Initiative 42 Argumentative Analysis

It is sad so much confusion surrounds Initiative 42, especially when nearly 200,000 Mississippians signed petitions to have it placed on the November ballot to amend the state Constitution. If passed, Initiative 42 will hold the Mississippi legislature accountable for keeping its promise to fully fund public schools. That should be simple enough, but Governor Bryant has done everything within his power to confuse the issue. Is he that two-faced? In December 2014, the Jackson Clarion Ledger ran an article, “Bryant: Public, not superintendent, controls education,” that reported him saying the public, not the state superintendent of education is in charge of education. If he truly believes the public is in charge of education, why is he

It is not about power and control although power and control appear to be Governor Bryant’s ultimate goals. Initiative 42 is about the teachers struggling to keep public education alive in Mississippi, and it is about what is best for our children. In an era, where a good education is a prerequisite for success in life, the idea anyone would not support Initiative 42 is mind boggling. It is also mind boggling that the citizens in a state as untrusting of government as Mississippi would tolerate a governor and state legislators who believe they are above the law when it comes to funding education. Of course, not all legislators oppose Initiative 42; there are a few clandestine supporters in the state house and senate. But, like the many citizens who support Initiative 42, they are less vocal and “in your face” than their counterparts. Unfortunately, for supporters, the old adage “the squeaky wheel gets the grease” may once again prove to be true unless Initiative 42 supporters find their voice in this debate and rally to the

It is sad that as a state we are on the brink of putting politics above the needs of our children. It is sad Mississippi citizens needed to sign petitions to put Initiative 42 on the ballot to force elected officials to follow the law and adequately fund education. It is sad our children mean so little that there is a chance we will sell them out for “good old boy” politicians. It is sad so many people are gullible enough to swallow the misinformation, lies, and scare tactics put forth by the governor and his cronies. But, the irony is we are not a sad people or a sad state! Mississippians are proud people recognized nationally as the most benevolent people in the nation! So, why are some Mississippians so reluctant to share their generosity and compassion with our greatest joy and pride, our