By SemperpapaSigns seen in Wisconsin being carried by teacher union thugs.
It used to be that the teacher profession was one of those considered to be one of the noble ones, characterized by the ideal of preparing children for their entry into socio-economic world of productive America.
It used to be one of those professions which extended the values of the family unity while children were away from their parents for few hours a day.
There still are, fortunately, some teachers who take their job seriously, who also have to continue to fight for the essence of their profession, even as their efforts are continuously undermined by a bureaucratic system that has been corrupted at its core by a progressive ideology that is more political and corrupting than educational.
The actions witnessed by the American people in Wisconsin are as far from what the American people are expecting from the teacher profession, as Obama is far from the traditional ideals of our Constitution.These folks carrying such irreverent signs are the same who have access to the impressionable minds of young Americans.
They teach them that decency is a dead virtue, that conflict resolution is achieved not by civilized behavior, but via personal and vile attacks.
Teachers brought their students to the protest, instead of being in the classroom teaching them. And brought them there without the benefit of a true explanation of the events.
The students across the state were even shown by the alleged adults in charge, how to circumvent the system by having doctors handing out fake medical excuses for the unlawful absence of those teachers from their jobs.
From the images to the message, together with the progressive attack against the concept of family, it is not really much of a surprise the level of incivility that the current generation has reached.
I am so glad my children are well pass the school age, but I am fearful for my grandchildren.
Just my thoughts!
Posts
(long comment, part 1)
ReplyDeleteThis is one of those areas where I disagree, but not quite for the reasons you might think. I'm neither for nor against unions. There are good and bad (and I'm speaking from both having been a union member in a VERY good union, and from an HR management position working across a bargaining table from union negotiators). Teachers are underpaid and sorely underappreciated - and should not have their collective bargaining rights stripped in a political maneuvering move for 2012 (which is what it boils down to, ultimately) ~ but that is a political difference that is little to do with why I'm watching this event through a slightly different lens. You & I can disagree on the politics, and that's cool...but...
...and this is weird for me to articulate, because my kids are spread apart broadly. I have one who is out (18 yrs), one in middle school (13 yrs) and a toddler who I'm considering home-schooling because I'm so exhausted by politics affecting our public school systems across the country over funding and what-have-you...but, well...I'm less concerned about unions and government interference than I am about corporate meddling. And that is precisely what it is. The power of the large corporations and their influences over the nation's public schools is not something widely discussed (or even realized). This occurred to me when I was at my daughter's school last fall registering her when we moved within the school district.
(long comment, part 2)
ReplyDeleteHer middle school has the county school district's mission & vision statements posted on the wall by the main office, right? I was reading through the mission and vision statement, and something struck me like lightning. NOWHERE in the mission or vision was the word "LEARN" ~ which is what education is all about. The mission talked about values, and respect (wonderful, yes), and about excelling and achieving, and about work ethic and time management. I noticed the same thing when a "covenant" form was sent home to parents - a "covenant" between teachers, students, and parents...and the word "learn" was only in the entire form in one place, waaaaaay at the bottom of the list or responsibilities for teachers to "ensure" children learn new concepts for advancement to the next grade.
This troubles me GREATLY. On many different levels. Our country, and our schoolchildren are in a LOT of trouble if they are not being encouraged to learn, to think critically, to discover where they excel so they can craft a dream to achieve (you know, the whole *Pursuit of Happiness* thing - which is the most fundamental definition of "success" in this life). It is ALL about school test scores (funding), rote memorization, and preparation for the work force as drones (or slaves, if you will, to corporate interests). Given that your children are grown from the primary school age, I would wager that your education was VERY different, and yes...there is a facet of education that is designed to prepare students for the adult world and the work force (which is important, since we all have to have a paycheck by which to live and function)...but what has been lost to corporate interest and -by default- teacher motivation to inspire children to LEARN.
(long comment, part 3 - last one)
ReplyDeleteNow, no mistake, my daughter is extremely fortunate...her teachers are AWESOME, and are all quite inspiring (they love what they do, and they love kids ~ which is VERY telling, because it takes a special breed of teacher to *love* middle school kids...I lack the patience for SURE!)...but I am hearing/reading about horror stories across our country about scores and funding being of greater importance than our kids actually learning.
Until such time as our government leaders realize that we have to STOP cutting funding to education and teachers, the ability of those teachers to be able to negotiate and have union representation, then both government entities and corporate giants are going to be the determiners of how they're paid and what the curricula are. It's frustrating and sad, and I wish more people had the time to look...to pay attention...to connect the dots...to get INVOLVED...because we need citizen involvement, too, if we're going to see ANY improvement in our education system.
/novel
Well, you give me a lot here and I truly appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteI want to start from the end, cause it will sort of explain where my position comes from.
I was born and raised in Italy. I came to the US after finishing High School there, so I have a much different prospective about education than what I have seen in our country.
We are actually not disagreeing much on the basic idea that learning has become either a secondary or even non-existent scope of education. Where I came from, not learning meant being stuck in the same grade until you did. There was no concept of moving a student ahead for purpose of insuring government funding, even if the government there was the purse holder of education.
It was sort of a cultural shock as I witnessed the attitude of the education system as my children went through school here. All I can tell you is that I was fortunate to have a good wife at my side who kept me sane (no wonder she is today a substitute teacher!)
In Italy, the information I was exposed to was the one that the Italian government wanted to expose students to. The result has been generations after generations being inculcated with notions of governmental supremacy and a sense of entitlement that I still see in the few contacts I have there.
That's one reason I have a problem with governmental control of education.
Where I do disagree is in your assertion that corporate influence is the detrimental aspect of our system deterioration, as I see government control as the most detrimental force.
ReplyDeleteThe prevalence has shifted from the necessity to impart the proper amount of instruction to the kids to a more liberal approach based on the necessity to make sure the feelings of pupils are not hurt. Placing any importance on the level of knowledge kids achieve, which should be gaged through testing, is highly discouraged so not to make those students who did not put much effort in learning feel inferior. In my days, if I performed badly on a test, i got a bad grade. Feeling inferior did not stun my desire to learn, it actually motivated me. My own children did the same here in California even if under a different system.
What I see is a school system catering to the notion of leveled mediocrity, instead of fostering higher achievements. And I attribute such approach to the infiltration of ultra-liberal mentality into the school systems.
What I gather is that you are personally interested in the learning achievements of your children, which makes them very fortunate. But for so many other parents who are "too busy" school remains the "free" babysitting facility.
I hear the horror stories from my own wife, who is one of those substitutes who actually wants to teach kids when she works, and it is really disheartening.
Ultimately I agree that or students are in real trouble. The system is abysmal, but what we have witnessed in Wisconsin is definitely not a reason for optimism.
SP Out!
(part 1)
ReplyDeleteOh, how I *love* intelligent discussion. *nod* There is a reason you're on my blogroll, SP. :) Honest, rich dialogue is SO essential for increased understanding, and I have enjoyed your blog entries for a long while, even when we don't see eye to eye. You've shared some *extremely* important points with me here, which inspires me to open a bit with you in kind. (*mentally sending you & your wife hugs & happy thoughts, because I feel fortunate to have "met" you, if only online -- and wish more people on different sides of the table could have this opportunity*)
In your response, you worked in reverse; I'm seeing multiple places of *extremely* telling points of agreement, even within seeming disagreement, so if I bounce around a bit, please forgive me (call it ADHD or whatever the current sweetheart diagnosis is these days)...but I want to ensure I discuss fairly and as completely the critically valid and important points you've made...from a slightly different vantage point. So warning given up-front...gonna be a long (and multi-post) reply. :)
(part 2)
ReplyDeleteI'm making an educated guess here that you're somewhere about my mom's age (she's in her early 60s), as opposed to the man who raised me (early 80s). That would make you, if I'm right, born at about the time of the post WWII boom. In a country that was affected horrifically by Mussolini's regime. (I'll come back to why I see that as extremely significant in this discussion...because first I have to share a bit about who I am, and who I was raised by for any of this to make sense.) European education is, by and large, vastly different from American education. We both know that. Okay...I'm in my late 30s, raised by two entirely different generations of people.
My dad raised me...he is 1st generation American of Mexican parentage. (He loved Italy, btw...not the politics, but the spirit of the culture and the hospitality of the people; my mom liked Italy, but preferred Greece - though I think that was probably about the food more than anything LOL.) So I was not raised by the "stereotypical Caucasian" American mindset of the Baby Boom era...if that makes sense. Both of my parents are ***extremely*** conservative and both devout Christians...though my dad taught me how to think critically and to question EVERYTHING (backfired on him when I started questioning HIM lol). He tried to instill in me an appreciation for the spectacular importance of history - and not just American history, but world history...which I detested as a kid. My dad's *loves* were astronomy and physics, but his expertise was in mechanics and history. :) He's the one who pushed my love and sincere appreciation for education...and who (ultimately) guided me toward an understanding of the importance of seeking multi-perspectives before determining any personal opinions. Yeah, he & I disagree frequently politically - but I admire and respect him deeply. Blah-blah-gooeyloveformydad-blah-blah. ;)
(part 3)
ReplyDeleteRight...so, you knowing that much about me, this is what I recognize to be basic (experiential) differences between our perspectives - and it's not age at all, but personal experience...from where I sit. Italy's politics are extremely diverse and highly passionate...and have a centuries'-long history that affect ALL of us in the West. *nod* Where we staunchly agree in terms of grading and "kids' hurt feelings" is that the "self-esteem movement" is a load of horse manure. Kids' sense of self and esteem aren't based on preventing their hurt feelings, but establishing within them a sense of purpose. To that end, an honest FAILING grade is *by FAR* better than a "gentle" passing grade - which amounts to settling for mediocrity. I do not tolerate that. You might have guessed that, yes, I am extremely liberal on many issues (in the big picture sense), but I'm an involved parent, and expect my kids to do THEIR personal best. The school's/teachers' job is to teach where I am not able -- my job is to be a parent. Fortunately, a parent's job is also to teach and augment/supplement from home what is valued and cherished...and for me, that IS education and the significance of history...thanks to my dad.
From the Italian government...well, SP, I can't speak to that, because I have no first-hand frame of personal reference...save what you've shared, and my understanding of the broad-spectrum history. What I can tell you is that fascism there was at a governmental level before you were born (again, guessing at your generational distinction)...and it is not comparable to the United States at the same place in history. The United States had something that, from my vantage point, was the HUGE precursor to what we're discussing now...and that was the corporate personhood status facet of the signing of the 14th Amendment in the late 1800s...and that is something that I don't *know* if is unique to the U.S....but I do believe was part of the undoing of the ideals of this country's founding fathers...who were Sons of the Enlightenment.
(part 4)
ReplyDeleteI distrust government...make no mistake. But it's not the government in control here in the U.S. appx 140-150 years post-14th Amendment. It's the corporations.
Both entities are terrifying collectives...but I do not detest collectives necessarily...if that makes sense. Moving to another part of what you noted...and it kinda cuts to the heart of the topic of education, and where you & I see a bit differently in terms of however we define "Conservative" and "Liberal"...
In the United States, curricula is not determined on an individual state-to-state basis. It's determined by the state of Texas. Very simple. Now, as a Daughter of Texas and a Daughter of the American Revolution (by birthright, maternally), it pains me to acknowledge this...but Texas has determined what is presented in American classrooms for more than four decades. And the members of the Texas Board of Education? NOT liberal, by ANY stretch of the imagination. This is where I had the sad function of "educating" my dad...who was shocked and appalled -- particularly after he fact-checked what I told him, and found that what I was telling him was the truth, and not some distilled b.s.
The United States was founded by men who (even by today's standards) would be considered radically liberal -- again, Sons of the Enlightenment. There is only one example I had to give my dad, though I gave him a handful to review. Thomas Paine. The *Father of the American Revolution*. My kids only know his name because of me...and because of my dad. He'd already been stripped out of the American history curriculum before I entered high school. My dad was literally shocked. *nod* My dad earned his history degree in 1957...and knows more about Thomas Paine than my kids do, though maybe not as much as I do, because Paine is one of my heroes. When dad confirmed that Thomas Jefferson was being replaced in text with St. Thomas Aquinas, he finally believed me. Now, Aquinas is EXTREMELY important in Enlightenment Era history, but as significant to American history, he doesn't replace Jefferson (another of my heroes, actually).
(part 5 - final)
ReplyDeletePlease know, SP, that when I challenge what I disagree with, it's not because I *believe* differently -- yeah, I'm a "liberal" by many of today's definitions...but I'm really not anything of the sort. I'm a skeptic. I augment my kids' educations because I'm terrified of what will be lost over the next decade of Texas BoE interference and whitewashing of history.
Oh...and California isn't "liberal" either...LOL...just depends on where you live. I was born there. Only SanFran & LA are predominately liberal. Most of the outliers are EXTREMELY conservative, much like Washington. But you already know that, too...I'm certain. ;) xoxo
Thanks for your words and wishes. I find it amazing how you, who define yourself as "liberal", and I, who define myself an American Conservative, are so successful in having intelligent discussions. Amazing but not surprising because that is the result of the need for knowledge we both share.
ReplyDeleteHistory is my passion, so we share that also.
I am actually 51, came to America at the age of 20 and American History became just the natural progression of my love for the subject. My favorite historical period is the first half of the 20th century, mostly because it affected my upbringing so much, I guess.
Mu father was a militaristic type, former officer in the Italian army at the time when all hell broke loose with Mussolini in 1942.
He was almost executed by the SS and by the anti-fascist partisans. Equal opportunity terror!
What his experience translated into, for me, is a complete distrust for any government that, every country is the same, mostly is interested in preserving its power, at whatever cost.
I absolutely understand your distrust for big corporations, but this is my take on that.
Big corps donate millions of dollars to politicians like Obama (I know what you are probably saying right now: to all politicians, and you are right). When a big corp does that it is actually buying the favors of that politician in the effort to gain monopoly on the market. That's why GE, McDonald and many other mega-corps do so. In return they get special treatment (i.e. Obamacare waivers) that the common American cannot get. This sort of quid pro quo is why I distrust politicians (and large corps).
I have been working on a book and in my research I found that my views can be classified more as "classical liberalism" than anything. Basically I want the government to take care of the responsibilities given to it by the Constitution.
I don't want the government to tell me what to drive or what to eat. Or tell me that I have to share my already questionable "wealth" with people who are "less fortunate" than me because they chose to "milk the system."
ReplyDeleteI have a major problem with a government that tells me that people who entered my country illegally have rights. They have human rights for sure, but not constitutional rights. I, as an immigrant, earned those rights by following the laws of the United States.
I am always in awe of American-born people who feel America is an imperialistic nation. Having been born only 14 years after the end of WWII, I can still remember the sentiments of the Italian people in regard to the American GIs coming to liberate my city. Had it not been for America, Italy would still be a third world country today, and yet the pseudo-Socialist forces in that country were so powerful in those days, spitting on the hand that fed them.
So any politician, like Obama, going around the world apologizing for my country really angers me.
The point I am trying to make is that I do believe in American Exceptionalism, because I have seen mediocrity and socialism (even the hypocritical, diluted Italian socialism) and I do not see the attraction that such ideology can have for people.
Anyway, did not want to get into all this. I truly am grateful to you for the intelligent posting.
Got to get ready for work and I wish you and yours a great day.
SP...Out!
(part 1)
ReplyDelete*small smile* I was off by 11 years in my actual guess at your age, but was at the very least was correct that you're a son of the Baby Boom era. *puffed chest at small, insignificant guess...lol*
You carry with you a bit of history the makes me both sad for you, and proud to know you. *nod* You note that your dad was almost executed by the SS....and I *cringed*... Are you familiar with Infragard? I won't say I have enough information about the organization to speak fully, but what little I've had time to research is enough to make my skin crawl.
*heavy sigh* Having grown up in Arizona, with many friends of Italian descent, I know what you mean about deep-seated distrust of government. ANY large, powerful collective is dangerous. Now, understand, I do *NOT* subscribe to Randian (as in Ayn) ideology, but I *do* believe that the ONLY function of the government is the protection of the people it is supposed to *serve*. Regardless of *type* of government (socialist, communist, capitalist, etc ad nauseam). As the daughter of a decorated war veteran and retiree, I can tell you at the very least - all political systems are derived from classic socialism - and maybe you, if anyone, understand what I mean when I say that. Words like "socialism" and "communism" are tossed around in this country without any genuine understanding of what the words mean, why they're different, where they have common ground, and why American Capitalism is a grandchild of socialism. It's not even something I discuss plainly because of where I live (Georgia --lol-- this state is NOT a place to even mention the subject of governmental typology).
(part 2)
ReplyDelete*nod* My distrust of corporations is enormous, yes. After SCOTUS January 2010 decision to expand their donation cap, I became even more distrustful. This doesn't mean that I hate the concept of corporate mentality. I'm a business major (bachelor & masters...and my current pursuit of my doctoral degree is also in a business field *small shy smile*...so yeah, I get the importance of business management as applicable to corporate dynamics). When we discuss corporate donations to politicians, we cannot leave a single politician out -- but my heaviest distrust (currently) is directed at the Koch brothers and Rupert Murdoch...for numerous reasons.
As to those people who chose to "milk" the system...*heavy, sad sigh*...I was one of those, SP. I got divorced at 24 and was on welfare. It was humiliating and mortifying. I had too much pride to go back to Dad; I had also paid my taxes diligently...so I felt I had earned the "right" to get something back when I needed it. No, I wasn't a career "Welfare Mom"...AFDC, food stamps, and state aid was (for me) a stepping stone to get out of the situation I was in at the time, lest I stay with someone who did not love me or our child. (*mutter* - not good memories, honestly...though my ex-husband is not a bad man at all...) I haven't seen Obama "apologize" for the U.S. Far from it actually. Is the U.S. an empire? Yes. Make no mistake -- we have become what we despise, truly. But you have to look at the military base map to truly *see* that. What makes me angry about American (military) imperialism isn't that we have troops abroad; it's that they're abused by our government leaders in wars that do nothing to protect OUR country. Our own country would be better served by our military if our men & women who bear the uniform so honorably weren't so spread thin across the globe. *looks down and sighs*
(part 3)
ReplyDeleteYeah, I support our military. Does that bring any kind of surprise? I wanted, as a kid, to be the first female fighter pilot. I even had a USAF Academy nomination from the desk of none other than John McCain. Yes, seriously. Dad still has the letter back at home. Does that mean that I agree with McCain's politics? Nope...man's a hero, but he's an idiot with no business in politics. American views of Europeans is...well, at best, skewed. *looks down again, in embarrassment this time* There is no way you could know this, but when I was but 20 years old, living in Panama, I was told there was no way I could really be "a 'real' American" (!!!) because I was so *nice*...and I'm NOT nice. I'm honest. I was taught the way most of us here are...to behave like a guest in someone else's home. But the reasons for the "ugly American" stereotype...well, SP, the stereotype dates back, sadly, to a time of your first-hand memory.
The U.S. came into WWII late, but we were there. Took the bombing of Pearl Harbor to get us there (and yeah, thanks to the military, I lived in Honolulu for 4 years...lol); Americans -by and large- like people everywhere are *good* people. People are people. When metal meets steel, we're all just people, and what really sucks during political upheaval is that many forget that. Once upon a time, most politicians knew that "liberal" and "conservative" were a necessary balance to each other. *nod* They still are. That is why, I think, you & I get along in discourse so very well. Because we know that even if we disagree, we're not different. We have different *opinions*...that's all. Extremes, like large collectives, are dangerous. The pendulum swings, and all of us are affected by it.
(part 4 - last)
ReplyDeleteI will step into the river, still with the greatest thanks for knowing a kind person, such as you are...and neither I nor the river are the same for it. Does that make sense? It means that neither are you the same. We will continue to disagree on points -and that is a GOOD thing. Truly. :) If great minds truly thought alike, they wouldn't really be great. If we all agreed, the world would be quite the boring place...with no continual evolution to something *better* for our children and grandchildren.
Thank you for being YOU. You may not have wanted to go into all of this...but I'm really glad you did. :)
Thanks, my friend. Humbling kind words for this old man.
ReplyDeleteEver since I can remember, I have heard people, many very close to me, telling me, in sort of an accusatory tone, that I was "too idealistic", that gray was acceptable sometime, because I would always get stuck on "black or white". But I must have done something right, because my awesome wife is still with me after 29 years and my children have grown up making me proud every day of their lives. My daughter is 26, married two years and a person of unmatched integrity. My son is 23, married with two babies, they are my world those monkeys :) and a United States Marine with combat experience (I truly appreciate your support of the the troops even more, you understand).
I grew up in a lousy society, a system of behavior that was based only on dependence off somebody else, of finger pointing and denial of personal responsibilities. As I always said: Italy is a great place to be from.
Don't get me wrong, I am proud of my cultural heritage, just not too hot on the mentality of the old country.
And I grew up in a family that believed it was moral to have favorite among their children, and, maybe because I was the youngest, I was not one of them.
So when the chance to come to America materialized, there was nothing that could have stopped me.
The American spirit was such a magnet for me: the power of the individual, the ability to work hard for your things and the unlimited opportunities. All things that I could only dream of back in the old country.
You mentioned that you were one of those who milked the system. I see absolutely nothing wrong in reaching for help. That is why certain social programs are there for, that is one of the ways our government can help its citizens in temporary need. But, as I understand, you did not make a career out of it. I personally know couples with children who do not get married for the sole reason that they would miss government subsidies. For me that is one of those black/white issues.
Since I have been in the US, I had to collect unemployment for a total of 5 months and I worked 2 jobs when it was necessary, so that my wife could be a stay-home mom. That is what America offered and allowed me to do. Was it easy? Hell no, but it was possible, besides nothing good comes too easy, I was told.
Anyway, I really appreciate the discussion with such an intelligent and level minded person and look forward to many more to come.
SP...Out!