OlDawg

Critical thinking skills are a hallmark of a true technical education. Critical thinking skills are also learned through living. You must have a way to sustain yourself while you’re learning, and you will learn critical thinking by living better than from any book. Any form of education is only the beginning. It’s up to the individual to continue learning. I was the training coordinator at the petrochemical company I worked for during my last few years. Before I signed off on completion to satisfy company and OSHA rules, I had my own rule. The student had to tell me ‘why’ when I asked them a question instead of just telling me the procedure from the manual. Then, I knew they could critically think in a hazardous environment. If they could do so at the plant, they began to do so in other parts of their life. How do I know? Coffee break discussions.

I only skimmed the article. I’ll have to read it fully later tomorrow. Generally, Fortune has some good articles. So, I’m interested. As far as your initial sentence, I disagree with your premise. Instead of regulating high performers, I suggest re-emphasizing technical skills over liberal degree programs that provide for more indoctrination than education. If you truly believe in equality (not equity) as I do, you are forced to believe that everyone is capable of learning a technical skill. I’m a big proponent of technical skill programs. Whether these skills are learned through military service, or other training programs that provide real world skills is irrelevant to me. (Although, I wouldn’t be against a minimum 2 year service requirement for all after high school graduation that would provide income, service to the whole, and training for needed skills. A little patriotism wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing either.) From the initial scan of the article, the data suggests a timeframe that correlates to when technical skills were the mainstay of the middle class, and provided a livable wage. This compensation for skill still remains, and is actually higher today because of a severe shortage. The key isn’t regulation. It’s the correct education. That isn’t impacted by CEO compensation. I don’t believe a law is needed to limit someone’s individual earning power they have gained through their efforts. That stymies. Instead of trying to hold someone back, find the way to bring the others up. Retool our educational priorities. Personally, I grew up poor on a farm where my family went bankrupt before farmers were paid NOT to grow stuff. My dad worked his tail off and paid back every dime. He was that sort of man. I served in the military, served the government in some other related functions off book, ended that affiliation, and went to work in Operations at a petrochemical facility. During that time, I completed a Design Degree, and then Engineering. I did this later in life while married with a son. It can be done. I’ve been retired and able to live off of investments and savings for ten years. I firmly believe it really is all in how you apply yourself, and what’s important to you. No corporate greed affected my status.

Our military is not keen on being used on the homeland. I can also tell you that from experience. I am not keen on them being used. They are serving for a different purpose. Correct again. We will never agree on the welfare state. To me, the welfare state is a mechanism to take away liberty, and provide for subservience. Not to provide liberty.

@UT alum The link is a fairly adequate description of my thoughts. As with anyone, some of my beliefs vary slightly. I’m not a fan of the tariffs, and I think Rep’s are spending like drunken sailors as bad as the Dem’s. Just on different things. Due to personal experience, I’m slightly more inclined to involve pseudo military/military interventions on special occasions and for special circumstances. I also believe in border control and strictly legal immigration until we do away with the welfare state. (Which will probably never happen.) Same token, I abhor the Patriot Act with a passion. So, it’s a mixed bag on certain national security issues. [Hidden Content]

Yes. I can see how you would think it was strictly opinion. I’m not Libertarian as in the Party. Although, I do hold many of the beliefs. You’re also correct I don’t get as passionate. I like to tell people I look at policy instead of politics. Most times I can do that. Although, sometimes I get into the politics also. I won’t lie. I try to catch myself. Personally, I think we could use a few more fiscally conservative libertarians nowadays.

You are correct. I actually said ‘white females’. The teaching profession needs more diversification according to multiple studies. [Hidden Content] [Hidden Content] Just a couple. There are multiple more citing similar stats & conclusions. Some speak more about gender and sex. I’m a data-driven person. It’s not me being…what did you call me “prejudiced”? Your best bet is to probably argue/debate with someone more emotionally inclined like yourself. Not a slam. Just pointing out an argument type. My style will probably come across as crass and uncaring to you. Not sure why I missed posting data the first time. I always try to post it. Just must have missed linking it.

They’re trying. (Kaiser just settled for $556 Million.) Not only this Administration, but previous as well. I remember suits against United Health Care, Aetna, and multiple others through the years to the tune of billions. Again, the entire system needs to be ‘rejiggered’. [Hidden Content]

It’s okay. The term ‘racist’ gets thrown around so much nowadays, I thought I’d just remind people what racism really was, and that it can be practiced by all—even within their own ethnic group.

Probably not. There was no personal attack in the post you quote. The truth just hits hard.

I can’t say for certain. What I can say is that no one I know that’s on Medicare A/B/D has had benefits cut. They had a small price increase. No benefit cut.

Correct. A ‘discount card.’

Any black person who voted for Obama practiced racism. They voted for him because he looked like them. They thought he understood their needs better than someone who didn’t look like them. They were wrong. He actually had very little in common as a shared life experience with any of them. They thought he had the same characteristics as them because he looked like them. They assigned him traits because of the color of his skin that he didn’t possess. This is the very definition of racism. Period.

Trump pharmacy is no different than a coupon center for those that don’t have insurance. Think GoodRX.

Why should he offer something to a for-profit entity that’s already gouging the public, and rife with fraud, to help them maintain a profit margin?

How? The Administration has no input on services provided that go above those guaranteed under standard Medicare. All the extra bells and whistles most of these plans provide are based on their profit margins.