Never has any political race in South Carolina been as pure a referendum on a controversial issue as the Supt. Of Education race is today. The two leading candidates, Karen Floyd and Bob Staton, represent polar opposite positions on the issue of school choice. Staton is opposed, and has been endorsed by the state branch of the National Education Association. Floyd “strongly supports” public and private school choice, and has been strongly supported by like-minded groups.
This race allows voters a chance to gain the type of educational system they desire. Races of this type:
- promote public discourse
- an analysis of possible school systems
- voters to commit to a candidate and consequently a decision regarding the issue.
This is democracy in action.
Whether one is for school choice or against it is not the issue here, only the benefit. The greater good is the ongoing promotion of democratic principles through a voting cycle that hinges on a critical issue. All participants are winners regardless of the outcome.
If more races in other regions throughout the country were to address similar controversial issues, the entire process would benefit those regions. If the issues involved educational systems, schools would certainly improve.
Resource
Bristol (2006) Case Closed, as of 7 p.m. Tonight. SCHeadlines. Online Resource Accessed on June 13th, 2006 at: http://www.scheadlines.com/article.asp?colid=5128.
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