For over a month I heard teachers, students and members of student government hyping the March 17 rally in Sacramento. According to promoters, this event would save us all from the financial changes and implications soon to hit California community colleges. It would open Governor Davis’ eyes to the hardships of being a student and convince him to prey on some other private piggybank instead of education.
     I was skeptical of how busloads of students could accomplish anything in Sacramento except for a massive traffic jam (which, incidentally, we were quite successful at creating.) I realized that Governor Davis was and is well aware of the hardships students face, and has heard many student horror stories already.
     Unfortunately, even though many students came to the rally and showed support with signs, banners, and shear numbers, it likely did little to change Davis’ views. Davis is quite aware that he has no obligation to listen to these protesters, and that they unfortunately provide little threat, as community college students do not tend to encompass a significant percentage of the vote.
     Recently we have seen a good example of this principle on a much larger scale. Millions of people assembled in cities across the world, protesting the war on Iraq. These citizens marched and protested on at least four occasions, and called for an end to unjustified use of power against Iraq, hoping to prevent military action as well.
     Yet, on March 19, shortly after 5 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, bombs began to fall on Iraq.
     In fact, throughout the national and international protests, the lack of international support, and the whole United Nations’ approval debacle, President Bush remained insistent that he still knew what was best for the country regarding Iraq and would act accordingly. In response to the millions of people who had taken the time and energy to protest the war, he simply blew them off as political extremists.
     Governor Davis showed similar enthusiasm (or lack thereof) for the March 17 community college rally. He did not even make the effort to be in the same city as the thousands of students, in order to witness their support. Instead, he simply sent a few of his cronies to placate the masses with congratulations for being an active citizen and showing political interest. We’ve all heard those speeches before. Basically, they are saying “thanks for trying. . . too bad you had to come so far for nothing.”
     If college students had a strong lobby, though, and financial clout, then maybe Governor Davis would take our concerns into serious consideration.
     A good example is the prison system. Even in a time of serious state budget crisis, California prisons will receive more money than before. The prison lobby is one of the most influential in the state, and the prison system also generates much revenue for the state’s economy.
     College students have no powerful lobbyists. We do not generate immediate income for the state, although community college job training and vocational programs do support the backbone of most California job markets. This advantage, however, is easy to overlook when the millions of dollars in the community college budget is in question.
     Although the rally was interesting, I would be deeply surprised if any major changes come as a result. The futile efforts of millions of adamant war protesters are simply too difficult to overlook. It is the unfortunate truth that our government, primarily the Executive Branch, will do as it pleases, regardless of the opinion of U.S. citizens and international allies, or the best interest of the American people.