Just goes to show that we need more political parties :)

Not to spook you or nothin', but I hear Karl Rove just put a hit out on you for toe-ing the party line.

I'd get the heck outta Dodge, lady.

Whoops.

For NOT toe-ing the party line.

My mistake, but I'll blame it on the whisky.

I believe that children are the future, teach them well and let them lead the way, show them all the beauty they possess inside, give them a sense of pride. To make it easier, let the children's laughter remind us what we used to be.
I decided long ago never to walk in anyone's shadow...

rae- have you read the poisonwood bible? sometimes you remind me of leah the 3rd daughter [her good side!]. i hope someday we get to live closer together!

Rae--You forgot gun control. Where're you at on that one?

I oppose abortion and the death penalty, too, as part of an effort to be consistent. I don't see how the death penalty can compare in monetary expense to life in prison. There's the rub, dealing with the consequences of our positions. Who will pay to support the unwanted, unaborted children and the unwanted, unkilled criminals? We live in the ambiguous grey zone of our intents.

Andy- we've already covered this.

K-that sounds vaguely familiar.....but it is an excellent platform. :D

Ann- isn't Leah the one who marries the African? I related best to that one regardless. Yeah, me too. It will absolutely kill me when you two have children to not be around. When are you coming this direction for interviews?

Cindy- see the Constitution of the United States, second Ammendment :D People kill people. Do you know how many people die from farm impliments each year, and yet no one is calling for regulations on those....flippant, I know. But I support the right of the individual to keep and bear arms and that right shall not be infringed.

Georganna- hi :D Thanks for coming over. Need you to clarify: are you saying that you think the death penalty when imposed and carried through must be cheaper (in monetary terms) than life in prison? Yes, I think there are opportunities for people opposed to abortion to put their money where their mouths and convictions are, but I don't necessarily think it is that we are compelled to adopt, but maybe we can aid a young woman while she carries her child to delivery; volunteer at a CPC or the United Way; teach parenting classes, or mentor young parents; or, finally, adopt. As for all those unkilled criminals, I am still waiting for your clarification up there. It will be shown that the death penalty is far more costly to the tax payer and society than life in prison.

I think the death penalty can be implemented with enough safeguards to ensure that innocent people aren't killed. I think part of the support for it due to too-lenient sentencing. We're headed towards the Eurabian version, which is not just anti-death penalty, but anti-stiff sentencing. In Germany, a man who killed and ate another man will be out after 5 years!

Jeff, then I think the government and those in support of the death penalty should call a spade a spade. The death penalty simply isn't a deterrent. No one says, "Hmmm, I might get the death penalty if I shoot this guy, so I better just rob him only."

Your example was effective, however, I am resisting wretching....

I think crime deserves to be punished, but I do think effort should be made to understand why someone commits haneous crime. You know, not just treat the symptoms but stop the source?

I used to be a die-hard (no pun intended) death penatly supporter, but have been thinking about it in the last few years. I used wrong interpretation of Biblical scripture to support my belief.

I am open to change though. Present the safeguards of which you are thinking.

*not edited- in a hurry.

RAE:

I agree you on the prayer in schools issue... but I also think the lack of values in schools creates a vacuum that is often filled with bad values. I don't believe that anything is value-free.

I also agree that citizens should "provide for the education of the general public"

...but, our public schools (on average) have gotten so awful in the process.

That is why I see a voucher system as the answer. The parents get to send their children to a school which promotes and nurtures the values important to the parents. And academic standards/results improve as well.

Where do you stand on vouchers?

Vouchers might be a great way to make schools strive for excellence, but the concern is that vouchers don't typically cover full expenses. Lower income families would be forced to send their children to "cheaper" schools, while wealthier families would have access to the better schools. I think this sounds like the system we already have. Funneling money away from public education doesn't seem to be a wise move.

Special K:

(1) While there are a small percentage of exceptions, you can't get much worse than today's public schools

(2) BTW - lets call "public schools" what they really are... "government schools".

(3) So what if the Rich still end up sending their kids to more expensive schools. Implicit in your statement is the idea that, for every winner there is a loser... or... for someone to do well, someone else has to suffer. However, the less expensive schools that lower income families might choose may very easily provide an education that is vastly superior to the government school alternative they are stuck with now.

(4) Also implied in your statement is the idea that more expensive schools are better. Personally, I think that the most expensive private schools often put the extra money into stuff like larger stadiums, better gym equipment, extravagant field trips... etc. To the extent that this is true, less expensive private schools are able to produce graduates who are just as capable, intelligent, and knowledgeable.

(In fact, my daughter's private school is a great example... it operates on a "shoe-string" budget... they spend LESS per child than public schools do... sure, a lot of the "frills" are missing... but her school provides an education that is better than all the other schools in our area, public or private.)

Finally, consider the fact that many lower income people are trapped by their circumstances in crummy areas with crummy schools. Most such parents don't care about their children's education. But some do! These are the people I feel for.

To stand in the way of vouchers is to stand in the way of the poor lower income single mother who WANTS a better education for her children, but is STUCK with a crummy public school. You might as well envision yourself standing in her way and forcing her descendents into a cycle of dependence and poverty.

Mr. McEwen,
I don't know how to respond to most of the statements and accusations you made,possibly because I was publicly educated. But...
#1- I believe it could get worse. There are many teachers and administrators who work very hard to provide a loving, safe environment for their students to learn in. They attend workshops, stay up late planning lessons that will stimulate and educate their young charges. They cooperate with other teachers, parents, and the community to ensure they are giving these children the best opportunities they can.
#2- OK, if you want
#3- I do not believe that for every winner there is always a loser. I do believe, however, that with education, or any institution trying to operate on a budget or with limited monies, the funds have to come from somewhere. It is just basic accounting.
#4- I am glad that you have found a suitable educational facility for your child, whether that be private or public.
#5- I will not make an assumption as to whether or not low SES families care about the education of their children. Finally, it is unfortunate that socioeconomic status is a major factor for educational success, but it is. Also, I will not envision myself standing in the way of anyone trying to better themselves or their children. There may be someone or some circumstance in her way, but I guarantee you it is not me! Frankly, that is a nasty thing to say!

Special K

Some good thoughts.
On the government schools-in my opinion everyone should be for good government schools. We all have to live with each other and most of us are taught by the government, including me. No doubt there is a lot of variation. I saw this for myself when I moved into a different school in sixth grade I had to work hard to catch up. Also it is an honorable profession to desire to teach our children. K speaks of those who work hard. Keep in mind that generally people who work hard do so to overcome something that is lacking. That is the case no matter where you work. I see that in my job. The fact is that the system is soft and will only reflect society in general. Money is not the answer. I am one to say that most folks in education trully do care. But it takes that and willing students supported from the home to make it all work on average. In the case of the vouchers it may be that the parents who care will be involved anyway and those who don't will accept the status quo no matter what it is. So using that reasoning it may empower the ones who desire to do something about their situation.

Gee Rae, I agree with you on everything and I call myself rightwing (and sparkle, but that's another story)
One of us is fooling ourselves...;-)