I have said before that I am a fan of Dave Ramsey, author and radio host. I recommend his classes and books for those wanting to get a handle on managing finances, getting out of debt and building wealth. Ramsey is no-nonsense and is a proponent of debt-free living.
Ramsey adopted this philosophy after making millions in real estate and losing it all, only to find himself in bankruptcy. He changed the way he lived and handled money. Today, he is a multimillionaire and is sharing his lessons so others need not suffer.
What do you think of this idea? I would like to see anyone who is on welfare or who has filed bankruptcy be required to take his class [like they require a safety course for those who get a DWI]. If you are going to live off taxpayers’ money or can’t manage your own money and leave creditors holding the bag, then you need help, education and discipline to change. Then, when you get money again or a second chance, you are prepared to handle it. It would be a wise investment for the government and a great benefit to those attending. And when they earn money and get out of debt, they can “pay it forward” by reimbursing the government in order for someone else to attend. Teaching folks how to be responsible with money is a huge benefit for them and their families. [Maybe Ramsey should start with Congress.]
We might also think about teaching Ramsey’s program in high schools. I know there are a few programs that do this now, including Junior Achievement and the Louisiana Jumpstart Coalition. That’s “preventive medicine” to ward off financial failure. Learn it early.
Financial responsibility is a solid foundation for anyone’s future, marriage or business. And financial freedom leads to independence and opportunity. It allows people to provide for themselves and their families and then, as Ramsey teaches, gives them the ability to be a “generous giver.”
In Ramsey’s workbook is an “American Creed” by Dean Alfange, an American statesman and attorney who ran for governor of New York and was also a professor at UMass Amherst. After the recent election on Nov. 2, this creed seems to reflect the mood of the country and its attitude toward bigger government. The text follows:
I do not choose to be a common man.
It is my right to be uncommon—if I can.
I seek opportunity—not security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state look after me.
I want to take the calculated risk; to dream and to build, to fail and to succeed.
I refuse to barter incentive for dole. I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence; the thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of utopia.
I will not trade freedom for beneficence nor my dignity for a handout. I will never cower before any master nor bend to any threat.
It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid; to think and act for myself, enjoy the benefit of my creations and to face the world boldly and say, “This I have done.”
Decision time
As every new year begins, there is a sense of new hope for all the possibilities ahead. Some folks feel that for the EBR school board after the recent elections that resulted in a majority of new faces. So does that mean new leadership and a new direction—which I believe was expected by most voters who sent a clear signal—or not?
The current board president, Jerry Arbour, is working hard to hang on to power. It seems, from a recent front page story in The Advocate, that Arbour curried some favor with the old board members by approving lots of expensive travel to conventions all across the U.S.
The Advocate wrote, “The increases—from a travel budget of about $26,000 in the 2005-06 fiscal year to almost $62,000 in 2009-10—started in earnest once Jerry Arbour became board president in 2008.”
The article noted that “Arbour is the second biggest travel spender, costing taxpayers almost $30,000 for 20 trips” between 2005-06 and 2009-10.
And I was under the impression that money was tight in EBR and we had to make cuts. I guess that doesn’t apply to Arbour and the board.
A vote to elect Arbour, or any of the existing members, as president would be the wrong move and risk losing the very tentative support in the business community—as well as that among the public that still cares about schools.
The new faces on the board are David Tatman, Evelyn Ware-Jackson, Connie Bernard, Kenyetta Nelson-Smith, Craig Freeman and Barbara Reich Freiberg. Let’s hope they relay the message to the old board from the voters—we want change—and it starts at the top.
‘Advocate’ is wrong
A recent editorial in The Sunday Advocate reflects the liberal bent of the newspaper and once again displays how out-of-touch their editorial writers are with their readers.
The topic was “Got deficits?” and the editorial discussed the fact that 30 other states are also facing “significant budget challenges.”
But The Advocate continues to lay blame and criticize the Legislature and governor for “cutting taxes.” I’m sorry boys, but that is not a bad thing. In fact, they get kudos.
The editorial explained Louisiana’s budget crunch this way: “In Louisiana, it’s a perfect storm, no pun intended, of four elements: a hurricane spending bubble, strong oil prices, poor tax cut decisions and a lagging national economy.” I would bet a majority of their readers—and voters in this state—would seldom refer to any tax cut as a “poor decision.” And I will also say that, despite the pressure on higher ed and health care, those same voters will not support tax increases as a solution.
Investing in children
Children’s Charter School was one of the first charters in the parish and state more than a decade ago, spearheaded by Jim Geiser. It serves primarily at-risk students in grades K-8, though it was chartered as a K-5 and has expanded. Currently, 95% of the students receive free or reduced lunch due to poverty. In spite of that, the CCS students often outperform students at schools that serve a similar demographic.
The 2010-11 school year marks a milestone in the charter’s history. It will graduate its first eighth-grade class, with 18 students.
In addition to academic excellence, a cornerstone of Children’s Charter School is “exposure.” Due to their economic status, many of these children are not exposed to the world around them and rarely experience the things we all take for granted. In fact, most of them have probably never traveled outside of Baton Rouge. Exposure to the arts, history, music—and travel—helps expand the horizons and fuel the dreams of these graduates as they look to the future and set personal goals.
As spring graduation approaches, Principal Mark Comanducci is planning a trip to Memphis for the eighth-graders. While in Memphis the students will visit sites such as the Nation Civil Rights Museum, the University of Memphis, Mud Island, the Memphis Zoo and others. The trip to Memphis will cost approximately $700 per student. But it won’t happen without the generous support of businesses and individuals in our community.
If you or your company has had a good year, this could be an opportunity to re-invest in our community’s future by sponsoring a graduate on this trip. Business Report will join you, and we can make it happen. You can contact Comanducci at markcomanducci@gmail.com, or send a check for “8th Grade Trip” to 1143 North St., Baton Rouge, LA 70802.
