So Governor Ted Strickland made his second State of the State address yesterday...I caught the last 20 minutes or so on NPR. That meant I got the meat and potatoes of the speech...namely, a primary education chancellor and a $1.7 billion stimulus program to create jobs.
Here's the transcript...
...and a news story with the highlights from the Columbus Dispatch.
There were also some big promises on college...guaranteed quality associate and bachelors degrees available within 30 miles of every Ohioan...a "Seniors to Sophomores" program that will let high school seniors opt into a state college for their last year.
I liked it. I thought Strickland did a nice job, wasn't bashing anyone, was making some nice gestures to the legislature. And he's got his eye on the prize...now to see if we can actually get the education system in this state under control.
Wednesday
Who's in the State House?
Since I now life only about 15 minutes from the State House, I think it's time to look at who represents me now.
My State Senator is Ray Miller, the Minority Leader. Looks pretty solid...BS in Political Science, MA Public Administration. President and CEO of Professional Employment Services of America. I'll look into sponsored bills...later.
My State Representative is Tracy Heard. First term in office, went to the University of Akron...in good company, from all I've heard. Again, I'll check out some of these 48 bills later.
I just have to update some links.
...and Now for Some News...
Clinton and Obama Still Locked in Struggle, from NPR
McCain is Far Ahead the GOP Leader (but Romney and Huckabee Won't Quit), from NPR
Italian Parliament Dissolved to Set Stage for Snap Elections, from BBC
CIA Chief Admits to Waterboarding, from BBC
OSU Tickets to Cost More Next Season, from WCBE
Foster Care Bill Hits Governor's Desk, from WVXU
My State Senator is Ray Miller, the Minority Leader. Looks pretty solid...BS in Political Science, MA Public Administration. President and CEO of Professional Employment Services of America. I'll look into sponsored bills...later.
My State Representative is Tracy Heard. First term in office, went to the University of Akron...in good company, from all I've heard. Again, I'll check out some of these 48 bills later.
I just have to update some links.
...and Now for Some News...
Clinton and Obama Still Locked in Struggle, from NPR
McCain is Far Ahead the GOP Leader (but Romney and Huckabee Won't Quit), from NPR
Italian Parliament Dissolved to Set Stage for Snap Elections, from BBC
CIA Chief Admits to Waterboarding, from BBC
OSU Tickets to Cost More Next Season, from WCBE
Foster Care Bill Hits Governor's Desk, from WVXU
Monday
My Ideal Candidate
Now that we're in the same year as the election, I'm taking a harder look at who could be President. I've made my picks for each party. But really, I feel like they're just compromise positions.
That's partly because they're career politicians. Someone who makes government a living doesn't really know me and my life. I'd be happier with a business man or a doctor or a lawyer or even a machinist taking time out of his life to serve.
It's also partly because they're all chosen by the same old republican system. No, this is not a conspiracy theory...that's Hilary's thing. I mean "as in a republic."
The way the nomination process works thru party delegates allows the party machines (and thus) big money to have a bigger say in things than any number of votes. Let's look at the debates, how only "viable" candidates are allowed to participate (Where was Mike Gravel??). Let's look at a thousand other ways candidates not ahead in the polls get zero media coverage.
My ideal candidate would be elected by me. Or my neighbor. From start to finish. I don't want that candidate to be nominated by Iowa. I don't want them financed by the local party machine. I don't want them chosen by professional political junkies for me.
My candidate would elected, not pre-approved.
...and Now for Some News...
Cuban Migration Spikes, from NPR
Archivist Arrested for Stealing Documents, from NPR (Yet another reminder to NOT DO ILLEGAL STUFF ONLINE).
Columbians Protest the Farc, from BBC
High Heels Equal Better Sex Life?, from BBC
Sherrod Brown Working to Secure Federal Dollars for Utility Upgrades, from WCBE
Parts of Old St. George Church to Come Down, from WVXU
That's partly because they're career politicians. Someone who makes government a living doesn't really know me and my life. I'd be happier with a business man or a doctor or a lawyer or even a machinist taking time out of his life to serve.
It's also partly because they're all chosen by the same old republican system. No, this is not a conspiracy theory...that's Hilary's thing. I mean "as in a republic."
The way the nomination process works thru party delegates allows the party machines (and thus) big money to have a bigger say in things than any number of votes. Let's look at the debates, how only "viable" candidates are allowed to participate (Where was Mike Gravel??). Let's look at a thousand other ways candidates not ahead in the polls get zero media coverage.
My ideal candidate would be elected by me. Or my neighbor. From start to finish. I don't want that candidate to be nominated by Iowa. I don't want them financed by the local party machine. I don't want them chosen by professional political junkies for me.
My candidate would elected, not pre-approved.
...and Now for Some News...
Cuban Migration Spikes, from NPR
Archivist Arrested for Stealing Documents, from NPR (Yet another reminder to NOT DO ILLEGAL STUFF ONLINE).
Columbians Protest the Farc, from BBC
High Heels Equal Better Sex Life?, from BBC
Sherrod Brown Working to Secure Federal Dollars for Utility Upgrades, from WCBE
Parts of Old St. George Church to Come Down, from WVXU
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