Disgrace: Reason TV on how Obama killed the D.C. vouchers program
posted at 7:40 pm on May 4, 2009 by Allahpundit
Superb stuff, worth forwarding to every conservative (and non-conservative) you know. If Bush had spiked this program, the media would have seen to it that every last kid in this video was nationally famous. As it is, aside from Juan Williams and a few select others, there’s been nary a peep. Someday, many years from now, when the GOP once again figures out how to do oppo research, they’ll be turning out videos like this and rubbing the Democrats’ faces in them instead of relying on outfits like Reason to do it.
Just a reminder: Obama’s proposed budget this year was $3.6 trillion, and yet somehow he couldn’t find $18 million in there to keep this program going. What a travesty. If you’re in D.C., there’s a rally on Wednesday between 1 and 2 p.m. Show up and do your best to try to force the media to cover this. We both know they won’t, but maybe you can at least make them feel guilty for not doing so.
Blowback
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i was just listening to Dennis Miller’s podcast where he mentioned this.
shame shame a thousand times SHAME
Drunk Report on May 4, 2009 at 7:42 PM
I have been reading about this for a while, its as horrendous as made out.
rob verdi on May 4, 2009 at 7:43 PM
Too many still have their fingers in their ears.
petunia on May 4, 2009 at 7:44 PM
It’s not that he couldn’t find the money. It’s that he’s principally opposed to the program and quite explicitly shut it down.
Considering that they can’t find a single public school in the DC area worth sending their kids to, it’s a total disgrace indeed.
radiofreevillage on May 4, 2009 at 7:44 PM
If the conservative side is so outraged about this, why don’t they start a fund and pay for these students’ school costs?
In the same way, we should’ve paid for Amb Bolton’s second trip to the UN. He couldn’t be paid for an interim appt, but we didn’t bother to try to pay a guy we felt was really important to us.
We need to start putting our money where our mouths are.
Dan. on May 4, 2009 at 7:45 PM
I haven’t had time to watch the video yet, but do i recall correctly that two of Malia and Sasha’s schoolmates don’t get to come back because of this?
juliesa on May 4, 2009 at 7:46 PM
One more item that I hope will lead to the “Great Awakening” of the American people who will toss him out in 2012.
ThePrez on May 4, 2009 at 7:46 PM
Beck’s been on this for over a month.
thomasaur on May 4, 2009 at 7:47 PM
It’s not in his party’s interest to have these kids get a quality education and escape from the bonds of the Democrat party.
In this particular case, ‘empathy’ just isn’t much of a concern.
BadgerHawk on May 4, 2009 at 7:47 PM
Send the Obama girls to public school with appropriate Secret Service protection. This would be a welcome, long over due vote of confidence in District public schools.
Mason on May 4, 2009 at 7:48 PM
$3,600,000,000,000.00
$18,000,000.00
….. and they voted for this guy.
Seven Percent Solution on May 4, 2009 at 7:48 PM
Private schools for me, not for thee.
coldwarrior on May 4, 2009 at 7:50 PM
Obama is owned and operated by unions; in this case, the teachers union. The only thing that he’s principally opposed to is pissing them off.
Patrick S on May 4, 2009 at 7:51 PM
It’s simple really. If the left had to acknowledge that programs like this do indeed work, it would be the first step toward ending the union stranglehold on the public school system.
It’s never about the children – as the left so indignantly wants you to believe. It’s about political power and payback. Plain. And. Simple.
BardMan on May 4, 2009 at 7:52 PM
thats the only part I like about this…the liberals who voted for him, are the ones getting screwed…
looks like them chickens are coming home to roost!!
right4life on May 4, 2009 at 7:52 PM
They got to a voucher school…and yet they voted for a democrat?
Real smart…
therightwinger on May 4, 2009 at 7:52 PM
Good point. Putting your money where your mouth is.
terryannonline on May 4, 2009 at 7:53 PM
I give substantially to exactly that cause.
I honestly feel the only way that African Americans will be truly free is when they are free of the Democrat Party, and the only way that happens is for these kids to get a real education focusing on math and the sciences.
jeff_from_mpls on May 4, 2009 at 7:53 PM
No, it’s about keeping people ignorant, and creating future democratic voters..
therightwinger on May 4, 2009 at 7:53 PM
Indeed. Two main factors at play here.
BardMan on May 4, 2009 at 7:54 PM
Children don’t have a lobby, and the Dems wont do anything to defy the unions. They’ll never do that. They are cowards.
juliesa on May 4, 2009 at 7:55 PM
What a disgrace, indeed.
But here again comes the recurring theme:
Government hates competition.
But that isn’t news to anyone.
These poor children, about to dropped back into the never ending cycle.
blatantblue on May 4, 2009 at 7:55 PM
It is a disgrace that Obama dumped all over DC school children and DC parents by denying them school vouchers… perhaps Sasha and Malia Ann need to be asked how they feel being allowed to attend private school while other DC schoolchildren are denied such an opportunity…
I AM SURE THE NEW YORK TIMES WILL DO AN IN-DEPTH PIECE ON THIS TRAGEDY!
Obama is such a jerk…
IntheNet on May 4, 2009 at 7:56 PM
The 2009 DC budget includes $773 million for their public school system. And that includes a cit of $24 million (26%) from the District’s high performing public charter schools.
Providing educational choices, opportunities and challenges have consistently been shown to reduce poverty. Why are the liberals condemning the Districts children to their failing public schools? Thank the unions and their campaign contributions.
Loxodonta on May 4, 2009 at 7:56 PM
NOTE TO GOP
HERE IS AN ISSUE TO RAIL OBARFY OVER THE HEAD ON
You won’t do it though, you bunch of geriatric blue hairs. You all belong in Florida with Jeb Bush, you lazy bastards
blatantblue on May 4, 2009 at 7:56 PM
That made me tear up. I’d do anything for my kids…those moms just want what is right for their babies…the chance to get out of the hellish public school system trap. If democrats cared so much about the black community and education, they would allow these intelligent, albeit less fortunate, folks CHOOSE. Especially if it is merit based…I mean, why would you not want more hard working, high scoring kids in ANY school???
This elitist scum must GO.
Im so sad that we are perceived as the racists…all because we believe that entire community…all ethnic groups…are intrinsically able to succeed as all humans are. What is so racist about that?
It’s lazy human nature which consistently strives against hard work and competition which always betters the man.
Mommypundit on May 4, 2009 at 7:57 PM
Has Obama actually been asked this question? Seems like a perfectly legitimate question from someone in the non-enchanted MSM. Paging Jake Tapper…
BardMan on May 4, 2009 at 7:57 PM
Every time I see one of these threads, I ask: ‘Can some one please give me a reasonable argument against a school choice/voucher system?’
Other than the obvious ‘The NEA would pee all over themselves in the face of accountability and competition, cease to exist, and have to go work for a living’.
Hello??? Anyone???
BigWyo on May 4, 2009 at 7:57 PM
I made my own little youtube video about the dc program. The one reason tv did needs no help, but here’s mine:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgd1yFKhCKw
therightscoop on May 4, 2009 at 7:57 PM
And that includes a cit = And that includes a cut
Loxodonta on May 4, 2009 at 7:57 PM
They won’t. You’re right. They are all “touring” on their soft seated busses and “listening.”
AS IF WE DIDN’T YELL LOUD ENOUGH ON TAX DAY.
Mommypundit on May 4, 2009 at 7:58 PM
Is really just a Democrat issue? I don’t know. I live in Texas and we some of the some of the worst schools in the U.S. I went to one. How is that so when this state is mostly controlled by Republicans? You would think there would be more competition in a conservative state. I’m just saying Republicans aren’t great on this issue either.
terryannonline on May 4, 2009 at 7:58 PM
Side note:
Maybe some of you can pray for a family friend?
Just found out his wife has a bad case of non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma..
Thanks..
blatantblue on May 4, 2009 at 7:59 PM
The money is going to the teachers unions and in turn to pay politicians, not children. The bottom line, they don’t care about education, just keeping the kids good little voters. If you know something, you will think and we can’t have that now can we?
L
letget on May 4, 2009 at 7:59 PM
sorry, don’t have much money after taxes…and besides OBAMA CARES more than we do!!!
right4life on May 4, 2009 at 7:59 PM
It’s hard to give a shit about Obama voters.
Tabris on May 4, 2009 at 8:01 PM
blantanbllue,
Oh, I am so sorry for your friend. Yes, indeed a pray. By the way, they do have an impact.
L
letget on May 4, 2009 at 8:01 PM
Obama needs people to fail.
forest on May 4, 2009 at 8:02 PM
There are A LOT of things about republican governors which make me angry…so much wasted capital.
I know. I wonder what it is that keeps people from doing this? Ooooh…scary..powerful interest groups might, what? PICKET? Fine. Let them picket and not teach. If they care so little for the children and are so willing to let them waste away while they protest, then, are these kids any worse off?
Plenty of churches will do what the church did before public school ever came around. In fact, “Sunday School” was exactly that…education of the poor.
LET BAD SYSTEMS FAIL.
Mommypundit on May 4, 2009 at 8:03 PM
Agreed, the public education “paradigm” has been pretty much swallowed by all 50 states. Nevertheless, the point is not to make the public school better, it’s to allow public school kids to leave and go to better schools. What kind of support is available in Texas for vouchers, charter schools, or homeschooling?
joe_doufu on May 4, 2009 at 8:03 PM
Nothing new here; Dems don’t like vouchers because it helps people get away from dependency on the government, and it takes money away from the teacher’s unions, who are reliably Democrat-voting drones.
Midas on May 4, 2009 at 8:04 PM
I think you have a good idea there. There must be some well-known and wealthy conservative who could start a challenge fund for the DC voucher program. Even if it could only help half those children for two years, it would help. And it would also demonstrate who really cares about our children’s future.
Loxodonta on May 4, 2009 at 8:04 PM
Make them feel guilty? That requires that they be capable of feeling shame, which in turn requires knowledge of right and wrong. We already know the answer to that.
Rusty Bill on May 4, 2009 at 8:04 PM
It is hard. But, it’s people like this who, if they are truly, sorely seeing truth, will be swayed…and will see that government can NEVER save them.
The bad thing is that Obama might rescue these kids…for his own political purposes. Anyone think he might?
Mommypundit on May 4, 2009 at 8:06 PM
That’s a pretty interesting take, especially in light of the whole Limbaugh fiasco.
It’s wrong for Limbaugh and others to want Obama to fail. But it’s fine and dandy for Obama to want poor inner city children to fail by removing their only hope for a quality education.
I get it now. More gold standard hypocrisy from our friends on the left.
BardMan on May 4, 2009 at 8:06 PM
Young O had a good idea about starting a fundraiser for these kids.
Mommypundit on May 4, 2009 at 8:07 PM
He won’t. Don’t worry.
blatantblue on May 4, 2009 at 8:07 PM
A fund should be set up.
However, the voucher program still needs to exist. The voucher program isn’t charity, as the fund would be. The program takes the hard-earned tax dollars from the parents and lets them put the dollars to the private school rather than the public craphole. The fund would mean that the hard-earned tax dollars would still go to the craphole, while other Americans would subsidize the good education.
Let me say this: What Congressional Democrats and President Obama have done to the children, particularly minority children, in DC is an absolute atrocity. They’re destroying their education and opportunities.
amerpundit on May 4, 2009 at 8:08 PM
Thanks LG. I just hope she is strong enough to survive..
blatantblue on May 4, 2009 at 8:08 PM
Of course, a lot of them did, and they got “Change” all right. Maybe not what they were “Hoping” for.
Ditto
atxcowgirl on May 4, 2009 at 8:08 PM
Boy, is that ever true.
Even the Carters sent Amy to public school. Maybe Obama supporters will wake up. The real crime is that these kids will haul Barry’s debt for decades to come, assuming they end up in the productive segment of society.
It’s sad, selfish and politically motivated.
Vermont Neighbor on May 4, 2009 at 8:09 PM
lets be clear I WANT OBAMA TO FAIL MISERABLY!!
RUSH IS RIGHT
and why do you think the whitehouse dropped that line of attack??? it wasn’t working…
Limbaugh won, as usual.
right4life on May 4, 2009 at 8:10 PM
Like all children, the District’s children are not old enough to vote.
Loxodonta on May 4, 2009 at 8:10 PM
The parents? Yes. They were moronic to vote for Obama when it was clear he didn’t favor school choice. That being said, the kids who are in the program — and even the kids yet to be born — don’t deserve the outcome.
It’s not like school choice is a Kumbayaba welfare program playing on emotions. The parents work hard for their money and should be able to use it to get their kids an actually good education. Taking away that ability is, as the post said, a disgrace.
amerpundit on May 4, 2009 at 8:10 PM
because if Obama succeeds…well better have a good supply of starched brown shirts…
right4life on May 4, 2009 at 8:11 PM
Obama like Chavez is enabling a new Nomenclatura to rise, an elite that owes its existence to him…part and parcel of his platform of socialism disguised as “change”. Again I don’t see what the surprise is here. (it’ll get worse too)
elduende on May 4, 2009 at 8:11 PM
In my prayers for healing, I will remember you and those whom you love.
Loxodonta on May 4, 2009 at 8:12 PM
So,if I understand this right,and in this particulal case,
an African American President,who by some,is a historical
moment in American politics,and as a role model,for the
African American community is denying young women,such as
Mercedes to gain a better education,and in such,is being
an impedament to the ‘American Dream’!
So,then,really its the Liberal Party who are in the way of the African Americans to have a better education,and thus higher standard of living!
So,Liberals now,don’t believe in HilRods,It takes a Village,but rather,Obama’s dumbed down,
you’re stay’n in the ‘Community’!!!!!!!!!!
canopfor on May 4, 2009 at 8:12 PM
Well, it might take awhile, but they’ll be picketing outside of an empty building.
Kind of funny how a whole lot of the ‘FAILING MISERABLY’ sectors of our economy have UNION some where in the food chain.
Imagine that.
BigWyo on May 4, 2009 at 8:12 PM
Eh. Let them attend Sidwell Friends, like Malia and Sasha.
Attila (Pillage Idiot) on May 4, 2009 at 8:13 PM
I hate this man. This subject makes me more angry than any other. This better be a big issue in 2010/2012… the Democrats will lose seven ways to Sunday.
Glenn Jericho on May 4, 2009 at 8:13 PM
Thanks — I hope I can one day have the internal strength and spiritual fortitude that you and others here have. I’m in awe of it. The world would be a terrible place with out you guys.
blatantblue on May 4, 2009 at 8:14 PM
Even a BLACK president wants to keep his BLACK constituents on the plantation.
Andy in Agoura Hills on May 4, 2009 at 8:15 PM
Done deal, friend.
Patrick S on May 4, 2009 at 8:15 PM
Consider it done, blatant.
amerpundit on May 4, 2009 at 8:19 PM
So,in essence,its Hopey/Changey’s Perpetual No Hope
and No Change,for Liberal Americans who voted!
So,’Yes we can’,means African Americans are going nowhere,
while the Democrats demonize the right,as the blame!
An outstanding Liberal racket I must say!!
canopfor on May 4, 2009 at 8:19 PM
I’ll add him to my list..I have a friend who is only 41 years old had cancer, went through treatment, now they’ve found more spots on his liver….
right4life on May 4, 2009 at 8:20 PM
Life is difficult and people can be very cruel. But the most painful thing to bear is the indifference of people who pass by and do nothing.
Loxodonta on May 4, 2009 at 8:20 PM
Obama has given a death sentence to tens of thousands of African Americans by forcing them back into the Government school system. Obama lied, education died.
lasertex on May 4, 2009 at 8:22 PM
Elections have consequence.
Good or Bad. well mostly bad or something
tjexcite on May 4, 2009 at 8:23 PM
Why? Why did they vote for Obama? Sadly, the answer is obvious and not PC.
Quetzal on May 4, 2009 at 8:27 PM
Well, I can only presume that it is because he wants to keep Black people down and thereby more dependent on Himself and His party for largeness. Besides, He’s got His so why should he care about a bunch of peasants just because they have dark skin. Priorities, priorities.
MB4 on May 4, 2009 at 8:27 PM
Done
Father look over the young lady in question and while you’re at it take care of CW5 hawkdriver.
thomasaur on May 4, 2009 at 8:32 PM
Allah,
I think you missing the real story here. I really don’t know White House protocol, when you stand for the president or not. Perhaps, the press corps not standing for Bush was not an intentional snub. I also don’t know what happened exactly in the whole WH threatening 2 use the press against Chrystler investors. The real story is how the public preceives media bias. The fact that people don’t think it’s outrageous to think the press corps would be used by the WH to do its dirty work or snub a Republican president but not a Democrat president is the story. There is no longer trust. THAT is the story here.
terryannonline on May 4, 2009 at 8:33 PM
why???
Education empowers people & someone out there believes if you educate a certain population then they might just wise up and reject the democrat party. Perhaps it’s better to have the next generation of kids stupid and still wanting to suck off the govt. nipple than educated and making their own way.
Lady – I have to ask you the same question that you are asking of BHO – WHY? WHY? WHY in big block letters did you vote for him? Because he promised you the moon or what?
WHY DID YOU VOTE FOR BHO?
whatever the reason – this totally sucks – BHO is a total suck up to the Teacher Unions.
poppieseeds on May 4, 2009 at 8:33 PM
I apologize! I accidently posted in the wrong thread. MY BAD!
terryannonline on May 4, 2009 at 8:34 PM
Indeed..
Hope the sun is shining where he is. Here’s to a safe return.
Thanks again everybody. You’re all the reasons America is the best country in the world, and the world is less without you and others like you.
blatantblue on May 4, 2009 at 8:35 PM
So if one used a dollar to represent the federal budget, then to represent the cost of this program one would have to shave off a sliver of a penny so exceedingly fine that one would need and electronic microscope to even see it.
MB4 on May 4, 2009 at 8:36 PM
Why sir? Why?
Honest answer: N.E.A. M-O-N-E-Y
Ted Torgerson on May 4, 2009 at 8:38 PM
Simple, Obama views black people as cogs in his wheels of power. God forbid they can a great education and break out of the cycle of dependency. Free, independent and productive people have no need of the government teat to survive, this means less demo-enslsved voters.
This must be proclaimed load and clear. Every time conservatives are painted as heartless, racists, this issue and the other clear evidence of the failure of the welfare state need to be clearly articulated.
Conservatives stand for equality of opportunity and the right of parents to do everything they can to help their children to breat out of the culture of dependence. This is true compassion. Jack Kemp did better than most any other conservative at clearly articulating such principles. Yet another reason among many that he will be dearly missed.
crashland on May 4, 2009 at 8:38 PM
Sent this to my friends in DC with kids.
4shoes on May 4, 2009 at 8:39 PM
0-Bama Hates Black People….
My proof? This, and the fact that Darfur has absolutely disappeared from the 0-Bama Administration’s list of ‘concerns’.
Heck of a job, Barry! You bag of filth….
dmh0667 on May 4, 2009 at 8:41 PM
They got exactly what they voted for. Personally, I’m glad to see that some of them are suffering for the choices they made. They earned it. Maybe these mothers can answer the “why” question to their kids. Why did you vote for Obama Mommy? Why?
MikeA on May 4, 2009 at 8:41 PM
So vouchers are going to low income families
low income families = blacks
Obama kills vouchers
Why isn’t Kayne West and the libs in hollywood crying that Obama obviously hates black people?
Vigilante on May 4, 2009 at 8:41 PM
Maybe 0bama doesn’t want the poor people going to school with his kids. Maybe he’s against the poor people and just dangles a carrot out in front of them so they keep voting for him.
Brat4life on May 4, 2009 at 8:41 PM
B-I-N-G-O!
MikeA on May 4, 2009 at 8:42 PM
Bow to a picture of Queen Pelosi and say three Heil Obama’s and all will be forgiven my child.
MB4 on May 4, 2009 at 8:43 PM
Obama won by 6% of the vote, and he’s already broken almost every single campaign promise. With each broken promise, with each job lost, with each house foreclosed, with each family made homeless, with each 401k/IRA/pension etc destroyed, and as he spends billions an hour….he loses just a fraction of supporters. Those little bits add up (I saw Office Space, I know how it works). Now, with the 100day woohoos over-even the NYT and LAT BOTH say, he owns it now; no more “I inherited” bs will sell. No more Bush to bash, no more Iraq to oppose, no more empty promises, nothin’ but torture to distract, and that puts Pelosi, Kerry, and others in a bad spot if pushed too far. Hell, he can’t even push that too hard given the restart of military tribunals, the fact Gitmo’s not closed, and….anyone asked, “WHERE’S OSAMA BIN LADEN?”
The fury of frustrated Americans boils just below the surface as seen very very well at 4:52 in this vid
scottm on May 4, 2009 at 8:48 PM
I’d like to point out that this money is already in the system. It’s not that he has to find it. Public Schools get X amount of dollars per child. This amount is simply moved from the public school and given to the private school.
- The Cat
MirCat on May 4, 2009 at 8:49 PM
P.S. Children and Minorities hit hardest.
MirCat on May 4, 2009 at 8:50 PM
Red State had a post that suggested that the GOP dig into their coffers and fund raising ability to pay for the voucher program and give the Dems a big, black eye. I wrote to Michael Steele and some of my republican representatives to consider doing this an offering my support. What better way to make inroads into the minority community than to directly fund them privately.
http://tinyurl.com/d55so4
kagai on May 4, 2009 at 8:50 PM
wait. I have a correction. According to this only half the amount that would have been given to the public school would be given to the private one.
- The Cat
MirCat on May 4, 2009 at 8:51 PM
wishful thinking, I am afraid…these people will still vote for obama, even after this…
right4life on May 4, 2009 at 8:53 PM
And the $18 million actually saved money, because it’s a lot more expensive to put the kids in public schools!
jgapinoy on May 4, 2009 at 8:55 PM
That sounds logical, and no doubt is. but I think it would bounce off of these people. They voted for Obama because he is black. And they will still vote for him because he is black. Nothing the GOP can do will make them not support him, because he is black.
MikeA on May 4, 2009 at 8:57 PM
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