In a recent article about the Wasatch County school tax hike, Cindy Cossairt says “the education system is turning into socialism” because “you’re asking neighbors to pay for neighbors’ children.” And “making their neighbors pay for these niceties.”
Well, for one thing, the education system can’t be socialism because socialism is a theory of economics in which the means of production and distribution are owned by the community, not corporate owners. Nothing to do with schools.
But what she means is clear: every man for himself. But more importantly and profoundly, public education isn’t “niceties.” It’s the cornerstone, the foundation of having an educated citizenry, which is essential in any democratic republic (but an impediment to autocrats and dictators).
Critics of the introduction of the five-day/40-hour work week, of Social Security and of Medicare all proclaimed them “socialism.” I’m thinking Ms. Cossairt has likely availed herself of the benefits of some or all three of those American benefits.
I don’t have kids, but I pay for every proposed school tax increase. I don’t use our trails to hike or ride, but I pay for every proposed tax increase to fund their maintenance and expansion. Because that’s what makes for a vital community.
Every child has a right to a decent education, and that’s what public school provides. Not all families can afford private schools — that’s a “nicetie,” a luxury. Without public education, we’d end up with an underclass of menial laborers like the serfs of old, with no chance to improve their lives and join the middle class, which is the American Dream.
Ms. Cossairt basically said, Let them eat cake. Hopefully, she had an education that even if it didn’t teach her the actual definition of socialism, at least taught her what happened to the woman who said this.
Toby Mamis
Pinebrook