Comments on: Make the Right Choice

By: Shorebreak

Shorebreak — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:50:20 +0000

Mauri – your comments are very much appreciated. Your examples point to two specific issues that I have – welfare and federally funded public schools (grants etc).
Welfare removes the community sense of responsibility and desrie to take care of the less fortunate. I love the stories of helping each other out. It’s the salt of humanity. Our increasingly socialized process removes the dignity, compassion, and community bonds that used to exist.
As for schools, the mass influx of Federal programs and requirements that municipalities must meet in order to get their “bribe” money are a deteriment to every fine young American child who attends in hopes of becoming a success in life. Back in your day, there were no programs designed to replace education with indoctrination. Today, the socialists who implement federal education policy are concerned with generating a society of followers rather than a community of free thinking individuals.
Kinder, gentler time is an understatement. Get ready for much worse, my friend. I spent yesterday updating myself on the more recent policy recommendations of Obama’s closest advisors. Very dark days are ahead.

By: Mauri

Mauri — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 08:40:45 +0000

Abdul,Shorebreak, Mike L., and Greg. I sense by your writing, that I grew up a gemeration or two ahead of you guys. My father and grandfather ran grocerty stores in a town northeast of Indy 60 yrs or more ago. My father created the first “supermarket” in that town and I sure as hell did work in it.!!! These two men were and still are my heroes. They gained the respect of their peers by their deeds. Enough said about my past. I can remember delivering food to person who weer “on the dole” as it was called in that
day. The foods they got were mostly beans, cornbread, and fatback(pork). Dad would say, “take some apples and oranges to them too” even if the “chits”(Trustee poor relief) didn’t cover the cost. That was how society took care of its’ least “lucky” participants. The the social progressives took control and all hell broke loose. It ain’t the same nowadays. !!! Now about schools. I had the “creme de la creme” of teachers when I was going to public school. A large part of that was because my parents supported the PTA and the “neighborhood” school system. I was fortunate to have had some of the most dedicated teachers ever. Two of whom , Julia and Jesse sisters and “old Maid” school teachers taught me well. Julia taught mathmatics with a steel slide rule and Jesse aught english and the written word with a velvet touch that was magnificient They made it possible for me to succeed at Purdue later on. Well so much for a kinder gentlier time.

By: malercous

malercous — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 03:32:57 +0000

School vouchers are just another way to siphon $ to the wealthy. It is no answer to our failing public schools, which are the exception, not the rule. Most schools do just fine. BTW, Catholic school educations have been traditionally been subsidized by the local church, not exactly a free-market approach.
When we decide that everyone should have a H.S. diploma, we assume that everyone has the requisite drive and intellect to attain such letters. This just ain’t the case. In order to meet our (admirable) goal, we lower the standard so all can graduate thus diminishing the value of a H.S. degree. In my opinion, if one doesn’t have the motivation to do passing work, they ought not recieve the diploma. I am a case in point. In the 1970’s (when I was in school) all one had to do was attend and one passed. I attended, but mostly slept during class (due to an 8 hour job and a lot of extra-curricular chemistry experiments). I was shocked when I was mailed a diploma. I most certainly did not deserve it.
It wasn’t the school’s fault I didn’t learn, it was mine. (I later got a B.S. & J.D., but only when I really wanted it.) My mother has been involved in education her entire working life & she’ll tell you the same thing about the system although she also faults parents for not inculcating a respect for education in their kids.
Also note that the ex-communist countries have produced much better educated students in their primary & secondary schools. Why? Because if you didn’t measure up, you were shunted-off to a trade. No big secret about it, when expectations are low, results are too.
At the turn of the 20th century a H.S. diploma meant something. In the latter half, a college degree meant something. The equivalent now is a Masters or above.
There is no magical reason for the free-market to do something better than the government. Merit-based pay is all it takes. That’s all the free-market can offer, except the gov. doesn’t have to give a return to the stockholders and should therefore (all things being equal) be able to return the same results at a lower cost.(Note the operating expense ratio of the S.S. fund v. any free-market fund) Government programs work quite well when honest people are in office. When we elect officials who belive that “government is the problem,” they make damn sure that government is a problem. When we elect officials that make government work for us, we tend to get better results.
There is no magic in the cruel genius of the free-market, we just need to apply the same reward system in our public services.

By: Taxpayer

Taxpayer — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 02:05:32 +0000

Sorry, Abdul, but the whole voucher system is part of the problem. If tax money can be used for tuition to private schools, what incentive exists to improve the public schools? They are tax-funded, so they don’t need to “compete” — they just go ask for more money. They just did it, and we gave it to them, even though they’re closing six of the schools our taxes will be increased to “upgrade”. So we taxpayers pay for the ever-declining public schools, AND we’re paying for private schools via vouchers. And the quality public education our founders envisioned, available to ALL children, regardless of their ability to pay, slips farther into obscurity.

By: reba

reba — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 01:20:43 +0000

The thought of the Wayne Township Trustee having ANYTHING to do with the education of our children is really scary!!

By: Silent Bob

Silent Bob — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:04:43 +0000

Abdul: before I forget, talk with Jennifer about bringing back “Taking Down Words”. Her new site is Booooooooooooring!!!!!!!!!!

By: Ed

Ed — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:11:02 +0000

Hey, couldn’t Julia’s clothing vouchers only be used at a shop she owned, or was that racket dreamed up by the current trustee?

By: Flipper

Flipper — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:04:54 +0000

What is all this with poor relief? I can answer these issues with three words.
* GET A JOB *

By: Mike Lowery

Mike Lowery — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:01:03 +0000

Greg,

I meant to say I agree with all of your post also

By: Mike Lowery

Mike Lowery — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:00:00 +0000

Greg,

For the record I do not mind the U.S. having a welfare system. I much rather pay into that then into some of the other things my taxes go for i.e. overflated Defense budget.

With that said. I believe that in order to receive welfare there should be stipulations.

1. Community service participation
2. Minimum school achievement for all kids in the household. You will be surprised how many kids start to excel in school if mommies check is tied to their achievement
2a. Mandatory school participation by parents