Friday, October 31, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
By Moriah
Our lives can be compared to an orchestra.
The leader is the Lord our God,
the instruments are his people
the notes are our actions.
If there is a misprint,
or if people misread the music wrong,
they get lost and stray away.
Sometimes the instruments that have strayed away
from the Lord our God
will distract others and they will stray away.
Pretty soon the orchestra will sound like mush.
But the Lord our God will straighten it out
and we will play praises to the Lord
for the rest of our days.
******************
So, just a note: this was a languages arts assignment which required her to use symbolism in her writing. She was to create an 11-line (or more) poem in the style of the Psalms. I thought this was pretty good - I wanted to share it! Wow...she must have a really good teacher, huh? :)
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Not a Good Day
Today is not a good day to be Case. He had four shots, including the flu shot, and a finger poke to draw 2 small viles of blood. The blood test is to test for lead levels.
Just out of curiosity, I inquired about the cost of the blood test in our visit to the Lab. The lady looked it up for me and quoted, "$173." THAT is what is wrong with the health care system. C'mon, does it really cost $173 to put a drop of blood on a slide and look under a microscope? And, good news for you Iowans under the age of 6, the lead test is now a state law and is required before attending any Iowa school (or home school, or private school). Let's see, $173 times 37,866 kindergarten students (check out the DE website statistics page) equals $6,550,818. That's a whole lot of money to you and me.
Now, I'm all for people making money, please don't get me wrong. So, let's say there's a 50% markup on the test, like in retail products. So, $86.50 is gross profit to cover expenses like the lady who took the blood. Incidentally, she was also the same lady who was the receptionist (that's multi-tasking and keeping expenses down). The overhead of the building is worth something, too. Now, I'm fairly sure that the 180 seconds we saw her in the blood-drawing room will be covered by that $86.50 and then some.
I'm not sure how OBama or McCain or any of the other legislators are planning on attacking the health care "crisis" we supposedly have (for the record, I think of a crisis as "a condition of instability or danger, as in social, economic, political, or international affairs, leading to a decisive change" and it's obvious that we can all obtain adequate health CARE...perhaps not affordable insurance, which is something other than a health CARE crisis....rather, it's often a lack of priorities to allocate a portion of one's income towards pricey premiums), and I'm not for price regulation, but there's gotta be something that can be done with regard to medical prices. Can't they post a menu or something of their prices online? We choose our doctors...in this case, I didn't choose the lab, but if I had a choice, could I see the prices first? Does it take all of us to start questioning our doctors about what they're charging and why?
I know that in a few weeks, I'll start getting my insurance "This is not a bill" bills that will give me a heads up for what our portion will be, and I'll still stand amazed with it in hand, thinking, "How can that cost so much?"
Incidentally, the four of us girls all got flu shots, too, and suddenly, I'm feeling a little tired! Clearly, it's affected my thinking!
Just out of curiosity, I inquired about the cost of the blood test in our visit to the Lab. The lady looked it up for me and quoted, "$173." THAT is what is wrong with the health care system. C'mon, does it really cost $173 to put a drop of blood on a slide and look under a microscope? And, good news for you Iowans under the age of 6, the lead test is now a state law and is required before attending any Iowa school (or home school, or private school). Let's see, $173 times 37,866 kindergarten students (check out the DE website statistics page) equals $6,550,818. That's a whole lot of money to you and me.
Now, I'm all for people making money, please don't get me wrong. So, let's say there's a 50% markup on the test, like in retail products. So, $86.50 is gross profit to cover expenses like the lady who took the blood. Incidentally, she was also the same lady who was the receptionist (that's multi-tasking and keeping expenses down). The overhead of the building is worth something, too. Now, I'm fairly sure that the 180 seconds we saw her in the blood-drawing room will be covered by that $86.50 and then some.
I'm not sure how OBama or McCain or any of the other legislators are planning on attacking the health care "crisis" we supposedly have (for the record, I think of a crisis as "a condition of instability or danger, as in social, economic, political, or international affairs, leading to a decisive change" and it's obvious that we can all obtain adequate health CARE...perhaps not affordable insurance, which is something other than a health CARE crisis....rather, it's often a lack of priorities to allocate a portion of one's income towards pricey premiums), and I'm not for price regulation, but there's gotta be something that can be done with regard to medical prices. Can't they post a menu or something of their prices online? We choose our doctors...in this case, I didn't choose the lab, but if I had a choice, could I see the prices first? Does it take all of us to start questioning our doctors about what they're charging and why?
I know that in a few weeks, I'll start getting my insurance "This is not a bill" bills that will give me a heads up for what our portion will be, and I'll still stand amazed with it in hand, thinking, "How can that cost so much?"
Incidentally, the four of us girls all got flu shots, too, and suddenly, I'm feeling a little tired! Clearly, it's affected my thinking!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
We are (not) doomed!
To the pessimistic woe-is-me ecomonists/politicians/regular Joes (this might even include "Joe the Plumber"): you are doomed to fail in your efforts to doom the economy.
An article in the LA Times a few weeks ago addressed the resiliency of the American economy. We have seen rough spots in our history and have always managed to bounce back. Albeit, it took some time, but I'm guessing there were plenty of investors who recovered their losses and then some.
Anyway, the article by Max Boot cited the results of this year's World Economic Forum, which ranks nations in certain areas. For example, USA was ranked first as the most competitive economy in the entire world for the past two years. The per-capita gross domestic product in the U.S. has consistently grown faster than in other developed economies since 1980.
Why? Because of our domestic market size, the time required to start a business (No. 3), venture capital availability (No. 1), the cost of firing an employee (No. 1), ownership of personal computers (No. 2), university/industry research collaboration (No. 1) and quality of scientific research institutions (No. 2). Those are just a few of the areas where we came out on top.
I can think of other reasons. Competition. When you're shopping for really just about any product (except public education, of course), you have a huge variety to choose from because of the amount of producers. Competition drives lower prices. Competition causes improvement in products, improvement in wages & benefits packages for employers, higher standards for all.
This is America. Even if the Dems take both ends of Pennsylvania Ave as a result of this November's election (*gasp*), we will not be kept down. Unfortunately, if that happens, it'll take even longer to pull out of this sticky mess, because they will only continue to do two of the most "problematic" areas for doing business in the US (according to the World Economic Forum Survey): -- high tax rates and cumbersome tax regulations.
America is the best place on the planet to live. Truly a rich nation. Let's keep her that way.
An article in the LA Times a few weeks ago addressed the resiliency of the American economy. We have seen rough spots in our history and have always managed to bounce back. Albeit, it took some time, but I'm guessing there were plenty of investors who recovered their losses and then some.
Anyway, the article by Max Boot cited the results of this year's World Economic Forum, which ranks nations in certain areas. For example, USA was ranked first as the most competitive economy in the entire world for the past two years. The per-capita gross domestic product in the U.S. has consistently grown faster than in other developed economies since 1980.
Why? Because of our domestic market size, the time required to start a business (No. 3), venture capital availability (No. 1), the cost of firing an employee (No. 1), ownership of personal computers (No. 2), university/industry research collaboration (No. 1) and quality of scientific research institutions (No. 2). Those are just a few of the areas where we came out on top.
I can think of other reasons. Competition. When you're shopping for really just about any product (except public education, of course), you have a huge variety to choose from because of the amount of producers. Competition drives lower prices. Competition causes improvement in products, improvement in wages & benefits packages for employers, higher standards for all.
This is America. Even if the Dems take both ends of Pennsylvania Ave as a result of this November's election (*gasp*), we will not be kept down. Unfortunately, if that happens, it'll take even longer to pull out of this sticky mess, because they will only continue to do two of the most "problematic" areas for doing business in the US (according to the World Economic Forum Survey): -- high tax rates and cumbersome tax regulations.
America is the best place on the planet to live. Truly a rich nation. Let's keep her that way.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
A Response to Tonight's Presidential Debate
Overseas markets are tanking as I write this. Tomorrow’s Wall Street performance will be bleak, once again.
My friends, what the federal government is doing with this “bailout” is likened to a consumer who is way over their head in consumer debt, so he decides to “pay off” his credit card bill by taking a cash advance from another credit card. Instead of paying off that balance, he continues to spend carelessly, oh, there might be a necessary item here and there, like gas or groceries, but most of it is frivolous. The card gets maxed out. What to do? “Pay it off” with yet another card.
What’s the remedy for this poor guy? Stop spending! Put his earnings towards his debt, and then towards savings. Why is it that we “unqualified to be president” people have it figured out, but the big wigs in Washington & our own state capitol seem intent upon spending money on needless programs?
Onto the debate that was held earlier tonight. Moriah rushed off to her room to listen to it on the radio. She became angry during many parts of it. I see a future filled with anger towards elected officials, unfortunately.
My blood pressure was 120/80 until the portion about education. The question began something like this: America spends the most per capita on its pupils, yet fails to be the highest achievers in the world. What would you do to fix that?
Of course, Obama said a combination of more money and reform. Higher pay for qualified teachers in exchange for higher accountability. Make college more affordable. $4000 tuition credit in exchange for community service, which might include military service (last I checked, there was something called the GI bill that already does this). Both he and McCain were for charter schools, while McCain mainly harped on Charter schools.
First, when we compare nation to nation, the statistics are skewed. We are the only nation who guarantees a free education to every child. Therefore, students are tested and it’s the TIMMS test in 8th and 11th grade – not the ITBS. Every district has a random number of students take it – it’s completely random, so you have special ed students, high scoring students, and students of many different achievement levels taking this test, which is used to compare internationally. When we compare our students to, say, Japan’s or Germany’s, we are comparing our scores against the scores of their best and brightest. Because, you see, their education system tracks children from about the age 9 into the areas of strength those students show. If you have an exceptionally bright 3rd grader who shows aptitude in science and math, then they will likely follow a more scientific/mathematical approach to schooling, and follow a university course. A child who is average across the board will likely follow a vocational path, learning core subjects, but eventually by 10th or 11th grade be tracked into vocational type subjects/courses that will give them a trade when they finish school. Guess why we don’t always come out on top of those tests? If we took the best and brightest of our students and compared them internationally, I am certain we’d be at the top. We have the best high schools with the most opportunities in the world.
Next, more money equals better education? How much is enough? Some districts are receiving more than $6000 per student. Why not $10,000? Why not $50,000? How much is enough to truly educate all children and turn out the smartest students in the world?
Money is not the answer to our educational woes. A transformation of our system is truly needed, but that does not mean we need to throw more money away. When Obama says more money is needed, and teachers need more, where is that money going to come from? If he mandates each state needs to raise teacher pay, who pays? Have you checked your property tax bill lately? Have you purchased something at Walmart lately and really looked at the receipt? How many more 1 cents can we afford?
Again, let’s try this the old fashioned way: A nickel saved is a nickel earned.*
*(Inflation, if you’re wondering why I misquoted it)
To see some sample 8th grade TIMMS questions, check out this link:
http://www.edinformatics.com/timss/pop2/mpop2.htm?submit324=Grade+7%2C8++Math+Test
My friends, what the federal government is doing with this “bailout” is likened to a consumer who is way over their head in consumer debt, so he decides to “pay off” his credit card bill by taking a cash advance from another credit card. Instead of paying off that balance, he continues to spend carelessly, oh, there might be a necessary item here and there, like gas or groceries, but most of it is frivolous. The card gets maxed out. What to do? “Pay it off” with yet another card.
What’s the remedy for this poor guy? Stop spending! Put his earnings towards his debt, and then towards savings. Why is it that we “unqualified to be president” people have it figured out, but the big wigs in Washington & our own state capitol seem intent upon spending money on needless programs?
Onto the debate that was held earlier tonight. Moriah rushed off to her room to listen to it on the radio. She became angry during many parts of it. I see a future filled with anger towards elected officials, unfortunately.
My blood pressure was 120/80 until the portion about education. The question began something like this: America spends the most per capita on its pupils, yet fails to be the highest achievers in the world. What would you do to fix that?
Of course, Obama said a combination of more money and reform. Higher pay for qualified teachers in exchange for higher accountability. Make college more affordable. $4000 tuition credit in exchange for community service, which might include military service (last I checked, there was something called the GI bill that already does this). Both he and McCain were for charter schools, while McCain mainly harped on Charter schools.
First, when we compare nation to nation, the statistics are skewed. We are the only nation who guarantees a free education to every child. Therefore, students are tested and it’s the TIMMS test in 8th and 11th grade – not the ITBS. Every district has a random number of students take it – it’s completely random, so you have special ed students, high scoring students, and students of many different achievement levels taking this test, which is used to compare internationally. When we compare our students to, say, Japan’s or Germany’s, we are comparing our scores against the scores of their best and brightest. Because, you see, their education system tracks children from about the age 9 into the areas of strength those students show. If you have an exceptionally bright 3rd grader who shows aptitude in science and math, then they will likely follow a more scientific/mathematical approach to schooling, and follow a university course. A child who is average across the board will likely follow a vocational path, learning core subjects, but eventually by 10th or 11th grade be tracked into vocational type subjects/courses that will give them a trade when they finish school. Guess why we don’t always come out on top of those tests? If we took the best and brightest of our students and compared them internationally, I am certain we’d be at the top. We have the best high schools with the most opportunities in the world.
Next, more money equals better education? How much is enough? Some districts are receiving more than $6000 per student. Why not $10,000? Why not $50,000? How much is enough to truly educate all children and turn out the smartest students in the world?
Money is not the answer to our educational woes. A transformation of our system is truly needed, but that does not mean we need to throw more money away. When Obama says more money is needed, and teachers need more, where is that money going to come from? If he mandates each state needs to raise teacher pay, who pays? Have you checked your property tax bill lately? Have you purchased something at Walmart lately and really looked at the receipt? How many more 1 cents can we afford?
Again, let’s try this the old fashioned way: A nickel saved is a nickel earned.*
*(Inflation, if you’re wondering why I misquoted it)
To see some sample 8th grade TIMMS questions, check out this link:
http://www.edinformatics.com/timss/pop2/mpop2.htm?submit324=Grade+7%2C8++Math+Test
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
A Few of Things We've Been Up To
Besides the daily grind of school work, we've managed to fit into our schedules a couple of choir concerts, soccer games, volleyball games, and a picnic to the park. Not all in the same day, of course! There are families that could probably do that...I'm confident mine is not one of them. I would have a melt down!
The girls are part of the Muscatine Children's Choir this year. This is a great experience that is sponsored by Wesley Methodist Church downtown. They will be singing at various churches, festivals, and community functions throughout the year. Here, they're singing for Colorado Elementary School.
This is either Haley or Moriah serving the ball last Sunday afternoon at their volleyball game. They have two more tournaments to go, and they've really enjoyed playing the sport.
I had to get a picture of both twins playing soccer before it was too late to prove that they did it. They are the only girls on their team (green shirts), and they mainly played defenders. Now that they've tried it, soccer games will be but just a distant memory. Although, Moriah did mention she might try it again if she's guaranteed to be on a all-girls team. So...maybe next spring!
Today - 10-10-08 It was too beautiful not to go take some pictures. Case wasn't very cooperative, though, so I didn't get much of him.
Although I don't have any pictures of it, there have been many political conversations around here the past few days along with more questions & answers regarding the stock market, America's future economically - Goodbye Capitalism! - and in general, just good clean living. The girls are growing physically, which is quite obvious, but they are also making great strides academically and spiritually. I'm very thankful to be able to be around for it all.
The girls are part of the Muscatine Children's Choir this year. This is a great experience that is sponsored by Wesley Methodist Church downtown. They will be singing at various churches, festivals, and community functions throughout the year. Here, they're singing for Colorado Elementary School.
This is either Haley or Moriah serving the ball last Sunday afternoon at their volleyball game. They have two more tournaments to go, and they've really enjoyed playing the sport.
I had to get a picture of both twins playing soccer before it was too late to prove that they did it. They are the only girls on their team (green shirts), and they mainly played defenders. Now that they've tried it, soccer games will be but just a distant memory. Although, Moriah did mention she might try it again if she's guaranteed to be on a all-girls team. So...maybe next spring!
Today - 10-10-08 It was too beautiful not to go take some pictures. Case wasn't very cooperative, though, so I didn't get much of him.
Although I don't have any pictures of it, there have been many political conversations around here the past few days along with more questions & answers regarding the stock market, America's future economically - Goodbye Capitalism! - and in general, just good clean living. The girls are growing physically, which is quite obvious, but they are also making great strides academically and spiritually. I'm very thankful to be able to be around for it all.
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