Your political inclinations - who do you vote for?

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Originally Posted by keysersoze

There you go again, mis-characterizing my statements. I did not call Europeans liberals--I only called you a liberal. It was your statement alone, unless you are arrogant enough to think you speak for all Europeans.

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I am a European; therefore, my statement is entirely correct.

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Originally Posted by keysersoze

However, you should be insulted by my observation that you argue by putting words in others' mouths and name call.

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Insulted by a right-wing American? No.

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Originally Posted by keysersoze

Show me the undeniable evidence that anthonyvpop is anti-education.

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His every contribution to the forum demonstrates the level of importance he places on education.

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Originally Posted by keysersoze

My post was a reply to BDunnell's disparaging comments about students from private schools.

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Which 'disparaging comments about students from private schools'?

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Originally Posted by BDunnell

Which 'disparaging comments about students from private schools'?

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Post #64

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Originally Posted by keysersoze

Post #64

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I was disparaging about some. Had I been disparaging about all, then you would have cause for objection.

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Originally Posted by BDunnell

I was disparaging about some. Had I been disparaging about all, then you would have cause for objection.

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You were also arguing that private schools cannot guarantee a better education, and while "guarantee" is too strong of a word to use in an argument, I gave you the evidence that private schools outperform public schools, in terms of not only getting a higher percentage of their students into college, but also into some of the top schools, as well as help them get scholarships.

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Originally Posted by keysersoze

You were also arguing that private schools cannot guarantee a better education, and while "guarantee" is too strong of a word to use in an argument, I gave you the evidence that private schools outperform public schools, in terms of not only getting a higher percentage of their students into college, but also into some of the top schools, as well as help them get scholarships.

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My statement stands. I come from the state system and I've done OK for myself. This is true of many others.

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Originally Posted by keysersoze

I gave you the evidence that private schools outperform public schools, in terms of not only getting a higher percentage of their students into college, but also into some of the top schools, as well as help them get scholarships.

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I am prepared to accept this as fact.

It also does tend to drive a better quality of teachers to the private sector because wages are higher and because you're likely to get a better quality of behaviour from students who have more of their material needs already met, you're also more likely to end up with better outcomes.

The inverse to the question of "should people who have more wealth be given the oppotunity to buy a better standard of X than poorer people" is "do people who have more wealth deserve to have a better standard of X than poorer people".

High earners don't realise own wealth, study finds
"Asked specifically whether they would be prepared to pay more tax to support Gonski-style education reforms, 94 per cent of those surveyed said no."
- Sydney Morning Herald, 25th Mar 2013

Now obviously actual specific economic conditions will be different, but given that the United States is far more individualistic, the attitudes expressed would be even more pronounced than this.
Still, I ask the question of who the economy should serve.

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Originally Posted by BDunnell

My statement stands. I come from the state system and I've done OK for myself. This is true of many others.

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Of course. Plenty do well, and some brilliant people drop out. Finishing, or even attending school, is not the be-all end-all. My wife is ridiculously talented in her field, out-earned me last year, and only attended college briefly. For my part, I also went to state schools, and paid for 98% of my schooling. But these are just anecdotes that are only part of an argument that could go on forever.

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Originally Posted by Dave B

the least worst.

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In my experience, the party that is 'least worst' while in opposition then becomes 'most worst' when in power.

Why can governments not be formed of MP's who head up de[artments they are qualified to deal with?

For example, a life long teacher/head teacher etc should be put in charge of the Dept of Education, A successful and ethical entrepreneur should be in charge of the treasury etc. Instead of frequent cabinet reshuffles.

Party's should stop pandering to the silent majority. For example, we have a heavily burdened welfare bill, because they know that if they keep the benefit 'beneficiaries' happy, they will continue to get their not insignificant vote.

TBH, my personal opinion is that I will vote for whichever party appears to give the impression of being the best for me and my family. It's all just lies and waffle though......

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Originally Posted by BDunnell

Really? I don't agree at all. I too think Ed Miliband is a fairly useless, ineffectual figure, but I believe he is likely to win the next election and become PM. When he was elected Labour leader I considered this fanciful, but — through few, or no, actions of his own — now my view has changed. Would he be a good PM? I very much doubt it, but nor do I believe his brother would have been as impressive a leader as many seem to.

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Well, any idiot could be at the helm of Labour and not fail to win the next election, just by dint of the attrocious mess tweedle dum and tweedle dummer running the current coalition are doing!