Column 74 for March 11, 2001
At one time, not too many years ago, it seemed like it was the Age of Aquarius. Now it seems like it’s the Age of Reformers… To be sure, we’ve had real reformers in our age: Carrie Nation, Susan B. Anthony, Harriet Tubman, Betty Friedan, Martin Luther King, Jr., Gloria Steinem, Franklin D. Roosevelt, et.al. We’ve even been blessed (??) with wannabe reformers such as Jesse Jackson and Ross Perot.
But now, to hear some of the politicians speak, you’d think we were in the midst of something as big as the Protestant Reformation. Their plan is simple. Badmouth something until we "know" it needs reform… Make it a political football. Then propose YOUR plan as the only solution. Get elected and feel some degree of mandate, a self-fulfilling, spin-doctor fixed prophecy.
George Dubya wants to "reform" our tax system with tax cuts. I find it contradictory to say on one hand we have a "budget surplus", while at the same time acknowledging our huge "national debt." I can relate to that situation with my own monthly budget, maybe you can too. Let’s say that in April I earn more than my monthly bills, while at the same time I have credit card debt and loans outstanding. What is the fiscally responsible thing to do? Should we ignore the large debt, and spend the monthly excess frivolously like G.W. proposes? It would be nice, for a change, for us to think for ourselves instead of buying into some party line BS. Now for the best part of his proposal…for us, the single, middle income taxpayers… The maximum "savings" is $180 per year. Whoopee!!! That means a little less than 50 cents a day. My only response to G. Dubya is to put that 50 cents somewhere the sun don’t shine, for all the good it will do me.
George, you wanna know a secret? Tax reform would be to seriously propose something like a flat tax. Remember? Or maybe, instead of allowing the rich folks to pay off Social Security taxes before the year is over, why don’t you give us all a break and don’t START collecting that tax until we’ve reached $5000 in income for the year. That’s what I consider true "reform."
We have a "reformer" closer to home than Washington D.C. Governor Barnes has been playing mind games with voters and educators (who also vote…) for a couple years now about education. He plans to have ALL our children eventually "test-out" above average. Math teachers will especially appreciate that feat. As many colleges and universities are moving away from dependence on standardized testing, public schools, with Washington’s help and Governor Barnes insistence, are moving deeper into that morass.
I will believe Governor Barnes "no social promotion" efforts effective only when I see a few 20-year-olds still in the 3rd or 4th grade. We’ve had standardized tests for decades. Many of these tests relate the student’s "grade-level" equivalent in different skill areas. Any parent sees the results when the Iowa Test scores come in. Also, as any high school teacher can attest, we have to deal daily with some students at these low levels. When I realize that Governor Barnes expects me to successfully teach Algebra to a student with 3rd grade reading and math skills, I shudder. The sad part is that if I don’t, it’s MY FAULT. It’s tough for a metal worker to make a good die out of a bad piece of steel, just the same as it is impossible for a sculptor to make a beautiful statue out of cracked marble.
Real "reform" isn’t the dazzle at the end of the production line. It’s a basic change way back at the beginning! True reformers have always found the right place to start.
Peace. tomiswho@mindspring.com