Two "Realists" for President and Vice President !!

There's plenty of reasonable fiscally responsible governors from both parties. That's what forcing them to balance their budgets does. The problem is we don't force the federal government to balance their budget and neither party will voluntarily take the steps necessary to do so.

FUFU, you have said that you work in education. Do you think maybe you have your own "agenda" here and it might be a little bit selfish instead of selfless?

I have worked in education, overseas. I do not currently work in education in the United States. And yes, I do have an agenda: to ensure the success of public education in my home country and to ensure that it is protected from those that would gut it in favor of private education. I am selfish. I want public education in the United States to be the best in the world, so that when I have children, they will have the right to quality public education, regardless of whatever my particular financial status is at that time.

If the teachers are shelling out their own money for supplies, it's not Christies fault, it's the Feds. fault.

The Department of Education has been under assault by conservatives since President Carter elevated it to a cabinet level position. It has virtually no ability to fund anything relating to public education outside of offering money to schools and states that choose to participate in various federal programs. Education funding, at the primary and secondary level, is almost exclusively the domain of states, counties, and cities / townships.

Not teachers, Teacher Unions!

Governor Christie has attacked teachers through his assault on tenure. Mr. Christie simply does not understand what tenure is, which is a problem for many Americans. It does not make it impossible to fire a failing teacher (although I do believe that the process needs to be reviewed and revised). It does, however, ensure that teachers are not forced to re-interview for their job every year or are subject to the whims of whatever new principal comes into the administration. Tenure simply ensures due process in the dismissal of a teacher.

The majority of teachers are well-trained, capable individuals. They accept low pay (pay which is often frozen and benefits slashed when budget issues pop up), compared to others of equal education and experience, because they care about education. Teachers deserve job security and deserve due process during termination proceedings. Using examples of failing teachers to vilify the profession is unconscionable. It is only going to ensure that even fewer of the brightest Americans want to go into the classroom... where parents insult them, children don't respect them, administrators can fire them on a whim, and politicians criticize them for issues out of their control.

As a civil engineer, I have to do just that to renew my lisc. every two years, including continuing education every 4 years.

Teachers are also required to continue their education throughout their career and have continually changing licensing requirements. If you graduate with a civil engineering degree from a respected university, you will receive a certain salary. If you go back to school and spent tens of thousands on a master's degree to increase your skills, would you expect an increase in your salary? Do you believe that two civil engineers, one with a bachelor's and one with a master's, should be hired at the same salary?

New evidence suggests that a growing percentage of public school funds are being spent on district administration rather than on teaching.

Unfortunately, this is a byproduct of the assault on the Department of Education. If it were allowed to operate freely, money would be getting into the classroom. However, because of the constant assault it is under from the Republican Party, the Department of Education is unable to make a positive contribution in the classroom.

However, it is astounding to me that every attempt to improve public education invariably involves insulting teachers as being incapable, lazy, etc. I have no problem with re-examining the education system and especially with seeking means of streamlining and improving administrative issues. I have a problem with the incessant vilification of teachers by politicians and parents.

IF you have worked in education overseas I would like to know where - for the answer might explain how and why you think a government of any kind can have any realistic impact on what kids can LEARN. It can't. It can only get in the way.

South Korea and China. Two countries which are absolutely trouncing the United States on educational achievement in mathematics and sciences. Two countries which also have nationally oriented educational systems. Neither the East Asian or the American model is perfect or irredeemable. I believe we can learn from them and they can learn from us.

Hey... I'm lying on my couch in my jammies watching the Young and the Restless....drinking coffee....so glad I don't have to work today....so Greg....why are you stirring things up?? haha ....you know I'm gonna call my dreamy man Governor Andrew Cuomo and tell him he has a secret admirer....right? :)

That's just false, period. There is no set salary. There is an asking salary if you look for work, but sure doesn't garauntee what you want.

You misread my post, but I will take responsibility for not presenting the idea more clearly.

What I meant is that if you are hired at Salary X with your bachelor's degree and then you complete a master's degree, increasing your skill set, would you not want that increased to Salary Y to better reflect your new set of skills?

Greg - I almost dropped my Pepsi when I saw you give an AOK to my boy.....so does this mean that you're going to support my man Mr. President on his budget proposals? I thought he was great the other day! I'm so impressed with ANY politician that actually answers the questions that are asked of them. (You have to admit he answered the questions, he didn't give a half answer or change the subject like your girlfriend Sarah....right??) Hmmm...right?

I tell ya...sometimes my head just hurts with this going back n forth, one against the other, I'm right - you're wrong, yada yada....please tell me when you're coming over to my side and bringing all your republican friends out of the darkness and into the Progressive Movement so we can all just get along.......Hey! We have Barbeques! Mmmmm Ribs! ...C'mon...... Grilled Brats......Mmmmm C'mon...Democrat....c'mon...you know you wanna!! You do - you do!!! ......hahaha I wish, right......did I tell you we Grill Ribs?

Kegs! We Got Kegs!

blahblahblah....haha....budweiser? c'mon man....that's not an American beer (anymore)...how about a PBR? hmmm...ewww just thinkin bout beer fresh out of bed makes my tummy hurt...I think I'll have some apple juice instead

soooo....how you feeling about the lies foxnazi news is spreading about what's going on in Madison? riots, violence, uncontrollable crowds...what a bunch of bananas huh? I watched the Ed show (he's there-surprisingly no nazinews is there)...I think the assault on the middle class and women and children by the OWNED republicans is rolling us back to the stone age. The Koch brothers and their buddies (Gov. Walker, Boner, Paul DUMBOEARS Ryan I hate that ASSHAT) are really assraping America......such a shame.

Hey! How do you feel about the old gippers presidency? You know, Ronnie? I was born in 1987 so I had to really hit the books to find out all I could because he was the beginning of the (hopefully not) end of the middle class. Let's see...he raised taxes 6 times in his 8 years and it was on people making less than 60,000 a year. What-the-Phuc? Seriously what the phuc is that? His trickle down was him and his cronies peeing on Americans heads.....nice!

If Obama hadn't bailed out GM this country would be in a bag of shiit and he gets NO credit for that. If he hadn't bailed out the CRIMINALS who phucced us over on wall street, in the banking, mortgage and credit card scams we'd be truly assbanged. Credit? NONE. It's those @!$%# rich banking wallstreet phucs that screwed America....get bailed out and receive mega bonuses, then shut down the flow of credit so people can't save their homes or businesses.....such asslickingmutherphuccers I swear.....how about them?

Jesus...I haven't even jumped in the shower yet and I'm soooo fired up....such a losing battle with the asshats on the right who just want to destroy America and there's all these people supporting them who don't phuccin realize they're going to get screwed hard right along with all of us who care.....unless you're one of the elite rich wealthy MFers you're SOL....

Arrrggggg phuc gimme a cigarette and I'll take that BUDWEISER now....so screwed....you know when I get phucced I prefer to enjoy it......I'm just saying.

Happy Friday right?

That's it....I'm buying a hammer....hahaha

I'm gonna jump in the shower now......with the water running down my face I don't have to watch myself cry.

Remind me to kick you in your ass when I see you......hahaha

Haha Mister! I see you trying to butter me up....... (and thanks hehe)

Ohhh my God....why babe why??? Why won't you come to your senses?

WHY? ............do you want to be associated with Palin and Bachmann and DeMint and Ryan and The Almighty Glowing Crying Girlyboy Orange Boner????? W H Y........boohooboohoo

Well.......I don't expect it from republicans...ya know that whole "thinking" thingy......okay okay...you're alright

Ahhh...ummm..... I bought some new boots yesterday.....do you want me to use those or just swiftkick your butt with my barefoot? hahaha....and NO, you're not allowed to "enjoy" it. :)

Hahahaha Your a "Liberal"....haha

and NO!......NO enjoying (that'll teach ya)....Boots....or my barefoot (hint: my feet are really soft, cute and clean - my boots are pointy with a buckle and probably have stepped in animal pee at the least)......YOUR choice. haha

I will look for your answer later...I got a doctors appt then I'm off to work.....

(routine dr.appt. - I'm okay....I know YOU CARE right?) haha bye 4 now TUFFguy :)

Haha.....hey I like smoking! I smoke about a pack a day....keeps my stress levels down due to all the asshats in your party.....

Hmmm...do I make you nervous? Hahaha...you're fearing the boots aren't you? Well there's always my little barefeet....they're so cute.....and small.....and soft.....and pedicured clean.....and just so kissable....what harm could they do right?......But I think you wanna challenge your republican manhood..."Give me the BOOTS"....better be careful though cause I might have to bring out the cat o nine tails if I'm giving ya the boots. Hahaha......

Heyyyyyy....the Orange Boner is getting ready to slide it in our ass.....the cuts he's making will send the country into a tailspin of destruction. When it happens...(the negative consequences)...come back and check out the date here that "I told ya so"

Well....it's Saturday morning and I'm hungover...surprise right! hahaha...laters 4 now babes.

Hmmmm...I DO make you nervous...that's it...you're getting the Boots..... haha

So I sat and watched. Nothing I heard contradicts anything I said.

I was referring to the "Race to the Top" fiasco, not that other bit of rubbish.

Yup, Christie was such an anathema to Christie that he single-handedly wrote a proposal to use that "dirty money." And he flubbed it (and refused to accept blame for his error) Yay! Christie for President! Huzzah!

teresa

Is that the same level of civility and respect that should be accord to BHO?

ah robert what in the hell are you talking about?