Skilled Workers - Lack of in the U.S.A. Why?? Leaders, Get It In Your Thick Heads That All Kids Are NOT Colllege Material

Look up my old blog under Widmer Peoria Watch this subject of more than a decade ago, I explain in detail the upcoming shortage. Dan Silverthorn of PALM addressed the Southwest Kiwanis Club on this concern. He, as I, have tried to get the message across that we needed VOCATIONAL EDUCATION yet the public schools were trying to teach all kids as if they were college material. At least half of them were not and never will be. But in this country our failed leadership demands a college degree or degrees for almost all types of work. Yet many high paying jobs SHOULD NOT require a College degree. Some effort was made by #150 when they created 4 Academy schools. The idea failed miserably and the Academy System was eventually dropped. (See more om my old blogs about why they failed) Then an effort was made to establish Woodruff High as a Vocational School. That idea, according to my observation and from those who have visited and observed, is close to an abject failure. Now efforts are made by #150 to make Vocational training more available. We have hundreds of retired skilled workers who would be happy to pass on their skills to youth. But few programs allow these non-college grad people to help out. Why not? Because the unions and school boards feel these skilled retirees would take jobs away from mostly poorly schooled teachers. Money was just released to allow #150 and other schools to hire more guidance teachers in schools. (My old blogs always said we needed more SILLED guidance people)They should start vocational needs as early as 6th grade but I;m sure the money will be spent in high schools and will concentrate on college bound students rather than the badly needed skilled vocations workers. Vocations may need to be SOLD to the youths by people who HAVE ACTUALLY MADE A RELATIVELY HIGH STAND OF LIVING WITHOUT A COLLEGE DEGREE. At one time Pekin had one of the best vocational schools in the nation. Hope they still do. Shame on this country and their leadership that we have a lack of skilled Vocational candidates where a college degree SHOULD NOT BE REQUIRED.

Bradley University Political Science Professors - 'Them Thats' Smarter Then the Rest Of Us

One, who wears an interesting headpiece, has recently told us how wise he is as published in the "Spotlight" of the JS. (A retired doctor rebutted him once as I posted on this site. The doctor is much wiser than 80% of any college health/political science/social engineering professor). The second published Bradley "wise" man says that private schools are a "no-no and public schools turn out better products. Ho-ho. Another Bradley wise man told us how bad Trump is doing. Surely my readers know that 80% of all teachers in the public sector and many in the private sector, such as Bradley, are Democrats. Especially those who teach political science or social studies. If you want your High School grads to get a "fair and balanced" education, send them to schools such as Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan. And Economics. Wasn't it two Bradley Professors who claimed that the new Peoria Riverfront Museum would bring in $16 million MEW dollars into our community. What happened? Let's see, how many tax dollars would have flowed into Peoria from that nebulous $16 million? I never heard from them again on the subject. Most have probably forgotten that the referendum vote to build the museum succeeded by only 400 votes out of 30,000 cast. Nor do i hear any more from the JS as to how many "full priced" visitors visit the artsy museum. Like I never heard from the JS how many dollars are brought in from outside the area visitors. some may recall that the original name of the museum was to be "Peoria Regional Museum. Hmmm.

Tax the Rich More? "Them That Has the Gold, Rules'

Sure, a little more. Why not a lot more? I'll give you a good examples as to why not. A number of years ago, I was sitting with a friend at a Peoria Heights restaurant when a politician stopped to chat. He said he liked an idea I posted on this site and would like to schedule a meeting with me. My friend had recently written him a check for $10,000. I gave this politician $100. Did i ever hear from this politician again? You guess. How can politicians expect to get elected and re-elected if they "bite the hands that feed them"?

Bipartisan Cooperation Only a Dream

On 3/1/06, columnist Cal Thomas wrote, "Has anyone checked lately to see if hell has frozen over?". Predictions, probably true, that Trump will not be able to accomplish much in this term. So what's new?? I'm asking far left leaning "journalists" such as those teaching at Bradley University, again, so what's new??

Hearttland Bank Will Close Knoxville and Pioneer Parkway Location

Closing date is late September of this year. At last count, there were 13 banking location along Knoxville. I expect there will be more closings in the not too far off future. Expect more retail closings in the next 12 months. Sears may be in jeopardy according to believable news media.

One Billion Plus Will be Needed in NEW tax $s to Bring Vehicle Travel Up to 90% Normal. Where?

In Peoria City, County and Tazewell County. Most of the $ needed will be on the west side of our river. Peoria County officials stated over a year ago that they needed $200 million. The City of Peoria is way beyond fixing potholes. Entire streets will need to torn out and replaced. The cost to vehicular traffic will add an additional $2-$300,000 in waiting time, gas and vehicular engine wear. Will the work required be done? Probably not without substantial tax increases. In the meantime, certain vehicles pay NO gas tax to the repair and replace fund. What I predict is MOST likely true.

Message to the Governor of Near Bankrupt New Jersey

Governor Christie, do you now know why you didn't get a cabinet position under President Trump??Also, you looked like a beached whale on the beach. You might look better jogging over the now famous bridge.

Hope you and yours had an enjoyable 4th while your barred constituents were preparing to add to your heat.

CNN - Political Fake News Outlet For the Democrats and the Far left

CNN was being raked over on a couple of factual TV Stations tonight but I can not find anything on the internet. If you are a solid fan of this TV News disaster, you and I are very far apart on out political views. If you support the Socialist leaders of "Black Lives Matter', we are even further apart. Sorry, but I am seldom politically correct. Being politically correct has been a long time problem maker that has been a major cause of unrest sweeping the major cities of this country.

The JSEB is holding "informative" meetings warning their audiences to beware of 'fake" news. Kinda like calling "the kettle black". Yes, kettles were usually black when shown in historical settings.

Recently, 27 out of 31 cartoons on the JS Opinion page were derogatory to President Trump. Do they not like him? They HATE him and are doing everything they can to oust him. Recently they said that Trump had ACCOMPLISHED NOTHING to-date. The JSEB says fairness and facts are their specialty. Try to convince them that the better choice was Trump rather than the Clinton Cabal. The editorial board is in adulation of the left leaning Washington Post, the highly prejudiced AP and far left leaning Gene Robinson and Leonard Pitts.

Lot's of luck.

Hmmmmmm.

War Against Drugs is a LOST Cause

11,555 people murdered in Drug Wars in Mexico in the first FIVE months of 2017. Drug lords control whole states in Mexico. Most customers are in our country. Something is drastically wrong with our leaders, many who use imported drugs themselves. Eradication has FAILED.

I highly suggest that anyone selling of importing drugs be executed ASAP. When I was in Singapore, that was the law. Still successful? I don't know. Worth a try here.  Exception, Marijuana.. Much less dangerous than any other drug available including alcohol. The U.S.A. would be a better place to live. Legalize Marijuana here and tax it. I do not condone the USE OF ANY DRUG. But, like alcohol, Marijuana is widely used illegally even here in Peoria. So is every type of drug ever concocted. Telling young and older not to use drugs has about 0 effect on the user.

We should know by now that when we tell youth NO to sex or drugs they usually disobey. Years ago, I was told by an employee of Planned Parenthood that the largest numbers of pregnant students they assisted, were from a Catholic School.

Ask most any cop (who doesn't use anything worse than Marijuana) or any family that has lost a member thru use, abuse or turf protection killings whether eradication is working or not. The answer will be "NO".Stopping drugs at the borders? Ho, ho, ho.

So sad.

Learn Facts By Reading Fiction/History

As I mentioned on Facebook, "a piece of the world" by Christina Baker Kline. Also, "Blacklash" by Deeneen Boreli and " Putin's Gambit" by Lou Dobbs and James O. Born.I do not have the energy to describe the contents nor list the credits of the authors but all information is available on the net. Better yet, read the books, skimming, like I sometimes do, some of the detailing that may not interest you.

All have stories to tell very UNLIKE "Fifty Shades of Grey", a book and movie filled with fantasy for unrequited women, and some men, and no moral story to tell.

Assassination of North Korea Satan Not An Option

After decades of brain-washing the young, a new Satan would replace him. What good did the killing of the Libyan Satan, the incarceration of drug lords led to more vicious successors (drug related killings are on the rise in Mexico and the U.S.A.) and is Iraq better off without Saddam?

There are always thugs, often half educated, (just because one has a bunch of high sounding degrees has never meant that one is really educated unless taught the facts) waiting in the wings and hoping to be the successor to the ones assassinated. As Fox TV reports, most major and I mean MAJOR problems facing mankind, comes from "kicking MAJOR problems down to the next administration".

Too little, too late. and despite those who claim to detest our President, including 11-15 million illegals, he is the one who truly believes that "the buck stops here". President Donald Trump does NOT want war but he is not now nor ever will be supported, in his positive efforts to right this country, by 'bleeding hearts, far left liberals, CNN and all sore losers.

Five months of being daily, hourly, assaulted by every type of hateful individual, media or dangerous protesters ever born anywhere,  have aged this man who never really was a politician or ever will be. Nor will he be "politically correct" like so many politicians and bureaucrats who have led us into 'the swamp' that still exists in DC and many other parts of this country.

With all his faults, thank God that we DO NOT have the Clinton Cabal or the dangerous Sanders' along with Maxine Waters, Nancy Pelosi, Charles Schumer, Jesse Jackson and the East Coast nutcase woman trying to position herself to be the Democrat nominee in 2020, in command of our uneasy destiny.

Birthday Celebration Over - I'm Trying for 93

Thanks to all those who wished me well. My loving daughter and business woman who hosted an outing at her home in Columbia, Il., my other daughter, Mary Jo, hosted me for two nights in her built to order new condo in Edwardsville,  my still loving ex-wife, Dee, who baked the cake you saw on Facebook, and a cake from a friend, a new wallet, a dinner and a movie.

All this and I only thought I would live to be 75. Instead, I was still playing full court basketball at 75 and tennis at 90. Good genes, no drugs ever, very light use of the most deadly drug of all, alcohol and also deadly, tobacco.

I've survived 3 cancers, a triple by-pass and one misdemeanor false arrest. The judge did not find me guilty but the hateful Stowell's, Jerry and Jim, made sure my arrest was widely circulated.

I know. The good die young; my lovely niece, Claire Kauffman, 17, killed by a drunk driver and my brave cousin Richard Witzig, 21, killed in his first air fight by a Japanese better trained fighter pilot. Still, I'm thankful for the extra years, deserving or not.