Wanted: Party Loyalty
By way of Rick Klau‘s shared items in Google Reader, I learned that They — and by “They” I mean Patrick Ruffini — have it in for R...
Category: politics
Against the Dragnet
Dear Senator Clinton: You should be ashamed. Dear Senator Schumer: Thank you for voting to remove the telecom immunity provision from the contemptible bill rece...
On the Superdelegate Question
Taegan Goddard quotes Todd Purdum, It would mean that Clinton’s only hope of winning would be some kind of backroom deal…. Might I suggest that perhaps th...
Why I don’t like John McCain, either
John McCain once again demonstrated why he’s not my choice for President. For details see EFF v. AT&T.
My Objection to Hillary Clinton
She thinks she knows best. Too brief? She thinks she knows what is best for me, which is wrong, and she’s very smug about it, which is annoying. I have ob...
Simple Economics Too Complicated for Lou Dobbs?
I walked past a television at the hospital today, and Lou Dobbs was bemoaning that families could no longer afford college, though I’m sure his can. It se...
Sins of Omission
I’m bothered by The Media’s self-imposed role as society’s filter, particularly when it comes to elections. Take this very interesting elector...
Questions for the Candidates
Here are a couple of elementary civics questions which should be asked of the candidates. What are the responsibilities of the President? Alternately, what is t...
Framing the Question
Congress.org, a “facilitator” of civic participation, sends out an e-mail update each week which includes a simplified issue and a simpler survey qu...
School Budget Season
The board of the Arlington Central School District approved yet another year of increased spending. I’m sure their hands were tied by the contract negotia...
Suppose You Have a Pie
While driving the Bigger Sister to school this morning after I had voted, I tried to explain the election. Suppose you have a pie. Further suppose that you have...
The Powerlessness of the School District Budget Process
On Tuesday, voters defeated most of the proposed school district budgets in Dutchess County. The New York State Education Department, however, said that state-w...
Spare the Belt, and Spoil the Child
The Big Sister goes to kindergarten in the Fall. On Tuesday, I went to an orientation session about the school buses, where I learned an interesting thing. The ...
The Economics of Government Schools
Grumbles upon receiving the school district's budget
Big School Districts
We just voted down the proposed budget for the Mahopac Central School District, because of the 9.95% property tax increase involved. 2,593 persons voted, with 1...
Amtrak Subsidies
Are Amtrak subsidies equivalent to the monies used to prevent the commercial airlines from going belly up after 9/11? If the government pays to maintain private...