When I hear buzzwords like "accountability" and "vouchers" being thrown around I know immediately that I'm not dealing with someone who is interested in solving the problem of the schools as much as forwarding a separate agenda. In the case of George W. and his party, the agenda is two-fold: undermine organized labor and put money back in the pockets of those who can afford private schools.

Not that the "throw money" approach will work either. Education is a perfect example of a problem that does not have a simple political solution.

With all the talk about "our failing schools" you hear very little said about what success means in relation to schools. What are our schools supposed to do? Does anyone imagine that you can create a system that will teach a child anything without parental involvement, in an environment that subverts rather than reinforces the will to learn? And what about content? Or mission? What's the goal of public education? Is the ultimate goal to produce a unit who is properly respectful of authority, productive in the work place and supportive of community goals and standards?

I don't have an answer to the problems in the schools but I do know a couple of things. Teachers don't get paid nearly enough for what they do. Unions that look after the needs of their members are not the problem. Testing is not the solution. Expand the dialogue. Get to the root of the problem. And get the politicians the hell out of the schools.