Re: Feb. 7 news story.
The Senate on Tuesdaynarrowly approved the nomination of Betsy DeVos as secretary of education. Why does this matter to me? I am a strong advocate for public schools. I attended public schools K-12, received a bachelor’s degree in education at a state public university, received a master’s degree in education, and taught for almost 30 years in public schools in two states, including 25 in Colorado. Listening to the hearings for DeVos, I was shocked at how little experience she has with the challenges facing public schools, as in none. She did not attend public schools, nor did her children. She does not have a degree in education, has never taught or worked in public schools.
Her qualifications? She has donated to the campaigns of many senators who voted on her. Public records indicate that Sen. Cory Garner received over $5,000 in campaign contributions from DeVos and almost $50,000 from the DeVos family.
I guess Cabinet positions are for sale. I remember growing up when conflict of interest used to be something politicians avoided. Now it is business as usual. Let’s ensure that these senators for sale are not re-elected.
Virginia Unseld,Black Hawk
Why is it that we so highly value competition for its ability to create quality, efficiency and innovation in everything from the shoes we wear to the cars we drive, but find it so troubling when the topic is the educational future of the American child? The opposition to Betsy Devos has far less to do with real concern for the quality of children’s education, and far more to do with the financial clout of National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers.
Joseph Lemma, Parker
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