Possible Republican 2012 hopefuls criticize public schools
DES MOINES, Iowa |
DES MOINES, Iowa (Reuters) - Three potential 2012 Republican presidential candidates expressed hostility toward the public school system at a home schooling rally on Wednesday in the early presidential caucus state of Iowa.
Texas Congressman Ron Paul told the crowd government wants "absolute control" of the "indoctrination" of children. Paul spoke along with Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann and Georgia businessman Herman Cain.
"The public school system now is a propaganda machine," Paul said, prompting applause from the crowd of hundreds of home schooling families. "They start with our kids even in kindergarten, teaching them about family values, sexual education, gun rights, environmentalism - and they condition them to believe in so much which is totally un-American."
Bachmann said home schooling is the "essence" of freedom and liberty. "It's about knowing our children better than the state knows our children," she said.
Bachmann, who home-schooled her five biological children, lamented that she and her husband had been unable to teach the 23 foster children who have lived in their home because Minnesota authorities said foster children could not be home-schooled.
"It is not up to a bureaucrat to decide what is best for your children," Bachmann said, drawing cheers from the crowd. "I am so tired of the establishment telling us that they know best. We know best."
Cain, former chief executive of Godfather's Pizza and another prospective Republican candidate, denounced government involvement in education at all levels.
"That's all we want is for government to get out of the way so we can educate ourselves and our children the old-fashioned way," Cain said.
Justin LaVan of the Network of Iowa Christian Home Educators said it was encouraging to see potential presidential candidates talking about the home-schooling movement.
"More importantly, talking about our Creator - our rights that came from our Creator, acknowledging that and giving him the glory, folks," said LaVan, who served as master of ceremonies at the rally.
(Editing by Mary Wisniewski and Greg McCune)
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Citation urgently needed.
“It’s about knowing our children better than the state knows our children,”
Duh, but how that has any effect on this conversation is only in Bachmann’s mind. My guess is she’s trying to draw a non-sequitur by insinuating the school thinks they know our children better. Which is obviously a complete fabrication.
“It is not up to a bureaucrat to decide what is best for your children,” Bachmann said, drawing cheers from the crowd. “I am so tired of the establishment telling us that they know best. We know best.”
Again, absolutely no connection between home schooling parents and public school system, nor is the Government trying to stop you in any way from your chosen means of education.
“Cain, former chief executive of Godfather’s Pizza and another prospective Republican candidate, denounced government involvement in education at all levels.”
Excellent, ya let’s not have any involvement in education, seriously, not even he and Backmann are that stupid, this is uninformed base pandering, pure and simple.
“That’s all we want is for government to get out of the way so we can educate ourselves and our children the old-fashioned way.”
Congratulation, for trying to make an issue where there is none. No one has to send their children to public school. You are free to home school your children, however don’t try and take my right to disagree with you, or ignore that fact that home schooling simply is not possible for the vast majority of American families.
Seriously does anybody know how to debate honestly, and actually care about being correct?
Nut job!
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