Too many Democratic candidates are running on a platform consisting mainly of being anti-Trump. Democrats have a terrible turnout record in mid-term elections and all close elections end up being turnout elections. Even in our current intensely polarized political climate there are persuadables who will actually go to the polls. Winning their votes is also an essential component of a victorious strategy. There is a lot here and it is important so let’s explore. Continue reading More Than Anti-Trump
Tag Archives: private schools
Some Random Thoughts On American Education
What you read influences your thoughts at least to the extent that it takes them in certain directions. Some of that will be reflected in today’s piece. Some of what I will say will border on redundant for my regular readers. In any event I’d like to briefly discuss today’s American education system and where I think it needs to go. Let’s explore. Continue reading Some Random Thoughts On American Education
Betsy’s War
If you doubt there is a war on public education going on under the Trump administration you simply haven’t been paying attention. It is nothing new; Republicans have been opponents of public education for years. In states like North Carolina, where the Republicans took control in 2011 we have been living with it for years. With Trump’s inauguration and Mike Pence’s tie breaking Senate vote to confirm Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education it went national in 2017. Let’s explore. Continue reading Betsy’s War
As Planes, Trains, And Automobiles Left Town
In order to put today’s article and title into context I will have to digress into a brief explanation for the benefit of my foreign readers. Americans celebrate Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November. The next day is known as Black Friday and is a huge shopping day that has morphed into a semi-holiday of its own. Many employers simply grant it as a day off and countless Americans take the day off via other methods. Those with flexible jobs tend to skip out sometime after (or in conjunction with) lunch on Wednesday so for many Americans last week was a half week of work. Thanksgiving is one of the few times that far flung families gather in a single place (usually mom’s house) therefore the traveling starts about noon on Wednesday. In politics if you want something to receive minimal coverage you announce it on a Friday afternoon since many of the senior news staff have already filed their stories and folded their tents for the weekend (often including getting out of town for a weekend getaway). That exodus is only compounded by a holiday and it started Wednesday last week. Therefore I expected a controversial announcement from the Trump transition team on Wednesday afternoon and they didn’t disappoint me! Continue reading As Planes, Trains, And Automobiles Left Town