This is not really a “diary”, but I just wanted to let you all know that an online parent group I am a member of is filled with nothing but bad things to say about the confirmation of Betsy Devos. And this is the Republican strong hold of Tennessee.
Some of the comments include:
“Just keep Bob Corker in mind when he is up for election in 2018. He voted yes. Unacceptable!!!”
“Just goes to show how few elected officials actually listen to their constituents.”
”Very sad day. This women has no clue about public schools. The kids are going to suffer and teachers.”
“Remember this come Election Day. If they aren't listening to us, they need to go”
”This is truly sad!! I'm becoming so jaded over the whole process. Proves that some officials couldn't care less about our children or anyone else for that matter. Greed and power are ugly!!!”
An article in The Tennessean reflects the frustration many feel with the lockstep acceptance TN Senators Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker are showing for this unqualified pick:
Numerous teachers said they've called Alexander's offices to be met only by messages of a full voicemail box.
A spokeswoman for Alexander said in a statement his staff has answered office telephones as fast as possible, but there's been an overwhelming number of calls, mostly from people with various opinions on President Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees.
“Sen. Alexander welcomes all Tennesseans’ comments and keeps them in mind when making decisions," the statement said.
"I tried to call Sen. Alexander's office five times over the past week. It was busy every single time," said Mary Holden, member of education advocacy group TREE and a former high school teacher. "I did send an email and got his standard response, which isn't helpful."
The Republicans might be riding high in the saddle now, but “we the people” are paying attention, and even those who voted for Donald Trump are not liking what they are seeing.
Bring on the midterms. . . .
UPDATE:
Some brave soul tried to play the “media/union” card, but these folks were not having it:
“Great choice. Glad the union and media didn't win..…”
And this is one of MANY responses:
”I listened to her hearings in their entirety. I don't have to depend on what any news agency or publication has to say about her, because I heard her answers to basic questions of which she had no knowledge. I listened to her dodge questions about protecting children with disabilities and make no guarantees that she would work for them. It was embarrassing and if she cared anything about the children of this country she would have withdrawn herself from consideration after that debacle. And I have a very good friend in Detroit, so I've seen first hand what Mrs. Devos' "giving and volunteering" have done for her children. And it isn't pretty.”
Seems that folks don’t just rely on “alternative facts” when their kids future is on the line!