Hi all,
 I have been scanning the platform of the Libertarian party to see if
 they are an organization I could support. While I have, so far, found
 the LP platform to be have much in it which is admirable, there are
 also some areas in which I question their approach. I thought I would
 post some of their platform planks here with my questions, and see
 what sort of response I get from our resident Libertarians.
 The following is the LP education plank.
 EDUCATION
 We advocate the complete separation of education and State. Government
 schools lead to the indoctrination of children and interfere with the
 free choice of individuals. Government ownership, operation, regulation,
 and subsidy of schools and colleges should be ended. We call for the
 repeal of the guarantees of tax-funded, government-provided education,
 which are found in most state constitutions.
 As an interim measure to encourage the growth of private schools and
 variety in education, including home schooling, we support tax credits
 for tuition and other expenditures related to an individual's education.
 We likewise favor tax credits for child care and oppose nationalization
 of the child-care industry. We oppose denial of tax-exempt status to
 schools because of those schools' private policies on hiring,
 admissions, and student deportment. We support the repeal of all taxes
 on the income or property of private schools, whether for profit or
 non-profit.
 We condemn compulsory education laws, which spawn prison-like schools
 with many of the problems associated with prisons, and we call for an
 immediate repeal of such laws.
 Until government involvement in education is ended, we support
 elimination, within the governmental school system, of forced busing and
 corporal punishment. We further support immediate reduction of tax
 support for schools, and removal of the burden of school taxes from
 those not responsible for the education of children.
 END INSERTED TEXT
 My question is simple, the way I read this, the LP wants to completely
 abolish the public school system. How would those who cannot afford
 private school tuition educate their children? I am not neccesarily
 opposed to shutting down the public school system, but I am concerned
 that doing so risks producing a large pool of folks who do not have the
 tools to be producers in our society. Would the proper course not be to
 return control of our schools to the local school board, which would,
 theoritcally be controlled by the parents of the students?
 david.hartung@mcione.com
 Ilks of Metropolitan Walls/LENS
 Proud member of White House Enemies database
... The Constitution protects the people from government.  Guns ensure it.
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