no see the state only gave him the basic tools he needed to go about educating himself

7/28/2013 1:57:53 PM

I'm not saying anything that controversial here, am I? Pretty much everyone understands that talented people don't typically go into the teaching profession. Not much upside, a whole lot of downside, dealing with little shitheads, their asshole parents, and do-nothing administrators all day, and getting paid as much as a call center worker to do it.

Quote :

"no see the state only gave him the basic tools he needed to go about educating himself"

Haha. Actually, the public school system failed me and I was a year behind in my reading skills at age 6. My parents worked with me several hours a week outside of school to get me caught up. Had that not happened, I'm not sure where I'd be now.

I had some truly great teachers during high school, though. My calculus teacher was top notch. My chemistry teacher, on the other hand, passed out worksheets every day and browsed the internet while the class fucked around.

Goes back to my original point: you either have to be really passionate about teaching (my calc teacher), or really stupid/lazy. There are not strong incentives to attract talent in the public school system. Implementing stronger incentives isn't just one or two funding bills away, either.

[Edited on July 28, 2013 at 2:09 PM. Reason : ]

7/28/2013 1:59:20 PM

I think everyone will agree they had both good and bad teachers growing up.

Even if you were ahead/behind the curve I think everyone will also agree that their parents had some hand in explaining the finer points of life that teachers missed (good or bad).

I would like to take this opportunity to point out how obviously shallow Smath/his politics actually are.

Everything is fun and games until he specifically gets buttfucked. Hilarious.

7/28/2013 2:17:41 PM

sorry my politics don't conform to whatever preconceived stereotype you have attempted to pigeonhole me into. I've always supported education, including before I decided to become a teacher.

7/28/2013 2:23:59 PM

So what did you think would happen pre-GOP NC?

7/28/2013 2:27:07 PM

I guess McCrory doesn't believe in reading the bills he is about to sign: http://www.wral.com/mccrory-not-familiar-with-all-of-bill-he-s-to-sign/12710852/

North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory says he will sign into law a Republican-backed bill making sweeping changes to how and when citizens can vote even though he has not seen one of its key provisions.

McCrory praised the bill in a media conference Friday, saying it will restore faith in elections by requiring voters to present government-issued identification at the polls...

7/28/2013 5:46:07 PM

The governor and his aides before the bill's signing

7/28/2013 6:49:15 PM

http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1012036

7/31/2013 11:12:24 AM

^^^ How is that different then Congressional Dem's with the ACA and we have to pass it to know whats in it. Politicians are lazy and incompetent the letter beside their name doesn't matter. They only care about lining their pockets.

7/31/2013 11:24:29 AM

^^
This is a must-watch, y'all. NCGOP dancing to a violin on the house floor.

7/31/2013 11:26:27 AM

^^ because Dems in congress don't sign bills into law, the President does

7/31/2013 11:42:46 AM

Does anyone have a feel for whether this session was

"The people are behind us; let's go nuts"

or

"The people will vote us out in 2014; let's go nuts"

7/31/2013 4:45:35 PM

Clearly the former. Had they done nothing at all, they probably would stand a good chance of re-election.

7/31/2013 4:53:23 PM

More awesomesauce coverage in the media, this time from Bill Maher. We win the stupidest state of the year contest and he begs Jay Z to buy our state next election cycle. Tarheel state of mind! It's pretty hilarious:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=UbroWiPMR8g

8/3/2013 12:34:10 PM

just got hammered on the Daily Show and it was glorious

8/5/2013 11:12:51 PM

oprahoma. ha

8/6/2013 8:57:22 AM

Top 10 NC GOP mistakes:
http://www.indyweek.com/indyweek/the-top-10-republican-mistakes/Content?oid=3690361

8/7/2013 1:32:04 PM

8/7/2013 3:36:12 PM

I would submit the answer posed by your graphic could be summed up in two words, "cost overruns"

In the event you're genuinely uninformed about the reasons why Gov. McCrory made the decision not to expand Medicaid - this piece from the John Locke Foundation provides some insight

http://www.johnlocke.org/newsletters/research/2013-07-25-om9498jb60qcklc3e6g74ijo37-health-update.html

8/7/2013 3:51:56 PM

you think McCrory opponents are going to read something from the John Locke Foundation? An organization that received the majority of its funding from Art Pope? Have you asked any of these people how they feel about Art Pope?

no one is going to read that shit

8/7/2013 3:58:13 PM

I can't control what people choose to read. The user above posted a graphic which posed a question and I offered an explanation along with a citation. I don't believe the article I posted was unreasonable or that it is inherently biased simply because it originated from JLF.

8/7/2013 4:13:50 PM

I think Medicaid/Medicare overruns are an important discussion to have. I actually appreciate the NCGOP making it a talking point and attempting to get a hold on it.

But in typical fashion they aren't honest about WHY they rejected the expansion nor why we had overruns. The overruns are there in large part to the recession. Of course the Medicaid doles are going to grow during one of the states worst unemployment situations EVER. And yes, the overall cost has been steadily rising both as healthcare costs generally rise and as more of our population is getting older and sicker (or reaching retirement age).

The expansion would have cost the state nothing for three years, and only 10% after that. Its a really good fucking deal, especially if you factor in the extra healthcare jobs it would create. If at any point you decide you don't want to continue, the state could opt out so it's not like it's permenant. It would have in no way added to what we currently owe on past overruns.

They should just be honest and give the real reason, they didn't want to participate in Obamacare. Isn't that a good enough reason for the vast majority of their constituency? Instead they feel a need to come up with some sort of half truth, it's kinda insulting to me.

8/7/2013 4:34:19 PM

http://nchouse10.com/state-education-spending-the-facts/

discuss.

8/8/2013 12:18:27 AM

Discuss? That's like posting an article from Fox News and saying discuss. The problem isn't that some of those things could be correct, it's that it's impossible for anyone without prior knowledge to know. That entire page is full of spin, and clearly presents a biased perspective. If it were an objective analysis, it might actually be helpful.

Frankly, if Republicans just came out and said we don't believe in spending as much money, and we plan to cut everything we can, and that's just our philosophy, I'd be a whole lot more understanding. But it's this bullshit about "we aren't really poor performing," "other people don't get raises," "we're keeping up with spending," and "in reality, teachers get more money because we've cut taxes" that's such a joke. The core is that the modern trend in conservative politics as a result of Grover Nordquist and the Tea Party is cut everything as much as possible.

But maybe that's what you wanted people to discuss.

8/8/2013 12:53:37 AM

precisely what I was looking for.

That was from a Republican house rep thats a friend of mine and he posted it thinking it would go over well.

Needless to say his teacher friends BLASTED him for it.

I think its ridiculous. If it was the RIGHT thing to do and cut all this stuff they wouldnt need webpages like that anyways.

8/8/2013 1:35:20 AM

As I read the opinion piece, I though "aww snap, time for a quote-by-quote rebuttal," but as I scrolled, it was just too much bullshit.

I will say that it's pretty surprising how open NC GOP lawmakers have been with the "teaching is a cushy job, and our teachers are probably paid too much" line of thought.



[Edited on August 8, 2013 at 9:07 AM. Reason : ]

8/8/2013 8:55:36 AM

Quote :

"The expansion would have cost the state nothing for three years, and only 10% after that. Its a really good fucking deal, especially if you factor in the extra healthcare jobs it would create. If at any point you decide you don't want to continue, the state could opt out so it's not like it's permenant. It would have in no way added to what we currently owe on past overruns."

Exactly! Also now you have another 20,000 that will be forced to go to the ER when they would need otherwise routine care. Some who get seriously ill may die as a result of this or face immediate medical bankruptcy. In the end it will cost state taxpayers money.

8/8/2013 9:52:41 AM

In response to those obsessed with ALEC in this thread and elsewhere, apparently only two ALEC sponsored bills passed this session. As often as some users discuss ALEC's alleged influence on the GOP members of the NCGA, I was quite surprised by this post:

http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/few_alec_bills_passed_nc_legislature_watch_dog_group_finds

And this is coming from Under the Dome citing to the Center for Media and Democracy, neither considered ALEC friendly sources. The complete findings and report can be found here - http://www.prwatch.org/node/12205.

Not sure if this raises or lowers the credibility of the NC GOP...

[Edited on August 8, 2013 at 4:51 PM. Reason : ....]

8/8/2013 4:50:30 PM

Quote :

"For this report, which focuses on ALEC’s 2013 legislative agenda, the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD) researched five areas: 1) Voter ID and Stand Your Ground legislation, 2) wages and worker rights, 3) public education, 4) the environment, and 5) citizen access to the courts. R"

the report wasn't a full audit, it just looked at 5 areas.

and NC had bills in all of those areas.

8/8/2013 8:42:57 PM

Quote :

"ALEC's alleged influence on the GOP members of the NCGA"

Quote :

"House of Representatives Rep. Marilyn Avila (R-40), attended ALEC 2011 Annual Meeting Former Speaker James B. Black Rep. Hugh Allen Blackwell (R-86), ALEC Civil Justice Task Force Member Rep. Jamie Boles (R-52), attended ALEC 2011 Annual Meeting Rep. William Brawley (R-103), attended ALEC 2011 Annual Meeting Rep. Bill Brisson (D-22), attended ALEC 2011 Annual Meeting Rep. Rayne Brown (R-81), attended ALEC 2011 Annual Meeting Rep. Justin P. Burr (R-67), ALEC Public Safety and Elections Task Force Member, attended ALEC 2011 Annual Meeting Rep. George Cleveland (R-14) Rep. Jerry C. Dockham (R-80), ALEC Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force Member Rep. Mike Hager (R-112), attended ALEC 2011 Annual Meeting Rep. Kelly Hastings (R-110), attended ALEC 2011 Annual Meeting Rep. Bryan R. Holloway (R-91), ALEC Education Task Force Alternate Rep. Craig Horn (R-68), attended ALEC 2011 Annual Meeting Rep. Julia Howard (R-79), ALEC Health and Human Services Task Force Member, attended ALEC 2011 Annual Meeting Rep. Linda P. Johnson (R-83), ALEC Education Task Force Member[10] , attended ALEC 2011 Annual Meeting Rep. David Lewis (R-53), attended ALEC 2011 Annual Meeting Rep. Chuck McGrady (R-117), attended ALEC 2011 Annual Meeting Rep. Tim Moffitt (R-116), ALEC International Relations Task Force Member and Communications and Technology Task Force Alternate, attended ALEC 2011 Annual Meeting Rep. Tim K. Moore (R-111), ALEC Public Safety and Elections Task Force Member, attended ALEC 2011 Annual Meeting Rep. Tom Murry (R-41), ALEC Health and Human Services Task Force Member, attended ALEC 2011 Annual Meeting Rep. Ruth Samuelson (R-104), ALEC Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force Member, attended ALEC 2011 Annual Meeting Rep. Paul B. Stam, Jr. (R-37), ALEC Civil Justice Task Force Member, attended ALEC 2011 Annual Meeting Rep. Sarah Stevens (R-90), attended ALEC 2011 Annual Meeting Rep. Mike Stone (R-51), attended ALEC 2011 Annual Meeting Speaker Thom Tillis (R-98), ALEC International Relations Task Force Member, 2011 ALEC State Legislator of the Year[17], attended ALEC 2011 Annual Meeting Rep. John Torbett (R-108), attended ALEC 2011 Annual Meeting Rep. Harry Warren (R-77), attended ALEC 2011 Annual Meeting Senate Sen. Tom Apodaca (R-48), ALEC Education Task Force Member Rep. Bill Cook (R-1), attended ALEC 2011 Annual Meeting"

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/North_Carolina_ALEC_Politicians

Nope, nothing but allegations here.

8/8/2013 10:57:35 PM

You have proven we are owned by ALEC.

8/9/2013 12:32:29 AM

GoldieO pwnt

8/9/2013 6:55:36 AM

Tom Tillis seems to be implying NC teachers make too much:

via Twitter:

@tomtillis: Avg teacher base pay is $45,947 + avg of $4,931 health benefits, $5,383 pension, and $3,139 SS. #ncpol #rednc #NCEd bit.ly/16xnrT9

8/10/2013 11:33:34 AM

^ The exodus begins: http://www.wwaytv3.com/2013/08/09/only-3-low-pay-forces-teacher-of-the-year-candidate-to-quit

8/10/2013 10:37:09 PM

GoldieO pwnt ttt

8/11/2013 5:44:41 PM

The new salary schedule was passed in the last session:



When I signed my contract, I was told I'd be making $37,710 by the '13-'14 school year. I'll be making $30,800, instead.

How are we going to hold onto people in the maths and sciences?

8/11/2013 7:18:22 PM

^ damn, those are some wack ass salaries. sheesh. god bless you, public school teachers.

8/12/2013 10:48:36 AM

^^ Only 6 years until your first raise!

8/12/2013 11:08:57 AM

but not even... because they have frozen the steps indefinitely.

8/12/2013 11:18:32 AM

Oh the reasons I'll never be a teacher.

8/12/2013 11:20:57 AM

Voter suppression has been signed:
http://www.wral.com/election-changes-coming-in-2014-2016/12750290/

ID is just the tip of the iceberg on this one. Other restrictions include cutting back early voting, no same day registration, restrictions on college students, and no extended hours if lines are ridiculously long on election day (gee I wonder where that will come into play?). The NC GOP has shown itself to be Un-American, and fearful of loss of absolute power via the democratic process.

Another part of the bill nobody talks about is paving the way for even more influence by ALEC and Plutocrats like Art Pope. That is allowing anonymous ads and easing campaign contribution limits.

8/12/2013 5:19:49 PM

Federal injunction in 3,2,1...

NC is going to piss away $$$ to defend this nonsense, and it'll be knocked down. That's some Small Government Thinkin' for ya

I'm on the right end of the spectrum, but there's no way in hell I'm voting republican for the foreseeable future. Anyone that didn't see this nonsense coming but voted GOP the last couple times around, please do the state a favor and sit out the next few elections.

8/13/2013 2:42:56 PM

what happened with that whole education lottery thing, wtf...

8/13/2013 5:44:07 PM

Patsy doesn't even understand the bill he signed: http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/08/14/20023542-mccrory-struggles-with-his-own-voter-suppression-law

8/14/2013 12:54:18 PM

http://www.dailyadvance.com/news/board-ecsu-student-cannot-run-2134989

Quote :

"Board: ECSU student cannot run The Republican-led Pasquotank County Board of Elections on Tuesday accepted a legal framework for disqualifying students living at Elizabeth City State University from voting in local elections."

Elizabeth City has very little going for it outside of the college. Banning college students from running for office, and potentially from voting, and generally making students not want to go there is really something they don't want to do long term.

8/14/2013 5:59:28 PM

^^^ from one of the link's comments section

Quote :

"Lets work with simple numbers just for the sake of ease. If the school is supposed to get 100 dollars in tax money and the education lottery has 40 budgeted to give to the school, the great politicians take 40 away from the school budget and replace it with 40 from lottery money. The school receives the same amount of money but now the government can piss away the 40 they took out of the school budget. We were all fooled into thinking the lottery money would be in addition to what was budgeted when in truth it is a replacement fund."

[Edited on August 14, 2013 at 6:22 PM. Reason : ]

8/14/2013 6:22:20 PM

http://www2.wataugademocrat.com/News/story/Elections-board-holds-tense-meeting-id-012233

Elections board holds tense meeting

Quote :

"Amid shouts and boos from an audience of about 60 people, the board -- with Campbell's disapproval -- eliminated the early voting site on the ASU campus and recombined three Boone precincts into one with 9,340 registered voters and one polling place. As a result, up to 9,340 registered voters will be asked to vote at the Agricultural Conference Center starting this fall. The next largest precinct is New River III, with only 3,901 registered voters."

College disenfranchisement and the creation of long lines, and all accomplished in only the first meeting! Job well done, Republican majority, Watauga County Board of Elections! Your masters will be pleased.

For those who do not know, County and State Boards of elections in NC are appointed positions with the majority falling under the party of the sitting governor. We now have Republican supermajorities watching over our elections processes and interpreting elections law in every NC county, and if this is any indication of their overall gameplan they aren't done with their voter suppression games.

[Edited on August 14, 2013 at 8:38 PM. Reason : Clarification]

8/14/2013 8:33:59 PM

that is fucking insane

and I've actually voted in Watauga County before

8/14/2013 8:46:12 PM

^^ I linked to a previous article on that issue in another thread before the meeting took place. It is fucking insane and makes 0 sense (unless you are a cynic like me and see what is going on). My hope is that enough ASU students flood the damn place and keep enough townie grey hairs (likely Republican) from being able to vote. Not that I advocate Republican voter suppression, but rather having this bullshit blow up in their faces. Thankfully, I will be voting outside of town near Foscoe.

8/14/2013 9:58:44 PM

It's scary to hear republicans "justify" these voters suppression actions... like from my father. Holy fuck man.

8/15/2013 8:40:04 AM