David Safier is a journalist and friend of public education in Arizona. In this post, he explains how the usual assortment of corporate reformers amd make-believe Democrats have descended on Arizona to push vouchers.
First, they donated handsomely to the campaign of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction John Huppenthaler, who uses his platform to promote the destruction of public education.
Now they are spreading campaign contributions to wispy-washy Democrats, hoping to divert more money away from public schools.
At some point, public education collapses, and Arizona has a pure choice system, with hyper-segregation.
And with it, the end of an essential democratic institution.
Is this what the plutocrats want?
Yes.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
AZ is going back in time. We now violate civil rights as well as destroy public schools! I am very sad. I am proud to say that my church welcomes all. We have gays on our governing committee and were one of the first churches in the early 50s to put blacks on the governing committee. That is the way it should be. http://www.azcentral.com//news/politics/free/20140219arizona-senate-oks-bill-boosting-service-refusal.html?source=nletter-
A very sad day, indeed!
LikeLike
I have lived in AZ in recent years. Voto Latino is a superlative organization that does more than getting people out to vote. Please give them your support and attention. They are committed to upholding the rights of all citizens, providing clarity, and directing their energies for a more democratic Arizona….and that includes its school age population.
LikeLike
This is a big story right? Corruption of public officials, even bribery? Yet the story breaks only in a free weekly, and not one of the major papers in Arizona seems interested.
Having lived there for many years, one thing I remember well is the pronounced political apathy, even antipathy. So close to the Mexican border – the failed privatized education system in Mexico ought to be enough of a warning – Don’t Do It!
It’s good to know there are people out there paying attention, like David Safier.
LikeLike
We have fake Democrats in the White House, so why not have some fakers at the state level?
I hate to be right, but it has been clear for quite a few years there are no “left-right,” “Democratic-Republican,” or “liberal-conservative” divisions anymore. There is only the war by the few and their political hacks against everybody else in attempt to steal all public assets to further enrich these sociopathic, parasitical few. I think the public is slowly coming around to the truth they have been brainwashed for many, many years to turn over their wallets to the financial elites.
The only question now is what we can do about it before the whole situation turns bloody. The body politic has been infected with the neoliberal cancer for over 30 years, and the country is just about on life support.
LikeLike
I’m sure Superintendent Huppenthal would be slightly interested in this hit piece. This “platform” you mention is one supported by the people of AZ– who elected Huppenthal.
LikeLike
I didn’t vote for Huppenthal, and I think there are many who did not. I also did not vote for the former School Superintendent, Tom Horne. AZ politics is a mess on a huge scale. Huppenthal and Horne are being led by the Goldwater Institute, which is part of ALEC. They don’t care about the people of AZ or elsewhere. They care about money!
LikeLike