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Occupy Wall Street
I am late getting into the discussion, but wanted to listen and read as many sides of the issue possible before I jumped in with my opinion. Reading directly from Occupy Wall Street (OWS) website I can agree on some aspects on their list of complaints, or the Declaration of the Occupation of New York City is concerned. Not meaning to cherry-pick but I do want make some observations on comments made on the website itself. Granted many of the issues such as greed is a problem in our society but not exclusive to the 1%. Greed and corruption is everywhere, and not just the wealthy. Jesus said Luke 12:15 “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”
Although the website sites state rules of conduct for posting ideas, many of those ideas show signs of the writer’s deficient vocabulary skills by the disproportionate use of distasteful metaphors. Ah, freedom of speech, granted, I suppose if one wishes to display their idiocy, they are free to do so. I am also free to ignore the writer’s tirade if the writer is unable to construct a single sentence without use of profanity. If OWS wishes to have more people listen to their message, try using less peppery adjectives when speaking about your occupy target. OWS has every right to be upset with the turn of events these past few years, and should voice their grievances before Congress as the Constitution stipulates. However, they should be clear, concise and refrain from ambiguous catch phrases.
About democracy, the United States has never been a democratic society; the United States is a republic. A republic elects representatives to make the decision and write the laws. Not perfect, but what governmental system run by humans would be and certainly open to corruption. Democratic all governmental decisions placed before the people and the majority rules, such as referendums placed before voters in state and local, majority wins. Also not a perfect solution as some on the minority side have taken their loss to court to have the voting results challenged as unconstitutional. If this were a perfect world, either system would work flawlessly.
Perusing through a mishmash of ideas and discussions, some of which would be catastrophic to the economy if enacted should contributor’s idea be successful, in trying to hurt the 1% they would hurt themselves far sooner and to a greater degree long before the results approached the 1%. You end up with greater numbers in poverty, but I suppose that would be the fault of the 1%.
They claim to be leaderless, which I find difficult to believe an organization can remain leaderless without chaos, unless anarchy is OWS’s surreptitious goal. In OWS’s call to action ambiguity best describes the talking points. On their list of you might be one us, which reminds me of Jeff Foxworthy’s, You Might be a Redneck routine, reads the following: 1. If you agree that freedom is the right to communicate, to live, to be, to go, to love, to do what you will without the impositions of others, then you might be one of us. Basic rights certainly need to be protected, however, some others may interpret this as an invitation to commit crimes as this statement was not intended; such as, those unintentional consequences of laws enacted by Congress trying to help others ended up hurting them instead. By this very statement could be interpreted to be anything goes and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
2. If you agree that a person is entitled to the sweat of their brows, that being talented at management should not entitle others to act like overseers, and overlords, that all workers should have the right to engage in decisions, democratically, then you might be one of us. This might work, but if in a true democratic style run business the workers should equally share the liability for bad decisions especially if the “owners” voted in a bad decision. Share tax burden of the business meaning they would be self-employed and subject to a higher tax rate. However, current tax laws prevent true employee owned businesses, and the tax burden (payroll) remains with the business.
3. If you agree that freedom for some is not the same as freedom for all, and that freedom for all is only true freedom, then you might be one of us. I suppose pedophiles and polygamists would be more than happy to agree with number 1 and 3. At the same time OWS wants tighter government controls over businesses, not realizing that those controls could easily spill over onto the individual, of course only the corporate world would receive blame.
4. If you agree that power is not right, that life trumps property, then you might be one of us. I am not exactly sure by what they mean by life trumps property. Times are difficult, but if someone isn’t making payments on their home, which they signed a contract to do, then legal recourse from the lender should not be a surprise. Government altered regulations on the banks, and then blamed the banks when government regulations failed. Did some lenders take advantage of the regulations? Most certainly. Did some borrowers take advantage when they knew they should not have taken the loan? Of course. Should all borrowers have all the outstanding debts forgiven? Not wanting to sound harsh, but the answer would have to be no. What would stop people from maxing out their credit and then some if they knew they wouldn’t have to pay back the money?
5. If you agree that state and corporation are merely two sides of the same oppressive power structure, if you realize how media distorts things to preserve it, how it pits the people against the people to remain in power, then you might be one of us. I have a feeling that some people only see the other side as guilty of such conduct when it is all sides. Corruption does not restrict itself to one party or group.
Perhaps the best summation I can come up with is found in 2 Timothy 3:1-9
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
On the Militia Members in Georiga
I read with horror the article in regards to the four suspected militia members in Georgia. If the article wasn’t bad enough, reading the affidavits really made my hair stand on end, and I have read many charging documents to keep one awake at night.
Just out of curiosity, I read the responses to the article. Liberals never let me down when it comes to blaming the TEA party. Nowhere in the article was a party affiliation mentioned, at least not during the time I am typing this article. What difference does it make if they were members of TEA party, Green Party, Peace and Freedom Party, or the I Love Peanut Butter Party? The point is that the FBI conducted an investigation and found probable cause to write the arrest affidavits. Now it is the time for the court system to take its course. If the courts find those involved guilty, let them pay the price. I have no sympathy for those that wish to harm others because they disagree on opinions.
If someone who is registered as a Democrat commits a crime, I don’t demonize the entire Democratic Party. Regardless of party, none are perfect, because humans are imperfect. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. In Proverbs 24:1-3 Do not be envious of evil men, Nor desire to be with them; For their heart devises violence, And their lips talk of troublemaking.
Expressing displeasure with how the government runs is a fundamental right, however, crossing the line and conspire to commit violence is another matter. With the CBS New/NY Times poll taken between Oct 19 to Oct 24th showed that 9% of those polled indicated that they approved of the job Congress was doing, while showing that 21% think that the country is going in the right direction. Would we assume the 21% are Democrats, 74% TEA Party and the remaining 5% haven’t figured it out yet? I don’t think so. Dissatisfaction is in both parties, some for the same reason and other for opposite reasons.
Still the truth
While doing some research I came across some comments made by founding fathers I would like to share with you. Tell me what you think, do these comments still apply today? I think they do. It makes me wonder what these men would have to say about our government today. I am not referring to what they would think of Obama, rather in the manner he runs the country and looking further back to perhaps the 1940s.
“Cities may be rebuilt, and a People reduced to Poverty, may acquire fresh Property: But a Constitution once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty once lost is lost forever. When the People once surrendered their share in the Legislature, and their Right of defending the Limitations upon the Government, and of resisting every Encroachment upon them, they can never regain it.”
John Adams, letter to Abigail Adams July 17, 1775
It should be your care, therefore, and mine, to elevate the minds of our children and exalt their courage; to accelerate and animate their industry and activity; to excite in them an habitual contempt of meanness, abhorrence of injustice and inhumanity, and an ambition to excel in every capacity, faculty, and virtue. If we suffer their minds to grovel and creep in infancy, they will grovel all their lives.
John Adams, Dissertation on the Canon and Feudal Law, 1756
Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people, who have a right, from the frame of their nature, to knowledge, as their great Creator, who does nothing in vain, has given them understandings, and a desire to know; but besides this, they have a right, an indisputable, unalienable, indefeasible, divine right to that most dreaded and envied kind of knowledge; I mean, of the characters and conduct of their rulers.
John Adams, Dissertation on Canon and Feudal Law, 1765
A popular Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.
James Madison, letter to W.T. Barry, August 4, 1822
America united with a handful of troops, or without a single soldier, exhibits a more forbidding posture to foreign ambition than America disunited, with a hundred thousand veterans ready for combat.
James Madison, Federalist No. 14, November 30, 1787
A feeble executive implies a feeble execution of the government. A feeble execution is but another phrase for a bad execution; and a government ill executed, whatever may be its theory, must be, in practice, a bad government.
Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 70, 1788
A rigid economy of the public contributions and absolute interdiction of all useless expenses will go far towards keeping the government honest and unoppressive.
Thomas Jefferson, letter to Lafayette, 1823
The founding fathers had plenty to say, these are only a few quotes I selected about the government itself. I can almost hear them now saying, ‘We warned you.’
Sometimes You Just Have to Laugh at News Articles
I read an article in the Huffington Post today about Jack’s Lew’s signature caused me to chuckle. Don’t get me wrong, I am not laughing at Jack Lew but at the Huffington Post, of all things to write a news article about when so many other much more newsworthy items that should be reported. I guess the article did serve a good purpose; I had been neglecting my eye rolling exercises so they needed a good work out.
Years ago when I worked in the warrants section of a law enforcement agency I used to complain about the signatures of some of the judges. As HP described Lew’s signature as being “rather unusual, slightly childish signature,” the signatures of the judges were just as bad. When a new judge took the bench, they had excellent penmanship when signing a warrant. Later I could tell the signature seemed hurried, soon after the judges and Lew could have contests on whose signature was the worst. By the way, Lew would lose.
Later I held a position where I was signing mountains of documents, affidavits, reports, etc. Then I understood why signatures deteriorated into illegible scribbles and squiggles. Thankfully, I wasn’t in a supervisory role, or it would have been worse. People at one time complimented me on my beautiful signature, not anymore. Though it didn’t get to the level of Mr. Lew’s, I have not been able to break that hurried signature look.
So all of you fellow squigglers, I understand.
How Should the Poor be Treated?
While trying to decide on something to write about I came across some comments from liberals concerning conservatives asserting the (impolite term for the TEA Party) were not following the teaching of Jesus when it came to giving to the poor. Some in government flaunt their extravagance, condemning others of not wanting taxes raised to help the poor, at the same time fail to pay the taxes they owe. Then tell us that we must all tighten our belts as they golf while on another taxpayer paid vacation.
Liberals some of whom are very wealthy themselves, would they be willing to follow Christ’s example? Many Christians would rather give to the poor or at least to charities that help the poor directly instead of having the money taken through income tax then distributed among the bureaucratic web of agencies, divvied up among the agency heads then finally to those that are in need. Talk about trickle-down economics!
Since the liberals are so quick to point out the right, are not following what Jesus taught, I wonder if they really read what Jesus said, or only a few verses? Oh course I know that many wealthy donate enormous sums of money to help the disadvantaged. How many wealthy people Republican or Democrat do you really believe would follow how Jesus taught to help the poor? Notice in Luke 12:41-41 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. 42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites,[j] which make a quadrans. 43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood
Matthew 19:16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good[e] Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”
17 So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good?[f] No one is good but One, that is, God.[g] But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
18 He said to Him, “Which ones?”
Jesus said, “ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’[h] and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”[i]
20 The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth.[j] What do I still lack?”
21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. .” Would liberals be willing to put their money where their mouth is?
Some feel for whatever reason they are entitled to get a share of what belongs to another. This passage does not indicated the financial status of the man asking Jesus to get his brother do divide the inheritance, only that he wants a share.
In Luke 12: 13 Then one from the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But He said to him, “Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?” 15 And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness,[b] for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” Are the liberals encouraging covetousness?
How should people treat the poor? Yes, the Bible has plenty to say how we should treat the poor. Far more verses than I could possibly put into one article. But here are a few from Jewish Law Leviticus 25:34-If one of your brethren becomes poor, and falls into poverty among you, then you shall help him, like stranger or a sojourner, that he may live with you. Take no usury or interest from him; but fear your God, that your brother may live you.
Deuteronomy 15:10 You shall surely give to him, and your heart should not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the Lord your God will bless you in all your works and in all to which your hand. For the poor will never cease from the land: therefore I command you, saying, “you shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor your needy, in your land.
Deuteronomy 24:14 You shall not oppress a hired servant who is poor and needy, whether one of your brethren or the aliens who is in your land within your gates.
I don’t know how many documented fraudulent applications to public assistance exists but checking with different states welfare agencies this does seem to be a problem in excess of a billion dollars per year. Leviticus 19:11 You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another. An you shall not swear by My name falsely, nor shall you profane the name of your God: I am the Lord. While this verse can certainly apply in many cases; falsifying an application for public assistance is theft, and takes away money for those that are truly in need.
I have more to say, but my article would be so long that some people’s attention span isn’t long enough to read that much, I include myself in that by the way. I’d love to hear from you, tell me what you think.
Observations
Again, I apologize for not keeping my blog up to date and not responding sooner to some posts. After returning from vacation, I had to get caught up on some deadlines and start some new projects. I was not ignoring you. I know some of you must wonder why I even bother to keep this board going; I have asked myself the same question. The answer is often I feel the need to voice my opinion; however, finding the time is not always that easy. When I do find time I start to write then decide that all 45,000 sides of the issue has been exhausted in nanoseconds after a story breaks, so why be 45,001.
The Presidential campaigns are warming up and the liberals are showing their expertise in finger pointing at the current Republican contenders. I know some of the Republican candidates have made some completely inane remarks that made me want to take a couple of aspirin and call the doctor in the morning. Democrats make the same type of remarks, but before I forget, they just misspoke.
I visit blogs both liberal and conservative sites to see what others are saying. I was hoping that when school started up again the conversations would elevate to a more mature level. Trolls make comments that add nothing to the conversation other than to stir anger. Someone states their opinion (both liberal and conservative) which at least I would call reasonable debate; only for some person, at least in appearance on the other side, respond by juvenile name-calling. Sometimes I wonder if some have more than one account and play both sides.
It just makes me what to shout ENOUGH! You who claim to be liberal, proclaim yourselves erudite compared to conservatives, should attempt to utilize a vocabulary longer than single syllable four letter words. Those who claim to be conservative, you know better. Ecclesiastes 10:12-13 The words a of a wise man’s mouth are gracious But the lips of a fool shall swallow him up; The words of his mouth begin with foolishness, and the end of his talk is raving madness.
Disagreeing about Obama’s policies, or what actions he did or did not take is fine and everyone has the right to do so. Liberals certainly did that with Bush and still do as if he was still President. However, using derogatory racial terminology to describe Obama is another thing, it only adds silage to feeding frenzy liberals. The left assumes that because someone described Obama as (insert horrible racial terms) or merely disagreed with a policy that the person is a Christian, TEA Party (they don’t use that term) Right-Wing Radical extremist. While none of the assumptions may be correct at all. Many believe that just because people describe themselves as a Christian makes the statement factual. If that was correct I could declare I am a Balinese, but that wouldn’t make it true. I could move around on my hands and knees all day limiting my vocabulary to meow still wouldn’t make me a Balinese. Nuts yes, cat no. If anyone took me at my word that I am a Balinese, well . . . . . okay I guess you are entitled to believe what you want though your belief would t be incorrect.
A true Christian has a spirit of Love. Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Christians do make mistakes and have to live with the results. However, some have contorted what is bad into good, and what is good into bad. The above verse does not imply a Christian is supposed to sit back, keep silent on political matters, but means sometimes going against the grain, and assert that which is unpopular. Elijah pointed out the evilness of Jezebel and ran for his life when she threatened his life. The high priests during of Jesus didn’t like how He pointed out the errors in what they taught. They crucified Him, they thought they had defeated Him. Praise God, He rose on the third day, and is alive today and lives in the hearts to those that believe.
Paul wrote in Romans 7:6-8 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not known covetousness unless the law said, “You shall not covet.” But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead.
Jesus used analogies that people of the time would understand. I am sure if Jesus was walking the earth today, He would be using comparisons and depending on the crowd would understand today’s world. Yet many would still reject Him, as before. While others would gladly receive Him. One is to focus on Jesus and not the person giving the message. The message may sound harsh at times, but the alternative is much harsher.
Then and Now
Recently when I was researching on a different topic; I came across some old newspaper articles and a few documents from the National Archives from the World War II era. Interesting as many opinions sounded strikingly familiar as the ones today. Also sharp contrasts noted from 70 years ago to now. Human nature has always been human nature. When I read the articles this came to mind 2 Timothy 3- 5 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof from such turn away.
The Blame Game: Let’s see, hmmm, who was to blame for the war. Oh yeah, Republicans of course, they shuttled the League of Nations. Never mind the League of Nations didn’t have the power to stop a determined country wishing to make war.
The First Lady placed the blame on the American people for the attack on Pearl Harbor, because Congress would not fund fortifying Guam. Since the American people elected those into Congress, who would do the will of the people, the voters were to blame.
When the government announced food rationing, some people bought up supplies in case some items became no longer available. The head of the Office of Price Administration (OPA) gave a report that the hoarders had enough excess that would feed the entire nation for one month. One family purportedly had an excess for 4,000 cans of food. According to the head of the OPA, “The only way we can catch up with that type of hoarder is for Congress to pass legislation which would allow us to confiscate food stocks we consider in excess of needs and to search homes for undeclared food stocks” Okay, 4,000 cans of food is a wee bit excessive; but to enter homes to confiscate undeclared food?
Who got blamed for hoarding? Housewives
A Democrat in the House blamed the First Lady for housewives hoarding sugar after she discussed the possibility of a sugar shortage on the radio with the Secretary of Agriculture.
Some people were angry when reports revealed that tons of sugar was stored in warehouses. Cuba had their warehouses full of sugar waiting for shipment to the States. Rations were increased, but not lifted.
Some blamed unions for the cost of the war going up due to demands of wage hikes, not all unions made wage increase demands. Some blamed unions for the slowdown in production when they went on strike calling the strike just short of treason. The head of the American Legion, addressing the labor leaders, said that a man who lays down his tools on a war job to strike is just as guilty of an act of treason as a soldier who deserts his post of duty.
Foreign and Domestic: One of the goals of FDR was a “world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such through fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor anywhere in the world.” The same said today, but the armament problem has grown to proportions beyond anything imagined in 1942. When Jesus spoke of the last days in Matthew 24:7 said For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. Man cannot settle the world’s problems without God.
Some people claimed that the government was turning to socialism and communism as the government took control over banking, business and individual lives to solve our problems. A statement from a training manual of the Office of Price Administration went like this “Business as usual is impossible under conditions of total war. People have more money, but there is less for them to buy. As this is greater amount of money bids for smaller quantities of goods, prices rise. It is the duty, then of the OPA to keep the cost of living down so that everyone can have enough to eat, to wear, and a place to live – through price control.”
The newspapers kept reports of discontent to a minimum, mostly criticizing the “whiners” about the inconveniences that they were being put through. Some of the complaints were valid. Programs hastily rammed through the web of the government’s newly organized federal level offices, committees, subcommittees, channels, tributaries, to regional levels, to state level and finally local level to enforce new and constantly changing rules could only cause on thing. Confusion.
A newspaper article reported on the first day of gas rationing stated tempers were on a hair-trigger set, resentment, name-calling and threats of investigation and arrest contributed to strain between officials and civilians. Gas rationing with its different cards created “special privileges,” abhorrent to the American heart; and there was a feeling something suspicious lies in the secrecy surrounding those do obtained the “X” and “B-3” cards. Gas rationing started out in the New England states and eventually became nationwide. Gas wasn’t rationed primarily to conserve fuel, though that was partly the case. The main reason for rationing gasoline was to conserve rubber needed for military equipment. Gas rationing, figured at a vehicle getting an average of 15 miles per gallon. With that said, if the exact same rules applied today, having a vehicle that got 50 miles per gallon would not be of benefit, because of the rule of wear and tear on tires.
Later people criticized the First Lady for taking so many trips with gasoline and tire rationing.
A warning to gas ration violators, State Troopers make it very plain that violators will be warned of the penalties of pleasure driving. Violators can’t escape by parking away from the business district of the town officers said. All of them are under surveillance, and unless they cease their pleasure driving they may soon be in real trouble.
People wondered why did FDR needed so many Czars? I found czars for: censorship, information, economic, food, manpower, oil, price, production, rubber, shipping and transportation.
Hollywood and the Media: People complained that newspapers gave more attention to the death of Hollywood star Carole Lombard when the plane she was in crashed, and little about the fifteen military personnel on the ill-fated TWA flight. She was returning from Indianapolis selling defense bonds, selling $2,500,000 worth in one day. The people were right, Carole Lombard did get a much longer spread than the military, some got a paragraph, others just the name. Not much has changed there.
Hollywood announced the plans for her large funeral with full military honors before the remaining crash victims had been recovered. In contrast to what some celebrities do today, Clark Gable, Carole’s husband put a stop to the over the top plans and held a private funeral without military honors.
TAXES: Who should be taxed and how much? Tax the rich? The rich had the money and it would hurt them the least, and their vote wouldn’t hurt the politician as much because they were fewer in number. Problem was not enough rich people to bring in enough money. The treasury said that out of every tax dollar collected, 90 cents went to pay the war bills.
Tax the rest? That will bring in the most revenue but that is where the votes are. Another wonderful idea, the “excess profits tax.” Those who earned more than the year before would pay an extra tax. One problem with that, this plan included everybody. For example, someone had a job the year before earning only a little money. The next year the with a wage increase and more working hours earned more money because of the war effort. Big tax-bite for her also.
JOBS: It wasn’t the lack of jobs that was the problem it was the lack of workers. A memo from the Office of War Information (OWI) stated that they needed 3,500,000 volunteers to take paid jobs, on the farms, because of farm workers have left to join the armed forces or take jobs in industry. An interesting tidbit in the newspapers mentioned that the United States asked Mexico to send more workers. Mexico refused advising that they too had a worker shortage.
OTHER POINTS: After June 30 1942 cloth, metals, plastics, colors, oils, chemicals were not to be used for toys, games or Christmas ornaments. Allowable toys were made out of wood and cardboard. If those rules applied today, we would have cardboard video games on wooden computers. Top selling game Civilian Defense Warden: Find all the violators of wartime rules.
ALTERNATIVE TO SHORTAGES: One article reported that with paint being in short supply, color selection limited. One city police department purchased a new patrol car, painted pink. Made me wonder what the other color choices were.
Some ladies had to go out without their stockings due to rationing found leg makeup the answer, until it rains.
Instead of meatloaf make liverloaf. It is un-American for anyone to say they won’t eat the highly nutritious organ meats because of the taste during a time of war, but it is perfectly fine to make those comments during a time of peace.
Whale meat is a good substitute for beef.
A suggestion came from the Vegetarian Society about meat rationing was to . . . .
What People Were Saying About Education in the Past
Again, I must apologize for taking so long to post another article. With so much happening around the globe so, I can’t say I couldn’t find anything to make comments on. So many little things kept creeping into my schedule I got lazy and put off writing about education for another day. Campaigning is starting up and soon I will have plenty to make comment.
I have spent some time browsing old newspapers and books of how politicians and school boards ran the schools. Some of the methods would have the ACLU and certain atheists breaking out in a serious case of hives if practiced today. Others seem humorous by today’s standards.
The governing body of pre-Revolutionary America required parents to see to their child’s education. They had either to teach the children themselves or find someone to do the job for them.
Later on some problems teachers may or may not have a high school diploma. The sought out teachers attended normal school or later called teacher colleges, for a two year certification in teaching.
Once states required teachers to have a degree from a normal school the problem of retaining teachers continued. The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette on May 26 1914 editorial stated that low salaries and marriage makes rapid changes in the teaching profession. While women are no longer required to quit teaching once married, low salary continues to be an issue. The article went on to say that school authorities tremble before the taxpayer.
A couple of months later in the same newspaper on July 5 1914 according to an Commissioner of Education that the woman teacher would be extinct by 1930. The commission wanted to “provide the teacher, who shall be a mature man, with a domicile in connection with the schoolhouse and with a small farm.” This farm is to be cultivated with the help of the students, who will get valuable agricultural training while the “pedagogues” will be able to increase his income by the sale of his products. Many teachers today have to get a second job to increase their income.
In the Poughkeepsie Journal dated March 8 1938 an editorial by Ruth Millet stated that small pay is in come measure compensated for by long vacations and short hours. Though she had other concerns that the school board owned its teachers body and soul. Thankfully much of this is no longer an issue though morality clauses do still exist. Back in 1938 school boards told the teachers where they must, what time they must be in at night, how many weekends they can spend out of town, what persons are suitable dating material, how they must vote, (still strongly hinted at in some areas) that drinking and smoking and that church attendance is expected. As back then as now college graduate students need jobs and need them so badly that they will put up with any kind of “tyranny,” if they are sure of a monthly pay check.
Funding schools has always been a problem in one editorial in the Poughkeepsie Journal dated November 30 1920 stated that American people have to choose between paying teachers more liberally or giving their children only poor schools. The generation to come has heavier burdens to bear, and it can carry them only by developing the young to be point of superior efficiency.
School lunches were another concern Lake Benton Valley News reported on September 22 1933 that too many schools served haphazard lunches. Food is not always selected and prepared well and the service itself is unattractive and unappetizing. (Sounds like some to the lunches I had when I was in school and this is well before I was around) Parents were given advice on how to pack a proper lunch for their child if they were not eating the hot meal provided by the school.
During the Depression teachers, firefighters and police officers in Albany New York protested that the city had cut their pay again. The Poughkeepsie Journal reported on January 26 1934 that the city was paying the teachers’ salary by taking the funds from the pension plan. Furloughs and department consolidation was being considered. Sound familiar?
Violence on the school grounds again in the Poughkeepsie Journal dated April 13 1934 when two “thugs” (since the race was not mentioned, I am assuming the thugs were white) attacked held-up and robbed a policeman (that was brazen) and stole lunchroom funds. The two escaped with about $117. Now according to my inflation calculator in today’s money that would be about equal to $1,951.17 a good chunk of change back then.
Test scores to prove a teachers worth has been around for a very long time. One writer to the Poughkeepsie Journal on September 28 1898 wrote (and I love this paragraph) with this I close.
“Studying to pass an examination is no test of true scholarship if it win the day. True scholarship is a love of study for the sake of knowing; a desire to gain strength of mind that shall enable you to climb upward and onward by your own exertion. To be independent in thought is a great attainment.”
Pray for Japan
Our prayers go out for Japan as they cope with the devastating 8.9 earthquake that hit early this morning EST. I cannot even begin to imagine what they are going through. Lord, I pray for those that are suffering in Japan. Touch their hearts Lord, heal their bodies as well as their souls that modern medicine cannot do. Guide the rescue workers and medical staff as they toil to save lives. Watch over those in law enforcement as they attempt to maintain peace. I pray for Japan’s leaders as they begin to rebuild the shattered lives so many people. I pray for those in the path of the tsunami that they will be safe from destruction. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.
It may be a couple of days before I get back to discussing education. Right now, that problem seems so minor compared to what Japan is going through as I type this.
Education Debate
Most people agree that education needs to be reformed, where the difference lies is how to reform education. I am by far no expert on reforming education; however, like millions of other people in this country I do have an opinion. Some of you, either liberal or conservative, will like or dislike my suggestions. I will have to do this in parts as setting up my suggestions will take some more space than people might want to read in one setting.
Considering nearly all politicians point out our schools are falling behind other countries in reading, math and science one must look at where the difference lies when students take international tests. Participating countries select schools where students aged 15.2 years and 16.2 years (something like that) and I noticed a difference between China and the United States. Only 7.93 percent of the schools in the United States consider the students’ academic record for admittance into participating schools, while China was 52.69 percent. For the United States 5.02 percent of parents endorsed the instructional or religious philosophy of the school, note that private schools may participate. While Chinas’ parents, although I would not call the endorsement high, came in at 16.15 percent. Stats came from Programme for Internal Student Assessment or PISA. www.pisa.oecd.org
Now how do we improve education? The simplest answer, although incorrect, would be to blame teachers and unions. Although the education system does have ineffective teachers; how does one measure effectiveness. A study released in 2008 by the National Comprehensive Center for Teacher Quality and paid for by the US Department of Education stated “research has not been very successful at identifying the specific teacher qualifications, characteristics, and classroom practices that are most likely to improve student learning.” In general, what may work well with one student may not with another student.
Let’s take two hypothetical 3rd grade elementary classrooms at the same school.
Teacher A has 18 students and is congratulated that all of his/her students passed the state assessment test. Teacher B has 23 students but only 5 passed the same test. Would you say that teacher B should be fired passed solely on the test results only? Would you want to glance at the break down of the students in teacher B’s classroom compared to teacher A?
Breakdown of students for teacher A
. The 18 students were grade level to two years above grade level at beginning of school year. None of which were considered at risk of failing, none were retained K-3. Good parental support and participation with required teacher/parent conferences. Discipline problems are handled promptly by the administration. Only one serious problem and student was transferred to teacher B.
Breakdown of students for teacher B. The 23 students ranged from on grade level to two years below level when students entered the classroom at the beginning of the school year. Half of the class had been retained at least once K-3 and two twice. The 5 that passed the test, one had been retained before the others had not. The remaining 17 made significant gains however not enough to pass the test one remaining student scores had dropped. Parental support ranged from slightly supportive to combative. Discipline problems are mostly ignored by the administration.
Other factors: Teacher A has textbooks in all subjects for each child, has 12 computers for student use, a Smart Board, and other technology for the students. Technology problems are quickly addressed. Administration praises teacher A for providing needed articles for a disadvantaged student.
Teacher B has reading and math books for each child. No textbooks for social studies, and less than half what is needed for science. 4 computers for students but only 3 of the outdated computers work, Smart Board needs repair due to damage caused by student, transferred from teacher A, remains in the classroom. Teacher B buys an old overhead projector with his/her own money to use after being told no funds available to repair Smart Board. Student responsible is on a special education plan and cannot be held responsible. The parent of student receives money from the government due to the disabilities of her child and it is time for review to see if the child has made improvements. Teacher B is dismayed that the parent is only interested in how poorly the child is doing and not interested in the progress the child has made. Teacher B has purchased shoes and jacket for a student in teacher A’s classroom, since teacher A told teacher B he/she (teacher) could not afford to make extra purchases.
Teacher A laments on how low some of his/her students and fears this may reflect on his/her evaluation. Teacher B offers to take 3 lowest students in exchange for the highest student of his/hers. Teacher A quickly refuses.
Open for discussion should 50% of teacher performance student performance? Keep in mind not all classrooms are structured the same.