Education

The Almighty Dollar

With the economy in the dumps and everything in sight seeming to be overpriced or at least that is what it seems like, gas hits the $4 dollar mark officially today. This comes the day after Associated Press reports that unemployment rate has reached 1986 levels. There are more people with no jobs and many more with underpaid positions who can not afford the $4 per gallon gas to get them to their low paying jobs.

Of course we can thank Republicans for raising the minimum wage since 1997 to $6.50, since they were so eager to it. I wonder how big this mess would be had they fought Democrats on this measure. Another field that Republicans have been wrong about is Health Care.

Interesting enough the relationship between Quality of Health care and Quantity of Money Spent on that Health care does not have a logical correlation. One would thing the more money you throw into the system the better results it should have. Doctors in the U.S. make money from prescribing treatments ergo they prescribe people with pharmaceutical drugs at higher rates. The end result does not prove any more satisfactory- just more money in the bank for the prescription drug companies. This simple minded strategy and Republican thinking has proven to be flawed. It seems MORE is not always better.

Tell that to the Bush Administration who are hell-bent to privatize our Education system. They have done everything in their power to sabotage the American Public School System. Beginining with the "No Child Left Behind Act" they standardized public schools across the board. They teach to the test per se. Their end goal is to make the public education system horrible so they can push privatization of the system. It seems that private is not necessarily better. A study found last month that public schools are just as good as private schools. I do not expect this to hold up if Republicans have their way.

So, if you happen to find yourself a bit depressed about not finding a job because of the economy, don't worry. Your student loans were not that bad of an investment if you went to a public institution of higher education. Hop into your car and spend the $4 to drive yourself to the local drug store so that you can continue to pop those pills that help "treat" your depression. At least be happy . . . the cure may be just around the corner, this November.


Your Tax Dollars for 2008

The National Priorities Project has released this years breakdown of how American tax payer money is allocated. Not surprising, the Military took the biggest chunk out of the fund. What is more surprising though is just how much more the U.S. has spent on the Military compared to, I don't know let's say Health Care or Education. I am an advocate for graphs and visual presentations because they deliver the message quickly and more effectively then words. Check out the break down. I have provided both a U.S. and a Texas graph. Feel free to share this information with friends and family because for some reason, and I will go out on a limb on this, I surmise the media may not really mention this type of exciting news tonight.

 

U.S. Tax Payer Breakdown
Texas Tax Payer Breakdown

 


Around the World for 03/29/08

Treasury Dept. Plan Would Give Fed Wide New Power - The Treasury Department will propose on Monday that Congress give the Federal Reserve broad new authority to oversee financial market stability, in effect allowing it to send SWAT teams into any corner of the industry or any institution that might pose a risk to the overall system.

Zimbabwean voters elect president - People in Zimbabwe are voting in an election that will decide whether President Robert Mugabe, in power since 1980, wins a sixth term in office. Queues formed early at many polling stations, with voters determined to cast their ballots. The MDC fears the poll will be rigged but Mr Mugabe said as he cast his vote in Harare: "We don't rig elections."

First cities go dark for Earth Hour - Sydney's iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge went dark Saturday night as the world's first major city turned off its lights for this year's Earth Hour, a global campaign to raise awareness of climate change. This year, 26 major world cities and more than 300 other cities and towns have signed up for the event.

First, Self-Control. Then, Debt Control - If you have gotten in over your head in credit card debt, you are in good company. The Federal Reserve says Americans have accumulated nearly $1 trillion, a record amount, in what it calls “revolving credit.” But while the financial experts are urging people to pay down debt — particularly expensive credit card debt — that is easier said than done.

Bible course sparks wrangle - More disagreement surfaced Friday over the public school Bible course Texas lawmakers approved last year. The latest issue hinges on whether the state must adopt specific curriculum standards for the course, an elective that's supposed to start in the 2009-10 school year.