NC Budget Deficit

I haven't really researched much into the NC deficit, but from what I am seeing that the media is reporting, I don't like how they are trying to close the gap.

First, they have cut state employees' pay by 0.5%. Then they are trying to increase public university tuition by 8%. And finally, they are also cutting public education budgets and laying off teachers.

I hope that when they cut state employees' salaries that the cut involved the salaries of the NC General Assembly. I just think its really hypocritical when government officials cut peoples' salaries and not their own. And I mean, I think members of the NC General Assembly are already well-to-do people, often being partners in law firms or having their own private businesses.

I have a problem with them increasing tuition and decreasing the education budget. I think that education should be one of the last or actually, THE LAST place where a state should look to close the gap on its budget deficit. I mean, really, this is EDUCATION. Education = jobs = contribute to the economy.

Like I said, I haven't researched much into this topic or thought about it that much so my comments may be ignorant. But I am seeing it from the perspective of a regular citizen who doesn't research budget policy and how the media is portraying it.

Swine Flu Opinion

I just want to clarify: the MEDIA is making/made a big deal about the swine flu THEN everyone else followed. The democrats were not the primary agenda setters. Although I am irked by this swine flu ridiculousness to the point of cutting a bitch if they mention the words 'swine flu', the Economist writes this article which I have come to agree with.

Symbolic Laws

NC House passes bill to ban texting while driving, WRAL reports. Good policy, but I am skeptical about its enforceability.

Hawaii Residents Take Own Initiative to Fix Road

CNN: Island DIY: Kauai residents don't wait for state to repair road

Props to Hawaii residents! Way to take initiative!