OK. I’m not a gambler. I’ve got enough vices and I don’t need to add gambling to them but in this one case I’m willing to make an exception. Bet me on what Congress and Obama will do about this situation.
Here’s the meat of the issue – Obama recently signed off on increasing the federal deficit to historic proportions with spending that boggles the mind on really important things like these:
$2.5 billion for broadband deployment through the Rural areas
1.7 million for a honey bee laboratory in Weslaco, Texas
$346,000 for research on apple fire blight in Michigan and New York
$1.5 million for work on grapes and grape products, including wine
$173,000 for research on asparagus production in Washington
$206,000 for wool research in Montana, Texas and Wyoming
$209,000 for efforts to improve blueberry production in Georgia
$1 million to control Mormon crickets in Utah (I wonder if they’re polygamous?)
But Congress isn’t being totally irresponsible. With all this spending they know something has to be cut. So what are Democrats seeking to cut because of all this spending? That’s right. Opportunity Scholarships for 1800 low-income children and minorities in Washington D.C. to escape their awful public schools.
So who’s happy with that? That’s right. The teacher’s union which vehemently opposes any child receiving help to escape failing public schools.
This is a powerful video which I believe everyone should see. These are the very real children adversely affected by the unholy alliance between the Democratic party and the Teacher’s Union. Let’s see what our representatives care about more: pleasing the big money unions or helping 1800 children receive an education. Anyone wanna’ bet? (House money is on the unions)
H/T The Heritage Foundation
March 3, 2009 at 5:53 pm
Let’s not forget things such as:
– $4.19 billion for ACORN (left-wing advocacy group)
– $1.7 billion for the National Park System
– $7.6 billion for “rural community advancement programs”
– $1 billion for the Census Bureau
– $2 billion for renewable energy research
– $800 million for Amtrak
– $650 million for digital television converter box coupon program
– $248 million for furniture for Homeland Security headquarters
– $600 million for buying hybrid vehicles for federal employees
– $110 million to upgrade computers at the Farm Service Agency
– $150 million for honeybee insurance
– $200 million to refurbish the National Mall
– $100 million for reducing hazard of lead-based paint
– $150 million for the Smithsonian
– $88 million for renovations to headquarters of the Public Health Service
March 3, 2009 at 7:14 pm
This is saddening. How can these kids break out of the vicious cycle of poverty if they are not helped out of the dysfunctional schools. Granted that we’re talking high school or junior high, the chances of them going into college after coming out of these schools are less than if they were sheltered a bit. Big picture or small picture – I do not see it. Education is seen a viable investment everywhere else.
March 3, 2009 at 7:44 pm
There are teacher’s unions; there is no such thing as THE teacher’s union.
I have never belonged to a union.
I will never belong to a union.
I will never walk out on my students (well, maybe two minutes for bladder-control issues).
As we Catholics do not wish to be stereotyped, we must not stereotype others.
Mack Hall
March 3, 2009 at 7:53 pm
Anyone want to take Matthew’s bet?
anyone?
anyone?
crickets crickets crickets
March 3, 2009 at 7:57 pm
This is another example of why we should not be surprised by Obama doing exactly what he said he would do. It reminds me of one of the high points of the Presidential debate when Sen. McCain actually put Obama on the defensive by pointing out he doesn’t support vouchers, giving low-income families the opportunity to send their kids to the private schools that Obama sends his own children to, rather than the failing public schools.
March 3, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Although I’m not sure it belongs in an economic stimulus bill (it doesn’t), the rural broadband project is a big deal. I lived in rural (no cell service, no broadband, no cable) WV for two years and we were stuck with the satellite monopoly (expensive) or nothing – literally.
Try turning off all TV and returning to dial-up for a few days. You’ll see what I mean.
I just wish Congress had put all this special program stuff into a different bill.
March 3, 2009 at 9:07 pm
Mike in CT said – “Anyone want to take Matthew’s bet?
anyone?
anyone?
crickets crickets crickets”
Are those Mormon crickets?
This stimulus package was designed solely to stimulate deeper dependence on the government in order to create a majority voting bloc for future elections.
March 3, 2009 at 9:17 pm
LarryD,
try the veal and tip your waitress.
March 4, 2009 at 12:40 am
Mack, I’m a teacher in Catholic school making nothing.
I have been well paid in public school and seen the suffering of black and Hispanic kids in dangerous, poorly run, inferior inner city schools. Meanwhile, my union reps who already got $60 dollars against my will per paycheck were asking for more money for Vote-Cope to help anti-school choice candidates like Clinton, and Obama.
There is ONE agenda, it’s whateve the NEA and UFT says it is. It’s against choice, unless it’s killing the unborn.
March 4, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Those poor kids. I hope they don’t take away those scholarships. It just breaks my heart.
March 4, 2009 at 10:25 pm
Did anyone seriously think that he would stand up for those children? Heck, he just betrayed his own people by supporting the abortion agenda?
You call that black genocide: http://www.blackgenocide.org/home.html
Stopping the scholarship programs for inner city children is just a natural consequence.
This guy is NOT interested in honestly helping America. This man is a marxist ideologue (and I was convinced of this way before Limbaugh, Levine, Savage, etc. were saying it) and the only agenda he has is control and enslavement.
Lord have Mercy
Mum26