Zora

Seems to me that's the way it should be, Wildernesse, and maybe the way it USED to be, but not the way it is anymore.

Our state governments are increasingly dependent upon federal money..for schools, roads, libraries, medical funding, to name a few. Our local govt. are increasingly dependent upon the state.

The policies of the federal govt. (whichever party is in power) dictate to the states what their policies will be...or no more federal money. An example is funding for roads. If the states didn't raise the drinking age to 21, no more federal money.

A state with only a few large population centers (Nebraska comes to mind)...is dependent upon federal money, because they can't raise enough state-wide, or people wouldn't be able to afford to live there. (That's why we left when we retired.)

Your statement that most people are "happy" with the way things are is true...mostly because people aren't interested in anything until it personally affects them. Not the most intelligent or noble reason to be "happy." Look at the way we treat our elderly in this nation. My Mom lives on $525 social security. She has outlived her life savings. We got her in some drug programs with manufacturers, and we kids buy her food, etc. If she didn't have us, she would have to live in a crummy apartment, be destitute, give up her car, her cat, her life's possessions or come to live with one of us (where she wouldn't be happy)...but the majority of Americans just don't care because it doesn't affect them, and its not their parent, and to actually DO something might cost them a couple of dollars...forget that they will someday be in the same position.


Now, I'm not one to give up. I write letters all the time. It is really depressing to get correspondence from representatives and senators who don't answer my question, who gloss over the issue, who blame their opposition..on and on. Seems the most the letters do is get me on a list so they can ask for re-election money. I answer them ALL!!!!

And locally, it is just as corrupt as anywhere else. I guess it took living in a rural community as an "outsider" to see how things are REALLY run. (Example: a drunk who drove daily with suspended license because she went to school with the sheriff.) And, local politics is just as crooked as national and subject to the same petty bullshit because they have know each other since grade school and are still pissed about some things!

It is simplistic to say "just run yourself, then"...because it takes more money than most people have to do that. You must get donations for support...and you need to refer to the "happy people" statement above to see if that is likely. If you have a currently popular position, you are at a distinct advantage. A month ago, you couldn't get elected dog catcher here if you weren't for the war in Iraq. You had to give your opinion on it! Now, what does that have to do with Fido being off his chain again???? And if you aren't Christian, you aren't fit either. And yes, here that includes Jews!

It ain't always just so black and white!

The Stranger

Actually, I'm a 19 year old high school graduate whose parents are not funding my secondary education. I'm paying for college myself through student loans and work.

Worldtraveller

I have been in a similar situation more times than I care to remember. I have had to rely on a combination federal grants, loans, and part time jobs, and it took me ten years to get my bachelor's. But I kept at it, slogged through the shit, and jumped through all the hoops, and now I'm doing what I always wanted to do, and getting to live in Europe for a while to boot.

So while it may seem frustrating and it will really get you down, ya just gotta keep at it. There is some merit in choosing a field of study that has economic value (I'm an engineer), but ya also gotta do what you will enjoy.

One of the things that really helped me get through college was that I started up and ran my own tutoring business. Initially, it was just me going to people's homes or meeting at the library, etc., but towards the end, I had 4 other tutors I worked with, so I could cover just about every subject. We didn't charge more than $10-$12/hr, and we gave each other finder's fees, but it worked out. I couldn't make a living at it, but it helped me eat.

That, and I got real lucky and met my future wife around the time, and she more or less supported us while I finished the last of my degree, although she didn't make so much that I could ever not work while in school.

So keep at it, apply for all of the (rapidly shrinking and harder to get) loans/grants and whatever money you can. And good luck.

Lane

wildernesse

As I am only 23, I really don't have memories that take in the world before 10 years ago. This is the way things are where my parents live and where I live today.

I wish this happened more often--Atlanta and many sprawling cities are a prime example of what happens when the road money pours out without discretion. Locally, our city gov has told the state to shove it about a road design--the state won't pay because the current design is UNSAFE, but local business are against the state design. So, our county is building a road without safety designs needed--and heads rolled last election because of it. I believe some changes have been made by the new group, but not what I'd like (or the rest of the lefties here either).

I'm sorry about your mother's situation--and you are right, it happens to far too many people and is a good example of a quality of life issue that affects a good chunk of people and that needs improvement.

And yet it is more than writing letters and voting (not saying that you aren't doing this). Rufus got a letter from our senator saying, "You will be glad to know that I voted for bill x, yada yada" . Rufus had written the senator to oppose the bill.

Yes, locally, people have been scratching backs for each other for ages--and local politics can hurt personally much more than anywhere else (especially when you're in the right, but the majority doesn't want it that way). My family has had experience with that recently--but just like anywhere else, there are always people who are doing what is right in spite of the majority. If you don't wade in to local politics, there's less chance that what you want and think is right will be done.

If you don't get your ideas out in the marketplace somehow--most people won't give you a second glance.

No, it's not. But saying: I hate this country, no one listens to me, no one gives me what I want, intelligence isn't valued, etc. isn't the full picture either.

--tibac

Zora

Hi, Wildernesse,

It seems to me the "I hate this country" statement was an emotional outburst rather than a statement of fact. A validation of those feelings (frustration, anger) is a step toward a solution.

Your perception of the situation is good. You mention your age, your geographic location, and your short political experience. It is important that you understand the experience of others is not the same. We have lived through some hard-won struggles as women, minorities, etc. We now see these issues eroding. Judging the nation by what happens in culturally diverse Atlanta is not realistic.

Contrast the intelligence in the oval office between Jefferson and Bush, or even between Kennedy and Bush...then see if you think intelligence is as highly prized as it once was. Having had children in the public school system in Nebraska when they were so very proud of their education system....and contrasting the education in that system with that in the public schools I attended 30 years before that in the northeast....I can tell you there was and is a decline.

While intelligence might be valued in some places...it is not valued everywhere. In fact, it is quite the opposite where I live. There was no outcry when funding was cut for gifted education programs except by those personally affected. But when it was cut for athletics....the wailing was unbearable from all segments of the community.

Some of us have already participated in changing things. Amazing things have been done for equal employment...age, race, national origin, sex, religion...all protected. Don't underestimate the power of griping. Whether you agree or not, it makes you think. The ball is now in your court, and it encourages me that young people such as yourself will be taking over. What are you doing to improve quality of life issues, the environment, etc.??? They still need work!

Ab_Normal

Thank you. I'm not alone! I've had a growing suspicion that they're actively trying to get rid of the middle class, while paying lip-service to it. I try to dismiss it as paranoia... but sometimes they really are out to get you.

Now, if I could figure out who "they" are and where they live...

Bill

Do I gather that you refused to sign up for the other great middle-class impoverishment program: student loans?

My wife's student loans are on forebearance, since I'm unemployed and she has two young kids to care for, but the interest keeps piling, and piling, .... to the tune of over $35K, with no hope of her getting into graduate school (she needs at least a Masters to work in her field, psychology), and no hope of her ever getting a "real job" if she doesn't.

This country should take a page from the history of K-12 eduction. When this country was founded, in the late 18th century, there were few public schools anywhere. But as part of the Industrial Revolution, big business decided it needed educated workers, and lobbied government to set up the tax-supported public K-12 education system. College wasn't needed back then, but it is now. So, what's the solution? A 4-year degree should be a tax-paid option for all who qualify (i.e., B average or better; whatever....). No debt.

But, of course, those who make a mint off of student loan interest (and student loans can't be discharged in bankruptcy, so they've got you for life....) would hate to see tax-paid college education become a reality, as would those who run high-priced private colleges, including (no surprise) those colleges that have a religious agenda to sell (ever count up just how many colleges and universities in this country are controlled by the Roman Catholic Church?). Any plan to produce college educated young people with no staggering burden of debt would gore too many oxes to pass.

== Bill

...

As Margaret Meade put it (IIRC) "You must be the change you expect to see in the world.".

Have you ever considered working for change? Talk to other people. Work with them to develop constructive solutions. You can start by joining up with committed change activists. Start here:

http://www.onepeoplesproject.com

anakata

Moving to Mexico is quite easy if you have a job here, but this country is...uhm...

Darwin26

things that come to mind ...
Zora, your mom needs to get a job.............
Wildernesse have you registered for the military?
...and who said ... "you get what you deserve"? ... guess they weren't in the top of the World Trade Center or a prisoner falsly imprisoned... a silly xian no doubt.

i never thought my kids would be facing the bizarre acts such as Patriot II nor having such threaten me.
Nor have alert levels ... because of Federal size egos.


When the confusion erupts it's time to take aim and focus on a target ... it's not good hunting to lob synic bombs ... Pick something in the agenda to defeat. or Promote ... It's all so very over whelming but if you are selective, measure the opposition and apply yourself ...we can overcome this xian reich regime...

Funding for roads and hyways was very likely done several years back ... But if you ever drive through Texas fixing the HiWay is a major industry ...'cause Georgie boy and past Gov's figured out how to get the money out of congress for their state; Yes the same is true in Florida. Same is true for water projects ...big biz.

Many of us have brains but we don't fit into corporations nor do we want to be engineers. i'm a stone carver artist and every now and then i have to shine shoes to survive. And for sure if you equate your status in life with your job ... you are lost beyond help... not to mention all working people you look down on ... That this country shuns high IQ jobs ... i donno seems if you worship the right Cod you can work for the RAND corp or Bechtel...Really the only thing you can do is use your brain and never forget that IQ is genetic like being a blond is as well.

My goal is to defeat these Neo Cons and their Project for a New American Century before the "posse" suspends the constitution ... having all their middle class subjugated and the poor and military brain washed ...