Unpopular Man vs. an Unpopular Party (Frankfort: 2015, credit, how much)

[hogsrus]

Originally Posted by Crazee Cat Lady

I think what sunk him more than anything is the way he tried to do away with Teachers Pensions (and some other
state workers). Many people think they are underpaid, considering the degrees required to teach, then he wants to take away their pension....my Gosh, let the poor teachers retire with dignity after their service to the community.
I am strong believer in public education and fully support the teachers. Then he made ridiculous statements like
a child somewhere in Kentucky was being sexually abused because the teachers were on strike. Seriously?
(If this could actually happen then we have a much bigger problem in Kentucky than teachers striking.) And he called the teachers thugs because they were protesting.


I mean, this name calling of teachers concerned that they might loose their retirement was beyond the pale.
Several times he just seem to go out of his way to act like a jerk. (I am kind of tired of this lack of manners and civility that seems trending in our Politicians of late.)



I think the budget is a real problem, but taking away pensions from teachers and hard working state employees is not the answer. And Kentucky is one of the top ten states for carrying the most tax burden per person. (Not his fault, but
still they need to work out a different /better budget).


Hogrus, do you really think he was a good Governor. Because I think he was one of the worst that I can recall.
Just curious, Why do you think he was so good?
But, if you got out to vote good on you...no matter who you voted for, it's important to go out and use our right to vote.

Shirley your not suggesting I didn't vote! I have made every election since I was 18....a democrat (at the time) by the way! And I'm well into my 60's now....with age comes wisdom.

[kygman]

Originally Posted by Mouldy Old Schmo

Republicans still control the legislature, right? Does Kentucky have a strong or weak governor?

I wish things were like they were when both parties knew they needed to work together. The governor,no matter what party he belongs to, needs to call the majority and minority leaders of each parts of the legislature to his office. "Here's what I'm wanting to get done this session. Show me what you want to get done and between us all, we'll see what we can pass to help this state."

[Crazee Cat Lady]

Originally Posted by hogsrus

Shirley your not suggesting I didn't vote! I have made every election since I was 18....a democrat (at the time) by the way! And I'm well into my 60's now....with age comes wisdom.

Oh, no I didn't mean to imply that....I am glad that you got out to vote. It's important that everyone does...no matter how they vote.

Originally Posted by kygman

I wish things were like they were when both parties knew they needed to work together. The governor,no matter what party he belongs to, needs to call the majority and minority leaders of each parts of the legislature to his office. "Here's what I'm wanting to get done this session. Show me what you want to get done and between us all, we'll see what we can pass to help this state."

For the longest time both parties were able to work together and get things done. I think it is sad and ridiculous that we have come to be this divided. We are all Americans.

[hogsrus]

So.....he pi$$ed off Some teachers.....Why?.....Why would you do that?

[Oldhag1]

Originally Posted by hogsrus

So.....he pi$$ed off Some teachers.....Why?.....Why would you do that?

The pension thing was an issue but what made him such a universal huge target was how he responded.

• Thugs
• It’s your fault children are being sexually assaulted
• Kids are wimpy for missing school in inclement weather

He, who attended private school and whose own children are homeschooled.

One of the things that really ticked me off was that he said it was none of taxpayers business where he went on taxpayer funded trips.

[hogsrus]

Originally Posted by Oldhag1

The pension thing was an issue but what made him such a universal huge target was how he responded.

• Thugs
• It’s your fault children are being sexually assaulted
• Kids are wimpy for missing school in inclement weather

He, who attended private school and whose own children are homeschooled.

One of the things that really ticked me off was that he said it was none of taxpayers business where he went on taxpayer funded trips.

The pension was the issue and, I'm sure he attempted to do something about it but, the teachers and their union wanted nothing to do with it but, on the other hand they wanted it fixed but, the teachers also wanted their usual and customary raise from every new Governor since the beginning of time. All the while turning out kids that can barely read and write. If I was the Governor I'd be pi$$ed to. I get the feeling a lot went on behind closed doors prior to the teacher sickout. He meant every word of what he said and made no attempt to deny what he said. And yah, that's what got him beat but, it certainly opened a lot of eyes based on the election results, which aren't in yet but, I don't expect any change..

And while they were sticking a knife in his back, he fully funded both teachers and state employees pension's and directed all of the Lottery money to education where it was supposed to be going since April of 1989, which was when the lottery started....by democrats by the way.

Everyone knows I just an old fool but, give me one example of any profession (other than State Government) you where can get rewarded for a failing grade? Remind me again where Kentucky stands in education compared to the rest of the Country....not the county next door...the rest of the Country.

What does the fact that he went to a private school have to do with anything....if that is in fact the truth.

https://governor.ky.gov/wp-content/u...ated-10-15.pdf

[kygman]

Hogs, this is one of those topics that could go on forever. I posted on facebook before one election that "I know how you feel and I know you feel, and we both know we're not going to change the other one's mind. But I respect your opinion and your right to say how you feel."

Like the old farmer used to say, opinions are like rear ends (I cleaned up what he really called it. lol). Everybody has one and some of them stink. lol

[hogsrus]

Originally Posted by kygman

Hogs, this is one of those topics that could go on forever. I posted on facebook before one election that "I know how you feel and I know you feel, and we both know we're not going to change the other one's mind. But I respect your opinion and your right to say how you feel."

Like the old farmer used to say, opinions are like rear ends (I cleaned up what he really called it. lol). Everybody has one and some of them stink. lol

gman, we are Brothers from a different Mother......

[censusdata]

Kentucky needs tax reform and pension solutions. Unfortunately Bevin did only some on both and spent most of his time picking personal fights with people and teachers. I'd like to think kicking hundreds of thousands of poor people off medicaid was a big issue but I really think his loss was all about how he handled the teacher pensions. K-12 education is one govt program with widespread support across party lines. I don't see a Blue Wave here but rather an anti Bevin wave. GOP won all other statewide races, it seems like about 100k GOP voters vote all R except for governor. Enough either didn't vote for Bevin or switched to Beshear to decide the race.

The 2016 Trump Wave wiped out most rural Democrat legislators in KY so Andy Beshear will be more negating GOP plans rather than pushing through progressive reforms. I see a deadlocked govt for the next 4 years. The main thing to watch is how NKY and several counties with public universities - Warren, Madison, Rowan, Kenton - swung towards Democrats. For Democrats to have any chance at reclaiming house or senate those counties have to continue trending blue. But maybe it was just anti Bevin but not anti GOP? We'll see.

On pension problem... you can not solve it only by cutting spending, at some point you have to raise revenue. Indiana has a great pension situation and here the GOP controlled govt raises taxes when needed. When there is a surplus they send the money back to local communities to improve infrastructure. IN also brings in a lot of out of state dollars through casinos.

[CraigCreek]

Bevin also closed the state capitol building to groups of more than (I think) three or four, in a deliberate effort to prevent citizens from personally addressing their representatives. He did this initially in response to the teacher protests, but continued the policy.

Beshear has said he plans to return the people's capitol to the people of Kentucky, and rightfully so.