‘Seed Corn for Education’

I suppose I’ll never understand where politics ends and leadership begins. Apparently, neither will Gov. Deukmejian.

Faced with the option of continuing California’s efforts to improve its schools or providing a $42 per taxpayer rebate, the governor decided what we all really need is dinner for two and a movie (which is about all $42 will buy these days).

Despite the modest increase in funding for schools in the last few years, the fact remains that California lags far behind the rest of the country in its fiscal commitment to schools.

Further, the fact remains that Deukmejian--unlike his counterparts in other states--has never taken a risk for kids and schools. He has never walked out on the limb, either politically or fiscally, on behalf of the state’s educational program. Maybe his decisions are the result of misinformation or bad advice, but apparently Deukmejian does not realize that the only obstacle between California and good schools is the leadership only the governor of the state can provide.

It is time citizens let their elected officials know they don’t think kids should be used as pieces on a political chessboard, and that the people of California are willing to give up a $42 “night on the town” on behalf of public schools.

ROBERT L. GROSSMAN

Whittier