And actually, I know exactly each individual family might decide to homeschool. I know there are freaky things going on once in a while, but do keep in mind that they are freaky. Not only are they not the norm in most communities, but they could be a catalyst for change as much as they are a reason to bug out. My worry is that the right is abandoning the schools to the left instead of fixing it, leaving the community as a whole worse off. Typically social trends are big pendelum swings... But what is going to bring it back toward center for our swing if the right isn't pulling anymore?
I think from my perspective, it all comes down to whether or not one agrees with the philosophy of "public school." Having grown up in a great one, I personally appreciate my experiences there. However, the philosophy itself that the government be responsible for educating the children is a bit troubling to me. I get what you're saying about it depending on the community because the community controls the schools. But should schooling be a political issue? Or should a community organize its own schooling independent of public funds and the resulting public regulations? I think this is much of what happens once a family begins homeschooling--they form a loose community with other homeschoolers and have co-ops for certain classes. In this way, the kids get much of the good that would come from being in a "school" yet without the interference of the government and with direct, hands-on decision-making about who will teach their children.
Forgive me for rambling here, but I'm kind of thinking out loud... ;)
I think the other factor is that homeschoolers are very much involved in a battle to preserve their rights to educate their own children as they see fit. The libs would dearly love to find a way to limit or take away that right--and it wouldn't take much, just some expanded regulations, for the government to worm its way into the home this way.
Well, that's the only semi-coherent thoughts I can come up with, thanks for letting me ramble on a subject with which I have had very little direct involvement. ;)