Newspapers / Meredith College Student Newspaper / Jan. 13, 1993, edition 1 / Page 3
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page three January 13,1993 -Campus Editorial Point Counterpoint Future educators debate Clinton’s schooling choice Hollis Hayworth I voted for Bill Clinton and so far I am still sound with my decision, but he has let me down recently. It is really not that big of a deal, but when I heard the shocking news, I felt a heaviness in the part of my heart that belongs to Clinton and his Democratic ideals. My crusader for better education is sending his daughter to... (I hate to even say it)... private school. Yes, I have heard the statistics that such and such number of private school students perform such and such percent better on the SAT than public school students. I also sym pathize with the argument that it is a free country and if parents can afford to send their children to pri vate school, then let them, but the Clintons are different in my opin ion. They are the first family-elect! Clinton is supposed to be a repre sentative of the average and under privileged public school goers, not a private school snob (oh, please don’t let this be). I know, “get over it.” It may be as simple as “get over it” for all you non certification majors, but it is a big deal for me. I plan to teach high school in a public school, and I thought Clinton had faith in people like me and my future colleagues. To be honest, my feelings are hurt. Sending Chelsea to public school would be like making a statement to the American people that Clinton believes in public education so much that not only is he willing to campaign for it and support it through legislation, but is also willing to trust his daughter’s future to it. I am really disappointed. As for the secret service men who will be surrounding Chelsea for the new four (or more) years, I do not think that a private school will be any less disrupted than a public school by their presence. Besides, if all the stereotypes are true about the differences between private and public schools, the private school is going to be wonderful with or without Chelsea and her guards and the public school can only be made better with them. Afterall, how many hoodlums are going to be pulling guns and knives out at school with secret service men always present? Am I reaching? I voted for Clinton for many reasons, one being his ideas on education. Perhaps I have confused Clinton with dear Jim Hunt (by the way, where did he send his children to school?). Or perhaps Clinton has a scheme in mind. Yes, that’s it! Clinton is going to send Chelsea to private school for two years which will put pressure on public schools to improve. Then when public schools are more as they should be, Chelsea will be transferred and Hillary and Bill will join the PTA. Public schools will once again be trusted by the all-wonderful President of the United States. What a splendid plan! Until the American public is aware of what I hope Clinton is up to, I am going to continue pouting about my favorite candidate’s decision to send his daughter to private school (or was it Hillary’s fault?). ACORN Social/Workshop Come socialize and get assistance in editing your Acorn submissions! President-elect Clinton made a decision in the best interest of his family this week when he decided to send his daughter Chelsea to private school. Everyone should be allowed the freedom to make decisions. The United States President is no exception. Although it is unfortunate that his best decision was to avoid the public school system, Clinton has every right to send his daughter to a private school. Elected officials retain the basic rights of all Americans. Nothing dictates that once a citi zen runs for presidential office he/ she must forfeit privacy rights or the right to make personal deci sions. As a matter of fact, nothing says that Clinton must make per sonal decisions that meet with the public’s approval. The media seem to think that the public should dic tate how Clinton exercises, what CUnton eats, and where his daugh ter attends school. Why should Clinton answer to every American because he made a decision that will affect his family? He has not made a law that fires all public school teachers. He has not withdrawn money from government supported programs. His decision will not directly harm the educational system. Although it is unfortunate that Clinton does not feel that public schools are the best place at which to educated his daughter, he has every right to judge the situation and respond accordingly. Since he has the resources to educate his daughter in a private school, why should the public try to influence a family decision? The issue is not that the educational system needs reform. This is no surprise to anyone that changes need to be made. Since Clinton is obviously aware of the problem, hopefully he will actively solve the problem. The issue is the right to personal privacy. It is unfortunate that when a president makes personal decisions, uses the bathroom, or blows his nose, the media feel compelled to report it. However, in the U.S. citizens seem to expect their elected officials to make all decisions —personal and public ones, that meet the voters’ approval. Perhaps if citizens become more concerned about what Clinton will do to change the country, instead of what he will do to change his family photo-album, he will be a more effective leader. Thursday, January 21 7-8 p.m.. Chapel Commons Room Attention WINGS... The WINGS Support Group, sponsored by Meredith Col lege, Division of Student Development, is in the process of reforming for the spring semester. Meetings will be in the Per sonal Growth and Counseling Center on the second floor of Cate Center. Tentative meeting times are Mondays, 10-11a.m., or Thurs days, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Please indicate a time preference (even if different from Monday or Thursday) on the pink sheet posted on the WINGS bulletin board or by calling the PGCC at x8427.
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