Tuesday, June 2, 1998
Davis best candidate for gubernatorial race
EDITORIAL: Lieutenant governor has experience, ideas that would
make him suitable for position
Today millions of Californians go to the polls to cast their
votes in the state primary. Of the four major party candidates for
governor, Gray Davis is best suited for the job.
Davis has a long and impressive history working in the
government. He has held positions ranging from finance director for
former Los Angeles mayor Tom Bradley to chief of staff for Governor
Jerry Brown to member of the Assembly. Currently serving as
lieutenant governor and ex oficio UC Regent, Davis has been a
strong supporter of affirmative action and other student concerns
in higher education. He has dedicated his adult life to public
service through politics.
Davis is the best candidate for several reasons, including his
plan for fixing California’s ailing educational system. Among his
goals: to give state-mandated tests to students in grades two
through 11, with low scores resulting in summer school and
re-testing before passing to the next grade level; to require more
teacher training and evaluation; to create a $3 million state fund
for school textbooks; to place a chief financial officer (certified
as an accountant and with a masters degree in business) in each
school district; and freezing college fees for the University of
California, California State University and community colleges.
Davis seems to have the right idea when it comes to the economy.
He proposes the elimination of the startup tax for businesses that
are attempting to get a foothold in the business community.
Davis should take a step further and issue tax credits for
education, child care, first-time home buyers and elderly home
care.
Though Davis’ educational and economic policies are positive,
his campaign falters on the issue of crime.
His ideas for tougher gun laws are worthy, however. These laws
will extend the ban on assault weapons to include other similar
weapons and Saturday night specials, and to require safety locks on
all guns.
While he seems to be positively affecting younger generations
with his educational outlook, he seems to negate his statements
with his belief that district attorneys should have the ability to
charge juveniles as adults for other serious crimes. Locking up our
children not only ignores the problem of youth offenders but is
also a barbaric way to treat children.
He mentions nothing of prevention programs within schools, or
rehabilitation programs for children rather than incarceration.
California’s trend of dealing with problems after the fact is the
wrong way to handle these issues. Not only does it cost money to
lock up these children, but it ensures that they will be back in
prison later in life since they won’t get the proper treatment
while they are young. Davis’ plan to lock children up like adults
misses the point entirely. It also brings into question his
sincerity and how much he truly values the lives of young
people.
For these reasons, Davis is not the ideal candidate. However, he
has convinced us that he will indeed do a good job as California’s
next governor. He certainly has the experience; let’s hope he
follows through with his ideas on educational issues and reforms
his stance on juvenile crime.