Pushing for Congress to attach conditions for the money does nothing but encourage them to assume more and more power. We need them to be exercising less power, not more. Probably the worst practice of the federal government today is the way it uses money as mannequin strings over society. That needs to be reversed. Maybe it can't happen all in one day, but as the saying goes, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. But we first need at least be facing in the right direction, not in the direction that will make the problem even worse.
Also, I should remind you that it was only a few years ago that Republicans were advocating eliminating the Department of Education, and they were winning votes on that message.
Yes they were. Unfortunately too many conservatives were single issue or 100% or nothing types. They damaged the unified front and allowed the House Republicans to take a beating over the government shutdown. It's sad, but Republicans are not good winners. If they are not under attack they consume themselves. Even right now when we have the opportunity to give the Dems a whipping they'll never forget, more energy is expended on this forum on negatives than on consolidating what gains we have.