Education is not a right; freedom, democracy are

Recently, the popular uproar is the possible student fee
increase. Of course, every student will be upset about the
possibility of losing more money out of our already-thin pockets.
But is anyone surprised that it has come to this?

The problem stems from the massive economic debacle of the Gov.
Gray Davis administration. So, what does California do?
Californians re-elect him and successfully vote to give him $11
billion more to lose in our already decrepit public schools. Yet
Davis’ new budget still makes the University of California
take a hit. With Davis’ track record, who could’ve seen
that coming?

I wonder if anyone at UCLA voted for Davis. We are reaping what
we sow. Californians and Americans put their trust into the public
school system, which by its nature is flawed. The government
operates the system based on a fundamental principle: that
education is a right.

Despite the ranting of protesters, who like to disturb my
classes whenever they need to make a statement, and despite the
artistic message of our beloved local graffitists, education is not
a right. From where does this supposed right come? It’s
certainly not given to us at birth. It’s not guaranteed in
our constitution. From where does this right come, except from the
pithy claims of those who desire it and claim that they need it? I
need a car, but no one is going to just hand me one without my
paying for it.

Maybe we should tax the state of California to raise the money
to get cars for those without them. That’s what we are doing
for education. The taxpayers of this state have been robbed of
billions of dollars over the years, watching their money being
poured into a public school system that has no accountability. If
the people of California are not responsible for buying me a car,
then why are they responsible for educating me? Why should they pay
when they don’t receive the benefit of the education?

The answer is they should not have to pay for us, nor us for
them. Privatize the school systems. “Oh no, not the
“˜P’ word!” some of you exclaim. It is the only
way to achieve the affordable and accountable education this
country needs.

By privatizing schools, we are not creating a system where every
institution costs $40,000 per year to attend. Quite the contrary,
privatization turns education into a business where educators will
have to compete for students. To do so institutions would battle to
undercut other competitors’ prices while offering a better
service, which means offering lower costs for better facilities and
faculties.

Good teachers will be well-paid because they offer a better
service. Discrimination on race would be ridiculous because to have
the best university (which should be the ultimate goal of an
institution), you will only accept the best faculty and best
students regardless of the color of their skin.

Even this plan is based on the ridiculous assumption that you
ought to go to school. I quote “Good Will Hunting:”
“For $150,000 you got the same education that you
could’ve gotten from a $1.50 in late fees at the public
library.” Disregarding the fact that it’s just a movie,
it serves a good point. Does getting a piece of paper saying
you’re educated make you any more educated than someone
without one?

I know there are plenty of worthless minds out there that have
pieces of paper saying they are educated. I know there are plenty
of great successes out there that don’t have degrees. Carl
Karcher, founder of the Carl’s Jr. restaurant chain, grew up
barefoot on a farm in Ohio with his 11 siblings, moved to
California to work for his uncle (without getting his eighth-grade
diploma), saved up some money, and took out a loan to buy his first
hot dog cart. Through the hard work of his wife and himself,
Carl’s Jr. is one of the most successful restaurant chains
around the world.

The United States used to stand for freedom and capitalism, in
which every man could work hard and be protected from those who
wish to take away what is rightfully his. We continue to be under
attack from our government, which wishes to take away what is
rightfully ours so that it can be redistributed to those that claim
need.

This is socialism ““ the system of self-sacrifice for the
state. Yet democracy has failed freedom, as the tyranny of the
majority oppresses the individual. We will not be protected until
we stand and demand our freedom back.

Groff is a second-year history student.