Cuyahoga county children services

A heartbreaking story in the Plain Dealer details the horrendous abuse that a pair of foster care children survived. Having bounced around different families, they were found by the aunt of a caregiver just before they starved to death.

Department director Deborah Forkas admitted the need for "reform". What are the chances that any reform will hold government agents responsible for the abuse they inflict on these children by placing them in obviously unfit homes?

Sad stories like this is exactly what we get when we allow the government to have the power to decide where neglected children will be raised. This is because government bureaucrats are so rarely held accountable for their massive incompetence.

The story reports that Deborah Forkas has appointed an outside panel to review agency policies. I wonder how many children will die before we hear about any possible conclusions. Sounds to me like the two boys in this story finally lucked out and escaped any further abuse.

Toledo public school salaries are excessive

Police are not the only ones who are overpaid compared to the average normal person salary. Even TPS employees share in the plunder.

Of the 5,157 workers who received TPS pay last year, 686 made more than $70,000 and 20 made more than $100,000, according to a database provided by the school district.

With such extravagant expenses like this, it's no wonder the city is so severely broke. And those figures don't even include pensions, health care, and days off. Teachers defend this by saying they "work long hours". HA.

I'm sure some of them do work hard, but so does everyone else that has a job. It's nothing but an extremely poor justification for spending taxpayer money taken by force. The local school district already spends $7658 per student on a decidedly sub-par education.

Then these people have the gall to ask the taxpayers for even more. Enough is enough. The education of my children is too important to be left to the state. That is why I plan on home schooling them. Toledoans need to stand up for themselves and tell the school district to bugger off.

Toledo police refuse concessions

The Toledo Police Patrolman's Association gave the city and its taxpayers a huge middle finger this week. They voted down concessions that would have saved the city $4.08 million, a relatively minor sum in the face of a $48 milllion defecit that absolutely must be balanced.

The average salary of a Toledo cop is considerably above the citywide median income. Probably over twice the amount. Yet these selfish bastards refuse to give up anything, even though the city can't afford to pay. And even though they already make way more than the average worker. To the fire department's credit, they did accept concessions.

This is a situation no doubt repeated in cities across the country. Due to economic collapse caused by centralized economic planning, they can't afford to pay public workers for even the most basic of services. Sure, the public workers have a self interest to make as much as they can. But the inherent deficiency and corruption of public finance makes the situation untenable.

Ultimately, voluntary and private defense agencies and fire departments can and should take over these roles that are now monopolized by the state. I know that must sound like a crazy, off the wall idea to most people. It did to me at first. It makes more sense once you finally accept that is impossible for government plans to serve everyone equally and efficiently. This is just as true for fire and security services as anything else. If the government is a bad economic planner, there is no reason such important sectors of the economy should remain hamstrung.

Bath Township hates flowers

This is another prime example how small, local governments can be detrimental to personal freedom. It is pretty hard to say how these people were hurting anyone by selling flowers. Yet their simple economic action has been deemed illegal by their democratically elected overlords.

One might think that the government would try to encourage this type of entrepreneurship. Especially in this dire economic climate. It would seem that these idiotic zoning rules do doing nothing but put local people out of work.

So-called progressives love to believe in the state's ability to improve the life of ordinary people. But things like this make them look like laughable fools. How could anyone possibly think that these nursery owners now have a better life after being shut down?

Give us your money (in the name of public safety)

Toledo's government is getting desperate for money. So much that they will disable or tow anyone's car they find that has unpaid red light camera tickets. In the name of public safety, of course. It's great that violent crime is down so much in the city that officers have time to go around collecting revenue for the state. Or not.

Public safety is the reason they claimed to install these camras on traffic lights. But now they are being used as nothing more than an ATM for the cash-strapped city. God knows what would happen if the police or city government would one day just up and disappear. I think we would all be better off... even though it likely won't happen any time soon.

I have no need for city government. The police don't protect us from violent crime. Fire could be dealt with in a number of different ways. Trash pickup could be done cheaper and more efficiently without the local government monopolies running the show. So why do we allow them to exist? Lies, myth, and uneducated populace?

Kent State Shootings

Our government has officially decided to acknowledge the historical significance of the shootings which took place in 1970. They placed 17 acres on the national register of historic places.

Those kids shouldn't be blamed for protesting the gruesomely un-necessary Vietnam War. It's a shame that today's wars don't get the same opposition. Yes there was some protest back when Iraq started. But it wasn't nearly the same intensity. Our perpetually militaristic leaders have become very successful in cultivating a pro-war "support the troops" attitude among the populace.

War is still the single most important issue facing our country. The middle eastern occupation is being sold to the public as "defending America". This is just as much of a load of bullocks now as it was back then.

Democracy in Ohio: the best government money can buy

Do you think your vote matters? Do you think you have representation in this state? This Plain Dealer article seems to answer that question squarely in the "no" column. It starts right off with the following:

If you want Ohio politicians to give you the time of day, the annual fee -- as totaled by one of the wisest of Capitol Square's magi -- is now more than $130,000.

Sure, you can vote on elections across the state. But when it comes to actual decision making, you have no say on what happens. Unless you are wealthy and willing to pay good money for a lawmaker's ear. This means that it doesn't matter who you vote into office.

With so many people unemployed in this bad economy, it is painful to see money being spent this way. Yet, it is necessary, because if you are a business and you choose not to, your competitor will. And they will often be successful in getting politicians to pass laws or hand out contracts in their favor.

You can wish all you want that strong campaign finance laws will some day change things. But then the special interest money will just be spent in other ways. It is practically impossible to stop the big money from buying your favorite politician. That is just how democracy works.

The only feasible solution is to take away our leaders' power to micromanage our life. People need to learn that they are better off ignoring these politicians. Stay home on election night. Don't donate. Don't participate in the political process.

The Libertarian Party in Ohio

Is there a party that still actually believes in small government? No, it's not the Republicans. The GOP is nothing but empty rhetoric as far as that goes. From what I've heard of some tea party folks, it doesn't sound like them either. The Libertarian Party seems to be the only political party that actually meets that description.

They are running in a lot of races in my state this year and are hoping to at least make some kind of impact. If there was any political party that at least somewhat has principles, it would probably be this one. However, there is still no hope at all for trying to work within government. To be honest, I have absolutely no desire to participate in democracy. Even with libertarians in charge, it would still be an immoral system, in my opinion.

Having said that, from time to time I still might contribute a small amount of cash to a politician who upsets our wretched political establishment. For example, a couple years ago I gave $50 to Ron Paul's campaign for president. That is about the most I will ever do. It was only because the powers that be really do fear someone like him gaining more influence.

Ultimately, I consider myself to be some kind of an anarchist. I've read about anarcho-capitalism and the anti-property anti-capitalist variety. There have been some big arguments between the two, but they would both be better than what we have now. As long as people are allowed to live voluntarily, I don't see a problem with either one.

Stimulating Ohio

The Columbus Dispatch asks whether the stimulus was good for Ohio. It seems that some jobs probably were saved. But they weren't the kind of jobs that are most beneficial to the economy. The single two largest dollar amounts awarded in the state went to Medicaid and government agencies, of course. These alone make up half of the total pie.

So there were indeed lots of government jobs that were saved. In other words, the most inefficient ones in our economy. These are not the kind of jobs that would exist in a voluntary society. People who normally provide services would be required to do so at a cost that is acceptable to consumers. Otherwise, they would go out of business. New providers, who are better able to meet these needs, would then take their place.

Government is not accountable in this way. State agencies (and state protected "private" monopolies) will get money regardless of how they perform. This makes it impossible to tell if they are really meeting consumer demands. On top of that, when they are widely perceived to give bad service, this will be used as an excuse to throw even more taxpayer money down the rat-hole.

Some regime apologists would claim that government must step in where industries are a "natural monopoly". Ultimately, this is just a myth that providers take advantage of. This allows them take the most possible taxpayer money from their unwilling customers, while providing the worst service they can get away with.

Hudson foundation awards grants

Here is news of another non-profit giving out money to the community. However, I would take a close look to where it is going in this case. Their list of recipients is a cause of concern for me. This is why I always try to find out where they get their money and where it goes before I donate.

In this case, it looks like local governments are getting quite a bit of the money. I would personally never want to deal with a charity that gives or gets money to the government. The whole reason I give money to people is to help those who otherwise wouldn't be able to get it.

Most governments already get plenty in taxes as far as I'm concerned. They don't deserve to get even more of my money than what they get now. From what I can tell, most community foundations like this deal with the government both ways quite a bit. Therefore, I will avoid them like the plague.

$16 million gift goes to the Marion foundation

Here is another large charity gift in the state of Ohio on the books. Apparently it's not even just part of their fortune, but everything they had. It is notable that this gift will double the size of the Marion foundation to give out grants and scholarships.

Various leftists continue to downplay or even denigrate the value of charity in our society. But it is clear in this news and elsewhere that people continue to give, even in this down economy. This is seemingly in direct contradiction to their bleak world view, where only the government is willing to help the poor. As we can see that is far from the truth.

As I have said here before, I believe government's social programs are not charity, but theft. Only a small portion of our taxes ever reach the poor. Most of the stolen booty is lost in bureaucracy and corruption. And if it wasn't for the politicians severe mismanagement of the economy, there would be a lot less poverty to begin with.

Cuyahoga County wants to keep stealing your money

This time it's to keep what they call a human services tax. They're even launching a fancy campaign, complete with catchy tunes. Some people with rough lives who relied on this tax in the past are pleading to keep it.

No thanks. I am interested in helping people, but not through taxes. What they don't tell you is how many lives the government has ruined. I don't care if they also claim to help people. There are countless more efficient and humane ways to help people besides putting a gun to everyone's head.

It would cost homeowners $87 per hundred thousand. Yet they still want to stress it's not a tax increase. So what? It is STILL A TAX. Do you seriously think we're not intelligent enough to know that? If this line of reasoning ever convinced anyone to vote for the tax, then I would question their intelligence.

Northeast Ohio - hotbed of census resistance

That's according to the Plain Dealer, which says Cleveland has been labeled as HTC or hard to count. The article notes that many of the city's immigrant communities may be reluctant to answer the government's intrusive questions.

Some commenters on this article can't believe why some people wouldn't trust the government. One even went so far as to label this distrust as "extreme stupidity" and being "mean to the less fortunate". That is simply hilarious.

If this person knew anything about history, they would remember that time when the US government used the race questions from census forms to round up and imprison Japanese citizens during World War 2. That is hardly a ringing endorsement of compliance.

Toledo officials given raises up to 26.9%

In a big middle finger to the taxpayers of Toledo, the new mayor has decided to hand out even more big raises to his employees. This comes moments after he is seeking 10% pay cuts for union workers and a tax increase for the hapless residents. I don't know how anyone can possibly take this guy seriously after pulling this stunt.

He tried to justify it by saying it is "important that employees like Ms. Wallace are properly compesated for their work". Bullocks. How many people receive raises in this kind of economic climate when their company is in the hole almost $50 million per year?

This lady and the others ought to be ashamed of receiving this extra money that has been fleeced from the people. Increased costs and reduced city services are typical government responses when regular poor citizens supposedly need help the most. Unemployment is still rising and there is no "recovery" in sight, despite what the government's media lapdogs are reporting.

Toledo cop gets cushy desk job for hitting suspect

The same Toledo copper who murdered a mentally ill woman has now hit a theft suspect with her police cruiser. Just imagine if one of us mundanes hit a cop with their car. They would surely have been charged with a crime. Probably vehicular manslaughter or something similar.

Yet, the police felt it necessary to re-iterate that this officer was not being punished for her actions. Once again, as long as you are a cop, regular laws don't apply to you. People routinely get charged to the fullest extent possible if they even attempt to defend themselves from this exalted, blue-costumed aggression.

Acquittal for Cleveland DEA agent Lee Lucas

The drug warrior had 18 criminal charges against him come from a major scandal where he was accused of lying in court and false written reports.

The charges against Lucas stemmed from a 2005 drug investigation in Mansfield that resulted in about two dozen indictments. Nearly all the charges were later dropped after Bray tearfully admitted that he framed people by staging phone calls and purposely identifying the wrong people as drug sellers.

Prosecutors accused Lucas of lying in written reports and in court to corroborate Bray's testimony.

I guess this just goes to show that government agents can lie all they want and get away with it. Even if charges ever come against them, the gullible people who make it through jury selection will just let them go. Our justice system is a bad joke, as is the war on drugs.

The City of Toledo's parking and meter issues

As pointed out in this Blade article, Toledo's government has been enforcing parking meters like vultures. Many downtown businesses are complaining of persistent harassment by parking officials.

This is one of the reasons I got tired of living in the city. Ridiculous traffic, roads, and enforcement are very inconvenient to deal with. It's no wonder there was a huge exodus over several decades from city cores. Their big governments are filled with massive waste and corruption. That takes a measurable toll on city infrastructure and parking.

Court nixes Toledo's vicious dog rule

Someone finally told them to stop stealing and killing family pets. Yes, the government actually went onto family property, took their dog away and killed it. All because it was of a certain breed they decided was vicious.

"They were family for us. Me and my children are very hurt about it," Mary Kowalik, 30, an unemployed mother of three, ages 3, 4, and 10, said yesterday. 

She said the puppies' mother wasn't aggressive and never had attacked anybody. 

The hubris of these government officials (thugs) is simply amazing. They think they know how we should live. They aren't afraid to use their own ridiculous opinions to make laws that other people suffer under. When will democracy ever stop? Just because they are elected, all of a sudden they are able to take family's pets away and kill them. Where is the logic in that?

It is yet another perfect example of what happens under local democratic government. At least they were told to stop enforcing this rule. There are still countless other idiotic laws all over this country that ruin millions of people's lives. It's not just an isolated bad case in an otherwise good system of government.

New Toledo mayor raises salaries

Its great that his office costs less than the previous mayor. But it is still completely absurd to raise his assistant's salaries while at the same time proposing to increase the city income tax. Toledo is in a 40 million dollar deficit, and he really thinks this is a great idea?

Local politicians are so out of touch with reality, it is truly mind boggling. They are quite happy to live at the expense of the working class while providing little in return above what people would voluntarily purchase. This is the reason they have to take our money by force.

If the new mayor was really serious about balancing Toledo's budget, he would consider cutting all public worker pay to no more than 5% of the city's median income. As I have said before, there is no reason public workers should be making any more than what the average employee makes in the city.

According to the article, the mayor's office is still costing taxpayers $763,906 for 11 people. Sure, it's less than the previous mayor. But it is still nothing to be proud of, in my opinion. The median salary of a typical male in Toledo is only $35,407. For 11 people, this would be $389,477. So they are making twice as much as the average worker in the city.

The mayor's office is being paid well for providing no practical benefit to our economy. They aren't producing goods or services that people would voluntarily pay for. So why on earth are they making so much more than the average salary?

Former Obetz officer pleads guilty to sex charge

A bad cop is actually being punished for hurting someone. He could get up to 5 years in jail. This is rare. I still have some problems with this story.

• We don't even know if he will face hard time. No sentencing yet.
• Any normal person would have been charged with rape and a heap of other things. So this scumbag is still getting special treatment.
• I'm not sure what the normal bail is for rape in ohio. But $30k and 5 years in jail seems pretty light. 
• That's even if he gets any time at all. We'll see when the time comes.

I'm glad they are actually doing something. But, too many cops have gotten away with much worse behavior. So far this still looks like a slap on the wrist.