Those Wacky Texas Education Board Members

The Associated Press reports, with this glaring headline "TX ED Board Vote Reflects Far-Right Influences", the outcome of a highly-debated textbook content standards summit. That certainly got my attention. Far-Right Influences. What could that mean? KKK? Nazis? Brotherhood of Aryan Nation? Imagine my shock as I read the article and found out exactly what those crazed Texans approved that so alarmed the AP. Are you sitting down? I warn you, it's pretty scary. They want public school textbooks in Texas to:

1. Cover the Judeo-Christian influences of our nation's Founding Fathers.
2. Describe U.S. as a constitutional republic instead of democratic
3. Applaud the U.S. free enterprise system
4. Discuss the Bill of Rights including the 2nd Amendment

I had to read the article twice because I was sure I missed some far-right conspiracy and far-right influences. But no, other than the refusal to include references to hip-hop or add discussion of Tejans involvement at the Alamo, I found  nothing that could cause the Democratic members to flee the scene in outrage.

So that leaves me wondering, who gets to decide what is far-right? The reporter, who obviously has sympathies with the Democrat minority? The Associated Press itself, using its very powerful distribution network to twist public perception? Because if the above 4 items are now considered far-right extreme views, America, we've got bigger problems than I can cover here in this little blog.

Senator DeMint Shakes Things Up a Bit

Politicio, an internet media site, published a rant against Senator Jim DeMint today. Politico accuses DeMint of a "flamboyant brand of politics" because he has taken his constitutional conservative position directly to the people of America through alternative media, blogs, Fox news interviews, and speeches aimed at Tea Party groups. He is charged with "Senatorial poor form because:

1. He openly backs candidates opposed by his party leaders
2. He isn't waiting "patiently to massage the legislative process" but instead cut in line ahead of older colleagues.

The final Politico charge against him is that his actions have made him unpopular with fellow Senators so he isn't welcome at congressional weekly caucus lunch bunches, but it does get him booked on Sean Hannity.

There is just so much juicy craziness in this article, that I hardly know where to begin! Let's break it down.

Part I:
If holding government accountable to the people it represents, attempting to restrain a federal take-over of state rights, pushing bills that disallow earmarks (The Wall St. Journal estimates DeMint saved Americans $17 billion by voting against wasteful pork projects), and if believing in the Constitution and his oath to uphold it is flamboyant, then I say "Flame on, Jimmy. Flame on."

Part II:
Politico, don't we want representatives who won't blindly follow party line or leaders, but instead use common sense for the greater good of our country? Isn't it a good thing that he isn't waiting patiently for the Whips and the VIPs to notice and reward him with a pat on the head for being a good boy and voting as they command? 

Part III:
Do we really want our Senators to "patiently massage the legislative process"? Aren't Senators-for-life (Kennedy, Lugar, Byrd, Thurmond to name just a few) part of the problem? Does not the solution rest with newly elected upstarts who are not content with business as usual, and are willing to shake things up?

Part IV:
The fact that DeMint isn't invited to the weekly lunch bunch is EXACTLY the point! His goal isn't to advance a life long career in politics, but to take care of the people's business and adhere to our Constitution. If the established network of GOP leaders aren't interested in that agenda, then DeMint has found a way to circumvent them and get his message out to the American people. And I say God Bless him.

Get Back Ye Feds! (Or Hands Off our Textbooks)

The National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers have coordinated a new effort to induce schools nationwide to use the same math and English textbooks, as well as to give the same tests. Proponents believe such national standards will increase student achievement nationwide. Opponents worry it will lead to bureaucrats in Washington overriding state and local education controls, and they are correct.

Hurray (once again) for Texas and Alaska. Both states have refused to join this futuristic, dark vision of cookie-cutter education across our nation. “Texas has chosen to preserve its sovereign authority to determine what is appropriate for Texas children to learn in its public schools.” writes the Texas Commissioner of Education. Texas Senator John Cornyn goes as far as stating, “It is clear that the first step toward nationalization of our schools has been put into place.”**

The answer to local problems does not come from a “one size fits all” standard put into place from distant authorities.  Education should remain under state and local control, with input from parents, taxpayers, teachers, administrators and school boards whose members are held accountable in public elections. Control should be not given to the federal government and behind the scenes czars and commissions which answer to no one.

This plan is another step on the road toward a federal government that controls everything in its path, including what our children will learn in school. We need to draw the line here and say, "No."  And that’s the biggest lesson to be learned in education.


**The Orange County Register 3.11.2010

Ron Reagan, Jr

My heart broke last week when I happened upon a liberal (oh I'm sorry, I meant "progressive") talk radio program. The host's voice sounded familiar, but I couldn't quite place it. Then I realized it the was same voice from the Eukanuba or AKC (can't quite remember which) dog shows - Ronald Reagan, Jr.

Apparently, he has a new gig now which must be causing Dad to turn over in his grave. Spouting ridiculous claims that capitalism is to blame for our country's current economic situation, he said, "We're captive to the capitalistic free market system."

What the heck? We're captive? Ronny, Ronny, Ronny. Is this some latent Oedipus complex? Were you neglected as a child? We need an intervention and quickly. No, not Dr. Drew, Dr. Phil, or even Dr. Laura. We need to call out the big guns. Calling Dr. Ron Paul......calling Dr. Paul.....

Hell Freezes Over

32" of snow in Washington DC; Nothing more needs to be said.

California AB810. Ever heard of it? Nope, me either - until today that is. Where the heck have I been?

AB810 is a bill just passed in the State Senate and now in the Assembly.It mandates universal health care in California. It was authored by some guy named Leno so I'm pretty sure he's a comedian. Or insane.
Maybe he didn't get the memo that taxpayers don't want universal health care. Where the heck has HE been? Didn't he read that Newfoundland's Premier is coming to the U.S. this week for his heart surgery? But hey, let's not let good sense get in the way of this awesome, super awesome bill.

Here's a little taste of what AB810 contains:

1. 140000.6. No health care service plan contract or health insurance policy except for the California Healthcare System plan may be sold in California for services provided by the system.
2. 140400. All California residents shall be eligible for the system. Residency shall be based on physical presence in the state with the intent to reside.
3. 140503. NOT COVERED: Health services determined to have no medical indication by the commissioner and chief medical officer.

So, no other insurance will be allowed, EVERYONE who happens to be standing on California soil is eligible,and a commissioner and medical officer will determine if your medical condition warrants treatment.

What could possibly go wrong?

Trying

Today, in response to Andrea Mitchell's (MSNBC) report that the majority of Americans don't want the 9/11 terrorists tried in the courts, David Axelrod, Sr. White House Advisor responded, "We are going to try and convict the terrorists."  They are going to try. Well, that's good enough for me; I feel safer already, don't you?
Here's some advice from someone a bit wiser than David Axelrod:


                      "There is no try. Do or do not." -Yoda