"The whole people must take upon themselves the education of the whole people and be willing to bear the expenses of it. There should not be a district of one mile square, without a school in it, not founded by a charitable individual, but maintained at the public expense of the people themselves." -- John Adams

"No money shall be drawn from the treasury, for the benefit of any religious or theological institution." -- Indiana Constitution Article 1, Section 6.

"...no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be enforced, restrained, molested, or burthened in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief; but that all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinion in matters of religion, and that the same shall in no wise diminish enlarge, or affect their civil capacities." – Thomas Jefferson

Friday, January 20, 2017

"Do you have any experience...?"

EXPERIENCE MATTERS

On her show last night (January 19, 2017), Rachel Maddow played a video of Donald Trump speaking at an Inauguration Eve dinner. At the dinner, then President-elect Trump said the following.
Today as you know we appointed a Secretary of Agriculture. He happens to be a farmer...He came into my office two months ago. Since then I saw ten people that everybody liked – politically correct – and I kept thinking back to Sonny Perdue...a great, great farmer. He loves the farms. He knows everything about farming. Knows everything about agriculture. He's been successful in farming. He knows the good stuff and the bad stuff.

But people came into my office and they said, "I'm really wanting the job."

I said, "Let me ask you a question. Do you have any experience with farms or agriculture?"

"No sir, I don't."

I said, "Have you ever seen a farm?"

The one gentleman, who's a great guy, we'll find something else...ok? But I can't make him Secretary of Agriculture.

But we just named Sonny Perdue so I want to congratulate you. Secretary of Agriculture.

[Applause]
President Trump said that it was important for someone in the position of the Secretary of Agriculture to have some experience in farming and agriculture. The purpose of his story was to ensure us that Sonny Perdue was a good choice for Secretary of Agriculture because he is an experienced farmer and knows all the "good stuff and bad stuff" about farming.

...SOMETIMES

Apparently, the education of America's children, and the qualifications for the Secretary of Education are not as important.

The U.S. Department of Education is responsible for the education of America's children, nearly 90% of whom attend public schools. Betsy DeVos has never worked in a public school. She never attended at public school. She doesn't "know everything" about public schools. She's never been "successful" in a public school. She doesn't have "any experience" with America's public schools.

On the other hand, she does have a lot of money...


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