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I think putting a lien on someone's property to educate someone else's children is both immoral and unconstitutional. The "good of society" should not trample the rights of the individual.

I would only say that public education is something that is inself "property" in a sense, unique in that it is both an individual's property and, property owned by all -- with benefits for all.

For if we stop public education, we do so at too great an expense -- and risk competing with countries where the lack of education has already given us ample evidence of the horrific results (illiteracy, etc.). Getting rid of public schools does not mean everyone suddenly becomes literate overnight, or gets to go to a private school, or be homeschooled. Consequently, I think there is a valid place for public education, and I do not want to see it eliminated, ever.

But, do I want to see it improved? Yes. :)

Furthermore, I am in favor of making high school optional for all. If a student wants to take a legal leave of absence and work for a year after 8th grade, I say: Let that student go on a legal leave of absence requiring fulltime work. And, if the student wants to return to school, fine. But if not, if the student would rather work fulltime than attend school, that is OK too. It is better to acquire job training at 14 and 15 than having so many kids drop out at 16 with no job skills.