In defense of Mike Huckabee on education
It seems the higher Mike Huckabee climbs in the polls and the greater his grassroots support grows, the more ridiculous the charges against him get. As you may know, Huckabee has received the endorsement of the New Hampshire NEA and this has a lot of people up in the air. For some reason, Joseph Farah equates Huckabee’s willingness to talk to the NEA to being a liberal on education and he is saying homeschoolers need to beware of Huckabee.
In response, I would like to point you in the direction of two different articles. One is a very well researched article on Mike Huckabee and homeschoolers, written by my good friend Kerry, over at One Mom. The other is written by Wickle, over at True Believer and it really refutes the allegations about Huckabee’s endorsement by the NEA. I believe you will find them enlightening.
That’s my take!
Larry
Huckabee and Homeschoolers…The Rest of the Story
Hi Larry -
It’s not just Farah. There is a faction of homeschoolers that so despises public education that they want it destroyed. I homeschool, but it is truly a blessing that I am able to do so and requires considerable financial sacrifice on our part as a family. However, I know that public school is the only option for the majority of American families (and until our society and economy changes it will remain so), and it is wrong to want a candidate to be anti-public schools. If we do not have an educated citizenry, we will not remain competitive on the world market.
The other thing Farah and others refuse to acknowledge is that the NEA has more than just democrats. They seem to think that it is impossible for a conservative to teach in the public schools or to be a member of the NEA … that premise is foolishness. I thank God that not all teachers are liberals … we must support them.
I knew a guy once who was a substitute teacher for a few months … he got himself fired, and then was immediately determined that it was impossible for a Christian to teach in public schools.
With about half a dozen Christian public school teachers within my church (plus my father), it was suggested to him that he try talking to one of them for pointers in how to get along. He refused, and simply stuck with his charge.
Anyway … My sons are in public schools. Thus far, they have not been programmed to hate God, the US, or me.
The NEA endorsement was given to Huckabee because he opposes school vouchers and supports increasing federal involvement in arts and music. That’s the the reasons given by Rhonda Wesolowski the president of the NEA-NH. (Dec. 12, Concord Monitor)
One Mom’s article on Huckabee doesn’t tell the complete “rest of the story.” There’s things she left out. Like the fact that Huckabee could have vetoed the legislation that restricted homeschoolers in 1999. Her comment said that it he only had veto power for budget issues. That’s not true. I left a comment there, but it never showed up. Huckabee could have vetoed legislation that required homeschoolers to wait 14 days to pull their child out of government schools. Something that is not required of private school students. Or he coul have left it unsigned signalling is disaproval but he did neither. He signed it.
One Mom said in the comment above, “There is a faction of homeschoolers that so despises public education that they want it destroyed.”
I know very few homeschoolers who want public education destroyed. Many would like to see an end to compulsory education laws which violate a parents right to choose what is best for their child. And they would like to see an reduction or outright elimination of FEDERAL invovlement in education because of the tenth amendment. These are both positions held by HSDLA, but NOT Mike Huckabee. Huckabee supports compulsory public education and in fact reduced the compulsory school age and the only school choice Huckabee supports is PUBLIC school choice. “I am a strong supporter of public school choice.” If your only choice is public schools that’s not much of a choice. True choice means public, private, or home education. Huckabee does not support TRUE school choice, but PUBLIC school choice. That’s why the NEA endorsed him.
On a positive note, One service One Mom did provide in her conversation with Huckabee was directing me to 1998 legislation that provided the reason for the 1999 legislation which ADDED restrictions to Arkansas homeshcool laws. Smart Step is part of the P-16 education reform that is moving through the country. ALL learners must be included. That’s why instead of eliminating the state testing requirement for homeschoolers, Huckabee decided to pay for it. That’s absolutely ridiculous. The likelihood of ever eliminating the testing requirement has just gotten harder not easier.
I haven’t even mentioned that Huckabee allowed the United Nations/IBO organization into Arkansas schools. An organization which promotes “global citizenship” and “common morality” over national citizenship and absolute truth. (I wrote an article on Huckabee, IBO and global citizenship.)
The real story on Huckabee and education is in a series I wrote on it. I even reference One Mom’s post, it’s not a “hit job” on Huckabee but presents the “real story” about his education record.
The first part of the article is . There are four parts. Read them all and then please let me know what you think. I’m open to discussion and want the truth to get out not just my opinion. So if something isn’t factually correct or I’ve missed is somewhere, I welcome the opportunity to make it right.
And I should also mention I have not endorsed anyone. I am looking at all the candidates and have until Jan. 15 to decide.