I've not reviewed the funding of the Farm Bill. Would you care to enlighten me?
Pills for Grandma. I'm certainly not keen on the issue, but there are the other points within it, such as privitization of Social Security, tax-free medical accounts, and personal choice on the whole issue. Sure, some seniors will take advantage of the entitlement, and it will cost those of us who are now fully entering the workplace to cover the costs.
I don't agree with it, but I also understand that for innovations and renovations to take place, there must be some initial investment to make the changes. If that means investing now, at 2004 dollars, where in 10 years, when there is a major crunch, the financial impact is even or less, then I would consider it money well invested.
Increased funding for the NEA (assuming this is the National Endowment for the Arts, not the National Education Association):
This is a prototypical liberal funding issue, and I do wish it was abolished, since the only "funded" art is the administrators, and wishy-washy artists who should get a real job. Alas, this is a pet fund for liberals, and if this miniscule bump gets some liberal politicians on board, so be it. That is how politics work, if I am not mistaken.
(I do wish it was privately funded, like a charity, instead of by taxpayer funded. Same goes for NPR.)
NCLB Now this one is another tricky issue. How can we have accountability as well as guidelines on a federal level? When NCLB was passed, the major issue was accountability for the teachers and administrators, and on up. However, the few "less than enthusiastic" teachers and administrators saw it as a way to diminish teaching fundamentals, and focus strictly on "passing the test". (I know: I've got 5 nephews and nieces in public schools, and I never hear them say that they've got homework! Just "test preparation".)
The cries of "disband public schools" would not work, simply due to the loss of jobs by all those involved with closing the public schools (this would roughly be 30,000 with the local/county school districts) along with having 175,000 kids not in school.(which is more than just "baby-sitting/indoctrination centers" at most schools)
Where would those employees and students go?
Since this isn't a viable solution, how would you impliment change for such a beheamouth of an issue? How would you counteract the NEA?(The Teacher's Union)
Finally, as much as I would like to see certain things defunded, there are also congress members who are on the lobbyist's short list to make sure they stay funded, and stay in power.
How would you change these things? And how long would it take to change them?
You asked how I would change things. Here's how:
Farm Bill: Abolish it or cut it waaaaaaay back. Most of the $$ went to corporate farms, not the prototypical family farm.
NEA: Defund it entirely.
NCLB: Abolish it and the Education Department in one swell foop. I am a firm believer in the separation of school and State. Public schools used to be "good." Why is that? Because that period of time was before the establishment of the Dept. of Ed. and the culture wars. The public schools used to be funded entirely from local districts $$. There used to be a lot more direct accountability than there is now.
Pills for Grandma. Should be cut off or at least means tested. LITTLE KNOWN FACT: something like 60 percent of the wealth of this country is in the hands of retired people. Why they think they are "owed" and have the right to saddle my generation and my children's generation with massive debt as a result of the wealth redistribution scheme (which this is) is beyond me.