Global Economy Bursting?

[Randolph Kinney]

Prior to Prop. 13 it was one of the cleanest in the world.

The solution to high taxes and runaway spending is not inane rules, but responsible actions by voters. The inability of so many to look beyond what is good for ME AND MINE is the essence of the state of the global economy. Everyone wants great services, but they want someone else to pay the bill.

When taxes are too low everybody suffers just as people suffer when taxes are too high. By choice I live in an area with the highest tax rates in the state (taxes have not risen in the last four years.) In return the area also provides the best array of services in the state. I don't think it is a coincidence the area also has by far the lowest unemployment rate in the state. Thoughtful, sound decisions are the mark of our local government as are well educated and active voters.

Families flee San Francisco

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/06/19/MN791JU9SD.DTL

Despite efforts by the city and schools, 5,278 fewer children lived in San Francisco in 2010 than in 2000. The city actually has 3,000 more children under 5 than it did 10 years ago, but has lost more than 8,000 kids older than 5. Just 13.4% of the city's 805,235 residents are younger than 18, one of the smallest percentages of any city in the country. Ex-mayor Gavin Newsom sticks by his efforts as mayor to retain families. He pointed to a long list of policies, including universal preschool, universal after-school programs, universal health care, revitalized parks and libraries, and a working family tax credit. Newsom said the high cost of housing and the lack of easy access to high-quality public schools remain the most worrisome aspects of San Francisco living. The school district has lost almost 7,000 kids over the past decade.

 

[Randolph Kinney]

Short Sellers Hammer ‘Solarcoaster’ as Glut of Chinese Panels Sinks Prices

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-...r-as-glut-of-chinese-panels-sinks-prices.html

A glut of Chinese panels and shrinking demand in Europe produces shooting fish in a barrel as short sellers kill First Solar, a record 23% of outstanding shares sold short.

 

[Couch Potato]

Families flee San Francisco

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/06/19/MN791JU9SD.DTL

Despite efforts by the city and schools, 5,278 fewer children lived in San Francisco in 2010 than in 2000. The city actually has 3,000 more children under 5 than it did 10 years ago, but has lost more than 8,000 kids older than 5. Just 13.4% of the city's 805,235 residents are younger than 18, one of the smallest percentages of any city in the country. Ex-mayor Gavin Newsom sticks by his efforts as mayor to retain families. He pointed to a long list of policies, including universal preschool, universal after-school programs, universal health care, revitalized parks and libraries, and a working family tax credit. Newsom said the high cost of housing and the lack of easy access to high-quality public schools remain the most worrisome aspects of San Francisco living. The school district has lost almost 7,000 kids over the past decade.

For years now San Francisco has lost their best students to private schools. Only the poorest residents accept the sorry crap the government has to offer these days. The decline of San Francisco has been remarkably steady. Today it barely resembles the place I used to call home. Some aspects have improved. It is now much easier to commute into The City than it was thirty years ago,but it really is a shame the parks and libraries deteriorated to the point they needed revitalization to reach the level of shadows of their former glory instead of maintaining and surpassing their former levels.

 

[Randolph Kinney]

For years now San Francisco has lost their best students to private schools. Only the poorest residents accept the sorry crap the government has to offer these days. The decline of San Francisco has been remarkably steady. Today it barely resembles the place I used to call home. Some aspects have improved. It is now much easier to commute into The City than it was thirty years ago,but it really is a shame the parks and libraries deteriorated to the point they needed revitalization to reach the level of shadows of their former glory instead of maintaining and surpassing their former levels.

San Francisco values

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_values

"San Francisco values" is a term often used pejoratively and as an ad hominem phrase to refer to cultural, social and moral attributes associated with the city of San Francisco, California's liberal politics and pluralist culture. Often values and expressions that are marked less popular among social conservatives, such as gay pride, the anti-war movement, or secular values generally, are invoked by users to frame their argument.

Nancy Pelosi has done more to typify the phrase "San Francisco values" and its meaning than than other person or group. Gavin Newsom is a close second.

Gavin Newsom cuts ties to San Francisco, moves to Ross

Read more at the San Francisco Examiner: http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/2011/06/newsom-cuts-ties-city#ixzz1PpuykL6b

Despite years of espousing San Francisco values, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom has moved from his 3.5-bedroom Ashbury Heights home to a more spacious estate in the wealthy Marin County enclave of Ross.

And it’s hard to blame the former mayor for making the decision, because he’s not alone. During his tenure as a supervisor and mayor, at least between 2000 and 2010 when the latest census numbers are available, the number of children in San Francisco decreased by 5,278. One of the families that moved during that period belonged to Newsom’s longtime rival, former Supervisor Chris Daly, who purchased properties in the suburb of Fairfield in 2009.

When all these rich people move away from the taxing authority of San Francisco, it's hard to spend more money on schools and teachers.

 

[Couch Potato]

San Francisco values

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_values

"San Francisco values" is a term often used pejoratively and as an ad hominem phrase to refer to cultural, social and moral attributes associated with the city of San Francisco, California's liberal politics and pluralist culture. Often values and expressions that are marked less popular among social conservatives, such as gay pride, the anti-war movement, or secular values generally, are invoked by users to frame their argument.

Nancy Pelosi has done more to typify the phrase "San Francisco values" and its meaning than than other person or group. Gavin Newsom is a close second.

Gavin Newsom cuts ties to San Francisco, moves to Ross

Read more at the San Francisco Examiner: http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/2011/06/newsom-cuts-ties-city#ixzz1PpuykL6b

Despite years of espousing San Francisco values, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom has moved from his 3.5-bedroom Ashbury Heights home to a more spacious estate in the wealthy Marin County enclave of Ross.

And it’s hard to blame the former mayor for making the decision, because he’s not alone. During his tenure as a supervisor and mayor, at least between 2000 and 2010 when the latest census numbers are available, the number of children in San Francisco decreased by 5,278. One of the families that moved during that period belonged to Newsom’s longtime rival, former Supervisor Chris Daly, who purchased properties in the suburb of Fairfield in 2009.

When all these rich people move away from the taxing authority of San Francisco, it's hard to spend more money on schools and teachers.

Yes, and I left in 1995. The decline of The City is ongoing, and it dates back to the passage of Prop. 13. It was an unnecessary interference in the operation of local governments all because some areas, mostly in Southern California, were dominated by people voting based on their personal interest resulting in out of control spending and taxing. Prop. 13 treated a symptom, but did nothing about the cause of the problem. In fact it made the real problem worse. The only real question left about California is will it collapse before or after our current federal government collapses under the weight of its debt?

 

[Randolph Kinney]

Yes, and I left in 1995. The decline of The City is ongoing, and it dates back to the passage of Prop. 13. It was an unnecessary interference in the operation of local governments all because some areas, mostly in Southern California, were dominated by people voting based on their personal interest resulting in out of control spending and taxing. Prop. 13 treated a symptom, but did nothing about the cause of the problem. In fact it made the real problem worse. The only real question left about California is will it collapse before or after our current federal government collapses under the weight of its debt?

Proposition 13 (officially named the People's Initiative to Limit Property Taxation) was an amendment of the Constitution of California enacted during 1978, by means of the initiative process. It was approved by California voters on June 6, 1978. It was declared constitutional by the United States Supreme Court in the case of Nordlinger v. Hahn, 505 U.S. 1 (1992).

Although property taxes use to be the means where schools receive their funding, that has been overridden by Prop 98.

California Proposition 98 requires a minimum percentage of the state budget to be spent on K-14 education. Prop 98 guarantees an annual increase in education in the California budget. Prop 98, also called the "Classroom Instructional Improvement and Accountability Act," amended the California Constitution to mandate a minimum level of education spending based on three tests. Test one, used only for 1988 to 1989, requires spending on education to make up 39% of the state budget. Test 2, used in years of strong economic growth, requires spending on education to equal the previous years spending plus per capita growth and student enrollment adjustment. Test 3, used in years of weak economic growth guarantees prior years spending plus adjustment for enrollment growth, increases for any changes in per capital general fund revenues, and an increase by 0.5 percent in state general funds.

This is accomplished by shifting specified amounts of property tax revenues from cities, counties and special districts to "educational revenue augmentation funds" (ERAF) to support schools statewide. Proposition 98 can be suspended only by a two-thirds vote of the California Legislature.

The initiative was a result of 1978's Proposition 13, which limited assessed property taxes to one percent of a home's value in California and thus limited the amount of local funds that could be spent on school districts.

Proposition 98 has been attacked by some groups because it mandates "auto-pilot spending" and reduces the Legislature's budgetary flexibility.

Prop 98 was a money gusher for the schools and generated far more money than property taxes ever did. So the idea that Prop 13 was the decline of the schools or anything to do with the decline of San Francisco is bogus. State property tax, state sales tax and state income tax are used to fund the schools in California plus the individual school districts receive the local property taxes.

Crappy education is not the only problem afflicting California. However, crappy education is common throughout the United States, not even tied to anything like Prop 13.

 

[Couch Potato]

I am well aware of the history, and I stand by my position. History now shows the people who opposed prop. 13 were correct about its long-term harm to the state. If you want to claim prop. 98 was an even dumber thing to pass, you will get no argument from me, but without prop. 13 there would be no prop. 98 since it was part of the reaction to the effects of prop. 13.

 

[Randolph Kinney]

California was headed for the dumper because of the spending side of the equation as well as their tax policies and regulations. However, the biggest problem with California and the rest of the country is the dumbing down of society. That is inherent with social policy that is implemented through government and schools. That's how a city like San Francisco can be one of the dirtiest in the nation but lead the nation as environmentally green and failing schools. The saying, "You get what you pay for" is not true. You pay more to get les but at least you are politically correct with San Francisco values.

 

[Restrain]

Kids got an acceptable education in a 1-room schoolhouse with minimal heat in winter, no AC. The school I went to had no AC, and I wore a coat in class during the winter due to the lack of heat. I got a good education and many of my peers went on to professional careers (architects, engineers, attorneys, etc). We had well over 30 in each class, so class size and a lack of facilities were not the issue.

The issue involves serveral issues. The first is that kids feel entitled and do not want to study. We do not teach history, excuse a lack of trying, and do not involve the parent. Rather than requiring that the kids learn English, we attempt to teach US kids alternative languages and ignore the reason for education, the three Rs.

Finally, teachers have become baby-sitters in many classes, hamstrung by requirements to mainstream everyone, including those who do not want to study, who cannot learn, and who disrupt the class.

Until all these issues are addressed, none of which involve additional funds, BTW, schools will continue to fail.

 

[Couch Potato]

Kids got an acceptable education in a 1-room schoolhouse with minimal heat in winter, no AC. The school I went to had no AC, and I wore a coat in class during the winter due to the lack of heat. I got a good education and many of my peers went on to professional careers (architects, engineers, attorneys, etc). We had well over 30 in each class, so class size and a lack of facilities were not the issue.

The issue involves serveral issues. The first is that kids feel entitled and do not want to study. We do not teach history, excuse a lack of trying, and do not involve the parent. Rather than requiring that the kids learn English, we attempt to teach US kids alternative languages and ignore the reason for education, the three Rs.

Finally, teachers have become baby-sitters in many classes, hamstrung by requirements to mainstream everyone, including those who do not want to study, who cannot learn, and who disrupt the class.

Until all these issues are addressed, none of which involve additional funds, BTW, schools will continue to fail.

The definition of acceptable education has changed tremendously since that time. It used to be having 20% of the population go on to college was acceptable, but now it is a crisis. It used to be learning math through Algebra and Geomtry was plenty for high school, but now it is not halfway to to the goal of everyone taking Calculus. When I was in school US History was only taught through a hurried treatment of WW II, but that was acceptable since my parents were alive at that time as were most of the population. Now teaching that same material is stopping far short of what is needed.

The biggest problem with our educational system is people trying to fix it.