Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Bring back trade schools!

It seems in today's world, the old fashioned trade or technical school has vanished from the landscape. In its place have mushroomed public learning venues that fail to teach young Americans the basics of survival, work ethic and earning a living with their hands as well as their minds. In its place has become the sterile environment of a classroom, where children sit in rows, many holding electronic devices, and what may be called a mindless educational system. Classes formed to brainwash children into whatever the current mold of education seems to be...teach them that anything is okay as long as the left says it's good. Feed them information that sexual aberration is acceptable, that they can be boys or girls or neither or both as they desire, and can change depending on what their mindset is for the day. Teach that God is bad but evil is good, that criminal behavior is acceptable, and those who commit crime are doing so because they have been "marginalized" by society and have no other recourse. That incarceration of criminals is evil, and that drug use is okay. That protest with violence is okay if you get your message across, but the police enforcing the law are bad.

We NEED trade schools again. Teach children how to work and be inventive and creative. Learn how to shape a piece of wood into a piece of furniture or a knick-knack, build a house, repair an automobile engine or car body, fix a furnace, work on sheet metal, wire a house or factory, repair electronics, do metallurgy, and so much more. Working with your hands and seeing what you created is so rewarding and leads to a more satisfying life. I went to a trade school and learned skills I still use 60 years later. I can still install electrical wiring, wire lights, troubleshoot electrical circuits and more. I first learned these skills in a trade school at the age of 13 and in four years became a pretty decent electrician had I decided to continue my path in that vein. Those are skills that will live with me forever. I have friends who have very successful careers as electricians, carpenters, auto mechanics, and even scientists based on their education in that trade school.

We now place our children in front of a computer or tablet and allow that to be their teacher, mentor and amusement all in one. Whatever is placed in front of them kids will absorb like a sponge. Teach children to sit in front of that device and accept all that it spews is like allowing your child to be in the care of an electronic genie who suddenly pops forth and seems to know everything. And it will teach children many things you may disagree with, but have no control over, unless YOU take control.

Teaching diversity should be done at home, not in school or over some device. It needs to be a conversation parents have with their children on how to be a good citizen and a good human being. How to accept other people based on the individual, and not some stereotype of race, color or creed. Teach children that crime is always wrong regardless of the reason someone gives for their behavior. Teach children love of self, others and love of country. Teach them they can be whatever they accede to if they work hard and strive for it. Teach them the values of saving for a rainy day, sharing with others, and making it on their own.

Teach them that failure is their own choice, as is success. Working through failure is part of the road to success, and that the bumps in that road teach a valuable lesson in overcoming adversity. That challenges are a part of life and never to give up trying. 

We need to fix our schools as well. Stop allowing teachers and "professors" to teach socialist and communist propaganda to our children. Parents need to become more involved in what their children are learning. Stand up for your kids; don't abdicate the raising of your children to a school or electronic device that doesn't have your family values.

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