The GOP's Long Con on Education Funding: A Look at Recent Trends and Policies
When I reflect on my educational experience from the 1960s through high school, funding for education seemed to be stable, reflecting a bipartisan effort where politicians genuinely cared about the future of our country. However, as we move forward, the landscape has dramatically changed, with corporations and billionaires reaping tax cuts, leaving education funding in a tenuous state.
From Bipartisan Funding to Stagnant Teacher Salaries
While funding for education may not have been purposefully cut, the reality is that funding stagnation has persisted. Teacher salaries, in particular, have been stagnant, affecting educators and students alike. Now, Republican policies appear to be moving away from full funding of schools, advocating for the use of vouchers as a form of school choice. Yet, this approach may not truly improve the educational system as a whole, as seen in my home state, where only students with lower test scores might receive vouchers, leaving the education system woefully underfunded.
Inner City Schools and Systemic Underfunding
Inner city schools have been the first to notice the cuts, leading to a systematic decline in educational quality. As the role of the internet in education grew, school districts began rethinking the importance of the subjects being taught. This has resulted in a concerning trend: a generation of Americans who lack vital knowledge about history, geography, and government.
The GOP Long Con: A Hypothesis
So, what is the long con behind these policies? It's a hypothesis that the GOP's strategy may be to lower the educational attainment of the general public, making it easier to manipulate and control them. By reducing the level of education, the party may be more easily able to implement divisive policies and maintain power.
Furthermore, the GOP’s handling of critical issues, such as reproductive rights with the reversal of Roe v. Wade, indicates a retreat from forward-thinking policies and a preference for the status quo and division. Gone are the days of Republican politicians who cared deeply about the country and had ethical morals. Now, we see a trend towards self-interest, with a focus on maintaining power and control at the expense of societal progress.
Note on Presidential Leadership
The current administration, with its lack of education and its numerous legal issues, adds another layer to this narrative. By backing a president who has been indicted multiple times and is deeply unpopular, the GOP is not just failing the country—it is fostering division and uncertainty, reminiscent of the political instability seen during the Civil War era.
A Shift in Republican Principles
From the 1970s to today, the GOP has undergone significant ideological shifts. While there have always been differences between parties, the cooperation and shared idealism that characterized the 1970s are no more. Today's Republicans, though still in office, operate more in their own interests, much like corporations that want to pay the bare minimum to workers without concern for their welfare or health.
Education, in particular, has become a pawn in a larger political game. The neglect of history in education highlights a broader movement towards ignorance, which can only harm society as a whole.
As an observer of these profound changes, it is clear that the Republican Party's current stance on education funding and policy is part of a larger strategic move to manipulate the populace. This shift has severe consequences for the future of our society, and it is crucial that we as citizens remain vigilant and informed.