Agenda Americans for a Better Future & the Dallas Tea Party October 14, 2009 6:30 7:00 7:05 7:15 Meet and Greet Introduction Current Status of Healthcare Legislation State of Our.
Download ReportTranscript Agenda Americans for a Better Future & the Dallas Tea Party October 14, 2009 6:30 7:00 7:05 7:15 Meet and Greet Introduction Current Status of Healthcare Legislation State of Our.
Slide 1
Agenda
Americans for a Better Future & the Dallas Tea Party
October 14, 2009
6:30
7:00
7:05
7:15
Meet and Greet
Introduction
Current Status of Healthcare Legislation
State of Our Education System
Linda – Introduction and SBOE
Clayr – Education in local universities
Rusty – Education objectives of the Left
Forrest – Education in local public grade school
Linda – Discussion, including actions to take
8:00
8:15
Last Thoughts
Adjourn
“When the government fears the people, there is liberty.
When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.”
Thomas Jefferson
Slide 2
Healthcare Bill Status
Senate Finance Committee voted to approve the suggested healthcare
"compromise" from Sen. Max Baucus (14-9)
It would not immediately create a public option, but would force most
Americans to purchase health insurance.
CBO said proposed plans are likely to increase healthcare costs, and that
those costs would be passed to consumers, drastically raising the cost of
healthcare for individuals and their families.
CBO estimated cost to be an additional $829 billion, though the Senate
Budget Committee estimated cost closer to $1.8 trillion.
Taxpayer money would go to companies that provide abortions.
Amendments to restrict funding to abortion providers failed.
Texas Senator John Cornyn voted against the legislation.
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison plans to vote against the bill when it reaches
the full Senate.
Slide 3
All Healthcare Bills
Health Advisory Commission to set standards with limited choice
Health Insurance Exchange of standard plans
Non-profit Co-ops, with seed money provided by the government
(so government control over co-ops)
Public Option still in play
Individual and employer mandates
Lots of fees and taxes
Redistribution of wealth
More costs overall, more costs for individuals
Most important cost savings ideas not included – tort reform, high
deductible policies, cross state insurance
Grants for medical education and promised government jobs ?
Slide 4
Action to Take on Healthcare
Write, email, fax, and call as much as you can
- Especially to Blue Dogs and Senators
Go to “Actions to Take” Tab on Website for helpful links
Participate in Dallas Tea Party protests and rallies
Write letters to the newspaper
Slide 5
Slide 6
Curriculum in Dallas Public Schools
Standards set at the State level as to curriculum content &
books, with a lot of direction coming from the NEA
School districts decide policy within limited guidelines from
the State, and school districts follow difference approaches
Lewisville gives a lot of freedom to the schools and teachers
Plano is very structured and doesn’t allow deviation
Schools / principals decide curriculum and books within
guidelines provided to them
Teachers may have some limited choice over books to use
Some guidelines on what they should or should not say
But they can do whatever they want in the classroom
And there is no oversight over how teachers teach so they
Slide 7
State Board of Education (SBOE)
and Curriculum Standards
This year, teams of volunteers are working in Austin to review & rewrite
social studies academic standards for Texas public schools.
Bill Ames is a member of the U.S. History writing team. See the 3 articles
written by Bill Ames for Texas Insider in September 2009, and also posted
on our website under the Education tab.
A group of educators (many who are liberal activists) have descended on
Austin to rewrite U.S. history. The are revising the story of the most
successful experiment in history and they are replacing it with their own
negative view of America told through an overly multicultural lens of
victimization and oppression of minorities and women.
On 16 writing teams, a group over 100 people, Bill was 1 of only 4 Texans
who represented interests outside the education establishment. However,
Texas Education Code says SBOE, with direct participation of educators,
parents, business and industry representatives, and employers will identify
essential knowledge and skills of each subject of the required curriculum.
Slide 8
SBOE Curriculum Standards
Most social studies teachers in Texas are not radical, but leftist-activist
minority show up to create new standards and impose their ideology on
Texas parents and their impressionable children.
Two Agendas according to Bill Ames:
(1) Negativism - Paint U.S. history in as negative light as possible
through dwelling on the negative, even coloring overall positive events
in terms of any negative effects.
Teach students to grow up thinking that America is an oppressive
capitalist plot to undo the working class.
(2) Multiculturism - Attempt to add as much multicultural content as
possible, with little regard for historical significance.
In covering significant military leaders of WWII, Gen. Omar Bradley and
George Patton were removed, replaced by Oveta Culp Hobby and
black Colonel Benjamin O.Davis (reason given – they were “firsts”).
But “firsts” Orville and Wilbur Wright were removed and an AfricanAmerican female stunt pilot Bessie Coleman added. And “first” Neil
Armstrong was removed.
Slide 9
SBOE Curriculum Standards
Result will be to eliminate our real history.
Multi-culturalism trumps historical significance.
Instead of Western Civilization’s role in creating the most successful
country in the world’s history,
The story will be historical events told in the context of how they
caused oppression and exploitation of minorities and women.
Emphasis on social issues that divide, rather than on achievements
and patriotic passion that unite, have led to negative descriptions of
America’s finest achievements.
Largely because of their size, Texas and California set the standards
for curriculum and textbooks used throughout the rest of the country.
Slide 10
A Few Sample Changes
in the Social Studies Standards
•
Kindergarten – Removes children’s biography of George Washington.
•
1st Grade - Removes Independence Day as a holiday, and adds San
Jacinto Day.
•
6th Grade – Removed Christmas from list of religious holidays.
•
8th Grade – Removes the phrase “describe how religion contributed to the
growth of representative government in the American colonies.”
•
High School World History – Removes John Lockes’ two treatises of
Government and English Common Law.
•
High School Government – Removes reference to the private sector as
helping improve consumer products and only mentions governmentassisted research.
•
High School Economics – Changes “free enterprise system” to
“capitalist” throughout the document.
•
History Since Reconstructions – Adds political groups, only liberal ones
(NAACP, LULAC, NOW and others). No conservative political groups.
•
In General – Takes out key historical figures in favor of unknown or little
known diversity figures.
Slide 11
What To Do
Go to http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/ to find your SBOE rep
SBOE District 12 – Geraldine Tincy Miller in Dallas
SBOE District 13 – Mavis Best Knight in Dallas
CONTACT THEM – Tell them that you want social studies that are
accurate, that don’t try to radicalize students, that represent America
as the great country that it is, etc.
Be a watchdog of the press
– Google SBOE Social Studies and see what comes up
– write letters to the newspaper
Slide 12
Events Scheduled
Evening of November 5 – Bill Ames to speak about the
importance of the rewriting of Texas Social Studies
Curriculum Standards (Time and Place will be posted on
the website.)
November 18-20 – Another SBOE meeting during which
time extensive public testimony is to be considered – You
can be in Austin to personally testify
January 13-15 - Meeting of SBOE in Austin – Public can
attend and make presentation on one day – Write your
state board rep
Note: Bill Ames is in Austin this week meeting with the
Austin Tea Party group
Slide 13
Bottom Line
There is strong participation by liberal activists – school
boards, standards groups, opinion writers, etc
There is strong liberal representation in TEA and SBOE
There is liberal bias of the newspapers
We must pay attention
We must participate
Slide 14
Clayr, a recent graduate of SMU
Clayr explains what she sees on University Campuses based on her
experience at three local universities - TCU, SMU, UTD – and one
community college - Brookhaven Community College
Students are influenced by the liberal collegiate philosophies:
•
Professorships are endowed by donors where donors can control what is
being taught in the classrooms.
•
Professors have free reign to teach what they want regardless of course topic
and they are free to push their agendas (Example: In course called Intro to
Sociology, professor dwelled on religion, read a lot from the Koran, and said
that Jesus Christ and his followers were murderers.)
•
Wellness classes promote the need to embrace differences, and go overboard
by telling students with conservative views that they should abandon their
personal values and become more well-rounded.
•
University goes beyond supporting different lifestyles – by actively promoting
an attitude of victimization for gay/ lesbian/ transgender students and
providing preferential treatment.
•
Coordinators act as advocates for students while they are away and can
easily influence the viewpoints of students.
Slide 15
Rusty, retired attorney
Rusty discusses his concern about what is
happening in our public schools and in our
universities, and the secular progressive agenda
that is being carried out in the schools.
Rusty reviews Rules for Radicals by Saul Alinksy, which explains the
tactics being used by Progressives to transform our public schools and
indoctrinate students from a young age.
Rusty reviews One-Party Classroom – subtitled “How Radical Professors
at America’s Top Colleges Indoctrinate Students and Undermine Our
Democracy” - by David Horowitz.
Slide 16
Forrest, father of young children
Forrest explains his concerns about the public
schools and his reasons for pulling his children
out of public schools in favor of home schooling
Slide 17
How to Make a Difference in Public
Schools
• Try to get involved as volunteers in the State Board of
Education activities
• Monitor activities of the State Board and protest when
needed
• Monitor newspaper reporting and Op-Eds, and write
opposing letters to the newspapers
• Monitor standards of your school district and schools
• Volunteer to work in schools
• GET INVOLVED!
Slide 18
How to Make a Difference at
University Level
• Get involved in universities in administrative or
advisory positions
• TEACH! Consider getting teaching positions, even if
part-time and in night schools
• Volunteer with student groups on campus and promote
community even
• Recruit young people on college campuses
• GET INVOLVED!
Slide 19
Slide 20
What is Our Position on Education
We want learning that prepares our children for productive employment in
today’s global competitive and technological environment
We want pay for performance – free up the principals to evaluate and
reward teachers based on student achievement
We want teaching that is factual, and not burdened with political
correctness and overdone diversity
We want transparency and accountability for teachers and administrators
We want parents to have the ability to select schools that are right for
their children, and not be trapped in a failing school
We want Charter schools
We want parents to have input at the local level as to what is age
appropriate education
Slide 21
EVENTS ON THE HORIZON
1. Government takeover of student loans – banning private student loans
and enabling government to decide who should get loans and for what
career choices
2. Bank Pay Regulation – for all employees in all banks over $1 billion
3. Net Neutrality – to enable the government to control the Internet
4. Card Check – to give unions advantage in forming new unions
5. Cap and Trade vote coming soon
6.
Mandatory Civil Service to be proposed - for 3-4 years for ages 18-25
7.
Legalize illegal aliens so they can have healthcare
8.
Bailouts for newspapers ???
9.
New World Economic Order being proposed at G20
10. Decision on troop strength & potential new strategy in Afghanistan
11. Governor races in New Jersey and Virginia, vote is on Nov 3
12. Amendments to Texas Constitution on ballot Nov 3
See League of Women Voters - http://lwvrichardson.org/nov3-09.html
Slide 22
LAST THOUGHTS
Need to get more involved in power structures and positions of influence
– school boards, school standards panels, teaching positions, city
council, other local government
Look for true conservatives to serve as leaders – Send suggestions for
Faces for the Future – Let your friends and associates know
Hold another working session to write letters
Making a Difference
Visit www.AmericansforaBetterFuture.org
Working to complete
See Lots of Links, Healthcare, Education
Other tabs under development
What’s New on home page and each topic tab
Each Tab – Our Position, What’s New, Recommended Reading
Agenda
Americans for a Better Future & the Dallas Tea Party
October 14, 2009
6:30
7:00
7:05
7:15
Meet and Greet
Introduction
Current Status of Healthcare Legislation
State of Our Education System
Linda – Introduction and SBOE
Clayr – Education in local universities
Rusty – Education objectives of the Left
Forrest – Education in local public grade school
Linda – Discussion, including actions to take
8:00
8:15
Last Thoughts
Adjourn
“When the government fears the people, there is liberty.
When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.”
Thomas Jefferson
Slide 2
Healthcare Bill Status
Senate Finance Committee voted to approve the suggested healthcare
"compromise" from Sen. Max Baucus (14-9)
It would not immediately create a public option, but would force most
Americans to purchase health insurance.
CBO said proposed plans are likely to increase healthcare costs, and that
those costs would be passed to consumers, drastically raising the cost of
healthcare for individuals and their families.
CBO estimated cost to be an additional $829 billion, though the Senate
Budget Committee estimated cost closer to $1.8 trillion.
Taxpayer money would go to companies that provide abortions.
Amendments to restrict funding to abortion providers failed.
Texas Senator John Cornyn voted against the legislation.
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison plans to vote against the bill when it reaches
the full Senate.
Slide 3
All Healthcare Bills
Health Advisory Commission to set standards with limited choice
Health Insurance Exchange of standard plans
Non-profit Co-ops, with seed money provided by the government
(so government control over co-ops)
Public Option still in play
Individual and employer mandates
Lots of fees and taxes
Redistribution of wealth
More costs overall, more costs for individuals
Most important cost savings ideas not included – tort reform, high
deductible policies, cross state insurance
Grants for medical education and promised government jobs ?
Slide 4
Action to Take on Healthcare
Write, email, fax, and call as much as you can
- Especially to Blue Dogs and Senators
Go to “Actions to Take” Tab on Website for helpful links
Participate in Dallas Tea Party protests and rallies
Write letters to the newspaper
Slide 5
Slide 6
Curriculum in Dallas Public Schools
Standards set at the State level as to curriculum content &
books, with a lot of direction coming from the NEA
School districts decide policy within limited guidelines from
the State, and school districts follow difference approaches
Lewisville gives a lot of freedom to the schools and teachers
Plano is very structured and doesn’t allow deviation
Schools / principals decide curriculum and books within
guidelines provided to them
Teachers may have some limited choice over books to use
Some guidelines on what they should or should not say
But they can do whatever they want in the classroom
And there is no oversight over how teachers teach so they
Slide 7
State Board of Education (SBOE)
and Curriculum Standards
This year, teams of volunteers are working in Austin to review & rewrite
social studies academic standards for Texas public schools.
Bill Ames is a member of the U.S. History writing team. See the 3 articles
written by Bill Ames for Texas Insider in September 2009, and also posted
on our website under the Education tab.
A group of educators (many who are liberal activists) have descended on
Austin to rewrite U.S. history. The are revising the story of the most
successful experiment in history and they are replacing it with their own
negative view of America told through an overly multicultural lens of
victimization and oppression of minorities and women.
On 16 writing teams, a group over 100 people, Bill was 1 of only 4 Texans
who represented interests outside the education establishment. However,
Texas Education Code says SBOE, with direct participation of educators,
parents, business and industry representatives, and employers will identify
essential knowledge and skills of each subject of the required curriculum.
Slide 8
SBOE Curriculum Standards
Most social studies teachers in Texas are not radical, but leftist-activist
minority show up to create new standards and impose their ideology on
Texas parents and their impressionable children.
Two Agendas according to Bill Ames:
(1) Negativism - Paint U.S. history in as negative light as possible
through dwelling on the negative, even coloring overall positive events
in terms of any negative effects.
Teach students to grow up thinking that America is an oppressive
capitalist plot to undo the working class.
(2) Multiculturism - Attempt to add as much multicultural content as
possible, with little regard for historical significance.
In covering significant military leaders of WWII, Gen. Omar Bradley and
George Patton were removed, replaced by Oveta Culp Hobby and
black Colonel Benjamin O.Davis (reason given – they were “firsts”).
But “firsts” Orville and Wilbur Wright were removed and an AfricanAmerican female stunt pilot Bessie Coleman added. And “first” Neil
Armstrong was removed.
Slide 9
SBOE Curriculum Standards
Result will be to eliminate our real history.
Multi-culturalism trumps historical significance.
Instead of Western Civilization’s role in creating the most successful
country in the world’s history,
The story will be historical events told in the context of how they
caused oppression and exploitation of minorities and women.
Emphasis on social issues that divide, rather than on achievements
and patriotic passion that unite, have led to negative descriptions of
America’s finest achievements.
Largely because of their size, Texas and California set the standards
for curriculum and textbooks used throughout the rest of the country.
Slide 10
A Few Sample Changes
in the Social Studies Standards
•
Kindergarten – Removes children’s biography of George Washington.
•
1st Grade - Removes Independence Day as a holiday, and adds San
Jacinto Day.
•
6th Grade – Removed Christmas from list of religious holidays.
•
8th Grade – Removes the phrase “describe how religion contributed to the
growth of representative government in the American colonies.”
•
High School World History – Removes John Lockes’ two treatises of
Government and English Common Law.
•
High School Government – Removes reference to the private sector as
helping improve consumer products and only mentions governmentassisted research.
•
High School Economics – Changes “free enterprise system” to
“capitalist” throughout the document.
•
History Since Reconstructions – Adds political groups, only liberal ones
(NAACP, LULAC, NOW and others). No conservative political groups.
•
In General – Takes out key historical figures in favor of unknown or little
known diversity figures.
Slide 11
What To Do
Go to http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/ to find your SBOE rep
SBOE District 12 – Geraldine Tincy Miller in Dallas
SBOE District 13 – Mavis Best Knight in Dallas
CONTACT THEM – Tell them that you want social studies that are
accurate, that don’t try to radicalize students, that represent America
as the great country that it is, etc.
Be a watchdog of the press
– Google SBOE Social Studies and see what comes up
– write letters to the newspaper
Slide 12
Events Scheduled
Evening of November 5 – Bill Ames to speak about the
importance of the rewriting of Texas Social Studies
Curriculum Standards (Time and Place will be posted on
the website.)
November 18-20 – Another SBOE meeting during which
time extensive public testimony is to be considered – You
can be in Austin to personally testify
January 13-15 - Meeting of SBOE in Austin – Public can
attend and make presentation on one day – Write your
state board rep
Note: Bill Ames is in Austin this week meeting with the
Austin Tea Party group
Slide 13
Bottom Line
There is strong participation by liberal activists – school
boards, standards groups, opinion writers, etc
There is strong liberal representation in TEA and SBOE
There is liberal bias of the newspapers
We must pay attention
We must participate
Slide 14
Clayr, a recent graduate of SMU
Clayr explains what she sees on University Campuses based on her
experience at three local universities - TCU, SMU, UTD – and one
community college - Brookhaven Community College
Students are influenced by the liberal collegiate philosophies:
•
Professorships are endowed by donors where donors can control what is
being taught in the classrooms.
•
Professors have free reign to teach what they want regardless of course topic
and they are free to push their agendas (Example: In course called Intro to
Sociology, professor dwelled on religion, read a lot from the Koran, and said
that Jesus Christ and his followers were murderers.)
•
Wellness classes promote the need to embrace differences, and go overboard
by telling students with conservative views that they should abandon their
personal values and become more well-rounded.
•
University goes beyond supporting different lifestyles – by actively promoting
an attitude of victimization for gay/ lesbian/ transgender students and
providing preferential treatment.
•
Coordinators act as advocates for students while they are away and can
easily influence the viewpoints of students.
Slide 15
Rusty, retired attorney
Rusty discusses his concern about what is
happening in our public schools and in our
universities, and the secular progressive agenda
that is being carried out in the schools.
Rusty reviews Rules for Radicals by Saul Alinksy, which explains the
tactics being used by Progressives to transform our public schools and
indoctrinate students from a young age.
Rusty reviews One-Party Classroom – subtitled “How Radical Professors
at America’s Top Colleges Indoctrinate Students and Undermine Our
Democracy” - by David Horowitz.
Slide 16
Forrest, father of young children
Forrest explains his concerns about the public
schools and his reasons for pulling his children
out of public schools in favor of home schooling
Slide 17
How to Make a Difference in Public
Schools
• Try to get involved as volunteers in the State Board of
Education activities
• Monitor activities of the State Board and protest when
needed
• Monitor newspaper reporting and Op-Eds, and write
opposing letters to the newspapers
• Monitor standards of your school district and schools
• Volunteer to work in schools
• GET INVOLVED!
Slide 18
How to Make a Difference at
University Level
• Get involved in universities in administrative or
advisory positions
• TEACH! Consider getting teaching positions, even if
part-time and in night schools
• Volunteer with student groups on campus and promote
community even
• Recruit young people on college campuses
• GET INVOLVED!
Slide 19
Slide 20
What is Our Position on Education
We want learning that prepares our children for productive employment in
today’s global competitive and technological environment
We want pay for performance – free up the principals to evaluate and
reward teachers based on student achievement
We want teaching that is factual, and not burdened with political
correctness and overdone diversity
We want transparency and accountability for teachers and administrators
We want parents to have the ability to select schools that are right for
their children, and not be trapped in a failing school
We want Charter schools
We want parents to have input at the local level as to what is age
appropriate education
Slide 21
EVENTS ON THE HORIZON
1. Government takeover of student loans – banning private student loans
and enabling government to decide who should get loans and for what
career choices
2. Bank Pay Regulation – for all employees in all banks over $1 billion
3. Net Neutrality – to enable the government to control the Internet
4. Card Check – to give unions advantage in forming new unions
5. Cap and Trade vote coming soon
6.
Mandatory Civil Service to be proposed - for 3-4 years for ages 18-25
7.
Legalize illegal aliens so they can have healthcare
8.
Bailouts for newspapers ???
9.
New World Economic Order being proposed at G20
10. Decision on troop strength & potential new strategy in Afghanistan
11. Governor races in New Jersey and Virginia, vote is on Nov 3
12. Amendments to Texas Constitution on ballot Nov 3
See League of Women Voters - http://lwvrichardson.org/nov3-09.html
Slide 22
LAST THOUGHTS
Need to get more involved in power structures and positions of influence
– school boards, school standards panels, teaching positions, city
council, other local government
Look for true conservatives to serve as leaders – Send suggestions for
Faces for the Future – Let your friends and associates know
Hold another working session to write letters
Making a Difference
Visit www.AmericansforaBetterFuture.org
Working to complete
See Lots of Links, Healthcare, Education
Other tabs under development
What’s New on home page and each topic tab
Each Tab – Our Position, What’s New, Recommended Reading