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We have a very bumpy road ahead and I would love to see true leaders step forward.
The problem with that sentiment is the presumption that "government" is the leader.
Restating the Declaration of Independence, job #1 = secure rights, job #2 = govern those who consent. As to economic decline or growth, government is a major culprit, since it has greatly expanded its intrusion into the private sector. But it's not the remedy. It's the people that have to take the lead. Public servants like to march at the head of the parade, but they're not really the leaders.
Point of contention:
The NEPA area is burdened with an abundance of "Takers", and the "Taken" are leaving. How can a "leader" change that?
Stop rewarding "Takers"?
Stop penalizing "Taken"?
Not possible when the "Takers" outvote the "Taken".
The problem with that sentiment is the presumption that "government" is the leader.
Restating the Declaration of Independence, job #1 = secure rights, job #2 = govern those who consent. As to economic decline or growth, government is a major culprit, since it has greatly expanded its intrusion into the private sector. But it's not the remedy. It's the people that have to take the lead. Public servants like to march at the head of the parade, but they're not really the leaders.
Point of contention:
The NEPA area is burdened with an abundance of "Takers", and the "Taken" are leaving. How can a "leader" change that?
Stop rewarding "Takers"?
Stop penalizing "Taken"?
Not possible when the "Takers" outvote the "Taken".
Government is the people. But government gives us direction - supposedly reflecting our wants and needs.
With our large bureaucracies; nothing is simple. Corruption and self preservation tend to obscure the basic good. Also; there are always winners and losers with any change. You cannot keep all the people happy all the time.
That said; we have taken the word “security” out of employment. Jobs come and go and employees come and go. We start retirement and pension funds and then they disappear. I don’t have the answers; but there has to be a better way. Our forefathers worked for the same industries for their entire lives - maybe it was a curse; but they had goals, they took vacations and they spent their money investing in a future.
The energy coming out of the ground from this new fracking industry, if kept in the state, could bring new long term employment and prosperity. That requires planning and direction. Recently, in my area, we rebuilt a bridge to the 1950 standards (same size and length). The road bottle necks just a quarter mile before the bridge. I understand that we have many, many bridges that need attention. But, do we waste money rebuilding to old standards, or do we look to the future?
These are not easy questions. You cannot just blame the people and (yes) I know that we cannot just blame government. I just wish the we had true leaders.
With our large bureaucracies; nothing is simple. Corruption and self preservation tend to obscure the basic good. But, do we waste money rebuilding to old standards, or do we look to the future?
These are not easy questions. You cannot just blame the people and (yes) I know that we cannot just blame government. I just wish the we had true leaders.
Sure, it appears complicated, but it IS simple.
Due to overlapping and interconnected "skimming" operations, the productive person (worker or businessman) is reduced to working a major portion of his life for the benefit of another - you know - bureaucrats, politicians, charity recipients, or other dependents on government spending.
Cut back government spending by 90%, and let the productive folks keep what they earned to spend as they see fit.
Prosperity is not wealth. "Spreading the wealth" does not build prosperity. Prosperity is the creation, trade and enjoyment of surplus usable goods and services. Once the productive people realize that their efforts at prodigious production only nets them less, thanks to the drain by the "Takers", they slack off. Why bother struggling and sacrificing when the "Takers" enjoy the benefit?
Once that kicks in, the end result is decline and collapse. No matter how much power the "Takers" attain, there is less and less to distribute.
Restating, the solution is simple : equitable trade and minimal government skim will do more to boost prosperity than any "Fearless Leader" in elected government.
It's time to "cut off" the "Takers". There will always be deserving, needy and pitiful people, but that is no excuse.
"No one should suffer because they lack {fill in the blank}" should be prefaced with "No one should be compelled to labor for the benefit of another, so that..." because slavery is not an acceptable solution to the ills of mankind.
Voluntary charity is a blessing.
Compulsory charity is a curse.
Sure, it appears complicated, but it IS simple.
Due to overlapping and interconnected "skimming" operations, the productive person (worker or businessman) is reduced to working a major portion of his life for the benefit of another - you know - bureaucrats, politicians, charity recipients, or other dependents on government spending.
Cut back government spending by 90%, and let the productive folks keep what they earned to spend as they see fit.
Prosperity is not wealth. "Spreading the wealth" does not build prosperity. Prosperity is the creation, trade and enjoyment of surplus usable goods and services. Once the productive people realize that their efforts at prodigious production only nets them less, thanks to the drain by the "Takers", they slack off. Why bother struggling and sacrificing when the "Takers" enjoy the benefit?
Once that kicks in, the end result is decline and collapse. No matter how much power the "Takers" attain, there is less and less to distribute.
Restating, the solution is simple : equitable trade and minimal government skim will do more to boost prosperity than any "Fearless Leader" in elected government.
It's time to "cut off" the "Takers". There will always be deserving, needy and pitiful people, but that is no excuse.
"No one should suffer because they lack {fill in the blank}" should be prefaced with "No one should be compelled to labor for the benefit of another, so that..." because slavery is not an acceptable solution to the ills of mankind.
Voluntary charity is a blessing.
Compulsory charity is a curse.
I never said that I was opposed to cutting back government. We are on the same page. I just want efficient government and I think that bureaucracy breeds bureaucracy.
Here is a good example of inefficient government and waste. There is a bridge close to my house that has been half washed out since last spring. It is located on Frantz Hill Road in Pocono Township. It is more of a culvert; than a bridge. The stream comes very close to drying up in our droughts. Our township could have repaired this by tossing in two three or four foot in diameter culverts. However; the DER got involved. They want our township to follow their guidelines to the tune of about $200K. That is about ten times what it would cost our township to replace that bridge.
Last year we had a fish kill in my area from a contractor pouring concrete in a stream - the lime killed the fish. I can understand the need for a DER department. But; I think they should work for the people and not to put a feather in their own cap. It is one thing to give guidance and it is another thing to demand compliance to the letter of the law. Good leadership knows how to bend for the common good.
I still think that we need good leadership - leaders that know how to work proficiently.
No jobs. We have so many colleges around here,but no jobs for them.
Probertys tax. Come on now! I pay $2500 in taxes a year for a very small house on a very small lot on a busy road. With all the money coming in from the casinos and gas drilling we shouldn't be paying any school or property taxes.
Nepotism. Come on now! Try and get a job! I don't mean at a school either. I mean almost anywhere. I got my job at a factory and my wife got hers in health care by knowing someone there. The schools and govt employees are joke. If they are the best then let's end it all now.
The government. From small town mayors to the govenor. The small towns should all be combined into 1. We don't need 7-8 towns down Wyoming avenue. The problem with the govenor is the cuts he's made to everything esp higher education. The casino in plains is giving something like 50 million in taxes a year and he was just on tv holding a check for 200 million from fees from the gas drillers.
There so much more. From the retards who drive in the left lane on Wyoming ave from Exeter to Kingston. Come on people I'm in a hurry sometimes. I know you are turning on piece st., but come on already.
I can't wait till my daughter is done with high school so we could get the fluck out of here.
I always say I'd like to go back in time and smack my family members who decided to stay here. There's a reason it's called the armpit of PA.
No jobs. We have so many colleges around here,but no jobs for them.
Completely agree!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ml5534
Probertys tax. Come on now! I pay $2500 in taxes a year for a very small house on a very small lot on a busy road. With all the money coming in from the casinos and gas drilling we shouldn't be paying any school or property taxes.
That is a little steep. I don't think people would mind the high property taxes if we had something to show for it. But we don't. Bad schools, bad infrastructure and high crime.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ml5534
Nepotism. Come on now! Try and get a job! I don't mean at a school either. I mean almost anywhere. I got my job at a factory and my wife got hers in health care by knowing someone there. The schools and govt employees are joke. If they are the best then let's end it all now.
Most of the jobs I've ever had are not due to nepotism. Same with my husband. There is a difference between networking and nepotism.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ml5534
The government. From small town mayors to the govenor. The small towns should all be combined into 1. We don't need 7-8 towns down Wyoming avenue. The problem with the govenor is the cuts he's made to everything esp higher education. The casino in plains is giving something like 50 million in taxes a year and he was just on tv holding a check for 200 million from fees from the gas drillers.
I'm sorry but this is a terrible idea. I don't know any area in the country that have benefitted from regionalization. It reduces services, causes people not to care (even less than they do now) about their towns and takes away each town's individuality. Look at how bad the Valley West and Hazleton SDs have gotten through regionalization. Look at places like the Poconos and Lehigh Valley who have also gone through regionalization. It doesn't work.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ml5534
There so much more. From the retards who drive in the left lane on Wyoming ave from Exeter to Kingston. Come on people I'm in a hurry sometimes. I know you are turning on piece st., but come on already.
I can't wait till my daughter is done with high school so we could get the fluck out of here.
I always say I'd like to go back in time and smack my family members who decided to stay here. There's a reason it's called the armpit of PA.
I take issue with the word you've chosen to use. I think a lot of the bad drivers are here are the elderly. Like the very elderly (80+). I have a few in my family who should not be driving. Perhaps if we had better public transportation so many wouldn't feel the need to continue driving.
As many negatives as you've listed (and I realize this thread is only about that), I can list the positives - even amongst your negatives. Sitting there complaining, doing nothing about it does .... well nothing, does it? It does nothing for you and your DD nor does it do anything for the area.
THe only positives of nepa is the cost of living if you have a good jobcould be worth staying and the crime in most areas outside scranton wb and hazelton is non existent.
It is different. A few decades ago, we didn't have the influx of non-English speaking students in so many districts. We also didn't have inclusive classrooms.
Regardless of how many students are attending post-secondary institutions, remediation should NOT be needed - especially not 1/3 of incoming college freshman. A graduating senior should have mastered these skills before graduation. That's the issue.
One seems forget the history of our area. A hundred years ago the influx was scores of Eastern and Balkans Europeans with a smattering of Italians. They all spoke good or should we say gut englees. Before that its was welsh and irish with a few swabian miners who knew what they were doing. Do you remember what a Lace Curtin Irish was? Its so easy to blame the last person on the boat isn't it?
THe only positives of nepa is the cost of living if you have a good jobcould be worth staying and the crime in most areas outside scranton wb and hazelton is non existent.
I'll keep the thread on topic but will say there are more positives to the area than this.
One seems forget the history of our area. A hundred years ago the influx was scores of Eastern and Balkans Europeans with a smattering of Italians. They all spoke good or should we say gut englees. Before that its was welsh and irish with a few swabian miners who knew what they were doing. Do you remember what a Lace Curtin Irish was? Its so easy to blame the last person on the boat isn't it?
I know the history of this area very, very well. I do not blame the immigrants for the issues. I do blame the people in power for not acknowledging what has changed and failing to address the changes. For example, with the influx of non-English speaking immigrants to the area, our districts should have a required 1 year ESL immersion class before mainstreaming these students. It helps the immigrant student, the native student and the district. But it will never happen because too many natives shake their fist and cry about unfairness.
Secondly, I'd like to amend the post you quoted. Yes, special needs students are mainstreamed today, but when I wrote that I did not know that many are pulled out during the day for more specialized instruction. I'm not sure what impact that has on the student or class but I wanted to clarify that.
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Nepa
