Have You Decided Yet?

[mugsy]

I tested with all of them and the greatest number I agreed with was 5 and fewest was 1. I haven't decided...I know McCain lost my vote when I read he was in favor of NCLB in its current form...ACK! That is most ridiculous piece of legislation ever put in place! I'm not happy with any of them since every one I've read about thinks NCLB has its merits...I guess I have to find the one that is in favor of more of an overhaul than anyone else.

[Logan]

Mollie, I don't mean to sound stupid, but what is NCLB? That abbreviation isn't ringing any bells for me.

[Pam]

Mollie, I don't mean to sound stupid, but what is NCLB? That abbreviation isn't ringing any bells for me.

No Child Left Behind?

[Logan]

I imagine you are exactly right, Pam! LOL!!

[mugsy]

You would be correct Pam! That would be the piece of trash in question! lol

[columbine]

The following essay is by John Taylor, a retired superintendent of schools in South Carolina.

No Dentist Left Behind

My dentist is great! He sends me reminders so I don't forget checkups. He uses the latest techniques based on research. He never hurts me, and I've got all my teeth. When I ran into him the other day, I was eager to see if he'd heard about the new state program. I knew he'd think it was great.

"Did you hear about the new state program to measure effectiveness of dentists with their young patients?" I said.

"No," he said. He didn't seem too thrilled. "How will they do that?"

"It's quite simple," I said. "They will just count the number of cavities each patient has at age 10, 14, and 18 and average that to determine a dentist's rating. Dentists will be rated as excellent, good, average, below average, and unsatisfactory. That way parents will know which are the best dentists. The plan will also encourage the less effective dentists to get better," I said. "Poor dentists who don't improve could lose their licenses to practice."

"That's terrible," he said.

"What? That's not a good attitude," I said. "Don't you think we should try to improve children's dental health in this state?"

"Sure I do," he said, "but that's not a fair way to determine who is practicing good dentistry."

"Why not?" I said. "It makes perfect sense to me."

"Well, it's so obvious," he said. "Don't you see that dentists don't all work with the same clientele, and that much depends on things we can't control? For example, I work in a rural area with a high percentage of patients from deprived homes, while some of my colleagues work in upper middle-class neighborhoods. Many of the parents I work with don't bring their children to see me until there is some kind of problem, and I don't get to do much preventive work. Also, many of the parents I serve let their kids eat way too much candy from an early age, unlike more educated parents who understand the relationship between sugar and decay. To top it all off, so many of my clients have well water which is untreated and has no fluoride in it. Do you have any idea how much difference early use of fluoride can make?"

"It sounds like you're making excuses," I said. "I can't believe that you, my dentist, would be so defensive. After all, you do a great job, and you needn't fear a little accountability."

"I am not being defensive!" he said. "My best patients are as good as anyone's, my work is as good as anyone's, but my average cavity count is going to be higher than a lot of other dentists because I chose to work where I am needed most."

"Don't' get touchy," I said.

"Touchy?" he said. His face had turned red, and from the way he was clenching and unclenching his jaws, I was afraid he was going to damage his teeth. "Try furious! In a system like this, I will end up being rated average, below average, or worse. The few educated patients I have who see these ratings may believe this so-called rating is an actual measure of my ability and proficiency as a dentist. They may leave me, and I'll be left with only the most needy patients. And my cavity average score will get even worse. On top of that, how will I attract good dental hygienists and other excellent dentists to my practice if it is labeled below average?"

"I think you are overreacting," I said. "'Complaining, excuse-making and stonewalling won't improve dental health'... I am quoting from a leading member of the DOC," I noted.

"What's the DOC?" he asked. "It's the Dental Oversight Committee," I said, "a group made up of mostly lay persons to make sure dentistry in this state gets improved"

"Spare me," he said, "I can't believe this. Reasonable people won't buy it," he said hopefully.

The program sounded reasonable to me, so I asked, "How else would you measure good dentistry?" "Come watch me work," he said. "Observe my processes."

"That's too complicated, expensive and time-consuming," I said. "Cavities are the bottom line, and you can't argue with the bottom line. It's an absolute measure."

"That's what I'm afraid my parents and prospective patients will think. This can't be happening," he said despairingly.

"Now, now," I said, "don't despair. The state will help you some."

"How?" he asked.

"If you receive a poor rating, they'll send a dentist who is rated excellent to help straighten you out," I said brightly.

"You mean," he said, "they'll send a dentist with a wealthy clientele to show me how to work on severe juvenile dental problems with which I have probably had much more experience? BIG HELP!"

"There you go again," I said. "You aren't acting professionally at all."

"You don't get it," he said. "Doing this would be like grading schools and teachers on an average score made on a test of children's progress with no regard to influences outside the school, the home, the community served and stuff like that. Why would they do something so unfair to dentists? No one would ever think of doing that to schools."

I just shook my head sadly, but he had brightened. "I'm going to write my representatives and senators," he said. "I'll use the school analogy. Surely they will see the point." He walked off with that look of hope mixed with fear and suppressed anger that I, a teacher, see in the mirror so often lately.

[mugsy]

I've gotten that one before...I LOVE it. It's so true...

[RICHARD]

I have to say this-

The funniest part about this election is the candidates themselves.

Change? Change to what?

Right wing conspiracy?

I did not have sex with that lobbyist!

-----------

People talk about charisma, speeches and attitude....

What about their record with the issues? How exactly are you going about these promised changes? Don't promise anything you cannot pass thru the Senate and Congress.

It's all a popularity contest with the winner having the best makeup, best dress and answering the question that satisfies the judges.

All the current candidates have some of the charming traits of some of the world's worst leaders. A little xenophobia, paranoia of their opponents, talk a good game and the followers that can finance their purchase of the presidency. I am not enamoured of any of the people running - as a matter of fact I am more interested in who is going to be the next president......Now more than ever.

They are not only gonna be my president.....they'll be yours too.

[momoffuzzyfaces]

All the current candidates have some of the charming traits of some of the world's worst leaders. A little xenophobia, paranoia of their opponents, talk a good game and the followers that can finance their purchase of the presidency. I am not enamoured of any of the people running - as a matter of fact I am more interested in who is going to be the next president......Now more than ever.

They are not only gonna be my president.....they'll be yours too.

They are having a fuss now because McCain was not born in the US but in Panama. His dad was in the service there and some say you have to be actually born in the US to be a citizen.

One day, I see in my crystal ball, the anchor baby of an illegel running for President. Wonder what they will do about that? (probably nothing)

[Pam]

I am not enamoured of any of the people running -

I agree with you totally Richard! I keep watching all of the debates and hoping that someone will say something which will make them a little more appealing to me than the other guy/girl (did I just call Hillary a girl!)

[RICHARD]

I agree with you totally Richard! I keep watching all of the debates and hoping that someone will say something which will make them a little more appealing to me than the other guy/girl (did I just call Hillary a girl!)

And just think of the stupidity that flows from the spouses.


"For the first time in my adult life I am ashamed of the candidates running to be my president."
-me

---------------

The thing that angers me the most are the lame promises regarding health care that everyone seem to be "operating" with.

A little investigation and anyone would see the idea of health care for everyone is a pipe dream.

Doctor's do not like to deal with the feds because of the delay in paying for services.

Fraud is a huge concern - Docs and patients do it...

Costs will go up. Usually that happens when the pockets paying for medical care get really deep.

MOFF,

Are you suggesting we throw anchor babies OVERBOARD?

[Pam]

And just think of the stupidity that flows from the spouses.

I hope this doesn't offend anyone, but I watched Larry King several nights ago when he had Michelle Obama on. Almost to every question she would lead with "you know Larry....." I was embarrassed for her, listening to all of the *you knows.* Someone will surely be giving her some pointers about how to respond in an interview should she be First Lady. People may criticize GW but I think Laura Bush has probably been his strongest asset.

"For the first time in my adult life I am ashamed of the candidates running to be my president."
-me

I almost agree with your statement. I am not ashamed but I am amazed that this group is the best we could come up with.

[RICHARD]

I almost agree with your statement. I am not ashamed but I am amazed that this group is the best we could come up with.

I was paraphrasing MO's statement. There is something hard and bitter in that woman - it's all sharp edges and cold steel.

By the same token, Bill is too 'loveable' and McCain's squeeze is too much in love with him.

[momoffuzzyfaces]

[QUOTE=RICHARD
MOFF,

Are you suggesting we throw anchor babies OVERBOARD? [/QUOTE]
Of course not! Some of them are darned cute!!! But maybe we should reconsider the born in the USA and citizen of the USA law. What if a terrorist became President some day just because his mom snuck in just so he would be born here and he was raised with the intent of doing harm to the country when he grew up.

Maybe it should be children of US citizens born here can run for office. Heavens knows they can do enough harm themselves.

[lizbud]

They are having a fuss now because McCain was not born in the US but in Panama. His dad was in the service there and some say you have to be actually born in the US to be a citizen.

One day, I see in my crystal ball, the anchor baby of an illegel running for President. Wonder what they will do about that? (probably nothing)

I read something about whether it's fair to use Obama"s middle name
in this election. ( It's Hussein)