DeVos Doesn’t Want Educated Citizenry

Before I begin I will make one thing clear; it is my belief that corruption and politics go together like senators and sex scandals. Further, I do not think that monetary (or other) influence(s) is unique to one party or the other. If political sell outs were baby names nearly every elected official could be called “Aiden”, “Kayden” or “Brayden”.

            Which brings me to the elected official that this piece will highlight; Betsy DeVos.

by AntarcticSpring on DeviantArt

               No wait a second...

 That's better, or at least more accurate.

            The Secretary of Education has over thirty years of teaching experience and has been known throughout her career as a champion of the disenfranchised. She has built her altruistic legacy through her work with non-profit education foundations. In addition, she has given most of her meager earnings to those within our country that are most in need.

            No wait scratch all that, our current Sec of Ed has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Political Science (Emery, 2017). Her own children never attended public schools (Emery, 2017). DeVos is also a bona fide billionaire. However, rest assured she does contribute philanthropically, and although it is hard to pin down, it seems she and her husband Dick are particularly fond of supporting Christian education (Emery, 2017). Finally, she is a proponent of what DeVos herself labels as “school choice” – going as far as saying that the federal government has a monopoly-like grip on education (Weller, 2018). She also has taken steps to eliminate student loan forgiveness. Not coincidentally, she holds an interest in a debt collection agency that focuses on repayment of past due student loans.

            There are of course, concerns with all of these things. Although, what bothers folks (but doesn’t surprise them) is what she’s done since being in office.

            DeVos, someone with little experience in public education, but seemingly at least some business experience continues to support an educational for-profit business model that yields little in the way of results. Many sources have shown that the charter schools that DeVos is so fond of fall behind statistically when it comes to their main goal, educating the nation’s youth. In fact, some studies have indicated that some of these charter schools have amassed a sad graduation rate of only 48% (Hefling, 2017). Further, many of these schools have been labeled as a contemporary form of segregation, reporting that 70% of African-American students attend schools that are nearly all minority students (Weller, 2018).

            These results are part of what makes DeVos’s unwavering support of charter schools all the more mystifying. Typically, those in business look at the benefits of what their product produces- what make the product worthwhile to consumers. In a competitive market (a market with the choices DeVos often touts) this matters because the opposition will be quick to deliver on that which is lacking in order to gain an advantage in the marketplace.

            With education, everything is different. There isn’t truly any competition, there are contracts. There isn’t really value of the DeVos brand over another, instead there are vouchers.  

            DeVos’ maiming of the country’s educational system doesn’t just stop at curling her boney fingers around another crumpled dollar at the expense of an entire generation. She has also repealed no less than 72 federal statutes that serve students with various types of disabilities (Hammerschlag, 2018).  This action is as transparent as it is repulsive. Clearly, accommodating students with disabilities is cancer to the bottom line, DeVos’ bottom line.  

            Beyond the almighty dollar, is there anything else that motivates DeVos? That becomes harder to say. As mentioned earlier she seems to support the idea of religion in schools, and this writer would state that there’s nothing wrong with that, she only needs to make sure those same religious morals accompany her own decision making.

            When it comes to DeVos we have 2 things we can use with which to form opinions on her intent; her history and her actions in office. Each of these has thus far demonstrated her intent is not to educate, but merely profit off of the idea of education.

           

References

Emery, D. (2017, February 7). Meet Betsy DeVos, Trump’s Secretary of Education Nominee.     Retrieved May 6, 2018, from Snopes: https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/betsy-devos-education-   secretary/

Hammerschlag, A. (2018, May 5). Betsy DeVos gets standing ovation from Florida graduates after   religious speech. Retrieved May 6, 2018, from Arizona Republic:   https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/05/05/betsy-devos-religious-   commencement-speech-earns-standing-ovation-fla-college/583868002/

Hefling, K. (2017, October 8). DeVos champions online charter schools, but the results are poor.   Retrieved May 6, 2018, from Politico: https://www.politico.com/story/2017/10/08/education-betsy-   devos-online-charter-schools-poor-results-243556

Weller, C. (2018, February 7). New education secretary Betsy DeVos champions vouchers and   charter  schools — here's what that means. Retrieved May 6, 2018, from Business Insider:   http://www.businessinsider.com/what-are-charter-schools-2017-2

#hithole

                First off, I’d like to start this post with a disclaimer:

                I typically do not get much into politics, which you could argue runs against my ideals as a social worker. However, before you judge, hear me out. Contemporary politics are more about party and profiteering, less about people, and certainly not about progress. This has been the case for years.

                Thus, my position as an American citizen is that if you are waiting for a politician (Republican, Democrat, whatever) or government entity to help you, then you are going to be sorely disappointed.  In the same vein, the social worker in me says that the best positioned person to help you is, well you. The tools of resiliency and empowerment go a long way towards bettering yourself.

                Sincerely,

                David I WriteStuff

                We now return you to your not-so-regularly scheduled rant…

*             *             *

                There has been a great deal of media attention given to President Trump and his [alleged] use of vulgarity and racially charged comments. As such, I felt obliged to weigh in on the current kerfuffle involving these [alleged] comments regarding certain lesser-developed countries during a meeting about DACA. Particularly, the President is stated to have remarked that certain countries, Haiti among them, were nothing but “shithole” countries. He [allegedly] went on to even question the very notion of why we would even consider letting in immigrants from these countries to the United States.

                There are three points I’d like to address about this:

                1) I have no doubt that Trump uttered these words       

                To begin, I have no doubt that President Trump would refer to any number of lesser-developed nations by the term “shithole”. He has demonstrated that his character and vocabulary are oafish and limited. Further, I can only hypothesis that he is the latest in a long line of government officials- perhaps even presidents- that have uttered similar sentiments in service to this country. To take things even a step further, I would argue that the majority of the American public likely holds these countries in the same dim view.

                That doesn’t make remarks like this okay, nor does it give Trump a pass. That makes these thoughts a bias inherent to a majority of Americans. This also means through education, and oh gee, I don’t know maybe meeting someone from Haiti, these myths can be dispelled.

                2) Circle of Trust

                Building on what I’ve said above, I believe that most everyone has said something in the heat of the moment that was perhaps off-color or inappropriate. Usually, the smart ones among us do so in a circle of close friends, family, or business acquaintances that we trust.

                What I mean is usually, when these things slip out, we apologize, and/or those around us know our character well enough to know that one statement does not, nor could not define us.

                Unfortunately, for the President he made the mistake of spewing whatever comments he made in front of those with which he had no rapport (It was in fact, a bi-partisan DACA meeting). That coupled with the fact that Trump has already had a questionable history when it comes to shall we say, “less-than-acceptable” (or accurate) statements. These things together create an environment where several around him are poised to react defensively.

                This leads us to a point where you now have Democrats and Republicans who attended the meeting bickering over what was said versus not said. This is equally as shameful as uttering the words themselves.

                3) Deny, deny, deny

                What disappoints me the most is the fact that as President, Trump seems incapable of admitting fault. This marks only the latest scenario in which he denies what he said, and tries to rewrite history, in spite of other people clearly being present.

                I learned early on in my business career that if you make a mistake, own up to it. It is only then that you can begin to correct the mistake. Not to mention, these two things are essential in improving your integrity, and reputation.

                Some detractors may ask, “But David, how do you know he said these horrible things? And if he didn’t why should he fess up to something he didn’t even do?”

                Elementary my dear readers; Trump denies (or attempts to outmaneuver) anything that flies back into his face as overly controversial in order to save face. In fact, he has a heaping track record of doing so, well before he took office. In fact, if it weren’t for denials, backpedaling and distraction that Twitter account of his would be nearly dormant.

               

                To close, I feel that President Trump would be truly amazed at how fast this “news story” would go away if he would just admit any wrongdoing and actually attempt to do so some follow-up in the name of self-improvement.  However, I won’t be holding my breath while waiting for him to do so.

               

The Less Ordinary Life of Harold: Make America Poop Again

The oval office is crowded- filled to the brim with white men in suits, most of whom are glancing at Harold with drawn, dire expressions. They seem to regard him as an anomaly, a political stunt, or even a distraction like so many tweets meant to divert a nation’s attention from reality.

In a few minutes of adult-time, but a lifetime in kid-time, the President, and Harold’s new boss, enters the room. Harold watches from his own huge leather chair as all the other men stand to greet him. Some step forward and shake hands or pat him on the back.

Harold notices that through each interaction, none of the other men mentioned the negative things they’d been conversing about regarding the President before he entered the room.

President Trump takes his seat at the head of the table. Harold sees that unquestionably he is in charge as he has a huge chair, the biggest chair in the room, bigger than anyone’s.

“Thank you all for coming here,” the President begins in a serious tone. “As you all know the biased media, with their fake news about this administration’s collusion with Russia- I mean alleged and totally false and sad - did I mention sad? - collusion with Russia have caused my approval rating to plummet.”

The men around the room nod heartily.

“So it’s with that concern in mind that I have sought out a new image consultant. He comes highly recommended, he is truly the best, and believe me I know all the best image consultants. With his youth, intellect and unique skill set, he is going to help us truly make America great again. Everyone, please welcome Harold. ”   

Harold sees them, the way they stare at him as he stands to speak, with their darting, snake-like eyes. He can tell they consider him to be different and thus not worthy of their respect or even idle consideration. Harold began to think, to slowly realize, he was everything they were not: young, poor, respectful of others, and unafraid. Although he could see they were most certainly afraid, Harold wasn’t quite sure what men of their stature would fear.

“Thank you President Trump. Thank you all, let me get started by throwing out some numbers; 4.7 million, 28%, ½.”

The old men before him stared back with raised eyebrows and looks that told even the casual observer they were lost.

“Mr. Trump, if I could speak freely sir?”

The President nodded to Harold.

“With all due respect sir- Mr. President, I’m a kid and even I can see that politicians-along with most people- are full of shit.”

Gasps rang out from all over the room.

Harold flushed a bit, but continued his speech, “America’s full of it sir.”

Now groans came from the crowd, though President Trump still listened at full attention.  “It’s full of greatness already. The problem isn’t that we lack greatness, it’s the fact that we are constipated with greatness sir, we don’t know how to get it out.”

Some of the men around the room began whispering to those next to them.

“So you see sir, as your new image consultant, my recommendation isn’t to rework your image from the ground up. We only need to change one word.”

Harold holds up a finger as he removes a small remote from his pocket. Pressing the button a large banner unfurls from behind the President’s seat.

Harold keys in on the President to see his reaction.

A true moment passes, then a single, shimmering tear rolls down his cheek, and Mr. Trump stands and begins clapping with fervor.

There's Always a Choice

I’ll start with a bit of a disclaimer: I am no expert on politics. That won’t shock any of you that know me personally as you’ve probably often wondered if I am even aware of the fact that it’s an election year.            Oh, but I am, those tacky signs pinned on every street corner, in every city- they’re a dead giveaway! By the way, I’ll mention that the street corners are appropriate places for those wastes of paper and space.             

                That being said, I have a few things I need to get off my chest, and I’ll try to be as honest (or as “un-politician-like”) as I can as I go through these items.

The Lesser of Two Evils

                First off, we as a country are facing two absolutely abysmal choices for “candidates” from the Republican and Democratic parties this year. On one hand we have a self-serving, greedy, bigot, and on the other we have a self-serving, lying, sellout. It makes you think that we have hardly any choice at all. It makes me sick to my stomach to think that either one could be president.

We Need a Change        

                I’ll admit I was going to vote for Bernie Sanders in the Democratic primary, but unfortunately due to a state law saying I needed to be registered with that party 30 days prior in order to do so, I was barred. That being said, I am a realist, and I didn’t mourn over the fact that he lost the democratic nomination to Mrs. Clinton. At this stage I will neither cry over it, nor entertain inter-party conspiracy theories (although it does make one wonder).

                I say all that, to say this; we need political reform. The delegate/super-delegate system, Electoral College, corporate donations, lack of term limits, and other archaic practices are only in place so that each party doesn’t lose more control than is acceptable at any given time.

                They’ve conditioned you to cheer for your chosen political party like it’s a Super Bowl matchup for the ages. People are more concerned about what side wins or loses than who actually gets anything done once they get elected. Personally, it’s not a matter of popularity, looks or celebrity endorsements with me- I want results!

Agree to Disagree?

                Which brings me to my next point: the donkeys and elephants despise each other, that’s been clear to me since I was a child. Get two guys or gals together; different religion, different backgrounds different education…9 times out of 10 they are usually fine until someone brings up politics. However, we should hold our elected officials to a higher standard. You don’t have to agree on every issue in order to make progress. I was a project manager at a huge corporation for a decade- guess what? I often had to work with colleagues that I didn’t agree with (gasp), even on occasion, those I didn’t like!

                I couldn’t stymie or filibuster them into oblivion because at the end of the day my boss wanted results. If I didn’t have them? Then I imagine my walking papers would’ve been promptly drawn up.

                If you can’t agree on how to solve for a particular issue, at least you can agree it’s a problem facing the nation. My suggestions to our legislators from across the aisles would be to start there. Work together, your ideologies may differ but you can at least agree on a starting point. Be professional, and do the job you were elected to do, rather than the bidding you pledged to your political party.

*All rights to The New Yorker magazine where applicable

Thinking it Over

                Now I’ve come to a point where I am certain that I will not be voting for Clinton or Trump come Election Day. Do I just sit at home and drink a beer, eat a few handfuls of Doritos and hope for the best? I don’t think I can manage that. In fact, I’m not sure if I could live with myself over that type of inaction in the face of such mounting peril. The question becomes who then?

                My answer; at this point I don’t know. I am currently looking at the Johnson & Weld ticket, and doing some research to see where they are at on issues. While still politicians, I feel that they may be more results-focused, rather than special interest-focused than our other choices at this stage. This isn’t an endorsement, as I am still currently vetting them as an option. But I know what you’re going to say to that; “A vote for anyone outside of the two major parties is a wasted vote” – if you truly think that, reread what I wrote above about being conditioned- and then reconsider why you think that.*

                See you at the polls…God help us all.

-          David  

UPDATE
                So I thought it an idea (maybe not a "good" one, but an idea nonetheless) to add an update as we have gotten much closer to election day, and so much has happened since I initially wrote and posted the original blog.
                I felt compelled to address what seems to me to be the main arguments between both democrats and republicans regarding the other party's candidate, and they are: integrity and capability.
                I'll begin with integrity. Let's be honest, both major candidates are less than truthful. Clinton's main detractors point to her mismanagement of classified emails and her utilization of an alleged pay-to-play strategy in regards to her dealings with persons of power and their involvement with the Clinton Foundation, and Benghazi. Those who oppose Trump cry foul regarding his shady business dealings, disparaging remarks about...well pretty much everyone except wealthy white men, grabbing *ahem* things that don't belong to him, and lack of releasing tax returns. Neither candidate is ideal, neither candidate inspire much hope when viewed through a realistic lense.
                Which brings me to my next point around capability. If I am objectively reviewing both candidates behavior and record and see reasons to distrust both, where does that leave me?
                Well to be frank it leaves me with a poor choice. However, with that being said if I am already willing to accept that both candidates lie, or are at least less than truthful on a regular basis, it has to come down to who can get the job done, right? Given Trump's panache for child-like tirades, gross misstatement (or perhaps misunderstanding?) of statistics, and lack of culpability for his own actions / statements, I cannot in good conscious cast a vote for a man who's only possible strength is that he hasn't abused power in a political setting...yet.
                To expand, claiming Trump is anti-establishment and shakes up both the republicans and democrats because he is an outsider with no interest in party pandering or favors might be accurate, but it has become quite clear that Trump is only out for Trump, and if elected I foresee the man taking office and using the country itself to further his business dealings and nothing more. Moreover, I believe that Clinton can and will do what she can to help the disenfranchised in this country, even if she herself profits while doing so.
                 To wrap up, I've already cast my vote via early ballot, and I'll let you use the above diatribe to determine who it went toward. But know this: I can only say I voted for the lesser of 2 (more accurately 4) evils and that realization doesn't make me feel proud this election year.

May God have mercy on our souls.
- David
10/21/16

*I'll add that after researching both the Johnson/ Weld and Stein/ Ajamu policy and platforms I found them both to be at best lacking substance, and at worst ignorant on government structure, operations and processes. But I wanted so badly for them to be robust, and well laid out. Really and truly, I did.