Abstract

Zachary McKay

Government, Fall 2009

Abstract

7 December 2009

Information has been mismanaged as a resource in the public school system. It is the government’s responsibility to educate the population. Sadly they have failed in their endeavor and refuse to take the necessary steps to fix the problem. Over the past sixty years, in order to simplify the system, the government condensed school districts. In 1940 there were over 117,000 school districts, by the 1990s there were less than 15,000. This added to the problem of a single curriculum which meant that the school system did not improve. More problems were created because options and choices were reduced. In 1983 when student performance reached an all time low, the government implemented more standardized tests in hopes of keeping every student at the same level all across the nation. If all the students are learning at the same rate then the government can use the same curriculum. Since then student performance has not increased. Instead of changing their philosophy of every student studying the same topics in the same manner, the government has continued to make the same mistakes. President Obama is now pushing for education in critical thinking skills. He is also encouraging students to study hard and commit themselves to their studies. While these are good suggestions and encouraging students can help, it doesn’t solve the problem at hand. Telling students what they have already heard does not influence new results. According to Albert Einstein, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. That is exactly what the government has been doing for the past, nearly thirty, years. Research led to the conclusion that Americans are eager for a change in the public educational system.

The problem with the government’s plan is that it is expects students to conform to a curriculum. Schools were instituted to serve the students by teaching them, not demanding from them. Students learn in different ways and respond to different stimuli. Students learn most effectively when they are in an environment that benefits them. A universal, standard curriculum does not provide the necessary attention individually to each student. That is why a new system needs to be implemented to improve student performance. The system must provide a highly individualized learning experience for every student. The system must also prepare students for the work world and guarantee careers. The most effective way to ensure careers is to train students specifically for the work involved. Students need to have the choice to choose their futures. College should not be the only option. Apprenticeships allow students to master the skills and techniques required and start their career right away. Individualized knowledge is more beneficial in the future than a standardized, general understanding of several topics. Other countries in the world eagerly use apprentice systems. A system that allows students to choose their path, instead of demanding useless academic requirements, will be most effective in establishing strong life-long work.

Food Article Response

Discussion Questions:

1) Why do people choose to eat products that are unhealthy for them?
2) What roles/responsibilities does the government have in framing your choices?
-Should they be responsible for educating us?
-Should they be responsible for managing all products we consume?

I think that people choose the unhealthy foods because they are cheaper, prepared for consumption quicker, and constructed to taste better. I also believe it is because of the way unhealthy foods are presented. Consumers are mislead to think that an item that contains fruit traces, counts as a fruit serving when in reality it is a dessert. People will always feel good about themselves if they eat something healthy. The problem is that they focus on nutrients instead of a balanced diet. This leads to more bad choices. the point is not to be healthy in one aspect and unhealthy in the rest. For example eating a carrot does not mean you should be rewarded with chocolate cake. People make poor food choices because they are misinformed.

The government most certainly is responsible for educating the public. If they are going to regulate and distribute food, we should know how it affects our bodies. Now they do this to an extent, they post ingredients and nutrition facts on the products. However few people know the effects of the ingredients and the nutrition facts are skewed on a non-average scale. The federal government needs to tell the whole truth and present all the facts. On the other hand people should also take responsibility. I do not think the government should manage all the products, nor do I want them to regulate it all. they should be in charge of processed foods. Organic food is best left in charge of the farmers who grow it. The people can handle it better than the politicians.

BIO

This post is a short bio written after asking questions and writing notes while listening to Novalena Betancourt talk about herself.

Novalena Betancourt was raised in the Bay Area of California, but her story does not stop there. Throughout her life Novalena has ventured as far as Puerto Rico and the East Coast. Her biggest challenge has been being surrounded by people with chemical imbalances. The challenge has been keeping her own emotions under control and staying positive. One instance was in high school when on the senior trip one of her friends had a little too much to drink. Novalena and her classmates had to do their best to calm him down. Another exciting experience happened when Novalena was in college. She was with friends in Mexico, but had too many people in one hotel room. They were kicked out and tried to sneak back in but were caught and arrested. She learned the hard way to be aware of one's surroundings; with whom do do you associate, current circumstances. Like anyone Novalena regrets making the dumb generic youthful mistakes that we all make. But mistakes mold people into who they are. She was close to her father and he taught her to be authentic to herself. Authenticity is one of Novalena's five values. Those values are: love, connection, growth, authenticity, and relationships. She wrote about these in her first book-that she co-authored- Strategies for Success. Novalena is currently publishing her second book. This new book is targeted to women and encourages them to be authentic and true to themselves because they can be it all on their own. Novalena's big goal is to settle down one day, get married, and start a family. She is continually learning more about herself so that she will know who the perfect man for her is to build a strong life long relationship.

"No Drama Obama"

This post is in response to an article concerning United States foreign policy.

Although it may be frowned upon, the U.S. is pushing aside the foreign policy to focus on domestic policy. I see this as a necessary evil. In order to be an asset to the rest of the world, we need to deal with our own problems first. If this means delaying foreign policy to a lower spot on the agenda, so be it. Paul Reynolds of the BBC said that even though President Obama believes "yes we can" he has left but a light footprint on our affairs with Afghanistan and Iran. Reynolds says that this approach, "no drama Obama," will not last. My stand is this: I agree that we must increase our attention towards foreign affairs; but I understand that domestically we may not be prepared. However I do think that Obama is trying to reform more than is necessary. The President should distribute the time he spends focussing on each issue, as opposed to one at a time.

Story of the Image Journal

For this journal the assignment was to write a story based on the picture. We knew that the dog was named Barder and the turban granted the power of flight.

Story of the Image

Jimmy was a quiet child. He spoke to nearly no one, not even his family. Jimmy had but one true friend in the world, a dog whom Jimmy named Barder. Jimmy had rescued Barder whilst he was still a pup from a speeding truck. Barder was injured (from who knows what; perhaps a fight with another dog) and had collapsed in the road. Jimmy spied the truck from afar down the long street and then he spotted Barder. Jimmy being rather noble for someone his age raced into the street and moved the dog to safety. After a long discussion with his father about responsibility, Jimmy was allowed to keep the dog.

Out on a walk with Barder one evening through the large unowned field, Jimmy spotted something peculiar. It was mystifying and Jimmy came closer. Picking it up, Jimmy realized that it was a piece of orange cloth. He wondered how it got so far out away from anywhere. He did know though that it didn't belong there in the tall grass. Jimmy was about to put the cloth back, but then he decided it would be best to keep it in his pocket. He couldn't justify taking it. He only knew that it was no ordinary cloth. It was now somehow connected to him in an untangible way.

He took it out of his pocket and stared at it deeply. Jimmy took the cloth, wrapped it around his head, and began to do impressions. A pirate, a cowboy, and oddly enough an Arabian tradesman. Impressions for an audience of Barder plus a single oak tree. Pleased with himself Jimmy took a bow. Barder began to bark.

"What is it boy?" Jimmy asked.

He looked down and realized he was no longer standing, nor sitting, but floating.

"The cloth!" thought Jimmy.

He floated down ontop of Barder, and then back up again, this time with Barder, higher than before; above the tree. Jimmy and Barder flew higher and faster. Quickly approaching his house Jimmy landed. He put the orange cloth in his pocket and went inside. During supper Jimmy said nothing about the cloth or his adventure.

He though about the turban while he was in bed. He got out of bed and snuck out. Jimmy had the cloth with him. He wrapped the turban around his head and woke Barder. They were off to explore the world.

Writing in Reverse-The Story of Mr. Jones

This post is a response to a photo taken by Bill Sullivan. Bill Sullivan took photos of people passing through the gate to the subway station. The rest of the photos can be found at
http://www.3situations.com/BillSullivanWorks/MTmaster.html

The Story of Mr. Jones

Edward Jones was not a unique individual. He stood out in absolutely now way. He never traveled. He never had an extraordinary career. Mr. Jones was very plain. He did what a normal retired accountant should. Every morning he would wake up, eat breakfast, bathe, and get dressed. Then he would go to the park and read the paper. Occasionally he would play chess. When he was ready to go home, Edward Jones would take the subway back to his block. This had been the life of Mr. Jones for the past fourteen and a half years. Nothing adventurous. Nothing grand. Just life.

That is until last Wednesday when during a friendly game of chess, Mr. Jones collapsed. The stranger opposite Edward rushed him to the hospital. Edward Jones awoke in a hospital bed in an empty room. He called for a nurse. The nurse told him to rest, but Mr. Jones insisted on seeing a doctor. Moments late a tall young man entered the room. The doctor informed Edward Jones that he had been diagnosed with cancer. He would be free to check out after completing some paper work. The doctors told Mr. Jones to take it easy and enjoy the last few months of his life. The cancer had already spread and there was nothing more they could do to suppress it. Mr. Jones went home that night and went straight to bed, but he did not sleep.

Edward awoke the next morning weary. He put on his brown suit. It was an ugly grotesque suit, but he didn't care. He didn't even bother straightening his tie. As Edward Jones headed out the door, he reached for a hat to wear. It was a special hat. It was given to him by the same person who gave him the suit, Alan Crowe. Alan had passed away only four years ago. He was not a particularly close friend of Edward's. But Alan was the friend Mr. Jones saw most frequently. Alan Crowe died of liver cancer. Mr. Jones thought about Alan as he passed through the gate at the subway station. He thought about what would happen to himself. He had contemplated death before; what old man hasn't. However, Edward Jones had no family with whom to spend his last days. Nor anyone whom he could give his possessions. He was not lonely, however, he was in fact alone.

Edward Jones was very sidetracked as he passed through the gate. He had only his ticket with him. No newspaper. No book. Nothing. He was too distracted with his thoughts. He thought to himself on the subway. He thought to himself in the park. Mr. Jones was so unfocused that he missed his stop on his way home. It did not bother him to walk an extra two blocks. He sat at home in his chair. It was late. A single tear rolled down his cheek. Now Edward Jones was not an emotional man but he did worry about the grim future ahead of him.