tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post5279202054148890504..comments2024-02-14T11:00:03.180-05:00Comments on Tom McLaughlin: Bailing The FailingTom McLaughlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07691546351143209227noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-10656778827346786852009-02-10T21:20:00.000-05:002009-02-10T21:20:00.000-05:00The alleged "bail-outs" have become an epic breakt...The alleged "bail-outs" have become an epic breakthrough for the statists that now own us. They have finally figured out how to steal money that has yet to be earned, from those yet to be born. I guess that what the Manchurian messiah meant by change.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-8397889348930487712009-02-10T11:35:00.000-05:002009-02-10T11:35:00.000-05:00I agree that we cannot just "throw" money at educa...I agree that we cannot just "throw" money at education. We need a core of good, effective, caring teachers. We need to attract GOOD teachers. Michelle Rhee isn't wrong. In fact, if you look at her argument closely, you guys actually have more in common than first meets the eye.<BR/><BR/>I would think that, as a teacher yourself, you would be in favor of rewarding those who are successful in the classroom as opposed to those who are ineffectual. I tend to agree with the theory behind your argument, just not this particular application. Let's take a better look at the two arguments.<BR/><BR/>Don't let politics get in the way of supporting good, effective teaching. Your argument implies that competition breeds success. I don't disagree. However, the teaching profession is not competitive in this economy. <BR/><BR/>Think of the intelligent, well-spoken, hard-working "uber-American." In a capitalistic society, what motivates these people to work harder? Well, according to your argument, healthy competition. Rhee is talking about making teaching a more desirable profession in the economic realities of the job. <BR/><BR/>If you read carefully, Rhee makes it clear that she isn't talking about raising salaries of all teachers. She talking about giving good, effective teachers an incentive to continue to do the good work they're doing.<BR/><BR/>In effect, the argument you make for not bailing out failing auto makers and allowing effective corporations like Toyota to thrive is the same one that Rhee is making, only she is talking about human capital. She's talking about investing in our future, in our students, in our schools. <BR/><BR/>I agree that rewarding teachers who are not effective is like the ill-conceived auto bailout. However, if you carry that theory through, you'll find that you and Michelle Rhee actually agree.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-60049948777812622092009-02-07T18:45:00.000-05:002009-02-07T18:45:00.000-05:00Many of our schools are failing to teach its stude...Many of our schools are failing to teach its students that actions have consequences. It is way to late to learn about failure when you are an adult, but sadly many of our kids are protected from failure until it is too late. I am so happy that we still have some good teachers, such as Tom. Way to go!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-50703466839484070162009-02-05T20:16:00.000-05:002009-02-05T20:16:00.000-05:00Nice job once again Tom. You are absolutely one-hu...Nice job once again Tom. You are absolutely one-hundred percent right on education.<BR/><BR/>I liked that story you linked to on The Atlantic. I am impressed by that new DC school commissioner Michelle Rhee. She offered to double teacher salaries (that means give them six-figure salaries) if they would give up the union. One need not be a rocket scientist to guess the union's answer.<BR/><BR/>I have one quibble with your column. You call The Atlantic liberal. I would call them more mainstream, middle-of-the-road, kind of like Time Magazine, except much more intellectual.<BR/><BR/>I particularly enjoy the Atlantic's blogs. You should check out young conservative Ross Douthat's blog: http://rossdouthat.theatlantic.com/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-8946299657996790452009-02-04T15:34:00.000-05:002009-02-04T15:34:00.000-05:00Thanks again Tom for a lucid and educational insig...Thanks again Tom for a lucid and educational insight into the crazy world we're living in. You should try to get nationally syndicated; your column would be great reading nationwide. Of amp up the publicity of your blog (easier said than done) so even more people read it... Keep up the great work. I love reading your stuff. - Monroe MannAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-69757016131446593332009-02-04T07:12:00.000-05:002009-02-04T07:12:00.000-05:00Tom is right on again. Fasten your seat belts, fol...Tom is right on again. Fasten your seat belts, folks, and hang on. This country is in deep trouble and it is going to get worse in a hurry. Bail outs don't work. They just devalue our dollar and contribute to a global economic crash. Are you ready for a global money system under UN control?<BR/><BR/>Harvey in North BaldwinAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com