Walk the walk, talk the talk

I was sent this article analyzing some of the statements of each candidate.

I haven't spent enough time evaluating each candidate. Of course my single issue is education. I don't agree with vouchers. This attempt to apply a one size fits all to the problems in education does not work. If they were to support creating more alternative programs (like my school) so the parents had more choice, and provide the resources to support those schools - professional development, a meaningful observation/evaluation cycle, built-in time for meaningful collaboration and planning, after/before school programs, etc. - I might feel differently. As it were, I don't feel vouchers tackles the real issue. I think that parents should have a choice, but I am not sure vouchers would be the answer. As my school is a dual language school, I am very wary of speak of English only and what that could mean for thousands of successful schools nationwide that have chosen dual language. I am skeptical, however, that it would even affect me/our school at all. Unless the fed forced the state to deny funding to all "alternative" programs, as long as we are showing progress it doesn't seem to be a big deal.

The crazy thing about education is that we all seem to have different ideas of what is needed to solve the problem. And that's just it, the same thing doesn't work for everyone. We spend a lot of time saying "I'm right" "No, I'm right." We don't track and evaluate meaningful data before going on to the "next big thing." I remember at my previous school every year it was a new focus and often we threw out the old. It was so hard to come up with something that everyone could agree on and stick to for any amount of time. I really don't have the solution.

Health care is not usually a major voting issue. 1) I have it. 2) I don't have a family. 3) I am pretty healthy. I imagine all of that would change when I start having to pay hundreds or thousands out of pocket each month. So, it should be important. I just haven't evaluated which plan works best for me.

I detest that we vote based on the "emotional" issues, such as gun control and abortion. So those are assuredly not my issues.

As far as taxes go, you would think that this former economics major would figure this out, but alas, I'm not around it anymore and so I lack the depth to form meaningful opinions of what this going up and that going down, and this going every which way mean. Plus, I'm tired today.

The whole war thing, ah, yes. That's one of those damned if you do, damned if you don't issues. There is certainly a better use of our tax dollars. We certainly have no business dragging it on year after year. So, I agree with the plan to set a time limit. It seems that that plan also needs to accompany some pretty aggressive strategies for how to deal with future foreign relations and a major issue of "there's not enough to go around." The whole resource issue. However, I am also of the opinion that water - something few people seem to be talking about - is going to be a major issue long before we run out of oil or overheat the planet. Not that the latter don't deserve our attention.

Then there is the whole jobs thing. This is another single issue I would probably vote on. I would tend to agree with Thomas Friedman. It will be more difficult to survive in an increasingly more globalized world. We are not competitive on a global level in areas that lead straight back to education. There is no plan in place and there probably should be. Enticing corporations to come back (oh, evil) is probably a good thing. But we need to improve the training of that work force, as well. Otherwise, what prevents those corporations to hire globally? I also buy into that do for your community thing. As the African proverb says, "It takes a village to raise a child." If our village enterprise picks up and leave, that's a problem. It is definitely in the interest of the company to invest in the future workforce, but why should they if taxes make it easier to run their business elsewhere. But all that assumes that they would "give back."

Okay my head is spinning, I have lost all logic and I bet I'll read this post again tomorrow and delete it. Until then, enjoy the dizzying logic of one very uninformed voter.