If you were nominated...

Lets say hypothetically there are 3 major candidates to choose from in the U.S. rather than just 3. And lets say that in addition to Bush and Kerry, you are the third major candidate. Where would you stand on each of the issues listed below?

- Flames in this thread toward other members are frowned upon
- Post your answers as honestly as possible
- Reply to all, some or none.
- I will post my thoughts after I read a few of yours

Here are the issues: From www.johnkerry.com
- Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
- Crime
- Economy and Jobs
- Education
- Energy Policy
- Environment
- Foreign Policy
- Health Care
- Homeland Security
- National Security
- National Policy
- Rurual America
- Strengthening Families
- Technology
- Urban America
- Veterans
- Womens Issues

My ideas would get me maybe 1/8 of the votes since they would not be popular by the left or the right.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WebHead

- Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
- Crime
- Economy and Jobs
- Education
- Energy Policy
- Environment
- Foreign Policy
- Health Care
- Homeland Security
- National Security
- National Policy
- Rurual America
- Strengthening Families
- Technology
- Urban America
- Veterans
- Womens Issues

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These issues fall into two main categories as I can see it: "moral" issues, i.e. Gay Marriage (which I don't think is on the above list, although some might say it falls under the issue of "Strengthening Families") and "economic" issues, i.e. do we spend our tax dollars on education, military, or welfare?

In terms of most of the "moral" issues, I am leftist, but I don't believe I am extreme leftist. The one thing that most "rightists" have going for them is that they are sensible and practical people. What I want to see is a leftist agenda, tempered by rightist horse sense and practicality. I would get someone like Michael Moore to help advise me on what was right and wrong with America--but I wouldn't put him in charge of actually doing anything to fix the problems; I would assign Republicans to do that, and pay them well. Why? Because Republicans know how to succeed, and love to get paid.

In terms of the "money" issues, I have a very simple solution to all of them. It doesn't even INVOLVE taxing the rich, although I believe they should be taxed more, I know doing so is more trouble than its worth. I believe that if you cut money to the military you could pay for EVERYTHING else on the proposed budget, PLUS take the monetary hit of saving the environment, and still come in under budget.

Does this mean I don't support the military? Not at all. The US is a SUPERPOWER. Nobody can even come CLOSE to endangering them, and a healthy Homeland Security budget and program will stop the terrorists who try. And I wouldn't cut it a lot--20% would pay for a hell of a lot of social reform, and still leave the US the baddest mutha on the block. And I think it would be EASY to cut 20% from the military budget without laying off 20% of the people or reducing the fighting capability by 20%.

The USA has enough nukes to flatten the entire planet. You have close to a score of supercarrier groups, when no other country has more than ONE. You have the highest technology in existence. You have Stealth technology. You are close to a functional anti-nuke defense system. You have the CIA, and despite their supposed "failure", I actually believe they are one of the best intelligence agencies on the planet. THEY weren't the ones who failed on either the WMDs or 9/11--it was a combination of bureaucracy and corruption on several people's parts.

THAT is the only real danger to the US these days. Bureaucracy and corruption. That's one of the reasons I'd hire Republicans to do most of my work. What do you do with the world's best hacker? Condemn him and leave him be? Hell no, you HIRE him to protect your mainframe, cause otherwise he'll find a way to take what he wants from you anyways...

The one thing I would increase spending on the most is education. (Health care might come close.) The USA is rich, powerful, huge, and full of beauty and natural resources. The people who live there SHOULD be the most intelligent people on the world. Many of them are--but sadly, too many of them are not. :(

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WebHead

Lets say hypothetically there are 3 major candidates to choose from in the U.S. rather than just 3. And lets say that in addition to Bush and Kerry, you are the third major candidate. Where would you stand on each of the issues listed below?

- Flames in this thread toward other members are frowned upon
- Post your answers as honestly as possible
- Reply to all, some or none.
- I will post my thoughts after I read a few of yours

Here are the issues: From www.johnkerry.com
- Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
>We should ALL be civil, and our liberties are supposedly a "given"!

- Crime
>Crime sucks, and should be dealt with harshly!

- Economy and Jobs
>Everyone should work. Remeber the Depression? And FDR?

- Education
>Education is a MUST! Or, we are nothing but sheep!!!

- Energy Policy
>We need energy, and a good reliable, easy on the wallet source!

- Environment
>The environment is and was GIVEN to us! What we do to it will affect and effect us for years! Be kind good people!!

- Foreign Policy
>Do unto others as they would do unto us!! With one caveat: do it before THEY can do it!!!

- Health Care
>National health care NOW!! Just like the rest of the world!! So what if it takes six months for service!!!

- Homeland Security
> Damn right!! If we can't protect ourselves, who can??

- National Security
> See above!! But, with a heart. So often, with power, it seems that those with such power need to swing it around. That is NOT necessary!! Power and strength with heart is a GOOD thing! In fact, something unknown before in this crazy world!!

- National Policy
> Same as ALL policy!! Care about everyone...whether or NOT they like you or agree with you.

- Rurual America
> Same as Urban America! We are, after all, All EQUAL!!!

- Strengthening Families
> Ah, that is the trick! What can goverment do about families? Care to tell me?

- Technology
> Check in to WinDrivers and learn!!https://forums.windrivers.com/images.../2005/03/1.gif

- Urban America
> Same answer as Rural America!!

- Veterans
> Vets are what got you what you have!! Appreciate and honor them!! AND, take care of them when they are no longer active!!

- Womens Issues
>Women are at the heart of EVERYTHING WE DO!!! What do I mean? Well, they are why we live, when we love, and so are our children!!
They are more that equal!! They are life...when we love, AND when we don't!!

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Alright Webby:
Your turn!!!

Man, some guy named burnz on victory was ks'ing people and had this to say "do I look like a nice guy?"

What a dick.

On second thought, I will do this list.

The things I wont be touching on are things I dont know enough about to form any opinion, so I would have to ask my "advisors"

- Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

Things like gay marriage I would try to pass a law leaving the decision of the States final. If they want to change their law at a later date, they can. That also means that is if Mass. allows it and honors gay marrige, then Minnesota who doesn't allow it would not have to honor it.

I would do away with or redo Affirmative Action. It was good and needed when it was thought up, but is no longer needed. Same thing for getting into college. Points for inner city would be awarded to ANY person from there. But the points would not be higher value than someone with very high tests scores.

- Crime

Add very few laws, but toughen the ones on the books. The ones I would add would make a federal offense with a mandatory sentence for those who commit a crime with a stolen or illegal firearm.

More money for prisons. I know it seems like a money sink, but I would rather have that sex offender off the streets then let him back out because we need room for the guy who got caught with a few grams of pot....And I am willing to budget for it.

- Economy and Jobs

I would give tax cuts, but the tax cuts would be a base % earnable income. Highest % started from the lower end of the spectrum to the lowest % at the higher earnings end. aka. 20-30k a year 10%, 30-40K 9% and so forth.

I would eliminate the tax breaks for any company that outsources to other countries. I would also put an extra tax on those companies as well. The people they are paying in India are not being taxed on their income here, therefore their employment hurts America in three ways. Removes Americans from doing the job, the government can not collect income taxes, and the money earned from the worker is not put back into our economy. Companies that have established businesses in other countries like IBM would be allowed a few exceptions. Places like Dell would be in my crosshairs.

- Education

Attempt to increase spending for public schools. But the money would go towards education, and not athletics. Let the football team run a bake sale for money if needed. Quality teachers, books, computers, and facilities helps to produce quality students who in turn become great additions to society. Quality coaches help produce quality athletes who in turn become whiney, overpaid, pre-madonna's who rape, murder, and get caught with drugs. I prefer the person who got A's in biology to the guy who ran the 40 in 4.5 sec.

- Energy Policy

Research Research Research! Get rid of that oil!

- Environment

Research Research Research! Get rid of that oil!

- Foreign Policy

Since most of the world seems to dislike American "Imperialism" I would recall most of the overseas troops, and close down almost all bases except Naval. The world will have to get along without us since that is what they seem to want to do anyways.

I would kick the UN out of America and use the vacated building for a homeless shelter, daycare center, and an education facility. The people who come there would have a place to live, place to care for their kids while they go to school. Depending on how the UN responds to being evicted will dictate if the US remains a part of the UN.

- Health Care

Congress would immediately loose their benefits for life package. No longer will they get primo health care and a salary for the rest of their lives even after they leave office. If they leave office, and have not planned ahead, they might be faced with *gasp* Medicare and Social Security. I bet you when enough of congress is faced with having to rely on those things themselves to live, those issues will get fixed very quickly.

- Homeland Security & National Security

Provide funding for local athorities to take over the a majority of the duties of the INS. Catch ALL illegals and ship em back. I dont care about the bleeding heart liberals whiney b*tches saying, "They are doing jobs Americans dont want." I say BS! They are here illegally and they are breaking the law. Besides, you ever ask every single unemployed person if they would or would not take this or that job? I think not. Off they go! An expired student visa? Off ya go! Get convicted of a crime? Serve your time then off ya go! Expired work visa? Off you go!

Remember all of those troops coming back home from the closed bases? They would be deployed along the boarders to prevent illegals coming in. I would have to break some of the treaties the US has with Canada and Mexico, but I don't see them doing a very good job at keeping illegals out.

No more picking out grandma to be frisked at the airports while skipping the arab men because it isn't PC. Screw political correctness. Is primarily watching arab men racial profiling? Yes. But here is why. Arab males have been responsible for over 95% of the attacks on American interests in the last 30 years. It is Arab men who repeatedly say death to america and want you and me beheaded or worse. So I will be watching all of you. Don't like it? Then move, or live with it and vote me out in 4 years.

- National Policy

All government money sent to other countries as aid or money for research would be stopped. Since some people seem to be b*tching at the US for it's AIDS donation, lets see them b*tch when there are no more donations.

"Earthquake in Iran? Thousands Dead? More homeless? Bummer to hear that. Sucks to be them. Someone pass the mustard."

Organizations like the Red Cross would be able to do the things they do. There will just be no more govenrment money. The money saved can be used for our own people since we seem to like to forget them. The national debt should go down a tad too.

- Veterans

Treat em like gold and give em whatever they need. No if and or buts about it.

- Womens Issues

I would have to ask my wife about this one since I am not a woman and wouldn't know. :thumbs:


Like I said, I would not be a very popular President. Hmm after I read this, I think my original guess of 1/8 of the votes would actually be 1/16. :p

Here's some of my answers:

- Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
I would eliminate the Patriot act. It was created out of fear and violates a persons rights to privacy.
I'm opposed to gay marriage only because we live in a nation of equality. To classify different types of marriages based on your sexual preference implies inequality. I would be open to discussing a marriage reform act that would include options for people of all sexual preferences and that would allow people of all sexual preferences to benefit from raising families.

- Crime
I would follow in Clintons footsteps and take automatic weapons off the streets and put the cops back on the streets. And I'm not talking about just a few cops,.. I mean A LOT of cops. And I would appoint a government official to oversee all police enforcement.

- Economy and Jobs
I would give businesses incentives to keep jobs in America.
I would eliminate the income tax which would allow consumers to have more money to spend. I would then raise other taxes by small amounts each to make up for the loss. This way each person ends up having more money in their pocket and the government keeps the same amount of money coming in.

- Education
Just like with cops, I would put more teachers to work. Kids are the future. In order for them to have the brightest future possible, they have to be educated and safe as they grow up into adults. I would have certain standards that schools would need to meet. Schools shouldn't look like a jail or a dump. They should have green grass, lots of trees, comfortable chairs and desks, lots of books and plenty of pencils and paper.

- Energy Policy
I know we have the power to find alternate forms of fuel besides oil. We have the Sun and plenty of water which both contain infinite energy. We need to tap these sources and use them instead of digging up the earth.

- Environment
I really don't have any comments on this. I just think people need to think twice before littering. Put trash in it's place. This is just common sense.

- Foreign Policy
I want to live in a world of peace and unity. That sounds great right? Well unfortunately that will never happen. So until then, I would have regular talks with many national leaders. I would call Germany on Monday, France on Wednesday, Great Britain on Friday. I would keep an open line of communication with our allies. Build respect and trust. I would listen to what they have to say. I would arrange to meet with them regularly to discuss matters of the world. This is how we build strong relationships with strong allies. We would make decisions based on compromise on tough issues.

- Health Care
Just as criminals get the right to have an attorney appointed to them when they cannot afford one,.. a person with a medical issue should have treatment when they can't afford it. The government should pay to help heal sick Americans. This is what our tax dollars should be going towards.

- Homeland Security
- National Security
I think we're good in this department. We should stay aware, continue training for emergency continue to prepare for disaster. Our firefighters, cops and national guard are the best in the world. We have the best Intel, the mightiest military. Trust me,.. we're safe.

I will edit this post and get to these later as it's getting late and I need to go to sleep now. To be continued... :)
- National Policy
- Rurual America
- Strengthening Families
- Technology
- Urban America
- Veterans
- Womens Issues

Man, don't you guys have a life? Clam? I thought you had better things to do. I for one don't have anything to do today, but I damn sure am not going to read all of this until Monday when I get back to work. Thanks for the material! :eek2:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WebHead

Lets say hypothetically there are 3 major candidates to choose from in the U.S. rather than just 3. And lets say that in addition to Bush and Kerry, you are the third major candidate. Where would you stand on each of the issues listed below?

- Flames in this thread toward other members are frowned upon
- Post your answers as honestly as possible
- Reply to all, some or none.
- I will post my thoughts after I read a few of yours

Here are the issues as Bush sees them: From www.georgebush.com

- Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

We need to pass more laws controlling speech. We need to pass more laws
regulating what you do in your bedroom. We need to pass more laws
giving me the authority to do whatever I say is right.

- Crime

Crime is caused by terrorists and atheists. We are working on ways to put
criminals in jail for life on my say so.

- Economy and Jobs

Everyone who comes from a wealthy family should be able to grow up to be
President. Sending jobs overseas may be bad for us in America but its great
for the Chinese and Indians and profits. You ungrateful Americans should be
happy we only lost 1.5 million jobs. If I wasn't a compassionate conservative
I would have shipped them all overseas.

- Education

I didn't learn none to gooder. So just get Daddy to send ya to Yale.

- Energy Policy

Buy bigger cars and trucks. Breath more air pollution. Otherwise you're
un-American. Don't complain about the price. Or else!

- Environment

Just get a place in the country and breathe the clean air.

- Foreign Policy

Kill em all. Let God sort them out.

- Health Care

It may cost a lot. But it's worth it!

- Homeland Security

I got the best protection money can buy. I suggest you buy some for
yourselves.

- National Security

If everyone thinks like us we will be safe. If not kill them.

- National Policy

Take from the poor and give to the rich. Robin Hood was a traitor to his class.

- Rural America

Them yokels are too stupid to realize their getting screwed. Just say, Gay,
Hollywood and Taxes and they will make their X next to my name.

- Strengthening Families

By cutting jobs and income we can keep kids home longer. Maybe 60-70
years.

- Technology

It doesn't work. My VCR just flashes 12:00

- Urban America

A good place to keep the poor and the minorities.

- Veterans

It is very important to say good things about them. And really easy to cut
their benefits.

- Womens Issues

If they would just stay at home like Laura they wouldn't have any "issues"

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And my favorite:

I want to be known as a uniter. And I am. I have united Democrats against Republicans and Republicans against Democrats

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ya_know

Man, don't you guys have a life? Clam? I thought you had better things to do. I for one don't have anything to do today, but I damn sure am not going to read all of this until Monday when I get back to work. Thanks for the material! :eek2:

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Ya_Know, brainstorming solutions to problems has always been a hobby of mine, one that comes in VERY useful at work and in life in general. Of COURSE I have ideas about how the USA could solve all of its problems.

(And I'd call upon Webby to frown at you for making a (admittedly borderline) personal comment, but I am too highly amused by the fact that you don't have time to think about this on your day off, and will therefore go over it when you're back at work instead. :D )

The ironic thing is, I would be forced to do dramatically different things if I were in charge of the Canadian government. We cannot POSSIBLY afford to cut our so-called "military" up here. :(

Quote:

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Originally Posted by techs

And my favorite:

I want to be known as a uniter. And I am. I have united Democrats against Republicans and Republicans against Democrats

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...and a huge part of Windrivers against political posting... :D :D :D

I'm frowning upon Ya_know right now. :D

Civil Rights and Civil Liberties - All people in the US deserve equal protection under the law, essentially gauranteeing equality of OPPORTUNITY. However, this does not gaurantee equality of RESULT. It is not the federal government's right or responsibility to take from one group and give to another.

Crime - There are too many laws in the United States federal code and statutes (hudreds of thousands, literally). It is impossible for a police officer, prosecutor or other law enforcement agent to fully understand the intracies of all of these laws. Most of these are duplicates of laws already on the books (ex= assault weapons ban.) Additionally, nearly 60% of all inmates in federal and state prisons in the US are there because they were convicted of nonviolent drug offenses. Studies indicate that for every person imprisoned for a nonviolent drug offense, one violent criminal is release due to overcrowded prisons. I would release all inmates convicted of nonviolent drug offenses and repeal all drug laws not tied to violent criminal offenses. Additionally, I would implement crime policies focused on restoring focus on the rights of the victim rather than the rights of the criminal. I would work to reinstate people's right to self-defense by repealing meaningless gun laws and work to address the root cause of crime rather than slapping a bandaid on it by throwing people into jail.

Economy and Jobs - Companies are cutting jobs and sending jobs overseas due to the large number of unreasonable government regulations imposed on them. Business have to spend large sums of money to ensure compliance with these regulations which means they have to cut costs somewhere else in order to stay profitable. I would work to eliminate these countless regulations and penalties so that companies can reinvest in our economy and our people rather than shipping the work abroad. Additionally, I would discontinue the use of tax incentives and breaks for corporations. These are often used to entice companies into investing in the US labor force, but they are often short-lived and give companies a false sense of security. When the tax breaks run out, the companies begin laying people off. I would favor reducing or eliminating corporate income taxes across the board and engage businesses in a long-term partnership to stimulate investment in the US labor market.

Education - Privatize and implement tougher standards for teachers and students. The public education system is run by the NEA and local teacher's unions and is riddled with political correctness. It has completely lost focus on it's one any only mandate - to educate our children and prepare them for adult life.

Energy Policy - Repeal most of the environmental regulations and encourage investment in R&D into alternative and renewable, non-carbon-based fuel sources. As a short-term solution, I would favor allowing drilling for oil in Alaska and Gulf of Mexico and also foster better relations with non-hostile oil-producing nations to reduce our dependence on the Middle East for oil.

Environment - The Federal Government is the largest, and costliest, polluter in the world. I would force federal agencies to comply with the same environmental standards they impose on the private sector.

Foreign Policy - Repeal most US foreign aid and dismantle USAID. Pursue free-trade policies so that companies can invest more abroad and raise the standard of living in the third world.

Health Care - Remove most of the meanlingless, bureaucratic regulutions on health care and insurance providers to make the system more efficient and thus less costly. I would veto any attempt at a universal or federal health-care system.

Homeland Security - Abolish it and repeal the Patriot Act. This entire issue needs to be revisited rather than lashing out with knee-jerk reactions to terrorist threat. We must acknowledge that the root cause of the terrorist threat is US interventionism and abuse of US hegemony abroad.

National Security - see above.

National Policy - Not sure what this means. Which national policy?

Rural America - Stop federal farm subsidies and develop free trade relationships throughout the world to encourange farmers to continue growing and exporting their goods.

Stengthening Families - While not a federal government role, there are some things the government can do to stop destroying families. We can start by repealing the welfare state in which women are incented to continue having children out of wedlock in order to qualify for more welfare benefits. Additionally, I would increase enforcement of child support laws.

Technology - I would veto any attempt at government censorship of the Internet as well as any attempt to tax internet commerce or impose postage on email.

Urban America - Again, not sure what the exact issue(s) is here.

Veterans - Anyone who fought to defend our freedoms should be granted any reasonable accomodation including superior health care for service-related injuries or illness.

Women's Issues - I don't think any law or government policy will be of much help here. :p

Um, what about men's issues?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cleetus

Um, what about men's issues?

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We have Viagra for that. :devil:

I would state my issues very closely with Kerry's. I would then have issues to pull the tree hugging hippies into my campaign. I would be funded by conservitives, and act like I do not know where the money is coming from. I would do everything in my power to pull 3 to 5 percent of the vote away from Kerry. I would be ... just like Nader! :thumbs2: :thumbs2: :thumbs2:


Go Nader!!!!!!!!!!!!! :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WebHead

Here's some of my answers:

- Crime
I would follow in Clintons footsteps and take automatic weapons off the streets and put the cops back on the streets. And I'm not talking about just a few cops,.. I mean A LOT of cops. And I would appoint a government official to oversee all police enforcement.

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I'm going to answer each of these issues in my own time.......first:

You're off the mark here. "Automatic weapons" have been illegal for civilians to own since the 1930's. If someone wants to obtain one legally, the red tape you have to jump thru for the Class III license is non-stop.

The problem isn't the weapons, it's the ENFORCEMENT of the present laws, and the willingness to punish those who cross the line. More police may not be the better answer, especially when you take into consideration that the police are not liable for your personal safety and security (reference Warren v. District of Columbia, 444 A.2d 1 (D.C.App. 1981)).

Another "government official to oversee" isn't neccessarily the correct answer, either. Those who neglect to learn from history....or did we all go and forget the lessons of Hermann Goering's Gestapo?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jediab

- Education

Attempt to increase spending for public schools. But the money would go towards education, and not athletics. Let the football team run a bake sale for money if needed. Quality teachers, books, computers, and facilities helps to produce quality students who in turn become great additions to society. Quality coaches help produce quality athletes who in turn become whiney, overpaid, pre-madonna's who rape, murder, and get caught with drugs. I prefer the person who got A's in biology to the guy who ran the 40 in 4.5 sec.

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Same goes for continuous funding of public-school unions, especially the NEA.

"Quality teachers" only goes so far, what's needed is a return to some traditional educational values, and less of the "feel good" PC crap that's being taught in schools nowadays. Add the fact that said teachers should go through periodic re-certification to prove that they're capable; add CEU's to the mix to ensure that the teachers that started 20 years ago are up-to-date with current technology, etc....

Adopt a teaching model similar to what's used in Finland; the teachers are allowed to TEACH, and not merely espouse the current government-mandated BS.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by paraflyer

Same goes for continuous funding of public-school unions, especially the NEA.

"Quality teachers" only goes so far, what's needed is a return to some traditional educational values, and less of the "feel good" PC crap that's being taught in schools nowadays. Add the fact that said teachers should go through periodic re-certification to prove that they're capable; add CEU's to the mix to ensure that the teachers that started 20 years ago are up-to-date with current technology, etc....

Adopt a teaching model similar to what's used in Finland; the teachers are allowed to TEACH, and not merely espouse the current government-mandated BS.

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This makes some sense, but quite frankly, misses the biggest damned problems with the educational system these days... that being that teachers have their hands tied and cannot do their jobs, are too afraid to try to discipline children, have no resources, no respect, no expectations of safety on the job, and too many kids to look after.