Comments on: First the anger, now the cuts

By: bloggingbelmont

bloggingbelmont — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 20:35:23 +0000

yes – i don't doubt that fear about an uncertain future is a contributing factor and i don't consider “NO” voters mean and vengeful. but there is a tendency for folks to take for granted what they had and expect younger generations to make sacrifices that they, themselves, weren't asked to make — fees for busing, extracurriculars, student govt. are part of this. its easy to overlook the burden on working families of daycare or in home childcare or why such things are even necessary – its not 'cause people don't want to care for their children, its because wages haven't kept pace with inflation, so its much harder to live on a single income now than it was in the 60s and 70s. middle aged workers, on average, get $.70 on the dollar compared to our parents generation due to increases in the cost of housing, education, healthcare. all the things that define middle class life and that can't be gotten rid of. blaming “fat cat” teachers or their unions just totally misses the point, in my opinion.

By: peace_in_our_time

peace_in_our_time — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 02:39:57 +0000

Could the sentiment you assigned as anger simply be uncertainty regarding the economic future faced by many, and the unwillingness to sign up for a new cost when the other costs coming down the line aren't fully clear yet (will health care reform actually result in less cost burden to families? will taxes have to go up at the state or federal level to cover *those* budgets, let alone the town)

Perhaps this is shortsighted, but perhaps people feel that they can invest in greener times, and hold back in the leaner times. The override in this case is an investment in the future, but not seeing it that way doesn't make people mean and vengeful.

By: bloggingbelmont

bloggingbelmont — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 18:11:14 +0000

oh, so we went to Wellesley High together. that's so cool…now I know for sure that you're one of the “good enough for me but not for thee” types who had the libraries, the rec department programs, the fully staffed public library and fee-free sports, extracurriculars and busing, and just don't think this next generation deserves it as much as you did. if you know me and we have history, then stop hiding in your locker, grow a pair and quit with the aliases, alright?

By: Paulie Drama Queen

Paulie Drama Queen — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 15:30:12 +0000

The town voted NO, 5 precincts out of 7 do not support giving the town nor the schools more money.

On another note, you were a drama queen then (@ wellesley high school), you are a drama queen now.

Perhaps you can channel your drama to drum up support for a local chapter of www.freegaza.org

By: this is the samaBlog » Blog Archive » Belmont Town Override

this is the samaBlog » Blog Archive » Belmont Town Override — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 18:53:18 +0000

[...] other thing I want to say is that the bitter whining among override supporters is completely unbecoming. Getting angry at your fellow residents [...]

By: Paulie Got a Cracker

Paulie Got a Cracker — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 01:43:07 +0000

Ha Ha Ha

By: bloggingbelmont

bloggingbelmont — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 23:23:30 +0000

I'm sorry that shutting down our school libraries and slashing courses so that our children spend less time learning doesn't measure up against the kinds of deep deprivations you, no doubt, experienced as a child. One room schoolhouse? 200 kids and one text book, right? Writing your lessons out on cow paddies by the candle light?

Or are you one of those “good enough for me but not for thee” types who had the libraries, the rec department programs, the fully staffed public library and fee-free sports, extracurriculars and busing, but just don't think this next generation deserves it as much as you did? You really are special, I know. I can tell just from your writing.

Finally, let me be the first to sincerely, sincerely apologize that Belmont is not a ghtetto or a crowded refugee camp like Gaza where people are really suffering. Perhaps I should just stop feeding my kids and let their bellies get swollen and the flies crawl on their eyes so that you and your buddies will be moved to direct some of your hard earned dough from your kitchen remodeling project to classrooms and public libraries? ('Cause i know you really work, and all the YES folks just lie around and get paid for doing nothing. I know that – you don't have to explain.) But really…I'm sorry we here in Belmont are not starving and destitute and politically oppressed. It must kill you that we can have and express opinions that are different from yours without getting beaten up or jailed. I'm really, really sorry.

By: Paulie Want a Cracker

Paulie Want a Cracker — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 22:41:15 +0000

Perhaps you can focus the discussion towards events where people are truly suffering http://www.freegaza.org/ , I do feel for those people.
A few cuts to Belmont's Schools does not pull on my heart as "suffering". The town is given a budget, they need to operate with in the budget, best would be to cut salaries to keep jobs.

Just my thoughts from good 'old Cross St.

By: Paulie Want a Cracker

Paulie Want a Cracker — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 21:28:24 +0000

“Suck on it” Quoted from Paul F. Roberts re. the June 14th Post