Philadelphia is having enormous problems like many big city school districts. First the state cut their funding. Then their tax base went down. Then the government put unfunded mandates on the table like "Every Child Left Behind."

After all this, state lawmakers decided that this disaster of their making must be fixed by a for profit education corporation, I think it was called Edison. Edison was supposed to be the answer to all of their problems. It made more problems, since 40% of the tax dollars went to management instead of schools.

Now Romney thinks we can fix the problem by taking even more tax dollars away from the publci schools and give it to- you guessed it, more for profit schools in the name of charter schools. Since many of them are more interested in making money than teaching kids, many of them have failed miserably for the same reasons Edison did. Of course, unlike public schools, charter schools can kick out kids who don't perform or are behavior problem.

I get annoyed at republicans because they always think their easy answers can solve complicated answers, and their first choice for cutting education always involves the things city schools need most, like serving students living in poverty breakfast, and cutting preschool programs and Head Start programs, you know, the things that actually work.

Let's not forget standardized testing, which bush felt would save education. Of course, he didn't fund that any more than he did ECLB. It is a mere snapshot. It is unfair for instance for third graders to test for three hours a day for three days. They give up after a while. It needs to be modified or scrapped. I vote for scrapped.

Now the schools face the standards that that ignoramus bush put into place that essentially says that all students going to public schools should be Rhodes Scolars on graduation. That includes students with any number of mental incapacities. In the end, bush felt public schools had to go. Romney is taking up the torch on that. he agrees entirely, and if you disagree, the Prankster in him will say goodbye to your hair.

Oh, and teachers, republicans feel they should be compensated minimally and punished to the maximum. With republicans, as usual, it is all stick and no carrot.

Romney doesn't care about these kids. He would rather send them to war than send them to school anyway.

Freebacon?! Where? I'll take me some of that.

But if you habitually listen to pork products and take their word at face-value...

holeee-smokes.

But in all seriousness, perhaps you've heard of the empirical method.

You haven't given enough in your blurb to actually craft an informed opinion about it. I need more details. Like;

Education, experience, skill-set.

To help you out, some MIT course materials on Empiric Methodology; docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:PUXOTSRUrS4J:web.mit.edu/14.771/www/emp_handout.pdf+&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESgWIe8QXHOz_l5_DufrtfEeQEil68y4F1JlN-S-Ue4KIAu40K_R4LYlDW7qA5X7rwOb44HUXuqL7sOlb12NZhyMQ8tmlp5Aafwv5qFVGsi0VA2DzLtS182bTz-HfhbeYL97Hs-X&sig=AHIEtbT2u7D2O22kRFM4bIzdMRJSRCML_w

JAS did your article include job descriptions in relation to pay or are you just spouting numbers again.

Why present facts? They only interfere with Smiffy's talking point!

As Homer Simpson would say, "Mmm...free bacon!!!"

More proof JoAnnaSmith1 is actually a man. Even Republican women believe in equal pay for equal work.

And the reason all you libbies don't require the same stats of dems to substantiate their faux repub war on women is ....................?

Amy - I have always thought JAS was a junior high boy. Not enough education and certainly not enough personal knowledge to be a woman. But, it's the best the GOP can confuse!

"I'm the result of both parents staying together." George Constanza.

LoL.

Amy: More proof JoAnnaSmith1 is actually a man. Even Republican women believe in equal pay for equal work.

Amy, why do Liberal Democratic women refuse to pay their female staff at least close to the same amount? Seems like the Dems love to talk the talk, but not walk the walk.

JAS did your article include job descriptions in relation to pay

Maybe, but if so it seems like Democrats just can't find it in themselves to hire qualified women for their higher paying positions. Maybe the EEOC should look into why that is?

JAS, maybe none applied or wanted the jobs. Since you have no factual information on the hiring maybe you just need to keep your opinions to yourself until you do. And really "Maybe" guess not, but hey you come back when you are a little more manure (mature) and give it another try.

SS: Amy - I have always thought JAS was a . . .

So SS, do tell. What is your purpose here other than to be critical of others? You never offer any view point or opinion of value. You only provide sophomoric and simplistic responses to people you disagree with, but at least you keep it light-weight so your leftist klan can have a chance of understanding it, so in that respect you do know your low-brow audience - case in point with post #1.11. Critical thinking is obviously not your forte. I can only think that you're just a hateful person looking for an outlet for all your anger and extremely low self-esteem, two qualities that personify you.

Either way, please do keep it up. It just strengthens the notion of you leftists looking even more uneducated and foolish.

And have a great day SS.

Aside of the economic disparity between the way these kids are growing up, compared to the way Romney grew up (rich), Romney seemed to find it incredulous that there are not 2 parents in every home.

I'm sure Romney's going to have even more shocking moments as he moves around the country.

@American Girl,

What I would have liked to see was Romney go to a public school in Philly, to see what funding cuts mean, and I would have loved to have seen him visit a Head Start Program center, to see what can be done when you give a leg up to preschoolers. But alas, the tin man has no heart.

Americans should recognize by now that the modern GOP doesn't want to fix education, they want to privatize it along with everything else. One only needs to listen to their words to understand that. It started with Reagan attacking teacher unions, now they just blame teachers for the ills of public education--it's bad teachers who are the problem, not too large class sizes, not cutting head start programs which aid poorer and disadvantaged pre-schoolers. With few exceptions, republicans slash education funding nationwide. In Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and others, the GOP cut funding to public schools and gave the money to private charter schools. Well, guess what, private charter schools are "for-profit" schools, they are in it to make money.

Education is the first thing to be cut in local budgets. Can't possibly raise income taxes so local communities in an effort to fund schools raise property taxes. Romney and the GOP say they want to eliminate the Dept of Education, give education back to the states but the States already have local control of their schools and curriculum--all the Education Dept does is establish minimum standards, make recommendations, etc. for the nation so that Texas kids at least have the same basic education as those in New York.

Romney's words about Education yesterday were as much a farse as his daily lies about President Obama and the economy. Paul Ryan's budget slashes education funding along with everything else, and Mitt thinks it is "marvelous". If we want quality educational opportunities for ALL children, not just those whose families can pay for it, then collectively we must be willing to fund it properly.

Education funding has declined the past 30 years and that decline is in direct correlation to the decline in the level of student performance and both are in direct correlation to today's pervasive Grover Norquist "I've got mine and intend to keep every penny" attitude.

A big reason I am wary of charter schools is they are not normally subject to the same strict audit requirements that public schools face. Several charter schools here in Ohio were found to be siphoning off money to pad their own pockets, or paying exorbiant fees to "consultants" who just happened to be part of the same group of companies.

Let's try some things that work, like smaller class sizes, all-day kindergarten, and better-paid but evaluated teachers before we invest a lot of money in charter schools.

Please note the photo. Two glaring problems. Obviously, one is Mitt Romney. The other, and far more important, is the monitors. (It's probably safe to assume there's computers there, too.) What the hell are computers doing in a third-grade classroom?

Do we send kids to school to learn reading, writing, and arithmetic, or to teach them how to become the slaves of machines? They aren't learning computer technology. That's crap. They're learning how to have machines perform their ciphering, their reading, their research, and even their spelling and writing. Where is the foundation upon which these kids will build for their critical thinking?

The problem in education is not in the classroom. It's in the home. Charter schools cherry pick their students. Those students have parents who are actually involved in the education of their children. To hell with kids who were so stupid they picked incompetent parents.

Here we go again Romney has run his lip and still knows nothing.

Tell me Romney how do you further the education in America if your counter parts seem to think they can use it as a political football.

Do you think cutting teachers pay and the right to organize the way to make it better. Lets take a look at the schools in right to work states their in the toilet you simple minded bast,ard

Rombot sticks to the Teapublican talking point: education is for those who can afford it and the rest of you can mow my lawn. Can't find those illegals I didn't know about, but you folks will do fine.

Just make sure everything is the right height.

Rombot.Has.Nothing.

Some things should NEVER be privatized, the military, education, health care to name a few. Cheney and Republicans have privatized a lot of our military via Haliburton, and contractors cost three times as much. Single-payer health care like the USPS would help keep costs low by having competition by non-profit government entities.

Education in particular is something conservatives have been trying to privatize, whether vouchers or now charter schools because this way they can go back to school prayer, etc. and rewrite history per Texas text books.

When it comes to lower taxes, look at how much companies make off natural resources (there's an article today about an Australian woman worth a gazillion), look at countries like Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the services their citizens enjoy without paying up the wazoo in taxes. Why? Because natural resources belong to everyone, including air and water. These oil companies drill a hole and just sit on top of that hole and make record profits by selling it back to you, the people. I'm not promoting pure socialism, but rather a hybrid that works best for the common good.

There are models like Japan or Norway we can look at to improve education, and most of all ways to help children from poor or abusive or just neglectful homes -- Starting with good paying jobs. But privatization of everything is a really bad horrible direction to go. Our children need to learn reading, writing, arithmetic, and the arts for creative innovation -- Not anti-science Flat Earth Society creationism and gawd knows what.

"It’s not the classroom size that is driving the success of [other nation's] school systems. And then [McKinsey] looked at it and said well what is driving the success of those school systems? It’s parents very involved and the idea of choice means you have chosen to be involved, parents are involved, excellent teachers, drawing teachers from the very best and brightest of graduates," Romney said. "And administrators that are able to guide the school with good policies of discipline and getting the right resources."

Unfortunately, while Romney may talk the talk, he most certainly does not walk the walk. While most Americans realize that No Child Left Behind was the stupidest education bill ever passed, Romney would actually return to it, plus draining funds from public schools to charter schools. It is actually a fact that charter schools are in many cases under-performing than public schools.

In my opinion, we have blamed our teachers too much and have not focused a lot on students and on their parents. We need to encourage parents to be involved with their children's education to encourage students to work hard at their studies. Here is what I would do to revitalize our education system:

• First of all, I would institute merit-based pay, with a salary floor of $40,000 to $50,000, but offer a yearly bonus of 15% as "danger insurance" to encourage good teachers to go to poor neighborhoods with high levels of violence.
• Secondly, I would increase funding for education by two thirds and increase federal control over the education system. I would target the majority of that spending to schools in lower-class communities and to those that are under-performing, and increase funding for such schools, but allow the federal or state government to manage it directly.
• Then I would encourage the restructuring of our education policy to take emphasis away from testing and more on actual learning. I would reduce the number of standardized tests to one or two a year.
• Next, I would establish a single federal standard on education: at least 40-50% of students must score above average on their test scores and pass their classes. I would also set a goal: by 2030,the number of students who score Proficient on their test scores and pass their grades with at least a B average will increase by 35%.
• I would gradually increase the school year from 180 days to 240 over 12 years.
• Finally, I would enact further reforms so that our school system partly reflects the successful education systems of Europe. Call it socialism all you want; Europe's education system is doing a helluva lot better than ours.

OBAMA BIDEN 2012

"It’s nice that he decided this late in his time to see what a city like Philadelphia is about -- It’s May. The election’s in November."

So did Obama show up at that school in 2008, or 2012? No

So he criticizes the candidate that DID show up, while supprting Obama, who did not.

Seems a bit 'transparent'.

Puleeze, Romney's approach to education seems too much like his approach as a corporate raider. Screw the kids, the parents, our country and future -- How much profit did it make?

BTW, his son Tagg is in the private education business, and boy if they could get voucher government subsidies, all the better! Yeah, the Teapublicans and Romney are thinking ahead wanting student loans to go back to the private sector banks, that made money off interest AND government subsidies -- All government guaranteed!

Whenever Romney says "free enterprise," he means privatizing profits and socializing debt to create wealth for him and his 1% cronies.

Thats my boy Freshieee!!! Keep throwing out those ideas of yours and maybe a semi intelligent congressmen will get the hint that even a kid can come up with at least one decent idea, so why can't they!!!

Still not voting for Obama, he has ideas and the one he followed through with people are really scared of being implemented!!! The idea of being forced by the govt to buy a product with no price control is terrifying. I am seeing comment about paying upwards if not over $1,000 per month for healthcare. This is a product you might use, there are no guarantees you will need that much insurance, but you do need rent money, gas money, food money, clothing money for your kids, etc. $1,000 being taken out of every household budget and thrown into a system which is only needed BC prices for services flew out of control, thats just scary. Could you imagine for instance buying insurance for gas? Healthcare prices go up and up and up and that means the cost for insurance will increase and we will be forced to buy it. Thats my speculation anyhow and to believe the opposite would happen is also speculation. Obama would have been smarter to 'control' the cost of services rather than regulate the purchase of a product that does not always guarantee services will be rendered in a timely manner by the doctor chosen by the network. He had the support from the people to control the cost of healthcare and instead he implemented a 'must purchase' on the by-product (insurance) of higher service cost. Makes no logical sense to me.

So been in any good debates lately?

Thanks for the reminder about yet another Republican LIE that "Obamacare" is the reason companies aren't hiring.

Here's an example. The US Postal Service is non-profit--they operate completely on the sale of postage. If the USPS was shut down, what would the private sector (FedEx, UPS, DHL) do? They'd raise prices and cause the cost of business to increase for everyone to do everything.

Government health care would work the same way, especially if Medicare could negotiate with Big Pharma for a volume discount on drugs. But at least ACA creates competition via the Exchange and regulation therein.

The US is the only country that places the burden of for-profit health care via insurance middlemen on businesses. What we really need is single-payer, but "Obamacare" actually takes a lot of the burden off most business -- And it doesn't go into full effect until 2014.

Why does the GOP/TP tell this lie? That's the question you should be asking.

TexasFighterGal

Thats my boy Freshieee!!! Keep throwing out those ideas of yours and maybe a semi intelligent congressmen will get the hint that even a kid can come up with at least one decent idea, so why can't they!!!

Thanks Texas. But I think the politicians know the solutions to our problems: they're just too chicken to walk the walk and risk defeat. Lousy electioneering bastards.

Still not voting for Obama, he has ideas and the one he followed through with people are really scared of being implemented!!!

Well, that's your choice, but I'm going to keep trying!!!

The idea of being forced by the govt to buy a product with no price control is terrifying. I am seeing comment about paying upwards if not over $1,000 per month for healthcare. This is a product you might use, there are no guarantees you will need that much insurance, but you do need rent money, gas money, food money, clothing money for your kids, etc. $1,000 being taken out of every household budget and thrown into a system which is only needed BC prices for services flew out of control, thats just scary.

Well, while I do see your concern (and harbor my own opinions on ACA, which I personally think doesn't go far in enough but is a start), it is a reasonable first step on the way to complete healthcare reform. Plus the average health insurance policy only costs $183 a month. I am not looking at the constitutional side, as I generally have a loose interpretation of it; I am merely looking economically, as are you.

Could you imagine for instance buying insurance for gas? Healthcare prices go up and up and up and that means the cost for insurance will increase and we will be forced to buy it. Thats my speculation anyhow and to believe the opposite would happen is also speculation. Obama would have been smarter to 'control' the cost of services rather than regulate the purchase of a product that does not always guarantee services will be rendered in a timely manner by the doctor chosen by the network. He had the support from the people to control the cost of healthcare and instead he implemented a 'must purchase' on the by-product (insurance) of higher service cost. Makes no logical sense to me.

Personally, I don't believe that he sold us out to Big Pharma. I think he focused on the eligibility side of healthcare, eliminating preconditions and the like. Plus he sought to expand Medicaid to expand coverage to millions and tried to cut down on the fraud of the current healthcare system, curving the increase of healthcare premiums. Plus it pays for itself (and reduces the deficit) via cutting Medicare increases and using revenues via violations of the mandate and other sources.

I would prefer a more single-payer healthcare system modeled after the VA. The health insurance industry would be nationalized, and the hospitals placed under the control and jurisdiction of the Department of Health and Human Services, which will control the healthcare system. All private healthcare clinics would be purchased and the doctors rehired. As for medical and pharmaceutical companies, they would remain in business as private firms, yet would be contracted and governed by price controls. As our for-profit healthcare system is highly expensive and inefficient, I would advise looking to Europe, as their healthcare systems are among the most efficient and cost-effective in the world. Hopefully we could do that here and free up hundreds of dollars every month for millions of Americans, allowing for greater economic growth and a higher standard of living. Not to mention the benefits that this efficient healthcare system would have on our health.

So been in any good debates lately?

Yes, some heated, others not so much. All in a day's work, I suppose.

Its sad for a republican to admit that nationalizing healthcare SERVICES might be the ONLY way to ensure 100% of the people access. MIGHT be!!! A good start might be finding a way to either increase tuition assistance for medical students OR finding a way to control the cost to educate them. Flood the planet with doctors and perhaps you will flood the planet with health!!! Good doctors should not be so scarce as to be able to demand a premium for their services. A healthy society evolves and prospers better than a sick and stagnant society!!! Makes perfect evolutionary sense!!!

I prefer the not so heated debates. Heated debates tend to become irrational and opinions immobile!!!

Mitt Romney took his newly-announced education agenda...

Has anybody wondered about this sudden shift? He went from a solid 2 weeks of Obama economic policy bashing to a week of nothing but education. Why? Well, here's a clue from Romney's speech to the Latino Coalition: “When Jeb Bush became governor of Florida, reading scores of Hispanic students in that state’s school system were dismal. He brought focused innovation and passionate leadership. Today those scores have risen dramatically."

At the same time, I notice that Jeb Bush is prominent in the news touting the wonderful things he did to Florida education while he was governor.

You just have to wonder: is Jeb Bush going to be Romney's pick for veep?

And then you have to wonder: does America really have the stomach for another Bush after the terrible performance of the last Bush to hold high office?

Fiesty,

He is saying its a good thing to have a mommy and a daddy at home. They need to be held accountable for the kids. Less divorce more focus on family. That's WTF.

Love PMSNBC, obama's goons givng top secret informaiton to movie makers for his "I killed bin laden" movie. This sorry is front page every where but on this news site. Now that is WTF.

@ Feisty,

I agree WTF?....Romney forgot to say, " It helps a childs education alot if your parents are Super Rich."

Less divorce more focus on family.

Ahhh... now I get it!

Willard will abolish the ability to divorce your partner on day one...

Wouldn't surprise me in the least, since the party of small governement has no issues with sticking their nose in your personal business with more regulations!

This sorry is front page every where but on this news site.

HUH?

Well then, why don't you waddle on over there and waddle with your comrades...

Trust me, it's not like anyone is going to miss you around here!

MRWSR yet again you have missed the point of Feisty's post

and i must ask did you even try thinking about what she said or did you just respond because feisty posted something

Here's WTF - It's code for no gay parents.

I think his point is: there is nothing the government can do to improve education in neighborhoods with a high number of single parent households.

We are going to shoot the money to charter schools so somebody can make a profit, even if education doesn't actually improve.

I have been to a charter school, not really much a difference between kids there and at a regular public school except the ones at a charter school are more pompous cause they think they are special.

Fiesty and annoyedperson,

Sorry did not post just to post. I think family values is lost in our country and am very tired of hearing "that's just the way it is or that's life. That is an excuss. People sell out to quick and the family gets destroyed. I know there are no perfect people and perfect homes, but I still believe in the famliy and fighting for it. If fiesty would read the speech and read it in context, then maybe no WTF. As far me going and staying on another news source, I do. I do not rely on one source. Just thought is was interesting that they make no mention of it.

MRWSR.

I understand what Feisty is saying. It would be nice to have both parents. but lets be realistic in today society, children are a product of divorce parents or single parents and a lucky few that have both parents in the house. No matter what the home environment it is a teacher job to teach, to be adaptable to try to overcome the disadvantages that some students may come from. Because every child can learn it just getting them there that counts.

As a single parent of two, the biggest problem I ever faced was paying the bills because my dead-beat ex-husband wouldn't pay his court-ordered child support. Enforce child support laws and you'll improve school performance - all kids fare better with a full belly.

It would be nice to have both parents. but lets be realistic in today society,

BINGO!

Thank you s. harris!

This isn't the 1950's anymore, no matter how hard Willard wishes it was...

MRWSR, I think it is clear what Romney was saying but outside of the Mormon faith not realistic. There is little doubt that having two parents is a good thing but in todays world with trial marriages, and a generation of me firsts its better to stay with reality in todays world. We are simply going to have many homes with a single parent and wishing otherwise will not work. If he only makes plans based on two parent homes then many will be left out, which in my opinion demonstrates why you can not build or run a government based on a single faith. Romney is out of touch because of his faith as much as due to his wealth. Now what I would like to know is what security clearance you have to determine information given to movie makers is "Secret" for which there are many levels.

So Mitt...

If child is not in a two parent home TODAY does that mean we write them off?The notion that only children from two parent families are educable is laughable or ignorant. Can't decide which!

If you really want to help the education standard increase the budget for education. oh wait that would increase government spending we cant do that. Im sorry children you wont be able to get a good education because we don't want to spend money on it

That will be my guess is to what will happen if Romney becomes president, either that or he tries to privatize the education system

either way not very good for average Americans or single parent households

That is exactly what Romney says AP. Like the rest of his party, more defense dollars trumps education every time, not to mentions Social Security and Medicare. As anyone can see on fox news, republicans entertain adults who possess a fourth grade vocabulary.

MRWSR, I grew up with two parents all my life with dinner at the table. It would be nice if we could have kept that value, but fact is the world changes, good, bad or indifferent and it has. Society changes, life in school changes, and wishing for the past does not help the present. Fact is marriages do not last, jobs do not last to retirement (much). People approach marriage differently today, rather that accepting someone we have to change them and that does not work in a marriage. So while Romney looks at his life he is missing the one todays kids face. As has been said here we have to be able to bridge the differences and give all kids and equal education regardless of their home conditions.

Tis,

Please don't give up on the family. I don't get it, when the standard is single parent homes. Families should fight for themselves. We have become a very selfish society. This is not a left or right issue. Bill Cosby is one of the biggest adovacates for Family.

On the other subject, please check out this link,

http://www.judicialwatch.org/press-room/press-releases/13421/

So Willard tells the educators mommy and daddy need to stay together.....egads!

Are the educators supposed to instruct the kids, along those lines so they can instruct the parents?

Willard, WTF?

MRWSR: Today's generation don't want to make a commitment to anything, because it would tie them down and reduce their feeling of independence. and commitment is key in any relationship. the only thing that can fix that is parents educating their children on better moral values, because parents will always be the number 1 role model for teens.

MRWSR,

On not giving up on the family, I think that the president's idea of a fair playing field where people could make a decent living wage without working three jobs would go a long way. I am a huge believer in family. To have this they have to have a chance to thrive beyond mere subsistance levels. Romney's marvelous plan would kill medicare and leave many to take care of their parents and uncles and aunts instead of investing in their kids. Republicans like to say they are the keepers of family values, and then they want to kill all of the supports that keep families together.

If your party truly supported families, they would support families, medical care and Social Security. Clearly, they don't support any of those things, so I will call the republican party the anti-family party.

Willard will abolish the ability to divorce your partner on day one...

...but then what is Newton supposed to do if he wishes to continue "loving his country"?

MRWSR, its not any one single person giving up on family, its not even one single society. The world is continuing to change with every generation, each develops their own culture and if we do not keep up with that and insist on staying back we do them a disservice. We have to develope new methods of teaching, ie computers, we have to adapt environments for teaching as well. Romney may be well intentioned but out of step with the pace of todays world. As to your link, they were granted secret access not access to secrets. As for names of leaders I bet they were not part of the operation but just one of many planners. The government and military work with many intertainment interest when requested, you can even look to the latest movie "Battleship" and the military had a role in that as well. The only thing I take out of this is Judical Watch is jealous of the movie maker for getting the information before them. They are always free to access information as they did under the Freedom of Information Act.

Wayne,

Republicans like to say they are the keepers of family values, and then they want to kill all of the supports that keep families together.

This is not just something I like to say, it is something I believe in very much. But will never be for the government in controll family values or taking the role of provider. That is why obama will and has failed in his attempts to win over this country. Divided. Now more than ever.

Mitt can't even TALK a good game. "Education - you guys don't need it because your families are not part of the 1% so you shouldn't be educated - you might want to make something of your lives and we can't have that!"

MRWSR - Children should be raised in homes where they are loved and supported, no matter who their parents are or aren't. When we realize that a child being loved and supported is the focus, we begin to realize that not every home looks the same. What is important is the focus on the child.

I have seen traditional two parent homes - with a mother and father - that I wouldn't wish on anyone. It is the quality of the home - not the kind of parent - that is important.

The GNOP Education and Social Policy: More Guns and Bullets....Less Books and Education....better to let the young go fight and die for some war for oil rather than let them grow old and become a burden on society (Medicare / Social Security)

Tis,

Please take the time line and the access given here. This not a Hollywood standard. Can you imagine if this happened during the Bush era. Wonder what you would say then.

And as far as keeping in step with the changes of our society, I will respectfully disagree with your analysis. The message never changes, the means and how it's delivered may, it's core has always been there. Family. It is worth fighting for, not letting go because we have become selfish and government dependent.

So MRWSR, what you are saying, if you agree with your party, is that all pregnancies must go to term, as every life is holy and special, until birth. From that point on, parents are on their own, even if they can't afford to clothe and feed and educate these kids. If you want strong families, if you really believe in them, then you have to invest in them. Don't get cheap, now!

We have had a war on poverty in this country for how long? Has it worked? No. We have been talking about the need to improve education in this country for how long? Has it worked? No. Two of the biggies the Democrats have been talking about for the past 60 years, and guess what? Today they are still just talking about them. No reason to fix anything in Washington when it makes such a great talking point. The Democratic Party of no solutions just keeps beating that same drum every election.

So Rick, I guess republicans need to starve them. That is what you get with no food stamps and no medicaid, and no support for the schools. Jesus said, "the poor will always be with us." At what point did you stop caring about your fellow man?

Now republicans say the churches can aid the poor and the retired. How will that work out.

Louis the XVI had the same ideas as you. That worked out for him so well!

Wayne,

Why will you not get the fact that, me as a conservative, have no desire to see starving children or hurting families. I believe we have some social programs that are needed. But that is where you go over the edge. When does it stop at what point has the government become the provider, the care taker, the mandater. You can not mandate giving or caring, that is social justice. Why is that among those who give to charities republicans give more that dems. There is no accountability and there is no end in sight for the reach of the government. You act like we have never functioned without the department of education, look what has happened since its been there. Get off the "You the only one who cares" tower and realize that making them dependent is not caring for them. It handicaps them.

MRWSR, I have no doubt it did on some level. We just did not hear about it because it was Bush. As for family, the definition has changed, family can be one parent and one child and what happen to free will to determine your own actions or do you blame government for bank robberies, theft, divorces, bad hair, baggy pants, crap uh I mean RAP. Why do you feel the definition of family has to be yours? Why can not someone determine for themselves what their family will be.

Fine MRSWR, do it right, get the oversight. Make sure these people have a chance. Your party wants to rid itself of foodstamps and Medicaid. To me, that speaks volumes.

States are not funding education properly. That means the Federal Government needs to step in. I would rather see smart, well educated kids with a future ahead of them than another F-35 fighter wing or yet another new carrier, or a missle sight that even the military doesn't want. Before you ask, yes, I served in the military.

When it comes to this issue, either put up or shut up.

TO: MRWSR. who wrote:

"... I think family values is lost in our country and am very tired of hearing "that's just the way it is or that's life. That is an excuss. People sell out to quick and the family gets destroyed..."

It reminds me of all those babies Republicans want women to have, with "no father figure required".

How do Republicans reconcile that?

Obama/Biden 2012

If you really want to help the education standard increase the budget for education. oh wait that would increase government spending we cant do that. Im sorry children you wont be able to get a good education because we don't want to spend money on it

Well increasing the funding here in NJ has been a such a success...not.

Abbott districts are school districts in New Jersey that are provided remedies to ensure that their students receive public education in accordance with New Jersey’s state constitution. They were created in 1985 as a result of the first ruling of Abbott v. Burke, a case filed by the Education Law Center. The ruling asserted that public primary and secondary education in poor communities throughout the state was unconstitutionally substandard.^[1] There are currently thirty-one Abbott districts in New Jersey.

Prior to 2011, the State of NJ did not release the total amount spent per pupil on schooling. Since the Abbott original ruling in 1985, New Jersey increased spending such that Abbott district students received 22% more per pupil (at $20,859) vs. non-Abbott districts (at $17,051) in 2011. ^[2]

Although key proponents of the measures express optimism that continued spending will eventually help advance students performance, middle and high school students have not improved. For them, the program has been characterized as "a huge failure".^[3]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbott_district

What's your next solution? Let me guess more money as this wasn't enough.

Actually, even though Christie habitually ignores it, New Jersey has the finest public schools in the nation. Of course, people like Alan won't be happy until every child becomes a Rhodes Scholar. NCLB is a failure. Even Christie got rid of it there. Public schools are, thank God, required to educate everybody. There are many with disabilities that will never meet NCLB standards, and schools are punished all over the country with major funding cuts because special education students can't toe the line. NCLB was designed to doom public education to failure so that for profit corporations could take over and siphon 40% of the tax dollars for themselves.

Well, MRWisser, my dad died two weeks after my 9th birthday; guess what, my Mom did just fine raising me and pushing me to study and work hard in school as a single mom.

Romney's comment was ignorant at best and once again shows how out of touch he is with ordinary people's day to day lives. He is fortunate never to have lost a parent at a young age or a spouse. It isn't the lack of two parents that is the problem, it is the lack of a living wage; it is lack of enough food, lack of shelter that impacts children's learning abilities. It has nothing to do with how many parents are in the home.

NCLB was designed to doom public education to failure so that for profit corporations could take over and siphon 40% of the tax dollars for themselves.

That dastardly Teddy Kennedy and his 86 Yes votes. Who would have thought that 86 Senators, many of them Democrats, would vote to doom public education. George W Bush was an evil genius that could outsmart those Senators at every turn?

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=107&session=1&vote=00371

Of course, people like Alan won't be happy until every child becomes a Rhodes Scholar.

Simply pointing out that throwing money at a problem does not always solve it.

The point is, Alan, that NCLB was an unfunded mandate. No money was thrown to anybody. Property taxes had to pay for the requirements of NCLB. Educational programs suffered as a result in most school districts. NCLB was a failure.

Nice job Jody. Once again you hit the nail on the head.

Wayne,

Put up or shut up?

I to sir have served my country, don't remeber bring that into the converstion. Please show me one republican act or even quote that say's we want to end food stamps and medicare.

The goverment has run schools for awhile there enstien. It needs to go back to the states. You act as if the department of education is the only way, what has it done. We should not be double taxed for education.

Why don't you check in on Paul Ryan's plan? Romney thinks it's marvelous. Somebody needs to fund education. More butter, fewer guns. Let's try that.

Wayne,

What the hell are you talking about. Ryan's plan does include cuts, yes. But we have to. Fewer guns, if you mean military, there are some cuts there too. But understand, wayne, the first priotrity of the government is to protects its people. That is job 1.

MRWSR, if, as you say, the first priority of the government is to protect its people, then why are conservatives so opposed to universal health care? We are in more danger from sickness injury and poor health than from any foreign aggressor. Poor health costs in terms of absenteeism and non-productivity.

MRWSR.

Wayne,

What the hell are you talking about. Ryan's plan does include cuts, yes. But we have to. Fewer guns, if you mean military, there are some cuts there too. But understand, wayne, the first priotrity of the government is to protects its people. That is job 1.

Ryan's plan repeals much of the passed military cuts, and then cuts social services to the bone. And then he wastes all of the budget savings on tax cuts!! How the hell is that fair??? The first job of the government is to protect the nation, but that doesn't mean we need a $900 billion defense establishment to do that.

We are going to shoot the money to charter schools so somebody can make a profit, even if education doesn't actually improve.

Actually, I recall there being a study done that proves that charter schools aren't as good as public schools, as public schools don't have to answer to investors that fund them. Check here: http://gothamschools.org/2010/03/26/are-charter-school-public-schools-i%E2%80%99m-afraid-not/

I believe that no matter if your in a single or two parent home, we need and MUST have more parental involvement in childrens education. Yes, it is difficult for single parents to devote as much time to their child as they would like but I grew up in a single parent home after my dad died and I can tell you straight up that I got very little attention from my mother and neither did all my brothers. I am not saying we NEEDED a man to fill the gap but being a parent is a full time job and I realized that I missed most of the great steps in my daughters life by working for the first 4 years of her life, I had to choose to, bring in more money by working and hope I could do what my mother couldn't or stay home and deal with the hardship of less income but enjoy my kids , I choose to work from home and still stay with my kids. It hurts to, just now, see what I missed about my daughter growing up that I now enjoy with my son. So many little things I just overlooked in the pursuit of that great dream of money. I work from home now but I do not have to explain to ANYONE why I am leaving early for sick kids, daycare graduation, kids doctor appointments,etc. I couldn't read until I was 7 almost 8 and my daughter was reading at 3 and my 2 year old son has started reading already. It is far easier to dedicate myself to them now than to split myself between work and my children. When they get older, I am not planning on having the school teach them sex ed, I am a grown woman and can talk to my kids jut fine thank you!!! There is a fine line between trying to get ahead in life and leaving your kids behind and too often we cross it!! You may not like that fact but it is a fact.

I am totally surprised that Mittens didn't hand out Etch-A-Sketches! Best cost solution brought to you by the 1%.

I bet Mitt was thinking 'economies of scale'...Average cost per unit will fall if output is increased. Mitt, while it works for widgets, it just will not work for children. You cannot make all policies based on the theory in your text books!!

Wow...Mr.Mr. (MRWSR...is that Mister Wheezer?) just doesn't get it...poor guy...Yeah, it would be nice to have a nation full of families like the Cleevers and Donna Reed and Father Knows Best. Any ideas how to do that? That sounds more like a dream than a plan? And what do we do today to start toward that goal? Wow...this guy (actually, Romney and Mr.Wheezer)) just don't get it...

I think all President Obama needs to do to win is just let Mitt keep talking.

I have not seen much here in focusing on solutions other than throwing money at the problem. DC has a per capita spending of $18000, $28000 when you consider some special programs. Even average districts are in the $13000 to $16000 range at least here in MD. That is a lot of money. Why do US students perform so poorly on various stardardized testing used around the world? Most schools spend too much on overhead. Too many administrators.
As to parent involvement, when my DIL taught in DC, many parents never showed up for any event no matter when scheduled. We used to buy coats for some students because they came to school in the winter with no coat. The schools were in pathetic condition at times. It is improving but not fast enough. Charter schools especially a few that have residential programs have been godsends to the students and their families because the student was able to get out of a nasty environment.

Teachers need to be accountable. A good teacher is worth their weight in gold. A lazy one who never updates his material needs to go. I remember one of my sons had this history teacher who was just cruising to retirement. He used the same slides and showed films frequently that he had used for at least ten years. This was in a generally very good school in PA. Tenure needs to go. The rest of us do not have tenure.

Anyway, we need more than money to solve these problems. We need to make learning fun and have it understood that it is important.

In my opinion, we need both money and reform. Both are essential to one another. Without more funding, we cannot hope to achieve reforms to modernize our obsolete teaching methods and school structure. Yet without reform, we will be simply throwing money down a well with few results. I would advise everyone to listen to Fareed Zakaria on education. He has some great ideas to help make our schools more competitive.

Barack Obama grew up in a single parent home and he turned out to be the sanest President this nation has ever had. Don't believe the GOP devils. They are liars and cheats.

Please his grandparents are the ones who raised while in Hawaii.

_____

Romney and his GOP partners, Scott Walker and Nicki Haley included, are trying hard to bring the third world education standards to America. The plan is to bust the unions, so that the teachers do not have any representation, then increase the class sizes. No matter how involved a parent get, if there are 40 children in a class very little learning will get done.

Whatever will happen to our children if they face the Romney future?

Since when do Obama's promises have anything to do with reality. The fact that Obama is the best that the Democratic Party could come up with is very sad news for the American people. If Obama had a record to run on, he would.

attacking the former Massachusetts Governor's economic credentials, and mockingly accused him of only newfound interest in urban communities.

Careful not to piss Romney off - in the unlikely event he wins the election, he will sic Bain Capital after your school to sell of the desks and other equipment, fire the teachers, send the children overseas to work in factories, rob the teacher retirement fund, and split the proceeds with the school board bureaucrats.

That's so funny red, especially with Bain contributing to Obama.

That's so funny red, especially with Bain contributing to Obama.

If true, that is funny. Romney's former company won't even fully endorse him.

Romney is just another crooked money-worshipper

Mike, what law has he violated? You just spew crap.

Romney is incapable of even seeing the Middle class. He never experienced it. He doesn't have any idea or reference for it. Also, it goes without saying that he is beyond blind to the poor, of course. You would be right to assume that they don't even exist in his mind. The fact that GOP put this guy up as their candidate speaks volumes on the GOP.

And Obama never experienced a lot of American life since he spent so much of his childhood traveling. Does that make him not have empathy for groups he has no direct experience with? You would of course say it doesn't matter.

MRWSR, if you take the time to look, you will see that the President sent many ideas to the Congress including their own ideas only to have them be rejected simply because he put them out their. I am not saying they were all perfect ideas but they were not even considered. You can not have a functioning government when one side determines theirs is the only side and they even would not look at their own ideas coming back at them. What does that say to you. This country is not a dictatorship all parties have to work together and we have not had that since the election. Sending cuts, he put out 4 trillion in cuts to the GOP and they turned away on principle holding this country hostage ie debt ceiling. He has to have both parties willing to work together and the GOP is just not going to do that unless they get everything they want and that is not working together.

Tis,

That does not answer the question. Sorry, blame game is not an answer. Plus you look up who walked away from those talks.

I have looked and there are no numbers on this, just politics, from both sides. but i want him to answer. He won't. He can't.

Nothing was more telling about Obama then his budgets he sent to congress, and none got so much as a single vote in favor of in the senate. There is nothing anyone can claim that Obama has done to address the nations fiscal crisis when his own budgets ran trillion plus annual deficits.

Obama grabbed the keys to AF1, and embarked on a first term of spend baby spend. Spend he did, Obama's first term will finish with more then 6 trillion added to our national debt, an anemic economy, a ton of broken promises, a massive new entitlement, and a mantra of blame that can shield him no longer.

In the infamous words of (2) term Republican Ex-vice President Dick Cheney...

Quote....."DEFICITS DON"T MATTER"....Unquote

So why do Republicans care about them now? When Dick Cheney made this assinine comment, no one from the Republican party even took him to task for it.

So tell me... do deficits only matter to Republicans when Democrats have the Presidency???

I'm just so confused !!!

MRWSR, I doubt he has time or interest to read this blog. So it was pointless to put your question here. As for the blame game if no one is willing to take any blame then I guess no one is to blame right. I did look it up and each time the President agreed to a Republican request they came back and changed their request. It was widely reported with video tape no less. If you refused to come out of your bunker and even concede that the president has tried then we will not see any changes in the future, this country will divide and no longer be the United States of America.

GB - remember, when a reporter said to Cheney "well, there weren't WMD's in Iraq." Cheney replied, "so what?" Cheney doesn't give a damn - never did!

TO: MRWSR. who wrote:

"Have a question for mr. obama..."

Fine, but when are Republicans going to stop calling people names, and START answering some questions?

I would like a complete explanation of everything that's in the "Ryan Plan" beginning with the tax cuts to the rich, to Republicans repeal of the minimum wage, right on down to taking food off the poor people's family table.

While we've heard Republicans mouthing off over Obamacare, it seems to me that not even ONE single Republican is working on any plan to "replace Obamacare", least of Romney who is actually the one who wrote Obamacare.

Part of Romney's campaign speech has been that he will replace Obamacare, so, what would Romney replace it with and how would it work?

Tis,

Again very sorry. obama is the one who walked away. He knew he had one chance to get re-elected and that was to blame congress.

As far as me being in a bunker, I feel as though you wish I was. Because it would be the only way your words would have any credit. obama is dividing this nation. He is ending it as we know it. Take your frustrations out on him.

MRWSR, I do not wish you in a bunker but I feel you are in a mental bunker with no way out. You are locked on a single picture that fits your needs right now. Obama is not dividing this country, this country is dividing itself and blaming him, one man can not divide a country unless it wants to be divided. This country is dividing along religious and political lines. Look to see who benefits from this division, I don't do you? Who wins if we divide ourselves. Look for that answer, but as long as you refuse to see anything other than what you choose to see nothing will change.

MRWSR,

Please....

What's "ending" our nation is the fact that the wealth gap between the very rich and very poor has widened to historic highs. We saw this during the great depression. We need to cut spending in areas and invest in education and infrastructure. All things that Obama has said but unfortunately we have a Republican opposition that thinks that somehow lowering taxes (i.e. revenue) will somehow help us pay for the wars that they support and every other social program that we as a people wish to keep alive.

All we really have to do is ask ourselves "what was the formula the last time we balanced a budget"? Well, that was under Clinton and his administration passed tax increases with Republicans kicking and screaming and we made cuts in other areas of our government by the request of Republicans. Balanced budget.

The Republicans today have forgotten that their trickle down economic plan has never worked....EVER in our history. They point to Reagan as their example of the model of economic responsibility. Sure, Reagan gave huge tax cuts....at the expense of creating huge deficits. Their policies have never worked yet they push them as the answer. The fact of the matter is is that you have to pay for the programs you create. You can't cut taxes if your expenses are going to come out to more than your revenue. It's that simple.

Funny how you can lead a liberal to facts, and still not get them to think. Liberals tout the Cheney line as if it grants them a license to spend. Of course every time a balance budget amendment has come up in Congress the Democrats were the ones to kill it. A balanced budget amendment and term limits are needed now more then ever.

Debt does matter and for a number of easy to understand reasons. First it weakens the dollar worldwide. Meaning the dollar will not buy as much, and when inflation hits this country in the very near future, that message will come home to roost in a hurry. Second, investors run away. The US with massive debt and deficits is no longer a safe investment. Jobs come from investment, and fewer jobs will mean lower wages as there is competition for jobs not employees. High unemployment means less of a tax base.

The Ryan plan is not all that difficult to understand if you can listen. Close all the tax loopholes across the board. Not just for big oil, all of them. Lower everyone's tax rate. Doing such can still bring in more revenue then we do today. Entitlements have to be addressed, as they are simply not sustainable long term. Maybe you don't agree with Ryan on entitlements, but doing nothing which has been the Democrats approach helps no one but politicians get re-elected.

Washington is awash with waste, fraud, and abuse. Simply funding it as is will mean the problems will never be solved. The GSA is just the tip of the iceberg, there has been decades of no oversight and Washington is simply wasting tax dollars. The time for targeted tax cuts, cuts in future spending increases, fraudulent unemployment reporting, and the endless perks and benefits of Washington need to end. All Washington can do is talk a good game, but the results of decades of talk has been failure.

Right now all we get from Washington is class warfare. Hate the rich. But if this country had a growing jobs market wages would go up in competition for employees. The tax revenues would increase, and many of the problems would go away. But not demanding real change with the way they do business in Washington even if times are good, will mean history will repeat itself. We are all living in a time that historians will pen as our darkest hours.

Rick I think the republicans have as much trouble with facts and thinking as you do the democrats. As for "balance budget amendment" I think you need to look deeper and see why, what is in that amendment that they reject and a simple reply "balance" is childish. Term limits I agree we need term limits and get money out of politics it breeds coruption. The Ryan budget has been studied and found to increase the debt by 5 trillion dollars in 10 years. Not a go plan if you want to cut the debt. Class warfare, hate the rich, republican talking points get real, Its not hate of the rich it the unfair advantage they have due to their wealth on taxes. You have some good points but need to loose the talking points and stay with facts not self proclaimed truths.

Tis and Vipp,

It is left vs. right. You claim I am single minded. I will stand on the side of right and will not let go of any of my principles for the likes of obama. Nor would I do it for any Republican that challenged those same principles. If we are to be divided the so be it. No one win's, but I will not let you and your progressive agenda ruin my children's future for some false messiah that can do no wrong. You say I am mental. Why is it your way. Why is it that you have the only answers, why is it that your president will not be held accountable for anything, only praised for doing nothing (Nobel prize). It is sad.

MSWR;

I respect your passion, and accept that you live by your values. I also appreciate that you haven't resorted to name calling in your conversations. However, when you state that Republicans have been willing to compromise with the Obama sdministration, I have to say whoa!!! There was not one Republican willing to work with Democrats to make the Health Care Act more acceptable to them. Instead, they demonized it with lies about Death Panels.

Also, please let me remeind you of the Republican debate where all the candidates stated that they would not agree to $1 of tax increases even if there was a corresponding spending cut of $10.

If you disagree, please provide examples of instances where the Republicans have attempted to work with the administration

Well, MRWSR, here's one more Liberal that disagrees with you. The people you choose to support are dividing this country;

War on Women

War on Social Security

War on Planned Parenthood

War on Education

War on Gays/Lesbians

War on Marriage Equality

War on Healthcare

War on Education

War on the Environment

War on Hispanics

War on Abortion

War on Contraceptives

They disagree with everything that goes against their so called Christian beliefs.

MSWR, you decry the blame game, and in the next breath you blame Obama.

Rick, you complain that the Congress has rejected the President's budgets, but you fail to mention that it is because they so twisted and burdened the original budgets that they became something else.

Both of you need to read and get the facts. The Republicans have filibustered, blocked, stalled and obfuscated everything this President has tried to do. It is McConnell and Boehner who walked away from the few agreements that have been made. It is the Republicans who have vowed from day one of this presidency to contradict everything.

MRWSR - when you reference President Obama as messiah, you lose all credibility. Only the ignorant right tries that garbage!

mswr's original point is spot on, even suppose you want to blame the GOP for Obama doing nothing (which is a liberla exaggeration at best), why would you believe anything will get done his 2nd term?

Even if he had the desire to be the best president ever (which he doesnt) if he cant get anything done, then he cant get anything done and that is bad for the people.

TO: trudat6445 who wrote:

"... you want to blame the GOP for Obama doing nothing (which is a liberal exaggeration at best), why would you believe anything will get done his 2nd term? ... if he cant get anything done, then he cant get anything done and that is bad for the people."

What have Republicans done?

I heard a lot of Republicans saying during the mid-term elections that they were going to send the Teabaggers to Washington in order to create "gridlock" so that nothing could get done. NOW you blame President Obama for the "gridlock".

Republicans have made a conscious decision to stall our Recovery rathan than support America and the American People so you think that we ought to just forget about free and fair elections, and let Republicans screw up our economy again?

Well, I think any such suggestion is un-American.

Obama/Biden 2012

Republicans have shown us over the past 10 years the 2 things Republicans do best: (1) screw up our economy; and (2) stall our Recovery.

Good post Deb!

Debbie,

Spot on. The story inside the story of what the GOP is really up to with this sort of thing. Also, they talk no tax hikes and then come up with this idea that means raising taxes. They want their cake and eat it too, often and on many issues.

Private schools charge more than private schools.

Its an anomoly isnt it

The per capita cost per student in DC is higher than the private school the Obama girls go to.

G-9 no need for them to own a small printing company. The will own all the private companies that receive the vouchers, Own the Government and the companies, win win for the republicans.

G9 you beat me to it.

Their voucher program is nothing more than privatization.

Where the republicans can control paying our tax money directly to their buddies and freinds who just happen to own a school, hospital, insurance company.....

They have no intention or correcting the problem...they want nothing more than a new revenue stream.

This is why I hate privatization. It does nothing but shove the costs onto the average American. No wonder the GOP is beholden to the 1%.

OBAMA BIDEN 2012

With Cheney at the whistle

And Rove at the bell

With Dubya at the steamer

The country went to hell.

With Rove at the office

And Norquist behind the ropes

With Romney at the White House

The country lost all hope.

I think that is a dangerous view to take, Romney is not clueless or stupid, he has his beliefs and he wants them to be yours. Do not underestimate your opponent or you will surely loose to him.

Tis,

What is it that are you doing with your views?

And dems want nothing to do with smarter kids, dems are about killing independent thought, removing accountability and eliminating work ethic.

So dems love unions.

fieldguy - let's remember that so many of the GOP are "do as I say, not as I do." The perfect home/parents Gingrich for example. And he's one of many. I realize that is on both sides of the aisle but the GOP closes their eyes to the cheaters as they spout "family values."

Fieldguy, the problem is that if dems cared about the actual children, then they would legislate good parenting, hell it may be the only law they havent created in the guise of caring.

Im pretty sure Romney was clear that he thinks it should be encouraged, not enforced like libs would do.

I have never seen any evidence that Romney wants to "legislate good parenting". Please share this information as it would give credence to your post.

SHUT UP!

homo,

time for your Ritalin!

You know, I wish I was a union member right now because I'd still be working. I got let go from my seasonal job last week because they hired someone 19 years my junior for less pay.

so: Don't lump all unions are in favor with President Obama. Ask the teachers unions....they do not care for him.

Repubs want to paint President Obama as loving unions and not critizing them....not true.....he has said unions have to change....look it up.

Very true dragon, thats why he gave GM to the UAW, and every speech he has 30 public union members standing behind him, he is the first liberal democrat ever to be anti-union.

HOMOBAMA -----GOD IS A MYTH CREATED BY A FEW TO RULE THE MASS! You are another Extremest that thinks god answers everything. Same old puke for the simple and weak minded who are brain dead and in need of direction.Says it a personal relationship between you and god. Didn't you read your good book? What a crock of crap. Pathetic! Funny you should talk about god and hypocrisy in the same post. Judgment is reserved for god and god only. LMAO! What an idiot.

I know youre right, but that still doesnt mean its a bad thing to promote. Hollywood has made a mockery of marriage, thats all kids know now, marriage as our grandparents knew it is dead.

No body knows who you re talking to, who's the stupid one now?

Well, I know frint wasn't talking about me.

Thank you, frintonfriend.

All libs hate people because they have differing opinions, very few people hate people because of skin color though. People dont like Obama because he is divisive, a liar, and a talker, only a talker, his rhetoric does nothing positive for the country, he is as useful a president as he was as a senator.

trudat6445, you are so far from the truth it isn't even funny. Racism is alive and well in this country. Obama lied about nothing. I don't see how you can be so blind to think it's easy to make things work with a Congress hell bent on making the man a one term President. That was the Republican proclamation per McConnell in 2010 and something that had been planned behind closed doors the very day Obama was being inaugurated. No wonder Congress has a 14% approval rating. Nothing but a bunch of bigoted obstructionists.

Santa must have been one of George Bush's cronies.

Charter schools arent private schools, charter schools and mayoral academies are great things to increase public school competition, thats why unions hate them. Unions dont want teachers competing for salary, they want then to be socialists and accept that the horrible teacher should make as much as the great teacher, i'll never understand why the great teacher accepts this, but they do.

Competition in schools should be encourage and enforced, no competition and participation trophies are why are education system is failing.

trudat6445

Charter schools arent private schools, charter schools and mayoral academies are great things to increase public school competition, thats why unions hate them. Unions dont want teachers competing for salary, they want then to be socialists and accept that the horrible teacher should make as much as the great teacher, i'll never understand why the great teacher accepts this, but they do

Charter schools are in theory both public and private, as they receive government money but are controlled by a non-government entity. Unfortunately, competition doesn't always work. We didn't have such competition during the 1970s, and we had the best education system in the world.

Competition in schools should be encourage and enforced, no competition and participation trophies are why are education system is failing.

We ALREADY HAVE competition. It's between public and private schools. The only reason why more people go to public is either because they can't afford it or they don't want to go to a religious school. I say stop charter schools and invest the money to reform the public education system. Education is one of the things that NOBODY should make money from.

OBAMA BIDEN 2012

NO TO CHARTER SCHOOLS 2012

Charter schools are working for DC. They have helped kids get out of some very bad environments.

lulu98

Charter schools are working for DC. They have helped kids get out of some very bad environments.

Charter schools might be good on occasions, but studies have shown that they aren't very competitive with public schools. I don't we should be sending money to sabotage our already-roughened public education system. Why not mandate charter schools to high-quality academies and institutions and send the rest of the money to reform public education??? We need the investments in order to reform education; we simply cannot make do with what we have now. Class sizes are high, teachers are underpaid, schools have had their budgets slashed... Face it, we are under-funding our schools. Yes, we need reform, a lot of it, but you cannot reform a company (much less a national education system) without extra capital.

OBAMA BIDEN 2012

I disagree with more funding when the results are so poor and generally we have no idea where the money goes. As I said, in DC, excluding esl and some other special programs, the per capita spending is $18000. So if there are 25 students, that is $450,000 per classroom. Where is the money being spent? It clearly is not for classrooms or the classroom teacher. We need to get rid of the overhead. More money will not get to the classroom without dealing with this problem.

Some charter schools are actually public schools that have more autonomy from the "regular" public schools although I accept that may not be universally true. Please site your studies regarding charters being poorer than regular public schools.

Here it is: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charter_school#Sweden

Yep. Need more funding so all teahers can get nose jobs and tummy tucks like in Buffalo.

Obama would never mention any of the falures of the black community and its leaders because he may lose votes for being honest, look what happened to cory booker.

Why does he need to just address the problems of the Black community? Most of the problems are the same as anywhere else.

What does Corey Booker have to do with anything? So what if he spoke out of school. I've heard more Republicans say stupid things than I can shake a stick at. Just goes to show what a bunch of lemmings they are.

It's good to see some dialouge on a substantive issue from one of the Candidates instead of the BS smokescreen issues like Gay marriage, or the war on Women.

I think we are going to find that Barry is just an eloquent hollow shell with nothing to show for his time in office except a failed healthcare plan and record breaking deficits.

Lioness, you should learn who Booker is before commenting and look up how the dems and Obama condemned him for speaking the truth and being honest. You are part of a disturbing political ideology, and you like it there, so sad.

"Obama would never mention any of the falures of the black community"

Actually, he has done so quite often, from his original Philadelphia speech all the way through.

As any Republican will tell you and ROMNEY is no exception ---- that education of any race will be put on the lowest priority as possible. Why, as any Republican knows---the more poorly educated the work force is you can pay them a much cheaper hourly wage.

Oh, I love the last line of your post. Couldn't help putting in that dig, huh? How can any educational system improve when one group of so called caring people insist on cutting the funding needed to improve the educational system. If the teachers cannot get the materials they need to assist the kids in learning, how are these kids supposed to succeed? Why should these teachers have to take money out of pocket to buy supplies or computers or books? Why should they have to work for such poor wages? Why should the teachers and the kids have to endure being in sub standard school buildings? If they cannot turn to the government for assistance, who else is there?

Actually there is plenty of funds available for education.

However; it's been diverted to heavy administrative salaries and outlandishly lucrative retirement plans and other overreaching benefit programs.

Same with City services.

Same with Federal workers.

Reduce programs to reasonable and use the savings to provide services.

I do agree with you a bit, Bob. But it isn't the teachers who are overpaid. But yes, I agree the superintendents and principals have kush salaries and benefits....way better than the teachers who are on the front lines. My principal could not teach my class for 5 minutes, yet she is in charge of evaluating me and gets lifetime benefits after she retires. Not so for teachers. I believe that all administrative people should be made to go back into the classroom for 2 years every 5 years.

There is more than enough money being dedicated to the system. The problem is that it is not going to the classroom. Why else can you say DC as an example spends a minimum of $18000 per student? That is a lot of money per classroom of 20 to 30 students that is NOT wisely spent.