Ducey's Education Article
Education is one of the few aspects of government that affects us all on a daily basis. It is mandated that everyone living in the United States attend some form of schooling, and going past what is mandated opens the doors to greater opportunities and higher wage jobs. Naturally, an expansion to the funding and support of schools is often greeted with high praise, regardless of political or ideological affiliation.
Linked above is an op-ed piece written by my Arizona governor Doug Ducey. He writes this to give the readers of the AZ Central the why and how of his plans to increase the rate of college graduates in my state. He talks about how his role as a head of a household and major political figure obligates him to care about the people of Arizona, specifically their education. He lays out his projections to get the college graduate rate in Arizona from 42% to 60% and how it would make Arizona competitive to other states. Ducey then describes what the benefits of the higher rate of graduates would mean for Arizona, and ends reiterating his passion and role in making this possible.
I should disclose that my next statements will be negative and that may in large part be due to my unfavorable opinion of Governor Ducey.
These words do not seem to resonate to me at all, in fact they seem to do the opposite. When I read his article all I can read in the tone is a room full of political strategists looking over and revising to make sure that he hits all the marks. He makes sure to include his emotional investment into the article stating that he is, "...not just as an elected official, but as a husband and father". The way it is just outright stated and is not connected to the rest of the article makes me feel as though it is insincere. He brings out statements from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to make his article have a sense of authority, act like he knows what he is talking about. I find these rather deceptive however, because they are written in right before his plan is, making the reader subconsciously associate this plan with the Bureau. His plan however is not at all backed up or endorsed by any such organization.
Perhaps this article is much more easy to criticize knowing how events transpired after it was written. Gov. Ducey talks about supporting schools in a major way, but Arizona continues to be one of the worst places in the country for education. Less than two years after Ducey posted this article, Arizona became one of the largest participants in the Red for Ed teacher protest movement, due to Arizona's lack of school funding.
Your three new entries are really good, Adam. You have interesting topics and solid development. Good support and connection, and your writing flows very well. Nice job. Missing Entry #6.
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