The Spirit of Vouchers, Part I: False Choices

Note: part of the reason I have been absent the past couple of days is that the thought of writing on vouchers has me nauseated. Vouchers are all I talk about at work. I come home, and the subject of vouchers comes up. My secondary job, I mention vouchers. I went to a party Friday night, and ended up spending 50% of the time talking about vouchers. I'm looking forward to November 7, when I can stop talking about vouchers. However, it is the pressing issue, and I need to spend all of my time talking about vouchers. However, I have come to the realization that I spend too much time talking about the voucher supporters, and not talking about the vouchers themselves. So, I have decided to start a series on vouchers that will run the next week or so. I'll still posts about the antics of the supporters, but I'll also get to the real meat of the issue.

The pro-voucher people talk all day about choice. However, Referendum 1 gives no real choices.

Currently, Utah parents have the following choices for their child's education:

*Neighborhood public school
*Out-of neighborhood public school (with special permit)
*Charter school
*Private school
*Home school

If Referendum 1 passes, Utahns will have the following choices:

*Neighborhood public school
*Out-of neighborhood public school (with special permit)
*Charter school
*Private school
*Home school

If you can see a difference in the two lists, let me know. Yes, there are a small number of parents who will be able to send their children to private schools who can't right now. A really small number.

Saying vouchers are about "choice" is like saying President Bush is "pro-life." It a catch phrase. There is nothing pro-life about continuing bad wars, denying scientists the ability to engage in life-saving experiments, or denying kids health care.

This is a false choice for Utah taxpayers that will give many rich people more money and force the poorest among us into schools that become even more sub-standard.

-Bob

P.S. -- Here's an outline of what the next few posts in the series will bring:

Part II: False Accountability
Part III: Publivitation
Part IV: $3000 for the Governor?
Part V: The Utah Constitution
Part VI: It's TAXPAYER money, or why the government is a necessary evil.