Our Most Important Investment

When it comes to what we as a nation decide to fund and invest in, we've unfortunately overlooked our most important national investment: Our Education. I argue that more than highways, sidewalks, police departments and military spending, our investment in our students and their educations must be not the first, but the last thing to be cut in government budgets. It is true that throwing money at schools does not always result in better test scores and higher graduation rates, but what remains true is that education is what gives our economy it's fuel and will continue to be that fuel so long as we are competing with countries like China, India, Brazil and other emerging economies. We must not be so fast to cut education funding, considering it's long term ramifications on our economy, our infrastructure and every other major facet of our American society. Too often our debates on education spending and education reform becomes mired and backlogged by politics and a stubborn refusal to meet in the middle on a number of issues that involve education such as funding, taxes, the NEA, charter schools, test scores, passing/failing schools, curriculum and tenure. I do not believe we can make any improvements on our education system without first collectively realizing that all sides must meet in the middle and come together for the sake of our generation's future. We cannot say we mean effective education reform without first opening ourselves to the idea that perhaps the opposing side might actually have a handful of great ideas. Nelson Mandela once said "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." I Agree. Do you? - David.

America's Debt; MY take on it...

Recently, Congress decided to increase the debt limit the U.S. government is allowed to possess. At more then 14 trillion dollars, Congress increased the debt limit by more then 2 trillion dollars. In return, Congressional Republicans were guaranteed budget cuts by the trillions. Amongst the political wrangling and bickering, it seems though that we've forgotten the significant reasons for debating debt limits and debt limit increases.

While Congress was busy debating what should be cut from the budget, how much of an increase was necessary and what programs were hands on and off, the discussion shifted away from what I think was the biggest question: How do we avoid future debt limit increases in the future?

For anyone who's confused about this whole topic and why it's so important to our economy, politics and way of life, I'll be sure to explain all the complex details in short, comprehensible ways in a later post. In the meantime, What do some of you suggest we cut out of the budget?

Military funding?
Welfare?
College loan funding?
Obamacare?
Social security?
Medicare/Medicaid?



- Keeping discussion fresh,
David.

Is this Change?

Here we are, nearly 6 months into President Obama's presidency and while I told myself I would give our new president a few months to show what he can do, I am truthfully dissatisfied and upset with the policies he's chosen to undertake as a president who won on the premise of 'change'. I ask this: what change have we seen to our country since January 20th, 2009? In regard to the budget, it's become a matter of disregard to the administration. There are no plans to balance the budget and little to no indications that this is even a goal of Obama's cabinet. The administration and their economic 'experts' promised unemployment would not reach 10%; promise broken. They promised more regard towards prisoners of war and due process rights; promise broken. They promised a revival in the economy; promise broken. While Obama's predecessor is responsible for much of the condition of the country, we cannot allow ourselves to avoid pointing a finger at Obama's administration and keeping them unaccountable for their campaign promises. This is Obama's presidency and instead of having an administration which works for the American people, we've seen the ultra-wealthy and influential lobby groups take over. During his campaign, Obama demonizd these very people; now it seems they're in bed with them. Working in cahoots, can we confide in a president who takes our tax money towards companies "too big to fail"? Aren't we all too big to fail? Nevertheless, we have seen change in 6 months. We've seen the economy worsen; even AFTER the bailouts, the "stimulus package" and numerous other policies this adminstration promised would revive and give the economy a jolt. Instead of saving jobs, we've seen our country post historic unemployment numbers. Many of these many workers confided in Obama's promise that their jobs are in better hands under his administration and its policies. Now the administration openly admits there will be new, expensive taxes placed upon businesses; not including the new "health care reform" that the administration is coming up with. Makes me wonder.. When the economy is in bad shape, why spend money we don't have? Why bailout the banks who helped create this crisis in the first place? Why tread on the downtrodden?

THOUGHTS PLEASE, FOLKS.

- David Solis