It was Mao Zedong who once said that “all reactionaries are paper tigers.”  He thought that of the US, and told a journalist in 1956 that:

“In appearance it is very powerful but in reality it is nothing to be afraid of
it is a paper tiger. Outwardly a tiger, it is made of paper, unable to withstand the wind and the rain.”

Mao’s definition actually doesn’t fit the US, but it does fit well the reality of the teachers unions here, particularly when you consider what just happened in the gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia.

The New Jersey Education Association is considered almost the most powerful special interest in that whole state.

The Virginia Education Association is likewise a power broker for all policies, not just education but health, taxes, defense and more.

So why didn’t these forces prevail in their dogged campaigning and support for their union friendly candidates?

NJ Governor Corzine worked in tandem with the Jersey union leadership for four years.  Their electioneering is usually a safe bet.

Virginia challenger Deeds was similarly endorsed by the Virginia blob, but even that endorsement failed to merit the votes he needed.

That NYC Mayor Bloomberg also survived the strike of opposition against him in the most powerful union city in the country is testimony to the flimsiness of the message that most unions endorse.

We’re thrilled that ‘Hizzoner pulled it through so that his very strong education reform program can continue to bring student achievement up.

And, we’re grateful for the reminder in these three areas that the teachers unions are only as powerful as we let them be.  The people rained on their policies.  They blew past their influence.  Paper tigers can’t withstand the wind and rain.

Both the North Carolina Education Association and Paul Krohne, executive director of the South Carolina School Boards Association, have taken an opportunity over the past few weeks to look at ballot results in the Tar Heel and Palmetto States through rose-colored glasses.

In a day-after-the-election press release, the NCAE sang the praises of their membership for their mobilization in support of their “pro-education” (read: pro-union) slate, which included staunchly non-reform candidates Bev Purdue and Kay Hagan.

Krohne’s column of 11/19 in the Greenville News doled out accolades to South Carolina voters for coming down on the side of public education with their passing of 6 referendums totaling $933 million.

Voters in both Carolinas certainly did vote in favor of certain aspects of public education: more funding, more union control and more bureaucracy for starters.

More “Dollars and Sense”

“The party founded on the values of self reliance and national unity… those are values we all share… and while the Democratic party claims those values tonight, we do so with a measure of humility…” President-elect Barack Obama

The Center for Education Reform (CER) salutes the President-elect, Barack Obama, whose victorious grassroots and media effort to win election is one that all of us involved in education reform should consider in any effort we undertake from this day forward. Door to door, store to bus-stop, Wall Street to Pennsylvania Avenue, the Obama campaign is a reminder that to get the attention of the people and secure their support, we must do more than send out a few missives by email, or even wait for solutions to come our way.

More “Opportunities”

What the history books don’t, but should, teach us.

The song that bears the title of this piece is the one you most likely hear when attending a graduation ceremony. You wouldn’t hear it played at a Sophomore end of year party, any more than you’d hear it played on the senior class trip. No, Pomp and Circumstance is a tradition that signifies a graduation and its celebratory tone is intended only for that occasion.

Similarly, it is only acceptable to play the one and only presidential march, entitled Hail to the Chief, after the new president of the United States has been inaugurated. Written by Albert Ganse and set to music by James Sanderson, Hail to the Chief was made the official music to announce the president in 1954. One rarely hears the words, but they are illustrative.

Hail to the Chief we have chosen for the nation,
Hail to the Chief! We salute him, one and all.
Hail to the Chief, as we pledge cooperation
In proud fulfillment of a great, noble call.

Yours is the aim to make this grand country grander,
This you will do, that’s our strong, firm belief.
Hail to the one we selected as commander,
Hail to the President! Hail to the Chief!

Notice the emphasis in the words. But today, like so many other things in this campaign, basic respect for the traditions developed and adopted in this great democracy have been thrown aside.

More “Pomp and Circumstance”

Eduwonk’s otherwise smart and honorable leader Andy Rotherham told a major charter group recently - in terms of a president Obama - “if education is your issue you have nothing to worry about.”

Really?

Just a few days ago, Democrats for Education Reform blogger Whitney Tilson, also a smart, honorable (albeit partisan ☺) guy, had this to say about the candidates on education:

“… but I give him credit in one area: what he said about education, in which he hit all the right buttons: education as the main civil rights issue today, the alarming number of failing schools, the need to shake up awful bureaucracies, empowering parents with choice, including charter schools, etc.”

Fearless Whitney continues:

“This led one of my friends to write: ‘This decision is going to be tough…. VERY tough for us single issue voters. As powerful as an Obama candidacy is, and as much as I disagree with our misguided involvement in Iraq, there just simply is no contest between McCain and Obama on education reform. Did you hear him tonight? McCain gets it. I am sad to say that I STILL don’t know if Obama does.’”

I won’t address any other aspect of this campaign, but on this issue, Whitney’s friend is on to something. Want to know why? Click here to read our analysis of the presidential candidates. Our single-issue focus necessitated this in depth look.