George Bush does not care about children.
As I read more about the funding that Bush's administration has cut for programs for children, I am convinced that George Bush does not care about children at all. It is difficult for me to conceive of anyone not caring about children because children are innocent and vulnerable and are our future.
There is an inherent promise in living in a civilized society that we as society will take care of our children. I thought this was America. All children receive an education in America. It seems apparent that the neo-cons overwhelming desire for a free-market society does not include the children. The children can't work in our companies because there are laws against it so why would we care about education? It is better to keep them ignorant and in front of all those commercials selling Power Rangers and the latest fat-headed Bratz doll.
Sure, Bush gives lip service to being the "Education President". He came up with "No Child Left Behind". Oh, but he had to fund the war so there wasn't any money left for NCLB. Killing Iraqi children is of far greater importance than educating American children. His twins are all grown up. The rest be damned!!
The President Has Repeatedly Broken His Promise to Provide Federal Support for Education. In the two years since the President signed the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, none of his budgets have come close to meeting the level of funding authorized in the Act. The FY 2004 budget submitted by President Bush fell $9 billion short of the amount authorized for 2004 and his FY 2003 budget fell $7.2 billion short of approved funding. [Office of Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, 6/9/03; Associated Press, 2/24/03]
Federal Education Reform Taxes State and Local Governments With Unfunded Mandates. In February 2003, the bipartisan National Governors Association voted unanimously to label Bush's No Child Left Behind Act an unfunded mandate, along with special education, homeland security and Medicaid. A November 2003 survey of nearly 2,000 superintendents and principals found that 9 in 10 viewed No Child Left Behind as an unfunded mandate. States and localities have struggled to keep up with the new requirements. Between fiscal years 2002 and 2004, education spending in 35 states was unable to keep pace with increases in inflation and enrollment. [The Wallace Foundation, www.wallacefoundation.org; Education Week, 1/7/04]
NCLB funds fall far short of what would be needed to make every student in every public school proficient. The failure to fully fund NCLB is the clearest example of how it leaves many children behind.
NCLB also ignores the real reasons many children are left behind. The failure to address factors outside of school that influence academic achievement guarantees NCLB will not succeed. Basic needs play a great role in a child's achievement.
* Children need adequate housing. If they live on the street or in a dwelling in poor condition, does anyone really think that student can focus on homework?
* Many children do not receive any or little health care. I know several single mothers at my own work that cannot afford health care coverage for their child. Naturally they put off taking their children to the doctor for physicals and for any symptoms that they think they can treat at home. My friend, Mary Anne, was told by the teachers at school that her son was most likely ADHD. She is not about to take him to the doctor. She can't afford it. Any chance that any untreated illness might affect their ability to learn?
* Parents without much money cannot afford to feed their children food with the proper nutritional value. They get Spaghettios and macaroni and cheese many nights a week for dinner. They have Pop Tarts for breakfast because Mom is already at work. Besides, fruits and vegetables are expensive. And what's the point in buying fruits and vegetables if you are working two jobs and can't be around to encourage your children to eat them anyway?
George Bush does not care about children. He is a cold, uncaring man. NCLB does not address many of the real reasons that children have a difficult time in school and puts all the blame on the teachers and school system. After blaming the schools, he does not provide them with the resources to improve. Bush is a disgrace.