Note: As I have explained in my first blog this morning, I have received an e-mail that I think articulates the opinions of many who do not home school and don’t understand why those of us who do might see government intervention as a bad thing. I generally ignore these letters because they are often riddled with poor language and have clearly not been thought out. For the original question in part, please see the first blog. This is a continuation of my response.
Monies to Fund My Homeschool
I suspect my blogs on why tax credits are bad for homeschoolers is what prompted your letter. I can’t be more clear: I don’t want the money. I really don’t. More importantly, I don’t want the strings that necessarily come attached to it. At the risk of sounding pessimistic, there isn’t anything in life that is for free. There would be conditions attached to the money, and I’d rather live without those conditions.
Government Intervention
You’ve said that you fail to see how government intervention in home schooling is a bad thing. I’ve addressed what I feel to be the government’s rightful place in education. But I have one more thing to add. Perhaps doing your research before making such an outrageous statement would serve you better in the future.
Take a look at our country’s constitution. Show me where it says the government will be involved to make sure I’m parenting properly. Show me where it says that the original intent of the government should be involved in all aspects of parenting of individuals. You’ll be looking for a long time because it’s not there. I highly suggest reading material by John Adams on constitutional government and where state and federal governments necessarily divide their jurisdictions. Interestingly, Thoughts on Government, a pamphlet written by John Adams, is on my children’s high school reading list. You see, since the government is not involved in deciding what curriculum we use, we are free to include primary historical documents that include the word “God” in them.
Finally, take a look at our own educational history and educational news in other countries. People have been put in jail for exercising parental rights to educate their children as they see fit. In Germany, parents are being put in jail and charged with endangering the well fare of a child. I can’t see how putting good parents in jail, and charging them with endangerment simply because they choose not to educate their children in state schools, is a good thing.
As always, I welcome comments whether or not you disagree with my views. I will have to post the rest of my response and conclusion, tomorrow morning.