Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Immigrants, Not Americans, Must Adapt


Given our current climate for appeasment, I thought this needed a place front and center. I don't know who wrote it but I feel every word deep within me. I would like to point out that this doesn't necessarily address illegal aliens. This is directed at those who are here legally. If we could settle some of these internal matters I think the external matters will be much more easily solved.


I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture, here in the USA. Since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Americans. However, the dust from the attacks had barely settled when the "politically correct" crowd began complaining about the possibility that our patriotism was offending others.

I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to America. Our population is almost entirely comprised of descendants of immigrants. However, there are a few things that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently some born here, need to understand.

This idea of America, being a multi-cultural community, has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. As Americans, we have our own culture, our own society, our own language and our own lifestyle. This culture has been developed over centuries of struggles, trials, and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom.

We speak ENGLISH, not Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society, learn the language! ENGLISH. "In God We Trust" is our national motto. This is not some Christian, right wing, political slogan. We adopted this motto because Christian men and women, of Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is and always will be part of our culture.

If the Stars and Stripes offend you, or you don't like Uncle Sam, then you should seriously consider a move to another part of this planet. We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change, and we really don't care how you did things where you came from. Remember, "Delta is ready when you are and they can have you there by nightfall".

This is OUR COUNTRY, our land, and our lifestyle. Our First Amendment gives every citizen the right to express his opinion and we will allow you every opportunity to do so.

But, once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about our flag, our pledge, our national motto, or our way of life, I highly encourage you to take advantage of one other great American freedom, THE RIGHT TO LEAVE!

Saturday, May 27, 2006

Improving Education

Our education system increases in cost each year while reduced results have also been the norm. Children are graduating from High School with out basic skills such as reading, writing and math. History is not held in as high regard as the former three but without it we doom future generations. Mankind advances by learning from those who went before us. Failure in history education puts us in a continuous cycle of making the same failures.

Changes that will reduce costs and maximize learning

Elementary schools should be two fold services. They should be open 12 hours a day and function both as daycare and an educational setting. Children will learn at a faster rate in a comfortable and familiar environment. Parents are often pushed to the limit to arrange care prior to the school day - rides to school - school - rides from school - after school care. The transportation and various caretakers’ increases risk to the child and increase costs to the system. Having elementary schools open from 6am to 6pm fits both blue and white collar working families. Education could still be kept to 6-7hrs that is normal to the school environment. These hours could provide better time and access to the individual child for questions and learning. These hours are not restrictive for parents who are available to their children to drop off and pick up around the school hours. For those parents who both need to be employed to overcome the excessive tax burden, the structured class time and daycare would reduce stress in the family.

School would be run in a year around system of 12weeks on 3weeks off. This system allows for increased learning and reduced review from educational loss would not be as dramatic with shorter vacation periods. Currently with the 3month vacation system our school system spend 1.5 - 2months refamiliarizing the students with what they learned the previous year before being able to move forward. The three-week vacation periods also allow for vacation opportunities during all seasons of the year without removing your children from schools and further reducing their learning. In the broad business spectrum this spreads out peak seasons and gives the business world a smoother operating curve. Summer vacations become hard on the work structure because of the limited vacation opertunities under the current system. With year around schooling vacations will be broken up across the entire year increasing business productivity.

Costs saving under the year around system are substantial. Schools could be built with 25% less capacity because only 75% of students are in school at any given time. Since the school is used across the summer months the building does not sit dormant and further draw on finances for no purpose. Teaching staff could be rotated in the same year around structure as students so no additional burden is placed on the teaching profession.

Junior high and high school would use the same building. Junior high would use the building from 7am to 3pm. High school would use the building 4pm to 10pm. Both junior and senior high would follow the year around system as well. There use of a single building and the 25% reduction in capacity under the year around system would reduce building costs by 60%. High school students would be required to have a part-time job and would be considered part of the educational process. These students would be required to work 15-20hrs per week in the morning and attend classes in the evenings. This class structure would reduce various gang and misconduct that normally occurs during the sunset to dark hours.

Sharing the building with the high schools adds many vocational class opportunities to junior high students. Early introduction to vocations would create work ethics and life skills that could easily be applied in the work-school high school program.

Under these simple changes learning could be accelerated by 25% and costs could be cut by 50%. How is that for some basic changes? Not only do these improve education but they also improve the business environment. Not only do they help employment but also they cut the tax burden on the family. Not only does it improve child development but also it reduces opportunities for misconduct.

Somebody needs to promote changes in our current system. These are only a few and they focus on cost, size and time structure. We still need to look at ideas for curriculum and class structure.

Saturday, May 13, 2006

Why Isn't Socialism Dead?

That was the title of a great article that can be found HERE on TCS Daily.

I ran into this article and it has me a bit irritated. I know that people don't always think through what they do, but perhaps the real flaw is a lack of history knowledge. We currently have such open access to information that we can see the big picture. The rest of the world functions within their range of vision and experience. The real question is, Why do people except the worst form of government when they are looking for the best? The article points to laziness and a dream in people showing their best side but power seems to consume the best side.
We in the US function on a balance between capitalism and socialism. We keep adding to our laws ultimately increasing government regulation and intervention. The government slowly becomes so powerful that it takes complete control.

I was just noticing that the more laws we make the closer we get to socialism.
You see, when we make a law about something we are removing the possibility of choice or freedom. The more laws we make the more freedom is reduced. Basically, the more congress meets the less freedom we enjoy. The more power or control is then handed over to the government. The government is constantly in a state of growth while we are reduced in stature.
When was the last time you can recall the government repealing a law? This would be a form of government reduction or relinquished freedom.
Then there is the issue of morality. I am sure you have heard idiots declare you can't legislate morality. Morality is simply setting up a collection of rights and wrongs and holding them as a standard to live by. When you pass a law you are simply determining what is right and what is wrong. Hence, you are determining what is moral and what is amoral. The problem starts coming in when laws are passed that go against what you believe to be right or wrong. By enforcing these laws we are then legislating morality and forcing a set of beliefs on another.

How does all this tie into socialism? As we pass laws and change our moral direction, we start to pass all power over to the government and demand that they uphold these laws that are passed. The government ultimately takes full control of all aspects of life. You have now moved to a socialist state. Are we in America being consumed into Socialism?