Hello? Are you there?
While you were sleeping...
Don't know, don't care.
No time, too busy.
What? When did that happen?
Well, what does it mean to us now?
They can't do that!
Um, they did.
Please, no matter how busy you are, no matter how tired you are, pay attention. Watch the news, read the paper. We are not being "governed" we are being led down a very ugly path. What is happening in Michigan is not a reinvention but a destruction. What is happening, or better, not happening in the nation is a controlled agenda by the republicans to oust President Obama because he is black, and the citizens of this country be damned! They are that prejudiced and that anal. I mean, look at them! Could they be any tighter? Scary when it's your way or the highway (remember a guy named Hitler?). The dominate party right now is the Republican Party, and in Michigan they are steam-rolling legislation that will create two distinct classes, the very rich and the poor. In Washington they are blocking every chance to get the country back to where it once was, productive, protective, innovative, and respected. The republican presidential candidates share a common thread, they want to control, they want power, they think they are right (and that's the scariest thing), and they do not know the reality of our world. They are rich, and if they didn't grow up rich, they have been rich for a very long time, and they truly think they are better than us. The very rich just do, it's a fact. And those that think they are superior may pretend to care, but they don't. I am tired, I am frustrated, I am depressed, I am writing my representatives and those in other districts that I have issues with, every day. I am talking about the injustices being done to the workers in this state and country, I am trying to get you, who may be sleeping, to wake up. I am really scared and if your aren't you aren't paying attention. Please start. Oh, and watch this! Tell me what you think, I really need to know.
Rosemary
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Sen. Phil Pavlov has the idea that privitizing instructional services, aka, teachers for hire, is the way to go, so I wrote him.
I guess what I want to know is who will these private companies be that will contract out the instructional people who will teach Michigan's children? How will these companies get their start-up money? Who has approached you as being interested in "owning" a company that will employ teachers for hire? Will the private companies that employ the people who will be contracted out to teach in Michigan schools be accountable in any way for the progress made by the children taught by their employees? How will the new laws that have affected teacher tenure and teacher evaluations be impacted by privitization? If a teacher is hired to teach a subject at a certain grade level through a private company and a parent wants to meet after the day of pay ends, and the parents gets a bit irate because the teacher is done for the day, who will handle that issue, the school or the company that employs the teacher? Boy, with every question I ask I think of more, because this is what I do, this is what I know. You do not have a clue, and like China you are ready to turn out a faulty product to save a buck. Shame on you and your cronies who see dollar signs at every turn and the people be damned! This idea is repulsive, and damning, and if you know that you are criminal and if you don't know that you are a moran.
Rosemary
I guess what I want to know is who will these private companies be that will contract out the instructional people who will teach Michigan's children? How will these companies get their start-up money? Who has approached you as being interested in "owning" a company that will employ teachers for hire? Will the private companies that employ the people who will be contracted out to teach in Michigan schools be accountable in any way for the progress made by the children taught by their employees? How will the new laws that have affected teacher tenure and teacher evaluations be impacted by privitization? If a teacher is hired to teach a subject at a certain grade level through a private company and a parent wants to meet after the day of pay ends, and the parents gets a bit irate because the teacher is done for the day, who will handle that issue, the school or the company that employs the teacher? Boy, with every question I ask I think of more, because this is what I do, this is what I know. You do not have a clue, and like China you are ready to turn out a faulty product to save a buck. Shame on you and your cronies who see dollar signs at every turn and the people be damned! This idea is repulsive, and damning, and if you know that you are criminal and if you don't know that you are a moran.
Rosemary
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Wrote a lot tonight. READ, RESPOND
To Rep. Tom McMillin
Good Evening,
In a Free Press article today regarding the passage of SB 7 it states that you have said that this change will bring significant relief to taxpayers, possibly reaching into the hundreds of millions of dollars. You are quoted as saying, "We don't know precisely what the savings will be, but they will be large. Will you please explain to me how, as a taxpayer, I will be saving money? I am one of the public employees who have already lost wages in the form of an additional 3% tax on my earnings to pay for someone else's future benefits. I will now be paying 20% of my health care costs. I don't know as of yet what my salary will be this year as our contract is being negotiated, (dare I use that word?). I will be paying the same amount of income tax on my earnings as I did last year. I don't see where I am saving money. Private sector workers who are not losing wages to new laws, are still paying the same amount of tax on income so how does this change save them money? I fail to see the wonderment of this and so many other laws that have been passed under this administration. I have said all along, I am willing to "share" the sacrifice, but I am not willing to carry the entire burden. I am not willing to lose money, job security, and professional dignity. I am not willing to sit back and watch those much less fortunate than me be desimated. How do you sleep at night Mr. McMillin? Please do not respond with anything about how you too will pay more for health care. If you would be willing to reveal your net worth, I would be happy to reveal mine. I know you too took a pay cut, but you still have a $10,000 expense account, I do not. You also have been at your job for far fewer years than I have been at mine and have less education, yet you earn what I do. So, just tell me how I am saving money, how all the new laws will make my life better here in Michigan, how the new laws will be better for my children and grandchildren. Oh, I might mention that my son and daughter-in-law are teachers and have two small children. The hit they have taken has changed their life style, which was pretty moderate to begin with. How has your lifestyle changed? Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I await your response.
Letter to the Free Press (similar to above)
I read the article in the Free Press regarding the passage of the law that will now require Michigan public school and local government employees to pay more of the cost of their health care insurance. In this article, State Rep. Tom McMillin is said to have stated that this change will bring significant relief to taxpayers, possibly reaching into the hundreds of millions of dollars each year. He is quoted as saying, "We don't know precisely what the savings will be, but they will be large." So I wrote him and asked him to explain how, as a taxpayer, I will be saving money. I am one of the public employees who have already lost wages in the form of an additional 3% tax on my earnings to pay for someone else's future benefits. I will now be paying 20% of my health care costs. I don't know as of yet what my salary will be this year as our contract is being negotiated, (dare I use that word?). I will be paying the same amount of income tax on my earnings as I did last year. I don't see where I am saving money. Private sector workers who are not losing wages to new laws are still paying the same amount of tax on income so how does this change save them money? Then I read a letter to the editor and was chastised as a greedy teacher wanting nothing more than to continue to suck dry the public trough. Dear writer of that letter, the public did not elect this administration to decimate the middle class. Those who did vote for the governor because he stated he would "reinvent" Michigan, I am sure did not see that to mean businesses would get big tax breaks and the workers of this state would pay for that. Make no mistake, cut taxes for businesses and they will pocket the profits and no jobs will come. Make the lives of public employees and the working poor more stressful, less profitable, less secure and they won't spend a dime of their cut salaries on anything not needed. I would say the Governor is definitely reinventing Michigan so he is doing what he said he would, and we need to vote him and his cronies out before there is nothing left of Michigan to save.
To Mr. Henderson, editorial page editor of the Free Press, (damn I misspelled editorial!)
Dear Mr. Henderson,
As the editoral page editor you have a responsibility to presents facts to counter facts printed in your paper. Here is what I am asking you to do, write an article that presents the fact about ACT as a profit making enterprise. Write an article that compares the percentage of 11th grade students tested from state to state because not all states test 100% of their 11th graders as Michigan does. Write an article that explains what a subgroup is, how many students it takes to make up a subgroup and how a very large district will have many more subgroups than a very small district. Write an article that speak to the fact that the United States tests students at a far greater rate than any other country and those other countries do better on standardized tests because they do not rely on them to determine their excellence. Write an article that expains just what the ACT test was originally designed for and what is has become and why. Write an article that exposes that we are only allowed to give diplomas to students who can do a curriculum that is not necessary for all of the type of work a society needs to function and that many of these professions are trades that hands on experience is necessary for not lecture hall experience. Write an article that speaks to the cost of college that puts students into lifelong debt, but once graduated all a new graduate can find is a minimum wage job with no chance to move on up. Write an article that explains why a factory worker, good job by the way, needs a college degree at all. Write an article that explains what college or career ready means, because I think it means you show up on time or better yet, early. You work hard and don't complain. You listen, you show respect, you ask appropriate questions, appropriately, you desire to learn more and do better, you can work with others, you know when to speak up and when to shut up, and you are accountable for your actions or inactions. What test tests these skills? Write about that. I would, but I am a teacher and I just don't have the time.
(Made an error on my zip code, soooo, sent this to Mr. Henderson)
Zip is 48187 by the way, typo. Another skill those who are ready for college or a career should have, that of stepping back, reviewing and amending. Time tests do not allow for reflection, why don't you write about that.
Good Evening,
In a Free Press article today regarding the passage of SB 7 it states that you have said that this change will bring significant relief to taxpayers, possibly reaching into the hundreds of millions of dollars. You are quoted as saying, "We don't know precisely what the savings will be, but they will be large. Will you please explain to me how, as a taxpayer, I will be saving money? I am one of the public employees who have already lost wages in the form of an additional 3% tax on my earnings to pay for someone else's future benefits. I will now be paying 20% of my health care costs. I don't know as of yet what my salary will be this year as our contract is being negotiated, (dare I use that word?). I will be paying the same amount of income tax on my earnings as I did last year. I don't see where I am saving money. Private sector workers who are not losing wages to new laws, are still paying the same amount of tax on income so how does this change save them money? I fail to see the wonderment of this and so many other laws that have been passed under this administration. I have said all along, I am willing to "share" the sacrifice, but I am not willing to carry the entire burden. I am not willing to lose money, job security, and professional dignity. I am not willing to sit back and watch those much less fortunate than me be desimated. How do you sleep at night Mr. McMillin? Please do not respond with anything about how you too will pay more for health care. If you would be willing to reveal your net worth, I would be happy to reveal mine. I know you too took a pay cut, but you still have a $10,000 expense account, I do not. You also have been at your job for far fewer years than I have been at mine and have less education, yet you earn what I do. So, just tell me how I am saving money, how all the new laws will make my life better here in Michigan, how the new laws will be better for my children and grandchildren. Oh, I might mention that my son and daughter-in-law are teachers and have two small children. The hit they have taken has changed their life style, which was pretty moderate to begin with. How has your lifestyle changed? Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I await your response.
Letter to the Free Press (similar to above)
I read the article in the Free Press regarding the passage of the law that will now require Michigan public school and local government employees to pay more of the cost of their health care insurance. In this article, State Rep. Tom McMillin is said to have stated that this change will bring significant relief to taxpayers, possibly reaching into the hundreds of millions of dollars each year. He is quoted as saying, "We don't know precisely what the savings will be, but they will be large." So I wrote him and asked him to explain how, as a taxpayer, I will be saving money. I am one of the public employees who have already lost wages in the form of an additional 3% tax on my earnings to pay for someone else's future benefits. I will now be paying 20% of my health care costs. I don't know as of yet what my salary will be this year as our contract is being negotiated, (dare I use that word?). I will be paying the same amount of income tax on my earnings as I did last year. I don't see where I am saving money. Private sector workers who are not losing wages to new laws are still paying the same amount of tax on income so how does this change save them money? Then I read a letter to the editor and was chastised as a greedy teacher wanting nothing more than to continue to suck dry the public trough. Dear writer of that letter, the public did not elect this administration to decimate the middle class. Those who did vote for the governor because he stated he would "reinvent" Michigan, I am sure did not see that to mean businesses would get big tax breaks and the workers of this state would pay for that. Make no mistake, cut taxes for businesses and they will pocket the profits and no jobs will come. Make the lives of public employees and the working poor more stressful, less profitable, less secure and they won't spend a dime of their cut salaries on anything not needed. I would say the Governor is definitely reinventing Michigan so he is doing what he said he would, and we need to vote him and his cronies out before there is nothing left of Michigan to save.
To Mr. Henderson, editorial page editor of the Free Press, (damn I misspelled editorial!)
Dear Mr. Henderson,
As the editoral page editor you have a responsibility to presents facts to counter facts printed in your paper. Here is what I am asking you to do, write an article that presents the fact about ACT as a profit making enterprise. Write an article that compares the percentage of 11th grade students tested from state to state because not all states test 100% of their 11th graders as Michigan does. Write an article that explains what a subgroup is, how many students it takes to make up a subgroup and how a very large district will have many more subgroups than a very small district. Write an article that speak to the fact that the United States tests students at a far greater rate than any other country and those other countries do better on standardized tests because they do not rely on them to determine their excellence. Write an article that expains just what the ACT test was originally designed for and what is has become and why. Write an article that exposes that we are only allowed to give diplomas to students who can do a curriculum that is not necessary for all of the type of work a society needs to function and that many of these professions are trades that hands on experience is necessary for not lecture hall experience. Write an article that speaks to the cost of college that puts students into lifelong debt, but once graduated all a new graduate can find is a minimum wage job with no chance to move on up. Write an article that explains why a factory worker, good job by the way, needs a college degree at all. Write an article that explains what college or career ready means, because I think it means you show up on time or better yet, early. You work hard and don't complain. You listen, you show respect, you ask appropriate questions, appropriately, you desire to learn more and do better, you can work with others, you know when to speak up and when to shut up, and you are accountable for your actions or inactions. What test tests these skills? Write about that. I would, but I am a teacher and I just don't have the time.
(Made an error on my zip code, soooo, sent this to Mr. Henderson)
Zip is 48187 by the way, typo. Another skill those who are ready for college or a career should have, that of stepping back, reviewing and amending. Time tests do not allow for reflection, why don't you write about that.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Republican Evil
The eight republican presidential candidates who debated the other evening are all idiots. Worse, they are ugly, ugly human beings. Their level of disrespect for the office of the presidency is evident, so it is clear that they do not aspire to be leaders but to be a sort of celebrity. They are self-serving individuals who have no interest or intent on making the lives of the majority of Americans better. They are saying what ultra conservative members of our country want to hear, just to get elected, then they will fulfill an agenda that is written to benefit the richest members of society. They will sleep well at night even though their platforms disregard the needest people, even though their agendas are to wipe out an educated middle class. They have no conscience, and they feel they are the chosen, entitled ones. They have friends in high places and desire to keep them as they desire to continue to live their high life styles. The republicans in the House and Senate have one goal, to see President Obama fail, and it doesn't matter what the consequences of their actions (or in-action), are to the commoner. They want to reign, pure and simple. President Obama is a black man, and the conservative republicans can't stand that. Make no mistake, a white democratic president they would be able to handle, they can't handle that the highest office of the land is being held by a black man. They are not tolerant, they have no integrity and they are not truthful. If you don't see that you are blind. America is being destroyed, and the destroyers do not care because they have wealth enough to be on top, and believe me they do not look down.
Rosemary
Rosemary
Saturday, July 30, 2011
A letter to the Governor and my reps.
Good Evening,
So today I found out that I will pay $3558.24 this next school year towards my health benefits. I do not yet know what my salary will be, but since it is a contract year, I am expecting that there will be a significant pay cut. Please divulge for me the amount of money your health benefits will cost you, and what sort of a pay cut you are counting on taking as part of your desire to share the sacrifice. And yes Governor, I am aware that you are not taking a salary, but you are a millionaire. Perhaps you would be willing to share your wealth as part of your shared sacrifice? I will expect a speedy reply as I am sure you want to reassure me that you are indeed sharing in the sacrifice you are so ready to extract from me and my middle class cohorts.
That's what I sent. I wanted to send what I continued writing, but I figured my venting would not get me anywhere with the Gov or his buds. Wish others would listen though.
I think that it would benefit you to know that since I will be making less, I will be spending less. Since I will be spending less, businesses will be doing less business. Since businesses will be doing less business, they will not be hiring, in fact they will have to downsize. Since businesses will not be prospering there will not be a revitalization of Michigan, and more people will leave the state seeking greener pastures. There will be many people who cannot leave for better opportunities so they will remain here, poor and bitter. Michigan will become some unholy, ugly abyss that spews hate and frustration at those who brought us to this place. Do you give a shit? Oh, I forgot, you don't give a shit because you are rich, you are self rightous, and you are oblivious to those in need. You are not public servants, which you are supposed to be. You think you are the chosen ones, chosen to continue to ensure that you and your friends in high places will not fall from the pedestals you have put yourselves on. How do you sleep at night?
Rosemary
So today I found out that I will pay $3558.24 this next school year towards my health benefits. I do not yet know what my salary will be, but since it is a contract year, I am expecting that there will be a significant pay cut. Please divulge for me the amount of money your health benefits will cost you, and what sort of a pay cut you are counting on taking as part of your desire to share the sacrifice. And yes Governor, I am aware that you are not taking a salary, but you are a millionaire. Perhaps you would be willing to share your wealth as part of your shared sacrifice? I will expect a speedy reply as I am sure you want to reassure me that you are indeed sharing in the sacrifice you are so ready to extract from me and my middle class cohorts.
That's what I sent. I wanted to send what I continued writing, but I figured my venting would not get me anywhere with the Gov or his buds. Wish others would listen though.
I think that it would benefit you to know that since I will be making less, I will be spending less. Since I will be spending less, businesses will be doing less business. Since businesses will be doing less business, they will not be hiring, in fact they will have to downsize. Since businesses will not be prospering there will not be a revitalization of Michigan, and more people will leave the state seeking greener pastures. There will be many people who cannot leave for better opportunities so they will remain here, poor and bitter. Michigan will become some unholy, ugly abyss that spews hate and frustration at those who brought us to this place. Do you give a shit? Oh, I forgot, you don't give a shit because you are rich, you are self rightous, and you are oblivious to those in need. You are not public servants, which you are supposed to be. You think you are the chosen ones, chosen to continue to ensure that you and your friends in high places will not fall from the pedestals you have put yourselves on. How do you sleep at night?
Rosemary
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Some questions for my followers and those who aren't, especially those who aren't.
What scares you right now? What are you most worried about? Are you happy with the way things are going? Do you feel positive about your future? These are serious questions that I am really hoping you that do read my blog will ponder and answer. You know how I feel, and I am interested in what you think and how you feel. I am interested in knowing if you think our Governor and his Republican colleagues have your best interests at heart or if you feel victimized and afraid for your future. I want to know if you think that what the Republicans in Washington are for, is good for you. I want to know if you read the paper and are aware of the legislation that is being put through at the state and the national level. I want to know if you are aware of some of the most recent Supreme Court decisions and if they worry you. I want to know if you are one of the lucky ones with tremendous wealth, if you are willing to "share the sacrifice," and if so, if you are willing to lobby for higher tax rates for you. I have more questions for you. Does the price at the pump flummox you? Does it anger you? Will it keep you closer to home this summer? Do you know that they are protesting in Britain because of what is happening to the middle class and the poor and if your read about it, it sounds just like what is happening here, but without the massive protests? I wonder if you are aware that for the first time after a recession, ordinary Americans still struggle but the meager gains the economy is seeing are going mostly to the most wealthy? Corporate profits are up, yet pay for workers is being slashed and there are no new jobs, does that bother you, even a little bit? Maybe you haven't felt anything different yet, but do you care that many have and many more will, possibly you? My parent's generation had an expression, "This country is going to Hell in a hand basket." The world changes of course, but the changes happening now are too costly for all but those at the top whose fault it is that we are going to Hell in a hand basket. Yes we got trouble, but it doesn't start with a capital P, it starts with a capital G and it stands for GREED! If you agree with me I would like to ask you to start writing and calling your reps to tell them how you feel. If you do not agree with me, I truly would like you to tell me why. One more thing I would like to add because I think of it every time I hear Glenn Beck speak, "What so ever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do onto me." I mean really, what do you think God and Jesus are thinking about all the cuts being made that directly target those with the greatest need? Consider that a sidebar.
Rosemary
Rosemary
Monday, June 6, 2011
Just need to clarify - sent to the Free Press
I have addressed Governor's Snyder's ACT data before in letters to this paper, but those letters have not been printed. Please, his statement that only 16% of Michigan's graduates are college ready is misleading. First of all, this 16% he continues to throw around is a figure generated by a test that takes place in one day. It is a test taken in March of a student's eleventh grade year. It is a test taken by EVERY JUNIOR in Michigan. It is a very difficult test, and if Governor Snyder did not have an agenda to dismantle public education, he would tell the public that Michigan students' scores have been improving, but that would not serve him well. What makes a student college ready and how is that readiness determined? It certainly isn't a student's ACT score. That score may be a benchmark, but it isn't the be all and end all of what makes a kid ready to succeed in college. I have known students who scored below 20 on the ACT to become very successful, and students who have scored above 30 to drop out of college after a year. What determines college readiness is not a score on a one day test, and Governor Snyder is doing every student and parent in Michigan a disservice by continuing to use this 16% nonsense as a reason to "reform" public education. I think it is important to point out that ACT is a nonprofit organization that makes millions. There is a reason that the ACT became part of the MME, and it has to do with making money. Testing is a big business, it doesn't ensure that Michigan's students receive a quality education, but it does ensure that the testing industry continues to grow and prosper.
Now to switch gears as I continue to clarify misperceptions. Mr. Stephen Henderson, please stop being so impressed with Governor Snyder. In your Thursday's column you talk about him like he is a motivational speaker! You quote our governor as saying, "It's about people helping people." Really? Who are the people he is helping? He is not helping the poor, he is not helping Michigan's students, he is not helping the elderly, but hey he is helping his business friends. You do say you want more than his happy dance, way more. You say, "If it is going to inspire massive job creation, the state's industry titans need to start showing that soon. If it doesn't, much of the pain inflicted by the governor's budget - cuts to schools, social programs and assistance for poor people - may not have been worth it." When is destroying the programs that take care of the most vulnerable and wanting in a society ever a means to an end, and worth it? You say you are with Snyder on 80% of what he is doing, you love his positivity, and his refusal to let anything derail his agenda. So you are with him on the harm he is doing to every segment of society but the wealthy? Then shame on you. And why shouldn't he be positive? He's a millionaire whose business tax cuts directly benefit him. As for his agenda, what the hell ever happened to democracy? He said one thing while campaigning, "Cut taxes, and they will come." I didn't vote for him because I knew that what he was saying was untrue. He has taxed me more, and guess what? No jobs have come.
Finally, to address the misconception that teachers are upset because they will have to "share the sacrifice." One letter in Sunday's paper welcomes me to the middle class as someone who will now pay 20% towards my health care. I would be fine with sharing the sacrifice in this way, but must I also have my pay cut by the government, then again by my district, on top of the 3% cut I already took to pay into retirement benefits for those retiring ahead of me? And let's not forget that when I retire, my pension, already reduced because it is based on what I earn in the last three years before retirement, and that will be reduced considerably, will now be taxed. My job protection is not going to be there, so I can't complain about any of this. Now here's the best part, as a teacher, I am soley responsible for whether or not my students are successful and meet the standards set by the state, and if they don't, I will be evaluated as ineffective and put on the road to dismissal. Share the sacrifice? How about hanging me out to dry?
Rosemary
Now to switch gears as I continue to clarify misperceptions. Mr. Stephen Henderson, please stop being so impressed with Governor Snyder. In your Thursday's column you talk about him like he is a motivational speaker! You quote our governor as saying, "It's about people helping people." Really? Who are the people he is helping? He is not helping the poor, he is not helping Michigan's students, he is not helping the elderly, but hey he is helping his business friends. You do say you want more than his happy dance, way more. You say, "If it is going to inspire massive job creation, the state's industry titans need to start showing that soon. If it doesn't, much of the pain inflicted by the governor's budget - cuts to schools, social programs and assistance for poor people - may not have been worth it." When is destroying the programs that take care of the most vulnerable and wanting in a society ever a means to an end, and worth it? You say you are with Snyder on 80% of what he is doing, you love his positivity, and his refusal to let anything derail his agenda. So you are with him on the harm he is doing to every segment of society but the wealthy? Then shame on you. And why shouldn't he be positive? He's a millionaire whose business tax cuts directly benefit him. As for his agenda, what the hell ever happened to democracy? He said one thing while campaigning, "Cut taxes, and they will come." I didn't vote for him because I knew that what he was saying was untrue. He has taxed me more, and guess what? No jobs have come.
Finally, to address the misconception that teachers are upset because they will have to "share the sacrifice." One letter in Sunday's paper welcomes me to the middle class as someone who will now pay 20% towards my health care. I would be fine with sharing the sacrifice in this way, but must I also have my pay cut by the government, then again by my district, on top of the 3% cut I already took to pay into retirement benefits for those retiring ahead of me? And let's not forget that when I retire, my pension, already reduced because it is based on what I earn in the last three years before retirement, and that will be reduced considerably, will now be taxed. My job protection is not going to be there, so I can't complain about any of this. Now here's the best part, as a teacher, I am soley responsible for whether or not my students are successful and meet the standards set by the state, and if they don't, I will be evaluated as ineffective and put on the road to dismissal. Share the sacrifice? How about hanging me out to dry?
Rosemary
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