If you've been following the Ohio special election thread the discussion veered off into why cities tend to favor the Democratic Party. One reason offered (by me) is that urban areas tend to be more educated/more diverse than country dwellers. Obviously there is disagreement on this. So my friend Hollywood offered this statement:
Which brings us to this thread.
It comes as no surprise that MANY on the Right are disgusted with public education and higher education and it begs the question that IF the RW/GOP is so distraught over public schools WHY don't more conservatives become educators and "FIX" the ailing public schools.
So that's question number one.
BUT we're starting with a POP Quiz. Republicans want to privatize public schools because--Multiple Choice:
a) Education is a multibillion dollar market, and the private sector is eager to get its hands on those dollars.
b) Conservatives are devoted to the free market and believe that private is inherently superior to public.
c) Shrinking public education furthers the Republican Party goal of drastically reducing the public sector.
d) Privatization undermines teacher unions, a key base of support for the Democratic Party.
e) Privatization rhetoric can be used to woo African American and Latino voters to the Republican Party.
f) All the above
The correct answer is f. All the above.
The new buzz word in politics and education is: Vouchers.
The word may seem harmless, but it's wrapped in political deceit and very PARTISAN political meaning and leaning. School vouchers are a way to diminish power. School choice allows children and money to leave the public school system, and that means there will be fewer public teacher jobs, lower union membership, and lower dues. It's a great way to destroy public schools.
Most Americans support public education, maybe because it's so....well...American! Apple pie. Flag waving. The idea that every child would be and should be educated was pretty exciting, back in the day. Most parents WANT their children educated because they want them to have happy, healthy, productive lives and education opens doors. So why the debate over public education?