1000 Govt Expenditures We Can Cut Before Police n Teachers..

[Baron Von PWN]

refine....cut 100% federal/50%state level. They cannot spend the money properly, stop letting them spend it. you may of course, jump straight to the conclusion that means I am arguing for pure anarchy........Dont be a poo poo head. Of course, we can handle education the way we always have handled it. The most recent failure in US education was just a social experiment that failed. Let's admit this failure first, only then can we start talking about what will succeed.

The private sector would just step in and fill in the gap overnight would it? It would amount to a lost generation of uneducated Americans and even when the private sector eventually filled the gap you would have a sector of the population without access to education, the poor would be shut out of any real chance of advancement . This must be the dumbest and most callous idea I've seen you propose so far.

I'm pretty sure it would take longer than 1 day, but yes, the students would show up at school tomorrow, same place, same time..... Let's use our heads here. I pre-emptively addressed the concerns of people exactly like you with my "pure anarchism" statement.

also, I am sure the private sector is not the only option. more head using....

it's only the dumbest most callous idea you've ever seen because you only have your own ideas to plug in, and then take your own line of thinking, as to think that is the only way possible, and also plug in your own warped conclusions. That's the only reason it's dumb and callous. Your imaginary example was nowhere near the top of the list of possibilities. the idea you provided about the private sector stepping is is dumb and callous. you should not assume I was talking about the private sector. I also addressed this specifically, 2 posts earlier, with a comment "the way we always did it before, before income taxes, beforedepartment of education. I know I am wasting my time, but I have a hard time not picking such low hanging fruit.[/quote]

Ok so you've blamed the public sector as being to root of the problem and want it cut out. Then you say the Private sector isin't the only way to go. With the public sector out and the private sector not supposed to be filling in, what sector do you forsee taking responsibility for education? How did you do it before then? oh private run schools, chairities and home schooling, so the private sector. I see that that is very diffrent from what I said before, I appologise for the misconception.

When you say big statements like "cut 100% of federal funding for education" and say nothing else thats all I have to go on. You see the internet is a text based medium and I can't read your mind so it is helpfull for you to explain what you would forsee replacing all the money you would cut from education.

[Phatscotty]

refine....cut 100% federal/50%state level. They cannot spend the money properly, stop letting them spend it. you may of course, jump straight to the conclusion that means I am arguing for pure anarchy........Dont be a poo poo head. Of course, we can handle education the way we always have handled it. The most recent failure in US education was just a social experiment that failed. Let's admit this failure first, only then can we start talking about what will succeed.

The private sector would just step in and fill in the gap overnight would it? It would amount to a lost generation of uneducated Americans and even when the private sector eventually filled the gap you would have a sector of the population without access to education, the poor would be shut out of any real chance of advancement . This must be the dumbest and most callous idea I've seen you propose so far.

I'm pretty sure it would take longer than 1 day, but yes, the students would show up at school tomorrow, same place, same time..... Let's use our heads here. I pre-emptively addressed the concerns of people exactly like you with my "pure anarchism" statement.

also, I am sure the private sector is not the only option. more head using....

it's only the dumbest most callous idea you've ever seen because you only have your own ideas to plug in, and then take your own line of thinking, as to think that is the only way possible, and also plug in your own warped conclusions. That's the only reason it's dumb and callous. Your imaginary example was nowhere near the top of the list of possibilities. the idea you provided about the private sector stepping is is dumb and callous. you should not assume I was talking about the private sector. I also addressed this specifically, 2 posts earlier, with a comment "the way we always did it before, before income taxes, beforedepartment of education. I know I am wasting my time, but I have a hard time not picking such low hanging fruit.

Ok so you've blamed the public sector as being to root of the problem and want it cut out. Then you say the Private sector isin't the only way to go. With the public sector out and the private sector not supposed to be filling in, what sector do you forsee taking responsibility for education? How did you do it before then? oh private run schools, chairities and home schooling, so the private sector. I see that that is very diffrent from what I said before, I appologise for the misconception.

When you say big statements like "cut 100% of federal funding for education" and say nothing else thats all I have to go on. You see the internet is a text based medium and I can't read your mind so it is helpfull for you to explain what you would forsee replacing all the money you would cut from education.

whoa whoa whoa. #1, originally, I was only asking we look at the record of the public sector in education. Being an unarguable failure (for the most part, it's one of the few things most Americans agree on) Before we get into what the alternative might be, can we agree from the start what we have is not working?

[Baron Von PWN]

whoa whoa whoa. #1, originally, I was only asking we look at the record of the public sector in education. Being an unarguable failure (for the most part, it's one of the few things most Americans agree on) Before we get into what the alternative might be, can we agree from the start what we have is not working?

It might not be currently working, but I think where you are placing the blame is wrong. You see there are problems with education and draw the connection that it is in bad shape due to the government. It would be intresting to see if there is any data to back this up. Are funding levels per student similar to what they were when the program was more successfull? or has per student spending fallen?

I think you have a case if per student funding levels have increased without discernable improvements or even deacreasing results. However if spending per student is actualy deacreasing than the problem isin't so much incompetence as a lack of funding. There are certainly other countries that have successfull public education systems,problems should be solved rather than thrown out.

[Phatscotty]

whoa whoa whoa. #1, originally, I was only asking we look at the record of the public sector in education. Being an unarguable failure (for the most part, it's one of the few things most Americans agree on) Before we get into what the alternative might be, can we agree from the start what we have is not working?

It might not be currently working, but I think where you are placing the blame is wrong. You see there are problems with education and draw the connection that it is in bad shape due to the government. It would be intresting to see if there is any data to back this up. Are funding levels per student similar to what they were when the program was more successfull? or has per student spending fallen?

I think you have a case if per student funding levels have increased without discernable improvements or even deacreasing results. However if spending per student is actualy deacreasing than the problem isin't so much incompetence as a lack of funding. There are certainly other countries that have successfull public education systems,problems should be solved rather than thrown out.

either way, education can be cut before police and food

[Baron Von PWN]

whoa whoa whoa. #1, originally, I was only asking we look at the record of the public sector in education. Being an unarguable failure (for the most part, it's one of the few things most Americans agree on) Before we get into what the alternative might be, can we agree from the start what we have is not working?

It might not be currently working, but I think where you are placing the blame is wrong. You see there are problems with education and draw the connection that it is in bad shape due to the government. It would be intresting to see if there is any data to back this up. Are funding levels per student similar to what they were when the program was more successfull? or has per student spending fallen?

I think you have a case if per student funding levels have increased without discernable improvements or even deacreasing results. However if spending per student is actualy deacreasing than the problem isin't so much incompetence as a lack of funding. There are certainly other countries that have successfull public education systems,problems should be solved rather than thrown out.

either way, education can be cut before police and food

Actualy I would favor cutting agricultural subsidies they in my opinion are the worst of pork barrel politics, and it surprises me that a avoid Tea partier would support it. Explanation?

[Phatscotty]

whoa whoa whoa. #1, originally, I was only asking we look at the record of the public sector in education. Being an unarguable failure (for the most part, it's one of the few things most Americans agree on) Before we get into what the alternative might be, can we agree from the start what we have is not working?

It might not be currently working, but I think where you are placing the blame is wrong. You see there are problems with education and draw the connection that it is in bad shape due to the government. It would be intresting to see if there is any data to back this up. Are funding levels per student similar to what they were when the program was more successfull? or has per student spending fallen?

I think you have a case if per student funding levels have increased without discernable improvements or even deacreasing results. However if spending per student is actualy deacreasing than the problem isin't so much incompetence as a lack of funding. There are certainly other countries that have successfull public education systems,problems should be solved rather than thrown out.

either way, education can be cut before police and food

Actualy I would favor cutting agricultural subsidies they in my opinion are the worst of pork barrel politics, and it surprises me that a avoid Tea partier would support it. Explanation?

I would also favor cutting agricultural subsidies, as they are in my opinion the worst of pork barrel politics. See you at the Tea Party?

[Baron Von PWN]

whoa whoa whoa. #1, originally, I was only asking we look at the record of the public sector in education. Being an unarguable failure (for the most part, it's one of the few things most Americans agree on) Before we get into what the alternative might be, can we agree from the start what we have is not working?

It might not be currently working, but I think where you are placing the blame is wrong. You see there are problems with education and draw the connection that it is in bad shape due to the government. It would be intresting to see if there is any data to back this up. Are funding levels per student similar to what they were when the program was more successfull? or has per student spending fallen?

I think you have a case if per student funding levels have increased without discernable improvements or even deacreasing results. However if spending per student is actualy deacreasing than the problem isin't so much incompetence as a lack of funding. There are certainly other countries that have successfull public education systems,problems should be solved rather than thrown out.

either way, education can be cut before police and food

Actualy I would favor cutting agricultural subsidies they in my opinion are the worst of pork barrel politics, and it surprises me that a avoid Tea partier would support it. Explanation?

I would also favor cutting agricultural subsidies, as they are in my opinion the worst of pork barrel politics.

But you think they are better than education? or is this some other food thing? Basically why do you think food subsidies are more important?

See you at the Tea Party?

Definitely not, I might agree with balanced budgets and cutting wasteful programs, but I'm no libertarian and much of what tea partiers call wasteful I tend to fully disagree with (see healthcare, employment insurance ect) .

[Phatscotty]

It might not be currently working, but I think where you are placing the blame is wrong. You see there are problems with education and draw the connection that it is in bad shape due to the government. It would be intresting to see if there is any data to back this up. Are funding levels per student similar to what they were when the program was more successfull? or has per student spending fallen?

I think you have a case if per student funding levels have increased without discernable improvements or even deacreasing results. However if spending per student is actualy deacreasing than the problem isin't so much incompetence as a lack of funding. There are certainly other countries that have successfull public education systems,problems should be solved rather than thrown out.

either way, education can be cut before police and food

Actualy I would favor cutting agricultural subsidies they in my opinion are the worst of pork barrel politics, and it surprises me that a avoid Tea partier would support it. Explanation?

I would also favor cutting agricultural subsidies, as they are in my opinion the worst of pork barrel politics.

But you think they are better than education? or is this some other food thing? Basically why do you think food subsidies are more important?

See you at the Tea Party?

Definitely not, I might agree with balanced budgets and cutting wasteful programs, but I'm no libertarian and much of what tea partiers call wasteful I tend to fully disagree with (see healthcare, employment insurance ect) .

No, definitely agriculture WAY before education. but al issues are fair game, and all should show that this is BS when our local politcians say they will cut police and food programs for the poor if they don't get to raise taxes....

There are 4 times as many independents in the tea party as there are libertarians, so I don't know why you would call it a libertarian group? and also, I really have not met a single tea partier who had an issue so much specifically with health care waste, as WASTE PERIOD! In America, 25% of every gov't dollar is wasted. It's a rock solid issue that demands concern. Also, 20% of every gov't dollar services debt(interest), equally a rock solid issue and calls for a demand to address the borrowing, especially since the services provided are delivering terrible results. 11% of tea party is made up of liberals. I think those are the smart ones too

[jbrettlip]

Quit building guided missiles and carpet bomb countries we are at war with.

[Phatscotty]

There he goes again...

From Jackie Calmes and Sheryl Gay Stolberg at the NY Times: Obama Presses for Aid to Cities and States

President Obama on Saturday implored Congress to provide more aid to states and cities to blunt “the devastating economic impact of budget cuts” by local governments that imperil the jobs of teachers, the police, firefighters and other public employees.

In a letter to Democratic and Republican Congressional leaders, Mr. Obama said the “mounting employment crisis” in the states “could set back the pace of our economic recovery.” … education secretary, Arne Duncan, has said that without federal aid, up to 300,000 fewer teachers would be in classrooms this fall …

The WaPo quotes Obama as writing there will be "massive layoffs of teachers, police and firefighters" without the additional funds.

Mr President! Before you lay off 300,000 teachers, please lets us reach our goal of 1,000 things you could cut first. It is slow going, but give us a chance as we already have over 70. I know that is not enough, but we are trying!

[Baron Von PWN]

http://www.anunews.net/blog/wp-content/ ... world2.jpg

You can probably cut back on some of these basses. They can't be cheap.

[Phatscotty]

http://www.anunews.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/aa-American-empire-map-of-bases-around-world2.jpg

You can probably cut back on some of these basses. They can't be cheap.

Good one, but why stop there...

[Timminz]

http://www.anunews.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/aa-American-empire-map-of-bases-around-world2.jpg

You can probably cut back on some of these basses. They can't be cheap.

Good one, but why stop there...

Because you probably want to keep at least a couple bases.

[Phatscotty]

I think we can cut public sector per-diems. Pay for your own damn food like the rest of us.

[jay_a2j]

I think we can cut public sector per-diems. Pay for your own damn food like the rest of us.

They just want a piece of the pie you are hoarding all to yourself! SHARE!.... you selfish right-winger!

[john9blue]

I think that's a bit extreme; you're willing to let someone starve in your own country because you aren't willing to pay for food?

[jay_a2j]

I think that's a bit extreme; you're willing to let someone starve in your own country because you aren't willing to pay for food?

If you are starving in the United States of America you are either locked in a basement someplace being denied food or you are extremely lazy that you chose to not eat rather then work or you work but the money is being spent on non-necessities rather than food.

[john9blue]

I think that's a bit extreme; you're willing to let someone starve in your own country because you aren't willing to pay for food?

If you are starving in the United States of America you are either locked in a basement someplace being denied food or you are extremely lazy that you chose to not eat rather then work or you work but the money is being spent on non-necessities rather than food.

No. Right now I cannot find a job. If my parents decided to disown me or something, and I had nowhere to go, then I would have to steal food, either that or intentionally get arrested so I could be fed in prison so I don't starve. We are the best country in the world, but even the US can't provide infinite opportunity.

[Baron Von PWN]

http://www.anunews.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/aa-American-empire-map-of-bases-around-world2.jpg

You can probably cut back on some of these basses. They can't be cheap.

Good one, but why stop there...

currently you spend more then the rest of world combined. To me it seems unreasonable to cut things which actively help people, when there is a program which is so obviously bloated.

Sure some of those other programs can be cut too not denying it but some of the stuff you want to cut seems a little extreme.

[Phatscotty]

http://www.anunews.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/aa-American-empire-map-of-bases-around-world2.jpg

You can probably cut back on some of these basses. They can't be cheap.

Good one, but why stop there...

currently you spend more then the rest of world combined. To me it seems unreasonable to cut things which actively help people, when there is a program which is so obviously bloated.

Sure some of those other programs can be cut too not denying it but some of the stuff you want to cut seems a little extreme.

providing "stability" (markets) is very expensive, and apparently it does not matter anyways if people think we can just print the money without consequences. Hey, let's cut the spending at the printing press....omg....YES!!!!

[rockfist]

All elected officials should have a salary of $1, with health benefits but no pension. That way we would have what the founders intended citizen legislators rather than career politicians.

It would also save us some money.

[Baron Von PWN]

All elected officials should have a salary of $1, with health benefits but no pension. That way we would have what the founders intended citizen legislators rather than career politicians.

It would also save us some money.

Wouldn't that make them even more beholden to wealthy campaing contributors?

[InkL0sed]

Has anybody mentioned corn subsidies? For that matter, we subsidize oil.

[Phatscotty]

Has anybody mentioned corn subsidies? For that matter, we subsidize oil.

I don't think so. That is definitely one of the best cuts in this entire thread..

[Phatscotty]

three-piece water sculptures...

http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/13219

The debate in Ann Arbor, where firefighters are being laid off due to a multimillion dollar budget deficit, is over an $850,000 piece of art.

That's how much the city has agreed to pay German artist Herbert Dreiseitl for a three-piece water sculpture that would go in front of the new police and courts building right by the City Hall.

The city has the money to do it because in 2007, it agreed to set aside for public art 1 percent of money that went into capital improvement projects that were $100,000 or larger. Most capital projects involve streets, sewers and water.

Ann Arbor City Council member Stephen Kunselman, a Democrat, opposed the art deal.

"I think it is incredibly insensitive," Kunselman said. "It is insensitive to the staff and their morale. It is insensitive to the community. There are people out there struggling financially, and here we are spending a large amount of money on a piece of art."

Kunselman said the city is also eliminating the solid waste coordinator from the budget, which oversees trash pickup, and hiring an art coordinator.