My criteria is that a child of a disadvantaged family reaches adulthood with options for survival beyond drugs and illegal activities. Education provides that alternative.
We agree on that goal. Where we may disagree is whether or not education in its present state, alone, can achieve that, and what it would take, that is measurable, to make it an effective remedy.
People are not widgets. Their thinking process is organic. You can give them all the benefits and they will reject it for something negative. That notwithstanding, we need to do the right thing........which is give all America's kids the same quality education and provide them with options when deciding their future.
We agree on that also. So what are we arguing about here? Probably the methodology and measurements used to attempt to achieve this. Which leads us to your third point below.
Stats be damned!
You are looking at stats, IMHO, as some kind of weapon to be used against your goals. I am looking at them as tools that can tell us how to get there, and, if the goals are achievable.
Stats ARE a double edged sword that can cut both ways, but if used correctly (neutrally) they can provide feedback to tell one the progress, or lack thereof, of particular program or project. And if used like this they can be used to make the project successful, or inform one when, if it isn't successful, a different approach must be used.
Let us see what else we can agree on. The following questions are all answered yes by me, so if you disagree with any of them just type a No after those and a brief reason why you disagree, if you would, so I know the basis of your thinking on the matter.
1. People over 18 and under 65 should work to support themselves if they are able to with the exception of women with children under 2 (for over two kids quality daycare).
2. Any discussion of welfare at the national government level needs to involve politicians of both parties as the money needed to make welfare successful (according to the goals agreed upon above) would need the approval of both parties.
3. It has not yet been proven that education alone can remedy the problems faced by disadvantaged kids.
4. People should be given the applicable skills, if possible, to move themselves off welfare.
5. We need a discussion at the national level as to whether a marriage by a welfare recipient should cause a reduction of benefits.
OK it is my thought that answers to the above may help us see how far apart we are. |
