Dark Money, Divine Lies: The Right-Wing Plot to Kill Democracy and Public Schools

We start by focusing on the ongoing debate around school vouchers in Ohio, particularly as the state legislature is poised to debate the new budget bill, which proposes cuts to public school funding while simultaneously increasing financial support for private institutions. We clarify how these so-called "scholarships" are essentially vouchers that funnel taxpayer dollars into private religious schools, often in direct violation of the constitutional separation of church and state. Currently, despite 90% of students attending public schools, nearly $900 million has been funneled into private school vouchers, highlighting a bizarre funding disparity that raises questions about equity and accountability.There are stark statistics illustrating that the majority of voucher funds benefit families already enrolled in private institutions. This misleading premise of "school choice" is particularly concerning for low-income families and those in rural areas, where no private options are available. Then we look at the ramifications of the 2010 Citizens United Supreme Court decision, elucidating how it has contributed to the erosion of our democracy and facilitated the ascent of figures like Donald Trump. The decision has fundamentally altered campaign finance laws, allowing unlimited corporate spending in elections, which has skewed the political landscape in favor of wealthy interests and diluted the voices of the average citizen.We discuss the broader implications of campaign finance reforms, the necessity for rigorous regulations to ensure that the influence of money doesn't overshadow the democratic process. We advocate for constitutional amendments that clarify the rights of corporations versus individuals to establish a fairer electoral landscape.Full Show Notes & Links UsedSend us Fan MailSupport the showSubscribe to our free newsletterCheck out our MerchFollow us on BlueskyFind us on Twitter(for now) Find us on InstagramFind us on Counter SocialFind us on Mastadon