Military Budget?

[althechia]

Um, okay. So the US spends most of its money on the Military. About 3 times as much as the second-biggest spender, I've heard.

My question is: Wouldn't you rather spend a bit on educating our children, who seem to be getting progressively dumber right under our noses? ;D

[Buddy]

I believe we spend somewhere around 300 billion dollars every year. That's more than the budgets of most other countries!

[Deleted]

WHAT!? I'm not getting dumber! Watch, I'll count to that number,ummm...5!! Yeah,m thats it! 1, 3,8,11,66,1009,5!!!

(I'm kidding though. It'd be nice if we didn't have some of these crappy textbooks form the 70's. How about one writtin in, oh, I don't know...the 80s!? It'd be nice if we could, like, fast forward 10 years!!!)

[kuwoobie]

It would be kind of ok if the military used their money wisely. $600 toilet seats and such, not to mention the wasteful tactics they use.

But they'll need all the funding they can get. Now that Iraq has fallen, it's time to conquer Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia and possibly the rest of the eastern hemisphere. Once Bush's term is over it will be time to place his little brother in power. The next 500 years ruled by the Bush dynasty. The beginning of a Golden Era for the Holy United Theocracy of America!

::vomits::

[ncwidt5895]

Quoteth a bumper sticker on brother's friend's sister's car -
"It'll be a great day when schools have all the funding they need and the military has to hold a bake-sale to get a new bomber"

[Retired Blub]

Hmmm, last year (can I say that since it's the summer) we had the coolest textboos. They were completely new and--yeah....

[Deleted]

Carrie said:

Quoteth a bumper sticker on brother's friend's sister's car -
"It'll be a great day when schools have all the funding they need and the military has to hold a bake-sale to get a new bomber"

If you think about it, kids with better educations will be smarter. When those smarter kids go into the military, they'll improve it by using the intelligence they received from a good education.

Therefore, in the long run, by helping the schools, we help everyone.

[KittyKadaveral]

I will agree about the military thing because we're building things up for defending our country, but are we? We're going where we have no business going and worrying about people we shouldn't be fighting or worrying about. I do feel though that soldiers should get a bit more pay than they do. I mean heck, they don't hardly get much to live on like people think. My friend's mate is stationed in Alaska and they're expecting a baby and from what she tells me they're practically in poverty and she has to get a part time job while she's pregnant to help things along. That's sad.

As for the kids getting dumber, I will agree on that too, but is it totally fair to blame the schools for that? Children are stupid because parents now plop them in front of tvs, computers or nintendos and let them veg out, never spending time with them or teaching them. My exboyfriend has a daughter and she's seven now and to tell you the truth if you dropped her in the middle of the Magic Kingdom and left you'd never see her again because she doesnt know her address, mother's name (it's mommy!) or anything helpful. That's not the schools fault...that's from idiots having a child that won't work with it. To quote my ex "Why bother right now let her be a kid she's got her entire life to learn things."

GAH

[Kiddo]

I firmly believe that parents are 90% responsible for how smart their kids turn out. I knew how to read on my own before I started school and by first grade I was reading chapterbooks from the adult section of the library. It's because my parents took the time to sit down and teach me how to read and then encouraged the habit by taking an hour each evening as family reading time. And I'm not talking about "see spot run" books either - try Red Planet by Robert Heinlen and Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne.

For our entire lives we were encouraged to think, voice our ideas, work hard in school, and do stuff outside of school. If I asked why some frogs have bigger ear spots than others I was told to find out. (males have bigger ear spots than females)

And I've seen kids turn out as complete idiots from a total lack of attention to their learning by their parents. School can only do so much - the parents have the biggest influence.

That being said, I don't think it's worthwhile to cut military simply because people are dumb. While it would be nice for schools to have more money - well, most of that is on a state/city level, right? I mean, Hilliard schools are a couple hours away from Columbus schools and we have ALL the fancy new toys and Columbus schools don't. So why cut something on a national basis for something that's handled on a state basis? (I could be completely and totally wrong - if that's the case, tell me)

Furthermore, many many technological innovations that we use on a regular basis come from the military. A lot of that money is put into research which not only benefits the military but can also benefit us. I wish I could list some off the top of my head because I know some pretty major stuff has come from the military but sadly, my memory fails me right now. Sabreur would know.... *grumble*

So that money is not just being used to build another bomb. Who knows? Some of that research they're doing may wind up being the next high-tech breakthrough in civilian use as well.

[Deleted]

Ninja said:

I firmly believe that parents are 90% responsible for how smart their kids turn out. I knew how to read on my own before I started school and by first grade I was reading chapterbooks from the adult section of the library. It's because my parents took the time to sit down and teach me how to read and then encouraged the habit by taking an hour each evening as family reading time. And I'm not talking about "see spot run" books either - try Red Planet by Robert Heinlen and Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne.

For our entire lives we were encouraged to think, voice our ideas, work hard in school, and do stuff outside of school. If I asked why some frogs have bigger ear spots than others I was told to find out. (males have bigger ear spots than females)

And I've seen kids turn out as complete idiots from a total lack of attention to their learning by their parents. School can only do so much - the parents have the biggest influence.

That being said, I don't think it's worthwhile to cut military simply because people are dumb. While it would be nice for schools to have more money - well, most of that is on a state/city level, right? I mean, Hilliard schools are a couple hours away from Columbus schools and we have ALL the fancy new toys and Columbus schools don't. So why cut something on a national basis for something that's handled on a state basis? (I could be completely and totally wrong - if that's the case, tell me)

Furthermore, many many technological innovations that we use on a regular basis come from the military. A lot of that money is put into research which not only benefits the military but can also benefit us. I wish I could list some off the top of my head because I know some pretty major stuff has come from the military but sadly, my memory fails me right now. Sabreur would know.... *grumble*

So that money is not just being used to build another bomb. Who knows? Some of that research they're doing may wind up being the next high-tech breakthrough in civilian use as well.

I agree, although I believe it's the female frogs that have the bigger tympanic membranes (or ear spots, if you will), even though it's not always true. The best way to tell is if the frog's thumbs are huge, it's a male (or if it has the air sac on under it's mouth).

Anyways, I also could read before school started, although I taught myself, because at that time my parents' main concern was my health (I never wanted to eat, I only drank). Still, health is a major importance in learning.

And yet, I think schools are to blame in some cases. For example, some parents can't always provide kids with books or school supplies, but the schools always say it's too bad, and the kids' grades fall.

Yet, I do partially blame my parents for never reminding me to do my homework. I'm so absent-minded that I occasionally forget what's assigned to me (I can't even remember to check my agenda).

[Buddy]

Well, I will agree - the majority of the learning is the parent's responsibility. Still, it cannot be denied - schools, as a whole, don't have enough money.

Many schools, as was pointed out, are using books that weren't even published in this decade. Some schools don't even have enough books for every student!

What disturbs me more is how wasteful the schools can be on the money they have. Our high school recently built a new multi-million dollar gym, while sitting, a mere 80 yards away our about 5 or 6 portables - we don't have enough money to build classrooms, but we can build a new gym?

And some of it has to do with funding - the ideal of "the schools that does better gets more money, while those that do poorly get less" is one thing that is really killing out schools. It's an unfair, unproductive ideal that needs to go.

Another thing is how much testing we have. Now, other countries may place a lot on tests, but that doesn't mean we have to. There should be one national test - this test would be used solely for the purpose of measureing what schools and states are doing well, and which aren't. They would have no impact on the student themself whatsoever.

[althechia]

Ninja said:

I firmly believe that parents are 90% responsible for how smart their kids turn out. I knew how to read on my own before I started school and by first grade I was reading chapterbooks from the adult section of the library. It's because my parents took the time to sit down and teach me how to read and then encouraged the habit by taking an hour each evening as family reading time. And I'm not talking about "see spot run" books either - try Red Planet by Robert Heinlen and Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne.

For our entire lives we were encouraged to think, voice our ideas, work hard in school, and do stuff outside of school. If I asked why some frogs have bigger ear spots than others I was told to find out. (males have bigger ear spots than females)

And I've seen kids turn out as complete idiots from a total lack of attention to their learning by their parents. School can only do so much - the parents have the biggest influence.

That being said, I don't think it's worthwhile to cut military simply because people are dumb. While it would be nice for schools to have more money - well, most of that is on a state/city level, right? I mean, Hilliard schools are a couple hours away from Columbus schools and we have ALL the fancy new toys and Columbus schools don't. So why cut something on a national basis for something that's handled on a state basis? (I could be completely and totally wrong - if that's the case, tell me)

Furthermore, many many technological innovations that we use on a regular basis come from the military. A lot of that money is put into research which not only benefits the military but can also benefit us. I wish I could list some off the top of my head because I know some pretty major stuff has come from the military but sadly, my memory fails me right now. Sabreur would know.... *grumble*

So that money is not just being used to build another bomb. Who knows? Some of that research they're doing may wind up being the next high-tech breakthrough in civilian use as well.

True, true. I think the military is actually responsible for the internet and microwaves. They have provided us with some nice, convenient things. But during times of war, their focus shifts a little bit. Right now, the bulk of that budget is creating brand new, shiny war planes to go fly around and blow up evil monster villians and schoolchildren with.

As much as they CAN benefit humanity, ultimately their research purposes are for destroying it.

And still, I stand by my thoughts that that's a LOT of money we spend on the military alone compared to other important things. I think it's about 2 billion spent on education right now, but I'm not entirely sure. Could be less. Just a fraction of a fraction of the military budget would help a lot of things immensely. I mean, 295 billion would be a big number, too.

[Jessica Coconut]

Secret said:

Well, I will agree - the majority of the learning is the parent's responsibility. Still, it cannot be denied - schools, as a whole, don't have enough money.

Many schools, as was pointed out, are using books that weren't even published in this decade. Some schools don't even have enough books for every student!

What disturbs me more is how wasteful the schools can be on the money they have. Our high school recently built a new multi-million dollar gym, while sitting, a mere 80 yards away our about 5 or 6 portables - we don't have enough money to build classrooms, but we can build a new gym?

And some of it has to do with funding - the ideal of "the schools that does better gets more money, while those that do poorly get less" is one thing that is really killing out schools. It's an unfair, unproductive ideal that needs to go.

Another thing is how much testing we have. Now, other countries may place a lot on tests, but that doesn't mean we have to. There should be one national test - this test would be used solely for the purpose of measureing what schools and states are doing well, and which aren't. They would have no impact on the student themself whatsoever.

I'm very sorry to say this, but that wont work. How do I know this? I am a student. And you know what? Honestly, from my own mouth, *checks that no teachers are around* if the test doesn't count for anything, I'm not going to try my best. Why rack my brain over something that's not going to affect me? Now I know you're saying that it will affect every student out there, so I should definitely try and be honest etc. But honestly, subconsciously, I don't think I do if I know the test is for nothing. I find myself saying, "What the hell? Why should I work so hard on a silly test that I'm not being marked on?"

And my teachers know this. And you know what else? I'm not one of the dumb students that don't get good grades, or try too hard, I'm one of the smart ones, that does normally try hard, study, etc. But never the less, I know when what I do doesn't count. To me, it's like going to work one day for no money. And "just because". Not because it's like a charity thing either. Seriously, I might even just not show up for class on the day of the big gov't tests that don't count for anything. And I'm not the student that every so often skips class either.

[Buddy]

Jessica said:

I'm very sorry to say this, but that wont work. How do I know this? I am a student. And you know what? Honestly, from my own mouth, *checks that no teachers are around* if the test doesn't count for anything, I'm not going to try my best. Why rack my brain over something that's not going to affect me? Now I know you're saying that it will affect every student out there, so I should definitely try and be honest etc. But honestly, subconsciously, I don't think I do if I know the test is for nothing. I find myself saying, "What the hell? Why should I work so hard on a silly test that I'm not being marked on?"

And my teachers know this. And you know what else? I'm not one of the dumb students that don't get good grades, or try too hard, I'm one of the smart ones, that does normally try hard, study, etc. But never the less, I know when what I do doesn't count. To me, it's like going to work one day for no money. And "just because". Not because it's like a charity thing either. Seriously, I might even just not show up for class on the day of the big gov't tests that don't count for anything. And I'm not the student that every so often skips class either.

Oh, believe me, I already thought of that. But then, here is our alternative: we give kids one test with one chance to pass it. This test, which may last a week, will go towards counting as much as the rest of what the child did for the rest of the 9 months. So, if this child ends up having a bad week, for whatever reason, they automatically get held back, or placed in remediative classes the next year.

This is how many states, including my own (Florida is a big one for this program. There, it really doesn't matter what the rest of your grades are - if you don't do well on the FCATs, you automatically fail, even if you held all As the rest of the year). This program is a horrible way to "teach" our children (if you can even call it teaching).

And yes, some kids might not bother to try on the tests. I myself have said "Screw this!" to a test I knew wouldn't count. Still, I don't believe the majority of the student population will read that deeply into it.

So really, which is the better option?

[Crystal]

Secret said:

Oh, believe me, I already thought of that. But then, here is our alternative: we give kids one test with one chance to pass it. This test, which may last a week, will go towards counting as much as the rest of what the child did for the rest of the 9 months. So, if this child ends up having a bad week, for whatever reason, they automatically get held back, or placed in remediative classes the next year.

This is how many states, including my own (Florida is a big one for this program. There, it really doesn't matter what the rest of your grades are - if you don't do well on the FCATs, you automatically fail, even if you held all As the rest of the year). This program is a horrible way to "teach" our children (if you can even call it teaching).

And yes, some kids might not bother to try on the tests. I myself have said "Screw this!" to a test I knew wouldn't count. Still, I don't believe the majority of the student population will read that deeply into it.

So really, which is the better option?

The test.

Honestly, if it weren't for the tests, I wouldn't even study... I grew up taking monthly tests - it's only recently that I'm only taking them three times a year, and I'm still thanking God for that. It was hammered into me from the time I started kindergarten that tests were important, they were part of life and would determine your life, and it was imperative that I got good marks on them. So I don't see why you're making such a big deal out of tests. I've forgotten what I learnt two months ago. If it weren't for the test I'd never learn it again.

Just my -2 cents.