Idaho GOP finds proper balance in Education funding

[PROPER CREDIT: This column by the Blog author originally appeared in the Idaho Statesman - September 6, 2011]

Larry Grant recently wrote (Idaho Statesman - 8/21/2011) about paying a “Republican-imposed ‘Family Tax,’” referring to student and activity fees for his grandson as he registered him in one of Idaho’s public schools. He goes on to blame Governor Butch Otter and State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Luna, and Republicans in general for the costs of non-essentials in our state’s schooling. Grant simply does not understand the purpose of public education.

Throughout the World’s history it was the sons and daughters (sons primarily) of the aristocracy who were given the benefit of education. They learned to read and write, and studied history and government, literature, science and mathematics. They had to, for as the reigning heirs they one day would govern and must be prepared.

In this country a great and bold experiment was put forth by our Founders – the common man was the heir to power in a government by the people. The common child could grow up to become President, as evidenced by William Jefferson Clinton, of Arkansas, and others. But more importantly than President, the common child would become a voter, an elector of representatives, a decider of issues – he or she would become “we,” and we the people would reign as an aristocracy of commoners.

Thus our common or public schools were born. To prepare the sons and daughters of our aristocracy of commoners as no other nation before, prepare them to lead in civic responsibility. Able to read and write, and educated in math and science, history, government, and literature; ready to govern commonly.

And so through Idaho’s Constitution that charge is made, establishing as “the duty of the legislature of Idaho, to establish and maintain a general, uniform, and thorough system of public, free common schools.” Each year that duty is met by a responsible Legislature, and Governor, and the efforts are led by a State Superintendent and carried out in hundreds of schools in our local communities by inspired and trained educators.

Mr. Grant would have us believe that the Idaho Constitution requires every school to provide at taxpayer expense every conceivable opportunity for every talent or interest brought by every child. No nation and certainly no state can afford such, nor would it be good “common” government.

For special talents and special interests it is well and good that our schools provide special programs and activities. But with special programming outside the thoroughness of our required “general” public education comes the need for special funding.  – not by increasing the taxes of the common man and woman.

Meanwhile, missed by Mr. Grant, and perhaps the Idaho Democratic Party he represents is the opening this very year of three new public charter schools just in the Treasure Valley – more choices, more specialized interests and talents, without increased tax burdens on working men and women. This is responsible government, and government as demanded by our citizen aristocracy.

Yet if blame need be given for reductions in Idaho’s education funding, that blame can be aimed at the residual impact of a federal government unwilling to control the illegal in-migration through our borders, and the associated state and federal costs.

We can blame runaway and irresponsible spending by a President and Congress not willing to keep us living within our national means. We can blame the highest corporate tax rates among comparator nations for stifling the economic growth this nation could produce.

There is much to “blame,” but Idaho’s elected leadership rejecting additional tax burdens on its citizens and at the same time balancing our State’s budget are not on the list.