The Politics of Education

As a future educator the education policies both candidates bring to their platform are of exceptional importance to me. Children in this country are struggling and the administration of the last eight years has been nothing short of a colossal detriment to the education system. It has become painfully obvious that this system needs to be uprooted, replanted, and given new and substantial life. Unfortunately this very vital issue has been swept aside in the media for more important topics like, what Sara Palin is wearing, who Barack Obama spoke with 20 some odd years ago, and whether John McCain will outlive the election. While these all make for wonderful commentary, it seems that preparing the future generation of our country, the ones that will inherit the great big mess this generation has made, is little more than a footnote on the debates. Both candidates have a policy on education and its time they were looked at with a little more scrutiny.
Under Barack Obama’s education plan the promises are big and hopeful. Starting with early childhood education, which is consistently overlooked, more funding would be funneled into the Head Start and early childhood programs in general. The “No Child Left Behind” plan will be reformed and properly funded and have schools and teachers rewarded not punished. It is a sad state of affairs when teaching our children cannot be a career option because it simply doesn’t pay the bills. Sen. Obama plans to implement monetary incentives to recruit new teachers and keep established teachers working harder to strive for more. Perhaps one of the most important issues of this plan is higher education. Every student from grades K-12 should constantly be reminded that college is the next step and that all though it isn’t mandatory, it is available. Finances should not be a deterrent for obtaining a degree above high school. Under this plan college will be obtainable for everyone and that’s as it should be.
John McCain’ education plan is short and simple. Give parents the opportunity to move their children from a low performing school to a higher performing school. This would include charter schools and vouchers for private schools. Under this plan a student wouldn’t have to be wealthy or elite to go to a better school. They would just have to be lucky. As wonderful as these schools are and as healthy as competition would be for the school districts, they have a limited amount of space for students. Not everyone gets in, not everyone gets the same opportunity. Teachers will be given a bonus, if they can prove that their efforts are working. On the higher education front McCain’s policy clarifies tax benefits and simplifies financial aid.
As everyone steps into the voting booth on Tuesday with lighter wallets and war weariness in their hearts, education policy needs to weigh heavily on their minds and demonstrate that this issue is just as important as every other policy the candidates stand for.

Left Side, Strong Side

According to Erick Erickson’s blog “I guess Barry decided he already won” McCain came out guns blazing on this third debate to put Senator Obama in his place. No, not likely and well wrong. The distress the Republican Party is feeling right now is completely understandable. The first two debates were *cough* weak on the right side and gave an edge to Obama. Maybe it’s that the GOP is aiming for the silver lining; hoping that this debate would help McCain bring back some power to his people. Doubtful, all he managed to do was satiate some angry Republicans who were screaming for blood in the form Ayers and Acorn. They received some satisfaction with this debate but, there was never a “drive the issues home” moment for McCain.
He was obscenely misinformed in regards to the Obama health plan and it seemed every issue he brought against Obama was based on emotion rather than facts. The abortion issue for one; it's wonderful that he and Cindy are adoptive parents, more power to them. But, he did not once offer any sort of solution for women who want or need to terminate a pregnancy. It’s doubtful that his $5,000 insurance tax credit will be able to help people in these situations over the next 18 years.
The Joe Plumber rhetoric, which will be hitting airways all across the country tomorrow, also backfired. This only managed to give Obama the opportunity to positively answer the questions on everyone’s mind that saw that news segment. McCain also seemed to be on the verge of losing his temper, rolling his eyes and bringing forward his best Yosemite Sam impression. Can Americans afford to have that sort of ill tempered president with his finger on “the Button”? This country has had enough with leaders who shoot first and ask questions later.
Erickson, like every other wishful republican (Ann Coulter included), begins looking to past polls. Specifically the Jimmy Carter/ Ronald Regan race, when Carter was leading the polls over Reagan by six points and Regan came out to claim victory in the end. Polls have become a little more accurate in recent years and besides wasn’t it Sara Palin who was staunchly against looking backwards into the past in her debate with Joe Biden? It’s time to look forward people and in this future there is CHANGE.

*Erick Erickson is managing editor of Redstate.com and was an attorney for 6 years at Sell & Melton LLP. He has been a consultant for every type of election and has been a commentator on CNN and MSNBC. He is also a deacon at Vineville Presbyterian Church.