By SJ Otto
Once again we see backward and conservative views from people in Wichita. The latest, from The Wichita Eagle, is that people in Wichita don't value higher education. It is not hard to see that lacking a higher education, many people will fall for the foolish beliefs of the conservatives.
Conservative values include hating unions, supporting the Republican Party, when many people are actually working class, paying higher taxes by the lower classes to support tax beaks for the wealthy and being denied healthcare. They work hard for a living only to be more than willing to give up all their rights to business people who treat them like stupid children. According to The Wichita Eagle:
"I have yet to meet a wealthy individual who has any other expectation for their child other than ... going to college," said Canada, an education activist and former director of the Harlem Children's Zone." I've yet to see anyone with money who said, 'You know what? I've got three kids: You'll go to the University of Kansas. And you, I think I'm gonna send you to Notre Dame. But you ... I'm thinking hairdresser school.' Never heard of it."
In the view of most middle- and upper-class families in America, Canada says, the path to success and a happy life goes straight through college. Graduate from high school, and there's just one question: Have you bought your dorm-room fridge yet?....
In the view of most middle- and upper-class families in America, Canada says, the path to success and a happy life goes straight through college. Graduate from high school, and there's just one question: Have you bought your dorm-room fridge yet?....
..... But that isn't the pervading thought in Wichita.
In a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, Americans were asked: "Would you say a college education is extremely important, very important, somewhat important or not too important in helping a young person succeed in the world today?"
Nationwide, about 77 percent of respondents said college is extremely or very important.
In Wichita, 54 percent said so."
So in Wichita we continue to have half-witted politicians who say really dumb things and then get elected. We have a lazy goof-off Republican in the 4rth congressional district who did absolutely nothing to get elected, in a special election, except to sit back on his fat rump and run misleading ads, paid for by his party. He avoided personal appearances, even being late to his own victory party, while his opponent, James Thompson, worked around the clock to get to know the people of the district. Many people voted for Estes only because he was a Republican. He was the weak candidate, but he won.
Other idiots that have won positions they should have lost include Sedgwick County Commissioner Richard Ranzau, a bigot who was so mean spirited he sent back a government grant to help people on the WIC program because some of them might go to Latino immigrants. He showed an outright biased towards Latinos. And he is still on the county commission.
So we have to wonder how such lousy and creepy politicians keep getting elected. It is simple: Many people in Wichita believe ignorance is a blessing.
People forget that a college education is more than just getting a career. Again in The Wichita Eagle:
"Kristina Everingham, a family and community engagement specialist at Child Start, said too many people have lost sight of the real value of college, which goes beyond income or status.
"College for me was never only about getting a career," she said. "It was about building critical thinking skills, understanding how to hold public discourse when people disagree, how to appreciate great literature and art ... how to make sure I do my part to be a well-rounded and informed citizen."
And there is the ridiculous statement made by Wichita State University President John Bardo:
"Whatever the case, Wichita sits in the heart of a deep red state, and even local university leaders seem to have gotten the message. During a meeting this spring, Wichita State University president John Bardo told members of the unclassified professional senate that creating "an elite little liberal arts college" at WSU "ain't gonna work."
When people embrace ignorance as a virtue, this state and city will get what it deserves. And that is not a good thing. All of us pay for these mistakes.
Pix by Owless.