"Bush will continue to attack public education" - Hilary Clinton

[H2O Man]

I had the opportunity to be among a small group of people to meet with Senator Hilary Clinton today in the Delaware County village of Sidney, NY. Senator Clinton had met behind closed doors with about 25 local business and political leaders, all republican, at the Sidney Civic Center. She then made an impressive presentation to a small group in room 202 of the converted Jr. High School. Clinton explained how the Bush administration had short-changed this area in terms of federal funding from FEMA, with the fire departments, and especially in regard to underfunding the "No Child Left Behind Act."

Senator Clinton said that if Bush did win the election, she believes he is on a path that will lead to the administration saying, "Public education does not work." She spoke about how well the public education system has served this nation, and how much stronger it can become with the proper funding.

I was very impressed with her ability to communicate with a group of republican men who are not likely to be considered traditional Clinton supporters. When she spoke about the Bush policies "not being very smart," these fellows were uncomfortable. I spoke to one afterward, saying I didn't realize he had seen the light and registered as a democrat, and he said that things are so bad in this country that we have to work together or we all lose.

(I was pleased to have the chance to talk to Senator Clinton about environmental/EPA concerns!)

[clydefrand]

1. Wow! I'm jealous

I want to meet this woman as well. It won't be long before we have 2 more brilliant women in and/or near the WH.

[Cha]

2. Good on ya, H2O!

It amazes me how they have the chutzpah to try and eradicate public education when so many Americans are involved and depend on it.

I'm not doubting it for a second but it boggles my mind.

I met Senator Clinton in Mohawk, New York in 2002 and took a picture of her.. She is tremenously gifted with connecting to People who haven't prejudged her via limpbaughs and his ilk.

[H2O Man]

4. Mohawk, eh?

I used to live in Herkimer, right next door.

[Cha]

7. OMG, I live in

Little FAlls! It's a small world afterall!:D

I'm not from here and only have two more years here before I head Back to HawaiiB-)

[H2O Man]

11. I spent some time digging

Herkimer diamonds near Little Falls. It's a great area. A couple of friends taught at HCCC, and I used to speak there on occassion.

[Freedomofspeech]

3. Public Education

We have many young teachers in my high school supporting bush.
 They can't say why (neither can anyone else I talk to).  They
don't realize that they could be out of a job if bush is back
in office.  His goal is vouchers and to privatize.  No Child
Left Behind is a joke.  All the testing is for one purpose: 
teach the children only the facts the government wants them to
know, and God forbid they have any critical thinking skills.

[MichiganVote]

5. Second that

[H2O Man]

6. That's a shame ....

Public education would be devastated if Bush was able to hold on to the office. I have respect for a number of the beliefs of my republican friends. Yet I believe that they should recognize that this administration -- as opposed to republicans per say -- poses a threat to the best bet for most American children to get a good education.

I agree with the thought that the administration is trying to impose a school system that, to turn the old saying around, teaches kids what to think, not how to think.

It is also becoming geared towards separating the wealthy few from the masses.

[newyawker99]

8. Hi Freedomofspeech!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Cha]

9. Welcome to DU, FreedomOfSpeech!

And teachers voting for bush is like the chickens voting for Colonel Sanders!

[Freedomofspeech]

10. Thanks for the welcome.

It is a good feeling to be in touch with bright, thinking people. My students are wonderful, but we border WV, and it is truly Redneck country. They all believe that Kerry will take their hunting guns. Many here are totally hung up on the abortion. Try to tell them that Pro-choice does not mean pro-abortion, it simply means people should have the right to choose. Also, Richard Scaife owns both of our local newspapers. Thank goodness for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

[AnnInLa]

13. For years now,

We teachers have only been teaching toward the high-stakes-tests. We are no longer teaching cohesive content in any subject area. Our students are becoming proficient test takers, but they understand nothing in depth. We no longer have time for innovation, student-discovery, or any expansive learning whatsoever. After the first few years of these high-stakes-tests, we teachers have learned exactly what the makers of the tests consider important, so we are teaching those facts/skills only...it's all we have time for. Until this nation gives up its obsession with standardized test-taking and "accountability", our public schools will not be educating your children adequately for the future. I have taught in public schools 25 years, and believe in the public school system...but I have come to the conclusion that the school system is broken---and we teachers didn't break it, and we can't fix it, and we are tired of being blamed for it. When LEARNING is not a priority, but test-taking IS a priority, society gets the school system it deserves. (rant)

[Rose Siding]

12. Was it a repub mtg or is all of Sidney repub?

I hope she held her ground. While the need to work with them is coming, this isn't the time to blend the parties or elevate bi-partisanship. Everything is so skewed right already.

[H2O Man]

14. In a couple of the counties near me,

about 95% of political offices are held by republicans. In the case of Sidney, the last democrat I remember being elected there was around 1972. The county boards are almost exclusively republican. Sidney is the home of a large defense contractor, as well as a few businessmen with substantial regional influence. Although it has not been stated publicly, I know that these interests invited Senator Clinton to stop in Sidney.

I believe that Senator Clinton held her ground. Of course I was not present for the "closed door" meeting, and can only go based on what little I've been told. But I am under the impression that some of the republicans are not pleased by the lack of funding from the administration. And I think they know they will be dealing with a democratic administration very soon.