The Honorable Betsy Devos, Education Secretary, is not honorable after all. Devos, who has demonstrated scant knowledge about the education department she leads, announced cuts to all federal funds for Special Olympics, basically saying the program will be okay with private donations. Now that she has expressed this, Devos should step up to the plate, and be the “private donation” to the Special Olympics. Giving a slice of her salary isn’t going to improve the PR issue she’s desperately trying to overcome. Billionaire Devos could provide the $17.5 million dollar donation – now that’s awesome, right? If Devos is unable to part with any of her billions, she is in luck, as this administration loves nepotism, Devos could ask her billionaire brother, Erik Prince, founder of Blackwater to donate. Or Trump could cut back on trips to Mar-a-Lago, Philip Bump reports, five tax payer funded trips to Trump’s private club would cover the money cut from Special Olympics – it’s a tough call, golfing trips or money for people with disabilities. Write the check, funnel the money, whatever it is you all do. The elimination of funds for Special Olympics directly reflects what the Trump administration stands for – spoiler alert, it doesn’t stand for humanity, altruism or inclusion.
“You are the stars and the world is watching you. By your presence, you send a message to every village, every city, every nation. A message of hope. A message of victory.” Eunice Kennedy Shriver