Re: Case against school choice has sunk, Sept. 14.
Political conservatives like George Will continue to espouse the virtues of school voucher programs as if repeating a lie long enough and loud enough will make it truth.
The truth is that more than 90 percent of this nation's children continue to be educated in the public schools. Public schools are the only schools that strive to meet the needs of all students, including those with physical, emotional and mental disabilities, those who are extremely gifted and those who are learning-challenged, right along with children without special needs. Our efforts should be focused on creating an equal and quality education system for all children, not a separate and unique situation for a few. Vouchers are a poor substitute for quality public education and offer no hope to improve it.
Perhaps Will and others like him should examine the facts. It cannot be assumed that private schools can better educate our children. Private schools are not required to abide by the same rules and regulations as public schools. Tax dollars are being funneled into private schools where there are no public accountability standards for curriculum content, accreditation or definitions of what constitutes a school. There are no accountability standards for private school policies regarding transportation, facilities, class size, admission, attendance, expulsion or disciplinary practices. Private schools are not required to offer extra services found in the public schools such as free transportation, free and reduced-price breakfast and lunch or special education programs for children who speak other languages, speech therapy or learning disabilities, even when accepting publicly funded vouchers specifically for children with special needs. While public schools must adhere to policies that safeguard the interest of all children and guarantee accountability, private schools are exempt from these policies.
The public consistently demonstrates its support of public education. Our elected politicians profess to consider it a priority. My experience, having two children in public schools for the last 12 years, has proven to me that our public schools perform much better than some would have us believe. With adequate financial support, increased parental involvement and a real commitment from our elected officials and our communities, our public schools are capable of offering all children the finest educational opportunities available.
-- Mary E. White, Clearwater
Seeking a quality judiciary
On Sept. 7, Martin Dyckman wrote another one of his well-worded articles (In Fla., it's Jeb's judiciary). He criticized gubernatorial judicial appointments because the governor knew the people and they shared the governor's beliefs respecting the separation of powers and rejection of judicial activism. While naming three in particular, he only truly attacks one.
What is Frank Shepherd's sin? He was employed by the Pacific Legal Foundation's Atlantic Center in Coral Gables. Where was Martin Dyckman when Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg was nominated for the U.S. Supreme Court? I guess he felt being general counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union is nothing near the sin of the Pacific Legal Foundation, a property rights group. But then again, I am sure that Dyckman agreed with Justice Ginsberg's political philosophy so he felt no need to criticize her. Why doesn't he focus his attention onto whether or not the governor's selections are competent, ethical and honest? What is Dyckman looking for in a judge? Is he only looking for ideological desirability according to his ideology?
Even more offensive than his biased criticism is his attack on the more than 200 judicial nominating commissioners who volunteer their services to the people of Florida, reviewing hundreds of applicants before making their final recommendations. I am a member of the Judicial Nominating Commission for the 6th Judicial Court; however, I was not appointed directly by the governor. I was considered, voted on, nominated and submitted by the Florida Bar for the appointment. As I sit in the JNC meetings, it is hard to tell who was appointed in what manner since everyone has one purpose in mind - a quality judiciary. Long after Gov. Bush leaves office, we still will have to appear before these judges. Most important to us is not ideological desirability but demeanor, ethics and competence.
JNC members are well-known as community leaders and representatives of the legal profession. Our reputations are on the line every time a new judge is selected. Proposing a judge who dishonors the judicial profession would dishonor us all.
-- George E. Tragos, 6th Judicial Circuit nominating commissioner, Clearwater
Kucinich overlooked
Re: Cracks appear in Bush's armor, Sept. 14.
For the most part, I felt this article was accurate and well written. However, the statement was made, "Howard Dean's candidacy . . . got off to a roaring start when he attacked Bush when other Democrats were afraid to speak out." Before Dean or any other Democratic candidate spoke up, Ohio congressman and presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich was speaking out loudly against Bush and his administration, both in public and in the House of Representatives. Despite his quickly growing campaign, he has been almost completely ignored by the media. His audience response at the Democratic debate was undeniably overwhelming, as it has been at most places he's spoken. Sadly, most people are still unaware of him due to lack of media coverage. I think it's time he started getting a fair shake in the papers, magazines, and on TV.
-- Jereme M. Wheeler, New Port Richey
Beware of this "reform'
Re: The Constitution is exactly where tax reform belongs, by Martin Dyckman, Sept. 14.
I find it difficult to believe that the Times editorial staff has fallen for John McKay and company's ploy with their proposed "FAIR" sales tax reform initiative. This "reform" is worse than the present regressive sales tax. Fair legislative review politics boil down to lobbyists and campaign-chest money. A three-fifths vote just makes it a little more expensive for those pushing the exemptions. I am surprised that the review isn't every four years, before the election cycles, as a campaign fundraiser.
I suggest sending in the petitions on this unsigned and demanding that an initiative vote be held on former Senate President McKay's original proposal, exempting only food, prescription drugs, health services and residential rent, electricity and heating fuel, and thus end the present abominable regressive sales tax system.
I would be pleased to pay tax on my lawn service, plumbing, etc., as long as everyone else did likewise. Let's keep the Legislature out of this and have a final vote by the people.
-- Robert B. Pattee, New Port Richey
An O'Reilly response
Re: We report. You shut up, Jack Shafer writing on Bill O'Reilly, Sept. 14.
Jack, what is your point? As O'Reilly would say, "Shut up, Jack!"
-- Barbara Teano, Clearwater
Hard to swallow
Re: Sugarcoated credibility, Sept. 13.
Good editorial. It prompted a good idea for helping balance the budget: Eliminate the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee entirely, plus all other similar advisory boards in the federal government. Let the Center for Science in the Public Interest do the job.
We don't really need nutrition information from the Feds because we are "fed" info from all media sources ad nauseam (no pun intended). Folks don't know whom to believe anyway, and really don't know whether to believe the Feds these days about much of anything.
-- Betty Upson-Schmitz, Largo
Down on "The Boondocks'
Re: New comics.
I find the new comic strip The Boondocks very offensive. As a proud Republican and supporter of our president, George Bush, I think that this comic strip goes against everything that our country has been fighting for. In other countries, to humiliate the person who is leading the country is a punishable crime. The people who do not believe and support what our president has done for our country need to wait out their time and speak up at the next election, and may the best man win.
I don't believe the Sunday comic strips are the place for such negative patriotism.
-- Donna Holck, Clearwater
[Last modified September 21, 2003, 02:03:13]
