Politics

One Teacher's Response to Gov. Ted's suggestion

cpeac999 — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 03:57:17 GMT

Dear Ted, 2/20/09

This morning on my way to work at an Oregon school, I heard about your idea to have teachers ‘give up’ five days of pay to help get us through this financial debacle. Don’t pick on teachers, Ted. At least not those of us who make less than $40,000 a year. We’re just barely able to purchase those classroom supplies not paid for by our schools as it is. And we work many more hours than we are paid already.

Let me break it down for you:

I am paid for 40 hours a week, but there are very few weeks that I work less than 60 hours. If I work about 36 weeks a year, I am already giving you (and society, for that matter) 90 days without pay. This time is spent grading papers, looking for and writing exciting and unique lesson plans, scouring the content standards to make sure I am in compliance, writing grants (to do things like dissect frogs and take field trips) and planning those field trips. Not to mention brainstorming what to do with the recalcitrant student that keeps my mind spinning all night. Isn’t that enough? And let’s not forget the money I spend from my own pocket to purchase supplies for special projects, snacks, pencils for birthdays, and decorations for my classroom. I figure I spend about $300.00 out of pocket for extras to supplement my student’s education. So don’t ask me for any more…

How about this as an idea? Start with those public servants who make more than $70,000 a year. (And a few of those are teachers). In the Salem-Keizer School District alone, there are more than 180 positions that are paid between $70,000 and $120,000. These include principals, vice principals, deputy superintendents, curriculum directors, the superintendent, even the supervisor of custodial services makes about $76,000 a year. Let’s have them give up five days of pay. Then we could go to the state; there are program directors, supervisors and managers who make more than $70,000. If you want to stay with educators, you could just go to the Department of Education, but I’m sure there are other departments at the state level with salaries over $70,000.

Then, how about going to the banks, auto manufacturers, and mortgage lenders and having their CEO’s give up their million dollar bonuses? Of course, they are private sector jobs, but aren’t they involved in this crisis, too?

If that doesn’t work for you, I will make you a deal. You sign an executive order that forgives all my college loans; donate the $2,000 I need yet in grants this year, to continue a program I started last year to purchase a book for every student in my school so they can start a home library; and promise our classified staff they won’t have to give up any pay (they make less than I do and have already been told they will have to give up days), then I will give you five days of my pay. But, I think you would have to make deals with every other teacher in Oregon. How much extra time do you have???

Cathe Pearson, Oregon Teacher

Common sense in politics

Pathxl — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 07:30:37 GMT

Granted, there are some people out there that probably don't need to be breeding, let alone voting, but for the most part I'd like to believe most people have the common sense not to play chicken with a Semi while riding a bicycle. It saddens, irritates, frustrates and disappoints me to know that the majority of politicians seem to think everyone but themselves (and their particular set of cronies) falls into the former category. It was truly disgusting to see our own Govenor asking anyone, let alone our Teachers, to work for free without offering to match it in his own house. I wonder how much money would be saved if everyone working with and for the Govenor worked for free say one day a week??? I don't know for sure, but I'd bet most of them are payed a lot more than most teachers so should be able to afford it easier.

Sam Adams lied and got someone else to lie during election. That's all

retiredscrewed — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 02:32:22 GMT

Intregrety and honesty have nothing to do with Sam's choices in life other than his honesty. You are either ethical or not.

Clinton couldn't couldn't cry "I am gay and that's why you are hounding me." That's because the people want honest and they don't want liars in politics.

If you lie and cooerce others to lie for you (and he did) then what else will he do to get his way.

"SHARING" The Road...!!

vetteman — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 01:09:43 GMT

Okay – so I’m all for “Sharing the Road”, but I’m tired of these thoughtless, arrogant bicyclist’s who think they can just swerve into traffic at any time without looking, or that they can ride that white line and hang over into 45 to 55 mph traffic and that its their right to do that. Then, when you try to give them a heads-up with the horn, you get the finger and attitude!!

On Sunday, July 13th, just on the stretch of Hwy 30 from Scappoose to Cornelius Pass Road, as I drove that stretch there were over 500 bicycles. I went by at least a dozen bicyclists who were acting like idiots! Three separate times bicycles swerved into our lane directly ahead of us when there was traffic in both lanes and we couldn’t get over safely; and we had to go around at least 10 bicycles OVER THE WHITE LINE COMPLETELY IN OUR LANE!! And that doesn’t account for numerous others that ride that damn line and are hanging their handlebars and arms and feet into traffic.

First of all, they are not paying their way with highway taxes by paying for licensing and the subsequent traceability and accountability we SHOULD have, and secondly, they seem to think they’re indestructible, or else there are a lot of bicyclist’s who have a death-wish.

I am so tired of this treatment by bicycles that I just have to vent. Why are they getting away with this behavior? Do bicycles have more rights than cars intentionally? If I drove my car like that I would be ticketed, fined, and possibly worse! This is so wrong!!

How To Keep Your Job

randyjames — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 15:26:54 GMT

To KOIN News:

I watched your segment on how to avoid being laid off this morning. The "Life Coach" made suggestions like: Be on time, be productive, dress appropriately, etc. If it takes a major economic disaster to motivate American workers to pay attention to those things, is it any wonder that our economy is in trouble in the first place?

We're about to borrow nearly $1-Trillion more from foreign countries, China in particular, in order to 'stimulate' our economy. Here are a few interesting facts which might we worth mentioning:

-- The US has not had a trade surplus since 1975, and in 2007, we consumed $708-Billion more goods and services than we produced. That means we have been borrowing money in order to stay even for 39 years in a row.
-- Of the $350-Billion we gave to US banks in the first bailout, $182-Billion came from China, bringing the total indebtedness of the US to China to $682-Billion as of December, 2008.
-- Countries, like people, have bank accounts comprised of cash and gold reserves. China's cash account contained $2-Trillion as of December 31, 2008. The US cash account contained $70-Billion.
-- As of December, 2008, our external debt (debt we owe to private individuals and foreign governments) stood at $12.5-Trillion. China's external debt was $400-Billion.

I just heard a reporter on CBS Morning show say: "President Obama is about to sign a bill which will spend $787-Billion of your dollars." Last fiscal year (2007), the US government spent $2.9-Trillion. Total tax revenues that year were $2.5-Trillion, and that was before the economic downturn reached crisis proportions. The expected deficit for 2008 will be well in excess of $1-Trillion, and it is expected that the number for 2009 will be substantially higher. So the money we're talking about here is not 'our money', it's money we're borrowing in order to sustain the standard of living we want, but have been unable to fully earn for nearly 4 decades.

In case anyone is wondering where the money is coming from for the 'stimulus', much of it is expected to come from China, probably as much as half, or $400-Billion in additional loans. Meanwhile, on 60-Minutes this last Sunday, CBS reported that stimulus projects must buy their steel from US manufacturers. Some of the steel executives interviewed complained that countries like 'China' subsidize their steel industry and are therefore competing unfairly with the US, and therefore this preference is justified.

Taking the Chinese perspective for a moment, this seems a little ironic: the United States wants China to loan us $400-Billion (in addition to the $682-Billion they have already loaned us), but we've prohibited US manufacturers from buying steel from China for projects funded by money we've borrowed (in part) from China. Does that sound like fair play?

My concern is that my fellow citizens seem content to keep their heads buried in the sand when it comes to their expectations of our government and our economy. The simple fact is, most people in the world are willing to get by with a lot less than we are, while working substantially harder than we are willing to work. The only way we have sustained the lifestyle we seem to believe we're entitled to enjoy is by taking cash advances on the national credit card year after year in order to make ends meet. Until we reach the point where we are selling more products to other countries than we are buying, and our government can run a budget surplus every now and then, we are liquidating the basic assets of this country, and leaving a legacy of debt to more and more future generations of Americans.

Just some things to think about when we receive our stimulus checks...

(And please, those of you who report the news: stop calling money we're borrowing 'taxpayer dollars'. They are the furthest thing from it.)

Mayor of Portland "Sex scandal"

suemetcalfe — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 03:16:31 GMT

I am completely disturbed by ALL the news attention to the wonderful Mayor of Portland.
OMG, so what if he had a consentual relationship with another male adult a few years ago!!!
Today of all days to be running repeated news casts of this story is ridiculous. We have so many other things much more news worthy than this story. Why don't we seek out community news stories instead. I am sure there are happy stories we could broadcast instead.
I would like to think we've all come a little farther than to judge any one about sexual orientation. But apparently i'm wrong! How sad!

Sue Metcalfe

Can I get a job in the media?

Jimmy — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 09:15:42 GMT

I understand that the position does not require the truth be told, but only my preception of the truth, which may or may not be the actual truth.

Just think I can form opinions that may or may not be true. I can withhold reports of illegals that are taking the jobs of the average American who is losing his/her home or the fact that a 3 yr. old child was raped by an illegal or that an illegal that gained employment at DMV and sold valid state ID's to illegals is taboo.

Have never thought that lies/ommissions and half truths could lead to gainful employment unless it was in the White House.

By the way I can read a teleprompter and smile with the best of them, then get a 21 yr old confused about an event from three years ago.

Bad Bad KOIN

Jimmy — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 08:41:05 GMT

Just can't believe what I heard on KOIN News at 11PM news toniteThursday during the interview with Breedlove.

Since this trash started KOIN and others have said that Breedlove was 17/18 at the time of the encounter. KOIN and others have depicted this encounter as wrong. OK , the matter is in the hands of the attorney general for a criminal inquiry. Keep your bias mouths shut until the matter has been investigated.

KOIN and the other media should stay away from the issue UNTIL the criminal investigation is completed. You clowns are trying your best to taint the investigation and public opinion which is not your proper position.

I will never speak to someone from the media, if one of you were to ever put a microphone in my face for a soundbite the only sound would be the reporter trying to take the microphone out of their mouth.

The media should never try to create a bias while there is an investigation in progress. Why do you think that most people do not believe most of what is reported on the news.

Columbia County Illegals

Jimmy — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 19:30:53 GMT

Judge Grove in Columbia County has put on hold a new law to restrict employers from hiring ILLEGALS.

With so many of the legal citizens/residents of this country out of work I would think that those of us that are citizens or legal residents should get first shot at any jobs.

Employers are knowingly hiring illegals at a lower wage which encourages them to sneak into this country, have multiple children and use them as an excuse to remain here. They use our schools, emergency rooms, legal system, WIC etc. all without paying for it.

Just think where the schools would be if all of the students had to speak english as the first language and that was the way the classes were taught.

Why are we rewarding criminals for their continual criminal acts. Employers who hire illegals should be fined thousands of dollars, illegal should be jailed and immediately deported.

If the government wants to excuse their crimes then I suggest that they also excuse those that are in our jails and prisons for their crimes. The illegals are destroying our country, they refuse to abide by our laws.

Gordon Smith for Senate

elindberg — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 00:55:54 GMT

I really want to encourage non-Republican Oregonians to consider voting for Gordon Smith for U.S. Senate. As a Democrat-leaning independent, I have lived in Oregon for most of my life. My concern with the current race is that Jeff Merkley will be totally owned by the Democrats. They are spending more money on his campaign than almost any other campaign in the U.S. They arranged for him to speak at the Democratic National Convention, and anyone who watched knows that wasn't because he was a dynamic circuit speaker; they wanted to give him exposure. Gordon Smith was the FIRST Republican to speak out against the war. He stood on the floor of the Senate and called it "criminal". He has broken ranks with Republicans on several occasions, and has cooperated with Democrats including Ted Kennedy over the years. He and Ron Wyden received national media attention for their cooperation. The fact that it made national news that state senators cooperated across party lines was telling in its own right; don't we elect them to represent ALL of us?

I also know from a lifetime of experience how important the power of seniority is in Congress. Gordon Smith has built a network over 12 years. We lost ground when Packwood and Hatfield retired. People comment on his changes of position on issues. But perhaps that means he continues to THINK about things, to process new information, to grow and learn, and not just spout the party line. Perhaps he is an Oregonian first and a Republican second. Jeff Merkley will owe his soul to the Democrats by the time this is over; I question his ability to put Oregon first when his party starts calling in their markers. Think about it.

Besides, it never hurts to hedge our bets. If we elect a Republican senator, and McCain wins; it could happen. My father was friends with Thomas Dewey, who warned him to take all the polls with a grain of salt. You can look up how that turned out!

bail out plans can this realy work

mybigsnafu2 — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:09:37 GMT

We are at a crucial time in our country's financial history. Congress defeated the $700 billion bailout plan on Monday. However, they are revising it and trying to push it through again. I'm supporting an alternative plan that will keep our nation from going even deeper in debt, and I've been on TV and radio all week telling people about it.

We need everyone's help!

Follow the instructions below. Together we can change history.

Pray for them to resist a spirit of FEAR and to embrace WISDOM. Even if you don't like them or agree with them, pray for them and tell them you are praying for them. There is a spirit over this problem that must be broken. Also, most of the media personalities are afraid as well and that is affecting their reporting. Pray for fear to be removed from them; they are making this worse.

Send The Common Sense Fix to your Representatives and Senators and tell them how you expect them to vote, and that if they put this nation in $700 billion of debt, that you will vote them out. It's their job to listen to us! (Whichever presidential candidate or political party that champions this plan from their leadership down will likely become the next president. That is because this plan fixes the crisis while going along with the wishes of the vast majority of Americans.)

First, read this page (PDF)
Next, copy the info on this page (text file)
Send it to your Senators and representatives by copying and pasting the text in the web form you're sent to.

*Note: If their websites are down, that means we're making a difference! Keep refreshing the page until you get through. You can also go through Congress.org, though we don't endorse this site.

Forward this email to everyone in your address book and tell them to urgently follow these 3 steps TODAY. The more people we have supporting this and contacting their elected leaders, the more likely we can turn our economy around!

Get a list of Dave's media appearances this week.

Bush - love him, hate him

dayofswords — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 23:02:58 GMT

seems there are no posts lets start here

bush... love or hate

Questioning Palin.....

Lizziee — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 03:50:36 GMT

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So what is the real question?

Last time I checked…….

…..a mother that supports her teenage daughters’ pregnancy is a wonderful sign of integrity and family support.

, …..Teenage girls, with the support of family and friends, are able to raise happy, healthy, well adjusted and contributing adults.

…..any one, including women, has the right to achieve ANY American dream.

…..a woman had the right to vote, hunt, bare arms, run for any Government office, all while raising her children.

…..women had the right to support their husbands, even if they got a DWI 22 years ago or had an affair.

…..Americans were innocent until proven guilty.

…..no one has been successful raising the ‘perfect ‘American Family.

…..having your Son or DAUGHTER serve in US Military was an honor.

…..being an American is something to be very proud of.

My father, born Nov 1913, was a WWII Frogman (aka Navy UDT Seal) and served in the Army before that. He signed the dotted line to protect this great country, unconditionally. He put country first and supported me unconditionally. He was 51 when I was born.

In 1981, I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy that grew up to become a Marine. He signed the same dotted line to protect this country, unconditionally. In 1983, I gave birth to a beautiful little girl who grew up to become a pre-school teacher for America’s future adults. My third child, another son, was born in 1986 and has just recently graduated from college as a computer engineer. Last but not least, my youngest son born in 1993, believes in this country and everything she has to offer. He stands and removes his hat at first site of the American flag during a parade, He proudly holds his hand over his heart and recites the Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem. At 14, he’s made the decision to become a Navy Seal like his Grandfather.

When you read between the lines, you find the answers before having to even ask the questions.

Taxi Cab Horror Stories

Devereux — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 04:36:33 GMT

Did you hear that horrible story on the news about the cabbie calling and threatening that lady?

Have you ever had a bad experience with cabs?

Illegals & Voting

Jimmy — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 04:09:53 GMT

I have an issue with the seekers of the highest office in this land, catering to the mexican's that are living here illegally as though they should have a say in how our country is run.

Last week illegal mexican's were located and deported that had been in this country for 20 years and more. You can bet that they were voting illegally, illegally not paying taxes, illegally getting public assistance, illegally driving without insurance and in this country illegally.

We should not be catering to these people or offering amnesty for having committed a criminal act. If our leaders wish to grant amnesty to a large group of criminals then I would suggest that we also grant amnesty to rapist, murderers, burglars and of course everyones favourite child molesters. Just think our taxes would be cut as we would no longer need courts, corrections officers, large unused prisons. The largest single ethnic group in US prisons just happen to be mexicans, thus I would believe that they are the largest single group of criminals in the US today.

Oh yes, I mention mexicans only because they are the single largest group of criminals in this country. Race is not the question it is the illegal status of these individuals who have invaded our country and yes I acknowledge that there are nationals from other countries here illegally also.

TRI-MET #9 7/14/08

OGBear — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 09:13:31 GMT

Riding the BUS LINE

You always see Tri-Met MAX (drama) stories on the local news stations or read about it in the newspaper but I looked all afternoon and all night on all three news channels and nothing was said about the drama that unfolded on Tri-Met bus #9, Monday July 14, 2008 between 1:00 p.m. - 1:40 p.m. in the area of 174th and Powell. The #9 Bus stopped to pick up some passengers and a young man sporting a mohawk and carrying a uni-cycle tried putting his uni-cycle on the bike rake in front of the bus. The uni-cycle wouldn't stay on the bike rake so the bus driver told the young man to bring his uni-cycle onto the bus.

WHO KNOWS WHAT WAS GOING ON IN THE YOUNG MANS HEAD......

I'm not condoning, or making excuses, maybe he was off his medication, more than likely he was just tripping on meth but....the young man with the mohawk SPUN OUT and pulled a meat cleaver and a baseball bat out of his backpack and put the meat cleaver to the bus drivers throat. As to what happened afterwards I don't know. My friend was on the second #9 Tri-Met Bus called in to pick-up the passengers from the Tri-Met Bus the MAD MOHAWK MAN was on. But Police from Oregon City, Gladstone, as well as Portland Police responded. As they were going further down Powell towards Portland he said he saw a Black SUV with lights on the dashboard and the Portland Transit Police. If anyone else saw this or knows what happened please eleborate. I would like to hear the rest of this story too. I'm not trying to dog on Tri-Met but I'm tired of hearing all the MAX drama stories out there yes Tri-Met MAX is dangerous as is the Bus lines but so is sending your child out to buy ice cream cones from the ice cream man. Society today is just plain crazy and we all need to be on RED ALERT and to teach our children that. I'm sick of this I DIDN'T THINK THAT WOULD HAPPEN IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD "come on" CRIDDLERS DON'T DISCRIMINATE....For those that don't know in METH LANGUAGE Criddlers are like meth cockroaches that come out at night when we are all asleep and steal everything in sight hence: Criddling

Utilities... WHAT??

vetteman — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:56:33 GMT

So -- since the utilities are going to go up anywhere from 15 to 40%..., where is my pay rate increase? How are they justifying making this kind of increase in a time when the government is trying to stimulate the economy because we, the average consumer, can't afford anything??? I certainly don't believe they should get this increase without some sort of idea of how the general public is going to be able to afford there greed!!!