What this Blog stands for

Ten months into this Blog, I had the pleasure of passing the 20,000 visitor mark today. Though this Blog has been somewhat eclectic in the past, I hope a few themes emerged. AT any rate, it seems high time to say what I think and believe:

First, I'm a raging moderate, a middle class man who believes that the middle class is right where happiness lies.

In the realm of education, I believe:

1. In a compassionate, just democracy, education is a civil right. Every citizen should be able to go as far as s/he wants and is able at whatever schools will admit him/her. And s/he should graduate without a mortgage on her/his diploma.

2. The profit motive is the kiss of death at all levels of education.

3. The US has the best higher education in the world. But it is in danger of slipping, as did our manufacturing industries in the 70s and 80s. Ignorant, mindless governors and legislators must stop starving the great public universities that are the backbone of this best of all higher ed systems on the globe.

4. Assessment is crucial. But we must assess the right stuff. Right now we mostly assess the wrong stuff. Congress and the US DOE got it right when they said that schools eligible for federal loan money should be able to prove their grads get gainful employment. That is what we must assess.

5. I believe in tenure, but I also believe in robust post-tenure review.

6. I believe in academic freedom, but not freedom to sit on your ass or deliver bad teaching.

In the field of employment, I believe:

1. Unions are a crucial part of a democratic society.

2. No Wall Street Banker, professional athlete, entertainer, lawyer, doctor or other ht shot should take home an obscene amount of money, as the top 1% do today.

3. Everyone capable should have to work, but work should be available and rewarding.

4. Health care should be an employee benefit every worker's family enjoys. Every worker should be able to accumulate a decent pension.

5. We should care for those who can't work.

6. And our work should be taxed at a rate that maintains our vital services and infra structure; all should pay at a level they can afford, on a steeply graduated scale.

Well, there it is.

More of my thoughts are available in my many books: