Are 'Classes' Back

Townhall ^ | 8/15/05 | Michael Barone

[Tulane]

Very good points...

I ready a statistic that 20% of self-made millionaires in the US are immigrants...that have the desire to get educated and work hard. (Note: I am not talking about illegal immigrants).

If immigrants can come and prosper, what does that tell you?

[RKB-AFG]

Hereditary aside, more wealthy parents are likely to be able to expose children to good things (a home full of books, a good home environment, a good school, etc.), while more poor parents will be more likely to expose children to bad things (crystal meth, alcholicism, bad schools, like of importance in education).

[steenkeenbadges]

Boy did I goof on the "crop-dusters" ! . I would surely like to do some of that fancy flyin myself, and I agree it's a great profession.

I meant to say sharecroppers. Mr. Carver came from the poorest of kin, yet he was virtually a genius and a wonderful man.My apologies for the slip.

[MEGoody]

This he partly blames on the abolition by equality-minded Laborites years ago of the academically demanding grammar schools that were the routes out of the working class for so many Labor politicians themselves.

Which means the public schools are not educating kids.

[cyborg]

When did 'class' ever leave?

[MadIvan]

"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination are omnipotent. The slogan 'press on' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race." - Calvin Coolidge

Regards, Ivan

[TASMANIANRED]

Success like failure is mostly self selected.

[RKB-AFG]

Madison is now the jewel of Mississippi. It is a beautiful city and wealthy city. It has seen just an explosion of wealth.

To a lesser extend Southhaven has totally changed DeSoto County from a small poverty riden part of the Delta to a middle class white area.

[exnavychick]

That's as may be, but...

As my mom said, "You don't have to be rich to have good manners, and books at the library are free." (Our family was very poor when I was growing up.)

I think that it's the choices we make that determine whether we are rich or poor...education or high income doesn't always equal success for your children, as far as I can tell. Good parenting is the key to learning how to make decisions that will lead to success in life, in my opinion. Lazy parents abound in all walks of life, unfortunately. :(

[the invisib1e hand]

"America," concludes Parker, "is becoming a stratified society based on education: a meritocracy."

I would use the term "credentiocracy" and otherwise wholeheartedly agree. It totally sucks.

[cyborg]

AMEN!!

[redgolum]

Very good point. As one who went to school at Iowa State, I have great respect for Carver.

What we are seeing is the increasing cost of college is driving out some who would have otherwise gone. That, and many are seeing that a degree in "women's studies" isn't very marketable, and are turning elsewhere.

[maestro]

Yep,.....Al-Qaeda's........U.N. Workers of the World Unite,.....

.....Fritz Lange's,.....Al-Qaeda Canadian... "Metropolis"...at the U.S.A. gas pump....

/9-11 ...$$$$$....victory?

[steenkeenbadges]

""credentiocracy"...

Great term! Perhaps a few adjectives - such as bogus, empty, elitist?

[maestro]

Lower class emulates upper class -- empire is rising.

Upper class emulates lower class -- empire is declining.

Considering that the media and certain rich kids believe it's both cool and fun to be impoverished crime-ridden inner city minorities, the current state of "class" indicates we a nation in free-fall.

This has NOTHING to do with.... "THE HARRY POTTER RELIGION"....of magic ANARCHY?

[the invisib1e hand]

Perhaps a few adjectives - such as bogus, empty, elitist?

You're not even warmed up yet.

[BureaucratusMaximus]

I know many people that could've gone onto very high paying jobs if they'd been born into the right circles - let's face it, in many instances it IS who you know and not what you know. You can learn the what very easily but getting in the door might require some effort. Also, there are plenty of rich and very high level people that produce children that grow up to be selfish, greedy and unwholesome.

And yet...I know many people with MBA's, born and raised with all the perks and opportunities possible that are complete idiots.

[Clock King]

...graduates will tend to marry graduates and produce children with similar intelligence, while others will tend to produce children without it...

Example #1 of "Good Breeding"

You are right IMO. GWC and Frederick Douglas, and Benjimin Banneker were SLAVES. Yet they achieved more than most people.

[Bob]

Which means the public schools are not educating kids.

Which brings to mind something I read this morning about California's high school exit exam. The kids have six chances to pass it during their high school years. The tests are based on 8th grade math and 10th grade English skills. WTF, O?