Former Prairie Principal Lets His Left Wing Bias Show

For some time now, we conservatives have been scoffed at whenever we mention that there are too many involved in education that place leftist ideals above actually educating our children. Unwittingly, Bruce Matheny, principal at Prairie High School from 1995 to 1999 provided support for our claims as he confronted a former student, Jaime Herrera Beutler at her recent town hall, May 16, 2011.

It was previously reported that the town hall was contentious, Ms Beutler being confronted by angry leftwing Democrats calling her a liar and just being obnoxious, undoubtedly some recruited by Don’tEndMedicare.com, set up and funded by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, complete with downloadable protest signs, bogus talking points and preformed letters to the editor.

What didn’t make the initial reports is that one of those confronting Herrera Beutler was none other than her former High School Principal, Bruce Matheny who said to her, “I’m proud of what you’ve done with your career, but I’m really disappointed with your politics. I think you mean well, but you’re drinking that Republican Kool-Aid.”



Anyone who knows me also knows that I am no fan of Jaime Herrera Beutler and do not see her as a conservative. Establishment Republican who goes to the left at times, yes. But a conservative? No way. So, her being confronted by angry constituents does not really disturb me. She wanted in the big leagues and she made it, by dirty politics, but she made it.

But, for a High School Principal, who for years had charge of educating children and supposedly not imposing his political views to stand, identify himself as her former Principal and launch into a tirade of her “having drank the kool-aid” goes a bit too far.

Is that how he spoke to children under his charge and with conservative parents?

Is he disappointed that someone might think differently than he does and walk a different path?

Did he confront her at any time as she supported and voted for legislation that would have forced child care centers into public unions, charging that she must be drinking that SEIU Kool-Aid?

Did he ever step and charge her with drinking that Democrat Kool-Aid when she joined forces with Democrats in Olympia in stripping the last $229,000,000 from the rainy day fund?

Did he object when she declared herself “a friend to organized labor” when seeking the appointment to replace Richard Curtis in 2007?

Something tells me no, he had no objections then and was probably quite pleased with the flavor of her Kool-Aid then.

But, to hear an educator stand up in public and charge a former student with “drinking that Republican Kool-Aid” because she doesn’t follow his politics lock-step is irresponsible and disrespectful.

I can only imagine how he spoke to students inside a classroom or the principals’ office.

But, I do thank Bruce for providing support for the many times we conservatives have spoken about the conduct and actions of leftwing educators.