Show Republicans Dont Don't Care About Education Weekly Whine s By gY John Nielson Editorial Editor I had the opportunity to cover a press conference at the State Capitol last week for the Horizon My article about the event appears elsewhere in inthis inthis inthis this weeks week's issue I had to report the 4 press conference in an un-biased un for the the nothing-but-the-facts manner news story but here in my own little world I can write how I really feel I I dont don't want to offend anyone with my language but here goes College students in Utah public schools are getting the shaft from the Republicans who control the Senate and House of Representatives After seeing our legislators in action the theold old cheer Nuts and bolts nuts and bolts we got screwed came to mind The press conference was held to draw attention to the way our elected officials are fiscally neglecting higher high high- er education It was very reassuring to me as a student thickly embedded in the Utah higher education system to see absolutely no Republican leaders leaders leaders lead lead- ers in attendance at the press confer confer- ence The Democrats were well represented represented rep rep- resented with Ed Mayne presenting a short speech and at least five of his colleagues in attendance in the audi audi- ence I appreciate the Democratic support but I wonder what these six members of the minority party can do for all of higher education Why didn't any Republicans bother showing up to show their support support support sup sup- port for students I can think of a afew afew afew few reasons The press conference was during the lunch hour and perhaps perhaps perhaps per per- haps all the Republicans were at lunch with lobbyists from the Utah Sheep Farmers Association Maybe Maybethe the absence of the GOP can be attributed attributed attributed attrib attrib- to the fact that the American Federation of Teachers who organized organized organized orga orga- the press conference is affiliated ed with the CIO and the Republicans were scared to show up at such a function It doesn't matter who sponsored the press conference because nearly all the presentations were made by students If the Republican Party is not interested in hearing directly from the students who will be affected affect affect- ed by their irresponsibility then who are they interested in listening to Since it will be students who will end up p having to live with the legislators' legislators results it should be students who influence their decisions I r feel bad that I supported some Republicans in the last election I feel let down by their pledges to support support support sup sup- port the interests of their con con- I dont don't agree with the entire Democratic platform but I Inow Inow Inow now know that if I want to receive a quality education in the state of Utah that I can afford I need to support the Democrats The only reassuring thing I can think of about this entire budget issue is the fact that college students represent a huge potential voting block If all the students at Utah's public colleges and universities ties would register and vote as a Thank You for higher tuition bills then the elected officials would respond to us I hope Senator Mayne keeps up the pressure and has enough clout to defend students student's rights in the Senate |