I'm still here...

Well, it's been several weeks since I've put anything on the blog and I'm sure those of you that care (sniff) thought maybe you'd heard the last of me.  But never fear, I'm still here.

It's not that I haven't had anything to say, it's really more like I've had a lot to say, but nothing really cohesive or of coherent value.  And, well, who wants to read ranting and rambling (oh, wait, that's my whole blog).

So, today I have a few minutes to write and thought I'd 'prattle' on about a few things that are on my mind.

Abortion

I, like most people I know, are sickened by what's been called the "Philadelphia Horror".  You can type that phrase into your search engine and find any number of articles, opinions or news pieces on the issue.  What sickens me the most is that this man actually justified his actions by thinking he was helping people, and that the value of a human life has become so infinitesimal that a heartbeat is no longer proof of life.

I find it hard to accept that a woman's right to her own body means that another living being must have its life taken away.  This is an odd way to determine choice and rights vs. consequences and reality.  I'm sure that Margaret Sanger, from her window in the afterlife (that's another post completely), is giddily pleased at the progress her eugenics propaganda has made.  Freedom for the poor and downtrodden women by erasing the existence of those unwanted mouths was at the heart of her work.  It had less to do with easing the plight of the poor minority women and more to do with cleansing the population of filthy, uneducated and valueless lower class peoples. 

Much like the attitudes of the Doctor and his staff, these women were being saved from more unwanted children.  How they got pregnant or what happened to the babies was not their concern.  Their heartfelt service goal was the well-being of the poor mothers.  Filthy conditions, no safeguards, and a host of other medical atrocities were committed so that these women could be saved from themselves.

This will be another whipping post of party politics and the real victims will once again be forgotten.  The babies who were created for a purpose were murdered for no reason whatsoever other than convenience.

Education

The marriage of education and unions should have been dissolved decades ago.  As with any marriage where abuse is prevalent, the children are suffering and would benefit from new surroundings and environments.  We as the "in-laws" need to stop putting our fingers in the dike and stuffing it with more and more money that is mis-used and unnecessary. 

I still think the answer to education is vouchers.  Publicly funded education is not (necessarily) the problem; how the funds are spent is.  If parents had choices of where their children went, it would benefit the rich, the poor, the minority, the majority and -- most of all -- the children. 

Our children are the future and as teachers and administrators (and union reps) like to hold over our heads; they are being shortchanged.  But this isn't because there isn't enough money.  I think it has more to do with value than economy.  We used to focus on the basics of education; formerly called the "three R's".   Now it's all about visits from the author, experience learning, sex education and No Child Left Behind.  Instead it's EVERY CHILD left behind. 

I'm not against public funding for education.  I agree every child has the right to education.  What I disagree with is being forced into a "one curricula fits all" mentality.  Not every child learns, processes or progresses at the same level as every other child.  Smaller class sizes are a better fit for some, while others benefit from more classmates and more activities.   I believe that families should be allowed to make choices that fit each child, each "circumstance" in the best way possible. 

Vouchers would provide the same level of opportunity for every child and present education with the unique idea of competition.  Parents could use the school closest to them or the one that provided the best match to the parents' educational desires.  Children who lived in lower income environments would have the option of choosing schools that would possibly been financially out of reach.  Families that wanted more music or sports or academics could choose a school that met those wants; instead of paying twice for private schools.  Parents that didn't have an educational preference would likely choose a school that was convenient to their work or home or childcare facility.

Choice has been the mantra of politicians for many decades; however the choice they want is the choices THEY make; not the choices of the people it affects.



I'll try not to be so silent for such a long time next time.  And, as always, if you don't care for my opinions, you don't have to read them.  It's the beauty of the freedoms we have in the country.  The freedom of choice.