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.

Kiva: Where You Can REALLY Make a Difference

Most of us wonder what charity we can contribute to and which charity can contribute the most to those who need it. I asked myself this question for years and made up my mind after I spoke with my economic development professor. Organizations like the Red Cross, March of Dimes, ACS, Salvation Army, and other charitable organizations do a great job in helping out towards the causes they stand for. The problem with these types of organizations though, is we often do not see our donation make a particular difference and while we know the donations given to these charities make a major difference in the causes they work for, the lack of visible results can sometimes discourage a prospective donor from contributing. With Kiva, donors can see their contributions at work and even have their contributions returned to them after they've served their purpose and paid back.

We know families throughout the world are struggling to find adequate work and many are struggling to even feed their families. Through Kiva, we can contribute a small loan to families in need throughout the world (including the United States) and as opposed to other aid programs, these contributions often allow the borrower to become self-dependent and not rely on future donations to get by. Secondly, the contributions are paid back to us, the lenders.

Whether your passion is economic development, universal education, health care, human rights, medical causes or other social awareness causes, I truly believe organizations like Kiva provide opportunities to contribute to all these areas. Think about what you would look for in a charity and take Kiva into consideration.

Trying to make the world a better place then I found it,
- David.

6 economy stimulators

Enough playing politics; the stimulus didn't work to the extent it was designed to work, I think we can all agree on that, can't we? I'm thinking of a few things that might actually help put the economy back on track that involves changing a few things around in a number of places in our society. Let me know what you think.


1. Financial incentives and subsidies to bring outsourced jobs back home



Business is business and while most American corporations would love to stay in the U.S and hire American workers, it has become increasingly difficult to do so and enjoy their large profits, in result of international trade treaties and globalization. In the eyes of many, business in the U.S. has become increasingly unfriendly with more and more tax increases being foreseen for both major corporations and small businesses. Let's reverse that trend and give things like tax breaks, worker tax credits and government subsidies for certain industries that wouldn't otherwise expand their workforce in the United States.


2. Reform Criminal Justice policy



A major chunk of the billions of dollars we spend incarcerating non-violent prisoners is due to drug crimes. With drug addiction playing a major part of this staggering statistic, we need to realize many of these drug offenders are absolutely able to become rehabilitated and with sufficient resources, rampant drug use and drug crimes can become dramatically decreased. That is of course, with sufficient resources.

3. Legalize Marijuana



With reasonable regulation and laws, marijuana has the potential to become a multibillion dollar industry. You put a lot of revenue out of the hands of the major gangs and cartels and what you get in return is substantial business revenue.

4. Reward Education



Higher Education is no longer something that's just desirable; it's becoming more and more necessary in a competitive world market that demands more knowledge. If unemployment is rampant, part of that problem, although not all of it, may have to do with the levels of education employers are seeking or desire. Many of the jobs leaving the states are ones requiring college educated-workers who are willing to work cheaper than American college educated workers. Why not have deductions, credits and financial aid for parents who can't afford to put their child in daycare, homeowners who can't afford to go to school and pay mortgage, business owners who find it difficult to leave their business temporarily for school and other extenuating circumstances.


5. Health care reform



I'm no expert on health care but if you do the math, lower costs = lower premiums and lower costs would lower government payouts to physicians. That would result in a lower deficit. Get SOMETHING done, Congress.

6. Expand services of the Small Business Association



Government should be very business friendly and provide an increased amount of useful resources for future and current small business owners. This could mean anything from counseling, consulting, expertise and other services that every business owner in the country can enjoy; free of charge.