2008 Woodie Awards
Higher education should not be the deciding factor in mayoral election
Kristy Banning '08
Issue date: 2/7/07 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, three of the five candidates running for mayor have no college degree, and this is causing some controversy. Most people consider a lack of higher education a setback, but more people should be worrying about the issues the next mayor will have to face.
This is shocking because it is a requirement in our minds to have a representative that is well educated. Most of the cities in the United States do, but Philadelphia is proving again that it has to be different.
Tom Knox, Bob Brady, and Chaka Fattah are the men running without a bachelor's degrees. Each of their stories is unique and most have good reasons for not acquiring a formal education. Their reasons deal with poverty, war, and money needed to support their families. Tom Knox is focusing on education and other issues. Bob Brady wants safer and better schools. Finally, Chaka Fattah wants to solve issues of housing, crime, and education. All of these candidates are focusing on education regardless of their pasts. Still, many people are skeptical. Some want a mayor that represents the best of Philadelphia. A lack of schooling in a mayor may say something about the city itself.
Although most of us are in college, we all know there are reasons why people don't further their education. Becoming the mayor is outlined with many responsibilities and someone with a bachelor's degree might or might not be able to handle these responsibilities. These different responsibilities depend on what is best for the citizens of Philadelphia.
We shouldn't judge someone because of their decision not to further their education. Going to college has not always been as important as it is now, and there are many successful mayors and even presidents without college degrees. As a city, we should look at the candidates' beliefs and how they can make Philadelphia a better place and, most importantly, how they can make Philadelphia a safer place.
In a mayor, I am looking for his or her opinion on certain issues, and none of those issues require an academic background. I am more concerned about the casinos, the murder rate that rises every day, education, and the issues of welfare. I want to hear strategies for gun control and ways to improve safety and healthcare. I want to see how the education system could be improved. It doesn't matter to me what the candidates did or didn't major in. These are issues that require one to think regardless of a degree.
Still, there are many people today who want a mayor with a high-level of education. But we shouldn't base our votes on just education. We should base our votes on ways they can better the city of Philadelphia. Many people feel the same way, according to the Inquirer. The paper says people care more about what the mayors can do for the people rather than their education. In the end, the decision is up to the people of Philadelphia. With all of the great candidates and the issues that we face, it is going to be a tough decision.
This is shocking because it is a requirement in our minds to have a representative that is well educated. Most of the cities in the United States do, but Philadelphia is proving again that it has to be different.
Tom Knox, Bob Brady, and Chaka Fattah are the men running without a bachelor's degrees. Each of their stories is unique and most have good reasons for not acquiring a formal education. Their reasons deal with poverty, war, and money needed to support their families. Tom Knox is focusing on education and other issues. Bob Brady wants safer and better schools. Finally, Chaka Fattah wants to solve issues of housing, crime, and education. All of these candidates are focusing on education regardless of their pasts. Still, many people are skeptical. Some want a mayor that represents the best of Philadelphia. A lack of schooling in a mayor may say something about the city itself.
Although most of us are in college, we all know there are reasons why people don't further their education. Becoming the mayor is outlined with many responsibilities and someone with a bachelor's degree might or might not be able to handle these responsibilities. These different responsibilities depend on what is best for the citizens of Philadelphia.
We shouldn't judge someone because of their decision not to further their education. Going to college has not always been as important as it is now, and there are many successful mayors and even presidents without college degrees. As a city, we should look at the candidates' beliefs and how they can make Philadelphia a better place and, most importantly, how they can make Philadelphia a safer place.
In a mayor, I am looking for his or her opinion on certain issues, and none of those issues require an academic background. I am more concerned about the casinos, the murder rate that rises every day, education, and the issues of welfare. I want to hear strategies for gun control and ways to improve safety and healthcare. I want to see how the education system could be improved. It doesn't matter to me what the candidates did or didn't major in. These are issues that require one to think regardless of a degree.
Still, there are many people today who want a mayor with a high-level of education. But we shouldn't base our votes on just education. We should base our votes on ways they can better the city of Philadelphia. Many people feel the same way, according to the Inquirer. The paper says people care more about what the mayors can do for the people rather than their education. In the end, the decision is up to the people of Philadelphia. With all of the great candidates and the issues that we face, it is going to be a tough decision.
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