Illinois House Votes Poverty Over Potential

[Raymond Dix Jr.]

Illinois House Votes Poverty over Potential

Just when you and I thought that some measure of common sense, if not genuine logic would prevail over those entrusted with the care of government resources; once again they prove us overly optimistic.

The Illinois House of Representatives, having the opportunity to make a tremendous step toward providing equal access and protection for all as guaranteed by the 14th Amendment, which ironically is the provision for the historic Brown v. Board of Education decision; instead chose to preserve a system proven to be rift with underperformance and failure. As poor students lag further behind in a society demanding more education and especially education in technology, this august body of the people’s so-called representatives decided to further indict and convict poor students to a life of poverty; with Divine intervention as the only hope for commutation or parole.

The obvious question is why people of professed intelligence and in some cases extensive educational credentials make such asinine decisions? Especially, when their political persuasion says they are the “party of the people”, specifically the poor and disenfranchised. A short answer would be the one given to my father by an attorney whose advice he sought in the resolution of a contract dispute with a nefarious window company. The attorney smugly looked at my dad and said, “Smart people sometimes do dumb things”. While this answer may satisfy those who only wish to placate their own conscious and move on, not having any real interest in exposing and/or solving the problem; it does not suffice for me as one who tires of seeing valedictorians of urban schools unable to use proper syntax in their otherwise very fine speeches of acceptance.

Like it or not, the public school system in America, especially in economically challenged communities, is failing and fails many students year after year. Now before those hardworking teachers who themselves commit to the education of even the most challenged student become upset with me; let me say that my criticism of the institution is not a criticism of those who work hard toward the right goals in the institution. I realize that some of you are like the children of Israel in Egypt, you are repeatedly asked by parents, administrators and politicians to make bricks with no straw.

However, I still maintain that as an institution, public education fails a certain segment of our society. The why of this matter may be as simple as the motive that is nearly as old as humanity; money. I submit this question, “If vouchers result in a closing of the so-called achievement gap, an increase in standardized test scores and overall reduction in dependent poverty; then what would happen to the billions of dollars in state and federal programs spent to alleviate these problems? Perhaps those who make a good living from the poverty of others would need to find other gainful employment. Currently, many who make this money reject vouchers outright.

In addition, the rejection of vouchers by teachers represented in Illinois by Chicago Teachers Union, the Illinois Federation of Teachers and the Illinois Education Association; leads us to the logical but difficult to fathom conclusion that these educational professionals as a group actually oppose that which provides opportunity for students and free choice for parents. Will legislation like this impact the pockets of those who need not produce satisfactory results to get paid? Of course it will. This legislation would provide much needed competition to schools in areas where poverty is the most entrenched. Competition by nature breeds excellence. We accept this notion in every area of our lives, from business to athletics, but somehow this principle does not apply to education?

The real issue is whether, as the principle of public education implies if not declares outright, we commit to free and quality education for all. I mean if we are willing to try metal detectors in our schools, then why would we not try vouchers for those students who desire better than what their schools provide? Do these students count to us? Or are we simply resigned to their assignment to failing schools? Illinois State Representative Monique Davis (D-Chicago) stated in her opposition to the bill, “We are attempting to destroy public education for some children. And when we do that, we deny all of them an opportunity to be the best they can be.” This lunacy in her statement is indicative of the drivel pushed by politicians in urban areas. Her real statement says to the poor and educationally ill-equipped of her district that any legislation designed to help some of you is also designed to hurt all of you. This is certainly ridiculous as a matter of principle and logic. Do anti-smoking laws for minors hurt those who wish to smoke and as ridiculous as it sounds, might garner parental permission? Yes, but you never see this type of answer given in those circumstances, however extreme the example.

Fundamentally, the lunacy perpetrated in Illinois demonstrates the problem with those who profit from social engineering and poverty. Voters would do well to remember this in the upcoming election cycle and pass a sentence of their own upon these elected officials; retirement.