Let's talk about teachers.  My son is a teacher.  He now teaches in a private school in Japan.  The jobs were not available here in the states.  People and politicians are asking teachers to take a cut in pay and benefits to keep the school going.  In neighboring Muskegon Heights, they are looking at being taken over by the state because they are millions on dollars in the red. They have privatized many parts, and asked the teachers for a twenty percent price cut, plus more. This has made it a political hot button that both side cannot win.  Until priorities are put in place like properly funding schools up front, this will continue to be a problem. Until we consolidate the school systems to get the most for the money, it will continue to be a problem. Until we pay teachers according to their abilities and not their location, this will continue to be a problem.  When our schools once again become safe, we will continue to have problems. When politicians act on the problem and stop making this a soapbox, we will continue with the problems. 

Thinning down the junk

It is amazing how quickly the junk can accumulate. This April, we will have been in this house 5 years. We have had as much as 6 people living here, and at times, just down to the two of us. I finally have myself an office, my daughter and her son live in one bedroom, the den and the living room need updating. The house just got new siding and new windows. This takes time because we got no money. All of our furniture is used, but comfortable. We, my wife and I, are both on disability and fight hard to make ends meet. Our unexpected health problems drained our retirement and we were "legally" conned out of our last house which was almost paid for. The reason I bring this up is that I tend to hang on to things longer then usually in hopes that I can re use it. This is nothing like the TV show "hoarders", but we do have a lot of stuff. Our children have not fully moved out. My son and his wife are in Japan, so we are storing their stuff, my one daughter and her husband are living in an apartment so they are space deprived, and my youngest daughter and her son live 80% of the time with us. You might think that I am complaining, but I am not. Our kids payed for our trip to Japan,and because my grandson lives with us, we had our house de leaded and new windows put in. A very good friend gave us a used baby grand piano, and SSI has kept us from being in the gutter. We get to watch our grandson grow up, and look forward to the birth of our 3rd grandchild. I just get frustrated at times that I can't get things done right away. Through it all, God has been great to us, bit I digress from the point. What junk do I keep and what do I need to throw out, how do I save up for newer furniture for the living room, how to re do the kitchen and the two baths, plus do the need repairs on the car, and need a new roof. I guess I can reuse the junk.

This winter season has been really strange. In October and November, Liz and I were in Japan where the weather was beautiful for most part. Since we have returned in December, we have only had a few snow storms and the temp has been around freezing, mostly above freezing. We are way below our average for snow fall and well above normal for temperature.
Yesterday, Tom Izzo (basketball coach @ Michigan State University) recorded his 400th victory. This is one of the class acts of all sports. I would love to sit and talk basketball with this guy more then anyone else. The minute I think that I have figured him out, something new comes to light. He is refreshing everytime to see him.
Joe Paterno will be laid to rest today. I met Joe and talked with him about 20 years ago. The company I was working with had invited the coach to give a motivational speach. So many good things he did for college football to have it all end with one glaring mistake of ommission. I wish to remember him in the 15 min. or so that him and I talked alone.
My Detroit Tigers have beefed up their lineup for a run at the world series. I have enjoyed watching them play. The Detroit Piston, I have not watched at all this year. My reasons, other then that they are really bad, is that Pro Basketball went on strike against its fans, and now I am returning the favor. The Detroit Lions had a great year and are building for the future and are fun to watch. The Detroit Redwings (hockey) are also doing good, but I'm not a hockey fan. With all this said, college sports have been more entertaining this year.

Why do we as Americans want to make things so complicated. The computer age was suppose to make things so easier for us, but instead it has made it more complicated and a lot more expensive.
1- Our elections would truely mean something if the elections were held on a weekend.
2- Each person running for an office must post their corporate sponsors.
3- The President be given a line item veto power.
4- You must be a citizen of this country if you want a say so over here.
5- Fines for deceptive advertising.
6- No small print, or disclaimers.

How is that for Simple?