Also, if we went year-round, we could emulate the German system, which starts classes at 9 a.m. and releases at 2 p.m., giving more time for sports and athletic training, while resulting in more homework time for our kids.
Perhaps we could adopt the UW System calendar and hours, in which teachers work with students half days, four days a week, eight months each year at most, for full salary. But that would be counter-productive.
Perhaps my daughter could get more bang for her tuition buck if the UW system were forced to be more like the public schools with a statewide, tourist-based calendar and a full teaching week, with minimum pupil-contact time for faculty, curriculum standards, mainstreaming for all special needs students, educational accommodations, testing and accountability. Then, you might have something.
We won't discuss what that "something" is, but the public schools have it.
In spite of the fact that many schools remain heated or air conditioned during non-school months to keep buildings in shape, shutting down computers and leaving lights off may result in energy savings. However, two more weeks of school will mean more busing and more fuel costs. Oh well.
Keep those wheels turning Al! You might just come up with an idea based on knowledge rather than buzzwords.
-- Ron Poniatowski, Baraboo
Renew expired tax benefits
The No. 1 thing the next president should propose once he is in office is to renew the adjustment on our taxes for 2008 for tuition and fees, which expired on Dec. 31, 2007.
With the cost of college education and the need for more students to pursue higher learning, we need to give an incentive tax break to parents.
No. 2 is to give our senior citizens some relief from being taxed on their Social Security. I have talked with Sen. Russ Feingold several times, and he has told me that it would be very hard to remove this tax, because it is needed to support Medicare. I told him to raise the bar, because many people have to pay tax only because of this law.
No. 3 is to renew the tax law that expired Dec. 31, 2007, that allows people who are over 70 1/2, who have to take a distribution from their IRA, to give some or all to a qualified charity, thus reducing their tax liability.
I have been a tax advisor for more than 28 years, and these are critical issues that will reduce taxes, stimulate giving to charity and support higher education. Are you listening Barack?
-- Audrey M. Pendergast, Sun Prairie
No. 1 idea: Don't elect Obama president
I had a big list of things, but after Obama's "my Muslim faith" comment on last week's Sunday morning news show and his already declared support of Muslims -- no U.S. flag pin, no hand over the heart, friends like the Rev. Wright -- he should scare voters. Those who vote for him do not care about character or the dogs he runs with.
-- Andy Anderson, Madison
Not laughing at laughable issues
Political discourse in America has once again stunned me.
"Did Obama call Palin a pig?" This is what passes for analysis? -- not a discussion of the nominees' economic plans, not a comparison of their voting records, just an out-of-context quote from one side spun by the other.
I understand one pundit called the situation laughable. Maybe I am just having a hard time laughing, because this is apparently how we intend to choose the next leader of our country. I guess I can only wait for the debates to shed some light on the candidates for me, unless the questions are another round of flag pins and how much money it takes to be rich.
-- Corey Uselman, Madison
Students in Debbi Ballweg's political science class at Verona Area High School responded to last Sunday's Forum question: What should the next president do once he's in office. A selection of their responses are below.
War in Iraq should be primary focus
When the next president is elected, his main focus should be the war. He should do something to get the troops home, because the war has been going on for too long, and soldiers are overseas dying. It would help the economy, and gas prices would go down, which is a big issue most people are facing right now.
President Bush has had a lot of hate from citizens, because of the war, and the next president should work on making more peace.
Another thing the next president should work on is illegal immigration. I think everyone has a right to live in America, because we are a country made up of immigrants. He should create opportunity for anyone willing to work for it. If people want to live here, they need to do it the right and fair way, not by sneaking over the boarder. It's more work for police and other law enforcement to have to worry about.
-- Brooke Dixon
Republicans won't bring needed change
It is apparent the United States needs change, and a conservative Republican can't offer that to us. As a member of the future voting generation, we will demand liberal change.
The United States is at a place and time similar to previous civil rights movements, America will legalize gay marriage, for example. America has constantly proven to be a country about liberty and justise, but with Bush as president those morals were buried.
The upcoming election gives us a chance to lead in civil rights once again. As a part of the generation of the future, we will desire change and acceptance, leading to a thriving economy and society.
-- Kyla Klein
Do something about high gasoline prices
The next president will need to do something about the price of gasoline.
When my dad was 16 years old, gas was around a $1.15 to $1.25 a gallon. Our economy is going downhill, and gas is rising to almost $4 a gallon, which is completely out of control.
Our next president needs to not only say he will lower the price of gasoline, but he needs to do it. Due to the rising cost of fuel, there is a ripple effect on the entire economy. The cost of food is rising, automobile sales are down, which has cost many their jobs. We need to fix this gasoline problem if we have any hope of renewing our economy.
-- Jessica Hanson
Not laughing at laughable issues
Political discourse in America has once again stunned me.
"Did Obama call Palin a pig?" This is what passes for analysis? -- not a discussion of the nominees' economic plans, not a comparison of their voting records, just an out-of-context quote from one side spun by the other.
I understand one pundit called the situation laughable. Maybe I am just having a hard time laughing, because this is apparently how we intend to choose the next leader of our country. I guess I can only wait for the debates to shed some light on the candidates for me, unless the questions are another round of flag pins and how much money it takes to be rich.
-- Corey Uselman, Madison
President must solve the nation's oil crisis
I believe that the next president should try to solve the oil crisis. Every day I hear something new about the "war on oil."
Everywhere I turn, there's a new commercial stating the need for new fuels. What people fail to realize is that we have quite a bit of oil here in the United States. What we need are more refineries.
Our shortage of oil not only comes from the cost of oil, but our inability to process oil quickly enough for the demand that has been created by our growing population and our need for "labor saving technology."
Every refinery can only produce so much oil. If we truly want to find these renewable fuels we need time, and right now, time is short.
-- Mitchell Penman
Finish what we started in Iraq
The top issue for the presidency is whether we should take our troops out of Iraq or not. If we take our troops out now, nothing will have been accomplished. All of the deaths and money spent would have all been a complete waste.
I think that we need to stay there and finish what we went there for in the first place.
Barack Obama at first said he planned on pulling the troops out of Iraq, but now he is agreeing with John McCain. They both plan to leave the troops there, which is the right decision.
-- Mitchell Feller
Bring the troops home within a year
The next president's first priority should be a gradual withdrawal of the U.S. military from Iraq.
If somebody doesn't get them out within the next year, I fear we are going to be there forever. Iraq has had enough time to establish their own government and should now have the knowledge to prevent dictatorships. The people of Iraq need the chance to lead the country, with the United States by their side, without the military influences to support and guide them when it is needed.
It is time for the United States to focus on domestic issues, such as our struggling economy and the price of oil, and not have to worry about the constant concern of Iraq.
-- Emmalee Lightfoot
The war in Iraq still the biggest issue
The top issues for this year's candidates is the war in Iraq. There is a lot of money going into the military for this war, and the candidate I would vote for would need to have a plan for Iraq and our military.
This war is affecting many people in the United States and Iraq. Many people are losing loved ones, homes, and money because of the war. The person I would want for president would need to have a specific plan for the United States in Iraq and have a certain timeline to get this plan into action.
-- Jessica Bormett
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