Wagner announced on her Twitter account today that she's becoming the Vice President of Communications for the Friedman Foundation for Education Choice beginning on April 4. The Friedman Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in Indianapolis that was founded in 1996 to advance school choice for all children throughout the United States. Its CEO, Robert Enlow, has served on the conservative ALEC organization's education task force, and he also serves as a board member of the Carpe Diem privately-operated charter school within the IPS district and Hoosiers for Quality Education. One of IPS' current board members, LaNier Echols, has served as a top administrator at Carpe Diem.
Wagner's new job continues to raise the specter that board members who are supposed to be serving the public's interest are in fact being financially rewarded for ties to outside actors with a vested interest in their decision-making authority. Advance Indiana has pointed out that several IPS board members, in addition to Echols, have outside roles with the education profiteers that conflict with their roles serving the public school system. Wagner served as a paid consultant to several current members of the IPS board and, following their election to the board, those same board members rewarded her by creating a contracted PR position serving the board members, which paid her firm $2,800 a month, even though the school district already had its own full-time communications director. Is the Friedman Foundation hiring Wagner because of her experience as a spokesperson for the Indiana Democratic Party, or because of the role her husband plays advancing their agenda on the state education board?
It's official: I'm joining @edchoice as VP of Comms on 4/4. Excited to empower families, students via #schoolchoice— Jennifer Wagner (@JenniferAWagner) March 24, 2016
Gordon Hendry Must Resign From The Indiana State Board of Education https://t.co/IMaEv1Wf2h pic.twitter.com/mWQ4C1OESi— Indiana Talks (@IndianaTalks) March 24, 2016
19 comments:
Hey, AI, Did you notice the Friedman Foundation also created a job for Keri Hunter, wife of ex-city council member Ben Hunter, who pimped for their causes while he was on the council?
Thanks for sharing. Not a surprise.
How does one distinguish a Democrat from a Republican anymore? They seem to be working for the same team even when they say they aren't.
Without the Friedman Foundation's hard work and decades-long battle for parental choice, thousands of Hoosier kids would be forced to attend public schools instead of the the private or parochial school of their parents' choosing. Regardless of one's views on Wagner or Hendry, the Foundation has provided real opportunities for Hoosier children.
RINOs have made "Republican" an alias for Democrat; the establishment being one in crony statism or fascism.
Thanks for posting Gary. It seems as if there's an endless line of scumbags in the public arena who are ultimately just in it for themselves.
@lamlawindy Those poor kids attending public school....
Wagner used to chew on Mitch Daniels with her former blog Taking Down Words now she never criticizes Daniels! She is nothing more than a political opportunist!
My educator wife and EdD tried to get a Pence appointment to the Board of Education. They never acknowledged that they even got her application or non selection. Pence and his crew are the worst even managers ever. I could see why he got no where in the real world.
anon11:05, it's not about "poor" versus rich. IMHO, the whole idea of using force against any group to pay for educating ANYBODY is immoral. However, until that system is abolished, then at least Hoosier parents should be able to pick the school of their choice.
Silly me! You mean your supposed to make a living running a nonprofit! Oh well my dad taught me it was all for the charity (or what he would say "it for the kid's dear!" when he was talking to my mom) that's how I have my non profit set up. Not to mention the 1023 is one fun form to fill out. Plus they want $400 up front just for the little guys. Hope they checked the boxes on the political questions right. I am sure Wagner doesn't have a clue about a 1023 or the 501 irs forms. ;)
Unless LamLawIndy went to an elite private institution or received his law degree from a diploma mill,I'm betting LLI received his degree from a public institution. The following quote from him is rich;" IMHO, the whole idea of using force against any group to pay for educating ANYBODY is immoral."
Especially considering LLI earned money as a Prosecutor on the public teat.
For a number of reasons, Wagner will not last long at the Friedman Foundation. While it is hard to decipher Ms. Wagner's true political leanings these days (is this the same Wagner of the "Taking Down Words" blog during the first term of the Daniels Administration?) the common thread for her today seems to be to follow the money, wherever it takes you, especially among the education profiteers....
Nonetheless, she will not fit in....The Friedman Foundation is poorly and ineptly run by the egoist Robert Enlow backed only by some very wealthy benefactors (check out their Board Chairman Patrick Byrne, CEO of Overstock.com) who really don't care much about the day to day operations of the Foundation. There's all sorts of daily soap operas among the staff, board members, and their allies. I can see all sorts of clashes with other leaders in this organization...
The Friedman Foundation is part of the State Policy Network, (SPN) a collection of extreme right wing state based policy organizations run by a bunch of wackos (think Ted Cruz or Donald Trump wannabe policy advisors) that will make Wagner think twice of the environment she is joining. I just can't see Wagner being comfortable with some of the more extreme groups and individuals the FF deals with daily like the Federalist Society, Jim Bopp, Dennis Kruise, Institute for Justice, and the foundation's wealthy and right wing funders. One of their big supporters and funders, some clown named Greg Gianforte, is running for Governor of Montana or Idaho -- he was in the news last year when he said that since Noah lived (and worked when he was 600 years old, there was no need for social security) Here's an irony -- Mitch Daniels, the target of most of Wagner's blog postings in the past, was one of the founding members of the Friedman Foundation. "Uh sorry, Mitch, I really did not mean what I said."
We all mature and evolve over time, but the cultural and political shock she will go through in the next six months will be jarring nonetheless. I just don't see this as being a long term position for her.
Anon3:38, I don't have to like the system, just live in it. Ideally, all taxes SHOULD be voluntary, but the system as currently set up imprisons one for tax non-payment. Now, if YOU are willing to suffer prison for non-payment of taxes OR are willing to admit that the current tax system is based on force or the threat of force, them kudos to you for being honest*.
* Actually, I will also give you bonus points if you're entitled to certain govt-"given" benefits (SS, Medicare, mortgage deduction, child tax credits, public schooling, roads, sanitation) yet refuse to accept them provided that you furnish me with an affidavit listing them & the years you forwent them.
Anon7:30, your mention of Patrick Byrne being the Chair made me want to donate to the Friedman Foundation. Overstock.com was one of the 1st major online stores to accept Bitcoin.
Anyway, perhaps Wagner is exactly what the FF needs if your tales of intrigue are true. An "outsider" may have a way of refocusing their efforts.
Now, I do not know Wagner personally, but I've read her writing. She seems genuinely interested in education reform & in expanding access to quality education for children. Sure, it could be a load of BS. However, I am willing to presume that her public statements reflect her private beliefs inasmuch as they seem to have been written over time and without the "need" to conform to a given political bent in preparation for a run for office (i.e. Trump's shift on abortion, 2nd Amendment).
Cronyism...Indiana-style. Jennifer Wagner is NOT a Democrat. As for Milton Friedman, he wasn't a serious academic - just an opportunist.
Friedman's and by extension your goal is the transfer of public education to "for profit" private enterprise. How do we know? Milton declared it as such and vouchers aren't the end game but a stage towards that goal. You Friedman folks NEVER state the end goal of Milton! Why? Because the public would never "buy" into it, so you deceptively use the meme "school choice" when parents have ALWAYS had school choice. The public wouldn't like the idea of public schools loosing funds so a wealthy family can get public dollars to help pay for a $18000 a year private school student who never attended a public school. So cease and desist with the fraudulent "school choice" scheme. We know the truth thanks to Friedman...the end of public education and greater profits for private companies.
I see LamLawIndy is a Looneytarian. That explains his or her (provided) views on education, history, government, economics, justice, etc.
When someone reveals they're a libertarian, a corporate mythology based upon white privilege and practiced by attention-starved Republicans, it's time to laugh.
Speaking of charter school opportunists, former IPS board member Caitlin Hannon was rewarded for her role in selling out public education by receiving a 'fellowship' at the dubiously named Mind Trust.
"Quid pro quo, Clarice. Quid pro quo."
Wagner's keen interest in education is nothing more than a vehicle for trying to help husband launch a political career. Due to various scandals and her past writings, she is far too tainted to run for office herself. Although Trump....
Anyway, she does indeed follow the money. Not that there's anything wrong with that. But don't buy this "power couple" as anything more than ambitious opportunitsts.
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