Reader requests sacrifice for students

We Americans never hesitate when our leaders ask us to make sacrifices in order that they may successfully execute a war. So when President George W. Bush invaded Iraq, we braced for the request, but were mystified when we got tax cuts instead.

Thus commenced the unpaid-for war on terror. Brave members of our armed forces sacrifice blood and lives to protect the homeland from insults of fanatic-fed terror while, except for their spouses and families, the rest of us go about as if the war was of no concern. Pundits observe: only one-percent of us, the soldiers and their families, are involved in the war.

It doesn't end there. Asked to make a sacrifice outside the realm of war, such as approve a school construction bond levy to relieve acute room shortage and improve the quality of education for our young people, we're not up to the task.

Yes, we're in a recession. The students see that. But they also see the adults in their community unwilling to spend enough money to end deplorable conditions of overcrowding they've gotten used to and shouldn't have to endure any longer.

Nothing tells them we care quite like a vote for their future. Nothing tells them we care more than by giving them excellent teachers, modern buildings, and up to date labs and equipment to provide them the education preparing them for college, career, and citizenship.

A new high school, two new elementary schools to absorb sixth graders and free up middle school space, along with modernizing what we have, comprise a thoughtful and professional step in the right direction. It's time to stop shopping for band aids. (A $300,000 house would pay roughly $56.00 per month for 20 years,)

When we support them as they need us, look at the lesson we teach them to teach our grandchildren, and they need us now. Call the school board and urge them to make another try to get that construction bond levy approved.

It isn't our leaders asking for sacrifices this time, it's our students.

We must heed their call for a war of sorts, one to prepare the US for the twentieth century's global marketplace against competitors who, in the still of US lethargy, outpaced us in math and science.

And yes, a caveat. Half of the new people moving to Moses Lake are retired folks. Traditionally, they are reluctant to approve school levies. If we don't pass this one, it may be too late

Darrell Moss

Moses Lake