Do We Need a New War?

[stebo0728]

Guilty....the title is a bit misleading, but I wanted to touch on something that I've been pondering. What periods of our history brought us the most advancement? By far it was times of war. I don't mean these obviously one sided engagements we've been running in the waterless beaches. I'm talking about bonified, SH*T JUST GOT REAL kinda war. WWII arguably helped end the Great Depression, it threw the industrial revolution decades forward in a couple years time. It paved the way for widespread innovation and growth, and it sold America on the idea of women in the work force.

Now, and I advocating for more war? Certainly not. But we need to embrace whatever traits lay dormant in our society during times of peace, and drag them out in full force. One things that bothers me greatly, is that we fool ourselves, at an early age, into believing that anyone can become anything they want. This just simply isn't true. Modern science has proven that peoples mental capacity varies widely, both between and among regional groups. A guy destined for garbage collector can aspire all day long to be a particle physicist, but its just not going to happen.

We waste time, money, and mental stress on pushing anyone and everyone through higher education. We've placed a social superiority on people of higher education, and thats wrong. Someone who isn't cut out for it should not feel belittled or inferior because of it. They should feel free and accomplished to be all that they CAN be. Its not "Be all the we WANT YOU to be", its "Be all that you CAN be". Thats important. People should be able to be content in fulfilling the roles that they are well suited for, and not feel inferior for it.

We have also created an attitude of indifference toward undesirable work. We keep expanding our welfare system, enlarging the "safety net", moving it closer to the high wire even. People aren't afraid or ashamed to be on the system. That is a sudden change, relatively. I can remember just in my own childhood, how shameful it was to be on food stamps. We've removed the shame of living with other people's money. Rather than stay out of the system at all costs, we have people, a dangerously increasing amount of people, who are content just to game the system rather than perform a job that they may find undesirable.

Our unemployement levels are soaring, but what I dont understand, is that its soaring when jobs are available. There are numerous industries that are begging for workers, can find enough workers. Why is that? And these aren't just jobs that require higher education either. Part of the problem is that unemployement payments are often higher than the wages one would receive from one of these jobs, therefore, rather than be responsible for themselves, and take a job, even temporarily, that they may not want to take, they continue to live on the taxpayer's dime.

We need to figure out a way to get this employment sponge to soak up as many of these unemployed as possible. I think this means reform to our "safety net". I dont mean ending it, I mean reforming it, improving it, not in the interest of the needy, but in the interest of the taxpayer. We HAVE to be willing to make some hard decisions. We have to start weening people out of the system, so that enough resources can remain for those truly in need. There is no reason why someone should stay on the public dime just because a prospective job pays less that the public dime. Perhaps 2 jobs are necessary, maybe even 3. Rather than loosening work restrictions, they should be tightened. That doesn't mean NO JOB = NO HELP, it means SIT ON UR DUFF = NO HELP. We need to be reassured as taxpayers, that the investment our taxes are making in someone will eventually have a ROI.

[ImStricken06]

very very well said. i would give you a hug right now if i could lol refreshing to see such a mind on here

but i must tell you - the "safety net" is nothing more than straight up socialism. i came from russia, my whole family went through that garbage - and they can tell you that during socialism this is exactly what happens. the liberals start changing names to make "safety nets" less ugly, and more appealing = and before you know it, no one is ashamed to be on it. the liberals/socialists/democrats dont want to reduce "safety nets". they make bogus claims that it would effect minorities more blaa blaa blaa - but then claim more whites are on welfare... nancy pelosi herself claims that food stamps are a great thing.

they dont want you to be productive. they want you to look to the government for help, food, medical, education, etc. thats why they love big government. thats why they take "food stamps" and rename it "family first plus" and then "snaps" - and now are spending millions to advertise "snaps" aka foods tamps as something great, free, and something to live healthier on.

our society has developed a serious side-effect of socialism = entitlement. everyone thinks they are owed free this, and free that, and easy this, and easy that. very few college graduates now a days are ready and mentally prepared for the real world. colleges are filled with mostly liberals that teach kids the competently wrong way to live. "hate the rich, pity the poor, and demand what you dont have from the government". they tattooed the term "equality" into these kids brains and these numb-skulls are now walking around thinking that "equality" for everyone regarding pay/job/education/home ownership/acceptance is really an attainable thing. they have no idea. they think the lies and BS professors taught them about socialist countries is actually true. they think this liberal utopia exists, and that the grass is greener on the other side. WELL ITS NOT.

[bigbadberry3]

.....

No more wars.

We already dump enough money into the DoD.

You make good points but if you want to get America churning out inventions and getting off our butts, you need a culture and education reform.

Look what pays the bills in the US. Major sports athletes and jokes like the Kardashians.

Look at how easy it is to get through high school and even some colleges.

Now those are "issues" in the US but don't forget how other countires are no longer living in the stone age either...

PS: I think this is unemployment rate is realistic for a country this large.

[stebo0728]

No more wars.

We already dump enough money into the DoD.

You make good points but if you want to get America churning out inventions and getting off our butts, you need a culture and education reform.

Look what pays the bills in the US. Major sports athletes and jokes like the Kardashians.

Look at how easy it is to get through high school and even some colleges.

Now those are "issues" in the US but don't forget how other countires are no longer living in the stone age either...

PS: I think this is unemployment rate is realistic for a country this large.

LOL yes, no more wars. I wasn't trying to imply more wars, just being coy with the title.

Yes culture and education reform, most definitely. Though we may differ in our opinions of what that should look like. My idea of education reform involves less quantity educating, and more quality educating. Government funding wise, we identify and invest in good investments, those able to accept and use the education presented to them. Like it or not, that does not describe EVERY American citizen. We need to be sure we break down all obstacles to those who CAN succeed, while NOT setting up those who CANT succeed up for failure.

You are very right in that the "third world" is shrinking every year. Thats a good thing. Thats more competition in the global marketplace, which can only have a positive effect. We certainly have to maintain our sovereignty and dignity as a nation, but we also need to realize exactly what you say. We live in a global market now. Its not "unpatriotic" to buy foreign goods if they have a competitive advantage. Instead we should strive to overcome that competitive advantage, and turn the tables back into our favor. We need to be sure that we tax the sh*t out of imports, so that foreign goods are more costly in our domestic market, while loosing or ending taxation on exports, so that our goods are less costly on the global market. The "buy American or be damned" mentality of yesterday has got to end. In the marketplace, a good offense is the best defense.

I dont think any unemployment rate is acceptable when there are unfilled jobs. Yes you have to consider per capita unemployement rates when comparing with other nations, and America is much more densely populated than even the 70's, when we had comparable unemployement levels. Still, I dont believe we are at an acceptable level. And furthermore, IS there an acceptable level? Im not convinced there is. There will always be people out of work, I dont mean absolute zero here, but should not we strive to have everyone working that needs income? Sure you have retired, or well vested individuals who dont need an income (they should not be counted as unemployed or underemployed by the way). Realistically you WILL have a certain degree of unemployement, but is there a point where you stop trying, where you say "ok we're stable"?

[stebo0728]

very very well said. i would give you a hug right now if i could lol refreshing to see such a mind on here

but i must tell you - the "safety net" is nothing more than straight up socialism. i came from russia, my whole family went through that garbage - and they can tell you that during socialism this is exactly what happens. the liberals start changing names to make "safety nets" less ugly, and more appealing = and before you know it, no one is ashamed to be on it. the liberals/socialists/democrats dont want to reduce "safety nets". they make bogus claims that it would effect minorities more blaa blaa blaa - but then claim more whites are on welfare... nancy pelosi herself claims that food stamps are a great thing.

they dont want you to be productive. they want you to look to the government for help, food, medical, education, etc. thats why they love big government. thats why they take "food stamps" and rename it "family first plus" and then "snaps" - and now are spending millions to advertise "snaps" aka foods tamps as something great, free, and something to live healthier on.

our society has developed a serious side-effect of socialism = entitlement. everyone thinks they are owed free this, and free that, and easy this, and easy that. very few college graduates now a days are ready and mentally prepared for the real world. colleges are filled with mostly liberals that teach kids the competently wrong way to live. "hate the rich, pity the poor, and demand what you dont have from the government". they tattooed the term "equality" into these kids brains and these numb-skulls are now walking around thinking that "equality" for everyone regarding pay/job/education/home ownership/acceptance is really an attainable thing. they have no idea. they think the lies and BS professors taught them about socialist countries is actually true. they think this liberal utopia exists, and that the grass is greener on the other side. WELL ITS NOT.

One thing you have to realize about our current public education system: IT IS NOT FAILING TO DO THE JOB IT WAS DESIGNED TO DO.

Rather, the job we NEED it to do has evolved to a point that the original design DOES NOT WORK.

I implore you to read some history on the origination of our public education system. The industrial revolution was just kicking off. Industry was expanding, we had OVEREMPLOYMENT because we were creeping out of the agrarian age of our past, no one had mechanical experience, basic math or reading ability. We needed a system that could crank out factory laborers. Not too well educated as to dispose the "ruling class" of the day, the industrial financiers and government officials. The public education system was designed and deployed with surgical efficiency at the job that was required of it.

That is NOT the system we need today.

[s0m3th1ngAZ]

Iran will likely close the straight of Homuz because: they're f*** Iran. China AND Russia BOTH support them. China has anti-aircraft carrier Sub Orbital Missiles ( our only conventional advantage). Instant WW3...happy? Another war will destroy us and likely the rest of the world. We are already at our breaking point as far as defense expenditures go. For the past 5 or so years we have been siphoning off military personnel as fast as we could with DRB and Perform to Serve. I don't see a conflict between those three powers ending well.
We need to stop regulating the f*** out of everything and get back to that sweet, sweet Innovation that Americans were KNOWN for in the 1960's.

[bigbadberry3]

One thing you have to realize about our current public education system: IT IS NOT FAILING TO DO THE JOB IT WAS DESIGNED TO DO.

Rather, the job we NEED it to do has evolved to a point that the original design DOES NOT WORK.

I implore you to read some history on the origination of our public education system. The industrial revolution was just kicking off. Industry was expanding, we had OVEREMPLOYMENT because we were creeping out of the agrarian age of our past, no one had mechanical experience, basic math or reading ability. We needed a system that could crank out factory laborers. Not too well educated as to dispose the "ruling class" of the day, the industrial financiers and government officials. The public education system was designed and deployed with surgical efficiency at the job that was required of it.

That is NOT the system we need today.

So, what recommendations do you propose? Let's not get all light and fluffy on these either.

One of my first would be to change the school calendar. Instead of having 3 consecutive months off, the summer break needs to be worked into the actual year.

[IBCoupe]

So, I'm going to sign on to Stebo's first paragraph, and only his first paragraph. I'm reminded of Paul Krugman's fake alien invasion to stimulate the economy.

[stebo0728]

One of my first would be to change the school calendar. Instead of having 3 consecutive months off, the summer break needs to be worked into the actual year.

Actually, alot of places are already doing this, for the past 3 years my kids school district has a 2 month summer, fall week off, 2 week holiday, winter week off, spring week off, plus holidays mixed in too, its presents a bit more balanced calendar.

So, what recommendations do you propose? Let's not get all light and fluffy on these either.

Ok so here are a few suggestions of mine:
-End DoE
-End Teachers Unions, or at the very least, make some drastic changes, I'm digging what LA Governor Jindal is doing:

• -voucher system
  -teacher must qualify in top 10% rated by student performance 5 of out 6 years to acquire tenure
  -any teacher dropping out of top 20% loses tenure
  -any teacher in bottom 10% is INELIGIBLE for a pay raise

-Im a big supporter of a voucher, or "money follows student" system
-voucher, or per student payout, for special needs students will be higher, incentivizing private organizations to accomodate these students
-other competition based actions, both on instructor and institution level
-allow teachers to practice with either of these education options:

• -complete education masters degree
  -Bachelors degree (or equivalent real world experience) for field of desired instruction PLUS whatever minimal classes/certificates necessary to assure proper student interaction skills

-school uniforms, would remove a great deal of social pressure in the education environment, allowing for better quality learning
-allow third party contracts for various school related services, such as private caterers for lunch preparation, private plumbers/HVAC/gen contractors, for maintenance purposes
-ramp up student counseling, spotting kids who have what it takes for higher education, or spotting kids that would fare better in technical school/apprenticeship programs
-Any state that funds college via a lottery system, or any other system really, form agreement with school that payment of first year will be made after completion of first year, either by state system if student passes, or by student if failing, continued passing required for continued program enrollment. If school needs tuition up front, first year tuition is in form of student loan (not bankruptable) either to be due upon failure, or forgiven upon passing.
-require as part of high school credit system, at least one semester on personal economics, in-depth teaching of personal finance management, how to setup/manage bank accounts, how the credit system works, what to-do/not-to-do to protect credit, I never learned that from my folks, they were bad at it themselves, and I wish I had been able to learn it in school. Part of class can be ACTUALLY setting up checking/savings accounts, to get some real-world experience

Thats just a start, but its getting late, may share more later if I can rustle it up

[bigbadberry3]

One of my first would be to change the school calendar. Instead of having 3 consecutive months off, the summer break needs to be worked into the actual year.

Actually, alot of places are already doing this, for the past 3 years my kids school district has a 2 month summer, fall week off, 2 week holiday, winter week off, spring week off, plus holidays mixed in too, its presents a bit more balanced calendar.

So, what recommendations do you propose? Let's not get all light and fluffy on these either.

Ok so here are a few suggestions of mine:
-End DoE
-End Teachers Unions, or at the very least, make some drastic changes, I'm digging what LA Governor Jindal is doing:

• -voucher system
  -teacher must qualify in top 10% rated by student performance 5 of out 6 years to acquire tenure
  -any teacher dropping out of top 20% loses tenure
  -any teacher in bottom 10% is INELIGIBLE for a pay raise

-Im a big supporter of a voucher, or "money follows student" system
-voucher, or per student payout, for special needs students will be higher, incentivizing private organizations to accomodate these students
-other competition based actions, both on instructor and institution level
-allow teachers to practice with either of these education options:

• -complete education masters degree
  -Bachelors degree (or equivalent real world experience) for field of desired instruction PLUS whatever minimal classes/certificates necessary to assure proper student interaction skills

-school uniforms, would remove a great deal of social pressure in the education environment, allowing for better quality learning
-allow third party contracts for various school related services, such as private caterers for lunch preparation, private plumbers/HVAC/gen contractors, for maintenance purposes
-ramp up student counseling, spotting kids who have what it takes for higher education, or spotting kids that would fare better in technical school/apprenticeship programs
-Any state that funds college via a lottery system, or any other system really, form agreement with school that payment of first year will be made after completion of first year, either by state system if student passes, or by student if failing, continued passing required for continued program enrollment. If school needs tuition up front, first year tuition is in form of student loan (not bankruptable) either to be due upon failure, or forgiven upon passing.
-require as part of high school credit system, at least one semester on personal economics, in-depth teaching of personal finance management, how to setup/manage bank accounts, how the credit system works, what to-do/not-to-do to protect credit, I never learned that from my folks, they were bad at it themselves, and I wish I had been able to learn it in school. Part of class can be ACTUALLY setting up checking/savings accounts, to get some real-world experience

Thats just a start, but its getting late, may share more later if I can rustle it up

Just going to address a few points, will get around to more later-

-Masters of Eds are worthless. There is no single class or book that works for every classroom or student. I don't even regard PhDs in education as actual PhDs. It's a joke, go take one ed class and you'll see their truth worth or lack there of.

-Bachelors & up degrees are required at the high school level in the area you plan to teach.

-IL requires consumer ec ed, not sure about other states.

Uniforms are an interesting point. Even with uniforms, students still seem able to customize their attire....

Teachers being evaluated by student performance has too many variables, and will/does cause teaching to the test.

[stebo0728]

Just going to address a few points, will get around to more later-

-Masters of Eds are worthless. There is no single class or book that works for every classroom or student. I don't even regard PhDs in education as actual PhDs. It's a joke, go take one ed class and you'll see their truth worth or lack there of.

-Bachelors & up degrees are required at the high school level in the area you plan to teach.

-IL requires consumer ec ed, not sure about other states.

Uniforms are an interesting point. Even with uniforms, students still seem able to customize their attire....

Teachers being evaluated by student performance has too many variables, and will/does cause teaching to the test.

Masters Ed are ok for Primary School teachers, as long as the same 1 teacher model is used. This gives that one teacher a broad ability to teach all the subjects to the kids. Now, perhaps that model needs to be examined. I remember in LA, when I was in 1st grade, we switched classes, and it worked ok, so I dont think the 1 teacher model is necessarily the best model. If switching teachers means more specialized teachers can be found, improving the quality of education, then maybe thats what needs to happen.

I think, especially in certain subjects, that teachers with equivalent job experience should be considered as long as they have taken certain basic teaching ability courses. Theres no reason a shop class teacher needs a bachelors degree, a 20 year minister of music from a church, I believe, would have sufficient experience to teach music, etc. etc...

Glad at least some states are teaching consumer ec, they all should

Uniforms will ease, not eradicate social pressure. But the easement usually proves to be beneficial.

Im not married to any particular form of teacher evaluation, as long as the method is fairly effective at indicating both well performing and poor performing teachers, and the proper measures are taken to either reward or punish performances accordingly, thats my main concern. The problem with current student performance models you hit on quite well, there are well defined tests used, usually scantron based, and teachers have grown accustomed to being able to target education at these tests. However, I believe a better student performance model exists, though I cant exactly outline it, that would be more accurate. Basically, the job of the teacher is to educate the child, to tell whether the teacher is successful, you have to gauge both before and after education levels, and rate the difference.