Are we witnessing today the disintegration of California before our very eyes? The budget decisions the “Gang of Five” have agreed to might be the beginning of the end for California’s world leadership. America has been known to act boldly when we are threatened by global competition. Remember Sputnik in 1957? Can we find the same spirit in 2009 to confront the $26 billion California budget deficit?
On May 25, 1961, Pres. John F. Kennedy addressed a joint session of Congress and said: “First, I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to earth…If we are to only go half way, or reduce our sights in the face of difficulty, in my judgment it would be better not to go at all.”
Yesterday, July 20, 2009, we celebrated the 40th anniversary of the miraculous achievement of JFK’s goal. I remember the moon landing and Neil Armstrong descending that lunar module ladder like it was yesterday. “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” uttered Mr. Armstrong while he took that last step toward the surface of our moon. The remarkable achievement, that began with the inspiring words of JFK in 1961 and the Herculean effort by thousands of talented, educated, risk-taking individuals, was a privilege of a lifetime to witness. Walter Cronkite summed it up in two words, “Oh, boy!”
The 21st Century has witnessed us retreating continually from the act of making courageous decisions that will build a better future for the generations to follow.
California finds itself at a critical crossroad where massive budget cuts in our 3-tiered college system have the potential to damage the state beyond repair, not to mention the reduction in funding for K-12 education. Yesterday’s editorial in the San Jose Mercury News noted that the Public Policy Institute projects a shortage of up to 1,000,000 college graduates to fill the information-based economy jobs of the 21st century by 2025.
Where are the bold and courageous leaders of our times in this state to tell us what the Mercury told us yesterday: “California ranks near the bottom, among large states, in the percentage of high school graduates who go on to college—56 percent, compared with 74 percent in New York.”
The UC public university system was second to none since its inception in 1868. Its motto is “Fiat Lux” or Let There Be Light. An eloquent motto for a system of higher education, yet we are in very, very bleak times. The ominous dark clouds of a once-in-a-century storm are gathering overhead and too much seems like business as usual. Is anyone out there listening to the tsunami warning?
We need a leader for California like JFK was for America and its Man on the Moon pursuit in 10 years when many did not think it was possible. We need to envision 10 years from now and where we want to be with our K-16 system of education. We need to envision the impossible—and soon. The Terminator was not this type of audacious leader. For our sake and the sake of our state’s future I pray one is out there.
Hmm, we need someone to work for quality education in California.
Someone who believes in kids earning grades for their work, being challenged, and someone that focuses on basic skills, science, and physical education, all at levels to encourage hard work.
Sorry, Joe, you do not seem to make the grade!
I think one issue is that California is ungovernable. Divide the state into 2 or three smaller states. And deal with the gerrymandering and redistricting.
Rather than the constant wailing and hand wringing over lost funding, how about providing a proposed solution? How would you make up this year’s deficit? (and next year’s, and the year after that…) Envisioning ‘man on the moon’ pursuits is great – how are you going to pay for it?
I, for one, would like to live in a California that doesn’t tax-and-fee its citizens to death. High cost of living is why many employers and employees are leaving the state.
Bold and courageous leadership can bring the various schools of thought together to problem solve for our future. The art of compromise is something we have lost, it appears.
For me a temporary surcharge on a gallon of gas of at least 25 cents to 50 cents and a permanent alcohol drink tax of at least 25 cents per drink are two ways to bring in billions to offset the deficit and save our university system. Those who transport goods could be exempted from the per gallon surcharge tax.
I do not believe the tentative agreement by “The Gang of Five” is solving our problems, but it is delaying the inevitable. I think our fine state is in huge trouble and without bold and courageous leadership we will fall deeper and deeper into the abyss.
Joe,
I don’t think we should look for a messianic leader to guide us out of this mess. That is a dangerous concept. I believe the solution to the problem lies within each family. Some families value education and others don’t. Until the families that don’t value education change, nothing in our schools will change, no matter how much money is spent or who is the governor. This is why enrollment at private schools is booming.
#6-Steve,#7-Napper,
Both of you, very well said~
#6 Spot on. The education of children is the parents responsibity and the schools are there to assist them. The parents should be watchful all during the years and participate in school functions without exceptions. Their children will realize that their parents love and care about them. The students will please them by studying harder because they want to make the parents happy.
BTW our health and wellness are also a personal responsibility and not the doctors. The doctors and hospitals are there to assist us, not to assume the responsibility.
In summation, Our education and health are personal responsibilies.
Today’s “bold leaders” aren’t interested in real achievements like simply going to the moon. The Kennedy speech, 48 years later would sound more like “I believe this nation should commit itself to landing a gay, transgender, bisexual, or a wise Latina on the Moon, using a vegetable oil-powered spacecraft constructed entirely from recycled materials.”