State of the State
I wasn’t able to listen to Governor Walker’s State of the State last night, but I this was perhaps the most important initiative that may come out of this session.
That includes how he plans to create incentives for high performing and rapidly improving schools, while helping failing schools improve. He said his goal is to help each school excel so every child has access to a great education.
“As a parent it’s moral imperative, and as you governor, it’s an economic imperative,” Walker said.
Walker’s call to expand education opportunities came on the heels of a poll released by the conservative Education Action Group, based in Michigan. The poll found 61 percent of likely voters polled supported expanding school choice “to allow every Wisconsin child to attend the public or private, including religious schools, of their choice.”
“Every child should have access to a great education,” Walker said. “We continue to expand the number of choices for families in Wisconsin—be it a traditional, a charter, a voucher, a virtual, or a home school environment. Moving forward, we want to continue to dramatically improve existing schools and give parents the opportunity to choose legitimate alternatives to failing schools.”
Clever use of union thugs for the State of the State. Now lets pass right to work like Michigan.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 16, 2013 at 0736 hrs
No surprise that he is gonna push hard for his “Taxation without Representation” plan, and it is also no surprise that he is trying to frame it as a “choice” issue rather than the largest expansion of welfare our state has seen in decades.
But what was really interesting is that the Governor wants to expand the program that hires state prisoners out to private companies. Keep that in mind when you’re looking for a job…you might have a better chance of getting one if you’re in jail.
Posted by purplepenquin on January 16, 2013 at 0940 hrs
No surprise that he is gonna push hard for his “Taxation without Representation” plan, and it is also no surprise that he is trying to frame it as a “choice” issue rather than the largest expansion of welfare our state has seen in decades
.
So no college students should ever get government grants, vouchers, or government loans ever?
That is also “taxation without representation” in your view also.
The choice of high school and grade school education cannot be as vibrant as the choice in higher education?
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 16, 2013 at 1106 hrs
Actually, Keven…those are good examples of why this huge expansion of welfare is such a bad idea. Even tho the financial assistance programs for college have far more oversight than this school voucher program will, it is still fraught with abuse and fraud. Lots of for-profit schools are simply more interested in getting their hands on the taxpayer money than they are in providing an education for the students. (Have you seen the unemployment rate for graduates of these scammy schools?)
We need to fix the problems with college welfare before we expand it even further…assuming, of course, you care about fraud and waste.
Posted by purplepenquin on January 17, 2013 at 0814 hrs
Purple,
Listen to you, a liberal in favor of curtailing government educational aid…will wonders ever cease!
Like Obamacare, and the $60 billion in annual Medicare waste, fraud, and abuse, we should just plunge ahead and trust government to get it right.
I find it interesting, when it comes to school vouchers, to free kids from the yoke of godless public schools, all of a sudden liberalism is concerned with fiscal responsibility…lol.
No problem. Average public school kid we spend 13K a year to educate. We only give out a $6200 voucher. So the more vouchers we hand out, to allow private and parochial schools do it better, the more we save as taxpayers.
Certainly a better scenario than the liberal disaster of college tuition handouts and the travesty of continual Medicare waste.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 17, 2013 at 0824 hrs
Kevin, listen to you, slapping the wrong label on someone and then surprised that they ain’t livin’ up to your false assumptions!
Seriously dude…try and talk about what is actually being said instead of simply responding to the convo you’re having with yourself in your own head.
That aside, since you beleive that the college tuition handouts are a disaster then why are you supporting expanding that program even further? Do you find waste and fraud totally acceptable when you personally are the one getting the handout?Seems kinda hypocritical to me….
Posted by purplepenquin on January 17, 2013 at 0833 hrs
I don’t understand how this is taxation with out representation. I am going to get taxed no matter who I voted for to represent me. It would seem if you have some choice as to how your money gets spent that would be an improvment. And how is this related to Welfare ? Welfare is gettiing money for doing nothing. This is getting some choice how your tax money is spent.
Much like decideing where you want to shop or go out to eat.Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 17, 2013 at 0833 hrs
I don’t understand how this is taxation with out representation.
Even tho I don’t have children, my tax dollars are still used to educate all the children in the community. I’m not complaining about that. I totally understand that it takes an entire village to raise a child, and many parents need a handout when it comes to supporting their family.
Under the current system I can vote for a Representative, on the school board, to have a say in how our schools are ran and maintained. But, under the voucher plan, only the welfare recipients have a voice in regards to if the school is a failure or a success, while those of us paying the bills are frozen out of the process…we have no vote at all.
I’m still being taxed, to pay for the school, but I no longer have any representation in the process.
Posted by purplepenquin on January 17, 2013 at 0844 hrs
That aside, since you beleive that the college tuition handouts are a disaster then why are you supporting expanding that program even further? Do you find waste and fraud totally acceptable when you personally are the one getting the handout?
1.) School Vouchers are not waste and fraud. They educate kids for 1/2 the cost of the bloated public school system. Allow choice. Allows kids the choice to escape the Kwanzaa religion in public schools.
2.) I don’t support the bloated college handout system, especially for 75% of UW students who are not really serious about college education. However, since liberals are in charge of these handouts at the federal level, there will be screaming if any of this is cut back. They need to protect the young voter bloc’s inalienable right to party ona UW campus. So if liberalism is going to protect that waste and fraud and expanded college choices. It makes total sense for liberals to defend even more responsible school choice vouchers for high school and grade school kids.
In a nutshell, I’m pointing out the increadible hypocrisy of liberals being against choice and school vouchers.
You are not liberal? Majority of conservatives, and most Libertarians support school vouchers. It was libertarian economist, Milton Freedman, that popularized the idea of school vouchers. I have not met a Libertarian that dislikes Freedman.
In my experience, liberals are the only ones against expanding choice for the individual.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 17, 2013 at 0849 hrs
Purple,
I totally understand that it takes an entire village to raise a child, and many parents need a handout when it comes to supporting their family.
Submitted for your approval, L-I-B-E-R-A-L. Admit it. Be proud of who you are. Do not be ashamed.
It is not “your” child. It is my child. I will raise them.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 17, 2013 at 0854 hrs
Majority of conservatives, and most Libertarians support school vouchers.
So the reason you support this policy is because you’ve been told that is what conservatives are supposed to do?
*rolls eyes*
Spin it however ya wanna, but you can’t say that the college handout system is bloated with fraud and waste without expecting the school voucher program (which has far less oversight than those other programs) will also have the same problems.
And again, it should be pointed out that this has nothing to do with “choice.” You already have plenty of choices available when it comes to educating your children, and this has nothing to do with that. Rather, this is about you wanting all the taxpayers to pay for your personal choices while demanding that you’re the only one who is allowed a vote in how our money is used.Posted by purplepenquin on January 17, 2013 at 0858 hrs
Submitted for your approval, L-I-B-E-R-A-L. Admit it. Be proud of who you are. Do not be ashamed.
Excuse me? YOU are the one saying you need the whole village to raise your children. If you weren’t demanding our money for your kids, then we wouldn’t even be having this convo.
Or are you saying that only families with children should pay for schools, and us childless folks don’t have to pay those taxes? Please clarify…
Posted by purplepenquin on January 17, 2013 at 0903 hrs
Purple,
I supported vouchers before the Milwaukee program started in the early 1990’s.
It has everything to do with “choice”. Public schools tax precious resources from me that I need to educate my kids, properly. I just want control of those resources with a voucher.
I do not want my kids participating in the religious Kwanzaa worship in the public school system.
https://www.madison.k12.wi.us/node/8430
I want Christ is my Kid’s guide, not someone who kills people, like Ron Kerenga.
Is it too much to ask for that “choice”.
Or is my kid celebrating a religious holiday, established by a thug, my only choice for my kid.
Is this is what is meant by the “village” in the liberal lexicon?
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 17, 2013 at 0907 hrs
Or are you saying that only families with children should pay for schools, and us childless folks don’t have to pay those taxes? Please clarify…
Great. when will we adopt that attitude, cold turkey, for government college handouts….including the 75% of kids we waste money on sending to the UW system?
School Vouchers SAVE taxpayer money by comparison.
You want, as a taxpayer, to continue the one choice that costs you double? ($6200 voucher. 13K for public school.)
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 17, 2013 at 0910 hrs
I do not want my kids participating in the religious Kwanzaa worship in the public school system.
Kevin, are your kids participating in Kwanzaa celebrations in Kewaskum?
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 17, 2013 at 0912 hrs
No.
But I object to my tax money going to this religion. In Madison, this is the established public school religion, and kids need to have the choice to escape. (watch the video)
In Kewaskum, the public school religion is “guarded secular humanism”. Christ is not overtly rejected, but discouraged, rather than encouraged. A cold, empty religion.
If everyone has a choice to either embrace the chosen public school religion, or another religion, with a voucher, that makes the issue better for all.
I laugh that liberals are so against choice on this. Liberalism chooses to kill unborn children, what is the big deal to let families have a chocie about a proper religion?
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 17, 2013 at 0919 hrs
It has everything to do with “choice”.
No, it doesn’t. You already have many choices available when it comes to educating your children. Despite your constant claims, having someone else pay for it is not the only way a parent can send a child to a different school.
I just want control of those resources with a voucher.
Understandable, and you currently do have a vote in the public school process….as do I. (You do know that just because everything doesn’t go your way doesn’t mean you have no control/say, right?)
But under your proposed system, the only ones with any control over the funds are the welfare recipients receiving the public funds, while those of us who are actually paying the bills have no vote at all. No matter how you try and justify it, that simply ain’t right.
If you’re gonna tax me in order to pay for your kid’s education, then I should get some representation in the process. If you don’t want the public to have a vote about the school, then don’t accept the public’s money for the school.
Posted by purplepenquin on January 17, 2013 at 0920 hrs
Understandable, and you currently do have a vote in the public school process….as do I. (You do know that just because everything doesn’t go your way doesn’t mean you have no control/say, right?
Public school boards do not have this power unless State government allows it. So this is a state wide debate, not a local school board issue.
But under your proposed system, the only ones with any control over the funds are the welfare recipients receiving the public funds, while those of us who are actually paying the bills have no vote at all. No matter how you try and justify it, that simply ain’t right
Food Stamps are not right?
Badgercare is not right?
WI subsidized Child Day Care is not right?
EBT cash is not right?....read this story.
http://www.nbc-2.com/story/15478933/investigators-ebt-transactions
By comparison, a school voucher would go to an approved school only. Vouchers would have far more accountability than most liberal welfare programs destroying lives.
If you’re gonna tax me in order to pay for your kid’s education, then I should get some representation in the process. If you don’t want the public to have a vote about the school, then don’t accept the public’s money for the school
Again, our Federal government conducts far worse lack of accountability. EBT use in strip clubs! $60 billion in Medicare fraud and waste. Food stamps sold for cash to be used at liquor stores!
You have far more to be outraged by comparison.
School vouchers would be “saintly” by comparison of what is in place and the current cost/benifit analysis of public schools.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 17, 2013 at 0932 hrs
Kevin, are your kids participating in Kwanzaa celebrations in Kewaskum?
Posted by Pat on January 17, 2013 at 0912 hrs
No.Okay, good. For a second there you made it sound like your kids were having to celebrate Kwanzaa in Kewaskum. But as it is, they’re not. It sounds like you’ve made a good choice, based on your principles, in not sending them to a school that does.
Would you be against someone who chooses to send their children to a school that celebrates cultural diversity?
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 17, 2013 at 0933 hrs
Pat,
My kids attend a Christ centered school.
Would you be against someone who chooses to send their children to a school that celebrates cultural diversity?
It depends. If the parents had a school voucher in hand and used it for that school. Fine for them. They can continue to celebrate a religious holiday established by a criminal thug.
If it’s a public school, where one has no choice, and no vouchers exist, then we have to talk about what you mean by “cultural diversity”.If it is a religious celebration like at Falk Elementary, then I got a problem with kids/families being subjected to it without legitimate choice.
If it’s naked liberal politicial indoctrination without proper representation of the correct side, I’d also have a problem with it. I’d especially be wary of it if it is exclusionary toward Christians.
If a full voucher choice program exists, then public schools will have more freedom to practice these kind of left wing fringe religions, because people will have the choice to escape the liberal religions.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 17, 2013 at 0948 hrs
Public school boards do not have this power unless State government allows it.
I’m not sure where you live, but here (in WI) the state does allow for the local school board to hold elections. If your local school board is appointed by the state then I can totally understand your frustration and feelings of powerlessness.
Food Stamps are not right? Badgercare is not right? WI subsidized Child Day Care is not right? EBT cash is not right?
All those programs have far more accountability than the proposed school voucher program. And, as you pointed out, fraud and waste still occurs.
The proposed voucher program has less accountability, so there is no doubt that there will be “schools” that cater to the parent’s wants rather than the children’s needs. (I can hear ‘em now: “Big screen TV and free donuts in the parent’s lounge?! Damn right I’m taking Junior to that school!”)
school voucher would go to an approved school only.
If the voucher schools have to be accredited & approved by the local school board then I withdraw this objection.
Tho, there is still another thing that bothers me about it. Something you said a while back ago about how local communities could use zoning laws if they objected to any particular religions setting up a voucher school. Yet, one of the main reasons you are pushing for this welfare expansion is because you wish to have public funds pay for your children’s religious-based education.Not sure how to explain to ya why that don’t sit quite right with me, but I just had to point out that it does.
Posted by purplepenquin on January 17, 2013 at 1019 hrs
“I’m still being taxed, to pay for the school, but I no longer have any representation in the process”
I got you, Its like the way the technical schools work.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 17, 2013 at 1028 hrs
Its like the way the technical schools work.
Kinda, but not quite. The Technical Schools at least have a governing board, tho its entire membership is appointed by the Governor. (A system that I don’t personally favor. Do you?)
Also, the Tech Schools have to go to public referendum for various projects and expansions. Ain’t much, but it is still something.
As thin as those safeguards are, the voucher schools don’t even have that much. The people who are paying for it don’t have a voice, and instead the only one who gets a vote about the school is the welfare recipient.
Posted by purplepenquin on January 17, 2013 at 1047 hrs
You are still on that lie about ‘voice’? You don’t even pay property taxes as you don’t own a home.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 17, 2013 at 1109 hrs
Purple,
A voucher program would be at least as accountable as technical schools are today.
I’m not sure where you live, but here (in WI) the state does allow for the local school board to hold elections. If your local school board is appointed by the state then I can totally understand your frustration and feelings of powerlessness
I live in Kewaskum. School Boards do not hold the power to distribute vouchers, only the State of WI has that control. So the idea you can control putting in a school voucher process by school board elections is a giant Red Herring to the debate.
Vouchers decentralize power down to the parents. That is a good thing.
So now, to get to your “accountability standard” on education spending, we have to abolish Tech schools and wipe out college education subsidies.
Are you sure it just isn’t easier to let people have a choice with school vouchers?
Where is this liberal accountability talk coming from? “Liberal accountability” like a Yeti. People keep saying it exists, but I’ve never actually seen it.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 17, 2013 at 1124 hrs
Mr. Smeety,
The fact that you think renters don’t pay property taxes speaks volumes about your knowledge in regards to basic economics. And the fact that you continue to insist I’m not a homeowner, despite being informed otherwise, speaks volumes about you as a person.
But, most of all, the fact that this is the first/only thing you have to say in this thread speak volumes about your intentions. You ain’t looking for an honest and good-faith discussion. Rather, you’re just a troll who is flailing about, hoping to get some sort of attention and response.
So here ya go kiddo. A whole post full o’ attention. Just for you. Hope it brightens up your day….
Posted by purplepenquin on January 17, 2013 at 1126 hrs
Purple,
As a renter you should really be in favor of vouchers. If we could cut school property taxes, that could prevent rent increases from school property tax increases.
Vouchers save tax money.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 17, 2013 at 1134 hrs
A voucher program would be at least as accountable as technical schools are today.
Not under the current proposal, no it wouldn’t. The voucher schools are only accountable to the welfare recipient that is granted the voucher, while the citizens who are actually paying for it have no voice at all.
And, as I said, I don’t think the current Tech School System in WI provides enough accountability to the public. We should be changing that instead of emulating it.
Vouchers decentralize power down to the parents. That is a good thing
Of course you think it is a good thing, ‘cause you’re the one who has all the power.
Do you truly not understand why those of us who are handing over our money to you might want a say in things as well? Does your sense of entitlement simply blind you to where the money is coming from?
So now, to get to your “accountability standard” on education spending, we have to abolish Tech schools and wipe out college education subsidies.
Abolish? No, I don’t see the need for that at all. Like I said, I understand that families like yours needs a helping hand from guys like me, and am ok with using my taxdollars to pay for your children’s education…not just for grade/high school, but college as well.
But I am in favor of having those school boards be elected by the general community rather than selected by one person. And having seen the problems that for-profit collages/tech schools have caused…mostly due to the “easy gov’t $$$” being handed out….I’m not too eager to expand those type of programs to high school and grade schools, especially with less accountability in the program.
Posted by purplepenquin on January 17, 2013 at 1144 hrs
You are not a property owner and therefore don’t pay property taxes. Google is a wonderful thing…
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 17, 2013 at 1200 hrs
Mr. Smeety,
Not sure who you think I am, or why it matters, but I do pay property taxes on the home I own. (Well, own with the bank…still have a while to go on the mortgage). If your research says otherwise, then obviously you’re cyper-stalking the wrong guy.
Plus, like I said…the fact that you think property taxes has no relation to the rent a person pays says a lot about your theories of economy.
And again, I can’t help but notice that the only comments you have in this thread are personal ones about moi. Kinda creepy personal comments, at that.But I guess if that is all ya got, then that is all you got. Thanks for giving it your best shot…
Posted by purplepenquin on January 17, 2013 at 1234 hrs
I am just trying to understand your beef with vouchers. It took less than five minutes on Google to find that your name is Allegri or something like that, and you don’t own a home, and therefore don’t pay property taxes. Which leads me to ask why you are so worked up over a tax you don’t pay…
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 17, 2013 at 1253 hrs
Mike,
I’m with purple here, you’re way off the deep end now. Just because he doesn’t see the property tax bill doesn’t mean he doesn’t pay property taxes. The cost of the taxes paid by the owner of a rental property are normally included in the monthly rent. Sheesh.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 17, 2013 at 1258 hrs
Took less than six minutes of research on Google to find that there ain’t anybody named Mike Smeety outside of these comment sections, so I don’t know why I should respond to someone that doesn’t even exist.
*rolls eyes*
Seriously, like I just said…you’re cyper-stalking the wrong dude. Not that it really matters for this discussion, but please try to keep that in mind if you lose your temper and decide to make things even more up close & personal than you already have.
Posted by purplepenquin on January 17, 2013 at 1315 hrs
It took less than five minutes on Google to find that your name is Allegri or something like that, and you don’t own a home, and therefore don’t pay property taxes.
Cyber stalking?? Sounds creepy.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 17, 2013 at 1410 hrs
Well, PP… Your argument makes zero sense. Your blog is anonymous and full of mary Jane. It was just a (correct) hunch that you were lying about owning a home. Don’t worry, I am not going to post any other info. And if you want to know about me…. I’m sure Pat can help you out; but the guy who he thinks I be signed the Walker recall…
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 17, 2013 at 1508 hrs
You had a “hunch” I was a school teacher too, didn’t ya? lol
Wanna put a lil’ wager on whether I rent or own? It seems so important to ya…and you seem so confident about it…so why not make it interesting.$10,000 is the usual amount folks bet, ain’t it? If that’s too rich for ya, let me know….I’ll come down to whatever you feel comfortable with.
Posted by purplepenquin on January 17, 2013 at 1627 hrs
That’s known as an overbet, and you don’t have $10,000. How about 250 volunteer hours?
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 17, 2013 at 1638 hrs
Overbet? Naw…I gots it covered.
But I did forget for a moment that your family is struggling and that $10,000 is probably too much for you to cover. In fact, it sounds like you can’t afford to risk any cash at all…even tho you’re so sure that you’re right about it.
heh
Posted by purplepenquin on January 17, 2013 at 1647 hrs
Nice. Told y’all he lied.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 17, 2013 at 1653 hrs
You’re the one refusing the bet but I’m the one that is wrong about it?
lol…just like I thought; you’re nuttin’ but an assclown.
Posted by purplepenquin on January 17, 2013 at 1655 hrs
purple,
The voucher schools are only accountable to the welfare recipient that is granted the voucher, while the citizens who are actually paying for it have no voice at all.
Just like Food Stamps, EBT welfare, and child care. That is a problem for liberals now?...welfare recipients having control?
Of course you think it is a good thing, ‘cause you’re the one who has all the power
Parents having power? Only in the liberal lexicon is that considered a BAD thing.
Rational people consider that a GREAT thing.
And having seen the problems that for-profit collages/tech schools have caused…mostly due to the “easy gov’t $$$” being handed out…
What about public school? 13K a year to educate a kid! the voucher is only $6200! A bargain compared to the public school monopoly.
If you care about cost, you will be in favor of a competitive education environment.
You will note Obama is doing precious little to curtail any college aide, including the issue you indicate.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 17, 2013 at 1731 hrs
Just like Food Stamps, EBT welfare, and child care.
Asked and addressed. Please see message #21.
That is a problem for liberals now?
You keep saying “liberal” like it is a bad thing, but you keep wanting to emulate these liberal programs.
Parents having power?
Nope, that ain’t my objection. Of course parents can have a say in the schools their children attend, but if they are accepting public money to send ‘em to that school then the public gets some say as well. If you don’t want the public to have a voice, then don’t take any public money.
I totally understand that you disagree with that basic concept, but are you really unable to even understand what my objection actually is?
Posted by purplepenquin on January 17, 2013 at 1823 hrs
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