That Witch Laurie

First step: don’t hand out any concealed carry permits without a hefty donation to the sheriff’s re-election campaign. https://t.co/murj2qkeSG

— Cam Edwards (@CamEdwards) January 14, 2021

Who's running for SCC Sheriff

I wanted to see who's running against incumbent Laurie Smith. There's Martin Monica (D) and Richard Calderon. Joe Charvez has dropped out of the race and is supporting Laurie Smith. Is Jose Salcido still running?

Related Links:
Richard Calderon FB
Martin Monica FB

I'll have to watch the following:

Santa Clara County Sheriff Candidate Forum

Thomas Fleming, Getting Real

The problem does not lie in the mere fact that public education is public. 100 years ago, community schools in northern Illinois were parsimonious and effective. But with school consolidation, the centralization of power, the growth of “professional” teacher training, a nightmare was created. What is the solution? It is quite simple. First, decertify the unions. Then delegitimate the pseudo-professional education degrees. Downsize the districts to something like an area that could be served by a current elementary school, abolish the state board of education, and eliminate the US Department of Education. At this point, local neighborhoods will be able to decide if they want public schools, what the goals of their schools should be, and what kind of education they wish their children to receive.

While I think there should be greater local control and decentralization, is a stable community necessary for this to be maintained in the long run?

What I have sketched out is not a reform of the schools. That can only be done by disciplined and educated men and women who understand the purpose and function of schooling. But the demolition of the entire system would clear the way to make reform possible. Any well-intended attempt to reform the schools–and, believe me, as teacher, headmaster, scholar, and “education expert,” I have looked at hundreds of them–is a waste of time that will probably–inevitably–make matters worse.

But, since this demolition will only take place sometime after the thundering arrival of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, there is absolutely nothing to be done with public education except to vote against bond issues and oppose every school board candidate who has any agenda except budget cutting. Parents who actually care about their children, unless they happen to live in one of a very few bourgeois districts, will either send their children to private schools or else teach them at home. Of course, Rockford’s private schools are for the most part only whiter and safer imitations of public schools and home-schooling is far from an ideal solution, even in principle. But, even though protecting children from predatory savages is not a primary goal of education, it is a minimum prerequisite.

Vote No on Measure B.