Hella Busy
So, I'm notorious for not updating my livejournal during school. It's two parts "Holy hell, I'm busy" and one part "Hey, fanfiction already takes up the rest of my soul." I mostly use this journal for fanfiction-y things with a few rl stories thrown in because...well, why the hell not?
I'm a little worried about nate_eliot, an awesome leverage comm with wonderful, committed writers. It's been a little stagnant, but I don't know what to do to boost production. I was thinking of hosting a little week-long game, but trials in the past have been negative. I don't want to bother courtberger because she has a life of her own. I'm going to have to step it up and I have the much-needed support from sheryden. I bounce some of my ideas off of her and she's always nice with feedback. Plus, she's one of the most talented Nate/Eliot writers in the history of EVER; I'm so glad she writes in our comm.
The main reason I'm writing this is because I want to write about what's happening in Wisconsin at the moment. Whether you are Republican or Democrat isn't the issue; the systematic dismantling of public unions, the middle class, and education is sickening to watch unfold. 800-900 million dollars cut from public education? Counties aren't allowed to fund their public libraries? Public transportation (including busses to take children to school) slashed? 'No Child Left Behind' has already ruined education by forcing teachers to teach to a test in fear of their jobs. What the governor wants to do is slash funding yet increase every third graders's reading comprehension to the national level. How in the hell is that possible? What are your plans to increase reading comprehension? I don't expect a college drop-out to understand the importance of higher education, but the attacks on elementary through high school education is disturbing on so many levels. 4K is being cut in the poorest districts; 4K is NEEDED for poverty students to make sure the gap in their education brought on by poverty isn't detrimental by the time they reach school.
The thing that aggravates me the most is the fact that Wisconsin charter school teachers won't need teaching certification. What's the point of paying all this money and going through one of the most rigorous teaching certification trials in the nation when uncertified (oft unqualified) people can up and get a teaching job?? Also Wisconsin teachers, some who have been there for ages and earned their higher pay, are being forced into competing for their own jobs; meaning, they will be paid base wages (if they regain their position). What kind of fuckery is that? What stops the adminstration to non-renew every single teaching job to keep the wages significantly and uncompetitive-in-the-real-world year after year?
And, yet, there's this spirit in America where only the rich matter. Because they are somehow "good" for the economy. Their $400,000 bonuses count because they have contracts (even though teachers have contracts for their benefits and healthcare as well). When big business failed under their corruption and avarice, everyone rushed to give them more money. Tax payer money. Why? Because they were "too big to fail". That should NEVER happen ever. People in the media rushed to the CEO's defenses. We had to pay for their mistakes because if they didn't the 'talent' would up and go somewhere else. Yet, teachers and other public sector people--who are paid to keep communities running, for god's sake--are expendable? Are greedy because they want the right to unionize and have a voice in a government overrun by Big Business cronies? Bull. Shit.
I can't think about this any longer, lest I make myself sick again.
Fuck it, I'm going to Finland.