Voucherites say they deserve freedom to choose. But freedom without responsibility is hallucination. Responsible citizen-parents want to improve all schools, not just the ones their children attend. Responsible citizen-parents know quality public education is the foundation of a free society. Responsible parents want their children to learn both the value of and the problems associated with diversity. Responsible parents want their children to experience a society that values variety as well as conformity. Responsible parents want their children to develop the strength of character that comes only from appreciating those who speak different languages and come from different traditions.

Responsible citizen-parents demand smaller classrooms, better equipment, additional schools and stronger public commitment to education. Not vouchers. The most heartless argument is that vouchers give every family opportunities to send children to private schools. Proponents offer $3,000 of tax money. It's a shell game. It's evil. And it's unfair. Imagine a single mother with two children. She works two jobs. The state offers $3,000 to send her child to private school. But she will need a third job to make it work. And which of her two children will she choose?

Voucher proponents argue that private schools are better than public schools. Research does not support that argument. Besides, our responsibility as American citizens is to use our resources, our wisdom and our collective influence to make public schools the very best they can be. Universal public education made America the greatest nation on Earth. Responsible citizenship requires us to elevate public education, not to abandon it for selfish, elitist, anti-social reasons.

Voucher proponents want us to believe a single rising ship will raise the tide ... when we know it's the rising tide that raises all ships. In the long run, education for the few will help neither the few nor the nation.

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G. Donald Gale attended public schools in Utah, where he learned from dedicated teachers and inspiring classmates from all walks of life. E-mail: www.dongale@words3.com