How to fix this country in 8 easy steps:
1. CLOSE THE EDUCATION GAP:
1. CLOSE THE EDUCATION GAP:
For years now, we have allowed our public schools to slide down the slippery slope of mediocrity. Classes are too big. Teachers are not paid enough and most of them don't have the training that they need. The standards have been set too low. And no on has really addressed the problem. The real problem. The first part of the problem is that parents don't understand the role that school plays in their children's educational development and the role that they themselves play in their children's educational development. The first thing that us parents have to understand is that while it is the job of the public education system to educate our children, it is NOT the job of public education system to instill in them DESIRE learn. Guess who's shoulders that falls on?
If you send your 5 year old to kindergarten, and he does not know his ABC's, you have never read to him nor at least attempted to teach him to read, have not spent time with him doing the smallest thing like having him count the number of grapes that his is given to snack on each afternoon...if you have abandoned him to the electronic babysitter known as television, if you have not at least tried to instill in him the fact that there is an entire world out there beyond what he sees before his eyes, if you have not instilled in him the idea that there is a history that took place before him and a future that will go on after him, than you have set him up for failure. Simple as that. (Yes, I know that was one big run-on sentence. Yes, I know the irony of that fact). As parents, our job - before our sons and daughters ever step foot in a classroom - is to instill in our children the desire to learn. And...we...are...failing...
Beyond that, our children do not spend enough time in school. That is a large part of the reason that our children have fallen so far behind the rest of the world in terms of education. A friend of mine taught English in China for 3 years. Some of his students moved to America and attended high school here. They would email him regularly, telling him how easy the work, how they are excelling in every subject, how even after homework from advanced placement college-level courses, the still had more free time on their hands than they ever have before. Now why was that the case? Because when you are coming from a country where they place a real priority on education, a country where if you are not trilingual, you are falling behind, a country where you are in school from 7am - 7pm, six days a week with no summer break, going to school from 8am - 3pm, , then five days a week is a walk in the park. Our children need to spend more time in school and they need to get more out of the time that they spend there. This business about being allowed to drop out of school at 16? What type of shit is that? Everyone needs a high school education. Period. I'm so sure of this fact, that rather than try to defend it, I'm just going to move on to my next point.
Our children need to be held to a higher standard and more stringent graduation requirements. I am 26. If you are within 4 years of me, then I guarantee that you know at least one person who you graduated high school with who could barely read. Had no idea what a square root was. Had no idea what a thesis statement was. The sad part about that - and the part that people never want to acknowledge - is that it is not her fault. We let her slide by without this basic knowledge. He have socially promoted her into a world that does not offer social promotions. I have another friend who is a teacher in Florida. As of two weeks a go, she was no longer allowed to grade based on punctuation, sentence structure, spelling and capitalization. As long as she can follow the student's train of thought, then that is what matters. Are you fucking kidding me? I know a certain person, who shall remain nameless, who is unable to get a decent job. They are unable to get a decent job because their resume is a piece of shit. Misspelled words, punctuation and spelling off, etc. Now, why do you think this person thinks it's no big deal to submit a resume that is in that condition? That's right! She was allowed to slide by without having ever been held to the standard of 'Maybe, just maybe, this will be important later on in life, so you have to learn it now'. If you want to see a true depiction of the methods used to academically cripple our kids, watch season 4 of 'The Wire'.
2. UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE:
Yes, I said it. No, I'm not a socialist. We are one of the only prosperous, developed countries in the world without health for all citizens. I mean real, substantial healthcare, paid for by the government. If the government does not look out for the well-being of it's citizens, than I think we need to rethink what this county stands for. Now, I know there are some young thundercats out there who don't think that they need insurance. Hell, I was one of those young thundercats not too long ago. But as I stated, it is the job of the government to look out for the well being of the people. And that means, to a certain extent, protecting the people from themselves. And yes, I know how expensive universal healthcare is. However, later on this blog, there is a section about balancing the budget and getting rid of the national deficit, along with several other changes that would more than pay for healthcare for every man, woman and child in The United States.
Free healthcare for all citizens. Say it with me, people.
3. ENACT A MINIMUM MARRIAGE AGE:
There are a lot of issues within this country that stem, directly or indirectly, from the breakup of the American family. Our children suffer, our economy suffers, etc. One of the ways to prevent this is to enact a minimum marriage age. If you want me to be 100% honest, I think that minimum age should be 25. But in the interest of being at least a LITTLE realistic, let's go with 21.
Truthfully, at 18 or 19, you don't have the skills needed to make a marriage work. And if you do, you are one in a million. You are not mature enough to make an informed decision about rather or not you can truly spend the rest of your natural life with another person. You know why? Because at that age, you do not even know who 'YOU' are. And even if you do, the person that you are now is not the same person that you will be at 25. Will your spouse seem as desirable to you then? You to them? Hmmm. I know it seems that this may not be as important so some of the other things on this list as far as getting this country back in shape, but in my opinion, it is one of the most vital. Over the last few year, the divorce rate has fluctuated between 48% and 53%. That is half! Half the couples who get married end up divorced. Children separated from one of their parents. Stay-at-home moms and dad's forced to begin life again by diving into a horrible job market. Divorce settlements eating away at savings accounts. Child support payments crippling dad for the next however many years. Etc, Etc.
And no, I am not saying that there would be no such thing as divorce with a minimum age requirement for marriage. But if you have a brain in your head - even if that brain was nurtured by the public education system that I bashed earlier - then you realize that enacting a minimum marriage age in this country would go a long way towards curbing the problems that cause divorce. Or not. Who knows?
4. A MAJOR OVERHAUL OVER THE POLITICAL PROCESS ON REGARDS TO THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
First of all, the term of the president should be lengthened from 4 years to 5 years. Lengthening the term would allow the president another year to fully explore the validity of any policies that are put into place. Too often, our presidents pass laws and policies that by design, yield the bulk of their effectiveness on the back end, years after being put into play. Lengthening the presidential term to 5 years gives those policies a fighting chance, as way to determine whether they are effective or not. Second, it would make my next point an easier pill to swallow...
Do away with the incumbent, limiting presidents to one term in office. One of the main reasons that no real progress ever gets made, and one of the main reasons that you see so few politicians - presidents in general - stick to their word, is because instead of doing what is best for the people, they are doing what is best for them...in their re-election campaign. A man who knows that he is not eligible for re-election is a man who is free to carry out the acts that he feels are best for the country. No more passing laws that favor the XYZ industry because the XYZ industry has contributed $100 million to your re-election campaign. No more passing laws that alienate one group of people, for fear of pissing of a second larger group of people. Which brings me to my next point. Campaign contributions should only be allowed to come from individual donors, totaling no more than $50,000, and from organizations and business grossing less than $1 million a year. No more pork-barrel politics. We like our politicians clean and ready to do the will of the people. Not spineless bastards who are constantly bending over for a couple of dollars.
In line with that, the president of the United States should not be paid for his services. Not a single dime. Room and board is fine, damnit. And I know that the president's salary is not that much - somewhere in the neighborhood of $400,000/year. But it is the principle. A stipend for life after your out of office? Sure. Being paid for being the president? Negative! Also, can someone please explain to me why we still have an electoral college? The electoral college system has crippled our economy, crippled out children academically, crippled our economy and has us fighting two wars, neither one of which we can 'win', in the traditional sense of the word. How did the electoral college process manage to do all that? By allowing that one fella to move into the White House, even after losing the popular vote. One man, one vote, majority rule! No more electoral college.
5. THE LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA
No, Renyea, I DON'T smoke. But let's be honest. Do any of you know anyone who does not smoke because it is illegal? Me either. The fact that marijuana is illegal in this country, but cigarettes and liquor are not is totally baffling to me. Lung cancer and alcohol related fatalities kill more people every WEEK in this country that marijuana related fatalities in a year. Legalize it, Uncle Sam. If you make marijuana legal, guess what you get in return? Billions of dollars in sales tax. Billions of dollars saved by not having to enforce useless, antiquated laws. Billions of dollars saved by not having to shuffle people through the legal system. The American economy would thank you. Think you would find something to spend that money on?
6. GET RID OF THE NATIONAL DEFICIT AND BALANCE THE BUDGET
How? With a ten year period of funding cuts to federally funded programs and a multinational debt forgiveness program.
For years we have lived beyond out means, funneling money into places that didn't need it. That is part of what got us in trouble. Now, we seem to think that we can get out of that trouble by putting a band-aid on the problem. Negative. Tightening of the belt. That is what will fix this problem. Doing more with less? That'd be great. But more realistically, doing less with less! That means funding cuts to most federally funded programs. The national park system? Funding cuts! Arts programs? Funding cuts! Medical research that is not geared towards the preservation of life? Funding cuts? Deep space exploration? Funding cuts! If that means closing down tourism an all National Parks, shutting down most of Nasa, putting a hold on research geared towards allowing paraplegic's to walk again, then so be it. But there has to be somebody that is willing to make those tough call. That is the price of leadership. You cannot please everybody. And when you try to, you shortchange everybody.
The amount of money that we owe to other countries is ungodly. But, the tricky part is that the reverse if true as well. A debt forgiveness policy adopted by the 25 richest nations in the world would go a long way towards not only rebuilding the worldwide economy, but building up relations with some of the countries that we have traditionally considered enemies. Whether it be money, food stores, relief supplies, military aide, etc..forgive and forget.
7. RETHINK BOTH OUR FOREIGN POLICY AND OUR MILITARY POLICY
For some reason, we seem to think that it is out job to play junior high school principal to the rest of the world. We feel the need to put our nose in affairs that we have no stake in and nothing to do with. Affairs that have been boiling for centuries. We want to ensure peace in the Middle East. We want to send aid to Tsunami victims. We want to open out borders to those who want to come to this country and live that American Dream that they hear some much about. We want to ensure that Israel and Palestine play nice with each other. And please do not think that I am saying that we are wrong for doing any of these things. But my question is...at what cost? At what point do we go into self-preservation mode and ensure that WE are in good shape stretching out arms out to embrace the world?
The reason that we have been able to do some of the things that we have is because most of the world still looks to us as an example. But that didn't just happen for no reason. That type of admiration developed because the foundation of this country was solid and the ideals that were advertised were the ideals that would be found here, for the most part. But if we keep going the way we are going, the world will soon realize that it has been worshipping a false God. And when that happens...who will step in an protect us?
How simple is this: A quick pullout of Iraq and Afghanistan. And when I say quick, I mean within a year. $12 billion a month, and thousands of American lives. at some point you have to ask 'Do the ends justify the means?' Answer? Fuck no! S.H. is DEAD. His political party is in shambles. There have been democratic elections. Successful ones! Train the military. Train the state police and other investigative ad peace keeping branches, then leave! That's it.
8. SERIOUSLY INVEST IN ALTERNATE FORMS OF FUEL
We live on a planet. That planet is called Earth. And man, is it dirty! The carbon footprint of the United States is HUGE compared to out population. Now, no means do I consider myself a tree-hugger, but even I can admit that we have a problem. For generations, we have consumed natural resources at an alarming rate. For some reason, we never gave any thought to what would happen when those resources run out. One way to not have to work about killing Earth or depleting out resources? Develop alternative resources. Wind...solar...hydro...ethanol...it's all out there. In addition to that, doing so would reduce our dependence on foreign oil, which would go along way towards giving us some leverage when coming back to the negotiating table in regards to foreign policy. Hell, alternate forms of fuel and the exploration oil fields in Alaska and the Gulf Of Mexico could probably do away with out dependance on foreign oil all together.
That is pretty much it. Let me just say before I wrap up that I know some of my logic is a bit flawed. But the point is if somebody doesn't have this conversation, all is lost.
Also, let me say that I wanted to dedicate a lot more time and energy into several of these ideas, particularly the reformation of the political process and healthcare, but it's 2am, I'm tired and my son is waking up right now, expecting some food.
Far be it from me to disappoint him.
HIP HIP LYRIC OF THE DAY:
I'm the one that wanna Spear Brittany/ Give Pink some black, put it near her kidneys
-Crooked I
(How enlightening!)
24 comments:
1. God Bless you!
2. Simple, quick responses to why I disagree with Uni helathcare: If universal healthcare is run anything like the public education system we're all dead! Besides, what gov't program is run efficiently and stays in the black? Our country is too big for a gov't run healthcare system!
My solution: NO CLUE but not uni hc
Here's my reasoning: I live in the POOREST county in my state (out of 67 counties). The county is 10th for the number of HIV/AIDS cases. FL is 3rd in the nation for HIV cases. Essentially my city has more HIV+ people then a small populated state.
My county is 3rd for substance abuse among teens/young adults and we BARELY have a 60% graduation rate which as you know low grad rates increase poverty which increase poor health. We are a SMALL city and SMALL potatoes to a large national gov't. The majority of national money to our state gets funneled to the larger metro cities.
My county would cease to exist if we had universal healthcare. It hardly floats now. HIV screening at the HEALTH DEPT. is only done on Tues. b/w 9-12 and if you don't make an appointment you won't get seen. 10th out of 67 and you can only get tested one day a week, in a 4 hour period. RIDICULOUS! And, guess what? To play school sports in our county, gov't insurance plans are NOT ACCEPTED b/c they WON'T COVER sports injuries. Parents have to buy the school district insurance in order for their kid to pay.
I agree everyone should have some sort of coverage but I don't believe our gov't could properly run a program that gave everyone QUALITY care.
3. You want to put a limit on marriage because of divorce and suffering children but no age limit on when someone should have kids? A 21 yr. old shouldn't marry because they're not ready but they can parent? hmm....
Here is how you enforce a minimum marriage age: Birth certificate, social security card and government issued photo identification to verify age before receiving marriage license. How can you enforce a minimum parenthood age law? No sex before 21? Round up the women who get pregnant before that age and force them to have abortions?
That's why I didn't put anything about that. But if you want the truth, if I had my way, their WOULD be a minimum parenthood age, and an income verification done before you are allowed to have children.
I completely understand you can't prevent it, but I thought it was at least worth a mention. Some people should not be allowed to procreate at any age.
Brenna, I'm confused again. Help me understand again how UniCare would kill your county.
Because as I see it, healthcare for every man, woman and child in America, regardless of economic status can't be a bad thing.
Excuse my ignorance. Educate me. Ready, set...go!
The goal should be QUALITY healthcare for all not just healthcare.
I view it similar to public education. Everyone is entitled to an education, but that doesn't make it quality as you already pointed out. The more people in a city the more money it receives. Small towns and rural areas will continue to suffer because doctors will migrate to where the money is. My county has an extremely high turn over rate for teachers. They move to neighboring counties to make more money. The same will happen with doctors. Our educational system suffers because teachers leave and our healthcare system will suffer when doctors leave.
And how will this unicare be funded? With your deficit plan of cutting programs?
The writer wants to cut art programs! What creative outlet will students have other than sports? And, what exactly will we be teaching in school? Does cutting programs b/c they're not needed mean changing school curriculum? Why teach astronomy or any advanced sciences? Why teach agriculture? Why teach art or dance or even writing? Students won't find a job in these fields anyway. Am I going off base, here?
You are assuming that I am advocating for a plan that gives money to states, cities, counties and towns based on population. I'm not. Individualized healthcare for each individual American citizen.
Forgive me. My mother told me never to assume b/c it makes me look like an ass. Individualized healthcare for each individual American...makes me think of an Individualized Education Plan used for ESE students. How will this work?
Everyone takes a physical. Based on that physical, you are allotted yearly amount, with a reasonable cap, for medical services, procedures, medications, etc. You receive your services and the bill is submitted by clinics and hospitals to the government to be reimbursed. Privatized healthcare can still exist - on a small scale - for those who's upkeep will cost more than the cap amount, due to pre-existing medical conditions. Or for those who just want extra coverage.
Yes, it will be expensive. But a tax increase - on a sliding scale, so that those with more pay more - along with some of the other points that I made should more than pay for it.
Is it perfect? No. But is it better than what we have now? I think so. Just my $0.02
-The writer wants to cut art programs!
'The writer' doesn't want to cut art programs. He wants to cut federally funded, extra-curricular art programs. I thought I made that clear. I didn't I apologize.
-What creative outlet will students have other than sports?
The same creative outlets that we have now - just not federally funded. If we are going to be committed to both getting the American financial structure back in order and still giving our kids the best possible education, then we will all need to take a step back and choose out priorities. If that means skipping that morning cup latte 5 days a week so that we can fund the art program at our local community center, or pay for our kids violin lessons, then so be it.
-And, what exactly will we be teaching in school?
Teaching? Well, depends on how you define that. If you want the truth, most schools pretend to teach and the kids pretend to learn. He need to be teaching them the same things that we are teaching them now, only do a better job of it. On top of that, our kids need to be required to have a conversational competency level in at least one other language. They need a REAL sex education. And before they graduate, they need an honest picture of the job market that they will be facing, a realistic plan of how to get where they want to be and be presented with ALL of their options of the paths that they can take after high school.
Does cutting programs b/c they're not needed mean changing school curriculum?
-I am only speaking of extra-curricular activities and programs.
What a novel idea. Everyone should have a physical...will transportation be provide? Public transportation where I live is limited. Will more doctors/nurses move into the field to cover the extra patients? Did you know the average time now a patient is with a doctor is 15 minutes or less? What will it be with the added numbers? Did you know there is an extremely high turn-over for nurses due to paperwork and stress? Why not add even more. Do you know how much it costs for 1 HIV+ person to be covered? I guarantee you it will exceed the gov't cap and then what happens...
A tax increase for those who make more! Hooray, I strive to work hard and make more money for the gov't to take it away!
I'm being a bit flippant of course. I truly believe everyone should be covered, and I don't have a plan for how it can happen. So kudos to you for coming up with one, unfortunately, I see too many variables on why it won't work.
After work, I'll be sure to come back with my educational thoughts.
-What a novel idea. Everyone should have a physical...will transportation be provide? Public transportation where I live is limited.
Well, only die hard idealist would think that this whole effort can be put into place in a short period of time. With that being said, if the government gave every citizen in this country 18-months to get a routine physical, that would be plenty of time. Allow school nurses to give physicals at school. My job has medical evaluations of employees every other Thursday; allows physicals to be give then. Require physicals be taken during any hospital stay longer than 48-hours, etc. Rural or urban, public transportation or private - 18 months is a pretty generous window of time for every citizen to get a physical. Regardless of your circumstances.
-Will more doctors/nurses move into the field to cover the extra patients?
With a unicare plan, more docs and nurses is necessity. No way around that. And since we both agree that the goal should be QUALITY healthcare, I'd welcome the influx of health professionals.
-Did you know the average time now a patient is with a doctor is 15 minutes or less? What will it be with the added numbers?
With the added number of doctors or nurses, I don't imagine it being much different. In fact, as the government will need to make is clear that the level of healthcare coverage that a patient will receive will be the result of this physical, I'm not opposed to them spending MORE time with patients and being more thorough. Most expensive, more time consuming...but more effective.
-Did you know there is an extremely high turn-over for nurses due to paperwork and stress? Why not add even more.
Let's put the health of American's on the backburner for the work load of nurses. While we are at it, let's make less enforceable laws so that our police officers won't be under as much stress enforcing them. Sa,e principal, right? It is their job to be able to go about their day to day activities and handle the workload and stress that comes with it. If they can't do that, then they need to find another profession.
-Do you know how much it costs for 1 HIV+ person to be covered? I guarantee you it will exceed the gov't cap and then what happens...
My previous comment information about that. Those who have HIV would most certainly go over their cap amount, as I imagine their yearly medical costs are in the hundreds of thousands. That is why I suggested that, on a small scale, privatized healthcare should still exist. So that those without enough coverage can supplement their unicare plans with more coverage. And even if that were not the case, I also stated that this is not going to work for every citizen, that you can't do what is best for everyone. That there will have to be tough decisions made. That for a period of time, someone may get the short end of the stick.
-A tax increase for those who make more! Hooray, I strive to work hard and make more money for the gov't to take it away!
I said a tax increase for everyone. Just that those who make more money have to pay more money. How is that different that the way we tax people now? Is that not why we have different tax brackets?
-I'm being a bit flippant of course. I truly believe everyone should be covered, and I don't have a plan for how it can happen. So kudos to you for coming up with one, unfortunately, I see too many variables on why it won't work.
You could very well be right. But until we start thinking of what WILL work, as opposed to what WON'T work, the sooner this gets figured out. Necessity is the mother of invention. A healthcare overhaul is necessary. Time to start inventing.
-After work, I'll be sure to come back with my educational thoughts.
Looking forward to it.
Agreed, 18 months is a fair amount of time. Do they have school nurses for all schools in CA? My current school does not have a nurse. Student feels sick, suck it up and or call someone to come get you.
Will this physical be mandatory? Will there be a penalty for those who chose not to have one? Many "natural" medicine followers might oppose this.
We agree more quality doctors and nurses will be needed. Do you know many people that want to be doctors and nurses? Will many students be accepted into medical school? Has public education (secondary and collegiate) properly prepared students for the MCAT? USA Today had an article about the scientifically illiterate state of the U.S. Hopefully, the supply will meet the demand.
And, I complete understand you point about nurses and police officers. The same principle can be said for teachers. However, if there is a high turn over rate, the supply can not meet the demand. St. Louis residents were told by city officials police are ineffective because of their low numbers and should arm themselves.
I read clearly a "tax increase on a sliding scale". I don't like paying taxes now, so again I work for Uncle Sam to take more. Hooray!
Now here's the part where I'm confused. You want individualized healthcare for each individual American, as stated in your comment and then you turn around and say your plan won't work for every citizen and you can't do what's best for everyone. Please clear this up for me. Is it for everyone or the majority and some people will fall through the cracks?
Healthcare does need an overhaul and thinking of what will work is essential; however, we must consider both pros and cons before making a final decision. We don't want our healthcare to be like one of our wars we blindly rushed into without all the facts.
Yes, I teach English. Yes, my comments have some errors.
You made it perfectly clear you wanted to cut federally funded programs.
Who exactly would be skipping the $5 lattes to fund these programs? Some parents can't afford to give their kid daily lunch money let alone scrap enough together to buy a musical instrument. These programs help provide field trips, pay after school workers, buy supplies, etc. Most Americans are too 'entitled' to volunteer their time/services to anything that won't benefit self.
If I want the truth...really now! I'm well aware of the problems with public education and the "teaching" that goes on in classroom. I've ALWAYS said it is a broken system that needs to be overhauled. I even commended you on your point of closing the education gap.
I agree students should be required to have a conversational competency level in at least one other language. Now lets find enough adults that meet this same requirement so they can teach. Oh wait...they get paid more to work somewhere else and have less stress.
As far as a REAL sex education, why isn't that the parents job? Do they teach that in China and other foreign countries? What would this REAL sex education entail? What qualifications would be required for someone to teach this class? And, would men be required to teach the male students about sex? Wait...are there even male teachers?
I'm honest enough to say I taught abstinence for a while not necessarily b/c I believed it was effective but b/c students should know both sides. Safe sex has been pushed for a while and STD #s and teen pregnancy #s continue to rise. Oral STDs are huge in middle schools right now.
I taught at a school where you weren't cool unless you'd had an STD. Seriously, girls were outcasts if they hadn't been burned yet. And, when I tell students condoms have a 12% failure rate they think I'm lying.
When presented with facts and numbers most teens think "it won't happen to me." Didn't you think you were invincible when you were a teen?
As far as the job market, are students not provided with all the options facing them in the job market now? Are they not informed of trade schools they can go to? Are they not told college graduation doesn't guarantee a job offering? Are they not told their grades can affect their entry into the "real world"? Are they not told or do they not listen?
-Do they have school nurses for all schools in CA? My current school does not have a nurse. Student feels sick, suck it up and or call someone to come get you.
I don't know if every school in California has a nurse. I graduated high school 8 years ago. What I do know - and something that I'm sure we can agree on (imagine that) - is that there are a large number of schools in the USA is nurses. Let them perform physicals. That is my point; nothing more, nothing less.
-Will this physical be mandatory? Will there be a penalty for those who chose not to have one? Many "natural" medicine followers might oppose this.
It look you longet than I anticipated to bring up that point. Mandatory? Yes. Whoever doesn't get one is automatically enrolled in the lowest level of coverage. If they want to then take a physical and receive the coverage they are entitled to according to that physical, they will need to pay for it in full out of pocket. And as a physical is an evaluation, and not any type of medicine or invasive procedure, natural remedy advocates should have no problem doing so. And after all, this is America. They don't HAVE to take one. Since they believe in natural remedies, they won't mind having the least amount of coverage because they failed to take the physical. So it works out.
-Do you know many people that want to be doctors and nurses?
Yes
-Will many students be accepted into medical school?
With the higher premium placed on education, i am quite confident that many more students will be accepted into respectable medical schools.
Has public education (secondary and collegiate) properly prepared students for the MCAT?
Again, higher value placed on education.
And, I complete understand you point about nurses and police officers. The same principle can be said for teachers. However, if there is a high turn over rate, the supply can not meet the demand.
-Again, if they can't handle the job, hire those who can.
-I read clearly a "tax increase on a sliding scale". I don't like paying taxes now, so again I work for Uncle Sam to take more. Hooray!
Correct.
-You want individualized healthcare for each individual American, as stated in your comment and then you turn around and say your plan won't work for every citizen and you can't do what's best for everyone.
Sure. I didn't 'turn around' and say that. I stated that up front. 'You cannot please everybody. And when you try to, you shortchange everybody.' As it stands, there are 40 million people in the USA with no healthcare and an untold amount with not enough healthcare. The reason for that is because out leadership, for the most part, doesn't want to offend anyone, step on too many toes or make the tough call. Therein lies the problem.
-Is it for everyone or the majority and some people will fall through the cracks?
Hmmm, well the 'universal' healthcare plan will be 'universal'. For everyone. However, I'm quite sure that there will be a some people who do not have enough coverage or are unhappy with their coverage. What I can guarantee is that that number won't be nearly 40 million.
-Healthcare does need an overhaul and thinking of what will work is essential
Agreed
however, we must consider both pros and cons before making a final decision.
Agreed
We don't want our healthcare to be like one of our wars we blindly rushed into without all the facts.
Agreed
You graduated 8 yrs. ago so you wouldn't know that only 45% of public schools employ full-time school nurses. That number continues to decline, as school districts are relying more on teachers to play nurse. Would you like me to provide the links to the articles that you can read so you can verify my facts?
I'm glad you know many people that want to be doctors and nurses b/c in my almost five years of teaching, I could probably count on one hand the students that aspired for such positions.
When will the value on education turn around happen? I'm going to say AT LEAST two generations. But clearly you're more optimist than I am.
And, I haven't even begun to question the timely fashion in which the gov't will reimburse these hospitals and clinics. I ask again, what gov't run program is in the black?
-Who exactly would be skipping the $5 lattes to fund these programs?
The parents who spend that amount of money on needless things, but don't have some sort of program for their children to expand their minds outside of school. If they are all for it when it is government funded, but totally against it when they have to chip in and pay for it, then they need get their priorities in order.
-Most Americans are to 'entitled' to volunteer their time/services to anything that won't benefit self.
Agreed. Part of the problem.
-I agree students should be required to have a conversational competency level in at least one other language. Now lets find enough adults that meet this same requirement so they can teach. Oh wait...they get paid more to work somewhere else and have less stress.
I'm quite sure that there are enough adults in this country who are qualified to do so. And I have been saying for years that teachers need a pay raise. Just like any other profession in our society, if the passion and money is there, I'm sure finding people to give our children a quality education will be less of a problem.
-As far as a REAL sex education, why isn't that the parents job?
Sex education SHOULD be taught at home. Agreed. However, sex is too big a part of our society to not have a real discourse about it in public schools.
-Do they teach that in China and other foreign countries?
LOL...pretty sure they don't teach sex education in China.
-What would this REAL sex education entail?
The anatomy, the biology, the chemistry, the risks, popular schools of thought in regards to how important sex is and when it should be engaged in for the first time, statistics, the risks involved. Etc, etc, etc.
-And, would men be required to teach the male students about sex? Wait...are there even male teachers?
Why would there not be male teachers? And no, the male teachers would not be required to teach only males. If a parent does not want their kid being taught about sex by the opposite sex, then they can opt their child out of that class.
-When presented with facts and numbers most teens think "it won't happen to me." Didn't you think you were invincible when you were a teen?
When it came to having unprotected sex? No, I didn't.
-As far as the job market, are students not provided with all the options facing them in the job market now? Are they not informed of trade schools they can go to? Are they not told college graduation doesn't guarantee a job offering? Are they not told their grades can affect their entry into the "real world"? Are they not told or do they not listen?
Well, I think part of the problem is that a lot of schools do not seriously start having kids seriously consider their future until their junior year in high school. Also, most of the guidance given to kids in regards to higher education is 'Do well in school or you won't get into college.'. Which, as I'm sure you can attest to, is rather ineffective. Trade schools? We both know that trade schools are looked upon as the 'second class citizens' of higher education by school administration. They are usually suggested for kids who can't behave in school or have shaky grades. Instead, trade schools need to be treated as what they are: a clear and viable alternative to the traditional university system, which is very adept at training those who are serious about their future for a good career.
-You graduated 8 yrs. ago so you wouldn't know that only 45% of public schools employ full-time school nurses. That number continues to decline, as school districts are relying more on teachers to play nurse. Would you like me to provide the links to the articles that you can read so you can verify my facts?
Thank you, but no. I don't need a link ti verify your facts, as I'm sure you're correct. 45%? I would have guessed less than that. That is interesting. However, it is also completely irrelevent. It doesn't what percentage of schools have nurses. It could be 1%. My point is, however many schools have nurses, let them do physicals.
-I'm glad you know many people that want to be doctors and nurses b/c in my almost five years of teaching, I could probably count on one hand the students that aspired for such positions.
That sucks.
-When will the value on education turn around happen? I'm going to say AT LEAST two generations. But clearly you're more optimist than I am.
Very true. But that also doesn't matter. Because of how long it takes to happen, it has to happen in order for a lot of these points to be effective. It's more of a multi-front attack than a cure-all.
-And, I haven't even begun to question the timely fashion in which the gov't will reimburse these hospitals and clinics. I ask again, what gov't run program is in the black?
Again? When did you ask the first time? To be honest, I may have just missed it. But I'm pretty sure that there aren't many federal programs in the black. But if - by some miracle - tommorow you woke up and all the problems that I laid out in all 8 points were gone, and these solutions in place - that wouldn't be the case.
Or not. But like I said, we can sit here are talk about how mad things are, or we can put our heads together as a country and figure it out.
The school nurse issue confirms the fact this nation is too big. Even 1% of school nurses could not perform the task asked and still handle the rest of their job responsibilities.
But you're right I'm being a Negative Nancy and Debbie downer without contributing any alternatives.
Why can't it be run like car insurance or homeowners insurance? You pick an affordable plan that works for you. If you're deemed a high risk, you pay more.
Well, unicare would be free, not paid for directly by the individual. So what would stop people from frivolously picking the plan with the highest level of coverage?
Brandon, clearly the only thing we are going to agree on is that health care should be reformed. I maintain that the size of our country is too large for the government to provide proper quality care.
(In regard to your last question, if someone frivolously picked the plan with the highest level of coverage and they didn't need it, he should pay a higher amount then everyone else. Just like an overweight, diabetic that continues to sabotage his health should be charged more than a healthy person.)
As is the case w/ mass pub. ed., mass hc will turn into a mediocre system that provides mediocre care. Let's be honest, the number of hc professionals that need to enter the field to provide the care is not there and won't be for a while. Like teaching, the nursing field has an extremely high turn over rate. It is estimated by 2025, the U.S. nursing shortage is projected to grow to 260,000 registered nurses. Having free healthcare will not get anyone in the door faster.
This country faces a serious health problem, and the President has a tough job. I think the private and public sector should come together and figure something out quickly. But, the American people owe it to themselves to take their health into their own hands as well. Watch diet, exercise, demand better food sources (the link b/w some of these food chemical processes and cancer is ridiculous), demand lower prices on fruits and veggies and other nutritious foods (why is what's best for you so freakin' expensive?), teach children to value life and lead a healthy lifestyle.
But who am I kidding healthcare is a business and green trumps all.
Just my $.02
As usual ma'am, it's been interesting. Keep it up!
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