Fong on Vouchers

Matt Fong, campaigning for senator, advocates the use of taxpayer-funded vouchers to send children to private schools. He claims that we should allow free-market forces to improve education the way such competition has improved other services and products.

However, the free market involves not only success but failure. We cannot risk our future by exposing our children to market- driven failure. Also, in the free market, success is often measured by price and profit, not by quality. The cheapest goods dominate the market, driving out the better goods while maximizing the profits of those who cut corners. A system of education with this basic motivating force can only result in disaster for our nation.

I want my taxes spent on education systems where I can hold those who govern the schools accountable at the ballot box. I don’t want the quality of education measured by for-profit standards. Fong is very wrong on this issue.

DAVID E. ROSS

Oak Park