Tyranny is “cruel and unfair treatment by people with powers over others” according to Webster. Thomas Jefferson once said, “Experience hath shown, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny.
This is exactly what has happened with the Pickens County School Board with the recent closing of two rural schools against the will of the people. Is that not unfair and cruel?
The overwhelming majority of the citizens of Pickens County did not want these two schools closed and made their wishes known to board members. Only two school board members listened to the will of the people; Alex Saitta and Henry Wilson.
The other 4 members shut people out in the rain when the decision was made, ignored motion after motion by Saitta and Wilson to give more time and thought for the will of the people to prevail.
After a call in blitz that was held recently, it has become quite clear that the SC State Board of Education will do nothing even though they do have the ultimate authority over education according to the SC Constitution. It has become quite clear that Gov. Nikki Haley is not going to intervene.
None of our Pickens Legislative Delegation members have offered any solutions.
Isn’t it interesting that all of the above elected officials will get involved in situations that “they” think are important, like take down the Dixie flag? But yet when we the people feel there is an unjust tyrannical school board holding our schools hostage for ransom we get just a “sorry we can’t help.” Edmond Burke once said, “All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.”
Don’t remain silent people or there will be more tyrannical decisions made by these tyrants!
Johnnelle Raines
Pickens