Cowardly leaders let education go to pot in Nevada

Mark Bradshaw, Henderson

Monday, March 28, 2011 | 2:02 a.m.

To the people of Nevada who have children in our educational system, I’m sorry. To the citizens of Nevada who may have had plans to get a college education in Nevada, again, I’m sorry.

I am a 55-year-old native of Nevada, received my K-12 education here, and didn’t do too bad. I even graduated from UNLV in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Again, I didn’t do too bad.

The thing I’m sorry about is that our state education structure is in the process of being gutted, and that is a tragedy.

It is being gutted for a number of reasons, but the one I’m mad about most is that our state politicians and legislators are afraid of being bold, innovative and creative. They are supposed to represent all citizens of Nevada, not just the rich and powerful.

Instead, they are afraid of angering conservative bloggers and libertarians in the media, and they are afraid of the Tea Party. They are afraid of making people angry, except the ones who live here and work here and will bear the brunt of this shortsighted, anemic, defeatist and outdated set of policies.

As to myself, I don’t have children in the state’s educational system, but I am doing my share by paying taxes that go to the educational system.

I am sorry that Nevada is quickly becoming a shell of its former self.

I’m mad.