Casual Cruelty

[Gerald Wilgus]

Having been the recipient of unthinking dismissal and marginalization, I am aghast at what I read about teachers in S. Dakota and a hunger-games contest for money to afford supplies for their students.
South Dakota bank apologizes for stunt featuring teachers scrambling for $1 bills

I fail to see how this stunt can be other than a cruel joke upon those who are among the lowest paid teachers in our nation and why any thinking person would see it as a fun and entertaining, nevermind that a community institution would promote this.

 

[GrownupGirl]

They're not sorry for what they did, they're only sorry because of the backlash.

 

[Gerald Wilgus]

They're not sorry for what they did, they're only sorry because of the backlash.

Of course. Yet, because I am so concerned about my behaving in a callous manner towards others, I am so discouraged at the cruel behavior towards those motivated by service towards their students. Of course, I have mixed feelings towards teachers who I thought were severely judging me that it morphed into a fear of rejection, but I've grown since.

 

[watersprite]

They’re likely not sorry for it at all. To them whether it’s positive & or negative publicity it’s still publicity.

 

[Judge]

I fail to see how this stunt can be other than a cruel joke upon those who are among the lowest paid teachers in our nation and why any thinking person would see it as a fun and entertaining, never mind that a community institution would promote this.

Perhaps this was a politically orchestrated event. One deliberately intended for a specific target audience. Which wouldn't come as surprising given its correlation of populist sentiments in nearly all the states who provide the least funding to education. That this minor bank was probably little more than a front for some political interests than as an exclusive sponsor. Though they got some free advertising in the process. Quid-pro-quo.

Lest we forget two key components in such an agenda:

- A proud antagonism towards intellectuals
-The rejection of culture and knowledge in favor of instinct

Not to mention that we are at the precipice of another election cycle. Involving an agenda that makes sport of a fine mind as a virtue. What better way to pound that message into the minds of the public than to humiliate teachers rather than honor them.

And perhaps a bit more and entertaining than to sponsor a book-burning rally. Of course I can't add "clever", as they got caught beyond the political scope of their target audience. Overtly demeaning education yet offering to fund it through private donations rather than conventional tax revenue. Message received.

 

[Gerald Wilgus]

Overtly demeaning education yet offering to fund it through private donations rather than conventional tax revenue. Message received.

We see that playbook so frequently. It is used effectively in demonizing universal healthcare. But recognize that ever since the time of Hamilton taxes never have, nor will they ever, fund government spending. That is basic Modern Monetary Theory.