Noah today

Sure many have seen this floating around, but it is worth a thought!

In the year 2008, the Lord came unto Noah, who was now living in England and said:

"Once again, the earth has become wicked and over populated, and I see the end of all flesh before me. Build another ark and save two of every living thing along with a few good humans."

He gave Noah the blueprints, saying: "You have six months to build the ark before I will start the unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights."

Six months pass, the Lord looked down and saw Noah weeping in his yard and there was no ark. "Noah! He roared, I'm about to start the rain! Where is the ark?"

Forgive me, Lord, begged Noah, but things have changed.

I NEED A BUILDING PERMIT.

I've been arguing with the boat inspector about the need for a sprinkler system. My neighbors claim that I've violated the neighbourhood By-Laws by building the ark in my backyard and exceeding the height limitations. We had to go to the local planning committee for a decision. Then the local council and electricity company demanded a shed load of money for the future costs of moving power lines and other overhead obstructions, to clear the passage for the ark move to the sea. I told them that the sea would be coming to us, but they would hear nothing of it. Getting the wood was another problem. There's a ban on cutting local trees in order to save the Greater Spotted Barn Owl. I tried to convince the environmentalists that I needed the wood to save the owls - but it was a no go!.

When I started gathering the animals the RSPCA took me to court. They insisted that I was confining wild animals against their will. They argued the accommodations were too restrictive, and it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in a confined space.

Then the Environmental Agency ruled that I couldn't build the ark until they'd conducted an environmental impact study on your proposed flood. I'm still trying to resolve a complaint with the Human Rights Commission on how many minorities I'm supposed to hire for my building crew. Immigration is checking the visa status of most of the people who want to work. The trade unions say I can't use my sons. They insist I have to hire only union workers with ark building experience. To make matters worse, the Inland Revenue seized all my assets, claiming I'm trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species.

Forgive me, Lord, however, it appears it will take at least ten years for me to finish the ark. Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine, and a rainbow stretched across the sky.

Noah looked up in wonder and asked, "you mean you're not going to destroy the world?"

"No," said the Lord.

"It appears the Government beat me to it."

Fund balance

Based upon stories read in the local rag it appears the PISD is trying to rid the money it saved for a rainy day via the fund balance. The rainy day may take place after the state legislature finalizes the 2011-2014 budgets. It appears that nothing will be spared when the gathering takes place in Austin in January.

If the big metro rags are reporting correctly it appears Texas will have 22,000 less teachers on the payroll in future budget years and school consolidation will be on the table as a cost saving idea. One would be willing to bet school administration personnel will be fighting this idea. Don't really look for school consolidation to happen; however, it could make for some interesting debate.

Numbers and trends

The number of those aged 18 to 34 living with parents increased by 2.2 million from 2005 to 2009, reaching 20.3 million, the highest number in 25-plus years, according to the Census Bureau.

Home ownership fell to 66.9% which is down 1.6% since the beginning of 2006 and it is projected to keep falling. 1.6% translates to 3.4 million households!

Immigrant renters whose population growth has grown excessively since 2006 will help shape the next decade with regards to housing households.

Generation Y - those between the ages of 18 and 34 total approximately 77.4 million and this is larger than the baby boomers, which number about 76.2 million.

Generation Y stays in what demographers call 'emerging adulthood' for longer periods of time than its predecessors.

For the first time in more than a century, more than half of those aged 25 to 34 have never been married, according to the Council on Contemporary Families.

Birth rates continue to trend downward according to the U.S. Census.

Another trend indicates that more families are taking in older relatives into their households.

Vast majority of seniors prefer to age in place.

There are many more multi-generational households today than at any time in the past 60 years, a trend driven by immigration.

Minority households aged 35 to 44 had an average of 3.2 people per household compared to 2.6 for whites. Average number of children per minority household is 1.1, versus just 0.6 per white household. These numbers are from the Harvard Joint Center.

It appears immigration will drive future population growth here in the United States.

Jefferson's philosophy on debt

Jefferson attained his philosophy on debt 'first hand' through life and the experience of daily living. Through Martha (wife) he inherited some 11,000 acres of land and 135 slaves. This added to the 5,000 acres and 50 slaves that he inherited from the death of his mother. The 16,000 acres made Jefferson one the largest landowners in Virginia.

The property he inherited from his wife came with 'baggage' called debt. His father-in-law's was asset rich and cash poor. Due to the debt associated with the estate of his dear wife - by the end of his life, he would be over $100,000 in the hole. The debts enraged Jefferson. Indebtedness threatened him with loss of control, and the fear associated with such debt played heavy on Jefferson. He was humiliated at the thought of bowing the knee to creditors, money lenders, merchants who ran a tab on his behalf, and importers who supplied his needs.

In Jefferson's mind, only a nation of those who owned enough property to support themselves without dependence could really create a republic. Due to life experiences Jefferson despised debt. This belief caused Jefferson conflict with his chosen party the Federalists. Thus the formation of the Democratic-Republicans, led by Jefferson and Madison. Elected president in 1800 the Democratic Jeffersonian ideas about debt were applied to our nation based upon Jefferson's history with his own problems associated with indebtedness.

Wonder what opinions Jefferson would have to day? Most likely he would experience a migraine!

Conservative supporters need your help

More than 5,300 Texans have now signed a letter calling on members of the Texas House to elect a conservative as the state's third-ranking constitutional officer!

The signatories include 132 tea party organizers, Republican leaders and conservative movement activists, and more than 5,200 individual Texans. They come from all regions of the state, and are united in wanting the Texas House led by a conservative.

If you fill the need to participate then access and sign the letter:

http://conservativespeakermandate.com/

Pencils, pens, and crayons

1/3 of all pencils, pens, and crayons sold last year were manufactured in China.

On the positive side that means 2/3 of production was in lesser developed countries for no production is believe to have take place in the United States of such items.

Cost benefit ratio

Anyone know the percentage change in reading scores for public-school fourth graders since No Child Left Behind became law?

1%

All that money and so little to show for it in the form of enhanced results.