by Ron Paul
April 8, 2013
from
TheFreeFoundation Website
A common feature of authoritarian regimes is the
criminalization of alternatives to government-controlled education.
Dictators recognize the danger that free thought
poses to their rule, and few things promote the thinking of “unapproved”
thoughts like an education controlled by parents instead of the state.
That is why the National Socialist (Nazi)
government of Germany outlawed homeschooling in 1938.
Sadly, these Nazi-era restrictions on parental rights remain the law in
Germany, leaving parents who wish greater control over their children’s
education without options.
That is why in 2006 Uwe and Hannalore
Romeike, a German couple who wanted to homeschool their three children
for religious reasons, sought asylum in the United States.
Immigration judge Lawrence Burman upheld
their application for asylum, recognizing that the freedom of parents to
homeschool was a “basic human right.”
Unfortunately, the current US administration does not see it that way, and
has announced that it is appealing Judge Burman's decision. If the
administration is successful, the Romeikes could be sent back to Germany
where they will be forced to send their children to schools whose teaching
violates their religious beliefs.
If they refuse, they face huge fines, jail time,
or even the loss of custody of their children!
The Administration’s appeal claims that the federal government has the
constitutional authority to ban homeschooling in all fifty states. The truth
is, the Constitution gives the federal government no power to control any
aspect of education. Furthermore, parents who, like the Romeikes, have a
religious motivation for homeschooling should be protected by the free
exercise clause of the First Amendment.
The federal government’s hostility to homeschooling is shared by officials
at all levels of government. Despite the movement’s success in legalizing
homeschooling in every state, many families are still subjected to
harassment by local officials.
The harassment ranges from “home visits" by
child protective agencies to criminal prosecution for violating truancy
laws.
Every American who values liberty should support the homeschoolers’ cause.
If the government can usurp parental authority over something as fundamental
as the education of their children, there is almost no area of parenthood
off limits to government interference.
Homeschooling has proven to be an effective means of education. We are all
familiar with the remarkable academic achievements, including in national
spelling bees and other competitions, by homeschooled children. In addition,
homeschooled students generally fare better than their public school
educated peers on all measures of academic performance.
It makes sense that children do better when their education is controlled by
those who know their unique needs best, rather than by a federal bureaucrat.
A strong homeschooling movement may also improve other forms of education.
If competition improves goods and services in
other areas of life, why wouldn't competition improve education? A large and
growing homeschooling movement could inspire public and private schools to
innovate and improve.
When the government interferes with a parent's ability to choose the type of
education that is best for their child, it is acting immorally and in manner
inconsistent with a free society. A government that infringes on the rights
of homeschooling will eventually infringe on the rights of all parents.
Homeschooled children are more likely to embrace
the philosophy of freedom, and to join the efforts to restore liberty. In
fact, I would not be surprised if the future leaders of the liberty movement
where homeschooled.
I believe so strongly in the homeschooling movement that I have just
announced my own curriculum for homeschooling families.
Please visit this revolutionary new project at
http://www.ronpaulcurriculum.com.