The Solution

Lon

Well-known Member
The solution to many of the problems that we and our children and grand children face and will continue to face is education. We as a nation are woefully under educated in many vitally important areas. Basic Finance being one and History being another. We as seniors have learned pretty much all we are going to learn as we continue our advance to the grave, but those to follow will have to deal with a multitude of problems that involve more than just a knowledge of computer technology, physics, medicine, the arts, social welfare, plumbing & air conditioning, auto mechanics etc. In addition compassion, empathy and understanding are traits that our progeny should carry with them.
 

Regardless of my age, I believe I am still learning new things on a regular basis, given the longevity of my family, it is likely I have at least another three decades to ponder the meaning of life, pick up interesting skills, improve interpersonal relationships et al. That said, for future generations, education is key. I am grateful my children pursued worthwhile careers.
 

I Agree.... so we need to STOP cutting funds to education. and provide education to everyone, by making it free... or at least affordable. Our average college graduate leaves school with around $30,000 in student loans..

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2015/06/house_gop_moves_to_cut_educati.html

The House Appropriations Committee unveiled its education spending proposal Tuesday morning, which would slash funding for the U.S. Department of Education and its federal education programs by nearly $3 billion.
The bulk of those cuts come from eliminating a slate of nearly 20 programs, including many high-profile Obama administration priorities like the School Improvement Grants, the Preschool Development Grant, Investing in Innovation, and the Teacher Incentive Fund.
Overall, the Education Department would be funded to the tune of $64.4 billion—that's $2.8 billion below the fiscal year 2015 level and $6.4 billion below President Barack Obama's budget request.
 
They all need a marketable skill whether they just graduate high school or from college. History and compassion are nice but do not pay well...
 
They all need a marketable skill whether they just graduate high school or from college. History and compassion are nice but do not pay well...


yes... I certainly agree. However, getting those skills cost money... Even getting a CDL training to be able to drive a truck can cost thousands of dollars in a reputable commercial driving school. If people are struggling to feed and house themselves.. where does that money come from?

Most of the Trade programs in high schools have been cut.. yet education continues to be a target for "fiscal austerity". How can we complain how stupid our population is if they don't have access to the skills they need?
 
We have a great community college system that provides good skill and college programs that are inexpensive and the govt will pay for depending on your circumstances. Many programs are at night so people can work and get trained, too...
 
We have a great community college system that provides good skill and college programs that are inexpensive and the govt will pay for depending on your circumstances. Many programs are at night so people can work and get trained, too...

It will? News to me... When President Obama proposed making a two year community college degree free for those who qualified, the Right set it's hair on fire. BUT You are correct about junior colleges offering classes for less money.. they also have some very good certificates in certain trades.

However... even community colleges are not CHEAP... and if you are trying to support a family and have a low wage job... OR TWO... it can be quite impossible

http://education.costhelper.com/community-college.html

Full-time community college tuition and fees (typically for two 15-unit semesters) can cost $1,000-$12,000 or more a year for state residents, and $4,000-$30,000 or more for out-of-state students, depending on the school, the location and the program of study.
For example, tuition and fees at community colleges in Texas[SUP][2][/SUP] for 2013-2014 are $1,630-$6,153 for state residents and $4,150-$16,683 for out-of-state students, with an average cost of $2,394 for Texas residents and $6,322 for nonresidents. At Century College[SUP][3][/SUP] in White Bear Lake, MN, tuition and fees for two 15-unit semesters total $5,356 for general classes, $5,540 for dental hygiene courses and $5,846 for the nursing program.
Tuition is just one of many college expenses. In order to award financial aid and scholarships, each school predicts its "cost of attendance[SUP][4][/SUP] " for a typical student to attend for a full academic year, based on estimates for tuition and fees; books and supplies, room and board, transportation and personal expenses. The COA at community colleges varies from $7,500-$25,000 or more for state residents and $12,000-$35,000 or more for out-of-state students, depending on whether student live with their parents/relatives or on their own, and the local cost of living.
For example, Santa Barbara City College[SUP][5][/SUP] in California estimates 2013-2014 costs of $1,378 tuition and fees; $1,710 books and supplies; $4,518 room and board for living with relatives and $11,268 for living away from home; $2,844-$3,096 for personal expenses; and $1,180-$1,324 for transportation, for a total COA of $11,822 for students living at home and $18,524 for away from home; for out-of-state students, the COA is $17,758 if living with relatives and $24,460 for out-of-state students living on their own. In Texas[SUP][6][/SUP] the average COA for 2013-2014 is $14,921-$16,275 for Texas residents and $18,841 for out-of-state students.
Two-thirds of community college students nationwide attend part-time, according to the American Association of Community Colleges[SUP][7][/SUP] . Tuition for state residents typically costs $45-$250 or more per credit unit/hour, or $135-$750 for a standard three-unit class. For out-of-district or out-of-state students, tuition can cost $100-$550 or more per credit unit, or $300-$1,650 to take one three-unit class. Additional mandatory per-student fees plus other costs like lab fees or a parking permit can add $25-$200 or more to the total cost for part-time students, depending on the school.
Many community colleges provide an online net price calculator, which allows students and their parents to enter basic information and get a rough estimate of the total amount they might have to pay after receiving typical grant and scholarship aid, based on their individual circumstances. For example, Community College of Philadelphia offers a net price calculator[SUP][8][/SUP] .
 
Ought to get educated before you get procreated. Don't ya think?

Yes Ralphy.... very true... BUT since when do we live in a perfect world.. and since when do thing go as planned.. Yet on the other hand.. while touting to be pro-life and defending the rights of the unborn, many want to forget about that child AFTER it is born. It becomes a liability... it needs food, housing, clothing and education. The mother.. who is the holy incubator before she gives birth becomes the slut who is bringing kids into the world that she cannot afford.. and why should tax dollars go to pay for her mistakes.. Demand that every pregnancy be brought to term.... then complain when the mother and the child need help to survive.. including education for the mother.... Do you NOT see the irony???
 
Ought to get educated before you get procreated. Don't ya think?

One overlooked benefit of college, I think, is simply that it gets young people away from their parents and mingling with people different from themselves. There is a significant segment of the rural population, especially here in the South, that downplays education from early on. It is an attitude that has been passed down from generation to generation in the last 50 years. The cycle will be broken eventually, but it is slow to change if you never leave the neighborhood in which you grew up.

(I'm afraid I'm not stating this very well.)
 
One overlooked benefit of college, I think, is simply that it gets young people away from their parents and mingling with people different from themselves. There is a significant segment of the rural population, especially here in the South, that downplays education from early on. It is an attitude that has been passed down from generation to generation in the last 50 years. The cycle will be broken eventually, but it is slow to change if you never leave the neighborhood in which you grew up.

(I'm afraid I'm not stating this very well.)

From what I can see is there is a substantial segment of the GOP Base that looks down on education and views people that have degrees, or some education beyond HS as being elitist and Socialist. I have never understood that..
 
From what I can see is there is a substantial segment of the GOP Base that looks down on education and views people that have degrees, or some education beyond HS as being elitist and Socialist. I have never understood that..

I don't think it was always that way here. Sadly, a lot of it has to do with federal legislation passed in the 60's.
 
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It all boils down to the priorities of those in Washington that are making the cuts in not only Education but anything that will make life better for the working class of people.
 
3%20huck%20cartoon%20L.jpg


It all boils down to the priorities of those in Washington that are making the cuts in not only Education but anything that will make life better for the working class of people.

Excellent 'toon and excellent comment ... thanks, Jackie!
 


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