If I were President, I would...

Parent Cafe
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<p>you seriously advocate one room schooling?</p>

<p>I have been able to learn classes in all different fields of study, not to mention getting funding for my science research. my school has been an integral part of my education and I doubt that a private school could do much better. In essence, the taxes here for schooling go directly into the schools, so there is already parents getting together sums of money for the schools to be funded. what you are describing is in action in my town…and yet our school is still a public school.</p>

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<pre><code> Sure, why not? It seemed extremely effective back in the day!

That is great about your high school, but the government still madates exactly what you learn, how you learn, etc. Your parents are paying for standardized testing and new school buildings with their tax dollars, not for your education. Pretty school buildings and science labs do not attribute to an outstanding education whicn can be shown in our deficiencies in the art of science.

Schools are poor today in the US do to the heavy barriers that are placed on teachers. They have to spend months training students for a simple “government issued” tests annualy. Creating new tests each year is not cheap, so are architecturally outstanding school buildings. That is where your taxes go, not to your education.

   What do I want as President? Give teachers more power to discern what is best for their students, not a government educational administration.

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<p>To be honest, I think that I learned everything that I needed to learn in school so far. I wouldnt have changed my curriculum, from calculus to finance to biology to US government, one bit. I am amazingly satisfied with what I learned in high school. And in regards to tax dollars being spent for fancy new things, that not true. Our school has not had a major renovation in years. Amount spent per student is a great factor in determining the ability of a school because of the fact that the calculations where I live do not take into account beautification renovations. I agree with you that teachers should have more ability to teach how they want, but I dont think that they should determine exactly what I learn. And in terms of standardized testing, how else do you think schools target which teachers are doing well? Average AP scores and average Regents scores (NY standardized tests) are ways of determining how well a teacher performs. </p>

<p>Again, I agree that they should be given greater ability to alter how they teach, but I dont think that a 22-25 year old teacher just out of college, which I have had on multiple occasions, knows exactly what is best for me, and I sure as hell dont want to be their guinea pig for their first year.</p>

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<p>I would abolish the state. </p>

<p>Go !!!</p>

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<p>It’s amazing that no one really seems to care about the energy situation that is starting to evolve into the major crisis. Only one slight mention of the oil problem with Mexico (however idiotic it was; PEMEX and the Mexican gov’t has the money to invest, they just don’t want to). As it is our greatest problem of the 21st century and the source of other problems as well (terrorism, war, etc), I would implement a massive program to address the energy crisis: </p>

<p>1) Cities- Begin a massive overhaul of the cities in the US. The accomodation of public transportation will be key for each city. Allow for greater expansion of the city to accommodate more and more people (away from the suburbs). Outside of each town must be rail from which they will receive goods and food. Subways and bikes will also be commonplace throughout all cities.</p>

<p>2) Gas Tax- A huge gas tax on all blends of gasoline and other fuels. Money that is collected will be placed into a new account that will be handled individually. The money will be used to fund the projects implemented in this plan and to alleviate the crisis for the underprivaleged. </p>

<p>3) ‘Light Truck’ ban- all light trucks (pickups, SUV’s, etc) will be completely banned with the exception of those with permits for work or other conditions (handicapped, etc). A set period will be set during which the government and/or car companies will buy back the vehicles. After which, vehicles will be confiscated and no compensation will be provided.</p>

<p>4) Rail- A gigantic undertaking to refit the nation’s rail system. No longer will trucks be allowed to travel cross country. All cross country and long distance transportation will be done with rail, or on occasion, by plane. </p>

<p>5) Alternatives- Encouragement through incentives and legislation to develop alternatives on a medium sized scale to grow into large scale. Most importantly will be the requirement of all new homes, businesses and industries effective immediately of installing geothermal heat pumps. Progressively, this will be extended to older homes, businesses and industries. Ramp up wind as it is the best alternative (highest energy return). All electricity that will be saved will be from oil and natural gas first (100%) and then what is left will be taken from coal power plants (25% of coal plants). Mandate that no new NG or oil power plants can be built nor could the old ones be reopened. These sources are far too precious to be burned for TV’s.</p>

<p>6) Sustainability- Finally laying to rest the evil that plagues this nation: infinite growth. Implement policies to keep the population under control. The US luckily has a very low natural population growth rate so minimal steps would have to be taken, mainly just awareness. Immigration will be limited. Nations that choose to breed like crazy will have to live with what they brought upon themselves. </p>

<p>Other policies would include (but not limited to):

  1. Strengthening of border, and afterwards dealing with the illegals already in the country. Enforce all immigration and employment laws to hinder the desire to come to work in the US illegaly. </p>

<p>2) Allowing for tax exemptions for those who choose private schools. This will force competition between schools, requiring that our ****ty school system correct itself the way it should, through survival of the best.</p>

<p>3) Back our money with something of true value: gold, silver, oil (OUR oil, not Sa’udi), natural gas, platinum, copper, etc. Anything but thin air.</p>

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<p>Why? If I were President, Foxe and myself would initiate the USMXP(United States Mexico Petroleum) organization to bolster our supply of oil. Simple, invest a few billion dollars in Mexicos oil industry to get it “up to speed”, have Presidente Foxe give us the right to 50% of the oil reserve and profit, and live happily ever after. Golly, Mexico has truly been blessed with a copious amount of this substance; therefore, we could be benefited. Let us put some of that Mexican “Black Gold” to use, shall we?</p>

<pre><code> Also, as president, I would reinitiate the SDI program once more to bolster homeland security. Imagine, y’all, of a life here in the US free from worry of bio or nuclear attack. Reagan had the right idea of this program; why not initiate it?

    I believe I would do quite well as President, yessir.

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<p>Increase emission standards.</p>

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<p>Robert:

  1. Mexico wouldn’t go along with it. If they wanted US and European help, they would initiate the laws themselves. With US companies getting shut or sqeezed out of prime locations in Russia, Venezuela, Middle East, and the US, it wouldn’t take too much for US oil to jump onboard, but the Mexican government simply doesn’t want it to happen, and I don’t see how taking 50% of their money and resource would make them want to open up anymore than now.</p>

<p>2) Mexico WAS in a great position, resource-wise, but that time has probably passed after they horribly damaged the second greatest oil field in the world. Cantarell is expected to go into a decline of at least 14%, starting late this year, which is just down right awful. As Cantarell declines, so will Mexico. Cantarell essentially makes up all of Mexico’s exports (both are about 2 mpd) and nearly two thirds of all Mexican production.</p>

<p>Mexico will have one hell of a time just keeping their total production and exports from completely collapsing once Cantarell starts her decline soon. “Live happily everafter”? Ha, try learning a little bit about oil production first. Geology trumps money.</p>