Pure Parents

Question:

Steve, I am in awe.  Not only do I completely agree with you (which doesn’t happen all that often  but I am amazed that you stated it in such a clear, concise and non-abusive way.       I didn’t know you had in in you!!!  Way to go!!! >Pundits and lower achievers try to imply that America has fallen behind >its "place" in the world because of its need for foreign engineers, but >actually all it shows is that our computer and electronics companies are >so huge that we cannot find enough engineers to grow them to the size >they will become in the future. For Americans to have 70% of the world’s >share of these industries critical to world development in this new >century while being less than 5% the world’s population simply means >that we have to obtain talent elsewhere, and that all US engineers are >already being utilized. That some people try to make an issue of this is >merely either alarmism or its crony, politics! The real world issue is >why we don’t spread the wealth to the rest of the world. >Steve

Tomorrow is a mystery Yesterday is history Today is a gift…that’s why it is called the present.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Oh, one other thing I forgot.  Regarding the immigrants that ARE coming in > to take computer industry jobs:  wake up…it has nothing to do with > education.  It’s capitalism at its finest (or worst, depending on your point > of view).  Foreign-born programmers et al. are willing to work for much less > than their American-born equivalents.  The companies are much happier if > they can pay less for the same level employee.  This seems to happen more in > the consultant firms, but I’m sure to some degree it happens in all > companies.  My husband has been in the industry for almost 20 years.  He’s > never been "replaced" by a foreign born employee, though he has seen them > come and go.  Most want to make money for a few years and then return home. > But while they are here on their work visas, they are living here, putting > money into our economy (purchasing goods etc) and contributing to Social > Security.  Some go on to become citizens, some don’t.  But regardless, it > has nothing to do with how our young people are educated.  We are free to > choose what profession we go into…if there are less Americans in the > computer industry, it’s because they haven’t chosen to be there.  There are > countless ads in the paper for computer positions, but if the companies > cannot find American-born people with those qualifications, then they need > to look elsewhere.  And economics (read: salary demands) will play a major > part in who is eventually chosen.   The courses/education is available to > those who wish it…but if someone with the same education is willing to > take thousands of dollars less in pay…who would you choose?  Bush’s beef > should then be with corporate America,  not with the education system.  But > I doubt he would travel that road since that’s his bread & butter. > Marion——-Tampamom to Louis(7) and Erica(3) > >> What IS he talking about?  Most immigrants take the jobs that no one > else > >wants…janitorial, small > >> factory etc. That often pay even less than minimum wage.  I don’t think > >there is any long line of > >> Americans waiting for those jobs. > >What he is talking about that we have to import qualified people in > >engineering jobs especially in the computer industry. Those people come > >primarily from china, some from India and Europe. I am working in that > field > >and many software departments nowadays speak Chinese. > >– > >Free Spirit > >Founding Father of the Church of Personal Freedom > >First Knight of the Knights of Personal Freedom. > Oh, please!!!  Are you saying that just because someone speaks another > language it means they are an > immigrant?   My husband is a computer programmer, and yes, there are many > people of different > heritages…that doesn’t mean they are not American citizens.   Many of > these are 1st generation > Americans who have grown up speaking their parent’s native language and > when with others of the same > heritage, just feel more comfortable speaking that language.  It’s the > same with the many > Cuban-Americans here in Florida.  Or, on the other hand, maybe they are > talking about you and don’t > want you to understand what they are saying!!! > Marion——Tampamom to Louis(7) and Erica(3)

Pundits and lower achievers try to imply that America has fallen behind its "place" in the world because of its need for foreign engineers, but actually all it shows is that our computer and electronics companies are so huge that we cannot find enough engineers to grow them to the size they will become in the future. For Americans to have 70% of the world’s share of these industries critical to world development in this new century while being less than 5% the world’s population simply means that we have to obtain talent elsewhere, and that all US engineers are already being utilized. That some people try to make an issue of this is merely either alarmism or its crony, politics! The real world issue is why we don’t spread the wealth to the rest of the world. Steve

Response:

Oh, one other thing I forgot.  Regarding the immigrants that ARE coming in to take computer industry jobs:  wake up…it has nothing to do with education.  It’s capitalism at its finest (or worst, depending on your point of view).  Foreign-born programmers et al. are willing to work for much less than their American-born equivalents.  The companies are much happier if they can pay less for the same level employee.  This seems to happen more in the consultant firms, but I’m sure to some degree it happens in all companies.  My husband has been in the industry for almost 20 years.  He’s never been "replaced" by a foreign born employee, though he has seen them come and go.  Most want to make money for a few years and then return home. But while they are here on their work visas, they are living here, putting money into our economy (purchasing goods etc) and contributing to Social Security.  Some go on to become citizens, some don’t.  But regardless, it has nothing to do with how our young people are educated.  We are free to choose what profession we go into…if there are less Americans in the computer industry, it’s because they haven’t chosen to be there.  There are countless ads in the paper for computer positions, but if the companies cannot find American-born people with those qualifications, then they need to look elsewhere.  And economics (read: salary demands) will play a major part in who is eventually chosen.   The courses/education is available to those who wish it…but if someone with the same education is willing to take thousands of dollars less in pay…who would you choose?  Bush’s beef should then be with corporate America,  not with the education system.  But I doubt he would travel that road since that’s his bread & butter. Marion——-Tampamom to Louis(7) and Erica(3)

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> What IS he talking about?  Most immigrants take the jobs that no one else >wants…janitorial, small >> factory etc. That often pay even less than minimum wage.  I don’t think >there is any long line of >> Americans waiting for those jobs. >What he is talking about that we have to import qualified people in >engineering jobs especially in the computer industry. Those people come >primarily from china, some from India and Europe. I am working in that field >and many software departments nowadays speak Chinese. >– >Free Spirit >Founding Father of the Church of Personal Freedom >First Knight of the Knights of Personal Freedom. > Oh, please!!!  Are you saying that just because someone speaks another

language it means they are an > immigrant?   My husband is a computer programmer, and yes, there are many people of different > heritages…that doesn’t mean they are not American citizens.   Many of

these are 1st generation > Americans who have grown up speaking their parent’s native language and

when with others of the same > heritage, just feel more comfortable speaking that language.  It’s the same with the many > Cuban-Americans here in Florida.  Or, on the other hand, maybe they are

talking about you and don’t – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> want you to understand what they are saying!!! > Marion——Tampamom to Louis(7) and Erica(3) > Tomorrow is a mystery > Yesterday is history > Today is a gift…that’s why it is called the present.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Let’s use innovation and competition to help give our children the best >education possible. >We invite skilled workers to come to America from all over the world to fill >the good jobs that are waiting here. I think that’s great. Immigration is >our life’s blood. >I am the son of immigrants. >But I also want our kids educated and trained for those jobs. We owe it to >them! > What IS he talking about?  Most immigrants take the jobs that no one else

wants…janitorial, small > factory etc. That often pay even less than minimum wage.  I don’t think

there is any long line of > Americans waiting for those jobs.

What he is talking about that we have to import qualified people in engineering jobs especially in the computer industry. Those people come primarily from china, some from India and Europe. I am working in that field and many software departments nowadays speak Chinese. — Free Spirit Founding Father of the Church of Personal Freedom First Knight of the Knights of Personal Freedom.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> What IS he talking about?  Most immigrants take the jobs that no one else >wants…janitorial, small > factory etc. That often pay even less than minimum wage.  I don’t think >there is any long line of > Americans waiting for those jobs. >What he is talking about that we have to import qualified people in >engineering jobs especially in the computer industry. Those people come >primarily from china, some from India and Europe. I am working in that field >and many software departments nowadays speak Chinese. >– >Free Spirit >Founding Father of the Church of Personal Freedom >First Knight of the Knights of Personal Freedom.

Oh, please!!!  Are you saying that just because someone speaks another language it means they are an immigrant?   My husband is a computer programmer, and yes, there are many people of different heritages…that doesn’t mean they are not American citizens.   Many of these are 1st generation Americans who have grown up speaking their parent’s native language and when with others of the same heritage, just feel more comfortable speaking that language.  It’s the same with the many Cuban-Americans here in Florida.  Or, on the other hand, maybe they are talking about you and don’t want you to understand what they are saying!!! Marion——Tampamom to Louis(7) and Erica(3) Tomorrow is a mystery Yesterday is history Today is a gift…that’s why it is called the present.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> What IS he talking about?  Most immigrants take the jobs that no one else >wants…janitorial, small >> factory etc. That often pay even less than minimum wage.  I don’t think >there is any long line of >> Americans waiting for those jobs. >What he is talking about that we have to import qualified people in >engineering jobs especially in the computer industry. Those people come >primarily from china, some from India and Europe. I am working in that field >and many software departments nowadays speak Chinese. >– >Free Spirit >Founding Father of the Church of Personal Freedom >First Knight of the Knights of Personal Freedom. >Oh, please!!!  Are you saying that just because someone speaks another language it means they are an >immigrant?   My husband is a computer programmer, and yes, there are many people of different >heritages…that doesn’t mean they are not American citizens.   Many of these are 1st generation >Americans who have grown up speaking their parent’s native language and when with others of the same >heritage, just feel more comfortable speaking that language.  It’s the same with the many >Cuban-Americans here in Florida.  Or, on the other hand, maybe they are talking about you and don’t >want you to understand what they are saying!!! >Marion——Tampamom to Louis(7) and Erica(3)

No no.  Quite a few of the people I work with (I’d say – almost half of the people in higher engineering ranks!) are foreign citizens who have advanced degrees in the technical fields.  They hail from China (both Chinas), India, and elsewhere.  They usually have obtained their advanced degrees from an American university.  There is a severe shortage of highly skilled people in these areas, so my company can easily show the need to hire them, and obtain special visa status for them.  They may later become naturalized citizens, and surely their children born here are citizens, and they’re raised pretty much as "hyphenated Americans".  But what Free Spirit is talking about is quite real and pervasive. I work in the microelectronics industry – hardware, not software. Banty

Response:

>Tonight we focus on education. Governor Bush has rightly made children and >education the centerpiece of his campaign for president. You just heard him >say it — we can’t leave any child behind. >Every child deserves and must receive a quality education.

Easy for Bush to say…he who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth! >We must also be open to new ideas. Let’s not be afraid of standardized >testing for students,

Oh yeah… let’s give standardized tests to 1st graders and spend the entire year "teaching to the test" instead of using the lower grades to foster a life-long love of learning!  It’s happening in Florida already (Thanks to another Bush) and causing even kindergarteners to "hate" school because of the pressure being put on them to be reading and making them feel stupid because they aren’t ready . >Let’s experiment prudently with school voucher programs to see if they help.

Great…let’s take even more money away from the needy schools and use public monies to fund private (oftimes religious) schools. >Let’s use innovation and competition to help give our children the best >education possible. >We invite skilled workers to come to America from all over the world to fill >the good jobs that are waiting here. I think that’s great. Immigration is >our life’s blood. >I am the son of immigrants. >But I also want our kids educated and trained for those jobs. We owe it to >them!

What IS he talking about?  Most immigrants take the jobs that no one else wants…janitorial, small factory etc. That often pay even less than minimum wage.  I don’t think there is any long line of Americans waiting for those jobs. >Governor Bush has shown in Texas in just a few short years, what can be done >for education. >The results in Texas have been dramatic. The number of students passing all >parts of the Texas standardized tests since 1994 has increased by 51 >percent. Even more exciting, the number of minority students passing the >tests has increased by 89 percent.

Well, DUH!  As you expend more and more classroom time "teaching to the test" year after year, more and more kids pass those tests.  Keep in mind that "passing" is only what ? 60? 65?  Just because more kids passed a test that they’ve been prepped for doesn’t mean they are better educated! >Also, to insure a diverse college population with the loss of affirmative >action, Governor Bush has guaranteed acceptance at public universities for >the top ten percent of every high school graduating class in the state.

But depending on populations, that cannot be guaranteed in every state.  Here in Tampa, Florida the public universities are so crowded that many HS grads must go to 2yr Community Colleges and then transfer to the public universities. I’m very happy that this respected man believes in the fantasy that is George W.  But we must be sure to look behind the rhetoric, to the actual applications of his words. Marion…….Tampamom to Louis(7) and Erica(3) Tomorrow is a mystery Yesterday is history Today is a gift…that’s why it is called the present.

Response:

You lost me when you got to the George Bush part….the first part was fine. Sarah – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > begin quote > Republican Convention – Colin Powell’s Speech > "So many of the problems we worry about go back to how we raise our > children" > During the almost seven years since I left the army, I’ve traveled all > across America. > I’ve seen people hard at work providing for their families, giving of > themselves, caring for each other. > I’ve seen them creating wealth for the nation. > I’ve seen an economy transforming itself to seize the promise of the > information revolution. > I’ve met so many of our fellow citizens who believe in America to the depth > of their hearts and who are doing everything they can in their communities > to make our nation that more perfect union spoken of in our Constitution. > I’ve been moved yet again to stand in awe of the American dream which was > given birth in this city over two hundred years ago. A dream I have been > privileged to live. > I’ve met so many young people who believe in the dream. They are on a road > to success. > They are being raised in strong families, going to good schools, filling the > finest universities, graduating and going on to find their place and fortune > in this land. > Even the youngest of them, still in elementary school are getting ready for > the future — using computers, logging onto the Internet — while still > enjoying the magic of childhood by curling up with a "Harry Potter" book. > There is so much that is good and right in America! > Yet, I cannot ignore that in my travels I’ve also seen poverty, failing > communities, people who’ve lost hope. > Tragically, I’ve seen too many young Americans who are overwhelmed by the > daily struggle just to survive. > I’ve seen kids destroying themselves with drugs. Kids who see violence and > crime as the answer to their hopelessness. Kids who no longer believe in > themselves and who don’t see a reason to believe in America. > I’ve seen kids in utter despair. I’ve visited kids in jail doing adult time > for crimes they’ve committed. > They are part of a growing population of over two million Americans behind > bars. > Two million convicts, not consumers. Two million Americans who, while paying > for their crimes, are not paying taxes, are not there for their children and > are not raising families. > Most of them are men and the majority of those men are minorities. > The issue of race still casts a shadow over our society, despite the > impressive progress we have made over the last 40 years to overcome the > legacy of our troubled past. > So, with all the success we have enjoyed and with all the wealth we have > created, we have much more work to do and a long way to go to bring the > promise of America to every American. > And with all we have to do on our national agenda, I am convinced that to > deliver on that promise, we must begin with our children. > . We either build our children or we build more jails. Time to stop building > jails. > And listen — our children are not the problem, they are our future. They > are America’s promise. > The problem is us if we fail to give them what they need to be successful in > life. > That mission has become the passion of my life. Because if you want to solve > our drug problem, you won’t do it by trying to cut off the supply and > arresting street pushers alone. > It will only be solved when we place into the heart of every child growing > up in America the moral strength never to fall for the destructive lure of > drugs — the strength to just say "no, not me. I won’t do it! I’ve got too > much to live for." > If you want to solve the problem of violence and crime on our streets, it > begins with us teaching children to value life, their own and others, and to > have respect for themselves and respect for others. > If you want young people to become contributing citizens and not convicts, > then early in life we must give them the character and the competence they > need to succeed in this exciting new world. > It begins in the home with caring, loving parents and family members who > pass on the virtues of past generations, who live good lives which serve as > models for their children. > And where the family is broken or not up to the task, the rest of us must > step in to help as mentors, tutors, foster parents, friends to kids who > desperately need responsible adults to show them the way. Tens of thousands > of our neighbors have stepped forward. > Tens of thousands who realize that children are a gift from God not only to > their parents, but to their community. They belong to us all. > We need to provide safe places for those kids to learn and to grow. More > clubs and after-school programs to protect them from the dangers in our > society and to surround them with more adults who will keep them in play. > We are obliged to make sure that every child gets a healthy start in life. > With all our wealth and capacity, we just can’t stand by idly. We must make > sure that every child has health care. As we are giving these necessities, > and others, to our children, let’s ask them to also give back to the > community of which they are a part. > Early in life help them to learn of the joy that comes from giving to others > through community service. > Let youngsters be part of the solution. > With character in their hearts, and nurturing adults in their lives, our > youngsters will be ready for the schooling that will give them the education > needed to win those jobs of the future. > There’s work for all of us to do — parents, aunts, uncles, teachers, the > government at all levels, the private sector, our great non-profits, our > houses of worship, all joining in the crusade to point kids in the right > direction in life. > Tonight we focus on education. Governor Bush has rightly made children and > education the centerpiece of his campaign for president. You just heard him > say it — we can’t leave any child behind. > Every child deserves and must receive a quality education. > Give a quality education to a child who believes in himself or herself and > even with the bleakest beginning in life that child can make it and break > the cycle of poverty and failure for that family forever. > So many of our public schools are doing a fine job preparing our youngsters. > I have been given no greater honor than to have had four public schools > named after me an honor greater than medals. In those schools and so many > others I’ve visited, you’ve never seen better facilities, more dedicated > teachers and more involved parents. It makes your heart pound with pride. > But I have also seen too many schools that are failing. They are trapped in > fossilized bureaucracies. Bureaucracies that have low expectations for > children and consequently set low standards for them. These schools are > leaving our children behind and they must be fixed. > If we believe they are all our children, then all of us must be willing to > spend more to repair our schools and to pay our teachers better. > We must also be open to new ideas. Let’s not be afraid of standardized > testing for students, testing of teachers, charter schools, private > scholarship funding to give poor parents a choice, or home schooling. > Let’s experiment prudently with school voucher programs to see if they help. > Let’s use innovation and competition to help give our children the best > education possible. > We invite skilled workers to come to America from all over the world to fill > the good jobs that are waiting here. I think that’s great. Immigration is > our life’s blood. > I am the son of immigrants. > But I also want our kids educated and trained for those jobs. We owe it to > them! > Governor Bush has shown in Texas in just a few short years, what can be done > for education. > As governor, he ended social promotions. He increased state funding for > education by eight billion dollars. He put new textbooks in every school. He > strengthened standardized testing in all Texas public schools, he insisted > on teacher competency, and he expanded the charter school movement. > Seventeen thousand Texas kids are now in charter schools. > Seventy-eight percent of those kids are minorities — their parents had a > choice and what they decided was best for their kids. > The results in Texas have been dramatic. The number of students passing all > parts of the Texas standardized tests since 1994 has increased by 51 > percent. Even more exciting, the number of minority students passing the > tests has increased by 89 percent. > Also, to insure a diverse college population with the loss of affirmative > action, Governor Bush has guaranteed acceptance at public universities for > the top ten percent of every high school graduating class in the state. > And above all, he insisted on accountability for results. > It works. > It all comes together. > Governor Bush doesn’t just talk about reform, he reforms. > He now offers that leadership to the nation. > In pursuing educational reform, as well as in all other parts of his agenda > for Texas, Governor Bush has reached out to all Texans — white, black, > Latino, Asian, Native-American. > He has been successful in bringing more and more minorities into the tent by > responding to their deepest needs. Some call it compassionate conservatism. > To me, it’s just about caring for people. > He can do the same thing as president. He will bring to the White House that > same passion for inclusion. I know he can help bridge our racial divides. > Recently, Governor Bush addressed the annual meeting of the N.A.A.C.P. He > spoke to the delegates about his plans for housing, health and educational > programs

… read more »

Response:

begin quote Republican Convention – Colin Powell’s Speech "So many of the problems we worry about go back to how we raise our children" During the almost seven years since I left the army, I’ve traveled all across America. I’ve seen people hard at work providing for their families, giving of themselves, caring for each other. I’ve seen them creating wealth for the nation. I’ve seen an economy transforming itself to seize the promise of the information revolution. I’ve met so many of our fellow citizens who believe in America to the depth of their hearts and who are doing everything they can in their communities to make our nation that more perfect union spoken of in our Constitution. I’ve been moved yet again to stand in awe of the American dream which was given birth in this city over two hundred years ago. A dream I have been privileged to live. I’ve met so many young people who believe in the dream. They are on a road to success. They are being raised in strong families, going to good schools, filling the finest universities, graduating and going on to find their place and fortune in this land. Even the youngest of them, still in elementary school are getting ready for the future — using computers, logging onto the Internet — while still enjoying the magic of childhood by curling up with a "Harry Potter" book. There is so much that is good and right in America! Yet, I cannot ignore that in my travels I’ve also seen poverty, failing communities, people who’ve lost hope. Tragically, I’ve seen too many young Americans who are overwhelmed by the daily struggle just to survive. I’ve seen kids destroying themselves with drugs. Kids who see violence and crime as the answer to their hopelessness. Kids who no longer believe in themselves and who don’t see a reason to believe in America. I’ve seen kids in utter despair. I’ve visited kids in jail doing adult time for crimes they’ve committed. They are part of a growing population of over two million Americans behind bars. Two million convicts, not consumers. Two million Americans who, while paying for their crimes, are not paying taxes, are not there for their children and are not raising families. Most of them are men and the majority of those men are minorities. The issue of race still casts a shadow over our society, despite the impressive progress we have made over the last 40 years to overcome the legacy of our troubled past. So, with all the success we have enjoyed and with all the wealth we have created, we have much more work to do and a long way to go to bring the promise of America to every American. And with all we have to do on our national agenda, I am convinced that to deliver on that promise, we must begin with our children. . We either build our children or we build more jails. Time to stop building jails. And listen — our children are not the problem, they are our future. They are America’s promise. The problem is us if we fail to give them what they need to be successful in life. That mission has become the passion of my life. Because if you want to solve our drug problem, you won’t do it by trying to cut off the supply and arresting street pushers alone. It will only be solved when we place into the heart of every child growing up in America the moral strength never to fall for the destructive lure of drugs — the strength to just say "no, not me. I won’t do it! I’ve got too much to live for." If you want to solve the problem of violence and crime on our streets, it begins with us teaching children to value life, their own and others, and to have respect for themselves and respect for others. If you want young people to become contributing citizens and not convicts, then early in life we must give them the character and the competence they need to succeed in this exciting new world. It begins in the home with caring, loving parents and family members who pass on the virtues of past generations, who live good lives which serve as models for their children. And where the family is broken or not up to the task, the rest of us must step in to help as mentors, tutors, foster parents, friends to kids who desperately need responsible adults to show them the way. Tens of thousands of our neighbors have stepped forward. Tens of thousands who realize that children are a gift from God not only to their parents, but to their community. They belong to us all. We need to provide safe places for those kids to learn and to grow. More clubs and after-school programs to protect them from the dangers in our society and to surround them with more adults who will keep them in play. We are obliged to make sure that every child gets a healthy start in life. With all our wealth and capacity, we just can’t stand by idly. We must make sure that every child has health care. As we are giving these necessities, and others, to our children, let’s ask them to also give back to the community of which they are a part. Early in life help them to learn of the joy that comes from giving to others through community service. Let youngsters be part of the solution. With character in their hearts, and nurturing adults in their lives, our youngsters will be ready for the schooling that will give them the education needed to win those jobs of the future. There’s work for all of us to do — parents, aunts, uncles, teachers, the government at all levels, the private sector, our great non-profits, our houses of worship, all joining in the crusade to point kids in the right direction in life. Tonight we focus on education. Governor Bush has rightly made children and education the centerpiece of his campaign for president. You just heard him say it — we can’t leave any child behind. Every child deserves and must receive a quality education. Give a quality education to a child who believes in himself or herself and even with the bleakest beginning in life that child can make it and break the cycle of poverty and failure for that family forever. So many of our public schools are doing a fine job preparing our youngsters. I have been given no greater honor than to have had four public schools named after me an honor greater than medals. In those schools and so many others I’ve visited, you’ve never seen better facilities, more dedicated teachers and more involved parents. It makes your heart pound with pride. But I have also seen too many schools that are failing. They are trapped in fossilized bureaucracies. Bureaucracies that have low expectations for children and consequently set low standards for them. These schools are leaving our children behind and they must be fixed. If we believe they are all our children, then all of us must be willing to spend more to repair our schools and to pay our teachers better. We must also be open to new ideas. Let’s not be afraid of standardized testing for students, testing of teachers, charter schools, private scholarship funding to give poor parents a choice, or home schooling. Let’s experiment prudently with school voucher programs to see if they help. Let’s use innovation and competition to help give our children the best education possible. We invite skilled workers to come to America from all over the world to fill the good jobs that are waiting here. I think that’s great. Immigration is our life’s blood. I am the son of immigrants. But I also want our kids educated and trained for those jobs. We owe it to them! Governor Bush has shown in Texas in just a few short years, what can be done for education. As governor, he ended social promotions. He increased state funding for education by eight billion dollars. He put new textbooks in every school. He strengthened standardized testing in all Texas public schools, he insisted on teacher competency, and he expanded the charter school movement. Seventeen thousand Texas kids are now in charter schools. Seventy-eight percent of those kids are minorities — their parents had a choice and what they decided was best for their kids. The results in Texas have been dramatic. The number of students passing all parts of the Texas standardized tests since 1994 has increased by 51 percent. Even more exciting, the number of minority students passing the tests has increased by 89 percent. Also, to insure a diverse college population with the loss of affirmative action, Governor Bush has guaranteed acceptance at public universities for the top ten percent of every high school graduating class in the state. And above all, he insisted on accountability for results. It works. It all comes together. Governor Bush doesn’t just talk about reform, he reforms. He now offers that leadership to the nation. In pursuing educational reform, as well as in all other parts of his agenda for Texas, Governor Bush has reached out to all Texans — white, black, Latino, Asian, Native-American. He has been successful in bringing more and more minorities into the tent by responding to their deepest needs. Some call it compassionate conservatism. To me, it’s just about caring for people. He can do the same thing as president. He will bring to the White House that same passion for inclusion. I know he can help bridge our racial divides. Recently, Governor Bush addressed the annual meeting of the N.A.A.C.P. He spoke to the delegates about his plans for housing, health and educational programs to help all Americans. He also spoke the truth to the delegates when he said that "the party of Lincoln has not always carried the mantle of Lincoln." I talked with him again today and I know that, with all his heart, Governor Bush welcomes the challenge. He wants the Republican Party to wear that mantle again. But he knows it will take hard work. He knows it will not be handed over, that it will have to be earned. The party must follow Governor Bush’s lead and reach out to minority communities and particularly the African-American … read more »

Response: