For video and links, please visit the original post at my blog.
Yes. I said it, people. I mean it. His idiotic stances in his two terms do not compare to the stance on the selected stimulus funds for public education and public safety. I have detailed his contributions from school voucher leech Howard Rich. This is nothing new for him in his ploy to destroy public education. Sanford, Karen Floyd and a host of others are foaming at the mouth with the potential to finally kill this system.
And of all things, Carolinians for Reform Inc. announced Thursday they will spend $230,000 to air ads featuring the governor defending his stance against using federal stimulus cash to fund education and public safety programs in our state. How convenient. This is not reform, as the GOPhers put it. It is REGRESSION.
Look at that figure. That's money these "reformists" could use to fund public education and make up the massive cuts in the state's budget. But, no. It's far more important to put the lame-duck governor on television to keep people in control. That money could be used to buy school books for children. How about pay for a couple of teachers? No, let's reform... Regress.
Indigo Journal editor and writer Jennifer Read states firmly what others see:
It's about supporting our living, breathing children and their teachers today. It's about classrooms, and textbooks, and ensuring our public safety now. It's about demanding competent, accountable state leadership at a time when our schools are struggling, when violence is on the rise, and when 1 in 9 of our fellow South Carolinians can't find work. It's about placing the well-being of our current citizens above blind ideological devotion and future political ambitions.
Jen, I wish all of South Carolina would wake up from this brainwashing these GOPhers have manipulated to benefit them. I do not think it will happen. Even the truth can't wake them up. Ideology is far more important that reality to them.
The governor had a chance to make a reform: Allow schools to have waivers for snow day make-ups. What do these days mean to the schools? Well, according to Sanford it means nothing in efforts to solve budget problems. He vetoed the legislation. Up to three days in make-ups mean a lot to schools already hit heavily by funding cuts. Reform? No, it's regression. Punish the schools even more into submission.
Sanford pointed out districts must set aside three days to make up classroom time missed for inclement weather.
Sen. Larry Martin said he'd normally agree, but this is no ordinary year. He noted K-12 education has taken $387 million in cuts since July and could be see more reductions if Sanford continues to reject $700 million in federal stimulus cash that could help plug budget holes over the next two years.
People, it's time to stand firm in this state and tell these GOPhers enough is enough. We are not going to be still or quiet ever again. We, as progressives, have been quiet long enough. I hope you all see what that has gotten us. Now's the time to stand up for the children of today, of tomorrow, and forever.
I suggest calling and e-mailing your state legislators and tell them to fight against the embarrassment and stupidity of our governor. Fight against this stale leadership that does nothing but promotes laziness and a lack of respect towards public education. If out leadership took our education seriously, others would see that here and nationally.
I wish all of you a Happy Easter. Enjoy the weekend.