Washington pays 11% of public school costs; $1billion+ to hire police; firefighters, $630 million+

from Zachary Roth at MSNBC: http://leanforward.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/13/12208139-romney-doesnt-understand-federal-role-in-hiring-teachers-cops-and-firefighters?lite


Romney doesn't understand federal role in hiring teachers, cops, and firefighters

It can be hard to know what counts as a "gaffe" these days, in the eyes of the press. President Obama saying the private sector is doing fine seems to qualify. So does Mitt Romney suggesting we should be laying off more cops, firefighters, and teachers. But Romney showing a basic factual ignorance about the role and responsibilities of the federal government doesn't appear to make the cut.

Let's back up. After Romney's now-infamous remark about wanting to lay off public sector workers, President Obama accused him of being out of touch. In response, Romeny told Fox News:

That's a very strange accusation. Teachers and firemen and policemen are hired at the local level and also by states. The federal government doesn't pay for teachers or firefighters or policemen. So obviously that's completely absurd . . .

Think Progress provides a good rundown of the various federal programs that help hire all three of these groups. And as they note, noted, Romney's own published education plan includes federal money to hire teachers.

As Rev. Al put it: "When you apply for a job, you should maybe get a job description to know what it is, if he's going to head the federal government."

In a sane world, this kind of ignorance would be get the press more excited than a case of clumsy phrasing. But maybe that's hoping for too much . . .


read more: http://leanforward.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/13/12208139-romney-doesnt-understand-federal-role-in-hiring-teachers-cops-and-firefighters?lite