I don't think there ever was a time when all students were fed and clothed adequately and spoke English. I would hope that there was a time when children were expected to be respectful to their teachers and punished if not, but even that I don't think is a certainty.

My grandfather was in school in the 1910's or so, and he was dirt poor, didn't speak English, and never went to church. I think there are children like that in every age.

I also think that if every perspective parent had to spend a day in a classroom before they had children we would simply have fewer children.

Wow, Jen, you've got some seriously cranky fans on your hands. I didn't even think of all the details of this law. I think it's like the school spelling tests. Everyone thinks they are good for kids and be damned with the research that contradicts that. Everyone thinks that talking on cell phones is bad for driving, but is there really evidence that backs this up? And no, I'm not going to buy any new technology nor learn how to use it to comply with this law. I'll just pull over.

Nan has a good rule--anyone saying any version of "I don't like it" gets sent directly to their room until they can be pleasant.

My rule is, eat it or not, but I am making nothing else and it is inexcusably rude to say you don't like it. If you don't like it, make yourself a sandwich. I do make her eat her green vegetable. She is a big eater, so food is constantly consumed at our house. Your princesses, I know, are pickier eaters. I have no patience for that.

Good luck!

Health insurance is all about who pays for our health care. Medical providers have priced health care out of the reach of normal people. We have to have insurance to pay for normal routine care, much less accidents and long term health conditions. We are the richest country in the world. Health care for all citizens should be a no brainer, just as schools for every child is a no brainer.
Should health insurance companies pay for our overpriced medical services?
Should the government?
Should we reign in the cost of health care so that it is affordable?
Other countries have figured this out. Our health care system is broken and putting more tape on it isn't the answer. SOMEBODY needs to fix the system so that normal people can pay for their health.