It is instructive to understand how horrible teachers are. We have heard they make too much money, work too few hours, and have those great summer vacations. Let's compare these layabout teachers to the folks that hate them most, politicians.
US Congress vs Starting Teacher in North Dakota
$174,000 vs $24,872 per year
137 days vs 185 days worked per year
That's enough, don't you think? It all goes down hill from here. Congress does way better with many more perks than teachers. Sure there are teacher averages, but a freshman congressman gets that starting salary and the only difference between a new congressman and an old congressman is a multi-million dollar salary as a lobbyist and free parking at the Chinese embassy. Teachers get a sedate retirement and a part time job as a Walmart greeter so they can pay for prescription drugs.
Why would a congressman hate a teacher? Simple, competition. Teachers are part of the Educational Industrial Complex. This is like the Military Industrial Complex, but the toys aren't as cool and of course, there are more lobbyists in defense than education. We spend a lot of money on education. Funding education is like the war in Iraq, except there are fewer embedded reporters and the USO doesn't entertain (Bob Hope never did a parent teacher conference). Found an example of the taxes for education verses the military, 5% of our taxes goes to evil teachers and 27% goes to the military to fight evil (though not evil teachers). Loose the teachers, kill more evil. Sounds good, but not too compelling.'
A better possibility is that it's harder to get votes from educated and well informed people. Ah, see, obvious! Reduce the quality of education and you decrease the ease of re-election. Re-election is very important because you need to be in congress for at least 5 years before you are vested in the congressional retirement system. If you could make that much money, both on the job, with retirement, and those perk filled lobbyist jobs, you would do anything to wipe teachers off the face of the earth.
Same goes for teacher unions. They are hated by congress because they don't pay retired congressmen high lobbyist fees. That's a twofer! Greenpeace probably pays lobbyists more to save baby seals than teachers do, and seals are cuter and get more votes.
Is there something to learn about this? Sorry, no. Education is bad. Don't do it. Your congressman told us so.
sources
http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/uscongress/a/congresspay.htm
http://teacherportal.com/teacher-salaries-by-state
http://www.factcheck.org/2009/08/health-care-for-members-of-congress/
http://www.policynd.org/index.php?/site/article/teacher_salaries_and_market_forces/
http://www.thecapitol.net/FAQ/cong_schedule.html
http://www.slate.com/id/2223842/
http://www.lobbyinginfo.org/documents/RevolveDoor.pdf
http://education-portal.com/articles/Iraq_War_Spending_vs._Education_Spending.html
Monday, June 13, 2011
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Gingrich Calls For Federal Ban On Hasidic Law In US
The Newt is getting uppity. After deciding to ban Shariah law, he decided to toss one at the Israelites too. It makes sense, Newt is a Christian, so any law that's not his religion's law is a bad law.
This will mean that Hasidic jews can no longer cover their heads, must shave their beards, and be forced to eat calf liver in its mother's milk. Don't forget bacon! That's right, being Kosher is a crime.
Economist believe that this will have a zero net effect on the economy. Although there will be a lower demand on items like Hebrew National Kosher Hotdogs, there will be an upswing in pork bellies.
Stock analysts are now also recommending that you dump your Container Store store stock. The interpretation of Kosher laws is that you must have two sets of dishes and banning this law will reduce the need for excess dinnerware. Two sets of dishes are required by the Kosher family because of course that the laws prevent the faithful from eating a calves liver with its mother's milk, QED, having two sets of dishes avoids cross contamination of the soul.
CORRECTION: Newt corrected his stand on banning Hasidic laws. He said that they were ok because they are necessary. Newt, as a Christian, believes in the Book of Revelation, as such he needs the Jews to rebuild the Temple so that Jesus can come down and kill everyone who isn't a Christian. This will ban Hasidic law without the US lifting a finger.
Newt did reiterate that he has not changed his stance on Shariah law. "We want Muslims pissed at us", he said. Obviously God needs a bad guy for the coming apocalypse.
This will mean that Hasidic jews can no longer cover their heads, must shave their beards, and be forced to eat calf liver in its mother's milk. Don't forget bacon! That's right, being Kosher is a crime.
Economist believe that this will have a zero net effect on the economy. Although there will be a lower demand on items like Hebrew National Kosher Hotdogs, there will be an upswing in pork bellies.
Stock analysts are now also recommending that you dump your Container Store store stock. The interpretation of Kosher laws is that you must have two sets of dishes and banning this law will reduce the need for excess dinnerware. Two sets of dishes are required by the Kosher family because of course that the laws prevent the faithful from eating a calves liver with its mother's milk, QED, having two sets of dishes avoids cross contamination of the soul.
CORRECTION: Newt corrected his stand on banning Hasidic laws. He said that they were ok because they are necessary. Newt, as a Christian, believes in the Book of Revelation, as such he needs the Jews to rebuild the Temple so that Jesus can come down and kill everyone who isn't a Christian. This will ban Hasidic law without the US lifting a finger.
Newt did reiterate that he has not changed his stance on Shariah law. "We want Muslims pissed at us", he said. Obviously God needs a bad guy for the coming apocalypse.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Is Fox a Media Militia?
Finally I think we have a label for Fox News. Fox News is a Media Militia. This would also be the correct label for Rush Limbaugh and many others that use hate speech. Start counting derogatory words and you are listening to a Media Militia
The only problem is, militias arm themselves with the most offensive weapons they can. In this case, fear, uncertainty, hate, and their own version of the truth.
The Tea Party is not quite a Media Militia, but its message is. In fact, if you look close, it is really a weapon used by Fox News, just as many of the far right militias uses their beliefs as a way to add recruits which is also where they get their money to operate. A Media Militia uses the hear and hate to attract eyes and ears and covering the Tea Party helps to ratchet up the fear and hate.
Thinking about certain types of media as a militia is not new. Here are a couple of articles:
The Rise of Glenn Beck's Bizarre Media Militia
Anti-Government Media Militia
The only problem is, militias arm themselves with the most offensive weapons they can. In this case, fear, uncertainty, hate, and their own version of the truth.
The Tea Party is not quite a Media Militia, but its message is. In fact, if you look close, it is really a weapon used by Fox News, just as many of the far right militias uses their beliefs as a way to add recruits which is also where they get their money to operate. A Media Militia uses the hear and hate to attract eyes and ears and covering the Tea Party helps to ratchet up the fear and hate.
Thinking about certain types of media as a militia is not new. Here are a couple of articles:
The Rise of Glenn Beck's Bizarre Media Militia
Anti-Government Media Militia
Dog Whistle Politics
Dog Whistle Politics is a great phrase. It has everything: It is a code word, it sounds cute, and three is no mention of cats.
Think about what a dog whistle is. A dog whistle has such a high pitch that only a dog can hear the sound. So, what is Dog Whistle Politics? Quite simply it is saying something supposedly populist while your followers hear a different message. It sounds like Dog Whisperer stuff, but political.
I am sure I have heard the phrase, but I had not really listened. Of course the whistle was above my ability to hear. Remember, I am neither Democrat, Republican, or even see myself as an independent. I only believe in one issue, term limits (one term in office for each term in prison).
Dog Whistle Politics is hardly politics as usual. Speaking to your base supporters should not need to be in code. So why should a politician need to hide their message? The only time is when their base supporters or at least the ones that put them over the top on election day, are less than desirable. As an example, folks that wear sheets or would if that was socially acceptable (we are not talking toga parties). In other words, people that hate, have prejudices, or are otherwise not in the mainstream.
Recently the Governor of Virginia announced that it was Confederite History month. They say the dog whistle was that he did not mention slavery. Same thing in Texas, who really had very little to do with the Confederate War, but still a big Republican state and thus a Dog Whistle message to its Republican base. Of course the other big base is Christian. We should not be all gung-ho about the good old days of slavery, but we can talk about history. Make one group happy with the Dog Whistle while avoiding exposing prejudice to the other by wrapping it in a warm blanket of history.
Now that you have had this little lesson, are these Dog Whistle Politics:
Know of any more examples? Comment below!
Dog Whistle Politics' and Journalism: Reporting Arabic and Muslim People in Sydney Newspapers
Think about what a dog whistle is. A dog whistle has such a high pitch that only a dog can hear the sound. So, what is Dog Whistle Politics? Quite simply it is saying something supposedly populist while your followers hear a different message. It sounds like Dog Whisperer stuff, but political.
I am sure I have heard the phrase, but I had not really listened. Of course the whistle was above my ability to hear. Remember, I am neither Democrat, Republican, or even see myself as an independent. I only believe in one issue, term limits (one term in office for each term in prison).
Dog Whistle Politics is hardly politics as usual. Speaking to your base supporters should not need to be in code. So why should a politician need to hide their message? The only time is when their base supporters or at least the ones that put them over the top on election day, are less than desirable. As an example, folks that wear sheets or would if that was socially acceptable (we are not talking toga parties). In other words, people that hate, have prejudices, or are otherwise not in the mainstream.
Recently the Governor of Virginia announced that it was Confederite History month. They say the dog whistle was that he did not mention slavery. Same thing in Texas, who really had very little to do with the Confederate War, but still a big Republican state and thus a Dog Whistle message to its Republican base. Of course the other big base is Christian. We should not be all gung-ho about the good old days of slavery, but we can talk about history. Make one group happy with the Dog Whistle while avoiding exposing prejudice to the other by wrapping it in a warm blanket of history.
Now that you have had this little lesson, are these Dog Whistle Politics:
- Not voting for any progressive cause, because you missed a vote (voting with your feet) so that you are not on record for being against a progressive cause.
- Voting against a progressive cause, because of a supposed pork item, not the cause (sounds like the no's on the healthcare reform act).
Know of any more examples? Comment below!
Dog Whistle Politics' and Journalism: Reporting Arabic and Muslim People in Sydney Newspapers
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Fear Mongering, the RNC, and Donors
I told you that fear was a tool. The RNC seems to like its tools. Below is a slide from an RNC presentation to a committee on donations.
I found this at the Politico. Here is the link to the article: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0310/33866.html
The funny thing is that they have two great Obama posters that were unedited. Why? My guess is that they have some great psychological experts that told them to mix the good with the bad so that the good posters will evoke a knee jerk response as being bad.
The next thing to know about the latest news of RNC hanky-panky is that it isn't about a few bad receipts. Strip clubs aside, there is nothing new. This is nothing more than a bunch of people that feel entitled and are thus acting entitled.
The 'entitlement' is shown in the slide below too. The other guys are evil, they look evil, so we are good and can do anything we desire. Us against them. We are better just because the other guys are evil, we must be perfect in good. Not that they are, just that they now believe they are. There is a big difference between belief and fact as can be seen by RNC expense reports.
The moment you feel entitled, you loose. Suddenly you sink so low that you would defame a president or Scooby. Shame on the RNC, but we are not surprised.
I found this at the Politico. Here is the link to the article: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0310/33866.html
The funny thing is that they have two great Obama posters that were unedited. Why? My guess is that they have some great psychological experts that told them to mix the good with the bad so that the good posters will evoke a knee jerk response as being bad.
The next thing to know about the latest news of RNC hanky-panky is that it isn't about a few bad receipts. Strip clubs aside, there is nothing new. This is nothing more than a bunch of people that feel entitled and are thus acting entitled.
The 'entitlement' is shown in the slide below too. The other guys are evil, they look evil, so we are good and can do anything we desire. Us against them. We are better just because the other guys are evil, we must be perfect in good. Not that they are, just that they now believe they are. There is a big difference between belief and fact as can be seen by RNC expense reports.
The moment you feel entitled, you loose. Suddenly you sink so low that you would defame a president or Scooby. Shame on the RNC, but we are not surprised.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Republican Cognitive Dissonance
Politics is a funny thing. It is starting to become clearer why the Republicans hate the Democratic led healthcare reform bill. There is simply too much that they agree with. It is cognitive dissonance that is causing their brains to rebel when faced with something they can't imagine seeing. Simply the bill is exactly what they want.
Republicans are totally against the healthcare bill. This seems illogical because the Democrats put a bunch of Republican ideas and took out stuff that the Republicans really hatted. The bill even ensures that insurance companies make more money by mandating insurance - making it pro big business! It even makes a bunch of Republican cronies happy. In other words, it is exactly what Republicans wanted.
Like pseudoscience in a science museum store, the Republicans can't vote for something that the president or most Democrats appear to like (even though they really don't as you can tell because Michael Moore hates it too).
One more hint... Why haven't the Republicans submitted their own healthcare reform bill? It is obvious, it would look like the Democrat bill and the whole charade would be blown. So you see, like tutus (you know, ballerina fluff) in a Banana Republic, suddenly we have two things that are not like one another (i.e. the creator's signatures on identical bills).
Republicans are totally against the healthcare bill. This seems illogical because the Democrats put a bunch of Republican ideas and took out stuff that the Republicans really hatted. The bill even ensures that insurance companies make more money by mandating insurance - making it pro big business! It even makes a bunch of Republican cronies happy. In other words, it is exactly what Republicans wanted.
Like pseudoscience in a science museum store, the Republicans can't vote for something that the president or most Democrats appear to like (even though they really don't as you can tell because Michael Moore hates it too).
One more hint... Why haven't the Republicans submitted their own healthcare reform bill? It is obvious, it would look like the Democrat bill and the whole charade would be blown. So you see, like tutus (you know, ballerina fluff) in a Banana Republic, suddenly we have two things that are not like one another (i.e. the creator's signatures on identical bills).
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Let them eat tea cakes!
Finally, a grass roots organization based on good old fashioned coffee!
The Coffee Party certainly pushes my caffeine button! It also pushes my thinking man's button by proclaiming on their Facebook page: We the People demand: Reason and civility in public affairs; A government accountable to the People; Liberty & Justice for All.
I love the 'reason', 'civility' and 'accountability'. This is the stuff of Jefferson rather than the 'don't trust the masses' of Hamilton. I'm all for it, how about you?
The Coffee Party certainly pushes my caffeine button! It also pushes my thinking man's button by proclaiming on their Facebook page: We the People demand: Reason and civility in public affairs; A government accountable to the People; Liberty & Justice for All.
I love the 'reason', 'civility' and 'accountability'. This is the stuff of Jefferson rather than the 'don't trust the masses' of Hamilton. I'm all for it, how about you?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)