Overstock CEO Funds Pro-Voucher Campaign

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Overstock.com CEO Patrick Byrne almost single-handedly funded the pro-voucher campaign for Referendum One in Utah. Byrne has also become a key spokesperson for the voucher campaign:

"The pro-voucher, pro-freedom people around the country are watching this," says Byrne. "So are the anti-freedom people. The NEA has sent three million dollars to try to stop freedom. So I think it's incumbent upon me to try to put money in."

Parents For Choice in Education raised $3.5 million for its campaign during the last 45 days - and Patrick Byrne gave $1.5 million of that. His parents John and Dorothy contributed another $1.2 million. Byrne also gave $200,000 to a pro-voucher campaign group organized by Utah lawmakers.

The National Education Association contributed $3.1 million to the campaign against vouchers and individual. The anti-voucher group Utahns For Public Schools also reports more 2,262 small gifts of $100 or less coming from individual donors - mostly teachers.

1. Philemon said:

Good job, Dr. Byrne! We need more people like you who are truly concerned about the education and quality of our future instead of politics, power and ego.

2. Dee said:

Does anyone notice the rhetoric here? Mr. Byrne has given us a textbook lesson in reframing an argument in terms of patriotism. It's no longer a question of whether public money should go to private schools. It has instead become PRO-FREEDOM vs. ANTI-FREEDOM. And people wonder why we can't have a civilized discussion about vouchers.

3. wayne said:

Asks the question of trying to buy political influance so the state will drop its proscecution against him. knowing how politics seem to work at the beheast of special interests I wonder how much money went to the AG who fired two attorneys for objecting to the vouchers as being illegal. Even the Supreme Court had to tell the AG that he was out of line by declaring an amended illegal act as the law. Stupid is as stupid does.

4. doug said:

Get seious. Byrne has no vested interest in this other than doing the right thing. He deserves thanks. It is the NEA that is the villan. here They fear losing control and pay for performance. I bet Dee and Wayne are both affiliated with the NEA.

5. Dee said:

No affiliation to the NEA, no teachers in my family. Just a citizen concerned about public school funding. Parents have ALWAYS had choice on where to educate their children. It's nothing to do with freedom and everything to do with money. You can send your kids to private school, just don't ask me to pay for it.

6. johnsons said:

We are very disapointed in the statements made by blabbermouth Overstock President Patrick Byrne regarding the defeat of the Voucher referendum in Utah. It is reported that he would rather have a communist governor because voucher 1 failed......(then, continued to show his distain for Utah voters for rejecting the voucher.) We are strong opponents of the flawed voucher referendum. His statements are inappropriate and he underestimates the buying power of Utah voters. Why would anyone in favor of private schools want the government's money and, ultimately, their restrictions and rules? With the use of taxpayer money, there comes an accountability to the people. We have purchased regularly from Overstock; however, unless he appologizes and cease this talk against Utah voters, we will never use Overstock again. We don't need him and his blabber or Overstock. Why should we support him when he uses such talk against the majority of Utah voters.Steven and Amy in Utah