The Democratic Party has a huge problem that should concern every freedom loving person in America. The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) have run up an impressive string of election victories against mainstream Democrats and are rapidly taking control of the party. Mainstream Democrat leaders appear largely helpless to stop them. It’s time they step up and admit that the DSA’s rise is the result of their own failed educational philosophies.

Democrats have ignored a half century of warnings about the impacts of their increasingly left-wing teachings. It is those teachings that now give rise to the Democratic Socialists. The promise of free buses, cheap groceries, frozen rent and taxing the wealthy is music to the ears of the DSA base — economically ignorant college graduates and young voters.

The value of liberty, limited government and free markets is clear. The Heritage Foundation’s “World Heat Map” shows the countries with the most liberty. It’s obvious. Those countries also have the greatest income, wealth, gender and racial equality. They have the best housing, health care and education systems. Our education system has failed to teach that simple lesson.

Democratic Socialists do not understand business basics. The increased government regulations they promote favor the large corporations they hate over the small businesses they love.

Liberty and the limited government and free market capitalism that flows from it fosters the innovation and entrepreneurship that make it easier to start or expand a business. This is what lifted millions out of poverty and built the largest and strongest middle class in the world. Anyone that loves small businesses should love limited government.

Democratic Socialists complain of too much money in politics. It’s simple. Money is limited. Businesses invest their limited money in a way that gives them the best return. As government’s regulatory climate increases, the natural response of business is to shift money away from the scientists and engineers that do research and development to the lobbyists and politicians that influence the regulatory process.

Democrats dominate the landscape in public education. Cornell University’s student newspaper reported in 2015 that 96% of faculty political donations went to Democrats. Colleges and universities have become mills of left-wing thinking. Training future teachers includes subjecting them to textbooks such as Literacy with an ATTITUDE which rains down a constant stream of indoctrination. One such passage is “…educating working-class children in their own self-interest will include social justice teachers working both with their students and with parents and community organizations…”

The textbook often refers to a “New Paradigm” to address student challenges. A new socialist paradigm is not the answer. It is the sausage being sold to students unfamiliar with despots like Lenin, Stalin, Mao Tse Dong, Pol Pot, Fidel Castro, Daniel Ortega and Hugo Chavez. The death and economic suffering that those leaders imposed on their own people, and the utter failure of countries and economies like Venezuela, needs to be taught.

In 2021, the staff of the California Department of Education was developing a new math curriculum. They repeatedly recommended teachers use “A Pathway to Equitable Math Instruction: Dismantling Racism in Mathematics Instruction.” The workbook explained to teachers that “The framework for deconstructing racism in mathematics offers essential characteristics of anti-racist math educators and critical approaches to dismantling white supremacy in math classrooms by making visible the toxic characteristics of white supremacy culture with respect to math.” The manual then encourages teachers to “Identify and challenge the ways that math is used to uphold capitalist, imperialist, and racist views.” The recommendation to use this manual was eventually dropped under pressure from mathematicians but one question remains. What was the mindset of California’s Department of Education employees that allowed it to be considered at all?

California Democrats outlawed schools’ disclosure to parents when their children were changing their pronouns, their names, and otherwise transitioning to a different sex. They also mandated that biological males could compete, share bathrooms and locker rooms with females. This all feeds into the DSA goal of more government control.

The result of this left-wing activism is clear for all to see. An education system that was one of California’s crown jewels a half a century ago is but a shadow of itself. Less than half of today’s public-school children are reading and writing at grade level. Barely one third are performing at grade level in math. The number of first-year students at the University of California, San Diego whose math skills fall below a middle school level has risen nearly 30-fold over the past five years.

Public charter schools are proving that California’s education system can be restored. It will require new leaders with the character to stand up to the forces that have taken us to where we are today. Sonja Shaw is one of those leaders.

Shaw and the Chino School Board have developed a culture of teachers working together and sharing strategies. They have put the focus on core academics, mastering foundational skills before students move on and giving teachers the tools they need.

They were thoughtful and well researched when they established a policy respecting parents’ right to know when their children were changing their pronouns, their names, and otherwise transitioning to a different sex. They respected Title IX and did not allow boys in girls’ sports, bathrooms or locker rooms. Shaw and the board didn’t retreat when Attorney General Rob Bonta sued and brought the full weight of California government against their small school board. They fought back. They won! School boards across the state are now free to protect our girls.

As California’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, Shaw promises to chart a new course that discards social engineering. She will keep the focus on core academics, on subject matter competency, professional development of teachers, respect for teachers and respect for the role of parents in raising their children.

Sonja Shaw busting the balloon of education stupidity that fuels Democratic Socialists is the best chance mainstream Democrats have of saving their party. Our children, our businesses, and Republicans will be there celebrating in the winner’s circle as well!

Mainstream Democrats fearful of the DSA will be wise to join with Republicans on this one. It’s time for all Californians to fight for our children. No retreat. No surrender.

— Lloyd Leighton is a Realtor. He served as the National Association of Realtors federal political contact to Congressman Doug LaMalfa. He is the former chairman of the Sutter County Republican Central Committee.