Because Washington, D.C., is insane, here we are today with Barack Obama, the President of the United States, having to make weighty decisions about what schools a handful of children and teenagers in the city will be attending. Worse yet, because of his decision, he may face a battle with both parties in Congress, the legislative body of the United States.
The only aspect of this ridiculous Home Rule system that makes sense is that if D.C. did become fully sovereign, its residents would be in the hands of councilmen who vote in their sleep and then wake up and ask for a re-vote because they forgot how much they hated the gays.
So: Vouchers! Here's the American president's big decision this afternoon about a local school program:
President Obama will seek to extend the controversial D.C. school voucher program until all 1,716 participants have graduated from high school, although no new students will be accepted, according to an administration official who has reviewed budget details scheduled for release tomorrow.
It's a break with the Democratic Congress, which had required that funding for the program be reauthorized, by them, beyond its current June 2010 expiration date. (Hint: they were not going to reauthorize it!)
Obama's new plan, to be included in the budget, will not require any congressional reauthorization -- students already enrolled in the program before its expiration date would "automatically receive grants until they finish school," although no new students would be accepted.
This will upset both the Democrats who (*cough* *cough* ARE OWNED BY THE TEACHERS' UNION *cough* *cough*) "love public education," and the Republicans, who want all children to go to religious schools forever.
Jim Newell writes for Wonkette and IvyGate.
