Posted on 12/07/2004 12:24:09 PM PST by immigrationreformactivist
"U.S. Sen. Robert Byrd, promoting his life-long passion for the U.S. Constitution, has inserted into a massive federal spending bill a requirement that schools devote at least part of a day each year to teaching about the document," according to the Los Angeles Times.
"The provision applies to all schools, elementary through college, that receive federal aid. Education groups worry the provision could be the opening wedge in a campaign by Washington to influence what schools teach."
In the Cato Handbook for Congress, David Salisbury, director of Cato's Center for Educational Freedom, writes: "The U.S. Constitution gives Congress no authority whatsoever to collect taxes for, fund, or operate schools. Therefore, under the Tenth Amendment, education should be entirely a state and local matter. ... Without question, the Framers intended that most aspects of American life would be outside the purview of the federal government. They never envisioned that Congress or the president would become involved in funding schools or mandating policy for classrooms.
"... James Madison, who proclaimed that the powers of the federal government should be few and enumerated, would be shocked at what the president and Congress are doing today in relation to an aspect of family life that was never intended to come under the control of Congress, the White House, or any federal agency. Congress should take the enlightened view, consistent with that of the nation's Founders, and draw a line in the sand that won't be crossed. Education is a matter reserved to the states, period."
The Federal Department of Education was created by Jimmy Carter. Kids were being educated just fine for many years without the federal government.
I'm not sure if 'each day' is necessary, or if it should be federally mandated (although this is one case were I could understand it) but none the less, in spirit, I find myself in rare agreement with Robert Byrd.
I agree with you and Sen. Byrd...although only one day a year? I feel this still isn't enough.
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