Privatization of the School System

There is an urgent problem in America's school systems, and its not about Columbine. A new idea is sweeping across the nation: Privatization of the school system. Believe it or not, the idea is spreading, and it must be stopped.

What is this "privatization of the school system?"Its the state (and in some cases federal) government giving certain children $2,000 or more to go to a private school instead of going to the public schools. They are doing this to get kids "out of the deteriorating public school system." So, instead of using that money to buy new books for every child, or building more class rooms and so on, to benefit everybody, they give that money to a few children so the can "get away" from the depleted public school system.

Supporters for this call their plan "pro-choice." The logic for this can be summed up in this: Parents can pick what kind of school the wish their children to go to. In reality, this is a lie. In many rural communities, the only private school (if there is one) is a Christian based school. I don't think a Jewish, Muslim, Atheist or any other non-Christian would send their children there. Their choice would be: Send their kids to a school that is depleted and given up on, or, make them go to a school in which one religion - that's not theirs - is promoted and taught in the fullest. Talk about choice!

Yes, our current public schools are quite meager, but it can get better. It will only get worse if more school systems opt to pay kids to get out of the public school system. It goes to show the conservatives/republicans (and those who vote for them) unwillingness to think about others.As Socialists, we cannot let our school system become privatized, its unequal, and just plain stupid. I urge you to vote against any referendum or politician that promotes anything like this. If you cannot yet vote, tell your parents to vote against it and organize a rally to warn people of how this school system cannot work for the good of all people. Privatization is un-Marxist anyway!

Sergei Prescott
June 30, 1999