Today's Weather

Click for Sierra Vista, Arizona Forecast

Seeing through the rhetoric in Sierra Vista

Published/Last Modified on Friday, Nov 14, 2008 - 08:59:06 am MST

Font Size

To the Editor:

A double standard of rhetoric radiates from this community I still consider home. Since graduating last May from Buena High School, I have continued to inform myself about the Sierra Vista community and lately I am quite distraught. As an informed youth of the community, I consistently monitor the exchange of ideas among the populous. When a young person would commit a crime, typically, parents complain there is not enough for youth to do here and community elders would complain there is not enough for youth to do here and community elders would complain the school system did not empower them.

Yet, as a result of this election, the electorate has stymied the growth of the youth in favor of their personal comfort.

The failure of the school budget override presents tremendous challenges on the educators of our district. With less money, they are expected to educate to the fullest amid cutting essential programs. Essential is not simply math, science, social studies and English. A holistic education at the elementary and secondary levels includes music, art, physical education and others. With access to global resources and knowledge, there is no reason each student cannot excel to embody a Renaissance student. Plato writes in “Book II of Republic,” “It would be hard I think, to find a better than the traditional system, which has two divisions, gymnastic for the body, and music (to include literature) for the soul.” More than 2,400 years ago, one man noted the importance of a holistic education, yet today at least 9,196 do not.

The economic situation is not to be ignored in this election. Granted, uncertain times have required revision of thought as it relates to the expenditure of money. However, if I and the millions of other young Americans vote to overturn redistribution programs such as welfare and Social Security for our own personal comfort, we would be endlessly ridiculed. As a future breadwinner for such programs, I would expect the support of my elders when even today they expect mine to sustain their livelihood. Herein lays the double standard of rhetoric I mentioned before. Complain now about the ills of the youth, but do not give a dime for their betterment. In an ironic change of circumstances, the ignorant youth then vote not to assist those who failed to support them.

Ideally, each generation should work cooperatively with others for the greater good. Failure to do so would be disastrous and lead to further crumbling of our social stratification.

Steven M. Wilson

Freshman, Northern Arizona University

Longtime Sierra Vista resident

Print this story Email this story

Font Size

Use the form below to post a brief comment to this story, or respond to other readers. Please use the word count tool to assist you in keeping your remarks to 100 words or fewer.
Comments appear once they are approved. Your thoughtful contribution to the online discussion is appreciated.

bpuma wrote on Nov 27, 2008 10:37 PM:

" Steve M.
As a long-time resident of the Sierra Vista area,I can only advise for you to move on. This area is suffering a serious economic down set. I can only say that I have been layed off from a high paying DoD job and have had to move temporary to the Phoenix area. This is why many had to make an unpopular choice of not funding a tax that is not in favor of the economic health of the area. "

BB wrote on Nov 27, 2008 9:03 PM:

" If you want to call out your elders as cheap skates and make a case for school subjects other than the basic 4, it might be a good idea to at least pull out the dictionary and do some proof reading or appear the fool. Might be a good idea to question the propaganda of terribly mismanaged school administration before you label them "greedy geezers" also. What is a double standard of rhetoric?
"rhetoric-the art of speaking or writing effectively"
Pitiful. "

desert bat wrote on Nov 27, 2008 11:05 AM:

" The hard factual evidence is in Steven's writing. Clearly, Steven has some work to do and college may be the perfect place for him to do it. He is not illiterate, he is untrained, and I used to tutor business and professional writing in a major university enough to know he is not alone in his deficiency. Coddle him and he will fail. Don't prepare him and he will fail. Tell him he is just fine when he is clearly not and he will not progress very far either in a university or serious business setting. "

To desert bat and BB wrote on Nov 27, 2008 3:33 AM:

" Are you serious? BB you just insulted Steven without any hard factual evidence. In fact, with no evidence at all. If you are going to criticize someone, then be specific. Furthermore, BB your comment is nothing but a ramble in itself. Please stop being a hypocrite. Steven's main goal was for the community to come together to solve the problems. Instead, it seems that many in the community just want to attack him. How about using your extra energy to discuss a better solution instead of throwing insults? "

desert bat wrote on Nov 26, 2008 8:35 AM:

" Yes, BB, Steven's letter is an unstructured ramble. Sad, really, but not unusual for kids just starting college. Expository writing sounds vaguely medical and doing it with a pen is clearly too kinky for consideration. And, also, too,(LOL) it is just a letter, right? Wouldn't it be pretty to think that general communication and making change will someday come back as educational markers? Meanwhile, you're right: just pitiful. "

BB wrote on Nov 26, 2008 2:29 AM:

" Steven, if your writing is any indication you did not receive even the essentials at the local grade school. Just pitiful. "

DR wrote on Nov 25, 2008 10:16 PM:

" Those who spend wasteful are spending someone else's money, gee, think maybe that is the problem? Look at the bailout. "

DR wrote on Nov 25, 2008 10:11 PM:

" I am amazed at all that is out there to learn, and the route to get it. When I went to school, you had to go find a book for answers, now the internet is here. You can print documents, I had to hand write them or occasionally type. Technology is amazing and is a good thing, Im not saying your looking for a handout, but, I didnt go to college. And I didnt deal with gangstas in school, Im didn't text message (wasnt around) and I think the kids today want to be @ the top right now. "

To wtyad wrote on Nov 25, 2008 9:17 PM:

" I noticed that you said that when you "see that side of the youth (you) certainly offer (your) respect." Would you please refer me to a particular article from the herald where you praised the youth for doing something productive? There are examples in the newspaper all the time but I rarely see any comments on those articles. It is only when something negative happens that people seem to voice opinions. "

Taxed Out wrote on Nov 25, 2008 10:02 AM:

" When you all go to a fast food place and the cashier appears to be young enough to be a high school student, ask what they think of Buena. I do so and find the responses quite interesting. "

LS wrote on Nov 25, 2008 8:14 AM:

" I voted for an overide two years ago, I'll still be paying for it for another three years. Perhaps you should direct your anger at the "Superindendant" She is the one who needs to manage the funding, yet she was reelected even after missmanageing the last overide. But the voters have very short memories. "

Free Thinker wrote on Nov 21, 2008 4:50 PM:

" Steven, it is not the responsibility for the citizens of this community to be financially obligated for your education.
This community owes you nothing! You are no special then the rest of us so why don't you learn to saddle up & ride with the cowboys just like the rest of us did & you will become a fine, responsible adult. "

Hustler wrote on Nov 21, 2008 12:55 PM:

" Steven Wilson for President! :D I miss AP Gov with you dude. "

Economic Shift for All wrote on Nov 19, 2008 6:44 AM:

" The supporters and people who are ever preaching for entitlements need to accept the fact that there has been a significant change in the economic struture of the entire country. It may be unfortunate that frills in education are the first to get pinched, but everyone is going to start feeling the pain of the economic slump that we are in. The effects are not going to be pleasant and will probably last for years if not decades. Be glad that you still have homes, food, some security, and a school to attend. "

To Agreed wrote on Nov 18, 2008 7:30 PM:

" Ah, this is the first time the over-ride was voted down...so what are you talking about? "

WTYAD wrote on Nov 18, 2008 1:51 PM:

" To LEW, When I see that side of the youth I certainly offer my respect. What you see as a low percentage, I have encountered as a high percentage. Perhaps I am just unlucky enough to always endure dealing with the bad apples, but after daily interactions with the youth of SV it is obvious to me the low percentage you speak of seems to be the norm. "

LEW wrote on Nov 18, 2008 10:57 AM:

" To "What the youth are doing": as a graduate of Buena High School, let me just say that the youth you describe represent a small percentage of the school and commmunity's young population. When Keane Moss, Tiffany LeTexier, Josh Clark, and James DeAnda died last year, the community was all too eager to group and stereotype the youth of Sierra Vista as drug-abusing, binge-drinking, teen-impregnating losers. A closer look would reveal to you that many of the young Sierra Vistans are powerful and positive citizens in the community. How about some respect? "

Agreed. wrote on Nov 18, 2008 10:49 AM:

" To "An Override Supporter", I voted for both Republicans and Democrats AND for the override.

I also graduated from Buena High School this past May. Students should be grateful (and trust me, many are NOT) that a majority of teachers still put in a sincere effort, despite being shot down every election. Thank you to Mr. Granger, Mrs. Trevino, Mr. Walton, Mr. Farmer, Mr. Johnston, Mrs. Garavito, Mr. Brooks, Mrs. Deakin, and many many others. The list goes on. How long do you expect them to keep doing this without proper reimbursement and thanks? "

What the youth are doing... wrote on Nov 17, 2008 1:42 PM:

" The youth of this town have found LOTS to do, let me share a few things I have seen the SV youth doing...Having sex in cars outside the mall, underage drinking at the park, doing drugs on various workout trails... Yes, the SV youth are quite busy. "

Take Your Blinders Off wrote on Nov 17, 2008 9:39 AM:

" The school board says the state isn't funding mandated program at a high enough level. Go after the state! The voters are not going to approve a never-ending blank check. There are many administrative positions that could be cut to preserve teaching positions. The district decided which positions were more important so stop making it sound like the voters did that. If Begging/Blaming 101 is what the colleges are teaching today, we're in big trouble! "

Your Welcome wrote on Nov 16, 2008 11:13 AM:

" It will only have a BIG impact because our school board and the Superindendant are creative enough to manage the budget properly. Tough decisions have to be made and the overhead has to be trimmed. Just like any other organization that has a budget constraint. If they can't make proper decisions then we need a new board and executives. "

Who are they wrote on Nov 15, 2008 8:00 PM:

" We've lived here several years. We know quite a few people, young & old alike. I don't really know anyone who voted NO. Where are they all? The best interest of the community is not being met here. I know what your thoughts are, I just really want to know where you came from that your ideas & priorities are so screwed up? Stop saying you care about the kids. The impact of your decision is going to be BIG. "

Thanks Steven wrote on Nov 15, 2008 7:51 PM:

" I don't know why I want to bother addressing the clueless "No voters" who: listen to nothing, especially the facts, lie about everything, especially the schools, and ONLY care about themselves & their own pocketbooks. You're claims are such a bunch of crap! Education has been funded pretty much the same forever. Your decision to vote no is not going to change it. It's only going to hurt our kids and this community. BOTTOM LINE!!! "

reality wrote on Nov 15, 2008 7:12 PM:

" Reality is you may never move back to SV, yet you probably voted to raise people's taxes via an early ballot. That act alone demonstrates how unfair this type of election is. "

keep voting NO wrote on Nov 14, 2008 11:43 PM:

" Is this letter supposed to make "no" voters feel "guilty?" It doesn't. The writer does sound like he wishes to chastize the citizen taxpayers, much like school board member Deb Scott did. This means Wilson has a future on the school board. Maintain the status quo. Like another commentor said, when you start paying taxes, examine budgets and sift throught the school board rhetoric, then maybe you too would become a no voter. "

proud republican wrote on Nov 14, 2008 9:10 PM:

" to Override Supporter- I voted for the override and know many of my Republican friends did also..When you support a platform that is pro-life, there are responsiblities to support the children...education is not a waste of my money..
Great job to Steven for his youthful voice... "

To ALM. wrote on Nov 14, 2008 6:42 PM:

" I doubt that the teachers had near as much of an an impact on Stevens ability to learn and to further his education, as his parents. It it was the teachers, all graduates of Buena could write that well, although I don't agree with his babble. "

Ray wrote on Nov 14, 2008 4:48 PM:

" Why am I not able to comment on certain
Letters to the Editor??? "

Sorry Steven wrote on Nov 14, 2008 2:00 PM:

" If you were the least bit 'informed,' you would understand that people are concerned about the obvious mis-management of funds. If someone borrowed money from you so they could buy food and pay the rent, but instead they went to the movies, bought some sodas, maybe some designer shoes...would you lend them money again? Here is a quote for you: "a fool and his money are soon parted." The people aren't fools and they expect their money to be spent responsibly. Until it is, we'll vote no. It's too bad the kids suffer, but lay the blame accordingly. "

Skeptical wrote on Nov 14, 2008 1:05 PM:

" TO: Dogbert. "crumbling of our social stratification" is one of those empty phrases undergraduates employ to sound profound, hoping to bamboozle their professor. I should know--I successfully employed this technique, until I met my match in graduate school. In reviewing my master's thesis, my advisor, an aging greybeard, reviewed some of my most fanciful and lofty sounding phrases in my thesis draft. Barely raising his head, his eyes rolled up over his reading glasses and he said quietly: "If you think I'm going to swallow this pretentious crappola, I'll sell you my bridge in Brooklyn cheap." "

Pauly wrote on Nov 14, 2008 12:01 PM:

" There is no babble in the Ivory Tower. Good Morning Steven, welcome to reality. "

An Override Supporter wrote on Nov 14, 2008 11:37 AM:

" The Republicans did not endorse the override, while the Democrats did!!! How did you vote? "

ALM. wrote on Nov 14, 2008 10:18 AM:

" And this folks, is why we need to keep our education system the same, and not cut classes because people in our town are too selfish to help the betterment of our youth. Steven is obviously very smart and has a grasp on our community, and got the same education you could be denying our future children. It's because those teachers who had an impact on Mr. Wilson, that he writes such a logical, well thought out article. Thanks to you no voters that could possibly turn these great teachers away. "

Ugly American wrote on Nov 14, 2008 8:39 AM:

" Steve wait until the govrnment has their hands in your pocket than you will understand. "

Dogbert wrote on Nov 14, 2008 8:00 AM:

" "crumbling of our social stratification" is a bad thing? That would mean you believe we should stand up for Aristocracy "

Jared wrote on Nov 14, 2008 7:56 AM:

" Amen, Steven. "

Skeptical wrote on Nov 14, 2008 6:59 AM:

" Good try, Steve, but you've not adequately understood the horrendous state of K-12 education in this country. The many deficiencies have led to a bloated, inefficient and corrupt system. Correcting them has been blocked by powerful unions rooted in the past and mired in corruption. Many of us believe that by rejecting overrides--a shameless technique that avoids intelligent budgeting and resources allocation and prioritization--those in charge will be forced to examine and address deficiencies. Unfortunately, your letter reflects the status quo of the past half century instead of looking toward a demanding future that will severely challenge us all. "

Ivory Tower wrote on Nov 14, 2008 6:52 AM:

" Mr. Wilson, enjoy your time in the ivory tower while you can and quote all the learned educators and scholars. The issue was not so much about supporting the fine arts. Most voters seemed to have an issue with a bloated public administration that continually fails to be able to manage a reasonable budget without continually coming back and asking for more. Live the life of scholarly study while you can, you too one day will not be so eager to pour your hard earned tax money into inefficient and wasteful public programs. "