Sacred Cows

[Project Grudge]

Maybe I lack the empathy, but I feel like there are too many sacred cows when it comes to budget cuts. If the states don't have the money and yet don't cut police, fire, and education then it's a de facto "raise" when compared to every other governmental job that's being cut.

I live in a family of teachers, and they aren't paid enough, but there are many positions in which people aren't paid enough and help others. However, I get sick and tired of hearing the family act like any talk of education cuts is like killing one's first born. BTW, I think teachers' pay should be based on performance, like most jobs, and not an across the board salary. I've seen some really bad, apathetic teachers make the same as great ones and this is what's upsetting me. I see the bad ones I know marching and protesting, when in fact they should probably try a new profession.

The problem is if you don't teach the sacred cows how to manage money, then they'll never become efficient or have any incentive to improve and they just get bloated and bloated with more standardized tests and tests....

I understand the arguments that all of the above are critical to a safe, functional society and I agree. However, I think reverence does a disservice to those who are hard at working making tough decisions about budgets because it stops them from discussing all the available options. Roads, elections, and the environment are all arguably just as important.

So, I think my question to DU is -- Are there any sacred cows? Should budget cuts not be discussed ever with some departments?

[Hello_Kitty]

1. Kick

:popcorn:

[atreides1]

2. Cuts, if needed should be across the board

If there are cuts to be made, then they need to be made across the board. This means cuts to military procurement as well!

But congress is to chicken shit to do it, and we are going to end up the same way the USSR did, with a glut of military spending that will send us right into the former "Super Power" club.

[SacredCow]

3. I am NOT bloated.....

:hide:

[Project Grudge]

4. Bloated

When I say bloated, I'm not talking about the classroom. When systems get more money a lot goes the Ph.D.'s with three-figure salaries who think of ways to add more tests (more $$), and then pay for more studies (more $$ for others). Also, a lot of new positions are created that aren't in the classroom. Not nearly enough of the money spent actually ends up in the classroom; it's filtered down and finally reaches it after everyone up top gets their cut. I just want to be clear; I'm not saying the teachers are "bloated."

[SacredCow]

5. I was just referring to my name....

But no- I didn't infer that you said teachers were bloated... Clearly, there aren't too many teachers out there that are doing it for the money- it's a labor of love.

[Project Grudge]

6. haha

I guess that makes much more sense, didn't even register the by-line. No you are not bloated and I'm sure are, in fact, the opposite. Nice name by the way.