[davesimondotcom]

If so, which one? Why? If not, why not?

I've considered running in the future for something like city council or state Legislature.

My father was a legislator, and also ran for state Senate and State Auditor. I learned a lot about campaigning from him, as well as how the system works.

Problem is, I don't have time to run or the money to take that kind of time off of work. There is no secret as to why the majority of office holders are wealthy and usually retired/don't need jobs.

[lil'babykitten]

I'm already in office. Mwahahahaha!











/lie.

[ThinkInsane]

I actually thought long and hard about running for mayor of my town in the last election. The current mayor (who was reelected) is a total tube steak that has done nothing for the town, and a hell of a lot for his own contracting business. And just managed to get himself a raise of 60% from the out going common council members. Not bad for a part time job. But do to time constraints, and the fact that I have never been involved in politics in anyway, I think it would have been a tough sell. But hey, I couldn't do any worse than the dink with the bad mullet that sits in the mayor's office now.

Another draw back was that my uncle was running for city council (he won), and I figured it would probably hurt both of our chances to have two people with the same name on the ballot. Nepotism has always been a problem here, and even the perception of it could be detrimental.

And I still have to wait three years before I'm legally old enough to run for president.

[eklipse]

Would you ever run for office?

No.

Too many people to appease and keep happy.

Benevolent dictatorship - that's the way to go.

[davesimondotcom]

Originally posted by ThinkInsane:
And just managed to get himself a raise of 60% from the out going common council members.

Must be a national trend. Get elected to some podunk office and vote yourself a raise...

The local county commissioners gave themselves a raise last year. And the year before, I believe.

City commission gave themselves a RETROACTIVE payraise.

[lil'babykitten]

Originally posted by eklipse:
Benevolent dictatorship - that's the way to go.

amen.

Would I run for office? meh, maybe just for fun, I'd make a campaign entitled 'None of the Above'.

Anyone with the desire to be a politician should be barred from doing so for life.

[WinsOBoogi]

I've thought about running for mayor in the future. I've often been highly, highly pissed off that teachers never get raises, and that school budgets are generally turned down by the public. Who in the hell has the balls to say, "hey, I think too much money is going towards education?"

Seems like some people have a lot to learn about some things, and I'd love to change that and shake things up.

Nobody seems to be in touch with their local governments anymore, and I'd like to change that...have it be a lot more public.

[vmarks]

Did it.

Twice.

Worth doing. Email me if you want to talk about it.

http://www.victormarks.com was the campaign site.

[eklipse]

Originally posted by vmarks:
Did it.

Twice.

Did you get elected?

[davesimondotcom]

Originally posted by WinsOBoogi:
I've thought about running for mayor in the future. I've often been highly, highly pissed off that teachers never get raises, and that school budgets are generally turned down by the public. Who in the hell has the balls to say, "hey, I think too much money is going towards education?"

I think you'll get lots of people saying there is too much money going towards "education." In most places, it takes up half of the budget.

The key is that very little of that money goes to EDUCATING CHILDREN. Most of it goes to overhead, administration, etc.

If you could promise people when they vote on school bonds that the money would be guaranteed to get to the teachers/classrooms, they WOULD pass. But people have figured out the gig - exploit the image of "do it for the kiiiiiiiiiidssss" but the money ends up in the administrators pockets.

Originally posted by WinsOBoogi:
Seems like some people have a lot to learn about some things, and I'd love to change that and shake things up.

I'd encourage you to do it. Perhaps you'd learn a thing or two as well in the process. And fresh ideas are always welcome, IMHO.

Originally posted by WinsOBoogi:
Nobody seems to be in touch with their local governments anymore, and I'd like to change that...have it be a lot more public.

I think it's more the opposite - local governments (and it doesn't stop there, keeps going through state/federal) have become disconnected from who their real bosses are - the people.

[MacGorilla]

I considering running for an office here in town as more people get to know me. I'm going to start little with a run at (no kidding) the Cemetary Committee.

[vmarks]

Originally posted by eklipse:
Did you get elected?

No, but I went from 3.27% of the vote the first time to 34% of the vote the second time. The first time I raised 10% of the amount spent by the winner of the election. The second time I spent one-fifth of the winner's budget. The second time I had more volunteers on election day, and they were more enthusiastic, with the exception of my mother who had to leave the poll she was working and undergo surgery mid-day.

I don't regret having run and lost. I had great endorsements, great supporters, and really enjoyed every moment of it.

[MathewM]

Originally posted by eklipse:
[i]
Benevolent dictatorship - that's the way to go.

No wonder you defend Saddam so much.

Though I hate to break it to you honey he wasn't what I would describe as being benevolent.

Kucinich is your man. That little troll reminds me of Lord British. If he were in control he'd be setting up Shrines of Compassion and Humility everywhere.

[MathewM]

Originally posted by MacGorilla:
I considering running for an office here in town as more people get to know me. I'm going to start little with a run at (no kidding) the Cemetary Committee.

Probably pays better than a store clerk at Michaels.

[davesimondotcom]

Originally posted by MathewM:
That little troll reminds me of Lord British.

I loved Autoduel!



EDIT: Would "Chuckles" run as VP for Kusinich?

[MathewM]

Originally posted by WinsOBoogi:
I've thought about running for mayor in the future. I've often been highly, highly pissed off that teachers never get raises, and that school budgets are generally turned down by the public. Who in the hell has the balls to say, "hey, I think too much money is going towards education?"

Seems like some people have a lot to learn about some things, and I'd love to change that and shake things up.

Nobody seems to be in touch with their local governments anymore, and I'd like to change that...have it be a lot more public.

Whatever. Teachers are paid commensurate to hours worked. They get 3 months a year off and can retire at the age of 52 with a full pension. After a few years most of them get everything down so pat that its all automation. Heck I remember doing a lot of work for them by grading other students papers. The only one that gets shafted really are the English teachers. Their work load is double because they have to read and grade all those damn writing assignments.

[ThinkInsane]

Originally posted by MathewM:
Whatever. Teachers are paid commensurate to hours worked. They get 3 months a year off and can retire at the age of 52 with a full pension. After a few years most of them get everything down so pat that its all automation. Heck I remember doing a lot of work for them by grading other students papers. The only one that gets shafted really are the English teachers. Their work load is double because they have to read and grade all those damn writing assignments.

Spoken like a man that has never taught. Regardless of what you think, you are incorrect.

[MathewM]

Originally posted by ThinkInsane:
Spoken like a man that has never taught. Regardless of what you think, you are incorrect.

I've never taught public education but I know quite a few who do.

Please prove me incorrect.

[ThinkInsane]

Originally posted by MathewM:
I've never taught public education but I know quite a few who do.

Please prove me incorrect.

I don't have to prove anything. I was a teacher, and I know from EXPERIENCE that what you are saying is incorrect. I often hear people complaining about teachers, how they only work 6 hours a day, 180 days a year, and that after you get your curriculum down, there is really no more work. It's a load of BS.

When I taught, I was in the building at least 8 hours a day, preparing lesson plans and what not. I would grade papers at home. I put a lot of time into my lessons, and I didn't use the same ones year to year. Most teachers I know are the same way. What you are talking about is the exception, not the rule.

[MathewM]

Originally posted by davesimondotcom:

The key is that very little of that money goes to EDUCATING CHILDREN. Most of it goes to overhead, administration, etc.

Totally. The education system is such a bureaucracy bankrupting school districts. School Vouchers are the only answer IMO.

[MathewM]

Originally posted by ThinkInsane:
I don't have to prove anything. I was a teacher, and I know from EXPERIENCE that what you are saying is incorrect. I often hear people complaining about teachers, how they only work 6 hours a day, 180 days a year, and that after you get your curriculum down, there is really no more work. It's a load of BS.

When I taught, I was in the building at least 8 hours a day, preparing lesson plans and what not. I would grade papers at home. I put a lot of time into my lessons, and I didn't use the same ones year to year. Most teachers I know are the same way. What you are talking about is the exception, not the rule.

I never said it was an easy job. Many rookies often burn themselves out going at it at this rate. Is that what happened to you?

My biggest beef with the pay scale is that it is entirely based on tenor. With the exception of the honor of being voted Teacher of the Month there are no bonuses or pay raises for good work. Good teacher, bad teacher as long as nobody complains you're on the same level. You want higher pay, go to a different district.

Like I said English teachers get shafted. Almost all the others have a much easier time grading the work load. Many of them can get it done during class time. That and class loads. My friend, a English teacher (trust me, he's an anal SOB, constantly correcting me on my improper abuse of the language) has over 167 students. I don't blame the tax payers but the school administrators.

And you still get summers off if you wish.

[andi*pandi]

What's a fair salary for a teacher then?

My husband gets $32K. Public School. He grades papers and makes tests at home.

Then he goes and tutors for a private company 3x a week.

I'd say his hourly pay for the tutoring is better than his day job.

[davesimondotcom]

Teachers, like any other profession, have some who are debticated and hard working, and some who aren't.

It would be easy for a teacher to only work 6 hours a day, have kids do their grading, and just sit there most of the day. Then when summer comes, just relax.

But there are many teachers who work 12+ hours a day, working on lesson plans, grading papers, tutoring children, etc. And when summer comes, they go back to school themselves, attending seminars, tutoring children, etc.

Teachers are really not the problem. The DO deserve better pay.

[MathewM]

Originally posted by andi*pandi:
What's a fair salary for a teacher then?

My husband gets $32K. Public School. He grades papers and makes tests at home.

Then he goes and tutors for a private company 3x a week.

I'd say his hourly pay for the tutoring is better than his day job.

A lot of people have to make ends meet. Teaching is no different. There are plenty of us who take on 2nd jobs so we can buy a house, car, vacations etc.

A person can live perfectly well off of $32K a year. You're not going to get rich but it pays the bills.

[andi*pandi]

oh, topic: I don't think I'd ever run for office. Too much of a PITA. The husband might again tho. I can see it in his eyes.

As long as he doesn't do it when another baby is on the way, ok.

[MathewM]

Originally posted by andi*pandi:
oh, topic: I don't think I'd ever run for office. Too much of a PITA. The husband might again tho. I can see it in his eyes.

As long as he doesn't do it when another baby is on the way, ok.

Funny you don't seem like the Catholic type.

So your hubby is a school teacher by day, tutor by night and politican by weekend.
When do you guys have any alone time?

Does anybody over the age of 15 still play the game of Life™?

[BlackGriffen]

Originally posted by davesimondotcom:
Teachers, like any other profession, have some who are debticated and hard working, and some who aren't.

It would be easy for a teacher to only work 6 hours a day, have kids do their grading, and just sit there most of the day. Then when summer comes, just relax.

But there are many teachers who work 12+ hours a day, working on lesson plans, grading papers, tutoring children, etc. And when summer comes, they go back to school themselves, attending seminars, tutoring children, etc.

Teachers are really not the problem. The DO deserve better pay.

That seems to me to be a rather simple, but effective, idea. Give teachers bonuses for seeking more job training, attending seminars, acquiring certifications, etc.

It seems odd to me that such isn't done. Please, tell me I'm wrong and that it is done already.

BlackGriffen

[davesimondotcom]

Originally posted by BlackGriffen:
That seems to me to be a rather simple, but effective, idea. Give teachers bonuses for seeking more job training, attending seminars, acquiring certifications, etc.

It seems odd to me that such isn't done. Please, tell me I'm wrong and that it is done already.

BlackGriffen

I don't know if it is, but I think to some extent it is. Maybe someone else could answer...

[andi*pandi]

Originally posted by MathewM:
So your hubby is a school teacher by day, tutor by night and politican by weekend. When do you guys have any alone time?

Alone time... alone time... hmmm... what's that?

And the tutoring isn't to buy a luxury item, it's to pay for the roof repair we see coming.

I wonder, in the newer versions of the game of life, are the little cars SUVs?

[spacefreak]

Originally posted by davesimondotcom:
I don't know if it is, but I think to some extent it is. Maybe someone else could answer...

My mother is just about to retire. She has worked as a high school English teacher for almost 30 years.

I know she has gotten additional pay increases when she obtained her masters degree, as well as when she obtained certification that allows her to serve as a principle.

I think it depends on what each districts' union has successfully negotiated for their teachers' contracts.

[spacefreak]

Originally posted by WinsOBoogi:
Who in the hell has the balls to say, "hey, I think too much money is going towards education?"

People who see the superior achievement of privately-schooled students whose education costs area fraction of the costs in the public sector.

Ultimately, quality of education comes down to quality of teaching. If a school's teachers (as a whole) stink, it doesn't matter how much money you sink into the school and their staff salaries.

[MathewM]

Originally posted by KC and Sunshine:
That seems to me to be a rather simple, but effective, idea. Give teachers bonuses for seeking more job training, attending seminars, acquiring certifications, etc.

It seems odd to me that such isn't done. Please, tell me I'm wrong and that it is done already.

kook

They attend all of the above and no they do not get a pay raise for it. However I don't see why they should. Do you? People who have real jobs (you?) attend seminars etc. it's part of the job and we don't expect a pay raise because of it.

Pay raises should be achieved after reaching certain pinacles of academic excellence. If the students are learning then the teachers should be rewarded.

Your policy sounds like typical academia beauracracy.

[Sven G]

In the town where I live, the mayor is one of my age (38): I remember him because he was the first one to make the final exam at high school (in 1984, IIRC), so we all went to look at the exam, in order to gain some knowledge of how to behave, etc. He's even a psychiatrist at one of the local hospitals!

Needless to say, his administration hasn't done anything worthy of mention, except maybe negative things; I also realized this when I did "civil service" (i.e., instead of the military one) at the local municipal administration: a quite "low-profile" way of doing things - as probably happens in most towns and cities, worldwide, today, with a few notable exceptions.

As for "running for office", it would be rather contrary to my libertarian (in the European meaning!) ideals: rather, I try to use my knowledge in some areas (see public transportation, etc.) to try to positively influence the administrations - not sure if this will actually be productive, however, given the "extraordinary" (!) competence of the administrations themselves...

[Beewee]

Originally posted by davesimondotcom:
If so, which one? Why? If not, why not?

I've considered running in the future for something like city council or state Legislature.

My father was a legislator, and also ran for state Senate and State Auditor. I learned a lot about campaigning from him, as well as how the system works.

Problem is, I don't have time to run or the money to take that kind of time off of work. There is no secret as to why the majority of office holders are wealthy and usually retired/don't need jobs.

Sure, if some illiterate Texan can get into office how hard could it be?

[vmarks]

Originally posted by Beewee:
Sure, if some illiterate Texan can get into office how hard could it be?

stranger yet, graduate from Yale, get elected to both governorship and the presidency, and still get called illiterate! Last I knew, it took more than money to accomplish those.

[BlackGriffen]

Originally posted by vmarks:
stranger yet, graduate from Yale, get elected to both governorship and the presidency, and still get called illiterate! Last I knew, it took more than money to accomplish those.

It's all a plot! A grand strategery, I tell ya!

Identifying whose plot it is, and for what purpose, is left as an exercise to the reader.

BlackGriffen

[vmpaul]

Originally posted by Sven G:

As for "running for office", it would be rather contrary to my libertarian (in the European meaning!) ideals:

How does a European Libertarian differ from an American Libertarian?

(sounds like a setup for a good punch-line )

Just curious.

[Sven G]

Originally posted by vmpaul:
How does a European Libertarian differ from an American Libertarian?

(sounds like a setup for a good punch-line )

Just curious.

It was simply to mean that in Europe the word "libertarian" is traditionally associated with left-wing anarchism (or libertarianism in its "classical" meaning, with a significant socialist and syndicalist component), while in the US it's more often associated with the Libertarian Party (which has more right-wing, individualistic priorities): just to make an interesting analogy from the software world, Richard Stallman and his concept of Free Software are approximately libertarian (lowercase L) in the European meaning, while Eric Raymond and his much more "utilitarian" Open Source implementation are more of the Libertarian kind.

So, in this scheme I would probably classify as a "Stallmanian"...