Spokane7
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June 5, 2011 in Opinion
Smart Bombs: Will parents learn lessons?
While I certainly think there is a revenue problem in Washington state, it’s hard to ignore that it is self-inflicted. Even when people clamor for more money in particular areas, they don’t demonstrate the knowledge or stamina needed to make sure legislators follow through. That’s not to say there isn’t any complaining; it’s just that it’s misdirected or comes too late.
The recent public hearings on upcoming budget cuts for Spokane Public Schools provide a good example. Judging from the testimony at the two sessions held at middle schools, parents are very much against the proposal to increase class sizes. This same sentiment was expressed by 72 percent of voters statewide when they adopted Initiative 728 in 2000, which called for smaller class sizes. But to balance the state budget for the next two years, the Legislature suspended full funding of the initiative (as it has multiple times in the past decade).
That was the time to complain. That was the time when the public could’ve made a difference.
I haven’t heard many complaints about that. A check of our archives shows precious few letters over the years on this topic. But many well-meaning parents lined up at the microphones and expressed outrage that the district could ponder increased class sizes. That’s like blaming the warden for prison overcrowding.
In the years since passing I-728, voters have adopted measures that repeal taxes, make it more difficult to raise taxes and rejected an income tax on high-income households. In doing so, they have solidified the grip of the current tax system, which is among the most regressive in the nation because it puts a greater burden on the poor.
So when I read recently that Washington state ranked 46th in the nation in education funding per $1,000 of income my reaction was one of weary resignation. We are near the bottom because we are a relatively rich state with a tax code that is ill-suited to tapping that wealth. I’m not averse to raising taxes, but in this state that means punishing the poor and small businesses even more.
We could fix this with an income tax, but the only way that will happen is when people start matching their votes to their wishes and speaking up when it actually matters.
It happened in America. I had just finished reading “Zeitoun,” by David Eggers, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the case of Abdullah al-Kidd was handed down. No, said the justices, former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft could not be sued for the despicable treatment of the former University of Idaho football player, who was arrested, detained but never charged.
Ostensibly, al-Kidd was arrested to testify against another Muslim student. But he never did testify, and the feds’ true target was acquitted, though he was deported. It looks as if that rationale was merely an excuse to hold al-Kidd in detention, where he was treated like a heinous criminal, including repeated body cavity searches that yielded only his dignity.
If you want to read a book-length account of what our Great American Freakout produced after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, I recommend the true story of Abdulrahman Zeitoun, a Syrian-born man who came to the United States and found the American dream in New Orleans. However, the combination of Hurricane Katrina and our overzealous anti-terrorism policies turned the dream of this respected contractor and family man into a nightmare.
When Katrina hit, Zeitoun stayed behind to watch over his business, home and several rental properties. Paddling around in a canoe, this resourceful man rescued the elderly and infirm and fed several dogs that had been left behind. You couldn’t ask for a better neighbor.
However, he was erroneously pegged as a looter and was arrested. His nightmare would’ve ended there had he been granted that hallmark of criminal justice: a phone call. But he wasn’t treated as a mere criminal; he was deemed a terrorist. And so he spent nearly a month in solitary confinement at a high security prison and nobody knew of his whereabouts. His family didn’t even know he was alive until a prison missionary violated protocol by contacting Zeitoun’s wife.
Zeitoun was subsequently released, but the family was shattered by the hurricane and the surge of anti-Muslim sentiment that swept away sanity and humanity.
Smart Bombs is written by Associate Editor Gary Crooks and appears Sundays on the Opinion page. Crooks can be reached at garyc@spokesman.com or at (509) 459-5026.
Smart Bombs: Greatest generation? Not us 
ZagChuck on June 05 at 6:23 a.m.
Gary,
Starting off an article with the false leftist talking point that “there is a revenue problem in Washington state” tells most readers exactly where your opinion will lead us today.
How can we call it a “revenue problem” when the state takes in more money than it ever has before? More money per capita and more money total, and still they manage to spend every dime. It’s not a revenue problem, it’s a spending problem, pure and simple.
“Budget cuts” for Spokane Public Schools is another talking point from the left. They weren’t “cuts;” they actually receive more money per student than last year. They are not receiving the increases they hoped to obtain, but that’s not a cut.
You’re right, there were few complaints and letters to the editor, as you noticed. Mostly that’s because taxpayer parents understand they have no more money to give. It’s also because the WEA/NEA were expecting their payoffs to liberals to keep pouring more money into a broken drain, and didn’t activate their union-run phone banking machine.
Perhaps this budgeting process will allow the schools to look more closely at their spending levels, and they can begin to streamline their bureaucracy while providing what’s needed in the classroom.
Now is the time to get serious about education. Returning local control for the school district’s budget and curriculum is the first step to future successes. Then we can begin to focus on classroom success rather than focusing on lobbying at the state and federal level. It would be nice to see the WEA begin that focus, but I won’t hold my breath. They’re not there to represent the children, or the parents; the WEA/NEA is there to represent the best interest of the employees; their focus seems to be more on increasing spending for their members.
Reducing administrative costs is the first step; and the time to act is now. Which leads to an additional place you are wrong. The “time for the public to make a difference” is never over! For 40 years we’ve let the liberals in both parties determine success for our public schools and they have failed beyond belief. High drop-out rates and under-prepared college freshman are the testament to that simple truth.
Next year, we can replace them with conservative minded folks who would like to fund education, but understand that providing local control will reduce the boondoggle created by the bureaucracy and the teachers union, and provide a better learning environment and a more successful education system.
hawken on June 05 at 8:20 a.m.
We have a massive spending problem. We do not have a revenue problem.
Here’s the problem:
What liberals really do believe is that their “Keynesian Economic Theory”, will actually work. Although, it has proven to be failed in every case since it’s inception.
“Keynesian Economic Theory” is based upon the ideas of 20th century English economist John Maynard Keynes. Keynes was a socialist. Simply stated, “Keynesian Economic Theory” believes that the more government borrows and spends, the better our economy will be. Roosevelt followed Keynes, which made the depression worse, according to UCLA economists.
Never in the history of the world has a nation borrowed and spent its way to prosperity.
Nevertheless, liberals are true believers in “Keynesian Economic Theory.” Equally as important is that liberals are “totally dependent” upon “Keynesian Economic Theory” for their very survival. Therefore, we will ALWAYS have a revenue problem in the mind of liberals and their socialist or socialist leaning world view (varies slightly depending on the liberal).
If the economy is soaring, we have a revenue problem because we need more socialist programs. If our economy is in the “historical tank,” as we are today,,, we have a revenue problem. Liberals will never be satisfied with tax revenue.
Try this at home and see how it works for you personally: Keep borrowing on your multiple credit cards, keep living above your means on high-interest debt,,,, and then let us all know how greatly you are prospering.
On the other hand, “Conservatives” believe that we cannot continue to keep borrowing and keep living above our means on high interest debt.
Not all Democrats buy into “Keynesian Economic Theory.” Some “progressive Republicans,” most recently, Bush, do. It’s the way one gets votes from an American Public that lives on high interest debt and borrowing that allow them to live above their means.
We don’t have a revenue problem. We have a spending problem that is funded by high-interest debt.
Orphan on June 05 at 8:24 a.m.
Well said Chuck.
The liberals have about ran the well dry. No amount of money will ever be enough for the school districts. Looking back on my 3 childrens Mead School District experiances I feel ripped off, in no way is the education my kids recieved worth the taxes I paid.
A few quotes from Mead teachers
You cant do Trig unless you have a calculator.
No no no our country is a Democracy not a Rebublic.
We cant protect your child from a known threat and he is not allowed to protect himself either.
Arch_Druid on June 05 at 8:39 a.m.
Where it concerns Washington state, I tend to not get into that discussion. However, when ever guys start name calling, I’ll get into that discussion. I’d take a lesson from the late Dwight D. Eisenhower about people who go to the extreme “left” or “right” as these are the gutters along side of the road, if I were the above commenters. (With reference to the letter published today.) Who wants to “drive in the gutter” and knock the big H out of their car? Only guys like Zag Chuck, Orphan, and Hawken. An Idiotology that can only cost you guys in the long run.
ZagChuck on June 05 at 10:11 a.m.
@ Arch
No name calling was involved in the discussion prior to your “idiotology” comment.
There were some identifying tags, such as leftist, socialist etc… but there is a difference.
You should thank a liberal teacher for not explaining them earlier, ask for a refund, then learn the difference. Otherwise you might be labeled a hypocrite.
richard on June 05 at 10:26 a.m.
I heartily agree, Chuck; it is a broken record reading Gary Crook’s take on the problem with our schools … “too little funding from the voters”.
Everyone who cares about quality education and the future of our children should read “Who ruined our Schools” by Joel Klein, former New York state Chancellor of Public Education, in the current edition of the Atlantic magazine.
It stands as a testament to the obscene excesses of public unions, corrupt union bosses and state legislators and the inability of parents to combat the second rate treatment of their children.
Until the unchecked power and the regressive practices of teacher’s unions is curtailed our children will continue to receive 2nd and 3rd rate education.
Our public education has been a national scandal for decades, and most of the blame lies squarely on the shoulders of Democrats who pad the wages and benefits and power of unions in direct exchange for votes.
Just another example of a liberal experiment which ends up harming the very group intended to be the beneficiaries of public policy.
This time it harms our children. Even so, you will never read about the inherent problems of public unionism in one of Gary Crook’s columns. Too bad!
Orphan on June 05 at 10:35 a.m.
Arch
I fought the school district tooth and nail most of the time my kids were in school. Mostly I won but sometimes it was a draw and once in a while I lost. My kids were fortunate that I could take the time and had the money to fight with them. As Richard points out they treat the kids like 2nd or 3rd rate citizens unless your part of the in crowd.
Spend time with your kids fight for them when ever you can. Put them in private schools if you can afford it.
ZagChuck on June 05 at 11:01 a.m.
@ Richard
Here’s the link to the article you mentioned, I hadn’t read ityet, but am doing so now, Thanks!
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2011/06/the-failure-of-american-schools/8497/
The title on the cover of the Magazine was “Who Ruined Our Schools?” but the title of the article is “The Failure of American Schools.”
Scoutster on June 05 at 11:30 a.m.
You guys better watch out!
The Atlantic is a known liberal/socialist/marxist/anarchist carcinogenic pro-tax publication.
Wear your Haz-Mats. And don’t drink the Kool-Aid.
DickAdams on June 05 at 8:11 p.m.
All the taxpayers need do is compare the district 81 school system budget going back far enough to see when, at one time, the money as a percent and dollar amount, was far less than the city of Spokane. Today, the Lilac City is a distant second to schools. What the hell happened? You know if you care. Reckless spending habits and unions interested only in allowing the teachers to arrange schedules for added days off. Forget about qualifications for many that should be booted. Tack on the stupid tenure. Reason enough?