Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Sort of off subject but...

OneMan and OneDaughter (the third grader) are going to be in Springfield next week on Wed for an educational/lobby event (they are not calling it a lobby event, but I know that is part of it). They have some stuff planned for us including talking to a legislator or two along with some of the classic Lincoln stuff.

Since we have family down in Springfield she has seen the Lincoln stuff before, I am open to suggestions on what we can see/do that will give her a better idea of the legislative process without gaining the cynical edge that her dad has at times.

Thanks

OneMan

7 comments:

Extreme Wisdom 11:15 PM  

OneMan,

She's much safer with the cynical edge. Maybe you can use the cynicism to fuel some future idealism.
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Here is a good legislative story. Suzi Bassi was going to introduce a bill to lower the amount of a contract that required a bidding process.

She was called into the office of Roger Thornton (D211's Super.) where she was shown the error of her ways. She is now promoting a bill (along with former Educrat Eddy) that legalizes the IEC energy scam after the fact by exempting enrgy contracts from bidding.

Source:http://journals.aol.com/arise211/insightd211/entries/2007/03/25/energy-no-bid-contracts-and-d211/910
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Over at http://district211.wordpress.com there is more on the continuing story of how a bunch of former Superintendents (with help from the IASB, IASBO, etc.) formed their own little Enron to defraud districts selling fake cheap power.

Source: Trib/Rado
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Whether the issue is test scores, contract negotiations, devising strategies to circumvent tax caps, energy prices, or the absurd studies that show “progressive curricula” as superior to “traditional curricula, the truth is the same.

The education establishment is an engine of misrepresentation for the sole purpose of defrauding the taxpaying public.

Sure, there are some good people teaching some kids, but the system is hopelessly corrupt. The brewing energy scandal is NOT an exception. It is the rule.
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You aren't really going to help the corrupt education bureaucracy lobby for money, are you? Don't help these people. You are doing your daughter a diservice.

Rep. John Fritchey 9:49 AM  

Lighten up, he was just asking about things to show an 8 year old to help her better understand government.

Our daughter is now 11, and I can tell you firsthand that it took her a while to really get a grip on what it is that I do as a legislator.

The best thing that I can recommend is to spend a few minutes with a Rep or Senator, and have them explain to her in real world terms what it is we do, and how we do it.

Feel free to grab me off of the floor if you'd like. (I promise not to indoctrinate her with moderate Democratic philosophy:)

So-Called Austin Mayor 9:56 AM  

OM,

Just a quick comment to commend you on taking your daughter to see the sausage being made. I still remember the first time my dad took me to the capital -- it was over school funding issues as well.

I thought it was boring as hell. But now I look back on it as one of the most important lessons of my life, i.e. that citizens must be active participants in their government.

I tip my hat to you, sir, for raising a capital-c Citizen.

-- SCAM

OneMan 10:56 AM  

EW,
For what it is worth I did have the 'do I agree with their agenda' argument in my head for a minute.

Then I realized it was worth it for the experience for her alone.

Thanks John, I may take you up on that if for no other reason than to show her there are people who serve in state government we haven't handed stuff out for at parades.

Marathon Pundit 7:15 PM  

Hey OneMan...I took my daughter to Springfield in January, which I did a post on:

Thirty hours in Lincoln's Springfield

http://marathonpundit.blogspot.com/2007_01_01_archive.html#3065620858803139466

Since then, the Old State Capitol of course has taken on new significance.

Extreme Wisdom 12:05 AM  

OM,

Half of me apologizes for the urge to politicize such events, and the other half realizes that no one will bother to fix anything until enough of us do just that.

Hope all goes/went well.
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Hon. Frithchey,

I'll lighten up when you do what is best for kids, and not the Teachers Unions (and yes, you deserve more kudos than some)((and no, the two will never be the same)).

Rich Miller 9:07 PM  

I'd really like to meet the both of you. Send me an e-mail and I'll give you my cell number.

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