1. Logos: Passing Prop 30 is critical for the future success of all Californians. It’s passage will not only benefit those who require an education but all of us who will be set to gain from a well educated State. According to the Cabrillo College Federation of Teachers, a positive vote on Prop 30 “would raise an estimated $6 billion per year for schools (K-12 through community college) and public safety at the local level”. (site) Without this funding the quality of our education will significantly deteriorate, massive cuts will be made and tuitions will continue to skyrocket, resulting in not only children being unprepared for the rigors of university but also less people being able to afford a college education. The CCFT continues to tell us that if Prop 30 does not pass “K-12 gets cut $5.5 billion, cutting three weeks of school. CSU gets cut $250 million, resulting in class cuts, layoff of faculty, staff and enrollment cuts.” (site). The decisions we make today will greatly affect the future. In other words if we do not educate our young people many essential jobs in California will not be filled, the middle class will become a much smaller group, we will become a poor and poorly educated State and the spiral downwards will continue.
I am hoping that the effect of logos on my audience will allow them to see that education is a cornerstone to success and no matter who you are, what socio economic background you come from, or whether or not you have children or grandchildren who need educating, you will be affected by this issue.
2. Pathos: Are we willing to have education become a privilege merely for the elite among us or is it a privilege for all to citizens to receive. By not funding Prop 30 education is going to become even more expensive than it currently is. In the K-12 arena parents who can afford it will prefer to send their children to private schools as the public school system looses more and more money. College tuition will also continue to skyrocket and the numbers of students will continue to be reduced thus allowing for only the wealthiest Californians to receive higher educations. As we see our middle class disappear and the chasm continue to widen between the small group of elite and the ever increasing poor and uneducated, it will become very clear that passing Prop 30 will benefit all of us.
I am hoping the effect of pathos will allow my audience to see that this is a very real scenario that can occur if we do not pass this measure. People need to be considering the fact that the demographics will drastically change in California. I also hope it will appeal to the caring side of people to see that it is up to all of us human beings to do what we can to support one another.
3. Ethos: As a mother of two college students and a student myself, I have been immersed in the education system since my children entered kindergarten, they attended both public and private schools and I feel I have had a good view of both systems. I have lived in this State for 27 years and have paid my fair share of taxes in that time and I am more than willing to pay a little more so that not only my children can benefit but all children can benefit.
I am hoping that the effect of ethos on my audience will have them see that I have credibility as a student, a mother and a taxpayer in this State. They will see that I have been part of the process with my own children and now myself, so I know what it takes. I also want them to know that I have been a tax payer for many years and am willing to make additional contributions if it means that others can also benefit. I think it is important for the audience to see that it is not just our own needs that we need to be thinking about but the big picture of our State and all of our futures.
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Annotated Bibliography
Myers, Dowell. "The Conversation." The Sacramento Bee. N.p., 15 July 2012. Web. 22 Sept. 2012. <http://www.sacbee.com/2012/07/15/4630198/california-needs-to-examine-proposition.html>.
Dowell Myers is a professor of Public Policy at the University of Southern California and he writes this article published in the Sacramento Bee that is from a larger essay which was published in the summer of 2012 entitled "California Futures: New Narratives for a Changing Society”. This excerpt has a compelling argument that first states why Prop 13 was so attractive and potentially a good thing back in 1978. With rapidly rising property taxes, at a time of a big surplus of funds in California that came because of California’s housing boom and huge population increase due to non-Californians migrating into the State, he argues that although it may have served the problems back then we now have different problems and the crash in our housing prices greatly affects the now outdated Prop 13. Our elderly residents have enjoyed lower taxes with their expensive homes yet the younger folks among us are struggling to buy those expensive homes. He reminds us that people with a college education earn significantly more than people without one, so therefore funding our schools may help our State in many different ways in the future. This article helps to highlight what Prop 13 was all about and why it might have been necessary at a certain point in California’s progress but now we have to take a fresh look at the problems facing California and change the rules. As a professor, of Public Policy at a prestigious California University he undoubtedly has a lot of credibility.
Barnes, Brooks. "Californians Face Rival Ballot Initiatives That Would Raise Taxes and Aid Schools." Nytimes.com. N.p., 10 Sept. 2012. Web. 16 Sept. 2012. <http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/11/us/californians-face-competing-tax-increase-propositions.html?_r=1>.
The New York Times’ Brooks Barnes, article entitled “Californians Face Rival Ballot Initiatives That would Raise Taxes and Aid Schools.” Is a very interesting article comparing two Propositions that could both help and hurt each other? Prop 30 is Governor Brown’s proposition that raises sales tax for 4 years and raises Income Tax for the wealthiest Californian’s for 7 years. While Prop 38 also written to help California Education is backed by a wealthy Civil Rights Attorney, who believes that more money will be made and these funds will go directly to education and only education. This Proposition raises the Income Tax of every Californian for a period of 12 years. What happens if both Propositions pass? Well California’s constitution takes care of that for us, the Proposition with the most positive votes will come into effect. I believe this article is a good one to read because it gives us some comparisons of these two Propositions. I think while investigating the merits of Prop 30 it is vital to include information about Prop 38 in order for Californians to make a completely informed decision. It also answers a very important question, that I had even asked myself….. What happens if both pass? Some people may hesitate to vote yes on both for fear of having to pay twice. On the other hand if half the State votes yes on one and no on the other, both may fail. So this article helps us realize that a Yes on both Propositions only heightens the chance that at least one will pass and if both pass, only one takes effect.
"As We See It: Gov. Brown in His Own Words." Santacruzsentinel.com. N.p., 12 Sept. 2012. Web. 22 Sept. 2012. <http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/opinion/ci_21522357/we-see-it-gov-brown-his-own-words?IADID=Search-www.santacruzsentinel.com-www.santacruzsentinel.com>.
This article from the Santa Cruz Sentinel entitled “Governor Brown in his own Words” is just that. Governor Brown is defending the tough situation he has been in since becoming Governor of California for the second time. He justifies all that he has been accomplishing considering what he inherited. He is making a case to the people of California for voting positively on Proposition 30, which will help fund education. He questions whether mistakes made in one area of the State i.e. State Parks and the $54 million that went unreported should penalize unrelated Prop 30. He reminds us that he is spending much less than his predecessor, he is capable of bi-partisanship and is looking at what makes sense for the future of California like the high speed rail system. I think this article might be helpful for the Prop 30 Op Ed, because it gives Governor Brown’s very own reasons for doing certain things especially when his opponents are shouting out that they don’t trust the job he is doing or where the tax dollars are going.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Readers Response #1 - Gatto
John Taylor Gatto, an award winning teacher in the New York State Public Schools offers a provocative view on the current education system, in his article Against School, which was published in Harper’s Magazine in September 2003. Gatto discusses his observations, after a lifetime of teaching, on the level of boredom that exists with both teachers and pupils in the current model of education in the United States. He questions whether we really need to be schooled, or whether our education can be garnered in other ways, reminding us that many of the most influential people of our time had not been schooled as we know it, but had been educated in ways that allowed them to become great leaders, inventors or writers. He reminds us of the mission of public education, which is to make us good people and citizens who strive to reach our highest potential. He then questions the validity of this mission by discussing the Prussian education system in the early 19th century, that was adopted by the United States and whose purpose was to stifle creative thinking for the masses and only have a small elite group of scholars bubble to the top of the heap to keep the masses unquestioning and obedient.
As the parent of two children who are now adults themselves, my observation has been that many parents turn their children over to the school system with the hope that teachers will do the job of turning them into well rounded, intelligent, motivated adults by their 18th birthday. I fully concur with Gatto’s grandfather when Gatto at seven years old mentioned his boredom; he tells us his grandfather said “….. I was never to use that term in his presence again, that if I was bored it was my fault and no one else’s” (148) . It is essential for parents to empower children to attain complete autonomy, while instilling a love of the natural world and adventure, and a belief that they should let nothing limit their thinking.
The more subtle message that Gatto received, at seven years old, when his Grandfather told him that he only had himself to blame if he was bored was that he had to take responsibility for creating the excitement in his life. Unfortunately today a temptingly easy response would be to put the child in front of a television set, as we busily go on with the things on our long list of “to do’s”. We have to resist that temptation and take the time to really listen to our children and encourage the creative thinking that comes out of someone being interested in their ideas. With my own children it was so important to me that they knew where their food came from so from a very young age we had a large vegetable garden that they helped to grow and nurture. My husband and I took them on backpacking and camping trips in the Sierra Nevada mountains, multi-day river rafting trips in Montana where they learned how to fish and take care of themselves out in the wilderness. We taught them about different countries and different cultures around the world. By age eighteen they had travelled to South Africa, the British Virgin Islands, Japan, Europe and Canada because we believe that nothing can open your mind up like traveling to another part of the world where people live very differently. We always encouraged them to try a new activity or even a new type of food. Our philosophy as parents was to introduce them to as much diversity as possible, so as to allow them to discover where their own passions lie which would then inspire them to achieve whatever they set their mind to.
Although I agree with Gatto in many ways, that our education system stifles creativity, encourages boredom and does not allow children to open their minds to their fullest potential, I do believe that some schooling has its place in our society and is very necessary in the absence of a viable national alternative. Perhaps if, as a society we could spend much less time in the classroom, worrying about grades and standardized tests that pigeon hole us into places we don’t belong, and if parents could take on more responsibility encouraging their children in a wide range of ways to discover their passions then perhaps we can transcend the current stagnant and somewhat ineffective system that is in place right now.
As the parent of two children who are now adults themselves, my observation has been that many parents turn their children over to the school system with the hope that teachers will do the job of turning them into well rounded, intelligent, motivated adults by their 18th birthday. I fully concur with Gatto’s grandfather when Gatto at seven years old mentioned his boredom; he tells us his grandfather said “….. I was never to use that term in his presence again, that if I was bored it was my fault and no one else’s” (148) . It is essential for parents to empower children to attain complete autonomy, while instilling a love of the natural world and adventure, and a belief that they should let nothing limit their thinking.
The more subtle message that Gatto received, at seven years old, when his Grandfather told him that he only had himself to blame if he was bored was that he had to take responsibility for creating the excitement in his life. Unfortunately today a temptingly easy response would be to put the child in front of a television set, as we busily go on with the things on our long list of “to do’s”. We have to resist that temptation and take the time to really listen to our children and encourage the creative thinking that comes out of someone being interested in their ideas. With my own children it was so important to me that they knew where their food came from so from a very young age we had a large vegetable garden that they helped to grow and nurture. My husband and I took them on backpacking and camping trips in the Sierra Nevada mountains, multi-day river rafting trips in Montana where they learned how to fish and take care of themselves out in the wilderness. We taught them about different countries and different cultures around the world. By age eighteen they had travelled to South Africa, the British Virgin Islands, Japan, Europe and Canada because we believe that nothing can open your mind up like traveling to another part of the world where people live very differently. We always encouraged them to try a new activity or even a new type of food. Our philosophy as parents was to introduce them to as much diversity as possible, so as to allow them to discover where their own passions lie which would then inspire them to achieve whatever they set their mind to.
Although I agree with Gatto in many ways, that our education system stifles creativity, encourages boredom and does not allow children to open their minds to their fullest potential, I do believe that some schooling has its place in our society and is very necessary in the absence of a viable national alternative. Perhaps if, as a society we could spend much less time in the classroom, worrying about grades and standardized tests that pigeon hole us into places we don’t belong, and if parents could take on more responsibility encouraging their children in a wide range of ways to discover their passions then perhaps we can transcend the current stagnant and somewhat ineffective system that is in place right now.
Friday, September 7, 2012
Prop 30
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20120822/us-jerry-brown-s-tough-sell/
“Spending missteps make Brown tax plan a hard sell”
Governor Jerry Brown has run a very austere administration, reducing State expenditures by billions of dollars and is using this fact to promote an initiative that will be on the November ballot that will increase State sales tax by 1/4 % for four years and increase the income tax on incomes greater than $250,000 for seven years. This initiative is known as Proposition 30. These tax increases are designed to close a 15.7 billion shortfall in the budget.
There have been a number of incidents during the summer that have revealed mismanagement of taxpayer money. There are also some very expensive infrastructure projects being prioritized by the Governor that cast further doubt on the fact that tax payer money will be used responsibly. In addition, there are competing tax increase proposals for education that will also be on the November ballot. A main selling point that Governor Brown is using is that most of the tax will be raised from the wealthiest Californians, those earning more than $250,000 a year. However, this selling point is being diluted by the fact that the quarter percent State wide sales tax increase will have to be borne by everyone.
Brown is using the real threat of cuts to education as an incentive to the voters to pass Proposition 30. The budget passed by the Governor in the summer has $6 billion in automatic cuts to schools and higher education if Proposition 30 does not pass. This provision in the budget is designed to help pass the tax increases because Californian’s seem to be more open to consider tax increases directed specifically at education. There are a number of things that are working against Proposition 30, that the opponents really want us to know about. A few months ago, it came to light that a number of State Departments had awarded large salary increases to its employees. There was also a clandestine scheme to buy back vacation time from senior employees costing the State thousands of dollars per employee, and another case where State Park officials had lied about the state of their departmental finances to the tune of $54 million, all the while asking the public to help keep State Parks open with additional contributions. This evidence is being cited by opponents as reasons why that State cannot be trusted with additional tax revenue and that there is uncertainty whether the tax revenue will actually go to its intended purpose. Another potential strike against Prop 30 is that traditionally California voters do not support tax increases and have rejected the last eight State wide tax proposals.
However, there is one thing working in Proposition 30’s favor and that is funding, there is significant financial backing from supporters of the tax increase while opponents are struggling to raise money to oppose the Proposition. The opposition mainly draws funds from business groups whereas the supporters seem to be public employee unions who would benefit from this tax increase. Governor Brown is making it perfectly clear that as Californians we have a choice to either pay the increased taxes or significantly cut the education budget.
“Spending missteps make Brown tax plan a hard sell”
Governor Jerry Brown has run a very austere administration, reducing State expenditures by billions of dollars and is using this fact to promote an initiative that will be on the November ballot that will increase State sales tax by 1/4 % for four years and increase the income tax on incomes greater than $250,000 for seven years. This initiative is known as Proposition 30. These tax increases are designed to close a 15.7 billion shortfall in the budget.
There have been a number of incidents during the summer that have revealed mismanagement of taxpayer money. There are also some very expensive infrastructure projects being prioritized by the Governor that cast further doubt on the fact that tax payer money will be used responsibly. In addition, there are competing tax increase proposals for education that will also be on the November ballot. A main selling point that Governor Brown is using is that most of the tax will be raised from the wealthiest Californians, those earning more than $250,000 a year. However, this selling point is being diluted by the fact that the quarter percent State wide sales tax increase will have to be borne by everyone.
Brown is using the real threat of cuts to education as an incentive to the voters to pass Proposition 30. The budget passed by the Governor in the summer has $6 billion in automatic cuts to schools and higher education if Proposition 30 does not pass. This provision in the budget is designed to help pass the tax increases because Californian’s seem to be more open to consider tax increases directed specifically at education. There are a number of things that are working against Proposition 30, that the opponents really want us to know about. A few months ago, it came to light that a number of State Departments had awarded large salary increases to its employees. There was also a clandestine scheme to buy back vacation time from senior employees costing the State thousands of dollars per employee, and another case where State Park officials had lied about the state of their departmental finances to the tune of $54 million, all the while asking the public to help keep State Parks open with additional contributions. This evidence is being cited by opponents as reasons why that State cannot be trusted with additional tax revenue and that there is uncertainty whether the tax revenue will actually go to its intended purpose. Another potential strike against Prop 30 is that traditionally California voters do not support tax increases and have rejected the last eight State wide tax proposals.
However, there is one thing working in Proposition 30’s favor and that is funding, there is significant financial backing from supporters of the tax increase while opponents are struggling to raise money to oppose the Proposition. The opposition mainly draws funds from business groups whereas the supporters seem to be public employee unions who would benefit from this tax increase. Governor Brown is making it perfectly clear that as Californians we have a choice to either pay the increased taxes or significantly cut the education budget.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
I Am .....
Loving Life!
Empowered by a fit and strong body, running the trails in the redwood forest.
Proud of being the mother of two great kids already in college,
And a 30 year marriage to a wonderful man whom I would choose again tomorrow.
At Peace in my garden - my little piece of heaven on a hilltop, surrounded by abundance, a multitude of flowers and vegetables.
Grateful for my chosen country and all its flaws.
Saddened by the history of the country of my birth, South Africa!
Inspired by those who are not afraid to speak their truth.
Excited by travel and adventure, my most memorable…. the view from the top of Kilimanjaro.
Fortunate for a circle of caring and loving humans to share this life with.
What gifts do I bring?
An open mind and willingness to learn. One immigrant's perspective. Perhaps my age that has allowed me half a lifetimes’ experiences.
Empowered by a fit and strong body, running the trails in the redwood forest.
Proud of being the mother of two great kids already in college,
And a 30 year marriage to a wonderful man whom I would choose again tomorrow.
At Peace in my garden - my little piece of heaven on a hilltop, surrounded by abundance, a multitude of flowers and vegetables.
Grateful for my chosen country and all its flaws.
Saddened by the history of the country of my birth, South Africa!
Inspired by those who are not afraid to speak their truth.
Excited by travel and adventure, my most memorable…. the view from the top of Kilimanjaro.
Fortunate for a circle of caring and loving humans to share this life with.
What gifts do I bring?
An open mind and willingness to learn. One immigrant's perspective. Perhaps my age that has allowed me half a lifetimes’ experiences.
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