Voucher Contest

* Tim Draper, you’re spending too much (“Voucher Drive Woos Public With Prizes,” Sept. 19). Tammany Hall and the elder Mayor Daley of Chicago bought votes for one or two bucks. Adjusted for inflation, perhaps $5 to $10 today. Or instead of money, a pint of booze was the motivation to participate in the privilege of voting. There may be a silver lining in this for voters. If everyone running for office or sponsoring an initiative offered immediate material rewards for voting their way, we might all become as rich as Draper. “The best government money can buy” is not funny. No on school vouchers.

GEORGE A. CROLY

Santa Maria

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The Times reported on a contest devised by the supporters of Prop. 38. The article references comments by members of the “public school establishment, from school boards to the teachers union” (those groups responsible for dumbing-down our schools and providing the impetus for Prop. 38) characterizing the contest as a sign of desperation by the proposition’s major proponent, Draper.

The major national teachers’ union, the NEA, and the major California union, the CTA, respectively assessed their members $5 and $38 to fight Prop. 38. Those who choose to participate in the contest do so voluntarily. Union members, including those who support Prop. 38, had their wages confiscated involuntarily. Who’s more desperate?

BRUCE CRAWFORD

Fountain Valley

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Everyone will lose should the school voucher initiative pass. Our highly regulated public schools will lose revenue. Parents will undoubtedly discover that $4,000 will not pay for a private school they would choose. The number of private schools available is limited, giving an added concern that private schools of dubious quality will spring up.

Private schools that have been established around a philosophy that is driven by religious preferences, curriculum preferences or the manner in which a curriculum is delivered will lose. They will lose their autonomy and ultimately will have to accept some of the public school regulations because they accept students who have received a voucher. When that happens, they will no longer be different from our public schools. A voucher may also interfere with a private school’s opportunity to choose which students it will accept.

BEN BOELMAN

Placentia