Sorry, Patrick, but if one has already decided how they intend on voting and feel no need to persuade others of their viewpoint, then what is the point of a debate?

Your editorial appears to be nothing more than an attempt to intimidate the opposition into submitting to your will. But I am sure someone will be willing to debate the issue. There is plenty of that here.

Dear Anonymous,
I tried to paste my original editorial in the comments section, but it wouldn't allow me to. The Deseret News shortend my editorial quite a bit. All I wanted to say is that all of the candidates against the referendum have been invited to take part in the debate. All of them declined. Also, I wanted encourage everyone to attend the debate. It is great that your mind is made up...but many others haven't made up their mind's yet. How is it intimidating to invite people to the debate and to state the candidates who are ducking the event do a diservice by not showing up?
I really hope someone will debate the issue in the "against" group. I stated in my original editorial that I am voting for the referendum because I haven't been educated well enough by the opposition. This debate is a wonderful opporuntity for the residents to become well informed on both sides of the issue. By not attending the event, I and many others will miss out on hearing what the opposition's logic is. That is why I question if they actually have logic, or if it is just emotion.

Was this a debate or was this the "Neighborhood Meeting" that the republican legislators who voted for the voucher bill, are holding?

If it was the "Neighborhood Meeting" then it was not ever intended to be a debate. It was intended to be a "we are the legislature and we know better then you, here's why" meeting about voucher legislation.

Really Patrick? If you're truly so concerned about the information, and you have access to the internet (which apparently you do), then it's all out there already. The lies and distortion from PCE and other voucher supporters. The truth in response from voucher opponents. If you haven't seen it yet then you really haven't been looking.

Seriously, I think you have an ideological axe to grind. As cdmom asked, was this really some debate or a voucher love fest dreamed up by supporting legislators? Who didn't show up? How much notice did they have?

The truth about vouchers is that they will cost taxpayers more money than they save and they will not increase funding to public schools, regardless of what the stupid oreo commercial says. Vouchers will in all likelihood become primarily a subsidy for those who do not need it and I am not willing to WASTE taxpayer money in such a fashion.

I must apologize for the Deseret News. My editorial was a piece on the Syracuse City Referendum 1, not school vouchers. My complete editorial clearly stated this. Obviously while the Deserest News was hacking up my complete piece, they became confused about which Referendum 1 I was writing about. I wish they would change the title they posted my editorial under.

I appreciate Mr. McCleary's editorial, however "hacked up" it may have ended up in the newspaper. I've studied both sides and I still have questions. A debate or neighborhood meeting would be a great idea. I am leaning toward voting for the vouchers. The NEA does support liberal groups that I don't agree with and the NEA seems like a bunch of control freaks who want all the money and all the authority. And just the basic concept of empowering the parents to choose the best education suited for their children is a step in the right direction.

I feel for you Patrick. This isn't the first time the D-news has done a hatchet job on a LTE and it most certainly won't be the last.

Consider my previous comment retracted. :)

Patrick � Sorry that your editorial was �hacked up� as you say, but with the attached comments I understand the message you are trying to get across. My wife and I want to learn more about both sides and are planning on attending the debate. We are however extremely disappointed to hear that the opposition to the Referendum will not be in attendance. It�s normal in any political environment that debates are organized and viewed by both sides as an opportunity. I find it hard to believe that candidates will run for office but will not come to a political debate to express their views. I, as you, want what is best for Syracuse and urge everyone for or against the Referendum to attend the debate.