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22895 - You have perfectly described, by using student B, the actions of the Wall Streed Investment Bankers over the last 10 years.
I think person B perfectly describes government. In business, if you fail, you aren't allowed to repeat the same mistake. You are forced to try something else. In government, if you make a mistake, you get even more money to make the same mistake even bigger.
Corporations are NOT evil; they are the very backbone of our economic system.
No, they're not evil, but they aren't the backbone of the economy, either.
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We should teach kids that corporations invest capital, provide innovations, make necessary goods and services, and create jobs. Government does none of these.
Only the first claim is correct. Govt. funding does provide innovation (space program, internet), necessary goods and services (national defense, police, fire, transportation) and does create jobs (soldiers, policemen, firefighters).
No, they're not evil, but they aren't the backbone of the economy, either.
Only the first claim is correct. Govt. funding does provide innovation (space program, internet), necessary goods and services (national defense, police, fire, transportation) and does create jobs (soldiers, policemen, firefighters).
Yes there are a certain few jobs only government can do, but the vast majority are done best by the private sector, so yes, corporations are the backbone of society.
Based on the past 8 years I would say that the schools need to do a better job teaching civics and U.S. History. Too many people....including those at the highest level of government....clearly did not understand the Constitution or the rights and responsibilities of the the government and the governed.
The focus right now seems to be so pointed at math and reading scores (particularly in the lower grades) that there is literally zip in terms of time to teach those topics with the degree of emphasis they should be afforded. If only they would go back to a more "thematic" approach and use their history/civics books in conjunction with reading comprehension practice.
Rather, we seem to be more focused on making sure our 3rd graders are proficient in prealgebra, and can site the "author's purpose" in a fictional piece.
Since when did we have to have catchy commercials advertising to "Feed your children the arts?" "Guaranteed to increase test scores."
Yes there are a certain few jobs only government can do, but the vast majority are done best by the private sector, so yes, corporations are the backbone of society.
Corporations (and in this case, I'm talking large corporations)may be considered the backbone of society, but unless they employ corporate integrity and ethics, then we all pay in the long run in some form or another. Sure, India, China, Sri Lanka etc... love them - and for good reason. They are the backbone of their economy without question. We also hoist our own petard when we as a consuming society demand to pay next-to-nothing for just about everything. It's a balance, and one that by all appearances, seems to be completely off.
We can spit and scream about unions in the USA being corrupt and lazy Americans demanding to be paid too much (and justifiably so in some cases) but to me, the unions and corporations are only as good as the people who run and join them. If we review history at all anymore, we can see there were many reasons unions came to be in the first place. IMO, it's greed that has corrupted the process to the point of deterioration - both in terms of corporate greed and union greed.
Perhaps economics 101 would be the most appropriate math to start teaching young children. 10 + 3 = 13, not 10 + 3 = approximately 12, as well as how to work as a true team (not what I equate to the "Survivor" mentality of screw over whomever to get the "prize").
Last edited by cebdark; 03-13-2009 at 07:16 AM..
Reason: added something
I am always happy to see this topic out there. I am baffled because everyone realizes the importance of financial responsibility yet there is very little talk out there about teaching kids this life-altering subject. There are endless debates about teaching sex education and religion in school yet no one discusses (let alone pushes for) teaching about money management. It's absence in the past has contributed to the current mess, and it is needed now more than ever.
April is Financial Literacy month and there is barely any mention of that anywhere. Well there are organizations out there trying to make a difference and address this from and early age is it should be done. One is FiftyP.com (www.fiftyp.com). They have a great way for kids to practice money management. Kids can start as early as 5 or 6 up through 16 and they make it really fun and easy for them. With FiftyP.com parents can take charge and get their kids on their learning path instead of waiting for this to be taught in the schools because I have a feeling that's going to be a while.
Another is the Jumpstart coalition for Financial Literacy (www.jumpstartcoalition.org) They don't work directly with the kids, rather they do a lot with corporations and legislators, and are trying to get this taught in the schools.
I acknowledge the OP for even puing this out there but really think that this is so critical that parents need to take the lead, as we can't wait from the snail-like wheel of bureaucracy on this one!
I acknowledge the OP for even puing this out there but really think that this is so critical that parents need to take the lead, as we can't wait from the snail-like wheel of bureaucracy on this one!
You sing with the choir on that. A good question to ask is how to get more parents to take this seriously in this fast-paced 24/7 world we now find ourselves living in?
22895 - You have perfectly described, by using student B, the actions of the Wall Streed Investment Bankers over the last 10 years.
That's a great comparison...well said.
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