“I thought the primary beneficiary of the vouchers were the children and their parents” — I think that’s the flaw in your view right there. The entire community pays in whether they have kids in school or not. It’s the community that is the beneficiary — from having an educated population participating in the economy, voting, etc. The individual benefits are incidental to the public benefit.

I don’t think there has been convincing evidence that diverting funds from traditional public schools raises the overall level of education the public is paying for.

For years the teachers and school boards have been complacent because they ruled the roost having no competition and carte blanche approved of measures of enhancing their own work environment, lessen their case load, and vote for their own raises and insurance perks.  Mention competition and they intellectually agree, but privately they are horrified that they actually have to do something themselves for the students. Unfortunately, they would rather fight against this new approach instead of improving themselves, their schools and their students in a competitive environment.

All schools, all ventures, have an operating philosophy or “religion” (advanced or hidden).  TA’s claim that “religious” schools should be an excluded option, is itself a judgement of secular heresy.  

Like good health, education is beyond the functional design of government.  Education is not a Constitutional right, any such assertion is a contortion of that which is law.     

TA thinks that by repeating his opinion often enough it might obtain truth or validity.  Bigotry, describes his position and those who support it are bigots. The historical record is fairly clear on this point.

Then please cite that historical record.  More like hysterical record.  Your continuing repeating of that claim, doens’t make it true, either.  Put up or shut up.

Our state and federal constitutiolns are quite clear on this point.  I’ll teahc my kids religion our way.  I don’t expect the state to sponsor it.  In fact I insist they don’t. For my kids or anyone else’s.  

For all non-religious schools, have at it.  Spend those vouchers like they’re candy.

You do not have a good record of reading anything suggested and often state that you have read things which you have not. 

Neither the state nor the federal government, owns the language or therefore the definition of education; all of which belongs to the people.

Education’s not a natural right, it’s a personal responsibility.  Indiana’s constitution provides for public or “common schools” from a tax on the property of corporations- but hey, the state’s operating outside its own law… here, there, oh and there too…

Horace Mann was a true patriot, but his secular vision is rooted in the very dogma of religiosity; given to secular piety.  In Mann’s time, those who could afford private schools are said to have “avoided” common schools; which are now uncommonly expensive or on par with private tuition rates.  

Nothing reduces cost like competition & there’s the secular or statist rub- fear of losing the adult daycare gig to competition & betterment.

Children belong to their parents, not the state.  Taxpayers should not be forced to fund the secular, to the disadvantage or  exclusion of other options, including religious.  

Here, here.

You’re funny.  I read, and oft disagree with you, therefore you attack me.  I asked you for specific cites.  You have none.

Dave (below) and Pascal: please try the Indiana Constitution again.  From Art.8, Sec.1:

Indiana’s legislature shall “…provide, by law, for a general and uniform system of Common Schools, wherein tuition shall be without charge, and equally open to all.”

Subsequent court rulings have held that such uniform requirements, when coupled with the Constitutionally-mandated separation of church and state, provide for a non-religious education from common funds.

Blaine Amendments were bigotry in action and those who support them are bigots. Do your own research.

I have.  Blaine Amendments?  WTF?  Who mentioned Blaine Amendments?  

You evade better than an indicted councilman.

I mentioned the Indiana Constitution.  A wonderful document.  You should read it.

Then all those public money scholarships going to religous university students are also improper.

I’m sorry TA, but I don’t buy that the opposition to vouchers among teachers and other public education officials is based on their strong abiding interest in separation of church and state.

Godless hacks like TA just love to misinterpret the Establishment Clause.

Actually, there are several funding methods for the Common (Public) Schools, all contained within Section 2 of Article 8.  The taxation of corporations is but one of the funding schemes.

“The Common School fund SHALL CONSIST OF…” the several funding schemes listed below

*************
Section 2. The Common School fund shall consist of the
Congressional Township fund, and the lands belonging thereto;

    The Surplus Revenue fund;

    The Saline fund and the lands belonging thereto;

    The Bank Tax fund, and the fund arising from the one hundred and
fourteenth section of the charter of the State Bank of Indiana;

    The fund to be derived from the sale of County Seminaries, and the
moneys and property heretofore held for such Seminaries; from the
fines assessed for breaches of the penal laws of the State; and from all
forfeitures which may accrue;

    All lands and other estate which shall escheat to the State, for want
of heirs or kindred entitled to the inheritance;

    All lands that have been, or may hereafter be, granted to the State,
where no special purpose is expressed in the grant, and the proceeds of
the sales thereof; including the proceeds of the sales of the Swamp
Lands, granted to the State of Indiana by the act of Congress of the
twenty eighth of September, eighteen hundred and fifty, after deducting
the expense of selecting and draining the same;

    Taxes on the property of corporations, that may be assessed by the
General Assembly for common school purposes.

I think I’m a little smarter then you, please don’t insult me.  

What do you really think TA, you are a joke.