PTA may have to play critical role in improving education in McCain Administration

In discussing her pre-political days, Sarah Palin said in her acceptance speech:

"I was just your average hockey mom, and signed up for the PTA because I wanted to make my kids' public education better. "

Well I've got news for you Sarah, if you want to continue to improve their education you'll stay in the PTA. McCain has a sad record when it comes to education. Read it and weap:

• Voted NO on shifting $11B from corporate tax loopholes to education. Vote to adopt an amendment to the Senate's 2006 Fiscal Year Budget Resolution that would adjust education funding while still reducing the deficit by $5.4 billion. [Kennedy amendment relative to education funding; Bill S AMDT 177 to S Con Res 18 ; vote number 2005-68 on Mar 17, 2005 ]
• Voted NO on spending $448B of tax cut on education & debt reduction. Vote to reduce the size of the $1.6 trillion tax cut by $448 billion while increasing education spending by $250 billion and providing an increase of approximately $224 billion for debt reduction over 10 years. [ Bill H Con Res 83 ; vote number 2001-69 on Apr 4, 2001]
• Voted NO on 21st century community learning centers. The 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program was established by Congress for school-based centers to plan, implement, or expand projects that benefit the educational, health, social services, cultural and recreational needs of the community. [Amendment to Agencies Appropriations Act; Bill S Amdt 2287 to HR 3010 ; vote number 2005-279 on Oct 27, 2005]
• Voted NO on grants to local educational agencies. Bill to provide an additional $5 billion for title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. Voting YES would provide $2.5 billion for targeting grants to local educational agencies and $2.5 billion for education finance incentive grants. [Elementary and Secondary Education Amendment; Bill S Amdt 2275 to HR 3010 ; vote number 2005-269 on Oct 26, 2005]
• Voted NO on funding smaller classes instead of private tutors. Vote to authorize a federal program aimed at reducing class size. The plan would assist states and local education agencies in recruiting, hiring and training 100,000 new teachers, with $2.4 billion in fiscal 2002. This amendment would replace an amendment allowing parents with children at under-performing schools to use public funding for private tutors. [Reference: Bill S1 ; vote number 2001-103 on May 15, 2001]
• Voted NO on funding student testing instead of private tutors. Vote to pass an amendment that would authorize $200 million to provide grants to help states develop assessment systems that describe student achievement. This amendment would replace an amendment by Jeffords, R-VT, which would allow parents with children at under-performing schools to use public funding for private tutors. [Bill S1; vote number 2001-99 on May 10, 2001]

And if you really want a good laugh (or cry), read his education platform on his web site. Here's a real gem:

John McCain Will Provide Effective Education Leadership. John McCain is committed to high standards and accountability, but he is also committed to providing the resources needed to succeed. He believes we should invest in people, parents and reward achievement.

Wow, is that specific enough for you? How about this:

John McCain Will Make Real The Promise Of NCLB [No Child Left Behind] By Giving Parents Greater Choice. Choice is the best way to protect children against a failing bureaucracy. But parents must have more control over the money.

Sounds like a plan alright! I can feel kids in America getting smarter already.