[NLA] Balancing Local, State, Federal control

[Debbie Yoho]

FROM nANCY:  "...What
you are saying is our legislators have seen national
dollars used incorrectly back home when they backed
legislation to support local programs, thanks to
irresponsible local decision-makers. Correct?"

Correct

" What "for good reason" have you seen? Something happen in
your state that burned the prospect of adult ed being
properly funded due to another federally funded
project which turned out to be a fiasco?"

No, Nancy, not in Adult Ed., but remember I am in the South, and I
mentioned the Civil Rights movement as a case in point.  Many people here,
as in Washington, remember that it took court action, troops in the street,
and a lot of broken heads (as well as federal dollars for bussing) to force
equal opportunity--the "crusade" the book speaks about which many feel has
yet to be fully realized, both here and in other parts of the country.  

And yes, of course we want to be held accountable "for the right things". 
That is the connection from research to policy.  The powers that be (my
elephant) are saying that to determine the "right things", research must be
the criteria. And the elephant, being the elephant, gets to make the rules.
So let him, for the time being.

As a pragmatist, my usual strategy when advocating is to find out how I can
beat the adversary at his own game.  Just as in teaching and business, 
find out what the man wants and give it to him! but get your own needs met
in the process. So, if the elephant wants research, I say let's give it to
him, OUR way.  Which means the local mouse has to step up to the plate and
do the work. (I know, I know, we have to do our work AND his, in this case
the NRS, at the same time. "Aye, there's the rub." ) You and I are already
doing most of the work (that's why there are more mice than elephants).  We
just need to come out of our mouse holes and roar! Once the elephant is up
the tree we can make the rules (because he wants to come down.)

Obviously, I love your cartoon.  

One thing we mice-leaders need to do, Nancy, is increase our numbers,
including on this listserv.  Get your counterparts in your area to at least
lurk in this corridor.

Well, that's enough of stretching a metaphor far too thin.  Cheers, Debbie 

      


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