ummm, well muckamuck I -did- acknowledge Mr. Walker wanting to own the problems (ie., show leadership) Your comment was about Mr. Walker acting alone and I replied back that he -did- in fact act alone.  Apologies if you read my comments as rambling, as that is certainly not my intent to bore you or anyone else.  The checks and balances you speak of, muckamuck, involve the legislature -and- the 'guvner and, in this specific case (cutting the PFD) it was one man acting alone.  And as far as school goes, you're probably right about civics class.  And math class.  And history class.  And chemistry class.  And biology class.  See, I quit school when I was much younger and a lot more stupid than I even am now, but I never let that get in the way of living my life and working as an independent software developer.  And sometimes I even have an opinion.  Sorry it doesn't fit with yours, but there is little danger of innovation where everyone thinks alike.