I celebrated too soon. I heard that the President had changed his mind about school vouchers in D.C. and I was all set to cheer a great "change." Then of course, I hear that he has only suggested that the children already in the program continue to be covered until they graduate high school.
*sigh* Not the ringing endorsement I had hoped for, and wrote about in March. ( http://www.lovehateoprah.com/lovehateoprah/2009/03/is-the-president-getting-wise-to-school-choice.html )
But not all hope is lost, I think. After all, Barack Obama has promised to "fund what works." Yes, I can be an eternal optimist in some respects. Here is my latest pie-in-the-sky theory:
Obama couldn't just jump to endorsing vouchers outright. That would be too cruel a betrayal to the teachers' unions, to change boats so early in his administration. So he was going to let the vouchers lapse. Action by inaction. Or so he led them all to believe.
There were protests. The parents and students were interviewed by the media. The victims had a face. BO couldn't just tell them all "no." So he jumped at the chance and we get the turn-about today -- for the current students only. The Prez gets to look like Mr. Compromise.
But the protests will continue. Today in D.C. more than a 1,000 people had a rally across the street from City Hall. They don't just want the vouchers to continue for the children already in, they want the program to expand.
Because, you see, the current students have siblings and cousins and friends who are eager to enter the program, too. The parents have told their family members and friends and neighbors how invaluable the opportunity to have their kids attend the private schools has been. They know the advantages -- the leaps and bounds that can be made in their education and in their lives. And everyone wants in.
So, here are underprivileged families begging to be able to have the same opportunity as the Obama girls. Does BO honestly think he can get away with ignoring their cries for help? I don't think he does. He can be very shrewd. I think he is just making baby steps. Considering the strangle-hold the unions have had, today's announcement was actually a small leap. Bigger leaps and bounds aren't far behind.
This administration is the first that has the cred to stand up to the liberals and the unions. He has enamored the press enough that they will follow his lead and stop kowtowing to the status quo. Soon, only the most ardent NEA supporters will still be denying the need for this "fundamental change" that Arne Duncan has said the schools need.
Today D.C., tomorrow inner city Chicago, NY, LA, Detroit... When everyone sees the success of these programs, cities across the nation will be banging on that door of opportunity, too. Yep, when I dream -- I dream big.
Mr. Obama -- you can make this happen. The futures of the underprivileged, undereducated, underappreciated, and underserved students of this nation are depending on you.
The school choice rally outside City Hall in Washington, D.C., on May 7, 2009.
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