2012 GOP slogan suggestion, "Just say no to education" (healthcare, millionaires)

[burdell]

Originally Posted by HappyTexan

Well we are #36 worldwide in math skills and fall lower each time the test is given. So there might be some truth to your statement.

In 2003 we were #25.

Good, now just post the evidence that eliminating the DoE and handing things over to state/local governments would improve those numbers.

[burdell]

Originally Posted by Backspace

Then start your own thread about it.

BULL! I responded to a post implying the federal government was at fault. If you're just peeved because I'm not supporting your position. tough! It's not your thread to start with.

[Backspace]

Originally Posted by helenejen

I agree about it being an utter waster of money. My sister teaches 8th grade writing. You wouldn't believe the waste of money that occurs in her area at the administrative level. It's absolutely ridiculous!! And some of the teachers are worthless . . . some, not all.

But this is same old, same old. The OP is talking about what the 2012 GOP candidates are saying and how what they say demonizes not just teachers, specially, but learning generally. What Santorum says about the "Father of Lies" working through the "pride of smart people" doesn't just condemn certain practices in the educational system, whether at the elementary, secondary, or post-secondary level, but learning generally. He's essentially saying that reason is the work of the Devil. That is a whole other level of critique--fear-mongering really--than those critiques that argue that the educational system has severe problems.

I know this might come as a shock to you BUT Rick Santorum doesn't represent all Republicans and he certainly doesn't represent conservatives. You can keep reciting one line taken from a 3 year old Rick Santorum speech to a religious audience and act like it represents 100% of the conservative or GOP voters in this country but it doesn't. Rick Santorum isn't even leading the GOP nomination right now and you're acting like he's already won an election and represents this country.

[Backspace]

Originally Posted by burdell

BULL! I responded to a post implying the federal government was at fault. If you're just peeved because I'm not supporting your position. tough! It's not your thread to start with.

I couldn't care less, I'm just pointing out that you're completely off topic and you shouldn't be confused as to why people aren't responding to your questions. Start your own thread about the DOD and I'm sure people will reply to your rants.

[burdell]

Originally Posted by Backspace

I couldn't care less, I'm just pointing out that you're completely off topic and you shouldn't be confused as to why people aren't responding to your questions. Start your own thread about the DOD and I'm sure people will reply to your rants.

Oh, open your damn eyes! IF I'm OT I was responsing to an OT post, the one you make no mention of. Your personal bias here would be painfully obvious to a blind man.

[burdell]

Originally Posted by Backspace

I know this might come as a shock to you BUT Rick Santorum doesn't represent all Republicans and he certainly doesn't represent conservatives. You can keep reciting one line taken from a 3 year old Rick Santorum speech to a religious audience and act like it represents 100% of the conservative or GOP voters in this country but it doesn't. Rick Santorum isn't even leading the GOP nomination right now and you're acting like he's already won an election and represents this country.

So who does represent conservatives?

[Backspace]

Originally Posted by burdell

So who does represent conservatives?

100%? Nobody. That's like asking who does represent Liberals, that's not an easy question to answer and it'll be different for every person.

[Taratova]

Students unite , demand good teachers not good unions.

[helenejen]

Originally Posted by Backspace

I know this might come as a shock to you BUT Rick Santorum doesn't represent all Republicans and he certainly doesn't represent conservatives. You can keep reciting one line taken from a 3 year old Rick Santorum speech to a religious audience and act like it represents 100% of the conservative or GOP voters in this country but it doesn't. Rick Santorum isn't even leading the GOP nomination right now and you're acting like he's already won an election and represents this country.

Really, in the scheme of things is anyone really leading the GOP nomination? Isn't that the problem that the Republican party is having right now. And notice that I never used the word "Republican" in any of my comments. Where do you think that the majority of the support for Santorum is coming from? Typically not from people who are mainstream Republicans. Consequently, isn't it more likely that people who identify as "conservative," are the major supporters of Santorum?

As to the 3-year old comments from Santorum about the "pride of smart people," here's some more recent stuff:

Santorum: Obama College Plan Aimed at

Rick Santorum plays to conservative base in Ohio - latimes.com (http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-gop-race-20120219,0,2831889.story - broken link)

Santorum: Higher Education a Plot to Secularize America | Mother Jones

Let's face it, after Bush and Palin, it's hard to ignore the fact that the GOP works very hard to undermine the importance of knowledge. (And I'm not saying that as a smart*ass.) Given that the economy is driven by knowledge, that knowledge is the most valuable commodity at this point, the undermining of reason for the sake of faith is incredibly dangerous for our country.

[rikoshaprl]

GOP: Just say no to teacher's unions and the Dept. of Education.