Obama Encourages Trades Education

Barack Obama Speaking At A GE plant In Wisconsin Thursday, Jan. 30th, 2014


This set off a firestorm from both the 'left' and the 'right'. Since then he sent off a personally handwritten apology to Professor Ann Collins Johns, who teaches Art History at the University of Texas, Austin after she criticized him on the White House's website.

Count me as one of Obama's critics on this issue
He folded like a cheap suit. What he said was not only correct, but he put in such a way to be humorous. He said it in the least offensive way possible all-the-while offering some damn good advice. I'm a strong advocate for today's high school graduates looking into alternatives for getting a well paying job outside of a overly expensive college education. See my post: "No Need For College"

'The Art Career Project' website states, " In 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, museum curators and archivists made $47,220 and $45,020, respectively. University professors, on the other hand, made an average of $58,830 in the same year."

Check out this article published on January 10, 2014 at 'Forbes'. It says most of those who graduated in 2013 from a four year college with a Bachelor's degree can expect to earn an average of $45,600. Engineering majors are making out the better. They can expect to start out at $62,600. Those with degrees similar to what Obama was addressing could expect to only earn around $38,000 and are less likely to even find a job.

I don't want to repeat everything I said in my prior post ('No Need For College'), but one thing came up since I wrote that. Last night (02/19/2014) Allentown city council approved the hiring of three police officers at $50,192 a year. In light of that...

I ask again. Why someone after high school should spend 10,000's of dollar$ per year for 4 years (not earning money while they attend college) when they can earn as much or more in the trades in a little as two years at 1/4 the cost?

Barack was correct in everything he said and was polite while making his point. He owes no apology.

Whether it's a sitting president or someone on a barstool, anyone who waffles from what they believe is not someone who can be depended on. Yes I know it's election year, but wiggling around like a bowl of jello doesn't inspire confidence. This is why I'm displeased with this President's apology.