Benjamin Thompson’s column (“Vouchers work, and they’re constitutional too,” Feb. 20) extolling the amazing virtues of school “choice” gives mere window dressing to the most important issue involved–separation of church and state.
He presents the standard pro-voucher line, providing “proof” of vouchers’ success with a few dubious studies, handpicked from a body of research which, when considered as a whole, presents a murky and often contradictory picture of the alleged educational benefits of voucher programs.
Of course, evidence which contradicts his devotion to vouchers (which is in abundant supply) somehow doesn’t merit mention.
Whatever one concludes about the very questionable and very modest alleged success of school “choice” programs, the fact remains that these programs do violate the separation of church and state, and they are unconstitutional.
Thompson barely mentions the question of constitutionality, but all other issues pale in comparison. The U.S. Supreme Court will not decide whether vouchers achieve the desired educational goals; it will decide whether such programs violate the core principles of our country.
Thompson glosses over the issue in a mere two sentences. The fact is that vouchers do not really offer students a genuine choice among schools. In the overwhelming majority of cases, the only viable options are public schools and sectarian religious schools.
By including religious instruction in their curricula, the education provided by sectarian schools is not at all a “neutral purpose,” but rather a religious activity. Unless religious schools remove religious content from their instruction, public funds must absolutely not support them.
Competition between schools is worth investigating, but if public money is to be utilized, the Constitution demands the competing schools–be they public schools, charter schools, private non-sectarian schools, whatever–respect the separation of church and state.
A choice between a failing public school and a school which provides religious indoctrination in violation of religious liberty is no choice at all.
Todd Coleman
UW graduate student
I am writing this letter the day after the spring primary. I am deeply concerned and disappointed about the low student voter turnout.
I came to Madison in the summer of 1980 a 19-year-old sophomore. Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter vied for the presidency. On campus, the Pail and Shovel party and others led a highly visible existence. Paul Soglin made local government interesting. Granted, the majority of students were from out of town; however, they still got involved in local politics.
Twenty-two years and four kids later, I am still here, loving Madison and Dane County.
Chances are you are in town to finish your education. Along with the memories you will take with you, please consider giving back to the community. By voting in local elections you can put your stamp on the future. With all the looming uncertainties facing Dane County and Madison, you can set in place a positive progressive movement that will impact generations to come.
Voting is so easy. Two pieces of mail with your current address and identification, and you can vote the day of the election. To find out where to vote, just call the City Clerk at 266-4601. Remember to take stock in the future; please vote April 2.
Brian Bedford
Candidate for District 2 county supervisor
