Public Schools/Taxes

I just want to preface this article by Shirley deLong. She and I work in the same county and although I wouldn't have been able to express myself with the same passion she has used I can sense in this and many other communities similar feelings. I don't know if we come close to agreeing in the political world but we both agree that the public school system is out of control. Although she takes an approach that offers little solutions she does a good job opening the discussion.

Eliminate Property Taxes & Public Schools by Shirley deLong

February 11, 2005

“AMERICA - WE HAVE A PROBLEM!” It’s time to eliminate public schools as they are ‘nothing’ but endless money pits! Therefore, it’s time to eliminate property taxes! What’s wrong with the “old-fashioned” school ways when there were 28 to 30 kids in one (1) class with one (1) teacher and yet kids actually learned how to add, subtract, read, draw, and, yes, respect themselves and the authority figures over them. I’m talking about the “old-fashioned” Mothers, Fathers, Teachers and Principals and not this “Modern” ever so changing - can’t make up their argumentative minds Politicians and School Board Members “that make the statements like “Merger of Schools and Redistricting won’t go away!” Would someone, with some common sense, let me know why we have to change what was working with our schools, back in the “Old-fashioned” days? Does anyone understand that the kids, including myself, back in the “Good ole days” were brought up to have prayer in school (and, yes, there were several backgrounds of religion in our schools then), to have morals, principles, common sense, and values. All of us are now Professionals and Business Owners who are trying to figure out why the Politicians and Board Members think that “THEIR WAY” is the only way our children and grandchildren learn! Guess what, Folks, you need to go bury your head back into the sand! It is a proven fact that what you are doing to the kids of today is absolutely not working. PERIOD!
As I have said before and I will keep repeating it “Our Children and Grandchildren are not getting a common sense education and they are going to be left with a debt that can never be paid” just because all of the Politicians and Board Members have lost their common sense and they have to grease their egos.

In the past several years, can you see where the School Bond(s)and Millions of Dollars have been spent? I can’t and neither can you! We are getting absolutely nothing for these dollars except deeper in debt, bigger salaries being paid out, and raising a society of kids that cannot carry an intelligent conversation. Is this our “future” American Leaders? We are all paying enormous taxes and enormous school taxes. IT’S TIME FOR ALL PROPERTY TAXES BE ELIMINATED! We should demand, immediately, our tax monies back and put our kids in Private Schools or Home School them so they can learn the basic skills, morals, values, and principles, that will get them through life. Is it too late to take our children back and hold and love them, before they get so confused they don’t know who or what to believe? Does everyone think that this “computerized” age, with all the “if we don’t do this today it’ll be outdated tomorrow is working?” If you believe this, think again! Our Children and Grandchildren need role models not “idols”, “cell” phones, “internet and computers”, “tv’s, dvd’s, etc”. Could this be why drugs and suicide are on the rise?

Shirley deLong (336) 454-5040
Jamestown, NC

About the Author

Shirley deLong, Jamestown, NC Activist & Environmentalist. Author of several articles that have been published. Honorary Chairwoman for State of NC nominated by White House.
Owner of delong & Associates, Olde Jamestowne Art Gallery. See more on
http://shirleydelongartist.com