Republican Assault on Public Education (4 Viewers)

[MT15]

This probably needs its own thread. It ties in with a lot of different R culture wars: Attacks on universities, attacks on CRT and “woke”. Classifying teachers and librarians as “groomers”. Pushing vouchers to send tax money to private, often religious, schools. Betsy DeVos was an advocate for all these policies that will weaken public education, and there are several billionaires who also want to dismantle public education. Public education may have its faults, but it is responsible for an amazing amount of upward mobility. Kids from poor areas can still get a college prep education in a public school.

Vouchers (sometimes disguised as “school choice”) are a particular peeve of mine. Public money is diverted from poor schools to wealthy private schools, which aren’t required to offer accommodations for special needs or challenged students. Families with special needs kids are left out. Rural areas often suffer disproportionately because there are no private schools to attend, but their public schools still see the reduction in funding. Often the families who take advantage of the voucher money are upper class and the private schools simply raise tuition knowing the families are getting taxpayer money now.

Greg Abbot is being particularly vile in this area. No surprise. Voters will have to make a statement about public education. If we want to halt the growing divide in this country between the “haves” and “have-nots”, we need to pay attention to public education.

 

[SFIDC3]

I would say the same to you re: BS garbage.

That's the best that I imagine a disingenuous troll could come up with, so good for you.....

 

[TampaJoe]

That's the best that I imagine a disingenuous troll could come up with, so good for you.....

Whatever floats your boat.

 

[MT15]

I respect your opinion. I simply don’t agree that Trump and the GOP are the second coming of Hitler and the Nazi party. Most conservatives I know want limited government. That seems at odds with facism and authoritarianism and totalitarianism. I think most people, given enough information, are capable of deciding for themselves what is in their best interest. I don’t need or want some kind of strongman from the left or the right.

We have a constitution that limits the federal government and protects the rights of minorities and provides for separation of powers. It is designed to encourage discussion and compromise. We as a nation should be leaning into that instead of fighting amongst ourselves all the time.

But that is where we are these days. I don’t see it changing anytime soon. Maybe enough people will leave the parties to get their attention. There is too much money and self dealing in government. It isn’t about “we the people”. It is about maintaining the bureaucracy that puts money in the pockets of the parties and politicians. Not everyone in DC is corrupt but there are enough that it jams up the system.

How the hell can you spout this without any - at least a little? - embarrassment? The GOP is running roughshod over people’s constitutional rights daily. They have already taken away women’s rights to their own bodies and their own medical decisions. They are going after birth control right now.

Do you think minorities today feel like the government is protecting their rights? How about the trans community, do you think the GOP is protecting their rights?

What if you are a legal immigrant, do you think they feel their rights are being protected? What if you are a Hispanic citizen, do you think they feel safe? What about any foreign tourists, do you think they feel safe visiting here?

All of these types of people I named are afraid of our government now.

The GOP is no longer the party of small government, if they ever were. Not when it comes to civil rights. They want to poke their noses in everybody’s business. They want to control everything and everybody.

You just keep sticking your fingers in your ears and closing your eyes to what is actually happening. I suspect you rather like it that the types of people I named above feel unsafe here. That’s a terrible thing to say, but when you continually defend what is happening, I don’t know what else to think.

 

[bird]

Oh I dunno Bird. I just know it’s worn out and overused and means nothing anymore. Just a scare word that doesn’t scare anyone anymore.

Worn out and overused has nothing to do with truth.

 

[TampaJoe]

Worn out and overused has nothing to do with truth.

Yeah it does.

 

[cuddlemonkey]

I respect your opinion. I simply don’t agree that Trump and the GOP are the second coming of Hitler and the Nazi party. Most conservatives I know want limited government. That seems at odds with facism and authoritarianism and totalitarianism. I think most people, given enough information, are capable of deciding for themselves what is in their best interest. I don’t need or want some kind of strongman from the left or the right.

We have a constitution that limits the federal government and protects the rights of minorities and provides for separation of powers. It is designed to encourage discussion and compromise. We as a nation should be leaning into that instead of fighting amongst ourselves all the time.

But that is where we are these days. I don’t see it changing anytime soon. Maybe enough people will leave the parties to get their attention. There is too much money and self dealing in government. It isn’t about “we the people”. It is about maintaining the bureaucracy that puts money in the pockets of the parties and politicians. Not everyone in DC is corrupt but there are enough that it jams up the system.

Do you at least acknowledge that Neo-Nazis are a part of the GOP?

 

[TampaJoe]

Do you at least acknowledge that Neo-Nazis are a part of the GOP?

Do you acknowledge that anti semites are a part of the Democratic Party?

Stupid question. No. I don’t speak for the GOP nor do I acknowledge that the GOP supports or condones Nazism anymore than Inthink Democrats condone or support antisemites.

Show me something in the platform of either party that says otherwise.

 

[Eeyore]

Propaganda platform PragerU is primed to capitalize on Trump’s PBS cuts

The right-wing media outlet has been portrayed as an alternative to PBS children’s programs — and it has gotten a boost from the White House.

www.msnbc.com

 

[fooferdoggie]

Do you acknowledge that anti semites are a part of the Democratic Party?

that is so dumb its amazing really. just. Because someone is against Israel's government has nothing to do with hating Jews. What has to do with hating jews is calling them names and saying stupid shirt about them. I mean like trump and republicans have always done and also having nazis in your party, let's not forget that.

 

[cuddlemonkey]

Do you acknowledge that anti semites are a part of the Democratic Party?

Stupid question. No. I don’t speak for the GOP nor do I acknowledge that the GOP supports or condones Nazism anymore than Inthink Democrats condone or support antisemites.

Show me something in the platform of either party that says otherwise.

Whataboutism with a side of shifting goalposts.

I never said anything about the GOP condoning or supporting Nazism. I asked if you could admit that neo-Nazis and white supremacists gravitate toward the GOP. I can provide you with evidence if you don't believe me.

 

[barbar]

that is so dumb its amazing really. just. Because someone is against Israel's government has nothing to do with hating Jews. What has to do with hating jews is calling them names and saying stupid shirt about them. I mean like trump and republicans have always done and also having nazis in your party, let's not forget that.

I have an old friend who is Jewish. If you criticize Israel or it's leadership AT ALL, he calls you an anti-semite and the friendship is over. You have to tread carefully. I don't know where this idea that being critical of policy and military decisions makes you an anti-semite came from, but it's really strange to me.

 

[TampaJoe]

Whataboutism with a side of shifting goalposts.

I never said anything about the GOP condoning or supporting Nazism. I asked if you could admit that neo-Nazis and white supremacists gravitate toward the GOP. I can provide you with evidence if you don't believe me.

I know what you asked and I know why you asked it. It’s a stupid question. I do not know what goes on in the mind of the average Neo Nazi nor do I give a crap about your “evidence”. They are not a part of the GOP nor do they influence GOP policy.

You have far left radicals that vote for the other party. Does that mean the Democrat Policy is communist or anti semite? Is that you argument. Your attempt at trying to paint conservatives and Republicans as Neo Nazis is pretty obvious. It’s guilt by association and the association is pretty weak.

Stop wasting my time.

 

[TampaJoe]

that is so dumb its amazing really. just. Because someone is against Israel's government has nothing to do with hating Jews. What has to do with hating jews is calling them names and saying stupid shirt about them. I mean like trump and republicans have always done and also having nazis in your party, let's not forget that.

It is dumb. That is my point. You should be lecturing CM. She is the one pushing this crap.

 

[Dragon]

I have an old friend who is Jewish. If you criticize Israel or it's leadership AT ALL, he calls you an anti-semite and the friendship is over. You have to tread carefully. I don't know where this idea that being critical of policy and military decisions makes you an anti-semite came from, but it's really strange to me.

I have been in that situation as well, and deep inside they do know that Israel is in the wrong. It is like as if they feel that they are allowed to critize Israel but when non-jews does it, they get extremely defensive. Even if you don't even mention Jews in general but is very specific about the current israeli regime.

 

[Dragon]

Propaganda platform PragerU is primed to capitalize on Trump’s PBS cuts

The right-wing media outlet has been portrayed as an alternative to PBS children’s programs — and it has gotten a boost from the White House.

www.msnbc.com

Inductrinating the young to hate everyone who is different and promoting white male superiority. Another down the road to fascism.

 

[MT15]

It is dumb. That is my point. You should be lecturing CM. She is the one pushing this crap.

Are you misgendering him on purpose? Is that your idea of an insult?

 

[TampaJoe]

Are you misgendering him on purpose? Is that your idea of an insult?

I have no idea as to gender.

 

[cuddlemonkey]

It is dumb. That is my point. You should be lecturing CM. She is the one pushing this crap.

He, and show me where I've supported the notion that criticizing Israel is antisemitic.