be most unfortunate to the taxpayers if this Project moved forward without the funding being guaranteed. Taxpayer of one class or another may be paying for something that perhaps a majority of people did not ever want and making up deficits for the next 50 years or more.
Show us the money. The Museum groups have not been able to do so. This information is of public record. In the end, at this late date, a pledge is still just that; a pledge. And to my knowledge, the larger pledges have not been certified. Caterpillar says the PRM can count on thier pledges and of this, I have no doubt.
I don't blame the mayor or the City of Peoria on any of the delays. But there is the possibility this Contract will be "dumped" on the City as the time marches on.
So what is the problem? The problem is Lakeview Museum has handled this Project poorly from the getgo. In fact, a $11 to $14 million Endowment fund needed to operate the museum is anywhere from $9,400,000 upwards, short. In fact, the whole Project may be short over $14 million. I think donors would be disturbed to find that over $11 million cash has been spent on this Project with NO GROUND AS YET BROKEN.
There are five entities involved in coming to an agreement; Lakeview Museum, the Peoria Riverfront Museum, (new group, new board, etc.), the City of Peoria, Peoria County and Caterpillar. Most of those on the county will quietly acknowledge that working with the Lakeview Museum, which includes getting accurate financial information and a current operating statement, has been anything but easy. Mark Johnson, formerly the liaison person from Caterpillar and now a hired liaison employee for the County has said the situation is a "mess".
Lakeview reports they raised $400,000 in their recent fund drive. I understand that most of this "new" money is in the form of pledges. According to Lakeview financial documents, over $1 million in pledges were cancelled by June 30, 2009.
The Project is in jeopardy of losing the $3.8 million secured by then U.S. Representative Ray LaHood in 2007 to be used to finance part of the $8+ underground parking deck.
It is my opinion that the County Board has some reluctance to start on the $8+ million dollar underground parking deck until Lakeview has guaranteed the money has been raised. I doubt that many of their constiuents might raise some concern. I also know that the majority of the bard is influnced by unions who are demanding the Project get started becuase their workers need jobs. (So do many workers in the non-union private sector)
No guarantee that the funds have been raised has been made to the full County Board. It would be most unfortunate to the taxpayers if this Project moved forward without the funding being guaranteed. Taxpayer of one class or another may be paying for something that perhaps a majority of people did not ever want and making up deficits for the next 50 years or more.
Show us the money. The Museum groups have not been able to do so. This information is of public record. In the end, at this late date, a pledge is still just that; a pledge. And to my knowledge, the larger pledges have not been certified. Caterpillar says the PRM can count on thier pledges and of this, I have no doubt.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Arizona - States Rights?
Forwarded to me by a friend:
IBD Editorials Boycotting Arizona
Posted 07:11 PM ET
Grijalva: At war with his own state.
Politics: Most members of Congress like to bring home the bacon to their districts. But Arizona's Raul Grijalva wants everyone to boycott his state to protest its immigration law. Who, exactly, is he serving?
It ought to astonish onlookers to see a congressman, elected to represent the interests of Arizona's voters, instead using his office to throw them out of work.
But that's what Grijalva, a radical Democrat who represents a state with 2.3 million unemployed, is doing.
Incensed over last Friday's signing of a tough law intended to reduce illegal immigration, the congressman Wednesday called on the rest of the nation to boycott a major part of its tourism industry.
"I support some very targeted economic sanctions on the state of Arizona," Grijalva told the left-wing Democracy Now! broadcast Wednesday. "We will be asking national organizations — civil, religious, political — not to have conferences and conventions in the State of Arizona. There has to be an economic consequence to this action and to this legislation."
He had a lot of punishment in mind for his constituents, no matter how they felt about the law: "Tourism is going to suffer. Import-export is going to suffer. A potential loss of up to 700 million tax dollars from immigrants that work in state," he said, adding that Gov. Janet Brewer would be to blame.
The one-time community organizer didn't really care that Arizona has an 8% unemployment rate or that boycotting conventions would force more people onto the dole.
Using the signature Alinskyite tactics of the community organizer he once was, the law had to be fought at "a political, legal and economic level," he said. Aside from a boycott, he also wants the federal government to stop cooperating with Arizona, a move he says "would render much of this legislation moot and ineffective."
Whatever the idea behind Grijalva's war on his own state, it shows major disrespect to voters, 70% of whom support this law, including most Hispanic residents.
Grijalva's stance mirrors the party line of the radical left. And it is they who still command his loyalties, not the Arizona voters he's sworn to serve.
I (Merle) have written numerous blogs on the subject of illegal immigration. "A Way Out of Immigration Mess", dated Oct 10, 2008; "Jerry Klein", dated 5/01/07; "Obama's Plan to Legitimize Illegals" October 25, 2009, "Immigration Spin Doctors", dated6/22/07; "Illegal Immigration Alleged Costs to Our Country:, dated 6/27/08, etc.
You can find them all on mu archive sidebar which contains the dates of all 1200 plus blogs I've written. None of what I wrote is a correct answer to the problem but rounding them up and shipping them back is NOT the solution. We need a national debate on the problem soon along with a national debate on legalizing drugs. Our eradication system is not working as most of the users are in our own country. Think the users of drugs are not in all our schools? Think again. And in a large quantity of our homes yet the dealers are getting rich and killing themselves and innocent people.
IBD Editorials Boycotting Arizona
Posted 07:11 PM ET
Grijalva: At war with his own state.
Politics: Most members of Congress like to bring home the bacon to their districts. But Arizona's Raul Grijalva wants everyone to boycott his state to protest its immigration law. Who, exactly, is he serving?
It ought to astonish onlookers to see a congressman, elected to represent the interests of Arizona's voters, instead using his office to throw them out of work.
But that's what Grijalva, a radical Democrat who represents a state with 2.3 million unemployed, is doing.
Incensed over last Friday's signing of a tough law intended to reduce illegal immigration, the congressman Wednesday called on the rest of the nation to boycott a major part of its tourism industry.
"I support some very targeted economic sanctions on the state of Arizona," Grijalva told the left-wing Democracy Now! broadcast Wednesday. "We will be asking national organizations — civil, religious, political — not to have conferences and conventions in the State of Arizona. There has to be an economic consequence to this action and to this legislation."
He had a lot of punishment in mind for his constituents, no matter how they felt about the law: "Tourism is going to suffer. Import-export is going to suffer. A potential loss of up to 700 million tax dollars from immigrants that work in state," he said, adding that Gov. Janet Brewer would be to blame.
The one-time community organizer didn't really care that Arizona has an 8% unemployment rate or that boycotting conventions would force more people onto the dole.
Using the signature Alinskyite tactics of the community organizer he once was, the law had to be fought at "a political, legal and economic level," he said. Aside from a boycott, he also wants the federal government to stop cooperating with Arizona, a move he says "would render much of this legislation moot and ineffective."
Whatever the idea behind Grijalva's war on his own state, it shows major disrespect to voters, 70% of whom support this law, including most Hispanic residents.
Grijalva's stance mirrors the party line of the radical left. And it is they who still command his loyalties, not the Arizona voters he's sworn to serve.
I (Merle) have written numerous blogs on the subject of illegal immigration. "A Way Out of Immigration Mess", dated Oct 10, 2008; "Jerry Klein", dated 5/01/07; "Obama's Plan to Legitimize Illegals" October 25, 2009, "Immigration Spin Doctors", dated6/22/07; "Illegal Immigration Alleged Costs to Our Country:, dated 6/27/08, etc.
You can find them all on mu archive sidebar which contains the dates of all 1200 plus blogs I've written. None of what I wrote is a correct answer to the problem but rounding them up and shipping them back is NOT the solution. We need a national debate on the problem soon along with a national debate on legalizing drugs. Our eradication system is not working as most of the users are in our own country. Think the users of drugs are not in all our schools? Think again. And in a large quantity of our homes yet the dealers are getting rich and killing themselves and innocent people.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Why Was Brian Elsasser Removed From the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission??
Don Gorman of 4914 Longview Place in the Heights (same Village where Management Services Committee Democrat Chairman Mike Phelan Represents) was appointed to replace Elssaser before his appointment expired. All Republicans and 2 Democrats voted no.
I was asked by an email to me as to why. Some say politics has entered more heavily into County government. As to the appointment, you will need to ask County Board Chair, Tom O'Neill who makes all appointments.
Maybe Brian who occasionally reads my blogs will make a comment in the comment section below.
I was asked by an email to me as to why. Some say politics has entered more heavily into County government. As to the appointment, you will need to ask County Board Chair, Tom O'Neill who makes all appointments.
Maybe Brian who occasionally reads my blogs will make a comment in the comment section below.
Municpal Bankruptcy - Painful Lessons
In the 3/27/10 of the WSJ, Steven Greenhut described how and why the City of Vallejo, Ca. went bankrupt. Mr. Greenhut is the author of "Plunder! How Public Employee Unions Are Raiding Treasuries" (The Forum Press, 2009) Controlling Our Lives and Bankrupting the Nation. Mr. Greenhut adapted his article from an issue of City Journal in Sacramento. Two years after Vallejo declared bankruptcy, city officials are still unwilling to demand pension concession leaving the city with few options, one of which is raising taxes. (Isn't it always?)
Last year Cato Institute noted that 74%of the city's general budget was eaten up by police and firefigjhter salaries and overtime along with pension obligations. Compensations topped $300,000 a year for police captains and average $171,000 per year for firefighters. Regular city public employees can retire at 55 with 81% of their final year's pay guaranteed. Police and fire officials can retire at age 50 with a pension that pays them 90% of their final year's salary every year for the life of their life and live of their spouses. Most of you in the private sector should read the rest of this article and Mr. Greenhut's book.
It will make you sick especially if you live in the city of Peoria and see that your tax bill for city services are only one-half of the amount spent for city pensions. Plus the City of Peoria is backing a hotel developer who has little to lose if the planned loan goes sour; backing the project with your money.
Sure, the city wants to merge with the county whose pensions equal approximately one-fourth of the property taxes collected for the entire county.
Please read the attached reprint by the nationally renowed Fred Barnes, who was a recent guest speaker in Peoria.
Merle Widmer
The New Fat Cats
The indefensible pensions of public-sector employees.
BY Fred Barnes
May 3, 2010, Vol. 15, No. 31
ShareThis
John Edwards was right. There are two Americas, just not his two (the rich and powerful versus everyone else). The real divide today is, on one side, the 20 million people who work for state and local governments and the additional 3 million who’ve retired with fat pensions. On the other, the rest of us, roughly 280 million Americans. In short, there’s a gulf between the bureaucrats and the people.
Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey puts his fight with teachers and their union in roughly those terms. He says there are “two classes of citizens in New Jersey: those who enjoy rich public benefits and those who pay for them.” The teachers want to keep a pay raise and continue to pay a minimal share of their retiree benefits.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, state and local government salaries are 34 percent higher than those for private sector jobs. Okay, that’s partly because government workers tend to have white-collar jobs. Benefits, 70 percent higher for these workers, are the real rub. And benefits for government retirees are the most flagrant. They’ve become a national scandal, a fiscal nightmare for states, cities, and towns, and an example of unfairness of the sort liberals routinely complain about but are mostly silent about just now.
Let’s start with horror stories of pensions run amok. If these tales of wretched excess at the expense of taxpayers don’t infuriate you, you’re jaded from decades of overindulgence by governments large and small:
• In Contra Costa, California, the final salary of one fire chief, 51, was $221,000. He was given an annual, guaranteed pension of $284,000. Another chief, 50, whose final salary was $185,000, got a pension of $241,000. Credit the Contra Costa Times with uncovering this.
• Christie cited two tales in February when he declared a state of fiscal emergency in New Jersey. One retiree, 49, paid “a total of $124,000 towards his retirement pension and health benefits. What will we pay him? $3.3 million in pension payments and health benefits.” A retired teacher paid $62,000. She’ll get “$1.4 million in pension benefits and another $215,000 in health care benefit premiums over her lifetime.”
• In New York, a pensioner in the state retirement system received $641,000 in state payments in a single year. He was a triple dipper. He had a pension of $261,000, the highest in the state. He had a post in the state university system in which he made $280,000. And he was paid $100,000 a year as a consultant for the agency from which he’d retired, the teachers’ retirement system.
• Except for new hires, state workers in New York can retire at 55 with guaranteed benefits to which they contribute only in their first 10 years of work. They pay no state income tax on their pensions, and overtime is counted in computing the size of pensions. “Compared with the average New York worker, state and local government employees receive the gold standard of pensions,” the Syracuse Post-Standard said last year.
• Also in New York, the retirement system is riddled with lucrative pensions for retirees who were fired or convicted of crimes related to their state jobs. Former comptroller Alan Hevesi, who once ran the state’s $154 billion pension fund, was found guilty of defrauding the state. Yet he’s got a pension of $104,123.
• In California, 9,111 retired government workers have pensions of more than $100,000. One retiree draws an annual pension of $509,664. Among retired teachers, 3,065 receive more than $100,000. One gets $285,460. Pensions for retired state workers and teachers will rise 2 percent this year, though Social Security recipients aren’t getting any cost-of-living increase. The hike in California isn’t tied to inflation.
• The city of Vallejo, California, declared bankruptcy in 2008, largely because the payroll for police, firefighters, and their pensions and overtime consumed three-fourths of the budget. City employees could retire at 55 with 81 percent of their last year’s salary guaranteed as pensions. In bankruptcy negotiations, however, Vallejo officials declined to reduce current pensions.
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Last year Cato Institute noted that 74%of the city's general budget was eaten up by police and firefigjhter salaries and overtime along with pension obligations. Compensations topped $300,000 a year for police captains and average $171,000 per year for firefighters. Regular city public employees can retire at 55 with 81% of their final year's pay guaranteed. Police and fire officials can retire at age 50 with a pension that pays them 90% of their final year's salary every year for the life of their life and live of their spouses. Most of you in the private sector should read the rest of this article and Mr. Greenhut's book.
It will make you sick especially if you live in the city of Peoria and see that your tax bill for city services are only one-half of the amount spent for city pensions. Plus the City of Peoria is backing a hotel developer who has little to lose if the planned loan goes sour; backing the project with your money.
Sure, the city wants to merge with the county whose pensions equal approximately one-fourth of the property taxes collected for the entire county.
Please read the attached reprint by the nationally renowed Fred Barnes, who was a recent guest speaker in Peoria.
Merle Widmer
The New Fat Cats
The indefensible pensions of public-sector employees.
BY Fred Barnes
May 3, 2010, Vol. 15, No. 31
ShareThis
John Edwards was right. There are two Americas, just not his two (the rich and powerful versus everyone else). The real divide today is, on one side, the 20 million people who work for state and local governments and the additional 3 million who’ve retired with fat pensions. On the other, the rest of us, roughly 280 million Americans. In short, there’s a gulf between the bureaucrats and the people.
Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey puts his fight with teachers and their union in roughly those terms. He says there are “two classes of citizens in New Jersey: those who enjoy rich public benefits and those who pay for them.” The teachers want to keep a pay raise and continue to pay a minimal share of their retiree benefits.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, state and local government salaries are 34 percent higher than those for private sector jobs. Okay, that’s partly because government workers tend to have white-collar jobs. Benefits, 70 percent higher for these workers, are the real rub. And benefits for government retirees are the most flagrant. They’ve become a national scandal, a fiscal nightmare for states, cities, and towns, and an example of unfairness of the sort liberals routinely complain about but are mostly silent about just now.
Let’s start with horror stories of pensions run amok. If these tales of wretched excess at the expense of taxpayers don’t infuriate you, you’re jaded from decades of overindulgence by governments large and small:
• In Contra Costa, California, the final salary of one fire chief, 51, was $221,000. He was given an annual, guaranteed pension of $284,000. Another chief, 50, whose final salary was $185,000, got a pension of $241,000. Credit the Contra Costa Times with uncovering this.
• Christie cited two tales in February when he declared a state of fiscal emergency in New Jersey. One retiree, 49, paid “a total of $124,000 towards his retirement pension and health benefits. What will we pay him? $3.3 million in pension payments and health benefits.” A retired teacher paid $62,000. She’ll get “$1.4 million in pension benefits and another $215,000 in health care benefit premiums over her lifetime.”
• In New York, a pensioner in the state retirement system received $641,000 in state payments in a single year. He was a triple dipper. He had a pension of $261,000, the highest in the state. He had a post in the state university system in which he made $280,000. And he was paid $100,000 a year as a consultant for the agency from which he’d retired, the teachers’ retirement system.
• Except for new hires, state workers in New York can retire at 55 with guaranteed benefits to which they contribute only in their first 10 years of work. They pay no state income tax on their pensions, and overtime is counted in computing the size of pensions. “Compared with the average New York worker, state and local government employees receive the gold standard of pensions,” the Syracuse Post-Standard said last year.
• Also in New York, the retirement system is riddled with lucrative pensions for retirees who were fired or convicted of crimes related to their state jobs. Former comptroller Alan Hevesi, who once ran the state’s $154 billion pension fund, was found guilty of defrauding the state. Yet he’s got a pension of $104,123.
• In California, 9,111 retired government workers have pensions of more than $100,000. One retiree draws an annual pension of $509,664. Among retired teachers, 3,065 receive more than $100,000. One gets $285,460. Pensions for retired state workers and teachers will rise 2 percent this year, though Social Security recipients aren’t getting any cost-of-living increase. The hike in California isn’t tied to inflation.
• The city of Vallejo, California, declared bankruptcy in 2008, largely because the payroll for police, firefighters, and their pensions and overtime consumed three-fourths of the budget. City employees could retire at 55 with 81 percent of their last year’s salary guaranteed as pensions. In bankruptcy negotiations, however, Vallejo officials declined to reduce current pensions.
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Ignorance of the Young and Those Who Could Work But Won't
Forwarded to me by a friend. Most all know that you can live "free", often without working in Peoria and many parts of the country. Yes, I am aware that many jobs do not pay a living wage but this country still offers the chance of advancement or expansion in almost any endeavor. Free food is available from many sources. Free housing or at least room and board is available from many sources. Free health care has been available for many years. No emergency room can refuse you for any health problems, real or imagined. Free mental and financial advise, free help to fill out many forms one cannot do themselves. Free help to fill out ones Census Form. Free police and fire protection. Free protection from criminals both in our country and from radical terrorists abroad. Nearly free business loans; as low as 3% or lower from government agencies. Free bus passes to many. Free public schools. Free scholarships. Free libraries.
And now more free health care that few people understand; many attorney's and lobbyists will be working for high pay to find out; for both those who can't afford and those who could or can afford some type of health care coverage. And many I have left out.
What I won't leave out is that someone has to pay for all "free". It will be the working and (non-working meaning those who has acquired money through savings, pensions, inheritance, investments, etc.) taxpayer and those who donate. Profits made in the public sector go to support our ballooning government and bureaucracies who hire and pay people who work for them. And to hand out in entitlements, some worthy, many absolutely not, bailouts, subsidies, grants, etc.
The "story" is an interesting read.
Merle
This story is perfect in its simplicity and lesson. It's a story many need to read.
FREE HOUSE
I was in my neighborhood restaurant this morning and
was seated behind a group of jubilant individuals
celebrating the successful passing of the recent health care
bill. I could not finish my breakfast.
This is what ensued:
They were a diverse group of several races and both
sexes. I heard the young man exclaim, “Isn’t Obama like
Jesus Christ? I mean, after all, he is healing the sick.”
The young woman enthusiastically proclaimed, “Yeah,
and he does it for free. I cannot believe anyone would think
that a free market would work for health care. They are all
crooks and thieves and don’t deserve all of that
money.”
Another said, "The stupid Republicans want us all to
starve to death so they can inherit all of the power. Obama
should be made a Saint for what he did for those of us less
fortunate.”
At this, I had had enough. I arose from my seat,
mustering all the restraint I could find, and approached
their table. “Please excuse me; may I impose upon you for
one moment?”
They smiled and welcomed me to the conversation. I
stood at the end of their table, smiled as best I could and
began an experiment. “I would like to give one of you my
house. It will cost you no money and I will pay all of the
expenses and taxes for as long as you live there. Anyone
interested?”
They looked at each other in astonishment. “Why
would you do something like that?” asked a young man.
“There isn’t anything for free in this world.”
They began to laugh at me, as they did not realize
this man had just made my point. “I am serious, I will
give you my house for free, no money what so ever. Anyone
interested?”
In unison, a resounding, “Hell Yeah” fills the room.
“Since there are too many of you, I will have to
make a choice as to who receives this money free bargain.”
I noticed an elderly couple was paying attention to the
spectacle unfolding before their eyes, the old man shaking
his head in apparent disgust. “I tell you what; I will
give it to the one of you most willing to obey my rules.”
Again, they looked at one another, an expression of
bewilderment on their faces. The perky young woman asked,
“What are the rules?”
I smiled and said, “I don’t know. I have not yet
defined them. However, it is a free home that I offer you.”
They giggled amongst themselves, the youngest of which
said, “What an old coot. He must be crazy to give away his
home. Go take your meds, old man.”
I smiled and leaned into the table a bit further. “I
am serious, this is a legitimate offer.”
They gaped at me for a moment. “Hell, I’ll take it
you old fool. Where are the keys?” boasted the youngest
among them.
“Then I presume you accept ALL of my terms then?”
I asked.
The elderly couple seemed amused and entertained as
they watched from the privacy of their table. “Oh hell
yeah! Where do I sign up?”
I took a napkin and wrote, “I give this man my home,
without the burden of financial obligation, so long as he
accepts and abides by the terms that I shall set forth upon
consummation of this transaction.” I signed it and handed
it to the young man who eagerly scratched out his
signature.
“Where are the keys to my new house?” he asked in
a mocking tone of voice.
All eyes were upon us as I stepped back from the
table, pulling the keys from pocket and dangling them before
the excited new homeowner. “Now that we have entered into
this binding contract, witnessed by all of your friends, I
have decided upon the conditions you are obligated to adhere
from this point forward. You may only live in the house for
one hour a day. You will not use anything inside of the
home. You will obey me without question or resistance. I
expect complete loyalty and admiration for this gift I
bestow upon you. You will accept my commands and wishes with
enthusiasm, no matter the nature. Your morals and principles
shall be as mine. You will vote as I do, think as I do and
do it with blind faith. These are my terms. Here are your
keys.”
I reached the keys forward and the young man looked at
me dumb founded. “Are you out of your freaking mind? Who
would ever agree to those ridiculous terms?” the young man
appeared irritated.
“You did when you signed this contract before
reading it, understanding it and with the full knowledge
that I would provide my conditions only after you committed
to the agreement” was all I said. The elderly man chuckled
as his wife tried to restrain him. I was looking at a now
silenced and bewildered group of people.
“You can shove that stupid deal up you’re a** old
man, I want no part of it,” exclaimed the now infuriated
young man.
“You have committed to the contract, as witnessed by
all of your friends; you cannot get out of the deal unless I
agree to it. I do not intend to let you free now that I have
you ensnared. I am the power you agreed too. I am the one
you blindly and without thought chose to enslave yourself
too. In short, I am your Master.”
At this, the table of celebrating individuals became a
unified group against the unfairness of the deal.
After a few moments of unrepeatable comments and
slurs, I revealed my true intent. “What I did to you is
what this administration and congress did to you with the
health care legislation. I easily suckered you in and then
revealed the real cost of the bargain. Your folly was in the
belief that you can have something you did not earn; that
you are entitled to that which you did not earn; that you
willingly allowed someone else to think for you. Your
failure to research, study and inform yourself permitted
reason to escape you. You have entered into a trap from
which you cannot flee. Your only chance of freedom is if
your new Master gives it unto you. A freedom that is given
can also be taken away; therefore, it is not freedom.”
With that, I tore up the napkin and placed it before
the astonished young man. “This is the nature of your new
health care legislation.” I turned away to leave these few
in thought and contemplation and was surprised by applause.
The elderly gentleman, who was clearly entertained, shook my
hand enthusiastically and said, “Thank you Sir, these kids
don’t understand Liberty these days.” He refused to
allow me to pay my bill as he said, “You earned this one,
it is an honor to pickup the tab.”
I shook his hand in thanks, leaving the restaurant
somewhat humbled, and sensing a glimmer of hope for my
beloved country.
~~~Use reason, it is the closest you are going to get
to Godly conduct. ~~~Clifford A. Wright
And now more free health care that few people understand; many attorney's and lobbyists will be working for high pay to find out; for both those who can't afford and those who could or can afford some type of health care coverage. And many I have left out.
What I won't leave out is that someone has to pay for all "free". It will be the working and (non-working meaning those who has acquired money through savings, pensions, inheritance, investments, etc.) taxpayer and those who donate. Profits made in the public sector go to support our ballooning government and bureaucracies who hire and pay people who work for them. And to hand out in entitlements, some worthy, many absolutely not, bailouts, subsidies, grants, etc.
The "story" is an interesting read.
Merle
This story is perfect in its simplicity and lesson. It's a story many need to read.
FREE HOUSE
I was in my neighborhood restaurant this morning and
was seated behind a group of jubilant individuals
celebrating the successful passing of the recent health care
bill. I could not finish my breakfast.
This is what ensued:
They were a diverse group of several races and both
sexes. I heard the young man exclaim, “Isn’t Obama like
Jesus Christ? I mean, after all, he is healing the sick.”
The young woman enthusiastically proclaimed, “Yeah,
and he does it for free. I cannot believe anyone would think
that a free market would work for health care. They are all
crooks and thieves and don’t deserve all of that
money.”
Another said, "The stupid Republicans want us all to
starve to death so they can inherit all of the power. Obama
should be made a Saint for what he did for those of us less
fortunate.”
At this, I had had enough. I arose from my seat,
mustering all the restraint I could find, and approached
their table. “Please excuse me; may I impose upon you for
one moment?”
They smiled and welcomed me to the conversation. I
stood at the end of their table, smiled as best I could and
began an experiment. “I would like to give one of you my
house. It will cost you no money and I will pay all of the
expenses and taxes for as long as you live there. Anyone
interested?”
They looked at each other in astonishment. “Why
would you do something like that?” asked a young man.
“There isn’t anything for free in this world.”
They began to laugh at me, as they did not realize
this man had just made my point. “I am serious, I will
give you my house for free, no money what so ever. Anyone
interested?”
In unison, a resounding, “Hell Yeah” fills the room.
“Since there are too many of you, I will have to
make a choice as to who receives this money free bargain.”
I noticed an elderly couple was paying attention to the
spectacle unfolding before their eyes, the old man shaking
his head in apparent disgust. “I tell you what; I will
give it to the one of you most willing to obey my rules.”
Again, they looked at one another, an expression of
bewilderment on their faces. The perky young woman asked,
“What are the rules?”
I smiled and said, “I don’t know. I have not yet
defined them. However, it is a free home that I offer you.”
They giggled amongst themselves, the youngest of which
said, “What an old coot. He must be crazy to give away his
home. Go take your meds, old man.”
I smiled and leaned into the table a bit further. “I
am serious, this is a legitimate offer.”
They gaped at me for a moment. “Hell, I’ll take it
you old fool. Where are the keys?” boasted the youngest
among them.
“Then I presume you accept ALL of my terms then?”
I asked.
The elderly couple seemed amused and entertained as
they watched from the privacy of their table. “Oh hell
yeah! Where do I sign up?”
I took a napkin and wrote, “I give this man my home,
without the burden of financial obligation, so long as he
accepts and abides by the terms that I shall set forth upon
consummation of this transaction.” I signed it and handed
it to the young man who eagerly scratched out his
signature.
“Where are the keys to my new house?” he asked in
a mocking tone of voice.
All eyes were upon us as I stepped back from the
table, pulling the keys from pocket and dangling them before
the excited new homeowner. “Now that we have entered into
this binding contract, witnessed by all of your friends, I
have decided upon the conditions you are obligated to adhere
from this point forward. You may only live in the house for
one hour a day. You will not use anything inside of the
home. You will obey me without question or resistance. I
expect complete loyalty and admiration for this gift I
bestow upon you. You will accept my commands and wishes with
enthusiasm, no matter the nature. Your morals and principles
shall be as mine. You will vote as I do, think as I do and
do it with blind faith. These are my terms. Here are your
keys.”
I reached the keys forward and the young man looked at
me dumb founded. “Are you out of your freaking mind? Who
would ever agree to those ridiculous terms?” the young man
appeared irritated.
“You did when you signed this contract before
reading it, understanding it and with the full knowledge
that I would provide my conditions only after you committed
to the agreement” was all I said. The elderly man chuckled
as his wife tried to restrain him. I was looking at a now
silenced and bewildered group of people.
“You can shove that stupid deal up you’re a** old
man, I want no part of it,” exclaimed the now infuriated
young man.
“You have committed to the contract, as witnessed by
all of your friends; you cannot get out of the deal unless I
agree to it. I do not intend to let you free now that I have
you ensnared. I am the power you agreed too. I am the one
you blindly and without thought chose to enslave yourself
too. In short, I am your Master.”
At this, the table of celebrating individuals became a
unified group against the unfairness of the deal.
After a few moments of unrepeatable comments and
slurs, I revealed my true intent. “What I did to you is
what this administration and congress did to you with the
health care legislation. I easily suckered you in and then
revealed the real cost of the bargain. Your folly was in the
belief that you can have something you did not earn; that
you are entitled to that which you did not earn; that you
willingly allowed someone else to think for you. Your
failure to research, study and inform yourself permitted
reason to escape you. You have entered into a trap from
which you cannot flee. Your only chance of freedom is if
your new Master gives it unto you. A freedom that is given
can also be taken away; therefore, it is not freedom.”
With that, I tore up the napkin and placed it before
the astonished young man. “This is the nature of your new
health care legislation.” I turned away to leave these few
in thought and contemplation and was surprised by applause.
The elderly gentleman, who was clearly entertained, shook my
hand enthusiastically and said, “Thank you Sir, these kids
don’t understand Liberty these days.” He refused to
allow me to pay my bill as he said, “You earned this one,
it is an honor to pickup the tab.”
I shook his hand in thanks, leaving the restaurant
somewhat humbled, and sensing a glimmer of hope for my
beloved country.
~~~Use reason, it is the closest you are going to get
to Godly conduct. ~~~Clifford A. Wright
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