By Edwin “Bus” Upshaw
Anderson resident
Recently, tucked in the inner pages of The Herald Bulletin, there was a short news blurb regarding how to compute the “teaching” days in Indiana public schools. A bill, pending in the Legislature, that would require a full day of class activity for a full day credit or pay (a change from the method now in place), was not allowed even the courtesy of a committee vote. It died in the hands of the committee chairman. It seems as though an extremely small minority of self-centered politicians and/or lobbyists have the power to decide that our students cannot be equipped to take their proper places in our social and economic world. Theirs is to be a life of subservience to those who, somehow, gain a better education. This action was not democracy at its worst. Rather, it was totalitarianism at its best!
Tactics such as this have prevented thousands of excellent, qualified Indiana teachers from functioing to their full potential. It has been such tactics that have produced such dismal performances from borderline students. Parents have rebelled, rightly so, to a system that rewards failure in teaching and promotes cronyism above competence. Therein lies the seed of home schooling, as well as the charter school system. They are each flourishing today.
A letter, very well written, by Rick Muir, president of the local teachers union, was published regarding the effects of charter school funding on public school funding. His analysis of the finances was fine, but I did not find any mention of the reason or basis for charter school inception. It’s simple; parents want better results, which charter schools are providing.
Our family and friends have been involved in the educational system since that September day when my mom first rang her little brass bell for the Fox Island School, three miles west of New Harmony, Ind. There, she did all the attendant duties of a “school mar’m”, even riding her horse as it swam across a swollen stream to take her to work. Those kids wanted school — a place where they were taught “readin’, ‘ritin’, ‘rithmetic’ and responsibility”, and they wanted teachers who would guide them. Dedicated teachers gravitated to those needs and wants, just as they do today.
Students have sat at the feet of Socrates, Plato, the Pharaohs of Egypt and all good teachers down through the ages, realizing the time spent thus is preparation for life. Those students were taught the axiom that one equals one. They were never taught that one half day of work equals one full day of pay. They were never taught that one fourth equals one nor that a mere presence merits reward.The Indiana educational system will produce students of superior training and capabilities if and when we, as taxpayers, demand and receive the tools and freedom inherited from our ancestors. Unshackle those good teachers! The whole world is out there in front of our students, a whole world of still kept secrets, awaiting those who are prepared to unlock them. Quality preparation is the key!
Letters
Viewpoint: Is Legislature promoting education or subjugation?
- Letters
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Letter: Consumer-driven economy will pay off debt
To save America some money — by acclimation of course — let’s not have a presidential election in 2012. We already have a good president who will do his best to kill all Republican bills (DOA) and, consequently, create more good-paying jobs in the $30 per hour range.
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Letter: Gingrich cashes in on political amnesia
Rasmussen says that Romney has flattened nationally. Why?
Two reasons seem to tell the tale. Gingrich has shown that he will fight, and Romney is a Mormon, believed to be a “cult” by a majority of evangelicals. -
Letter: Hiring Winkler not wise spending
As a taxpayer I want to know that my taxes are being spent wisely. Hiring Greg Winkler at a salary of $126,000 is not wise spending.
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Letter: Bill of Rights being nullified by new law
President Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act on New Year’s Eve. I doubt many Americans noticed its implications because they do not yet comprehend the big picture. This law, coupled with the Patriot Act, is paving the way for America’s direction toward tyranny.
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Letter: $14 trillion debt started by previous president
I’m a proud atheist who’s lucky enough to know the difference between fact and fantasy.
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Letter: Economy putting people in the gutters
We are now getting the results of putting people in the gutters. We need to take a second look at our government and its policies. It’s not working.
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Viewpoint: Look at Creation Museum from an educational, scientific perspective
I encourage any and all who have interest in this vitally important topic to “go to the source,” to invest the time and energy into exploring The Creation Museum for themselves.
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Letter: Blame the voters for our Congress
Why is insider trading legal for Congress and illegal for the rest of us? They make and enact laws for all of us, but then exempt members of Congress. Somehow this doesn’t seem to pass the smell test.
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Letter: Smith’s firings appear vindictive
Anderson is a city of negative publicity and actions. Why else is Sears leaving? Can we stand four years of vindictive actions and negative reporting?
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Letter: Planned devaluation of dollar is coming
I’ve submitted letters regarding the existence of a global elite for years now. I’m now submitting another one in which I hope readers will take note of.
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Letter: Consumer-driven economy will pay off debt
