I’ve never been big on politics. I found that when the subject was brought up with others, it only caused arguments that would never be resolved. I never thought matters of politics ever affected me directly. I knew they were important, but I never saw the effects in my own little bubble while in college. The only things that mattered were my education and doing the best I could in the classroom.
After the recent events involving the impending budget cuts due to the ever-growing problem of legislature decreasing the funds for education, my standing on involvement in politics as a student has completely changed.
Students should be more educated about and get more involved in the affairs of political policies. We can no longer ignore what is happening, especially now. We can no longer say what our state decides doesn’t affect us, because it does. I, for one am thankful for each student who went and represented the university at the Higher Education Rally that took place in Baton Rouge.
The recent events involving the reduction of funding to our universities and educational systems affect all of us. It will lead to lay-offs, program cuts, reduced scholarship funds and hurt the community as a whole. Fewer students will be able to attend college, meaning there will be a decrease in highly educated individuals, individuals who will later go on to innovate and create a better future for the state. I’m sorry to say, but this is only the short-term implication if we allow this to continue.
In the long-term scheme of things, if we were to let the priority of education fall so low, our state as a whole would hurt because knowledge and success is the basis of everything and is what keeps the state going. History can vouch for that. Scholars are the ones who lead civilizations to new heights, testing its bounds and doing the impossible. Education and the pursuit of knowledge are what gave us the country we have today.
Education should be the number one thing our state government should try to preserve because where would we be without it? It’s mind-boggling this is even happening because I thought it was a well-known fact that in order to continue to improve as a state and to compete with our fellow states, we have to continue to improve our school systems so we can better prepare those who will be taking part in the development of the future.
I know it is never as simple as just saying the legislature is completely wrong. There are probably good reasons as to why they are reducing funds, but I can’t bring myself to agree because education is worth trying to preserve as much as possible.