Comments for Vancouver Voters http://davidcarrier.org/blog Discussion and feedback about election issues and priorities, hosted by David Carrier Tue, 02 Dec 2008 03:36:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 Comment on Financial meltdown: what went wrong, and how will it affect us? by Administrator http://davidcarrier.org/blog/2008/09/22/the-financial-meltdown-what-went-wrong-and-who-will-pay/#comment-49 Administrator Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:41:27 +0000 http://davidcarrier.org/blog/2008/09/22/the-financial-meltdown-what-went-wrong-and-who-will-pay/#comment-49 Hank Paulson is finally listening: Fighting the Financial Crisis, One Challenge at a Time By HENRY M. PAULSON Jr., NYT, November 17, 2008 http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/18/opinion/18paulson.html?th&emc=th "More access to lower-cost mortgage lending is the No. 1 thing we can do to slow the decline in the housing market and reduce the number of foreclosures. Together with our bank capital program, the moves we have made to stabilize and strengthen Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and through them to increase the flow of mortgage credit, will promote mortgage lending. We are also working with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the F.D.I.C. and others to reduce preventable foreclosures." Hank Paulson is finally listening:

Fighting the Financial Crisis, One Challenge at a Time
By HENRY M. PAULSON Jr., NYT, November 17, 2008
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/18/opinion/18paulson.html?th&emc=th

“More access to lower-cost mortgage lending is the No. 1 thing we can do to slow the decline in the housing market and reduce the number of foreclosures. Together with our bank capital program, the moves we have made to stabilize and strengthen Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and through them to increase the flow of mortgage credit, will promote mortgage lending. We are also working with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the F.D.I.C. and others to reduce preventable foreclosures.”

]]> Comment on Why I’m voting for David Carrier by Kerri Altom http://davidcarrier.org/blog/2008/08/14/why-im-voting-for-david-carrier/#comment-48 Kerri Altom Mon, 03 Nov 2008 10:35:58 +0000 http://davidcarrier.org/blog/2008/08/14/why-im-voting-for-david-carrier/#comment-48 My great grandmother settled here on her own, claiming in letters to her family that she had found a true Eden. I was born and raised in Battle Ground, where I became active in advocating for educational programs and environmental protections when I was still a kid. Back then Battle Ground was still a small town, and my views were often out of the mainstream, but I was always encouraged to have those views and to work for what I believed in. I was always supported by somebody in my efforts-- teachers, parents, coaches-- until years later when I ran up against one glaring exception. In my more than 20 years of citizen activism, no one has treated me with as much disregard and arrogance as our current State Senator, Don Benton. I was in Olympia to speak to an education committee in support of Running Start (a state program that serves students AND saves the state money), I was dismissed by Benton, without apology or explanation. Even though I was there that day at the invitation of Republican Don Carlson, and I was with the President of Clark College. I wasn't completely surprised-- Benton has earned his reputation for arrogance- but I was deeply discouraged. Benton was rumored to be ineffective even within his own party, and on that trip I came to believe that even if he had taken the time to listen to his constituents, he likely would not have been able to advocate on our behalf. As a Senator, he could have been one of our biggest allies, but it seemed he was too alienated to be of any help at all. So, here I am, more than 8 years later, and now mother to two little boys. You can imagine, my commitment to education and the environment is magnified, but if I have reason to talk to a legislator, I just work around Benton. I make no effort to contact him. You can imagine, I was excited to learn from friends that a new candidate, David Carrier, for State Senate actually had a chance at unseating the long time incumbent Benton. A little research later, and I was over the moon to find that Carrier is a man whose extraordinary education and lifetime commitment to service would make him a dream candidate any year. Now, add to that the ways that Carrier is the perfect candidate to serve us at this critical moment. For instance, we're in the thick of a horrible financial crisis, and Carrier is an economist. One key to working our way toward a healthier economy is to create a "green economy," and Carrier has experience and vision for this. A quick read of his bio reveals that this is a man who has committed his life to service, meeting high standards of achievement, and living with integrity. I couldn't be more pleased to see a candidate of David Carrier's caliber stepping up to give Clark County citizens the kind of representation in that Senate seat that we deserve. Please, urge your friends and family to learn about David Carrier, and let his achievements and positions earn their vote. Sincerely, Kerri Altom My great grandmother settled here on her own, claiming in letters to her family that she had found a true Eden. I was born and raised in Battle Ground, where I became active in advocating for educational programs and environmental protections when I was still a kid. Back then Battle Ground was still a small town, and my views were often out of the mainstream, but I was always encouraged to have those views and to work for what I believed in. I was always supported by somebody in my efforts– teachers, parents, coaches– until years later when I ran up against one glaring exception.

In my more than 20 years of citizen activism, no one has treated me with as much disregard and arrogance as our current State Senator, Don Benton. I was in Olympia to speak to an education committee in support of Running Start (a state program that serves students AND saves the state money), I was dismissed by Benton, without apology or explanation. Even though I was there that day at the invitation of Republican Don Carlson, and I was with the President of Clark College.

I wasn’t completely surprised– Benton has earned his reputation for arrogance- but I was deeply discouraged. Benton was rumored to be ineffective even within his own party, and on that trip I came to believe that even if he had taken the time to listen to his constituents, he likely would not have been able to advocate on our behalf. As a Senator, he could have been one of our biggest allies, but it seemed he was too alienated to be of any help at all.

So, here I am, more than 8 years later, and now mother to two little boys. You can imagine, my commitment to education and the environment is magnified, but if I have reason to talk to a legislator, I just work around Benton. I make no effort to contact him.

You can imagine, I was excited to learn from friends that a new candidate, David Carrier, for State Senate actually had a chance at unseating the long time incumbent Benton. A little research later, and I was over the moon to find that Carrier is a man whose extraordinary education and lifetime commitment to service would make him a dream candidate any year.

Now, add to that the ways that Carrier is the perfect candidate to serve us at this critical moment. For instance, we’re in the thick of a horrible financial crisis, and Carrier is an economist. One key to working our way toward a healthier economy is to create a “green economy,” and Carrier has experience and vision for this. A quick read of his bio reveals that this is a man who has committed his life to service, meeting high standards of achievement, and living with integrity.

I couldn’t be more pleased to see a candidate of David Carrier’s caliber stepping up to give Clark County citizens the kind of representation in that Senate seat that we deserve. Please, urge your friends and family to learn about David Carrier, and let his achievements and positions earn their vote.

Sincerely,

Kerri Altom

]]> Comment on Why I’m voting for David Carrier by Administrator http://davidcarrier.org/blog/2008/08/14/why-im-voting-for-david-carrier/#comment-47 Administrator Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:48:13 +0000 http://davidcarrier.org/blog/2008/08/14/why-im-voting-for-david-carrier/#comment-47 I support David Carrier because David cares about a healthy SW Washington. The incumbent has consistently voted against improving climate problems confronting Washington state. David will fight to protect health of our children. David's economics training will insure that the citizens get the most bang for their buck. Tightlines_____________________________Richard Kennon Retired Fire Captain, member of many fishing and conservation organizations. I support David Carrier because David cares about a healthy SW Washington. The incumbent has consistently voted against improving climate problems confronting Washington state. David will fight to protect health of our children. David’s economics training will insure that the citizens get the most bang for their buck.
Tightlines_____________________________Richard Kennon
Retired Fire Captain, member of many fishing and conservation organizations.

]]> Comment on Affordable health care and housing is within reach by Administrator http://davidcarrier.org/blog/2008/09/29/affordable-health-care-and-housing-is-within-reach/#comment-46 Administrator Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:45:11 +0000 http://davidcarrier.org/blog/2008/09/29/affordable-health-care-and-housing-is-within-reach/#comment-46 by Austin Shotwell: If you are familiar with Kaiser HMO then you may also be familiar with the need for more than just affordable health care for all… but also health care that is not controlled HMO’s. I'm 75 and I recall good health care and good doctors. Doctors that you could call when you had a problem and knew you and your family Doctors that even came to your home or met you at ER in an emergency and did not work just a 40 hour week as they do at Kaiser. A friend of mine just about died last week because following a simple operation (that took months to set up and should have been a one day in and out). Luckily he was kept over night and his blood pressure dropped. Turned out he was bleeding internally. He was placed on a blood thinner by one doctor, has had by-pass surgery by another, and another did this simple operation. Having so many doctors that had no idea about his medical history nearly resulted in his death. I have been there also but thanks to having the same doc for 20 years I am still alive. With Kaiser I have two broken Achilles tendons that were not properly treated. My son in law had a tumor that was ignored for months and nearly cost him his life. It takes two weeks to see your primary doc who can’t even do a simple surgery removing a cist. Instead you’re sent to a specialist that takes month. Kaiser totally controls my Medicare funds…I have no say in how they are used but do get cost figures that Medicare is often over charged or charged for services that were not provided or were wrong. There a lot more needed to provide a good health care syste. My doctor is assigned 2000 patients. That alone should be a crime. There is no way she can provide good health care for that many people. It’s simply a money making scheme by Austin Shotwell:

If you are familiar with Kaiser HMO then you may also be familiar with the need for more than just affordable health care for all… but also health care that is not controlled HMO’s. I’m 75 and I recall good health care and good doctors. Doctors that you could call when you had a problem and knew you and your family Doctors that even came to your home or met you at ER in an emergency and did not work just a 40 hour week as they do at Kaiser.

A friend of mine just about died last week because following a simple operation (that took months to set up and should have been a one day in and out). Luckily he was kept over night and his blood pressure dropped. Turned out he was bleeding internally. He was placed on a blood thinner by one doctor, has had by-pass surgery by another, and another did this simple operation. Having so many doctors that had no idea about his medical history nearly resulted in his death.

I have been there also but thanks to having the same doc for 20 years I am still alive. With Kaiser I have two broken Achilles tendons that were not properly treated. My son in law had a tumor that was ignored for months and nearly cost him his life. It takes two weeks to see your primary doc who can’t even do a simple surgery removing a cist. Instead you’re sent to a specialist that takes month.

Kaiser totally controls my Medicare funds…I have no say in how they are used but do get cost figures that Medicare is often over charged or charged for services that were not provided or were wrong. There a lot more needed to provide a good health care syste. My doctor is assigned 2000 patients. That alone should be a crime. There is no way she can provide good health care for that many people. It’s simply a money making scheme

]]> Comment on Why I’m voting for David Carrier by LThomas http://davidcarrier.org/blog/2008/08/14/why-im-voting-for-david-carrier/#comment-45 LThomas Wed, 22 Oct 2008 04:30:17 +0000 http://davidcarrier.org/blog/2008/08/14/why-im-voting-for-david-carrier/#comment-45 I look around my neighborhood and I see vacant homes. There are For Sale signs everywhere. I see people staying home during the day who used to go to work.. Whatever Don Benton has done for the community as a whole, has obviously not been enough, or has quit being effective. After his 14 years in office I am of the opinion he has had a fair chance, but it has not been enough, or he failed to pay attention to economic events as they overtook us. At this juncture the only reasonable recourse is to move on, and to endorse new energy, new ideas, new century reasoning. That would be David Carrier. He radiates practical, comprehensive, and solid ideas, that not only encompass one or even two segments of the needs requiring attention, but sees us as a whole viable community. We need help, yes. We need answers, yes. And we need sound ideas. We can help ourselves, we're used to hard work, but we need engaged leadership to a help build a solid and secure future. But mostly we need someone who listens to those needs, and someone who can work toward providing the necessary tools so that we can bring back energy to our streets, neighborhoods, and communities. I look around my neighborhood and I see vacant homes. There are For Sale signs everywhere. I see people staying home during the day who used to go to work.. Whatever Don Benton has done for the community as a whole, has obviously not been enough, or has quit being effective. After his 14 years in office I am of the opinion he has had a fair chance, but it has not been enough, or he failed to pay attention to economic events as they overtook us. At this juncture the only reasonable recourse is to move on, and to endorse new energy, new ideas, new century reasoning. That would be David Carrier. He radiates practical, comprehensive, and solid ideas, that not only encompass one or even two segments of the needs requiring attention, but sees us as a whole viable community. We need help, yes. We need answers, yes. And we need sound ideas. We can help ourselves, we’re used to hard work, but we need engaged leadership to a help build a solid and secure future. But mostly we need someone who listens to those needs, and someone who can work toward providing the necessary tools so that we can bring back energy to our streets, neighborhoods, and communities.

]]> Comment on State education funding in crisis by chucksr http://davidcarrier.org/blog/2008/09/20/state-education-funding-in-crisis/#comment-44 chucksr Wed, 22 Oct 2008 04:11:29 +0000 http://davidcarrier.org/blog/2008/09/20/state-education-funding-in-crisis/#comment-44 I am sad that people vote a party without knowing the facts. A voter should vote based on the individual running for office, his education, beliefs, morals, values, positions, and experience. Based on Don Benton's voting record there is little support for the advancement of our children’s future in education. Voting no is not how to earn my vote. I need answers to problems and input to solutions. The investment in our children will advance the future of our society. It is time we think about not voting “THE PARTY”. It is time voters think of the future and not the present pennies they want to pinch. David Carrier is an educator and has my vote. I am sad that people vote a party without knowing the facts. A voter should vote based on the individual running for office, his education, beliefs, morals, values, positions, and experience. Based on Don Benton’s voting record there is little support for the advancement of our children’s future in education. Voting no is not how to earn my vote. I need answers to problems and input to solutions. The investment in our children will advance the future of our society. It is time we think about not voting “THE PARTY”. It is time voters think of the future and not the present pennies they want to pinch. David Carrier is an educator and has my vote.

]]> Comment on Why I’m voting for David Carrier by Administrator http://davidcarrier.org/blog/2008/08/14/why-im-voting-for-david-carrier/#comment-43 Administrator Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:01:14 +0000 http://davidcarrier.org/blog/2008/08/14/why-im-voting-for-david-carrier/#comment-43 I am supporting David Carrier because he is about the most environmentally friendly candidate around. He gets the issue of global warming. I have been working on behalf of the environment for 40 years. It would be a treat to have someone truly representing me in the legislature. He would make a great partner to Senator Craig Pridemore in the senate. Together the two of them would work hard on the behalf of wildlife and of people. He is hard working and diligent. He will make wise decisions while in the legislature. Gretchen Starke environmental activist I am supporting David Carrier because he is about the most environmentally friendly candidate around. He gets the issue of global warming. I have been working on behalf of the environment for 40 years. It would be a treat to have someone truly representing me in the legislature. He would make a great partner to Senator Craig Pridemore in the senate. Together the two of them would work hard on the behalf of wildlife and of people. He is hard working and diligent. He will make wise decisions while in the legislature.

Gretchen Starke
environmental activist

]]> Comment on The economy is broken. Let’s fix it. by Administrator http://davidcarrier.org/blog/2008/07/16/labor-issues/#comment-42 Administrator Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:31:54 +0000 http://davidcarrier.org/blog/2008/07/16/labor-issues/#comment-42 Posted by Grace Carrier Yes, greed is not good. No, not all americans are greedy. I was born in1926, listened to FDR on the radio constantlly while he brought us out of the Depression. I have many moments when I reflect on memories. Stood in line for sugar, flour, sack dresses, silk stockings, and shoes which were rationed. It was l939 or maybe early forties before things were back in supply. Then WW11 came along. Most of the boys in my senior class went into the service. Think my graduating class had 80 girls and 12 boys. Two of my crushes in high school never came back. I write this because I am not alone, the majority of people I have met in life have been on the same road. They are Americans. My mother loved America and never wanted to go back to Europe even for a visit. Hopefully we will get our thinking straight and we Americans will police the greedy again. Maybe we had to go through tough times do realize we are suffering from inaction, and need to watch our leaders more closely by what they do and not by what they say. Posted by Grace Carrier

Yes, greed is not good. No, not all americans are greedy. I was born in1926, listened to FDR on the radio constantlly while he brought us out of the Depression. I have many moments when I reflect on memories. Stood in line for sugar, flour, sack dresses, silk stockings, and shoes which were rationed. It was l939 or maybe early forties before things were back in supply. Then WW11 came along. Most of the boys in my senior class went into the service. Think my graduating class had 80 girls and 12 boys. Two of my crushes in high school never came back.

I write this because I am not alone, the majority of people I have met in life have been on the same road. They are Americans. My mother loved America and never wanted to go back to Europe even for a visit. Hopefully we will get our thinking straight and we Americans will police the greedy again. Maybe we had to go through tough times do realize we are suffering from inaction, and need to watch our leaders more closely by what they do and not by what they say.

]]> Comment on Financial meltdown: what went wrong, and how will it affect us? by chucksr http://davidcarrier.org/blog/2008/09/22/the-financial-meltdown-what-went-wrong-and-who-will-pay/#comment-40 chucksr Mon, 13 Oct 2008 04:56:09 +0000 http://davidcarrier.org/blog/2008/09/22/the-financial-meltdown-what-went-wrong-and-who-will-pay/#comment-40 As of this date Don Benton has failed to have posted the Political Courage Test? Why? Project Vote smart has this information on Senator Don Benton Abortion 2008 Has received no points for issues on Abortion and has no history with any points He also received no points in previous years. Labor 2008 Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO's position, Senator Benton received a rating of 40. Agriculture 2008 Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to Washington Farm Bureau's position, Senator Benton received a rating of 100. Business 2008 Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to Association of Washington Business's position, Senator Benton received a rating of 91. 2008 Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to Washington National Federation of Independent Business's position, Senator Benton received a rating of 85. 2007 Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to JobMakers's position, Senator Benton received a rating of 45. Civil Liberties and Civil Rights 2001-2002 Senator Benton supported the interests of the First American Education Project 65 percent in 2001-2002. No record since 2002? Conservative 2007 Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to Washington Conservative Union's position, Senator Benton received a rating of 73. Education 2005 Senator Benton supported the interests of the Washington Education Association 55 percent in 2005. Environmental Issues 2007-2008 Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to Washington Conservation Voters's position, Senator Benton received a rating of 46. Family and Children Issues 2008 Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to Washington Children's Alliance's position, Senator Benton received a rating of 67. Government Reform He has no score posted for 2006, 2007 or 2008. Gun Issues He has no score posted for 8 years Women's Issues He has no score posted since 1998 (scored 33) TOTAL = 534 OUT OF 1200= 44% That is an "F" on any report card As of this date Don Benton has failed to have posted the Political Courage Test? Why?

Project Vote smart has this information on Senator Don Benton

Abortion
2008 Has received no points for issues on Abortion and has no history with any points He also received no points in previous years.

Labor
2008 Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO’s position, Senator Benton received a rating of 40.

Agriculture
2008 Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to Washington Farm Bureau’s position, Senator Benton received a rating of 100.

Business
2008 Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to Association of Washington Business’s position, Senator Benton received a rating of 91.

2008 Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to Washington National Federation of Independent Business’s position, Senator Benton received a rating of 85.

2007 Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to JobMakers’s position, Senator Benton received a rating of 45.

Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
2001-2002 Senator Benton supported the interests of the First American Education Project 65 percent in 2001-2002.
No record since 2002?

Conservative
2007 Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to Washington Conservative Union’s position, Senator Benton received a rating of 73.

Education
2005 Senator Benton supported the interests of the Washington Education Association 55 percent in 2005.

Environmental Issues
2007-2008 Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to Washington Conservation Voters’s position, Senator Benton received a rating of 46.

Family and Children Issues
2008 Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to Washington Children’s Alliance’s position, Senator Benton received a rating of 67.

Government Reform
He has no score posted for 2006, 2007 or 2008.

Gun Issues
He has no score posted for 8 years

Women’s Issues
He has no score posted since 1998 (scored 33)

TOTAL = 534 OUT OF 1200= 44%
That is an “F” on any report card

]]> Comment on Financial meltdown: what went wrong, and how will it affect us? by screekdude http://davidcarrier.org/blog/2008/09/22/the-financial-meltdown-what-went-wrong-and-who-will-pay/#comment-37 screekdude Sun, 05 Oct 2008 19:29:17 +0000 http://davidcarrier.org/blog/2008/09/22/the-financial-meltdown-what-went-wrong-and-who-will-pay/#comment-37 Here are my views on your recent email, attached below: I agree with most of the observations. This financial crisis has been brewing for a while. As early as 2006, there were people sounding the alarm that home prices were rising way out of proportion with the rise in family incomes. And speculators were buying homes just so that they could flip them. Sounded like the alarm that Greenspan sounded in his "irrational exuberance" speech, years before the Dot Com bust in 2000. But no one did anything to tighten credit at that time, when it could have been much cheaper, just as no one did anything to curb day trading and option trading in the late 1990s. Increase in products like derivatives (a very appropriate term borrowed from Calculus, which can very easily model the departure from the norm, and predict violent swings in prices) is a symptom of increase in speculation. When speculation rules price action, the normal market forces of supply and demand for ACTUAL GOODS AND SERVICES take a back seat. If I were to call the shots, any government economist who did not take action two years ago should be fired. I see the role of the government as the guardian of free market forces, which we preach all over the world. But we fail to practice it at home. Instead, we have crony capitalism, where the government looks the other way when the big donors repackage debt into complicated financial instruments and resell them for profit. By the way, the same can be said about the other side of the equation. If capital is being squeezed by the debt crisis, which Democrats are quick to blame on crony capitalists, most of them Republicans, the supply of quality labor is being pinched by the pubic education system. Yes, the same system that supports democratic candidates for the most part. Trade unions belonging to teachers and other employees are quick to take the role of the victim when they see excesses on Wall Street. But I think this is just another smoke screen to hide the job it has not been doing for the last 40 years. I have not seen any politician who has ventured to turn this rock to see which worms crawl out - the rock is too big, the worms too many. My take on this is that they are afraid of losing the endorsement of large voting blocks the unions control. Since you claim to not take any help from big donors, I feel you are in a unique situation to make an impact here. The K-12 public education is at the bottom of the industrial world today, and soon it will be at the bottom of fast developing countries - in the bottom 25th percentile of the world population. Why do I say this? Because no matter what the state and national leaders have done, they have not been able to break the monopoly of the unions. Without free market forces in action in education, I don't think you will see any tangible improvement. You are an economist, so I am sure you understand what happens when a monopoly takes hold of a system. I assert that no leading economy can afford to continue leading, with a system that is worse than what we used to call the 3rd world, just 10 years ago. States like Texas, Massachusetts, California, Arizona, have all woken up and started taking decisive action. The states of Oregon and Washington have not. And we are paying the price, with one of the highest unemployment rates, highest college remediation rates, and lowest college graduation rates in the nation. I don't know about you, but I think this cannot continue if we were to do what is right for the local economy. Shortage of capital AND quality labor are about to create the perfect economic storm. Hold on for a very rough ride during the next few years. Here are my views on your recent email, attached below:

I agree with most of the observations. This financial crisis has been brewing for a while. As early as 2006, there were people sounding the alarm that home prices were rising way out of proportion with the rise in family incomes. And speculators were buying homes just so that they could flip them. Sounded like the alarm that Greenspan sounded in his “irrational exuberance” speech, years before the Dot Com bust in 2000. But no one did anything to tighten credit at that time, when it could have been much cheaper, just as no one did anything to curb day trading and option trading in the late 1990s. Increase in products like derivatives (a very appropriate term borrowed from Calculus, which can very easily model the departure from the norm, and predict violent swings in prices) is a symptom of increase in speculation. When speculation rules price action, the normal market forces of supply and demand for ACTUAL GOODS AND SERVICES take a back seat. If I were to call the shots, any government economist who did not take action two years ago should be fired. I see the role of the government as the guardian of free market forces, which we preach all over the world. But we fail to practice it at home. Instead, we have crony capitalism, where the government looks the other way when the big donors repackage debt into complicated financial instruments and resell them for profit.

By the way, the same can be said about the other side of the equation. If capital is being squeezed by the debt crisis, which Democrats are quick to blame on crony capitalists, most of them Republicans, the supply of quality labor is being pinched by the pubic education system. Yes, the same system that supports democratic candidates for the most part. Trade unions belonging to teachers and other employees are quick to take the role of the victim when they see excesses on Wall Street. But I think this is just another smoke screen to hide the job it has not been doing for the last 40 years. I have not seen any politician who has ventured to turn this rock to see which worms crawl out - the rock is too big, the worms too many. My take on this is that they are afraid of losing the endorsement of large voting blocks the unions control. Since you claim to not take any help from big donors, I feel you are in a unique situation to make an impact here. The K-12 public education is at the bottom of the industrial world today, and soon it will be at the bottom of fast developing countries - in the bottom 25th percentile of the world population. Why do I say this? Because no matter what the state and national leaders have done, they have not been able to break the monopoly of the unions. Without free market forces in action in education, I don’t think you will see any tangible improvement. You are an economist, so I am sure you understand what happens when a monopoly takes hold of a system. I assert that no leading economy can afford to continue leading, with a system that is worse than what we used to call the 3rd world, just 10 years ago. States like Texas, Massachusetts, California, Arizona, have all woken up and started taking decisive action. The states of Oregon and Washington have not. And we are paying the price, with one of the highest unemployment rates, highest college remediation rates, and lowest college graduation rates in the nation. I don’t know about you, but I think this cannot continue if we were to do what is right for the local economy. Shortage of capital AND quality labor are about to create the perfect economic storm. Hold on for a very rough ride during the next few years.

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