Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 136, Number 45, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 8 November 2018 — Page 4

Page A4

> Advaace Nm * ThandqK.NowEatert.2ott

An nbative called More m Garonoc he launched a yearlong ettort to reparc oar broken primed dscane. 'Antenca has never fail so divided' the orgarazabon says on its website. 'Bitter debates that woe once confinid to Congßsaonal hiring? and cable TV’ have now found their way otto every part of our fives* from our Facebook feeds to the handy dower table.' In a report called The Hidden Tribes of America,' reaeardim acknowledge healthy societies have always seen 'Today, however; these differences are becoming more dtffirnft to mediate,' the report says. 'Liberals and conservatives are moving farther apart and tribal tensions are boding over more regularly in politics and media as well as m daily fife.' The researchers say about a third of us taE at opposite ends of the political spectrum They describe about 8 percent of us as Progressive Activists, a group it classifies as generally younger, highly engaged, secular, cosmopolitan and angry At the other end of the spectrum are Devoted Conservatives, described as white, retired, highly engaged, uncompromising and patriotic Researchers say these folks make up about 6 percent of the population. Another 19 percent the report calls Traditional Conservatives, described as religious, middle class, patriotic and morafastic These three groups make up what the report calls the 'wrings,' folks who tend to be entrenched m their views and notparticulaily interested in listening to the other side The rest of us, about two-thirds of the population, fall into what the report calls the Exhausted Majority The researchers divide this group into Traditional Liberals, Passive Liberals, the Politically Disengaged and Moderates. 'Members of the Exhausted Majority are considerably more ideologically flexible than members of other groups," the researchers say. 'While members of the 'wing' group (on both the left and the right) tend to hold strong and consistent views across a range of political issues, those in the Exhausted Majority tend to deviate significantly in their views from issue to issue." The study found 3 percent of Devoted Conservatives believe government should take more responsibility to make sure everyone is provided few while 94 percent of Progressive Activists believe that It found 92 percent of Devoted Conservatives believe hard work will always lead to success while only 5 percent of Progressive Activists believe that. Researchers say nearly all Progressive Activists see hate speech as a problem while only half of Devoted Conservatives do. At the same time, only 30 percent of Progressive Activists see political correctness as a problem while nearly all Devoted Conservatives do. "In contrast" the report says, "the Exhausted Majority of Americans is concerned about both." Part of what divides us, the study says, are news organizations such as Fox News and MSNBC with a business model that fosters polarization. 'The environment of tribalism has been intensified by social media," the report says. "Through the creation of filter ten<^s to anze "Where trust in traditional media has declined," the report says, "false information can spread widely and information can be micro-managed to specific audiences." The good news, the researchers say, is that most of us are tired of the "us-versus-them" mindset. We're ready to find common ground. "This is the message we've heard from more than 8,000 Americans in one of our country's largest-ever studies of polarization," the researchers say. "We hold dissimilar views on many issues. However, more than three in four Americans also believe that our differences aren't so great that we can't work together." Maybe there's still nope.

Continuous Publication Since 1879 Advance News taring Happens* t Woßarwa MMsfesfl Wookiy • (USPS 370-960) Periodical postage paid in Nappanee, IN 46550 MtfMMTB: Please send address corrections to P.O. Box 220, Plymouth, IN 46563 MMarAMMISI nrectar Cindy Stockton [email protected] MhM MUt Greg Hildebrand [email protected] filer Amy Lant-Wenger [email protected] Spirts HPT Rusty Nixon [email protected] lertMi HMpr Michelle Louderback mlouderback @ thepi lotnews.com circ@thepilotnews com [email protected] Clssslflsl Ms through Friday, 8 a.m. to a p.m. All classifieds must be pre-paid. Deadline: Monday at 1130 a.m. Mvartlslii Call Angl Rodriguez at 574-936-3101 for rate Information or to place an ad. Deadline: Thursday at 5 p.m. Ltial Notices Deadline: Wednesday at 5 p.m. (Week prior) Annual subscription price (52 issues) is S3O in-state and S3B out-of-state. To renew or start a new subscription, or to solve delivery problems, call the Circulation Department at 574-936-3101. Email news Items and photos to [email protected], or drop them off at the Bremen office, 126 E. Plymouth 81 For possible story ideas, please call 874-548-2941 or cell, 574-209-0704. Deadline: Friday at noon. Publisher reserves the right to reject, edit or cancel any advertising at any time without liability. Publisher's liability for error is limited to the amount paid tor advertising.

Opinion

China is a poor and backward nation

Wi(k bock the United States aid China dmdding down on a bade war. and heated electoral rhetoric giving way to fd fabrication, if* tee to write a bit about China. Today aid weß into the futurejre should ail security issues that form our reiatiorv shrp To do so, we must also untangle some of the fabulist bes told about the Chinese economy. I will begin with some bona tides on the topic Most readers will know lam an economics professor, but far most of my fate, I wa also a soldier From 2003 through 2009,1 served as a reserve infantry lieutenant colonel on the operations and pLannmg staff of US Army Japan and the UN command fa) Korea. I cannot say more than what should be obvious that both North Korea and China were much on our minds. It is worth noting that I squared off against Chinese tanks and faced fire from Chinese rockets m Iraq in 1991, so my experience is a bit different from that of marginally informed citizen or detached academic I am a fierce but realistic cntic of China, but that isn't the same thing as fearing them. Qona may ultimately prove a significant strategic threat to the United States. The nation is poorly led, and so wholly ensured in the failed dogmas of Leiun and Mao that we must view it as a potential long-term adversary. The reason we must view them as a security concern is not that they are an economic dynamo, but rather because their economy is so desperately bad and likely to remain so throughout this century. China is a poor nation, which exaggerates their economic performance. By some measures, their GDP per cap ita is now at levels last seen in the US before our civil war. I suspect conditions are a bit better, with standards of living more like ours at the turn of the 20th century. That is still bad, and means crowded, disease ridden, dense-

Child care shortage: A $l.B bilHon Indiana problem

Caroline Wagner and her family recently moved to Terre Haute from out-of-state for employment, and one of the top priorities was finding quality child care for her two younger children, ages 2 and 4. She found what she was looking for at Nurture with Nature, owned by Dawn Langer. "We were thrilled to find it. It s really hard to find high quality child care, especially in smaller cities like Terre Haute," said Wagner, an adjunct instructor at Indiana State University whose background is in education. Wagner likes the educational philosophy used, the Reggio Emilia approach, and "to find that here was amazing.” Her children are housed in a newer facility that received United Way of the Wabash Valley funding for indoor equipment, as well as an outdoor 1 , naturebased play area. The United Way grant helped provide equipment that "allows for that creative, open-ended play that teaches children problem-solv-ing," Wagner said. "I really like that they are getting that love of learning by coming here." The Reggio Emilia philosophy promotes inqui-ry-based learning so with open-ended materials, children have the opportunity to do "all different kinds of exploration,” Wagner said. When a child or group become interested in a topic, teachers can use that interest

CATTED FORGIVEN yfiI.ESSED APR O G RAM O F ,S AC R ii D MUSI C Z.-' Heart^Voice presented at Sunday, November 18 • 9:30 AM Sandy Ridge Mennonite Church 3085 7th Rd., Bremen, IN 46506 Sunday, November 18,2:30 PM Fairhaven Amish Mennonite Church 13513 St. Rd. 4, Goshen, IN 46540 A FREE-WILL OFFERING WILL BE TAKEN a male, a cappella choir directed by Brandon Mullet

lv populated tewwtei and factories tike more described by Upton Sindoir m The Jungle, and fared by the victims of the infamous Triangle Shirtwaist fire. Cfcmese workers dk on the job at more than three times the rate of the developed world, if they are telling the truth Like all Leninist-Maoist nations, China cam put on a show. Bright gleaming factories, cheerful workers and efficient transport systems are hallmarks of Chinese propaganda To get these shiny factories, and raise their standard of living to that of late 19th century Europe, the Chinese have been crushingly authoritarian. Though they try to avoid any visible semblance to the Maoist debacles, they have purged entrepreneurial spirit and succumbed to the worse examples of central planning In a nation living in cramped, multi-generation apartments, newly constructed cities capable of housing one million workers sit empty. Their recent reforms have largely failed. For anyone who was a college student m the 1980 s and early 19905, Chinese graduate students were feared for their unequalled preparation Only the top students from the world's most populous nation came here to study. Today, it is mostly the children of the party elite who fill American schools, and the change is obvious. Let me say it plainly. China is a large, poorly led nation with a military that is decades away from the expertise of

and facilitate learning based on that interest, rather than planning unit studies week by week. Finding quality day care "is hugely important," Wagner said. "When I’m working, I don't want to have to worry about my children." CHILD CARE AND THE ECONOMY While some families benefit from high-quality child care in Indiana, too many don't, according to a study conducted by the Indiana University Public Policy Institute and funded by Early Learning Indiana. The study, "LOST OPPORTUNITIES: The Impact of Inadequate Child Care on Indiana's Workforce & Economy," indicates that lack of child care is hurting Indiana's businesses, workforce and economy, and the Hoosier state is losing out on billions in economic activity each year as a result. The study finds that, because of the lack of access to child care, Hoosier businesses spend nearly $l.B billion annually to pay wages of absent employees, for overtime and temporary workers, and for costs associated with reduced productivity. Overall, Indiana's economy loses nearly sl.l billion each year as a result of reduced consumer spending income and job loss, and the ripple effects of the lack of child care. This equates to a $llB.B million annual tax

Saddam s army and an economy that is more than a century behind oars. When you hear a politician tdhng you that China's economy is Just a few yearn away from surp wiring ours, he is simply lying to you. No one living now will see the Chmese standard of living catch up to ours, and I would wager they won't equal America's current standard of living in file balance of this century. To be deat China's weak economic performance is not a good thing. In the short term, the US and China share many common concerns, not least among them the special sort of crazy known as North Korea. We would be better off if they had a more robust capacity to deal with that problem. Over the long run, continued poor economic performance likely increases rather than lessens the risk of conflict. A growing economy and a growing middle dass are the most helpful antidotes to Chinese aggression in decades to come. Any movement towards modernity in China will come from within. This won't be possible until its economy has made more gains. Our challenges with China aren't easy, or primarily commercial. In fact, the Trans-Pacific Partnership was the ideal platform from which to challenge a China unconcerned with property rights and worker protections. Instead, we descended into an irrational and counterproductive trade war, which is precisely the wrong approach. It won't make us safer; wealthier or stronger. Perhaps the only good thing to say about it is that the unfolding economic disaster of tariffs will teach the current generation a lesson in the cost of trade wars. Michael J. Hicks, PhD. is the director of the Center for Business and Economic Research and the George and Frances Ball distinguished professor oj economics in the Miller College of Business at Ball State University.

■rMmcLj. BmW),

revenue loss for the state. The study also estimates that, on average, working parents with children under five are absent from work 13.3 days each year due to child care issues. Additionally, about 11,000 working parents auit their jobs to address cnlld care needs. "Often, we hear people acknowledge the long-term benefits of early childhood education," said Jeff Harris, director of public affairs for Early Learning Indiana. "What we have never added to the argument is how it affects the economy and workforce today. It has a huge, huge impact. People are losing their jobs or leaving their jobs directly related to child care situations." Harris added, "When people can't find safe, reliable, affordable child care, they can't work." According to Early Learning Indiana, Vigo County has 203 early childhood programs, which include 28 child care centers; 148 home-based [family] child care programs; four ministries; 19 schoolage programs and four Headstart programs. Those programs have the capacity to serve 4,324 children ages infant through school age. Of the 203 total, 67 are high-quality programs (rated 3 or 4 on Indiana's Paths to Qualityrating system) with a capacity to serve 1,285 children, Hanis said. Total enrollment across all programs is 3,484 children,

/ N Knights of Columbus Conndl #1975 Fri., November 9 Knights of Columbus Hall East Jefferson St., Plymouth Adults - $ lO • Children 4-10 -*4 Dinner Includes: Breaded Alaskan Pollock, Coleslaw, Beans, Applesauce, Bread, Drink and Dessert Drive thru carryouts available without beverage Knights of Columbus 574-952-8307 Over 125 yean offitithin action

and of those, 1,165 or 33.4 percent are enrolled in high-quality programs, according to data provided by Harris and Early Learning Indiana. There are many people with needed skills who want to work but leave the workplace because they can can't find quality child care or can't afford it, Harris said. High-quality programs, which include an education component, can be costly. In Vigo County, the median family income is $43,726 for families with one or more children, and the annual cost of full-time, high-qual-ity child care is cm average is $7,344, Early Learning Indiana reports. Among those concerned about the study's findings is the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce. The chamber did see the study and "the numbers are very alarming in terms of the local and statewide impact," said Kristin Craig, chamber vice president. The Chamber's board of directors supports initiatives for a statewide pre-kindergarten program, "both as an issue for today's workforce and for tomorrow's employees." Christi Fenton, Vigo County School Corp. director of elementary education, said child care is an economic development issue that helps the workforce and helps recruit businesses to a community. Those moving to a community often want to know about schools and child care.