Authors

Ever since I came into contact with government, both state and federal, and especially in the four decades since first going to work in it, I've been struck by the reality gap between what many Americans expect of it and what it's actually good at doing.

There's plenty of evidence that state budgets are strapped these days, due to shrinking tax revenues from a faltering economy, etc. It's also clear that a number of school systems are feeling the pinch.

The new school year is upon us, and it's time for a word in appreciation of teachers.