Education vs. cultural change | Federal Way letters

Published 2:28 pm Friday, September 30, 2011

Education has been a foremost consideration in the development of the USA. All states pursued an active program establishing state universities and colleges. Several Negro colleges were initiated after the Civil War. Religious and other groups established colleges. Education for everyone, K-12, is free. What a country!

This action was unique in the history of the world. The development of the USA abounded accordingly.

Our generation is faced with a 19th-century Constitution in Washington state that proclaims “education is a paramount duty of the state.”

However, the culture of the USA in the 21st century has changed. Our forefathers did not consider that programs of medical care, family assistance, etc., merited such distinction. The present generation, as exemplified by our state Legislature, places these programs on a par with education. Is it because the program benefactors vote?

This presents an interesting problem for our generation. We must fund essential functions of state government — i.e., safety, police, courts, prisons, roads, etc. — plus education, which is specified as a paramount duty.

Limited resources will not fund everything. Take your pick: the future of our county, which is inherent in our youth, or the present well being of our citizens.

John Hoskinson, Federal Way