In the case of only teaching Spanish, I think that is as dumb as only teaching English.

a.c.,

1. Of the 50 most widely spoken languages in the world, Spanish is 3rd with 332 million people (Mandarin Chinese is 1st and English is 2nd). While it would make a lot of sense to have students learn Chinese as a second language, as far as practical application goes someone in the U.S. would likely have more opportunities to speak Spanish than they would Chinese. Heck, if we had more interaction with Quebec, I'd say French.
2. Studies show that if you only know one language, your ability to learn a second one decreases dramatically by around 13, which is when most U.S. schools start their second language programs. If however, you already know 2 languages by that time, learning a third or fourth langauge is that much easier.
3. Since when does only speaking Spanish = illegal?
4. Many economists see Brazil (I know, they speak Portuguese) and the rest of Latin America as becoming the next "China" within the next 20 years, so yes it will help citizens become competitive.
5. My comment about science had more to do with asking what skills will enable a U.S. citizen be competitive in in the future? With the belief that the more skill sets a worker has the more likely he/she will be to find success in the workplace. It will also help to hedge against changes in the job market.

You point to the fact that McCain will stand alone if necessary and use things like the recent FISA vote to show that Obama will fold. The flip flopper title worked to hurt Kerry and no matter how Obama's changes in position are justified, they will be used to show that he doesn't not keep his word.

Ironically, most of us are realistic enough to realize most electeds and candidates are less than honest, however we all want to pretend they are telling us the truth. By Obama focusing on how he was going to be different, he actually created a larger area for credibility attacks that I believe have more potential than trying to paint McCain as the third Bush term. People don't know Obama, they know McCain. What Obama is going to need to do to win, would be different…

With current demographic trends it only makes sense to teach Spanish as a second language, as you are more likely to run into someone legal, illegal or tourist who is a Spanish speaker. Also, the earlier you immplement a second language, the easier it is for a student to learn, thereby causing less frustration.

Wasn't it the Republican controled government that had a record number of pork projects? Seems like kind of a silly statement to me.

But Larry, you are right, that does seem to be his plan. He will need more to win the election than that.

Seriously though – I know it might seem antiquated or even quaint, but I don't know how we can expect to get better leaders if we don't expect more from them, and from each other as voters. And yes, I really do wake up each day thinking that and wanting that – no matter what is on the cover of the papers. Or the blogs.

Obama has a taste for propaganda and if he keeps it up with the weird iconology, McCain might have a chance. McCain needs to start hammering Obama on drilling, too.

I'm saying in a Utopian world, where Democrats too would focus on selling their candidate as opposed to scaring them off of McCain.

What would you do?

The reason I put it this way is because it's how I view candidates when I'm trying to choose and frankly, it's why I so rarely find anyone I like – because I don't go to vote so I can vote against something else. I feel strongly that we need to re-indoctrinate ourselves to expect the MOST from candidates, not simply expect that we can point out enough flaws in someone else in order to win.

Do you know what I mean?

we are obviously running uphill, but the argument has to be made (correctly in my eyes) that Obama does not have enough expierence and that he is like any other politican, which he is. I think his economic plan would wreck the country, and some of that is built into the markets right now. He has no real plan to increase our oil supply. That is a big issue for voters…I wouldnt consider the Supreme court a wedge issue. GOP voters care about that. The argument can be made that an Obama win puts both houses of Congress + White House in Democratic hands. McCain is against govt pork – so are a lot of average people. Obama is for it. McCain wants to secure the border (he says now). And lastly, he doesnt want a quick pullout of Iraq troops and see the success of the surge disappear.