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“Logic-defying, dumb-founding, short-sighted – and a slap in the face to parents, children and educators across Alaska." That's how the National Education Association of Alaska is describing Governor Palin's decision to reject more than $160 million of federal stimulus funds for Alaska education.
"Governor Palin has deliberately chosen to ignore the education needs of tens of thousands of children across Alaska. Her attempt to score short term gains will have long-term, dire consequences for our students and educators," said Barb Angaiak, President of NEA-Alaska.
"Her message to our children is callously blunt: 'In the interests of my political agenda, you're on your own.' The governor's decision is unacceptable to the 13,000 members of NEA-Alaska – and it will be unacceptable to parents, students and all who are concerned about education in our state. Programs will be cut and class sizes will increase. And Governor Palin has rejected millions of dollars that would be used to improve the lives of some of our most vulnerable children with disabilities or in need of special education programs."
"The Governor tells us making Alaska an education leader is a priority. Then she says she will reject federal government funding to support our schools and educators," Angaiak said.
"Our question to the governor is very simple: 'What is it, governor? Are you for supporting our children and giving them the best education – or are you simply following a political agenda?' NEA-Alaska rejects the governor's flip-flopping on education."
Angaiak said NEA-Alaska would be mobilizing its membership to contact state legislators and federal representatives to protest the governor's decision.
"Our children need help now. We will urge legislators to accept the full amount in order to improve and enhance education in Alaska. The governor is not doing what is right for Alaska’s children. She is prepared to sacrifice the future of our children to her own ambition. We will not let her do that," Angaiak added.
Comments
It is the NEA that is short-sighted. They would sell Alaska's birthright for a bowl of soup. But then the NEA doesn't have the best interests of American children at heart - just their socialistic agenda.
As an Alaskan I think I can safely say that our schools could definetly use the money - our drop-out rate is atrocious, and our travel costs in order to do sports, ACADECA, NOSB etc. are higher than anywhere else in the nation, bar none. But typical children aside, how about helping out our floundering special needs program? Both of my brothers are Spec Ed and since Palin has been in office our support has gone WAY downhill. Looks like the woman who promised to be a special needs advocate is more of a hinderance than a help.
Ron Moore is a freelance writer living in Silver Spring, Md., who is devoted to building socialistic organizations and has served as a "community organizer", local union president and activist. Ron believes that he is always right but, I think he's always left.
"Socialism" the new buzz word of people who watch FIX News. You can thank "W"" for creating and bailing out the banks for that.
Does it suprise anyone that Sarah Palin would want to keep Rush Limbaugh's base growing? I mean the Republican base? The base of the Republican party are made up mostly of horribly ignorant people. The more educated people there are the less voters the Repubs have.
This is more than sad. Education is suffering across America. And more so in Alaska. Children need education.
Look at the drop-out rate in Alaska's high schools. The high alcoholism/drug statistics. The high domestic violence and
rape casualties in Alaska.
Research has proven, the more education, the better educated, the decrease in all the above.
Where is the humanity in this woman? The education???
As a lifelong Alaskan I can say that the only decent education you can get is from the alternative schools. It's a sad day for students everywhere when the "Pregnant kid" and "Druggie-drop-out" school for last-chancers gives a more robust, specialized education than the standard tax-receiving public schools... Wasilla Alternative School was an AMAZING school and I'm proud to have graduated from such a wonderful school. They made sure you earned your education, treated people like adults and expected them to hold their own and live up to their commitments. The love and drive of Peter Burchell along with the whole staff was understood by all and appreciated. I also went to Clark Jr High, Wasilla Jr High, Wasilla High, Colony, Palmer High and Diamond High until finding a home where I didn't have to hear jocks getting a free ride stumble over reading basic english and not able to grasp simple geometry.
I really can't believe Palin beat Tony Knowles. Then again, with the terrible education most Alaskan kids were getting while I attended school, I can't say I'm "too" surprised.
What a load of bull$hit!
Alaska is ALREADY number 7 in spending on education, per student.
If money was the answer, D.C. schools would be learning palaces! They spend more money than any other district, and have the absolute worst schools around.
The best thing that could happen, is to disband the teacher's unions, and do away with the department of education.
Too much waste.
Schooling is an issue that belongs to the states. The only thing the unions and special interests have done, is making schooling LOUSY!
Governor Palin did the right thing. Too many strings attached to the porkulus package.
Gary, what you and your fellow republicans have failed to realize is that 90% of that "pork" you refer to was put in place to appease your republican congressional affiliates while Obama was trying to "Work with them" under the ideal of bipartisanship. So please educate yourself on the details before pointing fingers as otherwise, you'll continue to be pointing them at the mirror.
This is false reporting at it's finest.
Governor Palin is governing on principles - if you bothered look at them and cared about reporting the truth.
Another donation to SarahPac.com
cardinal, the only "principles" she is governing on are her personal principles which are all about power regardless of at who's expense. In order to know her "principles", you only need to look at her life, her actions and her governance. It is riddled with negative actions, greed and vengeance against any who do not agree with and support her.
Money for education should be tempered with individual performance reviews for teachers and success rates for the schools.
I support Governor Palin's decision to reject a portion of the stimulus package. She realizes that there is no free lunch, especially where the Government is concerned. The strings attached to the infusion of money only contribute to more big government control and claim more ownership citizen's lives.
Was not long back this NEA-Alaska was successfully sued, more than once, for discrimination against women and for harassment of women. Seems top levels of NEA-Alaska are populated by misogynists.
Like California teachers, Alaska teachers are simply lying through their teeth. Rather ironic, teachers are the last people we would expect to lie to America.
This stimulus money demanded by Alaska teachers is simply money those teachers want in their pockets, not in their classrooms.
An example of a lie told by Alaska teachers is Palin "rejecting" this stimulus money. She has not. Palin has not "accepted" this money because she wants a public debate on the wisdom of taking this money and a public debate on consequences of accepting this money. Palin is being cautious as are many state governors.
Alaska teachers, like California teachers, are nothing more than union leeches looking to line their pockets with American taxpayer monies.
Also like California teachers, Alaska teachers are amongst the highest paid of our nation and education scores in Alaska are amongst the lowest of our nation.
What right do these incompetent teachers have to complain?
Okpulot Taha
Choctaw Nation
Ginya Mason adds to interest, "The strings attached to the infusion of money...."
A significant "string" with stimulus money, which Palin is carefully considering, is this money will cause expansion of state government which is supported by taxpayer monies. This stimulus money will quickly vanish and taxpayers are stuck with an expanded government for which they must pay through their own taxes.
One of many adverse net results of stimulus money is higher individual taxes within a couple of years, maybe within a year.
Obama, teachers, union thugs, politicians on both sides of the aisle, many others, simply are not being truthful with America. None are advising American families, "Accept this stimulus money and you will eventually suffer massive tax increases."
These massive tax increases, typically "back door" style taxes, will be inflicted at both a state level and a federal level.
A classic example is here in California. We Californians are now suffering the most massive tax increase in American history. We are suffering these tax increases although California has one of the highest current unemployment rates. Much of this massive tax increase is contributed to union thugs and union workers, which includes teachers.
More taxes are in the makes for Californians. We expect another tax increase before this year is out.
Accepting Obama stimulus money comes with a high price tag; higher taxes down the road.
You, the reader, is your family able to afford higher taxes? I think not.
Sarah Palin is protecting her state citizens by questioning if accepting this stimulus money will cause greater problems in a year or two. She is acting in a prudent and wise manner.
Alaska teachers, California teachers, incompetent teachers, shoot, all they are doing is clamoring for money to be sure they keep their jobs and to be sure they continue their lavish lifestyles at taxpayer expense.
Sarah Palin is a smart truthful woman. She is working at protecting Alaska and her peoples.
Okpulot Taha
Choctaw Nation
Im not American Im not canadian I live in Canada.. my simple understanding is if you do the right thing outside the boxs you will be criticise since your so different from others.that is the big problem in politics in politics if there is money offered politician will not blink a second to take it..because thats what they do money money hunger of money after all in the paper they have to use it for this and that project .. but before you know the money is gone and the projects had not even started.People is not educated enought to understand how politics works. more money out from gov't. more control. higher taxes.. what do you think why politicians are dying to be one (to seat in any position in the govt. to take more money from taxs payer any way they always fool us as tax payer because we let them fool us.if most or all of your colegue is corrupt and your the only one who is not doing what they are doing believe me your out in the league and you`ll be the no. 1 enemy in the whole office. and they see you as stupid.. come on people do you think if the teacher will recieved this money.. your children will be smarter..of course not. its thesame technique they use to teach evryone its just one way to take that money..one way to take money from us tax payer ..so smartin up. theyre just using students and teacher.. well ithink she do what she think its right its only that.its wierd to know because no corrupt politician will say no to that money ....thats why Palin become verry stupid to them .
if you dont do what other politician do as corrupt as they could you dont have any friends in politics it could also mean you cannot go further than your current position since you wont agree from what evrybody usually does ...it could also mean that if you ask for help for your state you might be rejected or might be the last one to get help.or you might be victim of a long wait or even none... give and take in politics is very different from what we know kind of give and take..as well as the diffinition of help..
From "Beth" :
"but before you know the money is gone and the projects had not even started.People is not educated enought to understand how politics works"
"People is not educated enough"? Wow... I think you mean "people are not educated enough" or even "people aren't educated enough". If you were "educated enough", you might be able to speak proper english. If you are from French Canada, then I apologize for my statements however as english is one of the most difficult languages to learn in the world but if you are above the age of 12 and english is your native tongue, you really have no room what-so-ever to speak.
Again, if you are French-Canadian and english is your second language, please disregard this...
Beth, allow me to explain your "point" for you...
"if you dont do what other politician do as corrupt as they could you dont have any friends in politics it could also mean you cannot go further than your current position since you wont agree from what evrybody usually does ..."
If corruption is how an elected official rises up the ranks, then how did Palin go from "hockey Mom" to mayor of Wasilla to Governor?
Do the same rules not apply to her? You see, in her case, she most definitely went through corrupt methods in order to gain power over other officials and secure her place within the government.
This is coming from someone who lived in Wasilla before, during and after she was mayor and is a life-long Alaskan. You don't live in Alaska (As you have admitted in your first post) so the only information you get is what the media is able to dig up. You don't know the dirt behind her from a "neighbor's" perspective...
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