Consider Consequences - Commentary by Frank Gillispie

Consider Consequences – Commentary by Frank Gillispie

Governors sometimes feel an urge to do something quickly. It leaves an impression of leadership. But it can also lead to bad decisions.

That is exactly what happened to Georgia’s governor Sonny Perdue last week. When Hurricane Rita threatened a major part of this nation’s oil refineries, Perdue decided to act quickly to reduce the demand for fuel. He issued a request to the state’s schools to close two days in order to save the diesel fuel used by the busses.

By doing so, he managed to catch a couple of million parents unprepared. They were forced to find suitable day care at a moment’s notice. And if they were unable to, one parent had to take days off from work to care for them.

Then the children had to be delivered and picked up at the facility or the relatives home resulting in the use of extra fuel in the family car. The results? Parents probably used more fuel transporting the kids those two days than the state saved by not running the busses.

In addition to failing to save fuel, the governors actions disrupted the education process for the children and teachers. Every teacher’s lesson plan builds on the previous class. In order to be effective, the student needs to progress steadily though the plan. Now, teachers and students have a four day gap in the schedule. That is just long enough that the teachers will likely have to review the last class when schools reopen Wednesday. That puts the program behind schedule, rushing the students to catch up.

Governor Perdue acted quickly to help reduce fuel demands during the crisis by closing schools and not running the state’s busses for two days. In fact, he acted too quickly. He did not take the time to think out the consequences of the idea. The results were failure of the plan to have the desired effect, and an unnecessary disruption of the school year.

Why is it that every time some politician or social activities devises a plan to change society, the force of that plan falls on our children? Why did Governor Perdue choose the schools to close as a fuel saving program. Why didn’t he close the state’s highway department, or declare a holiday for all state employees except the schools? It appears to me that when the Governor makes a snap decision, he snaps it off at the wrong place.

This is not the first bad decision made by Governor Perdue, and I seriously doubt if it is the last. We the voters have established a tendency to limit governors who disappoint us to one term. If a suitable opponent appears, Perdue is likely to join the list.

Governor Perdue, the next time you have a bright idea, call around and see if others think it is a good plan. Take the time to consider all consequences of the plan. Just a little more time and thought can prevent these “good” ideas that turn out bad.

Webmaster's Note: Some believe Gov. Perdue's kneejerk reaction to a potential fuel shortage was more a selfish maneuver to gain attention for himself (he was on CNN, FoxNews and CBS Good Morning). Perhaps Perdue does have More than Georgia on His Mind. Voters will be the judge.