Education and Infrastructure

I recently sent this in to the Times Daily. Let me know your thoughts.


In this great county, state, and nation we have passed measures ensuring better infrastructure and education, and they have not improved anything. In reading a “You Said It” comment on April 8, I noticed someone’s anger over the poor quality of Wood Avenue. I agree, it is a bumpy ride along the way, but surely our tax dollars are being well spent, right?

Wrong. We passed a measure in Florence in 1984 that allowed the sale of alcohol in city limits, and even went a step further in allowing it on Sundays in restaurants later. These measures were passed all in the name of “better schools and roads,” and I have seen neither! It is sad to see our money going to other places than promised. What’s new, though?

Our state legislature holds in their hands a bill allowing the citizens to vote on bingo. Need I remind them that we have already declared gambling illegal in a vote, and these machines are merely improvised slot machines, aka gambling.

However, with increased taxation on such things, our education system will improve, right? Wrong. The end result will be just like the wet law in Florence. We will see little, if any, improvements in our roads and schools and see more corrupt politicians lining their pockets. How about instead of giving yourself a 62% pay increase, you give that money to education?

I will end by saying more money will not increase the quality of education, studying harder will!