Bush Push to federalize education. (Insider Report).

Once anathema to Republicans, federal intrusion into education has blossomed under George W. Bush. Gone are the days of GOP pledges to abolish the Department of Education (DOE) created by a Democrat Congress and President Jimmy Carter. Following in the footsteps of Presidents George Bush the elder and Bill Clinton, the current White House occupant enthusiastically embraces a nationalization program long advocated by the radical National Education Association (NEA). "Republicans and Democrats worked together to achieve historic education reform so that no child is left behind," said President Bush in his January 29th State of the Union address. He continued: "I was proud to work with members of both parties, Chairman John Boehner and Congressman George Miller, Senator Judd Gregg. And I was so proud of our work I even had nice things to say about my friend Ted Kennedy."

Infamous for his socialist proclivities, the senator from Massachusetts needs no introduction. Readers may benefit, however, from a brief reminder of George Miller's vita. In 1994, Rep. Miller (D-Calif.) authored the notorious amendment that would have required state certification of all private and home-school teachers. It was an NEA-backed death blow aimed at the burgeoning revolt against the government school monopoly. The Miller amendment was considered a "done deal," until parents deluged Congress with an unprecedented outpouring of faxes, phone calls, and letters in opposition. Every member of Congress got the message -- except Miller. His statist proposal was defeated 424 to 1.

"There's more to do' President Bush continued in his address. "We need to prepare our children to read and succeed in school with improved Head Start and early childhood development programs. We must upgrade our teacher colleges and teacher training and launch a major recruiting drive with a great goal for America: a quality teacher in every classroom." On February 4th, the Bush Department of Education gave more details concerning the Clinton-Kennedy-Miller-style Bush plan. A DOE press release boasted of "President George W. Bush's FY 2003 budget request of $56.5 billion -- including a record high $50.3 billion for discretionary programs -- continuing his commitment to improve student achievement and to leave no child behind." According to the DOE release, "President Bush's request builds on recent growth in the Department's budget, which has more than doubled since 1996."