Dear NYS Assembly Members: Did We Stutter?





















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One response to “Dear NYS Assembly Members: Did We Stutter?

  1. Richard Blankenship

    I am expressing my opinion as to what I perceive to be Governor Cuomo’s misinformation concerning the role community colleges play in post-secondary education. The Governor appears to be unaware of three primary functions of education: Social Mobility, Social Efficiency and Democratization. Social Mobility improves the lives of students. Social Efficiency trains individuals for jobs to help the country, and Democratization increases access to all / as many individuals as possible, regardless of socio-economic backgrounds.

    Based on Governor Cuomo’s comments (appearing most succinctly around the twenty-one to twenty-two minute mark in his State of the State speech), the Governor appears to be stuck in the mentality that Social Mobility is the only valid function of education. His remark that community colleges, specifically naming SUNY and CUNY, train students for jobs that no longer exist is amusing in its inaccuracy because (unless the Governor plans to close all four year educational institutions), his statement is unequivocally false. Obviously, he is not aware that almost fifty percent of community college students transfer to four year schools and universities, so if community colleges are not preparing students to create value in society, then he’s saying bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. degrees are unnecessary. Also, there are valuable jobs that do not require bachelor or graduate work, but do require post-secondary training. Community colleges, SUNY and CUNY of which are prime examples, do meet valuable needs that elite schools and the private sector do not, which in fact, I argue, constitute the backbone of America.

    America advertises itself as “great” because it is a nation of immigrants. Does increasing the privatization of education, which by default decreases access to education by the poor and disenfranchised encourage America to become a nation of immigrants? Or, is the statement on the Statue of Liberty pedestal in actuality a tongue-in-cheek joke because it states: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free?” Should it instead read: “Give me your strong, your rich, your privileged yearning to exploit the free?” Any barrier to increased access to public education moves away from a democratic republic towards a tyrannical state. A crucial difference between America and Third World despotic regimes is the universal and ubiquitous rule of law, which is not possible without widespread, liberal education. A liberal education, by definition, is an education fit for a free people.

    Access to education is the key reason America is the #1 choice for immigrants throughout the world (remember, Einstein was a lowly refugee). Perhaps Governor Cuomo clings to the adolescent notion that “freedom equals a lack of barriers” is why so many immigrate to America…hey, I’m free…I can drink, smoke and play loud music as much as I want, as long as I don’t “bother” anybody…I can even vote very four years for whoever looks best on camera, so I’m free…No, access to education, and developing one’s potential to become more than one is, is what makes America “free.” Widespread access to education is why America is such an extremely desirable immigrant destination, and in fact is why America is “great.” There are various aspects of freedom, such as Personal, Civic, and Sovereign, which Governor Cuomolikewise seems unaware, but I do not have time to explain these particulars to him in this brief communication, but will be happy to elaborate anytime he is willing to learn. For now, I will continue to touch on education and its relation to democracy.

    Free education through secondary school is why American society has been able thus far to maintain a nation governed by the rule of law. Uneducated people will not be governed by law, but by dictators. One need only look around the world and/or read history to become cognizant of this fact. Therefore, widespread education of the public is not “optional,” but is a necessity, in order for legislation to be executed in a judicial manner. Such laws, their interpretation and enforcement, are required for a democratic republic to exist. However, before laws can be successfully and peacefully implemented, education must first be widespread, and not simply limited to individuals that can afford private schools.

    The Social Mobility function of education is taken care of by elite schools through selective admissions criteria (Hint: it’s easy to have high retention when an institution is selective about who comes in the door…not as easy for institutions, such as SUNY and CUNY, that meet the needs of the less privileged, creating opportunities for anyone who wants to improve). Elite schools also contribute significantly, but not comprehensively, to the Social Efficiency function education, but contribute little to nil towards the Democratic function. There is nothing wrong with elite colleges. They serve a purpose, but so do community colleges. In the State of the State speech, Governor Cuomo was playing to audiences’ emotions, but just because he’s a persuasive speaker, does not make his statements accurate or valid. It only means he’s mastered the pathos aspect of persuasion, but his ethos and logos are still wanting.

    In Nineteenth Century America agrarian society, free public education through roughly age fourteen or fifteen was sufficient for the vast majority of the middle class, as only the privileged has access to higher education. The Twentieth Century experienced unprecedented modernization (and explosion of migration and immigration…individuals coming from extremely diverse backgrounds…all needing to become reasonably well educated to keep this nation afloat), so extending free public through the eleventh, then finally twelfth, grade became prudent. Post-modern, Twenty-First Century socio-economic realitiescall for (if anything) an increase, not decrease, in public funding for education. Two more years of free public education in order for America to remain an effectively functioning Republic hinging on values derived from a pluralistic democracy would be a wise decision. (In my opinion, taxpayer dollars would be better spent on education than bailing out greedy, irresponsible bankers and brokers…if the public were better educated, perhaps fewer people would’ve fallen for financial disasters such as the sub-prime scam).

    Education is more than learning how to make buggy whips, although Governor Cuomo wants to reduce meaningful instruction to such rudimentary, industrial outcomes. Education involves addressing, and creating, constantly fluctuating needs as humanity moves through both individual and societal changes. A paradox Alexis de Tocqueville mentions in Democracy in America is the more freedom we have, the less equal we are, and the more equal we become, the more difficult it is to protect our freedoms. American democracy thrives in the tension between the two. The word “education” could be substituted for the word “democracy,” and this sentence would carry equal weight and validity.
    It is logicallyimpossible for the governor of New York to truly be so unaware of the facts concerning the function of community colleges, so Governor Cuomo’s remarks deriding and belittling remarks must be some sort of posturing to create the illusion he is “improving” education.If the governor wants a “cause” to address, or if he is seeking to boost his poll numbers, he should examine the private, for-profit schools that use aggressive marketing tactics, loan money to individuals they know cannot repay, who truly do bury individuals in debt in exchange for useless certificates. The government backs loans for these organizations simply because they “buy” accreditation. Instead of backing loans (paid for by taxpayers) for unethical, profit-reaping schools that function on the same principles as loan sharks, why not support community colleges instead, so the three primary functions of education can be realized more harmoniously?

    I encourage readers to google “College, Inc.” and view a Frontline documentary on the unethical business practices of these private, for profit schools Governor Cuomo touts as paths to Stanford-like education quality. Why is Governor Governor Cuomo so intent on privatizing a cherished public good in this country—public education—when privatization around the globe reveals massive unemployment of young people, destructive wars fought over energy, and an increasing gulf between rich and poor? Why does the governor of this state want to exacerbate these problems with less access to community colleges?

    I will refer to Alexis de Tocqueville again (who, in the 1830s, predicted both the American Civil War and that Russia would become a superpower in the Twentieth Century): “The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the public’s money.”

    The value (and “Greatness”) of America is in its ability to remain fluid, accepting the ever-growing melting-pot of diverse individuals, striving to create the greatest possible potentials for all, through free, public education. It is not easy, but is worth the struggle. Community colleges are key in this endeavor, and should not be derided, but encouraged and supported.

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