The age of insincerity

By: Daniel Ford - Commentary | Monday, October 24, 2005 9:22 PM PDT ∞

While I don't always agree with the politics and herd mentality of the teachers union, I am deeply troubled by the cynical nature of Propositions 74 and 75.

It seems the ultimate purpose of these so-called educational reform measures is to deliver a one-two punch to the gut of public educators ---- with Prop. 76 delivering the knockout punch to school funding. The point at issue lies, in part, with the dramatic message the governor puts out as he likens himself to the proverbial David taking on the gargantuan beast that is the collective force of government labor unions.

Rather than using the strength of reason to garner support, both sides have resorted to modern-day advertising and emotionally charged sound bites. As such, we are being asked to intellectually surrender to ideas based on sensational appeals that play to our outrage and ignorance rather than our logic and common sense.

The great irony, if not outright hypocrisy, is that Prop. 75 supporters are quick to criticize the all-too-powerful and corrupt labor unions, yet they remain mute on the well-funded corporate special interest groups that stand to profit, both politically and economically, by silencing these unions. To this end, it's no surprise that Prop. 75 is sponsored by corporate special interests.

The debate surrounding Prop. 74 is equally puzzling. That an undercurrent of bad teachers has infected public education like some viral pestilence is a speculative argument at best. Poor teaching does exist, but good administrators fire bad teachers within the two-year probationary period. I've seen this firsthand.

To envision real reform, one only has to examine recent data from The U.S. Department of Education, the National Governors Association, or the American Federation of Teachers to see the common and conclusive results: that a high level of parental involvement coupled with a stable home life are key factors conducive to higher academic achievement and success in general.

Another mind-blowing statistic is that literacy can be greatly enhanced by reading to your child and reading in front of your child every day. Teachers do need to be held accountable, but the common thread of most major studies is that the fundamental building blocks for success involve collaboration between teachers, parents and students.

Sadly, this message lacks the emotional thunder needed to stir public outrage in a 30-second advertisement and sensible family values cannot be legislated; thus, they do not garner the political capital and momentum that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and others so urgently desire.

Placing children first should always be the top priority, not a sound bite or a hollow slogan. This requires more investment, but our kids deserve it. They shouldn't have to shoulder the burden because ill-conceived decisions were made that never addressed the legitimate problems such as overcrowding and underfunding.

Considering the governor's background in entertainment it becomes easier to understand the symbolism over substance theatrics and the shameless cheeky appeals now used to push a political agenda. After all, it was the great Hollywood icon Lionel Barrymore who once said: "This is the age of insincerity. The movies had the misfortune to come along in the 20th century, and because they appeal to the masses there can be no sincerity in them."

Daniel Ford of Temecula is a history teacher and the adviser of the Young Republicans Club at Chaparral High School.

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