Driver2165

Even after Pawelenty's "draconian cuts" this state still spends nearly half of it's money on education.

And we all know that more $$$ equals more success.

I guess you could take solace in the passing of the amendment. Although it'll be awhile before Minneap-I mean, Minnesota begins to reap the benefits.

I can't say I remember too much xenophobia in the ads. I can't say I remember seeing too many Hatch ads either...at least not when I was watching tv.

"Republicans think in terms of bumper stickers." And democrats don't? Where have you been? There's a whole industry of anti-republican bumber stickers?

Take solace Ryan. At least you voted for people who actually had a chance of winning (or even did win).

I think we both agree on education spending, Chris. As you allude, it's not the amount spent, it's the manner in which it's spent. And the job is not being done.

I would consider the ads attacking Hatch and Hutchinson for supporting (or not taking a stance) the bill that gives children of immigrants who live here and go to high school here the chance to go to college for the same cost as their peers pretty xenophobic.

Just because liberal citizens buy bumper stickers doesn't mean that Democrats think in those terms. Maybe they should. I didn't mean actual physical bumper stickers; it was a metaphor for their catch phrases. People get No Child Left Behind, Stay the Course, Cut and Run, and Git R Done. Plus, almost every liberal bumper sticker I've ever seen is an entire paragraph.

So I'm happy that the greater picture has changed, but to paraphrase Cory Schwartz, this blog is all about me.

I say good on the 'Pubbies for their savviness at catch phrases. You have to admit, like 'em or not, they're good at what they do, which includes utilizing the state of the media, which right now feeds off of one-liners and sound bites. Think of how badly Dean fell because the only thing anyone can think of that Dean said was that scream at the end of his speech (which in reality was no big deal). Maybe Democrats should begin thinking in those terms. Clinton was a pro at sound bytes and catch phrases.

That's exactly what I was getting at.

I definately agree that it's not getting done when it comes to education in this state (or this country for that matter). Where I'd part ways with you, and probably T.Paw as well would be in how you fix that.

Currently our educational system is run by a unionized monopoly that allows for zero leeway in how schools can be run or managed. PTA's and even school boards continually have their hands tied and must bow to the whims of fascistic, selfish teachers unions. Until that problem is solved public education will continue to be a joke.

I would never expect you to vote against it, but I'm curious what your response is to the teacher unions for opposing the transportation amendment (in light of your daughter's future, if she should attend public school)?

I don't quite see the correlation between educators and poor education. You're just bitter that unionized teachers tend to have nice things to say about New Deal programs. Wouldn't such an emphasis on sterile classroom settings with large class sizes and an impersonal method of standardized testing have something to do with it? Teachers unions are fascist? I, for one, am outraged by those fat cat educators eating their caviar with a side of filet mignon while their Maseratis are being valeted.

As far as I can tell, the transportation amendment changes little. It just guarantees a minimum amount from a fluid source to be paid into roads and transit. The main difference for transit is that since there is now a minimum, the feds are more likely to take our state as seriously as most when they appropriate transit funding.