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By Stanley P. Gershbein
Brooklyn Daily
And more of a reader favorite – America by the numbers
American students rank 17th in the world in science and 25th in math. Why? Is that because of the teachers, the administrators, the parents or the students? We could make a great case for any one of the four, but the answer is (drumroll, please) some of all of the above. One of our regular readers, Mr. Ed Greenspan, wants to bring back the 600 schools. How many of you know what a 600 school is? I know, but so many people do not. Ok, Mr. G. Enlighten them.
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A Washington Post-ABC News poll tells us that 88 percent of Americans support requiring background checks on people buying guns at gun shows, and I am one of them. Sixty-five percent support a ban on high capacity ammunition clips, and I am one of them also. Now here’s where it gets a bit closer. By a margin of 55 percent to 42 percent, Americans support a law requiring an armed guard in every school. I am in favor of that also, just as long as that armed guard doesn’t spend his day talking up the ladies who are there volunteering their time sitting door patrol.
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Fifty-seven percent of America favors raising taxes on the rich. Of course they do. Most of them pay nothing, so why is it a surprise that they want others to foot the bill for them. In the words of Bernard Goldberg, “If the other guy has to pay more to keep the federal government’s spending spree going, millions and millions of Americans think that’s a great idea. It’s easy to be generous with somebody else’s money.”
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The National Insurance Crime Bureau tells us that about 230,000 vehicles were damaged by Hurricane Sandy. Many will be taken to facilities to be crushed. Its president tells us that “there are cases where damaged cars will be dried out, cleaned up and sold by unscrupulous dealers.” What? There are unscrupulous car dealers? No way. Not here in America, pal. Even if you trust the seller, you still might want to check the vehicle identification number with Carfax or call the crime bureau at (800) 635–6422.
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I found a poll that asked, “Do you think money can make you happy?” Sixty-six percent of America shouted “Yes,” 28 percent said “No,” and only six percent said “I don’t know.” This is something you might want to bring up at your next cocktail party when the conversation slows down.
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Postmaster General, Patrick R. Donohue, says that Postal Service market research, along with other research, has indicated that seven of every 10 Americans support the switch to five delivery days a week as a way to cut costs. I have another way where he could reduce expenses. Come with me into the many post offices near where I live, bank, and shop. As soon as you see two clerks behind the counter spending time deep in discussion which obviously slows down the service they are there to provide, fire one.
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I am StanGershbein@Bellsouth.net scratching my head because I still find it hard to believe that there are unscrupulous car dealers.
Read Stan Gershbein's column every Monday on BrooklynDaily.com.