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Alot of developments/political things happened over the weekend. June 2, 2008

Posted by baxtersbrother2 in Election 2008, Fiscal, Illinois, Race Relations, The press, US Government.
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There was a lot of political things that completely happened over the weekend.

Well, we determined how the States of Michigan and Florida would count in The Democratic Primaries.  Even though the primaries were held in January, we finally determined how this would work.  And, all the hype was one of the most stupidest things in political discourse.   When everything was planned out, everyone wanted to be viewed (The States) in the same lights as Iowa & New Hampshire.  We thought that the primary was going to be finalized by the National Super Tuesday on February 5th and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton would be the nominee.  So much for that.  Here is the press release from the DNC.     Is the primary over?  No.  Hillary Clinton won the Puerto Rico Primary by a decisive margin and there are two primaries tomorrow.   Will it make a difference?  Maybe yes,  because of the “Super-delegates” concept, ( you know Next to the Super duper delegates, etc).   There is another thing that no one has noticed.  No one has caught up on here?  When was the last time besides 2008, did we pay attention to the Puerto Rico Primary or the South Dakota Primary?  Seriously?   The answer is Never.  Or Once in a Generation.   The Democrats are imploring a 50 state strategy and it was important because of all the media hype that she continue.  Besides Ego, that is why Hillary Rodham Clinton chose to  stay in.  But, by Wednesday.   It is over.  To Harold Ickes,  Mrs Clinton’s campaign manager when the decision was made, “GROW UP!”  We need to see what is in the best interest of the country and have a general election debate.  Not a Hillary and Barry show.

The second thing is the book by Former Press Secretary Scott McClellan.  And, yes, the authors of this blog have actually purchased this book.   Originally, the claims were laughable but actually reading the book, there is substance.   Former Senator Bob Dole, a statesman who this blog is always a fan, went to a pissy child-like rant.    However, NO ONE is discussing the merits of the book, only personally attacking.  Now, this blog still thinks that the “I was tricked, I am the victim strategy is just stupid.”    The merits of the book were not even discussed.    Frank Rich goes into detail here.   It was damaging for McClellan to go into detail, but I do not think that It will be hugely influencial on Election 2008.  McCain is Not President Bush.    Iraq has really changed the political discourse.

The third event was that Barack Obama Quit Trinity United Church in Chicago.  This is a non-event that gets turned into an event.    On Hannity’s America last night on Fox News, it was interesting of how Hannity was trying to label Barack Obama as a “radical.”  But, time will tell.  But the story is getting old, and if there is not more of a substantive argument, then by election day, the statement will be ” I quit the church, this is re-hashing of old issues, people are living in the past.”

The 2008 Illinois Piggie Book. Interesting, Interesting April 16, 2008

Posted by baxtersbrother2 in Illinois.
3 comments

Every Year, The Illinois Policy Institute along with Citizens Against Government Waste put out an annual report that determine government waste in Illinois. It is so interesting what you can find. Alot of items, can be interpreted as improving the quality of life for citizens ( ADA funding for handicap accessible equipment, etc). However, there were many items that were just bizzare or just waste.

The first relates to the Umbrella of Education Funding. I am a child of a teacher so I am somewhat impartial. As my Daddy would say, They could take away your house, car and money, but they can not take away your education. Illinois spends an Estimated $12.9 billion on education funding, an increase of 5% from last year. I can partly agree with the statement that this is investing in the future. However, here are some hard facts:

A Study by Education Week rate Illinois at a C level overall for the quality of schools which is lower than the National Average. The same study becomes more interesting. They rate the schools a D+ for K-12 Achievement, a D for School spending and a D+ for Quality of Teachers ( I would have to see the last part). We are not being as competitive as need be.

The Governor has proposed new funding ($10 billion over the next 4 years) for school construction, rural learning, teacher quality etc. However, to achieve this (goal setting) the Governor has requested an additional $1.5 billion. Shouldn’t this have been part of the original package?

The most startling of all, the National Assessment of Educational Progress tests were conducted in 2007:

For Math tests, 36.3% of fourth graders were proficient in Math, ranking IL #34 nationally. For 8th Graders 30.8% were proficient in Math, ranking IL # 31.For Reading, 32.2% of fourth graders were proficient in reading (#30 in the Nation), while 29.8% of eighth graders were proficient in reading (# 29 in the Nation)

WOW! Many educators will say that these numbers can be skewed unfairly. However, how can only 1 of 3 of our students can do math and read proficiently when we increase funding so much and we are competing on a global prospective. Something is definitely wrong.

The second item, is for $100,000 that relates to Breast Cancer research that is named after Neil Hartigan’s daughter, but the site has NO website or indication of it existing.

The third item, infuriates me the most, not because of what the state has done but because of peoples basic sense of responsibility. Everyone knows that it takes alot to raise a child and it is near tragic when one of the parents bails (not paying their child support) on the kid. Illinois collects/goes after “deadbeat parents” and actually collects about $187 million dollars. However, the state spends $13.0 million dollars on “administrative costs” and spends $16.2 million dollars on getting the funds to the families who desperately need the money. Therefore, It costs the state $29.2 million to get money to people who are entitled to it in the first place. My proposal, If a person does not want to be part of the kids life, fine. The person is a scumbag. However, when the issue goes to court, the parent who is not supporting their kids should shoulder most of this cost because they simply do not seem to have a sense of duty to support their kids. It is only fair because why should Illinois Taxpayers pay because of some scumbags inability to determine right from wrong.

The fourth is funny. $550,000 for the study of Pheasants. Oh Lord.

Fifth, is using $ 1 million and relates to a creation of an “Illinois Channel.” However, doesn’t Comcast do this anyway?

But the final piece relates to something that is almost treasonous to serious North Side Cubs Fans! That is the possibility that Wrigley Field could be taken over by The Illinois Sports Facility Authority. The Authority gets about $41 million in state funds for corporate purposes, when some can call it corporate welfare.

Just interesting things you find.

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