I would like to publicly thank U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski for standing up for the future of Alaska’s children and their public school education by opposing the confirmation of Betsy DeVos. Sen. Dan Sullivan, on the other had, saw the same confirmation hearing that I did where DeVos showed up for her job interview as Secretary of Education completely unprepared. One would think that someone who came to a Senate hearing would at least brush up on federal education laws and policies related to the position, so as not to advertise to anyone watching that she is totally ignorant of any and every aspect of ESSA (federal laws and policies for K-12 education) and IDEA (federal laws and policies for K-12 education). Her testimony revealed no understanding that special education is mandated by federal law. It was shocking. A privileged personal opinion is no substitute for a deep and meaningful knowledge base about public education. What was clear was that she regards public education with a generalized distain. What was also clear was the fact that her only qualification was her/her family’s $200,000,000 in contributions to the Republican Party. The fact that Sullivan assures us that he chatted her up and is confident that she will look out for Alaska’s rural schools is outrageous. What about looking out for all of Alaska’s students and families in all of Alaska’s public schools?
Sullivan is not an advocate for the people of Alaska, he is an advocate for the privatization of public education, the corporate pillaging of our environment, muzzling of scientists and science denial in our public agencies, once again unleashing financial institutions to abuse ordinary citizens and turning the Supreme Court into yet another corporate advocate against American citizens. For proof of these assertions, just watch his confirmation votes in the next few days. Sullivan is not an advocate for Alaska or Alaskans.
Alaska needs two senators that represent the interests of Alaska and Alaskan citizens. Our fisheries rely on federal agencies and real science. We are all experiencing first hand the realities of climate change. Sullivan is an adamant advocate for corporate America, period. It is time to start the “Reject and Eject Dan” movement. I want a yard sign.
Deedie Sorensen
Juneau
