Palin Details Special Needs Policies

Washington Post ^ | 10/24/2008 | Juliet Eilperin

[Eyes Unclouded]

In a speech in Pittsburgh, Penn., Palin pledged that a McCain-Palin administration would fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, exempt disability programs from the domestic discretionary spending freeze they plan to institute next year, and will provide school vouchers so families can send their special needs children to the school of their choice.

"Too often, even in our own day, children with special needs have been set apart and excluded," said Palin, whose infant son Trig has Down syndrome. "Too often, state and federal laws add to their challenges, instead of removing barriers and opening new paths of opportunity. Too often, they are made to feel that there is no place for them in the life of our country, that they don't count or have nothing to contribute. This attitude is a grave disservice to these beautiful children, to their families, and to our country -- and I will work to change it."

In her speech, Palin said the federal government could finance the new investment by taking some of $18 billion it spends each year on earmarks, specific projects that are designated by members of Congress.

"That's more than the shortfall to fully fund the IDEA," she said. "And where does a lot of that earmark money end up? It goes to projects having little or nothing to do with the public good -- things like fruit fly research in Paris, France, or a public policy center named for the guy who got the earmark. In our administration, we're going to reform and refocus. We're going to get our federal priorities straight, and fulfill our country's commitment to give every child opportunity and hope in life."

[Eyes Unclouded]

Actually fruit fly research does lots of public good, especially in genetics/genomics. Which of course has health implications for disorders like... Autism. The specific earmark Gov. Palin was talking about is believed to be one from California Representative Mike Thompson (Democrat as if I really needed to say it) for $211,509 in olive fruit fly research in Paris, France.

I'm all for funding research but let NiH do it and let it be here in the USA. It's sad that the MSM has focused on this quote and used it to ignore the rest of a well thought out speech on an issue that has touched the Palin family personally. All said good speech great for the people there I'm sure but for John Undecided out there watching the big news casts the things he heard today were: 1)This women spends alot of hair/clothes. 2)This women don't know policy details or science. 3)This women's party faked a hate crime on a campaing worker.

[fkabuckeyesrule]

I was watching Campbell Brown tonight and they talked about this idea among left wing bloggers are saying that Sarah Palin cut money for special needs children by 62 percent. The fact check guy said that the charge is undeniably false. So how about that comin’ from CNN.

[Eyes Unclouded]

Always nice when they do that, but it is the same thing as thanking a father for not beating his kids. That we reward them for doing what they are supposed to to for society speaks to how FUBAR the situation has become.

Remember all that speculation about Trig? Well it’s not true that the baby is hers etc etc. If you here something in passing enough or it gets suggested enough sometimes it sinks in. If they gave Obama the same treatment (not that they should really) half the undecideds would think he’s a Muslim and his negatives would be alot higher.

[CGTRWK]

In a speech in Pittsburgh, Penn., Palin pledged that a McCain-Palin administration would fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, exempt disability programs from the domestic discretionary spending freeze they plan to institute next year, and will provide school vouchers so families can send their special needs children to the school of their choice.

A blank check to the NEA horticulturalists. Real conservative.