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Questions and Answers


1. So, you're running for the State Senate; how do you think the folks on Beacon Hill are going to like the "Proposed Goals" in your book? What are you trying to do, destroy their way of life? There's absolutely no conflict between the book and what is worked on at the State House. Many, many legislators might really enjoy being able to work on some of the ideas and opportunities on this site, perhaps especially those on renewable energy and public recreational facilities model. In the case of health care reform, we are going to need new ideas and outside pressure to prevent the annual double digit price increases from continuing to happen, because it's killing us. For earnest legislators of any political stripe, not to mention the people, the existence of the book and site is a win-win situation; we can work hard, have fun, and do great things together. I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it; I'm going to have to look these people in the eye every day.


2. Ideas for America 1 talks about better language learning, how big a difference could they make in the schools? In my strong professional opinion, the number of students who passed an Advanced Placement  exam after 5 years of foreign language study could go from less than 1% to 10-15%, with maybe as many as half of  students being able to speak the target language well. That is, if we take a few  steps forward, including a rewrite of the Foreign Language Curriculum Frameworks, which are well done, but could be much better..


3.  What is you your background in education?  I've been a language teacher since making my start at the Berlitz School in Bonn, Germany in 1995. From 2000 to 2005 I  taught high school and   middle school Spanish, as well as tutored adults. In 2007 and 2008 I worked in Special Education, working one on one with students from 8-18 with severe emotional and neurological conditions, including students on the autistic spectrum,  with Schizo-affective disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder, among others. Some of these students also suffered from extreme generalized anxiety, and had engaged in self-injurious and violent behavior.  In 2009, I worked under a federal grant, working with small groups (5-6 students) doing  Kindergarten inclusion, first grade guided reading, fourth grade reading recovery, 6th grade English, and 6th grade math. During that time I also acted as a Russian interpreter. Now I teach Spanish and German privately, although I also do work for a few language schools teaching English and Spanish.


4. What do you think would be the best possible location for the recreational facilities outlined in Chapter 1 of Ideas for America 1? Realistically, for the two fifty meter pools, diving pool, and large grassy area for sitting out, parking, and a Juice/Beer Garden set-up you're talking about. 5-8 acres. So, two questions that follow might be; where on Boston's North Shore is there that sort of space? What communities have no such facilities, either public or private? Of course, there are many other questions to be asked and answered, but those two might be a good starting point?


5. You talk about annual reports to the people; what areas do you think those reports should focus on? Although we might  be tempted to cover a range of subjects in the reports, just focusing on health care might be the best approach at this time. That is, letting more households understand any changes in health care law and spending. and how it affects them. This might well be the most powerful tool we have to prevent the double digit annual price increases from continuing.


6. What is your government and/or political background? In the summers during high school and college I did either landscaping or government jobs. In 1988 I worked for the Parks and Recreation Department, most days going to different housing projects to do sports with children. In 1990 I was the co-chair of the Republican Senate committee, which assisted GOP candidates running for the State Senate. In the summer of 1992 I was a Boston Park Ranger, answering questions and giving tours on the Boston Common and Public Garden. In 1994 I worked in the State House as a Senate page, which was a good way to learn about the political process. As it happens, I was assigned a few times to get Fred Berry his sandwiches, the Senator whose seat I'm now seeking. In 2004 I ran for the State Senate on an education platform, which was great; I was sent masses of informational pamphlets, essays and reports, all of which I read multiple times, and integrated into existing research. Being able to present an education platform in a district so passionate about education gave me energy and knowledge that continues to pay all sorts of dividends. That being said, the past six years teaching and researching have brought powerful experiences that I'm working hard to mold into something of use for the people.

 


Noran Rockwell: Freedom of Worship

Freedom of  Expression

is one of the core values of the siteand  the above picture captures some  of the best aspects of that. It's one of those things that too many support in theory, but not really. 

Below are a few ways that  might help Americans   express themselves. 

Alabama-Coushatta  One tradition of expression promoted in the site book is that of the Native American tribe in Texas, which discusses all decisions by how it would affect the dreams of the previous and future seven generations. It allows for a far more extensive and honest discussion than most of us ever have.

Dinner Tradition One good way to work to get the younger generation think and talking is an old dinner tradition. Adults pick a topic, and then  each person goes around the table and says a bit about it while everyone listens.