Obama's Education Plan Partly Funded By Delaying Some NASA Programs

Chicago Sun-Times:

White House hopeful Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), on a New Hampshire swing Tuesday, is unveiling an $18 billion education program to be partly funded by delaying one of NASA's space exploration programs.

Obama makes the trade-off as he calls for a range of federal initiatives to improve elementary education, with a centerpiece of his plan teacher training. He has one mandate, calling for the "professional accreditation of all programs preparing teachers." He also wants to de-emphasize teaching to the test--something he calls "preparing students to fill in bubbles on standardized tests."

Read the whole story: Chicago Sun-Times

Comments

[realitytrumpsbull]

Why doesn't someone set out to 'educate' the
whole country in sound financial practices
by putting A BALANCED BUDGET right there in
their campaign platform? I don't think people
really mind paying taxes, but they DO mind
seeing this runaway throw-it-o­ut-the-win­dow-to
your-buddies crap. Will Obama bring a balanced
budget mandate to Washington? Giuliani? Clinton?
Maybe they should appoint the janitor as
president-pro-temp so they can find someone
that the special interest people haven't
lip-locked onto yet...

[MarkieBee]

Keep trotting out the Clinton talking points about experience in the absence of proof that Hillary has as much as Obama...that's not really sensible.

[RusStyles]

Another common-sense initiative by Barack. There's many more on his website...But the media prefers to focus on controversy as oppose to policy positions. Not only does this soap-opera reporting leave the electorate malinformed, it brings out the whiny, shit-talking cockroaches waiting to drop more hate turds...Keep providing us with fresh, lean meat, and leave the fat to the Enquireresque rags.

[Grannysue]

Good, all NASA seems to be able to do is blow up what they have built with many lives lost, then keep holding out their hand. Before we worry about finding the Aliens, let's take care of earth, o.k.

[poopdeck]

Now here is an initiative that I heartily support. NASA has become a hollow and arrogant organization which believes that our country cannot do without. Well, we will survive without the S in NASA. The Space Station has become a super-expensive gadget which serves no purpose other than keeping manned space travel artificially alive. The claim that NASA has done or will do breakthrough medical research on the station is a big lollipop. Obama, I have been and will continue to be very critical of you but on this one I am with you.

[MRb1000]

I am happy we have someone who truly gets it. Why do we spend so much money trying to find another world when we don't know much about the one we live in now!! I suggest to some of you that do not agree with him. Get on a plane with a tin foil hat and go to mars. You will be the first to set foot on mars. Oh before you get there one or to things may happen. You most likely die, or become so home sick you would just go crazy. Thank Goodness we would not have to pay for it. Please send us a space card when you get there. By By

[kishaaann]

Thank you Sen. Obama for focusing on our future.. Our children. NASA will be fine.

[ObamaSeeChange]

With every policy issuance rolled out that speaks to fresh approaches, a united effort and common sense solutions, I know this man is meant to lead our Nation back to the confidence of courage, moral leadership, progress and a stable peace. He is simply the finest and most capable candidate running for the presidency. I feel his audacity of hope and I see the cynics being blown away like Fall leaves as decent moderate democrats, republicans and independents begin to stand up for America.

[Blutus]

Freeze the funding for NASA
and the Pentagon for the next

25 years.

Until Americans can read and add, understand their own history.

Until the bridges stop falling down.

Until the wate is drinkable.


Until then, quit worrying about Mars
and your child-hood dreams.

We can't afford them right now.

[akhinaten]

With a bit of perspective, the difference between a republican and a democrat is equivalent to the different way we tie our shoes. In essence insignificant, from my Swedish Horizon you guy are all square-headed pushy Americans with an entitlement problem.
But there those uninspiring leaders who can only lead by default by creating a tribal sentiment in you by portraying the others as the enemy and in doing so indirectly insinuating that you better form a line behind your fearless leader. But you guys know better, republicans and or democrats are not extraterrestrial aliens they are your brothers and sisters your neighbors your work mates, they are your comrades in arms defending the “UNITED states of America” for the love of Jesus I don’t understand why you would vote for tribalism politicians, because they would not be able and cannot predefinition lead a nation, only their own tribe.
Just listen to the rhetoric of your candidate, does he speak about UNIFYING your nation or does she speak of turning the heat on republicans and the Republican machine.
I don’t hide it well, if I could vote, knowing well that what is best for America is also best for Europe and Sweden I would vote for Obama, because just his candidacy says more about you as a nation and people then here election would ever could. And if you are not a sucker for symbolism. Consider this, with Clinton in the White House, America would lose its credibility as a democracy based on merit and it would seem to the world that it is just like those third world “republics” where the son takes over from his father, republics like “Syria” and Libya and Egypt. If you don’t care about your standing in the world then consider this, with Hillary as the nominee the republicans and even some independents will align themselves behind their tribal chiefs and the result would be a country divided between two power hungry tribal leaders.

[ErnestineBass]

Crap! I was hoping that they'd stick Chimpy in a capsule and launch him to Mars!!!

Can you imagine how big his codpiece would be in a space suit???

[kiafaret]

Education is the "great equalizer". Education levels the playing field. Our society depends on educated masses to maintain our status in the world. We have a lot of catching up to do.

[thegreatgiginthesky]

Brilliant idea, lets take care of our own before we decide to explore the unknown. I'm sure NASA can delay a few of its programs.