I've tried to be politically correct on my blog as much as possible, writing so as not to offend any readers or insite a hater club following. The thing is though, I write for me. I write to relieve tension, express emotion, remember events. I don't go all out to make it perfect. I typically write on paper first and then when I have a chance, grab an entry and type it in. I type fast...like 150 words per minute fast (the advantages of being addicted to yahoo chat rooms in the mid 90's) but I also make mistakes. there's a slight disconnect between my fingers and my brain. So when I re-read posts (usually at a later date when I'm reading comments) I notice the mistakes: adn instead of and. An S on the beginning of a word instead of the end of the previous one. Little things that I SHOULD take the time to correct!
I don't do the sponsor thing. I'm not writing to bring in money though I wouldn't be opposed to it if someone (like Lane Bryant, yoooohooooo over here fat fashion gods!) came along and offered me something I could use in exchange for a teensy weensy badge...yea I would sell out, but I don't see me going out and actively soliciting every etsy seller for pennies just to look cool. I probably won't ever write well enough to illicit a following big enough to justify that anyway. ::shrugs:: Not the point of why I write.
Yes, of course I wish I had more readers because I've developed some kick ass relationships with some of them! (although google is still being a bitch and not letting me post on google blogs thus why I'm in the process of transitioning to Wordpress!) I still write for me though. So why do I continue to hide parts of myself from everyone? If people quit reading because I express views they disagree with then I don't need closed minded people in my life. They don't hide thier views from me and a few tend to shove them in my face even. I disagree with bloggers all the time but I respect that they have an opinion and freedom of expression and I keep my mouth shut.
So I'm agreeing to be more honest, with myself, with my blog, with the few dedicated readers I have (and hopefully the don't run screaming when they find out my number on the scale, my religious confusion or the fact that I'm a conservative pro-life republican ---GASP!)
In the end, I'm still me, the girl who struggled with weight (and continues to do so) and fertility, new mom, working gal, living in the crazy world, paying bills, loving my husband, adoring my son,and trying to put down the lemon pound cake. I just sometimes have a little more to say on subjects. I'll never be a Dooce or a Pioneer Woman. God forbid I'm ever a Under1000amonth blogger either. I join blog sites to find new things to read but never promote myself. Maybe I should to find more kindred spirits to keep me motivated. I'm inspired daily by people and their commitment to honesty on their blogs. Holding themselves accountable like skinnyemmie.com. With my current life, I strive to be more like that, for the sake of me.
So beware. I'm letting down my hair...a little at a time. (My courage comes in small doses because like everyone I still have a desire to be liked even by a few.)
Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
The Great Education Soap Box
It is amazing to me the absolute ridiculous amount of opinions that come out of the woodwork when you bring up education. You would think you had just opened up the proverbial can of worms on the great debate of creation vs. evolution.
Here's the thing though, my child's education is not up for debate, opinions, or anything else from the peanut gallery. I don't actually give two shits what you think about my choices. I am the one living in this district with under performing schools, an extreme amount of cases of charges against teachers ranging from inappropriate behavior, drug selling to sexual misconduct with students. Our schools are grossly underfunded. Our state has the lowest teacher salaries in the country (its actually what we are known for unfortunately) and my district is a political cesspool of maintaining perfect integration among the schools while passing through children who can't read or write while we have one of the HIGHEST tax rates in the country not to mention an "education lottery" that does not supplement the education system but takes tax money away from the schools to be ear marked for special interest projects and replaces the same amount from the lottery. The great lottery has not added to our system at all but continues to make desperate low income poor people more poor. That's another rant at another time though.
There are a few good schools here. Don't get me wrong. Just like all over the country there are caring, excellent teachers in good quality schools there are the gems even in my district. Our district has an inter-district transfer policy "as long as space is available" but the problem is: there are no spaces in the good schools because everyone tries to get into them.
If you were lucky enough to have your child assigned to a good public school in your district, I am super happy for you. Really I am. I would love for public school to provide all kids with a great education but if you rely solely on what is given you without doing your research or striving for something better if it doesn't measure up, that is your failing not mine. My child is not going to pay the consequences for my states/districts incompetence or my laziness. DH and I have been looking at schools in our district and making plans and back up plans for the past three years, long before we ever got pregnant. Our original plan was actually to move to the desired district before we had to worry about it but we have changed our job and own educational plans and time lines and have to adjust our child's accordingly. Overall, we are doing what is best for our child's future.
We (collectively not just individually) put so much effort into choosing and purchasing the BEST and safest cribs, strollers, car seats, cars, organic foods, decisions on diapering, babysitters, day cares etc. We will pay out the nose for premium dog food so we aren't feeding our animals corn fillers but when it comes to the public education system versus paying for private school, people get in a tizzy and want to close people's wallets for political principles. You even make the mere mention of a controversial movie or article and people try to rip your opinions to shreds or belittle you for their own personal agendas (and I say that loosely, I am not implying everyone who chooses to discuss it with you of course).
Nothing is too good for my child and nothing is good enough for my child. If I find the public options lacking I damn sure will turn to private options and do what I have to do to finance it to give him the best options for his future.
I am blessed. I was raised well with a lot of opportunities most kids do not get. I was able to go to college without a doubt or question of making it through or finances. My parents have made sacrifices to give me and my children more opportunity than the generation before and DH and I are doing the same. Education is crucial in today's society for success and I will not apologize for being a well adjusted, well educated stable middle class household that will reach to go above and beyond what is "standard and acceptable" for everyone else s kids. My child is not everyone else s and his future and possibilities are determined by no one but DH and I. If you disagree with out choices so be it. I don't care. Your opinions have no bearing on our decisions that we have been formulating long before now with experience and research to back our decision up.
Here's the thing though, my child's education is not up for debate, opinions, or anything else from the peanut gallery. I don't actually give two shits what you think about my choices. I am the one living in this district with under performing schools, an extreme amount of cases of charges against teachers ranging from inappropriate behavior, drug selling to sexual misconduct with students. Our schools are grossly underfunded. Our state has the lowest teacher salaries in the country (its actually what we are known for unfortunately) and my district is a political cesspool of maintaining perfect integration among the schools while passing through children who can't read or write while we have one of the HIGHEST tax rates in the country not to mention an "education lottery" that does not supplement the education system but takes tax money away from the schools to be ear marked for special interest projects and replaces the same amount from the lottery. The great lottery has not added to our system at all but continues to make desperate low income poor people more poor. That's another rant at another time though.
There are a few good schools here. Don't get me wrong. Just like all over the country there are caring, excellent teachers in good quality schools there are the gems even in my district. Our district has an inter-district transfer policy "as long as space is available" but the problem is: there are no spaces in the good schools because everyone tries to get into them.
If you were lucky enough to have your child assigned to a good public school in your district, I am super happy for you. Really I am. I would love for public school to provide all kids with a great education but if you rely solely on what is given you without doing your research or striving for something better if it doesn't measure up, that is your failing not mine. My child is not going to pay the consequences for my states/districts incompetence or my laziness. DH and I have been looking at schools in our district and making plans and back up plans for the past three years, long before we ever got pregnant. Our original plan was actually to move to the desired district before we had to worry about it but we have changed our job and own educational plans and time lines and have to adjust our child's accordingly. Overall, we are doing what is best for our child's future.
We (collectively not just individually) put so much effort into choosing and purchasing the BEST and safest cribs, strollers, car seats, cars, organic foods, decisions on diapering, babysitters, day cares etc. We will pay out the nose for premium dog food so we aren't feeding our animals corn fillers but when it comes to the public education system versus paying for private school, people get in a tizzy and want to close people's wallets for political principles. You even make the mere mention of a controversial movie or article and people try to rip your opinions to shreds or belittle you for their own personal agendas (and I say that loosely, I am not implying everyone who chooses to discuss it with you of course).
Nothing is too good for my child and nothing is good enough for my child. If I find the public options lacking I damn sure will turn to private options and do what I have to do to finance it to give him the best options for his future.
I am blessed. I was raised well with a lot of opportunities most kids do not get. I was able to go to college without a doubt or question of making it through or finances. My parents have made sacrifices to give me and my children more opportunity than the generation before and DH and I are doing the same. Education is crucial in today's society for success and I will not apologize for being a well adjusted, well educated stable middle class household that will reach to go above and beyond what is "standard and acceptable" for everyone else s kids. My child is not everyone else s and his future and possibilities are determined by no one but DH and I. If you disagree with out choices so be it. I don't care. Your opinions have no bearing on our decisions that we have been formulating long before now with experience and research to back our decision up.
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