I am ashamed to call myself a Republican after the way this education bill was passed. I totally agree with the Daily concerning the fact that this is no way to run a State. The Republicans in our State Legislature are putting through laws the same way Pelosi and the democrats passed the Federal Health Care Law by saying you have to pass it in order to know what it says. For those legislative members who voted for this law while using the excuse they didn't have a chance to understand the law are just as much at fault as the leadership in the Republican party. They could have very easily voted against the bill then had it recalled so that there would be proper debate and input. But no, they decided to follow lock-step behind the Republican leadership like puppets on a string. Neither the Governor nor the Republican leadership in the legislature know the cost of this bill and how it is going to effect the Education Trust Fund. They have definitely decided to reduce the funding for public schools. Just like the legislature put tourism interests ahead of education for children by passing the starting and ending dates for the school calendar, they put their anti-education policies ahead of public schools. The Republicans in the State of Alabama had a chance to do something great for this State. Instead they have decided to follow the American Legislative Exchange Council out of Washington, D.C. which is funded primarily by big business and supports privatization of schools.

bentley and the republican leadership = ICHABOD CRANE & THE HEADLESS HORSEMEN.

ALABAMA the laughing stock of the NATION !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No pain no gain.

= hurting others to make a profit.

The dems poured money into a bottomless pit WITHOUT positive educational results, always claiming never enough. Doing the same thing over and over for decades and expecting different results is just plain foolish. The republicans finally have the power to stop the fattening of union thugs under "for the children" theme. Give it a chance. If it fails, then you have the right to say "I told you so". Until then, wait and see. You can bet that there is not a single republican legislator that wants our educational system to fail.

This legislature has definitely cured me of voting Republican. They had SUCH an amazing opportunity, but have blown it.

DD is more upset over this than benghazi

Gone are the days when members of the State Legislature sat in their chairs and looked for Paul Hubbard to give his hand signals on how to vote.

This quote form an AEA lobbyist pretty much sums it up. "You have to realize Democrats almost 30 years ago lost the governor's office. Twenty years ago the party lost the courts to Republicans. Two years ago the Republicans finally got control of the Legislature, the last real center of power for Paul and AEA, and critical to AEA if it was going to continue to be dominant. Well, the Legislature is gone for the Democrats, and AEA just can't dominate these hallways any longer."

Democrats, the AEA, the Decatur Daily, and public school teachers in Alabama are together lashing out in fear,(see Saturday's online comments from "Decatur High" under the article entitled "School leaders say legislation will hurt; Bentley says he'll make it law"), and have embraced treachery - against the community. Abandoned by their veteran leadership who goldenly parachuted away just ahead of Republican ascendancy, inescapably attached to the mortally wounded and shrinking Alabama Democrat Party, and, struggling with teachers' newfound freedom to forgo further union dues, the AEA and the Democrat Party are lacking in political clout and becoming poorer by the day. The shrill tone of recent editorials with their focus solely on criticism and scorn are, in all probability, the Alabama Democrat Party's carrion call as declining electoral support is matched by the Decatur Daily's falling circulation and defeat in the marketplace. Constructive ideas have been replaced by fear-mongering and ridicule, no doubt to "help our children." So desperate is this vengeful and angry alliance that the abrupt appearance of so many "Republicans" expressing their "shame" in newspaper articles and comment sections is met with public incredulity and disbelief. These are but the beginnings of an onslaught as anxiety settles in and these once proud and respected organizations come face to face with a dark and foreboding future. Unable to comprehend public disatisfaction, charged with the forty year failure of the public schools, fearful, lest their compensation becomes commensurate with that of the private sector, and, with nowhere to turn and no new ideas, the Decatur Daily's and local public school teachers' fury is erupting. Absent clear direction, and united only in irate criticism, these groups, and, their minions, are striking out individually, their more zealous members threatening local parents and children with unimaginable and treacherous punishment, as evidenced by recent comments,(again see "Decatur High"). Goaded on by inflammatory editorials, separation between the polity and public school teachers, once our friends, is rapidly expanding. Already, some in the classroom are "explaining" to our children the new law and its failure prior to implementation, while others plot disruption in the fall. Teachers who might truly oppose this monstrous endeavor have been hitherto absent from the newspaper articles and comment sections and have maintained silence, content to allow the educational arsonists free reign as long as it furthers union objectives and results in no loss of pay. Their unspoken apathy resonates powerfully throughout the community and further erodes the ties that once bound them to the local citizenry. The overwhelming majority electorate, and, their innocent children, are bracing for the impending storm, as the Decatur Daily and public school teachers prepare to exacerbate racial and economic animus and bring new life to old hatreds and tactics, for them there remains nothing else. Loathe though they are, it is incumbent upon school leaders, beginning with Superintendent Nichols, to step forward and end the educational and union terror through public denouncement, even at the risk of incurring the wrath of the Decatur Daily editorial board, the AEA and the Alabama Democrat Party. Majority public hope rests with those who desire to return to the community fold. Otherwise, this public school teacher madness cannot but conclude horribly for all, including ........ the children.

Well written, George.

OTIS YOU ARE A STRAIGHT UP IDIOT!!

Otis -- you hit the nail on the head. Outstanding post.

Rebecca, your kind words are an inspiration. Thank you.

Another State begins it's slaughter of public education. According to the DOE, the 2011 average K-12 private school tuition was $10.000. Imagine what it will be when current students children are school aged? The money machine keeps chugging. God help our children and our grandchildren. May they make enough money to send all of their children to private school or move to a State that supports and appreciates the institution of public education.