I respond to comments on Vouchers

Yesterday's post about vouchers generated some good comments. I would like to respond to the comments.

Comment #1, from Anonymous:

So what? This doesn't address Ethan's main point which is the status quo public school system is segregated so anti-voucherites need to find another reason to oppose vouchers.

Well, then, let's work on de-segregating the system. Vouchers will only further segregate the system.

Also, "anti-voucherites" have more than one arguement. I'll post these later.

Comment #2, from JMBell:

How come the pro-voucher types always post as Anon?

I agree with you, Bob. I think that using public money to partially fund the attendance fees to a private school is wrongheaded.

Aside from the fact that private schools account for around 3% of Utah students, and, most private schools show little movement toward campus expansion, I wonder where these "lucky little poor kids" are actually going to attend.

So, add to this the simple fact that private schools cost more than 3k a year to attend, where do the poor parent find the extra thousands a year to pay for tuition when wages are remaining stagnant. Should two income families add a couple more jobs to make it work, taking them away from the family even further? Where's the family values in that?

I believe that ultimately, these pro-voucher groups will become private school contractors and owners whose tuitions generally match the voucher caps.

Anyone who thinks that I'm being a paranoid pessimist, just look at the way certain Republican legislators have molested the charter school system for massive financial gain.

I have nothing to add. The comment was just too good to pass up.

Comment #3, from Travis:

Ummm.. if poor people don't pay taxes (income tax provides for education) then how can they pay for the rich kids school?

Very good question, Travis. Let me explain.

While it is true that many "poor" people do not pay income taxes, they do pay other taxes (sales tax, gas tax, property tax, etc.)

One of the things that has been promised by the pro-voucher people is the fact that none of the education fund (income taxes) will be used to pay for vouchers. The voucher money will come out of the general fund, which consists of sales tax, etc.

-Bob