Re: [Phys-L] Private schools

[ron mcdermott <rmcder@gmail.com>]

Marty, this isn't exclusively a 'conservative' issue, so you're clouding
it with politics and unfairly so.  If anything, it is a Libertarian
position.  I'M a conservative overall, but I'm in agreement with you in
your opposition to vouchers.  Most of the clamor for vouchers is, quite
frankly, either self-serving, or based on incorrect assumptions about the
'superiority' of private school instruction.  It fundamentally has little
or nothing to do with politics.  For most, it boils down to: I want things
my way, but I don't want to foot the bill myself if I can get someone else
to do it.  Many of the supporters of vouchers have good intentions, but
are proceeding based on false assumptions, and/or aren't considering the
financial implications.  It sounds good in isolation, as so many things do,
but fails close inspection.

On Wed, Jul 11, 2012 at 9:23 AM, Marty Weiss <martweiss@comcast.net> wrote:

> Interesting that the private school and voucher supporters always throw
> out Sweden, Belgium, etc as models.  Yet the same conservatives use them as
> well as failed systems of "socialism".     They want it both ways.
>
> Another thing the voucher supporters here seem to keep ignoring is my
> question...  in the guise of first amendment do you actually want your and
> my tax dollars in the form of vouchers going to schools that discriminate
> on the basis of religion and/ or sectarian beliefs?   That as done in the
> South when they formed "academies" in the 50's and 60's to re-segrefate
> their schools and keep their kids from attending school with Black kids.
>
> For once I want a response instead of the usual flag waving of freedom of
> speech and beliefs.  Of course we have that, but if you want to do that do
> it with your own dollars not mine.
> Oh, I already know their answer:  the usual stuff about governmental
> supported schools supporting government values.  Complete rubbish and
> nonsense... the same conservatives who complain about governmental
> interference will complain about the values of a few being shoved down
> their throats.   So, suppose someone sets up a school for gay people...
> will you conservatives complain about tax dollars for vouchers for gay
> students?  Or accept that along with the fundamentalist schools that
> receive the same voucher money?   Schools for white supremists?  schools
> for supporters of Black separatism?  schools for Santeria followers?
>  Follow your line of reasoning and there is no reason not to use tax
> dollars for whoever wants to open a school for UFO believers.    I'm not
> talking about denying them their right to believe this... I AM denying that
> they should receive TAX DOLLARS to do so.   And that's where my hospital
> analogy is relevant.
>
> I as talking to a friend who taught for 42 years in Philadelphia where
> they have 30 or 40 charter schools.  I mentioned this discussion.  He
> laughed and said that all but 2 or 3 have scores that match or are better
> than the publics.  The rest lag behind in testing.  A dirty little secret
> the advocates of charters don't want to publicly acknowledge.
>
> This country has to make a decision... do we want to educate every child
> or not?  Is there equality or is there not?  Do we fund education
> adequately or allow certain places to lag and languish?
> Do we want a multi-tiered system and Balkanization of education?