While posturing brinkmanship may suit the short term goal of feigning differences, The President and Democratic Leaders in both House as well as Senate seem to be caving in to Republican demands of "no new taxes". They appear to be more concerned about election politics over what is right. Fear of what "could" happen to them in the 2012 General Elections seems to be pushing them toward the center so much that it looks like their credibility with average working folks may go down the drain. Half-choices now, regardless of the spin put on them, serve only the wealthiest among us. Polls show that the vast majority of middle and working class Americans want real action being taken on jobs and economic development. It is unfortunate that they now risk being sold out for political expediency, with little being done on improving the job market beyond empty promises.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
CHINA REALLY GOOD A FAKING? NO, REALLY? YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING ME! A 19th century chinese immigrant copied a well known dessert treat from Japan and introduced the fortune cookie to diners everywhere. Now that man's homeland has outdone him. China, long known for producing counterfeit consumer gadgets, software and brand name clothing, has reached a new piracy milestone -fake Apple stores. (see article below)Whats gonna be the next chinese-produced clone? Someday soon we may even have mom's homemade apple pie transported 1000s of miles across the Pacific from a Shanghai factory to a dinner table near you!http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_6775/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=vPSWG8kE&src=cat&dbid=6775&dbname=Top+Stories&detailindex=9
Friday, July 15, 2011
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Mitch McConnell's plan to sidestep Tea Party on Debt Ceiling
Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell has come up with a plan, complicated but not impossible, which would allow the President to raise the debt ceiling in increments. This move from mainstream Republicans in the Senate flies in the face of the Tea Party bunch that has been making divisive hay this summer over it. They want ANY deal to raise the US debt ceiling to include massive spending cuts as well as no cuts in taxes for increasing revenue. The McConnell deal, if it works, is a win/win for the President, allowing him to avoid any more political bleeding from the left wing of the Democratic party, just a year before the election.
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/fury-mcconnell-outlines-plan-obama-raise-debt-ceiling-204213811.html
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/fury-mcconnell-outlines-plan-obama-raise-debt-ceiling-204213811.html
Gov Scott not a big draw? Not a big surprise.
A visit to the City of Sweetwater highlighted just how unpopular Florida's Gov. Rick Scott is. His visit today (July 12) to this medium sized town just west of Miami was newsworthy for the lack of interest it held over the local political community. Scott scored no local Dems and very very few Reps at his function. This comes on the heels of a recent poll showing his job approval rating at a low of 29%. With police, fire and educational personnel reeling from the squeeze his tight budget has placed on these vital services, its no wonder that Scott is not a big draw. At this rate the Governor won't be drawing flies pretty soon.
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2011/07/12/poor-turnout-for-gov-scott-with-poor-approval-rating/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2011/07/12/poor-turnout-for-gov-scott-with-poor-approval-rating/
Monday, July 11, 2011
Mexico growing despite violence, increasing potential as US ally
In another sign of just how vital a neighbor and ally it is, Mexican economic growth continues to grow exponentially despite the bloody drug war in the north. US as well as Asian tigers such as Taiwan and South Korea are increasing their investments in Mexico, not reducing them. These factories, known as maquiladoras in Mexico, were a staple of the early mid 1990s post-NAFTA economic boom south of the border. That was quickly put in check when US manufacturers saw that they could turn that 1$ an hour they paid in Mexico could easily be turned into 1$ a day or less in China and SE Asia. With the dramatic rise in the cost of oil recently, the resultant increase in transportation costs has made Mexico appealing again, even for the Asian industrial powers. Unlike China, Mexico has an economy very similar to the US, with a burgeoning middle class and one whose fortunes are inextricably linked to ours. The future continued growth of Mexico is at once tied to our own. They are not vying for their 'place in the sun' as a potential global superpower as is China. They simply are looking to modernize and advance.
Any followers of my blog know very well that I am pro labor, pro union and pro american jobs. That being said, if jobs which half left the US for Asia never to return now begin to come back but to Mexico they are at least less of a threat. Mexican laws, while pale compared to ours, are downright New Deal-ish when compared to those of China. These halfback jobs (making it back only half way) will serve to enhance the US economy and hopefully grow our closest neighbor into what we really need in this decade, a close natural ally, with similar values and one who, in an increasingly hostile world, will at least not be actively working against us.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/11/world/americas/11matamoros.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha2
Any followers of my blog know very well that I am pro labor, pro union and pro american jobs. That being said, if jobs which half left the US for Asia never to return now begin to come back but to Mexico they are at least less of a threat. Mexican laws, while pale compared to ours, are downright New Deal-ish when compared to those of China. These halfback jobs (making it back only half way) will serve to enhance the US economy and hopefully grow our closest neighbor into what we really need in this decade, a close natural ally, with similar values and one who, in an increasingly hostile world, will at least not be actively working against us.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/11/world/americas/11matamoros.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha2
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Versailles: 40 years serving food with a side of politics
A Miami landmark celebrates 40 years of food seasoned with politics, celebrity and history.
As a kid I remember going there at all hours with my late father, a local journalist and politico. Lots of memories and a true treasure of living Miami history.
Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/10/2306781/40-years-serving-food-with-a-side.html#ixzz1Rl3l6X6Z
As a kid I remember going there at all hours with my late father, a local journalist and politico. Lots of memories and a true treasure of living Miami history.
Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/10/2306781/40-years-serving-food-with-a-side.html#ixzz1Rl3l6X6Z
Scott and Legislators want to gut FHP?
So what exactly is a "law enforcement consolidation task force"? Floridians apparently will find out very soon. In the post-Session whirlwind of bill signings in the last few weeks, one small item seems to have flown under most radars. Gov. Scott and his cut happy band of tea party legislators seemed poised to begin cutting vital law enforcement positions. They call it a "reorganization" of FHP and a planned shift of many of their duties to county sheriffs (unfunded?) is imminent. This time, however, they will no longer be cutting what might be considered "fat" from the State budget. These law enforcement cuts would be digging deep into the muscle of what keeps Florida and Floridians safe. Scary stuff for those of us concerned with safety.
http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/06/29/2291842/scott-lawmakers-turn-cost-cutting.html
http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/06/29/2291842/scott-lawmakers-turn-cost-cutting.html
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Lawmakers Scramble To Defend Failing Charter Schools
Wow, it seems like just yesterday (well maybe 2 mos ago) that the anti-labor, anti-education Legislature in Tallahassee was singing the praises of charter schools. These quasi private/public enterprises, run for profit by private business people but soaking state and local government coffers dry were the showpiece of educational "reform" in this state. Well the recently released numbers from this years FCAT exams shows just how little they actually differ from mainstream public schools in terms of success. In fact, many of them are quite below the MDCPS norm. And what do our political "leaders" have to say about that? Well, it seems that these schools failed because they had "failing" students. Could this be a code for poor and/or minority students in underprivileged areas? Maybe these were the Charters that did NOT expel weaker students "in time" like so many of these places do. Well, all I can say is "KUDOS" to the real public educators and public school students who, according to the quantifiable data, really DID make a difference in the academic progress of our community.
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2011/07/06/i-team-lawmakers-react-to-charter-school-fcat-failures/
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2011/07/06/i-team-lawmakers-react-to-charter-school-fcat-failures/
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Wisc anti union law exempting Police and Fire / UNION BUSTING!!!!
Wisconsin Public Employee unions filed a lawsuit in federal court on today seeking to block the state's new law limiting collective bargaining, that the state's Supreme Court on Tuesday.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, claims the controversial measure is unconstitutional because it creates two classes of public workers in the state -- those covered by the new rules and those exempt from them.
The law eliminates most collective bargaining rights for most Wisconsin teachers, road workers and other public employees and requires them to pay more for pensions and health coverage.
But certain public workers, including firefighters and other public safety workers, have been exempted from the new rules.
The suit argues that the differential treatment violates the constitutionally protected equal protection rights of the employees covered by the law.
The measure was passed in March by the Republican-controlled legislature and signed by Republican Governor Scott Walker.
It triggered the largest public protests in Madison since the Vietnam War and prompted a national debate over unions.
These sorts of divide and conquer tactics are not new to union-busting. Those seeking to limit or eliminate union organizing rights have long separated lower and middle management, skilled and lesser skilled workers and now seek to divide those whom THEY deem more vital from those THEY deem expendible. This is union busting at its worst. It is an outrage and is truly UNAMERICAN......!!!!!!!
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, claims the controversial measure is unconstitutional because it creates two classes of public workers in the state -- those covered by the new rules and those exempt from them.
The law eliminates most collective bargaining rights for most Wisconsin teachers, road workers and other public employees and requires them to pay more for pensions and health coverage.
But certain public workers, including firefighters and other public safety workers, have been exempted from the new rules.
The suit argues that the differential treatment violates the constitutionally protected equal protection rights of the employees covered by the law.
The measure was passed in March by the Republican-controlled legislature and signed by Republican Governor Scott Walker.
It triggered the largest public protests in Madison since the Vietnam War and prompted a national debate over unions.
These sorts of divide and conquer tactics are not new to union-busting. Those seeking to limit or eliminate union organizing rights have long separated lower and middle management, skilled and lesser skilled workers and now seek to divide those whom THEY deem more vital from those THEY deem expendible. This is union busting at its worst. It is an outrage and is truly UNAMERICAN......!!!!!!!
Monday, June 13, 2011
CHINA TESTS LESS, US TESTING MORE: Follow The Money?
For the last few years we have been concerned about "keeping up with the joneses" in our attempts at education reform. Since many experts (not necessarily me) feel China will be the driving force in world affairs by mid century, most of the comparison have followed that logic. As we try to "fix'' educational system in so many varying ways as to appear almost fadish, where we seem to now be going in opposite directions from the "Middle Kingdom" is on testing. China's education system has a long history of high-stakes testing. . "Old China" had a tradition of selecting the best students depending on test results, and 5,000 years of culture isn't exactly going to disappear overnight"
China is moving more and more away from high stakes testing being having such a fundamental role. They are looking now at ALL aspects of their system, making the appropriate changes and deciding the merits of their education at all levels on a more holistic plane. At the same time it seems like the US is putting all of its education "eggs" into the single basket of high stakes testing. We're focused on using test results to evaluate students, schools, and teachers alike. And, to do better on tests, we've spent the time since No Child Left Behind was enacted narrowing our educational focus to concentrate on reading and math. This entails tying government funding, teacher salaries, school grades etc more and more on the results of "one size fits all" tests.
This leads me to wonder, WHY? Well, maybe we should just "follow the money" . The school reform has become BIG BUSINESS in this country, with high stakes testing its all pervasive key component. In good old american fashion we have sought out the quick buck at the expense of the long term benefits which come from a solid educational system. We want to remain ahead of the Chinese or at least stay competitive so why do we continue to move in the direction that China has already committed to abandoning or at least de-emphasizing? The simple and honest answer is --- GREED.
http://www.good.is/post/do-we-need-to-ditch-high-stakes-testing-to-compete-with-china/?utm_content=headline&utm_medium=hp_carousel&utm_source=slide_3
China is moving more and more away from high stakes testing being having such a fundamental role. They are looking now at ALL aspects of their system, making the appropriate changes and deciding the merits of their education at all levels on a more holistic plane. At the same time it seems like the US is putting all of its education "eggs" into the single basket of high stakes testing. We're focused on using test results to evaluate students, schools, and teachers alike. And, to do better on tests, we've spent the time since No Child Left Behind was enacted narrowing our educational focus to concentrate on reading and math. This entails tying government funding, teacher salaries, school grades etc more and more on the results of "one size fits all" tests.
This leads me to wonder, WHY? Well, maybe we should just "follow the money" . The school reform has become BIG BUSINESS in this country, with high stakes testing its all pervasive key component. In good old american fashion we have sought out the quick buck at the expense of the long term benefits which come from a solid educational system. We want to remain ahead of the Chinese or at least stay competitive so why do we continue to move in the direction that China has already committed to abandoning or at least de-emphasizing? The simple and honest answer is --- GREED.
http://www.good.is/post/do-we-need-to-ditch-high-stakes-testing-to-compete-with-china/?utm_content=headline&utm_medium=hp_carousel&utm_source=slide_3
Friday, June 10, 2011
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Encouraging look at potential of Destination Casinos
Florida Gov. Rick Scott vetoed the $400,000 for a comprehensive gaming study but purely on public financing grounds. Major religious forces are gearing up for a battle against “destination casinos” next year. These casinos would be very different from the current Reservation or Para-mutual based ones. Those are off the beaten track, limited in size and scope as well as lacking the panache of true Vegas-style casinos. The obvious choice would Florida’s Gold Coast (the beach areas of Miami-Dade and Broward counties). Heck I love the Everglades and Big Cypress for outdoor sports but, really, the swamp no place to draw casino goers. As for the Hard Rock in Hollywood, the events and shows they bring in are a real source of revenue but no where near the star power that one or two big, Vegas-style full casinos on South Beach would draw.
Florida’s Gold Coast would instantly become the Casablanca of America, a Tropical Vegas with all the trimmings and more. The state’s coffers would swell and we could really begin to address the needs of Floridians. These swanky locals would not need to draw any locals to gamble away hard earned dollars, they would thrive from tourists and big spenders. Regardless of what any moral argument may be brought up against them next political season , the time for destination casinos in Florida has come, it is NOW and the destination MUST be South Florida’s Gold Coast
Friday, May 20, 2011
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Nightmare on Monroe Street
While crafting the Florida’s 2011-2012 state budget legislators dealt with a $3.7 billion revenue level in the red. Check out the link below for more specific details but suffice to say that while slashing education and healthcare in a way that would make even FREDDY KRUEGER wince, the Republican led Legislature still found plenty of home cooked pork (called turkey in state vernacular) to spread around to individual member districts. This shows that while they speak on their soapboxes against the "pork" from Washington, political "friends" in Florida can still feed off the gravy train. That is, unless, you are a student, a teacher or anyone without the cash in hand to pay your own healthcare. If you are one of these unfortunate folks, than you really are the main course at this feast of the rapacious political vultures in Tally........hmmmmm for a town that is landlocked, something really SMELLS FISHY in Tally-town.....
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Union payroll deduction legislation a blow to free speech
Labor leaders plan to punish banks that support a union-busting payroll deduction legislation by pulling their money from banks affiliated with the Florida Chamber of Commerce. The chamber has pushed legislation now moving through the Florida Legislature that would prohibit state and local governments from collecting union dues through payroll deduction. Banks such as Bank of America, PNC, Regions Bank, SunTrust and Wachovia all are part of the Florida Chamber's board of directors. This is nothing more than a punitive blow at organized labor by the republican majority Legislature. This legislation would severely limit the political activities of these unions. By doing so it blocks the ability of rank and file public employees to express their ideas, hopes and beliefs. It makes public sector unions seek individual direct membership contributions from the hundreds of thousands they represent statewide. This is more than an attack on organized labor and an overbearing limit on its ability to function in the political arena. It is a direct assault on the 1st Amendment and free speech. By limiting the power of organized labor, it actually stomps on the ability of individual public employees to have their voices heard. In this case, by cutting the knees out from under public sector unions, the Legislature is effectively telling public workers to lobby and politic for themselves. That is, without a doubt, a travesty of epic and tragic proportions.
PGomez
http://www.cutimes.com/2011/04/25/florida-unions-ask-members-to-pull-funds-from-bank
PGomez
http://www.cutimes.com/2011/04/25/florida-unions-ask-members-to-pull-funds-from-bank
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Are market based solutions really the answer in education?
Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers wrote some insightful comments in her recent Wall Street Journal Op/Ed piece. (link below for article). She cites comments from political, educational and business leaders representing various countries at an education conference in NYC. The message from these 15+ countries was geared to just how they had been able to improve their overall educational systems, better teacher quality and compete in the global marketplace.
An important point made by all was that the private sector driven ideas and policies of the educational reform leadership in the US have little in common with the educational policies in their own national success stories. It has also become clearer to most sincere observers that there has been no true evidence in recent years to show that market-based reforms have significantly improved schools and/or enhanced student learning gains.
The reform movement in the US seems to be coming headlong like a steamroller, disparaging any successes public schools have made. They have insulted teachers and unions while promising just about the kitchen sink to families without any real data to show just how the can deliver what is best for the kids.
For years we have been told that the US is lagging behind the leading nations of the world in so many fields. Well lets see if we are smart enough to see what these countries are REALLY doing, adapt it to our own needs and reap the benefits. It seems to me to be a wiser and more successful long term plan than simply to divide up the educational money pie between corporate big wigs who really are no more than wolves in sheep’s clothing.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Kids promote poetry thru grafitti art
http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/04/25/2184968/miami-art-students-use-grafitti.html
Students at a Miami charter school focusing on the arts used grafitti to highlight literacy and the love poetry. This poetry-painting was part of O, Miami, a festival trying to spread poetry to various communities in Miami-Dade County as part of National Poetry Month. These kids are trying to make a difference in a time when the arts in public education are on the potential budgetary cutting block. Mixing street art and poetry gives an added flavor to April's celebration of poetry. It also brings poetry to the street level, making it more accessible and meaningful to the largest possible number of people. If the decision makers in both Tallahassee and Washington were at least half as creative as these youngsters we might have a chance.
PGomez
Students at a Miami charter school focusing on the arts used grafitti to highlight literacy and the love poetry. This poetry-painting was part of O, Miami, a festival trying to spread poetry to various communities in Miami-Dade County as part of National Poetry Month. These kids are trying to make a difference in a time when the arts in public education are on the potential budgetary cutting block. Mixing street art and poetry gives an added flavor to April's celebration of poetry. It also brings poetry to the street level, making it more accessible and meaningful to the largest possible number of people. If the decision makers in both Tallahassee and Washington were at least half as creative as these youngsters we might have a chance.
PGomez
Why should you care what I think?
While many people simply move through life aimlessly as mere cogs in the machine, I choose to be different. My thoughts and views are my own but hopefully they strike a cord with some folks. I make it a point to pay close attention to, well, almost everything. That being said, this blog will focus primarily on issues in education and politics. I will try to get my followers the information they need from a variety of national and international sources on a daily basis. My only hope is that they use it wisely, make the most intelligent decisions possible and be a difference in their world.
PGomez
PGomez
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