Swindling the Children!

Interesting that almost daily we find ourselves apologizing to our children for our failure to maintain the American Dream.  No matter your politics or perspective, the fact is that RIGHT NOW, things look bleak for the future.  It is time to stop blaming and stop making self centered decisions but, instead start thinking about our children when we make decisions.

This from UC Berkeley (berkeleyside):

Michael O'Hare, a professor at UC's Goldman School of Public Policy, will formally welcome new students to the classroom on Wednesday.

But in advance of starting his first-day lecture, O'Hare has written a lengthy welcome note that tells students how they have been "swindled."

The once gold-plated education offered by UC Berkeley is now a tarnished version of its former self, ruined by the state's self-interests and narrow viewpoints, according to O'Hare.

"Welcome to Berkeley, probably still the best public university in the world," O'Hare wrote on his blog. "Meet your classmates, the best group of partners you can find anywhere.  The percentages for grades on exams, papers, etc. in my courses always add up to 110% because that's what I've learned to expect from you, over twenty years in the best job in the world."

"That's the good news.  The bad news is that you have been the victims of a terrible swindle, denied an inheritance you deserve by contract and by your merits.  And you aren't the only ones; victims of this rip-off include the students who were on your left and on your right in high school but didn't get into Cal, a whole generation stiffed by mine.  This letter is an apology, and more usefully, perhaps a signal to start demanding what's been taken from you so you can pass it on with interest."

Read the rest and a link to Prof. O'Hare's full piece here.