Tim Pawlenty recently made a switch is his position regarding ethanol subsidies.
Political pundits are arguing about Pawlenty's reason for changing his position. Regardless of his reasons, what seems like sense may not be!
Part of the problem is that we take positions without examining all the pros and cons. What does this position do to reduce our problems? In the case of dependence on foreign oil, Ethanol, at first glance, appeared a likely answer. We could turn renewable crops into energy to fuel our automobiles and other vehicles.
On second glance, what would be the impact on our society if we faced higher food prices based on less land available to raise produce and the conflict of higher prices of corn products.
This treatise is not really about "ethanol". Positions are about how we process information. Most positions have two sides to them. They are like two edged swords that cut going in and going out. One side is a benefit while the other carries a price.
We need to be able to understand the benefit to cost ratio before espousing a position.
Have we done our homework or have we coped someones opinion?
We all have made foolish decisions based on faulty assessments. Sometimes new evidence will change our positions.
When it comes to crucial positions lets apply a modicum of positive and honest research before taking a position. Let's do our homework!
Friday, May 27, 2011
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Our School Systems Not Immune From Waste!
Our Texas Legislators are trying to get the costs of education in control.
Now Texas Pundits are proliferating the media with 1/2 truths telling the Mom's and Dad's that the Legislature is trying to short change our school children by taking teachers our of the classroom.
We should all be outraged if that were the whole issue. It is not! Today we find that there is nearly a 1 to 1 ratio of school administrators to teachers in Texas. How many administrators are necessary? In addition schools spend money without considering the cost/benefit ratio.
Some school districts understand the cost/benefit ratio and act accordingly. They are in the minority. Other districts might consider ways to cut costs without cutting classroom teachers.
We can cut school spending without taking effective programs from our children.
Application of a cost/benefit ration to every aspect of schooling our children should be our first priority.
Now Texas Pundits are proliferating the media with 1/2 truths telling the Mom's and Dad's that the Legislature is trying to short change our school children by taking teachers our of the classroom.
We should all be outraged if that were the whole issue. It is not! Today we find that there is nearly a 1 to 1 ratio of school administrators to teachers in Texas. How many administrators are necessary? In addition schools spend money without considering the cost/benefit ratio.
Some school districts understand the cost/benefit ratio and act accordingly. They are in the minority. Other districts might consider ways to cut costs without cutting classroom teachers.
We can cut school spending without taking effective programs from our children.
Application of a cost/benefit ration to every aspect of schooling our children should be our first priority.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Tell me the Truth or Tickle my Ears
Over the last couple of years we have had many people jump onto the conservative bandwagon. The elections of 2010 sent a message to Washington that many of our voters were not happy with the change that our current administration was suggesting.
Never has there been a cry so loud that we can not spend our way to prosperity. Never have many of us been concerned that drastic problems require formidable solutions that hurt. Many of us agreed that bankrupting our children was not the solution.
But today many of us want others to hurt and our comforts to continue. Among the most vocal are those of us that don't want social security, medicare and medicade touched. Of course there are teachers and union members who also don't want to hurt. I guess if we could only have others pay the price of solvency while we are undisturbed things would be OK.
Maybe it is better to just let our kids pay the price. Let's just put our heads in the sand and hope the pain will go away.
Never has there been a cry so loud that we can not spend our way to prosperity. Never have many of us been concerned that drastic problems require formidable solutions that hurt. Many of us agreed that bankrupting our children was not the solution.
But today many of us want others to hurt and our comforts to continue. Among the most vocal are those of us that don't want social security, medicare and medicade touched. Of course there are teachers and union members who also don't want to hurt. I guess if we could only have others pay the price of solvency while we are undisturbed things would be OK.
Maybe it is better to just let our kids pay the price. Let's just put our heads in the sand and hope the pain will go away.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Meeting Gov. Mike Huckabee
Yesterday I had the privilege to meet Mike Huckabee during his book signing tour in Sherman, Texas.
The time with the Governor was short. I would have enjoyed sitting down with Mike for a great conversation on politics, faith and more.
Certainly that was not to be. The Governor ‘s schedule alone made this impossible.
But my “take away” from our brief meeting was that Governor Huckabee is for real. He is transparent, gracious and an apt communicator.
After reading the Governor’s books I understood the intricacies of government and the political system to a greater degree. I also understood why he made he made decisions that he made as Governor of Arkansas.
There are conservatives who make political assumptions about the Governor that fail to know his mind. His books tell of his heart for our country and for conservative values.
If you really want to “know” Mike Huckabee’s heart and mind, then read his books! His latest is “A Simpler Government”. Also a must read is his book “Do the Right Thing”.
In 2012 you might be part of the team that leads Gov. Mike Huckabee to the Oval Office!
The time with the Governor was short. I would have enjoyed sitting down with Mike for a great conversation on politics, faith and more.
Certainly that was not to be. The Governor ‘s schedule alone made this impossible.
But my “take away” from our brief meeting was that Governor Huckabee is for real. He is transparent, gracious and an apt communicator.
After reading the Governor’s books I understood the intricacies of government and the political system to a greater degree. I also understood why he made he made decisions that he made as Governor of Arkansas.
There are conservatives who make political assumptions about the Governor that fail to know his mind. His books tell of his heart for our country and for conservative values.
If you really want to “know” Mike Huckabee’s heart and mind, then read his books! His latest is “A Simpler Government”. Also a must read is his book “Do the Right Thing”.
In 2012 you might be part of the team that leads Gov. Mike Huckabee to the Oval Office!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Mike Huckabees New Book "A Simpler Government" is out today!
If you really want to get to know the heart and positions of Gov. Mike Huckabee read his books! All of his books reflect his views on life and politics.
Mike Huckabee may or may not run for President in 2012 but you'll get to know him as never before.
You will become more familiar with politics and government.
Get your copy today.
Http://mikehuckabee.com
Mike Huckabee may or may not run for President in 2012 but you'll get to know him as never before.
You will become more familiar with politics and government.
Get your copy today.
Http://mikehuckabee.com
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Bills may be Well Intiontioned but Poorly Written
Such a bill is Texas State Bill HR 998. As written the bill would require those who own hunting dogs to buy $100,000 of liability insurance.
My friend witnessed two young girls walking their well behaved golden retriever without a leash here in the DFW Area. According to this bill, they could be charged with a misdemeanor. This is punishment that outweighs the problem.
This is simply a poorly written bill. It may be well intended but does not address a "reasonable" solution. Be careful to understand "how" a piece of legislation is written. A poorly written bill can do more harm than good. It may not reflect its intention.
If you see this kind of bill, call your representatives.
My friend witnessed two young girls walking their well behaved golden retriever without a leash here in the DFW Area. According to this bill, they could be charged with a misdemeanor. This is punishment that outweighs the problem.
This is simply a poorly written bill. It may be well intended but does not address a "reasonable" solution. Be careful to understand "how" a piece of legislation is written. A poorly written bill can do more harm than good. It may not reflect its intention.
If you see this kind of bill, call your representatives.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Growing from Diversity of Thought
Embrace those that agree with us and those who disagree with our positions. The benefits are many. Our core motives and beliefs need to be tested. Beliefs that cannot hold up to opposition need to be reflected on and re-researched.
Two things can happen. We can abandon old assumptions or we can find good reasons to hold on to them. We must be honest. We must do our due diligence.
I find many that I might have dismissed are among my best friends. The result is not that I agree with them on many subjects nor is it that they accept my precepts. It is because we experienced something of value about each other. Maybe it was an uncommon compassion or a skill in communicating that we admired. No matter what drew us to each other the end result was a blessing to each party.
There are times when meeting another's mind may not end with agreement nor relationship. No matter the outcome we are able to come away stronger. We can examine how we might have handled the situation better or be better prepared to handle a similar meeting of minds in the future.
An untested and unprepared mind is an accident waiting to happen.
Ask questions not to respond but to understand. Look for areas of agreement. Learn how to express yourself in a manner that supports effective communication.
Two things can happen. We can abandon old assumptions or we can find good reasons to hold on to them. We must be honest. We must do our due diligence.
I find many that I might have dismissed are among my best friends. The result is not that I agree with them on many subjects nor is it that they accept my precepts. It is because we experienced something of value about each other. Maybe it was an uncommon compassion or a skill in communicating that we admired. No matter what drew us to each other the end result was a blessing to each party.
There are times when meeting another's mind may not end with agreement nor relationship. No matter the outcome we are able to come away stronger. We can examine how we might have handled the situation better or be better prepared to handle a similar meeting of minds in the future.
An untested and unprepared mind is an accident waiting to happen.
Ask questions not to respond but to understand. Look for areas of agreement. Learn how to express yourself in a manner that supports effective communication.
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