Republican YouStooge Debate

First and foremost, I want to apologize. You asked for my analysis, and I made you wait. Why haven't I written about the Youtube Debate? This is a great question, especially since Mitt stole the show. There are a few reasons why I did not write about this, the most obvious is because of the blatant fraud CNN committed. I should have posted my thoughts the day after the debate, but I wanted see what else would unfold excluding the "Clinton plant." This was supposed to be a debate not and evening of Democrat plants from one side of the room to the other. As the evening unfolded, I noticed that even the questions were erroneous, or portrayed in an erroneous light.

Typical, I would have to back up my arguments here, but I just feel like I am telling you what you already know. CNN flew a guy out from California to Florida to accost the candidates face to face. Why would CNN fly him out? Simple, because the Clinton News Network (CNN) thought it would be good to have a member of Hillary's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Tran-sexual Americans For Hillary Steering Committee spout rhetoric at the Republicans on the stage. Way to go CNN. You really showed your "fair and slanted" side there didn't you. Don't get me wrong, I like and watch CNN, but this stunt went too far. The next mornings follow up with John Roberts was pathetic. Keith Kerr tried to say his "…friend…" just "put (his name) there" on the steering committee list and he had nothing to do with it. I don't know what is worse, the fact that it happened, the lie from Kerr, or Roberts sitting there trying to act like CNN had no idea about this mans background. It took me one quick web search and I knew were this "Log Cabin Republican" stood. (Can you taste the sarcasm?)

You know, I am enjoying this, so let me continue dissecting the deceit in an indirect way. I have not read much from Michelle Malkin, but look at how much she has uncovered. Hillary was not the only Democrat to be represented at the "debate," Obama and Edwards also were represented. So what's the deal? CNN can pull this stuff on the Republicans but the Democrats are allowed to skip a FOX debate? Oh look, here we have the New York Lies, I mean, Times trying to justify the withdrawal of the Democrats from said debate. … Sorry, I went off on a tangent there … Anyhow, Michelle pointed out other issues with the people selected, but she did not point out my thoughts from the evening of the debate; "What did CNN do, look for the worst videos to portray conservatives as pathetic extremists?" What was with the questioners, and more importantly what was that music video they used to open? The whole debate format turned me off. The candidates were great and took it in stride, but I do not feel I "got my money's worth" from the debate. At least they didn't use these videos.

CNN and Youtube did a great job disappointing me, just like the Democrats youtube debate. Just about every question seemed out of place in a GOP presidential primary. Almost every question that leaned towards conservative beliefs was asked by a "youtuber" who looked or acted like they escaped from a mental institution, or came straight out of the movie "deliverance." It seems that CNN hand pick the most unstable looking people to ask a conservative values question. The most eloquent of the questioners asked questions with a liberal slant. Why can't we have relevant questions asked in a mature manner by one moderator? If you want input from the constituents, ask them to write in a question, and then create a list of the questions asked. Present the list to the candidates and let them debate the topics. This would allow the constituents to see how their candidates fair on the issues. If candidates have differing opinions, this gives us an opportunity to hear both sides and understand both viewpoints. You know, like a debate!

Many of the questions were good at the heart, yet ridiculous on the surface (I like the bible question, but not the way it was asked). Conversely, many were simply ridiculous. This style of "youtube debate" is degrading to the candidates, and degrading to me. So what was the point of the Youtube debate? It was so real Americans could ask the candidates question … if CNN liked the slant. The debate left me with more questions and less answers. Did we learn anything about the candidates, or did we just hear grandstanding by the democrat sympathizers? Why was there so much rhetoric in the questions and audience responses? Why did CNN transport a Hillary committee member to the debate? Incase I haven't explained this well enough, CNN=liberal.

For anyone who has been paying attention over the past few months, you learned almost nothing.

For those who were not paying attention until now, you learned this:

Republicans make really bad Democrats.

No Merit for Teachers Part 3

I understand that union based laborers think they are entitled, and they should get exactly what they ask for. Seeing as this thought process has impeded negotiations with the Nashua Teachers Union and the city of Nashua, I have a better idea. Why not run the school more like a business and pay teachers based on the good (and hard) work they do? Keep in mind you already have a system in place for merit pay that does NOT include student evaluations. In the work force, the worker has a supervisor, who has a manager, who has another boss and so on. In the school, a teacher has a department head, who has an academy head, who may have a vice principal who has a principal (do I have to keep going, or can I stop at principal?). So as we see the structure is very similar.

In the work force, the supervisor watches and evaluates the work being done at the most intimate level. The input of the supervisor is very important to the evaluation of the worker. The manager is the boss of the supervisor, and is responsible for the evaluation of and for the supervisors. Hence the manager is the balance for a fair evaluation of the teacher by the supervisor. Further, the final decision on increases is made a step removed from the worker (IE manager or higher).

Teachers tell students to think outside the box, please apply such advice here. Now if you insert the word "teacher" for the word "worker" and "department head" for "supervisor" (and so on) you will see how this structure falls into place. Your ability to perform with the students you have (whether they are top of the class or future drop-outs) would be evaluated by your department head. Your department head has been in your shoes, and is still in the classroom. Because they are responsible for the same job as a teacher, they know how difficult teaching is. The department head is in the best position to give a teacher a fair evaluation. Administration then reviews the evaluation and you receive the increases due to you for your performance with your students. Not only will this style of management work, but it has been working for decades in the modern business world.

Now to be preemptive, I know the department head has classes to teach, and can not be in your classroom everyday to watch you work. They do not need to be over your shoulder to evaluate your abilities. In the work force, there are many times I have had to evaluate employees with whom I saw two or three times a weeks. They were judged the same way as employees who I saw on a daily basis; their ability to show up and complete their job. Margins we added to all employees to allow for intricacies of their respective position. These margins also allow for issues relating to individual positions. For a teacher, this would account for teaching students of differing calibers. The margin of error for a supervisor is limited by the adequacy of the supervisor and their respective boss. In other words, if you could not "cut the mustard" in the position you hold, you would not retain your post. This system adds accountability to your boss, not just you. You are held to a standard, and so is the management; Perform or move on.

To sum up my idea, if you are a good teacher, you would reap the benefits of a higher salary, and compensations would not be such a burden on your paycheck. You would be wealthier if you are an "above and beyond" teacher. On the flip side, you would hate merit pay if you are a "do nothing" teacher who feels you are entitled. If you teach economics, think about the "free market system" and how competition breeds greatness. If you know you can make more money by working smarter, you're going to put more effort into your job. On the flip side, you also know that if you do nothing, you are not going to get the compensation you desire and may lose your job. This is fair. In the work place you must perform you duties or lose your job. The better you perform, the higher your compensation at time of review.

I want the teachers to have a fair contract, and I would love for them to receive past due compensation. But if you're going to take things out on my kids (the ones I am currently teaching) then I have no pity for your situation. I have proposed an idea that I think is fair, though it would need to be fine tuned. Consider it a viable framework and think of a way to expand and adjust it as needed. I am more then willing to work with any suggestions you have, and I am full of ideas. Problem solving is a gift of mine.

No Merit for Teachers Part 2

I have always been good with a quick quote. This is the one I had for the end of the aldermanic meeting last night: "As a teacher, you will witness temper tantrums, hear people shouting out of turn, stamping their feet, and generally being disrespectful … then there are the children." The teachers of Nashua have yet again showed how indignant they can be. As a public display, the teachers decided to throw their temper tantrum to sway public opinion. Public opinion is everything for the teachers, and they are not doing anything to their credit.

At this point, I am going to give the teachers some sound advice. First and foremost, we know you want a contract but slighting our children is not going to get you a contract any faster. Second, find a better way to get the money you want in the new contract. The teachers want retroactive pay for increases they have not received. I agree with the teachers. They should receive the past due income. But here's the question: In the next contract, when the teachers want to pay less health care and get higher raises, do we just give it to them? Should we give in to the extortion tactics of the teachers for new every contract? I say we make the teachers earn their pay the same way as the rest of us. Merit pay would make the good teachers better and the bad teachers quit. Our educational system would be the best one in the state because only the good teachers would continue to work here.

The teachers who have approached me over the contract issue all have one thing in common; they agree with me. They all agree that the contracts need to be settled equitably for both sides (I don't know the solution, but I have some great ideas like merit pay). The other area we agree is that the students are being affected. We disagree about the severity of the affects on the students. I have stated that the teachers are hampering the students' ability to excel in their studies. Teachers think I am blowing this out of proportion. I will let you be the judge.

Before the teachers adopted the "work to rule" ethics, I tutored some students from Nashua. Most of my tutoring was simple touch up work and brushing up on skills. Today I am teaching entire lesson plans to students because they do not understand their schoolwork. In my eyes, this is absolute proof of the effect on the students at the high school level. I might be 100% wrong, and the kids I am tutoring could be the problem, but I doubt it. I believe that if students require me to be a teacher, the "work to rule" ethic is having an adverse affect on our students.

Alright Nashua and others, tell me your thoughts. Are our children dumber, or are the teachers robbing them of precious instruction that is vital to a child's educational success? Who is really being hurt, the teachers or the students? If you agree with me, stomp you feet in a childish tantrum!

No Merit for Teachers

Teachers' contracts in Nashua have been a major grip of mine over the past 12 months. I have no problem with sitting down and finding a mutually beneficial contract for the teachers of Nashua and the town of Nashua. The problem I have is with the tactics of the teacher's union and teacher's application of those tactics. For some reason, the union and teachers have decided that the best course of action to take would be to extort the tax payers of Nashua. They are using the quality of our children's education to force a new contract. Many people have been asking me how I can make such bold accusations and I have told them all the same thing; because it is true.

The definition of extortion that best fit the description of the teacher actions is the crime of obtaining money or some other thing of value by the abuse of one's office or authority. Though I think this is pretty self explanatory, let's break this down and explore the application of the definition.

Crime; the abject neglect the teachers have for students I consider to be a crime. You will understand this point a bit later as I describe the neglect I have been witness to and have heard from the children I work with from the schools. A quick way to explain my observations would be to say I have to teach the students because the teachers are not taking the time to teach the necessary concepts to the children.

The second part is to obtain money or some other thing of value; In this case, the teachers are trying to get both. The teachers are seeking money in the new contract, and also health care concessions from the city. Granted, health care does fall under the money angle, but I don't want to lose sight of the healthcare piece. Further, I believe the teachers have the right to renegotiate their contract with the city, and have no issue with the renegotiation. The issue is the teachers have decided that they would sacrifice the education of our children to force the city into a contract. The taxpayers and children can not do anything to grant the teachers a contract. We have now become collateral damage in the fight between the city officials and the teachers, further our children have become pawns in the chess game the teachers are playing.

The last part of the definition states; abuse of one's office or authority. Earlier I alluded to neglect, and this is where it fits in. The abuse in this statement is the mannerisms of the teachers toward our children and the neglect of the teacher's responsibilities. The teachers have pulled the "work to rule" card. This does not seem to break any laws, but I see it as a breach of duty or better stated, abuse of the power they have with the future of our children. A teachers' job is to teach subject matter to the children within their classrooms. This does not mean the teacher ONLY teaches in the classroom, but rather teaches those who are part of their classrooms.

Again, I relent to the teachers as they are only obligated to bring forth the approved curriculum and to present it to the students while addressing issues of the students during class. I have never known a teacher who would not make themselves available at another time for the children who need extra help. Should a teacher make themselves available for those who need a more in depth explanation? Every teacher I have ever known or worked with has met with students at times that were mutually agreeable outside of normal classroom hours. I admit the teachers of Nashua are making some effort outside of normal hours; they will only make themselves available on one day and time with no flexibility for the students. If a child is not able to meet with the teacher at the teachers predetermined time, that student will not get extra help from the teacher. The teachers do not seem care about the child's ability to be successful with their academics. The only concern the teachers appear to have with their students is using them in their extortion scheme. We could stop the extortion with two words, "merit pay."

Nashua teachers have no problem with our children slipping between the cracks and falling behind. By their actions, the teachers have proven to me that they do not care if your child gets a full and beneficial education. Why should the teachers care, they get paid either way. It might not be the exact figure they are looking for, but they still get paid. I forgot to add that when a new contract is approved the teachers will get their new pay retroactive. How are these teachers going to give our children a retroactive education? This is why I feel the teachers of Nashua do not care about our children: There is no way to give back the lost time. Time is the largest of the opportunity costs, and the students of Nashua are paying dearly.

So You Think I’m a Bad Parent?

Frequently, we hear people complain about how children are raised. I also complain about this, but my complaints differ with the collective voice that we hear about on a daily basis. People often try to explain away the actions of our youth. They say, "It's just kids being kids … It's not their fault," and the worst one, "They never had a father (or real family)." What happened to accountability? Where is the world I grew up in where kids were responsible for what they did whether it was right or wrong? As a child, I was well aware of what my parents expected of me. I followed the rules or met the consequences for disobedience. My parents taught me how to act and converse from a very young age. I knew that when speaking to adults, we were to call them "Mr." or "Mrs." Using words such as "Please" and "Thank you" were parts of fluid conversation, not a mandatory statement to get something from someone.

So when did we lose focus on parents actually parenting? Why are we trying to be our child's friend and not their parent? As a child, I knew I could play a game with my mom, or fish with Pop (I called my father Pop), but I was never confused with the idea that my parents were my friends. Time with my parents was special, and it was a great opportunity to learn from the best (I thought they were the best, and I was right!). I could trust Mom and Pop, and I could tell them anything without fear. Sure, I could play a game with my friends or go fishing, but it wasn't the same. My friends were the ones who judged me, and turned on me when the chips were down. My parents were always there, even when I wasn't being a "good boy." They were my greatest, most dependable allies in my journey to adulthood. Friends were never reliable, but my parents never faltered.

Commonly, a child's negative actions are blamed on external forces and not on the internal. I will not subscribe to the idea that a video game or a cartoon can cause a child to act irresponsibly. When I was growing up, I watched a cartoon coyote fall off cliffs and get smashed with huge boulders. I never tried to drop large rocks on people, or shoot someone after playing a violent video game. The difference between children of earlier generations and children of today is this; we were brought up with values, morals, and accountability. I was taught right from wrong, and my parents showed me what morality and responsibility are. My actions reflected on my parents, and more specifically my parents' ability to be parents. I bring up my children the same way as my parents raised me. Therefore, I should expect my child to act in the same manner as I would. My children should be respectful toward others, and be accountable for their action. Essentially, if my child was to act in a manner that was not socially acceptable, I have not done my job as a parent. It is my obligation to raise my children so they will grow into proper young adults.

One small disclaimer here, I have a blended household, and my biological child does not live with me. I personally feel that my biological son is not headed down the correct path, but I do my best to instill my values morals in him his mannerisms. I can only influence him in small increments as I only see him on the weekends. I have a responsibility to my son, and therefore I must do everything in my power to ensure my son knows right from wrong. Though I am not the primary parent in his life, I feel it is my obligation to teach my son to grow up with the correct morals, values and accountability. I might not be as influential with him as I am with my two bonus children (Stepchildren for those of you who do not know the term bonus-child), but I am responsible for showing all three children the correct way to live their lives.

Now, if it makes me a bad parent for being strict, having guidelines, expecting manners, and punishing bad behaviors, then you will never understand what it means to guide a child to become successful. I don't care if an "expert psychologist" doesn't agree with my parenting style, they are wrong. My children and I are the proof that they are wrong. Look at the local news and you will see what happens when kids are not raised with positive influences or held accountable for their actions. In a recent story, a minor in Rhode Island was caught transporting alcohol. The parents of one child said, "Kids being kids," and asking for the cops to look the other way. You look at all the kids that have gone wrong and you will notice one of two things; either they have limited guidance from their parents, or they have a "parent/friend." A "Parent/friend" is the parent who let there kids do anything they want, and "talk" about the issue with their child. There is no punishment, and no expectations. So when the child grows up, they believe that all they have to do is talk about what happened, and everything is better. The child never expects to be held accountable.

Let me think about how I might handle one of my kids if they transported alcohol. Um … how would I phrase this … (imagine a raised voice and a firm tone, not yelling) GO TO YOU ROOM! YOU ARE GROUNDED INDEFINITELY!
When I calm down, we can TALK about possible parole. I don't care why you did it, give me your cell phone, the computer is blocked, and I cut the cable to you TV. I took the speakers from your stereo, and your DVD player. Oh, and while I am at it, I'm borrowing the IPod I bought you. I hope you like country music because while you're grounded it will have my music collection! While I am thinking of it, here is your new chore list; clean my house top to bottom. I am going to the state prosecutor to make sure your punishment make you think twice before disobeying me or breaking the law again.

This is my main point: A child's actions are a reflection of a parent's ability to parent. You are the reason your child becomes who they are. By your actions, you are the one who influences who your children become. A parent should be a disciplinarian, a manager, a councilor, a therapist, and a teacher. There are many other things we become when we become parents, and I could not possibly list them all. But as parents, the most important thing we become is accountable for our children.