From Deseret News archives:
Vouchers increase chasm between rich, poor
The voucher debate reveals the unintended consequences of how our attitudes and behavior pull us apart as a society. We are fast becoming a nation between the haves and have nots those who have an education and those who don't.
Those wanting vouchers argue that it gives low-income parents "choice"; however, what it highlights is our limited understanding of the plight of poor families. Many are two-parent families with both parents holding two and even three of the abundance of low-paying jobs; many are single parents who struggle to make it through the day. They live in crowded, rundown rentals, barely afford food; and if they're lucky, have a jalopy, with old tires, that keeps breaking down and necessitating a search at a junkyard for a used alternator or fuel pump, and then finding a friend who knows how to replace the old one.
Choice? Without money, there is no choice!
The voucher debate should make us realize the social and economic divide that exists in our communities and how the values that hold us together are being eroded by a sense of entitlement and concern for self. We only have to recall the media images of the Katrina disaster. It showed how some thought the poor people who did not join the stream of SUVs fleeing the flooded city "had a choice" and simply decided to stay. But without money, they had no choice.
Another disquieting thing was the lack of understanding and empathy on the part of government bureaucrats for those in need. When the flood victims were struggling to survive, they were told to log on to the FEMA Web site to get an application for assistance.
Now, we have voucher advocates saying low-income parents can find out how to select a private school they could afford the "Blue Light Special"? by logging on to a Web site. Without a computer?
Recent comments
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Aspen | Nov. 7, 2007 at 10:19 a.m.
I have a dream. I dream that I take 30 "at-risk students"...
Ouiza | Nov. 6, 2007 at 12:27 p.m.
You hit it right on the mark! Fantastic article!
Alberta | Nov. 6, 2007 at 11:16 a.m.
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