Column 59 for October 29, 2000

With the elections little more than a week away, we need to take stock of the effects of our votes. Remember though, if we don't vote, we have no impact at all, and have no right to complain! In past columns I have complained bitterly about the misguided education "reform" package put forth by Governor Barnes and passed by the "yes, boss" legislature earlier this year. I feel strongly betrayed by Governor Barnes, but he is not running for re-election. (yet…) Many of "his" state senate and house members are running for re-election, but several, including our local representatives, are running unopposed. How do we tell them of our dismay and displeasure?

First of all, is there is opposition, vote against these weak-kneed cronies of Barnes. If they are running unopposed, then vote for the other offices on the ballot, but leave that little circle next to their names unblackened! This is about the only way to give a "vote" of "no-confidence" to these sure to be re-elected people. In the meantime, and in the future too, write letters telling them just how you feel! I’d love to see a last minute statement from Tracy Stallings admitting that he erred in voting for the education package. He supported education so well up until this past session. If he did this, I’d vote for him again. But not unless he makes such a public confession…

As far as the national election goes, I still don’t consider either major candidate of much count. Based primarily on my fears of what type of person Governor Bush might appoint as Supreme Court Justices, I would urge you to cast your vote for the less than ideal Gore. It seems easy to see that both candidates are full of "bs" and manipulated by stage managers, pollsters, and spin-doctors. Oh well.

I’ve bragged about my young son Andy, the writer, before. I hope I’ve had some influence on him, but for the most part I consider him self-taught and I know he can "turn a phrase" much better than I. I am compelled to repeat some of his comments from a recent letter to the editor of the Gwinnett Daily Post. He was responding to an article indicating that band and chorus classes in our schools may be in danger of being deleted from the curriculum. The article apparently stated that such classes could be cut from schools that don’t measure up to the national average on standardized tests.

Andy stated, "There is a great difference between filling in the correct bubble and applying intelligence in a useful way." So true Andy, so simple, and yet so many of our legislators miss this fact! He went on to point out that the current emphasis in education will only lead to better test-takers. In possibly Andy’s best "sound bite" he stated, "so the Georgia legislators are interested in a very superficial excellence, and not quality education – or intelligence." I couldn’t agree more!

Andy finished his letter to the editor with the following: "Some things to remember: there is no one way to teach, and there is no one way to assess education, its successes and its failures. Each child is unique, not a statistic to be averaged --but a genius to be discovered, and made complete." Well said, my son.

Peace my friends. Vote smart. tomiswho@mindspring.com