Here in Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has for years attempted to shove the voucher system down our throats. Amazingly, in a nation seemingly divided on every conceivable issue, when it comes to vouchers, the majority of urban and rural folk stand opposed. That means large numbers of Blacks, whites and Latinos agree that vouchers aren’t the way to go. That also means most Texas Republicans and Democrats “just say no” to vouchers.
You’d think that an issue that brings people together would be the talk of the town; that media locally, statewide, and nationally would be shouting from the rooftops that most Americans, regardless of race, political affiliation, and geographic location are all behind keeping public schools public.
But not so much. The few places nationally where vouchers were voted in did so with most not wanting vouchers but simply not showing up to vote them down in the numbers needed. And those places report horrendous results.
So, the drum majors for vouchers keep on making their noise and will do so until they have won – or have been so soundly defeated that they pack it in.
Here are five reasons why we should work to help voucher champions call it quits
Vouchers give our money to the rich
The whole idea behind vouchers is to use taxpayer money to pay for private schools. The folk who can afford to send their children to private schools don’t need any help. Yet, just like all those businesses run by hyper-wealthy individuals who took COVID-19 PPP money by the billions while continuing to complain about poor, working-class folk “stealing” all of society’s resources, members of the 1% are in favor of vouchers because… wealthy people make it a rule to always use other people’s money whenever possible.
Vouchers work on deception
Every report from cities where voucher systems are in full effect reports that the well-to-do benefit while everyone else remains stuck out. In Texas, the voucher program would allow Texas families to use taxpayer dollars (our dollars) for private school tuition. The exact amount has wavered between $8,000 and $10,000. The median cost of yearly private school tuition is $9,800 according to the Texas Private School Association. This usually doesn’t cover extra fees for sports, technology, meals, or other aspects of education. But even ignoring those extras (which exist in public schools, as well), that “average” cost doesn’t tell the whole story. Many private schools cost anywhere between $20K and $40K, placing them far out of reach of most middle-income families and most def out of reach of folk who are more economically challenged.
Vouchers defund public schools
Because public schools base their funding on attendance and enrollment, any ventures that result in fewer students in public school seats also result in less funding. Moreover, every dime that follows a voucher-using student to a private school takes that dime away from their former public school.
Vouchers undermine public schools
Many believe the voucher movement is the public face of the private, backroom move to end public schools. It’s hard to argue with that position when an entire political party has plans to destroy the entire U.S. Department of Education.
Vouchers are un-democratic
I said earlier that the issue of vouchers is one where most Americans, regardless of race or political affiliation agree. But there are others. Most Americans want gun reform. Most Americans want universal or at least way more affordable healthcare. Most Americans want more environmental protections and regulations, not less. Most Americans want women to be able to have the power to decide what they do with their bodies. Turns out, contrary to most news reports, political jargon and social media posts, most Americans are on the same page on several big issues. The voucher issue is just one. Yet, there’s a minority in this land whose voice is louder when it comes to grabbing the attention of lawmakers.
Either that or their pockets are longer, and they can buy elected officials and their support to vote against the will of the majority of Americans. That seems, feels, and sounds un-democratic to me. But the only way to push back on wealthy dollars is for the rest of us to have enough sense to flex the power we do have. And that’s the vote. Regarding vouchers, so far in Texas, urban and rural, Black, Latino and white, Democrat and Republican majorities have voted against vouchers. Let’s hope we can keep that energy up.
