Day: December 22, 2017

Hypocrite Charles Barkley Spouts Economic Stupidity

Hypocrite Charles Barkley Spouts Economic Stupidity — Charles Barkley, who became rich playing a child’s game,  provided this bit of economic wisdom concerning the just passed tax bill, Dec. 21, on TNT’s “Inside the NBA”:

“Shaq, they said it’s going trickle down, I’m going to trickle my fat ass down to the jewelry store to get me a new Rolex. They’re not going to pass it to nobody. Thank you, Republicans, I knew I could always count on y’all to take care of us rich people, the one-percenters. Sorry, poor people. I’m hoping for y’all, but y’all ain’t got no chance.”

Leaving aside he’s likely going to pay a hefty sales tax on that Rolex, leaving aside the clerk’s job became safer because he bought the Rolex and leaving aside the store owner — who is probably not a one-percenter — is going to put the profit he made from the sale to things like providing food and shelter and transportation for himself and family, what exactly is stopping him from just giving half his wealth to the poor?

He’d still be richer than most of us.

Hypocrite Charles Barkley Spouts Economic Stupidity

Hypocrite Charles Barkley Spouts Economic Stupidity

John Dodge William Lawrence Sr Omnibit 12-22-17

Horace and John Dodge who founded the eponymous automobile maker both died as a result of pneumonia caused by the 1918 flu pandemic. John survived though until Jan. 14, 1920 while Horace didn’t succumb until Dec. 10 of that year.

John Dodge William Lawrence Sr Omnibit 12-22-17

Horace and John Dodge who founded the eponymous automobile maker both died as a result of pneumonia caused by the 1918 flu pandemic. John

PSEA Anti-School Anti-Child Pro Power

PSEA Anti-School Anti-Child Pro Power

PSEA Anti-School Anti-Child Pro PowerBy Scott Wagner

“It is not because we care about children, and it is not because we have a vision of a great public school for every child. NEA and its affiliates are effective because we have power.”

These were sad and shocking admissions made by Bob Chanin, a leader of the National Education Association, an organization of which the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) is a member and significant funder.

I think it’s time Pennsylvanians have a serious conversation about the PSEA.

Protecting power — not kids, teachers and taxpayers — is what drives the PSEA. And the PSEA is Tom Wolf’s largest union funder.

Worse yet, in Pennsylvania, public sector employees — like teachers — don’t get to choose whether or not they pay dues.  Dues are taken from their paychecks and sent to the unions — like the PSEA — whether teachers like it or not.

This method of collecting union dues has made the PSEA very, very powerful.

And I’ve seen firsthand how the PSEA uses teachers’ dues against them, and against students and taxpayers. They block every effort that would benefit these stakeholders — like solving the pension crisis so that money can actually go to the classroom, and eliminating school property taxes so hardworking people can keep their homes.

Back in February, the Pennsylvania State Senate passed a bill that would stop the PSEA from collecting involuntary dues, and curb their ability to block what’s good for stakeholders. Senate Bill 166 (Paycheck Protection) passed with a vote of 28 (Y) to 22 (N), and upon passage was sent to the House for a vote. This past week, however, the State House defeated the bill by a vote of 102 (no) to 90 (yes).

The PSEA doesn’t like me much — and I’m not particularly fond of the way they work against teachers, students and taxpayers — but make no mistake. When I’m governor, changing this power dynamic will be a top priority of my administration.

Unlike Bob Chanin and the PSEA, as the governor of Pennsylvania, I will be representing children, teachers and taxpayers from day one, because for me, it is about children, and it is about having a great public school for every child, every teacher and every taxpayer.

Sen. Wagner represents the 28th District in the Pennsylvania Senate and is seeking the Republican nomination for governor in 2018.

PSEA Anti-School Anti-Child Pro Power