Part the B

troll,

I read about two years ago that while costs (in adjusted dollars) have risen in th epast 40 years, real wages have lagged by 35-50%. Of course no one needs an $35K SUV and if its done at the expense of time spent with your child, its even worse. Sadly, just to live often requires that both couples worth. Not a particularly glowing endorsement of our society. (I am not necessarily blaming capitalism, btw. Lots of blame to spread around. Capitalism shares the blame with a lot of other areas. Starting with the face staring back at each of us from the mirror)

The studies that show that day care is damaging are...sparse. The few studies properly done show that problems for kids "brought up" by daycare can be traced to the home. Of course, the studies that show otherwise, either that daycare works or doesn't work (plenty of both) are used to bolster one side or the other. Which doesn't say much for real compassion on either side.

On PTA, sports and the like, you're being to generous. The ones that show up at the sports games complain the loudest about all the "frills" tax dollars are spent on, unless its sports related. The ones who show up at the PTA usually have an agenda only distantly related to what's good or needed for the children. And lets not forget the "Educators who use a collage of sometimes contradictory theories to develop a new "learning methodology". When it fails (having wasted lots of money and time and held up students learning) it's the fault of the teachers for improper implementation.

Guest Lib,

I do not know George the Lessor personally. Or any of the dynasty come to that. I have fairly good friends in who do know them and like them a lot. Listening to their stories, I think Alex was being generous. The mistake is to claim he doesn't think he's sincere. Their stories (told to show what a "great guy" he is, lead me in the other way.

Regards,

John