Came across a good post over at Baseline Scenario on the massive problems--in terms of statistical analysis-- that pop up when you take the idea of merit pay seriously. Go read it.
One of the biggest problems we face in politics is the idea that simplistic solutions will fix complex problems. A good rule of thumb should be: simple not simplistic. As soon as you come upon a "common sense solution" all of a sudden you will hear an uproar from the chattering class about how it is oh so obvious and how all we have to do is fix it and that will be that. But simple solutions may entail complex applications, challenging questions about how best to reform the broken system, and how to keep rent capture from occurring in the end product.
The irony is that much of this "its simple. just do it" chatter comes from self professed conservatives. The idea that complex problems can be addressed by simple changes to government policy is an idea that a true conservative like Edmund Burke would find appallingly naive and destructive.
Keep that in mind next time a "conservative" you know comes clamoring to gut our public school system because they have "simple solutions" that are oh so obvious.
The world isn't built that way no matter how we humans desire it to be so.
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