Well mousethief, If the government schools won't get better from competition, and won't get better from more money, what's left? I don't know what you belief is based on, but the facts are that money has not been the answer.

If I had a scool-age child, why would I want to wait several years to see if another billion dollars helped? Several years is a long time for a school-age child. And what if it did help - but still didn't bring them up to the quality available from private schools?

Why not spend the money on the better choice? Who ever said the government schools were to be the only alternative for the rest of all time -to infinity? I think government schools can improve, but not without competition. Give vouchers to the parents. Let parents choose for their child.

Why can a woman choose to abort a child, but not choose a school for her living child? Whose ox is being gored if government schools are forced to compete?

Your question: ""except what you get from the media" as opposed to WHAT? That's all we have!"

My point exactly. Incomplete information for an informed opinion.