Charter School Amendment Campaign

Jake Bashuk, 10/19/12
In our State, a major amendment that is up for debate is whether or not our schools should change to a charter format. A charter format would allow our schools to still receive public funding, but the schools wouldn't have to submit to the rules and regulations offered in the current format. In exchange for these freedoms, the schools will be held accountable for producing a certain standard of results.

Locally, many supporters of this amendment are largely upset at the campaigning being done for the anti-ratification. They claim that the taxpayer resources used to fund the campaign are "illegal." However, these supporters aren't exactly following the law either. Many E-mails have been sent out to local administrators encouraging support for ads that will run in local media in favor of the new amendment.  This is entirely against the law, as it is strictly illegal to school figures to use taxpayer resources to fund a political campaign.

The long story short, both sides are very passionate about their view prevailing. Through this passion, each side is willing to "bend" the law to attain what they want. The reason why this event is important and really matters is that regardless of whether charter schools would be good for our state, the law needs to be followed by those in command. The law is there for a reason, and even though it inhibits the propaganda tactics necessary for the amendment to pass/fail, this isn't a legitimate reason to void it.

The idea of a law is to keep a social structure and ultimately to promote social harmony and protect the residents of the country. The law is a fundamental part of the social contract, as it is a necessary tool to protect people's natural rights. Speed limits are in place to protect people from car crashes, food regulation and laws are in place to regulate food and protect people from poisoning themselves. These political laws in respect to using taxpayer resources are in place to protect against misuse of taxpayer money. While I'm not saying that all laws have a distinctive purpose (some are completely pointless and are in place due to lies and manipulation), this law is an important one and needs to be followed. The people will make their decision on whether charter schools would be good for our state. And, in my opinion, they'll make the right decision as long as this unlawful propaganda doesn't influence them.