The Educated Diva

As the clock struck 12 o'clock am on December 22, 2018 the partial shutdown of the US federal government went into effect. This partial shutdown will force over 400,000 bureaucrats to work without pay while many others will be furloughed (leave of absence without pay). The main point of contention is surrounding border security. Donald Trump campaigned on the promise to build a massive wall between the United State and Mexico. His goal was to keep out illegal immigrants that are allegedly coming here to commit crimes and steal jobs from "hard-working Americans". After nearly two years, President Trump is still fighting for his elaborate wall.

Democrats have refused to budge on the matter. While trying to pass a budget for the federal government, the Dems have stated that they will not fund the wall that President Trump has promised his supporters. During a meeting between the president, and Congress members, Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer, the president went on record exclaiming that he would be proud of a shutdown. Check the video below (provided by CNN):

The president said that he would take ownership of the government shutdown because he wants the money necessary in order to build the border wall. As it became painfully obvious that the shutdown was inevitable, the 45th president began to change his tune.

Source: Twitter

In a series of tweets such as those pictured above, President Trump shifted the blame to the Democrats. It appears that our president may have a sudden case of amnesia. Did he forget his fateful words from the December 11th meeting with Schumer and Pelosi? Well let me remind him:

"I am proud to shut down the government"

- Trump

In addition to the current shutdown, the federal government has shut down two other times in 2018; in January and February respectively. Although those shutdowns didn't last very long, this particular shutdown may last very well into the new year. Congress is adjourned until after Christmas, and a spokesperson for Schumer has stated that they are still "very far apart" from reaching a common ground in regards to the budget.

For now we will just have to wait and see what will happen next

President Trump has made every effort to make his mark on history and flaunt his presidential power. In his first two weeks, Donald Trump has signed 8 executive orders, most of which have been controversial in nature. Listed below is a recap of some of his most contentious orders.

Repealing Obamacare

On day 1 of Trump's presidency, an executive order was signed to begin repealing the Affordable Care Act. With no clear replacement for this healthcare plan, I wonder what this will mean for the 20 million Americans that are covered under the act.

I recently watched a video of a man that was against Obamacare but was all for the Affordable Care Act, ignorant to the fact that they are one in the same. With that being said, I'm certain that many Trump supporters will be in for a rude awakening, if the Trump Administration is successful with the repeal

Dakota Pipeline

According to proponents, the Pipeline will increase construction jobs along with decreasing America's dependance on foreign oil.

The reason why this executive order falls under contention is the fact that these pipelines may be constructed on land guaranteed to Native Americans. Natives fear the possible contamination of their water source by oil spills.

Build the Wall

On January 25, 2017, President Trump signed an executive order approving the construction of wall between the United States and Mexico. During Trump's presidential campaign, Trump exclaimed that Mexico would pay for this wall to be built... but it's starting to look like American taxpayers will be stuck footing the bill.

Travel Ban

President Trump signed an executive order which essentially bans travel to the U.S. from nations with heavy Muslim population. Of course, chaos ensued-due to unclear language on who the ban actually included.

Again, this is only a few of the executive orders that President Trump has signed since taking office. If this is the kind of activity that we can look forward to then I am deeply concerned for how this great nation will fair after four years of a Trump Administration.

As a child growing up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the name DeVos was commonplace in my household. DeVos and Grand Rapids were synonymous. The DeVos family has its name attached to most things in my hometown, including the infamous mega corporation known as Amway.

People often praised the elder DeVos, Richard Sr., claiming that he was a man of the people. People that worked under his leadership have stated that he was good to his employees and was kind-hearted.

Gone are the days in which people speak highly of the name DeVos (if you're a democrat). I have heard all of the negative ramblings regarding this wealthy family, including the failed gubernatorial campaign.

Now we have Mrs. Betsy DeVos being nominated for the position of Education Secretary by Trump Administration. We are talking about a woman that has NEVER attended a public school at any point in her life.

No Experience, No Knowledge

Betsy DeVos has zero experience or knowledge of the concept of pedagogy. At her confirmation hearing, DeVos failed to demonstrate her knowledge and understanding of IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) which mandates that public schools provide accommodations for students with disabilities.

Strong push for Charter Schools and Vouchers

Another point of contention is the fact that DeVos has been a strong supporter of charter and private schools. In essence, funneling money to charter and private schools may lead to the degradation of public schools. It appears that DeVos would have a conflict of interest if selected as Education Secretary because she has money invested in charter schools. This conflict of interest may influence the decisions that she makes regarding public schools.

Charter/Private vs. Public

Some may wonder what's the big deal of allowing students to attend private or charter schools... Well I will tell you, simply. Private and Charter schools do not have to accept ALL students. Most of these schools have a strategic admissions process. These schools are not required to deal with behavior problems or the students that lack the foundation necessary to achieve in a rigorous educational program. Public schools must take EVERYONE. Because of this fact, it is necessary that public schools are properly funded in order to provide a great education to all youth.

I guarantee, that if Betsy is able to implement a national call for school vouchers, the private schools will gladly take federal funds to admit students... but if and when some of those students become a "liability" those private schools will quickly give them the boot. As a result those same students will be forced to attend a public school without the funding needed, because the Private school has already spent it.

Due to all of this, I strongly believe that Betsy DeVos is bad for education. I just hope that Congress does what's best for the youth and reject her for the position of Secretary of Education.

Today, I mourn. The inauguration of Donald J Trump made everything real for me. Change is definitely here... just not the change that I can believe in. The change that I believed in is reversing before my very eyes. With that being said, I mourn the greatness, the hope, the realized dreams, AND of course, the great change that President Obama ushered in along with his presidency. On this day, I mourn.

Seeing Barack Obama board his helicopter with the exiting first lady, Michelle Obama, was my breaking point. I cried. I cried long and hard, realizing that I was watching the epitome of style, grace, and intellect vacate America's House. Tears of fear stream down my cheeks, due to the inexperience of the Trump Administration

January 20, 2017 also marked the day that America was forced to bear witness to the outlandish lies that Donald Trump will disseminate on a daily basis. Don't get me wrong, many politicians have been accused of lying. The difference here is that the untruths spewed by our incoming president are unnecessary at best.

Just to point out the trivial lies told by President Trump and his yes-men, lets look at just two lies told regarding the 2017 Inauguration.

"This was the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration, PERIOD!" - White House Press Secretary, Sean Spicer

Left: Obama's Inauguration 2009; Right Trump's Inauguration 2017
Source: abc news

The evidence does not support the fantasy that the Trump Administration is trying to convey.... Period

"We will follow two simple rules, Buy American, Hire American." - Donald Trump, Inauguration 2017

Trump's clothing line made in Bangladesh
Source: Washington Post

How can you force other American companies to buy american & hire american when you in fact hire labor from overseas? I'm truly perplexed.

I'm being quite honest when I say: My expectations for this administration is low. Any person that would have followed President Obama would have some HUUUGE (trump voice) shoes to fill. The problem is that President Trump has decided to throw out those shoes and make his own foot steps in the yellow-stained snow. With that being said, are you in mourning? Tell me why, below.

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