Maybe free enterpise and vouchers would help American students to master the basics on English, Math and Science before we teach category I languages (Look up how the Defense Language Institute classifies language categories)

From http://www.manhattan-institute.org/html/cr_baeo.htm

"The national graduation rate for the class of 1998 was 71%. For white students the rate was 78%, while it was 56% for African-American students and 54% for Latino students.
Georgia had the lowest overall graduation rate in the nation with 54% of students graduating, followed by Nevada, Florida, and Washington, D.C.
Iowa had the highest overall graduation rate with 93%, followed by North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Nebraska."

More Americans need to start learning Farsi, Arabic, Chinese and Korean an d Russian. Most Europeans learn English since it is the international language of business. If they travel just a few hundred miles, they need to know other languages. Sadly, most Americans never travel abroad to realize how well we tryly have it here, economocally, politically and socially.

I support education, if we had more of it Dollar and Basmati might just allow other opinions and not attack dissent, oh that's right that is what they accuse other of doing.

If you notice the start of this blog, I asked a simple question to see if others were seeeing more bi-lingual signs etc. I dared stray near tender spot for liberals, open borders and growing new voters for their party.

Now if you are in a mood to google, look up all the US police officers killed by illegals this year and citizens killed by illegal drivers. Guess those are jobs Americans don't want to do.

A voucher system, to give more wealthy people federal tax money to go to private school instead of a public school, would destroy the public school system primarily financed now by property taxes on a local basis. Do you want to do that?
Everyone would want their kids to go to private school, thereby leaving a group of low income people and uneducated in a defunct system. Is that what you want?
There does need to be two things done with our lower (thru HS) education system: Teach the basics and demand that they learn them by tutoring if necessary; and, somewhere near the seventh grade, sort students according to ability (done by a combination of tests and human judges who are disinterested persons) and then teach them further for what they are qualified to do. I have in mind some to liberal arts colleges, some to technical colleges, some to crafts schools, some to the military, and some to institutions for further sorting.
This method would prevent lowering everyone to the average, or lower.

Wealthy people already send their children to private school. That is their choice (funny how choice is important for some issues, but not others). They just pay twice, once for failing public schools and once for ACCOUNTABLE private schools.

Did you every hear the expression that you get what you pay for? If you pay a school (via voucher) to teach your children, they will succeed or they will go out of business. If however you guarantee that taxes will pay (no matter what test scores or graduation rates are) for the county school system, well there is no real accountability. You can't just take your child (with their money) and go to another better school. Even the so called poor will be able to dump bad schools. It is amazing how parochial schools have been out performing public schools at less cost for years!

You really should read John Stossels's "Stupid in America" http://www.reason.com/news/show/33014.html

BTW, I think the Nazi's used your method of genetic engineering, deciding who could reproduce, who could live. So much for our free society.

You never cease to amaze me how you ignore some facts, highlight others, and look out for yourself only.
Now, you know that private schools cost approximately twice as much as county schools (if one includes the higher stadard of dress, social activities, trips, etc, even more than that.)
Doesn't that leave out half of the population to go to realy bad public schools with all the richer dudes getting half of their kid's schooling paid by voucher.
Catholic schools, etc., are the killers of "thinking" people. Just ask any one who went to one. Theywant certain things done habitually, other things to be ignorant of, dish out punishment like the inquisition.

I don't know if you read the Stossel article or saw the report on TV.

Now as far as costs, try these site that will prove you WRONG once again!

http://www.cato.org/pubs/briefs/bp-025.html

"In fact, Education Department figures show that the average private elementary school tuition in America is less than $2,500. The average tuition for all private schools, elementary and secondary, is $3,116, or less than half of the cost per pupil in the average public school, $6,857"

http://www.cato.org/dailys/09-08-03.html

"In Florida, where students can attend private schools under several choice programs, the number of private schools in the state is increasing as school choice programs become more predominant. The percentage of Florida students enrolled in private schools has risen from 9.31 percent in 1992 to 12.5 percent in 2001. According to the Florida Department of Education, 353 new private schools have opened their doors since May 2000. Private entrepreneurs and philanthropic foundations have poured more than $76 million into Milwaukee's private schools since school choice was implemented there. This growth in private schools underscores the fact that the private education sector responds to increased consumer demand."

There is your answer, new schools will REPLACE bad, underperforming public schools! But in your twisted mind, that wouldn't be fair because the government wouldn't be in charge,

Game, set and match!

You got served!

P.S.

Thanks for exposing your intolerance and bigotry toward Catholics. Do you hate all Christians? Are you predjudice when you pre judge someone.

You are messed up! $3600 to attend Woodward academy for a year. Don't be ridiculous.
As to Florida, I know someone there who has a kid in private school and the fees alone are $12,000 per year plus many, many add-ons. It is not exclusive.
If we go all private the fees will double again to pay off the executives and added capital!
You are the kind of guy who would not have built the Interstate highway system at all because it was paid for from taxes, mostly federal. Forget about geting a tax rduction. If you were to get one your income would be reduced by that amount and you wouldn't be any further ahead. Why would a corporation ever give an employee an annual raise if he had just got a big tax cut?

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/ultimateguide/2003/fayettecoweta/private.html

FAYETTE/COWETA PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Fayette Christian School. 152 Longview Road, Fayetteville 30214. 770-461-3538, www.fayetteministries.org. Grades: K-12. Enrollment: 230. Average tuition/range: $2,575-$3,400.

Fayette Montessori School. 190 Weatherly Drive, Fayetteville 30214. 770-460-6790, www.fayettemontessori.com. Students: toddlers through kindergartners. Enrollment: 100. Average tuition/range: $1,800-$5,700.

Grace Christian Academy. 355 McDonough Road, Fayetteville 30214. 770-461-0137, www.gracechristian.info. Grades: K-9. Enrollment: 195. Average tuition/range: $2,400-$3,400.

Our Lady of Victory Catholic School. 211 Kirkley Road, Tyrone 30290. 770-306-9026, www.catholicedga.org. Grades: PK-8. Enrollment: 320. Average tuition/range: $5,200.

St. Paul Lutheran School. 700 Ardenlee Parkway, Peachtree City 30269. 770-486-3545, www.stpaulptc.com. Grades: PK-8. Enrollment: 240. Average tuition/range: $4,900-$5,400.

Coweta County

Newnan Christian School. 1608 U.S. 29 N., Newnan 30263. 770-253-7175. Grades: K4-12. Enrollment: 203. Average tuition/range: $1,995.

Peachtree Baptist Academy. 6675 Ga. 16, Senoia 30276. 770-599-6888, www.peachtreebaptist.org. Grades: PK-6. Enrollment: 52. Average tuition/range: $1,300-$2,550.

Trinity Christian School. 8817 W. Ga. 54, Sharpsburg 30277. 770-251-6770, www.trinity-cs.org. Grades: PK-8. Enrollment: 300. Average tuition/range: $3,030.

Some over $3,600 but if you knew what average meant you might be dangerous.

Please stop now, you are really embarrassing yourself.

Well, I am not familiar with these fine schools you mentioned but it seems they cherry pick the grades they want to teach, they don't play football, they don't have a band, they don't have an annual, they don't have a choir, they don't put on professional plays, they don't visit college campuses, they don't go to road trips of any significance, and on and on.
The teachers are very unlikely to be certified to teach a half dozen grades and their budget doesn't indicate they pay very well. The Catholic ones don't count.
I'm not sure what universities they will be able to attend.

You might note that the intellectually dishonest Herr Major is using 2003 data.

Fayette Christian School 2006 tuition is $5700 for high school
http://www.fcschool.net/adm_tuition.php

Grace Christian Academy 2006 tuition is $4620 for high school
http://www.gracechristian.info/financial.htm

Our Lady of Victory 2006 tuition is $6688 for k-8
http://www.olvpatriots.org/Admission/tuition.htm

Fayette Montessori 2006 tuition is $7263 for ages 9-12
http://www.fayettemontessori.com/registration.html

St. Pauls does not list tuition on their website, let's assume a miracle and no tuition increase in 3 years: $5400.

Peachtree Baptist Academy 2006 tuition is $3000 per year
http://www.peachtreebaptist.org/academy_files/financial%20information%20sheet.pdf

Trinity Christian School 2006 tuition is $3700 per year
http://www.privateschoolreview.com/school_ov/school_id/8015

And of course you left off the 800 pound gorilla, Woodward Academy, with it's $18,000 per year tuition.

Now if I were Dollar I'd say an apology to him would be in order. But since most people recognize you for what you are, Herr Major, which is a man to whom the concepts of "honor" and "honesty" are absolutely foreign, I wouldn't hold my breath. Your parents were miserable failures when it came to instilling values in you, Herr Major.

Now go beat your chest and announce that you "won" this debate, little man.

Ricey,

Relax man, unlike you I never claimed to be perfect. I did not notice the date. A simple mistake. More of your "Bush lied" knee jerk reaction.

I did not lie, but you know what is in my heart.

Your parents were miserable failures at teaching you civility they must think your a real winner. It must really piss you off to know that I cancel your vote out!

Basmati, leave me out of criticizing the major's parents, I don't know them.
I also was aware that the school cost numbers were much more than he quoted, but that wasn't the problem. The problem is what will happen if the government starts giving people who go to these schools a voucher for the taxes they have paid for schools. It will open up major, major, (almost forgot myself) problems with scam artists and all kinds of dumb schools.
I think maybe the major is a Penn. guy who now wears black clothing. They don't like to think things out a few years either.

You are messed up! $3600 to attend Woodward academy for a year. Don't be ridiculous.
As to Florida, I know someone there who has a kid in private school and the fees alone are $12,000 per year plus many, many add-ons. It is not exclusive.
If we go all private the fees will double again to pay off the executives and added capital!
You are the kind of guy who would not have built the Interstate highway system at all because it was paid for from taxes, mostly federal. Forget about geting a tax rduction. If you were to get one your income would be reduced by that amount and you wouldn't be any further ahead. Why would a corporation ever give an employee an annual raise if he had just got a big tax cut?

You are messed up! $3600 to attend Woodward academy for a year. Don't be ridiculous.
As to Florida, I know someone there who has a kid in private school and the fees alone are $12,000 per year plus many, many add-ons. It is not exclusive.
If we go all private the fees will double again to pay off the executives and added capital!
You are the kind of guy who would not have built the Interstate highway system at all because it was paid for from taxes, mostly federal. Forget about geting a tax rduction. If you were to get one your income would be reduced by that amount and you wouldn't be any further ahead. Why would a corporation ever give an employee an annual raise if he had just got a bit tax cut?

I was raised and went to school with many Spanish speaking CITIZENS, many from Puerto Rico. I studied Spanish for 3 years in High School and a year in College, but have forgotten mucho. While living in Europe, I drove my Porsche through Spain, Madrid, Costa del Sol. I enjoy their food, music culture, etc.

Now on to the point of ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION. Gee with between 12-20 million illegals here, many from Central and South America I guess I would have to be a racist pig to think some might actually be in our fair city.

You might enjoy subsidizing law breakers through our educational and medical system, pero, no yo.

Now go pick on some defensless person, in a battle of wits, you are an unarmed opponent.

As far as education goes, I guess the Masters Degree I earned while teaching ROTC hasn't helped me much when dealing with cyper pukes like you, but has helped me lad a highly paying second career!

Thanks again for your .02 cent contibution to my retired pay, keep those taxes comming mula.

Stop bragging about things you don't know, figments of your movie imagination (Porsches, Masters Degree, etc). If you were that educated and wealthy you wouldn't be so xenophobic. You self-baptized and describe what you are: A RACIST PIG). You scream at subsidizing the hard-working, impoverished immigrants thru education and health services (which should be accesible for all), but shut your big mouth when it comes to them, the illegals subsidizing YOU by building your house with reduced wages, caring for your children, taking care of your lawn, and even joining the Army to become cannon fodder. Shame on you! Puke on you!
Next time you're in a Mexican restaurant I hope you choke and have a near death experience that revives your brains.

-----------------------------------
Making you think twice......

You don't know this major fellow uses Mexicans for anything.
However, I long ago said this major fellow, or female, was a fake. He, or she, doesn't write as if he has a high school educaton, and those types (army retired) hang with one another---not fending off people like you on the internet.
A dictatorship run by the army would suit his type very well. If sick and no money---tough ti..., if hungry and no money---use your pension check, etc.

Anybody who takes their kid to the library is a net plus to this country, no matter what language they speak.

This fellow claiming to be a retired army officer sure thinks like some of them, doesn't he? Heil military!
He may really have been one!
Zillions for waste and war---nothing for anyone else.

Do you get nose bleeds on that high horse, meine freund?

With Illegal immigrants streaming across the border daily, ICE raids etc, I just might have a point amigo.

Based on the national census in 2000, the US Census Bureau puts the estimate of illegal immigrants at 8.7 million. As of 2003, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services put the number at 7 million. Since then, United States immigration officials have said the number has grown by as much as 500,000 a year.

When Portugese, German and Swedes (encept the good looking Masseuses and stewardesses)start steaming across our border illegally then I might be concerned. Yeah I know they only want the low paying jobs that Americans won't do, that is why there were lines out the doors after recent raids, and pay was raised to attract LEGAL workers.

Be an ostrich as emergency rooms are swamped and schools overloaded, just ignore the issue and it will go away.

Mi amigo, porque tienes problemas conmigo quando digo que esse madre possible esta legal?

It's not a pullpit or a perch to point out that a mother responsibly and caringly spending time in the library with her kids, and speaking Spanish, is not necessarily or even probably illegal. This is an incredible assumption on your part. Pero estoy muito feliz que voce falla outra idioma. Tudo bom. I'm not about to start spot checking everyone that isa not speaking English. Oddly enough, I'm stepping to fly with an Italian student. Ciao!

Kevin "Hack" King

Take a deep breath, Major, there is nothing we can do about it. The Republicans and the Democrats let this get out of control and we can't keep up with the immigration problem. This is a totally different stage in history from the turn of last century's immigration through Ellis Island. There, immigrants tried to be part of a broader culture (i.e., America) while retaining their respective heritage. And let's give Mayor Logsdon credit for making the landscaping/construction crews feel at home, in order to keep up the supply of cheap "undocumented personnel". Mark it on your calender--- Mayor Logsdon to host a Cinco de Mayo keg party at The Fountain. Bienvenidos a todos !