Who's behind the Nationl Right to Work (for nothing) Foundation

Natalie wrote this post back on April 5th. I meant to link to it sooner, but as the saying goes, vouchers happen.

"Have you heard the commercial that is airing on KSL from the National Right to Work Foundation? It is a piece of work, all right!

They start by saying that the teacher's union bosses are forcing teachers to work to overturn a popular, groundbreaking new law that will benefit Utah's education system. Then they go on to say that a recent Attorney General opinion stated that it was illegal to do this during contract time. Finally, they tell teachers how to get free legal help to fight the union bosses.

This heavy handed ad, full of half-truths, is brought to you by the National Right to Work Foundation, the legal arm of a union-busting group that is partly funded by the...(wait for it)...Walton Foundation [Walmart]."

Click here to read Natalie's post, Who's behind the National Right to Work Foundation.

Vouchers - the REAL agenda

UPDATE: I've added a link to the source of each quote. The names and quotes are present on these sites as of March 23, 2007, verified at 2:35pm. In case the pages are changed after the posting of this message, I've saved copies.

The Goal:

"I proclaim publicly that I favor ending government involvement in education."

Paul Mero
President, Sutherland Institute

The Method:

"We see vouchers as a major step toward the complete privatization of schooling. In fact, after careful study, we have come to the conclusion that they are the only way to dismantle the current socialist regime."

Joseph Bast
President, Heartland Institute
(From an essay published by the Cato Institute)

"Incrementalism is a different strategy. It consists of seeking passage of very limited or modest voucher plans with no provisions for later expansion. Supporters of an incrementalist strategy plan to introduce at a future date new legislation that would expand the program."

Design Guidelines for School Vouchers
The Heartland Institute

"Early voucher bills may move us only slowly toward separation. They may include provisions that temporarily prolong the power of unions, school boards, and other remnants of the socialist regime; limit the number of students who can participate; set voucher amounts too low; and place restrictions on qualifying schools. But once established, those programs will be broadened.

Vouchers offer a halfway house to wean the public from their addiction to government provision of education. By removing institutional barriers to privatization and setting in motion a dynamic that ensures further movement toward competition and choice, vouchers are a necessary step toward complete separation."

Joseph Bast

The Intimidation:

“Republicans must not sign these petitions!”

Doug Holmes
President, Parents for Choice

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They’ve already spent millions in their crusade to crush public schools and destroy one of our nation’s greatest promises: universal access to a free public education!

They think we’re too gullible to discover their true intentions.

They think that by belittling those who defend our capable and moral public education system and the wonderful people who sacrifice so much to teach our children that we will all cower in silence.

They think they can bully Utah voters with their money and threats. After all, if it worked with our legislature, the rest of us should just fall like dominoes.

But there’s something they didn’t count on – the courage of Utahns to stand up and fight!

Let your voice be heard – SUPPORT THE REFERENDUM!