The Fed
Because my father routinely quizzes me on the state of the stock market, I am inclined to pay attention to it. Thus it is with a bit of humor that I read today's report in the New York Times that the Fed is reporting that the economy will probably get worse before it gets better.
Really? Young people can't buy a house, old people can't sell a house, gas is at about $3/gallon, any "average Joe" job America once had we shipped off to a foreign country long ago, we can no longer count on our soft markets to manufacture products that won't turn into a date rape drug, retirement age is at about 70, social security is about defunct (and yet we're still paying), and we're hundreds of billions of dollars shy of fixing an environmental disaster so large that it makes the shit that killed the dinosaurs seem like a toddler pissing in a pool.
So, you say the economy's unlikely to just...turn around. Hmmm... never would've guessed. You know what might help? A ray of f'ing hope.
Really? Young people can't buy a house, old people can't sell a house, gas is at about $3/gallon, any "average Joe" job America once had we shipped off to a foreign country long ago, we can no longer count on our soft markets to manufacture products that won't turn into a date rape drug, retirement age is at about 70, social security is about defunct (and yet we're still paying), and we're hundreds of billions of dollars shy of fixing an environmental disaster so large that it makes the shit that killed the dinosaurs seem like a toddler pissing in a pool.
So, you say the economy's unlikely to just...turn around. Hmmm... never would've guessed. You know what might help? A ray of f'ing hope.
posted by Monstro D. Whale at
10:12 AM
3 Comments:
The first step to addressing our woes is to admit to ourselves that we have these woes. While the ostrich policy does have its perks, it also can result in extinction. Time to take our heads out and acknowledge the damage we've done as a society, as a government, and as individuals.
Perhaps as a teacher, you'll be able to delve further into this issue. If the future is, as always, in the hands of the next generation, is there any hope there? Surely your students are getting brighter and brighter each semester, right?
New picture?
Well, actually you'd be surprised. The students this semester actually do seem to know what they're doing a bit more than normal. Say what you will about teaching to a test, at least they've been taught something.
At the same time, it's hard to tell with 18 year olds. A lot of them are still convinced that if they get a business major then they are insured a business job. I keep telling them those kinds of jobs are not as stable as they once were, but no one listens. I don't know, though, it does seem like they know how to do what they need to do, but then they get kind of pissed off when you don't just give them the answers. I think that's what pre-college teaching has become in a lot of ways.
I'm going to say I'm hopeful but I'm still crossing my fingers.
Post a Comment
<< Home