The Ethics of Teachers and Politicians
According to <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/11/education/11cheat.html" target="”_blank”">an
article in yesterday's New York <i>Times</i></a>, it is coming out that more
teachers and school administrators have been involved in cheating on
the test scores that may not only give them bonuses, but may determine
whether their schools continue to exist. One can argue ad infinitum
about the pressures, temptations, and morals involved. But one thing is
certain: the problems were not created by the teachers and
administrators.<br>
<br>
The government cheating on pension funds, according to <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/12/nyregion/12pension.html" target="”_blank”">today's
New York <i>Times</i>,</a> is very different. New York State elected officials
have tentatively agreed to allow the state and its municipalities, with
the exception of New York City, to borrow from the state pension fund
(which also covers municipalities) in order to make payments into the
fund.<br>
<br>
One can argue ad infinitum about the pressures, temptations, and morals
involved in what is essentially fraudulent activity, solving today's
budget problems at the expense of tomorrow's, but the problems were
created by state and local elected officials. They made the mess, and
they don't have the decency to do more than sweep it under the rug.<br>
<br>
It's clear that being re-elected or keeping one's job is the
determining factor here. The elected state comptroller is quoted as
saying, “We would view it more as an extended-payment plan.”<br>
<br>
The state budget director, after saying that it wasn't borrowing and
then being chided for this, is quoted as saying, "I’m not going to sit
here and characterize it as not a borrowing. But it is an annual,
relatively small borrowing we’re doing this year that we're doing to get
a modest savings.” However, after having borrowed $655 million from the
pension fund in 2004-5, the state still owes more than $400 million.
This time they're talking $6 billion. Does the word "small" have any
meaning anymore.<br>
<br>
The appointed lieutenant governor, who has no interest in retaining
the position (he was doing a favor by accepting the appointment), is
quoted as saying, “Call it what you will, it’s taking money from future
budgets to help solve this year’s budget."<br>
<br>
Robert Wechsler<br>
Director of Research-Retired, City Ethics<br>
<br>
---