Thursday, March 28, 2024

Perfect timing for education, tax reform

Posted

The Coronavirus pandemic may be the perfect time for the United States to embark on a long overdue reform of the education system, both public and private. It is simply because this is the first time in modern history, even predating the Spanish Influenza pandemic of 100 years ago, that the country can make an honest appraisal of the inherent value of forcing kids to endure Kindergarten through 12th grade learning while schools are inactive nationwide.

Why should taxpayers without kids in school be forced to pay tax based on a school district's levies?

Why should those taxpayers with children younger than 5-years-old be forced to do the same? I would propose a "pay to play" program wherein each family is taxed by the school district they live in based on the children actually in public school and only if they are in a public school.

Those with parochial or private school enrollments would be exempted from paying taxes for the public system.

Millions of our children and grandchildren are currently being home schooled or they are hooked into the internet to access school work. Children in households that cannot afford computers can utilize the public library or school district computers.

This idea is a "twofer" as it makes the public library system meaningful again and justifies its use of tax dollars as well as eliminates any special stipends for "poor" families without computers. It's a win-win because the constant need for newer, bigger, modernized public schools will be put on hold and some valuable buildings and land may actually be placed back into real estate inventories to be used by business and community enterprises.

School Districts, as do many special districts with taxing authority, have the bad habit of using folks who own homes as the never-ending deep pocket for imposing new and always bigger levies for public schools. It is obvious people attempting to realize their own American dream are being punished for being successful by those who think everything ought to be free, even for those who contribute nothing to the common good.

Our Capitalist Democracy should not be imposing taxation without representation on homeowners each time it thinks it needs more money for public schools when many people who own homes have no kids in school or anything to do with the system where the money is being spent. Nor do I believe taxpayers who actually work have the time, energy or desire to be forced to attend school board meetings just to make sure the district they are in isn't merely stealing money for nefarious reasons - like the building of a seven million dollar "plastic" football field.

Sports may only be a minuscule part of the overall budget, but not every child or parent gives a rat's pittute about carrying a pigskin as if it were the Ark of the Covenant.

To summarize, no tax for those without kids in public school. Home schooled children need only pass the appropriate tests to graduate and attend whatever college will accept them. Ditto for private school kids. Focus education on the three R's like they used to be - reading, writing and arithmetic. Add in the sciences and you almost have STEM.

Free the homeowners from taxation without representation. Free us from the bondage of forever paying for public schools. Free the millions of dollars being wasted on so-called "free" education.

Freedom isn't free, but neither is the lie of free public education. We need to reform education and free millions of dollars across this great nation for other uses.

I can't end this column without also mentioning vocational training. Upon reaching 8th Grade, students, via their parents, must decide on vocational training or traditional "book" learning (or perhaps a hybrid of both) with an 11th Grade graduation in either case. Eliminating 12th grade would save millions in every school district. In our hyper-competitive society, giving the young a faster start in achieving career and personal goals is vital.

Once graduated the choice is simple: Industry sponsored apprenticeship programs, work, college or military. College is reserved for those with proven aptitudes, not as a God-given right. The military trains people and pays them at the same time - a win-win.

Apprenticeship programs typically issue a certificate, which in many cases can be used on job applications nationwide.

Of course the military option is my choice. It shows a selflessness, a patriotism and a chance to travel the world that no other option can offer. The only problem is: How much do you love your country? In the words of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, our 35th President of these United States, Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.

In all honesty, this decision could cost your life.

 

 



 

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