Is This How We Turn Things Around?

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[robertrenaud]

My wife and I moved to the US from Canada in the 1990s. When my wife went to the DMV to get a new driver's licence they asked her if she wanted to apply for unemployment benefits. We discussed this briefly and despite the fact that we were broke we decided against it. No way we were going to get a benefit we had not paid into. This great country did not owe us a thing, but gave us everything in terms of opportunities. We went through the LEGAL process and became proud American citizens. We love this country.

[edwardratliff]

I went in the Army at 17, fresh out of high school, got my attitude adjusted at Ft. Polk, went on to college, law school etc. No hand outs or public assistance, worked for 60 years. Now we see the freeloaders and illegals draining our country, with possibly the worst candidate ever on the Democratic ticket. Maybe it's beyond saving.

[johnsimms]

Great video as always . I am a retired ironworker/welder and raised three children ( one is special needs ) sent two to college and live in a nice home .didn't have some things others did but I have been truly blessed by God and hard work and never giving up . Thanks and keep up the great content ! 😊

[jackblack]

I remember the 60s. Out of high school without any words of wisdom. So Army & Vietnam first, then construction, now retired. Shooting range directly off my back deck. Life is truly good!

[Atlasthegreat]

Mr Hickok45; Thank you very much, this is exactly how we turn this around. Oakland, Ca needs to hear this. 🇺🇲

[TheFlutecart]

I'm 57 nowadays, time flies. When I did work jobs and careers, it was the folks who showed up on time and took the job seriously that "moved up". I've been a US Navy Sailor, various A/V tech jobs, copy machine repair and other unrelated "jobs" just because the pay was better. After some time working for other people, I realized that the lifestyle of these "jobs" was spending all my money and time on stuff I really did not care about. I did not want a career, I wanted my own deal, so about 25 years ago I started making bamboo flutes and clay whistles and selling them at little craft shows, now I sell them at the biggest ren fair in the country, and I play my flutes in a band that makes some money. I've made a living off "retiring" since my mid 30's. It took time, dedication and poverty to get it working, best move of my life. I don't even make 50 a year, but I don't "work" for someone else either and everything is payed off. I could be making killer money working a tech job, but I have flutes to make and music to play. This is America, we can do what we want with our lives. I hope you find my story useful, good luck out there.

[grumpyoldretiredcop]

During my short tenure as a high school teacher I brought representatives of various public service organizations, a local college and local businesses to speak on most of these subjects to my students (this was a Regional Occupational Program class). I also brought instructions on practical subjects as varied as filling out a job application and how to deal with job interviews. We discussed items such as salaries and benefits. It never ceased to amaze me how little these high school students were aware of all of these subjects. It's a subject set that cries out for attention.

[Sebastian-kbvm]

I appreciate the work and skill that you have showcased over the years

[danjams]

excellent idea. I remember they had a vocational day in High schools 55 years ago when I was there

[Grynslvr]

Howdy Hickok, thanks for your thoughts.
I graduated HS in '74 and was taught a lot of the things you talked about while in public schools in coastal Texas. I have ZERO transferable or even usable college hours of education.

While I don't ever remember local business folks coming to talk to us, we did some field trips in elementary school with the school, or cub scouts, to places like the local Coke Bottling Plant, the local fire department, and a couple other places once or twice a year. In Jr. High, the schools elected to bring in various speakers of special interest a couple times a year. Things like the owner of a local attraction called "The Snake Pit" brought in various snakes and other reptiles to and held an hour long "show and tell" for the whole school in the auditorium. Another that stands out in my memory was a paid speaker who acquainted us with the wonders of liquid oxygen. You get the idea. In High School, I took an elective class named "Modern Problems" which taught us how to open a checking account, write a check, balance a check book, file our taxes, and a host of other things that are normally not in the school's curriculum. Now these weren't what you were talking about. You proposed bringing people from business, government, academia, and etc., to lecture.

In actual fact the reason we can't do things like this much any more is that the NEA and groups like it want control over what is taught, and by whom it is taught. It isn't so much the NEA rank and file membership, it is those in actual power in entities like the NEA.

To quote from the movie South Pacific, and yet completely change the actual subject of the song, from racism, to control and indoctrination, consider this:


"You've got to be taught
To hate and fear
You've got to be taught
From year to Year
It's got to be drummed
in your dear little ear
You've got to be carefully taught"

But only the "correct" things by the "correct people" with the "correct" education and the "correct" documentation.

[THaughton]

I think one of the most important things above all else is what is the kid interested in? A lot of well-intentioned parents want their kids to be doctors or lawyers to make a good living, but it's no good to have that kind of money and be miserable at what they do. If the kid likes to work on engines and he's good, that's a good living for him. Trite but true love what you're doing and you never work another day in your life.

[krdr]

You remind me of my High School Metal Shop teacher. Mr. Sargent taught a lot about life along with metalworking.

[sparkplug]

I was once an adjunct professor at a college teaching the Microsoft Office suite. For the lessons in Excel I had them set up amortization schedules. So as an additional life lesson I used those amortization schedules to show them what a car or house REALLY cost over time and with interest. Most of my students were absolutely shocked. They had made it all the way to college without ever being exposed to that reality of life.

[MarkRVillano]

When I was in school we had civics classes, social studies, and home economics that taught the basic fundamentals of personal finance. These are all gone, replaced by courses that are more focused on naval gazing nonsense like the wide variety of Grievance Studies classes available at colleges and universities across the country. My suggestion is that we go back to the basics, and start early on in grade school with a class designed to socialize and civilize children who get little to no parental guidance at home. We could call this class: "Don't Be An A-hole".

[kevinpurcell]

I graduated HS in 1973.
There was an optional after school class in Junior High to join called Junior Achievement. Where students started businesses and adults in those businesses would come and talk to us and help get our business started, kinda like a mentor.
My group started a bank, and all the other businesses used or bank for their business. We'd manage the cash even loan money to help start and support these businesses.
It was a lot of fun and hundreds of kids learned things that they never would have learned.
Our part closed after 2 years, and all profits were voted on and given to charties.

[donaldanderson]

I’m enjoying this about as much as the old videos. I’m staying

[lynnkramer]

This has been done many times. the problem is all of the lies and misstatements that are perpetrated. Corruption is everywhere.

[kenpatterson]

Thanks for the talk - interesting topic of standard of living. Decades ago, especially before electronics stepped in, life was slower and more simple. Culture had morals and values, families were stronger. The dollar could buy so much more on everything.

[WheelgunsOnWheels]

This is really a great concept! Schools partnering with local business for something other than fundraising for the football team. Great suggestion indeed.

[doranmaxwell]

Well... we also had shop classes back in the day. They did have some after school things that would have guest speakers from the business world. I think generally there was more opportunity back then tho when higher education was not such a big deal. A lot of us once we got to a certain position and needed education to go further we went to school at night. On the other hand my daughter took a welding course that was two years and ended up top of the class. Granted she is a woman but she was hired right out of the class and they instantly made her a journeyman. Sjhe is a bit slower and can't lift as much but the company uses her welds to showcase their product so I guess they got a good deal