Kerry offers many reasons why government isn't working

[Mass]

You can feel the frustration in this interview.

http://www.gloucestertimes.com/punews/local_story_079065653.html

Over the course of a scatter-gun, hourlong, extemporaneous report — rich in examples of how the federal government has ceased working effectively for the American people, U.S. Sen. John Kerry was angry, frustrated and not particularly optimistic yesterday.

"This is about as complicated and challenging a time as I've seen in my whole life," Kerry conceded to a breakfast gathering of about 150 paying guests of the Chamber of Commerce at the Gloucester House restaurant.

For the 64-year-old Democrat who is seeking his fourth, six-year term in the Senate this fall as a consolation for falling tantalizingly short in his campaign to wrest the presidency from George W. Bush in 2004 — "within 59,000 votes," he noted in a self-deprecating anecdote — Kerry found good reason to be discouraged:

r The economy is facing a "crisis of confidence" that will last at least 10 months.

r Defense contractors have been evading paying taxes by funneling federal payments through shell companies in the Cayman Islands.

r The Senate, in which he has served long enough to reach the mid-level of seniority, remains in the clutches of the minority Republican Party because of its capacity and willingness to filibuster.

r The traditional system of bill-making in Congress has eroded to the point that "we don't even have conference committees anymore."

r Powerful businesses get special tax breaks so transparently that many "have their own tax page" in the 27,000 page code.

r The federal government — president and Congress — has taken to giving marching orders to the lower governmental levels to end pollution and improve education without the requisite financing for the required work, thus creating "unfunded mandates."
...

[beachmom]

1. That was a good article. nt

[Inuca]

2. What does "scatter-gun" mean? n/t

[MBS]

3. presumably lots of topics covered, in not necessarily rigid Teutonic order n/t

[Inuca]

4. Thanks!

After 30 years in the US, I am still learning :-).

[YvonneCa]

5. Many reasons...

...Bush, Bush, and more Bush.


Edit to add: In discussing unfunded mandates (such as by NCLB) Kerry mentions that
"Teachers are digging into their own pockets to buy materials; it's a disgrace," he said.

As a teacher in California, I have two thoughts on this...besides the obvious truth of this. It is a disgrace.

1) Most teachers I know have spent their own money for years. It's common practice and few complain. But since NCLB it is totally unappreciated...to the extent of disrespect for the job teachers do day in and day out. And now, here in Ca., teacher layoffs are HUGE...at a time when supposedly there is about to be a teacher shortage (due to baby boomer retirement.)

2) We often hear politicians lament how hard it is to get good teachers to stay and commit to working in inner-city or challenging schools/districts. But at the same time...through NCLB...they are pushing out the very teachers who have committed to doing this job for years. Shortages of funding are driving districts to push veteran (and therefore more highly paid/better benefit) teachers out through unwanted, unplanned for, and financially crippling early retirement, in order to save money. These are the teachers who are committed to and have been getting the job done for years. Is that a fair repayment for their dedication? I don't think it is.