Reader comments
Nuances of vouchers elude many

Do not under estimate the intelligence of the public. The public school system has been broken for years, and they want to continue with the status quo.
It is only natural they would fight for any change. Competition is what has made America unique.

There are so many school teachers being controlled by their union, and they have so many relatives each who have been exposed to these prejudices, that it will be difficult in deed to over come this, and do the right thing.

Insert impassioned pro/anti voucher rhetoric here. We haven't beaten this thing to death yet. Feel free to use this forum for your own personal battleground.

My mother taught me at home for part of a year to take me out of a class with an abusive teacher 35 years ago. In my ward the teenagers go to five different high schools. Most changed schools to avoid gangs. Parents need choice. I can't understand the mentality of saying one school system fits all. It doesn't.

From reading the web sites of the two major national organizations supporting school vouchers I have concluded the major objective of those organizations are two fold: 1-eliminate government controls of public education. 2-use government dollars to support Christian religious indoctrination in our education system. I strongly oppose school vouchers. Florien Wineriter

One of the "nuances" that has escaped scrutiny is the fact that some of these vouchers will be used by illegal immigrants. Wait until people realize that is happening.

This is exactly why referendums are a terrible way to govern. We elect people to representate us. They participate in debates and hearings. They study the issues and cast their votes. Sometime their choices do not always make sens to us and often that is because we have not seen the full debate.

In the end, we can elect others to take their place if they don't represent us.

I say no. Parents already have a choice, now they are just asking me to pay for them to have a choice. I cannot support this measure. Why we do always feel that government and tax payers have an obligation to pay for everything. If parents are not satisfied with the public schools then they should foot the bill themselves for something else. I shouldn't have to do it for them. And for those who truly can't afford a private school this measure is not going to provide enough money to give them the opportunity. This is just another tax break for the rich. My vote is no.

The problem with vouches is if you use public funds to fund a private school does it not become a public school. What's to say future legislators will not include this fact in some later years. If private schools want to exist then they need to find alternative was to fund there schools. PRIVATE MEANS PRIVATE.

It's not the nuances that cause the problem.
The voters don't know the BASICS.

Both sides and the media have done a poor job of explaining the voucher bill. All that most reporters tell us over and over, is how big the fight is, not what the fight is about.

It has turned into a group of paid education employees just defending their turf, versus a small group of teachers and a few involved parents who want to offer an alternative to families.

Some kids learn differently, and their families are willing to sacrifice more out of pocket to put them in a school environment where they can thrive.

Let them go. Leave more money and more time in our 'public' classrooms.

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What nuances? Vouchers are Satan's handiwork, plain and simple.

What a 'Nauance' a little more freedom is? When too many people can't understand a fairly straight forward bill, then those who oppose it are achieveing their goal. The Media hasn't provided any clarity to the debate except perpetuating the disinformation that is intentionally being spread. Hopefully there will be enough of us that understand the benefits of more freedom are worth the risks.

Vouchers violate the Utah Constitution and I would vote against them based solely on this if for no other reason. The Constitution clearly states that "No public money or property shall be APPROPRIATED FOR or APPLIED TO any religious worship, exercise or INSTRUCTION, or for the support of any ecclesiastical establishment." Those who support vouchers attempt to get around this but even if we put this aside we can not ignore their desire to deny us a direct vote in how our tax money is used. I will not pay for their children's education without a say in how my tax money is used. The only nuance I intend to understand is the desire of the pro-voucher groups to deprive me of a vote in their children's education while retaining their right to a vote in my children's education. I give them two options: GIVE ME A VOTE IN PRIVATE SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS OR RENOUNCE THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE IN PUBLIC SCHOOL ELECTIONS.

For me the Eyre's 30 seconds T.V. spot
(with the cookies) gives an excellent explanation of why we should vote for vouchers.

On the other hand, the teacher's T.V. spots are clouded with suggestions, but no answers.
(except unansered questions).
I WILL VOTE FOR VOUCHERS!

I'm afraid that the newspaper accounts have not provided much more detailed analysis than the horrible 30-second spots from both sides that are polluting the airwaves. Last night I actually took the time to read the proposed law and I'm still a bit confused about how it will work. The fiscal note attached to law estimates that millions of dollars will be appropriated to support the program. I don't think that's consistent with what I've heard from the pro-voucher folks. I thought we were going to take a portion of the per-pupil funding and move it to a private school, not appropriate new money from the budget. Can someone explain in plain English, or point me to a source that can, exactly how the money flow works with the voucher program?

I find it ironic that a news article about how the "nuances of vouchers elude many" contained almost no information on what the voucher debate is all about, at its most basic level. I actually clicked on the article hoping to learn more about the issue, because I'm a little sketchy on details. The nuances of vouchers STILL elude me, and will elude many, after reading the article.

I guess it boils down to who is more dangerous to this state: the teachers union or the state legislature. I say the legislature is more dangerous because they have more power, and little diversity of thought. Most of the lawmakers, particularly leadership, think they are the smartest people in any room they happen to be in. Therefore, anything they do, particularly behind closed doors, should be scrutinized closely. The idea of vouchers is good, this particular use of vouchers is flawed.

that this issue was put up for public vote. Most of us do not have the time to study this as carefully as we should to warrant voting on it. I attended a meeting in South Jordan last night where this was discussed at city hall. And no, not all the voters of South Jordan showed up to become educated -- there as a large handful.

As far as I can tell, the educators are against the idea of vouchers because they feel it is a vote of "no confidence" in them personally. I don't believe that is the case. It is simply a way to provide an option for a few people who feel that they have a special need. And I learned last night, that it is a way to provide extra money to schools, which is desperately needed.

But because most voters in Utah will not take time to thoroughly study and learn about this, the issue will be decided on emotion. What an awful way to decide an important issue!

With the current challenges attacking our freedoms, some funny characteristics of Utahn's are emerging. Utah, a predominantly Republican state, will soon vote against freedom and kill the voucher law. I find it funny how many against vouchers claim to support a free enterprise, yet argue vouchers from a liberal-socialist perspective.

Utah, with its majority LDS population, should understand the importance of being able to teach your children what you want them to learn rather than what some tiny group of "progressive" thinking liberals tell you is best for your child. How many of you would like to see your children attend a school where prayer is encouraged and the Pledge of Allegiance is recited every day?

Vouchers will help restore these freedoms which government schools, influenced by out-of-state liberals, have stripped from Utahns.

Some of you need to ask your grandfather about what freedom truly is. You may learn a lot. Our soldiers are fighting for our freedoms, so don't let their deaths go in vain.

I agree with the confusion. Confusion every way I turn. Too bad this article didn't make any attempt to alleviate the confusion or to point us all in the direction to find clear information. Please . . . a link or something!?