Sunday, November 27, 2005
Limit New Orleans Recovery Costs
You almost have to pity poor lame-duck President Bush and his pitiful attempts to improve his sagging public image by promising pie-in-the-sky hurricane rebuilding efforts for New Orleans and the Gulf Coast!
How are you going to pay for all this and not raise taxes, Mr. President? Americans may feel sorry for the refugees and the residents remaining in the area. But what fat are you going to cut in the budget? Your pork may be a needed program for a segment of middle America!
Are you going to use federal tax dollars from residents and business in the three states and cut other services in those state? Are you going to increase the federal deficit on the backs of our grandchildren? Are you going to cut services at Arkansas' national parks in order to pay for your Iraq war and hurricane efforts?
Like many Americans, I don't want my taxes raised to benefit a relative small section of the country. And, the Republicans will never increase taxes on their friends in Big Business!
State and local governments shouldn't be bailed out again for their failure to protect infrastructure and residents. How much did the federal government spend repairing damage from Hurricane Carmilla in the 1960s?
If you live in a hurricane-prone area, then you ought to have insurance for your business and residence! Insurance companies should pay without fussing whether the damage was caused by hurricane-force winds or the wind-induced floods.
President Bush, the only part of your plan that makes sense is paying the states for taking care of the refugees and using the military more during an emergency! While some of the refugees might not return home and become residents of their new states, Arkansas and other states shouldn't have to pay for the costs associated with educating the children of the refugees, feeding and housing them, and any medical costs.
The military is the only federal agency with the manpower, equipment and ability to respond to any emergency. They should also lead clean up and future protection efforts.
Newspaper stories have detailed how officials are wondering how to dispose of the wrecked homes, business, landscape and destroyed roads.
Army and Air Force combat engineers, along with the Navy Seebees, could be crushing some of the debris and using it to build a second backup levee 100 to 200 yards in back of the lakefront levees!
Stack up the crushed debris, add gravel and dirt for filler, and pour concrete over the top. Do the same in the other Gulf Coast cities to establish seawalls. Both of these would be similar to the levee North Little Rock has with its Riverfront Park! You could even pave highways between the levees and build notice river- and lake-front parks.
Mr. President, the main thing federal dollars should be used for is to repair things authorized in the U.S. Constitution, i.e., needed interstate highways, airports and rivers that involve interstate commerce or provide for national security! But don't rebuild excessively long or expensive bridges that will be in the way of a future hurricane! Instead, just expand whatever alternate route is now being used or build new freeways away from the coast.
Forget the lottery-based National Urban Homestead program. The president ought to have FEMA sell its single and double-wide mobile homes to low-income and mid-income residents whose homes have been damaged beyond an easy and afford repair. Plumbers, electricians and others in the military and other state and federal agencies could be used to hook up water and power services after city lots are cleared of the ruined structures!
To conclude, If you agree, write this fine newspaper, and call or write your local business and political leaders, including Sen. Blanche Lincoln at 501=375-2993 and Sen. Mark Pryor 501=324-6336
How are you going to pay for all this and not raise taxes, Mr. President? Americans may feel sorry for the refugees and the residents remaining in the area. But what fat are you going to cut in the budget? Your pork may be a needed program for a segment of middle America!
Are you going to use federal tax dollars from residents and business in the three states and cut other services in those state? Are you going to increase the federal deficit on the backs of our grandchildren? Are you going to cut services at Arkansas' national parks in order to pay for your Iraq war and hurricane efforts?
Like many Americans, I don't want my taxes raised to benefit a relative small section of the country. And, the Republicans will never increase taxes on their friends in Big Business!
State and local governments shouldn't be bailed out again for their failure to protect infrastructure and residents. How much did the federal government spend repairing damage from Hurricane Carmilla in the 1960s?
If you live in a hurricane-prone area, then you ought to have insurance for your business and residence! Insurance companies should pay without fussing whether the damage was caused by hurricane-force winds or the wind-induced floods.
President Bush, the only part of your plan that makes sense is paying the states for taking care of the refugees and using the military more during an emergency! While some of the refugees might not return home and become residents of their new states, Arkansas and other states shouldn't have to pay for the costs associated with educating the children of the refugees, feeding and housing them, and any medical costs.
The military is the only federal agency with the manpower, equipment and ability to respond to any emergency. They should also lead clean up and future protection efforts.
Newspaper stories have detailed how officials are wondering how to dispose of the wrecked homes, business, landscape and destroyed roads.
Army and Air Force combat engineers, along with the Navy Seebees, could be crushing some of the debris and using it to build a second backup levee 100 to 200 yards in back of the lakefront levees!
Stack up the crushed debris, add gravel and dirt for filler, and pour concrete over the top. Do the same in the other Gulf Coast cities to establish seawalls. Both of these would be similar to the levee North Little Rock has with its Riverfront Park! You could even pave highways between the levees and build notice river- and lake-front parks.
Mr. President, the main thing federal dollars should be used for is to repair things authorized in the U.S. Constitution, i.e., needed interstate highways, airports and rivers that involve interstate commerce or provide for national security! But don't rebuild excessively long or expensive bridges that will be in the way of a future hurricane! Instead, just expand whatever alternate route is now being used or build new freeways away from the coast.
Forget the lottery-based National Urban Homestead program. The president ought to have FEMA sell its single and double-wide mobile homes to low-income and mid-income residents whose homes have been damaged beyond an easy and afford repair. Plumbers, electricians and others in the military and other state and federal agencies could be used to hook up water and power services after city lots are cleared of the ruined structures!
To conclude, If you agree, write this fine newspaper, and call or write your local business and political leaders, including Sen. Blanche Lincoln at 501=375-2993 and Sen. Mark Pryor 501=324-6336
Ultra Radical Reform Proposals
As a poor employee , I have a couple RADICAL suggestions to save money.
First, set up an electronic debt program for all public debts. Within $500 of last years' income tax refunds, establish a flexible spending account against this years' refunds for limited governmental transactions, ie Housing authority debts, taxes, and medical expenses.
Second, with the exception of single adults on SSI, raise basic co-pays for prescriptions to the same amount as public employees and corporate employees pay for Prescriptions, raise doctors visits for those now free to $20-$25 co-pays, and Raise doctors visits co-pays for those on limited pay programs like Arkids B to 30 percent, or Out of Network HMO charges.
Third, Do away with FREE continous Medicaid for all, including those on Family Medicaid Rules. Instead, just allow 3 or 4 Month Spend downs, with clients required to charge what they would owe for co-pays on their new debt card. Reason for this: stop people running to the doctor for nothing and recoupe income tax refunds.
Lastly, establish more Health Clinics with US medical students and interns at state Health Department offices.
Also, Make Rules for changes, income, resources, deductions uniform for Housing, Food Stamps, Medicaid and TANF. Require all changes to be reported within 15 days instead of 10 days for some things, later for others.
Use NET Income Limits for Food Stamps so that dads paying Court-ordered child support have a chance to get FOod Stamps if their adjusted income is low enough. Right now you can be screwed out of child support and not get any help. Why do you think guys hide?
Tax deduction for Child Support for the payee and tax child support for the payee. They get the benefit of the cash and also the tax deduction for the kids too
.
.
First, set up an electronic debt program for all public debts. Within $500 of last years' income tax refunds, establish a flexible spending account against this years' refunds for limited governmental transactions, ie Housing authority debts, taxes, and medical expenses.
Second, with the exception of single adults on SSI, raise basic co-pays for prescriptions to the same amount as public employees and corporate employees pay for Prescriptions, raise doctors visits for those now free to $20-$25 co-pays, and Raise doctors visits co-pays for those on limited pay programs like Arkids B to 30 percent, or Out of Network HMO charges.
Third, Do away with FREE continous Medicaid for all, including those on Family Medicaid Rules. Instead, just allow 3 or 4 Month Spend downs, with clients required to charge what they would owe for co-pays on their new debt card. Reason for this: stop people running to the doctor for nothing and recoupe income tax refunds.
Lastly, establish more Health Clinics with US medical students and interns at state Health Department offices.
Also, Make Rules for changes, income, resources, deductions uniform for Housing, Food Stamps, Medicaid and TANF. Require all changes to be reported within 15 days instead of 10 days for some things, later for others.
Use NET Income Limits for Food Stamps so that dads paying Court-ordered child support have a chance to get FOod Stamps if their adjusted income is low enough. Right now you can be screwed out of child support and not get any help. Why do you think guys hide?
Tax deduction for Child Support for the payee and tax child support for the payee. They get the benefit of the cash and also the tax deduction for the kids too
.
.
Strike Back with Freedom of Information Requests
The foreigners running the Pulaski County School District are threatening to close Scott Elementary and Homer Atkins Elementary in Jacksonville. They fought the city when we tried to get our own district but they can't keep our schools in good shape.
It's time for the public to strike back with Freedom of Information Requests similar to this one!
To :Dr. Robert Clowers
Pulaski County School District
Dear Dr. Clowers,
The following is a Freedom of Information Act request regarding finances for the Pulaski County Special School District. We will be expecting a response by Dec. 1.
1. What is the projected Savings if Homer Atkins Elementary School in Jacksonville is closed?
2. From what costs is this attributed too, ie. How do come up with this figure??
3. What would be the increased costs in transportation to bus all the kids attending Homer Atkins to other schools?
4. If Homer Atkins is made into a pre-k center, who would pay for this and what are the costs related to running this center vs. keeping the school as it is?
5. How much would it cost to bus pre-k students to Homer Atkins?
6. What is the expected reaction from parents whose pre-K students attend the same school as older siblings and who depend on the older siblings to watch the younger ones?
7. If you close Homer Atkins, what will happen to the staff and teachers?
8. Instead of considering closing Homer Atkins and Scott Elementary, were any plans considered that would have enlarged the attendance zones for these two schools and decreased over crowding at older schools?
9. What is the overall physical condition of Homer Atkins and Scott Elementary as compared to other elementary schools in Jacksonville and near Scott? Are they on the state's Physical Building Distress List?
10. Who works at the headquarters? Please provide the following details.
a) What are the various offices/units at the school district headquarters?
b) the number of people employed in each office?
c) the salary of the top official in each office?
d) the salary, expenses and benefits costs of each office?
f) Which of these offices and employees are considered essential and required by a state or federal law or regulation?
g) What is the total number of headquarters staff and costs and expenses to operate on Dixon Road.
h) How many of these employees could be cut to save money or have salary reductions made in their contract for next year?
11. What other items were considered for budget cuts? How much would they have saved?
12. How much does the district spend on sports and other non-essessential items?
13. How many elementary students attend school in Jacksonville? in Sherwood? and rural North Pulaski County?
b) How many teachers and support staff work at each school?
c) What is the average of other schools in the county?
d) What is the racial balance of these schools?
14. What is the operating cost of each school, including salaries, supplies, and other expenses?
15. Please provide details for questions 13 and 14 for the middle schools and high schools in Jacksonville, Sherwood and North Pulaski County.
Again, We will be expecting your answer by Dec. 1.
It's time for the public to strike back with Freedom of Information Requests similar to this one!
To :Dr. Robert Clowers
Pulaski County School District
Dear Dr. Clowers,
The following is a Freedom of Information Act request regarding finances for the Pulaski County Special School District. We will be expecting a response by Dec. 1.
1. What is the projected Savings if Homer Atkins Elementary School in Jacksonville is closed?
2. From what costs is this attributed too, ie. How do come up with this figure??
3. What would be the increased costs in transportation to bus all the kids attending Homer Atkins to other schools?
4. If Homer Atkins is made into a pre-k center, who would pay for this and what are the costs related to running this center vs. keeping the school as it is?
5. How much would it cost to bus pre-k students to Homer Atkins?
6. What is the expected reaction from parents whose pre-K students attend the same school as older siblings and who depend on the older siblings to watch the younger ones?
7. If you close Homer Atkins, what will happen to the staff and teachers?
8. Instead of considering closing Homer Atkins and Scott Elementary, were any plans considered that would have enlarged the attendance zones for these two schools and decreased over crowding at older schools?
9. What is the overall physical condition of Homer Atkins and Scott Elementary as compared to other elementary schools in Jacksonville and near Scott? Are they on the state's Physical Building Distress List?
10. Who works at the headquarters? Please provide the following details.
a) What are the various offices/units at the school district headquarters?
b) the number of people employed in each office?
c) the salary of the top official in each office?
d) the salary, expenses and benefits costs of each office?
f) Which of these offices and employees are considered essential and required by a state or federal law or regulation?
g) What is the total number of headquarters staff and costs and expenses to operate on Dixon Road.
h) How many of these employees could be cut to save money or have salary reductions made in their contract for next year?
11. What other items were considered for budget cuts? How much would they have saved?
12. How much does the district spend on sports and other non-essessential items?
13. How many elementary students attend school in Jacksonville? in Sherwood? and rural North Pulaski County?
b) How many teachers and support staff work at each school?
c) What is the average of other schools in the county?
d) What is the racial balance of these schools?
14. What is the operating cost of each school, including salaries, supplies, and other expenses?
15. Please provide details for questions 13 and 14 for the middle schools and high schools in Jacksonville, Sherwood and North Pulaski County.
Again, We will be expecting your answer by Dec. 1.
Wal-Mart: Good and Bad
All the Anti-Wal-mart stories and movies ignore one basic fact where Wal-mart has competitors beat, beyond price, that is: Shopper Comfort and more selections.
When you're elderly, disabled or just fat and get winded with high blood pressure, Wal-Mart is the place to shop for 3 basic reasons: motorized shopping carts and benches through out the store, and larger sizes!
Wal-Mart just needs to add more larger sizes, organize these clothes into plus size sections, and more benches around its stores, especially where dads are forced to wait while someone shops: the toy section and ladies clothes.
All businesses other than small mom and pop stores need to have benches and 2 or more motorized shopping carts. Even if shopping too, parents and others driving friends to a store won't want to stay long if they're not comfortable and have to keep walking around or stand up.
From stores like J.C. Penneys and Sears to Pet Smart to Toys R Us or Sports Authority, managers need to add a couple mortorized shopping carts and benches if they want to compete against Wal-Mart.
You don't need to have all the store accessable from the cart, but just get shoppers close, say within 20-30 feet!
And increase the size selections to account for more shoppers being overweight. When you have limited shopping options, you don't care about how many different styles or cuts a store offers.
Instead, you just want to find something that fits and is in your price range without having to get on the web or hit a specialty store. You don't have to keep all your stock on display, just know what you have on a shelf in the back!.
Managers need to remember that the longer you keep someone in the store, the greater the odds we buy more things. So get some benches up this holiday season, buy motorized carts and clear a way around the interior of your store, and organize your rmens and womens plus sizes into special sections.
But this isn't to say everything is Groovy about Wally-World.
With way too high executive salaries and excessive donations to the GOP and high-dollar art museums, You'd think they could afford to pay $7 an hour for part-timers who just want to work a power shift, say 5 pm to 8;30 3 or 4 nights a week as part of a 2nd job!
When you're elderly, disabled or just fat and get winded with high blood pressure, Wal-Mart is the place to shop for 3 basic reasons: motorized shopping carts and benches through out the store, and larger sizes!
Wal-Mart just needs to add more larger sizes, organize these clothes into plus size sections, and more benches around its stores, especially where dads are forced to wait while someone shops: the toy section and ladies clothes.
All businesses other than small mom and pop stores need to have benches and 2 or more motorized shopping carts. Even if shopping too, parents and others driving friends to a store won't want to stay long if they're not comfortable and have to keep walking around or stand up.
From stores like J.C. Penneys and Sears to Pet Smart to Toys R Us or Sports Authority, managers need to add a couple mortorized shopping carts and benches if they want to compete against Wal-Mart.
You don't need to have all the store accessable from the cart, but just get shoppers close, say within 20-30 feet!
And increase the size selections to account for more shoppers being overweight. When you have limited shopping options, you don't care about how many different styles or cuts a store offers.
Instead, you just want to find something that fits and is in your price range without having to get on the web or hit a specialty store. You don't have to keep all your stock on display, just know what you have on a shelf in the back!.
Managers need to remember that the longer you keep someone in the store, the greater the odds we buy more things. So get some benches up this holiday season, buy motorized carts and clear a way around the interior of your store, and organize your rmens and womens plus sizes into special sections.
But this isn't to say everything is Groovy about Wally-World.
With way too high executive salaries and excessive donations to the GOP and high-dollar art museums, You'd think they could afford to pay $7 an hour for part-timers who just want to work a power shift, say 5 pm to 8;30 3 or 4 nights a week as part of a 2nd job!
