Tag Archives: Obama

Pushing for Publicly-Funded Preschool

If you missed President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address five months ago, you may be wondering why his recent trip to Illinois attracted so many leaders in the world of early education. Obama spent much of his trip to Fort Knox College on Wednesday reiterating the importance of his proposal to give American children a publicly-funded preschool education. The president unveiled his goal of providing quality early education for 4 year olds in his State of the Union address earlier this year and he is not backing down on his commitment. “If you think education is expensive, wait … Continue reading →

Should Government Be Involved In Fitness?

Recently Michelle Obama made some comments that ruffled quite a few feathers. In her efforts to launch a campaign against childhood obesity she made some statements about her own children that rose more than a few eyebrows. Some of the criticism stemmed from the mere fact that she used her own children as an example. Some critics believe that Mrs. Obama should have kept her children out of the discussion. Other criticism that arose was based on her doctor’s assessment that her daughter was overweight and needed to go on a diet. Critics believe there is a fine line between … Continue reading →

How Often Do You Swing with Your Kids?

My kid’s been swinging since she was five-weeks-old. Now, at the ripe old age of four, she finds it more enjoyable to push me on a swing, then jump on the one next to mine and race me to “the moon.” I never win that game. Be that as it may, swings, or perhaps more specifically, parents swinging with their children, has been a hot topic this week following the delivery of a new pimped out swing set to the White House. Apparently, President and Mrs. Obama decided to treat their daughters, 7-year-old, Sasha, and 10-year-old, Malia, to a deluxe-edition … Continue reading →

Education Blog in Review: November 3rd Through November 16th

Education is a serious topic. Make sure you know all of the current news by reading the education blog. Here is a review of all of the articles posted here in the past two weeks. November 3rd Schools Required to Improve Dropout Rates Last month, Education Secretary Margaret Spellings announced a new set of regulations that are aimed at making high schools accountable for high school drop out rates. November 7th New Plans to Graduate Kids in 10th Grade The last two years of high school are generally spent preparing for college and enjoying the last hurrahs of senior year, … Continue reading →

Will Obama Make Education Top Priority?

During his campaign, Barack Obama said that educational reform is an issue that is near to his heart, but will it be his number one priority? The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) doesn’t think so. The president-elect of the United States of America has a huge job ahead of him. He is inheriting the leadership of a country with many issues, from war to a falling economy, inadequate health care to students who are graduating unprepared for the workforce. The educational system is in crisis. Cuts in spending are being made all over the country by local boards of education due … Continue reading →

Bringing the Importance of the Presidential Election Home

Just before bed one day last week, my seven-year-old son was asking me about the presidential election. Bouncing my two-year-old on my hip and supervising the “almost-four-year-old” while she brushed her teeth, I started launching into the two-party system, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, the names of the current candidates, taking him with me when I went to vote, weighing the issues, etc. My son looked at me quizzically, and then gave a slight nod. “But the important thing is that history is going to be made.” That is when I had to bow to the wisdom of a seven-year-old. He … Continue reading →

New Rule Closes the Loophole with the “Do Not Call List”

Don’t you hate it when unwanted telemarketing messages invade your home? We get at least two or three a week. Funny, because I thought being on the official “Do Not Call” list would eliminate unwanted telemarketing calls. The calls are even more annoying when they come prerecorded. They are also known as “robocalls.” As anyone who has heard it knows, I have been cursed or blessed with a naturally very soft-spoken voice that doesn’t usually get picked up clearly by answering machines or voice recognition systems unless I remember to actively project it. (I have this same problem talking on … Continue reading →

Obama and McCain on the Economy

Polls show that the number one factor on Americans minds right now is the economy. Inflation is outpacing the national average for our pay raises. Unemployment is up, families are losing their homes, and more importantly, consumer confidence is down. The number one question we’re asking right now according to many polls, is what will the new president do to fix the economy. Yes, the economy is on our minds ever more so than bringing our troops home. Given that, I thought it appropriate to look at both McCain’s and Obama’s discussion of economics and how we’re going to ameliorate … Continue reading →

Are Democrats Just Whiny?

Posted on by

Here is my disclaimer: This blog is for the politically challenged. It’s for those who don’t totally understand the election process and for those who aren’t totally following the elections. I know I’ve left out details, but I’ve done so in the interest of simplicity. It is in response to a reader comment the other day: Is it just me or does it seem like more policticians think they should fight the system when things don’t go their way? Here’s my question, Is Clinton doing more damage by not conceding now, so that Obama can start campaigning against McCain instead … Continue reading →

History Was Made. . .But Not Set in Stone

Posted on by

Last night the primaries for the last two remaining states, Montana and South Dakota, were split with Senator Clinton and it all came down to those ever popular super delegates. So for the first time ever in the history of the United States, the Democratic Party will embrace a black candidate as its Presidential Nominee. Delegates vs Popular Vote This is where things get tricky because Clinton isn’t actually conceding anything yet. But I’m getting ahead of myself. In the most technical sense of the word, Obama isn’t anything but the presumptive nominee for the Democratic Party. As Hillary pointed … Continue reading →