America this week, what the hell?
- Thread starter amalik
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Gunslinger-13
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Indeed it does. And this is where the mentality that the government, or the school, or the "system" will do everything for people is such a bad thing. They are dependent.
There is no simple answer to any of these issues. But more government and more taxes is definitely not the answer. As shown time and time again.
Why do you believe the public education system in the USA is so bad?
Is it a single root issue/problem, or a plethora of them?
What would you do to make it better?
nevada
Senior Member
absolutely. as does discipline.
Hepar
New member
There's definitely a population of people who greatly mismanage their money. But there is also the fact that even if you manage your money perfectly, that you will not be able to support a family.
Thefishguy77
New member
Part of the responsibility of deciding to have a family is making sure you can financially provide for them in some way. Sounds harsh but it's the truth. It's just as important and providing good nutrition or education. Failure to plan is planning to fail. I waited to have my first kid till I was in my late 30's. Finances were the main deciding factor in that decision.
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nevada
Senior Member
perhaps. but as I said before, if you cannot afford a family, DONT start one. at least not until you can.
its really not that difficult of a concept.
very similar to credit. something our government needs to figure out. don't spend money you don't have...
Hepar
New member
It is a single root problem with a plethora of them as well. In it's simplest form, the root problem is that it is inherently set up to fail so many students be it the testing protocol, teachers, curriculum etc etc. It could go on and on.
A good friend of mine (who I've mentioned before in other posts) is trying to work on solving that issue. He started a local non-profit called Teachers United. As well as when we both lived in NYC, he worked as a teacher at a Kipp Star Academy school. It was a charter school with public enrollment. The vast majority (if not all) were from very low-income, low achieving families. They had an insanely high success rate and to me really showed how broken our existing education system is.
It was far from a perfect system though. I feel one large way they were able to get such great results is that they staffed it with very enthusiastic and driven teachers. But the work hours were insane. The kids were in school from M-Sat. Imagine what the teachers were doing at the same time. The burnout rate was extremely high, much like a doctor working in an ER.
A link to his non-profit:
Teachers United
A link to the school he taught at in NYC:
KIPP STAR Middle School | KIPP NYC
-JD-
New member
On the subject of minimum wage don't forget the number of full time min wage workers also recieving food stamps or other social assistance. The wage is so low people working full time are still below the poverty level.
Why should taxpayers be bailing out Walmarts workforce?
Or any number of other companies making billions in profits off the backs of people they pay so poorly that they live in poverty and rely on taxpayers to stay alive?
Personally I think it's a great example of how handcuffed the government has become when it comes to anything that would cost big business money (ACA). They've actually started subsidising these companies workforces as opposed to making them pay a livable wage.
As for the idea that everyone can just move up, it's simple really. The number of low or minimum wage jobs greatly exceed the number of job vacancies and most likely always will. It's never going to be possible for everyone to simply get a better job.
Why should taxpayers be bailing out Walmarts workforce?
Or any number of other companies making billions in profits off the backs of people they pay so poorly that they live in poverty and rely on taxpayers to stay alive?
Personally I think it's a great example of how handcuffed the government has become when it comes to anything that would cost big business money (ACA). They've actually started subsidising these companies workforces as opposed to making them pay a livable wage.
As for the idea that everyone can just move up, it's simple really. The number of low or minimum wage jobs greatly exceed the number of job vacancies and most likely always will. It's never going to be possible for everyone to simply get a better job.
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Hepar
New member
I get that. So having a family is then an elitist thing? Only those who can work at a certain level should get the privilege of having a family? I just don't feel that way. I feel if you are a hard worker and have a full-time job, you should be able to have the means to raise a family if you so choose.
jeremyc74
Banned
This is one of the places where the Republican party's platform steps on its own goals.
A lot of Republicans oppose providing birth control to people with low incomes, and sex ed in public schools, and then turn around and oppose abortion and welfare.
The fact of the matter is, basic reproductive education and access to birth control are the two most effective means of preventing abortion AND reducing the number of people on welfare. Birth control is dirt cheap when compared to paying for someone to raise (or in many cases half assed raise) a child they can't afford.
The whole "abstinence only" approach they've preached for decades just doesn't work at all. People are going to have sex, and anyone who thinks they're going to stop them is a fool.
Hepar
New member
And the principle of moving up if you don't make enough concept is great and all, but the saying "the world needs ditch diggers too" rings true. This is a symbiotic workplace that relies on workers of all skills and levels. And that workforce is also going to go through a very serious issue when automation becomes more prevalent.
Thefishguy77
New member
Not at all. But if you want a family and want to live in Seattle. San Francisco downtown NY. Then maybe it's not for you. By me moving to a different part of the state I am in I am cutting my monthly bills by over 50%. Think about that.
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Hepar
New member
I have thought quite a bit on it and that is exactly one of my issues. If you have a viable working strong city, it needs workers on every conceivable level. Making it impossible for the lowest earners to live anywhere close to where they work is a problem.
Thefishguy77
New member
Remember those evil things trump said regarding destroying those trade deals and implements tariffs? That's how you solve that problem. You make it so it cost close to the same to get the product made in America as is does in China. Companies like Walmart have actually scrapped plans for 2 stores in the DC area and 1 i know of in Seattle due to the $15/hr minimum wage deal. So by the government allowing our jobs to be outsourced to countries like China that don't pay their workers crap. It has directly affected our workers here. Walmart last I heard was close if not over 10% of China's GDP. Think about that number.
A lot of this outsourcing is because the world said it wasn't fair that we exported so much and imported so little. This is another example of appeasement and the problems it can cause. We were trying to appease the other parts of the world and cost ourselves dearly.
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nevada
Senior Member
not at all. just don't buy what you cant afford. this includes having children.
is owning a house an elitist thing? a car?
I disagree, nobody is entitled to any of those things.
earn what you get, and get what you earn.
agreed.
nevada
Senior Member
I have no idea about republicans platforms or otherwise.
but, that goes back to schools. something the government is failing with. we both agree then, that they should have less influence on education.
Hepar
New member
You get what you earn. Understood. We can both agree on that statement. The differences apparently are what it takes to earn something.
Thefishguy77
New member
It comes down to personal responsibility. If you aren't in a positions where you can afford to buy condoms. Are you really in a position to be having sex? Could you not buy the pack of smokes and afford them? To put that responsibility on the government is weak. Really they are the ones to make sure we don't have unprotected sex. Men keep it in your pants. Ladies keep you legs closed. Real hard to get pregnant on accident. That's not the governments job in any way shape or form. That's a cop out plain and simple.
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nevada
Senior Member
agreed. but I felt like ive been typing that a lot in the last few posts, and its seemingly ignored. I guess it just goes to show, it really is the problem, but nobody wants to accept it...
Thefishguy77
New member
Sad but true. We have over the last 20-30 years been told we (government) will fix it for you. Brain washing in essence. Intended or not.
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