They say you can’t put a price on education, but it is clear that is not the case. Proposition 30 is calling for a sales tax increase, and an increase to personal income tax rates for upper-income taxpayers.

The motive behind this is to help fund public education, and if it does not pass, colleges will face severe cuts and tuition hikes.

This situation puts one of the biggest flaws this country has right in our faces.

The future of students no longer depends on their intellectual capacity, work ethic, or personal motivation. The future of a student depends on money, and that is just sad.

Students may have noticed already how much more difficult it is to get into classes than before, and things may just get worse. This is a huge problem and can severely affect the future of our country. It seems that the only solution given to the public is to vote on this proposition, but is that all we can do?

Voting on this proposition is extremely important. The results will greatly impact the future of public education in California, but we still need to make sure this does not happen again. Keep in mind that Proposition 30 will be a temporary fix. The sales tax increase is for four years, while the income tax rate raise is for seven years.

Maybe in this time period our financial situation will get better, but that does not mean it cannot happen again.

And that should be our priority, to make sure public education doesn’t face any dangers.  A good education is a necessity to maintaining a stable society. The answer to our problem will not be found in this editorial, but there are a few things people should pay attention to.

First, we must take a look at whom we are electing to make choices for the people. These individuals have their own personal agendas. They spend big amounts of money on their campaigns when that money could be used to help fund public education.

And because of that we must remember a second thing: the power of our leaders is truly in the palm of our hands. It is we, the people, who can elect the right leaders to handle these cases. Professors, students, families, everyone can take a stand against this disappointment. Voting on this proposition is a start, but it needs to be taken further. Education cannot have a price tag, and neither should the future of California and our country.