Eugene register guard --
Mayor Kitty Piercy and Councilor George Brown have asked City Manager Jon Ruiz to provide estimates on a local income or sales tax to help the school district shortfall.
estimates being asked for would be a 5% restaurant tax which would apply to all prepared food and drink within the city and two forms of income tax, a 1% flat tax and a three tiered approach depending on income.
first of all, in this economy any type of tax increase is totally a stupid idea and some might say that 5% is not much money.
if you don't have any money... it's a hell of a lot of money.
If the Eugene school districts are having trouble with their money because the budgeting, then let them close.
For as long as I can remember, we have constantly throwing money at schools and they have always had this budget problem. Perhaps, a little bit of bankruptcy would not hurt them.
As for the sales tax in Eugene... of course people are going to come to Springfield to not pay the tax. (of course Springfield would balance it out by having their own sales tax, and then the state sales tax would be next)
BUT LET ME REMIND YOU... A TAX NEVER GOES AWAY IT JUST OPENS THE DOOR FOR NEW TAXES!
Remember what they did as far as the local gas tax?
And don't forget that starting tomorrow, Oregon gas taxes go up six cents a gallon (without voter approval)
people like myself are struggling to make ends meet as it is and watching every penny that is spent... it's really past time that government starts doing the same thing.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
LAPD DUI checkpoints unfairly targets illegal aliens
KABC--
the Southern California immigration coalition and the south-central neighborhood Council claim that the DUI checkpoints are strategically placed in and around Hispanic communities to "target working class people, undocumented immigrants, that do not have a license but are really just abiding the law otherwise and are not drunk."
The LAPD and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said that the "DUI checkpoints are used to prevent people from driving under the influence of alcohol."
I would be very interested in seeing the actual numbers however, if their claims are true and 60 cars were impounded because of the lack of a drivers license... that sends a message right there.
however, as per the comment above from the coalition, I guess in their views we shouldn't have any laws because they just a meaningless inconvenience.
the Southern California immigration coalition and the south-central neighborhood Council claim that the DUI checkpoints are strategically placed in and around Hispanic communities to "target working class people, undocumented immigrants, that do not have a license but are really just abiding the law otherwise and are not drunk."
"in one impound, four cars were impounded because of drunk driving and 60 cars were impounded because they lack of a license..."
The LAPD and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said that the "DUI checkpoints are used to prevent people from driving under the influence of alcohol."
I would be very interested in seeing the actual numbers however, if their claims are true and 60 cars were impounded because of the lack of a drivers license... that sends a message right there.
however, as per the comment above from the coalition, I guess in their views we shouldn't have any laws because they just a meaningless inconvenience.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
did you notice it? Christmas that is
Robin's commentary --
Was it just me... or did it seem like Christmas was just another day.
Christmas Eve, I took my family out to see the Christmas lights and decorations and I was extremely shocked on how many people didn't really decorate this year.
In fact, I don't think Eugene or Springfield really decorated much this year either.
Is it the economy or has the Grinch(PC crowd)finally stole Christmas?
Was it just me... or did it seem like Christmas was just another day.
Christmas Eve, I took my family out to see the Christmas lights and decorations and I was extremely shocked on how many people didn't really decorate this year.
In fact, I don't think Eugene or Springfield really decorated much this year either.
Is it the economy or has the Grinch(PC crowd)finally stole Christmas?
Saturday, December 18, 2010
This time they got caught
Oregon catalyst --
efforts to pass the $1.2 trillion 1900+ pages omnibus bill has been abandoned with more than 6000 earmarks in it after Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina planned to force the Senate to read out loud the bill in its entirety.
according to Oregon catalyst, some of the your marks include the "monuments to me" which includes $18 million for nonprofits dedicated to deceased lawmakers and $6 million for an Iowa school program named for Senator Tom Harkin.
kind of interesting that we have to treat our representatives like children when we rely on them to do their job and read or understand the bills that they are voting for.
However, if that's what it requires is to have each bill read aloud, then so be it.
The attitude of, "we have to pass the bill to know what's in it" is definitely not the type of representation that anybody wants.
efforts to pass the $1.2 trillion 1900+ pages omnibus bill has been abandoned with more than 6000 earmarks in it after Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina planned to force the Senate to read out loud the bill in its entirety.
according to Oregon catalyst, some of the your marks include the "monuments to me" which includes $18 million for nonprofits dedicated to deceased lawmakers and $6 million for an Iowa school program named for Senator Tom Harkin.
kind of interesting that we have to treat our representatives like children when we rely on them to do their job and read or understand the bills that they are voting for.
However, if that's what it requires is to have each bill read aloud, then so be it.
The attitude of, "we have to pass the bill to know what's in it" is definitely not the type of representation that anybody wants.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
We elected children to represent us
The Hill --
The Senate is about to vote on the US-Russian nuclear arms treaty and a $1.1 trillion 1900 page Omnibus spending Bill.
Congressman John Conyers asked the question, " I love these members that get up and say, Read the bill! Well, what good is reading the bill if it’s a thousand pages and you don’t have two days and two lawyers to find out what it means after you’ve read the bill? "
Good question -- despite the fact that it's your job and in a 2000+ document it's too easy to HIDE little things like the 1099 for purchases over $600 requirement...
sometimes we learn from our mistakes... especially when you have the attitude of Nancy Pelosi who says, "we have to pass the bill to know what's in it."
WRONG!
Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) has an idea,
If our respected senators won't or can't do their homework as Congressman John Conyers points out before voting on an issue then let's do like we used to do at school...
We will read the bill aloud before class err, I mean Senate by invoking senatorial privilege to ask that the text for both the new Start Treaty and the 2011 Omnibus spending Bill be read out loud on the Senate floor.
of course, that suggestion was met with overall enthusiasm...
that's the point Mr. Gibbs, they are NOT reading the bills and what the public is sick of is that WE ARE THE ONES WHO PAY THE PRICE FOR YOU NOT DOING YOUR JOB!
The White House of course strongly urges the Senate to ratify the START treaty before leaving for Christmas and has commented that President Obama will not leave for his [quarterly] vacation in Hawaii until the bill is ratified.
I don't know if this is possible but I would take Sen. Jim DeMint suggestion one step further and REQUIRE the Senate to be present on the floor during a reading to qualify to vote on either of these bills.
The Senate is about to vote on the US-Russian nuclear arms treaty and a $1.1 trillion 1900 page Omnibus spending Bill.
Congressman John Conyers asked the question, " I love these members that get up and say, Read the bill! Well, what good is reading the bill if it’s a thousand pages and you don’t have two days and two lawyers to find out what it means after you’ve read the bill? "
Good question -- despite the fact that it's your job and in a 2000+ document it's too easy to HIDE little things like the 1099 for purchases over $600 requirement...
sometimes we learn from our mistakes... especially when you have the attitude of Nancy Pelosi who says, "we have to pass the bill to know what's in it."
WRONG!
Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) has an idea,
If our respected senators won't or can't do their homework as Congressman John Conyers points out before voting on an issue then let's do like we used to do at school...
We will read the bill aloud before class err, I mean Senate by invoking senatorial privilege to ask that the text for both the new Start Treaty and the 2011 Omnibus spending Bill be read out loud on the Senate floor.
of course, that suggestion was met with overall enthusiasm...
" "This is a new low in putting political stunts ahead of our national security, and it is exactly the kind of Washington game-playing that the American people are sick of," White House press secretary Robert Gibbs shot back in a strongly-worded statement. "While some express concern that the Senate doesn’t have time to debate the Treaty, Senator DeMint wants to waste 12 hours to read the text of a treaty that has been available to every member of the Senate and the public for more than eight months."
that's the point Mr. Gibbs, they are NOT reading the bills and what the public is sick of is that WE ARE THE ONES WHO PAY THE PRICE FOR YOU NOT DOING YOUR JOB!
The White House of course strongly urges the Senate to ratify the START treaty before leaving for Christmas and has commented that President Obama will not leave for his [quarterly] vacation in Hawaii until the bill is ratified.
I don't know if this is possible but I would take Sen. Jim DeMint suggestion one step further and REQUIRE the Senate to be present on the floor during a reading to qualify to vote on either of these bills.
Friday, December 10, 2010
The DREAM ACT
Robin's commentary
Amnesty for illegals or righting a wrong?
Or, based on our government's history, it's or something else going on in the background is the reason why they are pushing so hard to pass this fact?
I have been following this issue for quite some time and reading comments from readers on news articles and I have to ask a couple questions.
For example...
Senate majority leader Harry Reid says that "the DREAM ACT is not a symbolic vote [and] we owe it to the young men and women whose lives will be affected by this bill, and to the country which NEEDS their service in the military and their skills in building our economy..."
Reid continues: "members on both sides of the aisle need to ask himself if we can afford to say to these talented men and women there is no place in America for you."
Okay... I can understand his reasoning based on the above comments. However... a couple of questions and issues come to mind.
What happens to the families of these children once they become citizens under the DREAM ACT?
Their families are still eligible for deportation, in fact, unless these newly legalized children have dual citizenship (or a passport) they will not be able to travel or even visit with their families if they are deported.
So to correct risk of "separation of the family" we offer a blanket amnesty to the families of the children under the DREAM ACT?
In various news photos of children pushing for the DREAM ACT, we see some (not all) waving the Mexican flag.
does that mean while there are pushing to become "legal" within the United States, that their loyalties are not to America but to the country that they supposedly "do not remember"?
Should as part of the DREAM ACT requirements they should be required to sign an oath of loyalty to our country?
To summarize my stand on the DREAM ACT, it is not the children's fault that they were brought over here at a very young age and are now forced to face the consequences that has been handed to them by their parents.
If you placed yourself into their situation... it's very scary.
Their parents however (the ones that consciously made the decision to cross international borders knowing full well the consequences) should still be held accountable.
The question is... how?
And what about the rest of us?
Spanish immersion is now becoming a requirement at all grade levels. Shouldn't it be the other way around?
After all, the undeniable facts are is that they are the ones from a foreign country. But I guess that doesn't matter anymore.
Amnesty for illegals or righting a wrong?
Or, based on our government's history, it's or something else going on in the background is the reason why they are pushing so hard to pass this fact?
I have been following this issue for quite some time and reading comments from readers on news articles and I have to ask a couple questions.
For example...
Senate majority leader Harry Reid says that "the DREAM ACT is not a symbolic vote [and] we owe it to the young men and women whose lives will be affected by this bill, and to the country which NEEDS their service in the military and their skills in building our economy..."
Reid continues: "members on both sides of the aisle need to ask himself if we can afford to say to these talented men and women there is no place in America for you."
Okay... I can understand his reasoning based on the above comments. However... a couple of questions and issues come to mind.
What happens to the families of these children once they become citizens under the DREAM ACT?
Their families are still eligible for deportation, in fact, unless these newly legalized children have dual citizenship (or a passport) they will not be able to travel or even visit with their families if they are deported.
So to correct risk of "separation of the family" we offer a blanket amnesty to the families of the children under the DREAM ACT?
In various news photos of children pushing for the DREAM ACT, we see some (not all) waving the Mexican flag.
does that mean while there are pushing to become "legal" within the United States, that their loyalties are not to America but to the country that they supposedly "do not remember"?
Should as part of the DREAM ACT requirements they should be required to sign an oath of loyalty to our country?
To summarize my stand on the DREAM ACT, it is not the children's fault that they were brought over here at a very young age and are now forced to face the consequences that has been handed to them by their parents.
If you placed yourself into their situation... it's very scary.
Their parents however (the ones that consciously made the decision to cross international borders knowing full well the consequences) should still be held accountable.
The question is... how?
And what about the rest of us?
Spanish immersion is now becoming a requirement at all grade levels. Shouldn't it be the other way around?
After all, the undeniable facts are is that they are the ones from a foreign country. But I guess that doesn't matter anymore.
Thursday, December 09, 2010
House passes DREAM ACT 216-198
the House of Representatives today approved a bill that would grant thousands of young, llegal aliens a chance to become citizens contingent on them completing two years of college or military service by a vote of 216-198.
Critics are calling the bill "amnesty" for illegal aliens while supporters say the measure would strengthen the US economy and boost military readiness.
the U.S. Senate is expected to vote on the bill today (December 9) at 9:30 a.m. Eastern time, however Republicans have said that they will block the bill.
Senator Olympia Snowe (R-Maine)said: "Millions of illegal immigrants could attempt to become legal residents as a result of this proposal, according to some estimates, and it is incumbent upon the Senate to ensure our policies never again lead to a situation where we are confronted with upwards of 12 million illegal immigrants residing within our borders"
I have mixed feelings about the DREAM ACT as I have publicly stated that the children are the victims as a result of our government not enforcing our borders and immigration laws and greedy businesses who hire illegal aliens has created this mess that we are in today.
Should we show leniency to the children that were brought here at a very young age against their will?
Yes... but not without consequences.
What happens to the original offenders IP i.e. The parents who deliberately brought their children into a foreign country knowing full well the type of life that their children will face?
I'll tell you what will happen... NOTHING!
the parents should be held accountable because it is a clear case of child abuse.
In the meantime, our government is forcing OUR children to learn Spanish in our schools.
So if something like the DREAM ACT becomes law, I would add one more requirement to the college or military requirement, and that is English to the mix.
but then again...
From the Statesman Journal: Preschoolers Will Get a Chance to Learn Spanish
Critics are calling the bill "amnesty" for illegal aliens while supporters say the measure would strengthen the US economy and boost military readiness.
the U.S. Senate is expected to vote on the bill today (December 9) at 9:30 a.m. Eastern time, however Republicans have said that they will block the bill.
Senator Olympia Snowe (R-Maine)said: "Millions of illegal immigrants could attempt to become legal residents as a result of this proposal, according to some estimates, and it is incumbent upon the Senate to ensure our policies never again lead to a situation where we are confronted with upwards of 12 million illegal immigrants residing within our borders"
I have mixed feelings about the DREAM ACT as I have publicly stated that the children are the victims as a result of our government not enforcing our borders and immigration laws and greedy businesses who hire illegal aliens has created this mess that we are in today.
Should we show leniency to the children that were brought here at a very young age against their will?
Yes... but not without consequences.
What happens to the original offenders IP i.e. The parents who deliberately brought their children into a foreign country knowing full well the type of life that their children will face?
I'll tell you what will happen... NOTHING!
the parents should be held accountable because it is a clear case of child abuse.
In the meantime, our government is forcing OUR children to learn Spanish in our schools.
So if something like the DREAM ACT becomes law, I would add one more requirement to the college or military requirement, and that is English to the mix.
but then again...
From the Statesman Journal: Preschoolers Will Get a Chance to Learn Spanish
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
Eugene city sales tax for schools?
NO but HELL NO!!!
Eugene Registerguard --
Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy concerned about the recent school closers in the 4-J school district is looking for new ways to fund money for the schools.
Her proposal would call for a new sales or income tax.
A sales tax!!! Oh my god... she is got to be kidding to even suggest that!
Measure 66 & 57 was supposed to be the "cure all" to the school's financial problems however, the fly in the ointment was that there was not enough "tax base" to generate the estimated income that they predicted.
Why is that? Because of high unemployment and people and businesses leaving the state.
1 am getting very sick and tired that they never seem to have enough money for schools yet we can come up with money for the EmX which people especially in West Eugene do not want and LTD has yet to explain why it needs special buses for that run, the construction of a very expensive bike bridge over the Delta highway (although it does look unique with its glowing red highlights above and below the bridge) and other low priority investments in a high recession era.
I would also site just how out of touch the mayor is when you can't drive down almost any Eugene downtown street anymore (and some in Springfield too) without seeing somebody begging for money.
As to the mayor's comments about "to provide a forum for people to understand how we got in the situation we are in..." I can tell you exactly how they are in that problem and it's called... spending more than you have.
Even if we were not in a recession I would not personally vote for any increases in any school budgets until the school districts conduct a serious audit and publish the results.
and finally, take a clue from the comments posted on both the register guard's and KVAL's website about the story were the majority the people pretty much feel the same way I do.
Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy concerned about the recent school closers in the 4-J school district is looking for new ways to fund money for the schools.
"Eugene voters already support Eugene School District 4J through a local option levy renewed two years ago. "
Her proposal would call for a new sales or income tax.
" What I am trying to do is provide a forum for people to understand how we got in the situation we are in, for them to understand the impact that a good education system has on our community, and to look at some local funding options, such as a local income or sales tax,” Piercy said Monday "
A sales tax!!! Oh my god... she is got to be kidding to even suggest that!
Measure 66 & 57 was supposed to be the "cure all" to the school's financial problems however, the fly in the ointment was that there was not enough "tax base" to generate the estimated income that they predicted.
Why is that? Because of high unemployment and people and businesses leaving the state.
1 am getting very sick and tired that they never seem to have enough money for schools yet we can come up with money for the EmX which people especially in West Eugene do not want and LTD has yet to explain why it needs special buses for that run, the construction of a very expensive bike bridge over the Delta highway (although it does look unique with its glowing red highlights above and below the bridge) and other low priority investments in a high recession era.
I would also site just how out of touch the mayor is when you can't drive down almost any Eugene downtown street anymore (and some in Springfield too) without seeing somebody begging for money.
As to the mayor's comments about "to provide a forum for people to understand how we got in the situation we are in..." I can tell you exactly how they are in that problem and it's called... spending more than you have.
Even if we were not in a recession I would not personally vote for any increases in any school budgets until the school districts conduct a serious audit and publish the results.
and finally, take a clue from the comments posted on both the register guard's and KVAL's website about the story were the majority the people pretty much feel the same way I do.
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