One of the catch phrases in today's society names 'rages' that we all some-times are provoked into engaging in. Road rage, phone rage, put on hold rage and many others. I have a new one to add to my list, Kentucky Legislature rage. The legislative sessions this year have been so outrageously ridiculous that I wonder why we can't pass a new law that says IQ tests must be one of the requirements necessary to be able to run for State office. Mandatory IQ tests!

The tests should measure skills necessary for making good decisions, skills for comprehension, correct reasoning skills (logical), ethical thought processes, if there is a test for honesty, empathy, compassion they should be able to measure up in all of those categories. As it is now, I don't think felons are allowed to run but no one else is ruled out.

This year the state, like most of the states and the U.S. government, happens to be broke. The major task of the law makers was to prepare a budget, acceptable to all, and pass it. That was the number one priority.

The law makers got right to work and the first bill that they passed, which incidentally ended up being about the only one, was a bill allowing Optometrists to perform laser surgery on their patients. Optometry is the profession of examining the eyes and prescribing glasses to correct the vision of the eyes. They are not required to have a medical degree.
Every legislator in the State received campaign contributions from every optometrist in the State for agreeing to vote for this bill.

Ophthalmology on the other hand, is a branch of medicine that deals with the structure,functions, and diseases of the eye. One person made the comparison with a registered nurse being allowed to perform surgery on patients would make as much sense as letting optomotrists perform laser surgery. v There was a bill presented that would require students to remain in school until the age of 18. As it is now they can quit school at the age of 16. It failed to pass in the regular session. Were the legislators listening to the arguments FOR passage of this bill? They were focused on how much money the state pays per capita for students in school and saw this as an encrease in spending! In today's job market, how many job markets will hire 16 year olds without a high school degree and no skills? Bear in mind also that back a few years ago the JCPS closed Arens Trade School and discontinued other programs that would benefit the student that is not inclined toward the academic persuit but it would teach the student skills and qualify him/her for the job market.

The student with no job skills ends up either on the streets, or prison, or on the dole. How much money comes out of the coffers to supply this student with food, housing etc. Why not keep them in school and give them a chance to be functioning citizens who will be able to get jobs and pay taxes and have self esteem. How often have you asked a little child,"What are you going to be when you grow up?" How often did he/she say, "I'm going to be selling drugs, or breaking and entering, or beating up my girl friends baby, or living in a refrigerator box under a bridge downtown.?" They don't start out wanting to do those kinds of things when they grow up but when they have no other choices that's what they'll end up doing. What does it cost to deal with them then and who pays for them? Why not spend the money now on better school programs that will teach to their needs. Schools that do offer training in job skills that are more suited to their abilities are sorely needed.

A special session had to be called because the legistators could not come to any kind of agreement concerning the budget. They wanted to hold out for cutting the money for education. (I think they are holding out for the chance to make Kentucky rank 50th in the U.S. instead of 49th in education as we are now.) They wanted to cut many other programs also. The special session cost an outlandish amount of money for them to agree on a budget and they once again had an opportunity to vote for the higher age for school drop outs but once again turned it down. The budget that passed went to the governor for his signature and for him to make line item vetos of all the things that had been the sticking points during the regular session. It cost so much money to pay for their time and their lack of accomplishment.

What a total waste of our tax money. However; it was quite lucrative for the senate and house members. They were paid by the optomotrists and then by us for a week extra in session. What fools we mortals be! Perhaps we should try to educate the electorate before the next session. Ciao.