Final Week In Public Education

I am a High School teacher and this week is Final Week… also involving graduating Seniors coming around to “check out,” which is to say get their grades, finalize any fines / fees / dues / books / equipement they might still owe, etc.

One particular aspect of this time of year that I’ve noticed has gotten worst over the years, is the lack of accountability for some of these kids. These are kids, mind you, that are on the verge of setting out into the world, away from the protection -and financial safety for some- of Mom and Dad; who are about to learn what real responsability is, where College professors do not hassle you to turn in your work, and make sure you understand your homework, and are taking the proper notes, and studying for your exam, etc, etc. etc.; where they actually are going to have to take it upon themselves to do what needs to be done.

I worry about some of these kids. The world can be a harsh wake up call.

Unfortunately, the entire public school system does anything BUT teach self responsibility to kids today. On the contrary, I think we have in place a system that has, from the time toddlers come into it to the time they are enleached onto the world at 17-18 years of age, quite effectively for about 90 % of these kids, taken away most any initiative, imagination, and sense of responsibility for personal behavior.

Now schools are not completely to blame. Our society and culture in general has had a downward trend for a while now, and schools were never meant to teach manners and respect -that’s the parents’ job, but the system of public education is limited and outdated.

Don’t get me wrong, there are some extraordinary teachers out there who are the most caring and dedicated individuals I know. I myself care a great deal about “my kids.” However, I also see the failures of our system and feel sadden for it. One saving grace lies in these teachers who offer a ray of hope for some of these kids who would literally not make it through their 4 years otherwise.

For me personally, having students come back to visit and tell me my class was what kept them sane and helped them make it through the day is worth all the gold in the world.

I got off my main train of thought from where I was going at the start with this…

I was going to comment on the lack of accountability -I cannot tell you how discusted I feel with seniors coming around to whine and try to weasle their way through excuses after excuses as to why they did not complete their project, or did not turn in this or that, or why they do not have their assignments in on time… all just to get that “good enough” grade to pass and get out.

And the scarriest thing about this is, they do not see anything wrong with this picture at all.

Believe me, I’ve had this conversation with more than one kids every year. Lying is ok, cheating is ok, being sneaky is ok, lack of integrity is ok, cursing is ok, being rude is ok… it is all OK and expected and NORMAL, as far as a lot of kids today are concerned. It’s a normal way life of today. It is all OK as long as you don’t get caught -then it’s all a matter of taken on the poor-me victim role, blame as many others as you can to get off, and never admit anything wrong of take responsibility for your behavior. It’s ALWAYS someone else’s fault.

And we wonder what’s wrong with society today.

Sad indeed.

I’ve been a public teacher for 10 years. I have seen this attitude become more and more prevalent.
All I can say is, most likely, my own kids will not be going to public school.

I am grateful for all the teachers out there. I know it’s a hard job. I know it’s also a very rewarding job for those kids that we do reach -and there are a lot of good kids out there too. I don’t mean to belittle that fact. It’s the end of the school year, I am tired and venting a little.

I’ll miss “my kids” and wish them well. I hope they do come visit. Despite all, I’m glad to be a teacher.

Do You Know About Booksense?

Booksense is a portal for independent book stores near you.

You follow the link to their main page, enter your zip code, and voilà! A list of independent book sellers in your neighborhood.

A great way to support those smaller stores, easily drowned out by the bigger online sellers today, or the “bigger and better” mega stores found in every other shopping center.

You’ll find a convenient permanent link in the left side bar or you can try it now from right here:

Booksense; Independent Book sellers near you

Happy reading.

Get Started! Figure It Out Later

Isn’t there something to be said with just getting started?

I mean, one can only think and try to figure it out so long. At some point, that person will have to jump in and get off the dock, or nothing is ever going to happen.

If I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning.
                                                         — Mahatma Gandhi

This is a very common concept actually, in the personal development and financial freedom environment. The general consensus is that it’s best to get started, get it going, and figure it out on the way. See what works, what doesn’t, and what could use a little tweaking here and there. At least this way you are moving forward. I tend to agree with this principle also.

On a personal note, a lot of things I have done this year have been this way. I learn best in the middle of doing. I do a minimum of research before hand to understand the issue and to know how to get started, then I get the project off and running. The learning comes with the doing.

Taxes For More On Perspective

This is the second half of the previous post, the one about a Billion. This one puts in perspective how far we’ve come…

This is too true to be very funny:

 TAX

Tax his land, Tax his wage,
Tax his bed in which he lays.

Tax his tractor, Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes is the rule.

Tax his cow, Tax his goat,
Tax his pants, Tax his coat.

 Tax his ties, Tax his shirts,
Tax his work, Tax his dirt.

 Tax his tobacco, Tax his drink,
Tax him if he tries to think.

Tax his booze, Tax his beers,
If he cries, Tax his tears.

Tax his bills, Tax his gas,
Tax his notes, Tax his cash.

 Tax him good and let him know
That after taxes, he has no dough.

If he hollers, Tax him more,
Tax him until he’s good and sore.

Tax his coffin, Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in which he lays.

Put these words upon his tomb,
“Taxes drove me to my doom!”

 And when he’s gone,
We won’t relax,

We’ll still be after the inheritance TAX!!
Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL License Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges (tax on top of tax),
IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax),
Liquor Tax,
Luxury Tax,
Marriage License Tax,
Medicare Tax,
Property Tax,
Real Estate Tax,
Service charge taxes,
Social Security Tax,
Road Usage Tax (Truckers),
Sales Taxes,
Recreational Vehicle Tax,
School Tax,
State Income Tax,
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA),
Telephone Federal Excise Tax,
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax,
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Tax,
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax,
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax,
Telephone State and Local Tax,
Telephone Usage Charge Tax,
Utility Tax,
Vehicle License Registration Tax,
Vehicle Sales Tax,
Watercraft Registration Tax,
Well Permit Tax,
Workers Compensation Tax.

 COMMENTS: Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago

And there was prosperity, absolutely no national debt, the largest middle class in the world and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.

What the heck happened????? 

What’s In A Billion?

I was cleaning out my computer files when I came up on the following text and thought it would be great to pass it on. Though the part about New Orleans might be a bit dated now, it is still a wonderful illustration of how we (or mostly government officials and corporate members) tend to throw out these figures left and right. What if we actually tried to figure out the practical application of those figures? Would they seem a bit ridiculous then? You decide.

So here it is, a wonderful way to place a Billion in perspective:

 

I think maybe none of us really understands the concept of a billion.

WE created this in our lives and WE adhere to it so, I believe that WE can change it.

The choices we make today create all of our tomorrows.

What’s in a Billion?

Amazing!!

The next time you hear a politician use the word “billion” in a casual manner, think about whether you want the “politicians” spending your tax money.

A billion is a difficult number to comprehend, but one advertising agency did a good job of putting that figure into some perspective in one of its releases.

A. A billion seconds ago it was 1959.
B. A billion minutes ago Jesus was alive.
C. A billion hours ago our ancestors were living in the Stone Age.
D. A billion days ago no-one walked on the earth on two feet.
E. A billion dollars ago was only 8 hours and 20 minutes, at the rate our government is spending it.

While this thought is still fresh in our brain, let’s take a look at New Orleans. It’s amazing what you can learn with some simple division . . .

Louisiana Senator, Mary Landrieu (D), is presently asking the Congress for $250 BILLION to rebuild New Orleans. Interesting number, what does it mean?

a. Well, if you are one of 484,674 residents of New Orleans (every man, woman, child), you each get $516,528.
b. Or, if you have one of the 188,251 homes in New Orleans, your home gets $1,329,787.
c. Or, if you are a family of four, your family gets $2,066,012.

Washington, D.C. … HELLO!!! … Are all your calculators broken??