Wednesday, April 04, 2007

The Department of Un-Education

Hardly a day goes by that we do not hear about public education, it's endless funding woes, it's utter necessity for success on any level in a 'global economy' and how the ship of America would founder without it.

But a law requiring that elected officials in Tennessee's city and county government actually have a diploma or GED -- well, that's unfair and the bill supporting it has died in committee. Tom Humphrey writes about the bill and it's demise in the KNS.

"
This is punishing individuals who may not, for whatever reason, have the educational level that someone thinks they ought to have," said Rep. Gary Moore, D-Nashville. "A person's education level, in my opinion, doesn't really hinder the ability to serve."

It's rather fascinating that taxpayers would want someone making decisions on how public schools are funded by those who never completed a public education.

I noticed recently a bill moving through the state legislature that would mandate parental approval before a student could join any kind of club or organization at a public school. Maybe we need at least a parental permission slip for someone to seek office in government too.

3 comments:

  1. Anonymous10:18 AM

    I don't have a High School Diploma or a GED but I could do a better job than half these GOB nitwits in office in Hawkins County Tennessee.

    I have mixed feelings on this subject. I am for education and I do believe that we need to set some minimum qualifications for those who run for office but I don't think that a GED or Highschool diploma really makes a difference one way or the other. I know people who have graduated High School who don't have enough sense to work at McDonalds let alone run for office.

    If we are going to pass a bill setting minimum qualifications I believe that minimum needs to be more than simply a High School Diploma or GED. If you run for office you should have a good working knowledge of how to do what is required of you.

    In my opinion most of the GOB's who hold office here probably didn't even know what would be required of them let alone how to go about doing it.

    Tina

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  2. Tina - I agree that we should have some qualificaton standards in place and a diploma or GED is the standard starting point for almost any type of job -- so why not then for elected office?
    Or, should we elminate the education requrements for all employment maybe???

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  3. Anonymous1:41 PM

    It should mandate that they have common sense and morals too.

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