Opposes Initiative 42
I recently saw an advertisement in support of Initiative 42 which is supposed to be the magic bullet to fix the educational system in Mississippi. The ad claims that if Initiative 42 does pass it will not result in any tax increases or budget cuts. I don’t know what planet these folks are from, but that can’t happen. I still remember one thing in particular from my economics class in college, sometimes called the TINSTAFL principle. In plain English “There is no such thing as a free lunch.” Someone has to pay for all of this, nothing is free.
If we are already spending the majority of the state budget on education, something else will have to be cut or taxes will have to be increased. Money is not the answer to everything when something is not working. I have no doubt that the proponents of 42A are being less that truthful, either. Each side is trying to use their own little slant on the subject to persuade the public to their viewpoint.
One other thing I am afraid of is amending the State Constitution to add Initiative 42. Those that would vote for this may live to regret it later, as it would be much harder to undo. There is no quick fix for education in this state or in the United States. The education cost per student in this country is much higher than many other smaller nations with lower results. I don’t claim to have a solution, but I don’t believe Initiative 42 is the answer.
Benny Cooper
Columbus
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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