[ER]

Originally Posted by luvtolean

This topic is a long story and as a Canadian you probably don't know much about it. The main problem was there was a taxpayer revolt in CA and they completely screwed the school districts by (effectively) cutting property taxes which funded the local school districts. The schools then went to the state for money and the state said "OK, but now we tell you how to spend your money". (sound familiar?)

Unsurprisingly, the state's politicians don't know jack about education and completely ****ed up the schools leading to the current mess.

Don't forget to mention that the NEA has had a HUGE hand in the direction of public schooling. It is the most powerful lobby in our country. Politicians on a Federal level haven't needed to know anything about education. They know that the NEA is a juggernaut and that if they will have to pander to them for a large number of votes. Look at how violently they reacted to Bush's proposal for vouchers? Who's going to have the guts to take them on?

Special interests...all the way. The NEA knows how to play the game. Even at a local level in my city they coerced voters into passing a tax increase for additional school funding. We're already taxed at a higher rate than most cities around us and we're one of the fastest growing around. There's plenty of revenue coming in.

[ER]

Originally Posted by nomad

edit: This was in response to ER...

I can't say I agree with you on the first issue. *shrug* I've spent years thinking about it, so I doubt an Internet forum will change either of our opinions on that.

I'm glad we agree on the second point. I have yet to hear a decent argument against it.

As for the third point... your comments, although valid, didn't seem to mesh with the point I was trying to get across. I agree with you that the US allows its citizens some of the most freedoms in the world. On the same note, Norway probably has the most social programs going for it and it seems to work quite well for them... I don't see how it is the US's job, Norway's job or My job to push their respective lifestyle/policitcal style down the throats of other nations. My point is that although I find it acceptable to help guide these nations it is not ethical to force your views on non-nationals. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make them drink.

I know - that's probably what makes you more Liberal minded and me more Conservative minded -- our look on Government. The Constitution is pretty clear as to why we need a Federal Government, but it's also clear as to how limited that Government should be. It's really there to provide for the general welfare (that doesn't mean the social program, btw) of the people, and that's it. That includes enforcing laws, keeping order, and providing for a national defense. The rest of the powers go to the States and on down to your local cities. The idea was to provide for a free country where people could pursue their lives and dreams uninhibited. It was NOT there to provide people with an oppressive taxing and income-redistribution system.

But like you said - Internet debate seldom changes any minds.

See my post to ltl regarding our public education. While you and I agree on how important it is for parents to have a role in their children's education, there's a lot to be discussed with our public schools.

I'm not sure to what you're referring in your last paragraph. Did I miss something where Arnold said he wanted to force our form of Government onto other nations?