THE RECENT ELECTION

Don’t know about the rest of you, but the events of the past month have really sapped my spirit and my body of a great deal of their remaining strength.

Many of you—like me—must have noticed that Messrs. John Boehner and Mitch McConnell never smiled during the run-up to the election. On the other hand, President Obama’s smile is full of warmth and sincerity—as it was even when he came to the microphone to acknowledge his humiliating and unwarranted defeat. I hope that intelligent man realizes that the world is fast becoming ungovernable, regardless of who our leaders are.

As for the two Republican leaders, it was obvious that they did not lead their followers with a philosophical banner at their fore; rather, they chose to be a team opposing another team by means of political tactics. At least in my mind, there is no memory of an offering of compromise.

Which leads me, in turn, to ruminating about the real goal of this country. And that goal, I have decided, is to COMPETE. And competition entails winners and losers—between or among individuals, groups, and nations. Whether in sports, schools, groups, or nations.

At the very bottom of the human scale of achievement lie those unfortunate souls who were born with IQ’s beyond any hope of success.

At the very top are those who are blessed with both intelligence and wealth to assure them of comfortable lives.

Below them are the people financially stressed, but with minds, determination, and—often—the luck to get educated, and recognized for what they have to offer. It is this group which represents human life at its very best.

The mixture resulting from putting students of an age in a class together and grading them with a universal achievement score, unfortunately ends up with two groups—Winners and Losers. This must be devastating to those on the bottom. And the possible reaction of some might be to find bravado as their only reaction of choice.

On the other hand, I suggest that the schools establish two grading systems—one for the top, a new one for the bottom—without telling ANYONE, at least for an experimental period. In that way, a student with failing grades might find him/her self suddenly
doing a little better. And this, in turn, should garner recognition (rather than wild praise) from the teacher. Knowing you’ve done SOMETHING right for the first time in you life just might help turn a life around.

ARW
11/27/10