Bucco & Cabo,

Since respect and recognition of good posts is now in order, I'll pass along a pat on the back to you two, with a comment:

Bucco, Don't assume that because I object to the 'education sucks' position I don't think there are problems with politics, funding etc. It's just that I have personally seen amazingly good things done in schools of all kinds. I have seen standards rise (do you know what percentage of students graduated from high school in 1950 vs 2000?) I have seen many kids and families survive incredible poverty and other disadvantages then prosper because of their schooling and some educators who took a personal interest in them. Schools are fundamentally good and society needs to continue strong support to make them even better. Forgive me, but that includes financial support.

Cabo, Never in forty years did I see a political flyer in a school mailbox. Nor did I see a political endorsement of any kind in a school related document. In our diverse metropolitan area of in New York State, it would have been a public scandal if anyone was caught using school supplies for political purposes. Even the evil groups (teachers unions) were scrupulous about not showing any political preferences except by direct mail to members or in meetings outside of the school environment.