What We Saw at the DC School Voucher Rally
On May 6, 2009, concerned parents, students, and others gathered in Washington, D.C.’s Freedom Plaza. They came to voice support for the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program, a school-voucher program authorized by Congress in 2004 (as the seat of the federal government, the District is overseen by Congress). The program gives 1,700 students up to $7,500 to attend whatever school their parents choose.
The program is wildly popular with parents and children—there are four applicants for every available slot—and a recent Department of Education study found that participants do significantly better than their public school peers.
Yet working with congressional Democrats and despite President Barack Obama’s pledge to put politics and ideology aside in education, the Obama administration effectively killed the program through a backdoor legislative move. “[Education] Secretary [Arne] Duncan will use only one test in what ideas to support with your precious tax dollars,” says the president. “It’s not whether it’s liberal or conservative, but whether it works.”
Shortly after last week’s rally, President Obama said that he would allow students currently enrolled in the program to finish up through high school, but that no new students would be allowed to enter the program. Thus, a president who exercises school choice himself, has consigned thousands of low-income students to attend massively underperforming D.C. public schools.
For more on the voucher program, watch “President Barack Obama & the DC School Voucher Program” by going here: http://reason.tv/video/show/782.html
For more videos go to http://reason.tv
Duration : 0:3:1
[youtube V34kYMm82oo]
Great Upload! I dug …
Great Upload! I dug saw 6. Saw it complete along with Where the Wild Things Are free on boxofficemovies=dot=org
I say …
I say understandable in the sense that it was a real crisis–not the fake Obama crisis which motivated Bush. Remember Sept 11 was a real live attack upon the homeland. Anyway,the question of who is worst Bush or Obama is’nt relavant, Bush is off clearing brush in Texas ,so I don’t have to worry about him any longer,whereas Lord Barak has enormous power. I will agree with you,however, that the modern Republican Party has drifted far from Goldwater and the rest of its individualistic heritage.
If you think Bush’s …
If you think Bush’s over-reaction was “understandable,” that’s an opinion very few people in America would agree with. Even hard-core Republicans like former U.S Rep. Bob Barr (the guy who impeached Clinton) said Bush was a jackass who totally and completely overstepped the authority granted to him in the Patriot Act. No one’s saying Obama is right. What I’m saying is Bush is no better than Obama. Both are elitists. Period. We need an INDEPENDENT in the White House.
Ron Paul/Jesse Ventura 2012
Bush’s …
Bush’s authoritarianism can be seen as an understandable over-reaction to the very real threat posed by islamic extreamism of which the former World Trade Towers is proof–in the same way that Lincoln’s extra legal acts and FDR’S post Pearl Harbor acts were. Although I don’t agree with most that Bush did,I am impress by the fact that we have not been attacked since. Can Obama justify anything he’s done on grounds of national emergency? Especially when all of his policies have made things worst.
Are you kidding? …
Are you kidding? Bush’s administration was just as bad or worse with warrantless wiretapping of American citizens. Bush himself sealed our fate with his signing of the Security & Prosperity Partnership of North America in 2005. Gen. Colin Powell’s son Mike Powell running the FCC created mass mergers of media consolidation across the country. As a result, freedom of the press continues to be completely stifled with powerful elitist media tycoons consolidating control over all mainstream media.
The ironic and …
The ironic and annoying thing is, a lot of those people in this video who are right on this issue about choice and less gov’t control, probably have an opposite view on healthcare.
Really? Do you deny …
Really? Do you deny that the democrats control the White House and both houses of Congress or are you blind to a power grab by an administration hostile to liberty in all its forms? As much as I disliked the Bush Administration, I almost feel nostalgic for Bush’s well meaning bumbling when compared to this administration’s blatant authoritarianism.
drivel
drivel
I agree that both …
I agree that both parties are to blame for the high taxes,oppressive government and our interventionist foriegn policy–But,I do say this,however,because the democrats control virtually the entire federal gov’t right now and also because they are the ones who–at this time, are trying to take over all of health care I think that President Obama and the democrats is where the threat presently lies–some other time it will be the republicans,but not now.
All of that is true …
All of that is true, however, the way to grow “more numerous and consistent opposition to both parties” is to stop branding one politician as the problem, and helping the majority realize its INSTITUTIONAL change that we need. Obamaism = Bushism in many ways, so its important to make that clear so that independents don’t feel that corruption, big government spending and the embrace of the global elite is found in only the (D)s or (R)s on Capitol Hill. Just a look at voting records dispels that.
I don’t disagree …
I don’t disagree with you,but I think that believers in small gov’t need to do a better job of challenging power than we have done up to now. The town meetings and tea parties are a start,but we need more numerous and more consistent opposition to both parties and their bossy agenda if we’re to free this country from the big gov’t elite.
duh! And you’re …
duh! And you’re only realizing this now? Democrat = Republican = Democrat = Republican…
Stop voting for the same crooked politicians!!
Ron Paul/Jesse Ventura 2012
Carlos Battle? Cool
Carlos Battle? Cool
The President …
The President opposes the freedom of the marketplace–obamaism is ultimately about control–the absolute control of the STATE. This isn’t about the effectiveness of vouchers,but the President’s preference for government control of society’s important institions–the schools,health care,banks,industry,etc. It’s about who rules society. The INDIVIDUAL or the STATE?
Democrats are …
Democrats are slaves to the teachers unions who are against any type of competition in the educational system. Obama gives away trillions to wall street and can’t give a few billion to help these kids get a decent education. Where is his heart? Probably where his kids are, at Sidwell private school for the rich and famous.
The current …
The current Education system plays a significant role in the drop out rate among African Americans. School vouchers can provide students more opportunities to succeed in America. Traditional education based on rigid structure and little choice only inhibits a persons ability to pursue his or her dreams. In my experience, parent involvement and student centered learning are the greatest contributors to success in education.
Because Obama is …
Because Obama is for unions and NOT FOR PEOPLE!
Every voucher school over 2 years running, does better than public schools… using the same funds!!
So Obama made sure to stop that nonsense off, because it worked, and would put union leaders and admins out of work.
so instead he ended voucher schools and made sure that young teachers were laid off instead!
Change we can believe in!!
At least that “rich …
At least that “rich” guy will provide a decent education. What’s more, it costs either as much or LESS to teach a child through private school vs. the so called education at public schools…
So yes, either way it’s my money but I’d rather parents CHOOSE where they WANT their kids to receive an education at, not let big brother have the monopoly on brainwashing the next generation while allowing the union to continue it’s stranglehold on our schools.
We’re playing politics with our kids!!!
I hope these …
I hope these leaders and speakers made it clear that it is the liberal/progressive/collectivist agenda of the Democrats, Teacher Unions and Pres Obama who are the ones in opposition to their cause.
I hope they made it clear that this is what you get when you constantly vote for politicians who favor bureaucratic government control over individual liberties.
I hope they understand Obama is just another partisan hack who champions his political power structure not the will of the people.
God bless you all.
God bless you all.
Well first off no …
Well first off no one is taking from the government, the government has nothing, just the ability to tax, and to borrow(which it promises to pay back with tax money…)
Secondly, if I could offer a better education to my children, I’d be happy to get some one “rich”. Just like the way I enjoy patronizing restaurants I like. Maybe I’ll open a school that offers a better education, for the money that is…
Yes, you can make …
Yes, you can make the choice, but you STILL have to pay your Public Schools regardless of what you chose. They have a GARUNTEED Paycheck! With that, what is their incentive to give me a quality education?!
And I have no choice, because I CANNOT PAY FOR BOTH PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS! With this system of Government Monopolism the Rich and ONLY the RICH have Choice!!
The Free Market lets US the people succeed and choose FREE of the shackels of rich socialists!
iViva el Mercando Libre!