The problem is not the solution; it will not self correct.

The problem is corruption

It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it. Upton Sinclair

Similarly you cannot expect a man to end corruption if his existence depends on corruption.

Einstein said that you cannot solve a problem on the same level it was created. This problem was created, and is maintained by the highest levels of public servants. There is only one higher level; the public.

The public as the servant’s master may seem incongruous with the current situation; where in the public servants ride the public like a donkey.

It is not that the power is not ours; because it is. It is simply that we allow ourselves to be mounted by our servant.

The power needs to be taken back. It will not be taken back in a face to face confrontation between powerful and powerless individuals. The outcome of that pairing is as obvious as it is inevitable.

However a large number of powerless people in the face of one powerful person can wrest their power back.

There is available a large number of people who are motivated but powerless. They are powerless because each stands before a different door; feckless. There is no power in small numbers.

Somehow we must gather in front of the same door. We should do it; but in front of which door?

The first win is the most important. It will prove that a win is possible. It will be the example to point to.

May I suggest that we break down the flimsiest door first? Even a weak door will prove the hypothesis.

There exists; a very flimsy door. A small group of relatively unimportant, but elected, public servants has placed itself in an indefensible position. Despite the fact that they are the senior role models for 100,000 of our sons and daughters, and despite the fact that they would have us trust them with a half a BILLION dollars; they refuse to be held honestly accountable to a widely recognized, accepted and respected code of ethics.

Four times, in public, on the record, on videotape and witnessed by reporters from two large newspapers.
I am only one man. I have knocked on their door four times with no effect.

Perhaps if someone followed me to the podium; and there asked the Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education and Administrative Superintendent; “Will you hold yourself honestly accountable to the student standard of conduct; the Pillars of Character Counts?” they might answer. Doubtful.

Two knocks I think will not break down the door; nor four; nor twenty; maybe not a hundred. But there is a tipping point; and on that evening everything will change. It will be demonstrated that power can be wrest back from corrupt public servants; even against their will.

And on the next evening we will go the city council and ask, “Are you willing to hold yourself honestly accountable to a code of ethics?”; like the School Board? And then we go to the Mayor’s office, and the legislature, and the Governor. We’ll take our state back.

Your sacrifice will include showing up for about an hour, 5:00 until 6:00 every first and third Wednesday evening until we win; or give up.

You can stand up for what you believe in simply by standing there to be counted. Perhaps you will be compelled to sign up for the public forum, walk up and ask, “Are you willing to hold yourself honestly accountable to the same standard as students?”

Corruption exists only because it can. It exists only because we allow it to exist. No one, no one is going to fix it but us. We will do it; or it will not be done.

Bring someone else. Bring your child. If they are to grow to embrace character and courage and honor; someone has to show them what it looks like.