Education Reform

I'm not big on government involvement, but I belief public education should exist. I also believe public education is in a dire state, and in Puerto Rico it is even worse.

As much as I can champion education reform so our students come out of high school better prepared and as competitive as eastern counterparts, I don't think a longer school year is the best approach.

American students are "at a competitive disadvantage" because the United States has shorter school years than other countries such as India and China.

"It doesn't matter how poor, how tough the family background, socioeconomic challenges," Duncan said. "Where students have longer days, longer weeks, longer years -- that's making a difference."

Having free days in the summer is not what is keeping us at a disadvantage Mr. Secretary. Curriculum, and curriculum enforcement is. Unfortunately longer academic year, will keep us at the same education levels, with schools from better districts offering better education than those in inner cities or poorer districts. It will only keep students there longer; oh yes and teachers too whom I'm sure will want hire pay for the added obligatory days.

If we truly want our children to be more competitive, start by overhauling the curriculum and making sure it is taught AND learned.

Every day I find more and more reasons, not only to send my kids to private school but even to start considering home schooling.

Friday Funny

Cross posted at Babalu, although President Obama has since dismissed LaHood's "bright" idea.

Stimulus Payment Info.

"This year, taxpayers will receive an Economic Stimulus Payment. This is a
Very exciting new program that I will explain using the Q and A format:

Q. What is an Economic Stimulus Payment?
A. It is money that the federal government will send to taxpayers.

Q. Where will the government get this money?
A. From taxpayers.

Q. So the government is giving me back my own money?
A. Only a smidgen.

Q. What is the purpose of this payment?
A. The plan is that you will use the money to purchase a high-definition TV
Set, thus stimulating the economy.

Q. But isn't that stimulating the economy of China ?
A. Shut up.


Below is some helpful advice on how to best help the US economy by spending your stimulus check wisely:

If you spend that money at Wal-Mart, all the money will go to China .
If you spend it on gasoline it will go to the Arabs.
If you purchase a computer it will go to India .
If you purchase fruit and vegetables it will go to Mexico , Honduras , and
Guatemala (unless you buy organic).
If you buy a car it will go to Japan .
If you purchase useless crap it will go to Taiwan .
If you pay your credit cards off, it will go to bank management bonuses and they will hide if offshore. Same with stock investment.

Instead, you can keep the money in America by spending it at yard sales, going to a baseball game, or spending it on prostitutes, beer and wine (domestic ONLY), or tattoos, since those are the only American businesses still operating in the US.

Enjoy!

Not a Miracle Cure

With Axelrod saying that a lift on federal funds for stem cell research could be down the pipeline, the timing of this story is quite interesting.

I guess stem cell therapy is not all it's cracked up to be; at least not yet.

It goes without saying that I vehemently oppose using federal funds for stem cell research. Then again I oppose using them to fund abortions too.

I'm still wondering if I could not pay my taxes on moral grounds.....but I have the feeling the IRS would really not buy into that.

Salary Cap?

I don't have much time to read news these days, with finishing my dissertation and all. I thought the salary cap thing sounded somewhat fair, until I read how according to Jubak, it's a complete joke.

On the "Stimulus" Bill

I don't agree with this behemoth of a bill, and think it should be trimmed down to those things that can work immediately and include tax cuts (hey I need those tax cuts, to at least have money to buy some Dunkin Donuts!).

However, if you believe 100% and agree 100% with Pelosi, Reid and Obama on this then you've become as blind as those who think a president can do no wrong.

I know this thing will be approved, and time will tell whether this was the right thing to do or not. I don't think it is, but then again I don't have a choice in the matter.

Walmart - Our best friend?

I shop at a Walmart supercenter at least once a month; I'd shop more if it was closer. While it doesn't necessarily have the best price on everything, sometimes local supermarkets have better deals, they will honor them if you take the shopper with you (which I do).

The NY Post has a GREAT op ed piece (by a former Wired writer) of going undercover and working at Walmart...and discovering that at least his store was not the monster everyone makes Walmart out to be.

If more than one million Wal-Mart employees in the United States could be induced to join a union, by my calculation they'd be compelled to pay more than half-billion dollars each year in dues.

I've never been a friend of unions; I believe that they have served their purpose and need to change their business model if not cease to exist at all. And in case you are asking, NO I don't belong nor will I belong to the union of my profession.

Cartoons Always Say it Best

No Comment needed, click on the image to enlarge

Esto es El Colmo!

This, for me, is the straw that broke the camel's back and just really turns me off and away from any type of green environmental discussion.

I mean really, who the fuck has the right to tell me what the size of my family should be? Please, before ANYONE tells me how many children I should have, let's see some limits for welfare children first.