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Published Jul. 2, 2008Ok, so I've been mulling something around in my mind that is bothering me and I'm going to go ahead and break down and admit ignorance.
The Constitution of the United States does not give the Federal Government the power to provide education. The Federal government doesn't, I know this is a state thing.
What bothers me is this, with the above being the case, why is the Federal Government so hands on into education? Like passing bills such as the "no child left behind" or even Presidential candidate touting their spew.
Am I missing something? Am I confusing something? It just seems like the Fed Gov't is getting their hands more and more into this issue. Just because they don't have the power, does it mean technically they don't "not" have it either?
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GOLO member since January 30, 2008
July 2, 2008 12:35 p.m.
Whew! That's a lot of negatives. If I've sorted them all out correctly, I think you are correct. Education is not something explicitly enumerated as one of the Federal government's prerogatives.
But where the feds have power to intrude is when the states use their power to deny public education to a class of citizens. By segregating blacks prior to the Civil Rights Act, the states opened the door to federal involvement. Continued federal involvement is predicated in part by the belief of some legislators (not entirely unfounded) that states would revert to discrimination if left unchecked.
You also have the "carrot" problem. The feds dangle cash incentives to the states, and tie access to that money to compliance with some behavioral objective. The states are free to say no, but few have turned down the cash.
GOLO member since January 25, 2008
July 2, 2008 11:58 a.m.
How screwed up is THAT?
July 2, 2008 10:35 a.m.
BRING IT ON! :)
GOLO member since June 20, 2008
July 2, 2008 10:19 a.m.
We would need a wholesale clean out of most every politician on both sides of the isle to change the debate.
GOLO member since October 17, 2007
July 2, 2008 10:16 a.m.
GOLO member since October 18, 2007
July 2, 2008 10:14 a.m.
Oh great. Perhaps that lady in Carborro or UNC is right after all. Perhaps we do have the right to socialized health care, baby sitting etc...
Great, let's let the government screw that up too :)
GOLO member since June 20, 2008
July 2, 2008 10:10 a.m.
"that Congress has the power to provide for the general welfare of the United States." - Is often cited as covering the need for public (government) schools.
GOLO member since October 17, 2007
July 2, 2008 10:06 a.m.
RYoung, hit nail on head.
GOLO member since June 20, 2008
July 2, 2008 10:04 a.m.
GOLO member since December 18, 2007
July 2, 2008 10:03 a.m.
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