Public Education- Conservative & Progressive Views

Socialism is evident in American Education. Recently, socialist policies have come under attack.

I got a good education at the public High School in Millville, NJ. Millions of Americans attend public schools between Kindergarten and Grade 12. And many of us go on to state universities for additional studies. All of these schools are funded by taxpayers. K-12 are free except for the cost of personal supplies. State universities get funds from taxpayers, student tuition, grants, and investments.

In addition to public schools, wealthy people who send their children to private schools also get socialist tax-breaks. Nonprofit institutions do not may taxes, which places a burden on workers and businesses to cover all the things our taxes pay for.

I think it is a good thing for all members of a democratic society to have a basic education. I might disagree on the components of a basic education and how many years a person should get at tax-payer expense, but I believe public education is a good thing. My wife and I only have one child, which means we paid a lot of extra money for people who have several children. I don’t mind that. We are all Americans.

What happens if you get rid of socialism in education? The simple answer is, the decision is up to parents. You purchase what you can afford and don’t depend on the government for a handout. There is no right to a free education in the US Constitution, so you are on your own.

Conservatives also like to get rid of laws--at least that was my impression years ago. If they could get rid of laws stating how many years children have to be in school, then parents would be free to decide how much education to give their children. Perhaps you could fight for a roll-back in the law? For example, according to AmishAmerica, the Amish only go to school until the eighth grade. So, that would be cheaper. Also, they are able to live their lifestyle and learn their trades without getting more classroom education. If you know people from a farm community, you know teens who learn how to operate farm equipment during childhood.

Perhaps socialism has gone too far? However, I think it would be a mistake to live in a nation where millions of people did not have a basic education. How could people write sensible posts for Facebook, Twitter, and the like if they don’t go to school? How could people manage their finances, get higher paying jobs, or make a wise decision about voting without a basic education? Overall, this socialist policy of an education at tax-payers' expense is a social good.

In modern America, the choice is not really between capitalism and socialism but rather about what socialist programs should we support so that even the poorest among us have a chance at the pursuit of happiness?

I suggest we should not let extremists wag our tails. Extreme capitalists who would deny a basic education to the poor are as unreasonable as extreme socialists who want everyone to have free preschools and a free college education.

Wise people negotiate a balance between what a nation can afford and what is a good thing for most of society. Labelling ideas as capitalist or socialist adds no value to making decisions about education and government services.

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