Oh, sure you can.
Lack of phonics leads to illiterates.
Illiterates lead to crappy test scores.
Crappy test scores lead to outrage by all.
Outrage by all leads to demands for MORE FUNDING.
More funding leads to bigger budgets, more union dues paying teachers, and more more more.
Making sure there will be failure guarantees that something must be done which always leads to boatloads more government money. Failure is good for those who run the government schools.
That's the first time I've heard that case without makeing the political connection, of dumbing down the masses so they'd be more easily swayed.
Still, the unions think nothing of anyone but themselves, so perhaps some people give them too much credit.
Me, me, me, me, me... doesn't lend itself to "let's pitch in and help someone else."