that vision thang - Idealism and Disillusionment: Full Circle

My first real political event was a Bill Clinton rally in 1992 at the Mayfair Diner in Northeast Philadelphia. I was so excited to go, and believed in his ideas, that I cut my morning class at Temple to go and endured a longer than usual commute from there to get to school (by at least 45 minutes.) I stood in crowds and pushed my way close enough to get to shake Hillary's hand, who was speaking for Bill because he had lost his voice. I didn't care that I didn't get to shake Bill's hand; Hillary impressed me as smart, and the real power in the marriage.

I lost some respect for her and Bill amid the controversies and scandals, but didn't stop supporting them. Didn't surprise me when she ran for Congress, or decided she wanted to be president. But the more she talked, the less I liked her.

This week, she came back to the Mayfair Diner, which I now live around the block from, literally. My commute home from school was completely disrupted by police barriers and street closings. I had NO INTEREST in going to this rally. Didn't go. Sent students to record the experience of a political rally for extra credit (and the Obama rally the next night downtown-- and will if I hear when/where McCain might plan a rally.)

Why didn't I go? Because, in between deciding that the Democrats could save us from the disaster created by the Reagan/Bush and witnessing the hard scrabble fighting for a nomination that will almost definitely lead to the White House (there is no way the Republicans will win this, let's face it), I have become completely disillusioned. There is no way there will ever be substantial change in this country unless a third party candidate will win. It's that simple. Until then, we play "The Lesser of Two Evils" game.

The Lesser of Two Evils has become more and more distasteful over time, as my daughters have come along and its not just about me anymore. I want to leave them a good world, a better world-- and the system we have is not working.

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On another front, my idealism is not being restored on the big scale political front, but I dare to hope a bit on the local front. Although I work in charter schools, I have long been aware that not all charter schools are honest and forthright and well run. The one I am at now does things the right way, but schools I have been associated with in the past do not. Finally, the Philadelphia Charter School commission had taken notice and is doing something about it. It took them long enough, dammit. I have previously worked with some of the people involved in this latest scandal, and nothing in these articles is a surprise to me, honestly. And no one else should be surprised. This goes on in many, many charter schools in Philadelphia and I am sure every where else in the country.

The idea of a charter school is free up educators from the constriction of the usual educational environment. Unfortunately, that also means that some of the administration things built into the public school system that are there for the public's benefit are ignored. If all schools actually followed the rules, the charter school system would be great.

I do hope that some day, it will.

Current Mood: cynical