Before I had my son, I heard a teacher say once, ” I don’t care what my students learn, I just need them to pass the tests”. I vowed to never send a child of mine to public school. Then we had our son, we enrolled him in Montessori and everything was going fine… until the economy tanked, I had to go back to work, and I couldn’t find a job. This summer, we made the difficult decision to send our son to public school. Never mind that it wouldn’t be an issue if we weren’t paying for a public school system through confiscatory taxes, that we had never used – or cared to. No use crying over spilt milk. So I signed up to volunteer and joined the PTA hoping it would be okay if I got involved.

That delusion lasted three days, until my son came home complaining that they don’t teach at this school. It turns out, the kids aren’t allowed to talk except during recess. So, when he asked for clarification on his worksheets, my son was told to “Just sit down and fill them out”. He complained to me that the work was stupid and boring. I thought maybe it was just an issue of learning a new way of working. When his work came home the first Friday, I saw what he meant. The work he was being given in his first grade class was preschool level. I had taken a child who was learning to do fractions and multiplication and put him in a class where he was being asked to do simple addition and to ‘circle the fourth dolphin in the group’. No wonder he was upset.

So, long story short, I sent the teacher an email asking how I could help. I wondered if it would be possible to send him home school materials to supplement the class work when he was finished and waiting for the next worksheet. ( I know you’re asking why I didn’t home school. It’s because he’s an only child and I want him to interact with other children. Plus, having to go back to work makes it nearly impossible.) I was informed that he was unable to do the work. I’ll be the first to admit that my son is stubborn and didn’t want to do the preschool work because it was ‘boring’. However, the teacher’s assesment was simply that he was unable to do the work. A student in her class couldn’t possibly be bored.

Why, do you ask, am I being so hard on her? The answer is simple. She lacked any observational skills, which ought to be a prerequisite for teaching. And, you’re going to love this, every piece of correspondence she sent me contained a spelling or grammatical error. I guess she couldn’t even be bothered to use the spell check on her email program.

The problems with public school are many and simple to assess. The main issue is the lesson plan. The problem isn’t with the plan itself, so much as the necessity to adhere to it rigidly in order to ensure equality of outcome. There is no room for children to excel in one subject and simultaneously receive help where they need it. They are all expected to do the same work, in the same way, at the same rate. Moving up a grade is frowned upon. The concept of the individual is frowned upon. Supplies are now considered communal property and are turned in to the teacher for distribution to the class as a whole during assignments only. This is done under the pretense of helping the teacher eliminate distractions and ensure that everyone has supplies. My son, however, made sure I knew that they were not allowing him to be responsible for himself. A child is perfectly capable of keeping track of a pencil, a glue stick and a pair of scissors. The real message here is that you should look to the government for the things you need so we can all be equal.

Needless to say, I finally found a job, I am volunteering at the Montessoru school in exchange for tuition reduction and my son is back where he belongs. The difference between public and private schools is simple. Private school teachers actually care about the students and what they are learning. There are exceptions on both sides, to be sure. However, we all know public education is less about education than it is about moulding good citizens.

Things you should read in case you think I am not being objective:

The NEA’s Latest Shenanigans

Race Based Punishment in Public Schools

H.L. Mencken on Public Schools

Education in the United States

John Dewey’s Philosophy on Education

More on John Dewey

This article was written for AnyStreet

Here is the first step below showing the filigree that is often the first layer in one of my paintings. The gray menace in the background, scowling with disdain, is my husband’s cat Odin. He fancies himself a studio cat and loves to lounge on my work table, tossing my mixed media components to the floor with malicious glee. At seven, he is finally calming down, but he still enjoys making a mess.

This article will also be posted at Liberatchik.

1) “Olive’s field with clay’s pots”– Oil– 2002 .

2)“Quiet river”  (Cuba landscape) –Acrylic–  2002

Thanks for the material go to USHistory.org

1. Anita Stewart: Instructor/owner of Anita’s Artscool in Buford, GA; Mixed Media &             Acrylics

2. Beth Arnold: Retired Teacher,; specializes in Acrylic and Watercolor landscapes

3. Beth Stokes Clinton: Specializes in landscapes in Oil based on her travels including France and China.

4. Carol Luttenberg: Signature Watercolor artist, originally from PA;  now experimenting with colored inks and liquid watercolor on Yupo

5. Dolly Alexander: Originally from Texas, specializes in dry pastels.  She is known as “The Cloud Lady” for her unique rendition of clouds

6. Frances Byrd: Political activist and social conscience.  Works in Acrylics.  SCAD graduate and visionary artwork

7. Howard Wilemon: Retired Engineer. Very distinctive style.  Paints in Acrylics.

8. Judith Surowiec: Paints very colorful and surrealistic scenes in acrylics.  Studio at Tannery Row Artist Colony in Buford, GA

9. June Gotthardt: Paints landscape scenery of North Carolina mountain region.

10. Lois Colborn: Self taught Visual Artist.  Specializes with watercolor on Yupo which feature still life, abstract, or landscape as well as her own “Tiffany” look.

11. Lucy Brady: Paints in Watercolor and specializes in landscapes from National State Parks.  Also House portraits

12. Rosemary Benavides Williams: Originally from MA, Watercolor Instructor at the Sugar Hill Community Center

More details will be posted as they develop. The show is currently scheduled for October 13 – February 23, 2011. The venue is the George Pierce Park Community Center in Suwannee, Georgia. I am planning to submit work from the Patriot Pony Project.

Confusion does reign in Liberals’ brains
It makes them defenseless and weak
Whenever I deign to try to explain
They rebuff the wisdom they seek

They’re led by emotion, envy and greed
To sanction their brutal desires
The warnings of prudence they never heed
While stoking the class-envy fires

They claim that our rights are subject to need
While increasing their needy-ones list
They chastise those on whose labors they feed
But upon whose support they insist

They rally the poor, the ignorant masses
By saying they can live off the rich
To keep them all resting on their lazy asses
They use the same old bait and switch

In the depths of despair they call on the able
To remedy their faulty schemes
Then blame their saviors for their empty table
While maintaining impossible dreams

To the ghost of society they hold us in debt
For the good of this ghost they all strive
To steal all the money they’ve not stolen yet
To enslave us like drones to the hive

At the pinnacle of this crazy pyramid scheme
Rests the spirit of cannibalism
Our blood is to buy their utopian dream
Our bones ground to feed Communism

To restore the blessings of liberty’s vision
And stop our demise in its tracks
Expose the charade that they have permission
And give all these looters the sack

When two thousand ten comes rolling along
Your ballot can express what’s desired
Open your throat and sing freedom’s song
Tell Congress that they are all fired.

Stan’s work is available at the Habersham County Conservative Examiner and at The American Exile

This Poem was also posted at Liberatchik

Kurt Wenner: Artist, Architect, Performer

I attended a debate on Monday for the two candidates in the run-off to replace John Linder in the House. Mr. Linder was a good candidate for many years. However, the last couple of years he, or his office (I realize he doesn’t actually respond to letters himself), got the attitude that he didn’t need to answer to his constituents on issues of policy and his voting record. I started getting peevish responses to my inquiries that were not in keeping with a public servant set on doing their job.

The reason I bring this up is because his right hand man, Rob Woodall, is running for the seat. His opponent is Jody Hice, who has never held public office before. Some would argue, and have, that we need someone ready to get to work on day one. Others, like me, want to see a candidate who respects the people voting for him and who understands the job they are being given. Therefor, I am posting the questions that were given in the debate and the candidates’ responses.I had originally intended to give my opinion of the proceedings as well, but will refrain from clouding your judgement with my emotional reactions to those present. I was not able to stay for the entire debate, but am sure there is a transcript available for anyone who is interested in digging deeper. I have included my notes and thoughts below in a summary of the debate.

Opening statements

Woodall: “Because I served Linder, I already have a platform in place. I am hoping for Republican control of Cogress after the fall elections because Democrat control is the current problem. I am set up to work from day one.”

Hice: “My goals would be to focus on the economy, reign in government attacks on free enterprise, reign in spending and bailouts, and focus on unemployement.”

1. What Congressional Committee is of interest to you, and how would it benefit Georgians?

Woodall: “I hope to have the honor of serving in Congress with Tom Price. The Rules Committe would be my choice because they see every piece of legislation that passes through Congress. I will vote to allow minority ammendments to be heard and fight abuse of powers.”

Hice: “I would make it my mission to fight beaurocracy, oppose economic restrictions and push for the Fair Tax.”

2. Question two delt with a battle between Georgia, Alabama, and Florida over water rights and likely holds little interest for a national audience beyond issues of states’ rights.

3. Do you approve of federal aid going to discounted lunch qualifiers?

Woodall: “Government should not be in the business of education. Georgia could lead the nation to abolish federal involvement in education by getting private investment in education through grants. I would like to see more privately funded grants for education as well as non-regulated federal grants.”

Hice: “I believe the department of education should be abolished. Control of education needs to be rreturned to the local level.”

4. Would you support public funding for private and home schooling?

Hice: “I support school choice. As a parent of homeschooled children, I understand the burden of parents paying for a system they don’t use. I oppose any tax money going to education, but under the current system, school choice is the best option.”

Woodall: “Private school is not the enemy of public education, but is rather, analternative and should be on equal ground. Gwinnett County’s resources are second to none. Each choice is a viable alternative that should be left up to the parents. Competition will improve the system.”

5. Georgia’s support and funding for transportation is inefficient. What are your solutions?

Woodall: “Government is not moving too slow in funding, they are taking too much of our gas taxes. I would fight to increase funding  to Georgia from gas tax revenues rather than converting them to federal dollars. This money is being mixed into the pot in DC where there is no accountability or transparency.”

Hice: “The DOT is a wasteful department. The gas tax is a redistribution of wealth. I would fight to keep the revunue raised by gas taxes in the state. A reduction in gas taxes would reduce te cost of gas and local management would be more efficient.”

6. Do you support establishing a Gwinnett rail system?

Hice: “This is not a decision to be made in DC. This issue should be decided locally and the funding should come from the local level.”

Woodall: “I agree that the funding should be local. However, there is no self-sustaining mass transit system in opperation. Therefore, it would require funding through taxes. I like the rail system in the northeast and the research has already been done to determine feasability here in Gwinnett.”

7. What is your stance on the Arizona immigration bill? Do you support similar legislation in Georgia?

Woodall: “I do not support a GA law like Arizona’s because the federal government should be paying for it. We have to push the feds to address the issue. We should only support Arizona’s law as a last resort because I feel the feds are better able to address the issue.”

Hice: “I support the adoption of a Georgia immigration bill because the feds are not willing to enforce the law on the books. THe rights and safety of the American people are being compromised by lack of federal responsibility. There should be no amnesty, no economic rewards for illegal immigration, sanctuary cities should be defunded, and birthright citizenship should be ended.”

8. Republicans run on fiscal responsibility, but fail inpractice. Are you a strong fiscal conservative, and how would you address the debt?

Hice: “I oppose irresponsible spending. I support the Fair Tax, but realize we would need to abolish the IRS and repeal the income tax. This requires a Constitutional Ammendment. I also support slashing the corporate tax rate. I oppose the stimulous, the bailouts, and cap and trade. I would fight to repeal the programs in place and to prevent those being proposed. I support energy independence through national resources.”

Woodall: “In ‘94, Gingrich spearheaded a revolution, split the government and achieved the highest level of reform. The deficit started with Bush. Representative Linder opposed all of the irresponsible funding under several administrations by both parties. I would fight to repeal TARP and the stimulous and apply those funds to the deficit. We can lead an entitlement discussion on Medicare and Social Security to reform the system.”

9. Should Congress add a consumption tax?

Woodall: “No. The Fair Tax should replace the IRS. Taxes drain the economy and I am prepared to fight the VAT>”

Hice: “Comprehensive tax reform is necessary, but will not happen over night. The current system is damaging the economy. We need to fight to build support for the Fair Tax within and without the federal government. We need to simultaneously reduce spending and entitlement programs.”

10. What is your stand on the Fair Tax.

Hice: “I support the Fair Tax and want to address reform of the current system. I would fight to reduce spending while fighting for the Fair Tax, because it will not pass over night.”

Woodall: “I am the only person running in the U.S. who can push for the Fair Tax.”

11. The 7th district is at the heart of the push for biodiversity in Georgia and the Innovation Crescent. How would you support this innitiative?

Woodall: “We have to support legislation that helps Georgia. It should not come from the federal level. I will work with state and private sources to create this platform in Georgia.”

Hice: “I like the innovation and fuel solutions. However, some of these companies also engage in research with cloning and stem cell programs. I do not support funding for such programs. The Innovation Crescent is an idea that needs to be discussed locally through free market solutions to reduce dependency on the feds for sustainability.”

12. What would you do at a national level to create jobs?

Hice: “The government does not create jobs. I would fight to reduce regulations, taxes and unequal funding. I would support economic liberty and local solutions.”

Woodall: “The challenge is to reduce the federal government to its Constitutional mandates. The government is hindering our ability to succeed.”

This review is also posted at Anystreet and ModernConservative.