🎓 Education Inequality and AI: DeSimone Weighs In
A look at Tucson High's academic struggles and education reform's future.
Based on the Wake Up Live with Chris DeSimone podcast for 3/20/25.
😽 Keepin’ It Simple Summary for Younger Readers
👧🏾✊🏾👦🏾
🎙️ A radio show in Tucson discussed different neighborhoods voting against a tax that would have fixed 🛣️ roads and helped 🚓 police. The show host made fun of people living near the university for thinking differently. A 🏛️ congressman joined to talk about money problems in the country, saying things might get more expensive while people don't make more money. They also mentioned schools where many 📚 students can't read or do math well. The hosts think computer programs might teach kids in public schools while 💼 rich kids get real teachers, which isn't fair. 📊 The show had charts showing how some families have a lot of power in Tucson politics.
🗝️ Takeaways
🗺️ Prop 414 was overwhelmingly rejected across Tucson, with only areas near the University of Arizona showing support—revealing stark geographical, political divides
📉 Congressman Schweikert warns of stagflation as a "slow rot" more dangerous than a dramatic economic crash, combining inflation, rising interest rates, and stagnant wages
🧠 Tucson High School's academic statistics show only 27% of students reading proficiently and 19% math proficient, highlighting educational challenges
👨👩👧👦 Demographics are shifting politically, with college-educated white women standing alone in supporting DEI programs while other groups oppose them
🤖 AI in education could widen inequality, with public schools potentially using technology as a teacher replacement while private education maintains human instruction
📊 College demographics now skew approximately 60% female to 40% male, with concerns about "missing males" in both education and employment data
The Desert Dispatch: DeSimone's Airwaves Stir Up Tucson's Political Sandstorm
Wake Up Live with Chris DeSimone isn't just a radio show—it's Tucson's conservative morning megaphone, where the political becomes personal and local issues get dissected with the precision of a saguaro spine. In this episode, host Chris DeSimone, alongside his longtime amigo Joe Higgins and video-calling Congressman David Schweikert, created a symphony of conservative commentary that reverberated across the Old Pueblo's airwaves.
Ah, yes, another morning of "blame the liberals for everything from potholes to planetary alignment." I wonder if they'll ever realize that screaming about drag shows while our schools crumble might not be addressing the actual problems...
Mapping Tucson's Soul: The Prop 414 Postmortem
DeSimone kicked off the show analyzing what he triumphantly termed the "crushing" defeat of Proposition 414, the half-cent sales tax proposal that would have funded Tucson's public safety and infrastructure. Armed with a precinct-by-precinct map from the Tucson Sentinel (credit where credit is due, DeSimone admitted), he painted a vivid portrait of Tucson's political geography.
"The darker the color, the bigger the no percentage," DeSimone explained, pointing to areas on the South Side where rejection rates reached a staggering 91%. The only areas that came close to supporting—or, in one case, narrowly supported—the measure were neighborhoods surrounding the University of Arizona.
DeSimone didn't hide his disdain for these areas, dubbing them the "circle of self-righteousness" or alternatively, the "rhombus of self-righteousness," which he described as "the most stupid Kool-Aid drinking neighborhood in Tucson."
Fascinating how providing funding for public safety is now "drinking Kool-Aid" while watching our infrastructure crumble is apparently the reasonable position. Perhaps some self-reflection on why education and community investment are seen as radical concepts might be in order...
"This map just confirms it, right?" DeSimone continued. "These are the foolish neighbors that ruined Tucson for most everyone else."
This geography lesson quickly morphed into a proposal demonstrating the show's particular problem-solving brand: Take Himmel Park—located in one of these progressive-leaning neighborhoods—and turn it into a homeless encampment.
"You guys love it so much," DeSimone said, addressing the residents of these areas who vote for progressive politicians. "You're the people who vote in the Cunninghams and the Lane Santa Cruz and Romero Romeros of the world... Why don't you enjoy it?"
His suggestion included "ornamental iron" fencing, a PA system playing pan flute music ("a little Zamfier... let's chill the hell out people"), and converting the library into a medical facility.
Because nothing says "I care about solving homelessness" like suggesting we weaponize unhoused people against neighborhoods that vote differently than you. Such compassionate conservatism!
Coffee with Congressman: David Schweikert's Morning Brew
As Congressman David Schweikert joined via video—multitasking by making cappuccinos for his family—the conversation shifted to national politics. With coffee machine whirring in the background, Schweikert offered insights on everything from judicial tensions to economic forecasts.
Schweikert took a surprisingly measured tone to address the apparent conflict between the judicial and executive branches: "Parts of it are very theatrical... We had courts do the same thing to the Biden administration."
He suggested that district courts issuing national stays has become a political tool for both parties, with states like Texas challenging Biden policies in Texas courts, just as progressive states challenge Trump policies in their friendly venues.
"I don't think it's particularly classy to take shots at judges," Schweikert said, seemingly referencing Trump's recent criticisms. "For a republic like ours to function, there's got to be at least some faith in institutions."
A rare moment of institutional respect from a Republican congressman! Perhaps there's hope yet for democracy...
The congressman also offered a fascinating analysis of the Democratic Party's messaging challenges, suggesting they've lost their most effective fundraising issues:
"For the last 15 years, what were the two issues Democrats used to raise money, to enrage their base? It was marriage equality and the right to terminate a pregnancy," Schweikert explained. "The latter is now in our state constitution... and the other got taken care by the courts a few years ago."
He continued: "So all of a sudden, think of how many people you've run into that say, 'Well, I'm a social liberal, but I'm a fiscal conservative.' Their biggest social issues are gone."
On the economy, Schweikert painted a concerning picture, dismissing predictions of a dramatic crash in favor of something "much uglier"—stagflation.
"Stagflation in many ways is more devastating to a society because it's a sort of slow rot and it's really hard to get out of," he explained. "What happens when you have inflation creeping up on you, interest rates creeping up on you, but at the same time wages are flat and you can't break out of the cycle?"
Perhaps the congressman might consider how policies that strengthen labor, reduce income inequality, and invest in working families could address this "slow rot"—but that would require acknowledging that trickle-down economics has failed for decades.
Joe Higgins: Charts, Education, and Longhorn Tales
Joe Higgins brought his signature "chart presentations" energy to the show, reminiscing about the days when he and DeSimone would present their theories on Tucson's political networks to local groups.
"We would say, 'Hey, these last 10 weeks of crap you've learned, let's really tell you how this place runs,'" Higgins recalled of their presentations to leadership groups. "And their minds would be like, 'What? That's not what I heard.'"
One particular chart highlighted the Grijalva family's influence on Tucson institutions. It traced Raul Grijalva's career from the TUSD school board in 1974 to Congress in 2002, with mentions of the emergence of ethnic studies programs and his daughter's later election to the TUSD board.
DeSimone and Higgins shared nostalgic chuckles about audience reactions, with DeSimone recalling, "We literally had a lady stop out pissed off. Yes. Yes. Yes. Which was the total bomb. It was so fun."
Nothing says "serious political analysis" like celebrating making women so angry they walk out of your presentation. But sure, the progressives are the emotionally unhinged ones...
The conversation eventually turned to education. DeSimone highlighted Tucson High School's academic struggles—just 19% of students proficient in math and 27% proficient in reading—while criticizing the school for hosting a drag show.
"The home of champions right now, the percentage of kids that can read proficiently at the home of champions, which is one of the biggest high schools in TUSD... they are at 19% of their kids can do math proficiently. 19. 19," DeSimone emphasized. "The kids that cannot read at level at Tucson High... is 73% of kids that go to Tucson High cannot read proficiently."
His conclusion? "The cool thing is they can, you know, these are your next Regina Romero voters."
Because clearly the solution to educational challenges is to mock students and bring up drag shows, rather than advocate for adequate school funding or addressing systemic inequalities in our education system.
Higgins, who has background in education with charter schools and a homeschooling curriculum called Ethos Logos, suggested that America has "a man problem"—pointing to shifting college demographics (now approximately 60% female) and concerning statistics about working-age males.
"We've stunted an entire generation based on all this goofy stuff we're doing," Higgins asserted. "Look at the messaging coming from the media... is the father figure looked at as a positive or a no, he's the do-for-the-show."
Cultural Warfare: Demographics and DEI Divides
Perhaps the most revealing segment came when the hosts discussed an NBC News segment showing demographic divisions on issues like Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs.
The data, presented by NBC's Steve Kornacki, showed that while white men (both with and without college degrees) and white women without college degrees favor ending DEI programs, white women with college degrees support continuing them by nearly a 40-point margin.
"Ouch. That's a hell of a spread," Higgins remarked, leading to a discussion about Democrats' struggles with male voters and changes in voting patterns among non-white and immigrant populations.
This segued into an analysis of Gavin Newsom's podcast, in which the California governor interviewed Tim Walz. DeSimone played a clip in which Walz declared, "We're losing so many men... we're losing them to these guys online," referring to right-wing content creators.
Higgins suggested Newsom recognizes the Democrats' challenges with male voters while Walz is "still living in the past," with DeSimone adding, "You could see that Newsom, who is a leftist, but he's not a dummy... the look of horror a little bit on his eyes when Tim Waltz said, first of all, I'm going to kick their ass and they're bad guys. Right. Well, you just lost the crew again."
Perhaps the real issue isn't "messaging" but the fact that many men feel threatened by equality rather than embracing it. Maybe instead of chasing voters who respond to grievance politics, we should be building coalitions based on shared prosperity and genuine inclusion.
AI's Shadow Over Education's Future
The show touched on a previous interview with education reformer Steven Wilson, focusing on literacy challenges and AI's potential impact on education.
"He was talking about AI is going to create a homogenization of creativity," DeSimone explained. "But he really said it was going to make the division of the haves and have-nots in education, like intellectual capital, will widen because what will happen is the government-run kids' schools will have AI teach the kids. And the people can afford a real teacher will send their kids to that, and the gap will widen even more."
Higgins agreed: "Transfer of knowledge from a teacher to a student has been happening since Aristotle and Socrates and Plato... COVID laid bare the role of digital and the role of 'here's a screen and let me teach you how to read.' It was a dismal failure."
A surprisingly insightful point about the irreplaceable nature of human connection in education—though the irony of conservatives suddenly caring about educational inequality after decades of defunding public schools and attacking teachers' unions shouldn't be lost on anyone.
Desert Hope: Finding Community Solutions Beyond the Airwaves
While DeSimone and company offer their particular brand of Tucson commentary, the real work of community building happens in classrooms, neighborhood associations, mutual aid networks, and local governance that focuses on solutions rather than soundbites.
The show's analysis of Tucson's voting patterns reveals political divisions and bridge-building opportunities. Those "rhombus of self-righteousness" neighborhoods might just be places where education is valued, community investment is prioritized, and inclusion is seen as a strength rather than a weakness.
For every resident frustrated by Tucson's challenges—whether homelessness, educational outcomes, or economic opportunities—there are multiple pathways to engagement that don't require morning radio indignation.
Consider joining your neighborhood association, volunteering with literacy programs at local schools, supporting community organizations addressing homelessness with dignity and evidence-based approaches, or even running for local office yourself. The solutions to Tucson's challenges won't come from mapping our divisions but from transcending them with practical compassion and civic engagement.
What do you think about the geographic, and political divide in Tucson? Is it as simple as university area progressives versus everyone else, or are there more complex factors at play?
Regarding education, what specific, practical steps could improve literacy and math proficiency in our public schools without simply eliminating them in favor of charter alternatives?
Leave your thoughts in the comments below—because unlike morning radio monologues, real community conversations require multiple voices and perspectives.
Notable Quotes:
"For a republic like ours to function, there's got to be at least some faith in institutions." - Congressman David Schweikert on Trump's criticism of judges
"Stagflation in many ways is more devastating to a society because it's a sort of slow rot and it's really hard to get out of." - Congressman Schweikert on economic concerns
"The home of champions right now, the percentage of kids that can read proficiently at the home of champions, which is one of the biggest high schools in TUSD... they are at 19% of their kids can do math proficiently." - Chris DeSimone on Tucson High School statistics
"These are the foolish neighbors that ruined Tucson for most everyone else." - Chris DeSimone referring to University-area neighborhoods that supported Prop 414
"We have a man problem. We have a mentorship program problem. We have a teaching young men how to live life and what life looks like." - Joe Higgins on societal challenges
"The left and that belief system is a religion... That's why you're seeing this." - Joe Higgins explaining why companies make decisions that seem financially counterproductive
People Mentioned:
Chris DeSimone - Host of Wake Up Live on the Live the Dream Media Network. "The moment you guys screw that up, then you kind of go, 'Geez, why is this country suck?'"
Joe Higgins - Former co-host and friend of DeSimone, charter school operator with Ethos Logos curriculum. "It's a religion. So the moment you start tapping my religion, which is Christianity, I'm going to lock in."
David Schweikert - Republican Congressman appearing via video call. "The system now is having to digest these are the new rules."
Natalie Robbins - Tucson Sentinel reporter credited for creating the Prop 414 voting map analysis.
Paul Cunningham - Tucson City Council member criticized by DeSimone, who suggested letting him "tend the wounds" of homeless individuals in his proposed Himmel Park encampment.
Lane Santa Cruz - Tucson City Council member mentioned as voting against clearing homeless individuals from washes.
Regina Romero - Tucson Mayor who voted yes on clearing out homeless encampments from washes, which DeSimone suggested was due to concerns about financial claims against the city.
Kevin Dahl - Tucson City Council member described as a "nutball" by DeSimone for voting against removing homeless individuals from washes.
Raul Grijalva - Congressman whose career path from TUSD board to Congress was detailed in Higgins' "chart presentation."
Steven Wilson - Education reformer previously interviewed on the show, who warned about AI potentially widening educational inequality.
Tim Walz - Minnesota Governor criticized for his approach to winning back male voters, described as "still living in the past."
Gavin Newsom - California Governor who DeSimone suggested recognizes Democrats' problems with male voters but is "a leftist, but he's not a dummy."
Joe Snell - Sun Corridor CEO criticized for his salary ($381,458 base with bonuses bringing total to $727,000) despite "zero economic development."
Michael Gaiman - Metro Chamber executive mentioned in discussion of chamber mergers.
