talkpolitics | They Could Always Go Work in Factories

Teri Adams, Head of Independence Hall Tea Party and School Voucher Activist:

Our ultimate goal is to shut down public schools and have private schools only, eventually returning responsibility for payment to parents and private charities. It’s going to happen piecemeal and not overnight. It took us years to get into this mess and it’s going to take years to get out of it.

In other words, Adams would like education to be, along with medical care, available only to those who can pony up the cash for it.

The article I’ve linked to includes a few quotes from people speculating about what drives the American right’s hostility towards public education. The ban on teacher-led prayer is invoked, along with the mercenary desire to funnel the money now paid into public schools into private hands.

I suspect it’s much more simple than that. Without universal education, the far right wouldn’t have to contend with so many pesky arguments about the facts of history, math, science, etc.

Crossposted from Thoughtcrimes

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Because they're not defined as such. Words mean things.

yes they are
Article 25 of the Universal declaration of Human rights (http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/#atop)

Article 25.

(1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
(2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.

article 26
(1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
(2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.

United Nations declarations are not the standard by which the United States operates. Nice try, though.

what does that have to do with it? A human right is a human right, something either is a right or it isn't.

A right has legal definition and mechanism of enforcement if that right is denied. Federally, there is no such right. That could (and probably should) change. Anything beyond that is a semantic argument due to the vague use of the word "right".

yeah, I tend to give upon people when they bring out "semantics". Everything is semantics. Semantics is important

Of course it's important. I approached my original response in relation to the Bill of Rights of the United States, which is usually what these discussions relate to. You were apparently referring to the United Nations. Had I known that was what you were referring to, then I wouldn't have made that comment in the first place. So I guess we can meet in the middle there.

Also, just curious, you just created your account today. Who are you and why are you hiding behind a new account? :P

I'm new here. I haven't been here before

They Could Always Go Work in Factories

Re: Public education is political indoctrination paid for by theft

Re: Public education is political indoctrination paid for by theft

Re: Public education is political indoctrination paid for by theft

Re: Public education is political indoctrination paid for by theft

Re: Public education is political indoctrination paid for by theft

Re: Public education is political indoctrination paid for by theft

Re: Public education is political indoctrination paid for by theft

Re: Public education is political indoctrination paid for by theft

Re: Public education is political indoctrination paid for by theft