[net.politics] "Free" education - comment to Laura Creighton

wjb@burl.UUCP (Bill Buie) (12/10/84)

This line is not blank.
>                                     but if you read the
>arguements for free schools you will find that they are overwhelmingly
>presented by poor, and especiually poor Black people.

>Before you talk about the greatness of universal education, talk to
>the people who are the supposed beneficiaries of this -- the poorest
>people -- and see if they are pleased with what they have received.

>utzoo!laura

Citing the source of any arguement is effective rhetoric, but does
not negate the validity of the arguement.  If Hitler had claimed
that clear skies are blue, I wouldn't disbelieve it.

Yes, please, talk to me.  I am black but am not poor, thanks to "the
greatness of universal education".  Without giving the net my family
history, I'll just briefly say that my family would have stayed poor
if it weren't for public education.  My (and my family's) ability to
go to schools just as good as anybody elses while we could not
afford it has resulted in my now being able afford any school I'd
care to send my kids to.  I can afford the best of schools, but I
remember my own roots, and deeply believe that my ability to afford
it does not entitle my kids to education better than  public
education, if it has to be at the expense of public education.

The ideal society provides each person an equal opportunity to rise
to the limits of his own ability.  It is also in the best interest
of society that the most talented persons (not those with the
wealthiest parents-- it's not the same thing) get the training for
jobs that benefit society.
-- 

				--Bill Buie