[author's note: Part II to this five-part series evaluating Phoenix as a suitable place to raise a family continues today. Part I offered introduction and preface to the series. Parts III-V, coming online tomorrow through Friday, will continue to explore this question.]
Something that seems appropriate to do when evaluating a question like that is to take a survey of my beliefs, evaluate the priorities I think are important for the state to embrace, and compare them against what is being done.
On Facebook, there’s a space where one can put one’s political views. Some describe where they fall on the political spectrum (from conservative to liberal), some put with what political party they associate (e.g. Republicans, Democrats, Labour), and others do none of the above. I’m one of those people. I describe my political ideologies as progressive simplicity, or the idea that government should be simple. Government should have a consistent set of ideals – here in the US, we call that the Constitution – and the Government should respect the dignity of every human. None are “more equal” than others.
As a means to this end, what should government provide? I believe that government should provide three things: public safety (including police, fire), education (from pre-K through University-level), and access to/maintenance of the commons (things like water, clean air, natural resources).
So, how does Arizona rank in these areas? If one were to judge by the performance of our state legislators, the report card would be dismal. Public safety? Privatizing our prison system does not work. Education? Cutting millions from education – in the last-ranked state for per-pupil education funding – is extremely stupid. Keeping the commons enjoyable for generations to come? Closing state parks and cutting back investments in the arts is most definitely not the answer. Three things that our government has to do and it’s not doing so well in these areas.
This all hearkens back to my opening case study in yesterday’s post: we, in Arizona, focus on institutions that will bring people here instead of keeping Phonecians and Arizonans happy here. The main reason is because the former is rather sexy: stadia are sexy, economic development is sexy. There’s political points for bringing a stadium to a city or opening a new high-rise tower in the midst of an economic downturn. But the things that keep people here don’t generate political points.
Even though they’re the most basic and necessary services needed.
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You have read my beliefs. You know what our elected leaders have done to Arizona. So I guess all that’s left to say is this: What’s worth fighting for?
Hmm. More tomorrow.
-Edward Jensen