Jan
25
Promise them anything but give them…
January 25, 2008 | | Leave a Comment
Once again, we have reached that time of the year when the bombing missions start. You know what I mean, the ads on print or electronic media, the billboards, the special mailings, or the temporary hires walking around the mall or standing at the street corner waving signs extolling the virtues of, or exhorting your support.
This is also the time we line up for that quick glimpse, that chance to see and get what’s new and hot or trendy. Or the time we line up to hear the latest buzzword like “change” or “new” or “exciting”.
This is the time when we are bombarded with offers all designed to lure and distract you with promises of being better than the other, who or what that may be.
You might think this is about the latest electronic gear or the newest game system, it’s not. We are the ones being played.
This is about the annual train wrecks called political campaigns. Nothing about this missive is meant to be partisan, but indeed a warning for all to be on their guard for promises made by the candidates and a “gut check” to remember how many other political promises made were ever kept. Also, this is a plea to check each candidate, their position papers, email them, ask questions and verify to the best of your ability BEFORE you give away your vote.
Candidates on the threshold of power are adept at avoiding answers to questions, even direct ones. They have mastered the art of redirect. (”I’m glad you asked that question, and I’m sure you meant to ask…)
We on the front lines of the virtual education battle have an even greater responsibility to do this with every candidate at the State and Federal level. We “mavericks” in this battle can hopefully look down the road a few years when fighting for virtual education or its funding, will be a moot point. We are having huge successes with this program and want it to continue. We MUST ask every candidate their feelings on virtual education, they must be tough questions and if we elect candidate “A” over “B” based on their answers, we must hold their “feet to the fire” and make sure they know we voted them in and THEY work for US.
To be sure, this is not limited to our issue, but it is the one that must be uppermost in our minds this year and next. This is a habit we must adopt for EVERY ELECTION and for ALL ISSUES and ALL CANDIDATES. This is also an educational opportunity for our students to see and understand a democracy and representative republic at work. They must understand how important and precious a vote is. hey must learn that by our vote, by our voice we can make a change, we can make a difference. Teach and lead by example on this issue, and in your daily life.
ROB
