As ThinkProgress has documented, a tightly-knit group of right-wing Political Action Committees (PACs) and corporate foundations have unleashed an assault on public education, pushing school voucher schemes nationwide that would funnel taxpayer dollars away from public schools and toward private schools instead.
In doing so, many of these voucher advocates claim they simply want to expand school choice and improve the quality of education for all.
Yet one group that has been influential in the school voucher push — the Independence Hall Tea Party, which has run a major PAC that operates in Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania — is finally admitting that its true goal is to abolish public education.
In a series of e-mails and interviews, Teri Adams, the president of the Idependence Hall Tea Party Association, explains that her organization is involved in its voucher advocacy because it believes “public schools should go away.” Adams said that their ultimate goal is to “shut down public schools and have private schools only“:
“We think public schools should go away,’’ says Teri Adams, the head of the Independence Hall Tea Party and a leading advocate — both in New Jersey and Pennsylvania — of passage of school voucher bills.
11 comments:
I am a Republican, but this piece reinforces my opinion that the Tea Party is a really radical group and does not represent the thinking of most Republicans. One should run, not walk, away from these nuts.
The only reason Dems don't support school vouchers, is because teachers unions are against them. Quite simple, follow the $$$.
I think the point trying to be made is that Government is not doing an acceptable job managing education. Parents want their children educated and generally make choices based where that can best be accomplished. If all schools were private, the bad ones would go out of business.
I realize that there are some parents who simply don't care what happens to their kids and all they want is a baby sitter.
to the 9:25 republican. you can paint a broad brush against the "tea party", but it's not wise to do so.
the point of their comments is that the "government" schools are a collosal failure and most people realize this. because of the unions, little can be done. the failing system (that we pour millions of our hard earned tax dollars into) needs to be demolished and a new inovative school system estabished for all (not another government system and not all the same); a system that will give parents choices, a system that will be held accountable and educate our children to their potential (not the lowest denominator).
the "tea party" people are represented by all parties and all classes of citizens. they are so frustrated that government has over reached time and time again until they must speak out now.
you need to re-think what these citizens are trying to accomplish and join their efforts and become part of the solution instead of part of the problem (establishment). just sayin'.
Why does the federal government even have a Department of Education when the system is run by state mandates and unions?
It's a total waste of federal tax dollars. Time to axe that department completely. These are the things republicans want to cut funding to, steamline a bloated, obese government.
10:20, I suppose I should have also mentioned that I am a retired public school teacher. It seems to me that the Tea Partiers are also painting all public schools with the same broad brush. As a group, they are just too far "out there" for most of us "regular Republicans." Yes, I have to admit that many schools are failing, but many more are doing a wonderful job.
I agree with disbanding the public indoctrination centers A.K.A. public schools.
Call me extreme, but if we want what is truly best for the children, we must silence, through logic based arguments, foolish people like this Retired Republican school teacher.
He or she sounds like they are trying to mold public opinion by using the reasonable man argument, but I will give them the BOTD.
RRST said that many many public schools are failing. Yet she won't make the jump to the logical conclusion that more money is NOT the answer! She won't say,
"we must get rid of the failing system"
I wonder, does this person feel the same way about school construction?
Satement-We must continue to rebuild, replace, and remodel, the failing school buildings at all cost, no matter how much that cost is.
Is this a recipe for success?
If we apply that same logic to our public school systems, we must continue to throw more and more money at the failing school system, no matter the cost.
We have a failing building, we have a failing system. Why do those like RRST want to treat the same problem differently?
Look, at some point, even I will say that, when we can afford it, a new buiding must be built. Continual renovation eventually becomes more expensive than a new structure.
RRST, at what point will people such as yourself believe in logic?
Please realize that you are part of a failed system that must be disposed of.
YOU and those like YOU are failing our children. YOU are failing this nation because you fail to admit that the system you are hooked into has problems that can't be fixed, it must begin to be torn down while the market place of competion allows for change.
Get rid of the DOE, yes, but first, open the system up to comptetion, this is the only way you people might save yourselves, and our children.
Even here in Wicomico we have just announced that we have a failing school.
Only through school choice can we force weak minded BOE employees and teachers to compete in the marketplace for the good of our children and the future of this Republic.
People such as this "Republican school teacher" rightfully feel threatened, because they see that change is in the wind.
An alternate system must be devised that is free of the teachers union and the clutches of the government.
According to RRST, wanting what is best for the children is "out there".
Be afraid of Republicans like this Wicomico.
2:22 you said you needed logic based arguments and then you gave none. sorry, your tea party ways are way too extreme for the average american.
Anonymous said...
I agree with disbanding the public indoctrination centers A.K.A. public schools.
July 13, 2011 12:56 PM
A.K.A. Kiddy Warehouses
@ 2:56 Yea the whole idea of the public being taxed too much and wanting to keep more of their pay checks is extreme...NOT
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