by Fran Eaton .
A new coalition called Speak Out for Illinois Schools said that a poll conducted in early August reveals that . . .well. . . education is a top priority with voters and that . . . well . . .Illinois schools need more funding.
Tell me something new.
I can't help but compare the need for throwing money at a problem as something like trying to say that the reason I don't cook better is because I don't have enough money for premium ingredients, a commercial-grade stove and oven, a remodeled kitchen, and well, a brand new house. Wouldn't all that make all the difference in the world in creating a great bowl of homemade soup? Well, wouldn't it?
Please. Someone needs to be honest and declare that no amount of money will fix the problem until there is a will to change. Teachers who are cushioned by union thuggery have no reason to rock the boat they're in. Students don't know any better . . . that's why they're called "students." Parents are too busy keeping food on the table and keeping their SUV tanks' filled to demand accountability for the gross amounts of money wasted in tax-guzzling institutions called public schools.
There is truth, however, to the notion that quality education is crucial. Fact is that you don't always get what you pay for, especially when accountability is set aside.
Suppose you went to a restaurant -- the only one in town -- and you had no choice but to pay $100 for a steak, the only thing on the menu. You place an order for well done steak, and it comes back tough and burned.
You ask the waiter to take it back and he says, "Take it or leave it." You demand to speak to the chef. The owner comes out and says the chef is protected from any criticism or accountability.
What do you do? Offer another Ben Franklin and beg them to try once more?
This education issue is way overplayed. It's not that hard, folks. Demand quality. Demand economic common sense. Respect yourselves.
All this talk about education and food has made me hungry. Think I'll go warm up a bowl of soup. Homemade, that is. . . the best money can buy.
