NJ received about $1.3 billion in federal funding for its schools for 2023.

Didn't say anything about money. But . . .

In 2022, NJ spent $29.8 billion on K-12 schooling.

The most recent data I could get for Norway was 2020. They spent about 10% of their GDP on education. This amounts to about $36 billion.

If our schools and healthcare system looked like Norway's, then we wouldn't have to worry about what style of prison system to put our children into.

I like sashimi, but is it wrong that I don't want to eat the fish skin?

I'm doing just fine with them, true. Each has 4 "set points" for weekdays and 4 for weekends.

But, it would be nice if they were easier to program and I didn't have to do each floor separately. For example, my house is usually occupied throughout the day. But, if we were really all going to be out all day, turning down the heat just that day would be useful.

Perhaps in the near future I should set up one of these home energy consults with PSE&G. They could probably advise on what type of thermostat would be compatible and whether I need some wiring work done.

Also, because I don't know where else to put this . . .

I've got a Mitsubishi mini-split A/C system. Mitsubishi offers a wireless smart thermostat solution as an add-on to the base system. It is expensive, requires professional installation, and the equipment is backordered due to supply chain issues, etc. However, I came across a simpler third-party solution. They're called Flair Pucks. They're basically wall-mounted IR remote controls that integrate with a wi-fi enabled hub and/or smart thermostat.

How does installation go for these? I've got Honeywell programmable thermostats throughout the house. Do any smart thermostats plug in to the existing wiring/socket?

You're going to find a roll of duct tape, 3 boxes of Sugar Bombs, 2 shotgun shells, and a Ghoul in there.

If your hacking is high enough, you'll unlock a computer terminal with a journal entry describing the best TEC sandwich the homeowner ever had.

This is just a consequence of living within 25 miles of NYC. Try using MeetUp or any sort of job search site. Internet doesn't know it costs $25 and 1.5 hours to bop on over to that "local" shop in Brooklyn.

Its a meme. It takes time for memes to run their course. Sometimes they linger. And, some memes become endemic and never completely go away. Like Taylor Ham and the left lane is illegal.

Best thing to do is head down to Central Jersey and ride it out.