***Modest Proposal for those "education" Republican Legislators

I was toying with the idea of writing something like what is quoted below, but never got around to it.  I don't know who wrote this, but they did a better job than I might have.  So-called "merit" bonuses for teachers would seem to me to likely reward the best butt-kissing teachers rather than the actual best teachers.  Also measuring a best teacher performance objectively with repeatable precision is not easy.  Until such a demonstrated and proven evaluation system is available, I don't think such bonuses warrant serious consideration.  I hope you enjoy the following...and thanks to whoever penned it.

 

Since many of your protégés in the legislature may not understand what the education legislation feels like to teachers and administrators, I thought this analogy may be helpful.
This resolution is brought before the body because as you know, not all legislators are equally effective, and because of this, it doesn’t seem fair that they would all receive the same pay for their time served each year. To alleviate the discrepancy between effectiveness and pay, it seems only natural that those who do a better job or those who could receive more pay doing something else during these 35-40 days should be justly compensated. Therefore, the following steps shall be implemented:

First, all of the legislators who represent a county that begins with the letter “M” shall be paid an additional $1000 each session. It is well known that they are worthy of this extra money, not necessarily because they are the most effective, but because they could make more money if they stayed at their regular jobs from January into March. If other legislators think this is unfair, they could move to a county that begins with “M” and run next election cycle.

Second, the executive branch shall select 20% of legislators each session who are deemed the best lawmakers. This 20% will receive a $1500 bonus or “merit pay” for their exemplary work. The criteria for selection have not been worked out. Perhaps the extra dollars would be given to those who get the most laws passed, or perhaps they would be given to the legislator who has the most constituents who write emails thanking them for the job they are doing. It is possible that those who are the favorite friends of those in the executive branch may receive this incentive pay. Those who do not receive merit pay will be happy for those who do and will try harder next session to be one of the 20%. This, no doubt, will encourage collegial relationships among members of the body.

Finally, legislators in the past have been quite sure that they could serve out their two-year term until the next election. However, a representative who is not performing up to par may be terminated at any time during the session. No one wants an ineffective person representing his county in the legislature.

Input from the present legislators is encouraged; however, the decision will be made regardless of the opinion of those who are affected. Lawmaking is very important, and we must be sure that the very best are compensated, and those who are not exemplary will be weeded out as quickly as possible.

 

*** Stay tuned and be glad this blogger (and others too) is not yet rated out of existence..or rewarded greatly for next to nothing - Doug Wiken

 

Comments

[D.E. Bishop]

OUTSTANDING!!!
Thanks Doug.