With our taxes we fill the autonomous and state coffers. Subsequently, these entities distribute such resources in various social aid and public services (education, health, housing?). The idea is to achieve a ...
With our taxes we fill the autonomous and state coffers. Subsequently, these entities distribute such resources in various social aid and public services (education, health, housing?).
The idea is to achieve a solidarity-based redistribution that can materialize the so-called Welfare State. This idyllic flow of capital has its black spots. Thus, political corruption implies a drain that, after all, fully affects the aforementioned public spending. Here in Lanzarote, for example, the numerous police operations against political corruption have left as a second scenario a society with high rates of poverty. In addition, other leaks that take us away from the intended Welfare State are the few taxes paid by higher incomes, large companies and banks.
Since last May 22, a group of students from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria have been locked up in the Faculty of Geography and History. They call themselves "Pre-Unemployed Students". Despite risking everything in the upcoming final exams, they have decided to adopt this pressure measure. The 3,000 million euro education cut that the Government signed on Saturday, April 21 has been the trigger. The 25% increase in university fees can mean in some cases up to 600 additional euros.
I understand that it is a desperate measure, the result of a deep weariness in the face of so much injustice and hopelessness to which they are destined. The sad thing is that they have not caused the current economic situation, the sad thing is that they want to turn public education into the scapegoat that must pay for the excesses of others. The Government has not had the courage to demand more, for example, from people like Aurelio Izquierdo, former director of Bankia who was planning to collect compensation of 14 million euros in pensions and pre-retirement commitments. He has lashed out at those who have the least.
Possibly this action of the students will not lead to anything and they will have to give in to their demands. But in terms of social rights, their achievements have often involved great sacrifices from people who preceded us. Therefore, the resistance of these university students to retreat in a basic one such as the right to a quality public education is justified; and their defeat will be our defeat. In 1955, the African-American seamstress Rosa Park refused to give up her seat on a public bus. This simple gesture has resulted in the United States currently having a president of color. Or maybe these guys can change things?
