Congressman Ron Paul was in New Hampshire this weekend. He made many stops, including one in Pembroke that I was able to attend. The stop in Derry is covered Here, and the story from the Liberty Forum is included Here.
In my earlier post, I mentioned that Dr. Paul is considered a "second-tier" candidate. Well, I ask all you non-believers, skeptics, and reporters: does an unknown candidate get over 150 people to come to one party, and about 350 to come to a speech? How about raising $14,000 in one trip (more still coming, send your support funds)? Now I know $14,000 might not sound like a big number compared to the big-shot candidates, but remember he got crowds in the hundreds. It should go to show that he does in fact have supporters. Maybe if he gets more attention we can expect bigger donations.
He is a win-win for both Democrats and Republicans. The Iraq War has become unpopular among most people; Dr. Paul has been against the War from its outset. Low taxes and a sound monetary policy should be welcomed by all; Dr. Paul is the premier advocate in Washington for both of those. If you want a strong national defense and more of your hard earned money then Dr. Paul is your candidate.
Remember to visit his Exploratory Committee website. Do all you can to support the best candidate around!
In Libertate,
Tyler
Monday, February 26, 2007
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Education Adequacy Forum
I went to the Forum at Plymouth High School on Monday night to discuss Adequacy in Education. The Supreme Court has mandated, in their latest Londonderry case, that the Legislature must define an "adequate" education by July 1st of this year. Thus, this Task Force has been established to figure out just what an adequate education is.
I would say that a majority of the speakers conceded that a one-size-fits-all education is not desirable. Most also brought up the point that the definition of an adequate education is entirely subjective.
Also, as the coordinators of this forum stated, these meetings are about defining adequacy and not about how to fund it. This is typical. The legislators on the Task Force know that to fund an adequate education it will take a sales or income tax. They also know that everyone is opposed to both of those options. So their solution: 'Let's not talk about it then'.
But, it is ridiculous not to attach a cost to adequacy while defining it. First of all, it was mandated by the Court in Claremont and reiterated in Londonderry that the state must define adequacy and also fund it. And if price isn't made a factor then what is to prevent a gross over-spending? They could very well vote to define adequate as giving every child their own tutor, a personal laptop, and a limousine. That sounds outlandish, but something equally costly could come if they don't talk about funding it also.
Enough of the digression. I chose to address the Task Force because I have deep convictions about education, given my personal experience. In short, I urged this group to adopt a constitutional amendment in order to prevent centralization of our traditionally decentralized education system, and to also consider a plan for adopting a school choice program. I have the unique experience of having gone through two years at public high school and two at a private high school. I have a seen a world of difference. The private school has an environment that is more conducive to my learning. I only think it reasonable to give all children that option via school choice, such as vouchers. The competition will only serve to raise students' scores.
You can go Here to watch video coverage of the various forums. You can see me speak by clicking on the Plymouth link; I start speaking about halfway through.
I also urge you to check out The New Hampshire Advantage Coalition and School Choice NH. It's only sensible to allow parents to choose the school that is best for their child. And who knows, maybe school choice (and telling the Supreme Court to back off) could prevent a sales or income tax and save the NH Advantage.
In Libertate,
Tyler
I would say that a majority of the speakers conceded that a one-size-fits-all education is not desirable. Most also brought up the point that the definition of an adequate education is entirely subjective.
Also, as the coordinators of this forum stated, these meetings are about defining adequacy and not about how to fund it. This is typical. The legislators on the Task Force know that to fund an adequate education it will take a sales or income tax. They also know that everyone is opposed to both of those options. So their solution: 'Let's not talk about it then'.
But, it is ridiculous not to attach a cost to adequacy while defining it. First of all, it was mandated by the Court in Claremont and reiterated in Londonderry that the state must define adequacy and also fund it. And if price isn't made a factor then what is to prevent a gross over-spending? They could very well vote to define adequate as giving every child their own tutor, a personal laptop, and a limousine. That sounds outlandish, but something equally costly could come if they don't talk about funding it also.
Enough of the digression. I chose to address the Task Force because I have deep convictions about education, given my personal experience. In short, I urged this group to adopt a constitutional amendment in order to prevent centralization of our traditionally decentralized education system, and to also consider a plan for adopting a school choice program. I have the unique experience of having gone through two years at public high school and two at a private high school. I have a seen a world of difference. The private school has an environment that is more conducive to my learning. I only think it reasonable to give all children that option via school choice, such as vouchers. The competition will only serve to raise students' scores.
You can go Here to watch video coverage of the various forums. You can see me speak by clicking on the Plymouth link; I start speaking about halfway through.
I also urge you to check out The New Hampshire Advantage Coalition and School Choice NH. It's only sensible to allow parents to choose the school that is best for their child. And who knows, maybe school choice (and telling the Supreme Court to back off) could prevent a sales or income tax and save the NH Advantage.
In Libertate,
Tyler
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Ron Paul for President!
United States Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX) is in the crowded hunt for the GOP presidential nomination. Many would say that Dr. Paul is a relative "unknown" or "second-tier" candidate. I would say, in the area of name recognition, that he does have a slight disadvantage. In the area of ideas, however, he is well ahead of the many current candidates.
Dr. Paul is the premier advocate for Constitutionally limited government in Congress. He has made a habit of only voting for legislation that involves a power specifically delegated to Congress. He has rightfully been given the nickname of "Dr. No" for his frequent 'No' votes. For example, he voted against the No Child Left Behind Act on that grounds that Congress has no Constitutional power to be involved in education.
Against the war in Iraq? Worried that you are losing too many civil liberties in the Global War on Terror? Dr. Paul agrees with you. He has voted against the Iraq War from the outset and has consistently broken from his party to vote against the Patriot Act.
Dr. Paul is the premier advocate for Constitutionally limited government in Congress. He has made a habit of only voting for legislation that involves a power specifically delegated to Congress. He has rightfully been given the nickname of "Dr. No" for his frequent 'No' votes. For example, he voted against the No Child Left Behind Act on that grounds that Congress has no Constitutional power to be involved in education.
Against the war in Iraq? Worried that you are losing too many civil liberties in the Global War on Terror? Dr. Paul agrees with you. He has voted against the Iraq War from the outset and has consistently broken from his party to vote against the Patriot Act.
Personally, economic issues are more my cup of tea. I am genuinely concerned with our inflationary central banking system and ever-rising taxes. The good news is that Dr. Paul is a true fiscal conservative. The National Taxpayer's Union has rated him as either the number 1 or 2 in all of Congress since his return in 1997. I guess that's where he gets his other nickname: The Taxpayer's Best Friend. Dr. Paul supports the repeal of the unconstitutional Federal Reserve and the return to sound monetary policy via a gold standard.
Dr. Paul will be in New Hampshire a few times in the near future. The closest date is next Saturday night! Click Here for more info on this particular event.
And for more info on Dr. Ron Paul you can go Here, Here, or Here.
Remember, whether you are a Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, or Green: Vote Ron Paul in '08!!!
In Libertate,
Tyler
Dr. Paul will be in New Hampshire a few times in the near future. The closest date is next Saturday night! Click Here for more info on this particular event.
And for more info on Dr. Ron Paul you can go Here, Here, or Here.
Remember, whether you are a Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, or Green: Vote Ron Paul in '08!!!
In Libertate,
Tyler
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