Politics Local and National

[manape]

This is a place where all parties are welcome and your comments are welcome.

This is a place to discuss local and national political issues that are on your mind. It is OK to express your opinions, but I hope the people who post here won't bash each other. People will be more inclined to post on blairsvillecity.probards104.com if you make them feel welcome. Moreover, if you present logical arguments and rational views, other people may even be inclined to agree with you.

All are welcome, but please keep your discussions civil. Also, please act like adults. Your mama may be viewing this discussion board. So, make mama proud and don't be rude to the people who post here.

I would like to remind you of the terms and conditions. By posting on these boards, you agree not to post offensive material and no libelous statements.

This is a good site to study political issues: Americans have an interest in government running efficiently and keeping the interests of the people first and foremost. The Heritage Foundation's research on government reform is aimed at finding solutions to reach these goals.

You can visit The Heritage Foundation Web Site at www.heritage.org/

I hope the Gwinnett County Republican Party doesn't mind if I use their beliefs. I fully agree with all eight beliefs. It is my hope that you share your political beliefs here in this forum, too.

Below, you will find belief of the Gwinnett Republican Party. What are your political beliefs?

Beliefs of the Gwinnett Republican Party

1. We believe we must win the war on terror because our government’s most solemn duty is to keep its citizens safe.

2. We believe in limited government because a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit will keep our economy strong and provide more opportunities for workers and families.

3. We believe that we must build an innovative economy to compete in the world because America can compete with anyone, anywhere, thanks to our entrepreneurs and risk-takers who keep us on the cutting edge of technology and commerce.

4. We believe that government must practice fiscal responsibility and allow individuals to keep more of the money they earn and provide only those critical functions that cannot be performed by individuals or private organizations.

5. We believe the best government is that which governs least and that good government is based upon the individual and that each person's ability, dignity, freedom and responsibility must be honored and recognized.

6. We believe in strengthening our communities because our children deserve to grow up in an America in which all their hopes and dreams can come true.

7. We believe in protecting the family because we respect the family’s role as a touchstone of stability and strength in an ever changing world.

8. We believe that equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity apply to all, regardless of race, creed, sex, age or disability.

[manape]

Local Control of Education Tax Money

As a parent or taxpayer, how do you think we can get more control on how our tax dollars are spent on education? Do you think tax dollars that go to education are being used wisely and efficiently.

According to the Heritage Foundation, the federal government spends more than $66 billion on K–12 education: more than $1,400 for every public school student in the United States. This $66 billion is channeled through dozens of government agencies and hundreds of programs, but parents have little or no control over how their child's share of federal education funding is spent. Congress should reform federal education programs to transfer control from the federal bureaucracy to parents and local authorities, who have the real responsibility for educating children. To that end, Congress should streamline education programs and return to the initial rationale for federal involvement in education–compensatory education to assist disadvantaged students–but deliver that funding assistance as portable aid to individual students, not aid to institutions.

For the rest of the article.
www.heritage.org/Research/Education/hl822.cfm

This is good...
Heritage in Focus: Education Reform That Gets an A+
youtube.com/watch?v=gaB8RKBfiqU

[sometimeman]

Honorable Mister Manape, will you come on back to the Lamar Paris thread if I promise not to post any more facts and figures about Union Countys' money, debt, and criminals? Will it help if I promise to buy crackers to go with your peanut butter?

All my friend the honorable Mister Moon posts is bla, bla, bla. Suppose he's into such bad a shape he he can't start another thread?

[manape]

Thinking out of the box on education. If we try the same old things we will get the same old results. Competition wouldn't hurt the public school system. What do you think about Utah's voucher program?

Utah's Revolutionary New School Voucher Program
by Dan Lips and Evan Feinberg
WebMemo #1362
On Monday, Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr., signed into law the "Parent Choice in Education" Act (H.B. 148).[1] The legislation, which was sponsored by Rep. Stephen H. Urquhart (R-St. George) and Sen. Curtis S. Bramble (R-Provo), creates a sweeping school voucher program that puts Utah on track to offer all children a scholarship to attend the school of their parents' choice. By enacting the "Parent Choice in Education" Act, Utah has created the most comprehensive school choice program in the nation. State and local policymakers across the nation should consider similar programs to expand educational options and introduce competition into education.

For more information go to www.heritage.org/Research/Education/wm1362.cfm

[summerose]

I think Utah's program sounds like a good one.

[sometimeman]

summerose said:

I think Utah's program sounds like a good one.

Hadn't read Utah's voucher program, but ANYTHING beats what we got!

[manape]

Sometimeman, post facts and figures about Union County's money, debt, and criminals anywhere you want to? I'm not sure why you think I have a problem with facts and data.

This thread is about solving issues and problems. It's not about one individual politician. I'm more interested in political thought and how we can continuously improve the quality of government both locally and publicly, not about being focused on bashing individual politicians and members of the forum.

Data (facts) and problem definition are very important in solving problems. However, the "Lamar Paris Lies" forum doesn't get past the problem definition and data stages. It is a rehash of the same old views. I only need to hear the problems one time.

The problem solving process includes analysis of data, improvement, and establishing controls. Laws are controls, however, I believe in public involvement in the political process and providing a voice of the people is more productive. This doesn't diminish following laws. I just don't see how complaining about the same old crap and laws all the time is very productive.

The Lamar Lies Forum's focus is not on solving problems. I learned all I want to know about the nutty Republicans, like you if you are a Republican. I'm more interested in conservative views, not the extreme views beyond the 6 sigma bounds of the normal distribution curve.

As the thread heading above says, this is a place for civil discussion. Bashing each other is not my idea of civil discussion. Post your facts here if you want to...just don't alienate people. People with your attitude don't help the reputation of the Republican Party in Union County.

This is the Internet and 10,000 plus people are looking at you according the the counter. This Hillbilly has lived outside the border of Union County for many years and I'm tired of the "fuden hick label" they place on us. Show the world there is intelligent life in our little universe and you are welcome to post in this forum. Just be nice and I will try to do the same.

[manape]

I think a voucher program has the potential to reduce taxes and reduce the problems caused by growth.

I would hope church buildings like FBC could be used for education. It works around the Atlanta area. The church buildings could be utilized when they are normally empty, except for staff. I'm sure there would have to be many concerns worked out like, religious instruction, but I'm sure these issues are minor compared to the big picture. It might be a good alternative for partents who want to restore discipline in the schools.

The problem I see with religious private schools in the past is the lack of emphasis on standard testing, however, if the same test that are used for testing by the public schools, this wouldn't be a problem.

This is what the Heritage Foundation says about testing in the Utah program.

In order to admit students participating in the voucher program, private schools must meet a number of guidelines.[5] For example, they must administer a nationally norm-referenced test, report individual test results to parents, and report school-wide performance results to the state government. Further, participating private schools must disclose information relating to teachers' credentials and the school's accreditation status. Schools also must have an independent auditor assess relevant information about the school's budget and accounting procedures and include this information in the school's application to the state.

[manape]

Here are some good links for school financial reports.

I found them when I was doing a Google Search.

Google search: school +financial reporting georgia

techservices.doe.k12.ga.us/admin/reports/financial.htm

public.doe.k12.ga.us/fbo_financial.aspx

[bluemoon]

manape, I commend you for trying to solve problems and have civil discussions, however, I tend to think the majority of people posting on here are not interested in such! But good luck anyway. You've got my vote! ;D

[manape]

Well Bluemoon...thanks for them apples. TGIF, I've had enough problem solving for the week. I'm going to shut the old puter down and head for the cave. Maybe Honey Manape wants to just chill out for the evening. You have a good holiday weekend.

[manape]

Below, you will find belief of the Gwinnette Republican Party. What are your political beliefs?

Beliefs of the Gwinnett Republican Party

1. We believe we must win the war on terror because our government’s most solemn duty is to keep its citizens safe.

2. We believe in limited government because a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit will keep our economy strong and provide more opportunities for workers and families.

3. We believe that we must build an innovative economy to compete in the world because America can compete with anyone, anywhere, thanks to our entrepreneurs and risk-takers who keep us on the cutting edge of technology and commerce.

4. We believe that government must practice fiscal responsibility and allow individuals to keep more of the money they earn and provide only those critical functions that cannot be performed by individuals or private organizations.

5. We believe the best government is that which governs least and that good government is based upon the individual and that each person's ability, dignity, freedom and responsibility must be honored and recognized.

6. We believe in strengthening our communities because our children deserve to grow up in an America in which all their hopes and dreams can come true.

7. We believe in protecting the family because we respect the family’s role as a touchstone of stability and strength in an everchanging world.

8. We believe that equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity apply to all, regardless of race, creed, sex, age or disability.

[shortcircuit]

I agree with their beliefs, especially #4.

[summerose]

I agree with all of their beliefs.

[manape]

Shortcircuit and Summerose.

I modified the first post in this forum to include the beliefs, above. It is my hope that people who post here will come here to strengthen our little web community. We all have differences, but our differences are trivial when we look at the big picture. It is encouraging to note that we have common values and beliefs despite our differences.

They are beliefs I agree with also. I'm not even opposed to healthy and rational criticisms of public officials. I just don't agree that "you know who" has done anything that will land him in jail.