dog, he might get the wrong idea

we are all here to listen, if you want to talk about anything

Howzabout parking it in front of City Hall....make it a Dignity Village annex?

Pertinent to the endless WalMart bashing in metro Portland, check out Forbes "dunce of the week"....http://www.forbes.com/2005/08/19/wal-mart-protests_cz_rk_0819dunce.html?partner=commentary_newsletter

NEA doesn't want low prices?

Great link Mike, thanks!

The NEA (I've heard the *world's* largest union) tries to act like they care about kids and education, but in reality just want to expand their power-base. The NEA's 2004 congressional lobbying goals included a national healthcare system, reparations to blacks, taxpayer funding of elections and abortion rights.

I'm curious how those goals further public education.

The NEA's 2004 congressional lobbying goals included a national healthcare system, reparations to blacks, taxpayer funding of elections and abortion rights. I'm curious how those goals further public education.

National Health Care
School districts would not have increasingly large %s of their budget devoted to health care.

Reparations to Blacks
I disagree with reparations, but you could make a case that lifting the economic fortunes of african americans could have substantial benefits for public education.

Funding of elections
Taxpayer funding=less corporate influence=greater chance for pro-education candidates to win.

Abortion rights
Fewer teenage girls dropping out because they have to have a baby is a general "good" for the educational system. Along the same lines, I imagine the NEA is pro birth-control.

I'm not saying I necessarily agree with that, but you can make the case that all of those things have something to do with education. Every single political issue organization (be it a union or a lobby like the NRA) is going to support peripheral causes/candidates because those issues will help create a political climate that is better for their pet cause.

Hey the NEA condemned TIF/Urban renewal funding.

http://www.nea.org/presscenter/images/protectingpubliceducationfullreport.pdf

As devouring education dollars.

No one around here gives a crap though.

High density and Trams are worth sacrificing our schools.

"High density and Trams are worth sacrificing our schools."

But steve s, in Portland there is no sacrifice: we get to fund trams AND schools. Just have another 1.25% tax and it's smooth sailing.

Besides, with all the money folks save buying fun-fur comforters at Wal-Mart, there will be lots of money left-over to pay for trains.

Heya Scott and Steve So Far Away.

Whatever we do, we CAN'T let Oregon corporations pair their fair share of taxes. God fobid!

After all, they have dropped from about a third of the kitty to less than ten percent. Or is it five? Me, and Jack Bog (certainly not our Friend From The East) are paying the freight these days.

But, Big Biz cries those crocodile tears about needing educated youth.

Boo hoo!

p.s. You look MUCH better in pink than Sam does, Jack, IMHP.

Time to grease the keyboard again.

Sorry.

Laughed so hard I hurt myself!! Can't tell ya where it hurts. It just wouldn't be appropriate.

jeesh! nobody can answer a simple question these days! Jack, send Sam's price-rolled-back gift to:

Sam Adams
Commissioner of Public Utilities
Position Number 1
1221 SW 4th Ave, Room 220
Portland, OR 97204

That's me, here to help.

Hey Sid, you do understand corporations don't pay taxes don't you?

The cost of corporate taxes is passed on to individuals (shareholders, employees, consumers) through lower dividends, trimmed wages or higher prices for products.

BTW, rich people (not you, Sid) are shouldering the tax load.

Sorry to be a party pooper, nor do I want to be seen as politically correct (God how I hate the concept of political correctness), but the whole pink fuzzy comforter thing was a bit...well, inappropriate.

I know that it may look like a totally inane gift, over-the-top, but there is a good reason that one might oppose WalMart as a public servant. But your thoughts skate too close to the edge for my taste.

Yeah, I have to agree with Robert there. I guess I'm a party pooper too, 'cuz I'm not sure exactly what you're saying about a hot pink fur bedspread, coming from a straight guy to an openly gay city commissioner.

What ARE you saying? Other than the Walmart jab, of course.

P.S. Like the post before me, I'm cringing at the concept of political correctness as well, but really. Isn't this a sidewise jab at the gay guy here?

P.S. Like the post before me, I'm cringing at the concept of political correctness as well, but really. Isn't this a sidewise jab at the gay guy here?

Ditto for me.

"I'm not PC, but..." That's a good one, heh heh!

You're right. Maybe I should send him this. Or this. Happy now?

Omigawd!....Jack....you like to stir 'em up as much as I do.

They do sound abit wussy...ya think?

They may have a point.

Jack, was it your intent, or not, to say (without using words) that Sam is a great big fag? Just wondering, although it seems clear to me.

No, but that is how some people have read it. Bad choice on my part.

By the way, you're banned.