Rhodes Community-- can you guys comment on this issue for me?

I need some serious comment from the "John McCain Campaign" on how John McCain feels about Public Education in the United States of America. I also need to know in what spirit he will direct funds, leadership, and regulation toward that institution. I live in Texas, so I am more than aware of "code talk" for trashing Public Education in America. I may be more sensitive because every other person home schools. Instead of feeling 'blessed' for being able to send their children to expensive schools or keeping their kids home to 'train them up', families feel slighted that they also should be paid to be so privileged.

I have repeatedly seen and heard the McCain campaign ads refer to public schooling as the "Public Education Monopoly". Having been an Army Brat and lived around the world attending every form of education from home school periods, Montessori private schools, to public schools both on base and off, I find myself in shock regarding their inclusion of the extreme right views on public education. I had no idea that simply by sending my son and daughter to the school down the street that I was such a selfish criminal. I thought I was in the United States of America where we were at least at some point proud of the fact that every citizen has the right and indeed benefit of education.

My father is retired Army and fought in 3 wars for this country. This sacrifice pretty much kept us at near poverty level as are most military families and insured that my brother and I would NOT be attending any sort of private or specialized schooling. I am very happy that the wealthy can send their children to schools they feel will keep them ahead of the herd and somehow receive a better education. Personally, I feel my education was just as broad and competitive as anyone in a private institution. Recent studies have also shown that ACT and SAT scores are effectively the same. Biggest difference is in the drop out rate. Drop out rates have more to do with the home environment than does the school they attend. So you really can't blame the public system for that--Public school teachers already generally go beyond expectations to help their students in and out of school.

Republicans should not be able to have it both ways. Does he really feel that public schooling in the United States is a "monopoly"? Are we a country where I should feel like unless I can afford to send my children to a private academy I should be home schooling rather than stealing education from the taxpayers? Last I checked...I am a taxpayer? Should my parents have remained childless so that he could fight in the wars for America?

I sort of like that we are a country that sends our kids to school? You know like most developed countries in the world. Some countries offer public education from K-College. Surely we can feel a little more comfortable with the basic K-12 in this incredible country so many have fought and died for. Apparently John McCain really was an 'officer' and never connected with the 'enlisted' men and women he lead or their families.

Pissed off in Plano,
Shannon Hoodswain

You've pretty much hit the nail on the head. That's right wing code (not very subtle) for weakening public schools, less funding for public education at the expense of vouchers type programs.

I don't know McCain's long term history on this issue, but on just about every issue in this election, he has sold out to the right base in an attempt to get elected. At best, here's one more issue.

I believe strongly in public education, because I am a fan of one of its finest philosopher-advocates, John Dewey, for whom the Dewey Decimal system is named.

However, there is no monopoly. The state does not compel your children to attend. Up until 16 they may attend the private school of their choice, or be home-schooled. After 16 they may do as they wish.

I hope a key agenda of the Obama administration is to get rid of NCLB. Yes, I know Ted cosponsored the bill, but somehow I suspect he didn't realize the way the Bushies would twist it. Too much teaching to the test.