Obama Op-Ed in WP: Rebuild it Better

[ACW]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...onsbox1&sub=AR
Discuss.

[Baculus]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...onsbox1&sub=AR
Discuss.

I think it's always good to build things bigger and better, but we'll see how it shakes out in two years. And we'll see 1) how the green industry develops, and 2) if any headway can be made in health-care reform.

I am fully supportive in increasing college enrollment, but I think we also have to make sure primary schools are also sufficient. But I do agree with that President that the next generation needs to be armed with the skills necessary to compete, because we are already being outpaced by other nations.

All-in-all, I agree with the main thrust of the article, but it is a matter of getting from here to there.

[SparkleMotion]

Of course we have to rebuild something better.

Just not by using a hodgepodge of liberal pipedreams as a blueprint.

[SpringfieldSkins]

Of course we have to rebuild something better.

Just not by using a hodgepodge of liberal pipedreams as a blueprint.

So perhaps conservative pipe dreams then?

(It's OK, I didn't read the article either )

[Baculus]

Of course we have to rebuild something better.

Just not by using a hodgepodge of liberal pipedreams as a blueprint.

So the hodgepodge of conservative pipedreams are better? Is that why we're in such a dandy shape?

Both liberals and conservatives can actually contribute to our efforts to improve things.

[Enter Apotheosis]

Of course we have to rebuild something better.

Just not by using a hodgepodge of liberal pipedreams as a blueprint.

I would argue that we're in such bad shape not because of designated "conservative" or "liberal" policies so much as an utter lack of genuine civic or fiscal responsibility across the board. All levels of government, businesses, and the general populace are to blame regardless of political affiliation.

Both liberals and conservatives can actually contribute to our efforts to improve things.

This is pretty much how it will have to be.

[ACW]

So the hodgepodge of conservative pipedreams are better? Is that why we're in such a dandy shape?

Both liberals and conservatives can actually contribute to our efforts to improve things.

What about libertarians?

[Larry]

What about libertarians?

What, those loons?

[Baculus]

What about libertarians?

Libertarians inhabit that frontier between both those groups, so of course they are part of the solution. :-)

[SparkleMotion]

I would argue that we're in such bad shape not because of designated "conservative" or "liberal" policies so much as an utter lack of genuine civic or fiscal responsibility across the board. All levels of government, businesses, and the general populace are to blame regardless of political affiliation.

I would agree. But Obama's agenda for rebuilding the country is not based on new ideas. Its based on things that liberals have wanted to see happen for a very, very long time, only now they are being marketed as imperative to fixing the economy.

[Ignatius J.]

After the first few paragraphs I was reading this and thinking.... well of course we should rebuild it better, tell me something I don't know.

But he certainly made some more specific points towards the end including an emphasis on community colleges. There is a lot of good data out there about success stories from community colleges. Teachers in community colleges are focused on teaching in a way that university professors are not, and the financial aspect certainly appeals to my beliefs that education should be universal.

But, anecdotally, I have taught for 6 years now at UCLA. Without question, students with a community college background struggle more than our four year students. They seem just as smart when you talk to them, and they are often among the most motivated students, but when I go through a derivation using calculus or begin pulling information from a past course, the discrepancy in the knowledge base between community college transfers and 4 year UCLA students is noticeable.

I'm not sure what this means, but I think it is a relevant piece of information in the discussion about the role community colleges in our education system.

[ACW]

What, those loons?

Who you callin' a loon

[SpringfieldSkins]

I would agree. But Obama's agenda for rebuilding the country is not based on new ideas. Its based on things that liberals have wanted to see happen for a very, very long time, only now they are being marketed as imperative to fixing the economy.

That's like saying, "We were wrong but we don't want the other guys to have a shot at it even though we were wrong."

...or a pick up basketball game where the loser stays on the court, not allowing the new guy to have a chance and play.

[SparkleMotion]

That's like saying, "We were wrong but we don't want the other guys to have a shot at it even though we were wrong."

...or a pick up basketball game where the loser stays on the court, not allowing the new guy to have a chance and play.

Who is the "we" you are including me in and what exactly were "we" wrong about?

As for your analogy. I consider myself a spectator in the stands, watching two teams that fail to grasp the basics running around like a bunch of goons. They may switch back and forth between offense and defense, but that doesn't change the idiocy of their game.

[sacase]

After the first few paragraphs I was reading this and thinking.... well of course we should rebuild it better, tell me something I don't know.

But he certainly made some more specific points towards the end including an emphasis on community colleges. There is a lot of good data out there about success stories from community colleges. Teachers in community colleges are focused on teaching in a way that university professors are not, and the financial aspect certainly appeals to my beliefs that education should be universal.

But, anecdotally, I have taught for 6 years now at UCLA. Without question, students with a community college background struggle more than our four year students. They seem just as smart when you talk to them, and they are often among the most motivated students, but when I go through a derivation using calculus or begin pulling information from a past course, the discrepancy in the knowledge base between community college transfers and 4 year UCLA students is noticeable.

I'm not sure what this means, but I think it is a relevant piece of information in the discussion about the role community colleges in our education system.

I took a few courses at a community college in the process of getting my degree and this is very true. I took a chemistry course the summer after my freshmen year and a buddy of mine who was still in high school took it with me. My chemistry teacher from High school was teaching the course. The high school version was much harder than the community college version. My buddy and I spent the whole time joking in the back of the classroom and both got A's out of it. I took a algebra course there as well. I suck badly in math. We had to move so slow and I had to help the teacher explain things to other students. It was sad.

I think the solution actually is trade schools and OJT. Give them the base of what they need to learn and let them learn on the job.

The whole "green" industry depends on one thing....cost. If it is not cost effective then its not worth it to the American consumer. Obama realizes this, which is why he wants to artificially drive up prices so the "green" industries can seem like they are cost effective.