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I love the theory of political strategies to elect a candidate or pass a ballot measure. Most are subtle. Some are open smear jobs, easy for everyone to see.
The Alameda school district is trying blackmail as a political strategy. And, if it works, then it is bankruptcy for small businesses and could cause foreclosure of homes for families.
"Measure E is a parcel tax that would give Alameda some of the highest school taxes in the Bay Area: Homeowners would pay $659 a year and business owners would owe up to $9,500 annually per parcel.
If it passes, many small business owners, already struggling with the recession, say they'll be forced to close, stripping Alameda of its mom-and-pop charm. If the measure fails, the district's superintendent warns that half the schools in town would close.
"If this doesn't pass, all bets are off in Alameda," said Encinal High School Principal Mike Cooper, a fifth-generation Alamedan. "We're watching the collapse of public education. We've been trying to make this work, but something's got to give."
Yes, he is right--government education is collapsing--it has failed and instead of changing its operation, it demands more money to run the failed programs, while trying to stop kids from getting real education at charter and private schools.
What does it mean for jobs and the community, if it passes? ""If thiis passes, then God help us, there'll be no end," said Ed Hirshberg, who owns numerous commercial properties in Alameda but lives in Oakland. "The schools want more money from us, but the problem is there's no money available."
This is an election to watch--will the people of Alameda be blackmailed into killing jobs to pay for failed schools? Maybe the best result would be to lose this election and end the union control of government schools?
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The Alameda school district is trying blackmail as a political strategy. And, if it works, then it is bankruptcy for small businesses and could cause foreclosure of homes for families.
"Measure E is a parcel tax that would give Alameda some of the highest school taxes in the Bay Area: Homeowners would pay $659 a year and business owners would owe up to $9,500 annually per parcel.
If it passes, many small business owners, already struggling with the recession, say they'll be forced to close, stripping Alameda of its mom-and-pop charm. If the measure fails, the district's superintendent warns that half the schools in town would close.
"If this doesn't pass, all bets are off in Alameda," said Encinal High School Principal Mike Cooper, a fifth-generation Alamedan. "We're watching the collapse of public education. We've been trying to make this work, but something's got to give."
Yes, he is right--government education is collapsing--it has failed and instead of changing its operation, it demands more money to run the failed programs, while trying to stop kids from getting real education at charter and private schools.
What does it mean for jobs and the community, if it passes? ""If thiis passes, then God help us, there'll be no end," said Ed Hirshberg, who owns numerous commercial properties in Alameda but lives in Oakland. "The schools want more money from us, but the problem is there's no money available."
This is an election to watch--will the people of Alameda be blackmailed into killing jobs to pay for failed schools? Maybe the best result would be to lose this election and end the union control of government schools?
More...