November 2016

November 7th Register-Mail article stated to be discussed at the City Council meeting — possible $17 decrease in property taxes for every $50,000 value in a city home.  Ten days later an article appeared discussing the Galesburg School Board meeting held, and outlines “a range of options to increase the property tax levy rate” with corresponding amounts shown as needed in budget cuts, numbered options 1 – 5.  Option 5 leaves a budget surplus of $45,000 and would increase the property taxes by $150.15 annually “for the owner of a $100,000 home”.  Last year 16 teachers and 13 aides were eliminated from the school system equation.  I’d say just “bite the bullet” and go for option 5 — no teacher cuts necessary.  The article stated, “the tax levy was slightly helped by an estimated increase of equalized assessed value of 1.5 percent”.  So as our property values are increased,  and tax levy rate is annual, are our property taxes going to continue to increase annually to pay for salaries and pensions?  And has the State of Illinois contributed all the monies it owes for schools?

I’m placing most of the blame on the media, who knowing better, spent far too much time vilifying Hillary’s use of a private email server, which was NOT ILLEGAL, while largely ignoring pending lawsuits and real scandals involving Trump, who they gave unlimited, free air-time, and refused to call him out on his multitudinous LIES AND DECEITS.  A CBS bigshot summed it up declaring, “Trump may NOT be good for America, but he’s good for ratings!”  So the media got what was good for them; they can continue that circus show for years, possibly complete with indictments and an impeachment forthcoming.  The Americans, too apathetic to care about what happens outside their own door, co-mingled with the extremely ignorant — of world events, history and how our government is supposed to work,  joined by those who through hate, fear and bigotry resonated with Trump’s message formed the “populist uprising” of  protest votes, our Brexit.   Let’s acknowledge that Hillary won the majority of the popular vote, (she could still be voted in by the electors in December; check your civics book or Google the subject) and she, ever the diplomat, gave a gracious concession speech.  I say that we’re drawing our battle lines even closer in this civil war, and I like Tim Kaine’s quote from William Faulkner, “they kilt us, but they ain’t whipped us yet!”    We need to get out there and fight even harder for our vision for America!

In 1987 the FCC, under the Reagan administration, abolished the Fairness Doctrine, which eliminated the limits on what broadcast journalists could say on TV and radio, and gave birth to Fox News (GOP-TV), which I consider to be hugely responsible for the Dumbing Down of Americans.  Fox so-called “News” was banned in Canada (February 2011) because they have laws demanding truth in news.  “Fox is not welcomed in a democracy”; it is an entertainment station that broadcasts Republican-propaganda to America 24/7.  The problem with that is: many people think that it is fair and balanced “news”.  Trusted reporter, Dan Rather, asserts that there is a definite decline in investigative journalism and stated, “When journalists and news organizations feel more pressure to make money than to provide a public service (and speak truth to power) — it is dangerous in a society such as ours which is a constitutional republic based on the principles of freedom and democracy — it can be lethal”.   An example of integrity in reporting is Rachel Maddow (MSNBC); she does her homework consistently well and provides high quality coverage.  (Also very good reporting comes from: Lawrence O’Donnell and Chris Hayes).