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And what of the masses upon masses who cannot afford home schooling or private education? Are we to return to the middle ages where we have a vast pool of completely uneducated people who are incapable of bettering themselves due to lack of opportunities?

This should be interesting. A "conservative" making the case for government schools. Paying for all education regardless of need.

First, your "masses upon masses" of people who are in government schools are mostly people who could afford to educate their own children under a different plan. Particularly if they weren't forced to pay for other people's educations and all other manner of government scams.

But basically you are saying that the one and only way to provide education to the truly needy is the current system. The notion is preposterous to anyone who thinks about it. (other than liberals who have other reasons to support such a system)

Put on your thinking cap and think of possible alternate methods of provision. I bet you can think of some if you try.

Are we to return to the middle ages where we have a vast pool of completely uneducated people who are incapable of bettering themselves due to lack of opportunities?

Right out of the liberal Democratic handbook. C'mon, you can't tell me after a little thinking outside the "accepted dogma" that you really believe that stuff, can you?

"This should be interesting. A "conservative" making the case for government schools. Paying for all education regardless of need."

As a conservative, I see education as the primary means by which to enable self-betterment. Self-determination is a cornerstone for conservatism. Nationalism is also a part of being a conservative, and if we were to improve our schools to be the best in the world (which would require a return to the pre-Freudian teaching constructs used prior to the 1920s), I believe it would make this nation far stronger. We would once again be at the frontal edge of many important fields, rather than bystanders watching other countries make breakthroughs for us.

"First, your "masses upon masses" of people who are in government schools are mostly people who could afford to educate their own children under a different plan. Particularly if they weren't forced to pay for other people's educations and all other manner of government scams."

Do you have any idea how much private schooling generally costs? I'm not saying that a lot of people currently in public schools couldn't afford it, but to say it's "mostly" is absurd. Your assessment is based on the idea that everyone pays the same amount of taxes which is, of course, completely incorrect. Am I all for knocking out government waste? Yes; on a scale that would knock your socks off (start with eliminating Social Security, Medicare, and the national debt, then work on the smaller stuff). But I see knocking down education as being perhaps even more dangerous than saving money by eliminating the Department of Defense to save money. In other words, I simply see some things as worthwhile.

"But basically you are saying that the one and only way to provide education to the truly needy is the current system."

Certainly not, and I'm open to good, solid ideas that don't leave kids or parents out in the cold (literally). However, 95% of what I hear from the anti-government schooling crowd is essentially that government schools stink, always will be terrible, don't teach kids, are dangerous, are wasteful, and should be shut down immediately. What I don't hear are reasoned arguments based on facts, alternate plans which are actually thought out and viable, or viable plans for a transition from the current system to this supposedly better system. Complaining about something without offering ideas or solutions is something we've been pounding Democrats about for years. Why the anti-government schooling crowd thinks the same methods will work to win over their fellow conservatives is beyond me.

"Put on your thinking cap and think of possible alternate methods of provision. I bet you can think of some if you try."

My thinking cap tells me that the current schools can be improved in many ways, beginning with a return to older teaching constructs proven to work far, far better than what's used now. If you want alternate ideas proposed, I suggest you do so or find someone else to do so. I'm for massive overhaul reforms unless and until someone provides a better idea that's workable, viable, and doesn't leave kids without the opportunity to advance themselves.

"Right out of the liberal Democratic handbook."

If you say so; I'll chalk that up to broken clock theory. The more you demonize public schools and make it appear as though they're inherently evil, the more you marginalize yourself and make others less open to hear your arguments. I'm one who can be swayed by a reasoned argument that provides sound solutions, but not one who responds to emotionally charged arguments that don't go anywhere. Unless I see a plan in place and a transition plan in place, I can only assume that the plan is to let those who can afford it go to private schools and let the rest be farmers or beggars. It simply wouldn't make sense to believe otherwise.