FRIENDS TALK

[KoYue]

Oh my God, that's horrible!

[Athos]

Tell me about it...I just read in the paper that a teacher has filed a complaint for misuse of funds against the school district. From what I recall, my friend who is on the board says that the teacher was asked twice: what programs from your school have been cut because of our decision? And both times, he had replied "I don't know." I also heard that they'll have to "pink slip" school nurses and other staff like that. o.O

[KoYue]

That's just terrible. I wonder though, is there really a shortage of funds or are they being wasted on things that really aren't necessary.

[Athos]

I think it's both. Remember, our country is in a recession. A recession generally is a period of time during which output (GDP) falls and unemployment rises. (Usually, around 18 percent). However, a counsel of economists at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) actually gets to decide when the country is in a recession. And there is different criteria for when it is and isn't a recession. (Which is funny because I thought it was the Federal Reserve).

Aside from our nation's economic crisis, our wonderful state is running at 14.5 billion dollar deficit. A deficit occurs when the government is spending more than what they have.

So you see, there isn't too much money floating around.

We could easily save money if we could get rid of some of the executive agencies, such as the Department of Education, Department of Agriculture, etc... My government teacher posed to us a question asking, "How would you know what government agency to cut?" (A year later) I have the answer. The Federal Government's job is outlined in the Constitution (Articles 1-3).
Anything other than that becomes the State's job. If States had more rights, we'd be ok I think. (See the Tenth Amendment).

[KoYue]

Oog, such a large amount of information.

[Aiden]

GWB is a [censored] and doesn't believe we're going through a recession but everyone else who didn't go to Harvard and still have the brain of a turtle, knows.

(Edited by Athos for inappropriate content).

[Athos]

It all depends where you are on the totem pole...Also, he might have his own reason for saying it's not a recession. Also, as much as I disprove of Bush, I do have to give him credit for not joining the ICC.

However, (regardless of what my political science professor says), Bush is proof enough that neoconservatism is a very flawed political ideology.

[divinephoenix]

What's ICC? I am so not updated with this things XD

[Trishina]

I heard about the recession going on in America, we don't have it here so I'm thankful other countries are also experiencing economic difficulties. But in here we try to save our rice supply because there could be a great possibility for rice shortage but I think all is well for now.

[Athos]

What's ICC? I am so not updated with this things XD

XD I'm sure you have heard of the ICC..The International Criminal Court.

[divinephoenix]

I heard about the recession going on in America, we don't have it here so I'm thankful other countries are also experiencing economic difficulties. But in here we try to save our rice supply because there could be a great possibility for rice shortage but I think all is well for now.

There's really rice problems right now as well as economic difficulties. I just wonder why suddenly there came a rice shortage, even here people are saying that.

What's ICC? I am so not updated with this things XD

XD I'm sure you have heard of the ICC..The International Criminal Court.

Nope XD

[Athos]

No? Ah. Well, there is an International Criminal Court, and Bush has been criticized for not joining the ICC. Also, Bush has been criticized for withdrawing from the Kyoto Protocol.

I'm skeptical about joining the ICC

[divinephoenix]

What does the ICC do?

[Athos]

The ICC is a court for war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity.

[scorpionwarrior]

ICC also stands for "International Cricket Council" XD

[Athos]

XD. Always good to know...