優質教育不止靠撥款
日期︰2017 年 9 月 30 日
上文提到，近年特區政府在教育資源的投放大幅遞增，除了落實15年免費教育，特首林鄭月娥上任後不久便宣布增撥36億元經常性教育開支。香港教育資源的「量」無疑在持續增加，但教育的「質」能否相應地提升仍屬未知之數，值得深究。
自2007/08 學年起，教育局推出「學前教育學券計劃」，以學券形式向學童的家長提供學費資助。「學券計劃」每年涉及逾20 億元政府開支，但在政府增撥資源的同時，幼稚園的學費和雜費亦有上升的趨勢。以2015 年為例，教育局將學券面額上調至22,510 元後，學券制（全日制）幼稚園的學費上限亦由60,040 元調高至67,540 元。
不少中產幼稚園學童家長都向我反映，為子女選校時主要考慮三點。第一，學校的地理位置是否方便；第二，能否負擔學費；第三，幼稚園老師是否有愛心，以及能否為孩子提供一個有愛和尊重的學習環境。因此，政府一方面要增加撥款，另一方面要加強規管幼稚園學費調整、師資等方面，方能真正提升香港幼兒教育的質素。
香港的小學教育同樣令人憂慮，全港性系統評估（TSA）的存廢問題便是一例。教育局設立TSA 的原意是為政府及學校提供全港學校學習範疇水準的數據。TSA初衷雖好，可惜在實際操作上出現各種問題，除了考題愈趨艱深外，也有意見指教育局直接或間接以TSA成績向辦學團體施壓，漸漸造成操練的現象，校方、老師、家長及學童也承受壓力。
反觀美國的基礎和小學教育，較注重創意思維，小學生作業數量較少，學校亦不鼓勵老師過度操練學生。而且，美國不同州份也有不少優質學校，美國小學生的升學壓力比香港小學生輕得多。香港的小學生無法愉快地學習，政府固然難辭其咎，但不少家長過分催谷子女「贏在起跑線」，也是學生學習壓力的源頭。
我深信學校不單是傳授知識的場所，更應該是孩子鍛煉體格、建立正確價值觀的地方。長遠而言，特區政府在增加教育撥款的同時，有必要盡快檢討整個教育制度，還香港學生快樂的學習環境和童年。
|
|
|
特朗普支持TikTok的真相 / The True Story Behind Trump's Support for TikTok
文章
![]()
近年來，隨着內地資訊科技行業發展步伐加快，美國為首的西方國家開始臆想中國會利用網絡平台進行情報收集活動。由字節跳動公司創辦並營運的 TikTok 就被美國政府指控，向中國政府提供用戶的個人信息，危害美國的國家安全。
TikTok在美國深受年輕一代的歡迎。在2017 年5 月進入海外市場後，僅以1年5 個月的時間就成為美國月度下載量及安裝量最高的手機應用程式。然而，公司業務擴張的驚人速度引來了美國政府的猜忌。
2019 年末，美國海軍以TikTok 應用構成網路安全威脅為由，禁止在政府的行動裝置上使用TikTok；美國陸軍則在2020 年初加入抵制TikTok 的行列。當時，特朗普政府曾嘗試透過行政命令，全面封殺TikTok，奈何有關命令最終被法院推翻。
近日，美國眾議院通過一項法案要求字節跳動公司在6 個月內剝離旗下短片分享平台TikTok，否則將在全國範圍內禁用TikTok。總統拜登已表明，假若法案獲兩院通過，他會簽署並頒布落實。
匪夷所思的是，此前一直支持封殺 TikTok 的特朗普卻改變立場，反對禁用TikTok。據美國媒體報道，特朗普「轉軚」的原因有二。第一，他認為假若法案通過，facebook 可能會借機吞併TikTok，從中獲利。特朗普堅信 facebook 母公司Meta 的行政總裁朱克伯格在2020 年大選中協助拜登贏得選舉，因此對其懷有私怨，不希望他因此獲益。
但更重要的原因是，共和黨金主傑夫．亞斯（Jeff Yass）旗下一間公司現時擁有字節跳動15% 股份，市場估值約400 億美元。由於亞斯在本屆大選中向特朗普提供了巨額的財政援助，促使特朗普的立場出現重大轉變。
In recent years, as China's information technology industry development pace accelerates, Western countries led by the United States began conjecturing that China would use online platforms for intelligence collection activities. TikTok, created and operated by ByteDance, has been accused by the US government of providing users' personal information to the Chinese government, posing a threat to US national security.
TikTok is hugely popular among young people in the US. After entering overseas markets in May 2017, it became the mobile app with the highest monthly downloads and installations in the US in just one year and five months. However, the company's astonishing business expansion speed aroused suspicion from the US government.
In late 2019, the US Navy banned the use of TikTok on government mobile devices, citing security risks posed by the app. The US Army also joined the boycott of TikTok in early 2020. At the time, the Trump administration attempted to completely ban TikTok through executive orders, but the relevant orders were ultimately overturned by the courts.
Recently, the US House of Representatives passed a bill requiring ByteDance to divest its short video sharing platform TikTok within six months, or TikTok will be banned nationwide in the US. President Biden has indicated that he will sign and enforce it if the bill passes both chambers.
Strangely, Trump, who had long supported banning TikTok, changed his stance to oppose banning it. According to US media reports, Trump "changed course" for two reasons. First, he believes if the bill passes, Facebook may take advantage to acquire TikTok and profit from it. Trump firmly believes Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg assisted Biden in winning the 2020 election, so he harbors personal resentment and does not want him to benefit from this.
But the more important reason is that a company owned by Republican megadonor Jeff Yass currently holds 15% of ByteDance shares worth an estimated $40 billion in market value. Given Yass' huge financial support for Trump in this election, it prompted a major shift in Trump's position.
|
|
|
特朗普急需課金？/ Is Trump in urgent need of fundraising?
文章
![]()
競選資金在選舉中的作用向來舉足輕重，在美國總統大選更甚。美國總統大選的總開支近年一路飈升，由1996 年約66 億美元升至2020 年約140 億美元。而候選人的籌款能力愈強，贏面就愈高。
2020 年上屆大選，拜登破紀錄籌得超過10 億美元，而特朗普則籌得約7.7 億美元。由於特朗普在選舉衝刺階段時出現資金短缺，不得不減少在多個關鍵州份的廣告投放量，導致特朗普在上屆大選中丟掉了3 個關鍵州份，間接令他輸掉選舉。
來到今屆選舉，由於特朗普有多宗官非纏身，需要動用競選資金支付相關法律費用，導致競選團隊一度出現財政危機。早前，特朗普在紐約州的一宗民事訴訟中敗訴並被判罰款。雖然他有意提出上訴，但須先繳付高達1.75 億美元的保證金方可繼續進行訴訟。外界一度關注他有沒有足夠資金去支付天價保證金，更有傳他可能會因為無法支付保證金而被法庭拍賣旗下的名貴物業。
近日，特朗普得到一名金主慷慨解囊，在限期前支付保證金，得以繼續上訴。根據美國當地傳媒報道，該名金主是靠銷售次級汽車貸款服務（Subprime auto loan）起家的加州富豪漢基（Don Hankey）。漢基是特朗普及共和黨的忠實支持者，過往一直有向共和黨捐款。單是2016 年8 月，他就分別捐款予共和黨全國委員會（Republican National Committee） 及懷俄明州共和黨競選委員會（Republican Party of Wyoming PAC）。
雖然今次特朗普覓得金主贊助，但在籌集競選資金方面仍然落後拜登。民主黨現時已籌得超過1 億9000 萬美元，仍然領先特朗普團隊。因此，我認為特朗普團隊現時最迫切的任務是盡快確保競選資金來源，避免因「缺水」而失票。
Campaign funding has always played an important role in elections, even more so in the US presidential election. The total spending on US presidential elections has been soaring in recent years, from about $6.6 billion in 1996 to about $14 billion in 2020. And the stronger a candidate's fundraising ability, the higher the chances of winning.
In the last election in 2020, Biden broke records by raising over $1 billion, while Trump raised about $770 million. Due to a cash crunch during the final stage of the election, Trump had to reduce advertising spending in multiple key states, leading to his loss of three key states and indirectly losing the election.
In this year's election, Trump has been embroiled in multiple scandals and needs to use campaign funds to pay legal fees, resulting in a temporary financial crisis for his campaign team. Previously, Trump lost a civil lawsuit in New York and was ordered to pay fines. Although he intends to appeal, he needs to post a hefty bond of $175 million first before the lawsuit can continue. There were concerns about whether he had enough money to pay the exorbitant bond, and rumors that he may have his valuable properties auctioned off by the court if unable to pay.
Recently, Trump found a generous benefactor who paid the bond before the deadline, allowing him to continue appealing. According to local media reports, the benefactor is Don Hankey, a billionaire from California who made his fortune through subprime auto loans. Hankey is a loyal supporter of Trump and the Republican Party, having donated to them in the past. Just in August 2016, he separately donated to the Republican National Committee and the Republican Party of Wyoming PAC.
While Trump has found a sponsor this time, he is still lagging behind Biden in fundraising. The Democrats have already raised over $189 million, still leading Trump's team. Therefore, I believe the most urgent task for Trump's team now is to ensure sources of campaign funds as soon as possible to avoid losing votes due to "running out of water."
|
|
|
小羅拔甘迺迪的勝算如何？/ What are Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s chances?
文章
![]()
由於特朗普及拜登二人作為總統的表現未能讓選民滿意，呼籲票投第三方的呼聲在本屆總統選舉中尤為高漲。雖然多數獨立候選人在民調上的支持度都及不上特、拜二人，但外界普遍認為來自甘迺迪家族的小羅拔甘迺迪（Robert Kennedy Jr.）可能對選舉的最終結果產生重要影響。
甘迺迪家族在美國政壇名聲顯赫，多個家族成員都曾出任政府要職。小羅拔甘迺迪是已故總統甘迺迪的侄子，父親則是前司法部部長及前參議員，本應是競選總統的熱門人選。但民主黨希望將選票導向拜登，以抗衡特朗普，因此未有給予甘迺迪「祝福」。
但我認為，縱使甘迺迪出選挑戰拜登，亦未必會嚴重分割民主黨內的票源。皆因甘迺迪本人的政治主張十分激進，極左及極右的議題都有涉足，與民主黨中間偏左的立場相距甚遠，相信無法取得大部分民主黨人的支持。但甘迺迪的新競選搭檔或能協助爭取更多提名，提高他「入閘」的機會。
據美國政經網站Politico報道，甘迺迪早前宣布科技律師及企業家妮可沙娜罕（Nicole Shanahan）為他的競選搭檔。他稱讚對方為傑出的律師、科學家、技術專家及堅強的母親。
沙娜罕是中美混血兒及移民後代，亦是Google其中一名創辦人Sergey Brin的前妻。兩人於2022年離婚時，沙娜罕按照結婚時簽署的婚前協議，分得約10億美元財產。沙娜罕與甘迺迪同為律師，在環保政策及反疫苗陰謀論的立場相近，她亦主張利用創新科技去打擊政府機構的腐敗行為。
不難看出，甘迺迪和沙娜罕所代表的是民主黨內以「矽谷精英」為主的精英階層利益。雖然沙娜罕的雄厚財力或能協助甘迺迪取得更多提名，但相信無助他當選總統。不過，他們的部分激進主張或可吸引共和、民主兩黨的邊緣化選民支持，分割特、拜二人的票源。
What are Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s chances?
As the performances of both Trump and Biden as president have failed to satisfy voters, there are increasingly loud calls this election for voting third-party. While most independent candidates still lag Trump and Biden in polls, most observers believe Robert F. Kennedy Jr., from the famed Kennedy family, could significantly impact the final election result.
The Kennedy family has a prominent reputation in American politics, with many family members having held high government positions. RFK Jr. is the nephew of former president John F. Kennedy, and his father was a former Attorney General and senator, making him a natural candidate for president. However, the Democratic Party hoped to direct votes toward Biden to counter Trump, so did not give RFK Jr. their "blessing."
However, I believe even if RFK Jr. challenged Biden, it would unlikely severely split the Democratic vote base. This is because RFK Jr.'s own political stances are quite radical, touching on both far-left and far-right issues, far from the Democratic Party's center-left position, and he likely cannot gain support from most Democrats. But RFK Jr.'s new running mate could help attract more nominations and increase his chances of "making the cut."
According to a report by the American political and economic website Politico, RFK Jr. recently announced technology lawyer and entrepreneur Nicole Shanahan as his running mate. He praised her as an outstanding lawyer, scientist, tech expert and strong mother.
Shanahan is of Chinese-American descent and an immigrant offspring. She is also the former wife of Google co-founder Sergey Brin. When they divorced in 2022, Shanahan got around $1 billion in assets according to their prenuptial agreement. Shanahan and RFK Jr. share a similar stance as lawyers on environmental policy and anti-vaccine conspiracy theories. She also advocates using innovative technology to combat corruption in government agencies.
It's not difficult to see that RFK Jr. and Shanahan represent the interests of the elite class in the Democratic Party comprising mainly of "Silicon Valley elites." While Shanahan's formidable wealth could help RFK Jr. get more nominations, it's unlikely to help him win the presidency. However, some of their radical stances may attract support from marginalized voters of both Republican and Democratic parties, splitting votes from Trump and Biden.
|
|
近年來，隨着內地資訊科技行業發展步伐加快，美國為首的西方國家開始臆想中國會利用網絡平台進行情報收集活動。由字節跳動公司創辦並營運的 TikTok 就被美國政府指控，向中國政府提供用戶的個人信息，危害美國的國家安全。
TikTok在美國深受年輕一代的歡迎。在2017 年5 月進入海外市場後，僅以1年5 個月的時間就成為美國月度下載量及安裝量最高的手機應用程式。然而，公司業務擴張的驚人速度引來了美國政府的猜忌。
2019 年末，美國海軍以TikTok 應用構成網路安全威脅為由，禁止在政府的行動裝置上使用TikTok；美國陸軍則在2020 年初加入抵制TikTok 的行列。當時，特朗普政府曾嘗試透過行政命令，全面封殺TikTok，奈何有關命令最終被法院推翻。
近日，美國眾議院通過一項法案要求字節跳動公司在6 個月內剝離旗下短片分享平台TikTok，否則將在全國範圍內禁用TikTok。總統拜登已表明，假若法案獲兩院通過，他會簽署並頒布落實。
匪夷所思的是，此前一直支持封殺 TikTok 的特朗普卻改變立場，反對禁用TikTok。據美國媒體報道，特朗普「轉軚」的原因有二。第一，他認為假若法案通過，facebook 可能會借機吞併TikTok，從中獲利。特朗普堅信 facebook 母公司Meta 的行政總裁朱克伯格在2020 年大選中協助拜登贏得選舉，因此對其懷有私怨，不希望他因此獲益。
但更重要的原因是，共和黨金主傑夫．亞斯（Jeff Yass）旗下一間公司現時擁有字節跳動15% 股份，市場估值約400 億美元。由於亞斯在本屆大選中向特朗普提供了巨額的財政援助，促使特朗普的立場出現重大轉變。
In recent years, as China's information technology industry development pace accelerates, Western countries led by the United States began conjecturing that China would use online platforms for intelligence collection activities. TikTok, created and operated by ByteDance, has been accused by the US government of providing users' personal information to the Chinese government, posing a threat to US national security.
TikTok is hugely popular among young people in the US. After entering overseas markets in May 2017, it became the mobile app with the highest monthly downloads and installations in the US in just one year and five months. However, the company's astonishing business expansion speed aroused suspicion from the US government.
In late 2019, the US Navy banned the use of TikTok on government mobile devices, citing security risks posed by the app. The US Army also joined the boycott of TikTok in early 2020. At the time, the Trump administration attempted to completely ban TikTok through executive orders, but the relevant orders were ultimately overturned by the courts.
Recently, the US House of Representatives passed a bill requiring ByteDance to divest its short video sharing platform TikTok within six months, or TikTok will be banned nationwide in the US. President Biden has indicated that he will sign and enforce it if the bill passes both chambers.
Strangely, Trump, who had long supported banning TikTok, changed his stance to oppose banning it. According to US media reports, Trump "changed course" for two reasons. First, he believes if the bill passes, Facebook may take advantage to acquire TikTok and profit from it. Trump firmly believes Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg assisted Biden in winning the 2020 election, so he harbors personal resentment and does not want him to benefit from this.
But the more important reason is that a company owned by Republican megadonor Jeff Yass currently holds 15% of ByteDance shares worth an estimated $40 billion in market value. Given Yass' huge financial support for Trump in this election, it prompted a major shift in Trump's position.
競選資金在選舉中的作用向來舉足輕重，在美國總統大選更甚。美國總統大選的總開支近年一路飈升，由1996 年約66 億美元升至2020 年約140 億美元。而候選人的籌款能力愈強，贏面就愈高。
2020 年上屆大選，拜登破紀錄籌得超過10 億美元，而特朗普則籌得約7.7 億美元。由於特朗普在選舉衝刺階段時出現資金短缺，不得不減少在多個關鍵州份的廣告投放量，導致特朗普在上屆大選中丟掉了3 個關鍵州份，間接令他輸掉選舉。
來到今屆選舉，由於特朗普有多宗官非纏身，需要動用競選資金支付相關法律費用，導致競選團隊一度出現財政危機。早前，特朗普在紐約州的一宗民事訴訟中敗訴並被判罰款。雖然他有意提出上訴，但須先繳付高達1.75 億美元的保證金方可繼續進行訴訟。外界一度關注他有沒有足夠資金去支付天價保證金，更有傳他可能會因為無法支付保證金而被法庭拍賣旗下的名貴物業。
近日，特朗普得到一名金主慷慨解囊，在限期前支付保證金，得以繼續上訴。根據美國當地傳媒報道，該名金主是靠銷售次級汽車貸款服務（Subprime auto loan）起家的加州富豪漢基（Don Hankey）。漢基是特朗普及共和黨的忠實支持者，過往一直有向共和黨捐款。單是2016 年8 月，他就分別捐款予共和黨全國委員會（Republican National Committee） 及懷俄明州共和黨競選委員會（Republican Party of Wyoming PAC）。
雖然今次特朗普覓得金主贊助，但在籌集競選資金方面仍然落後拜登。民主黨現時已籌得超過1 億9000 萬美元，仍然領先特朗普團隊。因此，我認為特朗普團隊現時最迫切的任務是盡快確保競選資金來源，避免因「缺水」而失票。
Campaign funding has always played an important role in elections, even more so in the US presidential election. The total spending on US presidential elections has been soaring in recent years, from about $6.6 billion in 1996 to about $14 billion in 2020. And the stronger a candidate's fundraising ability, the higher the chances of winning.
In the last election in 2020, Biden broke records by raising over $1 billion, while Trump raised about $770 million. Due to a cash crunch during the final stage of the election, Trump had to reduce advertising spending in multiple key states, leading to his loss of three key states and indirectly losing the election.
In this year's election, Trump has been embroiled in multiple scandals and needs to use campaign funds to pay legal fees, resulting in a temporary financial crisis for his campaign team. Previously, Trump lost a civil lawsuit in New York and was ordered to pay fines. Although he intends to appeal, he needs to post a hefty bond of $175 million first before the lawsuit can continue. There were concerns about whether he had enough money to pay the exorbitant bond, and rumors that he may have his valuable properties auctioned off by the court if unable to pay.
Recently, Trump found a generous benefactor who paid the bond before the deadline, allowing him to continue appealing. According to local media reports, the benefactor is Don Hankey, a billionaire from California who made his fortune through subprime auto loans. Hankey is a loyal supporter of Trump and the Republican Party, having donated to them in the past. Just in August 2016, he separately donated to the Republican National Committee and the Republican Party of Wyoming PAC.
While Trump has found a sponsor this time, he is still lagging behind Biden in fundraising. The Democrats have already raised over $189 million, still leading Trump's team. Therefore, I believe the most urgent task for Trump's team now is to ensure sources of campaign funds as soon as possible to avoid losing votes due to "running out of water."
由於特朗普及拜登二人作為總統的表現未能讓選民滿意，呼籲票投第三方的呼聲在本屆總統選舉中尤為高漲。雖然多數獨立候選人在民調上的支持度都及不上特、拜二人，但外界普遍認為來自甘迺迪家族的小羅拔甘迺迪（Robert Kennedy Jr.）可能對選舉的最終結果產生重要影響。
甘迺迪家族在美國政壇名聲顯赫，多個家族成員都曾出任政府要職。小羅拔甘迺迪是已故總統甘迺迪的侄子，父親則是前司法部部長及前參議員，本應是競選總統的熱門人選。但民主黨希望將選票導向拜登，以抗衡特朗普，因此未有給予甘迺迪「祝福」。
但我認為，縱使甘迺迪出選挑戰拜登，亦未必會嚴重分割民主黨內的票源。皆因甘迺迪本人的政治主張十分激進，極左及極右的議題都有涉足，與民主黨中間偏左的立場相距甚遠，相信無法取得大部分民主黨人的支持。但甘迺迪的新競選搭檔或能協助爭取更多提名，提高他「入閘」的機會。
據美國政經網站Politico報道，甘迺迪早前宣布科技律師及企業家妮可沙娜罕（Nicole Shanahan）為他的競選搭檔。他稱讚對方為傑出的律師、科學家、技術專家及堅強的母親。
沙娜罕是中美混血兒及移民後代，亦是Google其中一名創辦人Sergey Brin的前妻。兩人於2022年離婚時，沙娜罕按照結婚時簽署的婚前協議，分得約10億美元財產。沙娜罕與甘迺迪同為律師，在環保政策及反疫苗陰謀論的立場相近，她亦主張利用創新科技去打擊政府機構的腐敗行為。
不難看出，甘迺迪和沙娜罕所代表的是民主黨內以「矽谷精英」為主的精英階層利益。雖然沙娜罕的雄厚財力或能協助甘迺迪取得更多提名，但相信無助他當選總統。不過，他們的部分激進主張或可吸引共和、民主兩黨的邊緣化選民支持，分割特、拜二人的票源。
What are Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s chances?
As the performances of both Trump and Biden as president have failed to satisfy voters, there are increasingly loud calls this election for voting third-party. While most independent candidates still lag Trump and Biden in polls, most observers believe Robert F. Kennedy Jr., from the famed Kennedy family, could significantly impact the final election result.
The Kennedy family has a prominent reputation in American politics, with many family members having held high government positions. RFK Jr. is the nephew of former president John F. Kennedy, and his father was a former Attorney General and senator, making him a natural candidate for president. However, the Democratic Party hoped to direct votes toward Biden to counter Trump, so did not give RFK Jr. their "blessing."
However, I believe even if RFK Jr. challenged Biden, it would unlikely severely split the Democratic vote base. This is because RFK Jr.'s own political stances are quite radical, touching on both far-left and far-right issues, far from the Democratic Party's center-left position, and he likely cannot gain support from most Democrats. But RFK Jr.'s new running mate could help attract more nominations and increase his chances of "making the cut."
According to a report by the American political and economic website Politico, RFK Jr. recently announced technology lawyer and entrepreneur Nicole Shanahan as his running mate. He praised her as an outstanding lawyer, scientist, tech expert and strong mother.
Shanahan is of Chinese-American descent and an immigrant offspring. She is also the former wife of Google co-founder Sergey Brin. When they divorced in 2022, Shanahan got around $1 billion in assets according to their prenuptial agreement. Shanahan and RFK Jr. share a similar stance as lawyers on environmental policy and anti-vaccine conspiracy theories. She also advocates using innovative technology to combat corruption in government agencies.
It's not difficult to see that RFK Jr. and Shanahan represent the interests of the elite class in the Democratic Party comprising mainly of "Silicon Valley elites." While Shanahan's formidable wealth could help RFK Jr. get more nominations, it's unlikely to help him win the presidency. However, some of their radical stances may attract support from marginalized voters of both Republican and Democratic parties, splitting votes from Trump and Biden.