"It reflects the Republican/corporate dogma that an individual is more important in every respect than society. It’s based on GOP dislike of public schooling in general."

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Mr. Brinkley tries to enhance his argument -- or base it entirely -- on an incorrect assessment of that which he opposes.

It is not only "Republican/corporate dogma" -- actually the founding fathers' belief -- that the individual is more important than society. The enumerated rights in the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence are individual liberties and restraints upon government to protect them. Individuals exercising their liberties make for a strong society.

Public education isn't the enemy here. Indeed, conservatives don't oppose using public funds for education. But there has yet to be a cogent argument why a state-RUN education -- with a board rubber-stamped and largely influenced by the teachers union seeking to protect its members' interests -- is better than a state-FUNDED education.