tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580376204838202307.post8561135177522742930..comments2024-01-10T12:18:54.596-05:00Comments on Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education: Is Indiana Really Good for Business? What about the Common Good?NEIFPEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04785540458733702680noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580376204838202307.post-55671054312838121292015-03-10T11:16:03.809-04:002015-03-10T11:16:03.809-04:00We are not powerless. At least I hope. It feels th...We are not powerless. At least I hope. It feels that way. But there are many, I think, who agree with the concerns you express. The key is getting those individuals to 1) get informed 2) spread the word to others who are misinformed or may not have time to follow this ever-changing issue and 3) take action, encouraging others to do the same, in terms of constant communication with legislators. I tweet, I email, I message our legislators as much as I can in recent days. We must stop complaining and start DOING. It's our only hope. The voucher system has a better campaign because they are backed by a lot of money (Indiana's Institute for Quality Education)- they can afford a fancy website and professional, persuasive, marketing materials, including online. Parents must come together to form a campaign of their own, or public ed is in serious trouble. So please, anyone reading this, spend some time really following education in our state. Get informed first and foremost, THEN tell someone, anyone, and ask them to be involved. We ALL win when our nation is educated. Public schools serve our communities. Their suffering should not be based on flawed data and misguided logic.Chris Treberhttp://www.incredulousmom.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580376204838202307.post-21996790781315535642015-03-09T09:15:39.106-04:002015-03-09T09:15:39.106-04:00Very well said, Phyllis.
In response to your que...Very well said, Phyllis. <br /><br />In response to your question about corporations, many of them support what Pence is doing. MBA's are taught about enhancing profits - not social responsibility. <br /><br />Economists use growth to measure policies/successes. So, growth in charter schools is a good thing. <br /><br />Shifting resources from the public sector to the private sector are fantastic motivators for politicians who need funds to maintain their seat in power. Pay to play becomes the standard. <br /><br />The republican party has become nothing more than corporate lobbyists. It's the corporate agenda straight up, and since quality of life takes a back seat to profits, it feeds itself.<br /><br />It's maddening to watch, and you've nailed the problem - apathy. <br /><br />Also, if you look at who is funding the campaigns of republicans, and look at Lilly Endowment/Mind Trust connections to education reform, it starts to make sense and becomes ironic.<br /><br />Think for one moment...Lilly derives its profits from sick people. The USA pays more for drugs than any other industrialized nation.<br /><br />Indiana ranks 48th of 50 states in our health and wellness. Why aren't we reforming the health system in Indiana, when they've obviously failed Hoosiers?<br /><br />Even more to point, why aren't a politicians making those who profit the most, pay to reform the industry?<br /><br />Instead, we've got a health related company using past profits to fund the privatization of public education because supposedly, educators have failed students, based on individual achievement tests.<br /><br />Do you see the hypocrisy and/or double standard?<br /><br />I don't know of a single Hoosier who isn't aware of the high cost of our healthcare system. All Hoosiers are personal impacted. All Hoosiers should be rallying behind reforming the healthcare industry as well, refusing to let politicians play these games with our lives, wallets and children.<br /><br />I suspect very soon the public will care, and will be upset. Hopefully, sooner rather than later.Todd Smekenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10604458110942435548noreply@blogger.com