Utah senator threatens to defund higher education

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and congressional colleagues are hailing a recent reversal of IRS policy as a victory for religious freedom.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, has joined the defund movement. But he wants to defund colleges and universities that foster anti-American sentiment.

The mob hates America on America’s dime,” Lee said in a July 2 speech on the U.S. Senate floor. “It’s time to cut off their allowance.”

Lee’s speech came as America prepared to celebrate the 244th anniversary of its independence amid racial and social unrest in the wake of the death of George Floyd, an African-American who died in police custody in late May.

Lee’s speech was apparently motivated by the recent phenomenon that, while numerous urban demonstrations have been launched in the name of the Black Lives Matter movement, anecdotal arrest reports seem to indicate that the much of associated violence is being perpetrated by white, college-age radicals.

“These mobs are not enlightened,” Lee said, referring to some groups of demonstrators who have committed acts of violence, arson and widespread property damage. “These mobs are not edgy, they’re not hip … They’re dimwitted, phony drama addicts.”

Lee had attempted to introduce a non-binding resolution in the Senate condemning mob violence, only to have that motion blocked by his Democratic colleagues. Utah’s senior senator then turned his oratory to what he believes are the roots of the urban unrest.

Among those, he said, are “… colleges and universities that punish free speech and discriminate against conservative and religious students.”

Those institutions, Lee added, have created “… a privileged, self-absorbed, crime syndicate with participation trophy graduate degrees, trying to find meaning in their empty lives by destroying things that other Americans have spent honest, productive lives building …

“The smug sneering privilege of … the whole garbage fire that is the so-called ‘woke ideology’ … depends on federal money.”

The federal government certainly contributes a significant slice of higher education funding. In 2107, for example, America’s nearly 4,300 degree-generating post-secondary institutions received $74.8 billion in federal funds.

While some high-profile Republicans have long branded those institutions as America’s most influential bastions of leftist ideology, Lee is by no means alone in his distrust of their impact on society.

A study by the Pew Research Center in 2018 found that 32 percent of Americans had “little or no confidence that college/university professors are motivated by the best interest of the public.”

That same year, 61 percent of respondents to another Pew survey said they felt that higher education was headed in the “wrong direction.”

A 2018 survey by WGBH News in Boston found that 59 percent of respondents agreed that colleges and universities are too ideological.

Finally, a Pew study launched in recent weeks found that 59 percent of Americans agree with Lee that some protesters are simply taking advantage of the current unrest inspired by the death of George Floyd to engage in criminal behavior.

“I want all my colleagues to know that when we return from (the August) recess …” Lee warned, “we’re not just going to be debating nonbinding resolutions.

“It’s long past time to expose the shiftless idiocy of the anti-American, anti-science, anti-establishment, anti-Constitution mob and remove their snouts from the federal trough.”

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19 Comments

  • KA July 6, 2020 at 11:26 am Reply

    Higher education definitely didn’t do anything for this dope. No wonder he wants to defund it.

    • Free Bird July 6, 2020 at 6:47 pm Reply

      If you want to find a bunch of liberal retards, just sign up for college. It’s been that way since the late 80’s when I went. Mosey on over to the local newspaper, and see what the so called journalists that graduated from USU are reporting.

      • KA July 6, 2020 at 7:40 pm Reply

        Oh, come on, you didn’t go to college. Every loser I know uses the “only reason I didn’t go, is cause college is full of LIBS and I can’t handle hearing a different opinion.” Which is fine. People like you are important. I need my lawn weeded, my toilet unclogged, etc. I appreciate your service. College ain’t a place for thin-skinned snowflakes.

    • Toby July 7, 2020 at 12:08 pm Reply

      Mike Lee is definitely a “dimwitted, phony drama addict.” The way he flaunts his ignorance and intolerance is embarrassing for all Utahans. Let’s vote this idiot out.

      • James Smith August 2, 2021 at 9:59 am Reply

        I’m in West Virginia and as I have had to explain to my very well College educated girlfriend, a graduate of UWva. The leftist have done since Woodrow Wilson have tried to trash the working class (Of which I am a proud member) and educated in Virginia in the 60s when education was real and not this evil totalitarian regime that the Skull and Bones ( ie. American Illuminati and Prince Hall Osama Obama learned he is a traitor) If you don’t like the patriots I suggest you go to China with Joe Biden and Stay ! I have Mike Lee on Glen Beck right now and he is fantastic. Traitors like you need to shut the F*** up and quit catering to these radical negros and white trash scum ! You want a new civil war? Careful what you wish for you may just get it !

    • Susan July 7, 2020 at 2:21 pm Reply

      You are the dope!

    • James Smith August 2, 2021 at 10:11 am Reply

      Haven’t you heard ? guess tools don’t listen to real news ! We will defund the commies

  • Kelly July 6, 2020 at 5:01 pm Reply

    A true constitutionalist!

    • James Smith August 2, 2021 at 10:02 am Reply

      Glad somebody has intelligence the left is retarded Thanks Glen Beck had The Utah Senator today he is so great need more of you !

  • Eric July 6, 2020 at 9:03 pm Reply

    KA, you are definitely a moron. The reasons for your lack of ability to see obvious truth are probably from going to one of these liberal institutions yourself.

    • James Smith August 2, 2021 at 10:08 am Reply

      NO DOUBT It is brainwashing

  • Darren July 6, 2020 at 10:53 pm Reply

    If people commenting were actually educated you would understand the psychology of mob mentality rather than giving any credence to the now gaslighting GOP playbook of further promoting their attacks on education and science. They don’t want people who are educated because educated people think and ask questions. Uneducated people are easier to control and less likely to challenge authority. And while you’re all too busy being sheep calling everyone sheep the wolves grow fat since dinner simply lays down on the plate.

    • Ronaldo July 8, 2020 at 8:47 am Reply

      You show me an uneducated person and I will show you a democrat. Show me someone who runs to protest in the streets and cry, “down with the establishment” and I will show you a democrat. Show me a lazy butt that wants a handout from the government and I will show you a democrat. Show me a habitual criminal and I will show you a democrat.

      • James Smith August 2, 2021 at 10:02 am Reply

        Great post I am Renegade the left wants US destroyed Thanks

    • James Smith August 2, 2021 at 10:07 am Reply

      ABSOLUTELY

  • Deedee July 7, 2020 at 7:38 am Reply

    Lee has it right. Nowhere else were my conservative values mocked and questions like they were in college. Teaching high school I realized a bunch of the other teachers drank the liberal kool aid and were teaching kids about free stuff and the great socialism taking care of everybody etc. Public school has become an indoctrination machine, nothing much to do with education. Colleges are the same. Defund then, go to Hillsdale college and get a real education.

    • Susan July 7, 2020 at 2:22 pm Reply

      Yes! Lee is right!

    • James Smith August 2, 2021 at 10:05 am Reply

      Hillsdale is so great I took a few of their courses Lets take back America

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