Solving the Puzzle of the Truth Behind H.R. 610

I have been in public education for most of my adult life and taught in a private school

for 6 years and support both 100%!! I am  grateful we live in a country where every child, regardless of race, gender, religion or financial status has the same opportunities for a quality education as every one else.  All children are free and equal. 

I want to be clear before you read any further that this writing is not meant to take a stance either way on the education bill introduced by Representative Steven King. There are strong views held by citizens on both sides of this issue and they are noted as such. I am sharing important information based on what I have found so far, and using my interpretation of the proposed bill based on my research and current knowledge of voucher programs already in place:

The H.R.610 — 115th Congress (2017-2018) bill  (nicknamed the Choices in Education Act) introduced to the house on January 23 repeals the act of 1965 and would set limits on the federal Department of Ed to the point where they are authorized to only award block grants to states.

Block grants are grants from the federal government that give each individual state, county and district the power to distribute that money to a wide range of services as they see fit for their particular needs. The current bill being introduced, would allow money for a voucher program where states can distribute grant funds to ultimately allow parents to become eligible to apply for funding if they want their child to go to a private school or home school their child. The bill specified the funds allocated with vouchers ensure the money goes to education expenses only. Specifically, I believe the aim of this bill is to offer voucher options for lower income families whose kids otherwise would never have the chance to attend a private school to meet their educational needs.  One of the current narratives circulating the media is that the bill wants to specifically defund special education in public schools. That is not exactly the way the bill reads.  In essence, special education services in some schools may not be as protected as before, if a district decides they are going to allocate sizable amounts of funding to families of disadvantaged students who wish to use vouchers for private school or home school. I have attached the link to the actual bill here.  

https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/610 
 

It is a fact that 14 states now, such as Indiana and Florida already provide state funded vouchers for parents to send their child to private school. For example in Georgia, federal funds are used for voucher funds that go towards a Special Education scholarship program where poorer parents have the opportunity to send their special needs child to a school that can better provide for their needs. Another misconception our there is that vouchers are not needed by rich families who can afford to send their child to private schools. The current voucher systems already in place, seems to distribute a large number of the vouchers to parents with children with special needs and with a financial need.  Below is another link from the NCSL which outlines specifically those states and where the vouchers currently go. 

http://www.ncsl.org/research/education/voucher-law-comparison.aspx

When determining whether or not this bill will help or hurt children in education, I think one must consider these four questions:

1.    Statistically, does a private school education better prepare students for a successful future? If so, should vouchers be considered when looking at children in poverty whose parents wish to send their child to a better school?

2.    The power as to where the money goes will be given to local states so will local states and districts then begin to defund special education themselves? The current narrative implies the federal government will be allocating funds, but it will be the states. So wouldn’t the states have the power to choose where the money goes? I think yes.

The bill simply diminishes the power of the feds to dictate where the money goes and gives the power to the local authority, and they decide how it is to be distributed based on the particular needs of a states demographics. (The bill says they must though, comply with the law and give a portion to a voucher program for disadvantaged children. ) the bill is in fact forcing all states to utilize some grant money to go to the voucher system.

3.    There are also some discrepancies in the current narrative being shared by the opposition to the bill. For example, it has been said that the public school system is being defunded. In reality public education is not being defunded, however, public schools will be forced to share a portion of their funding with private schools. This will cause money in public schools to be cut. Will funds be cut drastically or minimally? It is impossible to say at this point because it depends on the state and the needs of impoverished students. I would guess the impact on public schools in a place like Illinois--because in a city like Chicago where more parents want their kids currently in inner city neighborhoods to be able to leave a failing public school and go to a private school—the funding for vouchers might be more significant than in places like Nebraska. But that is pure speculation on my part.

4.    What kinds of public schools would be considered at risk of loosing more funding?

a.     Exemplary public schools? Probably not because parents want their kids there.

b.     Poor performing schools? Probably so, because parents don’t like the idea of the quality of their child’s education being determined simply because they have to attend the school in their neighborhood.

Finally the concern over the repealing of the No Hungry Kids act: If you look again at the actual proposal states that the bill repeals a specified rule  (established in 2012) of specific standards for school lunch programs. However this is not a new concern. In September of 2015, the School Nutrition Association (SNA), once a supporter of the

act, began lobbying to roll back the changes. Their reasoning is that the restrictions have driven up the cost and waste, lower sodium presents challenges for menu items again driving up costs of food when a low sodium diet in children is questionable when it comes to health concerns, they wanted the mandate nixed on using whole grains, which has increased waste. In support of these concerns, the Senate Ag committee Chairman supported the SNA in giving schools more flexibility in meeting the nutritional standards.   Again, it looks like the repeal is aimed at saving money and giving schools more choice while handing the reins of control from the Federal government to local states and school districts.

 

Would The Grown-ups in the Room Please Stand Up?

I was thinking this morning,( a dangerous prospect for sure, but it's really time for the adults in this country to stop, stand up, and take the time to think about the future of our youth. Over coffee and the quiet of my kitchen in the early morning  hours I pondered: What makes individuals treat each other with such violent hatred? 
After reading the  headlines today about the man pictured on the left, I decided not to post the video; I don’t expect anyone to watch something I find difficult to view for over 5 seconds. (I blurred out his face, the video is easy enough to find on your own). Still, as disturbing and evil as this example of human degeneracy is, I feel it’s important to talk about it in the  anti-Trump, era that seems to grow stronger with each new day.

 This horrific behavior, was perpetrated in Chicago by 4 deeply troubled youth,  indoctrinated by the hate messages spun daily over social media. At the center of this viciousness is special needs white male kidnapped, beaten and tortured in the name of racism and over hatred for Donald Trump, and broadcast by the perps, over Facebook, live (for over 30 minutes).  This barbaric act, and others like it, is not limited to one race or group, but it does illustrate how dark and troubled our world has become, and how quickly and deeply our country is spiraling downward away from decency. Progress made by civil rights movements over the last several decades is slowly eroding away as we descending as a civilized country to a very troubling place in regard to respect for humanity. Across the social media landscape immensely popular puppet master pages like, Occupy Democrats, The Other 98%, and US Uncut continue to indoctrinate young minds into hate factories.   
What is even more alarming is that some are more upset at the BBC doing a comedy sketch "The Real Housewives Of Isis" than they are of an innocent defenseless man with special needs being kidnapped, forced to drink toilet water, tied up and beaten.

It’s time for the adults in the room to stop pitting people against each other and take a serious look at what we are doing to our youth.  As Americans we ALL need to accept responsibility for what is happening in this country. Stop blaming other races, stop blaming Donald Trump,  President Obama and politicians and start putting the blame on the one we see in the mirror. 

We need to start UNDERSTANDING what PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY really means, and live it daily,  ALL Americans need to accept responsibility for future generations, start practicing some common sense, become an INFORMED citizen, support and defend the Constitution, be a good person, listen to others, encouraging open dialogue; especially with those with whom you disagree, and above all else, pray. Pray for wisdom, discernment, and compassion; pray for your family, your neighbor, this country, and our world. The time is now to stop wallowing in our own self-pity and arrogance and start coming together to do the hard work of uniting in a spirit of love for our fellow man. As one US governor said recently: "America is the great idea - an idea of our forefathers for ALL it’s inhabitants. Now we must bring our best ideas to bear in order to build America for a new century. And we must do so in the manner our forefathers wanted: Together. One nation. Under God. Indivisible."
 

Lost Literacy; Lost Liberty

Author Ann Rice once said: “Give me a man or woman who has read a thousand books and you give me an interesting companion. Give me a man or woman who has read perhaps three and you give me a very dangerous enemy indeed."  
How true.  
As I observed the political campaigns and elections recently, I noticed a troubling trend of friends and countrymen falling victim to media manipulation. I watched as we created a new enemy in society---ourselves. We are turning on each other as a nation, as the enemy steadily and quietly attacks from within our own circles as our friends and family; our neighbors, schools, and communities obliviously descend in a death spiral downward towards a world of chaos and ruin. Liberty and freedom continue to be threatened as even our own election process has brought a resistance as people march to overthrow our newly elected president who has not even been given a chance to show his worth as our leader. We judge too quickly, as an ignorant crowd armed with pitchforks and torches to take down our republic.
These days we as Americans are obsessed with our health, and devote endless hours to maintaining our  physical well being through exercise and nutrition. But it seems as our world becomes increasingly engulfed in the flames of hate and division on on the streets of our great nation and in social media in matters of  social and political issues we have been severely neglecting the single most important segment of our health--our minds.  How tragic for one of the greatest nations the world has ever known, that we have fallen victim to willful ignorance. Our minds are very complex as we all know, the thing is, we have to exercise them just the same as we do our bodies.
No matter how busy we claim to be as we move through our days, it is essential we always take time to exercise our minds and read. Reading full books, full articles and authors from a VARIETY of perspectives prevents one from becoming too stuck in a mindset that promotes willful ignorance. Letting ourselves become mesmerized by social media rhetoric and voicing only one perspective stifles our objectivity and critical thought while rendering us incapable of debating each other in a manner that is both productive and meaningful. Some people choose only see what they want to see, and it is creating a cult of ignorance, intolerance and anti-intellectualism. (no matter if you consider yourself on the left or the right of political and social issues) We owe it to our children and young people to create a climate of love. People can love each other and still disagree. You can share your views on society and still love and respect those who do not agree with your values. It's true! No matter how hard it is to love those who oppose your values, one has to try because you will only drive others away from your perspective if you don't' take time to listen to others. But this can only come through educating ourselves; and educating ourselves requires reading and honest discussion in the spirit of mutual respect. Through reading we learn to use our words in a manner that persuades and invites thoughtful debate.
 Be careful with your words, don't allow yourself to feed into the lies that divide and dominate our culture today. Take time to read, study and contemplate. Then, armed with enlightenment and facts have the courage to step outside those "safe spaces" we have created for ourselves and others by interacting with others who hold different values from your own. While it is challenging for sure, it is possible.  It takes guts..but who knows, you might  find in the process a mind is changed....be it theirs or yours.
Stay humble, hold fast to your deepest values, and don't be afraid to take a risk. Reach out to others, share your knowledge. In the end not one of us have cornered the market on righteousness. Not a one. That privilege is held only by The One who created us.

Protectors Defending the Sacred

Sunset at Camp: Jaci Begay

 The spiritual and conservational wisdom of Native Americans is and has been legendary every since the first explorers began traveling to America so long ago . Respect for the natural world, it’s abundance and fragility has been a constant thread weaving its way throughout humankind for centuries by the brilliant elders of Indigenous America who were and continue to ruminate far ahead of their time. I often find it puzzling why their voices go largely unheard in affairs of our country today.  Seeing numerous stories come across my social media news feeds recently on the events happening in North Dakota over the Dakota Access Pipeline are compelling, and I believe it is time for me to speak out.  

I don’t pretend to know much about the pros and cons on the controversy over the pipeline, but I do know many of the people who have spent months fighting against it; and I trust their judgment. The arguments on both sides are equitable. But speaking as someone who has lived as neighbors and worked with Native Americans for the majority of her career, and as someone who is blessed with Native relatives, I feel I need to take a stand in solidarity with them and the lesson our Indigenous brothers and sisters are trying to teach us all on this dispute. They have been the protectors of this land for centuries and have the wisdom of the ages; and we are not listening to them.

Native Americans are the most unappreciated and misunderstood population in this country, and sadly, too, they are the most neglected. First Americans wandered this land and called it their home long before my ancestors stepped foot on her soil or beheld her majestic, hidden beauty. Tragically they are almost all but forgotten in modern American society; their voices ignored and the faces of these ancient peoples nearly invisible. Still they persevere in spite of our disregard and subjugation.

The beauty and richness of Native culture is something of which we all should be proud. But the problems that plague these kind, peaceful, and generous people are daunting, and their plight through the years has been a shameful reflection of us all regarding what we value in our society as a whole. The little land they still hold onto—reservations-- are riddled with economic and societal problems. Yet in spite of these obstacles Native people continue to thrive and work diligently to preserve their vibrant culture. More and more Natives are finding the courage once again speak out and tribes from all over the country are joining together to collectively voice their concerns on things that really matter, not just to them, but to us all.

Photo credit: Jaci Begay

Fast-forward to today and the Dakota Access pipeline. A months-long protest by Natives and other concerned Americans against this multi-billion-dollar oil pipeline has grown to one of the largest gathering of Indigenous peoples here in over 100 years.  They are taking a stand against allowing the pipeline to cross their lands and under the Missouri River citing concerns that the pipeline will have a negative impact on water quality on the reservations and jeopardize cultural and sacred heritage sites. 

Pipeline, Ipswich, South Dakota

On the flip side of this controversy proponents of the pipeline say it will boost the economy and create thousands of jobs. They contend there is little risk of water contamination.  I guess Native America feels there are just some things more important than money and even a small risk is too great.

What troubles me most about this entire controversy is that it goes largely unnoticed by mainstream America.  While most of us go about our daily business with little regard to the precious land we live on these committed souls have left the comforts of their own home, took leave of their jobs and sacrificed their own daily lives to come together to fight for the one thing none of us can live without—our sacred water. We dwell in a land of various faiths, cultures, and races, but we all have one thing in common--We share in the sacred gift of water. It is the lifeblood that runs through all our veins, as a reminder of goodness and purity.  Before any living creature ever came into being, Our Creator first fashioned the land and the water with His Mighty hand, and we will not survive without it. Water is the one compound humans are not able to replicate. It is unique, and it is irreplaceable.

I don’t know what the answer to the present dilemma is in North Dakota. Our society is dependent on oil and without it our economy is in trouble. But I cannot ignore the wisdom of those who are there right now, fighting against the pipeline. There has to be answers that can accommodate us all in a safe and prosperous manner and I believe we need to stand with Native America now and fight for their cause. Our president and our politicians have let them down with their deafening silence on this issue; an all too familiar scenario on reservation’s today.  So it is up to us all to stand with Native America against the pipeline and demand another way.

Photo courtesy of Jaci Begay

And so goes the events unfolding in North Dakota at this very moment. Many are growing weary of the long and grueling protests and need our support and prayers.  Officials for the pipeline have tried multiple tactics to discourage and disperse them away from the front lines from thwarting  their supply of water to using force against the unarmed and peaceful protectors. But they will continue and refuse to stand down until their voices are heard. It is time, and it is long over due.

The Water Protectors have come from all over the country. Photo: Jaci Begay

Tomorrow morning as you are making your first pot of coffee, or as you offer your toddler a cold glass of water before they lay their precious head down to slumber, give thanks to God for the clean water so readily available to you and pray you never take it for granted.  And as you relax in a warm bath at the end of a hard day, and feel the clean, pure water blanket your being, whisper a prayer for those up in the Dakotas, fighting to preserve our sacred gift. Give thanks to men and women like them who will give their all to save our water.  And as one wise young Native man reminded me the other day, envision them not as protestors, but as protectors. They are and always have been the keepers of this land we all call home. Pray for the protectors of the Creators sacred gifts.

All photography property of Jaci Bagay

The Misplaced Fear of Donald Trump

Here's something to think about for all who are fearful of Donald Trump.  Spreading Trumpaphobia to the masses seems to be the latest fear mongering weapon of choice for the Left. I wonder if those who fear him realize we have someone sitting in the White House right now who IS doing exactly what people are fearful Trump MIGHT do. Let me explain: I care about everyone. I care that if someone is uncomfortable using a specific bathroom then we should help, we should be sure their rights are protected just as every other American citizen. Trans friends have most likely been using the bathroom of their choosing forever, you just didn't notice. I am not here to debate that issue. However the way the Obama administration set forth the directive for schools in terms of bathroom policies seems alarmingly unlawful. Obama used a sort of "blackmail " to force schools to follow his directive. No room for debate, no room to let schools and states handle things on a local level, no time or room for discussion of possible better ideas to help all young people. This was not an executive order; this was a directive. There is a difference. You see, at least two provisions of federal law ban discrimination on the basis of sex: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which covers employment, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.When lawmakers passed the education amendments, they did not consider that the law could one day be applied to gender identity. (Jeremy Tedesco, senior counsel at the Alliance Defending Freedom). It seems the Obama administration did not follow proper procedure for making new regulations, which would leave the larger issue unsettled, or that its interpretation of Title IX is inconsistent with the law and in turn possibly jeopardize future rights of transgenders or any gender, race or faith back ground for that matter under any future president. Using the false narrative that opposition to his tactics is somehow phobic or fearful is simply untrue. All Americans deserve rights and freedom under our United States Constitution. No one is fearful of anything but the possibility that all American’s rights and freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution are slowly being eroded away. Freedom erosion should be a concern to all Americans. People should be very concerned; Americans on both sides of this issue need to wake up and smell the proverbial coffee. The more critical debate we should be having is not over who goes in what bathroom, but rather if this administrations callous disregard for constitutional laws and due process is now the weapon of their choice.

Hidden Agendas in the Unlikely Places

I have in the past enjoyed a few speeches given by our First Lady, Michelle Obama. But the one she delivered at the final commencement at The City College of New York   has me deeply concerned. Again I feel I need to say, I am not defending Trump, but I’m getting sick of all the nonsense. Allow me, if you will, to go step by step through this snippet, as I hear lots of political rhetoric. Mrs. Obama  says, “we don’t give into our fears, we don’t build up walls to keep people out” What does that mean? Who’s afraid? No one I know. And certainly not Trump. Maybe she means letting anyone from anywhere come and go as they wish? She better check with her husband first though because his administration has deported more illegals than any president before him. We can’t go into Mexico illegally, why can they do it here? She says people are afraid of those who are different” Who is afraid? Not me, I have friends of all races, religions and cultures. I am sure most of us do. So whom is she talking about? Trump? He most likely has more friends, business partners and acquaintances of more diverse backgrounds and cultures than any of us, including the Frist Lady. Who is she talking out when she says “there are those who discourage diversity.”? Is that Trump again? Trump encourages entrepreneurship regardless of race or religion. So it can’t be him. He has supporters of all races. Does she mean Conservatives in general? Seems to me the Republican Party this time around has more ethnically diverse candidates than the Democrats. “They act as as if anger and name calling are a substitute for thoughtful debate” Hey wait, she must be on my side. I see plenty of anger and name calling by anti-Trump protesters aka Democrats or illegals or whoever they are. I’ll give her that one. Or maybe she is referring to both Trump and Sanders who equally are very brash in their angst over what they believe to be wrong with this country. (The later, being a career politician, is just better at doing it more palatable manner I guess)
Finally: “As if anger and intolerance should be our default state rather than optimism and openness that have always been the engine of our progress.” Yes Michelle, we always have been a country of optimism and openness. We have always been optimistic based on the progress we have made through the ears. We have always been open to diversity and love of our fellow man. Nothing new there, no one is trying to stifle it. Unless you count the folks who are burning flags and shouting “Death to America” And I can guarantee you those are not Trump supporters.
Ms Obama, I thought you were above this kind of rhetoric. Using the word “they, they, they” all the time incites division. Is this the kind of talk given by a skilled public speaker and the president’s wife?  Where is your attempt at creating unity among citizens?? Don’t’ you know better?? This speech makes me very sad indeed. Using a commencement ceremony as a political platform is in very bad form.  

The Truth in Black and White.

One encouraging thing I can say right now regarding the possibility that Trump will be our next president is this: At least I will be able to openly criticize a president again without much backlash. The thought of a white male president makes me realize that we have become a nation of whiners, crybabies and bullies. What other country gets so easily offended as Americans? Who else cries over insignificant nonsense as loudly and consistently as us?

I have openly criticized every US president that has held office at one time or another because I never agree with their policies 100% of the time with anyone.

Most of us don’t.

It’s a free country.

 We have a right to speak our minds.

But with President Obama as our leader, I found that any time I criticized one of his policies someone would accuse me of racism.

My thought is that Americans are to blame for this more than the president himself. People tend to forget regardless of race we are all human thus we are imperfect beings. President Obama has received criticism on his handling of the race issue from both the black and white community.

 Actually some of his harshest criticism comes from the black community saying he’s has not done enough or been stronger on fighting racism. But we dare not say this openly because racism has been sanctioned by the Left; , dare I say even encouraged.  Liberals seem to have stolen pride from blacks.

As strange as it may seem, racism in America is no longer mainly about race, but more and more it seems to becoming an excuse, to escape responsibility or to dodge intelligent, respectful debate.  How can we work together to fix problems if certain people are not allowed to talk about race? We need to have the courage to start honest, respectful dialogue about sensitive issues. How can we work together unless we can discuss??

Racism does still exist. Sadly, it always will.  But thanks to the hypersensitive drama kings and queens in this country, the progress we have made as a nation is slowly plummeting into a backwards spin.

People seem to forget the bigger, brighter picture:

We live in a nation with a black president and a black attorney General. Minority voices are being heard. Most wont’ admit it but does anyone realize it seems ok to be discriminatory and racist against Whites based on their color? Do people see that many whites in general are ok with letting that happen for the sake of open dialogue and to reach some kind of unity with other races? Yet there are those who can’t go a day in this country without crying about what a racist country they live in. It’s almost become like a religion to some.

Being offended is a choice you make. No one is responsible for that choice but you.  I am challenging all Americans to throw away the crutch of offendedness and begin to use our intelligent and creative minds to move forward together as Americans. This is the only way we can move away from the path of self- destruction and onto the road to progress.