| Systems always break down. Most of those we | | | | they do. America has always taken the attitude that |
| have come to know have done so. Sometimes you | | | | teaching Johnny is such a rewarding emotional |
| can patch them up with money and limp along. | | | | experience, teachers should pay for the privilege - |
| Sometimes you have to do something completely | | | | and they do. Amazing isn't it? |
| new and different. | | | | Regardless of any government assistance - strings |
| The U.S. educational system was dysfunctional fifty | | | | attached, the responsibility for a child's education falls |
| years ago, due in no small part to the desires and | | | | squarely on parents and grandparents, most of |
| manipulations of government. In fifty years it has | | | | whom can't pay their bills except all go out to work; |
| only become worse for the same reasons. I can hear | | | | college educated or not. We can thank corporate, |
| the echoes. We need scientists, mathematicians and | | | | money loving government for this sorry state of |
| more teachers if we are going to compete in a global | | | | affairs as well. I'd wager there is not one parent in |
| economy. And what pray tell, would we need if we | | | | twenty who wants any more for their child than |
| were going to cooperate in a global economy? We | | | | economic security, which they believe is gained with |
| would need scientists, mathematicians, teachers, | | | | a college degree or two, regardless of expense or |
| artists, tradespersons and craftspersons. But who | | | | debt. Government says to parents; "we know you |
| can afford all that? No, we must decide on what is | | | | have it tough, we'll educate Johnny and maybe we'll |
| important and teach to that. Never mind the natural | | | | have a war for him to fight after graduation." Parents |
| inclinations, abilities or talents of the individual children. | | | | are greatly relieved and send Johnny off to school |
| America is not about individuals. America is about | | | | where he will learn obedience, discipline and loyalty - |
| national pride. America is about money and power | | | | the very things he needs to be a good citizen in a |
| and imposing its will. We need children to grow up | | | | competitive world. If flipping burgers does not appeal |
| and carry on this fine tradition. And almost all the | | | | to him there is a military career, even if the war |
| people say amen. | | | | comes later. No need for Johnny to be homeless if |
| When the statists weight education, public and | | | | he can pass a few tests and a physical exam. |
| private, pretending to know what we will need in | | | | More and more people are sacrificing the "good life" in |
| twenty years, while they can't budget money more | | | | hopes they can do better for their children than |
| than a year at a time; all children are left behind. This | | | | government citizen mills. I salute them. Even if these |
| in spite of any laws they pass, or what they name | | | | people fail to do better, the child stands a better |
| them. Those who are pushed into science, math and | | | | chance of success and survival just by virtue of |
| teaching graduate to find a global glut of scientists, | | | | being different and perhaps, thinking for him/her self. |
| teachers and mathematicians, who by virtue of a | | | | It is not difficult to teach a child to think, but such an |
| few years of age are employed and experienced. So | | | | adult is of far less value to the corporate state. The |
| our new scientist takes a job in the service economy | | | | current Congress is the proof of my words. No |
| and tries to repay a large five figure debt and can't | | | | original thinking, no imagination, college educations, six |
| afford to live anywhere but with mom and dad. | | | | figure incomes and what good are they? |
| Fooled you good! | | | | If it is your desire that your child becomes a soldier |
| Some of these scientists might have become great | | | | or a cog in the money loving machine s/he most |
| writers who could explain the shortcomings of | | | | certainly will not be left behind. But if you want |
| government, industry, education and parenting to the | | | | anything better for your child, you need to plan for it |
| rest of us. Better she should be flipping burgers. | | | | before s/he is born. Only you can afford to tailor an |
| Others who were not suited to the state agenda, | | | | education to the needs, interests and abilities of your |
| might have become great artists, but then who | | | | child. Only you care enough about your child to not |
| needs them and who pays them? Let them flip | | | | leave her behind but guide and direct her to a |
| burgers with an eye to management. One day they | | | | rewarding and fulfilling life. If you don't care that |
| might buy the franchise they work for and do | | | | much, just send her off to money lover school for |
| whatever they wish with all their free time. | | | | twelve years. She'll do just fine, maybe marry a |
| If an American government education was worth | | | | franchise owner or soldier. |
| much, teachers would get twice the pay and benefits | | | | |