Practice Good Theory

An article in the LA Times criticizes charter schools saying that parents think they're better than other tax-funded schools. Consequently, the author writes: " Charter schools are pulling in so many onetime private school students that they are placing an ever-greater burden on taxpayers, who must fund an already strained public education system ." Moronic criticism:  Believe it or not, this is supposed to be a criticism! Consider this: charter schools are simply one concrete. They're one   way in which some cities have tried to improve their tax-funded school systems. The author's argument can be applied to any improvement. Basically, the author is saying: the government has taken some action to improve schools, and more parents are thus using government-funded schools. His criticism amounts to saying: do not improve government-funded schools, because people might actually want to use them ! Improving Public schools hurts private schools:  Charter school...

Cities in trouble: Many U.S. cities are hard hit because they promised retirement-benefits they could not deliver. With property taxes down, cities are being squeezed. Camden, NJ wants to shut its entire police force and outsource to the County. Miami declared a state of "financial urgency" for the fourth year. In Stockton, CA, a police chief who lasted for 8 months is drawing a pension of over $200,000 a year ; the city recently filed for bankruptcy protection. While tax-payers were not paying attention, mayors made some exorbitant promises to public unions.We're now in a phase where it is clear that many local governments cannot keep these promises. Bankruptcy can be good: Bankruptcy is a legal way to recognize an untenable situation. It allows people to recognize some losses, and then allows both debtor and creditor to move on. Before bankruptcy, a debtor often tries in vain to meet commitments he cannot meet, instead spiraling into a worse hole. Citie...