Slashdot Mirror
Utah To Teach USA is a Republic, Not a Democracy
0ryan0 writes "Utah lawmakers passed a bill today to force public school teachers to teach that the USA is a republic, not a democracy, because a 'Democracy' would have 'Democrat' in it." The good news must be that all issues of unemployment, finance and social service must be resolved in Utah for their legislature to spend time on this. It must be a utopia!
The ignorance displayed in this story is astounding. One, you're arguing that the morphing has not occurred, when immediately afterwards, you argue that there was an original meaning (which requires a later meaning). Two, no one but historians and paleolinguists care what the meaning of a word 3000 years ago was. The discussion is what a democracy means right now, and any fucking dictionary will tell you that. Have you opened one recently?
Those who can, do. Those who can't, sue.
> Yeah, it means job security in the face of shitty pay and very uneven budget situations.
For certain values of shitty. Teachers in Madison WI (focus of the current fight) are pulling down $100K in wages and benefits. Teachers here in my state would kill their mother for that pay and these spoiled children are bitchin' and moaning about having to actually kick in something from their paycheck to their retirement account? Considering the lifetime promise of employement after three years I'd bet over half the slashdot crowd reading this would at least off a hobo or two to get get in on such a sweet deal. And if even FDR says collective bargaining for government workers is a stupid idea why are we even having the argument over getting rid of a bad idea that the unions got rammed through in better times when we could afford to be stupid?
> Due to changes in insurance, teachers make less today than they have in at least 30 years.
They aren't chained to those desks. If they can make more in the private sector they should consider changing jobs. Just like everyone else reevaluates their career path from time to time. But considering an education track at most colleges leaves one barely qualified to be a school teacher they might need to get some real course credits first.
> and if you think gutting the educational system is going to do anything but destroy America's future,
No, I think gutting the current education system is the only hope of saving the next generation. It is broken and probably can't be fixed so drastic measures are called for. Vouchers as a path toward total privatization.
> who has no understanding whatsoever of Keynesian economics.
I understand Keynesian economics. But I think it is wrong at best and wicked at worst.
Democrat delenda est