EDUCATION: Keep politics out

I went to both legislative town halls last weekend. Luke’s and Paul’s was very active; Redman’s, not so much.

Education was the main topic. Schools want more money from a state that has no money.

With the lack of industry we are a welfare state. The problems with funding schools does not fall on the state. When the state spends more money on schools it must take it from somewhere else, such as car license fees. Private and charter schools succeed because there are no politics involved. The public schools, however, have Republicans blaming the teachers union and the Democrats blaming the lack of funding and century-old military tactics to divide and conquer. With both political parties at each other’s throats, the administration runs amuck.

In all government agencies the blame will always run downhill. In this case it’s the teachers that take the hit. The teachers I have gotten to know are hardworking, high quality people and their efforts need to be respected. If Republicans feel that the schools are too liberal, look to the administration. The teachers must do what they are told to do or get fired. If the Democrats want more funding, look to the administration. There’s an awful lot of top dollar deadwood dreaming up new easy of doing things in order to have a purpose. Sometimes the things you want are right under your nose, providing you don’t have your head up your butt.

RUSS McLAIN

Coeur d’Alene