Megan McArdle says everything better than I would have. "In Obama's defense, the public schools in Chicago are terrible. [...] What is intolerable to me is when parents who have exercised school choice for themselves then oppose it for everyone else."
Posted by Matt Bruce at September 11, 2008 11:59 AMin comments, QFT:
Why is it hypocritical for liberals who send their kids to private schools--on their own dime--to oppose vouchers? How does that amount to "denying school choice" to others?
I plan to take my grandkids to Disney World next year. I will pay for the trip myself. I would oppose any plan to provide government funding for trips to Disney World. That does not make me "hypocritical," nor does it mean I want to "deny" other people the right to ride on Space Mountain.
Posted by: Greg at September 11, 2008 01:16 PM(ack, both grafs above were from the same commenter. I'd better not have any g.d. grandkids. )
Posted by: Greg at September 11, 2008 01:18 PMI'd say it depends on whatever justification they give (if any) for opposing {vouchers, charter schools, and/or what's behind Door #3}. If they don't find it a worthy use of taxpayers' money, I can respect that (i.e. not hypocritical) -- though I'll point out that
a) with vouchers it's generally a matter of who gets the money rather than how much is spent (aren't such programs supposed to be expenditure-neutral?)
b) the most fervent opponents of education reform tend also, coincidentally, to be the most enthusiastic spenders of my money (that is, me as a taxpayer)
Posted by: me at September 11, 2008 06:03 PM