Some of the collectivists in the "Tax Cuts for the Rich" thread repeatedly point out the hypocrisy of those who clamor for tax cuts, yet utilize public education, public transit, grants, etc ad nauseam. I think this deserves its own thread.
There is almost no service that the Federal government provides that could not be better provided for by the free market. For that matter, there is almost no GOVT function that is not better performed by LOCAL GOVT. Many folks who use govt services must do so because the govt grants themselves a virtual monopoly. People are not given a choice. Government can only provide goods and services at the barrell of a gun. Hell, even fire depts used to be private, and contrary to popular myth, it was once the consensus in this country that roads and bridges were best built by private industry. (Govt funding of "internal improvements" always resulted in corruption and boondoggles - which is why most States in the 19th century outlawed "internal improvements" projects in their State Constitutions. And until Lincoln, the Fed govt never engaged in what would have clearly been (and still are) unconstitutional expenditures.)
We spend over $8K per student in public schools in Texas. Private schools average about $5K, and homeschooling families (like mine) spend WELL under $1K per student. Given that the results are better (by most objective measures) for homeschools and private schools, why do we assume the general welfare is best served by blowing federal money on the current public school system?
Not only does the fed govt has no Constitutional authority to appropriate public monies for education, but when the govt gets involved in providing a commodity or service, it discourages competition, and three inevitable things follow:
1. decline in quality;
2. increase in prices; and
3. Shortages.
It pisses me off when people say things like, "Well, you drive on the roads, don't you?!" That's just ignorant. Like roads and govt spending are inseparable. As if only govt can educate children. That's inane. Sorry for jumping around and not completing my thoughts, but I'm on my way out the door to go hear a REAL statesman and Texan visit the UT campus, Dr Ron Paul. Eat your heart out, Obama.
There is almost no service that the Federal government provides that could not be better provided for by the free market. For that matter, there is almost no GOVT function that is not better performed by LOCAL GOVT. Many folks who use govt services must do so because the govt grants themselves a virtual monopoly. People are not given a choice. Government can only provide goods and services at the barrell of a gun. Hell, even fire depts used to be private, and contrary to popular myth, it was once the consensus in this country that roads and bridges were best built by private industry. (Govt funding of "internal improvements" always resulted in corruption and boondoggles - which is why most States in the 19th century outlawed "internal improvements" projects in their State Constitutions. And until Lincoln, the Fed govt never engaged in what would have clearly been (and still are) unconstitutional expenditures.)
We spend over $8K per student in public schools in Texas. Private schools average about $5K, and homeschooling families (like mine) spend WELL under $1K per student. Given that the results are better (by most objective measures) for homeschools and private schools, why do we assume the general welfare is best served by blowing federal money on the current public school system?
Not only does the fed govt has no Constitutional authority to appropriate public monies for education, but when the govt gets involved in providing a commodity or service, it discourages competition, and three inevitable things follow:
1. decline in quality;
2. increase in prices; and
3. Shortages.
It pisses me off when people say things like, "Well, you drive on the roads, don't you?!" That's just ignorant. Like roads and govt spending are inseparable. As if only govt can educate children. That's inane. Sorry for jumping around and not completing my thoughts, but I'm on my way out the door to go hear a REAL statesman and Texan visit the UT campus, Dr Ron Paul. Eat your heart out, Obama.
