States Don't Need a Bailout—They Need to Cut Spending

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No body is blaming the teachers...I agree government has set itself up for this with all the ludicrous mandates on education. Let the teachers teach, require accountability and let the parents decide if their schools are cutting it and if not let them go elsewhere with a voucher. Watch how fast things change then. Throwing more money at this problem is crippling this country. SO Obama's solution to this is accept the bloated funding for another year! that's smart, real smart! !!

rj in Hudson Valley of NY 4:23PM August 11, 2010

If all states are like NY, the inflated pension payments will soon bankrupt them. Here City and State workers pump up their future pension payments by working needless overtime that's approved by their superiors. Until they make overtime pay exempt from pension calculations (which it should be!) all our tax money will go to former state employees. Couple that with extended life-spans and it's a fiscal disaster!

Tony A of NY 2:50PM August 11, 2010

There is much fat that can be cut out of the bloated budgets of the school system. There are far too many administrative positions. Physical ed is OK but the obsession with sports, especially at High School levels, needs to come to an end. Spending on sports is a waste of educational funds and should be cut 100%.
Teachers need to be accountable, but so do the students AND their parents.

B. Fox of NV 12:18PM August 11, 2010

I disagree with the comments regarding education. Don't blame the teachers - blame the government for demanding more special programs that produce less real education, and let the teachers teach the basic skills needed to survive in this world. Reading, writing, and math are the basics needed, not extra testing requirements, etc. Teachers need time to teach these things. Sex education can stay at home, and physical education does not need to be a plethora of organized sports.
The Special Education program for the disabled ties the hands of teachers in that they are required to teach these kids along with those with more ability, which means they have to slow everything down to teach the disabled.

Evelyn Krause of MT 10:41AM August 11, 2010