VOTE FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION

The biggest question I have about Nov. 4 is this; “Is this the election that will put an end to public education?” I have listened to political the ad after ad on TV and it is obvious that every Republican candidate invariable claims he or she voted in “support of education” yet we know government cut educations budget in every state where Republicans are in charge of the budget. This is not a case where GOP candidates are out right lying. In their minds, it sounds to me as if they sincerely believe by supporting private schools and destroying public schools, they are supporting education but in a manner that fits their political philosophy. First, under the mantra of cutting taxes, something Democrats and Republican both loves, they have done everything possible to cut budgets for public education. Consequently, public schools are deteriorating, bussing is not adequate, teachers’ salaries are falling, and governments are working to destroy teachers’ unions. In the South in particular, their is a racial element, the school boards from schools districts is clearly done with desegregation in mind; it is not an accident that people like Art Pope, as disciple of Jessie Helms, use their billions, to form school boards to their liking. In addition, churches want to take over the schools so they can teach what they believe (as long as it is Christian). All measures of educational effectiveness prove that our educational system is not effective, certainly not as effective as it should be.  

All parents want the best for their children in thought if not in action, and many will do what it takes to accomplish that end. Everyone knows parents do not have equal resources—that has to be the starting point in any debate on education—it was as true in 1776 as it is true today. To the conservative mind, it makes sense that their children receive the best educations, “money can buy”; if your children receive or do not receive a good education, is your responsibility, and is of no concern to them. To the liberal mind (like me), all children should have the opportunity for a good education, regardless of family economic status. In other words, I am concerned abut your children, even if you are not concerned about mine. With that as background, it makes sense that “all” parents should not have to pay taxes to support public schools when they send their children to “better” schools. It also makes sense why our taxes are low and public schools are in need of repair. The fact remains, the most fundamental principle of democracy is that we have a government to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. For example, some individuals cannot afford to send their children to the best private schools; therefore the government should provide equally as good education. Of course, this reduces public schools verses private schools argument to a simple economic issue, when it is obviously much, much more complex,

   

The Republican Party objective is to privatize education; they all claim to support education for everyone but you have to know what they mean by that. They would do this in a heartbeat once they assume have “dictatorial’ power of “electoral office”. The people have given them that power in the House of Representatives, now it looks as if the people will do the same for them in the Senate. They have completely dominated the Supreme Court and turned it an activist court; turned from a “court of law” to a right wing “political evaluating institution”. Intuitively, we all know that along with the military, and prisons, educations for profit is wrong. The president will stand-alone. Few would voters be willing to admit, or even understand that President will be the only thing that stands between destruction of our public education system and privatized education. Thus, the question is; “Will President Obama be able to protect us against our own greed?” I hope so but will not hold my breath.   

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