Leave voters out of it
Thursday’s 7 percent voter turnout for the sales-tax vote is a classic example of why such decisions should be left to elected representatives and not a voter referendum. Voters elect representatives for exactly this reason, to make decisions concerning the needs and requirements of the city. We’re left to wonder if the initiative was just a bad idea or whether the voters simply felt overtaxed and would as a practical matter vote down any tax increase regardless of its merits. In any event, representatives should be allowed to do their jobs, which should always involve making these kinds of decisions; otherwise, why elect them in the first place? of the increase. This is very commendable, to be sure.
When you read The CA’s Nov. 17 editorial endorsing the tax increase, it is the same old idea that all we have to do is throw money at the problem, and it will be solved or lessened. However, look at the recently released study of Tennessee’s voluntary pre-K program and read the recent article about the study by Grover Whitehurst, a leading expert in this area. While the idea of pre-K sounds great, this study of present-day pre-K showed these programs are not working to “...meaningfully increase the academic or social/ emotional skills and dispositions of lowincome families.” That is sad, but again shows that throwing money at a problem, while easy and quick and guilt-assuaging, usually does not work.
My wife taught in New Orleans and Memphis public schools for many years, and my daughter teaches in Charlotte public schools. Our society expects teachers to not just teach but to be mother and father and to raise these children. Throw- ing money at these issues is not the answer. It is much more complex an issue that requires complex solutions.
We know what some of the answers are, but will not confront them head-on. No amount of money and government programs will replace ineffective parenting and negate the effects of bad or no parenting. I wish that were the case.