Vouchers rob schools of need funding

“Bye, bye Blaine,” July 5 guest commentary

Ken Buck’s praise of the Supreme Court’s decision to let states extend public funds to religious schools was billed as “Guest Commentary.” But like most communication by GOP politicians it contained the character assassinations and enemy-identifications required by his party.

Got to mention those frightening atheists, “progressives,” and teacher “unions.”

Meanwhile — condemning public assistance programs that “corrupt” people of low income and character and ignoring massive public problems in society — congressional Republicans regularly transfer billions in taxpayer monies to healthy corporations, their owners, and executives, while extending major tax cuts and loopholes, along with other favors, to the exceptionally wealthy 20% whom they serve exclusively.

Republican politicians’ actions and inactions are even worse than their divisive language.

Re: Daniel W. Brickley,

Rep. Ken Buck’s support of the Choice Scholarship Program omits years of research on the negative, or at best neutral, impact of the taxpayer funded subsidy known as school vouchers.

The Congressman states that “Families should have the freedom to make the best educational choice for their children” and he believes the Choice Scholarship Program gives children the best opportunity to succeed. More than two decades of educational assessments indicate that voucher students do no better, and oftentimes worse, on achievement tests when compared to their public school counterparts.

The Choice Scholarship Program means diverting money from the public education system to private schools, permitting a number of public neighborhood schools to deteriorate . American humorist, Garrison Keillor wrote, “When you wage war on the public schools, you attack the mortar that holds the community together. You’re not a conservative, you’re a vandal.”

Rick Johnson,