Why is the Obama team trotting out the Charter/Privatization/Edu Reform/Funds/Extortion Roadshow

[omega minimo]

at the very moment that Americans are clamoring for HealthCare For All?

These are both very important issues. The public and responsible Representatives are working hard to be HEARD and acknowledged by Congress and the White House.

The roadshow being led by Secretary of Education Arnie Duncan is "Our Way or the Highway." You (the States) go with the program EVEN IF IT REQUIRES CHANGING STATE LAW or you will not see ANY of the Federal Stimulus dollars.

What kind of sexed up VIP load of steaming horseshit is that? And WHY ARE THEY DOING THIS AT THIS PIVOTAL MOMENT?

[Oregone]

1. It is strange they are doing it at all

Ive been pondering this lately...that being, what will happen to Obama when entire (formerly liberal) staffs of school districts come out opposing his reforms. This won't be pleasant. I at least hope there is some vocal opposition to what I feel is just bad policy.

[omega minimo]

2. Bad policy that is looking more and more like

Love it or Leave it. This is what we're doing and if you don't go along YOU'RE SCREWN!!!

[Davis_X_Machina]

3. There is no political downside...

...to going after the public schools, and especially teachers' unions.

The people who work in them are in a semi-permanent fetal crouch right now over funding, what with the recession.

They're not going to suddenly vote Republican -- never mind the 40% who've done so all along -- because they'll do even worse under a change of government.

Another 'where else are they going to go' constituency. Safe target, low-risk, high reward.

[Hannah Bell]

4. more disaster capitalism.

[omega minimo]

6. You're right. It really is that bad.

Thanks for bringing up Naomi Klein's work in these threads. She is one of the few who warn well ahead of disasters and are not heeded.

[Oregone]

5. "where else are they going to go"

...their home....on voting day.

I gotta think there is always a downside of pissing off teachers. They are a cornerstone of the community. They are involved in all aspects of the towns, write op-eds on all sorts of issues, and know most everyone. Its not a happy little block to not have fighting in your corner

[Hannah Bell]

7. i hope that will be the case.

[LooseWilly]

8. You're alienating your allies?

[Hannah Bell]

9. no, his "allies" have alienated him. in what sense are they "allies"

when carrying out policy 98 degrees right of his desire?