Alabama Lawmaker Abandons GOP Over New Law Aimed At Teachers

[Courtesy Flush]

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/05/alabama-lawmaker-abandons-gop-over-teacher-rights-stripping-law.php

Chalk up another Democratic win this week: Alabama State Rep. Daniel Boman, who entered the legislature as a Republican in November, is switching parties to become a Democrat after he says the GOP went too far in attacking teachers in the state.

It's just the latest example of mainline Republicans turning on their party following the November sweep which put them in control of the House.

It's sad that there are so few of these stories.

[MadMaddie]

1. I think there will be more

Just like this fella his morals and common sense can't continue to tow the extremist right wing.

[MadHound]

2. Trouble is, Democrats are also attacking public education as well,

It is a bipartisan effort to destroy public education and teachers. Just witness Obama's "change" that came in the form of Race to the Top:puke:

[ClarkUSA]

4. Rubbish. Democrats, unlike Republicans, are not passing bills adversely affecting teachers.

<< It is a bipartisan effort to destroy public education and teachers. >>

Wrong. President Obama's budget contains an 11% increase for education funding while Republicans want to cut education funding. Republican governors such as Chris Christie have cut $1,000,000,000 from education funding to finance $1,000,000,000 in tax cuts for the wealthy. Gov. Scott wants to do away with collective bargaining. Not one Democrat is in favor of these moves. For you to put both parties at policy parity is ridiculous rhetoric.

[msongs]

5. and here I thought Arne Duncan worked for the democratic administration. nt

[MadHound]

6. I take it you're not familiar with Race to the Top,

Nor the agony that the Obama administration put teachers and schools through last year in order to get them on board with RTTT. He essentially withheld federal education funds until last September, long after all hiring and firing decisions had been made by local school districts. Instead, he dangled RTTT funds out there, with the attached strings of increased standardized testing and merit pay. His actions cost a lot of teachers their jobs, including me. His actions caused our students harm across the country.

[ClarkUSA]

10. I read a lot of complaints here but have seen no proof from unbiased credible sources.

For example, I know Democratic council members from my town who are fully behind the Obama administration. They are furious at our GOP governor, though. Furthermore, I distrust those who continue to promote the lie that charter schools are evil incarnate and anything but public schools, which they really are. The charter schools in my town are doing well and so are the public schools. Teachers here whom I know through the Democratic party committee and sports groups do not share your POV at all.

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ClarkUSA]

12. Bullshit. I know enough to see there's plenty of demonizing propaganda pushed by some folks.

I have a problem with people who can't even acknowledge the fact that charter schools are public schools. Those who cannot accept such a basic educational fact are not candidates for an honest dialogue about education policy.

BTW, the teachers I know are union officials. You know very little about how much I know about what they feel, although I tried to explain in my previous reply.

Simply put, I disagree with you.

[EFerrari]

7. Yep. n/t

[DiverDave]

3. What?, man this is a shocker

a repukelican with HONOR??

Well, I hope he gets elected, the DCCC will probably call his district a 'no winner' and give him no help.

[bertman]

8. But, will he be a Blue Dog or a Democrat? I'd like to know more about him.

His beliefs and stances on other issues could be pure-Tee Republican.

[saras]

9. I hate to sound like I'm supporting Republicans, but I think he did the wrong thing

I think the country would be better off if people like him, and a bunch of the Demopublicans, would go take the Republican party back and kick out the teabaggers and kochsuckers - let THEM deal with the spoiler effect.