The negative aspects of education in the United States

I have a new article up at Learning From Dogs that examines the negative aspects of the American schooling system.  I focus on the lack of emphasis on critical thinking skills, the effect of this system on the human mind, and the (possible) true purpose of compulsory education.

On April 15th, I looked at the positive aspects of the American educational system.  Now I look at the other side of the coin, so to speak.

While in my last post I attempted to put a positive spin on the United States education system, I must here admit that I personally tend to view it in a much more negative light.  There are several reasons for this, three of which I will try to elaborate on here.  

My first major concern about education in the United States is its lack of critical thinking skills, which produces students who do not know how to question the “system” for what is truly is, but rather constantly take the context of things presented as fact (the two-party political system is a perfect example of this.)

Read the rest here.

The Left Protects Civil Rights (Except When They Don't)

In the two-party charade that is American politics, our choices are limited. You're either for the wars that exist, or you're for the wars that exist plus a couple that don't yet. You're either for an increase in spending domestically, or an increase in spending abroad. You either want the Fed to increase the debt, or you want the Fed to monetize it. However, even in the few instances where the media and the party leadership tilt the fun house mirror to make the two sides look different, the truth is that they differ in execution – in which rights to usurp – rather than fundamental philosophy.

A shining example of a major party with phony principles is the “defense” of civil rights in America by the Democrats. You see, the Democrats want to protect civil rights. Countless party leaders have spoken out in outrage over the discrimination against minority groups. The Democrats of today support the right of marriage for all people, regardless of their sexuality. They want equal pay and equal opportunity for people of all backgrounds when it comes to employment or housing. In fact, according to their website:  “Democrats will fight to end discrimination based on race, sex, ethnicity, national origin, language, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, and disability in every corner of our country, because that's the America we believe in.”  Few Americans would argue with the underlying principle: equal opportunity for all, and discrimination against none.

Legalizing Marijuana More Popular Than Obama, Health Reform, and the War on Terror

From the California Independent Voter Network:

You read that right. Legalizing marijuana for recreational use by adults has more widespread support than President Obama's administration. Pot legalization is also more popular than the recent health care bill that passed in Congress and has higher approval ratings than our handling of the Global War on Terror...

On page four of AP/CNBC's poll report, respondents were asked if they thought the U.S. should treat marijuana and alcohol similarly. 44% thought that marijuana shouldn't be treated any differently than alcohol, while another 12%  even wanted less strict rules for marijuana than for alcohol- making a whopping 56% in favor of pot legalization.

Read how marijuana legalization ranks against Obama's approval ratings, our handling of the War on Terror, and the number of Americans who support the new health care law here.

Cato's Handbook: "The Limits of Monetary Policy"

I hope you all get a chance to read the Cato Institute's stance on monetary policy. In general, my understanding is that if they believe the Federal Reserve should continue to exist, at least it should end the dual mandate of not only keeping stable prices but also being responsible for high employment levels, which, as they state in their policy handbook, is outside the realm of what is really achievable. Instead, the Fed's only policy should be a stable prices, with a long term goal of 0% inflation.

This is possibly the most important debate when it comes to our economic freedoms, because if inflation is not foreseen, that is, monetary policy is subjectively manipulated by central bankers, then it is inevitably becomes a hidden tax on all of us. 

Milton Friedman always talked about a set increase in the amount of money each year. In this way, the economy would be allowed to expand and at the same time inflation was anticipated. Otherwise END THE FED.