Retribution Time: DC Leaders Seek to Punish Needy Children and Catholic Church for Opposition to SSM

DC Councilman Tommy Wells -- who not that long ago actually supported school vouchers -- has just written an open letter to Senate subcommittee Chairman Dick Durbin strongly opposing the reauthorization of the DC school voucher program this year. Why? Because some of the kids in the program use the vouchers to attend Catholic schools, and the Catholic Church opposes same-sex marriage.

That's right. Although he generally favors vouchers in general, Councilman Wells wants to punish the poorest of DC kids stuck in dead-end schools in order to get back at the Catholic Church for its opposition to the same-sex marriage bill pending before the DC Council.

The DC voucher program is available only to kids coming from families making less than 185% of the federal poverty level ($39,220 for a family of 4) and who would otherwise attend failing or poor-performing schools (as defined by the No Child Left Behind Act). The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington has been a strong advocate for vouchers, and more than half of the 1700 kids currently receiving vouchers under the DC voucher program are attending Catholic schools.

Full text of the letter sent by Councilman Tommy Wells and DC Board of Education member Lisa Raymond is below.

*********************************

November 30, 2009

The Honorable Richard Durbin
United States Senate
309 Hart Senate Building
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Durbin:

In our individual capacities as elected officials representing the District of Columbia -- as a member of the Council of the District of Columbia and a member of the D.C. State Board of Education serving as the current president -- we are writing to express our strong opposition to the reauthorization of the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program (DCOSP).

We believe the program has placed too many District students in underperforming private schools and supports discriminatory employment practices at religious-based schools, in violation of the D.C. Human Rights Act.

DCOSP provides vouchers for students to attend some schools that are seriously deficient. Specifically, these schools were not accredited or even in the process of becoming accredited, and employed teachers who had not graduated from college. According to a report by the General Accountability Office, these schools:

"Did not meet basic requirements to operate in the District. For example, a few had no certificate of occupancy on file with the District or had certificates that did not specify educational use."

We acknowledge that some of our publicly funded voucher students attend high-performing private schools. A small minority attend Sidwell Friends, St. Albans, and John Carroll High School. However, too many attend schools with fewer resources and lower standards than those of our public schools.

Furthermore, research has not shown significant improvement among voucher students or sufficient achievement gains over their peers that would justify the program. Rather, the latest research shows that academically disadvantaged voucher students--those from schools designated "in need of improvement" or with test scores among the lowest one-third of applicants--failed to demonstrate improved performance in private school over their public school peers.

In addition, as the Archdiocese of Washington, which operates Catholic schools in the District, made clear at recent hearings on legislation to enact marriage equality for same sex couples, they will not and currently do not recognize same sex couples or provide employee benefits for same sex spouses. It is their clearly espoused doctrine and practice to treat gay and lesbian employees differently from heterosexual employees. It is unclear if and how the doctrine is communicated to students. We oppose using public funds to support discriminatory practices in our city.

We hope you will join us in putting an end to this federal subsidy for discriminatory and low-performing schools. We would be pleased to further discuss our concerns, and those of the constituents we represent, with you or your staff, and we thank you for your leadership on this issue.

Sincerely,

Tommy Wells
Councilmember, Ward 6
Council of the District of Columbia

Lisa Raymond
President & Ward 6 Member
District of Columbia State Board of Education

28 Comments

Mike Tidmus

Posted December 2, 2009 at 3:06 pm | Permalink

The church needs to be reminded that if it wants to play in the secular arena it has to play by the secular laws. If it doesn't, then it can do what the Mormons do and pay their own way instead of begging for taxpayer funding so they can discriminate against LGBT citizens.
Lisa

Posted December 2, 2009 at 3:30 pm | Permalink

Please get your facts straight. The DC Catholic Church cast the first stone, threatening to take away vital social services to the homeless and others because of same-sex marriage. http://bit.ly/411tgf It takes a wild imagination indeed to think that Jesus would want his followers to behave without any compassion or tolerance. Shame on all of you.
Mikescorpio

Posted December 2, 2009 at 3:50 pm | Permalink

Get your ducks in a row. Make sure your teachers are college graduates, schools accredited, occupancy certificates filed, and you are willing to follow the law of the land. No group, including the church should be exempt from following the laws of the land. Those that think so, are potentially as dangerous as al Queada. Discriminatory practices based on religious doctrine, fester hate, fear, and terrorism. The need to control all aspects of private and public life. Just look at Iran, the Taliban, and Saudia Arabia. They have strict religious based anti- women, anti-gay, anti- freedom laws written into their books. I hardly think the average American citizen wants to live in such an oppressive society.
Matthias

Posted December 2, 2009 at 4:01 pm | Permalink

This is not about equality. This is about forcing others to accept thier deviant lifestyles. They have now resorted to intimidation, threats, and now punishment against any who oppose them. This is just the beginning. These assualts against Christianity and Traditional families will continue and grow because the snakes running this country will encourage it.
Adam

Posted December 2, 2009 at 4:08 pm | Permalink

NY gay marriage fails. Final vote: 24-38. Bill fails
Adam

Posted December 2, 2009 at 4:10 pm | Permalink

The city council should be reminded of who voters are. Who elected them? Definitely not gay marriage folks. I could see a council in ca or ny voting for this council, but not DC..
Adam

Posted December 2, 2009 at 4:12 pm | Permalink

Gay marriage supporters are hopping mad over at twitter. Cursing swearing, uncontrolled anger and hate filled comments. So much for tolerance.
John

Posted December 2, 2009 at 4:14 pm | Permalink

I agree with Mike. Kids shouldn't be taught about discrimination on taxpayer dollars. If the Catholic Church wants to be benevolent and allow these children to attend their schools for free (i.e., on scholarship, not government money), then that's fine.
Dave

Posted December 2, 2009 at 5:35 pm | Permalink

@ Matthias: Very well stated.
@Adam (post 6): I'm offended. Look what NY just accomplished. Us New Yorkers DO have morals! And 38 of our State Senators do too.
John

Posted December 2, 2009 at 5:46 pm | Permalink

This organization is an abomination. From reading the get informed tab I now feel physically sick. My only comfort is that such close mindedness is always fleeting before the progressive march of history.
TIC

Posted December 2, 2009 at 6:06 pm | Permalink

Hilarious: "Gay marriage" supporters live to give new definitions to words and concepts, don't they? They already changed the definition of GAY from happy to homo; they want to change not only the definition and concept of marriage, but the definition of discrimination/bigotry now too. How sickening that preserving a sacred heterosexual institution now can get you libelously called "bigoted". To borrow from a lame Public Service Campaign, KNOCK IT OFF and stop being so GAY.(See, straight people don't have to knock it off; they can change word meanings too). Congrats on the NY victory.
Peter

Posted December 2, 2009 at 8:28 pm | Permalink

Adam: You are right. Gays aren't tolerant of these movements. But people shouldn't tolerate being discriminated against, nor should straight people tolerate discrimination against gays.
Sean Martin

Posted December 2, 2009 at 8:40 pm | Permalink

I'm amazed that, when there are so many other, far more serious issues facing this country, you folks are getting your knickers in a knot over a couple of guys getting hitched. That, to me, just demonstrates a whacked sense of priorities and begs the question: are you just in this for the money? Or do you seriously think any of this is really your business? Last time I checked, marriage was between the two people standing before a minister and the God of their choice. Not me. Not you. No one else. And yet you feel you have some divine right to intercede where you are clearly not wanted.

So why is that, folks? Are your own marriages so shaky and insecure that you run screaming for the hills when this topic is raised? If so, that's your problem, not mine. As for the rest of it, you're no different from the arguments I heard growing up against interracial marriage: the same faulty logic, the same hysteria, the same fear-mongering. Trulym are you this desperate for attention that you shove your nose into things where it's simply not needed nor wanted nor warranted. Life's too short for this nonsense. If you want to be miserable, do it on your own time.
Jeanne

Posted December 2, 2009 at 10:08 pm | Permalink

Sean Martin, are you saying you agree with what the DC council has done to Catholic Charities and the poor of the city? How can you pretend that this is just about two loving people when the repercussions extend out even before the bill is signed? Your dishonesty is frankly sick.
George Lee

Posted December 2, 2009 at 10:11 pm | Permalink

Peter, is that how you justify your hate? You and I have the same rights, the same privileges, the same dignity....yet you find a way to justify hating me for my beliefs and opinions which are simply different than yours. That is pretty intolerant of you. I have no problem with you disagreeing with me. Where is your tolerance?
Marty

Posted December 3, 2009 at 2:14 am | Permalink

Sean: "there are so many other, far more serious issues facing this country"

Yep. But some of us fight against AIDs, some against Breast Cancer, some against Homelessness, some for clean water, some for poor little critters, and some of us -- yes some of us -- fight against fatherlessness and the breakdown of the family that is at the core of so many social ills. Stopping the slide of SSM is just one part of restoring marriage to the importance it once held, and should still hold.

You may now return to your peace rally, or whatever it is that YOU fight for.
Matt

Posted December 3, 2009 at 2:39 am | Permalink

Sean Martin,
I'm surprised that you don't think marriage is an important issue, or that people don't have a right to care about and take a role in how the central institutions of their society are formed. It seems to me that these kinds of issues are extremely vital and everyone has a right and even a responsibility to be involved in them.
John

Posted December 3, 2009 at 11:01 pm | Permalink

Adam and the rest - say what you will but the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington said a mouthful when they threatened to pull services. People have a hard time placing their faith in an organization so willing to strike out against those with the least. Not a very god-focused stance.

Face it, people are starting see through the lies and corrupt practices of the catholic church. No more hiding behind the bible or misquoted scripture. We're smarter than that now. And that scares you people to death.

Your kind have done nothing but preach hate and intolerance...so many people have lost their lives because money and power were more important to you than love and respect. Their blood is on your hands and now my friend, it's time to reap what you've sown.
Amy

Posted December 4, 2009 at 12:59 am | Permalink

John, huh? Is the blood of Stalin's regime on your hands because you support tyrannical political policies that squash freedom of speech, conscience and religion? eh, notsomuch. I understand you're upset about NY, Maine and California, but let's keep it real. Go ahead and disagree here, you're free to do that, but don't think you can win any points by false insinuations. That's just lame.
John

Posted December 4, 2009 at 11:00 am | Permalink

Amy - your relgious zealotry disguised as "freedom of speech" is an old trick my dear. People aren't buying it anymore. It's over. You DO preach hate. You DO preach intolerance. And you ARE responsible for the thousands that take their owns lives because they can't see themselves in the twisted reflection of god's love that you and people like you love to promote. And now the very people you link arms with are promoting the genocide of gays in Uganda. Or didn't you know? Perhaps you should do little research.

I sleep very well at night. How about you?
George Lee

Posted December 4, 2009 at 1:38 pm | Permalink

John KFC,
It is obvious that you have a different opinion of what marriage is, but to characterize someone else's views as "religious zealotry" simply because they do not align with your own is the height of bigotry. You are free to disagree, but please, keep your fear mongering epithets to yourself. If that is all you have to muster to your side's defense, then it is a weak defense indeed.

George Lee
john

Posted December 4, 2009 at 2:04 pm | Permalink

Sorry George, but anyone who uses religion to oppress individual rights and promote intolerance is nothing less than a zealot. And I find it HYSTERICAL that individuals (such as yourself) who make it their life's work to shame and belittle others would DARE call someone ELSE a bigot.

The scary part is that you probably believe you are doing god's work. Last time I checked, supporting genocide (Uganda comes to mind...are you listening Rick Warren?) and driving young people to take their own lives was outside the scope of what god intended.

The sad part is that I know this isn't over for the citizens of DC. You'll threaten to cut off money and bullying people using "reworded" scripture to over-turn this vote...then you'll all rejoice that you stripped the rights of individual citizens...all in the name of your twisted version of God.

Merry Christmas
George Lee

Posted December 4, 2009 at 2:35 pm | Permalink

John KFC,

What are you talking about? Are you insane? Your babble makes no coherent sense at all. Seriously. Get some help.

Those who support marriage do so for many reasons, none of which you have come close to articulating. Perhaps it is your backhanded way of addressing the issues that keeps your side from truly seeing what the issues are and thus being able to address them. No wonder you have not been able to persuade the people.
john

Posted December 4, 2009 at 5:56 pm | Permalink

I know that at this point in your "life" the truth probably must sound like incoherent babble to you...but that doesn't make it less truth my friend.

Honestly, I don't care too much about same sex marriage - it's really not important to me. What is important is keeping a pulse on jesus freaks and sheeple like you.

I'll indulge you - exactly what am I missing about your commitment to refusing people the right to marry? What's the core of your belief?

This oughta be stunning.

p.s. Persuade the people? I'm pretty sure you guys just got your hats handed to you here in DC with an 11-2 vote.
Chairm

Posted December 4, 2009 at 10:49 pm | Permalink

John, you have declared yourself indifferent to SSM. So you are here to troll armed with your anti-religious sentiments.

Do not feed the troll, folks.
john

Posted December 4, 2009 at 11:04 pm | Permalink

I'm not anti-religion Charm - I'm simply against other people hiding behind religion in an effort to promote hate and intolerance. Oh stop it...yes you do. If you people really cared about the word of god you'd stop judging others and you'd CERTAINLY stop misquoting the bible to further your own, narrow agenda. Just sayin...

And just because I'm indifferent to SSM doesn't mean I don't wish for other's to have that right (yes, right). Unlike you sheeple...I don't push my views on others and force them to live within the confines of MY OPINION.

I know what you'll say next....but gay marriage FORCES the church to accept something it doesn't agree with. No it doesn't. Churches are exempt...always have been. And marriage is a legal contract, not a church contract. This is why Brittney Spears can get married by an Elvis Impersonator while in drunken haze in Las Vegas.

!
Kevin

Posted December 4, 2009 at 11:59 pm | Permalink

Did anybody read Maggie Gallagher's weird article on Townhall.com, where she thinks the year is 2008 instead of 2009? Not many people read her anymore, it only got 15 comments LOL. Just as well.
Chairm

Posted December 5, 2009 at 10:58 am | Permalink

Folks, sometimes a troll is just a troll.