USA - Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie said the left is committed to a strong and well-funded federal education department because progressives know they win by gaining control of public schools and in teaching children. “The left understands that this is where you win or lose – in the schools and in the teaching of the children,” Massie said during a recent interview with the New American. “The Department of Education was established by Jimmy Carter as a re-election tactic, as a ploy, and it’s been part of Ronald Reagan’s platform and the Republican platform to eliminate the Department of Education,” he explained, adding that he introduced his bill to end the department by December 31, 2018, soon after the controversial confirmation of current education secretary Betsy DeVos.