Another Great Entitlement Program—Preschool Education

President Obama is working up another governmental wonder—a pump up of preschool education. He pointed out that the Georgia program of pre-school education is well on the way to achieving the goals of reducing the teen pregnancy rate, the rate of violent crimes, and causing the graduates of these programs to earn higher wages as adults.

He pointed out that “study after study” has shown that public pre-school education for every child results in lasting academic gains and other cognitive and social improvements. Actually, there were only two studies favorable to preschool education—both of them done four and five decades ago. The studies to which he refers contained 111 and 123 students respectively, all of whom were very poor. These programs were characterized by extremely intensive, personal, involvement of the teachers. The studies featured home visits, parent counseling, nutrition, health care, and other social services. Those studies were expensive, costing $16,000 and $41,000 (in today’s dollar values) per child per year. Currently, Georgia spends $4,298/year/child in preschool.

This results of this preschool program is proposed to surpass the results of the Head Start program. Well, I hope so. The Department of Health and Human Services released a report in December 2012 that said the recipients of Head Start performed better than nonparticipants do until the third grade, when their performance matched perfectly to the performance of students who were not included in Head Start. In other words, the preschool program, Head Start, does not favorably impact student performance beyond the third grade. So, I guess, the solution to that educational program is to throw more money at it—a typical governmental solution to a failed program.

Now, let’s get serious about this Obama proposal. Are there any people out there who actually believe that a preschool program will decrease the teen pregnancy rate and decrease the violent crime rate years after the student graduates into kindergarten??! Give me a break!!

If you look at the data from Oklahoma and Georgia (the two states that now have universal preschool programs) on teen pregnancy rates, you will find that both states have teen pregnancy rates far above the national average. These studies were made after the first cohort of preschool graduates passed through high school graduation.

Consider the high school graduation rates of Oklahoma and Georgia: Oklahoma ranks 25^th in the country on graduation rates; and Georgia ranks 45^th among the states.

I wonder…. Could it be that the poor performance in reducing teen pregnancy and in increasing graduation rates might have been due, actually, to the fact that these state programs have caused the poor results?

Do you really think we need this new entitlement program?

This post was partly redacted from the Wall Street Journal 2/26/13 page A14.)

Are You Afraid of the Sequester?

The President and his mouthpieces at NPR and the rest of the public information media claim that the end of the world is coming tomorrow if the “sequester” goes into effect. All kinds of chaos will break out all the way from airport control towers into classrooms all over the country as thousands of people lose their jobs or are required to take unpaid leave.

Well, some of that may happen; but the interesting thing to note is that the $85 million, which will be cut out of government spending, is exactly the same amount the Federal Reserve is printing each month in order to pay for government deficit spending. Last year, the Fed printed $40 billion monthly. Wow! It would be terrible if the U.S. had to cut spending down to the excessive amount the government is printing every month. We might have to wait a whole month to get back into the spending spree  our government has practiced for the last four years. Poor President Obama! It really hurts him to think of any kind of significant spending cut.

If you are interested in seeing graphic information on government debt and spending practices, I would suggest you look at http://bit.ly/R9oPmU. (Control+click)

Born Again? What Is It?

With today’s blog post, I begin a short group of questions about the Christian faith which I think are interesting. These questions have been proposed, for the most part in a Bible study established at our retirement center for people from various religious disciplines—all of whom are interested in knowing more about the biblical faith of the Christian.

The question for today’s post is this: What are Evangelicals talking about when they claim that in order to follow Jesus, a person must be “born again?”

The best answer I have to this is one given by J.C. Ryle, an Anglican preacher of the late 19^th Century: “To be born again is, as it were, to enter upon a new existence, to have a new mind, a new heart, new views, new principles, new tastes, new affections, new likings, new dislikings, new fears, new joys, new sorrows, new love to things once hated, new hatred to things once loved, new thoughts of God, and ourselves, and the world, and the life to come, and salvation.”

There’s Hope For the Nation!

Nancy and I have just returned from state-wide speaking contest put on by Christian Communicators of Ohio in Columbus. We had six grandchildren competing in that contest, which involved debating and giving speeches on various subjects, some of which were prepared in advance and some were extemporaneous speeches covering a wide range of subjects. Some were concerning the defense of the Christian faith. Some were humorous, some were persuasive. The subjects of the speeches ranged from current political events, to climate change, to abortion, to literary criticism. All of the speeches were inspiring and appealed to higher human values.

Aside from just enjoying the speeches, Nancy and I served as judges trying to evaluate speeches and apply fair grades on the quality of each speech. Each young person received written reports on how well they presented their subject.

We noted that the quality of this event featured speeches that were being closely evaluated—and something more. Young people in this contest remarkably demonstrated Christian ideals in their dress and in their deportment. They demonstrated excellent behavior toward one another during debates, showing that it is possible to be respectful and courteous to other people while strongly disagreeing with their viewpoints.

If American leadership can emulate behavior and values such as those  that were demonstrated at this contest, there is, indeed, a strong possibility of renewed national leadership with moral and political integrity. Let’s pray for that!

Yes, Mr. President, We Are A Nation of Takers

(The following blog post is redacted from an editorial in the Wall Street Journal of 25 January 2012 by Nicholas Eberstadt.)

In his second inaugural address, President Obama said, “The commitments we make to each other—through Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security—these things do not sap our initiative; they strengthen us. They do not make us a nation of takers; they free us to take the risks that make this country great.”

But…there is a growing body of empirical evidence pointing to increasing dependency on state largess. The evidence documents as well a number of perverse and disturbing changes that this entitlement state is imposing on society.

For instance, since 1960, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, entitlement transfers—government payments of cash, goods, and services to citizens—have been growing twice as fast as overall personal income. Government transfers now account for nearly 18% of all personal income in America—up from 6% in 1960. The myriad welfare programs in America currently dispense entitlement benefits of more than $2.3 trillion yearly. That amounts to $7,400 per American man, woman, and child!

In 1960, the Office of Management and Budget, social welfare programs accounted for less than ⅓ of federal spending. Today, entitlement programs account for nearly ⅔ of federal spending. That is nearly twice as much as defense , justice, and everything else Washington does combined.

Today, 49% of Americans live in homes receiving one or more government transfer benefits—that is up almost 20 points from the early 1980’s. And despite what the White House suggested during the last election, this leap is not due to the aging of the population. Only about one tenth of the increase is due to upticks in old-age pensions and health-care programs for seniors.

Instead, the country has seen an expansion in public reliance on “means-tested” programs—benefits intended for the poor, such as Medicaid and food stamps. Today over 100 million Americans are accepting money, goods, or services from “means-tested” government programs. This percentage is twice as high as in the early 1980’s.

This might not be so bad if it had not been accompanied by a flight of working-age men from the work force. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the proportion of adult men 20 years old and older working or seeking employment have checked out of the labor market—that is 13 percentage points more than between 1948 and 2008. This male flight from the work force includes 7% of men in their late 30’s, the prime working age group. Moreover, this happened before the recent recession.  This workforce opt-out was more than twice the rate experienced in Greece, the poster child for modern welfare-state dysfunction. America’s rate of workforce dropout is worse than practically any Western European economy.

It is common knowledge that America’s entitlement balloon has been keynoted by huge increases in disability benefits, mostly because of musculoskeletal complaints and mood disorders. Both of these problems are usually impossible for doctors to document objectively. Another burgeoning expense to the government and the taxpayer is a large increase in people on food stamps.

Transfers of wealth funded by other people’s money tend to foster a pernicious “something for nothing” mentality—especially when those transfers seem to be progressively and relentlessly growing year by year. This “taker” mentality can only weaken civil society; and this pattern is not sustainable.  

Generosity with our own money is a virtue; but generosity with other people’s money is not.

 

 

Read the Qur’an.

We read and hear about many events involving “radical Islamists” and “Islamic extremism” these days. We wonder how people could become so violent as to throw bombs, start fires, shoot to kill, and even blow themselves up in order to kill their enemies. To those of us who have grown up in the Christian tradition of love and kindness to our enemies, these acts seem offensive and senseless. Now, it is true, that Christians have been guilty of violent acts in the past. The truth of Christianity is that our Savior can be found in the context of learning to love our enemies—violent acts in the name of Christ are aberrations and grossly misplaced acts, almost always motivated by political and social issues—and almost never are they done in the name of our faith.

On the other hand, I believe that most Islamic violence is undertaken by people who are trying to obey the precepts written in the Qur’an, their holy book. I believe that the world’s violence comes directly from the basic teachings of Islam. I would invite all my readers to read the Qur’an and see if I am right. You will find the Qur’an very difficult to read, mainly because all of its reported beauty has been lost in translation from the original Arabic. Even some of the grammar and wordy meanings seem to have been lost in translation, making much of it impossible to completely understand. But…the main body of the document can be understood; and I think you can plainly see that a recurring theme in the Qur’an is a call for violence in defense of the religion. If you do not want to read the whole document, I have listed below the ayats (verses) (surahs are like chapters)that call Muslims to violent behavior.

To give Muslims the benefit of the doubt about the peacefulness of their faith, be sure to read my last paragraph. It is taken from a commentary by a knowledgeable Muslim leader.

Calling Down Violence:

1.    Surah 2:54
2.    Surah 2:191
3.    Surah 2:216:218
4.    Surah 2:244 Fighting for Allah authorized.
5.    Surah 2:279
6.    Surah 3:142 Reward for fighting for Allah.
7.    Surah 3:152 Reward for annihilating the enemy.
8.    Surah 3:154 Encouragement to participate in slaughter.
9.    Surah 3:169 Those who fight for Allah live in heaven.
10.  Much of Surah 3 has to do with an encouragement to violence in the name of Allah. Rewards for faithfulness to the fighting cause of Allah is reiterated over and over.
11.  Surah 4:74 A promise of reward in bliss for those who fight and die in a struggle for Allah.
12.  Surah 4:77 Allah encouraging his followers to fight.
13.  Surah 4:89 A call to slay the hypocrites. 
14.  Surah 4:91 A call to slay your enemies.
15.  Surah 4:95; 57:10 A reward to those who strive and fight for Allah.
16.  Surah 4:104 Do not slack in following up the enemy.
17.  Surah 5:23
18.  Surah 5:33 Cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides is the punishment of infidel.
19.  Surah 5:38 Cut off the hands of thieves.
20.  Surah 5:45 The principle of eye for eye, etc.
21.  Surah 6:6 More violence endorsed.
22.  Surah 7:4 Recounting how followers of Allah have destroyed many towns on account of their sins.
23.  Surah 7:24 Allah threatening to cut of hand and foot on opposite sides and to crucify his enemies.
24.  Surah 8 This Surah is an account of the battle of Badr; and it is encouraging to those who would fight for Islam.
25.  Surah 8:12; 69:44, 46 Allah encouraging fighters and promising to cut off all the finger tips of the enemy.
26.  Surah 8:16 If followers of Allah back off the battle, they will go to hell.
27.  Surah 9:5 Muslims called to slaughter pagans.
28.  Surah 9:12-14 More call to fight and kill pagans who have broken covenant.
29.  Surah 9:20 Reward of salvation promised to those who strive with might and main and suffer exile for Allah.
30.  Surah 9:29 Fight against unbelievers until the pay the jizyah and feel subdued.
31.  Surah 9:36 Fight against the pagans.
32.  Surah 9:44 There is no exemption from fighting for Allah and giving goods and persons.
33.  Surah 9:86-89 Those who will fight are promised prosperity and eternal life.
34.  Surah 9:93-97 Rewards implied for those who go to war for Allah and do not stay behind. 
35.  Surah 9:111 Those who slay and are slain in the cause of Allah will receive paradise.
36.  Surah 9:123; 71:26 Fight the pagans.
37.  Surah 9:5 Admonition to slay, beleaguer, wait in ambush, and seize pagans.
38.  Surah 17:5 Allah and Muslims sent “terrible warfare” on their enemies.
39.  Surah 17:7 Enemies of Islam were injured by their enemies with the approval of Muslims.
40.  Surah 17:8; 61:4 Threats by Muslims to attack and injure nonbelievers.
41.  Surah 17:16 Muslims threaten to destroy an entire population of transgressors.
42.  Surah 17:58; 21:11; 21:95; 22:45; 22:48; A promise to destroy all populations or punish them by a dreadful punishment.
43.  Surah 17:68, 69 Allah will send a violent tornado with a shower of stones.
44.  Surah 17:75 Punishment meted out to people in this life; I cannot see why in the context.
45.  Surah 18:59; 19:74; 19:98 Populations of people destroyed because they committed iniquities.
46.  Surah 22:25; 69:30, 31 Unbelievers are to be punished.
47.  Surah 23:41 Allah sends a blast to destroy his enemies as rubbish.
48.  Surah 33:26,27 Muslims slaying and throwing terror into the hearts of people of the Book. Approved by Allah!
49.  Surah 38:3 Muslims destroying generations of people.
50.  Surah 47:4 Muslims called to fight and kill the enemies; eternal rewards will be for those who fight.
51.  Surah 48:25 Punishment threatened to unbelievers.
52.  Surah 48:29 Muslims are to be strong against unbelievers but compassionate to one another. The exact opposite of the Golden Rule!

Al Mawdudi points out in his commentary on Surah 64 that “the Qur’an encompasses four fundamental truths: First, that the universe in which they live is not Godless, but its Creator, Master and Ruler is an All Powerful God, and everything in it testifies to His being most Perfect and absolutely faultless. Second, that the universe is not without purpose and wisdom, but its Creator has created it with truth, and no one should be under the delusion that it is a mock show, which began without a purpose and will come to an end without a purpose. Third, that the excellent form that God has created you with and the choice that He has given you to choose between belief and unbelief is not a useless and meaningless activity so that it may be of no consequence whether you choose belief or unbelief. In fact, God is watching as to how you exercise your choice. Fourth, that you have not been created irresponsible and un-answerable. You have to return ultimately to your Creator, and have to meet the Being who is aware of everything in the universe, from Whom nothing is hidden, to Whom even the innermost thoughts of the minds are known.” All men are responsible before Allah; he ordains all things, including the possibility of falling away from the faith; but anyone who chooses to do that loses Allah’s presence in his heart and his place in heaven.

 Those who would insist that Islam is a religion of peace and submission should carefully consider the above notes about the sect. Nowhere in the document could I find the word “love.” I think the Islamic terrorists are simply acting out the instructions they find in the Qur’an.

Why Work?

Let me tell you a modern-day parable:

 A political science professor in a state university recently flunked his whole class. The professor announced at the beginning of the school term that there would be three tests, two preliminary tests and one final exam. After the first test, he explained that he was going to average all the test scores and give everyone in the class the average grade on the exam. The average score was a B. When the second test came up, he told the class that the same scoring system would be used. The average score was a D. When the final test came up, he announced that the same scoring and grading system would be used. The average score came out to be an F. The whole class flunked!!

This parable illustrates the fact that people won’t work to do well if the outcome does not benefit them—at least a little. They won’t work for the good of the other guy. Socialist systems illustrated by this parable do not inspire people to work for the good of others.

In the United States, today, we are beginning to see the same kind of force at work in our culture.

Labor force participation has declined since 2000. The recession accounts for some of this decrease in productive working among our people, but not all of it. The other significant reason is soaring government benefits. Many people think that it is not necessary to work when so many economic benefits come to them free from the government.

One disincentive to work is the proliferation of food stamp recipients. There are over 30 million more Americans receiving food stamps today than in 2000. The sharp rise in the number of those receiving food stamps predated the financial crisis of 2008. From 2000 to 2007, the number of beneficiaries rose from 17.1 million to 26.3 million according to the Department of Agriculture. That number has leaped to 47.5 million in October 2012. That increase amounts to 10,000 more beneficiaries per day! The average benefit per person jumped in 2009 from $102 to $125 per month.

The increase in food stamp distribution is not all due to recession-related unemployment. From 2010 to 2012, unemployment decreased from 9.6% to 7.8% and real GDP was rising steadily. Instead of decreasing with the decreasing unemployment rates during that period, food stamp usage continued to rise; and 7,223,000 more people received food stamps.

A second factor in the disappearance of Americans from the work force is the easier availability of Social Security disability payments. The health of Americans and the decreasing physical dangers of the workplace have improved over recent decades. Yet…the number of Social Security disability recipients have increased. Three million Americans received SS disability payments in 1990. Now, the number has risen to 8.6 million.

The SS disability program is soaked in inefficiency and ineffectiveness as reported by David Autor from MIT. Many reported cases of fraud have been revealed.

Extended unemployment benefits are a third source of non-earned income that keeps people out of the work force. The traditional 26 week benefit has been continuously extended over the past four years—many persons out of work a year or more are still receiving benefits.

In conclusion,  If more people have less incentive to stay out of the work force, they might seek jobs and help spur economic growth.

(Much of this blog post was taken from the Wall Street Journal of 1/16/13 page A13.)