“Yes, it is. The state has a legitimate and obvious interest in ensuring that its citizenry be well-educated. Thomas Jefferson was an early and effective advocate of the proposition.”
You're making an assertion without any evidence. Your citation of Mr. Jefferson means little, is little more than an illegitimate appeal to authority, unless you're telling me that he was some sort of infallible guide, in which case, I assume that you also reject the Bible as commonly received, and only accept the Bible as produced by Mr. Jefferson?
“You're trying to change the subject, I see. One can certainly object to the examples you cite, without having to surrender the main point, which is that the state has a definite and legitimate interest in ensuring an educated populace.”
No, I'm not changing the subject. I'm providing examples that show that the state is unfit, incompetent, both practically and morally to “ensur[e] an educated populace.”
“And wrote the Declaration of Independence, and was a driving force behind the Bill of Rights, and so on. Really ... you seem bound and determined to throw out the baby with the bathwater, don't you?”
Although he took the largest role in writing the Declaration, he wasn't alone in writing it - or approving of it - and thus, his judgment was tempered by the judgment of many others. His private musings didn't benefit from that tempering. As for the Bill or Rights, I'd thought that others had greater roles to play, including George Mason. But even so, the same applies - these were group efforts, and his judgment was tempered by the judgment of others.
“OK, I've had it with you. You seemed reasonable at first, but now you're spiraling down into whackadoodlery. Have a nice day.”
LOL. You tell yourself that if it makes you feel better.
sitetest
As I said: "Whackadoodlery." Seriously, sir -- how can you even make such ridiculous statements and accusations, and hold yourself out as an honest and responsible adult?
Now I really am finished with you.