What do you most hope legislators will accomplish this session?
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N.C. General Assembly
Submitted by rjbrueckner on January 20, 2007 - 8:57pm.
sunday focus
You want there to be a law against an *elected body* making decisions which the majority of citizens are against?
Even ignoring the obvious fact that any elected body that consistently defies the will of the majority will soon be voted out, this is simply unworkable. How do you determine what the majority of the citizens are against? What happens if (as is the case with school overcrowding) there are several potential solutions, none of which is supported by a majority?
Such a law would be unnecessary, counterproductive, and -- most of all -- just plain stupid.
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N.C. General Assembly
Submitted by LizFortunato on January 21, 2007 - 3:04pm.
PASS JESSICA'S LAW!!!!
Pass legislation to get a handle on ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION. Anything is better than what we currently have. We need to stop North Carolina from being the gateway for illegals in this country.
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I like most of ncjades suggestions, but I'd also like to see them do some major cuts and consolations in existing programs and not start any new ones (fat chance).
The last session started with a surplus and they spent that and more besides. This session they are going to have a deficit (due entirely to their own incompetence) and it would nice to see them correct their mistake.
Of course what will actually happen is they will come out with some more "vital" programs and raise our taxes.
Jeff DeWitt
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amen, jeff! one of the things that saddens me the most is when people call for a "balanced budget amendment." it's the utmost in stupidity, because all it means is that the legislature can raise taxes to cover any level of spending they choose to attain!!!!!!!!
we need more critical thinking courses in NC!
plusaf
Northwest Raleigh
27613
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That's the point, plusaf
Submitted by rhodent on May 20, 2007 - 11:10pm.
Yes, the legislature can raise taxes to cover any level of spending. But voters are more likely to hold legislators accountable for raising taxes to cover reckless spending than they are to hold them accountable for using deficit spending to cover reckless spending. Promise people the sun and the moon for free, and there are enough fools out there who will vote for you every time. Promise people the sun and the moon in exchange for tripled taxes, and even the most foolish of fools is likely to say, "Hey, wait a second..."
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Regarding the school
Submitted by George_S on January 21, 2007 - 5:04pm.
Regarding the school reassignment suggestion - it totally goes against our representative form of government. We are supposed to elect people we trust to make the tough decisions, and then remove them from office if they stray to far from what we want. We are not supposed to elect people based on their willingness to vote according the results of polls.
From a pratical standpoint, how is the school board supposed to determine the will of the people? For every issue do they mail out a questionaire, and then vote for what comes back as the most popular? This would defeat the purpose of having a school board, would it not?
George
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Bylaw 1020 as well regarding "Qualification and Performance of a Board Member," which states the following:
It is important that a board member be nonpartisan in dealing with school matters and that she/he not subordinate the education of children and youth to any partisan principle, group, interest, or personal ambition.
Bylaw 1020.4 states that BOE members should:
Be prepared and willing to devote sufficient time to the study of the problems of education in the system as a whole, as well as the state and nation at-large, so as to be able to interpret them to the electorate of the district.
The Wake County School Board denied the right to parents to speak at a "public forum" recently. In answer to your question how is the school board suppose to determine the will of the people...well, they have been holding public forums and are NOT listening to the people. Many of these people can not be removed or voted out for years to come.
May the BoE be the biggest losers when the tables have turned..and they will.
Recently, a rep from Growth Managment called Dawn Graff from "Wake Cares". This person informed her that the BOE would like her NOT to speak at a meeting as planned since she already spoke at Green Hope. A couple of thoughts:
1. Was ANYONE else asked this question?
2. There is no evidence of a policy or rule stating that people can only speak at on meeting.
3. Dawn Graff was respectful to the BOE, but gave a speech that got the audience involved and the audience agreed with.
4. The parents in the audience supported the premiss of Dawn Graff's speech and the BOE does NOT want that to happen tonight.
5. The BOE would like the greater public to think that the MYR issue is over and that the parents of Wake County are okay with it....Dawn Graff and her organization are a threat to this theory and the news media will see this with Ms. Graff's speech.
6. The real shocker is that the BOE is STUPID enough to place the call and ask her not to speak. This is a perfect example of how parents are treated in Wake County. The reason that the public is lead to believe parents are in support of policies is because those chosen to attend "meetings" and "focus groups" are hand picked. Furthermore, this is a clear example of how teachers and principles are treated when they disagree with policy.
THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF WIDE SPREAD OPPRESSION INFLICTED BY THE BOE!
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Jessica's Law
Submitted by ncjade on January 21, 2007 - 6:52pm.
George,
Well, at the moment my top priority would be for the N.C. General Assembly is to pass Jessica's Law. I'll put the school system on the side lines for now.
NC Jade
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Law
I truly hope N. C. General Assembly will:
Tighten the laws on Convicted Sex offenders. There is simply no question that Jessica's Law will save lives, and similiar laws need to be instituted in every state.
Enforce illegal immigration laws - Do not allow driver's licenses to illegal immigrants, welfare, food stamps, and health benefits using tax payers money to pay for these services.
Address school reassignment - Making it a law that the School Board not be allowed to make decisions which the majority of citizens are against.
Tighten laws on gangs in schools. Students disrupting the learning process not be allowed to attend their assigned school when involved in a fight, bringing a weapon to school, or threatening a teacher or student.
Make an alternative school for these students to attend such as other states have.