I have been part of the patriot movement well before tea parties came into existence – doing my best to educate the public about the unpublicized assaults against our Constitution. Unfortunately, all our noble attempts have not been able to stay the successful coup de tat that has gone nearly unnoticed by the general public.
The saddest thing about the situation is that we as a people continue to look to government to solve the problems government has created. Not only is this heartbreaking; it is completely solvable if we will start standing on our own two feet. A few weeks back I wrote a commentary in Conservative News and Views entitled Slay the Beast ( http://www.conservativenewsandviews.com/2012/11/30/accountability/news-media/slay-the-beast/). In this article I identified what I consider to be the primary causes that impacted our last election. These causes have also produced an electorate that would re-elect the most egregious president this writer could ever envision. They are:
- A complicit and ideologically driven media;
- Judges that legislate from the bench and ignore Constitutional mandates;
- Crippling taxation that steals the fruits of one’s labors to give to others;
- Schools that indoctrinate students into secular hedonism instead of teaching academics;
- Political cabals that exercise cronyism and nepotism;
- Ineffective churches that are politically correct but biblically bankrupt.
Identifying the root causes of our problem is half the battle. The other half is finding the solutions. Since this is national school choice week, I thought it appropriate to address #4 on my list: schools that indoctrinate students into secular hedonism instead of teaching academics. One of Abraham Lincoln’s famous quotes is: “The philosophy in the classroom of one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next.” Today we are seeing a government taken over by isms that are adverse to capitalism, and these isms have been promoted and extolled in our government-run schools for at least a generation, and arguably more. The government representatives we have today were educated in these schools. Time has proven Lincoln right.
Identifying the problem:
On Sunday I attended a statewide school choice event hosted by inarguably the most sincere and committed people you could imagine – people who are wholeheartedly doing their best to rescue a failing school system in New Jersey. Unfortunately, these people are also relying on government to solve this problem.
Here’s why I believe they are barking up the wrong tree. The whole agenda revolved around proposed school choice legislation. You may be thinking that’s not a bad agenda. I would have to agree to some degree – a very limited degree. During the entire five-hour program – not one person mentioned anything about establishing private schools – just moving money around to schools that comply with government standards – standards that have failed our kids and misspent our money.
The main problem with the proposed legislation is that many of the religiously-based private schools simply would not “participate” in the State’s program. In other words, they would not jump through the hoops the State created to make them eligible to receive tuition monies for their students. For instance, the way the legislation is written, a participating Jewish school would have to accept Muslim teachers or be charged with discrimination – or a Christian school would have to accept practicing homosexuals in order to qualify for state funds. That’s one part of the problem. Another part of the problem deals with creating more financial hoops for schools to jump through – especially those that are already 501 C-3s and have to jump through enough hoops at the moment. Still another problem exists regarding the accreditation process participating schools would have to submit to – which process would be created by the State and would not defer to the many accreditation institutions that have earned their worldwide and national respect. In essence you are allowing parents to choose schools that are different but never-the-less regulated to be the same. Therefore, you can expect results that may be slightly different – but never-the-less the same.
What’s the solution?
Answer: America, start standing on your own two feet!
How?
Create alternative choices for students that really are alternative choices. This means taking your kids out of government-run schools and establishing private schools. Before you tell me that is impractical, let me tell you that I’ve heard that argument before. And…it doesn’t hold water as far as I’m concerned. Before I explain what I mean, let me ask you a few questions?
When did you accept the premise that the government is qualified to educate our kids?
If you accept the above premises, how do you think that’s working out for this country?
Do you know that IRS allows you to deduct all contributions made to schools that are organized as federal non-profits?
Do you realize that many churches only use their buildings to their fullest on Sundays while they remain nearly dormant for the rest of the week?
Do you know that Association of Christian Schools International (http://www.acsiglobal.org/), a globally-respected accreditation agency, will help you in establishing a Christian school in your community?
Do you realize that homeschoolers in most states can pool their resources and create co-ops?
Hopefully these questions have spurred you on to thinking in a new way. You may have guessed that my suggestion for standing on your own two feet when it comes to education means taking kids out of government-run schools and creating alternative schools for them to attend. And just in case you think I’m talking out of a pipe filled with something other than tobacco, let me tell you that I’ve already done this successfully. Sure, I had to deal with the naysayers – the “What makes you think you can start a private school – ha ha?” crowd. Just for the record, our school is about to graduate our sixth senior class this June, and as for the naysayers – some of them have applied for jobs. One more thing you need to know – I have a high school diploma with a business school certificate – that’s it. I also had the determination, the vision and the passion to make it happen.
In conclusion I would also like to remind you that there are a multitude of churches that would be open to have someone use their facility during the week. If the school is for the children of members of their congregation, they may allow you to use it free of charge. If the school is for the community at large, they may charge a small fee – which would also help the church – a real win/win situation. The church may even consider helping with the finances of the school – especially urban churches that are very well aware of how the educational system has failed their congregants. And I can assure you that there is no shortage of donors who would gladly contribute tax-deductible funds for a venture such as this.
Another alternative may be to create a co-op of homeschoolers. Of course, you would have to check on the laws of your state before embarking on such a course. This could work in a number of ways. Parents could be responsible for some of the basics and the co-op could pick up the slack for subjects like math, science, and the arts. Many co-ops exist around the country today. If you have school age kids, you may want to find out where they are and how they are structured. If none exist in your area, you may want to consider starting one. If you don’t have school age children and are retired and have skills, perhaps you can serve your community and your country by offering to teach at a reasonable rate – you would be serving your country well in this case.
The point is – if we really want change in America, we need to start standing on our own two feet and stop begging an incompetent and misguided government for the crumbs off our own table. Where’s that good old American ingenuity we’ve grown up knowing? If it’s still out there – and I believe it is – stop complaining and start doing something. I’ll end with another quote from Lincoln:
“…that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom…”
Lincoln was right about education. I pray that he was right about our ability to stay a free and liberty-loving people. But I’m worried because I know that a free and liberty-loving people can only survive if they are willing to stand on their own two feet. May God have mercy on America!
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How can your explain that a mother who has the right to choose life or death for her child should not have the right to choose the school for him. Also, as in Obamacare for his health insurance, when you choose to send your child to the secularized government school there is no “fine”, but if you do not accept the terms and conditions of the mandated federal system and wish to be personally responsible for the education of your child you are still bound by law to continue your contributions to that system which your moral or religious conscience informs you is corrupting the minds and lowering the intellectual potential of the public. That is nothing less than another form of taxation called penalties. We have entered the age of Obama FAITH FINES, which when analyzed by Justice Roberts will be determined to be “Taxes”.
The government wanted control over the schools and enacted laws making it mandatory to send a children to school (compulsory education) so they could control what the children were taught. In the past 20 years, schools have become nothing more than liberal indoctrination centers supporting everything anti-God. Our children have been brainwashed by the government and the only way out is through school choice. Homeschooling is the best option, but not all parents are in a position to provide that option. The bottom line is the government does NOT have the best interests of children at heart, it has only the brainwashing of the children into their New World Order mindset.
Great article, Rosann!! Your words come at a meaningful and desperate time to have children properly educated. I can’t find the article right now but I was reading about a school that was teaching (indoctrinating) the young students about Muslims. The students who volunteered were dressed in Muslim attire and acted out their parts to even praising Allah! Prayer rugs and all. The students who did not volunteer had to sit in the back of the room as infidels and watch the entire play unfold. This is happening in at least one American school. How many others are doing this! Where are the parents of these children who are schooled with this kind of fabrication? If my child came home from school and told me he/she had to play the part of a Muslim or an infidel, I would be furious and on the phone for a meeting with the school principal and board of education. If our government run schools are turning into non-education and indoctrination citadels, it’s time for all to stand on their own feet and correct the wrong that is coming out of the Department of Educaiton on the Federal Government level. It’s time for parents and grandparents to wise up and know they do have a say in how American Citizen children will be educated by the Sate Governments, not the Federal Government. It’s wise to remove children from government run schools and you have some wonderful ideas on how to do this. What I’m wondering is if the Federal Department of Education is still dictating how government schools will be operated, American Citizens will still be footing the bills for said schools even though some tax payer’s children have been removed to better schooling environments. We will still have the illegals and welfare students who depend on government run schools and tax payers foot the bills. For example, I’m retired but government run school taxes are paid through my property taxes. How do we defeat paying for illegals and welfare students unless we can get rid of Federal Department of Education? And, how do we prevent any child, illegal or welfare, from being indoctrinated if they must remain in government run schools? You sure gave me a lot to think about!
Marilyn,
I really think if we were to create a movement that gives parents a choice, it will actually improve government-run schools and decrease taxes. Think about this: children being taken out of the schools in multitudes – the repercussions would be interesting. I think the schools will either have to improve or operate with significantly less students. If they improve through competition – great. If they don’t and their enrollment goes down, eventually our taxes will as well. How long can a school maintain a budget for 500 students that may have only 250 students? They’d probably get along for a while, but after that they would be forced to downsize and the result will be a downsize in tax dollars. If School Choice legislation is passed that allows the money to follow the student, this whole process can be escalated.
None of this will happen over night but it’s a start. And…who knows…the next generation in government may be fully informed citizens who went through a school system that taught them about the Constitution and how to think their way out of a paper bag.
Thank you RoseAnn. Everywhere I can I tell parents, take your child out of public schools. Where I live a rather small population area, has 2 high schools. Each are 1/2 full, classes of 12 or so. There was a movement to consolidate the two, but…gosh they are sports rivals. There would be problems. You are so right about removal of students reducing taxes, yet the local governments always assume more students will be attending and therefore raise taxes. They then find a reduction in class size, yet no money is returned. When the system threatens closure due to the need to pass more bonds and raise taxes to stay open, using the need for more teachers etc. the fine print says, money may be spent as they see fit…as in paying for retirement and insurance for those who were given and promised too much in the past. Every time they pass. Is this because we have too many parents who want the state babysitting service? I believe this is true. So many are so selfish that they feel working and raising children interfers with their desire to have no responsibility. Schools still get paid per student per day attendence….STOP sending your children to the Gov. and teachers union ATM. Gtandparents, aunts, friends, volunteer to care for kids for a week or two while the system feels the will of the people. Many parents have to work. Many would actually save money by quitting and homeschooling. Low paying jobs, cost as much as high paying jobs. Gas, clothes, daycare etc. You have expressed vary valid reasons that we are in the place we are today. Raise your voice until ears are opened. Thank you for your voice.
Great article RoseAnn!
Thank you, Pastor!
The good news is God is ready to accept us back at any time we repent and turn away from evil.
I am a retired Marine, a well educated scholar in all the branches of science, with a particular skill in physics. I am a life long mechanic, a machinist, tool maker, an engine and machine designer, and electronics expert, qualified by the Corps to teach electronics instructors in classified cutting edge communications and navigations equipment that is encrypted, yet I have but a high school diploma, and a couple dozen "diplomas" from formal Military courses.
I failed my way through government schools because I am dyslexic, yet my mother was a librarian, and made it possible for me to learn to read before entering kindergarten, by allowing my older sister and I to figure it out, she not being dyslexic.
The singular issue which is refused to be discussed regarding public schools is the fact no matter how they are assembled, or by who, they end up consuming most of their costs in administration, and not educating.
The government is not capable of being efficient except at killing and destroying. Everything else it does, it accumulates excess at every turn, and cannot fail to become bloated and useless.
By my own reading, man has vexed God from the very beginning, mostly because he never wanted to just face God, and follow simple rules, but has always wanted to install "the rule of man" between himself and the only Rule we need.
Roseann has simply once again, suggested we leave out government, and go with the right way.
Sincerely,
John McClain
GySgt, USMC, ret.
Vanceboro, NC
I’m glad you see you get it, Gunny. By the way, you might be a perfect person to do what I have done. You’re professional accomplishments certainly exceed mine. Can you imagine how this country can be changed if people will all of a sudden starting take kids out of the government-run schools and start giving them a real education instead? It’s mind-boggling.
Yes! Unless we remove the government from our schools they will continue to be an indoctrination camp for the Marxists and those who want to perpetuate ungodly social values. .
Try reading the 45 goals of the Communist Party to take over America. They’re easy to find if you Google them. I suggest you sit down before you attempt to read them. Pay particular attention to their goal that focuses on education.
The sad thing is we have left God. Since He is truth (John 14:6), and the truth makes us free, (John 8:32), we have also left truth. Since truth is found in His Word (John 8:32), and we have left His Word (John 1:1, 14; Revelation 19:13b), we have left Him. We ARE screwed. We have given the devil our brains.
There is a logical progression when it comes to truth in this nation. The prevalent ideology is that you can have your own truth, which means truth is not absolute; it’s relative. This is what is being taught throughout our entire culture. Therefore, if truth is not absolute and God is truth, then God becomes whatever you want Him to be or not to be. It’s up to you, and our schools support this ideologoy. No wonder things don’t make sense anymore. Our standards have been eroded.
“The philosophy in the classroom of one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next.”
Oh, Rosann, you are so right! And don’t we see that now in the “journalists” in the media? Those who have been publicly educated and gone through the mind-bending institution called college? Personally, I see it in some of the next generation in our family, and when asked where they got these ideas or why they are straying from their conservative roots, they tell us “I learned it in college”. That is heartbreaking to us who were part of raising them in the traditional morals and values we learned from our parents and from going to private schools.
The socialists who created Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, food stamps, ObamaCare, Obama Phones and all the other goodies have paved the way for total and complete dependence on “the guh-ment” for everything, and thus, the total take-over of our once glorious, industrious, free, and independent country. Even more depressing is the very real and very dismal rate of failure that is everything government!
Kudos to you for creating your own successful private school! And for sharing with us in very simple and understandable terms how it can be done in any community. How I wish that “other 50% of our country” had your drive, your initiative, and your committment to fixing what is truly wrong with our educational system in this country!
Sunny,
I believe Americans can rise to the situation. They just have to realize that they have been indoctrinated. I don’t believe the indoctrination is as prevalent in other areas of life as it is in education. We drank the Kool-Aid – that we can’t educate our kids ourselves and that we are reliant on government-run schools. It’s surprising that establishing an alternate to government-run schools never enters the mind of those working to reform education. The Bible tells us that there are times when we need to renew our minds. This is a perfect example.