Two thoughts about the debate last night

Energy Policy

The candidates were asked whether their policies would end the energy crisis within their first term if elected. Of course not! But the first term could put in place the policies we need to beat the energy crisis. In fact, both candidates agree that the energy crisis is of very high priority, that it requires dramatic change from the policies of the Bush administration, and the candidates even agree in large part on the directions for a new and improved energy policy.

Unfortunately, it will be hard to move to such a policy (and as experience has shown perhaps even more difficult to sustain it). There are many powerful individuals and corporations that profit from the current policies.

Thus I suggest the candidates both pledge now that win or lose they will lead their factions of their parties to negotiate a new energy policy for this nation. The pro-change Republicans and the pro-change Democrats can produce such a policy if they are willing to negotiate the few points that differ among themselves.

Education

The candidates were asked why the United States pays more than any other country for education yet scores badly in international comparison testing, and what they would do about it.

First, the problem is not that we spend more money on education than do other nations. We are among the very richest nations, and we can and should afford to spend more on education.

Second, there is a statistical glitch hidden in the data. The United States has traditionally had a large portion of its children go on to higher education. If one tests the top ten percent of one country's children and compares them with the top half of another country's children, one can expect the country that educates fewer to score better.

But the real reason, as we all know, is that we allow there to remain an underclass. Blacks, Native Americans and Hispanics don't get as good an education in this country as do Whites and Asians. Part of the problem is in the schools that they attend, part is in the family support that the kids receive, part is in the peer culture which we allow to continue, and part is in the limited opportunities imposed by prejudice.