Romney - The Anti-Education Candidate

(The graphic above is from the blog Under The Mountain Bunker.)

Willard Mitt Romney (aka Wall Street Willie) spoke to a Hispanic group the other day, and the gist of his speech was about the importance of education. He even went as far as to label the poor state of education in this country as a "civil rights issue". I guess this new education message is part of his faux move toward the center for the general election (since he now pretty much has the GOP nomination in the bag).

I say "faux" because Romney doesn't have a record of strong support for education, especially public education (at all levels). In fact, his record as governor of Massachusetts shows that he is no friend of public education at all. He eliminated class-size reduction grants in that state causing most schools to increase class sizes. In spite of indisputable evidence that reduced class size gives teachers more time with each student and increases student performance, Romney is on record as saying reduced class sizes "may actually hurt education more than it helps".

In addition, Romney also cut funds for public schools, causing many teachers to be laid off. And he cut funding for public colleges and universities, causing them to have to raise tuition and other prices (making those schools among the most expensive in the United States by the end of his term). Romney's current championing of education rings more than a little hollow considering his abysmal education record as governor (and the fact that neither he nor his children ever attended, or needed to attend, public schools -- the same schools most Americans count on to better themselves and their families).

Perhaps you think Romney has finally seen the light, and now supports the adequate funding and support of public schools. Don't believe it. Romney was recently overheard telling a group of his biggest donors that if elected president, he would slash education funds. He hasn't changed at all. He's just telling another lie, in the hopes it will get him a few more votes.

If Romney supports any education, it is the expensive private schools that he and his rich compatriots need to educate their own children and grandchildren. Electing him president would be a disaster for the nation's public school system.

NOTE -- And we should not forget that Romney believes the serious bullying of school children are just "harmless pranks".