Show w Pm PmS Pm'S S THE TIIE VOICE OF Its r o oDo t Do you speak economics By Richard L L. L Lesher Lecher Pro Pres Chamber of 01 Commerce of the United Untied States State Some years back a distinguished columnist Raymond Clapper wrote Never underestimate the intelligence of the American people never overestimate their information I cant can't think of a better example I of the truth of that statement than the crash course in economics weve we've all had to take lately A few years yean ago most moot Americans blamed inflation in in- nation on the businessman because th they were familiar only w with its s most v visible s e symptom price increases Now the polls poll show we have learned to place the blame for inflation where it belongs On the government That is not an easy connection to make It requires a fairly so sophisticated unde understanding ng of oE The he complex relationships between productivity increases money creation and government government government govern govern- govern ment deficit spending And yet a knowledge of basic economics is increasingly indispensable indispensable indispensable in in- dispensable to the performance of our civic duties Our biggest national problems today are economic problems Inflation recession unemployment These problems were the central issues in our recent election And they will be around in one form or another for years THE TilE TIME has come therefore to save our children from having to play up catch-up ball the way we have had to The subject of economics should be incorporated into the school curriculum either as a major part of existing social studies classes or as a separate required course The kids definitely benefit from an early exposure to economics Our own package of educational materials Economics for Young Americans is now in use in over school systems around the country and it has been warmly received A committee of five NewYork New NewYork NewYork York City social studies teachers evaluated the kit for possible use in the NYC system and found it definitely suited to their n needs eds and a fresh new approach to topics not pr previously discussed or hardly discussed at atall all all- It makes the topics of pr profits fits business and ecology money matters and productivity more interesting to students Down South in Knoxville Tenn the city school system students on their economic knowledge gave them the Economics for Young Americans course then tested them again to see what changes resulted The students showed dramatic improvement in their understanding of the role of competition in lowering prices the actual level of corporate I profits the counterproductive effect of government wage- wage price controls the influence of costs on prices the link between between between bet bet- improvements in productivity and improvements in the standard of living and the link between capital Investment investment investment in In- vestment and productivity improvements They also tended to lose prejudices That's hardly surprising Prejudices of all 11 kinds usually yield to greater understanding d ng of t th r objects I DONT DON'T WANT to claim any special magic for o our educational materials There are other good programs too although not bOt enough b of 01 them The point however bowers is that tut economic education is Ls both batty timely and important The kids are ready for fa it They benefit from it They need it Now what's happening Q or a not happening in your con com community Do yen yea know Shouldn't you Anybody who would lik like mere information about Economics for Young Americans if Is I welcome to write us The Thead Thead- address ad- ad dress is Economics for Young Americans H Street NW Washington DC D.C. IT J ll kf Ili p d rt ONE OF THE 20 winning bumper t stickers Put rut Some Action Between your Eyes Is shown with the th family gr group p creators Orval Oryal Sharon Chad and Tr Travis vi todell and d grandmother Bernice e Arnett |