Studies often highlight the academic weaknesses or the funding weaknesses,
but the differences for both can be traced through test scores and
performance to much earlier years. Studies of the children of professionals
are instructive in admission to medicine and college and other points long
before.

I am more and more impressed regarding the role of professionals. Their
most obvious role is services. Perhaps more important is that they become
leaders in all areas at all levels.

Next is the environment that they shape for their children, an environment
guaranteed at the highest levels to retain income and position as seen in
studies of census and other data

Next is the environment that they shape in neighborhoods and cities and
counties with direct and indirect influence and this can improve the
situations for some, however others who are not professionals can be
competed out directly or indirectly by children of professionals - tracking
the counties with the most Asians in the United States and the changes in
medical school admission in these counties is fascinating, (not necessarily
about Asians since Asians in America are a much purer strain of
professionals), but about changes in professionals in an area. Declines
also are indirect for those nosed out across society of greater social
distance - rural, lower income, diverse, or all three

Next is the influence on entire states where % of professionals grows high,
income increases, cost of living increases, and middle and lower income
peoples not connected by land or family exit, leaving the very professional
and the lowest status peoples in close proximity with vastly different life
experiences - as in New Orleans, DC, etc. It doesn't help if city leaders
failed to diversify when given the chance, to a base other than
manufacturing or whatever economic mode is going out of style. Also fewer
professionals as in the Midwest translate to a broad distribution of income
and education, but not a great push for college and professionals. Broad
distributions also inhibit state and federal support based on more severe
needs. In the midwest an entire segment will soon approach Deep South
levels of child poverty, already a reality for families with high school
educated working parents. being in the middle in education, professionals,
and severity indexes can be a problem in the current time.

Concentrating professionals is a very bad policy, they can
1. fail to distribute services
2. fail to be aware of how others live
3. become less and less aware, as in leader professionals
4. fail to support distribute education and health unless impacting their
children
5. be very clutchy with state or local or national resources when they
perceive their children are slighted, even if they are not

perhaps an understudied effect of professional concentrations is how poor
distribution influences or fails to influence lower and middle income
populations in structuring society or in need of leadership experience and
management perspective - ideally a balance of those who are aware and those
who can get things done

The teachers, nurses, counselors, and public servants are key indicators in
my opinion. They are the building blocks of society and their children
rising into college and professional school bring important insights into
professional and public awareness. Places that are importing these
professionals have failed in education and child development. They are also
stealing infrastructure from other states and nations. No higher income
area in the US needs to tolerate 50% high school graduation rates, yet they
do. Some tolerate 29% graduation rates. No civilization in 2007 can survive
this low rate of participation in society. More science in math in high
school will not help in what really needs to be done. Millions voting with
their feet to leave such areas is more than enough of a vote, but only for
those who are aware. When we allow these resources to maldistribute, we are
sowing our own seeds of destruction.

Desperation in America is bringing a host of those who promise changes in
education and health. Most have not proven their abilities. This may not
prevent their ideas from gaining funding. Fundamental changes are needed,
they have worked, and they must prevail.

Robert C. Bowman, M.D.
[log in to unmask]
www.ruralmedicaleducation.org

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