[Vision2020] public schools & indoctrination

[Debbie Gray]

On Wed, 12 Nov 2003, Dale Courtney wrote:

> Second, I'm not sure how you can call "stealing" sharing. That's a
> redefinition of terms. Those crayons belonged to the children. They were
> taken away so that they would be forced to share. That's not sharing,
> that's redistribution of wealth.

I don't see why you think this is 'stealing?' Yes, a letter came in the
mail for us to buy a specific list of supplies. These would then be handed
out through the year as needed. I specifically bought supplies WITH my
kindergartener but he never considered them as HIS, he understood they
were bought for the whole class to use. Yes, he has a strong sense of what
is his and what is not (just watch him for 2 minutes with his 18 month old
sister who has a fascination with his Bionicles) but he is also kind and
generous. Why? Because he is, he has learned it, he is rewarded by it
externally and internally. Not because the government has brainwashed him
(jeez, I had him all to myself for 5 years! I brainwashed him myself! Or
at least I've tried!) not because some Christian/Buddhist/Jewish/Neo-Pagan
spiritual leader brainwashed him, but because that is what his father and
I believe people should do.

I have no doubt Logos is an excellent school, it sounds like their
emphasis on education is very strong. However, their emphasis on religion
and Christian beliefs does not mesh with my personal ideas. I'm glad that
there is that option for those who are interested in that particular bent.
However, I support public/governmental/party/whatever lame term you want
to use schools because they educate the masses as best they can. Does it
cost more per student, maybe it does. So does my paying $4.50/month for a
street light on my utility bill when, in fact, there is one street light
on my whole block. Do I benefit from other street lights? Most definitely.
Would it be cheaper to erect a street light in front of my house and pay
for it personally? Most definitely. Will everyone else pitch in and erect
a street light or pave their road or fix their sidewalk or do anything
else for the commong good? Highly unlikely.

Is that a socialist or communist or whatever bent? I think not. Taxes and
public goods were around long before socialism/communism arose.

Is your point that you shouldn't have to pay taxes to support public
schools? Or that you should be able to criticize them? Or, how about this,
if you are such an expert on excellent schools why don't you contribute to
the improvement of public schools? Seems like, dare I say, the Christian
thing to do. No matter what boat you're on and whether it's going to hell
over a waterfall or ascending to heaven on the rapids of sanctimonious
behavior.


Debbie Gray

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  Debbie Gray      dgray@uidaho.edu      http://www.uidaho.edu/~dgray/
  We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to
  have the life that is waiting for us." --Joseph Campbell
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