Speak Out 6/18/13

Common Core

For all those demagoguing Common Core standards, including many in this area, as more dictates from the federal government, that is not correct. The federal government was not involved in developing the Common Core Curriculum. It was developed by the states, coming together via the National Governor's Association to try and solve a perceived need. In addition, local schools are quite free to deviate from the standards and make the curriculum even tougher. If you're going to try and make political hay from Common Core, please refrain from falsely claiming that this is a federal mandate.

Domestic abuse

Everyone needs to know to treat domestic violence as a serious crime. We need to raise awareness and educate the public about domestic abuse. Statistics show that 1.3 million women in America are physically assaulted by a partner every year. Statistics show that domestic violence has probably touched either you or someone you know. At least one in every three women have been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused during her lifetime. We also need to have mandatory jail time for first time domestic-violence offenders. This proposed change could make the offenders know that abuse will not be tolerated and it's unacceptable and they will be punished.

CBO on taxes

Thank goodness for the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. It has concluded a study confirming what we all knew: The tax system has a huge bias in favor of the rich as compared to the rest.