A Call to Amendment: No Child Left Behind Act of 2001

Posted on October 20, 2015 by Kay Dailey

Overview

The No Child Left behind Act of 2001, established during the Bush administration would ensure that all children receive fair and equal access to quality education. More specifically, in 2002, the policy required that all states test their students in reading, and math starting from grades three through grade eight, and again when the student reached high school level where students were to meet or exceed reading and math requirements. In addition, the act would help close the gap of achievement for students [according to the United States Department of Education] by providing quality education where focus was on (a) accountability and assurance to disadvantaged children, (b) flexibility that allowed federal funds to be used to improve student achievement, (c) research based education which placed emphasis on programs and practices that proved effective through scientific research, and (d) parent options which provided choices for Title 1 school parents (No Child Left Behind Act 2001). However, at present, the policy though well written has not taken shape, and neither has there been offered relief to support all students for which the policy was created other than to transfer a student passing from the school where the environment has become academically unsafe. Moreover, because of racial disparities and economic conditions such as poverty in districts the children are further subjugated to even poorer learning environments where there are meager classroom materials and less than adequate instruction. Therefore, this article will propose change to the current policy, an amendment; along with, recommendations to abolish areas where the policy has been breached by providing information which is overlooked and or ignored in current more up to date research concerning the No Child Left Behind Act overall.

Problems with Current Policy

Firstly, there are a number of reoccurring problems with standard testing as it pertains to the NCLB Act, and these must be dealt with to ensure that all students taking the exam have equal success. It is the case, that nearly every child entering the public school system [particularly] among the African American and Hispanic students exhibit ongoing failure even while there is instruction for the same. Hence, the occurrence of such failure among the students would beg the question to ask is it really a fact that students are dumb or dumbed down? Reportedly, blacks currently score lower on vocabulary, reading and math tests; including, measurement of aptitude and intelligence than European Americans, and the authors stated that “On some tests the typical American black still scores below 75 percent of the American whites on the same test (Jencks & Phillips, 1998, para.1). Accordingly, teachers/educators are required to ‘teach’ the test rather than teaching regular curriculum that stimulates the intellect, or creativity in the student. It is the case that much of the school year is taken over with this type programing, and the morale of both students and educators is low because of failure to pass the test. Hence, armed with this information the premise of reauthorization of the act is of no regard. Consequently, the premise of reauthorization only acts to restore previously enacted documents which to date have failed to yield positive results. As a result, the failure of the practice in testing students has not fulfilled the element of improved research. Therefore, a total amendment, and or more acceptable replacement is needed.

Secondly, the promise to close the achievement gap as enacted by law has failed, and reportedly, the gap has not been lessoned for years. According to a New York Times (2009) article, “’No Child’ Law is not Closing the Racial Gap”, it is apparent there has not been an improvement in years.

Sam Dillion (2009) wrote:

Between the year 2004 and 2009 when the article was written that even though black and Hispanic elementary, middle and high school students all scored much higher on the federal test than three decades ago most of the gains made were not recent but during the desegregation efforts of the 1970s and 80s and was well before the No Child law which in the official description admonishes to close the achievement gap (Dillon, 2009, para. 3).

The Official Description

SEC. 1. SHORT TITLE

Begun and held at the City of Washington on Wednesday, the third day of January, two thousand and one.

An Act

To close the achievement gap with accountability, flexibility, and choice, so that no child is left behind. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled [No Child Left Section 1].

According to the Center of Education Policy (as reported by USA Today), there are 43,000 schools in the US that fail, or have failed which means 48 percent of students have made no progress since the enactment of the law. This information is troubling, because the only relief noticeable to parents is the opportunity once a child fails to transfer to a district passing. Hence, this too brings problems added to problems when transportation becomes a problem. Nevertheless, the report is telling that in Wisconsin (for example) the failure was extremely low at 11 percent. In explanation, of the failed standards for the federal exam policymakers have predicted failure rates of 82 percent, however, there are claims as well that the statistics are in error. In essence, to keep with the premise of requirement by law that every student perform at grade level by the year 2014 is impossible and has failed according to some educators (USA Today, 2014, para.1).

Thirdly, there is variance in the degree of difficulty as it pertains to the standardized testing. For example, in some school districts there are different tests given. In the USA Today article there is information given to that effect. The authors wrote, “State’s scores varied widely”. For example, in Georgia, 27% of schools did not meet targets, compared to 81% in Massachusetts and 16% in Kansas” In addition, the authors stated that even state officials argue that the act is do for rewrite, and further that officials offer little hope when lawmakers cannot agree on how to fix the problem of differences in difficulty of the testing between state, or, to amend it (USA Today, 2014, para. 5). Consequently, there are several reasons given for the variant in difficulty in certain states:

Immigrant students
Low income students, and
State requirement to raise expectation in the number of students who pass each year (USA Today, 2015, para.6).

As a result, of these facts, the essence of the federal law which is intended to close the achievement gap by realizing equal achievement with regard to students at disadvantage has failed and is biased.

The Violation of Civil Rights is a Violation of Ethics

Fourthly, educators across the nation are seeming at their wits end and are of great travail concerning the premise of federal testing calling the test biased, however, advocates of civil rights concerning the original intent offer justice and equality as the Department of Education pronounced that biased testing is a civil rights issue and an ethical one as well. In an article, “Is it a student’s civil right to take a federally mandated standardized test?” author, Lyndsey Layton (2015) wrote:

Removing the requirement for annual testing would be a devastating step backward, for it is very hard to make sure our education system is serving every child well when we don’t have reliable, comparable achievement data on every child every year,” Kati Haycock, president of the Education Trust, said in recent testimony before the Senate education panel. Her group joined 20 civil rights organizations to lobby Congress to keep the requirement to test all children each year in math and reading (Layton, 2015, para. 4).

However, is this statement a fair assumption to say that the removal of the federal test is against civil rights? Conversely, teachers agree that teaching the test while forsaking the art of creativity and free expression surely takes away human rights of the student to think for themselves.

In an interview, a former educator and social worker detailed what many instructors go through in teaching and testing. During her interview, Jacqueline James (2015) was asked to (a) Recount factors of her work, (b) Factors leading to the testing being biased in her opinion, (c) Why she left the school system, (d) What the morale was like for students and faculty, and (e) Suggestion of changes that would contribute to the law.

She wrote:

Hello Everyone,

My name is Jacqueline Jordan. I have five years experience in the school system, including, elementary, middle and high school education. I held positions as substitute teacher, assistant and as a social worker. I also hold a Bachelor of Social Science with a minor in Education, and a Master of Education with a minor in Public Policy; as well as, a Master of Organizational Management.

As an educator, some of the main factors that were attributed to our work was tied to testing. Hence, the main issues were that I and other educators were frustrated that our students’ performance was not meeting expectations. Conversely, exam scores were lower than previous years and we spent many days and months trying to figure out why our students were struggling, and after interviewing students in their perspective classes and schools we were told that they did not understand the question. Therefore, it was determined that the questions on the tests had nothing in common with how certain groups of children think or rationalize.

I feel the testing is biased due to the overall testing results for students who otherwise pass their assignment during the entire school year only to take the test and fail. Moreover, the testing is set for certain populations of students who may be at a disadvantage. Hence, from my experience many racial minorities struggle to pass the test because of no relation to what they have learned, and neither to their personal lives. This too, is one of the reasons I left the district, because I feel it is not fair to our minority students.

Honestly speaking, the morale for the majority of faculty was low because of dissatisfaction in the work. Consequently, low morale among the faculty was the reason for high turnover in staff and low performance, and frankly, from my viewpoint the student morale was lower due to many not being able to understand, nor, were they accurately understand the assignments given. Hence, this occurrence caused behavioral issues, students skipping class, incomplete assignments and or unfocused students without the ability to engage. Therefore, all this overall also caused parents to feel as if their children were not being effectively taught by the school system which added to all parties being frustrated—parents, students and faculty. In general, the environment for most students was stressful due to non-relational material.

There are quite a few areas to policy and procedures that I would like to see amended:

Teachers should not have to teach from a manual and or for a test.
The material learned should be based on real world solutions.
The students success and being promoted should not be based on the one test, especially when the student works diligently throughout the year to pass their assignments otherwise (Jacqueline Jordan, interview by Kayla Daily, October, 11, 2015, 4:19 p.m., interview Electronic Communication).

Dispelling Myths

A fifth reason, brings attention to a telling fact of how the academic success of students may be hampered is the myth that black students are not as smart as white or non black students, and this assumption may certainly seem realistic if one places judgement in relation to test scores, however, one would have something other than assumption to rely on. Jencks & Phillips (1998) argued that theorists promote the idea that low scores are attached to family background and or family environment which can be taken generally to say that all black people are dumb, unable to learn, and thus, unable these factors in turn can affect; or rather, do affect test scoring.

The authors explained:

In 1978 the Nigerian anthropologist John Ogbu suggested that cast-like minorities throughout the world tended to do poorly in school, even when they were visually indistinguishable from the majority. Later, Ogbu argued that because blacks had such limited opportunities in America, they developed an ‘oppositional’ culture that equated academic success with ‘acting white’ (Jencks & Phillips, 1998, p.6, para.4).

In general, the rejection of assumptive views tend to hide bias, or rather lend to biased thinking, and along with the awareness that there may bias lurking amidst the exams one can also be aware that text books containing the answers are not made available to the impoverished districts. In her interview, Jacqueline James (2015) alluded to that fact saying that ‘the children’ said they did not understand the questions (James, 2015). Hence, this begs the question that asks if the children do not understand even though the educators are teaching the tests then there is more than an agenda set up for their fail, and why is there a manual to teach from instead of a book? Could it be that the curriculum for the exam is not being taught? In this instance, a proposed plan for a policy amendment or rewrite is simple, either stop the federal exam or make the materials needed for the exam available to all students everywhere. In other words, there is no gap if there is not one continually created. Accordingly, the US Department of Education has promised equal access to education for all students. Hence, if one is to support the breach in civil rights as advocacy outlines then one would need to consider the evidence presented speaking of no access to testing materials equally, and the propensity that the teachers are given manual over the actual textbook. Therefore, the premise of testing as a civil right has been breached and has failed, because not only are teachers hindered but there is pressure for them to teach what they do not know may be the wrong material.

The No Child Left behind Act is a Breach of Budgeting

In an article, there is evidence that federal funding may be misappropriated. Hence, with funding and budget cuts so steep there must be need to look further into the matter. It is the case, that “Prior to 2001 and the implementation of the law that appropriations went up only $3 billion per year”, however, after are up 64% according to a CBS News report. Elizabeth Harrington (2011) wrote that from the years 2000 to 2001 the appropriation rate increased by 9%. However, after implementation of the program appropriations were up to 33% which is $42 billion (2001) and climbed to $56.2 billion (2002). Hence, it is notable that more funds are spent yearly, yet, the children fail more so even with all the programming.

Here is a further breakdown of expenditures according to CBS News (2011) report:

1997 – $33.52 billion
1998 – $35.67 billion
1999 – $38.31 billion
2000 – $38.44 billion
2001 – $42.06 billion
2002 – $56.17 billion
2003 – $63.25 billion
2004 – $67.21 billion
2005 – $71.47 billion
2006 – $100.04 billion (due to a jump in Federal Family Education Loans)
2007 – $67.12 billion
2008 – $68.57 billion
2009 – $138.00 billion (regular spending of $39.88 billion plus $98.23 billion under the Recovery Act)

2010 – $63.00 billion (Harrington, 2011, para.4).

There is no need to address the overall budget implemented concerning the NCLB when there is evidence of an astronomical amount of federal dollars spent even while the children fail at a rapid pace yearly. Hence, this begs the question where does the money really go? There is no reauthorization needed, no restore of the same disparaging occurrence as it relates to the law. That said, policymakers must address these issues immediately and reconsider their programming is not working and is wasting away tax payer dollars.

Lips & Fienberg (2007) wrote, that “Federally funded full time employees in state education agencies worked to implement education programs three times more than the number of employees working at the Department of Education (Lips & Fienberg, 2007, para. 3). Hence, here are workers making money for programing that is no good when the consideration should be on the text books, and other needed materials that make for a successful test score. There has already been evidence brought that the children understand that they do not understand the questions on the test when they have worked all year to learn. In essence, more money should be spent in the school to pay the districts’ teachers, and less money for programming that does not work. Therefore, the only cut to budget should state in policy to quit bogus federal government expenditures, because after all paying the teachers and funding the school so that all is equal access is the mission of NCLB.

Summary

The NCLB has failed to do what it was created to do in closing the achievement gap academically, because the children still fail and is in breach of promise. There is variance in the degree of difficulty involving the exam across states which promotes the premise of biased testing standards and is in breach of policy as the occurrence does not promote equality; and, which leads to a breach of civil rights. The academic success of students has been hampered severely because of myths that non whites cannot learn as favorably as white students. Hence, this thought is promoted further as it relates to tests scores more favorable to the white students. There is evidence that federal budget as it pertains to NCLB may be misappropriated where money is spent implementing programs rather than actual research to find error in testing.

Conclusion

Finally, as it pertains to amendment the NCLB has left a disparaging mood among educators across the nation to adamantly lift up a cry out for those who stand to lose more from standardized testing. It is the case that the states have failed the students of which the need for educational equality is upheld. Hence, for blacks and other minorities who will take their place in the world, that is, a world in need of equality where their fate should not be determined by a test. Hence, the premise of education and all its characteristics should say in policy all is equal, and not according to multiple choice, unless the multiples of choices are discerned from a creative mind with the ability to think its way through the problems presented with logic and sound reasoning. Policy makers should then, take the evidence presented here; along with, the research provided to make sound judgments and see that what is happening in the school system is questionable, and is not equal access as the law is written. Rewrite it then, make it plain to all that you mean what you say is the cry of all who speak of civil rights, on the streets and now in education. Notably, change will come—with an equal policy that truly stands with all accepted as equal.

Related Articles

Why Poor Schools Can’t Win at Standardized Testing

Not Child Left Behind is not Closing a Racial Gap

Education Spending Up 64% Under No Child Left Behind But Test Scores Improve Little

The Black-White Test Score Gap. CHAPTER ONE

The Administrative Burden of No Child Left Behind

Is it a student’s civil right to take a federally mandated standardized test?

Report: Half of US Schools Fail Federal Standards

How No Child Left Behind Benefits African Americans

Your Sunday Bread: No Peace but a Sword

Posted on October 10, 2015 by Kay Dailey

Today’s discussion is Peace, and we have heard scripture which enlightens us to seek peace. However, scriptures also give us an image of peace that does not come from the worldview of peace.

For example, when someone is fighting it requires a treaty of peace between the parties to become ‘peaceful’ again. However, for many, especially when we view how America got its start and to break away for Britain the citizens became rebellious, that is to say, the citizens of America no longer stood with or for what their forefathers represented.

In biblical view Yahusha is quoted as saying, “I come not for peace [or prosperity] but with a sword” which is direct, and great contrast to what we have been given that peace is among us.

He added, “I come to turn [or rather persuade] a mother against daughter, and a father against son, and a daughter n law against a mother n law [and] a man’s enemies will be the members of his household”. So then, in this instance, we get not peace but war for what is right.

Can anyone hear? That its not all smooth sailing in this, that there are going to be some changes made and it starts at home. Living set apart is rebellion against the normal of world view.

Today:

Seek peace and pursue it means peace in set apart living. Come back to Torah, but be warned that in doing so destroys what we believe peace to be.

For your hearing:

Matthew 10: 34

Civil Rights: The Fight to be Equal with God

Posted on October 7, 2015 by Kay Dailey

To be discriminated against in America is so common that those who live in the wake of it come to expect it in some form or another daily if they are awakened to see it. In fact, to be black in America is rough, difficult to be so; however, the problem is not the people who are progenitors of racism and discrimination it is the people who believe themselves equal to the whites perception of themselves. This is not to say that in any way should so called blacks be continually mistreated, or to place themselves in harms way; however, to come to a realistic view and see that if white people see themselves as God in their own eyes, and they rule the country—then also in their eyes every single person that comes to America willingly or not is considered to be, or should become a servant. Consequently, there is a problem with thinking that everyone should be a servant, and the problem with that thought is those who feel that way have a tendency to mistreat people. Another view is that people who are descendants of slave owners typically have a mindset that America, the nation is theirs because they built it, and that if their money paid for the country to become great; then regardless of how they came about that money while committing immoral acts against mankind in their minds they are God, that is, God has the money, God owns the land, God writes the policy, God is America’s Dream, and because of this thinking of themselves as God by the white people others should just look over the fact that GOD is racist. In this article there is discussion concerning current policy in regards to civil rights initiatives so called blacks pursuit to become like God.

The Fight to be like God

Of course, today, with President Obama’s position as head of the country some people may consider that there is not discrimination any longer, or that the country has had a breakthrough since he took office, however, the election of a mixed race only adds fuel to the fact that Obama is half black and half God to the whites, or rather, a pawn to be used by those who to many in their own minds are GOD. In explanation, the CEO of the National Policy Institute, Sam Dickson (2014) spoke concerning the policy set during the writing of the Declaration of Independence for the country’s break with their motherland Britain, In his video, “America: The God that Failed”, he said that the section of the declaration which speaks about ‘inalienable rights’ was taken off the paper of Britain’s document and placed into the American one. In that he stated that “a man without a country” cannot possibly have the type dedication to the cause of those who call America their home and built it (Dickson, 2014). Speaking frankly, Dickson is saying that no one can be equal with God–one nation under God rule. The Civil Rights Act of 1964, was created from legislature in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution that mentions rhetoric such as ‘alienable rights given by God—life , liberty and pursuit of freedom’, and ,’ all men are created equal’; however, at the time of the signing did not include blacks. Further, a realistic view of this is that no one can be what God says he is not—equal or otherwise, and it is a fair statement to say that words written by God becomes law. Consequently, here one should be reminded that the three-fifth human clause has yet to be amended. It is the case that great strides have been made as result of rallies of civil disobedience to God, and notably the subservient blacks did not ask for much.

Initiatives in the Fight to be like God

Dye (2010) wrote that there are differences of opinion concerning racism in the country where whites think not much of it and do not think it a problem, and blacks see it differently stating there is a serious problem with racism (Dye, 2010). Although, civil rights issues most popular are covered in the legislation there are others that have yet to be such as police brutality which is really brutality by God in uniform and the right to not be murdered in the streets, unarmed like dogs is an ongoing pursuit. Hence, the initiatives set pertaining to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is paled in comparison to these unsolved. More specifically, civil pursuits of equality to be like God have been broad and include many milestones in the rights of people of color in all areas of living—mainly protection against discrimination for: (a) publics places, but not the right to assemble peaceably, but also includes equal access to schools and or equal access to, restaurants, restrooms, (b) outlaw of Jim Crowe laws which prevented access to voting, (c) employment for black people and equal pay standards, and (d) housing which include mortgage lending discrimination and the tendency for landlords to be slum lords. Presently, however, there have been several amendments to the act which now include protection to women in the work place and working while pregnant, right to choice of healthcare, gay or sodomite marriage rights, right to not be bullied, and several court related rights that are written also but are still unequal in quality and perception in the pursuit to be God’s equal. For example, although there is legislation to state that negroes can work along side God instead of being relegated to back doors, cleaning God’s toilet or watching God’s children black women can now work alongside white women and may be as qualified even more so in some cases or equally as qualified but still make less than their non black colleagues. Additionally, black women and men are lowest paid who work along side their white colleagues, and who all are degreed status; however, here is where the inequality lies, that is, blacks chosen last over whites and even if chosen are paid considerably less than whites and this occurrence can happen in the hiring process. In explanation consider the following scenario:

A local auto parts company is hiring for a management position. After the interviews, however, the Human Resources Department has narrowed the search for a manager down to two candidates who both hold the degreed status required for the position, and they both have the required amount of management experience needed– their names are Christopher Columbus, and Michael Spears. Hence, unable to decide between the two the hiring manager calls both in for a second interview. In the interviews; however, no salary is ever discussed, but in a meeting between the hiring manager and her boss is where the salary for the position was initially decided that the position would pay $32,000 per year. Additionally, after the interviews the team decides that they will not hire Christopher Columbus and call Michael in for a third and final interview where they will offer his package at that time. Subsequently, at the interview they tell Michael that the position pays $10.00 an hour which is $19,200 per year instead of the $32,000 a year that the hiring managers had previously planned to offer. Hence, this begs the question and asks why? It is the case, that not only is Michael an African American but the team sees that as a chance to save money, and decided that he has the skills needed to fit the job description; however, their decision to not pay him equally as unto the white candidate because of his race is discrimination.

The Right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness equal to God

How unfortunate, that anyone living in a country as great as America would be subjugated to such biases and discrimination, and one could say that the white man was discriminated against as well, however, the opportunity will await the white over black in greater measure. Moreover, this type discrimination is difficult to prove and applicants should obtain the ability to seek out information regarding pay in a field or for positions before applying. Generally, however, in the interview applicants are discouraged from raising questions about pay before the subject is brought up. Hence, this occurrence removes any chance of the applicant being warned concerning the agenda against them. In his address concerning women and equal pay discrimination, President Obama stated that unequal pay is not just a woman’s issue but a family issue and the aforementioned scenario addresses that more so, because men are still the heads of the household in many cases, and although in so called black families there are women who are forced into the role of head of the house there is a need for men to be paid as much as white men in the workplace so they too can take care of their families.

President Obama wrote concerning the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act:

Because while this bill bears her name, Lilly knows this story isn’t just about her. It’s the story of women across this country still earning just 78 cents for every dollar men earn – women of color even less – which means that today, in the year 2009, countless women are still losing thousands of dollars in salary, income and retirement savings over the course of a lifetime. But equal pay is by no means just a women’s issue – it’s a family issue. It’s about parents who find themselves with less money for tuition or child care; couples who wind up with less to retire on; households where, when one breadwinner is paid less than she deserves, that’s the difference between affording the mortgage – or not; between keeping the heat on, or paying the doctor’s bills – or not. And in this economy, when so many folks are already working harder for less and struggling to get by, the last thing they can afford is losing part of each month’s paycheck to simple discrimination. So in signing this bill today, I intend to send a clear message: That making our economy work means making sure it works for everyone. That there are no second class citizens in our workplaces, and that it’s not just unfair and illegal – but bad for business – to pay someone less because of their gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion or disability. And that justice isn’t about some abstract legal theory, or footnote in a casebook – it’s about how our laws affect the daily realities of people’s lives: their ability to make a living and care for their families and achieve their goals (Obama, 2015).

Notably, the pursuit in the fight to be equal to God is ongoing for both genders of the black race, and future policies should reflect change in the areas of: (a) three fifth human amendment, (b) raising the minimum raise, (c) equal fair pay for black men and women, according to their educational level, and more thought and effort placed on anti-bullying legislation to include police brutality.

In the strides to become equal to God, blacks have not gained strides equal to whites in the fifty plus years of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 execution. Moreover, in the shadow of the attitude of whites in America blacks made a huge mistake in the supposed fight of equality, that is, that God cannot accept the people who they crossed the Atlantic to steal them from their families, a people of culture, of a continent of African people who were sold into slavery. In addition, so called blacks would be wise to remember that in the eyes of America the slaves cannot be equal to their master whether in education, the workplace, health or welfare, that the servant is not equal to their God, and pursuit to find a place equal is for the white man a dream but for the black man in America who covet such a place has become a nightmare. That a said the pursuit continues.

Related Articles

America: The God that Failed

Dye, T.R. (2010). Understanding public policy (13th ed.). Longman: Pearson Prentice Hall. ISBN: 9780205757428. Custom ISBN: 9781256054160

Strengthening Civil Rights

Civil Rights Issues

Democracy or Tyranny

Posted on March 7, 2015 by Kay Dailey

If you mean the size of the government as in Big Government where there is too much power given to certain facets thereof then I am inclined to agree, because here I must speak out about police brutality and all that occurs because of narcissism turned loose on the public, or rather, a particular portion.

In speaking of so- called ‘freedom’ and ‘liberty’ and ‘justice’ then someone has definitely missed it here.

Let me explain. It is the case, until recently, or rather I will say times past that I used to believe that when I called the police that I was within my rights as a citizen to be protected under the 1^st Amendment to the constitution, however that has changed because I no longer trust the government. In saying that I no longer trust the government means that I no longer trust the police, I no longer trust them. Why? According to the amendment supposedly all people have a right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, but its not that way because I can’t see that fully for everyone. I don’t trust them, the police, because the entire system is corrupt across the board, racism and harassment, and discrimination and murder. I do not trust them, and then if that were not enough they allowed to claim all- out- war on unarmed people; that is, military gear and all. For what? Strong arming? One has to ask since when does a city or state or country give permission for their enforcement to attack their citizens and then call that behavior a civil society when its barbaric?

David Boaz (1997) wrote:

Unfortunately, most governments fail to live up to Thomas Jefferson’s vision in two ways. First, they don’t do a good job of swiftly and surely apprehending and punishing those who violate our rights. Second, they seek to aggrandize themselves by taking on more and more power, intruding themselves into more aspects of our lives, demanding more of our money, and depriving us of our liberty. (Boaz, 1997).

I am inclined to agree, there is not a job doing anything except casting blame in this area. Most people killed at the hand of some mentally deranged cop are innocent. Oops, but they say the victim brought it on themselves, especially the 12 year old playing with a toy gun. Yes, innocent.

I think government, is overpowering for some citizens [See: Third Ohio Man Wrongly Accused of 1975 Murder Exonerated].

Furthermore, Boaz (1997) stated further “This basic understanding of the distinction between society and the state, between the people and the rulers, has deep roots in Western civilization, going back to Samuel’s warning to the people of Israel that a king would take your sons, and your daughters, and your fields and to the ~~Christian~~ concept that the state is conceived in sin.” (Boaz, 1997).

I can agree with that, except the Christian part. However, as it stands blacks are still banished to the field and treated lower than low in this country and government is the ring leader of all of it. That’s influence, that’s power! So you don’t like all the help with housing, with food, or living and take it out on us in the street?

What Big Government Is All About?

Name Brand is that Common Sense?

Posted on December 22, 2014 by Kay Dailey

That’s why some of these men run off and leave their children, because of these silly women who make it impossible for men to love us. Black women, single or not, and even some men have got in their heads that the children need brand names, and though it is fine in some instances there should be a limit. I ask, does it make the clothing any less valuable if we save money on somethings.

I mean take for example, shoes. Did you know that the manufacturing of such costs no more to make a lessor brand than a name brand, however, people prefer the more expensive?

Terry Okeefe (2014) wrote:

“Psychologists tell us that there are two main reasons why we buy luxury goods, even when many of us really can’t afford them. The first is called “signaling” — using luxury goods to “show off” and send a clear signal that you measure up to your peers, or to others in your community. Similarly, we often purchase luxury goods to “mark” significant accomplishments in our lives.”

It is therefore the case, that there is an inferiority complex going on when we see parents snubbing their nose at the least expensive pair, and begs the question of what happened to being clean, tidy and comfortable over going broke?

Speaking of broke and not knowing it. Does anyone even think about the fact that the government is spending millions for people to eat, have a roof over their heads, and for people to be healthy, yet, someone would vie for a more expensive pair of shoes than to have more money to stretch further.

In essence, we must learn to think better about it. I mean really consider this and know that if parents are not together and are doing their best then each has a responsibility. If fathers cannot afford brand names and the mother wants that then she should pay for what she wants, or vice versa if that guy can afford brand names and wants that he should, but certainly no one should go broke trying to be someone they are not. It is the case, that if we want better most definitely we should do what it takes to do it.

Thats my take. What about you?

The ‘real’ costs of that pair of sneakers

Cognitive versus Emotional Strategy

Posted on December 20, 2014 by Kay Dailey

A Red Lobster commercial is a good example of selling sizzle where someone is pouring butter on hot steaming lobster, but it is not the food per se that incites emotion– it is the smiles, the party like atmosphere and the togetherness of family which makes the marketing tool most effective to draw customers.

Stan Mack, author for the Houston Chronicles wrote concerning factors that add to the emotional appeal:

Many factors determine the effectiveness of emotional marketing. Variations in consumers’ value systems, for example, might cause your advertisement to stimulate different emotions in various consumer groups. People’s wishes and desires also change significantly as they move through the stages of life. For instance, an advertisement that stimulates an emotional response in adolescents might have little effect on 40-year-olds and no effect at all on senior citizens. In other words, for your emotional marketing to be effective, you must understand the needs and emotions of the consumer groups you plan to target [Factors Section].

In essence, all things cultural, that is (a) family, (b) beliefs, and (c) ones desires and wishes are summed up in a commercial that sells the sizzle, and not necessarily the food so to speak. Further, a good memorable occasion.

On the other hand a cognitive strategy, would allow one to gain information about the product being offered. For example, a yogurt company advertises and adds that the product is good for digestive tracts [GI Tract], while also using women as the associative gender, because women are most likely to eat yogurt, and also most likely to care about their digestive health. Hence, the educational value of the product has been confirmed compared to other commercials and brands that do not provide the information, nor a hint of educational value is given.

Source

The Effects of Emotional Marketing

Your Sunday Bread: Escape or Excuse

Posted on December 14, 2014 by Kay Dailey

It is a bunch of crock and bull to use the excuse ‘its a spirit’ concerning homosexuality, or rather, all sin for that matter. Well yeah, duhhh it is a spirit, but if we have authority to case out demons in the Name because these people are carrying a wicked spirit then why aren’t people able to cast those out?

In essence, we yell its a spirit, because we do not know what to do. Its like giving up, helpless, without hope and walking away.

Hence, here comes another excuse because people cannot get help which says they are born that way. Bull corn, fooey and boloney! No! Yah said male and female. So if someone is saying different that means they are lying to them self. A lie has to be thought of, convincing self to belief and then acted out. Then someone none discerning believes the lie too wanting to be well like, wanting to be a good parent, friend, not wanting to offend. People are tricked to unbelief. Because there is always a way out. Yah said it, he provides an escape (1 Corinthians 10:13), but we don’t want escape we want excuse. The Most High said that people are without excuse (Romans 1).

Come on now let us reason. Better yet, let us look at the fact that anyone needs help. There is a problem that has over powered the so called church, and its not cause people are not praying, it is because they are praying in the wrong Name.

For your hearing:

Romans 1-2

Paganism and the Holiday Season

Posted on November 28, 2014 by Kay Dailey

So then I heard someone say “Thank the Lord we made it to another one”, and I was thinking to myself ‘Another what?’

I could have taken this to say that the person was thankful for another day, but I knew this person was thinking what all people still pagan in their thinking thought of yesterday, and that is, ‘Thanksgiving’.

Truly we are hooked. We are hooked when all the evidence presented straight from the word of the Most High is ignored. We are hooked if we cannot break free from it.

In the past, I have never seen anyone carry over the message of repentance into the Thanksgiving dinner table discussion. Hence, there are game discussions, what happened over the last year since we met and families sometimes in the same city have not the forewithal to call and check on a loved one.

In fact, I have to wonder if there is any care or compassion past this one day. In essence, repentance then is not a topic of worldly tradition leading no where. Plus the fact that more people sin yet again through gluttony during the holiday season.

Today: Think better than that and say to be thankful I will seek out the will of the Most High for myself and those I love. Prayerfully eyes will be opened and ears will hear truth.

For your hearing:
Matthew 4: 13-17

ILLITERACY A CONDITION OF POVERTY

Posted on March 14, 2014 by Kay Dailey

According to Ian Golden, the commentator at TED.com, income has increased and illiteracy has decreased. However, that menu can be multifaceted, because either the rich are making more money or the poor are getting up to actually learn how to come out of their poverty. It is the case that being illiterate is a paralysis as like being blind without help to get up.

I notice that Mr. Golden also stated during his presentation that with some areas of global concern people can feel left out, or either do not participate. There is good information provided there because one should note that illiteracy does allow some to be left out. Conversely, being on that same end of the spectrum would allow that people not participate, because a common cause of mal-information is illiteracy. In the article, “Digital Technology and Teaching American Culture,” Robert Batchelor writes, “Calculations of the total worldwide Internet growth has increased om an estimate of 445 percent over the last 10 years.” (Batchelor, 2011, p. 49).

I add, the increase, though commendable, do not include everyone. It is the case; the audience for the internet is not all inclusive. For example, some people over 60, black, in poverty, and illiterate would not be on the internet because their mode of information is most likely television, and print news; such as newspapers. I am being generous when I give the age 60 because some even some people my age and up do not want to be bothered, or just feel too old to learn anything new so these people are mal-informed, have been mis-educated as many of the black race, and self defeated in some instances. I believe that many people left out of the age of technology have, perhaps, fallen for the so called American Dream where instead of gathering information to make them more profitable or prosperous they feel if they can just hit the lotto, or if they work hard enough then their dream might come true. This thinking is wrought in part by leaders promising better things to come lessor taxes and more economic freedom.

Concerning this thinking Batchelor adds, “In an increasingly chaotic world global citizens are losing faith in their leadersto provide security, serenity, and opportunity”. (Batchelor, 2011.p.52).

One cannot participate or know what the leaders are up to if they have not the means to participate or the knowledge to climb aboard.

Source: Batchelor, B. (2011, March). Digital technology and teaching American culture.

Watch: Navigating the Future

Your SundayBread: The Curses of True Israel

Posted on December 17, 2012 by Kay Dailey

The Great Revelation of who the blacks in America really are and notation of how the land of Israel was taken from them because of idol worship which still prevails in the Christian teachings of the day.

Deuteronomy 28, denotes the curses which are the result of disobedience to the Laws found in the Book of Moses (Torah).

Yahweh is calling us back. Come from among them, that is the world of idol worship.

Watch: THE ISRAELITES ARE BLACK: THE CURSES