I guess TH doesn't have any moderators for their discussion forums. As a result, 90% of the comments here are completely off topic and offensive. I can't see continuing to even try to read here let alone contribute Goodbye, TH.

This is so sad, but so true. As a manager used to leading engineering teams, I took an assignment leading a UAW mfg group. After several techs really got behind our restructuring efforts and helped improve efficiency significantly I tried to reward them with a higher classification position. As soon as I opened the reqs, the union rep told me they would bring in people from outside the company who were highest seniority in the county-wide union to accept these new positions. Since I didn't have the budget for additional people I would have to let some of our existing staff go, including those I was trying to help. I actually got a budget reduction due to some canceled work which gave me a reason to cancel the reqs and keep the staff.

Obama's Education Sec. Duncan was responsible for implementing this sort of "reform" in the Chicago schools. And how has that worked out for them? Well, Chicago has a runaway youth murder rate among minority students. I'm sure they see no relation between destroying discipline and rampant violent crime. So by all means, let's implement this across the country. Parents everywhere should be storming the polls this November to remove this wrongheaded, highly destructive view of school discipline. If it proceeds for four more years the damage to many schools, and the communities they reside in, will be irrevocable.

Sadly, it might not self correct - at least in your lifetime. Many (myself included) of the more conservative Californians have left over the last decade. As taxes continue to increase, both responsible people and businesses leave at a faster rate. The remaining mix absolutely won't vote to end the government largesse. When LA begins to look more like Detroit (or Athens) and rioting results from any attempt to cut back on spending there won't be enough of a voting block left to correct itself. Get out while you can. There is great weather in parts of Texas, Florida, and other southern, right-to-work low ax places. Besides, FL really needs you. We get hundreds of thousands of NYers here that threaten to change it into ...well..NY!