Hey, Warriors Against the Core! By now you’ve probably heard that the U.S. Senate HELP Committee has postponed the vote on Betsy DeVos until 1/31/17. As you know, Mrs. DeVos was tagged to be the next U.S. Secretary of Education. Since that announcement, much evidence has surfaced exposing her ties to the CCSS Machine. This proves IF she is to receive the ‘yes’ votes to become ‘education czar’, we’re all in trouble.
Since the evidence has surfaced, many groups, from ultra conservative to ultra liberal, have agreed on one thing: Betsy DeVos is a terrible candidate for the leadership of education. What all these groups don’t agree on is who is a qualified candidate. Those groups with ties to the CCSS Machine, are suggesting the President choose people with education experience which resembles more educratic nonsense than true academics. Those groups without ties to the CCSS Machine have suggested some true educators, but, because of their political standings, may be brushed aside. This is a terrible “catch 22” for our nation.
So, what’s anti CCSS/Fed Ed Warrior to do?! I believe we need to split this situation into manageable portions. 1) Continued pressure directed to the U.S. Senate HELP committee to NOT vote ‘yes’ on DeVos’ confirmation. 2) Voice our support for those with BOTH the qualifications AND the firm stance it takes to be worthy of such a leadership role.
Those with a firm stance should know that the CCSS Machine is NOT the best education partner and divorce the entire Dept. of Ed from it. A firm stance also means working well with others and not sweeping the citizens under the rug. A firm stance means the Dept. of Ed leadership should recommend to the President to totally repeal ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act). A firm stance also means the next Secretary should recognize that the existence of the Dept. of Ed is an unconstitutional entity and begin the process of shutting it down.From the ties of finances and seats of power Mrs. DeVos has held thus far, do not speak of this kind of strength.
While the goal #2 is huge, the first goal (continued pressure directed to the Senate HELP) isn’t. In fact, the remainder of this article will be focused on HOW we can direct pressure.
Let The ‘Blasting’ Begin:
This Thursday, 1/26/17, from 1 pm to 6pm, EST, join my co-hosts and I as we use Twitter to ‘blast’ the Senate HELP Committee. If you follow me on Facebook (my Common Core Diva page or the U.S. Parent Call to Action page), you hopefully saw the event announced late yesterday (1/23/17). If you didn’t see it, no problem, you can find the information here.
Here’s what I posted describing the event. “Join the Common Core Diva and other concerned Americans about the DeVos confirmation as U.S. Secretary of Education.
Let’s use Twitter to ‘blast’ the U.S. Senate HELP Committee members. Use the #DumpDeVos #ConflictsofInterestMatter #RepealESSA #StopESSA and #SenateHELP ”
Here’s how the Twitter Blast is to work (also posted on Facebook):
“1) Log on to your Twitter acct (if you have one. If not, it’s quick, easy, and free to join)
1a) Our goals in blasting the Senate HELP are getting those who have received DeVos campaign donations to recuse themselves from voting(look for the asterisk or star); getting as many HELP members to deny DeVos as U.S. Secretary of Education as possible and get a true anti Common Core/federally led education, experienced leader like Dr. Peg Luksik, Dr. Pat Huff, Dr. Everett Piper, or Dr. Duke Pesta. Those supporting more federally led/CCSS Machine education are suggesting Michelle Rhee, Linda Darling-Hammond, and others who would not truly represent we, the parents.
2) Access my Twitter page (@CommoncoreDiva), or, if you already follow me, look for the tweets going out. (Remember, only 140 characters per tweet.)
3) Tweet and or re-tweet the jpgs/screen shots you like to the following (please remember to be respectful while being firm). If you choose to use your own images, please keep them appropriate for general audiences. Also, DO NOT attack the person. We are simply raising awareness to our disagreement over Mrs. DeVos, nothing else. The strategy is to open eyes to the truth, not burn bridges. :
a) #DumpDeVos
b) #SenateHELP
c) @SenateHELP
d) #ConflictsofInterestMatter
e) #RepealESSA
f) #StopESSA
OR any other ‘anti DeVos’ hash tag you choose
You can also directly send a message to the following D.C. Leaders:
Senate HELP Committee members:
i) Senator Lamar Alexander* (@SenAlexander)
ii) Senator Patty Murray (@PattyMurray)
iii) Senator Tammy Baldwin (@SenatorBaldwin)
iv) Senator Michael Bennet (@SenBennetCO)
v) Senator Richard Burr* (@SenatorBurr)
vi) Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey)
vii) Senator Bill Cassidy* (@BillCassidy)
viii) Senator Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins)
ix) Senator Mike Enzi (@SenatorEnzi)
x) Senator Al Franken (@SenFranken)
xi) Senator Maggie Hassan (@SenatorHassan)
xii) Senator Orrin Hatch* (@SenOrrinHatch)
xiii) Senator Johnny Isakson (@SenatorIsakson)
xiv) Senator Tim Kaine (@SenKaineOffice)
xv) Senator Lisa Murkowski* (@lisamurkowski)
xvi) Senator Chris Murphy (@SenMurphyOffice)
xvii) Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul)
xviii) Senator Pat Roberts* (@SenPatRoberts)
xix) Senator Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders)
xx) Senator Tim Scott* (@SenatorTimScott)
xxi) Senator Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren)
xxii) Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (@SenWhitehouse)
xxiii) Senator Todd Young* (@SenToddYoung)”
Below are some sample tweets and images you’ll be seeing during the ‘blast’:
“@SenateHELP #DumpDeVos Betsy says implant ESSA as is. ESSA mandates almost $900 mil 4 more tech 2 data track/mine/sell 2 anyone in/out of edu.”
“#DumpDeVos #RepealESSA If ESSA implanted ‘as is’, ties WIOA/HEA over 160 times in fine print mandates 4 ALL students. Where ‘choice’ in that? Vote NO, #Senate HELP”
“#ConflictsofInterestMatter #DumpDeVos @SenateHELP Recuse if u got DeVos $$! Can’t b objective when pockets lined.Break crony capital edu.”
“#StopESSA #SenateHELP #DumpDeVos ESSA mandates what taught/how learned (no choice) 4 workforce agenda/whole community assessments/family interventions. Profit win/edu lose.”
Closing:
Warriors, it’s important to note that while Twitter is a social media outlet, it does help our cause of registering public dissent. Public dissent SHOULD be enough to force our elected leaders to see the truth. Does it always work? Not always, however, in the past, our Warrior voices HAVE made a difference.
That said, join us, this Thursday, and let’s shake up D.C. as only we anti Fed Ed Warriors can do!!
Remember, you are welcome to upload your own images and messages. Just base them on facts, keep under 140 characters, and know you ARE making a difference! Thank you for standing with me.
