A sustainable path . . .

[sonofdaxjones]

just a shade under 110 million people in the US on at least one type of means tested social welfare program. 

Right around 50% of the population on some sort of government aid. 

Another large group of people flowing into the US are or will be placed on some type of government social welfare program.

Overload and implode.

[michigancat]

Right around 50% of the population on some sort of government aid. 

That figure seems ridiculously low. Source?

[The1BigWillie]

The next generations are so completely utterly mumped it's beyond our current comprehension. 

[sonofdaxjones]

Right around 50% of the population on some sort of government aid. 

That figure seems ridiculously low. Source?

2012 Census

That number has likely surpassed 50%.

[michigancat]

I wonder how they define "government aid".

[sonofdaxjones]

I wonder how they define "government aid".

Welfare, Veterans Benefits, Medicaid/Medicare, Social Security, WIC, SSI, TAFNF etc. etc.

[michigancat]

I wonder how they define "government aid".

Welfare, Veterans Benefits, Medicaid/Medicare, Social Security, WIC, SSI, TAFNF etc. etc.

Oh, so it's only counting government aid to poor folks. I guess that makes sense.

[sonofdaxjones]

Well cRusty you'll have to rail against government largess to corporations and such in another thread.

You might start with the corporations that his administration excused from Obama Care and work your way from there.

[michigancat]

That seems like a lot of work, I was hoping you'd do it for me with a link.

[sonofdaxjones]

That seems like a lot of work, I was hoping you'd do it for me with a link.

I admire you for doing what most progressive liberal types on this board do quite well, that is:  Deflect, re-direct and obfuscate.

Now, back to the topic at hand.   More people taking (by millions) than people producing what's going to be taken, with millions more likely to be added to the takers by the stroke of the executive pen.

A sustainable path cRusty?  Only resolved by more taxes?   

[michigancat]

I think a good step toward sustainability would be to eliminate  many of the different aid programs and just give cash to those that need it. You could eliminate crazy amounts of bureaucracy that way.

Also fix the public education system in poor communities. Not real sure the best way to do this.

What are your ideas?

[Dr Rick Daris]

good thing obama as actively working to decrease the size of our military. that will help to not add to the already over 10 million retired vets receiving benefits. 

[8manpick]

So 38 million people of that (1/3) is social security retirement. Is paying them a problem? They paid into it...

[john "teach me how to" dougie]

I think a good step toward sustainability would be to eliminate  many of the different aid programs and just give cash to those that need it. You could eliminate crazy amounts of bureaucracy that way.

Also fix the public education system in poor communities. Not real sure the best way to do this.

What are your ideas?

It might help answer the "how to fix public education system in poor communities" question if you state the problem. Why can't these poor kids be taught and retain information?

[p1k3]

Ever declining labor participation rate too tho

[michigancat]

I think a good step toward sustainability would be to eliminate  many of the different aid programs and just give cash to those that need it. You could eliminate crazy amounts of bureaucracy that way.

Also fix the public education system in poor communities. Not real sure the best way to do this.

What are your ideas?

It might help answer the "how to fix public education system in poor communities" question if you state the problem. Why can't these poor kids be taught and retain information?

"State the problem"? I think there are tons of problems and it's an extremely complex, but overall our school system completely fails at preparing our poorest people for success in life. Do you disagree?

However, if you want to go into detail, here's a specific example of a "problem":

And in recent years, black boys have been about as likely to be shot to death as they are to graduate from high school college-ready.

http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/how-oaklands-public-schools-are-fighting-save-black-boys

I don't know the solution, and have claim to know the solution. I do know that the teachers in poor districts are severely underpaid, and most of the best ones want to move to more affluent districts for better pay and perhaps an easier job. Maybe a start would be paying teachers in the Oakland school district, for example, double what they make now? (At least).

[Dugout DickStone]

Someone needs to tell wallstreet about this before my account overflows.

[Skipper44]

I think a good step toward sustainability would be to eliminate  many of the different aid programs and just give cash to those that need it. You could eliminate crazy amounts of bureaucracy that way.

Also fix the public education system in poor communities. Not real sure the best way to do this.

What are your ideas?

It might help answer the "how to fix public education system in poor communities" question if you state the problem. Why can't these poor kids be taught and retain information?

From talking with teachers that have taught in KCMO and KCK districts the biggest problem for a lot of kids is lack of support at home.  I think one way to address that is smaller class sizes, meaning more teachers.   Get the class size down to 10 or 12 kids giving teachers more time and opportunity with each student. 

[Dr Rick Daris]

I think a good step toward sustainability would be to eliminate  many of the different aid programs and just give cash to those that need it. You could eliminate crazy amounts of bureaucracy that way.

Also fix the public education system in poor communities. Not real sure the best way to do this.

What are your ideas?

It might help answer the "how to fix public education system in poor communities" question if you state the problem. Why can't these poor kids be taught and retain information?

From talking with teachers that have taught in KCMO and KCK districts the biggest problem for a lot of kids is lack of support at home.  I think one way to address that is smaller class sizes, meaning more teachers.   Get the class size down to 10 or 12 kids giving teachers more time and opportunity with each student.

2. Smaller class sizes do not necessarily create an environment that’s more conducive to learning.
According to David and Goliath, 77% of Americans believe that it makes more sense to use taxpayer money to lower class sizes than to raise teachers’ salaries. Class size is such a galvanizing social issue that after the governor of California announced plans to reduce the state’s class size, his popularity doubled within three weeks. While larger class sizes are obviously an issue, Gladwell points out that we have become “obsessed with what is good about small classrooms and oblivious of what can also be good about large classes.” A classroom containing 18–24 students appears to be the ideal number. Anything less and you lose the unique excitement that comes from a critical mass of engaged students.

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/5-more-incredibly-counterintuitive-statements-from-malcolm-gladwells-david-and-goliath/

[8manpick]

That book is a good read

[Spracne]

Unique excitement isn't really the phrase that comes to mind when I consider the majority of my fellow scholars in high school.

[Spracne]

That book is a good read

His worst effort, in my opinion.

[8manpick]

That book is a good read

His worst effort, in my opinion.

Yes but still

[michigancat]

I don't really trust anything Gladwell writes as fact. So many of the assertions he's presented in his books have been identified as bogus.

Although I do think it's more important to significantly increase teachers' salaries to make it a more enticing profession.

[Dr Rick Daris]

I don't really trust anything Gladwell writes as fact. So many of the assertions he's presented in his books have been identified as bogus.

Although I do think it's more important to significantly increase teachers' salaries to make it a more enticing profession.

sure but i think there is something to this. all the rich countries just think lower class size but it isn't that easy and the money, like you said, would be better spent somewhere else.

i also think that people with non teaching degrees should be able to take a test and pass and then teach. we are severely limiting our pool of possible "good" teachers by saying they have to have a teaching degree.