In a government of the people, by the people, for the people, who is to blame when the government goes awry?
The government itself is an obvious scapegoat, if for no other reason than the fact that everyone loves fighting “the man” or the establishment.
But you would have to assume that “the people” would ultimately be to blame for the actions of its government, right?
In Arizona especially, the answer is a resounding yes.
Throughout the semester, we have labored over every aspect of Arizona’s budget crunch and its fallout on university life to the complete maximum. We are at the point where the very word “budget” induces an overdramatic cringe and the occasional bout of bleeding out of our ears.
We know that our droning has gone on and on, looking at the crisis’ side effects and its causes, which can run the gamut from former Gov. Janet Napolitano’s spending-happy practices to Arizona’s dependence on the housing bubble. And sure, it’s probably a good bet that the national economy can make a solid claim for holding the top spot of dishonor in the blame game.
But while those debates continue to rage on today and while the realities of the situation are adding up to be more and more harsh in their manifestations, nobody is looking at one of the foremost causes for the crush that has been put on the state’s three universities.
What it breaks down to ... drumroll, please ... is the people of Arizona.
For those of us who dislike the cards that have been dealt to us during the budget-balancing act that has left the universities reeling, we should look no further than demographics.
In this state, according to Census Bureau numbers, about 30 percent of the population is Hispanic or Latino, a portion of the electorate with a historically poor voter turnout. On a similar level of bad turnout is our generation — people 24 years of age and under make up about 37 percent of the population.
Already, we have a large percentage of Arizonans accounted for, but a much smaller percentage of the votes that are cast in every election.
Furthermore, about 20 percent of Arizonans are without a high-school diploma and about 76 percent are without a college degree. The lack of emphasis placed on education would seemingly cause a vicious circle, creating a culture in which voters do not value education highly.
So who is voting? Well, that’s the problem. The Grand Canyon State is overflowing with transplanted retirees — almost one-quarter of the population is of retirement age — who have already paid their dues toward education in other states and, in general, would seemingly like to not be bothered with funding Arizona’s schools.
And guess who turns out to the polls in powerful numbers?
Oh yes, you’ve got it. Indeed, the people who represent us in the state Legislature care less about education because they’re put into office by a formidable voting bloc that could care less about education.
Perhaps it’s time we stopping complaining about the Legislature’s not listening to the will of the people and started wondering how we can change the will of the people to hold a more favorable view of education’s importance in shaping Arizona’s future.
