From: tcmay@got.net

I hear that "The Grasshopper and the Ant" is no longer considered proper reading material for children, that they need to have their self-esteem raised, that "I Have Two Mommies" is a more important book for them to read. ....................................................

What a difference it would make if along with the mandatory school attendance everyone received a mandatory education in basic economics, starting in Jr. High. Legislators and socially conscious individuals bemoan the lack of jobs, the downsizing of companies, the low salary wages, the imperative need for re-training, etc. as social problems to deal with by government -- yet the very thing which everyone could use the most of, that information which could prepare the minds of "America's future" for dealing with the way things work in a capitalist system and make it easier to transition into a world of uncertainty - while the administrations have the fortituous opportunity to provide it, is not delivered. Not that I expect that classes in economics delivered through the public schools would be all that accurate or therefore of much value, but the point being that those people who publicly complain to the general population about how the poor should receive subsidized support do not consider the disfavor of having the school system take up 12 years of everyone's time memorizing non-pertinent data, when they could have been using that time to good purpose -- *prior to* becoming independent adults needing an understanding of what it takes to make a living. "Knowledge is power", it is said. There are a lot of powerless beneficiaries of public education around. Or that's what a lot of people claim to be (powerless to help themselves). ..

Blanc