Save the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program

[insomniacgrace]

Thanks for this video posted. Inspiring!

[Blkojo]

These kids should be thanking Republican Majority Leader John Boehner. He, not Obama...and certainly not the Democrats (who wanted to abolish this program)....is responsible for yesterday's continued funding of this program.

[Aeschylus]

Great video, but please, Comic Sans must be abolished!

[StoogeWatcher]

Like many liberals, Obama brags about how great public schools are, but send THEIR kids to private school. It also shows that liberals are actually against choice when it comes to children.

[BuyUroxatral]

cool

[Micheleeroo]

Too bad Obama doesn't want THESE kids to succeed. He wants them back in public school, in order to make the teacher's union (who pours millions into leftist political campaigns like Obama's) happy. As a common-sense politician once told me: "Beware the ones who are more concerned about who's teaching the kids than whether they are learning anything."

amen

[ghoward79]

why are liberals to anti-choice? Let people choose their school. Vouchers would help the public school system giving them more money per child to spend because the vouchers are usually half or less of what public costs are.

[jabberwolf]

Because Obama is for unions and NOT FOR PEOPLE!

Every voucher school over 2 years running, does better than public schools... using the same funds!!

So Obama made sure to stop that nonsense off, because it worked, and would put union leaders and admins out of work.

so instead he ended voucher schools and made sure that young teachers were laid off instead!

Change we can believe in!!

[khoisan2]

Having the American Conservative Party defend the Heritage Foundation video in support of a Bush administration policy isn't a big surprise.

The only thing that ties Obama to the program is the fact that he's black and those in the video are black.

Your last sentence looks like a string of big words to make you sound intelligent. More branding I guess.

[khoisan2]

I like the new branding. Calling it a "scholarship" instead of a voucher since people know voucher programs have not taken off after 30 years.

I also like the use of race in the video. We know the Heritage Foundation is a conservative think tank in DC that heavily supported Reagan and Jr. Bush. Using black people to attack a black president is ingenious. We all know minorities are all supposed to think alike so why is Obama taking apart a republican voucher program?

Good video.

[ACPUSA]

The D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program was a pilot voucher program limited to the region of Washington D.C.

African Americans make up 90% of the D.C. program. Ergo, a program targeting D.C. schools will overwhelmingly represent Blacks.

Your smug condescension is informed entirely by a proud ignorance borne from a false conceit that you have a monopoly on reason.

[AllFractUp]

I'm curious about something. When did "Black" and "African American" become interchangeable? What I find interesting is most people who identify as "black" are simply shades of brown. Those who identify as "African American" can technically call themselves that only if they are born in Africa and migrated to the United States.

I have ancestry from from four or five different countries. I consider myself American first, everything else is secondary.

[wendlew]

Why do White people call theirselves White and they are pink?

[AllFractUp]

wendlew,

I don't call myself white. I'm not pink either. I'm Caucasian. You'd have to talk to the albinos or Michael Jackson's of the world who are white.

[wendlew]

You are interested by this...because?

Are not White and Caucasian not also "interchangable"

You call yourself "caucasian" because I am guessing you have ancestors that were in the Caucus Mtns of Russia?

Yes we are ALL americans, but some of us feel comfortable in acknowledging where we came from before arriving to America.

We all came here on a ship....just different kind !

[AllFractUp]

wendlew,

My original post was a question I had over the years since "blacks" changed their racial moniker yet again. I wonder what it will be after "African American". I suppose we'll have to see in a few years. The name change cycle seems to be every twenty years (Negro->Black->African American->??)

As for taking public monies for school funding the problem would be in applying that to any religious-oriented school. Magnet and charter schools all do better a job. So does private.

[AllFractUp]

wendlew,

Of course their not interchangeable. That's just silly. Just like "Black" and "African American" aren't equivalent racial identifiers either. That was my point. I may have ancestors from Russia. I have ancestors from Ireland, Germany, Creek Indian (America), Scotland, etc.

Technically speaking the American Indian side of me was here long before the your ship arrived :P

[wendlew]

No this program is not only in DC

White? caucasian people could have applied too

like everything in life there is a choice.

The choice you chose is entirely up to you.

[MAVsays]

Democrats in Washington including the now obviously Big Hypocrite Obama ~ DO NOT CARE ~ nor have they ever cared about any people who are not part of their stuffy, snobish, elite society, especially not poor people...

All of these these poor people are where they are today because of Democrat policies, just look back over the last 200 year history of the nation...

I just hope they will all see the truth, that it always has been the Conservatives who truly care for the poor...

[dare2act]

The sickest thing about this is the program was started under a White Republican President and Congress and now being ENDED by a Black President and a Democratic congress...Ironic

And they are the Party of the People...

[rakrobn]

Sorry but my tax dollars are meant to go to public schools not private schools or more like your religious centers of indoctrination.

[ghoward79]

test scores show they're far better educated than public school kids.

[wendlew]

not all schools in the program are religious

[HammockTimeNow]

I totally disagree with a federal voucher program. Local taxes pay for schools as well as state aid. Get the vouchers from those sources. I don't want to pay for lazy deadbeats in other states...I have enough of them here in NJ.

[ACPUSA]

In that case, you must be opposed to the Department of Education, because they're pouring money into school districts, vouchers or not.

[HammockTimeNow]

That is correct so why dump even more funds into a clearly targetted area?

[wendlew]

Come to DC and see the piss filled halls of these schools and see if you would not want better for your kids

[jsparky321]

Bush gave them Hope. Obama gave them the shaft...and they all voted for Obama...hahahahah

[evansville70]

The program was started in 2004. Gee i wonder who the President was at the time?

[Moorka15]

Unbelievable that they throw all this money around on pork like the Murtha Airport (150 million price tag 3 flights per day) and thousands of other boondoggles but cannot fund this dc voucher program which is so obviously directly helping kids now and for the future.

[rbauman08]

i like the way "wendlew" seems to have assumed parenthood of this video by berating everyone who criticizes obama. must not have a job. oh yeah, said person is a parent of two of the kids. must be a single mother leeching off the government.

[wendlew]

You are really HILARIOUS!

As an adult I refuse to stoop to your level....even tho I want to (VERY BADLY)

but I will not let that side show

I am very much employed and have been since I was 16.

I am the mom to Sakeithia and De'Andre in this video.

I pay my way through so I am not leeching of of anyone.

well maybe I am because I want this scholarship

[Cubeman4]

Great response. I don't think you're leeching off anyone because this program costs $7500, which is half the cost of a public education in D.C. Opportunity scholarships always actually save money because private schools are so much more efficient than the bloated government public school system.

[wendlew]

Wenlew has a job and a good one.....just doesnt pay alot

so that means I am a working mom

taking care of my kids

trying to suppport a program that helps kids to obtain a good education

so if I am LEECHING off of your 19 year old pockets.....hopefully you have nearly graduated and ready to apply some of the vast knowledge you have aquired in your college career

[rbauman08]

and thanks for cyberstalking me.. fuckhead

[rbauman08]

and i like the way that girl reads the word "quantified" ... like she's never seen it before!

[wendlew]

you are just a kid with these views!??

Where are your parents?

Are you serious!

I have seen your spill on impeach Obama

where are your clothes?

does making fun of other kids make you feel better?

Why did you make that segment/

You are heading down a dark road ...are you in need of attenion...seriously!

I wish I could hug you and let you know that things will be ok

[rbauman08]

Obama is an embarrassment. and you think i'm a child because you don't like my views. the failure of the public education system is just another reason we shouldn't socialize the hell out of everything we've got - like obama wants to.

[RogerBun]

I agree with you 110%. You are exactly correct. I like the United States as they are. I don't like socialize in any way. We need to stick to our freedom.

[wendlew]

and as to me "stalking" you

YOU should have not made your information public. I merely clicked on your name and the information came up.

and as far as you calling me a "fuckhead" that was original.

I have not heard that one in a long time.

I have children your age and if this is what I have to look forward to them becomingassociates of....maybe I need to reconsider

your anti Socialist ways

[rbauman08]

don't worry. YOUR children are black, and they live in DC. I doubt they'll become conservatives.

[rbauman08]

haha even the liberals now criticize Obama

[ibilldavis]

These are your people obama. Are you listenning?

[Stammon]

I tried to tell you,

Now all I have to say is:

I told you so.

Prove me wrong Pres. Obama, give these kids a chance.

[mycokerewardsmcr]

Senator Dick Durbin D-Il placed the amendment into the budget bill to kill this program. President Obama signed it into law, no line item veto, executing these kids hope for the future. Change, not the kind of change anyone wanted but this is the change of the Obama adminstration. It's already too late folks.

[Bayou9000]

to quote rhettrongun, "Obama really has very little choice in the matter."

In case you have forgotten, he IS president of the United States of America, HE HAD NOT ONLY THE CHOICE BUT THE OBLIGATION to right this horrible WRONG!

When are you people going to wake up and realize he doesn't care about you or your CHILDREN! He has NOT mentioned once any concern for your babies or apologised for eliminating their vouchers! What a COWARD! or just a SOCIOPATH!

[pakarpis]

I hope these kids get to keep their scholarships as well as the public schools improve. I think that kids should be offered schools of excellance that are funded by the government. Only kids that

are well behaved and good students would attend. These schools would

be accessable to any income level but would accept only students that showed a real interest in academics. They should offer job skills and life skills to those who don't want to go to college. Society would be better off.

[mumzdcp]

Ahhhh hello? Can we all say "Teacher's Union"?

[rhettrongun]

Yeah, that pos union is such a huge supporter of the democratic party that President Obama really has very little choice in the matter. I feel sorry for those kids if they cannot continue at their private school of choice though. They don't deserve to get stuck back in public schools surrounded by gang members and cretins that have deplorable parents.

[wendlew]

YES this is the case Teachers Unions

[einnaecarg]

I live in San Diego, CA. Where can I get more information about this program? Does California have this? I want to have a choice for my daughter's education. I am a taxpayer and I want my child to have a better choice.

[walternyc]

Do you think that Obama is going to put the interest of these children before the support of the unions? Do you think that Michelle believe that these children are entitled to the same education that her children have on a private school? I am sorry to break the news, he is just a cynical politician, no more no less.

[pbcnetworkz]

I am also a Libertarian (who voted Democrat) who cares about people and FREEDOM too.

I support this School Choice Voucher program in principle, but let's also focus on making the public school better to compete with the private schools.

Create a chartered school program like in DC. These are public/private hybrid.

be totally Libertarian and let the market decide. PRIVATIZE ALL THE SCHOOLS and let the government provide vouchers so the parents can choose school to send their children to.

[pbcnetworkz]

Too add:

Food stamps can be used at any grocery store. Medicais/Medicare can be used at any hospital.

School vouchers can be used at any school.

If you're using my taxes to help the children get a better education, then the schools better compete for it. That's how business is done in a capitalist society.

You will get better paid teachers and the grades and test scores will shoot up!

[wendlew]

as the parent of two in this video...I agree !

[ariesvids]

"I am also a Libertarian (who voted Democrat) who cares about people and FREEDOM too."

Democrats don't. Your vote empowered evil.

[pakarpis]

What do you mean your vote empowered evil? I am a Democrat and a teacher. Your

argument is obtuse and frankly reveals and uneducated mind.

[jbm0745]

How could anyone claim to be Libertarian and vote Democrat? Either you don't know what it means to be libertarian, you have no clue what the Dems and Obama stand for, or you were heavily intoxicated and accidentally placed the wrong vote.

Libertarian ideals of free markets and a small, limited federal gov are diametrically in opposition to the big government collectivist ideals of the left.

[skrrrrch]

Wow...it was president Bush who gave these poor minorities an opportunity--choice and HOPE. President Obama steals hope and dashes dreams for the poor and minorities?!! Where ARE the media when there is a story to report that is truly a travesty and shame.

[walternyc]

Don't expect these children with Katie or Good morning america any time soon.

[pakarpis]

The system in place is there because of Bush. Mr. Obama will do what he can he just got into office give him a chance.

[skrrrrch]

Yes, he just got into office and it took him less than 100 days to destroy our 5 children's college fund that we had saved over 15yrs. for...

Obama does not understand economics or the stock market--that is evident:( He is destroying hope and eliminating our children's choices...

[nitrojiber]

All these kid's parents probably voted for Obama and other democrats -- so I really don't care if they lose their vouchers. Serves them right.

[wendlew]

GROW UP !!

[pchoquet]

Unbelievable that this scholarship program would be cut, but they are spending trillions of dollars on so many stupid things - such as money for tattoo removal!?!? What is happening to this country???????????????

[SocialTrafficInc]

This program definently has benifits for these kids and in giving them options. I believe too though we also need to clean up the public schools to give all kids a chance in both places.

But leaving it up to one president is not the anser I feel it is up to all of us to think about our children and our plannet and do things now as we can and not wait for some president to provide the ansers.

~Expect MIracles

Shane

[agbook]

Forget Obama and the socialist public school system! These kids deserve these vouchers and the chance for a better life!

BTW I'm a Libertarian/Republican who cares about people and FREEDOM.

[Bgluvr2]

But this is Change that you voted for. Close it and send them back to public schools. They are run so well by Democrats

[odie0220]

i need help too....i get up and work hard everyday so my son has a good life, but it's not enough....please help...oh wait, im the wrong shade,. 

PAINFUL !! and you know it's true !

[connecticutmommmy]

These kids lose their scholarships, but Nancy Pelosi's mice get saved? WTF?

[wendlew]

HA HA..

[bertly71]

OK for Obama's kids to opt out and go to Sidwell but not for poor inner city kids to opt out. At least Bush's kids all went to public schools. Obama is an elitist not a populist. Actions speak louder than slick speeches.

[NBAaddict83]

--If a group of the same MINORITY come together with a message, that makes them racist? I guess the NAACP and LULAC are hate groups then. lol.

--Bush gave funds for people to go to Private schools. Was he anti-American?

--Your Dad is from Kenya?

[zorak2025]

Take your children out of their communistic social engineering camps and set them free. Stop making excuses for convenience and financial gain. Home school your children. Save the next generation of patriots before it is too late and the communist leftists win and destroy this country! The Dems are doing this because they want our kids.

[UndergroundAmericans]

what about charter schools?

[wendlew]

I hope you don't have kids. Would you not want the best for them?

[michaellepes]

aww how sad. Sorry to inform you but you kids are shit out of luck. The governemt will have no money to support these types of programs.

[Omnious24]

Money isn't the problem in this case. Ideology is.

[wendlew]

Thats your opinion and you should already know what they say about those............

[blkconservativ]

hmmm...it amazes me that during obama's campaign trail he was praising the public school system. (ass kissing the school teacher's unions to get their support) but his daughters go to a private school. why can't these children have the same opportunities? liberal hypocrisy. since obama and congress is giving out monies to useless special interest groups why can't he give these kids that're doing well in this school the support they need? i bet their parents didn't vote for this "change".

[wendlew]

This was an oppurtunity I found out about and went through the proper channels to get it for my children. anyone can apply who meets the criteria. I am hoping that Ms. Rhee can get DCPS schools in shape...but it is not an overnight process and there is much work to be done.

I went to public school in MD and yes I am not an idiot , but DC schools are in a league of their own.

constant fights and shootings....not always televised on the local media, but this is where we live

[wendlew]

I am the mother of two of the kids in this video.

[dmoo222]

I hope for your children's sake that this program stays in place. These are important issues that I hope will be examined during the next election more carefully than this past one. Parents should have the right to choose their childrens school. Just like the Obamas.

Also a MOM

[wendlew]

Thank you and I will fight for them to have a good education !!

[duncanhunter2008]

I am a staunch conservative, and I hope for your sake that this program stays in place. The kids deserve the best education they can get, and vouchers make it possible.

[Chick6517]

would say believing to have contracted terminal eye cancer, and therefore actually having to change one of the lines in Paper towns.

[cattlebarroness2]

These children won the school-choice lottery in Washington, DC. Isn't it a shame other DC children don't have the same opportunity?

[JoeLoro]

People who look to the Federal Government for their salvation in this life are doomed to a lifetime of misery. People who come from other countries where there TRULY is no opportunity always seem to be very successful in America. These people and their families should have the attitude that thinks no one is going to help ME, so I will help MYSELF. . .but instead, they let themselves be pawns for the elite and used as propaganda.

[Cubeman4]

JoeLoro, the point of this program is to show that a free market in education works, not to give "handouts". Every opportunity scholarship or voucher program costs a fraction of government public school education. I agree with everything you said, but this is a great program that is showing that freedom and choice work better than government monopoly while it helps thousands of kids go from miserable schools to good ones.

[rochha]

sorry get a job and work your way through college like everyone else

[stayfresh06]

I kinda agree

[pakarpis]

I think your are a follower of an uneducated mind. A product of the Republicans lack of support for teachers

over the last eight years. Everyone was left behind including the children.

[stayfresh06]

Dude first of all you don't know me...secondly, what the hell did the democrats do for the teachers when they were in power? Lastly, if these parents really want their children to get a good education they should have the initiative to do so in their own community schools so that the children wont have to be bused elsewhere...They should demand reform of their local schools and not depend on the government to give them checks to send their kids someplace else...

[bertly71]

School choice is a decision people like the Obama's have but not poor people who's kids are stuck in crime ridden under performing schools. Give vouchers a chance and stop taking money from the teachers unions so you can be objective on this issue.

[Nickk361]

I attended school in a inner city school and I turned out ok.

[wendlew]

Good for you !

[bertly71]

So did I. Not all people are as fortunate as we were. Some need something extra to get them thru the process. I think that something extra should be available to all of those who need it, not just rich people and politicians kids.

[abarzilai664]

Why are the Dems so resistent to vouchers if it helps their const. and why are the Black lobby groups not pushing them on the subject.

[rightdemocrat]

Supporting school choice is a progressive position. In fact, some of original backers of vouchers were great Democratic leaders like Hubert Humphrey and Daniel Patrick Moynihan. And many rank and file Democratic voters favor school choice. As a populist Democrat, I am in favor of giving poor kids a chance to get a decent education. In my view, school choice is really a civil rights issue. It is time for more Democratic elected officials to get on the right side of the issue.

[Omnious24]

It may be a progressive position but it is not the position of today's Democratic party because they are authoritarian leftists, not progressives. If you vote for a Democrat today you are not voting for what you think.

[Causa10bserver]

Very well said. Thank you.

[jbm0745]

Actually rightdemocrat supporting school choice is the freemarket position. The progressive/collectivist position is to funnel more money to failed government programs and maintain the status quo. Progressives believe in government providing the answers not the freemarkets.

[jobrien2001]

Using kids for political purposes is unethical.

These morons still think the government can help them.

[janxjanx]

HAHA. Some advice for these kids: Take it up with your moronic parents who midlessly vote for the commie pigs over and over again. Kids: good luck getting anywhere with the snob in the WH! Private schools are for wealthy kids like Barry Obama, not you; the Democrats need to keep you uneducated.

[jjaaee]

Something is wrong with the sound in this video. It is distorted. The music is comin in 1/2 clear but the voices are not coming in at all...

[Omnious24]

Sorry, kids, your parents did this to you by voting uniformly for the Democrats.

[Nickk361]

Exactly right!

[vonbear1]

keep them dumb and poor, the perfect democrat voters.

[truthadvocate]

Finally a cause "for the children" that actually WOULD help the children!

[LexPhilogus]

"smallpox-tainted school uniforms...is that 'heritage' you can believe in?"

The data show that as school districts have been decreasing in number and swelling in size and centralization math and science scores have been going down.

The data shows that as more and more taxpayer dollars go to government administered schools quality has decreasing (well b4 NCLB).

Your solution is more of the same, resulting in ever decreasing quality.

I support real change. Newt Gingrich 2012!

[JohnRhysMusician]

This is a perfect example why we need school choice. I don't know why stupid liberals hate education so much.

[LexPhilogus]

"I don't know why stupid liberals hate education so much. "

Because liberals would rather invest in teachers instead of kids.

[mattgilman777]

yes, let;s not give that tenth a chance at a future so we can keep saying the white man keeps them down. you're a fool.

[penguinistas]

good video.

[donotswallow]

Lets just switch to school vouchers, so EVERY kid has a choice, not just hose lucky enough to get the scholarship.

[prescottbill]

Charter schools are the answer to the problem of public schools. D.C. has one of the highest cost per student in the US.  Give the charter schools the $12K/student/year you spend at the public schools, see what they can do with it. You will be amazed.