Educational fairness

September 24, 2003, 9:06 a.m.
Opportunity For Me, Not For Thee
Congressional kids and fairness in public policy.

By Krista Kafer No matter how long it's been, you don't forget some of the things you learned in kindergarten: Two plus two equals four. Treat others as you would like to be treated. Share your toys. Play nice.
For most of us, these concepts guide the rest of our lives, but others seem to need a refresher course. In fact, some people in the nation's capital may need to sit in the corner and think about their actions. They have been caught saying one thing and doing another, and that's not nice.
For example, when it comes to their own children, many members of Congress support parental choice. In a recent survey, the Heritage Foundation asked every representative and senator whether he has ever sent a child to a private school. Of those responding, 41 percent of representatives and 46 percent of senators have done so. In the general population, only about 10 percent of students are enrolled in private schools.
Surveys in 2000 and 2001 turned up similar results. Our elected representatives like school choice for themselves. And while many claim that they "support our public schools," the numbers show they're less likely to place their children there.
Sens. Mary Landrieu (D., La.), Arlen Specter (R., Pa.), and Hillary Clinton (D., N.Y.), are among those who have used private schools for their children. Sen. Specter's attended a private school in Philadelphia because, according to their father, "they didn't have access to a good public school."

Remainder of article at
http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/kafer200309240906.asp

The answer is to repair our public education system not to give up and give a select few funds to go to private school. What happens to those left behind in the public schools?
Regarding the privileged sending their children to private schools. If they can afford it why not?
The wealthy can afford it do and have things many others do not. They live in mansions while others live in public housing. They travel to exotic places, drive expensive autombiles,
some even have chauffeurs and well I am sure you get the picture. Money buys privilege in our society. I should note that even when I grew up at a time when schools were at their best the wealthy went to private schools. Like it or not wealth has it's privileges. The problem as I see it does not lie with the schools but the parents and permissive society we live in. That is what needs fixing. Vouchers will not repair that damage. They are a bandaid that will not stop the bleeding