An Education in Conflict

Budget deficit, Education deficit... Money seems to be the answer to all problems.

President Obama is signaling that he will take some token measures to show that he is "serious" about the fiscal deficit. Bill Gates is suggesting that taxes should rise to cover the deficit, and he predicts a slow recovery.

Bill Gates says U.S. recovery to take years, taxes rise

However Gates "also warned against too much government intervention and urged President Barack Obama to focus policy on long-term issues such as education to combat the effects of the worst recession since the Great Depression."

What is too much intervention? Who will pay the higher taxes? Supreme court has given corporations the same rights as individuals, but corporations get around paying taxes...(the American Job Creation Act under Bush is a great example of giving special treatment to corporations).

OTOH, education is increasingly becoming far removed from obtaining degrees- there is no foundation. Witness the new tactic being played by the Republicans...educated Republicans.

GOP sends letter appearing to be census form

GOP seeking input, money in letter seemingly under the guise of US Census Bureau

By Steven K. Paulson, Associated Press Writer , On Monday January 25, 2010, 6:23 pm EST

DENVER (AP) -- The Republican Party is seeking input and money from GOP voters -- seemingly under the guise of the U.S. Census Bureau.

"Strengthening our Party for the 2010 elections is going to take a massive grassroots effort all across America. That is why I have authorized a Census to be conducted of every Congressional District in the country," GOP Chairman Michael Steele says in a letter mailed nationwide.

The letter was sent in plain white envelopes marked "Do Not Destroy, Official Document." Labeled "2010 Congressional District Census," the letter uses a capital "C," the same as the Census Bureau. It also includes a "Census Tracking Code."

The letter makes a plea for money and accompanies a form asking voters to identify their political leanings and issues important to them. There are no disclaimers that participation in the GOP effort is voluntary; participation in the government census is required by law. Failure to participate carries a $5,000 fine, though it is rarely enforced.