"Stay, stay at home, my heart, and rest;
Home-keeping hearts are happiest,
For those that wander they know not where
are full of trouble and full of care;
To stay at home is best."
~*~ Longfellow ~*~
Dec. 21, 2007
Huckabee and Homeschoolers
Karen "Spunky" Braun, is a homeschooling mother of 6 in the Detroit area. Karen had previously blogged at the popular homeschool blog, SpunkyHomeschool.
(This is the first of three posts addressing homeschoolers and Mike Huckabee.)
With Mike Huckabee surging in the polls many are asking the obvious question, "What caused his rapid rise?"
ABC News examined the reasons and came up with at least one obvious reason, homeschoolers.
Home-schoolers Help Propel Huckabee
"'They stand for the same things, and they trust each other,' said Christine Hurley, a Pleasant Hill Republican active in the state's home-school network.”
"'I think that's what's happening with the Huckabee thing,' said Hurley, who supports Huckabee. 'When you understand he's a Baptist minister, you don't have to ask what he stands for.'"
Is being a Baptists minister a reason NOT to question what a candidate for President stands for? I think not. So I'll ask the question Hurley decided not to ask...
Do homeschoolers stand for the same thing as Mike Huckabee?
There is no doubt in my mind that on abortion and marriage, Huckabee is rock solid in agreement with most Christian homeschoolers. He values life and has defended our belief that marriage is between a man and woman.
But what about another issue that is very important to homeschoolers--education?
Let's take a look at Huckabee's record and his policies.
Huckabee’s Homeschooling Record in Arkansas
Mike Huckabee was elected Governor of Arkansas in 1996. In 1997, he helped ease restrictive homeschool laws in Arkansas. While governor, Huckabee also appointed the first homeschooler to the Arkansas state school board. As a homeschooler, I give Mike Huckabee credit for these achievements. It looked like he was off to a great start in Arkansas. That success, however, was short lived.
Just two years later, in 1999, Mike Huckabee signed into law House Bill 1724 that undid many of those initial gains. Here’s how the Homeschool Legal Defense Asssociation (HSLDA), Court Report tells it,
Home Schoolers Lose Ground with New Law
"The enactment of House Bill 1724 on April 5, 1999, gives Arkansas the unique distinction of becoming the first state in the nation to add restrictions to its existing home school law."
At a time when many states were easing requirements, Arkansas was sadly moving in the wrong direction. Huckabee signed HB 1724, known as Act 1117 that made homeschooling MORE restrictive. HSLDA’s website provides an overview of the new restrictions here and comments:
"Arkansas is now one of only 12 states to impose a deadline for beginning home schooling or requiring parents to provide advance notice to public school officials of their decision to do so. Because of this restriction, parents who encounter intolerable conditions at the public school, such as imminent danger to the safety or welfare of their child, will have to wait at least 14 days before withdrawing the child to begin home schooling or else face truancy charges for unexcused absences during the 14-day waiting period. No such restriction exists for parents who decide to immediately remove their children to attend a private or parochial school in Arkansas. This raises serious issues regarding the right of parents to direct the education of their children and equal protection of the law as guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution."
HB 1724 was introduced because Democrats in the legislature threatened to impose even more restrictive measures. HB 1724 was a compromise measure introduced by a homeschooling father to keep that from happening.
HSLDA opposed the compromise, "Home School Legal Defense Association opposes any effort to increase state regulation of home education and did not support H.B. 1724."
Despite HSLDA’s opposition, the bill was passed by the legislature. That left it up to Governor Huckabee to defend the rights of homeschool parents in Arkansas. But he didn't.
Huckabee and his supporters claim that signing the bill was his only option. But is that really true? No. He could have stood on principle and used his veto powers and challenged the legislature to override the veto. Or at the very least, he could have let the measure pass without his signature signaling his opposition to the state restricting the rights of homeschool parents. He did neither. Instead, he signed the law that added restrictions to homeschooling in Arkansas.
Huckabee’s signature demonstrates that he is not opposed to compromising our freedom to homeschool in the face of Democrat pressure. Do we want a President who will so easily surrender his principles in the face of sure opposition by Democrats in Congress?
As a homeschooler, I want a President that is not afraid to fight against and veto any legislation that would compromise our ability to homeschool no matter who introduces it. Our children do not belong to the state and no parent should have to wait 14 days before pulling their child out of a government school.
Despite Huckabee’s record on homeschooling as a Governor of Arkansas, HSLDA-PAC has endorsed Mike Huckabee for President.
But when you consider that he also gained the endorsement of the liberal education group, NEA – New Hampshire, it makes you scratch your head in bewilderment. How did Huckabee manage to convince Christian homeschoolers he’s "one of us” and convince the liberal NEA he’s “one of them" too? He’s pulling a fast one on someone, do homeschoolers want to wait until Huckabee is in the White House to find out which one? Not me.
Huckabee has said, "Education has to stop being a [horizontal] issue - left and right, liberal and conservative. Education must be a vertical issue - it will either move our country up or take us down."
Huckabee's statement of unity seems a bit naïve. Most Christian homeschoolers believe education is not a "vertical" or neutral issue. We understand there are politicians and reformers whose faith rests in the power of the state and who are actively attempting to move this country away from the principles of our founding and toward socialism and a planned economy; where our children are viewed simply as workers to compete in the global economy. The NEA routinely opposes parent directed home education. The 2007 - 2008 NEA Resolutions makes this abundantly clear,
"The National Education Association believes that home schooling programs based on parental choice cannot provide the student with a comprehensive education experience. When home schooling occurs, students enrolled must meet all state curricular requirements, including the taking and passing of assessments to ensure adequate academic progress. Home schooling should be limited to the children of the immediate family, with all expenses being borne by the parents/guardians. Instruction should be by persons who are licensed by the appropriate state education licensure agency, and a curriculum approved by the state department of education should be used."
It seems as though the only one who wants to compromise and make education a "vertical" issue is Mike Huckabee.
~ Spunky
Post A Comment!
Comments
Dec. 17, 2007 - What about the homeschoolers in a not so loving home?
Public school teachers are supposed to notify child welfare if they suspect abuse (many still fall through the cracks). But my question is who should protect homeschooled children from abusive parents? If homeschool parents demand absolutely no government interference, then who should look after children in bad homeschool environments? Should it be other homeschool parents?
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Dec. 17, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Spunky, great to read you again! I appreciate you taking the time to dissect the Huckabee platform like this. I am curious if you have done the same type of evaluation of Ron Paul's policies. I'm personally not sure why Ron Paul is not getting more homeschooler support since he appears from everything I can see to be a very consistent, principled man on these issues as well as just about any other issue that is on the table. He votes on principle and conscience, not on polls or trends or because of pressure.
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Dec. 17, 2007 - Thanks, Spunky....
....for posting this message. I'm voting for Ron Paul. Laurie
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Dec. 17, 2007 - Do we want a Purpose Driven President???
That sounds alot like the current CA gov... :(
I'm glad that you are posting a 3 part series on this Spunky. Most ppl just can't find the time to do any research on important matters. Personally I do not want a president who is a Rick Warren clone/ puppet.
http://www.mikehuckabee.com/index.cfm?FuseAction=Blogs.View&Blog_id=658
True Christ-followers would be wise to look at that "vertical" issue. http://www.abrahamic-faith.com/False-Teachers.html We have a choice to become informed/discerning sheep instead of dumb ones that follow anything :)
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Dec. 17, 2007 - Untitled Comment
I too found HSLDA's endorsement of Huckabee rather odd especially with the E-lert easily retrieved from their state history files - AND seeing that Dr. Paul is heads above the rest when it comes to support of homeschooling and fighting big Pharma and forced mental health screenings (in introduced legislation, not just lip service).
It certainly hasn't made me second-guess dropping my membership. Do that many homeschoolers look to the HSLDA to tell them how to vote?
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Dec. 17, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Personally, I think Fred Thompson is the most likely to vote the way I want on ALL of the issues - not just homeschooling, marriage and abortion.
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Dec. 18, 2007 - Thank You Spunky~
I would be interested in your answer to Paula's question about "children in not-so-loving homes. What type of government is it that takes away the liberties of all parents because of the lawlessness of others?
As I read this article, it took me back to George Bush's agenda for education, which included the No Child Left Behind Act and full-day kindergarten. I knew he was going to push those through. Did I agree with him on other issues? Yes. Did I agree with him on these? I have learned that faith means different things to diffferent people, but normally Christians agree on the abortion issue, the marriage issue and such. I was not happy with what he thought about education.
So here we are with Mike Huckabee before the primaries. We need to make sure our eyes are wide open to everything he believes if we are going to "trust him with homeschooling." Whether we like it or not, our beliefs shape our decisions. If he is flip-flopping on homeschooling/education beforehand, he will surely do it as the President. If he is buddying up to the NEA in any way, shape or form, we would be negligent to believe he is an advocate for homeschooling. If he cannot separate the destruction of the government school system from the strengths of homeschooling, then homeschoolers need to let him know that "We do believe a horizontal view of education is best."
If he really doesn't believe homeschooling is the best choice, why is he the favorite of homeschoolers? Honestly, when I hear "Homeschoolers for Huckabee," and I see banners that say the same thing, I keep wondering, "Who came up with this?". Perhaps it is the moral homeschooling majority who are backing him the most, but that does not mean that most homeschoolers are backing him. It does not mean that most Christian homeschoolers are backing him. I wasn't 'backing him' before, but after reading this, I am not backing him.
I believe in the good 'ole USofA, but I have seen laws passed in the last couple of years that I would have thought, "Not in a million years..." I think our rights to homeschool are on the chopping block everyday, and we cannot get too comfortable in our present state and freedoms. I believe what you said here is key: "who are actively attempting to move this country away from the principles of our founding and toward socialism and a planned economy; where our children are viewed simply as workers to compete in the global economy."
I do not belong the the HSLDA. If I did, I wouldn't automatically vote for someone because they endorsed him. I find it disconcerting and a lack in their judgment to endorse him when they, in their own Court Report, record Mike Huckabee's signing of such bills into law as an "effort to increase state regulation of home education," which is the exact opposite direction they fight to take homeschooling legislation.
Education is an important issue. History proves it out. Governments and religious organizations both know the importance of the education of its' citizens to the advancement of their agenda. As homeschool parents, we know the importance of a home education to the future of our children. It makes me wonder why the HSLDA would support a candidate who clearly legislates against the homeschooling efforts they themselves so staunchly support.
Just a thought. I am anxiously awaiting your next two articles, Spunky.
blessings~ Jacque
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Dec. 18, 2007 - Good Post!
I completely agree, Spunky. It is nice to see you back, by the way. :+)
I find Huckabee to be disturbing in other areas as well. His decision to release a serial rapist who went on to rape and murder again is only one of them.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/12/04/documents-expose-huckabee_n_75362.html.
Then he went on to tell a different story about the situation. I do not trust him at all.
I don't think he should have our support and he does not have mine.
Keep up the posting! We need you back for the national election!
:+) Warmly,
Kate
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Dec. 18, 2007 - Good Job, Spunky!
Spunky,
Thanks for your labors on this. I think Christians should understand fully who Mike Huckabee is before they vote for him. While he stands firm on abortion, etc., his foreign policy approach strikes me as naive, and his tax and spend history has the ring of 'Big Brother" government. I look forward to your next post.
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Dec. 18, 2007 - A response to Paula
I very much appreciate these articles on Huckabee, and look forward to the next two.
Some thoughts for Paula, who asked who was going to report parents for child abuse, if not the teacher?
First, I would like to remind Paula that public education is a modern entity, and that mankind has "lived without it" and been better off (in my opinion) without it in past centuries.
Next, I'd like to say that from what I have read, it is often neighbors and relatives who turn in abusive parents. And yes, as Paula acknowledged, many children in the public school system fall through the cracks.
I think of Steven Stayner, who was kidnapped at 7 years of age - and his stranger-abductor had him attending school. No one ever found out. Or the more recent teen rescued after four years with his stranger-abductor. He was not in school, but his neighbors were aware of his presence. He did not let on that he was "the kid" and that he was in trouble. Even when one neighbor told him that he looked just like that kid that was abducted. He denied it ... scared for his life.
If they don't fall through the cracks, they wind up in foster care, which is a very broken system. That is not speaking of the wonderful fostor parents, it is of the system itself and the decisions made on behalf of the children in the system.
From every angle, a parent who abuses a child is a very sad situation indeed. It does not take being in school to have people notice, or to not notice. It is simply one more place that a child has exposure to the outside world, where some people might notice.
More government control over families, because someone besides a neighbor or relative might notice abuse, is not enough reason to balance the abuse that the government will inflict on homeschooling families. Doesn't the government have enough control on us, already? Parents know their children. Schools are full of red tape - see my post below on the 10 year old girl who was arrested for cutting her steak with a knife - in school. The look at their policies, not the child.
What of the abuse inflicted on students in a classroom? How much goes unreported? We talk about that here, on this blog, all the time. When a teacher abuses, the number of children abused by that one teacher far exceeds the number of children one parent may abuse. That is not to excuse the abusive parent, it is just to make the point that putting children in an abusive system is not the answer to abusive parents.
School is abusive to children - in so many ways. Just take a look at society - or spend some time walking around the local mall. We are spiraling downward at a fast pace. In my opinion, it is because parents have gone to work, and put their children in the care of the government - which is a machine, and knows nothing of the heart of the child. It is a godless machine, teaching the children lies about themselves - how they came to be - a random accident.
It's early, and I should have saved this response for later in the day. My thoughts are all over the place. But later I'll be on the "get ready for Christmas" bandwagon, and won't be available to respond. So these are my thoughts - I hope they made some sense.
Deb
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Dec. 18, 2007 - One more comment on presidential elections
I remember the election between Clinton and Dole - 1996 - and the speech that Dole made where his comments made concerning the teachers union. Not sure what was louder, the applause or the booing. I really felt that cost him. I'm never quite sure if candidates are stroking that lobby. I was hoping that was the case with Bush, who had come from a very government free homeschool state.
Huckabee - having voted against homeschooling freedoms - well it is frightening, indeed. We must never take these homeschooling freedoms for granted. I often write that I cannot imagine putting my children in school - I hope I never have to.
Deb
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Dec. 18, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Thanks for the great post, Spunky! Definitely food for thought...
I wish there weren't so many people who just assume certain things about a person just because they are a minister or say they're a Christian! While being a Christian is a great it does not automatically make you a good President (or contractor, financial advisor or even baker!). We should all examine our choices carefully and most definitely VOTE!
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Dec. 18, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Very well said Spunky! I was reading the HSLDA reports the other day about Huckabee, and had many questions. This helped me out alot.
It is concerning, hearing Huckabee is so friendly with the NEA. I trust though, that whoever ends up being the next president, that God is in control.
The King's heart is in the hand of the Lord, like rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.
Psalm 21:1
Ali
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Dec. 18, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Mike Huckabee perfectly lines up with my family on all the issues. And we're homeschoolers. Just so you know, I completely respect your choices and opinions. I just wanted to say that I found Huckabee refreshing in the sense that he doesn't beat around the bush. When questions are asked, answers are given. It also easy to research him on my own and find out all the ins and outs of any given issue. We've been supporting him for 6 months, and plan on sticking with him all the way through. I don't think as homeschoolers, we've had a LOT to do with his rise. I do think his message resonates with many everyday Americans- homeschoolers or not. Thanks for allowing me to state my opinion on your blog!
thinkaware.blogspot.com
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Dec. 18, 2007 - Major General Jerry Curry for President & for Home Schoolers
I found your website while looking up a scripture from Google. WOW! I agree with what you are saying about Huckabee. The man you want for Homeschoolers is Major General Jerry Curry.I have been a friend of Gen Curry for 25+ years. He is NOT a man of compromise. Please check out his website www.Curryforamerica.com and read his book "From Private to General" & his wife Charlene's book " The General's Lady". The book links are found on CurryforAmerica. If you want to know about him, read these books! Blessings & Hope, Marta Please feel free to e-mail me back.
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Dec. 18, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Thank you so much for your informative post. My husband and I are Huckabee supporters, but after reading your post I will have to pray about this decision. We have done quite a bit of research in our decision, but honestly haven't taken a look at his homeschooling record. I am not quite sure why. We are very adamant when it come to homeschooling freedom and the parents' right to direct their childrens education. Perhaps it was because we first learned of Huckabee via an endorsement of HSLDA. I will definately research him a bit more thoroughly, as wel as look into Ron Paul and his standings.
One thing I did want to bring up, do you think that Huckabee has been endorsed by HSLDA, as well as other homeschoolers, because they feel he is electible? I am not saying this is the correct way to go about deciding on a candidate. We should definately take a stand for our beliefs despite who is running. However, if we are faced with the choice of a God-fearing man who might not understand the importance of a parents' right to educate their child, or a woman who would like to take everyone of our children with her through the gates hells, who should we choose? Or should we choose neither and let our silence show that this is such an important issue (as in fact freedom is!) that we are willing to suffer the consequences of an ungodly leader until a man of God, strong in his convictions of freedom, would step up and lead our country?
At this point, I am not completely sure. I will have to pray about it and seek both wisdom and discernment. Thank you all for your input and all the great info. It keeps me on my toes!
Blessings,
Jasmine
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Dec. 18, 2007 - Who's around him?
Thank you for the information. I never have the time to look up info like this.
Who does he have advising him on these things? Where is he getting is information from? Has anyone tried gaining his ear and enlightening him? It seems to me that perhaps MH would be reachable - maybe - if someone presented homeschooling's perspective to him.
It's great to understand his views on the issues, but what about something pro-active to help change his views?
Just a thought
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Dec. 18, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Jasmine said "One thing I did want to bring up, do you think that Huckabee has been endorsed by HSLDA, as well as other homeschoolers, because they feel he is electible?"
HSLDA endorsed Hucakbee in the summer and they cited "electibility" as part of their reasoning. It is something to consider. There is a difference between voting for a man as an individual and HSLDA-PAC's decision to endorse him as a candidate. The first says, he is the best of all the choices, the second says he is the best to represents our interest as homeschoolers. It is their decision to endorse him as the best one to represent the right for parents direct the education of their children who should get the endorsement, or none at all. What Micheal Farris does at the ballot box is his decision, but who he publically chooses to endorse is quite a different matter.
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Dec. 18, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Paula,
I agree with Jacqui, in America we are innocent until proven guilty. The burden of proof is on the state to prove that a parent is abusive, not on the parent to prove that they are not. That's one of the unique characteristics of a free people.
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Dec. 18, 2007 - Untitled Comment
One Mom,
Thanks for stopping by! I actually linked to you in my second post. "Huckabee and Homeschoolers Part 2.
But I totally understand finding the time to look up such information. We all have a part in keeping our liberties to homeschool. I happen to enjoy political policy, so researching this issue comes naturally to me. I am glad the information was helpful to you. I hope all the hopes will help homeschoolers understand the stakes we are facing and the importance of the next election.
As to who Huckabee has advising him. I attempted to check into that. But the fact that he has been very active as Governor in various educational endeavors tells me that this is a bit more than just advisors. He sees a role standards and testing and as I said in today's post, the P-16 seamless architecture that he endorsed requires ALL learners to be included. Unless he does a complete renunciation of such the federal role in education, which is unlikely it is difficult to see him turning around on this issue. He has too much invested as a governor and as candidate to move toward completely disassociating himself with his former policies as governor.
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Dec. 18, 2007 - Untitled Comment
One final thought on who is advising him. I would assume that Micheal Farris has talked with him about these issues. But the fact that he signed the legislation that HSDLA opposed tells me that there are at least a few others who have strongly convinced him that some role for state oversight is necessary in homeschooling.
Had he at least left the measure unsigned we would have seen him standing on principle, but he didn't. He compromised and signed the bill and that's what troubles me greatly.
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Dec. 18, 2007 - Untitled Comment
One Mom said, "It's great to understand his views on the issues, but what about something pro-active to help change his views?"
Unfortunately, the time for that was BEFORE the endorsement. While there is still time to work on changes his views, much of the leverage for lobbying for those changes is lost in the fact that an endorsement has already been given. For Huck to change now, he would risk losing other constituencies that he will need to win. In other words, now that he has the ultra-conservative homeschool vote locked up, he's going to move to the middle and try and get them to vote for him too. Any move to the hard right would be a strike against him and could hurt his chances for the nomination.
So as much as I'd like to believe that Huck would change his mind, there's just too much at risk for him to do so. And even if he did, the believability factor would be tough for me to overcome given how long he's supported the liberal polices of education reformers.
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Dec. 18, 2007 - More Research on Huckabee and Homeschooling
Everyone,
I'm afraid this post does not give an accurate picture of Huckabee's record on homeschooling.
If you want the real story, please read the document at the link below:
http://www.hucksarmy.com/downloads/huckabee_homeschool_record.pdf
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Dec. 18, 2007 - Untitled Comment
I"m hearing from lots of folks that I have distorted Huckabee's record? How.
Joe, in general I don't delete comments that disagree. So you comment is fine by me.
Please let me know where my post is a distortion of Huckabee's record on homeschooling? This is what I've said in my two posts.
Did he sign a bill in 1997 helping homeschoolers in 1997? Yes.
Did he sign a bill restricting homeschoolers in 1999? Yes.
Did he have other options? Yes.
Did he use them? No.
Does he support P-16 liberal education reform legislation that brought about the 1999 legislation? Yes.
Will those reforms hurt homeschoolers? Yes.
Where is the distortion? I'm willing to clarify and point and change if indeed this is I've distorted anything. But so far I've just gotten Huckabee campaign literature, but nothing that refutes the facts of his record.
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Dec. 18, 2007 - Just Read the Document
Spunky, you can spin things a lot of different ways by what you leave out. There's a lot you're leaving out. For people who want to know what it is, I'll repost the link. If they read it and still agree with you that Huckabee is bad news for homeschoolers, so be it... But I don't think they will.
http://www.hucksarmy.com/downloads/huckabee_homeschool_record.pdf
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Dec. 18, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Joe,
One of the basic rules of argumentation is, he who asserts must prove. You have asserted that I have distorted Mike Huckabee's record, I have acknowledged your argument and asked for evidence, but asserting I left things out and sending me to campaign literature, is not evidence to support your assertion. If you are not prepared to back up your assertion with facts, then it is best not to make the assertion at all.
In good faith I did attempt to open the PDF file but it will not load. If you have it in HTML that would be more helpful. For some reason, my computer doesn't like this PDF file.
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Dec. 18, 2007 - Wanted to clarify
Spunky,
I read your second installment, and realized you thought I was someone I'm not. I had no idea there was a blogger called One Mom who was affiliated with Huckabee. I just chose that name because my own family blog is call "One Mom's Journey".
I just wanted to say that I have read what you've written, and what detractors have said. I think you present good information from a differing perspective. Thank you for offering it. It's these kinds of perspectives that really help me.
Thanks,
A Newbie HSMommy
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Dec. 18, 2007 - Anyone else having trouble with the PDF file?
Spunky has had trouble viewing the PDF file on Huckabee's homeschool record. Has anyone else had this problem? It's working fine for me.
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Dec. 18, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Joe, I was sent a copy of the file and I have not seen where I misrepresented Mike Huckabee. I noted that it was a homeschool father who introduced the legislation, I noted that he was up against Democrats who want to restrict laws. I have given him credit for the 1997 law. I have given him credit for appoint a homeschooler. I have linked to all the same sources as your PDF. But nothing in that document answers why he didn't veto the legislation or leave it unsigned. Nor does it answer the thoughts about the 1998 legislation which prompted the stricter homeschool laws in 1999.
So unless some new information nothing in this document dispells the assertions I have made.
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Dec. 18, 2007 - No problem opening the PDF, just problems accepting the spin
Joe, I was able to open the document. However, I'll be honest and tell you that I think your document is putting spin on an issue, despite your protests that Spunky is doing the same.
The bottom line is that Huckabee could have stood up against the Democratic-proposed legislation, could he not? I'm guessing that someone did a decent spin job to the homeschoolers in Arkansas to convince them that giving up some of their freedoms was the only way to protect all of their freedoms.
Frankly, I'm tired of hearing that from government officials. We're told the same thing about this so-called "War on Terror". What it boils down to is the fact that governmental leaders in the mainstream of both political parties do not operate on principle, nor do they stand on the same.
Why did those AR homeschoolers act like they won a victory in this case? From what I read it is because it was apparently presented as only two choices: Allison's legislation or the "less stringent" one.
There is at least a third option, one which says that we stand on principle and refuse to be pushed around or shot down or coerced.
That's why I'm voting for Ron Paul. The federal government has no business limiting or controlling the education of my children, and Ron Paul is the only one who gets that.
Huckabee might be a nice enough guy, but between this questionable spin you've introduced and the sickening attempts to continue the George W. Bush (Karl Rove) approach in trying to court people of faith with slick soundbites and "buzz words", I'm staying far away from him as a presidential candidate. I fell for that act twice (George W) and refuse to be duped again.
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Dec. 19, 2007 - Huckabee's record on homeschooling
Spunky,
I think Joe was trying to get you to see that the legislation that Huckabee signed that you say is anti-homeschooling was actually supported by homeschoolers in the state of Arkansas, not just the homeschooling father that introduced it. The homeschool association was supportive of it. It does place more restriction, but it was MUCH MUCH MUCH better than the other legislation that was on the table and was a compromise. In the state of Arkansas, it is a miracle in itself to have a conservative and/or Republican in the Governor's office and the state legislature is not a place that is friendly at all to conservatives and/or Republicans. So while in our perfect world he would have been signing a bill that removes all restrictions from homeschoolers, that was not something that was possible at that time in Arkansas. But doing something to keep a worse bill from being there is progress in that kind of environment.
I think you also have to be very careful when you are looking at news reports that come from Arkansas media, especially things like the Huffington article that was referenced and things from the Arkansas Times and other such outlets. The media in Little Rock is extremely biased and cannot be trusted for unbiased information. It is sad that it is that way, but it really is. So if I were presented with an opportunity to believe a Little Rock journalist or Huckabee himself, I would give Huckabee the benefit of the doubt until I could find proof otherwise. I have always found him to be trustworthy and true to his word.
As for the contention that if the NEA endorses him, he must be against homeschoolers, I don't think you can jump to that conclusion. First of all, it was the NEA in one state--and not Arkansas. I got the impression from what I read on that, that he may have even been the only Republican who responded to their questionnaire. And if they did endorse him, so what? He does believe in education and support teachers and schools. That doesn't mean that he doesn't also believe in homeschooling too. There have to be options available. Not everyone can homeschool their children. Do these children not deserve to have a good public or private school? So we can't write off every candidate who is supportive of public schools and teachers. The fact is that public schools exist and they are what we have to work with. I would hope that the candidate who is elected would care about making them the best they can be. Our country depends on it. I would also hope that the next president would also be supportive of homeschoolers as well and I believe Huckabee would be supportive of us and our rights.
On the subject of electability--that has to factor into our decision on who to support in this race. I might think that my favorite candidate is the best one out there and really deserves my support. But if his views are going to alienate 80% of the electorate, he wouldn't be the best person to get the nomination because there would be no way for him to win the general election. We have to be practical when we make the decision who to support in a primary. It has to be someone who stands a chance of beating the other party's nominee. So if that is a factor in the HSLDA's decision for endorsement, then GOOD! It should be.
Thanks for letting me speak up. And thanks for raising these issues. I think it's important for us to be involved and really research things rather than going blindly to the polls.
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Dec. 19, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Daisy, I understand the bill was supported by some of the homeschoolers. But HSLDA opposed it. So there were some homeschoolers who didn't think this was the right way to go as well. I also understand that this legislation was better than the other one introduced. I pointed that out in the post.
If some homeschoolers in Arkansas are happy with a leader who presents only the option of "compromise" then who am I to argue with them? But I don't want a leader who says these are the only two options. There are other options. There was the veto power or at least standing on principle and letting the bill go through unsigned. Huckabee did neither. He signed it over HSLDA opposition.
I have not quoted the Huffington Post, so I'm not sure why you're cautioning me there. The information came from the HSDLA website and the blogger who talked to Huckabee directly. The news reports were quoted by that blogger. It was Huckabee that said that this legislation was because of the 1998 legislation called Smart Start. To me that is a double negative for homeschoolers. Start Start and related P-16 reforms were not good for homeschoolers in 1998 and the related revisions in 1999 just made it worse. (For those who have not read it Part 2 explains the connection.)
I have not said that Huckabee is against homeschoolers only that he has managed to convince both groups he's "one of them." He's pulling a fast one on somebody. The most liberal group as I quoted are the ones who seek to regulate homeschooling, their endorsement of Huckabee means that they find in him a person sympathetic to their side. I don't want a man in the White House who thinks "vertical" is the best approach to education.
Public education reform is not done in a vacumn. As I said in my second post, ALL learners must be include for the system to work. I totally understand that public school is not going away. But it is a STATE issue. Making it a federal issue complicates the situation for homeschoolers greatly. Huckabee has signaled that he sees a place for the federal government in education. As I'll show in my next post (hopefully today) this is not a positive for homeschoolers.
As far as electibiliyt, it was HSLDA-PAC that brought up the subject of electibility and the fact that they thought Hillary was the one to beat Huckabee.
Incidentally, the NEA also endorsed Hillary Clinton. It is the first time they endorsed a Republican and a Democrat in the primary. That tells me that at least in education they see both people as positive for them. I think that is very telling.
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Dec. 19, 2007 - Huckabees Blog
I posted my concerns on his blog. Maybe we all should and send in letters to him.
http://www.mikehuckabee.com/?FuseAction=Blogs.Home
His blog is moderated, but at least he'll get the message.
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Dec. 19, 2007 - Huckabee and Homeschoolers
I do agree with you that Huckabee needs to be watched for his stand on homeschool issues. However, I do believe that in pretty much every other area he matches up closely with what we believe and are looking for in a president. Is there another candidate who comes close? It is a shame, but it is often the case in our political system that we are forced to choose "the lesser of two evils". This one issue is not one that should stop us from voting for and supporting a Christian man who stands up against abortion, and stands up for faith-based issues. We also need to make sure we are supporting someone who is strong enough to keep Hillary and Obama out of the presidency.
We need to pray for the voting population and for Governor Huckabee, maybe someday we won't have to support the "lesser of two evils".
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Dec. 19, 2007 - Untitled Comment
I am excited as I can possibly be to read this!! I have recently come to the same conclusions and here is the letter I just wrote to homeschoolers on my list...
As you may know our daughter has turned 18! Her interest in her new voting rights has involved us in the political process and given us a reason to check thoroughly into the republican candidates. I wonder how many homeschoolers realize the info we found and would like to hear
we have been comparing the 2 Christian candidates on every issue but as far as homeschooling alone, we find that Huckabee does not support our freedoms as he should. In addition to the issues in the article below I have also found that he lowered the compulsory age from 6 to 5 years, he is all for schooling qualifications for teachers, and the teaching of certain mandatory subjects
Huckabee leads Arkansas to become the first state to REDUCE homeschooling freedom
First Huckabee signs a law helping homeschoolers, then signs a law further restricting them.
Consequences of Huckabees law:
Arkansas is now one of only 12 states to impose a deadline for beginning home schooling or requiring parents to provide advance notice to public school officials of their decision to do so. Because of this restriction, parents who encounter intolerable conditions at the public school, such as imminent danger to the safety or welfare of their child, will have to wait at least 14 days before withdrawing the child to begin home schooling or else face truancy charges for unexcused absences during the 14-day waiting period. No such restriction exists for parents who decide to immediately remove their children to attend a private or parochial school in Arkansas. This raises serious issues regarding the right of parents to direct the education of their children and equal protection of the law as guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.
Another discriminatory provision in H.B. 1724 states that any home schooling student who refuses to participate in the state testing program shall be subject to prosecution for truancy. Public school students refusing to participate in state testing would not be subject to truancy prosecution.
Prior law required parents moving into the state mid-school year to provide a written notice of intent to the local superintendent within 30 days. The new law requires parents to provide a written notice upon moving into a different school district during the school year, even though notice was given in their former district.
Also, No Child Left Behind
The federal No Child Left Behind Act is often misunderstood and unfairly maligned as a total federal intrusion, Huckabee said. As long as the states are allowed to develop their own benchmark exams to determine the manner to create standards
theres a value of having a national effort to at least set high standards.
Just a few reasons we have decided to support Ron Paul in this race. Dr. Paul said in his intro to the Family Education Freedom Act, Parental control of child rearing, especially education, is one of the bulwarks of liberty. No nation can remain free when the state has greater influence over the knowledge and values transmitted to children than the family.
At his website
http://www.ronpaul2008.com/homeschoolers/compared-to-other-candidates/
Another comparison among many
http://homeschoolersforpaul.blogspot.com/
And finally a letter I like to share
http://www.lewrockwell.com/fisk/fisk32.html
Id love to find a way to let other homeschoolers know what we have found! We are excited!
Adriane
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Dec. 19, 2007 - Disconcerting...
I find this post somewhat disconcerting. I don't think the whole story is being told.
I would encourage individuals to check out the facts for themselves. I can tell you that Huckabee is probably the most homeschool-friendly candidate on the Republican side, right up there with Ron Paul. However, Huckabee has demonstrated an ability to work **with** other people to get things done for the good of the constituents, something which Ron Paul is lacking in.
I happen to know Gregg Harris and family personally, and they are staunch supporters of home education (Gregg authored "The Christian Home School" amongst other titles, and has spoken internationally on home education). I also know they are avid supporters of Mike Huckabee, even after doing extensive research into his record. If a recognized leader in the homeschooling movement sees fit to support Mike Huckabee, I have my doubts about the validity of the complaints leveled against him on this blog.
For more self-directed research, I would encourage all to read the following document:
http://www.hucksarmy.com/downloads/huckabee_homschool_record.pdf
God bless.
--Dan W
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Dec. 19, 2007 - Somebody didn't read the conversation, apparently
Dan,
Your link is not spelled correctly. But more importantly, that document has already been introduced into the conversation and several of us have responded to it already.
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Dec. 19, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Dan,
I am also friends with the Harris's and I respect them as Christians who are also passionate about homeschooling and their endorsement of Mike Huckabee. Our friendship will endure long after this campaign season.
The document you have mentioned does not address any of the concerns I have raised. I have linked to and acknowledged the same documents and points in Mike Huckabee's favor. However, they do not explain why he chose NOT to veto this legislation or at least leave it unsigned. It also does not address the 1998 legislation which prompted the 1999 revisions on homeschool law.
Further, today I posted about Huckabee's confusing position on the role of the federal government in education, which appears to be very different than the stance of HSLDA. It is my desire to have a President who will not compromise my freedoms, not just as a homeschooler, but as a conservative Christians who believes in limited government and the tenth amendment.
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Dec. 19, 2007 - Huckabee on Homeschooling - The rest of the story
Here's a link to a new home-schooling mom's website who posts a bloggers conference call with Mike Huckabee inquiring as to what actually happened regarding the signing of House Bill 1724.
http://onemom.wordpress.com/2007/11/26/huckabee-and-homeschoolers-the-rest-of-the-story/
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Dec. 20, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Anonymous,
I actually linked to Kerry at One Mom in Part 2 of my post. In that post I explained why Smart Start and the complete education reform package of Huckabee is a double negative for homeschoolers. The P-16 "seamless transition" that Huckabee promotes is a HUGE problem for homeschoolers. HSLDA recognized that fact when Clinton proposed it and it will be a problem if Huckabe proposes it.
Please read Part 2 of the post here and you'll understand why Huckabee's explanation only makes things worse for him not better.
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/TOSPUBLISHER/446789/
Homeschoolers need to stand against this education reform for the sake of our children. I don't want to move toward the socialist planned economy of Europe, do you?
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Dec. 25, 2007 - A word from Huckabee's Director of Family Policy
I was Huckabee's director of family policy for his entire 10 years in office. As such, it was my job to help protect the rights of homeschoolers. This was a very high priority for us. Not only did he appoint the state's first homeschooling mom to the state board of education, but he and we vigorously fought to preserve the rights of homeschoolers.
The fact is, Arkansas was and is a very lopsided state when it comes to Republicans and Democrats. He was always greatly outnumbered, which makes any accomplishment pretty amazing. When he signed the bill in question the momentum in the legislature seemed to be shifting against homeschoolers. We had to do something to prevent drastic regulation.
He could have gone down in flames for some symbolic show of principle, but our actions were strategic. In Arkansas, the veto is meaningless because a simple majority can override it.
The number one homeschooling lobyist in Arkansas is Jerry Cox with the Arkansas Family Council and he will back up my perspecive. He is firmly in Huckabee's camp. Homeschoolers would be very safe in a Hucakee administration.
From Chris Pyle, Little Rock Arkansas
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Dec. 26, 2007 - Interesting Huckabee post
Thank you for your series. I think there's time to apply this scrutiny to all viable candidates.
As for Ron Paul and HS freedom, yes he is pro-personal freedom and I like him for that (why isn't he pro-fair tax then???), however, speaking of naivete on foreign policy, that would be him. We'll have no HS freedom when our lives are threatened by Islam b/c of his unrealistic, isolationist, blame America, and conspiracy theory laden viewpoints.
Also, consider your source when reading articles (i.e. Huffington Post-ultra liberal). I think it reasonable and imperative to drill Huckabee on this issue and let him know what we expect on this issue. However, he wasn't always for the Fair Tax but became educated, which is a massive thinking shift concerning the entire structure of our system, very pro-freedom and financially supportive to HSchoolers. With that being said, I think it's reasonable to press him to clarify any decision on the importance of our freedom issue and he shows that he can obviously be educated for practical, pro-freedom measures. Remember, in politics there's always more than just one side and the dynamics of a decision. Besides, HS freedom will be more impacted still at the state level no matter who is president.
Also, I know he spoke candidly about the rapist situation and it is more complicated than him just "being set free" and he regrets the way he worded a particular letter to this man. Again, consider your sources. He wasn't the Gov. who made this man eligible for parole to begin with and there's an either/or quality to this situation just like the either/or to the HS act he signed. Do I like it that the NEA of N.H. supports him or the "unity" rhetoric? No, but let's continue to ask questions and pursue the whole truth.
Again, thank you for an article that promotes such discussion.
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Dec. 26, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Welcome to the discussion Chris,
Every legislature has hostile members who want to regulate homeschooling. This year Arkansas SUCCESSFULLY defeated a measure that attempted to restrict homeschoolers and they did so with a Democrat legislative body and governor. So while the line that Huckabee had no choice may sell in Arkansas, homeschoolers around the country know that these bill can be and are routinely defeated in other states. The fact that Huckabee couldn't get the job done in Arkansas against Democrats is a problem for many who realize that US Congress want to do the same thing.
He could have also stood on principle and left the bill unsigned signalling that he realized how wrong this bill was, but he didn't even do that. He signed it and managed to convince homeschoolers that despite HSLDA's opposition this was their only choice.
Further, it is not that homeschoolers will be "safe" under Huckabee. His education policy is unconstitutional as he is calling for an INCREASE in federal involvement in education. That is what my second and third posts were about. Huckabee promises to "leave homeschoolers alone" but education reform is not done in a vacumn, and any attempts to reform it WILL affect homeschoolers.
I'm glad you're solidly behind Huckbee. That's your choice as a citizen. But his policies and his actions are NOT good news for homeschoolers. It would be in your best interest to understand P-16 education reform and its national and international nature, before you say that homeschoolers will be safe under a Huckabee adminstration. I'm not buying it.
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Dec. 26, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Welcome to the discussion Chris,
Every legislature has hostile members who want to regulate homeschooling. This year Arkansas SUCCESSFULLY defeated a measure that attempted to restrict homeschoolers and they did so with a Democrat legislative body and governor. So while the line that Huckabee had no choice may sell in Arkansas, homeschoolers around the country know that these bill can be and are routinely defeated in other states. The fact that Huckabee couldn't get the job done in Arkansas against Democrats is a problem for many who realize that US Congress want to do the same thing.
He could have also stood on principle and left the bill unsigned signalling that he realized how wrong this bill was, but he didn't even do that. He signed it and managed to convince homeschoolers that despite HSLDA's opposition this was their only choice.
Further, it is not that homeschoolers will be "safe" under Huckabee. His education policy is unconstitutional as he is calling for an INCREASE in federal involvement in education. That is what my second and third posts were about. Huckabee promises to "leave homeschoolers alone" but education reform is not done in a vacumn, and any attempts to reform it WILL affect homeschoolers.
I'm glad you're solidly behind Huckbee. That's your choice as a citizen. But his policies and his actions are NOT good news for homeschoolers. It would be in your best interest to understand P-16 education reform and its national and international nature, before you say that homeschoolers will be safe under a Huckabee adminstration. I'm not buying it.
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Dec. 26, 2007 - Huckabee and Homeschooling
I was referred to this site by The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. Thank you for writing an article that addresses a candidate with regard to that which is very near and dear to my heart -- educating my children.
I was wondering if you might be able to provide any information on Ron Paul with regard to this issue. Mostly, however, I am wondering why NO ONE has mentioned Alan Keyes since the Values Voter Debate in September. I just looked on his website and he is in fact still running for president. There is an obviously principled man who will fight for what he believes is right and will not sway from his beliefs to placate a special interest group. I would be very interested to hear what you have to say on these two gentlemen and their stance on homeschooling.
Thank you,
Elizabeth
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Dec. 26, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Chris, I acknowledged in my post Huckabee's appointment of a homechool mom. But there's another man in the Huckabee adminsitration who has arguably much more influence on education policy in Arkansas that is NOT exactly a pro-homeschooling.
Dr. Ray Simon who was the head of the Arkansas Department of Ed from 1997-2003 said in a Times article on homeschooling,
"To be sure, many public schools and their baleful unions and wretched bureaucrats, their rigid rules and we-know-best manner have done a lot to hurt themselves. But as the most committed parents leave, the schools may falter more, giving the larger community yet another reason to fret over their condition. "A third of our support for schools comes from property taxes," says Ray Simon, director of the Arkansas department of education. "If a large number of a community's parents do not fully believe in the school system, it gets more difficult to pass those property taxes. And that directly impacts the schools' ability to operate."
This was the man who was in charge of education in Arkansas when the bill was passed requiring homeschoolers to wait 14 days before taking their child out of school. Clearly, he sees homeschooling as threat to funding and any legislation that stems the flow back home is a problem.
Dr. Simon was appointed by Governor Huckabee.
So I'm glad he appointed a homeschool mom it's a nice perk for Huckabee, but education policy was decided more by this man. Simon is now the Deputy secretary of education in the Bush adminstration, I wonder how he will factor if Huckabee gets into office? Simon's policies are NOT about keeping homeschooling "safe." He realizes that we are threat to funding and when there's money involved homeschoolers just can't compete with the lobbyist in the education beuaracracy.
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Dec. 26, 2007 - Homeschoolers for Huckabee should look at Ron Paul
Personally I think that anyone who is considering Huckabee should take a look at Ron Paul - he's the best candidate for homeschoolers. :)
http://www.ronpaul2008.com/homeschoolers/
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Dec. 26, 2007 - trying to decide
I appreciate the posts on Huckabee. I also appreciated many of the comments on the other candidates. Personally, I liked Tancredo, but I guess that's not an option.
I think checking out Huckabee more stringently is an excellent idea. I also think most of us tend to be naive on how the intricacies of government do work. It is entirely possible that Huckabee had to compromise what he truly believed was best regarding homeschooling in Arkansas in order to avoid a worse scenario for homeschoolers.
If I have learned anything at all about politics, it is that they are in tough decisions settings everyday.
One of the poorest things to come down the pike is the ability to tack on unrelated laws to various bills. Many times a president or governor must strike down a good bill because there are bad legislations attached that would pass with the bill. To me, this is an absolutely insane situation we have allowed ourselves as a country to get into - each law or bill should have to stand on its own and not be piggybacked. Of course, this situation is then used by the opposing team to make the president or governor look like scum. A pro-homeschooling measure may have attached to it measures which would remove funding for some child- or elderly-related program. By voting in favor of it, the homeschoolers would be happy, but the children or elderly of the state would suffer. So the president or governor votes against it, sparing the children or elderly, and it is then touted as his being opposed to homeschoolers. Tacking on unrelated legislation to bills only hurts all members of society and prevents any real progress from being accomplished. It would be nice if we could get a majority of lawmakers to disallow such piggybacking.
I have a friend firmly trying to get me in Ron Paul's camp, but I'm not comfortable with him, though I get mailers from his camp every 2-3 days...he obviously has some money behind him. I think some of his ideas are great - I'm glad he's pro-life and pro-family, but let's face it - many presidents have been both since Roe v Wade and it hasn't been overturned yet. Getting a pro-life president is not going to guarantee an end to abortion, though I certainly wish it were that simple.
Ron Paul is scary to me on other topics of great importance. He may say he wants to pull all troops from all foreign shores, and while that sounds wonderful to have all our fellas and gals back on American soil, the truth is, for our own protection, we must maintain military personnel around the globe. Also, the president is not king and sole leader of America - anything he wants to do must pass through Congress and the Senate. He cannot declare war without their approval, nor can he bring troops home without their approval. So you might get a great president in office whose hands are tied because what he wants to do won't be passed. I think we tend to forget that in determining who would best be president.
Ron Paul may well want to send all the illegals back to Mexico. I would love for that to happen....but again, Congress has to agree with him.
I'm also bothered by Ron Paul because as a strict "vote only on what's in the Constitution" candidate, he has become extremely popular with the ilk of our society. There was a recent newspaper article on a brothel in Nevada that was raising money for Ron Paul's campaign. Why? Because he cannot vote against legalizing gambling, illicit parlors, legalizing marijuana, or any other immoral activities because those are state issues for him. I'm all for states' rights, probably more so that most people I've met, but I do think there are certain activities that we as a country should oppose. Why do we think the president should pass a law stating marriage is between a man and woman, but then let the states decide about drinking, gambling, and brothels? How is it that one is a national issue and the rest are state issues?
Another concern I have with Ron Paul would be his stand on our support of Israel, a point which never seems to come up in presidential conversations. However, it is plain in Scripture that those countries who stand with Israel will be blessed, while those who oppose her will not. America has been Israel's ally for many years. Ron Paul may or may not be interested in helping her. He's not big on foreign policy - his stand regarding Israel would be important to me.
Ron Paul says he is in favor of homeschooling....of course he can say that because he would never vote on that issue. He would say it is up to the individual rights of the states to decide their own laws on homeschooling. He won't pass any national laws one way or the other, but he won't stand in the way of Arkansas or any other state that wants to impose strict rules governing our abilities to homeschool. It's not a national issue - it's a state issue. So having him as president would not necessarily be helpful to homeschoolers.
I confess I am at a total loss as to who to vote for. I have never been so frustrated! I firmly believe it is my right and duty before God to vote, yet I constantly find myself voting for the lesser of the evils. Why are there no solid choices anymore?
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Dec. 26, 2007 - Huckabee
I know we'd all like to always stand on principal 100% every time but there are times to be pragmatic. For example, here in MI we have reduced the number of abortions by a significant amount by passing laws for waiting periods, informed consent, etc. Some, on principal, think we should not promote these laws because they still allow for abortion. However, the chance of making it 100% illegal is nearly zero. So you do what you can to save as many lives as possible.
I see what Huckabee did in the same vein. True, he could have vetoed the 2 week period, but it might have actually made it worse for homeschoolers. Sometimes you just have to do what you can even when it's not 100% perfect. We live in a fallen world and the political world is about as fallen as you can get!!!
As far as HSLDA is concerned they will fight ANY restricition, even if it's not that big of a deal. They just are trying to keep us from a quick ride down a slippery slope. But a 2 week waiting period doesn't sound like a huge deal to me. I am pretty sure there is a waiver if the circumtances warrents it. Most parents would want at least 2 weeks to gear up to homeschool anyway. I would think a huge decision like pulling your kids out of ps could, would and should warrent 2 weeks of planning and prayer. Obviously any parent who put their kids in ps in the first place was OK with it to begin with, so I can't imagine why suddenly to have to keep them there 2 more weeks would be so difficult.
My kids have never been in a public school other than when they went with me to vote. I would not want a law like that in MI, we have a fantastic homeschooling envonment here, but it really would not effect most homeschoolers. I know of only a few who took their kids out of public schools. I think most either never put them in, or simply wait until the year is up and then not send them back. I guess what I'm trying to say here is that it is just not enough of a big deal to me to keep me from voting for Huckabee. I'm not sure a president has much to do with homeschooling anyway, unless, of course you consider the ones who WERE homeschoolerd! LOL
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Dec. 26, 2007 - Huckabee
Thanks for the article!!!
As a resident of Arkansas, I have been distressed at the support for Huckabee. One law that he passed as governor was to make it illegal to smoke with a child in the car. This is an offense that you can now be pulled over for. He also has made parents liable for obesity of children. How? They are tested for obesity at school. Did they take out the candy machines, soda machines, improve the lunch menus for the 1/3 of the day that the child is out of the hands of the parent? No.
Do I smoke? No. Do I think that parents should be responsible for children's good eating habits? Yes.
Should government decide who is obese, abusive, mentally competent, competent enough to homeschooling their children? No. Each time we pass laws which allow government to make decisions for us, we lose rights to govern and be responsible for ourselves.
Truly, isn't it sad that we need more than the 10 Commandments, the constitution and the bill of rights to govern ourselves?
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Dec. 26, 2007 - Untitled Comment
"Should government decide who is obese, abusive, mentally competent, competent enough to homeschooling their children? No. Each time we pass laws which allow government to make decisions for us, we lose rights to govern and be responsible for ourselves."
Exactly. Scary, indeed. Thank you for an informed opinion from Arkansas, Anonymous.
Deb
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Dec. 26, 2007 - In response to kapandpen - trying to decide
[Quote:] I think checking out Huckabee more stringently is an excellent idea. I also think most of us tend to be naive on how the intricacies of government do work. It is entirely possible that Huckabee had to compromise what he truly believed was best regarding homeschooling in Arkansas in order to avoid a worse scenario for homeschoolers.
If I have learned anything at all about politics, it is that they are in tough decisions settings everyday. One of the poorest things to come down the pike is the ability to tack on unrelated laws to various bills. Many times a president or governor must strike down a good bill because there are bad legislations attached that would pass with the bill. To me, this is an absolutely insane situation we have allowed ourselves as a country to get into - each law or bill should have to stand on its own and not be piggybacked. Of course, this situation is then used by the opposing team to make the president or governor look like scum. A pro-homeschooling measure may have attached to it measures which would remove funding for some child- or elderly-related program. By voting in favor of it, the homeschoolers would be happy, but the children or elderly of the state would suffer. So the president or governor votes against it, sparing the children or elderly, and it is then touted as his being opposed to homeschoolers. Tacking on unrelated legislation to bills only hurts all members of society and prevents any real progress from being accomplished. It would be nice if we could get a majority of lawmakers to disallow such piggybacking.
[Response:] The sense of tolerance you are describing here is exactly why were at where we are at. I wonder what the Federal government would have done if we had all stood up to the Court ruling on prayer in school back in the 60s and said NO. You will not take this from us we dont care what you think. Its always the Christians that give a little to the point that they give up everything and run into seclusion. Lo
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