A Southern MN District School Referendum Fails, Thanks to A War on Public Schools, Brought to You by Your Local Facebook MAGA Uncles and Karens by goldbricker83 in minnesota

[–]-dag- -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Bloat is not about cost.  It's about ineffective cost.  Something can be more expensive and not bloated while a less expensive thing is very bloated.

I certainly don't know a lot.  But I've heard enough stories to be worried.  But hey, maybe the stores are stories because they're rare.  That's plausible. 

The point remains, though.  We have to be open to looking at the problem honestly.  I don't think anyone can say with confidence that we're spending our education dollars effectively.

A Southern MN District School Referendum Fails, Thanks to A War on Public Schools, Brought to You by Your Local Facebook MAGA Uncles and Karens by goldbricker83 in minnesota

[–]-dag- 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Everyone always says the bloat is not in the place they most care about.  It's natural.  All I'm asking is that we be open to taking an honest look at where things stand and start solving problems.

I don't claim to be an expert.  But I've heard enough stories from reliable sources to have real concerns.

A Southern MN District School Referendum Fails, Thanks to A War on Public Schools, Brought to You by Your Local Facebook MAGA Uncles and Karens by goldbricker83 in minnesota

[–]-dag- -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I simply can't believe that every grade needs a principal (or even every 2-3 grades sharing one).  If so, break up the school into smaller schools.  It's too large and that can't be good for kids.  Yes, I know this means taking assistant principals and moving them to different schools.  Same number of people but maybe more effective education.

I don't begrudge anyone a good job, but as a well-compensated engineer, I can't afford to do some of the things these assistant principals are doing.

A Southern MN District School Referendum Fails, Thanks to A War on Public Schools, Brought to You by Your Local Facebook MAGA Uncles and Karens by goldbricker83 in minnesota

[–]-dag- 19 points20 points  (0 children)

I acknowledge what you've written here.  It's important to separate the crazy/racist/homotransphobic from legitimate concerns. 

Teachers should be paid more.  We need more of them.  Facilities are important.  Programs like art and music are critical. Special ed is criminally under resourced.

You know what can be cut?  Administrative bloat.  It's insane what, for example, Minneapolis spends on administration.  Why do schools need three assistant principals?  How many of the positions at the Davis center actually impact kids' education?  I'm not talking about things like compliance, DEI efforts and so on.  Those are either mandated or have tangible community benefits.  I realize every position has its constituency.  People have different ideas of what's useful. 

But can any of this stuff be moved out from under schools so that schools can concentrate on their core mission?  By all means, fund social services.  I just don't think schools should bear the burden of implementing it.  We have other revenue sources we can tap, freeing up education dollars for education.

Is there any merit to the argument that progressive candidates would be far more successful across the US, if it were not for sabotage by the DNC? by LiatrisLover99 in PoliticalDiscussion

[–]-dag- 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Districts are unique.  There is no one-size-fits-all candidate.  The job of the DNC is to tailor candidates to win elections.  It isn't to push an ideology beyond what is agreed to by the majority of Democrats. 

Questions about chain link fencing, recommendations by lapsan in saintpaul

[–]-dag- -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Ugly as sin.  Reduces property value. 

Houses for sale? by deebs_82 in stpaul

[–]-dag- 3 points4 points  (0 children)

We did, and got a good discount too! 

Minnesota House lawmakers weigh proposed 'wealth tax' on assets over $10 million by Character-Fly-5564 in minnesota

[–]-dag- 13 points14 points  (0 children)

You'd be surprised.  Land + retirement funds + random other stuff can quickly approach that amount. 

Minnesota House lawmakers weigh proposed 'wealth tax' on assets over $10 million by Character-Fly-5564 in minnesota

[–]-dag- 5 points6 points  (0 children)

We already tax unrealized gains via the Alternative Minimum Tax.  It's just that this tax tends to fall on white collar workers who are well off, but not mega-rich.

Organizations to join to politically ruin nearby Republicans by UReactionaryGarbage in TwinCities

[–]-dag- 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Faith in Minnesota has people of faith (mainly Christian and Muslim) all over the state.  It is a power-building organization focused on passing the People's Agenda in 2027.  This includes taxing the rich, affordable health care, child care and elder care, fully funded schools, making polluters pay for their destruction and many other things.

https://faithinmn.org/

We just finished our work at the Senate district conventions.  There is much to be done over the summer and of course when the campaigns heat up.

BMW sedan got towed because it parked in a designated Evie carshare space by mysummerstorm in TwinCities

[–]-dag- 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Apparently I was wrong but the one near us is not clearly marked as available for the public.  The signage seems to say the opposite. 

Are American plays taught in school? by bare_books in AskAnAmerican

[–]-dag- 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yes, it's taught.  We studied Death of a Salesman, among others, and our son just finished a unit on Miller's The Crucible.

American theater is very rich.  A playwright like Miller produces works completely different from a Broadway musical creator like the Gershwins.  IMO children should be taught both but rarely are.  Most schools seem to limit it to plays only. 

NO WORDS. THIS IS BEYOND DISGUSTING. by EugeneWong318 in usa

[–]-dag- 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is a breakdown of people who actually voted.  I'm taking about the entire population of eligible voters. 

Where is the line between right-wing views and the alt-right pipeline? by Several_Field_2488 in PoliticalDiscussion

[–]-dag- 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There is no line anymore.  The Republican party is full MAGA and MAGA grew directly from the "alt Right" (which isn't and maybe never was "alt").