[Editor’s Note: The Moderate Voice occasionally runs reader Guest Voices. In this Reader Guest Voice, Jordan Cooper further explains why he likes former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and looks at his presidential prospects — which has been in the news this week.]
On Jeb Bush running for President
by Jordan Cooper
Life is all about relationships. Relationships are built on informal contracts called promises. Kept promises build the credibility of your words and actions. As Obama still ponders his long term job plan for America in his second term, Governor Jeb Bush already knows that the unchangeable key for America’s long term job is formal education and training. Education is rigorous, tedious, but rewarding for the person and for society. Governor Bush showed his promise for cherishing education by completing his college degree in two years, reducing class size in Florida, and providing reasonable incentives for performance based standardized tests in Florida. On the other hand, he received know-how on how the economy and education are interrelated through his time as Florida Secretary of Commerce. He continued to keep the American dream for Floridians through preserving wildlife, successfully legislating the ‘stand your ground’ laws, and displaying a talent for fiscal solvency.
What we cannot overlook is Bush’s collaboration with the African American and Hispanic communities to create charter schools for the betterment of our youth, in addition to creating a non-profit org to propel his education initiatives. However, the American problem of lack of education is wide across the board and especially prevalent in the minority communities. Minorities on average account for less than 20 percent of college degrees awarded in America and have the highest poverty rates. To help minorities become empowered, their parents must be involved in their education. Bush could push to get more parents involved with small tax credits for attending all parent-teacher association meetings yearly and encouraging parents to enroll in academic booster clubs. This would create a strong, supportive triangle between the teachers, parents, and youth to nurture their education.
The parents and teachers can definitely help with the students’ academic troubles because of their prior experience, and access to learning resources will be more available then. Moreover, parents should not be discouraged from sending their children to college these days since there is more scholarship money and colleges out there than ever before in the history of the university system. Bush could help the uplifting of minorities in under-served communities by acknowledging the frugality of technical college education and the benefits of it — with the urgent need for preparation for four year schools that students can obtain through strong tri-lateral relations in their schools through teachers, parents, and students. If learning resources cannot be obtained from the school or teacher, the parent can get them free of charge at a local public library.
For an example, Bush could provide some donated learning resources online or at his non-profit organization’s events for a small fee or free of charge. This would complement the accessibility of the resources from the child’s school, library, or home. These initiatives will show that Bush is still melded with the concerns of the community and has feasible commonsensical solutions for all types of citizens to succeed.
Jeb Bush is under a lot of pressure for him to not only run but to win a Veep spot or presidential bid. The Bush family’s presidential legacy has a few smudges that can be corrected through public opinion and action taken by future office holders. Both 41 and 43 put the American military’s lives in dangerous military conflicts that caused more lives lost than under their predecessor Reagan.. Also, George H.W. Bush pledged to not raise taxes and he raised taxes later on in his term. George W. Bush cut taxes but spent almost double in the federal budget. On the other hand, they both were more inclusive to African Americans for senior positions in their administration butsluggish to respond to disasters and other issues domestically that affected communities with large minority populations. For instance; hurricane Katrina and police brutality.
Additionally, Governor Jeb Bush’s comments about not planning on doing anything for black people during his governorship and tension with black legislators make him seem detached from the realities of the minority community. Bush’s message resonating with Hispanics will remain solid due to his family and his frequent publications on immigration. Therefore, his efforts will appear rewarding if immigration does pass before 2016. Still Republicans have never received over half of the Hispanic and never over 15 percent of the African American vote in a presidential election. So, there is definitely much work to be done to improve racial relations between these burgeoning communities.
If Governor Jeb Bush does decide to run he must think about the Americans’ objective history of his family and what he can do to improve on that history. He cannot attempt to alienate himself from his family’s political blemishes but describe how he can amend it. Bush can bring the knowledge of being around great leaders to America, educational development accomplishments in Florida, tougher penalties for violent crimes in Florida, staying meshed effectively with grassroots voters from his stint as a county GOP chair, and acumen Latin American relations.
If Governor Jeb Bush can demonstrate that he is still in touch with America after about a decade away from public office and has learned the pros/cons of what has gone wrong in Washington, he, too, can be President. He must push the message that he has been away from the turmoil in Washington — and watched the errors of other leaders in American history. This will give Americans a sense of reassurance that he can be the commander-in-chief of this nation.
Jordan Cooper was Director of Youth Outreach for the Perry for President campaign in 2012, Constituent Correspondent for Governor Nikki Haley in 2011, Special Assistant for Lt. Governor Andre Bauer in 2010-2011, and a co-chair for the Bauer for Congress campaign in 2012. He was a campaign co-chair and leader of the Black coalition for the Jindal for Governor campaign in 2003. He is a senior at the University of South Carolina-Columbia and was recently has been accepted to numerous law schools.