Re: Dean's Homework
 

I'll note in passing that if the government (particularly in the form of NASA) were to pull all money that goes to FIRST or its teams, you're going to slow the growth of FIRST from respectable to glacial. Perhaps even contraction.

The way I was raised, politicians are elected to their offices to represent the best interests of their constituents. If a politician's constituents are not satisfied with the way they are being represented, they will vote in someone else. That said, if a politician believes the resources of the government are best spent on FIRST, they'll do it. Of course, this is idealistic and oversimplified--Washington is far more complex--but it's how things are supposed to work.

(By the way, it's Libertarian.)

Re: Dean's Homework
 

Thoughts on tapping the government for money to fund FIRST:

-Though I have a general problem with Bush (mostly on his horrible mismanagement of $$$), he has always touted small businesses and how they could really provide jobs for the 21st century economy. FIRST is made up of what mostly are thousands of small businesses, each with their own products. I assure you that there is at least one person per team that has considered, every so often, starting a small business for the engineering and technology world, myself included. If he wants to support small businesses, he better support FIRST.

-However, if we were to get money from the government to start teams, I would not like this to turn out like an NPR radio station type deal where the government pays for a considerable chunk of money, and then could consider withdrawing some if not all. Dependence on the government means certain things that can go wrong will, and if ANY funding comes from the government, the government better have a strategy for finding private funding for every single team to loosen and eventually rid of the bonds of the government to FIRST.

-Finally, even if we cannot get money, we can always get recognition from the government, and get politicians to speak up about FIRST to the general public.

Putting 2 more cents in the jar.

-Joe

PS: Think FIRST might equal job creation??? :rolleyes:

Re: Dean's Homework
 

My grandfather is full of stories, most of which begin with , "In my day..." One that is relevant here ends with, "... people would write letters to their congressmen and they'd get answers AND results." If they get enough letters, hopefully we'll get the results we need.

I was very intrigued by Governor Granholm's promise at Great Lakes. I'm not sure if her promise that 100 percent of Michigan high schools having FIRST teams is plausible (though I want it to be), but I was very glad to hear that she was committing $2 million to new FIRST teams, setting a more realistic goal of 50 new teams in the state. I was even more glad to hear that she was going to help get businesses and corporations involved in the creation of new teams. This seems like it will have a greater impact on the creation and success of future teams. If the the governor commits money this year, there is nothing guaranteeing that her predecessor will continue to fund the program. However, getting the corporations to establish an interest in teams will ensure their survival. Another important element to consider is that even if these teams receive funding, they will need support from mentors- something the government can't directly provide, and is only available from the industries themselves.

Last year I was given an assignment to write to my area representative about an issue that mattered to me. Naturally, I chose to write about FIRST. I sent this letter, but never got a response. I don't have a copy of the original letter, but I will write another and send it to other officials in the area. I'm also going to bring it up at our next team meeting, and encourage the other members of our team to write and send letters of their own. In the next weeks we might actually make it a meeting activity for everyone to sit down and think about what they would want to say if given the opportunity to speak with government officials. I can't imagine that any of the members of our team wouldn't be more than happy to tell anyone about how important FIRST has been to them-- hopefully our voices will be heard and FIRST and other students will benefit!

Re: Dean's Homework
 

erm, well its they way it is thought to work. In practice it rarely happens. Politicians are supposto represent the best interests of the constituents. There are limits though. I openly admit that if implamented to their fullest extent my views would not be ideal by any means. I sorta see myself as the small vice of opposition to those who see goverment as holding the answers. There is a happy place somewhere in the leftish direction of what i think, NASA giving money is part of that i believe. My aim, however it to make people think back to how the founders originally intended the goverment to work. The way they always had the idea of 'less goverment because goverment is inherantly currupt and will take away rights'.

That it is. My spelling in PHP is far better I assure you.

Re: Dean's Homework
 

Think on this: Is that 2 million hers to give? Does she really have the right to redistribute wealth like that? If you read what I said above it could be argued (and I would almost agree) that what she is doing is within that 'happy place' that i mentioned. All the same, think about what it really means when she pledges money like that.

I see the quote in your sig. Ayn Rand is considered to me one of the founders of modern libertarianism (thanks billfred) and a great author.

Re: Dean's Homework
 

Just running into some argumentative issues/concerns here but 1) Government is not an entity that just exists spontaneously. The citizens of the US run and are a part of this government of which you speak. Therefore, the citizens have the right to determine what goes on in their country. If FIRST is wanted in the US, then citizens need to push for it. Citizens can vote and have the ability to push forward legislation that would put FIRST center stage. The majority of legislation out there is pushed by...businesses and the benefits go to them, not citizens. 2) Lowering taxes would benefit companies, not citizens. Why not lower taxes for citizens so that they could contribute personally to teams rather than single organizations which are fewer and less widespread in donations? The combined donations of millions of citizens would exceed that amount of tax break given to businesses, of which many aren't on board with FIRST at all.

I will repeat again, getting FIRST into schools and into the public light will not be an easy task. It takes time and commitment. It starts out, as any lobbying group does, by writing letters. Then it takes action in the community to get the community to support FIRST. It will require teams being active in promoting it on media (radio, TV, newspaper, email, websites) and for FIRST to let go on some levels to let the regionals grow they way they need to, rather than having to go back to FIRST for every decision. There are many teams out there in all parts of the country that are doing this already. I congratulate them for their hard work and encourage them to keeping going.

Individually, changing taxes, writing letters alone or getting promotions from your governor or state legislator will not enhance FIRST. If you want to take it to the top, you have to start running it like professional organization. FIRST is getting there with colleges and universities but now it is time to really step up.

Re: Dean's Homework
 

Might I suggest that it is time to take the political philosophy off to Chit-Chat?

Re: Dean's Homework
 

It would be nice if there were $$$ to help teams that are struggling to get financing to stay afloat too. There are many rural areas where there is little industry, but agricultural, that could use some support. These towns may not have the GM's, Fords, Chrysler's, Delphi's, etc., but the students still want to compete. I hope Michigan's Governor will look at helping keep current struggling teams at least coming to one event. That is what it is going to take to reach the numbers of teams she wants. Her offer is a start in the right direction, especially for a state that is losing industry.

On a side note, we were thrilled that the Governor took time to come to the GLR. It was great for the students to meet her.

Re: Dean's Homework
 

Re-elect Governor Granholm! :D

Re: Dean's Homework
 

No nation can long endure in the twenty first century without the strong backing of science, technology, and well educated citizens. It has been a most unfortunate trend lately for the sciences to be demoted in our education system. When one in five Americans does not know that the earth revolves around the sun, something is seriously wrong.

This wonderful program founded by Dean is not about getting the sole attention of the private sector. There is only so much that the private sector can do, when it comes to FIRST. There is a point where, as we are at now, that getting our government involved is necessary for continuing the expansion of FIRST. It is not private industry that controls our educational system, but our government, which is but an agent of the citizens.

In order for our democracy to survive, let along thrive, we need educated citizens. In order for industry and commerce to thrive, they need educated citizens. One of the great things about FIRST is that it is a non-profit organization seeking greater recognition for the sciences and technology. Wouldn't it be counter-productive for our government to not support FIRST, seeing how both of the previous mentioned goals can be achieved from FIRST?

Nowadays, there is never a shortage of people who whine and complain about the government. But surprisingly, not many of these people actually vote in elections. If you don't vote, you have no right to complain. If you are unhappy with the government, get out of your chair, stop blogging ad nausum about how you hate Politican X or X Law. Go vote in the next election. Write to your politicians. Organize rallies in the public. Start a grass roots campaign. Get local initiatives or referendums on the local ballot.

This is your government. If you don't like, then get out and do something. And this is what Dean is trying to get us all to do - to stop being lazy, and actually do something. So get off ChiefDelphi, and go start writing your letters to your politicians. NOW! ;)

Re: Dean's Homework
 

She was voted in by the citizens of Michigan. She has been charged with distributing that money for the benefit of Michigan citizens. So, in fact, it is her 2 million dollars to distribute as she sees fit. If the citizens of Michigan disagree with her doing this then they have 2 recourses. 1> take it to the house in Michigan and get it vetoed or 2> vote her out of office. It is the democratic way.

When we vote someone into office, we in essence, are asking them to make the communities decisions for us. Therefore, we need to look for like minded individuals to be our elected leaders. Personally, I believe that we should be asking the politicians during election season how they plan on addressing the fact that the USA is falling behind in science and technology. By asking hard questions in public forums you will better define whom you (and others) would want to vote for.

Letter writing campaigns only work if the person in that position is open minded about the subject matter. While I am concerned about FIRST getting involved in politics, If they want to change the way we teach our children, they will have to get into the political areana.

Re: Dean's Homework
 

OK-
Here's what I see. I think that despite corruption, despite deals made in dark places, funding from Washington is still the biggest hope FIRST has. Right now, the first FIRST graduates are starting to populate the workspace. Corporations are fully aware of all of the opportunities that FIRST gives. They are also fully aware of their bottom line, and of their continuing struggle to end up in the black. Business, especially large business, is basically fighting a losing battle against faster, cheaper, and bigger companies from overseas. To expect companies like GM and Ford to continue to sponsor more teams at a time when their profits are falling like a rock is unfair and unreasonable.
Universities are the next logical choice. I think that to a degree, they are helping FIRST. However, the best way for them to help is by giving scholarships out to deserving seniors. FIRST is, and should remain, a high-school event. Though there are teams that have full sponsorship from universities, these are few and far between.
So finally we come to government. The US government is HUGE. GIGANTIC. Their budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs was increased by $1,225,000,000 this year. Can you imagine if it was decreased by 5 million dollars and that was given to FIRST. Basically, as I see it, the government of a democracy is like a trustee. We give it our money, in taxes, and expect it to put it to use in ways that will benefit our lives. Personally, I see many, many places that this gigantic budget could be cut and the excess shaved off given to FIRST. If enough people contact enough senators, reps, local officials, etc. this will happen. I think that the biggest thing that needs to happen is that people need to contact the officials.

Re: Dean's Homework
 

Are high school football teams in Michigan funded by taxpayer money? If it is OK to support a sports program, why whould there be an objection to a robotics team? After all, it seems the robotics team in more in line with the goals of an educational public institution.