Free Daily Headlines :

  • COVID-19
  • Vaccine Info
  • Money
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Health
  • Justice
  • More
    • Environment
    • Economic Development
    • Gaming
    • Investigations
    • Social Services
    • TRANSPORTATION
  • Opinion
    • CT Viewpoints
    • CT Artpoints
DONATE
Reflecting Connecticut’s Reality.
    COVID-19
    Vaccine Info
    Money
    Politics
    Education
    Health
    Justice
    More
    Environment
    Economic Development
    Gaming
    Investigations
    Social Services
    TRANSPORTATION
    Opinion
    CT Viewpoints
    CT Artpoints

LET�S GET SOCIAL

Show your love for great stories and out standing journalism
CT VIEWPOINTS -- opinions from around Connecticut

Connecticut is in trouble, but we can fix it

  • CT Viewpoints
  • by Merja Helen Lehtinen
  • April 3, 2015
  • View as "Clean Read" "Exit Clean Read"

Connecticut is in trouble;  the system is “broke, but we can fix it,” said former U.S. Congressman and Yankee Institute fellow Rob Simmons.

People are working to fix problems, including  former prosecutor Gov. Dannel Malloy,  who is emerging as a national leader for fairness and parity for the middle class,  women in particular.  The outspoken education  critic Jon Pelto said standard texts cannot measure knowledge needed for the 21st Century.

Simmons, Malloy, Pelto — all three have great ideas,  if only they would team up and work together.

Come together as Team Connecticut.

Leaders represent parties to do what is best for people, families and individuals who live in our state, not just  “powerful forces.” Consumers — individuals who buy goods and services — drive the  economy.  We get back less than 50 cents on every dollar we send to Washington in income taxes;  the feds are not the solution.

We must all keep learning in order to model educated behaviors. We need an attitude change.

Smaller enrollments of students can enable the much needed “one-on-one” Oxford  teaching model of the 21st Century or the devastating loss of colleagues with great depth-of-knowledge and teaching skills. I bemoan the loss of each colleague to “retirement.” It is as huge a loss as when we export young graduates to work or study in other states or nations. Retain  people who experienced the world as well as  the young ones embarking on it.

This is our  unique opportunity in history to guide children and adults who slipped between the cracks to pursue an excellent education.

Connecticut  is the stalwart state of Yankee ingenuity.  Every individual, whether former Secretary of the State and Mayflower descendant Pauline Keezer,  direct descendant of Priscilla and John Alden, or the most recent newcomer or grandchild of migrant worker immigrants,  is welcomed as a “Swamp” Yankee.  That is someone tough enough and willing to make the best of what we have to thrive  in transition.

Encourage friends and family to go back to study. Educated parents empower children.  Parents hold the gate open or close it for children.  Educate others about our rich history and direct democracy  in towns to preserve it.

Strategies:
1.      Increase avenues for unfettered access to community colleges for all ages  to gain critical skills required  for higher education and meaningful work. Focus on Liberal Arts with a strong STEM  (science, technology, engineering, math) emphasis to meet  demand across sectors.

2.      Revisit assumptions, i.e,  underlying reasoning for where, how much, and to whom, resources are allocated at  public educational institutions from pre-K through graduate schools using the Hay Assessment model;

3.      Reduce  property tax rates on property owners, residents and businesses, and  those who invest their own money or publicly-traded resources for private sector jobs located  in our state. We are taxing the wrong assets and driving wealth depletion among the most vulnerable people who stay and the richest corporations who will leave.

4.      Support students from each rank and level of high school classes to stay in Connecticut or to return after college graduation to attend graduate schools  or to hold jobs here.

5.    Work  proactively  where you can influence positive, forward thinking inclusion before outward migration increases.

It is a manage “up,” not down, paradigm in the 21st Century. Trust  leaders who are mentors and coaches. Respect, trust, and learning go hand in hand.

We are all Team Connecticut. A culture of disbelief cannot survive.  Civilization has been handed down through the ages through literature and history. This is our unique opportunity to help everyone benefit from a pathway through higher education to reach one’s own potential and ultimately to “give back”  immeasurable  gifts so others  learn to thrive.

Sign up for CT Mirror's free daily news summary.

Free to Read. Not Free to Produce.

The Connecticut Mirror is a nonprofit newsroom. 90% of our revenue comes from people like you. If you value our reporting please consider making a donation. You'll enjoy reading CT Mirror even more knowing you helped make it happen.

YES, I'LL DONATE TODAY

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

SEE WHAT READERS SAID

RELATED STORIES
Redistricting in Connecticut 2021: It is worth your attention
by Patricia Rossi

This is the year for redistricting in the United States. Maps drawn in 2021 will define which voters can vote for which candidates for the next ten years.  That means ensuring that the 2021 maps are fair and representative of their communities is critically important.

Lembo: Legislators should let constituents share the success of their health plan.
by Comptroller Kevin Lembo

The health care crisis in Connecticut continues. Bills under consideration in Connecticut expand subsidies, attempt to lower prescription drug costs and address long-standing health care inequities. There is room to incorporate the best of each if it helps make health care in our state more affordable, equitable and accessible. But Senate Bill 842 is the only bill that provides short and long-term help for small businesses, nonprofits and certain labor unions.

Will the Comptroller open the state-run healthcare plan’s books?
by Wyatt Bosworth

What choices do you have when you cannot defend a policy issue on its merits? One path is that chosen by former New Britain Democratic Town Committee chair Bill Shortell in his April 14 Viewpoints opinion piece, “Debunking the CBIA’s takedown of the public option healthcare bill.” Instead of defending any perceived merits associated with the proposed expansion of state-run healthcare in Connecticut, Shortell attacks the messenger. In this case, two organizations that have raised legitimate —and unanswered— questions about that proposal.

Climate action now to insure Connecticut’s future
by Commissioners Andrew Mais and Katie Dykes

Connecticut has had nine weather-related federal disaster declarations in the past 11 years, totaling more than $362 million in damages. For Storms Irene, Sandy, and the 2011 October Nor’easter, insurers paid out more than $1 billion to cover insured damages in Connecticut. The climate crisis is upon us. The science is clear. We must act now.

College students in Connecticut should be vaccinated now
by Dayna Vadala

If the state of Connecticut wants its institutions of higher learning to return to normal in the fall, it’s going to have to get shots into the arms of the students.

Support Our Work

Show your love for great stories and outstanding journalism.

$
Select One
  • Monthly
  • Yearly
  • Once
Artpoint painter
CT ViewpointsCT Artpoints
Opinion Redistricting in Connecticut 2021: It is worth your attention
by Patricia Rossi

This is the year for redistricting in the United States. Maps drawn in 2021 will define which voters can vote for which candidates for the next ten years.  That means ensuring that the 2021 maps are fair and representative of their communities is critically important.

Opinion Lembo: Legislators should let constituents share the success of their health plan.
by Comptroller Kevin Lembo

The health care crisis in Connecticut continues. Bills under consideration in Connecticut expand subsidies, attempt to lower prescription drug costs and address long-standing health care inequities. There is room to incorporate the best of each if it helps make health care in our state more affordable, equitable and accessible. But Senate Bill 842 is the only bill that provides short and long-term help for small businesses, nonprofits and certain labor unions.

Opinion Will the Comptroller open the state-run healthcare plan’s books?
by Wyatt Bosworth

What choices do you have when you cannot defend a policy issue on its merits? One path is that chosen by former New Britain Democratic Town Committee chair Bill Shortell in his April 14 Viewpoints opinion piece, “Debunking the CBIA’s takedown of the public option healthcare bill.” Instead of defending any perceived merits associated with the proposed expansion of state-run healthcare in Connecticut, Shortell attacks the messenger. In this case, two organizations that have raised legitimate —and unanswered— questions about that proposal.

Opinion Climate action now to insure Connecticut’s future
by Commissioners Andrew Mais and Katie Dykes

Connecticut has had nine weather-related federal disaster declarations in the past 11 years, totaling more than $362 million in damages. For Storms Irene, Sandy, and the 2011 October Nor’easter, insurers paid out more than $1 billion to cover insured damages in Connecticut. The climate crisis is upon us. The science is clear. We must act now.

Artwork Grand guidance
by Anne:Gogh

In a world of systemic oppression aimed towards those of darker skintones – representation matters. We are more than our equity elusive environments, more than numbers in a prison and much more than victims of societal dispositions. This piece depicts a melanated young man draped in a cape ascending high above multiple forms of oppression. […]

Artwork Shea
by Anthony Valentine

Shea is a story about race and social inequalities that plague America. It is a narrative that prompts the question, “Do you know what it’s like to wake up in new skin?”

Artwork The Declaration of Human Rights
by Andres Chaparro

Through my artwork I strive to create an example of ideas that reflect my desire to raise social consciousness, and cultural awareness. Jazz music is the catalyst to all my work, and plays a major influence in each piece of work.”

Artwork ‘A thing of beauty. Destroy it forever’
by Richard DiCarlo | Derby

During times like these it’s often fun to revisit something familiar and approach things with a different slant. I have been taking some Pop culture and Art masterpieces and applying the vintage 1960’s and 70’s classic figures (Fisher Price, little people) to the make an amusing pieces. Here is my homage to Fisher -Price, Yellow […]

Twitter Feed
A Twitter List by CTMirror

Engage

  • Reflections Tickets & Sponsorships
  • Events
  • Donate
  • Newsletter Sign-Up
  • Submit to Viewpoints
  • Submit to ArtPoints
  • Economic Indicator Dashboard
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Commenting Guidelines
  • Legal Notices
  • Contact Us

About

  • About CT Mirror
  • Announcements
  • Board
  • Staff
  • Sponsors and Funders
  • Donors
  • Friends of CT Mirror
  • History
  • Financial
  • Policies
  • Strategic Plan

Opportunity

  • Advertising and Sponsorship
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Use of Photography
  • Work for Us

Go Deeper

  • Steady Habits Podcast
  • Economic Indicator Dashboard
  • Five Things

The Connecticut News Project, Inc. 1049 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105. Phone: 860-218-6380

© Copyright 2021, The Connecticut News Project. All Rights Reserved. Website by Web Publisher PRO