Lahn's Marxist agenda comment is so shockingly disturbing...
...unless of course he meant Groucho Marx's teachings about politics and government which seem very appropriate and right on the money, especially now.
"Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies."
Probably not what the gubernatorial candidate had in mind but something he should keep in mind.
Thanks for the laughs! Such a funny guy! I only recalled the one about not joining a club that would have me as a member! So many other hilarious ones.
Excellent article, Cheryl. It has been a dream of the Heritage Foundation and the Koch Brothers to destroy public education all over the country for a very long time. Kim, the republican legislature in Iowa, the trump administration, and the Congress have done their best to proceed with the destruction of a public education that teaches children to think, to question, to discuss. They have vilified teachers for a very long time. We are watching the destruction of public education in our state. If there are children in poor counties who don't have access to good education? The answer seems to be So What? It is so very discouraging. It is going to take a very long time to clean up this mess.
Kathi, thank you so much for your insights! You make several important (distressing) points to consider. Unfortunately, it will be a major undertaking to restore Iowa's former high-ranking status.
Well stated, Cheryl! Iowa's public schools rank in the bottom half of states now per the Annie Casey Foundation. It is NOT right that Republicans continue to undermine our public schools with their untruths and hate speech.
Excellent analysis of the problems of the voucher system. My experience in the Iowa public school was over 60 years ago, the closest thing to religion was when “under God” was added to the pledge of allegiance. I feel I got an excellent education, National Honor Society, 99 percentile on the Iowa Basic Skills test. There was a K-8 religious school, when they came into high school most were honor students so they also had received a good education. Back then to be an honor student you had to be in the top 10%.
What the H*** happened?
End of rant…
ps: we even saw films of the WWII concentration camps. Doubt that happens now!
Just astounding how the Republican/MAGA world spews propaganda and wants to narrow minds and perspectives. They want our kids to be ignorant and to question nothing.
Thanks for trying to explain the mess Cheryl! Public funds for public schools. Period. Good private schools have other means of survival. We have always had the choice. I am very much offended by the lies spread about public school educator’s instruction and intentions. Teachers need more support, not less.
It all leads to the “dumbing down” of Iowa children’s education.
For sure, Sarah! It's such a sham to loudly promote "parental choice." As you point out, we parents had this choice 35 years ago. We didn't need ESAs, or an explosion of charter schools. Thanks!
Thank you, Cheryl. As a past home school coordinator for a public school district, I continue to be horrified with what happens with home schooling. Great, informative article.
Republicans and white supremest Christians have been dumbing down America for years. We’re seeing the results now. Pollution, war, cage fights at the White House. I hope it’s not too late.
It seems that way, Steven! I look at the parents of our younger daughter's classmates, and wonder why they gave up on encouraging their kids to aspire for more. Thanks.
Our Republican legislators want to kill off public schools. Period. Thanks for this, Cheryl.
Thank you, Bob! It surely seems liked it!
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Eloquent and frightening.
Thank you, Marti!
Thanks for the analysis, Cheryl! Marxist public schools?? Talk about fear-mongering!
Absolutely! How many Iowa voters even can define Marxism? Thanks!
Lahn's Marxist agenda comment is so shockingly disturbing...
...unless of course he meant Groucho Marx's teachings about politics and government which seem very appropriate and right on the money, especially now.
"Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies."
Probably not what the gubernatorial candidate had in mind but something he should keep in mind.
Ha, Andy! This is a great quote. Thanks for sharing it!
Please share the source of your quote.
https://www.billhaltom.com/blog/posts/the-philosophy-of-marx-groucho
Thanks for the laughs! Such a funny guy! I only recalled the one about not joining a club that would have me as a member! So many other hilarious ones.
The poorly educated ‘tramp of Terrace Hill’ defending Charlie Kirk was symbolic of her ignorance of our Constitution.
Excellent article, Cheryl. It has been a dream of the Heritage Foundation and the Koch Brothers to destroy public education all over the country for a very long time. Kim, the republican legislature in Iowa, the trump administration, and the Congress have done their best to proceed with the destruction of a public education that teaches children to think, to question, to discuss. They have vilified teachers for a very long time. We are watching the destruction of public education in our state. If there are children in poor counties who don't have access to good education? The answer seems to be So What? It is so very discouraging. It is going to take a very long time to clean up this mess.
Kathi, thank you so much for your insights! You make several important (distressing) points to consider. Unfortunately, it will be a major undertaking to restore Iowa's former high-ranking status.
Well stated, Cheryl! Iowa's public schools rank in the bottom half of states now per the Annie Casey Foundation. It is NOT right that Republicans continue to undermine our public schools with their untruths and hate speech.
Thanks, Galen. It's hard to imagine why they don't feel some guilt for their role. Maybe they think it's "fake news."
Excellent analysis of the problems of the voucher system. My experience in the Iowa public school was over 60 years ago, the closest thing to religion was when “under God” was added to the pledge of allegiance. I feel I got an excellent education, National Honor Society, 99 percentile on the Iowa Basic Skills test. There was a K-8 religious school, when they came into high school most were honor students so they also had received a good education. Back then to be an honor student you had to be in the top 10%.
What the H*** happened?
End of rant…
ps: we even saw films of the WWII concentration camps. Doubt that happens now!
Thanks, Becky. Rant on all you like!! You make many excellent points.
Just astounding how the Republican/MAGA world spews propaganda and wants to narrow minds and perspectives. They want our kids to be ignorant and to question nothing.
I fear you are unfortunately correct, Josiah. Thank you!
Thanks for trying to explain the mess Cheryl! Public funds for public schools. Period. Good private schools have other means of survival. We have always had the choice. I am very much offended by the lies spread about public school educator’s instruction and intentions. Teachers need more support, not less.
It all leads to the “dumbing down” of Iowa children’s education.
For sure, Sarah! It's such a sham to loudly promote "parental choice." As you point out, we parents had this choice 35 years ago. We didn't need ESAs, or an explosion of charter schools. Thanks!
Great article! Keep 'em coming. Should be required reading for all Iowans.
Thank you, Nadene. I appreciate your encouragement!
Thank you Cheryl! Behn and Green are my state legislators too. Let's keep holding them accountable!
Thank you, Becky. If they don't hear from anyone, they can convince themselves that everyone approves (or doesn't notice) what they're doing.
Thank you, Cheryl. As a past home school coordinator for a public school district, I continue to be horrified with what happens with home schooling. Great, informative article.
Thanks, Connie. Yes, it would be interesting (appalling?) to compare your former role with what passes for it todayl.
Why, as a politician, work to educate the people if, thus enlightened, they then vote you out of office?
Ha! Well, you have a point, Glenn! A sad one, though.
Again Cheryl. You nailed it!!
Thanks, Darlene! Take care.
So I the republican legislators say I can cash in on the school voucher handouts by convincing kids to hang out with me and watch TV all day?
Well, we shall see. I don't know how successful this will be. But there's certainly the potential for scams/wasteful state spending.
Republicans and white supremest Christians have been dumbing down America for years. We’re seeing the results now. Pollution, war, cage fights at the White House. I hope it’s not too late.
It seems that way, Steven! I look at the parents of our younger daughter's classmates, and wonder why they gave up on encouraging their kids to aspire for more. Thanks.
Excellent…Thank you. I just had a conversation with an educator two days ago who did not “understand” my anti-voucher stance.
Interesting, Terry. Yes, we need to keep the lines of communication open! Thanks!