How Betsy Devos’ Destructive Education Agenda Drove Me to Become a Democrat
- Who knew that entering politics would further my zeal to seek the truth, not just the Truth?
Four years ago, on a full moon day in October, I officially became a Democrat. I had spent the prior months debating how I would respond to something that really shook me: the confirmation of Betsy Devos as Secretary of Education and her agenda to destroy our nation’s promise of quality public education for all.
I took two paths: faith and politics. I enrolled in a master’s program in theological studies at a seminary. I also took campaign training, formed my candidate committee, and began to raise money. Studying faith would help strengthen my attitude of acceptance and elevate my efforts to seek the Truth. At the same time, entering the political arena would take my years of activism and community service to the next level, to advocate for my constituents and the values we share in our state Capitol.
On a full moon day this October, I was able to testify in the Judiciary Committee on my first bill, “Justice for Allie,” in order to advance it in the legislative process. I also saw my first bill pass the House: HB 4802, part of a bipartisan package to improve EV infrastructure in our state. The week’s other achievements were also fulfilling: the tampon tax repeal that I had championed advanced in the Michigan Senate and my opinion piece on how to combat disinformation was published in a state-wide publication.
Who knew that entering politics would further my zeal to seek the truth, not just the Truth? As I ponder the past four years, I find that my pursuit of faith and politics have become intertwined. My commitment to seva or selfless service, to simply help others, is the foundation of my legislative team’s constituent focus and our wide range of policy priorities.
These four years have also increased my zeal to understand why other people pick a side or a party, and yet are not willing to take a stance against some blatant untruths. When I stepped into the political arena, I chose to be a Democrat because I support quality public education and fight for clean water. I also believe that we can do more to protect our natural resources and reduce the human impact on the planet. Today, I stand alongside my Democratic colleagues to ensure access to reproductive healthcare, protect life from birth to death, and strengthen our democracy by improving voter access. We value science, promote public health and safety, and champion fair taxation.
From the beginning, I have tried to understand the ideology that defines the labels, Democrat or Republican. I believe it is critical to find legislative solutions that are based on logic and local context.
My Republican colleagues have introduced legislation to bar local mask mandates, and many refused to wear masks even at the height of the pandemic. A number of them refuse to take the vaccine — and one introduced a bill to allow a religious exemption to avoid taking the coronavirus vaccine. All this while the CDC has shown that the unvaccinated are 11 times more likely to die from COVID-19 than the vaccinated. Efforts to sow doubt about vaccines and the efficacy of masks have already killed or sickened thousands of people.
Republican state legislators across the country have introduced legislation to restrict voter access. A misnamed, misleading ballot initiative in Michigan doesn’t simply tighten Michigan election laws and circumvent a veto by the Governor. Even the organizers concede that the initiative would prohibit Michigan clerks from using volunteers for election preparation or voter registration drives and for accepting donated spaces for polling places. Worst of all? Organizations like the 100-year old nonpartisan nonprofit League of Women Voters, would not be able to collaborate with municipal clerks to prepare for and execute elections. Without volunteers working alongside our civic officials and poll workers, elections would cost significantly more.
From the beginning, I have tried to understand the ideology that defines the labels, Democrat or Republican. I believe it is critical to find legislative solutions that are based on logic and local context. Understanding local governance is important, but I have seen self-proclaimed Libertarians and “small government Republicans” sponsor statewide legislation that should be managed at a local level. The complexities of the political parties are not always clear, nor are they logical.
I constantly strive to move from partisanship to pluralism and take a collaborative approach to legislating, engaging many stakeholders. I am grateful for my years of interfaith relationship building, in these hyper-partisan times where some people continue to peddle the Big Lie. Scholar and linguist George Lakoff has repeatedly said, “the truth doesn’t matter.” Fortunately, I find solace in faith and seeking the truth, not just the Truth.
Padma Kuppa is Democratic State Representative for Michigan’s 41st House District and has been just re-elected for a second term. A mother, an engineer from NIT Warangal, and an automotive and IT professional for over 2 decades, and a civic and interfaith leader for years, she is the first Indian immigrant and Hindu in the Michigan state legislature. You can reach her at padmakuppa@house.mi.gov. Learn more at ElectPadmaKuppa.com or Kuppa.housedems.com.