The groups on the two lists here--phillyblocks and neighbors-online--are
the among the strongest advocates for citizen participation and democracy
in the City of Philadelphia or you wouldn't be here.
What does it tell us, then, that a group of legislators in
Harrisburg--knowing quite well that what they were doing could not
withstand public debate--was able to introduce a bill late at night and
force its passage before 99.9% of the people even knew it was happening?
What does it tell us that this bill would consolidate the power of the
existing administration over our schools for years after this
administration leaves office? Whatever we think needs to be done about the
Philadelphia school system, how can we possibly sit by and let this
happening without a huge outcry against every aspect of what is unfolding here.
And as I warned on Tuesday--this doesn't end here.
PHA. The Redevelopment Authority. The Airport. They're all 'in the
crosshairs'--as various people around the legislature are telling us.
This is all a 'done deal'--there's nothing we can do.
We're all just supposed to lie down and let the tanks roll over us.
Is this what we've spent the past 30 years fighting for?
And as to Edison itself: what kind of corporation would *want* to be the
instrument of a State government at war with the people of a city? What
sort of commitment to 'involving the community' does it represent for this
company to be willing to enter Philadelphia on this basis? This company is
now desperate for funds. That is abundantly clear from reading financial
analysts on Wall Street who have written about them. So if they're willing
to be the agent of the new Colonial Government in Harrisburg--what
'involvement' will anyone really be permitted to have?
Wake up people. This is really serious stuff. For four years, a handful of
groups have had to fight Harrisburg tooth-and-nail over their unwillingness
to let welfare recipients spend time in education and training under
welfare reform. This has been biggest issue surrounding welfare reform in
this Commonwealth. Again and again, the Ridge administration has told us
that in a 'work first' state, education and training is not a priority. And
this is the government that now wants to run our school system?
The issue is not just schools. It's about power--their ability to ram down
the City's throat whatever they want because they think we don't care
enough to fight back.
And if we don't--they'll be right.
But it won't end here. Take my word for it. The schools will be
*worse*--not better--as a result. And we'll have right wing unelected
cliques running just about anything they can seize for the forseeable
future. What do you think will happen to our blocks and neighborhoods in
the process?
The Community College forum next Thursday (November 1st) from 6:30-8:30 PM
is an opportunity for all of us to register our protests.
Anyone who cares about *democracy*--not to mention education--in
Philadelphia ought to be there.
Ed Schwartz
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