Measure 68

Vote No on Measure 68

Once more into the breach. This Measure will surely pass with a large plurality. After all, its about the kids, right? Actually, no, its not good for kids. But first, lets explain very briefly what it would do.

Measure 68 will let the State set up a fund to pay for capital improvements at local schools. Currently, these expenses are borne by the local district. To get the money for such expenditures, it has to ask local voters to pass a bond measure. This Measure will let the State pay for half of such expenses. Voters would be more likely to vote Yes if they only have to pay for half the expenses. Why pass up free money from Salem?

Measure 68 will also change the definition of what things might be funded through bonded indebtedness, to include purchases like desks.

But Measure 68 is an excellent picture of all our public policy problems, not just of our State, but our Nation as well.

First, radical centralization. This Measure is an end run around the last vestiges of local control of schools. Taxpayers in local districts are turning down capital improvement bond measures for schools, so the Legislature, rather than listening to the people, are centralizing half of the funding. Thus, local control continues to be eroded. This erosion is bi-partisan, supported by a majority of Republican Legislators. Such supposed conservative stalwarts as Senator Bruce Starr and Representative Kennemer voted in favor of this Referral.

Second, growing government spending. The average Oregonian is tightening his belt and trying to make do with what he has in this time of great financial difficulty. But the kids just have to have new playground equipment, desks, and buildings, in spite of what local voters say. The State spending juggernaut rolls along, with the support of most Republican lawmakers.

Third, ever-increasing debt. Most of us are trying to reduce indebtedness. But this Measure seeks to increase state bonded indebtedness, in other words, state debt. And instead of paying for desks as we buy them, the State now wants to incur long term debt for items that are clearly not capital improvements.

Fourth, special interests. This Measure has special interests written all over it. Just read all the arguments in support in the State Voter's Guide, Most of them are written by the usual union suspects. The average citizen has very little leverage against monopolistic well-funded unions.

Fifth, funding our enemies. Conservatives like Starr and Kennemer continue to commit political suicide. They are slitting their own wrists with ever increasing funding for the enemies of a free republic - monopolistic public schools, controlled by the left.

The public school system is the biggest purveyor and promoter of some of the most destructive ideas in our nation, including:
- anti-capitalism rhetoric
- pro-socialism rhetoric (particularly in the health care arena)
- sexual licentiousness and deviancy
- man-caused global warming propaganda
- anti-God and anti-creationist perspectives

It seems hypocritical for Republicans who voted to refer Measure 68 to complain about socialist health care, environmental extremism, or increasing government control of the economy.

Until conservatives can wrest control of the public schools away from statists and the progressivist teachers unions, it is self-defeating to work for increased school funding and "strong public schools." I for one don't like to fund my enemies, or make them strong.

But Measure 68 is for the kids, right? No, it isn't. It is against the kids. It is not good for Oregon's children to be indoctrinated into progressivist ideas at school. Its not good for them to be tempted by drug use, and extra-marital sexuality, which is common now at our high schools. Its not good for young children to be taught that they can "save the earth," and that their very exhaled breath is a pollutant that is killing the earth. It's not good for them to think of private businessmen as greedy exploiters. Its not good for our kids to be taught that God is irrelevant at best, or, at worst, antithetical to education, And its not good for our teenage daughters to be in a school that at best condones abortion, and, at worst, facilitates them..

Again, until we can wrest control of the public schools from the progressives that control it, we should be decreasing centralized state funding. One tiny step in that direction is to vote No on Measure 68.

An Apology and an Appeal

First, the apology. Measure 68 should have had a State Voter's Guide argument in opposition from the Parents Education Association. We blew it by not getting up to speed in time to submit an argument.

But one of the reasons for this is a lack of funding. Most Christians and anti-statists send their political tax credit dollars to the very candidates who, while useful in some ways, vote in favor of things like Measure 68. Or they send it to groups like Right to Life or the Oregon Family Council. These groups, while performing useful functions, won't touch an editorial like this one with a ten foot pole. The Christian community is almost as bad these days as the Republican party in its support for public schools. Even the Luis Palau evangelistic association encourages churches to support public schools by paying for classroom supplies, fundraising for these schools, and keeping their playgrounds up to speed and attractive. Then, when Christian kids end up at these same schools, many lose their faith. And the culture develops more and more of a "port-side list," a tilt to the progressive left, and away from Christian values.

The best way to promote Christian faith and values, to stop abortion and strengthen families, is to withdraw support of public schools while they remian under the control of the progressive left. The schools are destroying our country. Christians and Republicans support and fund the carnage.

We have focused for too long on short term fixes to our public policy problems. The long term fix is to raise a faithful generation of Christian kids, and to kick the progressives out of our school systems. To that end, PEAPAC is committed. Our appeal is for your help.

Posted 5/10/2010 @ 2:50 PM | Welcome