"I just think a student shoudn't be marked down for not getting the answer the right way, but should be praised for figuring it out."

Why not both?

Some of the Common Core standards do require a different mathematical process than before, but it is designed to teach students to think about the math rather than "plug and chug". Poorly trained teachers or those antagonistic to Common Core won't help educate their students well.

If the exercise says, "Use such-and-so method" then use the method or get marked wrong.
If the exercise doesn't specify, then any method should be fine.

Problem is, many parents don't have the time or inclination to learn along with their students. No parent wants to look foolish when they "can't do" third grade math with their kid, especially the ignoramuses who don't even try to expand their horizons.

Libertarian Party seems right for you. Liberal on social issues and conservative on economic ones.

No, Libertarian party is *not* for you.

Don't get sucked into that cesspool of faux logic and Austrian economics.

"2012 presidential nominee Gary Johnson states that the party is more culturally liberal than the Democrats, but more fiscally conservative than the Republicans."

That's nearly exactly what Byron said. Don't impose your own views to sway him. This is based on HIS values.

"Or when it comes to minimum wage. I do't believe they should be raised I believe fewer restrictions and lower minimums will improve our economy by providing more jobs, less unemployment and thus more income tax and less crime." (CommanderByron)

Funny, leon, I didn't know the Libertarian party was in favor of socializing the energy industry, federal education standards, and getting diplomatically entangled in foreign conflicts.

leon1122, read the first *four* of CB's points. Not even close to Libertarian positions.

Libertarian philosophy is utterly unrealistic. It only survives in a vacuum of false logic and unproveable economics.

usually people stop being libertarians past the age of 24 -- once they've had jobs and interacted with people from a diverse set of backgrounds and needs.

here's a simple test, Byron.
1. are you a bigot?
if yes, register republican
if no, register democrat regardless of any other disagreements you may have with them

It's comments like the "here's a simple test, Byron..." that make me despair about the Democrats. If I ever became a Yank (don't worry, it'll never happen) I could never join the Party because of the prevalence of such idiotic opinions.

Trump is truly stomach turning. Cruz has achieved the impossible by being worse than Trump. Rubio did look relatively human at first glance, but his recent attacks on Trump would shame a 7 year old, his policies are pretty grim, and he has less of a Presidential aura about him than your average mollusc.

I've not been able to stand Clinton for so long I can't even remember what it was that first put me off her, but I've not seen anything to like. Sanders I only have a mild dislike for, which currently puts him head and shoulders above everyone else.

Maybe Thucydides was right about not voting. They're all pretty dire. At the moment if I had a vote I'd give it to any candidate who promised to scrap the Presidential nomination farce, regardless of party or any other policy. America is an embarrassment to democracy.

In short, don't join a party unless you find one worth joining.

You know, I have had much the same problem, Byron. Ideologically, I lean closer to the Democrats, but I don't really agree with them on principle of some things. In the end, I don't personally think any party truly represents me. If I ever became a Brit (don't worry, it'll never happen), I'd end up being a Lib Dem voter, but nothing in the states appeals to me that same way.

No harm in being a Lib Dem. I enjoyed being one for a while. Some great socials :)

Byron, same place, but different values. Pro-immigration, pro-environment, but pro-gun and pro-life, among many other ideals. I don't fit well in a party.

I can't find any fault in Octavious's assessment. +1

settle down Octavious, and don't despair. Those of us us on the liberal end of the spectrum have plenty to complain about when it comes to democrats, especially Clinton. we are just unwilling to vote for anyone affiliated with a party that deals in discrimination and bigotry. in the end, that makes voting in general elections a very simple decision.

A point that just occurred to me: it's super, super important to consider your politics on a local and state level. Don't just take national party platforms and agree or disagree with them. (FWIW, my state-level political position is basically "Jerry Brown is the most effective Democrat in politics," so it's not like I've done a great job of following my own advice, but it's a start.)

"All politics is local."
--"Tip" O'Neill, U.S. Speaker of the House, 1977-1987

One of the all-time greats.

@ishirkmywork Bigot: a person who is intolerant toward those holding different opinions

If you think anyone who is a Republican (almost half the country) is a bigot, then you're the true bigot.

@KingCyrus, same. I'm Anti-immigration, pro-environment, pro-gun, pro-choice.

not quite leon. my question is == why associate with bigots?

or to put that better -- why associate with a political party that uses intolerance and disdain for human differences as a means to political power? what does that say about one's priorities?

bigotry does not mean being intolerant of opinions -- it would be intolerant of the actual human parts of a person. bad definition.

@ishirk, I don't like the Republicans. I think there are nasty parts of the party, and I don't stand for a lot of the things they stand for. But I feel the exact same way about the Democrats. Why should one trump the other?

@ishirkmywork What I said is exactly what a bigot is. See http://lmgtfy.com/?q=bigot

You're a bigot. Face it.

lol leon. i have never called someone a bigot for disagreeing with my opinions. that is an extremely simplistic view of that definition.
however -- dehumanizing and degrading other human beings is something i can't get behind. I don't like either political party too much....but at the moment one of those parties is trafficking in racism and intolerance -- i dislike being associated with such overt displays of bigotry towards different races cultures and religions.

If you think that half the country is made up of bigots for disagreeing with your values, then you're a bigot. You are redefining bigotry for your own purposes. You can't display bigotry towards races, cultures, and religions.

@Oct, I think your issue with ishirk's test is more an issue with American politics in general (and other politics too, really) than Democrats specifically. Refusal to acknowledge other points of view as legitimate is not something unique to Democrats.

.....whatever you say man. there are different levels and shades of bigotry and racism. it's possible to be a racist by just going with the flow and staying in your lane. for the record, i haven't called you any names, but you seem to be a bit riled and defensive. sorry about that.

and my little "test" was a joke of a sort.... i don't understand why people who aren't racist would associate with a party trading in racist language and policies......but perhaps i just see things too binary on this subject.

Bigotry and racism are completely separate concepts. I am merely pointing out that you fit google's definition of a bigot. You're intolerant towards the opinion of those holding different opinions (Republicans).

I don't see how wanting to keep poor, unskilled laborers out of the country is racist.