I'll admit it.  I'm confused.  The media, the government, even the business world seems to be telling us that education as we know it in America is the root of all our troubles.  We hear things like 'if our workforce were better educated the economy would be flourishing', and comments of that nature frequently.  I suppose the thought is that education equals economic success and sustainability. Here's why I'm confused.  If this is true, that education is to blame, then why are good teachers, ones who will and have make a difference in the life of a child, losing their jobs?  A friend of mine, who happens to be a great teacher, recently recieved notice that her position is being eliminated.  You may ask, have the number of students decreased that much or was she not an effective educator or is the program being restructured in a more effective way.  While all of these questions seem rational and valid, none of them are accurate.  She lost her job because of money.  The school still needs her.  The students still need her.  Our future economic health still needs her.  But the county can't pay, so she lost her job.   I don't understand why the current administration is insisting on playing this game of "Race to the Top" with education.  Good teacher, great teachers are losing their jobs today, and tomorrow, and the next day because the local governments can't afford them.  Why not focus all the hype and cash being spent on this "competition" on the real-life kids, classrooms, and schools that need it?  And save a few jobs at the same time!