Governor Herbert’s Fiscal 2012 Budget Recommendations can be viewed in their entirety here:
Links to more information, reviews and articles on the Budget Recommendations can be found at this Google Search Engine Page.
I will be posting on select budget items throughout the legislative session.
(cross-posted to Utah Legislature Watch)
As time passes I realize that using absolutes like "never" or "always" is pretty unrealistic.
A couple of years ago I was faced with having to get an emergency container of formula for my grandson because we forgot to bring it with us. The only place around was Walmart. So the decision had to be made: Do I allow my grandson to go hungry because of my political aversion to this evil corporation? Or do I (gulp) push my politics aside (which dictated that I never set foot, let alone spend money at, a Walmart) and spend the money on the formula my grandson needs to satisfy his hunger?
The answer was obvious, of course.
For a long time I told myself I would never take prescription drugs over herbal remedies, especially since my health insurance mandates that I order long term prescriptions from a corporate drug warehouse. After a few years of elevated blood pressure and herbal remedies not working, I found myself no longer being willing to take the increased risk of heart attack by maintaining high blood pressure. I now take prescription meds and have been able to stay in control of my bp.
Currently I find myself in a situation where I have to gulp again with regards to my political stance on the new airport security procedures of forcing passengers to either pass through a full body scanner and/or succomb to a complete pat down. My situation: my aging parents who live 2000 miles away from me. My employment situation does not allow me the time to drive back and forth. So I must use my resources to fly back and forth at least twice per year, sometimes 3 or 4. I know people who say they will never fly as long as this fascist state of affairs is in place in our airports. How I would love to be able,with conviction, say this also. But it’s a gamble that I have to take – as to whether or not I will be waved through the regular scanner or have to participate in the heightened police state procedures now in place.
I am not willing to sacrifice providing for/being with/seeing the loves of my life for my stance on issues. I would never be able to forgive myself if my priority was politics over family to the point where my use of absolutes prevented me from ever seeing them or providing for them. I am not willing to sacrifice my health, safety or well-being or that of my family because of my position on related issues.
It is unfortunate that our systems currently in place have our hands tied in certain situations. But this does not equate to "giving in". It equates to knowing that some circumstances must lend themselves to a willingness to adhere to current practices, policies and procedures (ineffective and unfair and unjust as they may be) which in my view should strengthen one’s resolve to work towards putting measures in place for the change we want to see for our world.
What I will continue to do is to be as vocal and outspoken as possible about the inequities of our political system, our healthcare system, the violation and invasion of our individual and personal rights, the degradation of our civil liberties. What I will continue to do is to live my life according to my values as much as possible, realizing that nothing is perfect or absolute and that is is ok to deviate every once in awhile to do what is necessary in my life – and to not feel guilty about it.
The most important thing for me is that the loves of my life see me practice what I preach regularly and are proud of me for it. I know I am setting an example and making a difference when this message is conveyed to me. My son once wrote to me during a very difficult time in our lives:
I am thankful that you are helping us. You are truly a great woman and not just because you help us when we need it, but because everything about you and what you do is great.
You are caring, loving and you generally care about the welfare of others. For this I look up to you; you are a big role model in my life. If I can take even 25% of what you do and who you are to my life, I know I”ll be okay.
I love you very much, Mom.
I keep reminding myself of this whenever I find myself having to engage in even the smallest activity that is out of sync with my beliefs.
The larger issue, then, is the question of using absolutes in our activism. Is it realistic to say "I will never" or "I will always"? I don’t think so. Having the mindset and fortitude to be as strong as possible in our stance on issues is much more plausible, realizing that there will be times where exceptions have to be made. The key to practicing what we preach is consistency in that practice (Consistency does not equal "always" or "never" unless sacrifices are willing to be made.) Being vocal about unfair practices, boycotting businesses and organizations which employ those unfair practices as much as possible, engaging in the political process to effect change (which may include civil resistance/disobedience), living one’s life in accordance to one’s values on a daily basis with as close to 100% consistency as is humanly possible…..these are things that set the example for others and are part of the larger ripple effect that will travel through generations as it builds momentum toward mass change for the good of our planet.
I will – almost always – remember this.
Last week I posted on Appreciating the beauty of winter landscapes – now and in the future, with regards to the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. Yesterday as we flew back across the country to our home in Utah, I once again was in awe of the landscape below me from 35,000 feet in the air. Blanketed with snow were the fields of the midwest and peaks of the Rockies. As we approached the Salt Lake City Airport, Tom took several photos, posted below. We even saw our house (photo with arrow in it)!
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A decade ago we were welcoming in the 21st century. Hard to believe. We are now entering a new decade – decade #2 – in the 21st century. Time flies and as it does I realize how little I have done and how much more there is to experience! Here are some highlighted events of the decades since my birth:
Decade #1: I was born, welcomed two siblings, lived in Panama for 6 months, lost both grandfathers, moved from one town to another, got
my first pair of eyeglasses, began playing piano
Decade #2: got my first bicycle, became a teenager, started playing french horn and singing, got braces, welcomed another sibling, got my
drivers license, started dating, graduated from high school, entered college
Decade #3: dabbled in politics, graduated from college, began my career, got married (the first time), had three children, lost my paternal
grandmother,built a thriving piano program in my school, founded a children’s music camp
Decade #4: lost 70 pounds, became more physically fit, got divorced, moved across the country, became an avid outdoor
enthusiast, taught myself how to play flute and play the djembe, relocated to Utah
Decade #5: became very politically involved, began crocheting more, remarried, welcomed 3 grandchildren, lost my maternal
grandmother, changed gears in my career, participated in several civil disobedience events, drove across the country about 5
times, ran for office
Decade #6 (so far): Welcomed 2 more grandchildren, took on more leadership roles in my career….(to be continued)….
I’ve probably left out a few things, but there are so many more things I want to do yet! They include (but aren’t limited to):
Building a peace house (utahpeacehouse.org), learning how to play cello, travelling to other states I’ve never been to as well as Ethiopia, Venezuela, and some other places, continue backpacking and hiking and camping, retire from my career; continuing to work towards a more peaceful world.
Happy New Year everyone. May your desires be realized and your hopes and dreams be achieved!
The two fundamental problems in our educational system in Utah are (1) not enough per pupil spending (Utah is last in the nation) and (2) top heavy spending in the school districts (administration, etc.) for what benefits students are actually receiving. #1 is by far the greatest issue. Yet some legislators are choosing what I consider to be minor issues on which to focus in the budget of Utah’s already suffering school system.
Yesterday’s Salt Lake Tribune posted the piece Utah to reevaluate who pays for school supplies .
Rep. Kraig Powell, R-Heber City, is sponsoring a resolution that would amend the constitution so schools could ask students to voluntarily provide their own school supplies.
Powell is quoted as saying the teachers “are afraid to ask students” to bring any materials to class, resulting in teachers paying out of their own pockets.
I do not know of any teacher who is “afraid” to ask the parents of students if they can bring materials in to class. I think this statement is a generalization based on deductive reasoning that has no statistical basis.
His proposal is one that’s drawn vocal opposition from some state school board members who fear the proposal is one that would allow the state to shirk its financial responsibility when Utah already spends less per student than any state in the country.
“The idea of financing our education system by parents and children bringing in their own supplies _ that’s a diversion from what is really supposed to be happening _ that is the school system in this state is supposed to be financed by the Legislature,” said board member Leslie Brooks Castle, who represents Salt Lake City.
“It’s really a relinquishment. It really is a way to discriminate against people who don’t have as much.”
Utah is 14th in median household income. This means that there are 36 states with lower median household incomes spending more per pupil in public education. Wyoming is 19th in median household income and yet spends double what Utah does in per pupil spending. Idaho is 37th in median household income and 49th in per pupil spending. Mississippi is last in the U.S. in median household income and is 6 ranks above Utah in per pupil spending. Why is it that Utah is last in per pupil spending? There is definitely something wrong with this picture. Micromanaging the education budget with things like who spends what for supplies is a mockery in light of the real budgetary issues facing Utah’s educational system.
(statistics garnered from Wikipedia the Census Bureau and the National Center for Education Statistics).
(cross-posted to Utah Legislature Watch)
I love to crochet. I grew up around crochet. My mother and my grandmother taught me how to crochet when I was young and I never really took hold of the craft until I was an adult. Mom still crochets Christmas stockings and bookmarks for her local church’s confirmation classes each year. Grandma used to crochet doilies and tablecloths and bedspreads. Her home was adorned with these hand crafted items. I love to crochet ponchos, shawls, baby buntings, blankets, gloves, hats, socks, hats, scarves and bags.
Recent events have forced me to take a break from crocheting, but I"m getting back into it!
Here are some photos of my creations:
Baby Bunting, made out of 100% cotton, inlcuding the buttons
Matching Hat and Drawstring Purse made out of hempton (hemp and cotton) and 100% cotton
Ponchos
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Remember 2007?
Here we go again – the School Voucher debate
(cross-posted to Utah Legislature Watch)
Today Tom and I flew across the country from Utah to Maryland to spend a few days with my parents and see my siblings and their families. I was happy that it was a clear day in Baltimore and that we were arriving in the late afternoon while it was still light. One of my favorite views from the plan is the Chesapeake Bay. Today I saw tributaries of the bay that were partially iced over in and around land formations. Glimmers of sunlight danced on the ice and the water, creating a playful and beautiful scene. I wanted to take photos but the window was too scratched to take a photo that would do the scene justice.
Most of my memories of the Bay and the Ocean are from summertime vacations with my family in my childhood and youth. Seeing it in the winter time brings a new experience for me, even for just brief moments. During my descent into the Baltimore area, as I gazed at the Bay, I wondered what the Chesapeake Blue Crabs’ behaviors are like in the winter time and if they hibernate in cold weather. I love the Blue Crab and have so many memories of watching and observing blue crabs, catching a few with the best crabber of all time (my grandmother), and even being pinched by them!
So I did some research when I was at my computer and found information on how blue crabs behave in the winter:
I learned a little more about the wildlife in my home state today by researching what sparked my curiosity. Sadly, I know the Bay has been in peril due to pollution which has dramatically decreased the blue crab population. Still, for today, I reveled in the beauty of the water from above, the reflection of habitat within the water, and the desire to hope for continued views of scenes like this in the future.
Deanna Dee-Dee Taylor 