America's Growing Deficit

America’s Growing  Knowledge Deficit

            Robert A. Levine    8-21-24

When people generally think of a deficit, they are usually considering a business or a nation’s financial status. And it is true that the United States has been accumulating deficits and now has a huge national debt because the government spends more than it takes in with taxes. But the deficit I’m concerned about is not financial, but the deficit in knowledge and information that is occurring in the United States compared to the rest of the world. A recent article in the journal Foreign Affairs by Amy Zegart spoke to this problem and how it will affect America in the future. Besides placing America at a disadvantage relative to most of the world, it is sad in itself that America’s educational system is failing to educate our youngsters adequately. We may think that Silicon Valley and our technology are the best on the planet, but where are new scientific discoveries and advances in technology going to come from when our students are doing so poorly.

One of the reasons is that schools and universities are receiving less financing from state and federal sources that may be strapped for funding and see education as a lower priority than spending in other areas. Teachers are often not paid well and may not be as well prepared to teach in this era of technological advancement. Companies may not be spending as much on research and development as in the past. But whatever deficiencies are present in our institutions, it still comes down to not having students who want to learn and are actively seeking knowledge. It is true that there are many more distractions now for our young people than were present in the past, when our grade schools and universities were among the best in the world and our students among the most proficient. Now they have online games that demand their attention and social media that can keep them wasting hours at a time, and streaming shows that keep them occupied. There are also escapes from schoolwork with alcohol and drugs for some high school and college students.

Covid exacerbated the educational deficits present in our nation, but other nations also dealt with Covid. The statistics that reveal the standing of our students compared to the rest of the world are disheartening and it is incumbent upon our governments at every level to urgently address these deficiencies or America will no longer be a world power. Math and reading scores among American 13-year-olds were the lowest in decades last year. “Half of U.S. students could not meet their state’s proficiency requirements. And scores on the ACT declined for the sixth year in a row, with 70 percent of high school seniors not meeting college readiness benchmarks in math and 43 percent not meeting college readiness benchmarks in anything.”

Yet while American students are lagging behind, those in other nations are advancing rapidly. Tests of math proficiency of 15-year-olds globally in 2022 revealed that U.S. students ranked 34^th in average math proficiency in back of Slovenia and Vietnam. Ability in science and reading were better than math for U.S. students, but still behind a host of other nations. Only 7 percent of U.S. teenagers ranked at the highest level of math proficiency compared with 12 percent in Canada and 34 percent in South Korea.

International students are receiving an increasing number of doctorates from American universities in engineering, math and science, with the percentages of American students dropping. The largest number of foreign students (27 percent) come from China. The foreign students who remain in the United States afterwards contribute to our innovation and technology, but many of them are forced to leave by our foolish immigration policies. Unless America focuses on improving education markedly at every level, funds more basic research, and corrects our immigration regulations to allow people whom we have educated to stay in the U.S. and play roles in our economy, we are destined to become a second-rate power in the future.

www.robertlevinebooks.com

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The Eternal Carnival Barker

The Eternal Carnival Barker

            Robert A. Levine    8-24

Many Americans wonder about the continued appeal of Donald Trump to a large segment of the American public, particularly residents of rural areas. However, when you think about it, this con artist fits into a long tradition of hucksters who have preyed on Americans living in rural areas and small cities where regular entertainment has been limited. I’m talking about carnivals and the carnival barkers. Their arrival in rural towns was anticipated with glee, predominantly in the 19^th century but has continued to some degree to the present. Donald Trump is a perfect example of this role as a huckster, who would lie and exaggerate to get people to pay for carnival tickets or to buy objects from the carnival booths. He’s a figure well recognized by Americans outside of urban areas and that familiarity has made rural residents accept him more readily than city dwellers as a source of entertainment, the lies and exaggerations as part of his spiel.

“Hey ya, hey ya. Step right up and get your tickets for one of the best and most unusual shows ever in your county. See a one-legged tight-rope walker swallow swords while a hundred feet in the air. See Miss Betty Buxom perform her special dance revealing parts of her you wouldn’t believe. See a grizzly bear eating honey out of a beautiful girl’s hand. See a strongman lift a platform with his teeth with twenty people jumping upon it. And that’s only the beginning. We have forty other acts that will amaze you and have you coming back to see more. Our Trumpy-Dumpy Carnival show has been reviewed by the New York Times and Washington Post with four star ratings. They’ve written that they’ve never seen a show like ours. And you have to see it to believe it. We’ve had larger crowds than any other carnival or circus.

We’ve played in arenas all over the world: to sell out crowds in London, Paris, Berlin and Moscow, always receiving rave reviews. Now, for the special price of five dollars, you can see the spectacular show that has dazzled the entire world. Can you believe it? Only five dollars. Also, along with your ticket you get premium health care for a year, with physicians who have all been trained at the Mayo Clinic. You also get free prescription drugs as needed. Your children will get free day care and your police force will get an infusion of one thousand additional cops. This is all for five dollars. You have my word on this. Can you believe it. Step right up and step right in. Just watch where you walk so you don’t step in any horseshit.  The Trumpy-Dumpy Carnival Show right here in your hometown.

And for an extra hundred dollars a month, you can get a free college education through our organization, with all teachers from Harvard and Stamford. I must also say that we have many special bargains at our booths inside that you can purchase before the show goes on. These are so special that I must keep them secret before you see them to prevent a stampede and people being injured. But step right up and get your chance. It’s a once in a lifetime experience.”

www.robertlevinebooks.com

Buy The Uninformed Voter on Amazon, Barnes and Noble or your local bookstore

The Eternal Carnival Barker

            Robert A. Levine    8-24

Many Americans wonder about the continued appeal of Donald Trump to a large segment of the American public, particularly residents of rural areas. However, when you think about it, this con artist fits into a long tradition of hucksters who have preyed on Americans living in rural areas and small cities where regular entertainment has been limited. I’m talking about carnivals and the carnival barkers. Their arrival in rural towns was anticipated with glee, predominantly in the 19^th century but has continued to some degree to the present. Donald Trump is a perfect example of this role as a huckster, who would lie and exaggerate to get people to pay for carnival tickets or to buy objects from the carnival booths. He’s a figure well recognized by Americans outside of urban areas and that familiarity has made rural residents accept him more readily than city dwellers as a source of entertainment, the lies and exaggerations as part of his spiel.

“Hey ya, hey ya. Step right up and get your tickets for one of the best and most unusual shows ever in your county. See a one-legged tight-rope walker swallow swords while a hundred feet in the air. See Miss Betty Buxom perform her special dance revealing parts of her you wouldn’t believe. See a grizzly bear eating honey out of a beautiful girl’s hand. See a strongman lift a platform with his teeth with twenty people jumping upon it. And that’s only the beginning. We have forty other acts that will amaze you and have you coming back to see more. Our Trumpy-Dumpy Carnival show has been reviewed by the New York Times and Washington Post with four star ratings. They’ve written that they’ve never seen a show like ours. And you have to see it to believe it. We’ve had larger crowds than any other carnival or circus.

We’ve played in arenas all over the world: to sell out crowds in London, Paris, Berlin and Moscow, always receiving rave reviews. Now, for the special price of five dollars, you can see the spectacular show that has dazzled the entire world. Can you believe it? Only five dollars. Also, along with your ticket you get premium health care for a year, with physicians who have all been trained at the Mayo Clinic. You also get free prescription drugs as needed. Your children will get free day care and your police force will get an infusion of one thousand additional cops. This is all for five dollars. You have my word on this. Can you believe it. Step right up and step right in. Just watch where you walk so you don’t step in any horseshit.  The Trumpy-Dumpy Carnival Show right here in your hometown.

And for an extra hundred dollars a month, you can get a free college education through our organization, with all teachers from Harvard and Stamford. I must also say that we have many special bargains at our booths inside that you can purchase before the show goes on. These are so special that I must keep them secret before you see them to prevent a stampede and people being injured. But step right up and get your chance. It’s a once in a lifetime experience.”

www.robertlevinebooks.com

Buy The Uninformed Voter on Amazon, Barnes and Noble or your local bookstore

Will A Trump-Harris Debate Matter?

A Trump-Harris debate would make a difference if it occurred in a neutral environment, without an audience, and with rules negotiated between the Trump and Harris teams. The debate scheduled on September 10 on ABC is longer on tap because Trump backed out. Trump wants the debate moderated by Fox with an audience present. Fox would not be a neutral environment. If Trump is unhappy with ABC, the two contestants can choose NBC or CBS, both mainstream outlets and considered neutral. Trump and Harris could each choose one of the two moderators. The debate should be done without an audience whose reactions could influence the nationwide viewers. When each candidate’s allotted time to answer a question is expended, the moderators should be able to shut off their mics. It would also be preferable to have comments by the two candidates’ fact-checked during the debate, but Trump would certainly never agree to that.

If a debate can be arranged, it would undoubtedly draw a massive television audience. Harris is not as well known by Americans as Trump and it would give them both great exposure. Also, many Americans want to see how Harris would handle Trump and vice-versa, and this would make riveting political entertainment. Harris has said that she will show up at the ABC debate scheduled on September 10 whether or not Trump agrees and appears. It seems unlikely that Trump will allow Harris to have all that airtime for herself. After the ABC debate, the two candidates can decide whether they want additional debates to take place. Harris is really in the driver’s seat in terms of determining when and how and if the debates will occur.

Harris’ spokesperson has said that she might be amenable to further debates if Trump meets his commitment to the September 10 encounter on ABC. Trump wants a live audience in their debate because he likes speaking before a crowd and feeds off their reactions. Harris would be foolish to allow Trump to dictate the terms of a debate when one has already been scheduled on ABC with previous agreement by both campaigns. And to allow two Fox moderators would also be a mistake.

Harris appears to be riding the crest of a wave of enthusiasm about her candidacy and picking the right VP candidate and handling the debate question right are important to continuing the positive vibes that surround her. If Harris’s poll numbers keep rising, Trump may feel that he has no choice other than to debate her, no matter what the terms may be. On the other hand, Trump may be afraid that Harris’ ability to think on her feet may throw him off balance and make him look foolish, which is certainly possible.

www.robertlevinebooks.com

Buy The Uninformed Voter at Amazon, Barnes and Noble or your local bookstore