GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT ANNOUNCES FUNDING PLAN FOR PORT OF MIAMI DREDGE PROJECT CREATING 30,000 NEW JOBS
Standing before a crowd of hundreds at the Port of Miami, Governor Rick Scott announced plans to fully fund the $77 million shortfall for the port dredging project so that larger ships can enter the port.
“Today I directed the Florida Department of Transportation to amend their work plan to include $77 million so that Florida can take another leap forward in international trade,” Scott said. “This is the type of infrastructure project that will pay permanent, long-term dividends, and provide a solid return on investment for Florida’s taxpayers.”
Flanked by Senator Marco Rubio, Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, Congressman David Rivera, and Colombian Ambassador Gabriel Silva, the Governor unveiled his intention to invest in the types of infrastructure projects that have long-term, permanent payoffs. The Port of Miami dredge project is projected to result in 30,000 new jobs for the region in the coming years.
Once the port is dredged to a depth of 50 feet, larger, “New Panamax” ships can load and unload cargo there, enabling the Port of Miami to become a “first port of call” for ships coming through the expanded Panama Canal in 2014.
“This is a solid first step toward enhancing Florida’s infrastructure and getting our state ready for a new generation of international trade with South America and beyond,” said Governor Scott. There are a number of worthy infrastructure projects that deserve our attention, and as Floridians, we know best where our resources should be focused.”
Brian Burgess, the Governor’s Communications Director went on to say the Governor is gratified that the court provided a clear and unanimous decision, he is now focused on moving forward with infrastructure projects that create long-term jobs and turn Florida’s economy around. He also spoke with US DOT Secretary LaHood this morning and informed him that Florida will focus on other infrastructure projects and will not move forward with any federal high speed rail plan.
By Bob Unruh
President Barack Obama participates in a national tele-town hall meeting at the Holiday Park Multipurpose Senior Center with senior citizens to discuss the Affordable Care Act and ways to combat scams targeting seniors in Wheaton, Maryland on June 8, 2010. Secretary of Health and Human Service Kathleen Sebelius was on hand to moderate the questions from seniors. UPI/Gary Fabiano/Pool Photo via Newscom
Two states have introduced legislative plans that would set up standing commissions whose members would be tasked with reviewing “all existing federal statutes, mandates, and executive orders” to determine their constitutionality, then recommending to lawmakers whether that state should “nullify” any federal law or regulation “that is outside the scope of the powers delegated … to the federal government.”
And 28 more states are considering the move. Sometimes there have been inquiries from lawmakers, sometimes the requests for information and help have come from the governors’ offices.
It’s a huge leap beyond what already has developed among the states whose officials are telling Washington to back off on individual issues ranging from state marijuana laws, National Guard control, and the imposition of Obamacare, the nationalized health care program.
Already introduced in Montana and Arizona, the legislation is from The Patriots Union, a Wyoming-based organization that is taking in hand the battle against what it considers an overreaching federal government.
In Arizona, the bill already has been approved 5-2 in committee, and it now is headed up the ladder in the state legislature.
“Our view is we must save the states first, in order to save this nation. So that’s where we focus,” spokesman JB Williams told WND in an e-mail about the program.
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Barbara Ketay, head of the organization’s Constitutional Justice Division, was integral in researching and drafting the proposal, which was distributed to members of state legislatures where it now either has been introduced or is being developed.
She told WND her proposed legislation has options for states to describe the size and composition – or even designation – of their commissions. But the focus is the rights of the states which, according to the U.S. Constitution, includes everything not specifically assigned to the federal government.
“This is not anything new,” she told WND. “We just reiterated the power that the states have always had.”
But she said over the past 70 or 80 years, the “federal government has been encroaching on the [rights and responsibilities] of the states.”
Bills such as those to nullify Obamacare or federal firearms rules are all fine, she noted. But this is a “broad sweeping bill” that will cover almost any dispute that a state would have with the federal government, she said.
Potential to address issues
“This bill has the potential” to address a large number of issues, she said. “States have to realize they are sovereign. They have a compact with the federal government. The federal government was established to serve at the pleasure of the states.”
In Arizona, the “USPU Nullification Act” was introduced as SB 1433 by Sen. Lori Klein, and it’s being support by several cosponsors already. It first was introduced in Montana, where House Bill 382 is sponsored by Rep. D. Skees.
“If passed, the bill reasserts the states’ right to nullify any federal statute, executive order or judicial intrusion which the state legislature deems unconstitutional and abusive toward the states or the people of the states,” the Patriots Union explained.
The project was helped along by the work of Stand Up America, the organization run by Maj. Gen. Paul Vallely.
According the Patriots Union, “The sovereign states lost congressional representation of states’ interests in 1913 with the passage of the 17th Amendment, which removed the constitutional right of each state legislature to choose two representatives of state interests, to be seated in the U.S. Senate.
“Since then, all branches of the federal government have increasingly acted against the best interests of the states and the people, reaching farther and farther beyond the scope and authority granted them in the U.S. Constitution and today, the federal government functions with utter disdain for both states’ and individual rights.”
The explanation continued, “With no legitimate venue available in which to demand redress of grievances in the legislative, executive or judicial branches of the federal government at present, we have determined that the people of each state, via their elected stated officials, must take broad but specific state measures to force the federal government to live within the confines of the U.S. Constitution and the enumerated powers.”
Prohibits ‘infringement’ of rights
In Montana, the proposal is “an act prohibiting infringement of the state of Montana’s constitutional right to nullification of any federal statute, mandate or executive order considered unconstitutional.”
It specifically repudiates the federal belief that the “Commerce Clause,” the “Necessary and Proper Clause” or the “General Welfare Clause” are foundations for a complete federal control over states.
“Congress and the federal government are denied the power to establish laws within the state that are repugnant and obtrusive to state law and to the people within the state,” it states.
“[This act] serves as a notice and demand to the federal government to cease and desist all activities outside the scope of the federal government’s constitutionally designated powers.”
Arizona’s calls for its secretary of state to “transmit copies of this act to the legislatures of the several states to assure that this state continues in the same esteem and friendship as currently exists and that this state considers union for specific national purposes and particularly those enumerated in the Constitution of the United States to be friendly to the peace, happiness and prosperity of all the states.”
It also specifies that the president, president of the Senate, Speaker of the House and members of Congress be notified of the plan.
They both provide that if adopted, their state committees, “may recommend for nullification existing federal statutes, mandates and executive orders enacted before the effective date of this section.”
Following the committees’ recommendations, the state legislatures would vote on the validity of the federal action.
‘Of no effect’
“Until the vote, the issue in question is of no effect. … If the legislature votes by simple majority to nullify any federal statute, mandate or executive order on the grounds of constitutionality, this state and its citizens shall not recognize or be obligated to live under the statute, mandate or executive order.”
Further, the “committee shall ensure that the legislature adopts and enacts all measures that may be necessary to prevent the enforcement …”
According to the Tenth Amendment Center, which advocates a return to the constitutionally delegated powers for the federal government, Thomas Jefferson advised, “Whensoever the general government assumes undelegated powers … a nullification of the act is the rightful remedy.”
A multitude of nullification acts already are in the works across the nation on issues ranging from firearms freedom acts that reject some federal gun laws, a rejection of Washington’s mandates on cannabis laws and even Obamacare.
Center founder Michael Boldin said the idea that states would reject a Washington demand is not radical, it’s reasonable. He said what’s radical is “the idea that the federal government can be the final arbiter of the extent of its own powers.”
Governor Rick Scott’s Budget Proposal will Grow Jobs by Streamlining Government, Reducing Burdensome Regulations and Return Government to Its Core Mission
Governor Rick Scott announced a plan to grow jobs by streamlining government, reducing burdensome regulations, and returning government to its core mission during a major budget announcement at The Villages today.
Governor Scott unveiled a budget proposal that would save taxpayers $1 billion over two years through operational efficiencies, consolidation and reorganization of government functions, and by eliminating programs that are not part of government’s key mission.
As part of his proposal to consolidate and streamline government, the Governor announced his decision to realign the regulatory functions of the Department of Community Affairs with similar functions at other agencies.
“The fact is that Florida burdens job creation with one of the worst regulatory frameworks in the country,” said Governor Scott. “To grow jobs we must reduce unnecessary costs that government places on Florida businesses.”
Governor Scott noted his proposal would also consolidate the licensing and regulation of drugs, devices and cosmetics from the Department of Health to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
The Governor also announced his intention to consolidate tax collection functions by transferring alcohol and beverage tax collection and auditing from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to the Department of Revenue, which currently serves as the state’s tax collection arm.
“Reducing the size of government and eliminating bureaucracy will reduce the regulatory burden in the state, spur economic development and get Floridians back to work.”
Governor Scott will send his full budget proposals to the legislature on Monday, February 7th.
The pattern of education was this. First, a small school – the family – taught the children. The operation is small, but it involved a heavy commitment of time by parents. As soon as textbooks appeared, parents began to undermine the family’s educational authority. Textbooks do this by cutting the costs of educating. Parents delegate authority to an expert, whose book is local.
The move to a tutor brought in a third party, plus textbooks. This increased the size of the school.
The tutor for many families did his work in a single location. This required a building. It required transportation. It required a schedule tied to clocks. Families adjust. The school teacher said: “I don’t make house calls.”
The schools got bigger as more students were educated. Administrative control increases. Parents had less and less to say about what went on in the classroom.
With tax-funded education, the last traces of parental control finally disappeared. The PTA was an invention of school administrators to create an illusion of parental input. It was a way to keep activist parents busy. The PTA is busywork for parents.
The schools kept getting bigger. Regional high schools wiped out local high schools in rural areas.
The mark of all this has been the school bus. It says, “Teachers don’t make house calls.” They are symbols of authority: schools over parents. I have written about school buses here.
This pattern of growth parallels the history of mass production. Consider textile production. Initially, a family raised sheep and spun its own yarn. Then this was transferred to sheep herders and local carders. The system of household industry took over: specialists delivered raw materials to households and paid for output on a piece-rate basis. Then looms took over: mass production. The costs fell. Factory production replaced household production.
Choices increased, but authority over production was delegated. Costs fell, but production got centralized. Today, there are cities in China that specialize in specific articles of clothing: socks, neckties, or sweaters. They ship anywhere.
Then must everything get larger, more distant, and more centralized as specialization increases? No. There is a new movement toward greater local authority. Just as we saw centralization early in education, so are we seeing decentralization in education.
Where brainpower is for sale rather than physical items, digits are returning authority to local households. The fact that we buy our socks from China is really neither here nor there in the grand scheme of things. What customer cares? But when we are talking about ideas, a lot of them care.
Home schooling is a throwback to the fifteenth century. It lets parents choose the content and structure of their children’s education. But it goes far beyond anything available then. One size does not fit all: all parents or all children. There is enormous diversity today, and it is getting even more diverse.
The teacher-tutor today says, “I do make house calls.” He does this through the Internet. The student stays at his desk, and he can access programs around the world.
The model is Salman Khan’s Khan Academy. There, a student in India can learn math through calculus, physics, and several other sciences. It is 100% free. It is 100% decentralized.
The technology is moving to classrooms on the Web. The Mises Academy offers on-line courses, taught live.
For true/false exams and multiple-choice exams, machines have replaced teachers at the university level. Now digital exams can match this. Only essay exams need teachers. If a parent wants essay exams, he can pay for a tutor. They are available cheap on the Web.
The parent can choose from a wide range of teachers and courses. This is growing constantly. Choices increase as prices fall.
The students are not forced onto buses. They are not governed by the ringing of bells.
The old model of the factory, with its rigid time schedule, is dying. The number of Americans employed in such environments is falling.
The educational system that was designed to supply highly conditioned workers to factories is now outmoded. That was what the system designed by public school educators was supposed to produce. The production system rolls on, but the programs no longer match reality. The content of education has been dumbed down: lowest common denominator. The brighter students get Advanced Placement courses: APs. But there are few high school courses that require a classroom any longer, except possibly for chemistry, with its labs. Not many students take chemistry.
We see a unionized system of education, which spends far too much on administration, facing budget cuts. The most feared sanction in any bureaucracy – budget cuts – now threatens school systems around the West. The parents are finally rebelling at the polls: no more bond issues, no more new schools being built, no more pay raises for teachers, and firing untenured teachers.
Soon, classroom size will grow. Then other cost-cutting measures will appear, including Internet courses. But once that happens, the teachers union will not be able to criticize Internet-based home schooling. The parents can “hire” the top teachers anywhere on earth.
Family by family, parents are making the decision to pull their children out. They want a better education for their children.
Family by family, the realization is becoming clear: a mother can stay home with her children and monitor their performance. She can give them a better education than the local tax-funded school can.
The existing educational system is desperately trying to keep the public schools from losing its best students, but it cannot win this war. Digital technology is against it. Price competition is against it. The tax revolt is against it. The looming bankruptcy of municipalities is against it.
As the centralized control over the content of education fades, the diversity of choices will undermine the existing political order.
The Left cheers multiculturalism. We are going to see what real multiculturalism is: a world without ideological control by New York City’s textbook publishers.
There is a scene in the movie, The Answer Man, where Jeff Daniels takes on a public school teacher. It is a great scene. That it could appear in a Hollywood movie is an indication of what lies ahead for the existing system.
As the old saying goes, “When you see something wobble, push it.”
Clinton has signed a bill passed by Congress that orders the states to adopt new, more onerous drunk-driving standards or face a loss of highway funds. That’s right: the old highway extortion trick. Sure enough, states are already working to pass new, tighter laws against Driving Under the Influence, responding as expected to the feds’ ransom note.
Now the feds declare that a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 percent and above is criminal and must be severely punished. The National Restaurant Association is exactly right that this is absurdly low. The overwhelming majority of accidents related to drunk driving involve repeat offenders with blood-alcohol levels twice that high. If a standard of 0.1 doesn’t deter them, then a lower one won’t either.
But there’s a more fundamental point. What precisely is being criminalized? Not bad driving. Not destruction of property. Not the taking of human life or reckless endangerment. The crime is having the wrong substance in your blood. Yet it is possible, in fact, to have this substance in your blood, even while driving, and not commit anything like what has been traditionally called a crime.
What have we done by permitting government to criminalize the content of our blood instead of actions themselves? We have given it power to make the application of the law arbitrary, capricious, and contingent on the judgment of cops and cop technicians. Indeed, without the government’s “Breathalyzer,” there is no way to tell for sure if we are breaking the law.
Sure, we can do informal calculations in our head, based on our weight and the amount of alcohol we have had over some period of time. But at best these will be estimates. We have to wait for the government to administer a test to tell us whether or not we are criminals. That’s not the way law is supposed to work. Indeed, this is a form of tyranny.
Now, the immediate response goes this way: drunk driving has to be illegal because the probability of causing an accident rises dramatically when you drink. The answer is just as simple: government in a free society should not deal in probabilities. The law should deal in actions and actions alone, and only insofar as they damage person or property. Probabilities are something for insurance companies to assess on a competitive and voluntary basis.
This is why the campaign against “racial profiling” has intuitive plausibility to many people: surely a person shouldn’t be hounded solely because some demographic groups have higher crime rates than others. Government should be preventing and punishing crimes themselves, not probabilities and propensities. Neither, then, should we have driver profiling, which assumes that just because a person has quaffed a few he is automatically a danger.
In fact, driver profiling is worse than racial profiling, because the latter only implies that the police are more watchful, not that they criminalize race itself. Despite the propaganda, what’s being criminalized in the case of drunk driving is not the probability that a person driving will get into an accident but the fact of the blood-alcohol content itself. A drunk driver is humiliated and destroyed even when he hasn’t done any harm.
Of course, enforcement is a serious problem. A sizeable number of people leaving a bar or a restaurant would probably qualify as DUI. But there is no way for the police to know unless they are tipped off by a swerving car or reckless driving in general. But the question becomes: why not ticket the swerving or recklessness and leave the alcohol out of it? Why indeed.
To underscore the fact that it is some level of drinking that is being criminalized, government sets up these outrageous, civil-liberties-violating barricades that stop people to check their blood — even when they have done nothing at all. This is a gross attack on liberty that implies that the government has and should have total control over us, extending even to the testing of intimate biological facts. But somehow we put up with it because we have conceded the first assumption that government ought to punish us for the content of our blood and not just our actions.
There are many factors that cause a person to drive poorly. You may have sore muscles after a weight-lifting session and have slow reactions. You could be sleepy. You could be in a bad mood, or angry after a fight with your spouse. Should the government be allowed to administer anger tests, tiredness tests, or soreness tests? That is the very next step, and don’t be surprised when Congress starts to examine this question.
Already, there’s a move on to prohibit cell phone use while driving. Such an absurdity follows from the idea that government should make judgments about what we are allegedly likely to do.
What’s more, some people drive more safely after a few drinks, precisely because they know their reaction time has been slowed and they must pay more attention to safety. We all know drunks who have an amazing ability to drive perfectly after being liquored up. They should be liberated from the force of the law, and only punished if they actually do something wrong.
.We need to put a stop to this whole trend now. Drunk driving should be legalized. And please don’t write me to say: “I am offended by your insensitivity because my mother was killed by a drunk driver.” Any person responsible for killing someone else is guilty of manslaughter or murder and should be punished accordingly. But it is perverse to punish a murderer not because of his crime but because of some biological consideration, e.g. he has red hair.
Bank robbers may tend to wear masks, but the crime they commit has nothing to do with the mask. In the same way, drunk drivers cause accidents but so do sober drivers, and many drunk drivers cause no accidents at all. The law should focus on violations of person and property, not scientific oddities like blood content.
There’s a final point against Clinton’s drunk-driving bill. It is a violation of states rights. Not only is there is no warrant in the Constitution for the federal government to legislate blood-alcohol content — the 10th amendment should prevent it from doing so. The question of drunk driving should first be returned to the states, and then each state should liberate drunk drivers from the force of the law.
Comic legend Leslie Nielsen was hospitalized for the last two weeks in a Ft. Lauderdale hospital near his home with pneumonia which resulted in his death this Sunday at 5:34 PM (EST). His nephew Doug Nielsen told a Canadian radio station that during the last 48 hours the infection had progressed to the point that “He just fell asleep and passed away.”
From Commander J. J. Adams in The Forbidden Planet (1956) to Det. Frank Drebin in the Naked Gun series, Nielsen appeared in more than 239 films.
TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today launched a new comprehensive clearinghouse website for the more than six million Floridians with disabilities. Created by the Governor’s Commission on Disabilities, the enhanced website, www.FLDisabilityInfo.com, provides links to local, state and national resources on disability information and services.
“Floridians with disabilities deserve easily accessible information about programs and services that can help remove barriers to independence, and this new website helps us achieve that goal,” Governor Crist said. “Information about available resources helps persons with disabilities and their families experience a greater quality of life.”
On the website, Floridians can learn about disability friendly travel destinations, services, hotels and recreation via a link to www.VisitFlorida.com/Disabilities_Travel. To help prepare for emergencies, visitors to the website can also link to www.floridadisaster.org/disability, which offers resources and information specifically tailored for people with disabilities and their families.
Displayed prominently on every page of the website is the toll-free number for the Clearinghouse on Disability Information, available by calling 1-877-ADA-4YOU (1-877-232-4968). The clearinghouse also serves as the primary referral source for Vocational Rehabilitation’s Order of Selection, the Agency for Health Care’s Nursing Home Transition Initiative, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and other state agencies serving persons with disabilities and seniors. Floridians can also learn about Medicaid Waiver programs, including a description of available services, eligibility requirements and the state agencies involved with each program.
The website accomplishes one of the recommendations made by the commission’s Education/Employment Committee, made possible through a $25,000 grant from The Able Trust. Information about the commission’s other committees, recommendations, and accomplishments are also available on the website. The commission’s other committees are Independent Living/Transportation, Health Care, and Legal Issues and Civil Rights.
Some of the commission’s other initiatives are as follows:
Education
- Increase American Sign Language (ASL) classes in public school – Conduct public awareness campaign in October 2009.
- Expand the Florida College Transition Program: STINGRAY – Offers a solution to the underemployment of Floridians with disabilities by providing individualized postsecondary transition services to students between ages 18 and 22 with significant cognitive disabilities. The pilot program is currently housed at the University of South Florida at St. Petersburg, and the commission is exploring partnerships to expand the program.
Employment
- Employment and career awareness campaign – In October 2009 and 2010, the commission and The Able Trust focused on positive aspects of hiring, retaining, and promoting persons with disabilities.
Independent Living
- Statewide special needs shelter registry – Partnering with local law enforcement agencies to expand the “Take Me Home” Program statewide. The “Take Me Home” Program is an interactive, searchable database to assist in the identification and timely return of persons with disabilities and the elderly who wander away from their caregivers during times of emergency or disaster. Although initially designed for children with autism, the program expanded to serve as a safeguard for persons with disabilities of all ages and their parents or caregivers. Since its inception, the registry software has been provided free of charge by the Pensacola Police Department and the Autism Society of America to all law enforcement agencies.
About the Governor’s Commission on Disabilities
Established by Governor Crist in July 2007, the commission represents all Floridians with disabilities, including persons with developmental disabilities, mental illness, brain and spinal cord injuries, and visual and hearing impairments, as well as senior citizens and veterans with disabilities. The Commission acts as an advisory body on policy by collecting and analyzing information and advocating on issues involving persons with disabilities.
It started as a spoof and got out of hand,” said Allan Mason, Executive Producer for Broadcast Network News. Pizza Hut’s gift card program allows charities and 501.c3 corporations to purchase gift cards at a discount then sell them for special causes.
BNNreports.com and FastKids International are working as partners assisting the needs of parents and caretakers raising autistic children. They say, this campaign is something management views as fair and balanced. It’s a win for all involved.
Viewers get what they paid for, $25.00 of credit at any Pizza Hut; if you’re not already a Pizza Hut fan then Pizza Hut has to opportunity to make you one, and if you already frequent Pizza Hut then you know the value of what comes after the gift card swipes!; and most importantly the parents and caretakers receive a hand up. Not one knows better than parents and caretakers whose day-to-day existence revolves around providing for, and at the same time loving a special needs child.
According to Mason the idea started as a spoof to offer their existing viewers a $25.00 Pizza Hut gift card to anyone willing to forward their web site URL to their friends. Viewers were then asked to send (here’s the spoof) $26.50 for shipping and handling. Mason said, “We thought if someone actually did that, and if they really sent us the money… I’d take the time to ride over to the nearest Pizza Hut, buy the gift card and send it to them.”
They were surprised at the response. According to Mason, more than 1 card have been purchased this week alone. “We had no idea this would happen. It was a bad, tasteless, low class joke that wound up helping parents and caretakers caring for autistic children.
Mason concluded saying, “It is our pleasure, and it is our duty to be charitable.”
Oil Spill Day Counters have redirected our attention to the Gulf and surrounding shores. We on the other-hand have not forgotten about the crises in the Atlantic, ergo Haiti. We’re counting on you to do your part. What part would that be? Well, the very same part you paid to the oil spill.
Our Broadcast News Team says many of you have asked to see this report again. We understand why, and thus comply.
I believe you wanted to see ya later Alligator.
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The U.S. Postal Service was established in 1775. Congress and the Senate have had 234 years to get it right, and today… It’s broke. Social Security was established in 1935. Our politicians have had 74 years to smooth out the bumps, and today… It’s broke. Fannie Mae was established in 1938. They have had 71 years to get that right, and today… It’s broke. Freddie Mac was established in 1970. Congress and the Senate have had 39 years to get it right, and today… It’s broke.
War on Poverty started with President Johnson’s “Great Society” 1964. Our elected officials have had 45 years to get it right; $1 trillion of our money is confiscated each year and transferred to “the poor” and they only want more. This system never worked, and today… It’s broke.
Medicare and Medicaid were established in 1965. Politicians have had 44 years to get it right, and today… They are both broke. The Department of Energy was created in 1977 to lessen our dependence on foreign oil. It has ballooned to 16,000 employees with a budget of $24 billion a year and we import more oil now than ever before. They had 32 years to get it right, and today… It’s an abysmal failure.
Elected officials have FAILED in every “government service” they have shoved down our throats while overspending our tax dollars. AND POLITICIANS WANT AMERICANS TO BELIEVE THEY CAN BE TRUSTED WITH A GOVERNMENT-RUN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM?
Is the arrangement of space the final frontier, or is it the way things are placed a solution? Throughout the centuries many people claim Feng Shui affects energy, after all this time I believe it was the Congress that controlled energy. I’ll place my money on Jayme Barrett… At least she makes more sense than the government when it comes to positive energy. Click PLAY to watch her report.
An economics professor at Florida State made a statement that he had never failed a single student before, but once failed an entire class. The class he referred to had insisted that socialism worked, and that no one would be poor and no one would be rich, a great equalizer.
The professor replied, “OK, we will have an experiment in this class on socialism.” All grades would be averaged and everyone would receive the same grade so no one would fail, but no one would receive an A. After the first test, the grades were averaged and everyone got a B. The students who studied hard were upset, and the students who studied little were happy.
As the second test rolled around, the students who studied little had studied even less, and the ones who studied hard decided they wanted a free ride too so they studied little. The second test average was a D! No one was happy.
When the 3rd test rolled around, the average was an F. The scores never increased as bickering, blame and name-calling all resulted in hard feelings, and no one would study for the benefit of anyone else. All failed, to their great surprise, and the professor told them that socialism would also ultimately fail because when the reward is great, the effort to succeed is great but when governments take all the rewards away, no one will try or want to succeed.
Third rate romance, low rent rendezvous.
Jose Feliciano was born September 10, 1945 in Lares, Puerto Rico, one of eleven children. He is blind because of congenital glaucoma. He was first exposed to music at age three. At five, his family moved to Spanish Harlem, New York City and, at age nine, he played on the Teatro Puerto Rico. He started his musical life playing accordion until his grandfather gave him a guitar. He reportedly sat by himself in his room for up to 14 hours a day to listen to 1950s rock albums, classical guitarists such as Andrés Segovia, and jazz players such as Wes Montgomery. He later had classical lessons with Harold Morris who earlier had been a student with Segovia.
