Re: The Right to Choose--Was "The Militant Joins Liberals in Denouncing..."

["bon moun" <sherrynstan@xxxxxxx>]

> >>There is a third option, one which working people and the poor can
> rally around.

Begging your pardon, but how exactly do you know what working/poor folks
will "rally around?"

And that is the demand that the parents can choose whatever
> school district

As the parent of black children who are in public schools, I can tell you
that this is one of the demands being made by Republicans in this state
right now.  Because it amounts to de facto re-segregation.

These proposals you are making indicate that you do not have kids in public
schools.  Did you attend public schools?

> I would urge you to read my 1999 posts, which I've just resent to the
list.
> I think your comment goes in the direction  I am advocating, which is
that:

I would urge you to come out of the clouds and assess the real situation in
public schools, and if you are doing some light summer reading, check
Left-wing Communism out, by some guy named Lenin.

> a) The State be responsible for 100% of the costs of educating 100% of
the
> children;
> b) Parents control the education of their own children, i.e., decide
where
> to send them.

This is contradictory nonsense.  Here, that translates into teaching
Genesis instead of biology for a hell of a lot of working class children,
and having the public foot the bill.

Have the cake or eat it, Jose.  You can't do both.

The question for the majority of working class parents (and I am one)--who
still support public schools, because they know damn well that voucher
schemes are subsidies for private schools and a net subtraction from
underfunded schools--is how to get class sizes down, how to stop the
right-wing testing juggernaut, and how to fund ther schools without sending
our kids out to wash cars, or go door to door to peddle chocolate bars.
Those are practical questions, and they are political.  Have you any
experience in local or state political action?  Ever been to a school
blaord meeting?  Unless you have an impending revolution in your back
pocket, I suggest you get started.  Paintings of the Peaceable Kingdom will
not suffice.

One of the things American male culture has done to harm its young is
socialize them to be so utterly defensive that they won't admit it when
they are mistaken.  They'll take a foolish or misinformed or illogical
position, then defend it to the death.  Egos are involved, and it becomes a
personal (read, individualistic) combat.  It's like a giant collective
learning disability.  Religious faith only magnifies it.

Don't bother flaming me.  I won't respond.



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