Quote:
Originally Posted by Budman
Throwing more money at the education problem in this country will not solve anything. It's been the same whine for many years. The lotto was going to fix all the educational woes in Texas. The problem is it will never be enough.
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I think you're factually challenged, again BM. First of all, the education problem in the country is related more to individual states and school districts. Of course, nothing solves the problem of the unbearable cost of college like eliminating federal student grants and loans, something our new Republican Congress has been quick to do.
The "whine" as you so commonly put it, was that the State, source of a large portion of funding for public schools, has never been able to get school finance right. The Lottery was and never could be devoted to any one thing, by law, but people had hoped that a large portion of the proceeds could go to state education. The lottery was always going to go into the General Fund. From there it went into the hands of the legislators to be considered an additional source of revenue for the state budget. This business about fixing the schools with the lottery, while a popular argument back in the early 90s, just never was going to happen.
Unfortunately, the Legislature -- yes it had become a Republican legislature by the early-mid 90s -- had a choice between using the lottery money for school finance or to keep from raising any kinds of taxes or fees (LIKE ON BUSINESSES). These slash and burners chose to protect their asses at the expense of the kids and teachers.
So, BM, you think that cutting funding for education is going to solve the problem? Firing teachers? Closing schools? Making it more difficult for kids to go to college?
Certainly the Feds can do their part to restore the good programs they've recently decided cut -- like Pell Grants. Don't believe President Obama was particularly supportive of that shit, either, since that's what this thread is all about.
But the responsibility for the catastrophic state of Texas public schools lies squarely on the shoulders of our Governor and Legislature for allowing schools to twist on the end of their budget rope, and the fine Texans who elected the douchebags to the State Board of Education.
It's easy to walk away from responsibility and then when you get called on it, say the other folks are whining. It takes courage and resolve to educate people. Oh yeah, and money. And you're right, BM. It will NEVER be enough.
Amazingly, when you invest in people, you come out ahead in the long run.
