Kasich has money for vouchers but not workers

If there were any doubts that Ohio Gov. John Kasich is nothing but a liar when he says the state has to bust public employee unions to stay in business, this story should kablammo these doubts to smithereens.

Ohio is one of the most spendthrift states regarding school vouchers - which are actually bailouts for private schools that don't need the money. Vouchers have failed to improve academics and have drained money from public schools. Despite media support, vouchers are one of the most dangerous and insidious right-wing programs because (like drug tests of welfare recipients) they meld social and economic engineering. In brief, the program attempts to exploit the poor and impose upon them the intolerant attitudes found at many private schools. Many of these schools perform much more poorly than their public counterparts - but the media conveniently ignores that part of the story.

Furthermore, vouchers aim to privatize public education.

Now Kasich's budget plans to expand Ohio's failed voucher program. His proposal would double the number of vouchers - even while he uses budget woes as an excuse to bust unions. Ohio must not be hurting for money if Kasich can double the size of a voucher system that doesn't even work!

Pretty much precisely the same thing is happening in Wisconsin - another state that's big on handouts for private schools.

Meanwhile, a right-wing organization that spent millions trying to get pro-voucher politicians elected in Ohio, Wisconsin, and elsewhere refuses to pay a record $5,200,000 fine that was imposed by Ohio election officials back in 2008. The organization - known as All Children Matter - is headed by Betsy DeVos (part of the royal family of Michigan right-wing politics), and it illegally funneled contributions from its Virginia PAC into Ohio, which violated Ohio's $10,000 limit.

That's another $5,200,000 that the state doesn't have - because the Kasich administration has stopped pursuing the fine.

I can't wait to see that piece of shit impeached!