Should Public Education be Abolished?

[Kutnupe14]

Public Education in its current form should be Abolished...

As far as paying for it, My grandparents were taught at home by their Parents and were very well prepared for life in the Real World...

Why should I have to pay for Your Children's Education?!

Well, you said "current form" which I am taking as meaning there is a better way.
Shouldn't we take the "public" out of public education entirely?

 

[Kutnupe14]

Very interesting, I would have to suppose it would be a wash or a loss in the end. What I mean is that any money saved by not supporting public education would otherwise be spent for law enforcement, welfare, and other public funds. So abolish all of that, right? Well, there is a word for that....

What is that word? At first I thought you meant socialism (dum, dum dum), but the abolish kinda confused me.

 

[gunowner930]

I agree with Jeremy 100%. It really pisses me off when public schools mismanage their money and call for property tax increases to make up for it. Then they lie to the kids and get them on their side and use them in order to sway people to their side.

 

[Bond 281]

What is that word? At first I thought you meant socialism (dum, dum dum), but the abolish kinda confused me.

I believe the word he was looking for is anarchy. People have this crazy idea that just because the government does something, there's no possible way it could be done privately. These people also probably operate under the assumption that if we did away with public government education the only schools left would be expensive private schools that only the rich can afford and we've devolve into an illiterate mass.

I voted no in the poll. I don't have kids yet but if I do I'm definitely not sending them to a public school. I also don't believe that I or anyone else has an obligation to pay for the schooling of someone else's kid.

 

[Pocketman]

rebuilt or abolished?

On a side note, it is a proven fact that the less educated are typically more inclined to commit crimes. How is this solved, charity?

While most of us seem to agree there are problems with the current public education system, abolishing it would create a genuine problem for our country. A century or so ago we were primarily an agricultural society. Education wasn't as important. Virtually all jobs now require some education. Most would be difficult without at least the equivalent of a HS diploma. Imagine millions of young people roaming the streets with no jobs and no education. That's a third world environment. BTW - the Constitution allows them to carry arms and vote!

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Shouldn't we take the "public" out of public education entirely?

Yes, without delay. Just need to amend the Indiana Constitution to do so.

Imagine millions of young people roaming the streets with no jobs and no education.

I don't have to imagine as I've been to Detroit and Chicago.

 

[jeremy]

I don't have to imagine as I've been to Detroit and Chicago.

Don't forget New Orleans, The East and West Coast Metro Super Slums...

And the list goes on and on and on and on...

 

[Wild Deuce]

It's not a right and the state has no business being involved in it.

+1

I couldn't vote because you left out my only choice: "No. It is not a Right. (I have children and I will teach them myself, thank you very much!)"

For my part, you can take Government Education (aka Public Education) and abolish it. I wouldn't shed a tear.

It seems like we have a long way to go in educating people about what defines a "Right." If someone else (taxpayer) is compelled to provide "something" (education) for you through force, coercion, theft, taxation, etc. That "something" is not a "Right."

Good explanation given by Marko Kloos (The Munchkin Wrangler) HERE and HERE. Both of those blog entries were in regard to Healthcare. Just substitute "education" for "healthcare" and "teacher" for "doctor" and you will get the idea.

 

[rambone]

A true 'right' cannot depend on someone else providing you a service, or giving you with sustenance. Life, liberty, and property -- these are natural rights. Not 'free' health care, 'free' education, 'free' transportation, 'free' housing, 'free' trash disposal... etc.

Also, the poll neglected options for home-schoolers, and for people who attend private school.

 

[jeremy]

Well, you said "current form" which I am taking as meaning there is a better way.
Shouldn't we take the "public" out of public education entirely?

The terms Public, National, Federal, State, etc have little business in education...

Education should belong to the Parents of a Community...

 

[dhnorris]

my kids are taught by the smartest woman I've ever met (my wife) and I've built a lot of overly fancy schools that hamper the smart kids and do thier best to bring the mediocre kids down as much as they can.

"Can we truly expect those who aim to exploit us to be trusted to educate us?" -- Eric Schaub Individualist, writer, activist, speaker

Source: The Common Man

 

[JoshuaW]

I believe it is a right in the sense that it is a service that we all pay for, therefore we are all entitled for it. I do think the public system should be abolished. Privatize it all. Either provide vouchers (we are off to a good start) or knock down the taxes (like that will happen) so people can afford private schools. Personally I like the the second option, since I do not have children and will not have children. However, I understand that many people may not use that money for an education, which I feel is the responsible thing for a parent to do, so I am kind of at an impasse.

 

[88GT]

I can't vote, no acceptable option.

Education is a right only insofar as no one has the authority to tell someone he can't pursue it. It is not a "right" that someone else provide it for that someone. A right is a freedom to act, not have things provided at the effort and cost of someone else.

Furthermore, I despise government schools with every fiber of my being and would love to see them eliminated. However, since that will never happen, and because they are the only education some children will ever have access to, I don't mind if they stick around.

BUT, the first thing that has to happen is to get rid of compulsory attendance laws. All of them. The second thing is that only the education itself should be subsidized by the taxpayers. Absolutely no extra-curricular activities for free. You want to play, you pay.

 

[Pocketman]

The terms Public, National, Federal, State, etc have little business in education...

Education should belong to the Parents of a Community...

It is already parents' responsibility, most just chose not to fulfill such. My mom was in the PTA and made it a point to know my teachers. My wife and I were involved with our kids schools. Parents are taxpayers and voters and have a vested interest in education, but too many are not involved. The schools cannot educate alone.

Also, can someone define "right" for me? In Indiana public schools are provided for in the Constitution.

 

[Arm America]

While most of us seem to agree there are problems with the current public education system, abolishing it would create a genuine problem for our country. A century or so ago we were primarily an agricultural society. Education wasn't as important. Virtually all jobs now require some education. Most would be difficult without at least the equivalent of a HS diploma. Imagine millions of young people roaming the streets with no jobs and no education. That's a third world environment. BTW - the Constitution allows them to carry arms and vote!

After reading all the previous posts, the above speaks volumes.
The U.S. is now competing on a global level.
We are no longer the Giant that manufactures and provides goods
and services to the rest of the world.

Education should not be a right, it should be an obligation.

 

[Kutnupe14]

I can't vote, no acceptable option.

Education is a right only insofar as no one has the authority to tell someone he can't pursue it. It is not a "right" that someone else provide it for that someone. A right is a freedom to act, not have things provided at the effort and cost of someone else.

Furthermore, I despise government schools with every fiber of my being and would love to see them eliminated. However, since that will never happen, and because they are the only education some children will ever have access to, I don't mind if they stick around.

BUT, the first thing that has to happen is to get rid of compulsory attendance laws. All of them. The second thing is that only the education itself should be subsidized by the taxpayers. Absolutely no extra-curricular activities for free. You want to play, you pay.

I'm surprised seeing you say this.

 

[SemperFiUSMC]

You have an absolute right to educate yourself (an education).

As an individual you are personally responsibile for your own education.

Parents have a responsibility to educate their children, both as a matter of parental responsibility (mores and norms) and law.

You do not have a natural right to have an educaton provided to you.

You have a Constitutional right (if you live in Indiana) to a free education, which necessarily involves the state using its taxing authority to fund.

Today's education system is equally as corrupt as the criminal justice system. Neither provides what is advertised.

I want to vote no, but the state Constitution provides a free education as a right. Therefore the answer is unfortunately yes.

 

[Bunnykid68]

I am just gonna sign my kids up on INGO. What they do not learn on their own in the public schools they can learn here.

 

[sadclownwp]

I think Taxes for Education should only be collected from those with children. It isn't right to many someone pay for the living of someone else. Its not different then me paying for the food that someone buys with the worthless hoosier card.

 

[hookedonjeep]

My kids go to public schools, but I don't believe that it is a "right". I believe that it is completely necessary, and should have the utmost support, as without education, we are all doomed...... that being said, if you don't have kids, I believe that you should not be required to pay for schools through taxes - you are not using the services...