Deseret News | Vouchers killed

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Vouchers killed

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Kurtlein | 9:05 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

We had hope Utah would stand up for parental rights and competition against the disgusting unions and left-wing PTA...too bad. I don't know how anyone could believe their anti-voucher lies but they were successful. The fight will have to continue.

Matt | 9:07 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

I am sorry to see this bill go down to defeat. Unfortunately, I am not surprised to see the public school lobby fight so vigorously against this bill. Obviously, the view from the public school system in Utah is that they, teachers and administrators, have the right to dictate education in the state. It is sad to see that so many Utah voters feel the same way. This loss doesnï¿½t strengthen the public school system, it weakens the rights of parents ï¿½ and it reinforces the idea that the schools, not parents, are responsible for the education of children.

We started raising our children in Utah many years ago, but felt that the public school system was simply a disgrace. We decided to homeschool because we believed they would get a better education at home, and that the education of our children was our responsibility. It has always seemed to us that if other parents felt as strongly that their childrens' educaton was their responsibility, society would see a lot of the problems of the public school system simply disappear - whether parents sent their kids to the public schools, or took an alternate approach as we have done,

Alan | 9:07 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

As John Taylor said wayback. "You will reu the day you let public education in"

Comments continue below

Change the Bill | 9:08 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

Suggestions that would make me vote for vouchers: Full Tuition for low and middle level homes not just the 3,000 dollars (if youï¿½re going to do the thing, do it right), Better regulations at private schools (I went to a terrible one so I know they exist), and equal additional spending put into Public schools(most of that going to low paid teachers) donï¿½t just let them have a piece of the pie they normally get but give more so they can better the system. I think the biggest problem is parents thinking money toward public education is wasted, that is the attitude change that will make our schools better.

sam | 9:08 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

All the vouchers were trying to do: was save utah families a little bit of money. what is wrong with that? But what i say doesn't matter because i'm to young to vote, so you guys have fun.

We all should be ashamed!!! | 9:09 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

This whole debate and the manner in which it has been conducted has given us, Utahns, a black eye. The nation is looking down on us today. Neither side conducted themselves professionally. We resorted to mud slinging and name calling. I don't care whether you voted for or against the bill but how can you even look at your children: those children for whom you were supposedly doing all this.
I agree with a previous comment about better use of the money. Around $8 million spent on campaigning? How many private school scholarships could have been given with that much money? How much of a raise could we give our educators?
You may be dissatified with public education as a whole but Utah is doing better than most states comparatively.
Utah ranks near the bottom in the nation in spending per student and near the top in the nation in standardized test scores. That tells me that our teachers are (for the most part) going out of their way to provide a quality education to ALL students with limited resources and recompense. This is why nothing has changed. Legislators see that they're getting the most bang for their buck!!!

Anonymous | 9:10 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

Yes, we are stuck with the same system -- one that provides the lowest per student expenditure of any state in the country. Now the vote is over, we can send the money that would have gone to private school parents back into our public ed system -- AND MAKE IT BETTER. While money may not be the most important thing in education systems, it is a close second to whatever is.

drb | 9:12 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

Shame on Utah for voting down Referendum 1. Since when is it wrong to give parents and their children the right to make a choice on what is best for their success in education? Is it a negative situation to have more choices available to us as citizens and families, especially for a cause that would benefit all of our children? It is a disappointment that the mass appears to be more important than the individual when considering the needs of a child in our state. Can't we just once set the presidence in our nation for something positive? (ie: case in point--laws against smoking in public places. We had to wait until someone else did it first.) THANK YOU to the many private citizens, companies and political representatives who fought so hard for this worthy cause. PLEASE don't stop now!

Trained Monkey | 9:13 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

"Voucher critics say the vote sends a potent message to the legislators who passed the law last spring."

The message---You are next!!!
Enjoy what little time you have left.

Janet Trepanier | 9:13 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

This is for Great Victory and all of the others who don't seem to understand that they would not be paying to send other peoples children to private schools. The truth is that those of us who choose to send our kids to private schools have to pay their tuition and are also paying taxes for the public schools. The voucher system would have been a way of equalizing this burden for parents of private school students. If the teachers and administrators in the public schools don't realize this, then maybe they shouldn't be teaching our children. If they do realize it, then they are just plain dishonest for the lies they have told prior to the election. In my opinion, the only way to improve the public schools is to give them some competition from private schools. When I was working, I had to have a performance evaluation every six months or I did not get my raise. Ask yourself why the teachers do not want to be tested. We keep giving more and more money to the schools, yet nothing changes. Isn't it time for some accountability from the public schools?

Little Rickey | 9:13 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

I live with a teacher aid who works for the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind. We talk about her school and the children more than we discuss other issues. As we look at the current school system, we see the inequity of the wages and the top heavy administration within the public school system. There are Pricipals, Assistant Principals, and councilors in every school. We are top heavy in the State Board of Education. Lets' give everyone a 3% raise, that means the administrator who is making $80,000 dollars a year recieves a $2,400 raise while the teacher making $25,000 a year receives $750. Where is the equity in that? I believe teachers not always adminstrators should be more involved in the school budget. Let's buy more school supplies than new carpets, or more on teacher lounges.

Interested in Colorado | 9:13 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

We, in Colorado, were also watching with this initative with interest. This is not a battle against 'rich' vs 'poor', this was a squandered opportunity to inject competition and accountability into the public school system. I hope voucher proponents keep up the fight!

LogicSays | 9:16 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

Public school system needs fixing and I agree with Clare | 7:48 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007... My friends and I went through the same system: 3 are doctors, 1 dentist, 2 hold MBA, 3 Engineers with graduate degrees. The ones that dropped out well they're a different story; they chose that path.

Hollow | 9:16 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

I voted against vouchers, but this leaves me with a bit of an empty feeling. Anytime I end up on the same side as the teachers' unions it makes me nervous. I don't feel like anything was really accomplished; the vote did not benefit any students.
I don't think having a voucher for just poor students would have made much of a difference in the final result. Most people were against funding private schools with public money. That was the key issue. Whether or not it ended up benefiting public education with more money was irrelevant; people saw public money going to private entities and voted against it. The only real solid positive is that we don't have to listen to the rhetoric anymore, and my mailbox will have more room for Christmas cards.

Mr. A | 9:18 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

I don't get it. Why do so many people think Utah's public education system is failing/doing a poor job when with the lowest per pupil spending in the nation we consistently test higher than most of the other states. I also don't get how some bloggers claim that since their viewpoint was voted down, those with different viewpoints are therefore uninformed or are against students. Talk about tunnel-vision...

Will They Wake Up? | 9:17 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

The traditional public school system has been and continues to be unresponsive to parents and to the needs of our students.

I voted for vouchers because the traditional system needs a wake-up call.

The traditional system will apparently not improve until they are frightened into action by the collapse of their monopoly. Until then, they'll focus their energies on protecting "their" turf and the children will be the real losers.

Real Issues | 9:21 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

I might be persuaded one day to vote for vouchers, but I was concerned with the way the law was written (mainly, no cap on the "means test"), and I was also disappointed that the pro-voucher people were trying to blow smoke up into places where it doesn't usually go on its own.
Overall, I agree that there would POTENTIALLY be more money and POTENTIALLY be fewer students in the public school system. But at the individual school level, it doesn't work out that way unless the legislature changes the way teachers and state funds are allocated.
If my kid's class has 27 students and 3 of them go to a private school, then the school risks losing a teacher, and the remaining 24 kids get spread out among the rest of the school, thereby INCREASING class size, not reducing it. Also, the WPU for those 3 kids doesn't stay with the school, it stays at the state level. So there's no more money at the school level.
Fix the flaws, address the mechanics, put a cap on the "means testing" so people making big money can't get the voucher, and maybe then I'll vote for it.

Deek | 9:23 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

It was a dumb idea, and it's stupid to say that it limit's people's educational choices. Those that want to send their kids to priviate school still can. They just don't get $500 to $3,000 in tax payer money to give to a private and/or religious organization. Byrne revealed his simple mindedness by saying Utahn's failed an IQ test by voting against vouchers.
Better it fail now, than be implemented and defeated in court for violation of seperation of church and state.

Anonymous | 9:25 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

Do not come crying to me in 10 years when there are 160,000 new students and your income taxes double.
Everyone claiming do not take their money for private schools.
Well here is my suggestion. You will get what you pay for. If YOUR taxes will only pay for two kids educations and you have 6 too bad. YOU are not fully funding the system so you need to do something else with the other 4. I think that is the fair way of doing things.

Educated vs. Non-educated | 9:29 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

Having served on a school board in the past, and having seen how much money can be diverted from the more essential parts of quality education- like teacher's salaries.. I was hoping the vouchers would be put into place so that thousands more families would be that much more conscious of where their tax dollars in education were going. Those who have coined this a rich vs. poor I believe to be mistaken. And the campaign by the PTA and UEA that made it sound like those voting for vouchers were against education for all children in Utah were also taking a strange angle. I believe the teachers and the economically disadvantaged children in Utah would have benefited greatly from vouchers long term and that the amounts put forth were proportionate and appropriate, nothing extraneous. There were flaws in the law, as there are in the public system and distribution of funds. There were flawed tactics and statistics used in both sides of the debate. Still, I was hoping for a real change. One third is a large number though to send a message as to what our most precious asset in Utah is- our kids!!

Ironic | 9:28 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

When the mine caved in, the concensus in Utah seemed to be that Bob Murray was evil for being anti-union. But the pro-voucher folks expected Utah to respond to the idea that an evil union was against the voucher law. Ironic indeed. Calling the NEA "an east-coast union" is like calling Wal-Mart "a southern retailer." It's national. My parents are teachers and NEA members and good people. The pro-voucher attack ads were one of the main reasons I was anti-voucher. And I don't think that the NEA was just in it to protect their jobs and their money. Last time I checked, the NEA also represents teachers at private schools.

George W. Johnston | 9:31 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

Wow, I am really proud of Utah. I'm from NJ but watching Utah carefully. We are all concerned. I thought Utah was too religious a state to use judgement..but I am shocked. Logic won. This is not about choice, the choice is always there, it is about getting public funds to religious schools to indoctrinate kids at public expense. Senator Danforth, an ordained Episcopalian minister brought this original issue up , shows a trick up his sleeve.
Point is : the rich who have kids in private schools will use it and then save and pay less. The others will have no choice but to pick a different school around the corner mostly a parochial one. They have no statistics..will assume "different" is better. Also if they want a real private choice , non-parochial, the voucher will not be enough and they won't have the rest of the money, so they will settle for the cheaper parochial schools which can become selective and discriminatory.
Utah made a wise choice. The vote should never have been allowed. It is unconstitutional unless it stated vouchers not to be used for parochial schools.

Viva la Utah a great state.
George Wm. Johnston

formerteacher | 9:34 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

Utah schools are not bad by national standards but parents have the ultimate responsibility for their student's education and should have choice in that. The present 'choice' is to send their kids to public school or pay twice for their education through their taxes and tuition.
I read that people don't want those going to private schools to have 'their' tax money. Using that thinking, should those in public school get tax money from those in private school or those who don't have kids in school?
People need to realize that the federal government does not care about your child nor the child next door, only about their political power.
The NEA is not in the education business nor has it been for the last 30 to 40 years. Their main concern is acquiring more and more political power. They are nothing more than a political lobbying group that pretends to care for 'the children' because they force teachers to join.
The further away from the child that the control gets, the worse for the child.

irish_draco | 9:34 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

The Teachers (UNION) make more money and the students get neglected AGAIN.. What is wrong in helping students and letting them learn ?? Wake UP UTAH!!!

Deep Thoughts | 9:37 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

I think the best argument presented by either side is the one about who supports vouchers. The listing of republican and democrat leaders are very convincing of the side we should choose. I donï¿½t know why we even need to look at the law to be passed. I mean, if the vouchers go half as well as the Iraq war, our education system should rocket. And you know. Democrats are always looking for handouts. Thatï¿½s why theyï¿½re opposed to free money in the form of vouchers. Iï¿½m sure they donï¿½t want our education system to succeed. They are far too liberal to want people to get smarter. They only want to use schools to change family values.

I donï¿½t know if vouchers are the way forward or not. We are from Oregon and went to the ï¿½best schoolï¿½ in our town. Yet our children have to work much harder to keep up here. The true interest should be in the kids needs. Help the poor schools first. Thatï¿½s the best way forward. If your kids are not succeeding in school itï¿½s far more your fault then the schools. You are simply using school as a day care.

Scott B. | 9:36 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

Vouchers are not the answer to help our public schools, this was a wolf in sheep's clothing. Private schools are a luxury and should be treated as such. We do not need to tax our public schools so Utahans can keep up with the Jones' and feed their own ego's.

YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | 9:37 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

So is this a forum now for those in support of vouchers to whine and complain because their FLAWED bill lost??????

Read the facts people, the bill would have wound up costing Utah approx 450 million dollars over the next 5 years. That's a lot of money to spend on a few kids.

We all want our kids to have the best education possible. The voucher bill would only have helped a few families in the state while making the problem worse for the rest of us.

OldCoug | 9:40 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

If Curtis, Bramble, and other legilators who hate public schools want answers for how to improve schools, here's an easy one: take the money earmarked for vouchers and plow it into public education. The Legislature has already approved the money, so they should simply re-allocate it to public schools.

Change isn't always good | 9:41 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

I've read enough comments about how we're still at "status quo." Why are so many so simple minded to believe that change, no matter what, is always good? I'm not saying things are perfect right now, but to simply state that we need change doesn't address this specific issue, and whether it would help or hinder our school system. Just because the system isn't perfect right now doesn't mean that it can't get worse.

And I'll agree with those that say, if you want your kids to go to private school, fine, but you're paying for it, not me. I work hard to provide for my family, and there's nothing preventing you to do the same for yours.

give me a break | 9:43 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

so the teachers unions demagogued the issue to death; big surprise, the next time i get a monopoly on a market i'll be sure to crush my competition too

Upset STUDENT | 9:43 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

I don't understand why people think they'd be paying more for students if they chose to use a voucher and go to a private school. They're paying for them anyways, what difference would it make? Besides, whenever competitiveness becomes a part of any market/business/whatever, the results are better than had it been closed, like our public school system. I feel that my high school teachers half-heartedly taught me because there was no competition for them to do a good job. Because the teaching is so poor in Utah, teachers don't have to worry about losing their jobs cause no one else even wants to take it. Thanks Utah for shutting down our children's opportunities to improve their futures. Thanks PTA for "helping" our students. I don't know how you do that while accomplishing your private agenda matters. That takes talent. When you succeed in doing both, let us know how you did it. Good thing I'm moving away from this state when I finish earning my degree and can practice my occupation elsewhere.

NRO | 9:44 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

From Yesterdays elections, what was probably the most significant ï¿½ and disappointing ï¿½ outcome involved school choice in Utah, which more than 60 percent of voters rejected on Tuesday. School-choice ballot initiatives have a long record of poor performance ï¿½ just like many public schools, it might be said. Reformers had hoped that conservative Utah would prove different. Voters were asked to endorse a plan that their state legislature had narrowly adopted earlier this year, giving financial support to families that choose private schools for their children. The teacher unions poured money into the state ï¿½ by one estimate, the National Education Association spent $1 for every teacher in the United States to defeat school choice in Utah. This effort crushed a local movement. The ultimate victims are kids who remain trapped in government-run schools, not just in Utah but in other states that might have found inspiration in Utahï¿½s example, had it actually set one.

JGolden | 9:44 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

The time has come to defeat those who attempted to rob us of properly funding public education.

Governor Huntsman needs to FIRE Gary Herbert!!!

To all those without "choice" | 9:47 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

You have a choice, just pay for it. You choose to have 5 kids, you choose to live in a house that leaves you strapped for cash, you choose to drive an expensive SUV. Don't ask me to pay for private school for your 'CHOICE' (aka: child).

Give something up if it's that important to you. Buy a smaller house, a cheaper car, or *GASP* have fewer children and provide better for each one!!

You have choices, you just CHOOSE not to make them.

4kidmom | 9:47 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

I read the bill (and every iteration preceding this one); I read the voter information packet; and I voted AGAINST Referendum 1. Let us now get to the point of real reform that will best help ALL students of our great state. I am sorry that many from the pro-voucher side are still resorting to rhetoric and name-calling (Patrick Byrne is making himself more and more irrelevant and although I didn't agree with Richard Eyre and his Oreos, at least he behaved like an adult in his interviews last night). Parents and teachers need to become allies instead of enemies if real reform is ever to occur. Public Education is a service. The business model will never work with public education. My child is not a commodity. We need merit pay for teachers, lower class sizes and perhaps a few new legislators.

Hope | 9:51 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

The defeat of the voucher bill gives me great hope. I believe that the vast majority of Utahans were well-informed on the issue before casting their vote. I don't think the citizens of our state are stupid or were unduly influenced by "scare tactics." I think the voucher issue is just another example of how a well-funded radical element can hijack our government and cause the passage of laws that are unpalatable to the great majority of citizens. Thank goodness for the referrendum process that allowed the citizens to put the train back on track. I hope this sends a message to the Legislature that they need to pay attention to the will of the people and not the will of special interest groups.

Outsider | 9:51 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

Byrne's comment about not getting four points after getting to the 2 yard line illustrates the level of education he has received in the public domain. This is an American tradition to play football and not being in touch with a six and possible seven or eight point loss by stopping at the 2 yard line shows what public education is doing even to the administrators.

Looks like from the photo | 9:52 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

... that the educrats are eating healthy.

Big Al | 9:53 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

I have noticed that all the pro-V people are sulking about their loss. They say that if only the 62% of us that voted against the vouchers were as smart as they were then we wouldn't have voted the way we did. Obviously they are superior to us. As a life-long republican I find it very disturbing that the pro-V people are treating the majority of the citizens of Utah exactly like the national democrats treat the majority of the citizens in the U.S. 'If you don't agree with me then you aren't educated. Utah republican legislators, quit acting like democrats by giving more entitlement to more people. You were trounced, and not because you are smarter than us, lick your wounds and get on with life. Or you can act like the national democrats who still have never accepted that G. W. beat Al Gore in 2000.

Pre-service Teacher | 9:55 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

As a pre-service teacher and a parent of a public school child I have seen both sides. I am not here to bash one side or the other. I am just here to say that having seen both affluent and less-affluent schools I can tell you that teachers do care or they wouldn't be in the field in the first place. A lot of times they just need more training, materials and time to implement them!!! Yes our school system needs fixed and improved! I just don't believe supporting a voucher that would only help those that can pay for the remaining money is worth it. It wouldn't help the lower income and minority students that really need the help! I go into teaching because I care, for the students, the public school system, and or future. Are you doing anything besides supporting the voucher? Community and parental involvement can always help improve a school. I wish that people would put as much support behind the public schools as they did behind the vouchers. I donï¿½t think people realize the power they hold to be a catalyst for change.

Mountain Blue | 9:57 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

Those who think that an opportunity was denied their children with the defeat of the voucher law should go try and enroll their kids in whatever private school they desire. I bet the parents will find there is no room. Most of the schools I know about are pretty full already. Even overcrowded.

If the provoucher advocates really wanted additional choices for Utah students, new schools would have to be established. A few people with large assets have done so quietly in the last few years. How about some of the provoucher people putting their money where their mouth is.

BeCarefulWithByrne | 9:58 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

If you are too critical, he will unleash his cyber-stalkers on you like he did on WikiPedia critics.

Congratulations! | 10:00 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

Congrats Utahns! You have just condemned Utah children to the same broken, mediocre school system.

I'm sure you will be proud when your kids continue to struggle competing with other children outside the state.

Anon | 10:02 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

It's interesting one of the arguments is "equal education for ALL children." If public schools actually offered equal education for ALL children it would be a good argument. But that is rediculous; Granite District told me I would fail in my academic goals whether I was on the East Side or the West Side. Three years on the West side and I failed, One semester on the East and I passed. Don't tell me we have equal public school education. Or that Granite District cares for me, a child born on the West side.

What Choice | 10:02 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

There is no choice in Utah. Public schools don't have open enrollment. In the Jordan School District to go to another school you have to have a signed letter from a doctor, therapist, or such to transfer schools. How is that a choice in education????? We need to do more for our children and provide better education and dumping millions of dollars into our public schools will never help the issue. Things need to change and money need to better managed and more people held accountable for what they send that money on. Why do we have so many administrative positions when they do not send time improving our schools. Release those individuals and take that money and use it on our children.

I just have to laugh | 10:03 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

First: Patrick Byrne sure has a way with words. Man, what a baby. My boycott of overstock.com is now fully in effect.

Second: If we have money to preemptively strike and nation build a certain Middle Eastern country then we most certainly have the money to pay teachers what they are worth to society.

Third: Vouchers are not this magic pill that will fix everything. Even if they were enacted, we'd still have issues upon issues to deal with.

Fourth: The Union is to blame? Oh brother...tired argument with zero substance. Next.

You want to fix education? We need talented people back in the system. Currently we're losing them to better paying careers. Pay educators what doctors make. Really, we can afford it.

Janet Trepanier | 10:04 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

To Quin: You said "How do Utah lawmakers justify funding schools where the teachers don't have to meet standards of training or skills? I say "Why not. They have been doing it for years". The public school teachers refuse to be tested to see if they are qualified to teach. Also teachers in private schools will have teaching degrees just like the public school teachers do. If they don't the private school can't be accredited by the state, and both the parents and the private schools want and need this accredation for their students to get into college. As for the need for better education in the schools and the need for the voucher system, please read all of these comments. The spelling and grammar in some of them is atrocious, even by those who say they are teachers.I REST MY CASE. WE NEED VOUCHERS AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND COMPETITION FOR THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!

help! | 10:06 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

My mother has taught at one of the poorest schools in Utah for over 20 years. In that time her school has gone from a fairly normal student base, to nearly completely non English speaking. She started with over 30 students in her class this year, most of which could not speak English. Her class size dropped a bit but not enough. My question is this. How would vouchers help her class? Those kids will never go to private school. Their parents could never afford it even with vouchers. If some of her students donï¿½t leave, her class size stays the same. Her school would be completely missed by the voucher law. She needs to find help for her kids but she needs real help. Letï¿½s face this problem by focusing on the greatest needs. If her school and schools like hers gets a lift it will increase the test scores of Utah. It will give the poorest neighborhoods a lift to get out of poverty. As her school succeeds the extra funding can be more evenly spread around Utah. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. If Utah has kids left behind, shame on us.

Remay1 | 10:07 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

Well Hilary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi and the National Teacher's Union are happy about the voucher vote! But what did the people Utah really gain? Nothing! We have affirmed the status quo. Mediocre schools, run by an entrenched bureaucracy, with more and more meddling from Washington built in, who continue to crank out students who can't do simple math or write a cogent declarative sentence, and who have no idea who Alexander Hamilton is. Why do we continue to give blanket support to an institution that wallows in failure?

Now that we have handed them a tremendous victory, the next step will be for that same energized teacher's union to be right in the faces of the Utah Legislature in January demanding all of the tax money deluded voters thought they were going to save by defeating vouchers. Then they will be back the next year demanding ever more money. And we'll continue to give it to them. How dumb are we?

Sam | 10:08 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

Mark Twain once wrote (more or less)that you can never go wrong pandering to the fools in a town since they almost always represent a majority. The vote against vouchers has proven that Utah is no exception. There are few measures that make more economic sense; yet a few inane slogans issued by the representatives of an entrenched monopoly and the people of Utah fall into step. Well, I guess the people will get what they deserve. You voted for mediocrity, now when your kids can't read you will know where to place the blame.

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