Sunday, September 21, 2008

On the Issues: Education (Part One)

Barack Obama Headshot
Barack Obama
Democrat
U.S. Senator

Proposes $18 billion a year in new federal spending on early childhood classes, teacher recruitment, performance pay and other initiatives

John McCain Headshot

John McCain

Republican
U.S. Senator

Has a shorter list of initiatives compared with his rival’s. Believes that the federal government should play a limited role in public education.

My take...

Three plus one equals four. Two plus two equals four. What did I just say? Did I not say the same thing using different words? Tell me now, are these two candidates on the same page. Both have educational initiatives. This is just another way of saying that they will bring something new to the Department of Education (DOE). New programs (aka initiatives) cost money whether they are in limited roles or teacher recruitment. Obama proposes an $18 billion a year in new federal spending. The key word here is new. That boils down to more taxes money out of your pocket. Obama has a figure; $18 billion. Where did he get that number? McCain does not have a figure…or at least the New York Times is not telling you. Could we assume that “limited role” means less spending? I would hope so; for who needs the DOE (not to be confused with the De[artment of Energy), we got along without it for over 200 years…and we all got a pretty good education without it! We became the richest, most powerful country the world has ever known. Since Jimmy Carter signed Public Law 96-88 we have gone downhill from that moment on…you’ve heard it referred to as, “The dumbing down of America.” Will somebody ask Obama, “With the country already in the red for several trillion dollars, where are you going to get $18 billion? (Print it like they do Monopoly money and when you go past GO-broke collect another two-billion!) - Norman E. Hooben

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