Here we go, the last rush to the end of 2018 and whatever it has wrought in our lives? Hope that one and all had an excellent Xmas? Am sure some reading this may still be greasy from too much good food and some sadly hungover from too many questionable beverages? And some possibly hoping for one more Sports Game of one type or another? Still all have the specter of New Years? But still, thank you for being here.
I have been observing the ongoing efforts of the State to resolve the PEIA mess. Seems the ultimate solution for those Teacher's that are unable to do their jobs is more pay raises. This will allow them to thumb their noses at the Tax Payers, while still not able to do their jobs. Than to insure the same OR better level of Health Care, the State will continue to increase its funding so that the Teacher's have the care they feel they deserve no matter in which State they choose to obtain it, while still not being able to do their jobs. I will say that the State Employees do cover about 20% of their Premium costs. As noted, this is far, far less than our poor underpaid and benefit shorted City Employees with their 7% OR less Premiums?
Again and yet again I will push for deserved Merit Raises for those Teacher's who may well be excelling in spite of the System from the State down to the BOE? And than comes Mr. Olcott, the retread from two past BOE's. He is busily talking about "rightsizing" the number of Schools that are continuing to stay open with smaller and smaller headcounts?
All of the above has been out of Daily Blat articles of the 11th and 12th of December and the façade that passes for a City Council Meeting of the 13th. As I have posted many times, I like to watch, listen and read. So much falls out more by accident than intent. It is a fact of life that one must remember a lie for the rest of their lives or the liar will trip themselves up. This includes what passes as Governmental Entities as well as people?
The Federal Judge that declared that Obamacare is now unconstitutional (Daily Blat, 15 December), has sent it on a collision course with the SCOTUS. Most people on both sides of the Aisles in whatever Political Ideology they pursue expect some sort of impartial decision when it gets there? I am going to suspect based on Justice Robert's latest slap at Mr. Trump over attempts to defund Planned Parenthood should be looking at a small fact of life? Mr. Robert's as likely to look for a way to rewrite the Law as it was when he rewrote it to make it legal some years back? It would not be surprising but what he finds in favor of saving it as another slap in the face to Mr. Trump? The SCOTUS has sadly become Politicized for some years and we should not expect much difference in 2019?
And our ever knowledgeable Mr. Myer in his column of the 17th of December noted that the 2020 Election Race was alive and well already. One of the most meaningful points in his story was the Truth that the Democons (Democrats back in the day), had in their 80 year control of the State done so little for the Teachers except count their votes? Some folks never learn.
And he was noting also the seemingly lack of progress on the still stagnating State Unemployment sitting at 5.2%? Far too much of the problem is the Drug Disaster we are dealing with, but not very successfully? Be it Opioids or Alcohol, we have so many who have gone to Hell in a Handbasket. Sadly, it appears the handles are now missing on many of the baskets and those once good men and women are not able to be picked up and returned to the needed productivity folds of their families and of the State?
His final point on Mr. Justice exposing and punishing a few high ranking corrupt officials would do a lot of good for his re-election try? He ends with "Unfortunately, it appears there are plenty of the usual suspects from which to choose, if (Mr.), Justice takes that route"?
If Mr. Justice wants what would seem an easy start, may I offer up the Baker's Dozen here in Vienna? Firings and Jailtime would do this City and County a world of good. 'nuff said'.