Saif Ali Khan Health Update
Oligarchy, as indicated by Biden, is likely to be intensified during the Trump era, which threatens to erode public education by prioritizing elite interests, dismantling equitable funding, and reducing access to quality education for marginalized communities.
Trump’s tax cuts and the deepening divide in education
During his first tenure as US President, Trump aggressively reshaped the US economic and educational landscape, with the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) serving as a cornerstone of his administration’s policies. Heralded as a transformative tax overhaul, the TCJA disproportionately benefited wealthy households through reduced individual tax rates and a sweeping corporate tax cut, but these gains came at a significant cost. By capping state and local tax (SALT) deductions at $10,000, the legislation discouraged higher state and local tax rates, pressuring states like California and New York—both champions of public education—to consider tax reductions. Since state and local taxes are the lifeblood of public school funding, this cap effectively drained resources from already-strained school systems in high-tax states. At the same time, the expanded use of 529 savings plans to cover private and religious school tuition gave wealthier families a financial advantage, potentially diverting students and resources from public schools, further eroding their quality.
The Act’s consequences stretched even further. Federal revenue reduction from the corporate tax cuts intensified pressure on the federal budget. This threatened funding for key education programs like Title I, which aids low-income schools, and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), that supports special education. Meanwhile, teachers received little reprieve; while their ability to deduct classroom supply expenses was retained, it offered minimal comfort in the face of growing financial challenges in public education. Adding insult to injury, the removal of the tax-exempt status for employer-provided education assistance programs diminished opportunities for workforce development and lifelong learning.
Ultimately, the ripple effects of the TCJA deepened disparities, leaving low-income public schools more vulnerable while privileging the already affluent.
Trump’s school choice agenda: Public funds drained, equity compromised
During his presidency, Trump made school choice the centerpiece of his education policy, presenting it as a revolutionary pathway to empower parents and students. But behind the rhetoric lay a controversial strategy: redirecting public funds to private and charter schools, often at the expense of the traditional public school system. The administration’s marquee initiative, Education Freedom Scholarships, promised up to $5 billion in federal tax credits for donors funding private and religious school scholarships. Simultaneously, Trump’s budget proposals slashed public education funding while boosting support for charter schools and voucher programs. The fallout was stark. These policies drained resources from already struggling public schools, disproportionately harming low-income communities that depend on them. As public schools fought to stay afloat, the gap in educational opportunity widened, leaving millions of students behind in a system designed to serve the few over the many.
Oligarchy shapes opportunity in the US, not talent
Well, there is no denying that oligarchic forces exacerbate inequality and the US education system is only a stark example of this reality. High-poverty school districts receive $2,710 less per student than affluent districts, as reported by the Economic Policy Institute. This disparity is rooted in the reliance on local property taxes, allowing wealthy communities to direct disproportionate resources to their schools while poorer districts languish. With federal funding making up less than 8% of education revenue, efforts to address these gaps remain grossly inadequate.
Simultaneously, charter schools have surged as an alternative, particularly for Black and Hispanic families seeking better educational outcomes. Over the past five years, nearly 400,000 students have enrolled in charters, even as public schools lost 1.8 million students, finds a survey by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. This trend, driven in part by the pandemic, underscores the demand for tailored education but also diverts crucial funding from traditional public schools, further widening resource gaps. In this oligarchic framework, public education—once a cornerstone of equal opportunity—is increasingly undermined by policies that prioritize wealth and privilege over collective investment.
Biden’s farewell speech: A call to action
Biden’s speech is a clarion call to confront these inequities head-on. But restoring balance requires a concerted effort to dismantle the outsized influence of wealth in policymaking. Proposals such as increasing federal funding for Title I schools, raising teacher salaries, and expanding access to early childhood education could be steps in the right direction. Equally critical is reforming the tax code to ensure that the ultra-wealthy contribute their fair share to the public good.
As Biden leaves office, his words resonate as a stark reminder of the stakes. “A fair shot for everyone to get ahead” is more than a campaign slogan. It is a principle that underpins the American Dream. But achieving it will require confronting the oligarchic forces that threaten to undermine the nation’s commitment to equality.
