College - Is the debt worth it?

It has gotten too darn expensive to get a basic degree anymore. It makes you wonder if the ROI is worth it? Tie that to the lack of jobs and you have a serious question. On the other hand, it isn't the worst of times. So, what is the real problem?

I came out of college in Buffalo, NY in 1982 where unemployment was 14%. Luckily (hard work) I was able to find a job in the computer industry, and made a career there which allowed me to pay off my small student loan. I also worked as a laborer all through high school and college which allowed me to cover all of my expenses.

There are two problems:

First, many college students don't want to do labor jobs. I'm not calling them lazy, but there are always jobs for those who are willing to do the dirty jobs.

Second, colleges aren't training and educating their students to attain real jobs. The cost of the education is far too great compared to the saleable skills learned; leaving students in a boat load of debt, and many times without reasonable employment options.

Possible solution:

What we need is apprenticeship programs to compete with University programs.
Areas such as: Network Engineering, Accounting, Skilled Construction, Education, etc. could easily be apprenticeship programs and in turn reduce the debt required to attain a degree that doesn't really prepare people for careers.

Check out the whole platform position in the book: Political Common Sense for America

Energy Department Debacle

How many times can we see waste and failure before we demand change? The Department of Energy was created in 1977 to lessen our dependence on foreign oil. 32 years later we stand in the same, if not worse place, beholden to foreign interests.

Currently, the budget for this agency is $24.2 billion. No question that this agency does some fine work, but it is clear that it has failed at its primary mandate. Common sense tells us that this agency either needs to be renamed or it needs to revisit its priorities.

Let's have some courage and mandate that no new oil based combustion engine cars can be sold after 2015. This gives the auto manufacturers 6 years to retool and reinvent. Natural Gas can be the transition but eventually fuel cell, battery, or some other power source will dominate. This also gives American automakers an opportunity to start fresh and maybe just get ahead of the foreign competition since eneryone will be starting from the same point.

All it takes is a little courage!

Federal Reserve - The Secret Society

Federal Reserve - The Secret Society

If you believe there is oversight on Federal Reserve activities then watch this unbelievable video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUreWxKGOkY

Where do I apply for her job??

Who's Driving?

I keep hearing how the government is doing this and the government is doing that...those politicians did this and they did that...wait just a second! We elect those people. They are us. If you don't like what they are doing, and they aren't working on your behalf, then vote them out of office next time around.

I can hear you from here...the choices between candidates is bad or worse; so what's the difference? There is a huge difference. If the right people aren't running, then let's get them to run. Let's elect some people who don't want to be there and maybe they'll do a better job since the people who are dying to get in aren't doing the people's bidding.

Perspective is Missing

I had some business up on Capital Hill this past week and decided to add a few days on to the trip to do some tourist stuff. The Smithsonian museums are always fun. I also like to visit Arlington National Cemetery and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial every few years because it keeps things in perspective for me. While listening to partisan banter and watching politicians attempting to change our way of life, it strikes me that we should enact a rule that once a year everyone in Congress should have to read the U.S. Constitution, out loud, in Arlington Cemetery. Maybe, just maybe, with all of the tombstones staring back at them they might just grasp how important our rights are and gain perspective before changing something so many people sacrificed so much for.