While The Country Turns To The McConnell-Grimes Race, Wal-Mart Is Attempting To Buy CA Schools

[Initech]

Think this race isn't important? Think again. It's a direct result of Citizens United and could very well tip the power balance in the California school system. Marshall Tuck is heavily backed by big budget donors including the Walton Family.

Perhaps the most important — and definitely the most expensive — election in California on Tuesday is the down-ballot battle for state school superintendent. The $30 million race has generated three times as much spending as the contest for governor, with money pouring in from across the country.

But the election is not a partisan fight between the two major parties. The combatants — incumbent Tom Torlakson and challenger Marshall Tuck — are both Democrats, and their fight embodies the major divide within the Democratic Party over the best way to educate children.

“These two candidates represent almost the perfect contrast between the two sides in the national debate over public schools,” said Dan Schnur, executive director of the Unruh Institute of Politics at the University of Southern California. “This debate has the potential to divide the Democratic Party just as significantly as immigration and abortion has divided the Republicans in the past.”

Torlakson is heavily backed by the teachers union; Tuck is receiving significant support from well-heeled donors who are behind the national charter-school movement and the effort to weaken teacher tenure.

<snip>

His donors include the heirs of Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton; Michael R. Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York; Eli Broad, the housing and insurance mogul; and Laurene Powell Jobs, the widow of Apple founder Steve Jobs. Even some Hollywood stars made a video supporting Tuck.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/californias-biggest-race-will-surprise-you-its-for-state-school-superintendent/2014/11/03/90d560fe-639b-11e4-bb14-4cfea1e742d5_story.html

This is what happens when corporations are allowed to run rampant, unpunished and unchecked. GOTV!!!

[Initech]

1. *Shameless K*

[petronius]

2. Interesting, thanks! I was going with Torlakson based on the state Democratic Party

endorsement, but hadn't given that race any though otherwise. Important reminder of how every race can matter...

[Initech]

3. Yeah especially with Citizens United, anyone with money can influence elections.

This could set an extremely dangerous precedent if Marshall Tuck is elected, the billionaires would be in charge of our schools.

[Johonny]

4. I voted Torlakson

[Retrograde]

5. Tuck did come up with a new phrase for charter schools

"Every child is entitled to a great teacher" or something like that was his dog-whistle for charter schools.

[Initech]

6. Charter schools are just another way to funnel money to the billionaires.

That's all that they are. Like George Carlin said - it's a big club and we're not in it.

[Wella]

7. Thank you!! Tuck must not be allowed to win.

I didn't know if a state issue like this could be posted in GD. Thank you for doing so.