Christmas and Zoo Lights: Destroying Our Planet Earth.

Green is the “in” thing. By green, I make reference to green Earth, saving trees, less use of plastics, less use of non-biodegradables, increase in the use of renewable energy, and decrease in the use of fossil fuels.
A “green” attitude is a healthy attitude. A “green” approach is a “save our planet Earth” approach.
Many, many people have jumped on the green advocating bandwagon; but, most are hypocrites as the most recent Christmas season has proven once again.
Yes, I said Christmas; and, I mean it.
Christmas celebration rituals, at least in the United States of America, are anti-green. USA Christmas observance celebration traditions contribute greatly to global warming. Christmas observances, excluding religious services, are downright anti-Earth and lead to the destruction of our planet.
What? You ask. How dare I say that! You say.
My answer is: “I say it simply and easily.”
Why? You ask. How? You ask.
My response is as follows:
Think of all the evergreen trees that are cut down to be used as Christmas trees and in the making of Christmas wreaths. Think of all the non-biodegradable Christmas decorations and artificial Christmas trees that are manufactured. Think of all the plastic products (made from petroleum and non-biodegradable) used during the Christmas season celebrations. Think of all the Christmas lights used in homes, in yards, at business establishments, in public displays, and such, all of which use enormous amounts of precious electrical energy mostly generated by dirty, atmosphere-polluting coal, a fossil fuel nonrenewable energy source.
And then, there are the ever-increasingly popular Zoo Lights ---- UGH!!! Think of all the nonrenewable energy used in those displays! What a tremendous nonproductive, nonutilitarian use of electricity at an exorbitant cost to all of us, directly or nondirectly.
Think of all of that and more! Now, can you honestly tell me that the popular Christmas observances are helping to save and preserve our Earth? I say it all adds up to the unnecessary use of our valuable natural resources, an increase in global warming, and a hastening of the destruction of our planet Earth!
To all those who are destroying our planet through the guise of Christmas celebrating energy-wasting Christmas displays, zoo lights, and the like, I say:
Bah! Humbug!

Government Mortgage Bailouts: Welfare for Big Business

I don't know about you, but I think all this stuff about the government helping people save their homes by providing government financial assistance is a bunch of crap. The bottom line is that it really is a form of welfare to the mortgage industry -- banks, financial institutions, speculators, and the like.
Think of it. Who really benefits from the government intervention? I say let the mortgage industry eat it all up! Let that industry lower its rates or let them get stuck with all the homes they want to forclose upon but cannot sell. Do you really think the mortgage industry really wants all those homes? I think not. If the government does not intervene, the mortgage industry will have to negotiate new rates with homeowners or the mortgage industry itself will go bancrupt.
Read this just for enlightenment.

Jack Ford: Volunteer or Politician?

It is possible to wear many hats and serve many roles concurrently. I
should know; I've been there, and I've done that. And, so has Jack
Ford, who is a citizen activist, community volunteer, educator, and
politician. Those are all roles with which I can identify and
appreciate.
I read about Toledo City School Board member Jack Ford
in this interesting newspaper article. I have
known Jack Ford for a couple decades. I met him before he was a Toledo
City Councilman, before he was a member of the Ohio House of
Representatives, and before he was Mayor of the City of Toledo. From
time to time, I have had some minor differences of opinion with Jack
Ford, but nothing really monumental. And while there may have been some
occasions in which I have been questionable of him, I have never
doubted his sincerity and commitment to community service. In fact, I
respect his dedication to public service and the community.
His
involvement as a volunteer serving in the capacity of development
director with the Kidney Foundation of Northwest Ohio and as
a member of Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease is
just the latest in his long list of organizational involvements that
demonstrate his desire to be of service. I tip my hat off to Jack Ford
in appreciation of his community, civic, and charitable service.

Ohio Republican State Legislators: Criminals or Not?

The recent actions of the Republican members in the Ohio General Assembly have left me aghast and more aghast.
Are there many elected Ohio Republican criminal state legislators, a few elected Ohio Republican criminal state legislators, or no elected Ohio Republican criminal state legislators?
We may never know the answer.
Read the Glass City Jungle blog entry of Lisa Renee entitled "GOP blocks criminal checks for legislators."

The Grinch Of Reality

‘Tis the season that many people become more charitable.
‘Tis also the season that many charities prey upon susceptible people.
I’ve never agreed with the folks who think about helping others at specific times of the year. You know of whom I write.
You know – the folks that want to give out food baskets during Thanksgiving and at Christmas. Heck, people are hungry year ‘round. Having served with the “Feed Your Neighbor” program, the Old Newsboys Goodfellows Association, and other charitable organizations, and having worked in the social work field for many years, not to mention having been raised in a poor family that received food through the now defunct government surplus food commodities program for the needy, trust me, I know. And if there were not enough ‘hand-me-down’ clothes for all of us as kids, we went to the thrift shop for the rest of our clothing needs.
Incidentally, the Feed Your Neighbor program is a 100% charity that helps feed people all year round. The Old Newsboys Goodfellows is also a 100% charity that helps out with coats, gloves, shoes, etc. all year long, not just during the holiday season.
I really do not understand the folks who seem to want to help the “less fortunate” only during Christmas with things other than food – things like toys. Oh yeah, that’s really going to help with food, clothing. and shelter!
Then there are the people who come to the rescue during a crisis such as a death or medical operation or whatever. Then all the individual fund raisers pop up all over the place just to help the impacted individual or family.
Not too long ago, there were a slew of benefit fund raisers and other solicitation efforts to assist the widow and two children of a murder victim. There was so much money raised, it was overflowing. Sounds great, doesn’t it? But I questioned it then and I question it now. Why? Because the widow and children received an extremely large amount of money from insurance and other death benefit policies and programs, as well as a sizable survivors’ pension that financially they entered the realm of the wealthy. What about all the other family survivors out there that receive nothing?
There are recipients of individual charitable efforts who actually wind up far better off financially after the efforts than before the efforts and who then have more money than most moderate income families. I draw the line at the point where the recipient can now drive the new fancy car, dine out at fancy restaurants, have all the latest fancy electronic gizmos, visit the casinos, and so on. I’ve seen that happen on several occasions.

Now if you haven’t already gotten all upset with me, let me say this:
I am strongly in favor of helping those who are in need of help. And, I have done so throughout my life. I am a believer in charitable efforts and causes. And, I have been active in those efforts and causes throughout my life.

So, what is my message? Simple. Help all you can throughout the year and throughout your life.

Before you start giving to this cause or that cause, and to this charity or that charity, make sure of a few things by getting answers to some questions, such as:
Is the cause legitimate?
If the cause is legitimate, are there other resources already available?
Is the charity a legitimate charity?
How much of the donations and contributions to the charity actually reach the intended recipients?

---- Are you getting the picture?

With all the means that are available nowadays, I suggest that you research charity ratings as a way to identify legitimate charities. There are several ways you can research charities on the internet.
Below are some of the more common websites that can help you:

Charity Navigator, Your Guide To Intelligent Giving
Charity Guide, Charity Ratings: Donate To A Good Charity, Not Just To A Good Cause
American Institute of Philanthropy, Helping You Give Wisely To Charity
Forbes.com, Most (And Least) Efficient Charities
US National BBB.org: For Charities and Donors, Better Business Bureau, Start With Trust.
Give.org, BBB Wise Giving Alliance, Investigate Before You Donate

Learn the Newest DIRT

That's right. Do Toledoans and others want to know the newest DIRT?
I'm talking about the three newest members of Toledo City Council here.
Do you really, really want to know?
Okay. I'll start off with this:
D = Democrat Lindsay Webb
I = Independent D. Michael Collins
R = Republican Tom Waniewski
T = Toledo City Council
Now, let's get to the nitty-gritty.
All you need to do to learn the latest is click this.

Marc Dann: Charter School Buster!

It's about time someone was bold enough to go after failing Ohio community schools!
Read about Marc Dann going after these failing schools.
The term "community school" is the official terminology for publicly-funded, privately operated schools in Ohio. Some people simply refer to these schools as charter schools. The reality is that government-run traditional public schools are chartered by the State of Ohio, as are parochial private schools.
Regardless of the name, community schools in Ohio have been experimenting with our children's education and have been doing so pretty much unchecked. Why in the world did Ohio start this mess, anyway? The word at the time was that these schools might be able to do a better job than traditional public schools if they could operate without all the strings and mandates that are imposed unto our traditional public schools in Ohio. Why did the Ohio General Assembly just not allow traditional public schools the same leeway?
When the legislation creating community charter schools in Ohio was first enacted, there was a provision that called for a study of review and assessment after the first five years. Guess what? That never happened. However, each start-up school was given thousands and thousands of taxpayer dollars just for planning the school.
Did any new traditional public school get any start-up planning money? No.
Why did the State Legislature not revamp the entire public education system in Ohio, rather than creating another bureaucratic level of schools in Ohio? The Ohio General Assembly has abrogated its State constitutionally-mandatedresponsibility for providing a thorough and efficient public eduction system. The Ohio General Assembly has even ignored the decisions and orders of the Ohio State Supreme Court. Not once; not twice; but, three times!
I say the entire Ohio General Assembly should be held in contempt of court with each state legislator fined as an individual on a daily basis until the state legislature complies with the Ohio Supreme Court ruling, and that the Ohio General Assembly be sequestered until it does enact legislation in compliance with the decision of the Court.
Get rid of the band-aid approach, and don't fix the broken system, either.
Get rid of the present system of public education in Ohio and reinvent it in its entirety!
Incidentally, as long as the community charter schools do exist in the State of Ohio, let's do all that we can to see that they succeed. Let's close those that are failing! And while we are at it, let's also close any government traditional public school that is failing! Let's do it for the kids!

Public Service: Laudable

All too often, I hear and read comments from people who blast the men in women who are in the public service, both elected and appointed public service. Many times, the critics make their negative commentary in a burning tirade painting all public service persons with one broad tar-coated brush based on limited personal information, limited personal experience, and limited personal interaction making generalized, far-sweeping condemnations of hard-working men and women who give of themselves to serve the public with scant rewards and with their lives as open as if they lived in a fishbowl for all to see. I wonder how many of the critics would or could tolerate the very same scrutiny they cast upon those who are in our civil service.

"Lest they forget"

I am aghast at the lack of blog postings yesterday commemorating the 44th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
There is one of which I am aware and that is the one I posted in yesterday's Roland's Ramblings entry entitled "November 22, 1963".
How in the world can America ever forget JFK and the tragedy in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963?

Ben Konop: Lucas County Commissioner also a Dragonslayer?

I am consistently being surprised at the consistency of public statements and actions of the junior member of the Board of Lucas County Commissioners, Ben Konop, here in Ohio. And, I have absolutely no problem in my admission of that surprising-even-to-me statement.
Take a look at this Glass City Jungle entry.

University of Toledo Alumni Association: A Force or A Farce?

You're familiar with alumni associations, right? If not, read this Roland's Ramblings entry.
As of late I have been having second thoughts about the University of Toledo Alumni Association. This makes the third episode in my life in which I have had some major less-than-satisfactory experiences with the UT Alumni Association.
The first time was many, many years ago when I was a young man in my twenties. I had bought a large life insurance policy and designated the University of Toledo as a beneficiary of a certain percentage.
Apparently, that wasn't enough for them because the Alumni Association continuously and constantly was soliciting me to make financial donations, something that has continued to this very day.
The second occurrence was some years ago after I had served on the University of Toledo Alumni Association Arts and Sciences Affiliate Committee. I had spent a lot of volunteer time on the committee planning and implementing a wide variety of activities. Besides committee meetings, I provided a large amount of volunteer time for many activities. For example, I remember serving juice, coffee, and donuts under a reception tent on more than one occasion at commencement ceremonies for Arts and Sciences graduates and their families. After a couple years, there was a sudden cessation of the Arts and Science Affiliate committee. There was No advance notice from UT Alumni Association paid staff and no explanation. It just stopped meeting. After some time had passed, I made an inquiry or two. I was met with the response that I should lobby UT administration to reactivate the affiliate.
Now comes my third less-than-satisfactory experience. For the past five years, I have had a winter home in Mesa Arizona. One of my brothers and his family are full-time residents there. My sister-in-law is President of the Phoenix Chapter of the University of Toledo Alumni Association. She recruited me to be part of that chapter. The staff of UT Alumni Association actually organize and promote all the activities. They have not been stellar in my opinion, but so-so. So, enough of that --- let me cut to the chase.
Error after error after error has been made by the Alumni Association staff in the communications of the very latest activity. Rather than telling you about it, I will just copy and paste some e-mail communication (most of it by me) that has been exchanged on this. Read it and judge for yourself about the competency of the University of Toledo Alumni Association staff.

Date: Mon, 29 Oct 2007 15:23:16 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Roland Hansen"
Subject: UT Phoenix Alumni events
To: xxxxxxxxxxxx@us.henkel.com
CC: utalumniemail@utoledo.edu

Hi Lorraine,
I am in receipt of your invitation to attend the UT Alumni Phoenix Chapter events being held November 13 (UT vs Ball State) and November 23 (UT vs BGSU) at the Teakwoods in Scottsdale.
I most certainly appreciate your invitation, but unfortunately I will be unable to attend either of these two events.
However, please keep me informed of future events.
Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Roland Hansen

p.s. Incidentally, the invitation mistakenly referred to November 23 as Thursday.

p.p.s. Give my regards to your husband (my brother, Garry) and the rest of the family.

-------------------------

From: "UT Alumni"
To: rolhansen@yahoo.com
Subject: Phoenix Chapter Watch Parties on Nov. 13 & 23, 2007!
Date: Tue, 6 Nov 2007 20:00:12 -0500

Roland,

Join your Phoenix Chapter for two watch parties at Teakwoods to cheer on your University of Toledo Rockets as they battle the Ball State Cardinal on Nov. 13.

Gather with your chapter again on Nov. 23 to cheer your Rockets on as they battle arch-rivals, the BGSU Falcons.

Come out and show your Rocket pride and don't forget to wear your Midnight blue and gold!

Join your fellow Phoenix chapter at Teakwoods located at 8880 East Via Linda #108 in Scottsdale, AZ 85258 (PH 460.614.5452)for two nights of Rocket fun!

UT vs. Ball State on Tuesday, Nov. 13 at 5:30 p.m. and UT vs. BGSU on Friday, Nov. 23 at 12:30!

For more information contact chapter leader Lorraine Hansen at xxxxxxxxxxxx@us.heckel.com

-------------------------

From: Roland Hansen [mailto:rolhansen@yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2007 10:43 PM
To: UT Alumni Email
Cc: xxxxxxxxxxxx; UT President
Subject: Re: Phoenix Chapter Watch Parties on Nov. 13 & 23, 2007!

Dear whomever sent this originating e-mail to me:
Upon receiving an invitation to these events via U.S.P.S. over a week ago, I sent both you (i.e. utalumniemail) and Lorraine an e-mail on October 29 that I would not be able to attend these events.
Did you not get that e-mail? Or do you not pay attention to the e-mail that is sent to you? Or is this just an all automated system? Or what?
Please respond in order that I may understand what is happening. If it turns out that this is all automated with no person with whom one may communicate, I shall just block e-mail from you and report it as spam.
Sincerely,
Roland Hansen

-------------------------

Date: Thu, 15 Nov 2007 08:38:56 -0500
From: "UT Alumni Email"
To: "Roland Hansen"

Ronald Hansen,
I do apologize for the incorrect email address. Lorraine recently changed e-mail addresses thus the mistake. I did not receive your e-mail as this is a bulk mailbox that you responded to used for bounce backs.
I do apologize.
Ansley Abrams
Director of Alumni Programming
The University of Toledo

-------------------------

Date: Thu, 15 Nov 2007 13:21:51 -0800 (PST)
From: "Roland Hansen"
Subject: RE: Phoenix Chapter Watch Parties on Nov. 13 & 23, 2007!
To: "UT Alumni Email" , ansley.abrams@utoledo.edu
CC: xxxxxxxxxxxx@us.henkel.com, utpresident@utoledo.edu, diane.hymore@utoledo.edu, penny.poplin.gosetti@utoledo.edu, lawrence.burns2@utoledo.edu

To Ansley Abrams:
Thank you for your response. However, another error
has now been made.
My name is Roland as I have written; it is not Ronald
as you have replied.
In regards to Lorraine's e-mail address, the error was
not in her address change but in the domain name; you
stated it was us.heckel.com rather than us.henkel.com.
With these types of ongoing errors, I have lost all
confidence in the competency UT Alumni office.
Roland Hansen


As you can see, the specific staff person finally provided her name, but not her e-mail address. I found that on my own by searching the University of Toledo website. Oh, and by the way, look at this particular web page from the involved staff person.
Did you notice, that her previous experience was with CitiFest.
CitiFest experience, hmmmmm. I guess that should not surprise me.
(January 22, 2009 UPDATE: The original web page that was in the preceding link is no longer in existence. Gee, I cannot help but wonder why University of Toledo had it removed? At any rate it was a biographical sketch about Ansley Abrams, now Ansley Abrams-Frederick, that mentioned her previous position with CitiFest.)
Remember this about CitiFest?

Hooda Thunkit's Therapy Blog: On Yesterday's Shameful Tax Levy Elections...

I thought Hooda Thunkit's comments regarding tax levy issues, voter turnout, etc. to be quite thought-provoking.
In my opinion, the overall issue is that a minority of registered voters are able to effectively make public policy decisions for the entire population. That's how it works and it is legal. Nonvoters made the conscious decision not to participate in the electoral process. Ergo, people who do not vote get what they deserve. They need not whine to me. Bellyachers and crybabies who do not vote should all go live in a dictatorship. Then they can cry, whine, bellyache, and kvetch all they want.
Take a look at Hooda Thunkit's Therapy Blog: On Yesterday's Shameful Tax Levy Elections...

CitiFest, Inc. of Toledo: In a Pile of Debt

Located in Toledo, Ohio is a nonprofit corporation that has received hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not millions of dollars, from taxpayer subsidies, community foundation grants, and from private industry.

The name of this nonprofit entity is CitiFest, Inc.

According to the Mission and History web page on the CitiFest website:

"CitiFest was formed in 1987. CitiFest is a private, non-profit 501(c) 3 organization and holds a charter with the City of Toledo to provide entertainment in the downtown Toledo area. Our mission is to plan, produce and promote a calendar of special events for the community. Until 1991, the City of Toledo funded CitiFest in large part. Today public and private sector sponsorship along with on-site revenues from events generate funding for CitiFest in parts.
......
CitiFest has produced and facilitated special events in downtown Toledo for over 19 years. We have always had the full support of the Mayor, City Council, County Commissioners numerous businesses and several non-profit organizations. Often times, events are coordinated with the Toledo Convention and Visitors Bureau, Toledo Mud Hens, Toledo Sports Arena and Universities. These relationships remain intact today."

Take a look at the entire CitiFest, Inc. website here.

But it appears that all is not well with Citifest, Inc. Not all is well in its finances and not all is well in its relationships with the City of Toledo, including the mayor and some of city council.

Read this article and then this other article from The Blade.

I realize that nonprofit organizations owe much of their existences to financial and in-kind donations and time contributions of volunteers. But, since when does nonprofit organization equate with not paying your debts? And, since when has nonprofit organization meant that it's perfectly permissible, allowable, and acceptable to stiff your employees and not pay them for employee services rendered?

Is this any way to run a business, even a nonprofit? How do the persons responsible for the management of CitiFest, Inc. keep their positions of responsibility? What would be the reactions of those same persons if they were not paid wages and debts owed them?

Whiners are Wienies not Winners

I often hear people whine about this, moan about that, complain about everything, and criticize everyone. More often than not, the crybabies do nothing, contribute nothing, sit at the sidelines, and remain uninvolved. They let others take an active role in the community, run for elective office, volunteer in charitable organizations, and serve in leadership positions. Then they cry, bemoan, grouse, and belittle anything and everything done by the civic-minded community activists and the elected officials. They call candidates for elective office and elected officials such names as dirty corrupt politicians. The do-nothing whining wienies want to know every little minor detail no matter how personal about those public servants who must basically live their lives in a fishbowl. On top of that, while the wienies want elected officials and other civic-minded, community-involved, citizen-activist leaders to live lives of perfect sainthood, they demand our leaders be common, every-day, Joe and Jill average people. Hypocrisy abounds! Ninety-five percent of the people leave the real work to the remaining five percent AND then have the unmitigated gall to say those five percent are crooked self-serving morons.
I say the whiners are wienies. I say the people who serve our community and our country, including those with whom I may disagree, are the heroes and that their public service results with the general public being the winners.
I thank all those who serve the public. I wish all people would take an active part in serving the community. I encourage everyone to vote.
.
.
.
So, what do you readers of Roland Hansen Commentary have to say to this latest (and repetitive) diatribe of Roland Hansen?
For those who do not share your thoughts, I ask: are you one of the wienie whiners; are you too busy or too lazy to put forth your own thoughts; are you just too darn apathetic OR WHAT???? YOU whiners, you wienies, you chronic complainers, you lackluster sideliners ARE THE PROBLEM.

Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority: Public Accountability or Not?

In my immediately preceding commentary on October 24, 2007 regarding Ben Konop and the whole issue of the accountability in regards to the operations, effectiveness, and efficiency of Lucas County Improvement Corporation and its CEO, I closed with a postscript on a tangental subject when I wrote:

How can I get Ben Konop or anyone else to put the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority and its Toledo Express Airport operations under the same microscope as is the Lucas County Improvement Corporation? The Toledo Express Airport operation has been sadly lacking for many, many years. For the amount of public funds involved with the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority and the airport, there ought to be far more accountability, efficiency, effectiveness, and results. Decades have passed with little or no noticeable improvement.

It is with hindsight I realized almost immediately when I published the postscript comment that the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority deserved to be a subject of its own in a separate message thread here on Roland Hansen Commentary. That thought especially hit home when I read this newspaper article that the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority Board of Directors intend to have public tax payers assist the Catholic Diocese of Toledo.

Are any eyebrows being raised about the appropriateness of taxpayer public support for a religious organization? Will the Protestant, Islamic, Jewish, and other religious organizations receive the same support? Will there be any questions raised by non-Catholic religious groups, or agnostics, or atheists, or by the Amercan Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), or by any citizen and taxpayer watchdog groups?

Incidentally, you might find this specific Roland's Ramblings entry 'Resistance Is Futile' or Managing Dissent interesting in-as-much that it is about how governmental agencies and other organizations and persons in positions of power manage to stifle real citizen participation.

Ben Konop: Lucas County Commissioner Opens Can Of Worms

Hmmm. I have made a couple of commentaries in the past in regards to Lucas County Commissioner Ben Konop, specifically on August 22, 2007 and on October 11, 2007.
Well, today is yet one more; and, it is related to the October 11 commentary. Ben Konop has pounded away at the operations, effectiveness, and efficiency of the Lucas County Improvement Corporation (LCIC) and its CEO Shawn Ferguson. While I, myself, have questioned the way about which Ben Konop initially began his foray into the LCIC issue, I also applauded the resolution that he brought before the Board of Lucas County Commissioners regarding the LCIC as the proper procedure to follow and of the appropriateness of the resolution as a means of holding the LCIC accountable.
Now, there has been another interesting development in this saga as reported in this newspaper article regarding the sudden resignation of Shawn Ferguson as the chief executive of the Lucas County Improvement Corporation.
Some persons, mostly of the opposite political party from the one of which Ben Konop is associated) have questioned his motives and have put forth some speculation as to his political agenda on this issue. Quite frankly, I could care less about Ben Konop's political motivation as long as the public is the prime beneficiary of Ben Konop's efforts, and as long as Ben Konop's actions are proper and legal.

P.S. How can I get Ben Konop or anyone else to put the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority and its Toledo Express Airport operations under the same microscope as is the Lucas County Improvement Corporation? The Toledo Express Airport operation has been sadly lacking for many, many years. For the amount of public funds involved with the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority and the airport, there ought to be far more accountability, efficiency, effectiveness, and results. Decades have passed with little or no noticeable improvement.

A Consumer Rip-Off: Credit Cards

Credit cards for the most part are a consumer rip-off. Some companies charge the credit card holder an annual fee for having the credit card, charge the vendor a fee (usually a percentage of the amount placed on the credit card), and then proceed to assess the credit card holder an outrageously high interest percentage when making monthly payments. Some of the minimum payments on these credit cards are such that a person may never pay off the principal amount on the debt.
Many people have created an entire life-style dependent upon their credit cards, racking up debt after debt after debt. These consumers have actually built minimum payments into their family finances. They figure they already had been making that amount of payment in the past, so why not just build that payment into present and future monthly bill payments. Now, with that kind of attitude, how would anyone ever get out of debt???!!!! DUMB, DUMB, DUMB. And, that is just what the credit card companies and banks want and play upon.
Credit card companies and banks love to prey upon people and practically beg people to take another credit card and start accumulating even more debt. I don't know about anyone else, but I am sick and tired of being deluged with unsolicited requests to sign up for credit cards.
Bankruptcies are at an all-time high. While the consumer bears the biggest share of blame for that, I fault the banking industry for encouraging and enabling financial mismanagement by consumers. The banks, credit card companies, lending institutions, and others have pounded it into our heads that we need no more than to get a credit card, take out an adjustable-rate mortgage with balloon payments, take out a home-loan or second mortgage to pay bills, lease a car or purchase at a low-monthly rate (they hardly ever advertise the purchase price itself anymore), go to the local payday loan company, etc., etc., etc., ad nauseum.
NUFF for now cuz my blood pressure is rising just thinking about it.
For more about credit cards, visit these two specific entries on
Hooda Thunkit's Therapy Blog
and
Judy's Jewels.

Lucas County Commissioners: Bored, Board or What?

Are the individual Lucas County Commissioners bored or are the individuals collectively a Board? Are the Lucas County Commissioners banging heads or are they head bangers?
A recent Blade newspaper article has reported what seems to be some less-than-satisfactory relationships amongst individual Lucas County Commissioners and the CEO of the Lucas County Improvement Corporation (LCIC).
It is important and very relevant to note that the LCIC is a private non-profit corporation governed by a Board of Directors, on which sit all three Lucas County Commissioners along with other local elected officials and area business leaders. LCIC has an administrative staff that is answerable to the LCIC Board of Directors. LCIC staff is not answerable to the Board of Lucas County Commissioners or to individual Commissioners.
It also important to note that there is a County Administrator, an Assistant County Administrator, and a very large administrative staff that is under the jurisdiction of the Board of Lucas County Commissioners.
I find nothing in the Ohio Revised Code in either Section 305 or Section 307 or any other section of the ORC that gives any authority to individual commissioners in this matter or any other matter. The Board of County Commissioners is a body politic and only has power, authority, and responsibility when convened as a body. There are some instances when an individual Commissioner may sit in an official capacity on other public bodies, but in those instances as in the situation of the Board of County Commissioners, the Commissioner has no individual power. The lack of individual legitimate authority of a County Commissioner is just as valid when one or more commissioners sit on the Board of a Non-profit Organization, as in the case of LCIC.
It seems to me that the staff of the Lucas County Improvement Corporation and the appropriate staff of the Board of Lucas County Commissioners are the people who should be working cooperatively on a daily basis on issues and ventures that are of joint concern to both organizations.
Given the fact that there is professional staff for both entities whose jobs are in the area of concern from which this controversy has evolved, I can't help but wonder why in the world do individual County Commissioners get into the nitty-gritty specifics of administrative functions. It couldn't be political posturing, could it?

Religion: A Qualification for U.S. President

Religion may not be a listed in the Constitution of the United States as a qualification for President of the United States of America, but apparently many Americans have a closely held belief that religion should be a qualification to be President, specifically the Christian religion.
It just seems to me that religion has permeated the news media in reporting United States Presidential politics. I, myself, have commented on religion and politics a couple times here at Roland Hansen Commentary, but I did not know I was part of a trend. How avant-garde of me!
You may ask “Trend?” and I so respond “Trend.”
Here is the latest that I have read in regards to the attention that the “importance” of religion has been getting in the national political arena: Read the commentary entitled "Consultant's 'tough sell' is to spotlight Hillary's faith" by David Yonke, religion editor for the Toledo, Ohio daily newspaper The Blade.
The bulk of American people have truly demonstrated hypocrisy of the utmost kind. On the one hand, Americans seem distressed that many Middle East countries are considered to be geo-political Muslim States. Many Americans cry for a separation of those countries’ political and religious factions and call for freedom of religion in those countries. On the other hand, many but not all of these same people inject their own religious beliefs onto the American political scene and government asserting that the United States of America is a Christian country founded on Christian beliefs by the Christian founders of our country and that we should have a Christian President.
It may seem to the defensive people out there that I am harping on something that they consider insignificant or that I am sacrilegious. Fine. Go ahead and feel that way. Stick your head in the sand. Go ahead; continue to criticize Muslims of the Mid East and Far East, and continue to criticize the Jews of Israel, and continue to criticize the atheist governments of other countries. Look in the mirror and tell yourself that you are right and anyone who differs with you is all wrong. After all, it’s the “Christian thing” to do ---- NOT! The United States of America is not a theocracy.

McCain: Pride and Prejudice

As I read the Sunday newspaper while sitting in the livingroom of my home in Mesa, Arizona, I came across an interesting article about Arizona's senior U.S. Senator and United States presidential aspirant, John McCain.
Apparently, the Senator in whom many Arizonans have so much pride has shown his true colors inn the area of religious prejudice. The article "U.S. is better off with Christian president, McCain says" reports on how McCain does not desire to see a Muslim as President and that he thinks a Mormom might be okay. The article makes no mention of what thoughts McCain has on other religions such as Judaism, Hinduism, Zaoism, etc., etc.; nor does the article report on McCain's thoughts on atheists and agnostics. Whatever McCain's thoughts are in those areas is anyone's guess at this point. But, there is no doubt that McCain has made it clear that he believes the best person to serve as President of the United States should be Christian.
What other prejudices does John McCain hold near and dear to his heart? Do his prejudicial opinions stop at being beliefs or does McCain also take action on those thoughts in the form of discriminatory practices?
I can't help but wonder what the U.S. Senator and former Vice President nominee, Joe Lieberman, thinks of his senatorial colleague.
My thoughts: McCain has just ruled himself out of being Presidential material.

UPDATE: The embedded link above for the Arizona newspaper article does not appear to be working for everyone, and therefore, as an alternative, I suggest you read the NY Daily News article McCain: No Muslim president, U.S. better off with Christian one by Helen Kennedy.

Bush Vetoes Child Health

George W(warmonger) Bush has absolutely no problem spending billions upon billions of dollars in a politically motivated killing war such as he has done and continues to do in Iraq. However, he has no problem at all in vetoing far less money that is needed to assure the health of America's children from low-income families.
Read about the children's health program here.
Go this way to learn more about SCHIP.
Shame on Bush! Shame, shame, shame. What kind of person is he, any way? He certainly isn't much of a man in my opinion. Nor is George the Warmonger much of a President. George Bush has created the biggest blight on American history there has ever been and perhaps is the greatest sham (or shame, take your pick) of all American Presidents.

Dollars and Cents (or is that sense?)

I am still on vacation with limited internet access (because I'm too busy enjoying real life outside the net), so I will make this short and sweet.
Today, I learned that the U.S. dollar and the Canadian dollar are now worth the same. Up until now, the U.S. dollar has always been worth more. The U.S. dollar has been in decline for several years.
I also learned a couple days ago that Alan Greenspan, who only recently retired as Chairman of the United States Federal Reserve Board and had served every President since being appointed by Ronald Reagan in 1987, has written a book that basically alleges George W. Bush is a fiscal incompetent who has made economic policy decisions for the United States based on political reasons rather than on sound economic principles.
I say Bush has taken us all to the cleaners --- the dry cleaners, that is.
I'm glad I have saved any Canadian money I had left over from various visits to that country. What an investment! I only wish I had more; I could have become rich because of it and Bush's financial mismanagement of our American economy.
On the other hand, my American dollars are only worth cents now!!!
Does this make sense? Bush has brought all Americans to their knees, except the wealthy Americans such as his buddy, Dick Cheney, and all his Haliburton friends and others like them.

Religious Freedom in the United States: Debatable

Many Americans, if not all Americans, proudly proclaim that we have religious freedom in the United States of America. I put forth that the topic of religious freedom in the United States is debatable. Religious freedom may exist technically in the United States; but, it does not necessarily exist in everyday America reality.
I have often heard it said by many, many people that the United States is a Christian nation. I have heard people say that the Founding Founders of our country were Christians and that this country was founded on Christian beliefs. Numerous people advocate and want to pass legislation permitting prayer in public schools, at public gatherings, and elsewhere throughout the governmental and public sector. There are any number of American city, county, and state governments that use public funds and public property to display symbols that are linked to specific religions. The Moral Majority has a political agenda that essentially lobbies for legislation that institutionalizes their religious concepts and imposes those concepts as law on all Americans.
As a first-generation American, I cannot claim a rich family history going back a hundred or two hundred or three hundred years, but the United States of America is my birthplace. Therefore, America’s heritage is my heritage.
One of our country’s Founding Founders, principal author of the Declaration of Independence, author of the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom, and the third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson was a powerful advocate of liberty and a staunch proponent of religious freedom. The University of Virginia, which was founded by Thomas Jefferson, has some very good web pages entitled Thomas Jefferson on Politics and Government. I encourage you to visit the section on Freedom of Religion to obtain some extensive information on Jefferson’s thoughts and statements in the cause of religious freedom.
You may say that the First Amendment of the United States Constitution provides for religious freedom in our country. After all, the First Amendment does state “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof” and then it continues about freedom of speech, freedom of the press, right of people to assemble peacefully, and petition Government for a redress of grievances. All of that is in just one small sentence. Yeah, well, over the past 200 plus years, there has been much discussion and debate, as well as numerous court rulings, on the issue of religious freedom as it relates to the First Amendment. I suggest you read the full one sentence text of the First Amendment and annotations over at FindLaw.
Back to full circle. Traditionally, overall, our American history is abundant with Anti-Semitism, even reaching into the White House itself. People of the Jewish religion have been the recipients of much discrimination in the United States of America. And now, another religion with an extremely large number of adherents has come under attack. Not only do vast numbers of Americans advocate and proselytize Christianity as a part of American society, culture, and political scenery, it is no longer uncommon to hear Americans condemn Islam. Not only has Islam come under attack by so-called “good Christians” but there has also been a growing outcry to forbid any further immigration of Muslims into the United States. There are far too many ignorant people that have labeled all followers of Islam as terrorists.
In the world of reality, I do believe that topic of religious freedom in the United States is truly debatable.

Municipal Government in Toledo, Ohio

Here we go again! It seems to happen every generation or so that Toledoans change their form of city government. So, it is no surprise that they're talking a lot lately about changing the form of city government in Toledo, Ohio.
I had intended to address this topic yesterday but I was interrupted by unexpected company that did not depart until late in the evening. Then today, to my surprise, was a newspaper article entitled "Politics puts Toledo's charter to the test" that provides a vast amount of the information of which I intended to write. For a while, I thought I should just pass on this subject as an entry into Roland Hansen Commentary. Instead, I have decided to incorporate the newspaper article into this commentary. After all, by reading the article, a person will obtain the history that I had intended to provide.
As the information in the following embedded links will provide, there are basically three forms of municipal government and each has its advantages and disadvantages.
Toledo has gone back and forth between mayor-council and council-manager forms of government. The City has had the strong mayor and the weak mayor forms of government. Toledo has had mayors chosen by city council and mayors elected directly by the general electorate with and without appointed city managers. Toledo, Ohio has had city councils chosen at-large, chosen by proportional representation, and chosen by a combination of district and at-large.
In the never-ending quest to secure a responsive government and in a variety of attempts to remove politics from municipal government, Toledo has gone back and forth and back again, time and time again, with various forms of city government.
And yet, Toledoans still have been unable to convince themselves that politics cannot be removed from the governing process. Mayors have blamed council for things not getting done, and so have city managers; and city councils have blamed city managers for things not getting done, and city councils have blamed mayors for things not getting done.
Regardless of the lessons from local history, Toledoans have been unable (or maybe it is unwilling) to retain an institutional memory. They are under the misimpression that politics can indeed be removed. Toledo citizenry puts itself in another catch-22. On one hand, Toledoans want a supposedly non-partisan, non-political, professional CEO that they allege can only be secured by having a city manager. On the other hand, Toledoans want a CEO that is accountable and responsible to the citizens, something that can only come through a CEO who is elected directly by the people, that is a strong mayor. Past experience in Toledo has shown that previous city managers did pretty much what they wanted, and neither the mayor nor the city council would accept responsibility for unpopular managerial actions. To make the politics of city manager accountability even more complicated was the fact that although the mayor nominated and the council confirmed the appointment of the manager, none of the previous mayors or councils were willing to dismiss any of the previous managers. Instead, everyone pointed fingers at everyone else for any problems that may have existed.
It's been approximately 15 years now that Toledo has had a Strong Mayor and a 12- member City Council, consisting of 6 at-large and 6 district members all of whom now serve 4-year terms having replaced the previous two-year terms and with staggered terms separating the at-large from the district council members.
When the incumbent mayor suggested reducing the size of council from 12 to 8, people immediately picked up on that. Folks started pointing the fingers alleging the mayor was being punitive, that the mayor wanted to control council, and that reduction of district seats would dilute the strength of minority representation. Do these people think the present mayor will influence future mayors and councils?
I keep hearing people talking of a four at-large and four district city council membership. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE? Why are people only talking of eight and why are people only talking of an at-large and district combination? With an even number of council members, what happens when there is a tie vote? Do folks want those situations go to the mayor? Why not propose an odd number council membership in order to minimize the chances of tie votes. Toledoans are constantly clamoring about constituent services for their neighborhoods. And yet, the only ideas of which I am aware are those suggestions that would decrease the number of district council members.
I have some thoughts of my own. I believe that Toledo, Ohio should go to a 9-member city council, all elected from districts. I believe that Toledo should stay with a strong mayor, but also require an appointed professional City Administrator who is nominated by the Mayor and approved by City Council and who can only be removed by the mayor. I believe that this would result in a more responsible, responsive, and accountable form of municipal government for Toledo, Ohio than what has existed in the past, than what presently exists, and than what is being openly proposed by public leaders and others to exist for the future.

Selecting Judges in Ohio

The ways in which judges are chosen vary from state to state. Just as there are a wide variety of methods that are used to choose judges, there are a wide variety of opinions from people on the way judges should be chosen.
But many people do not know the basics of what is involved in the judicial selection process, whichever method is used. Judicial Selection and Retention FAQs from the National Center for State Courts' Knowledge and Information Services is a good place to start for the person who would like a basic understanding of the overall topic.
The method of selecting judges in the State of Ohio continues to be mired in controversy. Judges in Ohio are elected in nonpartisan elections. However, if there is a mid-term vacancy, the vacancy is filled by gubernatorial appointment until the next election for that judgeship is held. While these elections are technically nonpartisan, political parties and special interest groups are intricately involved. The American Judicature Society has some very interesting pages on Ohio judicial selection including an introduction, current methods, history of judicial selection reform, judicial campaigns and elections, and diversity on the bench.
If political parties and special interest groups are involved, you can bet your bottom dollar that big money is also a very major player. That is the topic of an interesting article entitled “Money Talks” with the subtitle “In a race for Ohio Supreme Court, one candidate spoke freely about his views and the other filled his war chest. Guess who won.” by Andrew Goldstein which is a must-read.
The Justice at Stake organization claims that it “works to protect courts from special interest groups and partisan pressure.” Its website has a press release dated October 30, 2006 with the headline “Next Ohio Governor Should Fill Court Vacancies Based On Merit, Not Politics, Says Justice at Stake Campaign” Guess What? The Justice at Stake organization got what it wanted. This is clearly ascertained by reading the January 30, 2007 press release on the website of The Supreme Court of Ohio entitled “Gov. Strickland Announces Executive Order on Judicial Selection.” The Governor did indeed appoint a panel to make recommendations of candidates to him for gubernatorial appointment of judges to vacant judicial positions. I have a question. Is not the Justice at Stake organization a special interest group?
Many people believe the election of judges should be entirely eliminated. They believe merit selection is the route to go because they believe it will remove politics from the judicial selection process. I disagree. Any panel that makes recommendations of judicial candidates for appointment is composed of people who are themselves appointed by means of a political process. In the current situation in Ohio, the panel is appointed by the Governor who is himself a politically partisan elected official. Why on earth would anyone think, even for a minute, that a politically partisan elected official would not consider politics in making the appointments to such a panel??? It’s all politics, any way you cut it!

OHIO: Lucas County Democratic Party and Unity

This is a long entry. I hope you have the patience to read it all. If not, then you are not the type of person to be reading this Roland Hansen Commentary blog anyway.

By now, you would think I would have learned that everyone is an expert when it comes to politics. That is especially true for those anonymous persons who comment on electronic message boards, forums, and blogs. Just ask them; they have the answer to everything, or at the very least they will tell you that the people involved in politics are all corrupt or something along those lines. They’ll tell you what a candidate is doing wrong, even though they have never worked on a political campaign. They will condemn or criticize political parties, even though they have never been an active participant in a political party (other than voting, that is, even if they do that much). I strongly suspect those people do not even understand what a political party is all about, let alone know about platforms and planks of a political party.
Yes, indeed, the naysayers are the experts. Not me! Heck, what do I know? Apparently very little according to the “expert” anonymous political commentators I have been reading. Sarcasm intended. I must add that I do admire and respect a few anonymous political commentators who have demonstrated their credibility and their knowledge.
For those who might read this but are unaware of some of my background, I’ll give you just a quick short glimpse of me. I have a long and interesting history of involvement with Lucas County politics that spans approximately 36 years now. Along with that extensive personal involvement, I have taught political science classes at the University of Toledo and at Owens Community College. I am also a member of Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society and a member of Pi Alpha Alpha, the National Honor Society for Public Affairs and Public Administration.

Now, let’s get to the topic at hand. But first a little background.
There has been schism, fractures, in-fighting, feuding, public squabbles, divisions, and the like within the Lucas County Democratic Party over the years. Disagreements and in-fighting are natural aspects of almost any and all organizations; but, the problems that have ensued in Lucas County over the most recent years resulted in two separate organizations for a couple years, both of which claimed to represent Lucas County Democrats.
The serious difficulties began approximately a decade ago. It was when the Lucas County Chairmanship went to a former “Independent” who had been the Campaign Manager of an Independent Mayoral candidate just a couple years previously. That Chairperson (Paula Ross) brought in some new people, which in itself was not bad, but became problematic because long-time Party activists were concurrently being excluded (including yours truly).
After a few years of that person’s leadership, there was a coup that resulted in a new Chair (Sandy Isenberg) who lasted one year, and then another new Chair (Jack Wilson) who also lasted one year, and then another new Chair (John Irish) who also lasted but one year. With all those persons, there were some attempts at bringing all Dems into one big family again. None succeeded.

Flash forward to the present.
On August 9, 2007, Ron Rothenbuhler was elected as the new Lucas County Democratic Party Chairman by the Lucas County Democratic Party’s central committee.
It was on August 16, 2007 that I stated on Glass City Jungle, the local political blog of the ever-efficient and knowledgeable LisaRenee and one of the best and most credible political blogs in all of Ohio: "I, myself, think that the efforts being made in the local Democratic Party should be considered as honest and sincere. Unless there is any FACTUAL information to the contrary, I welcome getting back to what the Democratic Party is really all about. I would also like to see the local Republican Party have a rebirth. Regardless of the doomsayers and critics of political parties, a strong two-party system is a very intricate part of our political system and of our country.”
The next morning, on August 17, I made this comment on Glass City Jungle: “I predict that the Lucas County Democratic Party will come together on a united front in the not-too-distant future.” Later that same day another poster wrote: “Roland, perhaps you have some of that magical powder mud mentions and could drop it off at 1817 Madison tonight!” to which I replied: “I have no magical powder. I only have 36 years experience in the local political arena. I stand by my prediction.”
It was on August 27 that I attended the press conference called by Party Chairman Ron Rothenbuhler. Later that same day on GCJ, I wrote: “I was quite impressed by the Lucas County Democratic Party Press conference today. There is no way a person can truly realize its importance and impact unless the person was there personally to see the variety of people and hear the conversations and cross-conversations. I suspect the media will not provide sufficient coverage in such a way as to effectively communicate the extremely positive ramifications that may result from this renewed effort at Democratic Party unity in Lucas County.”
I have been frustrated for decades with local political neophytes who seem to think that the City of Toledo is one and the same as Lucas County. Consequently, part of another comment I had made concerning that press conference was that it “included the Mayor of Maumee, Maumee councilpersons, the Mayor of Oregon, Oregon Councilpersons, the County Clerk of Courts, the County Recorder, the County Treasurer, all three County Commissioners, and many others.”
None-the-less, the local “expert” anonymous political commentators zeroed in on situations with the Democrats on Toledo City Council and on the fact that several of the county-wide elected officials had at one time served on Toledo City Council.
While I do understand the frustrations some people may have with some elected Democratic Party officeholders, I do not agree with painting all Democrats with one broad brush.
I repeat here what I have written elsewhere. The local Democrats of the Lucas County Democratic Party are not just the folks on Toledo City Council, or the people who live within the City of Toledo. Local Democrats consist of ALL LUCAS COUNTY Democrats.
There is more to the Lucas County Democratic Party than what some media would have you believe. There are also many Democrats who are elected officials in Lucas County.

To my chagrin, when the topic of the Lucas County Democratic Party was again brought forth on GCJ on September 3, I thought there was another undue intermingling of Toledo City Council politics and the renewed consensus building of the Lucas County Democratic Party. The reason I formed such an opinion was due to its headline "Democrat Vs Democrat Or Unity At Last?" and the inclusion in the following text of the phrase "the future on the unity between two factions of the Lucas County Democratic Party" along with linking to a newspaper article entitled "Toledo city Council chief, mayor have history of enmity."
I placed the following comment in reply: “If the topic is about unity of the Democrats throughout Lucas County and the Lucas County Democratic Party, then my response is unity is indeed in the process of coming together. If on the other hand, the topic is about Toledo City Council, my response is that there will always be differences. Toledo City Council IS NOT the LUCAS COUNTY Democratic Party. The Democrat members of Toledo City Council are indeed individuals. UNITY does NOT equate with GROUPTHINK. Nor does Toledo City Council equate Lucas County Democratic Party.”
Part of a response to my posting stated “other candidates and former candidates outside of Toledo had and still have some concerns.” And in another response, once again it was brought up about the politics of Toledo City Council and the fact that some Lucas County Democrats holding office today were once on Toledo City Council.
To which I restate here what I stated there: “I understand that of which you are speaking. I do not disagree with you. As some folks are aware, I have been an outspoken critic of several of those same things to which you allude. However, I am looking beyond the high visibility offices and situations that get the bulk of public attention.
In addition to Toledo City Council and County-wide elected officials, my perspective regarding the Lucas County Democratic Party also takes into consideration other local elected officials such as in: the cities of Oregon, Maumee, and Sylvania; the villages of Ottawa Hills, Waterville, Whitehouse, and others; the various township trustees and township clerks, and the numerous Boards of Education. From what I have been able to observe and collaterally ascertain, it appears that the elected Democratic officials and candidates of all these areas are coalescing within the Lucas County Democratic Party. I’ve also observed the outreach efforts to rank and file Democrats who had been ignored, castigated, or ostracized in the past.
Those things of which I mention have not received media exposure and coverage. I am seeing things and hearing things that are not in the every-day public eye.

BOTTOM LINE: The renewed efforts at unity within the Lucas County Democratic Party began less than one month ago. I have personally observed and experienced some of that which has taken place within this brief period of time. I doubt the anonymous “experts” can say the same. Instead, they tend to rehash the personal concerns that while important are not relevant or germane to the structure, procedures, policies, and processes of a political party. Of course, the outreach effort has not yet reached everyone and everywhere throughout Lucas County. Be realistic, people. The process of bringing forth unity within the Lucas County Democratic Party does take longer than one month.

I stand by my prediction. I predict that the Lucas County Democratic Party will come together on a united front in the not-too-distant future.

A Total Makeover for Public Education

Isn’t it about time that we Americans abandoned the archaic system of primary and secondary public education in our country that we have been trying to fix with band-aides for many, many decades? Do you realize that there are thousands and thousands of public school districts throughout the United States? Rather than fixing the American public education system, a total restructure is in order. Let’s have a total makeover.

There are a wide variety of school systems throughout the United States because each state has its own system of public education. The reason for that is because public education is the responsibility of each and every one of the 50 State Governments rather than the responsibility of the National Government. Yet, many people expect the President and/or the Congress to do something about our schools and the whole system of public education. If people want the Feds to address public education, then we really should consider an amendment to the United States Constitution requiring the National Government to establish a national system of public education. I would favor that approach, but I bet you that idea would be met with staunch opposition.

However, I do have an alternative suggestion for at least overhauling K – 12 education here in Ohio. Let me begin by making some comparisons. Amongst the many different State systems of public education, I draw attention to those of the three states of Ohio, Florida, and Hawai’i.

In Ohio, there are 723 school districts consisting of 190 City districts, 60 Educational Service Center districts, 373 Local districts, 1 Municipal district, 49 Exempted Village districts, and 49 Joint Vocational districts. While the State of Ohio also permits Joint High School districts, there are none at present. In my opinion, that’s just way too many school districts. Take a look at the website of the Ohio Department of Education.

The State of Florida has hundreds upon hundreds of fewer school districts than does its Ohio counterpart. In fact to be more exact, Florida has 655 less school districts than Ohio. Did you do the math? Yes, that’s correct. Florida has just 68 school districts. The reason for only 68 districts is because Florida Public Schools are structured on a countywide school district system. That seems much more manageable and efficient than Ohio’s system of 723 distinct school districts. Give a look-see at the website of the Florida Department of Education.

And then, there is the State of Hawai’i. The paradise state goes it 67 better than Florida. Yes, you read that correctly. The State of Florida has 67 more school districts than the State of Hawai’i. Huh? Yes, indeed, that means there is only one school district in the entire State of Hawai’i. One. That’s right, ONE — a single, statewide district on seven islands. That seems even more efficient than the 68 public school districts in Florida. Visit the website of the Hawai’i Department of Education.

Which all leads me to my suggestion regarding the overhaul and restructuring of the State of Ohio public education system for grades K through 12. Ohio could go to a state funded, statewide school system that would be administered at the county level with the county administrative superintendent paid a salary based on the county size as we do with other county officials. We would save money just on the economy of scale issue. Think how much money could be saved on textbook purchases and educational supplies alone if all were bought on a statewide basis rather than by 723 separate entities. Think about how much money could be saved by having one school system with one administrative entity and one overall administrative cost versus 723 school treasurers, and 723 school finance offices, and 723 purchasing offices, and 723 human resources offices, and 723 transportation departments, and 723 food services departments, and 723 curriculum committees, and 723 —– well, I think that’s enough to give a picture.

With a statewide, county administered system that would include citizen advisory committees and utilize site-based management, we could practice economy of scale, families would have wider choice of schools, movement within the state would not be disruptive to the student, etc.

But first, people need to get over their feudal school turf protection mindset.

Fred LeFebvre: The Disappearing Act

As they say in Rome: “A funny thing happened on the way to the forum.”
But I need to rephrase that to: A funny thing happened on my way to the forum over at WSPD. I never arrived.
Huh?
Let me explain.

On August 8, 2007, I made a blog entry here on Roland Hansen Commentary that I had entitled Change Lucas County, Ohio Government!
The following week, on August 14, that entry was featured in the weekly edition of Carnival of Ohio Politics: Carnival Number 78, and was mentioned on August 15 over on Thurber’s Thoughts.
Then, on August 16, WSPD radio talk show personality Fred LeFebvre called my home. I was out at the time, but he did leave a message in which he said amongst other things “I’d be interested in talking to you about it” and he asked me to call him back. My answering machine has a time stamp, consequently I not only still have the message which I saved, but I also have a record of the time the message was left; it was 11:56 a.m.
I returned Fred LeFebvre’s at approximately 2:30 p.m. He did not answer; however, I did get his voice mail. I left a message that I was returning his call as he requested; and, I made a comment that it appeared that we were playing phone tag.
To this day, two weeks after I left that return telephone call message, Fred LeFebvre has not called me back. And now, if ever he does call, I’m not interested in speaking with him. I don’t play the games of the traditional media, especially those games of the dog-and-pony talk shows. I do not need to be in Fred LeFebvre’s limelight or in his shadow. And, I am certainly not at Fred LeFebvre’s beck and call.
I take Mr. LeFebvre’s extemporaneous inquiry and failure to follow through as not being really interested in the subject of an alternative structure of government for Lucas County.
I suspect that most residents of Lucas County are not interested in changing the government structure, either. They’d rather just sit back and beef, bellyache, bitch, gripe, grouse, squawk, holler, crab, kvetch, and complain about our government. And then, the majority of those people wants and expects someone else to deal with it all.

Alberto is Gone. Bush is Mud.

It's about time, way past time in fact, that Alberto Gonzales has hung it up as the United States Attorney General.
Alberto spied on American citizens; he approved the torture of prisoners; he lied through his teeth; and, he fired experienced, competent attorneys just because they were Democrats.
He purposely deceived the United States Congress and the American people. His apparent incompetence is not dissimilar than that of his Boss Hogg, GWBush.
Let him go play his political games elsewhere.
Meanwhile, right to the end, the man responsible for killing of thousands in his personal jihad in Iraq, George W. Bush said that Alberto Gonzales' “good name was dragged through the mud for political reasons.”
Bull feathers! Of all things, that lying piece of fecal matter is talking about mud and political reasons. Bush is mud; an eyesore on the American political scene. He lives everyday doing whatever it is that he does, and it is all for political reasons. Let him and his sniveling little bureaucrat buddy, Alberto, go play in the mud and wallow like the pigs they are. Anyone want a mud pie? GWB and AG have plenty of them.
The great thing about our country is that we have elections on a periodic basis. With each passing day, I find solace in knowing we are one day closer to the legitimate end of the current term of office for the yo-yo currently (mis)serving as U.S. President. I wish him well in his retirement years. I wish him in retirement - period. May he live long, but not prosper.

Lindsay Webb: Toledo City Council District 6. Wade Kapszukiewicz: Political Hack.

I read a press release that caught my eye over at Glass City Jungle from Lindsay Webb.
As a resident of the district in which Ms. Webb is a candidate, I have a keen interest in the area. I am speaking of Toledo City Council District 6.
I, myself, sought election to this very same district back in 1999 when a special election was held to fill the seat for the unexpired term created by the resignation of the incumbent, Jenine Perry, who moved on to a different elected position. At the time, I ran for the position without the endorsement of a political party, even though I had been extensively active within my party for over two decades at the time. And also at that time, I knew very well that the chances of winning that election without the support of a political party was nil, none, zip, nada, zilch! None-the-less, I threw my hat in the ring.
The reason I sought the seat at the time was that the political party appointee who had run in the special election desired the position only as a stepping stone to another future position. I know this because that person had previously been elected to a different position on a School Board to which I had been serving in my third elected term. I did not seek re-election to that school board in 1997, partly because of the political maneuvering of that person.
That person is none other than Wade Kapszukiewicz, a Political Hack if ever there was one.
I had met Wade Kapszukiewicz, aka Skippy, before his election to that school board (i.e.the Governing Board of the Lucas County Educational Service Center, aka LCESC, fka Lucas County Board of Education) back in 1995 in a private meeting between Wade Kapszukiewicz, the political party chair and executive director, and me. It was in that meeting that I was told of Wade Kapszukiewicz's true political aspirations. I then got to see Wade Kapszukiewicz's strategies and maneuvers put into action in my less-than-desirable dealings with him on the LCESC Governing Board on which we both served. He had no real interest in serving in that capacity; he only ran for that spot to get his name out. I know that because I was told that in the private meeting before he actually won that election to the school board. Well, whatever, Wade Kapszukiewicz has since moved on to his third elected position and he has his sights set on something more in the future.
Back to the topic at hand. Even though I knew I did not stand a chance back in 1999. I thought it would afford me the opportunity to make my concerns and ideas for the district known through the media. WRONG! I received little to no press coverage and received only one invitation to a candidates forum, which I did attend and of which the media only reported on the "major" candidates.
I still have something that I called "The Hansen Platform" which is a listing of my ideas for Toledo Council District 6, all of which are still very pertinent today. I had sent that to the media back then but it, like me, never received any mass media exposure.
The press release that I mentioned in my opening sentence is of interest and it addresses a very important issue, but there are far, far more issues in this district that need attention.
I will be happy to share "The Hansen Platform" with anyone who is interested. If that is you - or you - or you, get in touch with me and we'll discuss it over coffee in a Toledo City Council District 6 restaurant.

Taxes and Taxing

So many people complain about taxes, but so few people propose specific ways in which to provide public services other than by taxes.
So many people say our taxes are too high adding that the government should make cut-backs, but so few people propose specific public services to be decreased or eliminated.
So many people make comments about taxes, but so few people understand the tax system.
To those people, I say quit taxing my patience. Hey, if you're going to address the topic of taxes, the least you can do is have some kind of knowledge about the subject. Otherwise, I do not want to hear your crying, sobbing, pathetic, ill-informed opinion.
What got me going on this? I'll tell you. The other day I read a comment on a blog that just blew me away! Some rum-dum ignoramus was complaining about Lucas County spending money on a project when the City of Toledo needed more cops and the Toledo Public School System needed more revenue. What a stupid thing to say! DUH!!! County taxes are for use of county programs, services, etc. More cops in the City of Toledo is the responsibility of the City of Toledo and as such are funded from the City coffers. Ditto for the schools; school programs, services, etc are the responsibility of the appropriate school district.
Each of these (county, city, school district) have their own taxing authority. The same goes for the state and national levels of government.
Not only do different levels of government and political sub-divisions (including library districts, park districts, regional water districts, and so forth) have their own taxing authority, but there are different types of taxes. Take a look at this.
That comment about Lucas County, Ohio not using its tax money for more cops in the City of Toledo (just one city of several in the county) or to supplement the budget of the Toledo Public School District (just one school district of several in the county) put me over the top.
And to think I used to get all bothered by people who didn't know the difference between a school operating levy and a school capital improvements levy! Oh, you mean there are people who still don't know about that difference. Sheesh! For goodness sakes! We cannot use money from a capital improvements budget to pay teacher salaries or buy books; and, we cannot use money from an operating levy to build a new school or put on a new roof.
That's enough, this subject really taxes me! I'm outa here.

Ben Konop: In The Public Eye

Ben Konop sure knows how to keep in the public eye. In my 36 years of experience in the Lucas County political arena, I have never come across a County Commissioner, especially one in the position of being the junior Commissioner, whom has had such extensive media exposure in so brief a timeframe.
If you are a resident of Lucas County, Ohio and whether you think this thing about Ben Konop constantly being in the media is good, bad, or if you are indifferent toward it, the fact remains that the Lucas County Board of Commissioners has been the recipient of much positive mass media exposure since Ben Konop took office in January 2007. That aspect, if nothing else, is a very refreshing change.
I see no need to make any further comment other than to suggest you read "I have to admit he stays in the spotlight" from Chili Dog Blog.

U.S. Military Behavior in Iraq

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. If the military forces of other countries treated U.S. prisoners in an inhumane manner, Americans would cry out loud and clear. And, how would our own government react in such a situation?
But, how do Americans act when the tables are turned? Well, let's take a look.
Read this story from the BBC about the court martial of the only US Army officer charged of abusing prisoners at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison.
When the story of Iraqi prisoner abuse by U.S. military personnel first broke, there was an upsurge in negative public opinion throughout the United States. After awhile, it died down and seemed to be forgotten. That is unforgivable.
If this type of situation involved United States soldiers being abused by the troops of another country, American citizens, along with the politicians and the President, would be clamoring for immediate justice of all involved, including the foreign head of state. Oh, I guess it's all right in the eyes of many Americans for the United States to remove a foreign government CEO, e.g. Saddam Hussein, but apparently that same rule does not operate in reverse according to those folks. And, it's a good thing for all of us that we would not tolerate another country intervening in our country's affairs!!
Well, if we play that kind of game, the least we can do is self-police our own government. In our country, do we not hold the CEO responsible in private industry when there is mismanagement, wrong-doing, and illegal inactivities? Shouldn't that same principle hold true with the United States military? Who is the Commander-in-Chief of all United States Armed Forces? You got it - George W. Bush. It is he who should be held responsible. It is he who should face a court martial. It is he, George W. Bush, who should step down from his position as the Commander-in-Chief and as the President of the United States of America --- in disgrace!

Who and where is John R. Bender?

Where's Waldo? Oh, that's right; I am not looking for Waldo. I am looking for John R. Bender.
John who? John R. Bender. Remember him? You don't? Well, John R. Bender made a big push last year to be elected to the State Board of Education of Ohio from District 2. He won that election last November and took his seat on the State School Board here in Ohio in January 2007. But who has heard anything from this elected official since his election? I certainly haven't. I even sent him an e-mail last November to the address on his campaign committee website to congratulate him on his new position on the State School Board. But, alas, that e-mail bounced back as undeliverable. I don't think John Bender has ever made a visit to any of the school districts in Lucas County since having been elected. Why haven't we heard or read anything from him? What kind of representative is that? Who and where is John R. Bender?
I find it unsettling that Mr. Bender is an elected official who seems to be invisible. I find it unsettling that so many people profess to be interested in education but have absolutely no idea what the State Board of Education of Ohio is all about. I find it unsettling that neither the public nor the mass media seem to care that an elected school board member appears to ignore his constituency.
Just what is John Bender doing for education in the State of Ohio? Where is the public outcry, especially from those people who claim they are interested in our public school districts?
To whom is John R. Bender responsible? Where is the accountability?

Frank Szollosi: Proactive, Reactive, or Detractive

One of the members Of Toledo City Council, Frank Szollosi, has been vocal on a couple issues recently. In addition to his continuous, constant, and consistent public bashing of the Mayor of the City of Toledo, Frank Szollosi has most recently proposed legislation be adapted to prohibit pets in city vehicles and he has again attempted to overthrow the Council President (a Republican) asserting that the Council President should be a Democrat. Other than that, I'm not aware of whatever else he may be doing in his capacity as a Toledo City Councilman. But then again, to date since being elected, his performance as a councilman has been less than stellar in my opinion. I had expected more.
Does this Member of Toledo City Council proact, react, or detract? In my opinion, most of his activities on City Council have been either reactive or detractive. I am awaiting something proactive.
I intend no disrespect. My intentions are simple. It is my intent to play whatever role I can to assure accountability, responsibility, and responsiveness of public officials. Elected officials are accountable to the citizens of their respective jurisdictions. These public officials need to be responsible. They should also be responsive to their constituency.
I would hope that Councilman Szollosi improve in the area of being more proactive in serving the citizens of the City Of Toledo.

Toledo Public Schools In Decline

The new report cards are out. I am not in the least surprised that Toledo Public School District has declined to an "academic watch" status, the equivalent of a grade of D.
The TPS Board of Education as an entity is running on less than half-a-tank and the administration is a pound-shy and a-penny-short. In other words, neither is much good, let alone exemplary. So, what can anyone expect from such a lack-luster institution?
New dynamic blood is needed in the administration and on the Board. I do not question anyone's sincerity or commitment. I do believe they are ready and willing; they just aren't able -- for whatever reason.

Whiny Nonvoters Should Shush Up

That's right. You read that correctly. While the First Amendment of the United States Constitution protects everyone's right to free speech (oops, there are Patriot Act exceptions under today's King George), I think the whiny cry-baby people who do not take the time to even vote should just hush up, as in stifle, as in quiet, as in shut up, whenever it comes to our government, our laws, candidates, politicians, elections, and so forth.

Hey, you nonvoting hypocrites freely forfeited your right to vote, so I feel you forfeited your right to speech concerning things for which you could have voted upon.

Whenever these less-than-good-citizens complain, they should be ignored! After all, they ignored the opportunity to let their wishes be known where it counts -- at the ballot box. They are part of the problem, if not the problem itself!

Rather than going on and rambling for myself, let me direct you to the short essay Non Voting Hypocrits by C.B. Stiggins.

Then there is the following:
THE NONVOTERS HAVE IT
OUR BIGGEST `PARTY' - 120 MILLION STRONG - IS INCREASINGLY RESPONSIBLE FOR WHO RUNS AMERICA
WHY DON'T MORE AMERICANS VOTE? MARTIN P. WATTENBERG
Read that here.

The League of Women Voters has also looked at the issue of nonvoters. Their findings may be read in the report: Alienation Not a Factor in Nonvoting

About.com: U.S. Gov Info/ Resources has Survey Answers, Why Don't More Americans Vote? from Robert Longley.

Oh all right, I can't take away the nonvoting poor-excuse-for-a-citizen's right to free speech, but I can say this loud and clear: "I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT." So if you really want to be heard, say it with your vote at the ballot box.

Who Rules America?

I have a question. In your mind's eye, Who rules America ?
Three places on the internet to explore, all by G. William Domhoff, are:
Who Rules America? Power, Politics, & Social Change
Who Rules America: Wealth, Income, and Power
Who Rules America Now?

There is an interesting posting over at Hooda Thunkit's Therapy Blog entitled "Election2008 - The Political battle of our Lifetime."
I suggest you take a look-see. It's great food for thought, regardless of your political leanings.
(UPDATE NOTE as of August 4, 2012: Unfortunately, Hooda Thunkit's Therapy Blog author, writer, and publisher Dave Zawodny deleted this and all other of his blog entries a couple years ago.)

I, myself, think often in terms of The Iron Triangle and Multinational Corporations.

Change Lucas County, Ohio Government!

I have been following with a great deal of interest the calls to possibly change the form of government in the City of Toledo, Ohio. My interest is more than casual. Years ago, I was intricately involved in the same debate about Strong Mayor vs. City Manager, as well as at-large council vs. district council.
Some day, perhaps, I'll dig out an old cardboard box and finish putting together my scrapbook. Somewhere in that box, wherever it may be, is an article from the Toledo daily newspaper way back then in which I was quoted about the Strong Mayor/City Manager debate, and I think maybe it may have mentioned my role in the whole thing.
Regardless of all that, a change was made about 16 years ago from a Weak Mayor/City Manager/9-member At-large Council to a Strong Mayor/6-member At-large and 6-member District City Council.
But I digress -- I want to take this over into the area of County Government.
Some of the same people who are calling for a change in Toledo City Government have also expressed concerns that all three members of the Board of Lucas County Commissioners are residents of the City of Toledo.
Well, why isn't anyone talking about changing the structure of Lucas County government? The citizens of Lucas County are allowed by Ohio Revised Code to form an alternative form of county government.
We, the citizens of Lucas County, could have more than three commissioners if we so desire. We have that option along with the option of electing the Commissioners at-large, by districts, or a combination of at-large and districts. The total of County Commissioners' salaries remains the same, but the total is prorated amongst the number of commissioners. Another option under an alternative form of county government is that of having either an elective county executive or an appointed county executive.
Hey, don't take my word for it, go this way and read ORC CHAPTER 302: ALTERNATIVE FORM OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT.
Oh heck, while you're at it, you might want to learn more about County Government in Ohio. If that interests you, go over and read ORC TITLE [3] III COUNTIES.
I say the citizens of Lucas County ought to be looking at an alternative form of county government, especially one that would increase the number of County Commissioners and that would assure representation from all geographical segments of Lucas County!

Impeach a Dick!

How about a little something today on impeachment?
In December 1998, the U. S. House of Representatives voted to impeach President William "Bill" Jefferson Clinton by approving two of articles of impeachment. These articles alleged that the Bill Clinton while serving as President of the United States of America had provided perjurious, false and misleading testimony to a grand jury in regards to "sexual indiscretions" with two different women at two different times. One incident with a woman by the name Paula Jones occurred while he was Governor of Arkansas, and the other incident involved a relationship with a woman by the name of Monica Lewinski while Clinton was serving in the Office of President.
The actual impeachment trial began in the United States Senate in January 1999 and in February 1999 The Senate voted not guilty.
Some years later, along comes a President by the name of George W. Bush, who lies to the American people and lies to the United States Congress in order to lead the United States into a military conflict with the country of Iraq. This so-called "war" has now lasted longer than World War II with the loss of thousands of American and Iraqi lives.
Apparently lying about sex is an impeachable offense, but lying to march our country off to war is not an impeachable offense.
Has not George W. Bush as President of the United States committed perjury? Has not George W. Bush as President of the United States attempted to cover up his false and misleading statements to the American public and to Congress? Has not George W. Bush committed a treasonous act by his deceit and betrayal of the trust the U.S. citizens vested in him as President? Has not George W. Bush jeopardized the security of the United States? Is not George W. Bush guilty of the resultant manslaughter and murder of thousands of American and Iraqi lives? Some people say yes to all those questions.
Some people have asserted that George W. Bush should be impeached, tried and convicted, and removed from office as President of the United States. Are they nuts? That's a wrong first move in my opinion.
I say the first move is to impeach a Dick.
If Bush were removed from office, Vice President Dick Cheney would become President. Oh, my gosh!! Can you imagine Cheney as President? We need to impeach and remove Dick Cheney first, and then impeach and remove Bush.
It's probably too late to do that now, but one can dream. Can't one?