They say absolute power corrupts, and by all indications, it does. When I moved to Huntington County several years ago, there was a select group of people that ran the county and would make political decisions based solely on what their best interest were at the time or to enrich themselves and their families. As a result, the city and county spiraled into the equivalent of murky depths of financial hell. Huntington (city and county) are not out of the trouble yet, but thanks to this website and my radio show, many of the politicians have been defeated, on their way out of office or will feel the wrath soon. Unfortunately, the politicians at the statehouse have not experienced this yet, absolute power is corrupting!
With almost no checks and balances to now constrain what is obviously their uncontrollable appetite to show their true colors, the era of big government and higher taxes may be upon us. The sad fact is though, I'm not talking about democrats her, I'm talking about my conservative, small government, lower taxes Republican Party.
The Indiana General Assembly Republican Leadership has now decided since they virtually have no one to stop them, they can now put aside the the conservative principle that sent them to almost a super majority and focus their attention to their own special interests and to the special interest groups that fund their campaigns.
Republican Pro-tem David Long, Speaker of the Indiana House Brian Bosma, have decided that we as Hoosiers need more government in our lives in the way of a state wide smoking ban, unless of course you are one of the special interest groups that would be exempt and obviously funded their campaign.
Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee Luke Kenely, representing his own special interests (owning a chain of grocery stores) and backed by the retail industry that fund his elections now believes we as Hoosiers don't pay enough taxes as he now trys to push an online sales tax.
Let's not forget about State Senator Travis Holdman, who we can thank for the Indiana law which makes it illegal to text while driving (but not surfing the internet). A law that really can't be enforced but hey, it looks good. Let's not forget his bill also tried to outlaw cell phone use in the car and after some of his recent comments, it's ready to rear it ugly head again.
I expect most people who put these politicians in office did so because they were led to believe they were going to get less government intrusion int their lives and lower taxes, not more government and higher taxes. I guess absolute power does corrupt?
Gary, your website and radio show didn't stop the HCCSC Board of Trustees from approving the ridiculous almost 50% pay increase this week for resource officers. A plan and proposal fronted by the incoming police chief. Doesn't bode well for the City of Huntington either.
Posted by: Concerned Citizen | December 23, 2011 at 07:48 AM
You cant expect those city cops, who are privy to the same pay/perk/longevity package structure as the city firemen (but are damn smart enough to keep their mouths shut) to work for anything less than that. If the school doesnt pay similar to what the city does (i.e. $24+ an hour) then there is no incentive for anyone to supervise the lunches at HNHS. Thanks to the city's bloated pay system, which set the bar, the school has no choice but to follow suit.
Posted by: "We support our city ________" | December 23, 2011 at 10:18 AM
Not sure how long they had been doing it for 15 something an hour. Just seems quite a jump to 24 something. Not to mention the broke status of the schools.
Posted by: Concerned Citizen | December 23, 2011 at 02:46 PM
I don't understand why all you people don't run out and get yourself a police job? Fort Wayne is hiring along with the State Police. They make just as much, if noy more, than the city police. Step up to the plate and quit whining......
Posted by: Rudolph | December 23, 2011 at 03:10 PM
There is one full time officer at the school, which is standard today in many schools. Then there are four more that they hire to work two hour shifts each day to supervise the lunch periods.
I don't think the full time officer is justified, yet alone the other four. Nothing against the fine officers for their work, part time hours, or pay. I just don't think that it is needed. Maybe one for the two hour shift, but that would have to be proven to me that there is a real concern.
Posted by: BrettM | December 23, 2011 at 04:26 PM
Rudolph, Just because I didn't choose to become a police officer doesn't mean I don't pay taxes. From talking to others I agree with BrettM I don't think we need a full time police presence at our high school.
Posted by: what? | December 23, 2011 at 05:34 PM
what?
Have you been to HNHS lately during lunches? When you have 650+ people in a small area it is completely a madhouse. There are 2 separate areas that need attention including the commons and the cafeteria. You would be surprised of everything that goes on up there in that 2 hours.
Posted by: Harold | December 23, 2011 at 06:56 PM
Harold, That sounds like a school administration problem. If we need a police state when our students eat lunch we need to make some changes.
Posted by: what? | December 24, 2011 at 12:30 AM
Again I invite you to HNHS at any given day and you will understand.
Posted by: Harold | December 25, 2011 at 09:04 AM
Harold - If our high schoolers need a police state during lunch then the problem isn't the students but the inability for the school administrators to administer punishment.
If the kids need cops to watch them at lunch what's going to happen when they get into the real world and there's no one watching? We're raising a bunch of future criminals and sending them to public school for training.
Posted by: glad to homeschool | December 25, 2011 at 07:27 PM