It's really tragic to witness the slow and eminent downfall of an institution of higher education. Since the beginning of March, when the University announced a $26 million dollar budget cut, a new sense of paranoia has flooded the city. Professors and graduate students remain fearful of their positions being eliminated and departments are having to make cuts across the board while students are having to incur the ever increasing costs of college. Of course, those increasing costs are not gaining them access to a quality education, but instead asubstandard and sub par experience. Many of my friends are majoring in theater or dance at UNR; both of these programs face cuts and eventual elimination.

I believe that education is a right for all. Why, would we as a nation not want the most educated populace in the world? Why do we assume that destroying the education system, not only in Nevada, but in the US is somehow going to generate more positive results? Didn't Governor Sandoval boast about having this fabulous education plan? Where has that plan gotten us?

Unfortunately, what is invariably going to happen is the mass exodus of students and faculty from this state, taking with them their knowledge, talent, and money. They will leave Nevada and invest their resources in other states; one that does not rank 50th in the nation for education.

The fall of UNR, represents only the beginning of a very very very bad year. An assumption that budget cuts will stop there is laughable; more cuts need to be made. Regrettably, individuals that are below the age of 18 have very little power and political clout to enact change; therefore social programs geared toward early education, high school music programs, etc are often first on the chopping block. More often than not, representatives will listen to their largest constituent base - who may or may not have children and may or may not support educational endeavours. Perhaps they are voting to expand social security coverage or voting to lower taxes oblivious that money for programs needs to come from somewhere. It sucks even more because research - ya know very costly research - has shown that engagement of children through early education programs has shown to improve grades, behaviors, and chances for future education or careers. Though we have these facts staring at us, we still chose to do nothing.

So let me get this straight. We already had a failing education system before the collapse of the economy. Now that the economy sucks, we feel that the best way to address this problem is make additional cuts to said education system - though they have no money to begin with - and assume that everything will work out in the end? Great we'll be broke and have an uneducated citizenry.

Could somebody please give me a small country to rule? Nothing large or grandiose, but just my own country, because part of me feels that I would be able to rule a country better than some of our current leaders. I would have ridiculous holidays as excuses for days off, amazing social benefits, and my theatre, music, and dance programs would be the best in the world. This would be our flag; Anybody who does not like rainbows is not welcome in my Gay New World. Also, as a Ginger, I see it as my moral responsibility to give Ginger's free sunblock for life.  Anybody want to come?