A recent editorial (July 7, The Shame of Texas) derided the State School Board for making technology courses elective and not mandatory. I believe the concern was misdirected. Rather than condemning the State Board, I want ask who approved a “Complex” for anything. What is the difference between “dean” and “principal”? How many hundreds of thousands of dollars were sucked out of the Language Arts department to pay for this boondoggle?
Needing a part time employee I received over a hundred resumes from UNT undergraduates. That means they already passed the “rigorous” high school exit exams and were in college. Every resume was send by email and composed using word processing software. Therefore, they knew how to use “technology”.
However, many could not form a complete sentence much less a complete thought. The idea of sentence structure was completely missing. More than one had the word “I” written “i”. Telephone interviews revealed a lack of proper language skills. What good is the use of technology if they don’t know the basics of our language?
I have interviewed many people over the years and not a single time did I ask about computer skills. If you do not have command of the English language and cannot communicate the written word you need not apply.
Take all those computers and throw them out. Pen and paper are less expensive and can teach a young person more than a computer program ever will. I have never taken a computer course or even typing. My computing skills are above average because I did it the old-fashioned way – on my own.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Trains, Buses and Black Holes
They call it mass transit. As in mass transit of our money to the massive black hole called government. We are seeing a disaster in the making. I am referring to the Denton County Transit Authority (DCTA) and the financial mess they are making. In May we were told the County had too much money sitting around so they loaned it to DART.
DART has since told us they were going to have massive layoffs and may have to reconsider when and if they pursue toy trains. In their May/June newsletter DCTA has a piece titled “Ridership Continues to Rise, Despite Industry Trends”. Now we read the county sure wishes more stops were added but no one else can afford to raise the tax rate that is already maxed out.
Anytime a tax must be used to fund a program, failure is close behind. Why do we continue to allow programs be built with no hope of paying for itself? Look at the entities that rely on tax dollars today. Every one of them is crying for more money because their revenue source, taxes, is down. The only thing left is to raise fees and fares that reduce usage that means more money lost. The cycle continues the all too familiar course.
Since 2007, DCTA average annual cost is more than $10 million. Although they say 2 million people ride DCTA, they really mean someone steps on the bus 2 million times. Of those more than 30% are UNT students. Something doesn’t make sense.
DART has since told us they were going to have massive layoffs and may have to reconsider when and if they pursue toy trains. In their May/June newsletter DCTA has a piece titled “Ridership Continues to Rise, Despite Industry Trends”. Now we read the county sure wishes more stops were added but no one else can afford to raise the tax rate that is already maxed out.
Anytime a tax must be used to fund a program, failure is close behind. Why do we continue to allow programs be built with no hope of paying for itself? Look at the entities that rely on tax dollars today. Every one of them is crying for more money because their revenue source, taxes, is down. The only thing left is to raise fees and fares that reduce usage that means more money lost. The cycle continues the all too familiar course.
Since 2007, DCTA average annual cost is more than $10 million. Although they say 2 million people ride DCTA, they really mean someone steps on the bus 2 million times. Of those more than 30% are UNT students. Something doesn’t make sense.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Statistical Myths
Have you ever wondered who comes up with all the silly statistics governments come up with to justify a tax? Like the one in New York where the governor needs more money so he wants to tax soft drinks. "Who else should pay the $58 million it takes to care for the obese?" he asks.
How does anyone know exactly how much it takes to "care" for anyone? Beyond that, however, think of it this way. Let's assume that mythical $58 million is correct. Where does that $58 million go? Does it evaporate into thin air? It probably goes to doctors, nurses, hospitals, clinics, drug companies, drug stores, and caregivers.
What would happen to all those people if this money were to go away? But this is only half the story - actually 1/7 of the story. The "velocity of money" is estimated to be 7. That means for every dollar someone earns it is spent 7 times.
One dollar is paid to a doctor. He buys $1 of food. That 1$ is paid to the store that pays $1 to an employee who then pays his rent. The rent money goes to the landlord who buys $1 of plumbing supplies, etc., etc.,etc. - you get the point.
So when a politician says "we need to pay for __________ with this increase in taxes" - don't believe them.
How does anyone know exactly how much it takes to "care" for anyone? Beyond that, however, think of it this way. Let's assume that mythical $58 million is correct. Where does that $58 million go? Does it evaporate into thin air? It probably goes to doctors, nurses, hospitals, clinics, drug companies, drug stores, and caregivers.
What would happen to all those people if this money were to go away? But this is only half the story - actually 1/7 of the story. The "velocity of money" is estimated to be 7. That means for every dollar someone earns it is spent 7 times.
One dollar is paid to a doctor. He buys $1 of food. That 1$ is paid to the store that pays $1 to an employee who then pays his rent. The rent money goes to the landlord who buys $1 of plumbing supplies, etc., etc.,etc. - you get the point.
So when a politician says "we need to pay for __________ with this increase in taxes" - don't believe them.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Schools and budgets
While our School Board is looking for ways to reduce the budget, here is some useful information. Texans for Fiscal Responsibility has done research in the area of school spending. Here are some interesting results.
Texas spends an average of $11,000 per child per year for education which is double the 1999 average. The average class size is 23 students. Therefore, each classroom represents $255,000 of the budget. Since the average teacher makes $47,300 per year, that leaves more than $207,000 per classroom to spend.
Since 1999 average enrollment has grown 15% while teaching positions increased 19%. That is understandable and reasonable. However, there was an increase of 22% in non-teaching positions. In fact, there are 321,092 teachers and 313,850 non-teachers on the payrolls in Texas.
Do we really need an almost 1:1 ratio of teacher to non-teacher? A non-teacher could be a janitor or an Assistant Deputy Director to the Superintendent. Maybe they need to do what corporate America does and look to cut non-essential staff first. How many Assistant Superintendents does one school district need? How about putting all those administrators back in the classroom at teacher’s salaries for a year? Or maybe requiring all administrators, including Dr. Braswell, to fill substitute teacher needs for a minimum of two weeks per year at substitute pay.
Of course, they will always make the easier decision to change bus schedules, reduce activities, change curriculum, reduce books, turn off lights, etc. All of which directly affects the students who can’t vote.
Texas spends an average of $11,000 per child per year for education which is double the 1999 average. The average class size is 23 students. Therefore, each classroom represents $255,000 of the budget. Since the average teacher makes $47,300 per year, that leaves more than $207,000 per classroom to spend.
Since 1999 average enrollment has grown 15% while teaching positions increased 19%. That is understandable and reasonable. However, there was an increase of 22% in non-teaching positions. In fact, there are 321,092 teachers and 313,850 non-teachers on the payrolls in Texas.
Do we really need an almost 1:1 ratio of teacher to non-teacher? A non-teacher could be a janitor or an Assistant Deputy Director to the Superintendent. Maybe they need to do what corporate America does and look to cut non-essential staff first. How many Assistant Superintendents does one school district need? How about putting all those administrators back in the classroom at teacher’s salaries for a year? Or maybe requiring all administrators, including Dr. Braswell, to fill substitute teacher needs for a minimum of two weeks per year at substitute pay.
Of course, they will always make the easier decision to change bus schedules, reduce activities, change curriculum, reduce books, turn off lights, etc. All of which directly affects the students who can’t vote.
Friday, May 14, 2010
AttentionTwo Wheelers
While all the two wheelers are out there asking for bigger lanes and special bike paths how about doing a few things first for us?
Like obeying traffic laws. Today I witnessed one biker run two red lights and turned right on red without stopping at a third. You are required to follow all traffic laws yet I have never seen a two wheeler pulled over for running a red light.
Or how about using the sidewalks that we have already paid for. The aforementioned biker was riding on Lillian Miller in morning traffic with an empty sidewalk 20 feet away.
Streets, roads, and highways were all paid for, designed, built, and maintained for motorized vehicles. Not a single bicycle has been taxed for the purpose of maintaining our streets. My car is taxed every time I fill up. Every time I pay for the registration sticker and every time I get it inspected some of the money goes into the mythical highway trust fund (another topic for another blog).
Or you could start by obeying the common courtesy of pedaling a bicycle. You know like, single file in the direction of traffic. In case you haven't figure it out a 2,000 lb car will win every encounter against a 5 oz titanium bike. Riding down Ryan Rd or Canyon Creek may be scenic and pleasant but when you are riding two or three abreast you are secretly making a death wish.
If you want unobstructed, straight, flat, maintained places to ride, try the shoulder on I-35. Or maybe park your two wheeler in front of your 50 inch plasma with the back wheel up and ride in your living room.
Like obeying traffic laws. Today I witnessed one biker run two red lights and turned right on red without stopping at a third. You are required to follow all traffic laws yet I have never seen a two wheeler pulled over for running a red light.
Or how about using the sidewalks that we have already paid for. The aforementioned biker was riding on Lillian Miller in morning traffic with an empty sidewalk 20 feet away.
Streets, roads, and highways were all paid for, designed, built, and maintained for motorized vehicles. Not a single bicycle has been taxed for the purpose of maintaining our streets. My car is taxed every time I fill up. Every time I pay for the registration sticker and every time I get it inspected some of the money goes into the mythical highway trust fund (another topic for another blog).
Or you could start by obeying the common courtesy of pedaling a bicycle. You know like, single file in the direction of traffic. In case you haven't figure it out a 2,000 lb car will win every encounter against a 5 oz titanium bike. Riding down Ryan Rd or Canyon Creek may be scenic and pleasant but when you are riding two or three abreast you are secretly making a death wish.
If you want unobstructed, straight, flat, maintained places to ride, try the shoulder on I-35. Or maybe park your two wheeler in front of your 50 inch plasma with the back wheel up and ride in your living room.
Give 'em a Break
While not a fan of Big Banks I must say it is disheartening that no one has come out to explain what and why they did what they did.
Is it “betting on failure” if I buy a stock and then buy a put option? Am I hoping for disaster if I pay cash for a car and then buy insurance? Is it wrong for an insurance company to buy insurance on an insurance policy it has written? No, no and no!
Not knowing why they did what they did, we only assume the worst. How about cutting them some slack? Everyone who bought what they were selling was supposedly the brightest of the brightest.
I am no MBA but I know if someone cannot afford a 10% down payment, they cannot afford to buy the house.
The people who bought the stuff were not a victim of Big Bank, they were the victim of their own greed. Risk and rates go hand in hand. If you want high interest rates, you take on more risk.
It is not a revelation that the rating companies went along with it. Anytime you pay someone to give you a rating, it probably isn't without flaw. Ask the car companies how they get the "Five Star Rating" or the "Best in Class" awards.
Is it “betting on failure” if I buy a stock and then buy a put option? Am I hoping for disaster if I pay cash for a car and then buy insurance? Is it wrong for an insurance company to buy insurance on an insurance policy it has written? No, no and no!
Not knowing why they did what they did, we only assume the worst. How about cutting them some slack? Everyone who bought what they were selling was supposedly the brightest of the brightest.
I am no MBA but I know if someone cannot afford a 10% down payment, they cannot afford to buy the house.
The people who bought the stuff were not a victim of Big Bank, they were the victim of their own greed. Risk and rates go hand in hand. If you want high interest rates, you take on more risk.
It is not a revelation that the rating companies went along with it. Anytime you pay someone to give you a rating, it probably isn't without flaw. Ask the car companies how they get the "Five Star Rating" or the "Best in Class" awards.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Something is Stinking in the Woodshed
Imagine having more money than you know what to do with. Apparently Denton County is in that enviable position. So let’s just loan it to a worthy cause – or we can loan it to Dallas County to build their highways. How generous we are in these times of need.
Mr. Polster may be a fine transportation consultant. Anyone who doubles their fees in one year must be good. But I think he should leave the investment advice to someone else. On the same day it is reported the county will make 1.5% on this loan, 10-yr Treasury notes were going for 2.5%. They could have bought DART’s own bonds and earned 2.6% for the same maturity date.
Now I get it. Mr. Polster finds Dallas a source of funds cheaper than they would have to pay on the open market. Since all of Denton’s roads are in perfect shape and in no need of adding lanes, they make a whopping 1.6% instead of .5%.
One question though – does he receive anything for this arrangement? It was reported earlier that he has contracts with many of the local governments. Does he receive a finder’s fee for this generosity?
Not that it matters. When less than 10% turn out for local elections and every incumbent gets re-elected I guess everyone is happy with the status quo. The same players will continue to rule over their dominion and we just get pulled along by the nose – or wallet.
Mr. Polster may be a fine transportation consultant. Anyone who doubles their fees in one year must be good. But I think he should leave the investment advice to someone else. On the same day it is reported the county will make 1.5% on this loan, 10-yr Treasury notes were going for 2.5%. They could have bought DART’s own bonds and earned 2.6% for the same maturity date.
Now I get it. Mr. Polster finds Dallas a source of funds cheaper than they would have to pay on the open market. Since all of Denton’s roads are in perfect shape and in no need of adding lanes, they make a whopping 1.6% instead of .5%.
One question though – does he receive anything for this arrangement? It was reported earlier that he has contracts with many of the local governments. Does he receive a finder’s fee for this generosity?
Not that it matters. When less than 10% turn out for local elections and every incumbent gets re-elected I guess everyone is happy with the status quo. The same players will continue to rule over their dominion and we just get pulled along by the nose – or wallet.
Friday, May 7, 2010
The Gulf in Perspective
I was hoping to beat the sky-is-falling crowd to comment on the Gulf situation. Procrastination never pays off.
To put the Gulf drilling situation in perspective, according to the Interior Dept. in 2002 there were 4,000 oil and gas facilities in the Gulf. This employed 80,000 workers with 33,000 miles of pipeline. Between 1985 and 2001 these facilities produced 385 billion gallons. The spill rate was .001%.
According to the National Academy of Sciences, the annual discharge of 47 million gallons of crude in the Gulf is due to natural seepage from the ocean floor. In two weeks the Gulf leak is estimated to have leaked between two and three million gallons.
Is it bad? Yes. Will it harm all ocean life as we know it? Highly doubtful. Should we continue to be dependent on Venezuela and Mexico for our oil as they continue to drill in the Gulf? Heck no!! Should we continue to look for smart alternatives? Always.
But shutting down all drilling in the Gulf because of this accident would be like shutting down Detroit after every car accident. Investigate, learn from it and then make it safer and better – that’s the American way.
To put the Gulf drilling situation in perspective, according to the Interior Dept. in 2002 there were 4,000 oil and gas facilities in the Gulf. This employed 80,000 workers with 33,000 miles of pipeline. Between 1985 and 2001 these facilities produced 385 billion gallons. The spill rate was .001%.
According to the National Academy of Sciences, the annual discharge of 47 million gallons of crude in the Gulf is due to natural seepage from the ocean floor. In two weeks the Gulf leak is estimated to have leaked between two and three million gallons.
Is it bad? Yes. Will it harm all ocean life as we know it? Highly doubtful. Should we continue to be dependent on Venezuela and Mexico for our oil as they continue to drill in the Gulf? Heck no!! Should we continue to look for smart alternatives? Always.
But shutting down all drilling in the Gulf because of this accident would be like shutting down Detroit after every car accident. Investigate, learn from it and then make it safer and better – that’s the American way.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
The Scientific Theory is Conservative
Sometimes it is amazing how liberal thought is so twisted that common sense is dismissed and is replaced with hypocrisy. In a recent letter to the Denton Record Chronicle (Just a Nice Story, May 4) the writer takes a person to task about intelligent design. Since it did not pass the scientific method, it should be dismissed altogether.
Let’s see how that same logic would apply to other ideas. The theory of evolution is an example. It has never been proven since there is no missing link; hence it is still a theory. There is not one shred of evidence that all Species came from the same Phylum. Yet, liberals want it taught as if it is a fact.
The theory of global warming? It has never been proven since there are as many scientists that agree as there are that do not. Yet, liberals say the argument is over and global warming is a fact.
The very idea that a theory is new should disqualify it speaks volumes as to the weakness of the argument. Both theories mentioned are old and still unproven.
No doubt when Mr. Newton first proposed the idea of gravity there were skeptics. We all know how that turned out.
Let’s see how that same logic would apply to other ideas. The theory of evolution is an example. It has never been proven since there is no missing link; hence it is still a theory. There is not one shred of evidence that all Species came from the same Phylum. Yet, liberals want it taught as if it is a fact.
The theory of global warming? It has never been proven since there are as many scientists that agree as there are that do not. Yet, liberals say the argument is over and global warming is a fact.
The very idea that a theory is new should disqualify it speaks volumes as to the weakness of the argument. Both theories mentioned are old and still unproven.
No doubt when Mr. Newton first proposed the idea of gravity there were skeptics. We all know how that turned out.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Times Are Strange
Imagine getting pulled over by the police. They ask for your license and insurance card. Do you (a) comply or (b) refuse due to Fourth Amendment rights. If you picked (a) your day will go more smoothly. If (b) was your answer, be prepared to be handcuffed and taken to jail for “failure to identify”.
Imagine also there is a robbery and the thief is described as a white man 6’8 about 300 lbs with gray hair. I happen to be walking along the road about a block away. No doubt a police officer would stop and ask me who I am and what I am doing. I can either tell him or I can refuse. If I refuse I will be taken to jail until I answer their questions.
Would someone please explain to me why a person in this country illegally would have more rights than me? Why should they be treated differently than I would be for doing the same thing? By definition an illegal immigrant has already broken at least one law. Chances are trespassing would be another. Yet my President thinks that is being anti-immigrant, uncaring and downright insensitive.
We are truly living in weird times.
Imagine also there is a robbery and the thief is described as a white man 6’8 about 300 lbs with gray hair. I happen to be walking along the road about a block away. No doubt a police officer would stop and ask me who I am and what I am doing. I can either tell him or I can refuse. If I refuse I will be taken to jail until I answer their questions.
Would someone please explain to me why a person in this country illegally would have more rights than me? Why should they be treated differently than I would be for doing the same thing? By definition an illegal immigrant has already broken at least one law. Chances are trespassing would be another. Yet my President thinks that is being anti-immigrant, uncaring and downright insensitive.
We are truly living in weird times.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Spelling Bee Winner Disqualified
I realize I may make at least a few parents mad but I feel it necessary to point out a problem in our schools. The winners of the spelling bee were announced earlier and my hat off to the two winners. Anytime you come out ahead in a competition it is good.
However, are we really at a point when the winning word for a seventh grader is “gorgeous”? The runner-up won on “macaroni”. I called my granddaughter who is a fifth grader in Austin. Without any preparation I asked her to spell gorgeous. She spelled it “gorgous” – off by one letter. She spelled “macaroni” correctly.
Granted she is homeschooled and I guess that is an advantage, but should it be? At the rate of $10,000 per pupil in our public schools, should we not expect more? My daughter-in-law spends less than $10,000 per year to homeschool three children. Should we not expect a better education than what she can give?
I realize spell check on computers make it unnecessary to type correctly. But when I interview a prospect they are required to handwrite their application. If they cannot write legibly or do not spell correctly they are immediately disqualified. How can I expect them to communicate with our customers if they are not able to write or spell?
However, are we really at a point when the winning word for a seventh grader is “gorgeous”? The runner-up won on “macaroni”. I called my granddaughter who is a fifth grader in Austin. Without any preparation I asked her to spell gorgeous. She spelled it “gorgous” – off by one letter. She spelled “macaroni” correctly.
Granted she is homeschooled and I guess that is an advantage, but should it be? At the rate of $10,000 per pupil in our public schools, should we not expect more? My daughter-in-law spends less than $10,000 per year to homeschool three children. Should we not expect a better education than what she can give?
I realize spell check on computers make it unnecessary to type correctly. But when I interview a prospect they are required to handwrite their application. If they cannot write legibly or do not spell correctly they are immediately disqualified. How can I expect them to communicate with our customers if they are not able to write or spell?
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Change, Hope, Transparency
Here we are one year into the Obama administration. Rather than being negative, let’s look at the bright side of things. Let’s see what was promised and what has been accomplished.
He promised change, did he deliver? Well, ownership of the car companies, banks and soon healthcare changed from the private sector to the government. The deficit changed from being out of control to unsustainable. The dollar has changed from being the world currency to being devalued like we have never seen. The national debt ceiling was changed to $12 trillion.
Hope was promised. About 15% of the American public who are now out of a job hopes they can get one soon. The other 85% hopes they won’t be next.
This was promised to be the most transparent administration ever. It is so transparent we know exactly which Senators were bribed to get their vote on healthcare. We know the Senator from Louisiana was bribed with $300 million and the Nebraska Senator was bribed with no Medicare increases.
We also know which union bosses have been to the Whitehouse to receive their payoffs. In return for their millions in campaign donations they get a free ride on the tax for Cadillac health plans.
We were told it would not be business as usual. So we bailout the biggest banks, they pay us back with interest and now are being taxed on their profits. Meanwhile, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are paying the top execs in excess of $6 million in bonuses and are not subject to the pay czar and have not paid back a penny.
Be careful what you ask for, you just might get it.
He promised change, did he deliver? Well, ownership of the car companies, banks and soon healthcare changed from the private sector to the government. The deficit changed from being out of control to unsustainable. The dollar has changed from being the world currency to being devalued like we have never seen. The national debt ceiling was changed to $12 trillion.
Hope was promised. About 15% of the American public who are now out of a job hopes they can get one soon. The other 85% hopes they won’t be next.
This was promised to be the most transparent administration ever. It is so transparent we know exactly which Senators were bribed to get their vote on healthcare. We know the Senator from Louisiana was bribed with $300 million and the Nebraska Senator was bribed with no Medicare increases.
We also know which union bosses have been to the Whitehouse to receive their payoffs. In return for their millions in campaign donations they get a free ride on the tax for Cadillac health plans.
We were told it would not be business as usual. So we bailout the biggest banks, they pay us back with interest and now are being taxed on their profits. Meanwhile, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are paying the top execs in excess of $6 million in bonuses and are not subject to the pay czar and have not paid back a penny.
Be careful what you ask for, you just might get it.
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