Some opinions

[cwil4]

So, it is really late and I can't sleep so I decided to write about my future and some of my opinions about politics. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong about something.

I have not decided what to study in college as of now, I am considering going in to politics and trying to make this country a better place for people to live in. I have many opinions on political choices that our current president is making. I believe that the first step to improving this country is bringing the stock market back to normal. After the stock market got back to a stable pace, I would get our soldiers out of Iraq. I believe that declaring war on Iraq was a mistake. Yes, the attack on the World Trade Center could not have come without consequences, but Al Qaeda could have been terminated without declaring war on an entire country. Now we are stuck in this place with no clear escape route. I hope that our President will find a way to get out of Iraq without further attacks because I believe everyone in America is tired of seeing our soldiers die trying to set up a stable government for a country millions of miles away. Another thing I would change in America would be the school system. Yes, I know you think I am just another student that thinks school is pointless, but I have a basis for my argument. When I signed up for high school, I had a meeting with a guidance counselor to set up my classes for the upcoming year. When I got there, she had already written down 5 classes that I was required to take and I could not change these classes. I believe that students should be tested for the amount of knowledge they had acquired in junior high in these courses instead of giving every student the same class. Also, I think that they should be given a test to see what they might enjoy doing after they leave high school. Some of my classes do not interest me at all and would be useless in my life. For example, I have to have a credit in Physical Science to be considered a sophomore next year, but this class will not be useful if I go into politics. I think that students should be able to sign up for classes that specialize in one occupation and teach them how to do it well.

[MG1968]

spend some time in the real world before you go into politics. A political science degree is pretty worthless other than a stepping stone for a Masters and on to a PhD in some other field.

there is a Status of Forces Agreement with Iraq that, I believe, has all US combat forces out of the country some time in 2011. It's not correct to say that there is no "clear escape route". The security situation there is largely handled by Iraqi forces, with the US playing and advise and support role.

[Oldvol75]

To widen your point on K-12 education. I believe that there should be 2 types of High Schools. One for students that want to attend College and one for students that want to go into the work force. I understand that we have have trade schools but these should be taken a step further.

College bound students should take only the courses to prepare them for that course work. Students interested in the work force should have the basic course work in Math ,English,Social Studies, Science, along with concentrated training in their field of choice.

[volfanjustin]

Originally Posted by Oldvol75

To widen your point on K-12 education. I believe that there should be 2 types of High Schools. One for students that want to attend College and one for students that want to go into the work force. I understand that we have have trade schools but these should be taken a step further.

College bound students should take only the courses to prepare them for that course work. Students interested in the work force should have the basic course work in Math ,English,Social Studies, Science, along with concentrated training in their field of choice.

My concern there is how many times do people change careers during their lifetime? My guess would be about 3 times, they would have a hard time changing careers if they are trained in one specific field.

[utvolpj]

Originally Posted by cwil4

For example, I have to have a credit in Physical Science to be considered a sophomore next year, but this class will not be useful if I go into politics. I think that students should be able to sign up for classes that specialize in one occupation and teach them how to do it well.

so you see nothing going on in the country that could relate to Physical science? I'll admit I'm not 100% sure what the classes offered are but without a general understanding of science you would be clueless in many debates. Things being talked about now are global warming, oil exploration, space program, etc.

Originally Posted by cwil4

Yes, I know you think I am just another student that thinks school is pointless, but I have a basis for my argument.

no offense since it's not just you but most HS students are clueless. How can you address the problems facing this nation without an understanding of history, math, science, English, etc. Allowing a student to only learn what they think is relevant to a certain career field would be insane.

[Oldvol75]

Originally Posted by volfanjustin

My concern there is how many times do people change careers during their lifetime? My guess would be about 3 times, they would have a hard time changing careers if they are trained in one specific field.

Thats true, I have also had that thought. But there are kids out there that know without a doubt that they aren't going to college, and alot of those kids become dropouts. It's those kids that I'm really worried about. If you can get a kid and let him/her focus on something that they are interested in, they may stay in school. Thus a two tiered high School system.

[utvolpj]

Originally Posted by volfanjustin

My concern there is how many times do people change careers during their lifetime? My guess would be about 3 times, they would have a hard time changing careers if they are trained in one specific field.

that's fine but at least they have a skill to fall back on. What kind of options does a HS student who could barely obtain a diploma really have?

[IPorange]

A well-rounded education is vital for all American citizens. The world is a complicated place. How can someone going into politics intelligently make policy decisions, or evaluate the input of experts on particular topics, if they don't understand even the basics?

It is very reasonable for everyone with a high school diploma to have an elementary understanding of physical science (which is a very basic class).

[KB5252]

You never know where your path may take you. My life is a case in point. I was always pretty bad at math, mostly because I have a hard time putting value to something I can't see, to me algebra, geometry etc were nothing more than some made up numbers to test my knowledge. I never needed anything other than a basic understanding of math until I started working for the company I do now. I frequently do take offs from building plans and put together shop tickets for cut stone where algebra and geometry are certainly used on a daily basis. My point is that just because you think you'd never need certain classes when you're 17 to 20 years old doesn't mean you won't need that knowledge later in life. Just some real life experience I thought you might benefit from.

[IPorange]

Originally Posted by KB5252

You never know where your path may take you. My life is a case in point. I was always pretty bad at math, mostly because I have a hard time putting value to something I can't see, to me algebra, geometry etc were nothing more than some made up numbers to test my knowledge. I never needed anything other than a basic understanding of math until I started working for the company I do now. I frequently do take offs from building plans and put together shop tickets for cut stone where algebra and geometry are certainly used on a daily basis. My point is that just because you think you'd never need certain classes when you're 17 to 20 years old doesn't mean you won't need that knowledge later in life. Just some real life experience I thought you might benefit from.

This is so true. You never know what you'll need in life until you need it. It's best to go through high school like a buffet, and try to get a bit of everything.

[KB5252]

Originally Posted by IPorange

This is so true. You never know what you'll need in life until you need it. It's best to go through high school like a buffet, and try to get a bit of everything.

Exactly, I would also add that I never really learned algebra and had no real understanding of geometry at all. These are things I learned on the fly at my current job. You do things enough and they eventually stick. The key for an adult is repetition. Kids and young adults learn things differently than adults do, my advice is to learn it as early as you can in life.

[gsvol]

Originally Posted by cwil4

So, it is really late and I can't sleep so I decided to write about my future and some of my opinions about politics. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong about something.

I have not decided what to study in college as of now, I am considering going in to politics and trying to make this country a better place for people to live in. I have many opinions on political choices that our current president is making. I believe that the first step to improving this country is bringing the stock market back to normal. After the stock market got back to a stable pace, I would get our soldiers out of Iraq. I believe that declaring war on Iraq was a mistake. Yes, the attack on the World Trade Center could not have come without consequences, but Al Qaeda could have been terminated without declaring war on an entire country. Now we are stuck in this place with no clear escape route. I hope that our President will find a way to get out of Iraq without further attacks because I believe everyone in America is tired of seeing our soldiers die trying to set up a stable government for a country millions of miles away. Another thing I would change in America would be the school system. Yes, I know you think I am just another student that thinks school is pointless, but I have a basis for my argument. When I signed up for high school, I had a meeting with a guidance counselor to set up my classes for the upcoming year. When I got there, she had already written down 5 classes that I was required to take and I could not change these classes. I believe that students should be tested for the amount of knowledge they had acquired in junior high in these courses instead of giving every student the same class. Also, I think that they should be given a test to see what they might enjoy doing after they leave high school. Some of my classes do not interest me at all and would be useless in my life. For example, I have to have a credit in Physical Science to be considered a sophomore next year, but this class will not be useful if I go into politics. I think that students should be able to sign up for classes that specialize in one occupation and teach them how to do it well.

I tremble for the future of America.

What is your opinion about Afghanistan?

BTW, imo, we would all be much better off if all the politicians in Washington had a better knowledge of the Physical Sciences.

[lawgator1]

Originally Posted by cwil4

So, it is really late and I can't sleep so I decided to write about my future and some of my opinions about politics. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong about something.

I have not decided what to study in college as of now, I am considering going in to politics and trying to make this country a better place for people to live in. I have many opinions on political choices that our current president is making. I believe that the first step to improving this country is bringing the stock market back to normal. After the stock market got back to a stable pace, I would get our soldiers out of Iraq. I believe that declaring war on Iraq was a mistake. Yes, the attack on the World Trade Center could not have come without consequences, but Al Qaeda could have been terminated without declaring war on an entire country. Now we are stuck in this place with no clear escape route. I hope that our President will find a way to get out of Iraq without further attacks because I believe everyone in America is tired of seeing our soldiers die trying to set up a stable government for a country millions of miles away. Another thing I would change in America would be the school system. Yes, I know you think I am just another student that thinks school is pointless, but I have a basis for my argument. When I signed up for high school, I had a meeting with a guidance counselor to set up my classes for the upcoming year. When I got there, she had already written down 5 classes that I was required to take and I could not change these classes. I believe that students should be tested for the amount of knowledge they had acquired in junior high in these courses instead of giving every student the same class. Also, I think that they should be given a test to see what they might enjoy doing after they leave high school. Some of my classes do not interest me at all and would be useless in my life. For example, I have to have a credit in Physical Science to be considered a sophomore next year, but this class will not be useful if I go into politics. I think that students should be able to sign up for classes that specialize in one occupation and teach them how to do it well.

You might consider taking a remedial Geography class.

And also math.

[Rasputin_Vol]

Originally Posted by cwil4

So, it is really late and I can't sleep so I decided to write about my future and some of my opinions about politics. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong about something.

I have not decided what to study in college as of now, I am considering going in to politics and trying to make this country a better place for people to live in. I have many opinions on political choices that our current president is making. I believe that the first step to improving this country is bringing the stock market back to normal. After the stock market got back to a stable pace, I would get our soldiers out of Iraq. I believe that declaring war on Iraq was a mistake. Yes, the attack on the World Trade Center could not have come without consequences, but Al Qaeda could have been terminated without declaring war on an entire country. Now we are stuck in this place with no clear escape route. I hope that our President will find a way to get out of Iraq without further attacks because I believe everyone in America is tired of seeing our soldiers die trying to set up a stable government for a country millions of miles away. Another thing I would change in America would be the school system. Yes, I know you think I am just another student that thinks school is pointless, but I have a basis for my argument. When I signed up for high school, I had a meeting with a guidance counselor to set up my classes for the upcoming year. When I got there, she had already written down 5 classes that I was required to take and I could not change these classes. I believe that students should be tested for the amount of knowledge they had acquired in junior high in these courses instead of giving every student the same class. Also, I think that they should be given a test to see what they might enjoy doing after they leave high school. Some of my classes do not interest me at all and would be useless in my life. For example, I have to have a credit in Physical Science to be considered a sophomore next year, but this class will not be useful if I go into politics. I think that students should be able to sign up for classes that specialize in one occupation and teach them how to do it well.

Sadly, when talking about global warming, I think most politicians have no clue about physical sciences.

You may actually be on to something...

[Rasputin_Vol]

Originally Posted by Oldvol75

To widen your point on K-12 education. I believe that there should be 2 types of High Schools. One for students that want to attend College and one for students that want to go into the work force. I understand that we have have trade schools but these should be taken a step further.

Kids in college also want to go into the work force. That is the major issue. I'm not certain that most degrees in our major universities prepare students for careers or vocations. You have a few (medical, law, engineering, accounting). But the overwhelming majority of university degrees are less valuable than a two year degree at a vocational school. Seriously, I know electricians that I work with that easily crush anything the majority of liberal arts majors make in a year. But the onle thing those university kids have over those guys is that they are "well rounded individuals". I'm not sure how being well rounded puts food on the table, but oh well..