Does the USA need to raise it's education budget?

[Farnhamia]

I'm sorry, but I refuse to let my tax dollars be spent on a broken, lack luster system that doesn't seem to have any idea what it's doing. Typical federal government, throwing money at its problems instead of actually fixing. With the freeing up of 180 Billion Dollars from the War in Afghanistan ending, I would prefer to see the repair of vital infrastructure and upgrades, then we fix the culture of cheating and acceptance of poor grades in the US.

You don't understand. The vast majority of funding for education comes not from the Federal government but from state and local governments, and most of that is local in the form of property taxes. A few decades ago some anti-tax people convinced local voters around the country that they could have world-class education systems on the cheap, basically without paying much of anything for them. This was accompanied by a demonization of the teachers' unions, so that we now have the phenomenon of teachers being praised to the heavens for their dedication and damned to hell when they ask for a raise. As for Afghan War money, there isn't any. It was all borrowed. George Bush borrowed it without putting it on the balance sheet. When Barak Obama did put it, and Iraq, on the balance sheet he caught hell for it, but the fact remains, both those wars were charged, not paid for in cash.

If you want nice things you must pay for them.

[The Victorian Empire]

Yes.

[Colbert Super PAC]

Yes, we should privatize schools and run them like a business!

I never said that! That'd be terrifying! I don't wanna go to McDonalds University!

You only say that because you're a freedom hating commie.

[Kelinfort]

I never said that! That'd be terrifying! I don't wanna go to McDonalds University!

You only say that because you're a freedom hating commie.

Stephen, we both know the FEMA public school camps will do a great job of education and rounding up Americans and their guns.

[Panageadom]

Does the USA need to raise it's education budget?

Evidently.

[Dejanic]

I'd be wary of any statistics that claim that the entire US is "30th" in terms of certain areas of education, as it's probably a mean statistic. I'm sure certain area's are "number 1" where as others drag the national average down. It's probably more of a local/state issue than a federal issue.

[Colbert Super PAC]

You only say that because you're a freedom hating commie.

Stephen, we both know the FEMA public school camps will do a great job of education and rounding up Americans and their guns.

Over the cold dead body of the people who're stupid enough to believe Republican propaganda and who'll oppose you!

I, meanwhile, will flee to a tax haven.

[Farnhamia]

I never said that! That'd be terrifying! I don't wanna go to McDonalds University!

You only say that because you're a freedom hating commie.

The thing with satire is, it's best doled out in small doses. Too much and too obvious, it palls.

[Colbert Super PAC]

You only say that because you're a freedom hating commie.

The thing with satire is, it's best doled out in small doses. Too much and too obvious, it palls.

I'm very offended that you think I'm joking.

[Eastern Equestria]

I'm sorry, but I refuse to let my tax dollars be spent on a broken, lack luster system that doesn't seem to have any idea what it's doing. Typical federal government, throwing money at its problems instead of actually fixing. With the freeing up of 180 Billion Dollars from the War in Afghanistan ending, I would prefer to see the repair of vital infrastructure and upgrades, then we fix the culture of cheating and acceptance of poor grades in the US.

You don't understand. The vast majority of funding for education comes not from the Federal government but from state and local governments, and most of that is local in the form of property taxes. A few decades ago some anti-tax people convinced local voters around the country that they could have world-class education systems on the cheap, basically without paying much of anything for them. This was accompanied by a demonization of the teachers' unions, so that we now have the phenomenon of teachers being praised to the heavens for their dedication and damned to hell when they ask for a raise. As for Afghan War money, there isn't any. It was all borrowed. George Bush borrowed it without putting it on the balance sheet. When Barak Obama did put it, and Iraq, on the balance sheet he caught hell for it, but the fact remains, both those wars were charged, not paid for in cash.

If you want nice things you must pay for them.

George Bush's policies were so counter intuitive that it truly boggles the mind.

Let's institute some of the most drastic tax cuts in US history, AND THEN fund two wars as well as massive social health reform!

[Hladgos]

I never said that! That'd be terrifying! I don't wanna go to McDonalds University!

You only say that because you're a freedom hating commie.

I'm a freedom loving loser for your information.

[Farnhamia]

You don't understand. The vast majority of funding for education comes not from the Federal government but from state and local governments, and most of that is local in the form of property taxes. A few decades ago some anti-tax people convinced local voters around the country that they could have world-class education systems on the cheap, basically without paying much of anything for them. This was accompanied by a demonization of the teachers' unions, so that we now have the phenomenon of teachers being praised to the heavens for their dedication and damned to hell when they ask for a raise. As for Afghan War money, there isn't any. It was all borrowed. George Bush borrowed it without putting it on the balance sheet. When Barak Obama did put it, and Iraq, on the balance sheet he caught hell for it, but the fact remains, both those wars were charged, not paid for in cash.

If you want nice things you must pay for them.

George Bush's policies were so counter intuitive that it truly boggles the mind.

Let's institute some of the most drastic tax cuts in US history, AND THEN fund two wars as well as massive social health reform!

Yes, well ... W didn't institute massive social health reform. Perhaps he should have but hey, is it his fault that some Arab guys decided to crash airplanes into buildings back in 2001? We couldn't let them get away with it, could we?

[Organized States]

I'm sorry, but I refuse to let my tax dollars be spent on a broken, lack luster system that doesn't seem to have any idea what it's doing. Typical federal government, throwing money at its problems instead of actually fixing. With the freeing up of 180 Billion Dollars from the War in Afghanistan ending, I would prefer to see the repair of vital infrastructure and upgrades, then we fix the culture of cheating and acceptance of poor grades in the US.

You don't understand. The vast majority of funding for education comes not from the Federal government but from state and local governments, and most of that is local in the form of property taxes. A few decades ago some anti-tax people convinced local voters around the country that they could have world-class education systems on the cheap, basically without paying much of anything for them. This was accompanied by a demonization of the teachers' unions, so that we now have the phenomenon of teachers being praised to the heavens for their dedication and damned to hell when they ask for a raise. As for Afghan War money, there isn't any. It was all borrowed. George Bush borrowed it without putting it on the balance sheet. When Barak Obama did put it, and Iraq, on the balance sheet he caught hell for it, but the fact remains, both those wars were charged, not paid for in cash.

If you want nice things you must pay for them.

I'm not referring to funding. I'm referring to Multi-Million Dollar Grants get from the fed that are often misused. I believe that lack-luster school systems should receive absolutely NO federal money of any kind until they have created a legitimate educational environment. Also, the Afghan War was put on the budget rather recently . With Afghanistan not signing the JSA, the US is able to pullout early, saving the Fed almost 180 billion. The US in my opinion needs to start fixing everything here before we start another war.

[Kelinfort]

George Bush's policies were so counter intuitive that it truly boggles the mind.

Let's institute some of the most drastic tax cuts in US history, AND THEN fund two wars as well as massive social health reform!

Yes, well ... W didn't institute massive social health reform. Perhaps he should have but hey, is it his fault that some Arab guys decided to crash airplanes into buildings back in 2001? We couldn't let them get away with it, could we?

Interestingly enough, the tax cuts were before 9/11. Cutting taxes and then spending a lot on wars and such is not a good idea. Not to mention, with a maintained surplus, we wouldn't have the debt ceiling head-up-ass speak we do now...well at least only a part.

[Colbert Super PAC]

Yes, well ... W didn't institute massive social health reform. Perhaps he should have but hey, is it his fault that some Arab guys decided to crash airplanes into buildings back in 2001? We couldn't let them get away with it, could we?

Interestingly enough, the tax cuts were before 9/11. Cutting taxes and then spending a lot on wars and such is not a good idea. Not to mention, with a maintained surplus, we wouldn't have the debt ceiling head-up-ass speak we do now...well at least only a part.

The debt is the fault of Barack Hussein Obama!

[Mavorpen]

You don't understand. The vast majority of funding for education comes not from the Federal government but from state and local governments, and most of that is local in the form of property taxes. A few decades ago some anti-tax people convinced local voters around the country that they could have world-class education systems on the cheap, basically without paying much of anything for them. This was accompanied by a demonization of the teachers' unions, so that we now have the phenomenon of teachers being praised to the heavens for their dedication and damned to hell when they ask for a raise. As for Afghan War money, there isn't any. It was all borrowed. George Bush borrowed it without putting it on the balance sheet. When Barak Obama did put it, and Iraq, on the balance sheet he caught hell for it, but the fact remains, both those wars were charged, not paid for in cash.

If you want nice things you must pay for them.

I'm not referring to funding. I'm referring to Multi-Million Dollar Grants get from the fed that are often misused. I believe that lack-luster school systems should receive absolutely NO federal money of any kind until they have created a legitimate educational environment. Also, the Afghan War was put on the budget rather recently . With Afghanistan not signing the JSA, the US is able to pullout early, saving the Fed almost 180 billion. The US in my opinion needs to start fixing everything here before we start another war.

So...you want to fix underfunded schools by...taking away funding?


Hooray for playing with the live of millions of poor individuals who go to broken schools?.

[Kelinfort]

You don't understand. The vast majority of funding for education comes not from the Federal government but from state and local governments, and most of that is local in the form of property taxes. A few decades ago some anti-tax people convinced local voters around the country that they could have world-class education systems on the cheap, basically without paying much of anything for them. This was accompanied by a demonization of the teachers' unions, so that we now have the phenomenon of teachers being praised to the heavens for their dedication and damned to hell when they ask for a raise. As for Afghan War money, there isn't any. It was all borrowed. George Bush borrowed it without putting it on the balance sheet. When Barak Obama did put it, and Iraq, on the balance sheet he caught hell for it, but the fact remains, both those wars were charged, not paid for in cash.

If you want nice things you must pay for them.

I'm not referring to funding. I'm referring to Multi-Million Dollar Grants get from the fed that are often misused. I believe that lack-luster school systems should receive absolutely NO federal money of any kind until they have created a legitimate educational environment. Also, the Afghan War was put on the budget rather recently . With Afghanistan not signing the JSA, the US is able to pullout early, saving the Fed almost 180 billion. The US in my opinion needs to start fixing everything here before we start another war.

I agree, we shouldn't have even gone to war to begin with or should start a new one. But honestly how do you expect education to get better without massive reform, funding, and revitalisation of infrastructure and teachers? Yes we need an infrastructure bank and reforms, but we could spend the other half in education, not to mention reduce bureaucracy and cut from the Defence Department to use the money to fund education. We could also lower the deficit by taking the top income bracket at 45-50% to cover for the rest! and in return! cut capital gains taxes to ensure more stable tax revenues.

[Lerodan Chinamerica]

Absolutely not. Education funding has been rising for decades, but test scores and overall quality has declined. Policy needs to focus on expanding voucher programs and deregulating private schools. In fact, I'd like to see the public education state dismantled entirely, with poor students being given government vouchers to attend private schools.

[Caninope]

Spending more money doesn't mean you'll magically get students to learn and understand more material.

No, but money can provide for better equipment to help the students learn. Updated peridoc tables, projectors, updated textbooks..

As it turns out, the problem actually isn't with money. Americans spend more money than the majority of other OECD countries, and our teacher salaries are comparable to most countries. Source (PDF Warning)- Pages 162 and 378.

There's a really interesting Slate article that instead suggested it had more to do with the way our culture approaches high school, instead.

[Eastern Equestria]

George Bush's policies were so counter intuitive that it truly boggles the mind.

Let's institute some of the most drastic tax cuts in US history, AND THEN fund two wars as well as massive social health reform!

Yes, well ... W didn't institute massive social health reform. Perhaps he should have

He did, and it's something that conservatives today like to forget.

[Mavorpen]

Absolutely not. Education funding has been rising for decades, but test scores and overall quality has declined. Policy needs to focus on expanding voucher programs and deregulating private schools. In fact, I'd like to see the public education state dismantled entirely, with poor students being given government vouchers to attend private schools.

I'd rather not make our education system a bigger joke than it already is.

[Baltican Union]

Spending more money doesn't mean you'll magically get students to learn and understand more material.

No, but money can provide for better equipment to help the students learn. Updated peridoc tables, projectors, updated textbooks..

And not have rich fat kids thinking that Brazil is in Africa.

[Lerodan Chinamerica]

George Bush's policies were so counter intuitive that it truly boggles the mind.

Let's institute some of the most drastic tax cuts in US history, AND THEN fund two wars as well as massive social health reform!

Yes, well ... W didn't institute massive social health reform. Perhaps he should have but hey, is it his fault that some Arab guys decided to crash airplanes into buildings back in 2001? We couldn't let them get away with it, could we?

To an extent, he did.

[Lerodan Chinamerica]

You don't understand. The vast majority of funding for education comes not from the Federal government but from state and local governments, and most of that is local in the form of property taxes. A few decades ago some anti-tax people convinced local voters around the country that they could have world-class education systems on the cheap, basically without paying much of anything for them. This was accompanied by a demonization of the teachers' unions, so that we now have the phenomenon of teachers being praised to the heavens for their dedication and damned to hell when they ask for a raise. As for Afghan War money, there isn't any. It was all borrowed. George Bush borrowed it without putting it on the balance sheet. When Barak Obama did put it, and Iraq, on the balance sheet he caught hell for it, but the fact remains, both those wars were charged, not paid for in cash.

If you want nice things you must pay for them.

George Bush's policies were so counter intuitive that it truly boggles the mind.

Let's institute some of the most drastic tax cuts in US history, AND THEN fund two wars as well as massive social health reform!

If you're a Keynesian, then why would you be opposed to those policies?

[Farnhamia]

Yes, well ... W didn't institute massive social health reform. Perhaps he should have but hey, is it his fault that some Arab guys decided to crash airplanes into buildings back in 2001? We couldn't let them get away with it, could we?

Interestingly enough, the tax cuts were before 9/11. Cutting taxes and then spending a lot on wars and such is not a good idea. Not to mention, with a maintained surplus, we wouldn't have the debt ceiling head-up-ass speak we do now...well at least only a part.

Given the huge amount of support Bush had in the months following 9/11, he could have said, "Folks, these attacks have changed everything. I know I promised you tax cuts and I delivered on that promise, but with this new situation we're going to need to roll those back for a while." No one would have said a word, hell, the Republicans controlled both Houses of Congress, just on a party-line vote he could have done that. I suppose that would have required thinking things through. Instead he urged people to go shopping.