From Dennis Praeger:

What's the difference between California (and Oregon) voters and the passengers on the Titanic?

The passengers on the Titanic didn't vote to hit the iceberg.

"It's for the CHILDREN..."

Yesterday, I received an e-mail signed by Superintendent Carole Smith, informing me that she was "excited" to propose a brand new half-billion-dollar property tax increase, with the proceeds to provide "modern learning environments" for all Portland Public School students.  Said "modern learning environments"  will include:
1.  Stage Rigging.  No, this is not new vote-counting equipment, but new and improved mechanics to hoist and lower scenery for stage productions, which, as we all know, ensures a well-rounded little Johnny.
2.  Science Lab Upgrades.  These will include new furniture and equipment, because nothing inspires our little chemists  like shiny new desks.  Gum deposits and carvings will be pro-rated.
3.  "Mobile Media Bundles."  No kidding, "interactive white boards" responsive to student-held electronic "clickers,"  a projector, camera, and speakers and more, enabling students to remain in their PS2-designed environments even while at school.
4.  Covered Play Areas.  Remember when you played outside on nice days and in the gym on rainy days?  Not anymore, thanks to covered outdoor play areas, 'cause nothing spells fun activities like wrestling or tumbling on an asphalt surface during a 40 mph gale.
5.  The Best Part.  All the above will only cost the "median homeowner" a pittance of $25.00 more on their annual property tax bill for the next twenty or thirty years.  Median homeowners, of course, does not include renters whose property taxes are concealed in rent increases, and a large portion of families with school-aged children are renters.  The actual effect will be about double the Superintendent's rose-colored estimates.  Of course, the current education bond obligations, nearly 30% of general property taxes, will not be affected.  I don't know about you, but my property taxes have more than doubled over the past ten years, one "insignificant bit" at a time, sort of like boiling the proverbial frog.  And we still seem unable to get more than 2/3 of the students to perform at grade level, doubtlessly due to the lack of interactive white boards.  Let's not even talk about the graduation  or dropout rates, both of which are abysmal at best.
The bottom line?  I find it amusing that our school administrators believe that borrowing half a billion dollars during Oregon's worst economic depression in the past 50 years is somehow a good idea.  This proposal epitomizes their ivory tower perspective.

Worth 1,000

Your Vote Counts

While walking down the street one day a US senator is tragically hit by a truck and dies.
His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.
"Welcome to heaven," says St. Peter. "Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we're not sure what to do with you."
"No problem, just let me in," says the man.
"Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from higher up. What we'll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity."
"Really, I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven," says the senator.
"I'm sorry, but we have our rules."

And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him.
Everyone is very happy and in evening dress.. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people
They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and champagne.

Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly guy who has a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time that before he realizes it, it is time to go.
Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises...
The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens on heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him.

"Now it's time to visit heaven."
So, 24 hours pass with the senator joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.
"Well, then, you've spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity."
The senator reflects for a minute, then he answers: "Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell."
So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell.

Now the doors of the elevator open and he's in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage.
He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls from above. The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulder.
"I don't understand," stammers the senator. "Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now
there's just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable.  What happened?"

The devil looks at him, smiles and says, "Yesterday we were campaigning.. ..
Today you voted."



hat tip: jog

From Clark County, Nevada

"Is this Harry Reid different from that Harry Reid?  Why is one Harry Reid a Democrat and the other Harry Reid a Republican?  And why does the box next to Sharron Angle's name say 'Do not write here under penalty of law'?"

From Their Own Mouths

From Kurt Schrader:  "I am proud to have had the opportunity to vote in support of this historic effort to overhaul America's failing healthcare system."

From Ron Wyden:  "I am working to pass real (healthcare) reform that gives Americans real choices."
 

What Will Happen Next Tuesday?

"I See...Dead People...and non-citizens...

thousands...thousands...all of them...

voting...voting for.....Democrats!"