When I first decided to write this blog, I thought I needed to tackle the issue of taxation first. But as I consider the goal of finding the best ways to achieve the maximum in freedom and opportunity for America and Americans, something else jumps out at me.
Education is perhaps the most important component of providing citizens with an equal opportunity for success. In many cases, I believe privatization is essential to encourage efficiency. Without competition for its services, government can afford to be wasteful--and often is.
But public education is the only way to maintain freedom. Why? Because privatization will lead to the wealthy getting the best education. This is not just a problem because it is unfair. It is also a threat to freedom.
It is important for me to note that I am not against private schools, but I firmly believe that each taxpayer should contribute his or her fair share to the public education system.
The catalyst for nearly every revolution in history has been a large and widening rich-poor gap. When the poor are getting poorer and the socio-economic conditions seem to make upward mobility impossible, governments are in danger of losing control of their citizens.
When the poor no longer believe they have the opportunity for success, they lose hope. This leads to higher crime rates, a cyclical culture of poverty, and, eventually, revolution.
While the lower-class may always be at a disadvantage, a quality education helps level the field. America will be at its best when its citizens believe that the hardest-working, most creative individuals find success, regardless of their background.
In order for our public schools to begin meeting the demands of the nationwide and worldwide economy, many drastic changes are required. Better teachers, better schools, better supplies--these are all necessary elements of an improved education program, but the most vital ingredient may be positive parental involvement.
The next several entries in this blog will explore this issue and other solutions to our education crisis.
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2 comments:
I agree with what you are saying. To continue this thinking, do you think that the social unrest stems from the failed attempts of government to resolve the problems of the "poor?"
Wouldn't this suggest that greater freedom and encouragement is more important than directly "solving" problems through government fiat?
It's not just the failed attempts of the government, it's the continuation of the promise that government will "fix" our problems.
No relationship can exist successfully without honesty, and our politicians are simply lying to themselves and their constituents when they promise a program will solve a problem.
Greater freedom and encouragement are exactly what we need, and this blog is dedicated to this discussion.
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