This sucks. We're # 11, or worse.

[Rich Weese]

http://www.newsweek.com/content/newsweek/2010/08/12/how-to-understand-american-decline.html

Current Newsweek article lists The United States as # 11 in countries worldwide. Really cool website with different categories. Unfortunately, in Health, we're # 23, behind such countries as Slovenia and So Korea.

The one that scares me and the article pointed out is Education. I guess all those BP posters that are concerned about education in our country, know something! We're ranked 26, behind countries like Cuba, Poland and Czech-republic. This can't be good. Rich

[Jimmy H.]

Education is the key, we need to cut the pork and spend it all on education - but in the right ways.

When you find yourself trailing Cuba in any statistic, let alone something as vital ad education, it is definitely scary.

And as a reflection from someone who is just exiting the education system (I have both private and public background - public for college), I will say that the largest problem in our education system is the culture of students.

Americans simply do not value education, it is a given right paid for by taxes, and we've come to a point that it is taken for granted.

My grandfather had 7 siblings, their parents had 3 pairs of shoes and chose the most intelligent to get to wear the shoes and goto school. Today each kid has 7 different pairs of shoes in 3 different colors apiece, and couldn't care less about attending class.

Ask any asian who has now joined the american education system and they will narrate the stark differences in the mentality and social influences in school.

I myself took all general classes in high school and choose to skip school and drink beer in lieu of furthering my education. Albeit I turned out okay, turn on MTV and tell me the largest problem in America today isn't the culture of our children. Societal pressures weigh VERY heavy, and it is the "cool" thing to be a screw up for some reason - that is the problem.