2 weeks Ago
On Nov. 5, South Carolinians went to the ballot box and delivered a resounding mandate for traditional conservative policies. As a result, Republicans now hold super-majorities in both the South Carolina House of Representative and the state Senate for the first time in more than 150 years.
It was a continuation of the mandate for conservative policies that we saw delivered when voters elected Ellen Weaver as superintendent of education in 2022. Yet some liberal lawmakers in Columbia refuse to accept this mandate. Instead of respecting the will of the people, they’re teaming up with media outlets to spin sensational stories and create distractions to prevent our progress.
The recent partnership between Superintendent Weaver and PragerU is a perfect example. PragerU is a traditional conservative organization that provides free civics resources to teachers. Rather than perpetuating one-sided liberal historical narratives found in projects like the 1619 Project, PragerU offers a perspective that acknowledges both the triumphs and challenges of our nation throughout its history.
In other words, it’s balanced — and liberals can’t abide that. One particular critic, Democratic Rep. Jermaine Johnson, has made it abundantly clear that he aspires to climb the political ladder, possibly even eyeing the position of superintendent of education.
His frivolous attacks on Superintendent Weaver and PragerU reflect a desperate attempt to gain attention for himself rather than engage in any kind of constructive conversation about policy. Superintendent Weaver is leading vital initiatives for our state, particularly in improving teacher retention, a goal that deserves recognition and support. The innovative approaches she champions stand in stark contrast to the progressive narratives that have infiltrated our education system over the years through liberal activist groups.
Radicals have spent decades and tens of millions of dollars working to gain influence on how children are educated in order to drive their future political agenda. And Republicans promoting conservative reforms is a threat to their position. They’re still upset that they lost the superintendent of education race in 2022, and they’ll do anything to undermine Superintendent Weaver until they can challenge for the office again in 2026.
Their attitude is, sure Republicans won, but how dare they try to implement the ideas that they campaigned on. In other words, they’re like angry 2-year-olds stamping their feet when they don’t get their way. And that’s how they should be treated.
Rep. Johnson and his allies are the people who supported policies that sought to keep schools closed and impose mask mandates on our children during COVID-19 — policies that South Carolinians rejected. And the liberal resentment is palpable.
The ACLU’s ongoing opposition stems from Superintendent Weaver’s commitment to removing sexually explicit materials that have no place in our educational curriculum. Its resistance also extends to one of the hallmark achievements of our state: private school choice, which empowers parents and fosters brighter futures for our students. But equally troubling is the complicity of some in the mainstream media in amplifying these attacks.
Instead of highlighting Superintendent Weaver’s achievements or the efforts of Gov. Henry McMaster and numerous Republican members of the General Assembly to raise teacher pay, improve literacy rates, enhance math performance, reduce distractions like cellphones in classrooms and prioritize school safety, many in the media choose to align themselves with the progressive minority. In the meantime, Republicans will remain focused on promoting positive changes in our educational system and standing firm against those who seek to undermine it for partisan gain.
Together, we can ensure that our schools reflect the traditional values and aspirations of the people of South Carolina. Drew McKissick is the chairman of the S.C.
Republican Party..
