Basic Education

As I watch the march of time go by and think back to when I was in school, I remember the conversations I had with my grandparents. It occurs to me that one thing is missing in today’s basic education system. Today we place a great emphasis on how poorly our education system is in regards to the rest of the world. The point of fact is that our priorities in education have become so skewed towards meeting that worldly goal that we don’t educate our kids to become productive citizens. I am introducing this topic tonight as I have several ideas on it; however, I am trying to keep this blog to shorter entries and if I was to go on with all the ideas I have it would fill the chapter of a book rather than a one page blog entry.

Somehow, we have lost the real reason to have a free public education in this country. Today we focus on letting the schools prepare the kids for college while we prepare them for athletics. Seriously, how many parents out there have spent as much time with your kids working on their math as you have throwing them the ball. Hey, we’re all guilty in this. Even if your child is doing well in school and has book smarts, how prepared are they to handle their future and be a productive participant. Whether they go to college, attend a tech or trade school, or enter the work force; K-12 school should be the place for the kids to get this education. There needs to be a better representation across the board on the subjects taught. The courses taught must fit the students whether academic, technical, or practical.

Another area of thought is the teachers and there qualifications. Why is it that every teacher needs a four year college degree and a one year teachers qualification. My grandfather worked his way through his first two years of college by teaching primary school. These kids turned out fine, one even became the governor of his home state and a pretty significant senator. So if he taught as an undergrad in his first two years of college, why can’t a college graduate with an associates degree and a teacher’s certification teach sixth grade and below - more on that in another blog.

Why do we pay so much for high school athletics and under-fund other areas of the school. Currently, in our local high school, we fund our athletics program (granted not like other schools in the area) and have no budget for our agriculture program or our theatre arts program. I know this may sound petty, but we have had just about as many theatre scholarships as athletic scholarships given to our high school graduates. What is really sad is that while very few if anyone from the local high school has had a significant career in sports or theatre, we have and do produce professional farmers and ranchers each and every year. I don’t know, does this sound like a fair use of the tax-payer’s money?

To sum up this first blog on education, the basic problem is that we don’t allow the local entities in charge to forge the education path of their local school while meeting a basic standard. Instead, we have a nosy state government that delves into all aspects of the education arena and a massively huge federal bureaucracy in the form of the Department of Education that has failed to make any positive advances overall in 30 years of existence.

Thanks,
Bill

Government Action

I promised that this blog would not be partisan and I intend to continue with that policy. With that thought in mind, I am writing this second political blog entry with the understanding that the problems talked about in this entry are the responsibility of both the major political parties and us, as Americans. As the voting public, we have allowed our country to travel down the road it is currently on for far too long. We have allowed this by not keeping ourselves informed of the issues as talked about in the previous blog about being an informed voter. This entry is simply a device to help begin the thought path that will hopefully motivate some to seek out more information.

What is it that makes people think that the federal government can solve any of the social problems we face. I often find it incredible that anyone could even think that the government could handle anything better than they could on their own. I would love to hear of one single item that the United States government can tout as an example of their success on the social agenda. Is it Social Security…NO! Is it Medicaid or Medicare…NO! Is it control of the borders…NO! Betterment of the education system in America…NO! Actually, there is nothing. Not one time in the history of this country has the federal government conducted any action in the realm of social policy that can be judged as a long-term success.

Following the stock market crash of 1929 and the ensuing depression that followed, the Hoover and Roosevelt administrations enacted policy after policy that kept the U.S. languishing in a depression far longer than any other industrialized country on Earth, except for Germany which was still trying to recover from the Treaty of Versailles. Only World War II pulled the United States out of the Great Depression. Hoover and Roosevelt’s maneuvers only secured the beginning of the countries slow travel from a solid capitalistic society to a country that has moved down the road to more and more socialistic tendencies.

I am not writing this as a rail to travel towards the now popular, “Obama is a Socialist,” battle cry; in contrast, I am in full belief that since the Great Depression of the 20s and 30s, this country’s politicians have slowly grown an ever increasing Socialist agenda. An agenda that has continued to swell at the hands of decisions made by career politicians, trying to repair the ill-guided decisions made by earlier career politicians. A fact that is further aggravated by politicians who make their choices in government many times guided by greed and partisan politics rather than what was truly best for the country.

This is not to say that there haven’t been well-intentioned elected officials who have served in Washington; however, their numbers tend to be so small that their deeds are often overlooked when compared to the failed policies and scandals of the many self-serving elected individuals, including the leaders of the Democrats and Republicans in Washington. To actually do a search of the biographies of the current legislature would show a majority of those serving in congress, especially those in leadership positions, have no real world work experience, have spent most of their adult life in elected office, and are of the legal profession. Any one of those attributes should be enough to make the common citizen wince in fear.

The fact is, our government is so large and indecisive that it tends to form policy and pass laws based on current popular sentiment (lately in as little as a few hours) or in reaction to some incident that has already occurred and is in the process of correcting itself. This causes the federal government to be an overactive, grossly-overreaching institution instead of the limited, proactive government the framers had envisioned.

Regardless of party affiliation, it is a government that generally misses everything initially, then tries to make up for it by passing regulative legislation enacted so late that it is of little help and/or so strong that it counteracts any positive, corrective advances already made by the private sector. Of course, congress also feels it necessary to interject its presence and drift off on tangents of such amazing importance as steroid use in professional baseball or college football’s BCS controversy.

An issue of recent concern has been the earmarks that congressmen assign to various spending bills. The real subject should not be the inclusion of the earmarks, but that regardless of the earmarks, the earmarked money is still going to be included in the bill. The earmarks simply give the money a destination rather than allow it to be assigned to some undesignated purpose by some anonymous government official. So the real outrage should not be that there are earmarks, but that the money will still be appropriated and spent regardless of whether it is actually required or not.

But I digress so back to the initial topic of this blog. Sure the government can provide temporary aid; however, in the end, the problem will return and usually with greater calamity. In the history of this country, the federal government has never been the catalyst of economic growth. Growth has always been spurred by national or world events and technologic improvements. Government can not replace American ingenuity, personal responsibility, human compassion or pubic integrity. When the federal government tries to solve the problems, it doesn’t matter who is in the seat of power, it will not work and only exacerbates the problem. Unfortunately, this sort of problem solving is what the federal government has been trying to do, and what many of our fellow citizens have become reliant on, for far to long.

So when you hear someone make the statement that they need the government’s help, ask them what it is that makes them expect the government to provide a long-term solution. I doubt they will ever be able to give a practical answer.

Sincerely,
Bill

Contests vs. Sports

Okay, I had this discussion again for about the hundredth time last week. So for those who have heard my argument, this will sound familiar, but for those of you who are uneducated in my ways, well this will surely be new and enlightening (just as all my blogs are).

In our society, we will make a competition out of anything. Those competitions come in two forms; contests and sports. Yes, I know we use them interchangeably; however, the truth is, when defined correctly (as I always do and or makeup) they are very different animals. A contest is a competition where points are awarded based on subjective grading. A sport is a competition where the winner is based on the points scored or the timing involved in the event.

Many people generally consider figure skating to be a sport , yet they are seriously mistaken. Figure skating along with gymnastics, beauty pageants, synchronized swimming, sand-castle building, decorating your yard at Christmas, and anything else that requires winners to win a subjective grading competition are not sports, they are contests. This does not mean that a gymnasts, figure skaters, or synchronized swimmers are not athletes, only that their chosen competition is not a sport, but a contest. There are many great athletes who have competed in contests.

With that in mind, what is a sport? A sport is any competition that is scored using a system based on points scored by the competitor or based on a time kept. Sports include football, baseball, track and field, tennis, horseshoes, basketball, car-racing, ping pong, bowling and many others. Now just as with the above stated contests, sports can, and do, contain athletes as well those of the non-athletic variety. I mean seriously, what athletic man would wear some of the goofy clothes they wear on the PGA tour (that’s pro golf for those who participate in contests).

Why would I be so worried about this sort of subject, well I will tell you. Because I am sick and tired of seeing figure skating on ESPN or other sports oriented programming. Yes I know these people spend years and years preparing for the Olympics, but lets face it, most people only pay attention to these during the Olympics and then it’s like, “WHO?”

Other than these contests invading my sacred sports programming, I really have no other point for this blog. I just wanted to make the point that bull riding and cheerleader contests should not be on my sports networks. I would seriously watch curling or the international darts association rather than one of these contests. Now I don’t want to offend the serious rodeo fan (many of which are touched enough to want to whip my rear), but really, how many of you go to see the actual riders ride and how many of you are sadistically waiting for the chance to see a bull get a hold of one of the riders.

I like to watch bull riding, but that has more to do with the fact that I think those guys are crazy and watching crazy people do absurd things is something of a pastime for me. Thus the reason I like to watch those in government try and fix the country.

Well that’s about all. I hope I haven’t offended any one. That truly was not my intention. I only wanted to inform those who had not been given the chance to experience some of my enlightening knowledge of the competitive world. Oh yeah, and I wanted to make sure that my mother knows that figure skating is NOT a sport.

Aloha,
Bill

Be an Informed Voter

It had to happen sooner or later. From time to time I will speak on political topics. I know, my grandfathers both used to tell me the three things you never discuss in public are sex, love and politics (and not necessarily in that order).

Well, I promise to do my best to stay neutral on this site. That may mean that I have to create a second blog later that is more opinionated; but for right now, I am just going to try to play it like my golf game…right down the middle (yeah, I know that was cheesy). After all, this site is supposed to be about common sense in you everyday life and sometimes politics should require common sense.

Before I start this little episode, let me put out this disclaimer. I consider myself to be somewhere right of center in my political beliefs. My beliefs are just that - mine, and I generally am beholding to no party. So with that said, lets get going.

Last fall, before the election, a friend of mine wrote an article for one of the local papers in which he discussed the importance of not only voting, but of being an “informed voter.” This friend and I don’t always agree on every issue, but our political conversations are always interesting as we seek to have an intelligent dialogue on the issues. On this issue, he was absolutely correct. Whether you consider yourself a liberal or a conservative; a Democrat, Libertarian, Green, Whig, or a Republican, you should be informed.

Being an informed voter may sound like a lot of work, but it really isn’t. It only requires a person to pay attention to the news and maybe, occasionally read a newspaper from time to time. Not really a lot to ask, but you would be surprised how many people, who will go out and vote, have no idea about what is really going on in their own city hall much less the world.

Over the course of the normal day I often hear people discussing politics and while the subject can be tricky enough when discussing it with folks that are politically savvy, it can be impossible with modern internet/email informed people. The problem is that, too many folks take serious the slanted and even false information they get from the internet through emails, partisan web sites, and yes…blogs (well, I mean except for mine).

What is an “Omnibus Spending Package,” or a “Trade and Cap” policy? What is an “Earmark” and how does one affect spending? Do the terms “Continuing Resolution” or a “Cloture Vote“ sound even remotely familiar? Probably not, but these are the terms that will affect our futures and far too many voters know nothing of them.

During an election year, and then usually only a few months before the actual election, do most people even begin to pay any attention to what their representatives in government are doing. Who are those representatives in Washington, and in Austin? These are the people who have the most affect on your life and yet most people couldn’t name who their legislative representatives are or what they stand for.

I am a political junky and eat this stuff up about the same way a Las Vegas bookie knows sports. So in the future, from time to time, I will write an occasional blog that will give you some pointers and direction to sources for gathering information that will help. I know this is not everyone’s cup of tea; however, unlike sports, being an informed voter will make you more effective in helping to determine the future for us, our children and, someday, our grandchildren.

Sincerely, your non-partisan blogger,
Bill

My Driving Difficulties

OK, lets start this out by saying that I drive like an old man. If you don’t believe me ask my wife, my friends, or my children. They seem to have a never ending supply of adjectives to describe my driving style.

With that said, I have some pet peeves that absolutely drive (notice the pun) me crazy. Anyone who has ever taken the opportunity to ride with me has probably heard some of the pleasantries I often share with my fellow drivers, and I have more than once been told how much comedic value there is in riding along with me. I may drive like an old man, but I offer my opinion of other drivers in the same manner an old sailor would - wait a minute, I am an old sailor.

Getting back to my pet peeves, I can name the first three in terms my Grandfather used when he was burning up the roads. Of course he was a judge and NO ONE was going to give him a ticket. Granddaddy used the phrase that you, “lead, follow, or get out of the way.” And he meant it.

Look, it is simple. If someone comes up behind you, make it easy for them to pass. If you come up on someone who is driving slower than you, pass them. I know for many Texans it is hard not to pass without the driver in front of you moving over onto the shoulder, but you really must get over that.

Nothing, and I MEAN NOTHING, gets me more irate than following someone who is following a slower driver and will not pass because the driver in front won’t move over. Good God people, we have some of the best, widest, well-marked roads in the nation and these goobers won’t pass without two miles of visible, clear road ahead. This is when I need that James Bond laser feature on my car. Take them out with one shot, I would.

Then there’s the Boneheads who drive around a parking lot for 20 minutes looking for a parking spot near the door. I don’t care if they drive around and waste their gas, but they’re always in my way. Oh My God! These are the same people who drive around the gym parking looking for the closest space possible. COME ON - you’re there to workout, consider it a warm-up!

And if you think about it, once they find that elusive parking spot near the door and climb their lazy rears out of their 1986 Ford Escorts, you get a look at them and realize that they probably should have parked across the street and walked on over for the exercise value alone. Just park your car at the first spot you come to, get out and walk in. What are you really saving by driving around for 20 minutes when you would probably benefit more from the extra 90 seconds of walking anyway.

Then there are the idiots who follow you while you walk back to your car; waiting on you to leave so they can get your spot. Next time this happens, walk to your car, get in, let them sit for a few seconds, then get out of your car and go back towards the store. It really gets ‘em hoppin. Then, to top it off, once the bird-dogger drives away, turn back around, go to your car, and let the next person have the spot. I love that one.

Now we come to those who take Grandma’s car to the store to use the handicapped sticker. I can’t even think of anything else to say but SHAME ON YOU. And get Grandma’s car back…the liquor store closes at 9:00.

Lastly, I leave you with this little jewel. Keep an old Hank Williams’ CD in your Truck (in Central Texas “Truck” is the generic term we use for any vehicle). Keep this CD for that special occasion when you hear some chucklehead with their stereo set to a volume level that can be monitored by the International Space Station. Take Hank out, roll your windows down, put Hank in the CD player and share Hank. They may not like Hank, but when you do this, the other people around you will almost always give you a thumbs up (don’t you Aggies get all giddy out there).

Well, hope this has been enlightening and even somewhat helpful.

Later Gator,
Bill

Horse Sense

I wanted to start a blog long ago, but put it off for fear of what might be thought of my thoughts. I am responsible for my own thoughts and actually worry little about what people think of me, but I have always held out hope that most people would think I am smarter than I am and feared that by sharing my thoughts maybe people would realize the truth. Now I am no longer as concerned about what people think about my thoughts. I just want people to think for themselves. I am starting this blog in the hopes that it interjects a little bit of that good old common sense that used to be…well, common.

Much of the time in today’s world we seek to make far too much out of the simplest of things. For an easy definition of common sense you can go to Webster’s Dictionary. By the way, there is no difference between “Common Sense” and “Horse Sense,” thus the source of this blog’s name. The definition is as follows:

Common Sense: it is sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts.

Here in Central Texas we have an old saying that describes the concept of common sense – “If you see a snake, kill it.” Yes, I know, it is probably an old saying all over the place but I first heard it here in Central Texas. Here are the procedures for this:

1. Sight the snake (by the way, the snake is a metaphor for just about any problem, task and or situation).
2. Pick something that will kill the snake and obtain that object quickly.
3. Use the acquired object to kill the snake.

How simple is that? Unfortunately, in the world we currently find ourselves in, that simple bit of common sense has disintegrated, disappeared and been substituted for a bureaucratic mess that is working to destroy our society a little more with everyday that passes. Today the saying more closely resembles this; “If you see a snake, form a committee on how to kill it.” The process more resembles the following:

1. Sight the snake (once again, the snake is a metaphor).
2. Form a committee to determine the snakes true identity.
3. Establish the snake’s hazard to society.
4. Conduct risk analysis on the removal of the snake from society. (NOTE: in this model we will use the term “removal” as using the term “kill” is deemed too traumatic)
5. Determine the cost of removing said snake.
6. Identify the individual best suited to remove the snake.
7. Conclude what method of removal should be used.
8. Settle on a time for the snake to be removed.
9. And lastly, come to terms with who is responsible for the snake’s removal and how that responsibility should be assessed and if the person responsible will need counseling.

Sadly, as humorous as this all sounds, it is as accurate an anecdote as I can come up with – OK, I could have made the second part much more in-depth, but I was pretty sure you knew where I was coming from.

Anyway, I just wanted to get this thing kicked off and let everyone know what is going on, kind of. I will try and post as often as I get around to it (man, I should be a politician). For those of you who know me, you know that I am usually pretty busy. For those of you who don’t know me, well, I am a pretty busy person. If you want to comment I think you can and if you want to email me I think you can do that to. To be honest I am not sure I have this whole thing figured out yet, but I will get there.

Thanks,
Bill