Given that Betsy DeVos is disdainful of public education on principle, one would expect her to tear down the Department of Education during her tenure. But one would expect it to be torn down based on principles and consideration, not because she's clueless about public education and educational debate. It's like appointing someone as Defense Secretary who looks blankly at you when you ask about the nuclear triad (ahem), or who doesn't seem to quite understand that the Navy fights mostly on the Water (but that there are some notable exceptions to that idea).
DeVos is one of the clearer examples of a huge fundraiser for Trump getting handed a pet cabinet post. It's one thing to send someone like that off to be Ambassador to Luxemburg because, honestly, what harm can they do? It's quite another to hand them the keys to the education of our children and young adults and have them be puzzled when you tell them which side of the car the gas cap is on.
Six astonishing things Betsy DeVos said — and refused to say — at her confirmation hearing
One example: She wouldn’t say guns don’t belong in schools — and cited a school’s need to protect itself from “potential grizzlies.” Bears, that is.
Umm, +Dave Hill ? The dream of transferring public education funds to unacceptable charter & religious school has been a dream of the GOP and conservative Dems like Hillary for decades.
And more here:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2017/01/17/betsy-devos-confused-about-federal-law-protecting-students-with-disabilities/?tid=pm_local_pop&utm_term=.3b5b490548c6
+Stan Pedzick Yes, but it would be nice if she could articulate something about the reasons beyond parroting the party line, and discuss particulars of educational policy with something other than "I'll study it" or "it's best left to the states" as mantras.
+Dave Hill yes, but if she actually did that then the Rubes would know what was actually going on and she'd never be approved by the senate. You gotta lie and obfuscate if you want to gorge at the public trough.
+Dave Hill that and since friend of the Clintons Podesta and his buds are helping her, she's a shoe in for the job.