Do Republicans have the Balls?
Do Republicans have the Balls to Decentralize Education?
The drama surrounding CRT (Critical Race Theory) is a prime example why our school system needs to be decentralized. There have been weighty phrases uttered by conservatives regarding liberty, free markets, and minimalized government, however, whenever, republicans are in office or “power” efforts toward these goals are rarely, if ever, made. To quote Eric July, “Republicans campaign like libertarians, but when they get elected, they govern like democrats.” Unfortunately, this seems truer and truer with each passing term. Republicans rollover with the utmost passivity, while democrats aggressively roll over them expanding the government at every turn. For all the fiscal responsibility touted, republicans have historically spent more than democrats when holding the office of the presidency. Based on the political landscape of the past near century, conservatism in practice has been far different from conservatism in speech. Though such an observation may offend, it is intended to ignite a fire in the hearts of liberty-minded voters. Simply put, it is time we start putting our actions where our mouths are and demand the liberty, free markets, and minimalized government of our convictions. The current CRT conflict is a suitable platform from which our newfound gumption should launch.
To date, not one “red state” in the union has implemented a voucher system nor any measure of school choice. The republican idea of pushing back is passing legislation outlawing the teaching of CRT. This is far from a fix, for it fails to address the core issue with the education system—the centralized power of government. Let it be noted that my ideal would be a completely privatized education system that would bear no reliance on government funds, whether federal, state, or local. Such would eliminate state authority in educational practices, curriculum, whatever. However, such a leap seems to be difficult for many conservatives, let alone modern liberals; both sides having ironically been condition by government, through state ran education, that deems government requisite for all things—for if government is removed from the equation, then the problem can no longer be solved. This zeitgeist is not coincidental. One of the primary course by which a nation’s paradigm shifts toward socialism is through public education—the indoctrinative branch of the state. A simple glance at America’s finest institutions for higher learning proves this fact. Thus, to root out socialism, we must, not take back the educational apparatus, but set it free.
The voucher system is the best method to do so. If executed with forward thought, this system can even wean the people off of public funding altogether. A transition can be implemented that decreases the voucher amount over time, encouraging parents to incorporate more of their private funds as a substitute. The great body of the people have to be reintroduced to the superiority of the free market and the self-responsibility associated with it. Shutting off the spicket immediately and without warning can cause a revolt. The voucher system has ways of easing the transition.
It should be apparent that not just any voucher system will suit our purpose. The education market must be as free as possible to start and gain further freedoms over time. Such a mechanism will return the educational authority back to where it belongs, with the parents. Granted, the money provided remains via the state (in the beginning), but the choice as to how that money is spent must rest with the parents. Choice is an irreplaceable ingredient in growth, free markets, constitutionalism, and liberty. Choice among consumers and producers sparks variety in both quality and price. Thus, a vote for such a voucher system is a vote toward freedom. Though not yet complete, this type of voucher system would be far more beneficial than the structure in place today. Parents must maintain authoritative choice over where that voucher is spent. I know what will be said in response to this, “How will we know the school is legitimate? How can we be assured of a school’s education quality if the state does not set the standards?” The answer is simple, output. The state need not determine which is which, but permit the parents to decide based on that schools’ practices, curriculum, teachers, facilities, etc. There are already laws in place that protect people against fraud. Furthermore, third party quality control or verification businesses can emerge. We experience these today with Yelp and The Better Business Bureau. If the government is allowed to determine the quality, being, and operation of any school then the government will not stop there, it will expand its power, control, and indoctrination, a horror we are already experiencing. Therefore, we cannot make the same mistakes we have been making.
Erasing school district lines is pertinent to our initiative. Parental autonomy to send their children to whichever school they wished would render the school district obsolete. Market competition amongst schools would encourage an increase in educational quality and a decrease in educational pricing. Parents would gain the needed influential over schools, curriculums, and teachers, that the politics of school boards presently denies. The emerging variety of schooling under this system can benefit numerous industries as young people efficiently acquire skills more suited for particular fields. Thus, improving our overall productive capabilities once we are no long pushing out cookie cutter members of society.
What can one say against this system beyond the what’ll be done with the poor kid if the masses are not forced, through taxation, to pay for his schooling? Yet, how many favors has the current education system done for that poor kid? In many ways public education has made that poor kid worse off. I have yet to meet someone, democrat, republican, whatever, who thinks the public school system has been a success. Excuse the cliché, but isn’t the definition of insanity doing the same thing over and over again while expecting a different result? Isn’t pumping money into a broken system and expecting a boon crazy? We wouldn’t treat a single individual that way, not voluntarily. Then why do we make exceptions for the state? Why do people repeatedly get burned by the government, but for some abstract reason think they’re going to do better next time? Doubling down on funding, state control, nor teachers’ unions has worked. Isn’t it time we do something different?
Yet, we, as right leaning individuals, need to have to balls (yes, I said balls) to do that something different. We need to decentralize the education system, push toward freedom, embracing that if we are not free educationally, then we are everywhere in chains. To further rebut the above contention, a freer school market will result in a higher quality education at a lower cost to that poor child and his parents. Moreover, the charity of individuals and nonprofit organizations will also be means by which that they can obtain a fruitful education. I would even call upon that bleeding hearted opposer to reach into their own wallet, of their own volition, to help that child, instead of forcefully demanding everyone else pay for an education they are not willing to provide and calling it altruism.
It is time for republicans to go on the offensive and aggressively pursue school choice with the above stipulations not being compromised. Put the Democrats on their heels. Ignore their attempts to deflect and defuse by calling upon that poor kid’s unaffordable education. Let them not forget about the overflowing budgets that have resulted in nothing more than the diminution of America’s worldwide educational ranking. Ask them, “Why they believe the state is better equipped to decide for that child, rather than that child’s parents?” Ask them why their children attempt private schools, and they join lotteries to have them attend charter schools? Force them to admit their despotic tendencies.
There is an answer to the world’s problems. The question is, “Are we willing to go far enough and push hard enough to bring those answer to light?” We must put our actions where our words are. We must expect more out of the system by expecting less out of the system and shifting the responsibility to where it belongs—with the individual. Granted, the voucher system is not perfect, but it is significantly better than what we are suffering under today. Parents ranting at school board meetings against CRT appears impactful, but the only long-term solution to the problem is the decentralization of the public school system. Republicans need to be more uncompromising, be what they claim to be, and stand for what they claim to stand for—liberty. School choice, a voucher system, beginning the process of decentralizing the education system in this country, is the most vital and most viable issue where republicans can push to enact their principles of free markets, a minimalized government, and liberty.
