Bernie Sanders proposes "Thurgood Marshall Plan" for public education

[Uncle Joe]

The charter school moratorium is just part of the 10-point plan the senator officially put forward Saturday:

1. Combating Racial Discrimination and School Segregation

2. End the Unaccountable Profit-Motive of Charter Schools

3. Equitable Funding for Public Schools

4. Strengthen the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

5. Give Teachers a Much-Deserved Raise and Empower them to Teach

6. Expand After-School/Summer Education Programs

7. Universal School Meals

8. Community Schools

9. School Infrastructure

10. Make Schools a Safe and Inclusive Place for All

Some of the specific proposals include boosting federal funding for community-driven desegregation efforts; expanding access to English as a second language instruction; increasing accountability for existing charter schools; and ensuring "schools in rural communities, indigenous communities, Puerto Rico, and other U.S. territories receive equitable funding."

(snip)

Under Sanders' plan, the federal government would spend $5 billion annually to expand access to summer and after-school programs, teen centers and tutoring — and another $5 billion so community schools can "provide a holistic, full-service approach to learning and the well-being of our young people" through dental and mental health care, substance abuse prevention, community and youth organizing, job training classes, art spaces, GED and ESL classes.

(snip)


https://www.salon.com/2019/05/20/bernie-sanders-proposes-thurgood-marshall-plan-for-public-education/

[StarfishSaver]

1. I wonder what Justice Marshall's family thinks about his name being used this way

by a candidate to advance his political campaign.

On one hand, it could be seen as honoring him. But in another, it could appear to be an attempt to latch on to him in a way they don't appreciate.

[Uncle Joe]

2. Considering the actual policies promoted in the Thurgood Marshall Plan,

and what he stood for, I believe they would see past political considerations into the substance of the issue and the sincere, factual based logic for naming the plan after him and view it as honoring Thurgood.

Of course I can't speak for Thurgood's family, that's just my take on it.

On the other hand, I have no doubt Bezos didn't appreciate Bernie's Stop Bezos' Bill nor the Walton Family his Stop Walmart Act.

[StarfishSaver]

3. They may like the policy just fine but not want their husband's/father's name used by a candidate to

promote them in a political campaign.

Of course, for all I know, he talked to the family and they're fine with it. (I hope he did - when i was working in politics, I wouldn't have dreamed of attaching someone's name to anything we did without consulting with them first and getting their blessing) Or he didn't and they're still fine with it. But I do wonder what they think.

[Uncle Joe]

4. I have no doubt

the corporate media conglomerates will be interviewing any blood relative of Thurgood's (if they haven't already done so) to find out if they're offended.

I also have no doubt if even only one of them objects or is offended it will be reported on, probably as the head line.


Now discussing the actual substance of the plan, that's an entirely different matter.

[StarfishSaver]

6. Justice Marshall has a widow and two sons

They are very dignified and discreet and would probably not inject themselves into this publicly, and would likely not comment, even if asked, unless they felt very strongly about it.

[Uncle Joe]

7. Grandchildren, nephews, nieces, cousins

I don't believe it would just stop at his widow and two sons.

[StarfishSaver]

11. I think it would

Have you ever seen his family out commenting on other slights to Justice Marshall? That's not how they roll.

The family is very close. They're not going to be out talking out of school unless their Cecie Marshall is ok with it.

[snowy owl]

26. Do you know for fact Bernie hasn't cleared it with them?

[StarfishSaver]

29. I said I didn't know and that he very well may have

Of course, for all I know, he talked to the family and they're fine with it. (I hope he did - when i was working in politics, I wouldn't have dreamed of attaching someone's name to anything we did without consulting with them first and getting their blessing) Or he didn't and they're still fine with it. But I do wonder what they think.

[riverine]

5. We've already done all those.

This would have been good in the 1960's.

Today? Meh.

[NYMinute]

8. Out of sequence

He should have proposed the "John Lewis Respect for Leaders" plan before the Thurgood Marshall, Jesse Jackson, W.E.B. Du Bois, Frederick Douglas, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks and Ella Baker plans.

Pandering should be done in the proper order especially in light of the sagging SC poll numbers.

[GulfCoast66]

12. "John Lewis Respect for Leaders" plan!!!

That left a mark!!

He can pander all he likes. But too many democrats will never forget, nor forgive, his supporters booing the great John Lewis. Nor his reaction to it. Somethings are beyond the pale.

[snowy owl]

27. Does Beto pander? Isn't that called "politics?"

[NYMinute]

31. Politics does not equate pandering

Great leaders like FDR, JFK, Barack Obama etc. don't have to pander, i.e. do something just during elections that they have never done in their life simply to get votes of a constituency that dislikes them.

[Amimnoch]

9. A very large part of that is already part of our platform.

PROVIDE QUALITY AND AFFORDABLE EDUCATION
Making Debt-Free College a Reality
Providing Relief from Crushing Student Debt
Supporting Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions
Cracking Down on Predatory For-Profit Schools
Guaranteeing Universal Preschool and Good Schools for Every Child

https://democrats.org/about/party-platform/#affordable-education

I've been pretty anti-Sanders, and generally speaking, I focus more on electability than policy for POTUS (but focus a LOT on issues when it comes to Representative or Senators that I'll support since they write the laws.)

That said, if Sanders or any candidate makes it a major talking point to get required High School courses in "Critical Thinking" added to curriculums nation wide, he/she will immediately go to the head of my line for backing and supporting. We have got to start arming our population with skills in critically thinking and assessing the information they are exposed to. Of all the courses I took at University, the one that has benefitted me the most in life in general were my critical thinking courses.

A population armed with critical thinking skills alone will fix many of our problems.

[Nanjeanne]

10. Thanks for this. Proposal is great and being dubbed "Thurgood Marshall Plan for Public Ed

after Marshall who successfully argued Brown v. Board of Education — the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that made racial segregation of public schools unconstitutional in 1954. Wish more people would “pander” this way. Only on DU would this proposal be knocked. So sad.

[Uncle Joe]

14. I hear you Nanjeanne,

but people are only human.

[Fresh_Start]

13. Not in the federal government purview

Maybe Bernie should try state government changes like in Vermont if he wants to actually do something about education.

Or Maybe Bernie should try a local childcare service first to see if parents actually want him in control of their childrens education etc

[Go Vols]

15. They love him

[Uncle Joe]

16. That's a nice pic Go Vols.

[TexasTowelie]

30. Aren't most Montessori schools private?

That seems counter to what Bernie favors.

[Voltaire2]

17. Senators don't initiate state legislation

please explain how federal funding to provide lunch for every student would be a bad thing.

[Fresh_Start]

18. correct, so if he wants to enact state changes..he should move to the state government

explain how lying about what can be done by the federal government if BS is elected is a good thing.

[Voltaire2]

19. The federal government funds all sorts of education programs

they have an entire department of education currently headed by the horrendous DeVos.

$68B budget (2016).

Did you want to reconsider your position here?

[Fresh_Start]

20. not at all, education is under the control of the state not the federal government

the federal government of course can throw money whereever it wants
however its not at all clear that the federal government can force the state governments to do anything.

[Voltaire2]

21. Oh so now your position is that the fed can't force states to take the money.

Harry Truman (D) would be surprised to learn that a federal lunch program for students is a real bad idea and not the "purview of the federal government".

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day. The program was established under the National School Lunch Act, signed by President Harry Truman in 1946.

https://www.fns.usda.gov/nslp/national-school-lunch-program

For reference: "Not in the federal government purview
Maybe Bernie should try state government changes like in Vermont if he wants to actually do something about education."

SMH. Only in this forum would somebody on DU argue against lunches for kids.

[Fresh_Start]

22. Pitiful strawman there

nowhere do I argue against lunches for kids

I pointed out that BS "official plan" is BS.

[Voltaire2]

23. His "official plan" is in large part also part of our platform.

You argued that
"Not in the federal government purview.
Maybe Bernie should try state government changes like in Vermont if he wants to actually do something about education."

The federal government is deeply involved in education. Has been for decades. Just because Bernie proposed it doesn't make it wrong.

[Fresh_Start]

24. please explain how each of the following items in BS plan are within the scope of the federal govt

in detail please .... also explain how the federal government will overcome STATE and LOCAL control of local schools and charter schools.

1. Combating Racial Discrimination and School Segregation
2. End the Unaccountable Profit-Motive of Charter Schools
3. Equitable Funding for Public Schools
4. Strengthen the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
5. Give Teachers a Much-Deserved Raise and Empower them to Teach
6. Expand After-School/Summer Education Programs
7. Universal School Meals
8. Community Schools
9. Schol Infrastructure
10. Make Schools a Safe and Inclusive Place for All

[Voltaire2]

25. As the government has done for decades,

by directed funding.

Are you against the use of federal funding for education in general? Or just anything Sanders proposes?

[snowy owl]

28. And our federal Dept of Ed does what? Could do what?

Or do Democrats support charters?

[Partisan D]

32. What about gun violence?

Nothing about that in this plan from the NRA A-rated senator.

[honest.abe]

33. Clearly not his priority.

As has been shown by his votes and comments in the past.

[Voltaire2]

34. if you are going to do a waddaboud its best to not start it with "what about".

Just sayin.