Amid CMS controversies, let’s honor the teachers who soldier on

Amidst CMS debates, honor the teachers

While the debate around CMS and its proposed changes to address diversity rages on, our teachers, the heartbeat of our education system, dutifully and remarkably carry on. Better than most, they seem to see past the circumstances and societal labels their students bring to school. Every day they give their impartial love and boundless energy in helping shape and nurture each and every child as a worthy individual. It’s a demanding job and they do it with admirable grace. Heartfelt gratitude to these community heroes!

Where’d the Christian Republicans go?

To the 81 percent of evangelical Christians who voted for Trump and this Republican Party: We clearly read a different Bible. Jesus speaks of the poor over 400 times in the Bible, more than any other topic. Gay marriage? Zero. Abortion? Zero. Building walls? Zero. “TrumpDontCare” cuts Medicaid, while giving tax cuts to the wealthy. Trump’s proposed budget is morally reprehensible, no matter how it is spun. It cuts $190 billion in food stamps. It expects the neediest of our country to live on less, while refusing to increase the minimum wage in 10 years, despite cost of living increases. Republican Christians have sold their souls.

Activist judges threaten democracy

Activist judges are causing what may be irreparable harm to the reputation and standing of the federal court system. The most recent example being the ruling by the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals upholding a nationwide injunction against Trump’s revised executive order. Whether one agrees with the order or not, federal courts are choosing to ignore clear judicial precedent in order to advance their political preferences. In effect, the courts are ruling that they now possess the right to reverse foreign and defense policies they disagree with, which are and should remain discretionary powers reserved to the executive and legislative branches of government.The public is losing faith in the ability of these courts to make decisions based upon law and precedent rather than political affiliation.

Will Trump be treated as a leaker?

Surely that breach to a sworn enemy of the United States counts as treason and should merit the death penalty.

On board, Ed?

Good luck changing Sunday alcohol laws

Lynn Minges makes a good argument for relaxing the rules on Sunday alcohol sales, but she has to remember where she is. This is the state run by knuckle-dragging, Baptist Republicans who believe they are called by God to legislate their version of morality on people (HB2), and who don’t believe in local government (laws that include bans on municipalities writing contrary laws).

Of course there should be no restrictions on when alcohol should be sold, or on medical marijuana, or municipalities governing themselves. Good luck convincing the holier-than-thou legislators to drop their God complex and do what is right for the people. I will not be holding my breath.

Alcohol laws are the least of our worries

Seriously? We have someone who is worried about the lack of mimosas at 10 a.m. on Sunday mornings? We have a president who is completely demoralizing our country, organizations such as ISIS threatening to attack the U.S., and a city working hard to find the funds to offer the same high-quality education to every single child in every CMS school.

Calling all political grown-ups

If there are any adults left in the White House, will they please stand up and take charge? Begin by running off all the amateurs and noisy children.

This story was originally published May 31, 2017 at 6:34 PM with the headline "Amid CMS controversies, let’s honor the teachers who soldier on."