episode 157

Defund the DOE, Tennessee vs. Tennesseans on Guns, Listener Mailbag

Four GOP candidates pledged to abolish the U.S. Department of Education during last week’s presidential primary debate. Rikki and Ravi debate the candidate’s arguments, the current state of the department, and the future of the federal government’s role in K-12 education. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee convened a special legislative session on public safety after a school shooter killed six people in Nashville this spring. Most Tennesseans support increased gun regulation, but the seven-day session ended this week without any major policy changes. What does this say about the country’s ability to move bipartisan issues forward? Finally, the hosts respond to recent audience voicemails about childcare, sex education, and Oregon’s opioid policies. Want to be part of the next mailbag roundup? Leave a voicemail for Rikki and Ravi at 321-200-0570.

SHOW NOTES

Defund the DOE [00:48]

Eliminate the Department of Education, Four Republican Presidential Candidates Say (Education Next, 8/24/23)
Education reform advocate John White: We’re in danger of becoming the enemy (The Washington Post, 10/1/13)
2024 Republican Candidates Want to Eliminate the Department of Education (The Hill, 8/27/23)
Broad Calls to Ax Education Department and Take On Teachers’ Unions at 1st GOP Debate (Ed Week, 8/24/23)
161 Republicans Vote in Support of Eliminating Department of Education (The American Independent, 3/24/23)
Kill the Department of Ed.? It’s Been Done (Politico, 9/23/15)
That Time the Education Department Was Eliminated (GovExec, 11/28/22)
Vivek Ramaswamy renews call to abolish Department of Education and pledges to overhaul education system (Washington Examiner, 7/3/23)
Government 101: What Does the Secretary of Education Do? (Masterclass, 9/12/22)
United States Department of Education Overview (Wikipedia)
An Education Miracle Maker (Regressives, 10/9/22)
Sustaining Education Reform in America (John White, 10/1/13)

Tennessee vs. Tennesseans on Guns [26:43]

Grieving Governor’s Moderate Gun Proposal Is Spurned by G.O.P. Allies (New York Times, 8/21/23)
Tennessee GOP lawmakers rule out gun control, hit impasse in session after school shooting (PBS, 8/24/23)
Inside the meeting where Tennessee House leadership adopted controversial rules on signs (Tennessean, 8/28/23)
Vanderbilt Poll: Actionable consensus on guns and abortion exists between Tennessee’s MAGA Republicans, Democrats (Vanderbilt, 5/3/23)
Republican Voters Who Want Gun Reform: Let the Special Session Be a Lesson (Nashville Scene, 8/28/23)
Citizens have told lawmakers for months they want gun reform. Make them listen. (Tennessean, 8/28/23)
Third Day of Special Session Features Wrenching Testimony From Covenant School Parents (Nashville Scene, 8/24/23)
Fourth Day of Special Session Results in a Stalemate (Nashville Scene, 8/25/23)
The Jacksonville Killer Wanted Everyone to Know His Message of Hate (The Atlantic, 8/27/23)