Written by Patrick McAlister on May 17th, 2009
Ok. It’s re-he-he-eally early to discuss the presidential election of 2012. I’ve been one to bemoan those who rush into an election season too early, but I cannot help but applaud the politically shrewd move in Obama eliminating the only Republican that would have a shot at beating him. Moderate, youthful, Mandarin fluent Utah Governor John Huntsman will forego his foray onto the national political stage for at least another presidential election cycle. While this is at first glance a victory for Obama, this may actually help moderate Republicans in the long run. When Obama is no longer president, the still young Huntsman may be in the best position …
Written by Neil Kelty on February 28th, 2009
Yesterday, the new Secretary of Education announced plans to push for longer school years in the United States as a method of making our country more competitive with nations around the world.
This reform seems like a pushover. Instead of really taking a look at how we are educating our children and devising new educational strategies; the plan seems to be let’s simply give ourselves more time to teach these children, cheating them out of much-needed breaks in the academic calendar.
While there is no doubt that more time in the classroom gives us more time to teach and therefore may increase learning, we must not look at it from an absolute numbers perspective. What is the marginal benefit to increasing …
Written by Neil Kelty on February 18th, 2009
This morning I found out that the total compensation package for the postmaster general was nearly $800,000. I have no problem with paying him that amount if that is what the market demands for his services. However, if the Democrats are going to play their silly CEO pay game, then it’s time we play that game with these types of agencies.
I realize that the postal service is and has been an independent agency for a long time now, but its starting to roll in huge deficits and if the problem doesn’t get corrected soon I can see the Obama administration stepping in with taxpayer support for one of the oldest institutions in America.
Nevertheless, since we are going to walk down …
Written by Neil Kelty on February 2nd, 2009
President-elect Barack Obama has proposed giving a $4,000 tax credit to any US higher education student who works 100 hours of community service each year. Making college more affordable would be a major help to the American education system – it’s a perpetual problem and Obama proposes improving the community by having college students perform community service, which instills lifelong values of servant leadership and volunteerism. In return, these college students can cover two-thirds of the cost of tuition at the average public college or university.
Cutting Costs, Helping Others
The cost of college is rising each day and students continue to struggle with find ways to pay for it without taking out enormous loans that place a burden on themselves, their …
Written by Neil Kelty on December 30th, 2008
Grown tired of the phrases “failed Bush economic policies” and “the last 8 years of this administration” have I, or at least my inner Yoda rebukes the continual repetition of these soon to be cliche phrases.
Even as we, America, rush to force our President of the past decade out of office, we must pause and take a moment to reflect and examine Mr. Bush’s administration. We must look deeply and analytically to discover the true gift has Bush’s presidency has offered our country and President-elect Obama. The current situation, the state of our country, most notably our economy is not the fault of George Bush, it is not the fault of the Democrats, the Republicans, the Libertarians, the bankers, or …
