-=> Quoting Larry Kwiatkowski to Jim Casto <=-
 LK> I dunno, Jim - I know some elements out here who will steal literally
 LK> anything from anyone given the proper opportunity no matter how
 LK> valueless that item might be.
 True. But an expensive new car is probably more apt to be stolen than a
 "junker". 
 > Also if everyone doesn't pay any taxes we won't have any of the schools
 > we have today and that will _CERTAINLY_ improve education.
 LK> But will more money really improve an education *standard*?
 
 Actually, I was being a little facetious. There is much in the schools that
 _should_/_could_ probably be eliminated thereby _saving_ money. But because
 the money is there, the typical "budget rule" applies. (Spend the money in
 your budget plus 15% even if you have to "waste" it so you can ask for more
 next year.) 
 
 But, no, more money usually doesn't solve any problem. It never ceases to
 amaze me that people have the idea that if we pay people MORE money, they
 will do a BETTER job. What ever happened to the "If you don't do a good job
 for the wage offered, we will find someone else." work ethic? The minimum 
 wage just got increased here in Oregon recently. I haven't noticed a marked
 improvement in the service at the gas station or MacDonald's.
 LK> That might definitely depend on where you live.
 I am sure it does.
 LK> race. My point here is that the odds for gaining brilliance in
 LK> education could be maximized if this nepotism/racism/favoritism could
 LK> be rooted out. 
 
 Well, I presume school administrations hire the people that tend to "agree"
 with what _they_ think should be done. And school boards around here are
 elected officals. Private industry does the same thing. Most companies won't
 hire someone that don't support the "company regime". For example,
 "badmouthing" the logging/timber/lumber industry to the point where you get
 your name in big headlines probably won't get you a good job at the mill. 
>
 LK> Some good friends of mine finally moved away to the Mainland in
 LK> disgust because of wrangling with these old people still in power here
 LK> who have no concept that some children do have special needs which
 LK> must be met by that state education system.
 Again, that has to be "weighed". Reminds of the piece done by "60 Minutes"
 awhile back about New York(?) that was spending hundreds of thousands of
 dollars per child (including daily round trip jets) per year to educate a
 half dozen special needs children.
 LK> But our tax dollars are given to teachers only most begrudgingly.
 LK> There was a threatened strike that was narrowly averted recently by
 LK> the State Teacher's union asking for a living wage.
 
 I have been trying to determine exactly what that is.  My wife and I
 "live" on one HECK of a LOT less than any teacher makes.  We recently
 had an incident where a school system's teachers went out on strike for a
 higher wage. The average teacher's salary was already higher than the 
verage
 worker's salary in that area and the teachers only work nine months out of
 the year. :-(
 LK> That's outrageous in a nation which should constantly strive to
 LK> improve its education system. Here, like on the U.S. Mainland, we
 LK> allocate more funds for building more prisons and jails with fancy
 LK> recreational and dining facilities than we do for schools.
 That is true. But I am not sure a deteriorating educational system is
 totally responsible for the rise in crime which thereby increases the need
 for more jail space. Plus I don't mind paying for improvements to a system
 to allow it to do a better job, if it can prove to me that it is using my
 money to the best it can. I don't think the schools around here are doing
 that. The same applies to other government bureaucracies. (A legislator in 
 Oregon gets something like $80 per day expense money while in session. That
 works out to be about $28,000 per year. They also get paid and probably in
 many cases they are on temporary leave with pay from their regular
 employment.)
 LK> Our criminals live in much better conditions in a jail than children see
 LK> in any local classroom. There are better libraries in our local prisons
 LK> than in our schools - reality check time! That's mind- boggling; that
 LK> had to be *allowed* to happen. And it's time to stop it.
 
 Actually, prisoners have better facilities than most military personnel, 
also.
 As for how to stop it? Here in Oregon we have tried. The courts and
 legislators simply make an "end run around" the wishes of the people.
 
 There's a commercial on the radio that has a really good closing line for
 the politician (and judge).
 
 "Are ya' havin' trouble hearin' what we're sayin'???"
 (Only the guy in the commercial is shouting. )
 Jim
--- Blue Wave v2.12
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