Privatize Education for Optimal Results

A Letter to the Editor featured in the Greensboro News and Record, written by Paul Elledge.

The raging debate over the teaching of evolution versus creationism is a perfect example of why mandatory public schooling should end.

While I believe in evolution and know that the teaching of creationism violates church/state separation, I also recognize that those who reject evolution have the right not to have their children subjected to its teaching.

For that matter, I recognize the right of any parent not to have his or her children subjected to public education, period. Mandatory public education is an egregious violation of the Thirteenth Amendment, which prohibits involuntary servitude.

Let's instead privatize all education. Free-market competition will make private schooling affordable, and parents will have ultimate control over what their children are taught. This plan is far superior to school vouchers, for vouchers create a twofold problem: First, vouchers still require tax money, and no taxpayer should ever be required to finance private education.

Second, vouchers will inevitably open the door to governmental regulation of private schools. The best way to achieve privatization of education is by electing Libertarians to public office.

For more information on the Libertarian Party, please visit www.lpnc.org or www.lp.org.

Paul DeV. Elledge