I realize how difficult it is to keep up with a blog each time a month slips by and I realize I haven't posted anything!
Today's entry is easy. We are all feeling the pinch of rising costs (it shouldn't cost $50 bucks to fill the gas tank of a HONDA!) but who feels it the most? You guessed it, those who can least afford an increase of bread, milk, and gas. What's worse, the price for these staples is going up faster than the price of items that we can cut back on like cars or restaurant meals. This article from the front page of the Washington Post a couple of weeks ago provides some excellent food for thought. This article was brought to my attention by the Community Action Partnership, our national Community Action presence. They are doing a great job of bringing the reality of poverty to our national leaders.
For those of you who have been following my school board exploits, you might wonder how I can feel good recommending a tax levy increase in Columbia despite the situation described above. First, I don't feel good about it. Ultimately though, education is one of the best ways to mitigate the effect of recession. A strong public education system provides an important draw to employers who are looking for qualified employees, prepares students for higher paying jobs and post-secondary education options, and increases the quality of life for everyone in the community. Supporting education is the right thing to do for our economy and everyone effected by the current economic climate.
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2 comments:
Well, you haven't gotten any comments lately...so here's a little something for you to ponder. First, when consumer confidence plummets as it has done steadily over the last 6 months, a tax levy increase is the last thing you'll see passed. Only absolute necessities such as the sewer proposal could have survived that vote. I think voters are also a little tired of bailing out everyone and their brother. After all, why is it always up to the little guys to pay for someone else's poor planning?
I would also have to disagree with the statement that 'education is one of the best ways to mitigate a recession.' Unless that recession lasts 5-10 years (and then it would no longer be recession would it?) there would be no noticeable, much less, measurable effect.
Second, gas SHOULD cost $50 to fill -up. We spoiled Americans are paying half to a third of what Europeans and most of the rest of world pay. Granted, the going rate in the middle east is below $2/gal. I hear people crying about that. Boo-hoo! Last time I checked, American products made in America with American raw materials are....you guessed it...cheaper in America.
Hitting people in the pocket-book is one of the few proven ways to motivate behavior change. I'd like to see gas at about $6-$7/gallon (the world's average gas price). Perhaps such an 'outrageous' price would motivate local governments to take a real look at public transportation, or alternative fuels such as hydrogen, or its 19th century notions of traffic, or God forbid, people may actually carpool. Americans no longer know how to collectively sacrifice...the price of gas just may be the kick in the pants we need.
Lastly, I'm saddened your reelection bid failed. At the same time, though, I can only imagine how much focus, determination and willpower it takes to run an organization such as ours...and I for one am glad to have you back - full-time.
Thank you for the comments and confidence. I agree with you on most points, particularly those about fuel. I just completed the 2nd of a series of three classes on Safe City Cycling offered by the Pednet Coalition to prepare myself to make the kind of personal behavior change you suggest. Regarding education and mitigating recession. You are correct about the timeline and meant to imply that investing in education now will mitigate FUTURE rescessions.
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