Gaiter on School Vouchers

* After reading Leonce Gaiter’s “School Vouchers Spit in the Eye of Our Democratic Principles” (Commentary, Feb. 4), I found myself offended and angry. The message I got from Gaiter is, we can’t trust parents to raise their children in their belief system.

I was frightened by the view of public schools as centers of indoctrination into approved beliefs or, as he put it, “mainstream cultural influence.” I found the concept that religious and cultural diversity “remains a sure route toward a greater balkanization of America” appalling. The constitutional concepts of freedom of religion, speech and ideas are fundamental to America, and fear that someone might teach their children their religious beliefs and morals is contradictory to those concepts.

His position that we should not give children vouchers because it gives parents freedom to choose the type of education they receive and some might choose religious and moral systems different than ours (his) just doesn’t make sense. As a taxpayer I feel my taxes pay for the education of the public, not necessarily public education. I also feel that parents taking responsibility for their child’s education by examining curriculum and selecting schools will not harm the moral fiber of society.

JOSEPH AREEDA

Los Angeles

* I have read a lot of articles pro and con on the subject of vouchers. Gaiter’s hits the nail on the head--better than any I’ve read. He covers all bases and minces no words. Thanks to The Times for airing his views.

CHARLES S. HENRY

Los Angeles