Libertarian Party Presidential Nominee

The Libertarian Party nominated former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson for President of the United States, expressing confidence he will be able to find effective small-government solutions to the country’s most pressing problems and mount a strong challenge to his major party rivals.

Mr. Johnson was declared the party’s Presidential nominee after he won 70% percent of the vote in the first round of balloting by the 595 delegates of the National Libertarian Convention held at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas, NV.

His closest challenger, R. Lee Wrights of Texas, finished second with 25% of the ballots.

In his acceptance speech, Mr. Johnson promised to present clear and viable effective solutions to slow economic growth, high unemployment and endless foreign military commitments that sap the country’s financial strengths.  America, for the first time in modern history, is poised to reject the tired two-party duopoly that has brought the nation to its knees economically.

“I am honored and I just want to pledge that no one will be disappointed. We're going to grow the Libertarian Party.” said Mr. Johnson.

A successful businessman who lives in Taos, NM, Mr. Johnson is known as an unwavering crusader for fiscal responsibility, free enterprise and individual freedoms. During his gubernatorial tenure, he used his veto pen more than 750 times to forestall attempts to grow government and put an end to wasteful government projects. He cut taxes while maintaining New Mexico as one of only four states in the country with a balanced budget. The state boasted a $1 billion budget surplus when Mr. Johnson left office in 2003.

“I am convinced that Gary Johnson will be an exceptional candidate, and a very successful President,” said Mark Hinkle, Libertarian Party Chair. “We have an impressive roster of talent this year to challenge our Big Government opponents not only in the race for the White House, but also in state and local races. The major parties offer Americans only one solution: Bigger government.  Libertarians will show voters how we can make government small while dramatically increasing jobs, lowering taxes, and scaling back government debt.”

Yesterday the convention approved a new party platform, which leaves unchanged the fundamental tenants of the Libertarian Party: Individuals should be free to make choices for themselves and to accept responsibility for the consequences of the choices they make. Changes adopted by party delegates were generally ones that improve the wording or clarity of the party’s intent to advance liberty and shrink Big Government. One significant change adopted was to add ballot initiatives to the party’s mission.

The Libertarian Party is the third largest political party in the United States, which is active in all 50 states and has more than 250,000 registered voters.

Libertarians call for ending government interference in personal, family and business decisions, much lower government spending, repeal of dangerous and unnecessary regulations, lower taxes, a currency free of government manipulation, free trade, and a peaceful, non-interventionist foreign policy.

Millions of Americans have voted for Libertarian Party candidates in past elections throughout the country, despite the fact that many state governments place roadblocks in order to keep third party candidates off the ballot and deprive voters of a real choice.

Additional information about the 2012 Libertarian National Convention can be found at www.LibertyWillWin.com.

  

Historic Dates

President Barack Obama will begin his campaign (officially) today which just happens to be Karl Marx's birthday.

Presidents seeking re-election take both "official trips" and "political trips," the first financed by taxpayers and the second by campaign contributors. While Republicans have accused Obama of playing politics at some official events, today there will be no doubt.

The Obama Campaign is billing the "Ready To Go Rally" at the Ohio State University in Columbus as "the first campaign rally" for the president. Obama, who will be accompanied by first lady Michelle Obama, is scheduled to speak around 1:25 p.m.

The president's second campaign rally takes place later today at Virginia Community University in Richmond.

It is interesting that the beginning of Obama’s re-election campaign is on the birth date of 

Karl Marx.

Who is or was Karl Marx?

Karl Marx was born May 5, 1818 in Trier, Germany. In 1848 he published (with Friedrich Engels) The Communist Manifesto, the most celebrated pamphlet in the history of the socialist movement. He also was the author of the movement's most important book, Das Kapital. These writings and others by Marx and Engels form the basis of the body of thought and belief known as Marxism.

Some say there is a close resemblance. Since this is still a free country, each individual still has the freedom to think as they choose. 

Words of Wisdom

"The confidence of the people will easily be gained by a good administration. This is the true touchstone."

  

--Alexander Hamilton, speech to the New York Ratifying Convention, 1788

Another Party Offering Candidates

The Libertarian Party is holding their 2012 National Convention in Las Vegas this weekend, where they will choose their Presidential nominee.

The party is celebrating their 40th anniversary at this year's convention, themed "Liberty Will Win."

The Libertarian Presidential candidates will debate each other tonight, before a nominee is selected on Saturday. Former New Mexico Gov. and Republican Presidential candidate Gary Johnson is expected to be that nominee. He will debate Libertarian activist Lee Wrights.

To take part in the debate, candidates had to receive at least 10% of support from convention delegates. 

The candidates will make speeches on Saturday to convention delegates, who will then vote to choose the nominee.

Modified Traffic Pattern On Pingree Road

The traffic pattern on Pingree Road has been modified – please use care when driving through this area. 

Pingree Road traffic has been shifted to the east to allow the last portion of existing pavement in the northwest corner to be replaced.  Please use extra caution when making turns onto Pingree Road from Rakow because the travel lanes are now east of where they used to be. 

Also, in order to construct the last remaining center section of Rakow Road at IL 31, it will be necessary to remove the temporary asphalt pavement in the radius that is currently in place at the intersection. 

This work will be done Saturday, May 5th –tomorrow-- and will affect the southbound turning movements from IL 31 onto westbound Rakow.  Please use extra care when making this turn.

Walkup Road Work Continues

Mother Nature has not been kind toward the Walkup Road work.

The wet weather and continued utility relocation has extended activities into next week. These include:

For Segment 2 (intersection)

Utility relocation work continues.  Water main installation to resume next week.

Seeding of Veteran Acres Pond and wetland cell to occur when water levels recede.

Watch for traffic lane shift on northbound Walkup Road from IL Route 176 to Talismon Drive, estimated to occur late next week. This traffic lane shifting will allow for installation of storm sewer and retaining wall construction.

For Segment 3 ( North Section )

Topsoil removal operation will continue into next week

Earth Excavation to begin following top soil removal.

Words Of Wisdom

"A universal peace, it is to be feared, is in the catalogue of events, which will never exist but in the imaginations of visionary philosophers, or in the breasts of benevolent enthusiasts."

 --James Madison

Government At Work

FRIDAY, MAY 4 –

8:15 a.m. – McHenry County Board Public Health and Human Services Committee

Meeting the County Board Conference Rooms, County administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

Interviews are taking place of individuals interested in being appointed to the Valley Hi Operating Board. Those being interviewed include Patrick O’Brien, Carl Gustafson, and Gloria Mack. Two other individuals were unable to attend the meeting.

On another appointment matter, Donna Schaefer is being considered for re-appointment to the Senior Services Grant Commission.

Four resolutions are being presented for approval involving grants for the McHenry County Workforce Network and providing added revenue for the program.

Another resolution being presented involves a Senior Services Grant Commission 2012 Strategic Plan. 

Lake In The Hills Student Appointed To U.S. Air Force Academy

Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) announced that Jared Koch of Lake in the Hills, Illinois, has received an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO for the class entering June 2012. 

Jared currently attends the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School in Colorado and will graduate in May 2012.  He previously attended Marion Catholic High School and graduated in June 2011.

During high school, Jared was on the honor roll every semester, acted as a mentor for incoming students and volunteered with Key Club and Rotary Club.  He also earned six varsity letters in wrestling, football and track and acted as the football team captain his senior year.  His teachers chose him as one of two students to receive the HOBY Leadership Award. 

Jared is the son of Dan and Sue Koch of Lake in the Hills. 

Kindness To Wild Animals Is A "Hands-off" Approach

It is Springtime and our nature friends are out and about.

McHenry County Department of Health, Animal Control Division, urges residents to adopt a “hands-off” approach to local wildlife. 

In separate incidents, Animal Control reports two residents were recently bitten by raccoons after individuals left out food. One individual is currently undergoing rabies prophylaxis treatment.

Wild animals are attracted to your home by food and shelter. Remove these temptations and you can cut your risks of structural damage, home invasion and other problems.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources offers these tips:

• Do not encourage wildlife (squirrels, raccoons) by feeding or leaving food for them.
• Don’t allow bird food to accumulate on the ground.
• Don’t place food scraps in gardens or compost bins.
• Keep pet food and water containers indoors, especially at night.
• If you have fruit trees, harvest or dispose of fruit when it is ripe.
• Use metal or durable plastic trash containers.

 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), wild animals account for 9 out of 10 rabies cases in the United States and raccoons make up almost half of those.  Most raccoons are healthy and harmless but you should never touch or approach a wild raccoon, and you should definitely not feed them. 

  

Read more about it from the University of Illinois Extension’s “Living with Wildlife in Illinois” at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/wildlife/ 

Crystal Lake Library Board Committee Meeting

The Automation Committee of the Crystal Lake Public Library Board of Trustees is meeting this evening at 7:00 in the Library Director’s Office, Crystal Lake Public Library, 126 Paddock Street.

Words of Wisdom

"It is very imprudent to deprive America of any of her privileges. If her commerce and friendship are of any importance to you, they are to be had on no other terms than leaving her in the full enjoyment of her rights."

–-Benjamin Franklin, Political Observations

Government At Work

THURSDAY, MAY 3

8:30 a.m. – McHenry County Board Planning and Development Committee –

Meeting in the County Board Conference Rooms, County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

Resolution Regarding Potential Conflict of Interest

A resolution is being presented regarding filing disclosure of a potential conflict of interested involving a Home Investment Partnership Program Funding Application. This being presented so that such conflict can be submitted to HUD for an exception determination.

The conflict that exists is due to County Board Chairman Ken Koehler’s son Kristopher being the Executive Director of McHenry County Attainable Housing Corporation which made an application for funding.

The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office has issued an opinion in December 2011 stating that the potential conflict does not violate State or local law.

The matter, in addition to being considered by the Committee, will also be on the May 15 County Board Meeting agenda.

Additionally, a copy of the resolution, if adopted by the Committee, is to be submitted along with all supporting documentation to the Director of the Office of Community Planning and Development, U.S. Department of Housing and Development Region V.

Transfer of NSP Trust Beneficiary

A resolution is being presented authorizing the County Board Chairman to execute an agreement naming Habitat For Humanity as the Beneficiary for homes acquired for rehabilitation through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP).

Green Infrastructure Presentation

The Committee is being requested to direct the McHenry County Planning Staff to release the McHenry County Green Infrastructure Plan Draft to the public for comment.

The staff has been working with the Chicago Wilderness Sustainable Watershed Action Team and a consultant on the development of a green infrastructure plan for the county.

The plan is now ready for public review. It will detail how the concept for the plan stems from policies of the McHenry County 2030 Comprehensive Plan The plan includes participation from many of the county cities, villages, townships, park districts, conservation district, and county board members

Amendment to CDBG-R Grant Recovery Program

Authorization is being sought for an amendment to the 2012 Annual Action Plan and submittal of the Community Development Block Grant-Recovery funding.

CDBG-R is one of several grant programs. The Village of Wonder Lake previously received the County’s CDBG-R funding for the installation of water mains along Thompson Road. The project was completed under its original budget of $353,648 with a remaining balance of $113,560.

Another shovel ready project has been identified from applications made. The Village of Union is proposing constriction of a wet well in conjunction with the previously funded ION treatment facility in the Village.

The original PY2008 Action Plan does not list the project as an additional Substantial Amendment to the action plan; therefore the plan must be approved before funds can be reallocated. If McHenry County does not meet a September 30, 2012 deadline of reallocating the funds, they will be returned to HUD for reallocation to another entitlement community.

Racoon Bites Reported By McHenry County Animal Control

McHenry County Department of Health, Animal Control Division, urges residents to adopt a “hands-off” approach to local wildlife. 

In separate incidents, Animal Control reports two residents were recently bitten by raccoons after individuals left out food. One individual is currently undergoing rabies prophylaxis treatment.

Wild animals are attracted to your home by food and shelter. Remove these temptations and you can cut your risks of structural damage, home invasion and other problems.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources offers these tips:

• Do not encourage wildlife (squirrels, raccoons) by feeding or leaving food for them.
• Don’t allow bird food to accumulate on the ground.
• Don’t place food scraps in gardens or compost bins.
• Keep pet food and water containers indoors, especially at night.
• If you have fruit trees, harvest or dispose of fruit when it is ripe.
• Use metal or durable plastic trash containers.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), wild animals account for 9 out of 10 rabies cases in the United States and raccoons make up almost half of those.  Most raccoons are healthy and harmless but you should never touch or approach a wild raccoon, and you should definitely not feed them.

Racoon bites have been reported by McHenry County Animal Control 

  

Read more about it from the University of Illinois Extension’s “Living with Wildlife in Illinois” at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/wildlife/ 

Government At Work

WEDNESDAY, May 2,

7:30 p.m. – Crystal Lake Planning and Zoning Commission –

Meeting in the Crystal Lake City Hall, 100 Woodstock Street, Crystal Lake to consider the following requests:

Lightning Lazer Tag –Planned for location at 19 East Berkshire Drive, Suites 4 and 5. A request is made for a land use variation to allow an amusement arcade as a permitted use in the B-1 district.

The specific facility at this location has been used for lazer tag in the past. The most recent use of the space was for a used merchandise store.

School District 47, Bernotas Middle School, 170 N. Oak Street. The Bernotas Middle School PTO is requesting a special use permit to allow an electronic message center sign in a residential district. The sign is proposed to be located between two driveways along Oak Street

Twin Ponds Marketplace—Home Depot, 4447 Northwest Highway. An annual request for a Temporary Use Permit to allow the outdoor storage, sales and display of seasonal or large items. A request this year is to include the storage of rental trucks,

Pedcor – Congress Parkway Apartment Homes – A multi-family residential use within the B-2 zoning district is planned for location next to the U S Post Office. The proposed project includes seven “big house” style apartment buildings oriented around a central community area. The area along Congress Parkway is apparently changing from the business zoning that has permeated the area. Recent applications indicate a change in this nature. The proposed project would be a workforce housing and allow area businesses to benefit from the local workforce while the residents can benefit from the surrounding amenities.

It's May Day-Time To Dance Around The Maypole

"May Day,   in medieval and modern Europe, holiday (May 1) for the celebration of the return of spring.

"The observance probably originated in ancient agricultural rituals, and the Greeks and Romans held such festivals. Although later practices varied widely, the celebrations came to include the gathering of wildflowers and green branches, the weaving of floral garlands, the crowning of a May king and queen, and the setting up of a decorated May tree, or Maypole, around which people danced.

"Such rites originally may have been intended to ensure fertility for crops and, by extension, for livestock and humans, but in most cases this significance was gradually lost, so that the practices survived largely as popular festivities.

"Among the many superstitions associated with May Day was the belief that washing the face with dew on the morning of May 1 would beautify the skin. Because the Puritans of New England considered the celebrations of May Day to be licentious and pagan, they forbade its observance, and the holiday never became an important part of American culture.

 "In the 20th century, traditional May Day celebrations declined in many countries as May 1 became associated with the international holiday honouring workers and the labour movement (see May Day)."

As found in Britannica Online

 

Words of Wisdom

"It is very imprudent to deprive America of any of her privileges. If her commerce and friendship are of any importance to you, they are to be had on no other terms than leaving her in the full enjoyment of her rights."

–-Benjamin Franklin, Political Observations

Have A Merry May Day

 The earliest May Day celebrations appeared in pre-Christian times, with the festival of Flora, the Roman goddess of flowers, and the Walpurgis Night celebrations of the Germanic countries.

It is also associated with the. many pagan celebrations which were abandoned or Christianized during the process of conversion in Europe. A more secular version of May Day continues to be observed in Europe and America.

In this form, May Day may be best known for its tradition of dancing the maypole dance and crowning of the Queen of the May. Various Neopagan groups celebrate reconstructed (to varying degrees) versions of these customs on May 1st.

The day was a traditional summer holiday in many pre-Christian European pagan cultures. While February 1 was the first day of Spring, May 1 was the first day of summer; hence, the summer solstice on June 25 (now June 21) was Midsummer.

 In the Roman Catholic tradition, May is observed as Mary's month, and in these circles May Day is usually a celebration of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In this connection, in works of art, school skits, and so forth, Mary's head will often be adorned with flowers in a May crowning.

Fading in popularity since the late 20th century is the giving of "May baskets," small baskets of sweets and/or flowers, usually left anonymously on neighbors' doorsteps.

Government At Work-Crystal Lake City Council

7:30 p.m.—Crystal Lake City Council –

Meeting in the Crystal Lake City Council Chambers, 100 West Woodstock Street, Crystal Lake.

Proclamation Requests

Two proclamations are being considered by the Council. One is regarding proclaiming the Month of May as Older American Month.

A second proclamation is requested by the McHenry County Joint Council of Historic Groups seeking to have the month of May proclaimed as “Look at Local History Month”.

St. Thomas School Request to Close Part of Lake Street

The Council is being requested to approve the closure of Lake Street from an area just south of the First Congregational Church entrance to an area jus south of St. Thomas School parking lot. This is for Tuesday, May 29 and Wednesday, May 30 during the hours of 7:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. The reason is for St. Thomas Field Days. During this period of time students will be traveling back and forth from the school to the playing fields, participating in a wide variety of activities. Closing the street is for safety reasons.

Simplified Residential Variations—958 Sheffield Drive

The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the request to grant a variation from a required setback and separation requirements at the property. The property owner desires to locate a 10” x 10” shed to be located as close as 3.3 feet from the east property line. This shed is replacing an existing shed that has been in the same location for the past 25-30 years, and will utilize an existing concrete pad.

Special Use Permit for 903 North Shore Drive

The property owner is seeking to construct a detached garage to be 660 square feet rather than the allowed 600 square feet. The property does not meet the minimum lot area and lot width requirement for the R-2 district. The owner is requesting the variation in order to remodel the residence and garage and include a deck and stairs The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the requested variations.

Added Class “7” Liquor License for Kyoto Japanese Restaurant

The restaurant owner is requesting a change to the liquor license for the restaurant, located at 5690 Northwest Highway. The current license is a Class “1” which allows the retail sale of alcoholic liquor on the premises for consumption on the premises to a Class “7” license, which allows retail sale in the specified premises in the interior of the building as well as an open unroofed area immediately contiguous to the building.

This license change is being made for the new location of the restaurant in what was Applebee’s Restaurant.

Crystal Lake Park District Sign Variation

Crystal Lake Park District is requesting a variation to replace two existing free-standing signs at Lippold Park’s east and west entrances. Two signs at the east and west entrances to Lippold Park are 5.5 feet tall and externally illuminated. New signs are proposed to be 7.5 feet tall and internally illuminated.

Due to a higher speed limit on Route 176, where the entrance to the park is located, and the volume of visitors to the Park taller signs are needed to keep the letter legible.

McHenry Avenue Improvements

McHenry Avenue is to be resurfaces from north of Rakow Road o Route 14 and includes a new multi-use path along the frontage of McHenry Avenue from Windham Cove Drive to Dartmoor Drive, striping of a dedicated right turn lane on southbound McHenry Avenue at the intersection of Barlina Road/Buckingham Drive, storm sewer improvements from Lee Drive to Nash Road and along Nash Road. The City has obtained $864,000 in federal Surface Transportation Program funding for construction and engineering.

In connection with this project, the Council is being requested to approve appropriation of $119,000 in MFT funds.

Air Conditioning of Three Oaks Area Boat House

M.G. Mechanical Contracting of Woodstock was the successful bidder with the lowest of 10 bids for the project. The bid was $22,876. The funding is from surplus construction bond proceeds. The air conditioner is to serve two purposes, providing improved employee safety and work conditions as they have no place to cool down in the boat house. Also it also improves the recharging of the boat batteries which recharge more efficiently in cooler conditions.

Reserving State of Illinois Volume Cap for Private Activity Bonds

Although there are no current official applications from private businesses for the City to allocate a volume cap in the form of Industrial Revenue Bonds, the City has been notified it is authorized to a volume cap of $3,870,585. These bonds can be attractive to industrial firms.

Lake In The Hills Airport Property

In 2002 the City and the Village of Lake In The Hills entered into an intergovernmental agreement to prohibit runway expansion and promote airport safety at the airport. At the time Lake In the Hills Village was interested in relocating an existing runway by 85 feet to the east of the airport. The City desired to prevent further expansion of the airport which could interfere with the interests of Crystal Lake and its residents.

Among a number of other parts of the agreement, the Village was required to dedicate to the City a 20 foot strip of land on property owned by the Village immediately adjacent to the eastern edge of the realigned Pyott Road.

Additionally, the agreement provided that the Village would reserve a 20-foot municipal utility easement for the City on the western side of the realigned Pyott Road.

Pyott Road has been realigned and the Village is fulfilling the requirement with the agreement being presented for City Council approval.

Electrical Aggregation Public Hearing On The Plan of Operation and Governance

Now that the opt-out referendum has been approved, the State of Illinois requires the City to complete further steps including:

•  Public Display of a Plan of Operation and Governance Ordinance (POGO) March 22, 2012
• Holding two public hearings by the City Council concerning the POGO. One was held April 17 and the second will be taking place Tuesday. 
• Approval of an ordinance formally authorizing an opt-out program for the City adoption of the POGO. That also is anticipated to take place Tuesday.
• Solicitation of bids from alternative electricity suppliers – early to mid May, 2012
• Award of bid – early to mid-May 2012
• Power flowing to Crystal Lake residents under this program – late Summer 2012

 The POGO is to outline the roles and responsibilities of the city, and the electrical aggregation implementation process.

Video Gaming

The Council will be discussing whether to adopt an ordinance amending the City Code to allow video gaming or adopt an ordinance prohibiting gambling.

Municipalities are authorized under State Act to regulate video gaming and prohibit video gaming within their corporate limits. Municipalities that allow video gaming receive a portion of the tax revenue generated by the games. Estimates on the potential revenue are difficult to determine.

Annual fees paid to the City are $250 for each machine operated. The City estimates there are 29 of the 55 liquor license holders identified as establishments that would likely seek approval for a video gaming license. If all 29 added three video gaming machines, the city could potentially generate between $132,762 and $170,694 annually.

Resident opposition to the video gaming in the City would have to be through a referendum on the ballot with petitions signed by 25 percent of voters who voted in previous elections.

The Council has to make the decision whether to allow video gambling or prohibit it. The decision is expected to take place at the June 5 Council Meeting.

Government At Work

TUESDAY, MAY 1, 2012

9:00 a.m. -- .McHenry County Board – Meeting in the County Board Room, County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

National Nursing Home Week-May 13 to May 19

A proclamation is being presented proclaiming May 13 through May 19 as National Nursing Home Week and Acknowledging the Dedication, Compassion and quality of Care given by the Staff at Valley Hi Nursing and Rehab Center.

Appointment

A number of appointments are to be handled by the Board including:

For the McHenry County Board of Review: Clifton A. Houghton and Mark A. Ruda, with term expiration dates of May 31, 2014 for both gentlemen.

David M. McPhee for a term to the Lake in the Hills Sanitary District for a term to expire May 1, 2015;

David C. Henry, Fred W. Broling, Corey J. Brackman and Robert E. Kociecki for terms to the McHenry County Housing Commission with terms to expire April 30, 2015.

Grant for McHenry County Workforce Network

A grant of $15,231 for the Workforce Investment Act program is being provided from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to be used for vocational training.

Grant For McHenry County Mental Health Board

This federal $275,000 grant is to be used for the Mental Health Board’s 2012 Child Initiative Grant budget.

Approval of Budget for McHenry County Conservation District

The annual budget of the McHenry County Conservation District, by law, must also be approved by the County Board. This is because the Conservation District is located in a county with a population of less than 750,000 and is contiguous to a county with a population of more than 2 million. This is according to State Statute.

The total Budget and Appropriation of funds for the Conservation District is listed at $29,119,114 for the Fiscal Year April 1, 2012 and ending March 31, 2013.

Change in Virginia Road Traffic Pattern

The northbound lane of Virginia has been moved to the east to allow work to proceed in the center lanes. 

 Southbound Virginia traffic remains in its same position on the west side.  Please use caution when driving through this area and when turning onto northbound Virginia. 

Work will now be done between the two directions of traffic.

Larger College Educated Population

"For decades, American politicians have waxed passionate on the need to put college within every family's reach. ... The College Board, which tracks each type of financial assistance in a comprehensive annual report, shows total federal aid soaring by more than $100 billion in the space of a single decade -- from $64 billion in 2000 to $169 billion in 2010. ... And what have we gotten for this vast investment in college affordability?

“Colleges that are more unaffordable than ever. Year in, year out, Washington bestows tuition aid on students and their families. Year in, year out, the cost of tuition surges, galloping well ahead of inflation. And year in, year out, politicians vie to outdo each other in promising still more public subsidies that will keep higher education within reach of all.

“Federal financial aid is a major source of revenue for colleges and universities, and aid packages are generally based on the gap between what a family can afford to pay to send a student to a given college, and the tuition and fees charged by that college.

“That gives schools every incentive to keep their tuition unaffordable. Why would they reduce their sticker price to a level more families could afford, when doing so would mean kissing millions of government dollars goodbye? Directly or indirectly, government loans and grants have led to massive tuition inflation. ... The more government has done to make higher education affordable, the more unaffordable it has become. Doing more of the same won't yield a different outcome." --columnist Jeff Jacoby”

More can be found at The Patriot Post http://patriotpost.us/subscribe/

Words of Wisdom

"Men must be ready; they must pride themselves and be happy to sacrifice their private pleasures, passions and interests, nay, their private friendships and dearest connections, when they stand in competition with the rights of society." –

-John Adams, letter to Mercy Warren, 1776

A Historic Day

 George Washington, the first president of the United States, was inaugurated this day in 1789 in Federal Hall in New York City, addressing his constituency on “the proceedings of a new and free government.”