20121231 (J)
Journal: December 31, 2012
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Appearance and Reality                                Government                                Human Rights

Pensions and Education: ISTMRN the Sun Times editorial page today exposes the “problem” – denial of what is. A letter attempts to absolve pension recipients of any responsibility for their overly generous pensions, “they should not in fairness be reduced in any way, including “reducing” the annual increases. WOW. Democracy anyone? Tragedy of the Commons

The editorial linked poverty to race and poor educational performance of “poor” children. True statistical correlations. The editor’s solution? More money to the poor (minimum wage increased to $15/hr). Sort of:
  • Premise 1: Give poor people more money
  • Premise 2: Then they are no longer poor
  • Premise 3: Since “poor” = “bad education
  • Therefore More money to the poor = better education”.
I would extend the argument to its often unstated conclusion, “Education is good”, noting the conclusion is another premise, like mine here (Tragedy of the Commons).

“So for the good of everyone” Karen (Chicago teachers’ union president) is quoted at length in this and many Sun Time editorials and other opinions. Karen also appeals for an “honest conversation about poverty and race”. I agree such a conversation should occur. Money is the standard solution, but I suggest an “attitude” of poverty should also be part of the conversation. An attitude that says

“Someone else is responsible for my happiness”
“Elitist humanities education is crap, STEM only”
“I deserve, no DEMAND respect”
“Somebody needs to pay for my pain and suffering”
                    et al.

Yes, such a conversation could be very enlightening (added 2020.01.23), acknowledging that “racism” is looking at the world through “race” colored glasses, rather than just a tiny subset of “racism” that believes whites are superior to blacks. By this definition blacks cannot be racist, only whites. Black-Americans and Jews vie for the most racist cultures