A People's Democratic Platform (Page 4)

This article appeared in the August 2, 2004 edition of The Nation.

July 15, 2004

John Brademas
John Brademas, president emeritus of New York University, was for twenty-two years (1959-81) a Democratic Representative from Indiana in Congress, where he helped write all the measures enacted to support schools, colleges and universities; the arts and the humanities; libraries and museums; and to provide services for children, the elderly and the disabled.

» More

"Education," said President John F. Kennedy, "is the keystone in the arch of freedom and progress." Adequate investment in education is indispensable to our national security, the conduct of our foreign policy, our economic strength and the quality of our individual lives. A Democratic President and Congress will take the following actions:

§ Finance the No Child Left Behind Act at authorized levels, while providing states both the funds and administrative clarity necessary to implement the statute effectively.

§ Create universal preschool programs, particularly for children from low-income families.

§ Double the amount of the Pell Grant for college students from low and middle-income families.

§ Provide funds for research in how to improve teaching and learning.

§ Increase funds for study of foreign languages and of countries and cultures other than our own, including funds for international exchanges.

§ Increase funds for the National Endowments for the Arts and the Humanities and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

§ Provide funds and incentives (for example, loan-forgiveness programs) for educating, mentoring and retaining qualified pre-school, elementary and secondary schoolteachers, especially in high-need areas.

§ Revive and expand investment in research in science and technology, with particular attention to national security, health and economic innovation.

§ Finance the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act at authorized levels.

Most Read

Issues »

Most Emailed

Issues »

Popular Topics

Blogs

» State of Change

About Obama's Even Temper... | Following up on Trickle-Down Equanimity
Leslie Savan
Posted at 5:05 PM ET

» The Beat

Another Woman Senator From New York? | NOW, Feminist Majority endorse Carolyn Maloney to replace Clinton.
John Nichols
Posted at 4:04 PM ET

» Capitolism

Realizing the Promise | A people's inauguration
Christopher Hayes
Posted at 3:32 PM ET

» The Dreyfuss Report

Obama's Gaffe on India | He ought to be urging India to talk to Pakistan, not cross the border to "catch" the bad guys.
Robert Dreyfuss

» Editor's Cut

Bread, Bombs, and the Big Stimulus | We need a smart and focused inside-outside strategy to revive our frayed social compact -- now more critical than ever.
Katrina vanden Heuvel

» And Another Thing

Can you help "Nickie"? | Bringing the abortion debate down to earth
Katha Pollitt

» The Notion

DC to Delhi: Only Our Missiles -- Not Yours | What is Rice going to say to India: only DC not Delhi is allowed to bomb Pakistan?
Laura Flanders

» Act Now!

World AIDS Day | How to help in the fight against the AIDS pandemic.
Peter Rothberg

» Passing Through

Forget GM's Plan -- Where's The Government's Plan? | Create a demand for green cars.
Jane Hamsher