Is the public-school system one of the purest examples of socialism existing in America?

Question

Aren't Public schools government-established, politician- and bureaucrat-controlled, fully politicized, taxpayer-supported, authoritarian socialist institutions?

Your thoughts? Solutions?

Answer 1

What are you talking about? Public school is optional, I can go to a private one if I want.

How is choice authoritarian?

EDIT: What the hell, how can I get downvoted for telling the truth? Choice is not authoritarian

Answer 2

No. The founding fathers were all pro-education. Communists have perverted/misrepresented what they stood for, as have misguided libertarians. The founding fathers all believed that a person born from wealth was no more or less capable of contributing to society than a person born in poverty. They believed that the pursuit of happiness should be an equal pursuit to all. In fact, Thomas Paine went so far as to suggest that we should start everyone off at the time of majority with exactly the same amount of wealth. While at first glance this may seem a bit socialistic or communistic, it is actually quite a capitalistic idea, for the person born of wealth must pull up his or her bootstraps and work as hard as a person born of poverty to make something of him or herself. The theory behind public education and Ben Franklin's public library idea is the same. Educate all equally when they are of minority age and turn them out into the world on an equal standing to fight and make something of him or her. It is really a glorious idea; we just need to remove the communists out of our educational system, so people can actually start to learn again.

Answer 3

Nope. Look up the definition of conservatism in the dictionary. The preservation of existing institutions, which includes schools. It is not privately owned nor does it represent the interests of a one party state. Although I will not say it is perfect it is certainly not socialist if it were it would be well funded. Think about it.
PS. I'm a moderate

Answer 4

Yes, thats the way it has been for years and years. If you want private schools, you may send your child to them. However, everyone cannot afford that. And all kids as you were, are deserving of a basic education. Remenber that you do have a choice, if you can afford it.The only solution is to do away with schooling. That will never happen. Are you an adult or some kid that hates school???

Answer 5

To the headline question, yes. The U.S. public school system (which is a misnomer since it is largely State-run, if not local) is an example of a Socialist institution by definition---to this there is no debate.

Although I am generally libertarian, I do feel this is one place where socialism is entirely justified. Allow private alternatives, of course, but make sure that everyone is given the tools necessary for competition in the free market--and then leave it up to personal responsibility.

Answer 6

Yes, and they have become hotbeds of liberal BS. I work at a college, and the lack of communication skills some of our student show - keep in mind, this is a state university, so these are graduates, for the most part - it's just tragic.

There was an unfortunate student who was very unhappy with their final grade. They wrote a letter of protest to the department, claiming the instructor had been too harsh in "critter sizing" the hapless student's paper.

When I see things like this, and hear no outrage from the educational community, it just amazes me. Instead, they focus on *important* matters like what color of ink to use when grading a child's paper. That's right - the Red Ink Controversy. It's too "traumatic" for the little darlings to see "angry" red marks all over their papers. No, use purple instead. That will make the little morons feel *so* much better about themselves. Meanwhile, these poor kids aren't learning ANYTHING productive. It's pathetic.

Sorry - probably get a violation for not answering, but I needed to rant a little, I guess....

Answer 7

They might be one of the closest examples. They aren't ruled in a totalitarian sense, though; the government has enough on their hands. The PTA is a good example of how public schools take in the opinions of the community.

Answer 8

Without the descriptors, yes. There would be no widespread education with social support. The wealthy would send their children to schools. The less fortunate would remain unschooled.
What a cruel way to split a society!!!

Answer 9

No. Yes our tax dollars pay but each school district has a school board and has parents involved who get to vote and pick what books are being taught to the children.

Answer 10

WTF? Socialism? Well, since public schools existed before the philosophy of socialism, I'd say no to that. They have their roots in democracy, not socialism. If you want democracy to end, just end our public education system. Oh wait, the GOP and Bush are doing that job for you.

American Girl: why should teachers teach YOUR agenda of putting prayer into the schools. I don't want my children learning your narrow ways why would you inflict that on others and think it was o.k.?

Answer 11

there are two types of liberals.

evil and stupid.

the stupid liberals are usually young naive college and high school kids who are brainwashed and manipulated by evil liberals into thinking their fighting for a good cause and are commited to everyone's human rights by denouncing america and all it stands for.

evil liberals are very aware of their true intentions. they are usually college professors, media conglomerates, hollywood stars, and democrat politicians. they hate america and seek to destroy it and turn it into a totalitarian marxist/socialist police state. they use the misguided stupid liberals as their own private army to promote their agenda.

stupid liberals hate america because they think that america is the cause of all the world's problems such as poverty, disease, corruption, starvation, and oppression. evil liberals hate america because they know the opposite is true.

stupid liberals think americans should not place its arab residents under surveillance because they are decent people and loyal to their adopted countries. evil liberals oppose such surveillance because they want more 9-11s.

stupid liberals think people are happy and free under communism while oppressed and enslaved under capitalism. evil liberals know the opposite is true.

stupid liberals hate christianity because they think it is offensive and it impinges on people's civil rights. evil liberals hate christianity because it is incompatible with communism.

stupid liberals think diversity and mutliculturalism will lead america into their utopian paradise where people of different races, cultures, and religions will live side by side in harmony. evil liberals know multiculturalism will alienate americans from each other and cause culture clashes thereby undermining america's solidarity and stability.