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As a native RIer, I continue to see the deterioration of the state on many fronts, both locally and across the major population centers.
First, schools - public school education in the state has declined. Yes, this is a national trend, but in RI in particular I find it more noticeable. There are a few key reasons for this. First, the strong hold of teachers' unions on the government. I honor teachers and respect what they do for a living. I believe they should be paid well. However, when you have a structure whereby you are rewarded not by merit but by how long you have worked, that is unacceptable for declining education. Quite frankly, sometimes the older teachers are the most complacent and refuse to modify/adapt. How do you encourage and recruit young, educated teachers to enter when any threats of cuts means that they are the first let go?
Secondly, the growing Hispanic population is increasing the disparity between poor and rich. And, as discussed on other forums, unlike past immigration waves, Hispanics are less inclined to 'integrate' with American culture and particularly into the English language. I champion retaining one's heritage and culture (as a first-generation born Portuguese-American, I always try to maintain culture my grandparents brought here). However, when you have teachers who may have poor English proficiency in the classroom (Story), and having first-hand experienced elementary and high school Hispanic students with poor English skills, I take major issues with that. No, this is not an anti-Hispanic rant. Again, as a child of immigrants, I champion immigration and for these people to come here. But there has to be stronger mandates for them to be more proficient.
The level of science and math in RI is also below average nationally, according to a new report summarized in Physics Today. That is yielding poor performance at the university level and thus making RI youth less competitive nationally and internationally.
Second, the population of the state - I am sure people have noted that the state's population is nearly stagnant. However, one alarming trend is that RI ranks in the top 10 for loss of young people (18-30). As such, the population as a whole has a higher median age than the national average. Therefore, as the population grows older and more pensions are paid and more services are needed, the budget situation will continually grow worse. However, more importantly, the loss of the talented youth also causes a 'brain drain' and a 'worker drain' for the state, reducing the tax base and making the state less competitive to draw new industries.
Finally, the economical base - aside from tourism, RI based much of its economic might in manufacturing. That base is shrinking because of either more automation or businesses are drawn out of state to more business-friendly environments. What is left is stubbornly high unemployment and no new businesses to help combat that. The state has a chance to reinvent itself with new technologies, including the impending 'green revolution', yet NIMBYism is among a driver against it (see the recent move by N Kingstown to ban all wind turbines from the city). Even efforts to bring casinos to the state are stalled because of competing interests. While I don't advocate a casino as the panacea for the state's troubled economy, it is a system of a broken and corrupt structure in our governments that needs to be undone in order for RI to be viable.
Calling someone a "jackass" may be a bit over the top. That's all I did was report a finding on a sight you seam to enjoy. Why are you so bitter and hateful?
Calling someone a "jackass" may be a bit over the top. That's all I did was report a finding on a sight you seam to enjoy. Why are you so bitter and hateful?
Ha, you're a laugh riot man. I assure you I used the word most jovially. (And accurately.)
Why don't you go stalk someone else on plentyoffish.com now? (Talk about over the top, bitter and hateful.)
I agree with most of what you say, except for blaming the Hispanics for the fact that the rich get richer.
Let me clear - I do not 'blame' Hispanics or any other group or culture for the economic issues (or even general societal issues). However, as several other studies have shown, there is a systematic difference in this new wave of immigration versus past waves into this nation (not just RI). I do think we need to address it, however. I don't think it is right that we have minority students (many Hispanic) who are falling behind because they are not getting the proper attention or not learning English as they should be.
Not when your sooooo target friendly.... and you continue to take yourself so seriously.
(Don't get your panties in a twist, I'm just paying around.)
You're actually lucky I don't take myself too seriously. If I were a female, or if I were more serious..I would probably take someone stalking me on another website pretty damn seriously. After all, the debate had been limited to this website, and you were the one who decided to look up my profile on a dating site and then post it here for some inexplicable reason.
Sorry Rnr...Your natural personal stance is very confrontational, If anyone dares to make a statement that you disagree with, or speak negatively about your beloved RI or positively about ANY other state, or "heaven forbid" the Tea Party!, how about Bush... you attack like some sort of cornered cat. Please...Let someone else have an opinion, please...without you snide rebuttals.
Also you continue to position yourself as the official keeper of the truth on this site. Always giving the "official" Rnr facts and figures, then taking the position like the debate is "now" over, I have weighted in.
I simply decided to see where you get your info, and check exactly where your positions fell. I ran into a person who really likes to be heard. My god... a bit of tolerance for someone else's opinion.
Sorry Rnr...Your natural personal stance is very confrontational, If anyone dares to make a statement that you disagree with, or speak negatively about your beloved RI or positively about ANY other state, or "heaven forbid" the Tea Party!, how about Bush... you attack like some sort of cornered cat. Please...Let someone else have an opinion, please...without you snide rebuttals.
Also you continue to position yourself as the official keeper of the truth on this site. Always giving the "official" Rnr facts and figures, then taking the position like the debate is "now" over, I have weighted in.
I simply decided to see where you get your info, and check exactly where your positions fell. I ran into a person who really likes to be heard. My god... a bit of tolerance for someone else's opinion.
Everything you just said about me, I could easily say about you. (Except insert Obama for Bush)
Yawn.
NEEEEXT!
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