WOAH! Before you flip the status quo…

It may not be a good chant, but it’s the right chant:

What do we want? Change.
When do we want it? When it helps.

Voters wanted change last November, but not the President’s definition of change.  Once they learned the facts, they voiced stark opposition to the first couple of attempts to put the President’s version of change into law.  Voters across the country have rebelled against the disastrous consequences of the repeal the Affordable Care Act, citing the severing of health insurance for 24 million Americans, the harm that would come to millions of children, and the diminished quality of health care throughout the healthcare system. 

Desperate for a legislative win, GOP leadership pushed through their AHCA bill through the House, much to the chagrin and alarm of Republicans and Democrats who believed the crisis had been narrowly averted. While the Senate may likely alter the bill, voters are scratching their heads wondering why the changes that will hurt them are moving forward at all, as evidenced by tumbling approval ratings for those responsible.

Meanwhile the President’s first education budget made the rounds this week, and here too voter discontent continues to reverberate as the scope of damage to our education system emerges.

Fronted by a Secretary of Education that doesn’t believe in public education, the budget aims to slash $9.2 billion in education spending. Under the axe are mental health services, civics and arts programs, anti-bullying activities, teacher training, summer- and after-school programs, even Federal Work-Study, which helps students find employment after college.

The new use for these funds is expected to be tax breaks for families who are looking for relief from private school tuition.  While the budget is ultimately just a list of priorities of the Trump Administration, it flies in the face the rising populist sentiment.

In stark contrast to last November’s election and bucking the odds, voters in Philadelphia backed two change agents in the races for District Attorney and City Controller.  Benefiting from a spike in voter turnout, Larry Krasner won the Democratic primary for District Attorney, making his ascension to the DA’s office all but certain. Krasner, a civil rights activist, promises to put an end to life sentences for juveniles and stressed the urgency and importance of long-term solutions like investing in education and providing opportunities for young men who are likely to find trouble.

Ousting three-time incumbent Alan Butkovitz, Rebecca Rhynhart vows to modernize how the City does business, freeing up funds for vital services for residents, like public schools. Rhynhart’s daughter, it should be noted, is a first grader in public school in Philadelphia.  Both were longshots but emerged victorious in part because they were champions for kids.  Maybe, just maybe, their victory will send a clear message to state elected officials that acting on behalf of kids can offer them a sure way to win public office.

That voter sentiment is not lost on the Pre-K Champions we honored this week, Rep. Tom Quigley and Rep. Marcy Toepel. 

These Philadelphia election results, the boisterous town hall meetings across the country, and the president’s own tanking approval rating are clear signs that the voters want more from elected officials and what they want more of is common sense policies that put families and children first.  They get it.

It’s time our elected officials do, too.