The Daily Top Five

Some thoughts for today:

1. Mr. McNamar, a teacher in Washington State, complains that too many people look at public schools as nothing more than glorified day care provided at taxpayer expense. He offers a plan to that would treat parents as paying customers.

First, the government will now only have to front the money for operational costs. Administrators, janitors, district personell, transportation and building maintenance will all be provided for through the governmental funds. I would also put in that category the curriculum and supplies.

Second, the parents would then be responsibile for paying an hourly wage to the teachers. Let's set that at the current minimum wage, 5.15 an hour.
At the high school level, we have hour long class periods--approximately. In my first period Pre-College English class, I have 31 students--all for an hour. That translates into $159.65 for first period. Unfortunately, periods 2,3,5 are courses for accelerating student learning, so I have a grand total of 33 students between the three; that puts my earnings for those periods at $169.95. My sixth period class has 30 students, giving me an additional $154.50. That would be $484.10 if my math is correct. If we went to school for 182 days, that would mean a total of $88,106. 20. Over twice my current going rate.

If this were the case, I would really push for that increase to $7.25 an hour. That would mean $124,033 a year.

Really, it is not a bad idea. Simplistic and unlikely to happen in the current climate, but not a bad idea. Via Carnival of Education.

2. With all the hubbub surrounding the Iraq Study Group's report, here is one post that may make people sit up and think about the conduct of this war. I have no doubt that if told to do so, the U.S. Military can take out any target at any time. The problem with such activity is that collateral damage is not only likely, but probable, even in the age of precision weapons. But when the rules of engagement contradict years or even decades of training, what can result? The fear of collateral damage has caused limitations on the rules of engagement on a scale not previously known and the PC war takes on a whole new meaning. Via Instapundit.

3. Speaking of the Iraq Study Group's report, so far of all the "reactions" I have seen by various people on the right, the fellows at Power Line have the best written reaction. I have done nothing but peruse the exec summary, but I am not finding anything shocking or particularly bold.

4. The prolific, aisle-hopping Dick Morris takes on the question of whether Hillary Clinton can win the White House in 2008, saying yes she could, but she shouldn't. Here is an excerpt:

The enthusiasm that will grip many Americans — women in particular — at the cultural implications of a woman president will probably sweep through the primaries and cause many to overlook Hillary’s flaws and dismiss her defects. The generic of a woman candidate will prove so attractive that millions of voters will overcome their objections to the specific person who is running.

Her mastery of the establishment of the Democratic Party, her vast lead among ex-officio delegates — many of whom have received campaign contributions from her coffers — and the celebrity draw of her ex-president husband will prove hard for a mere mortal to overcome.

But should she win? No way!

Those who know both Hillary and Bill well and are willing to speak frankly in public realize the fundamental differences between the two and grasp how his abilities are the counterpoints to her defects.

Read the Whole Thing.

5. This is not going to sit well with Nancy Pelosi: Reyes wants an increase in troops in Iraq.