LETTERS: VOUCHERS COULD DAMAGE SCHOOLS

To the editor:

Several bills in Congress would establish school vouchers, claiming this would improve education. The solution, with the veneer peeled off, is a reversal of our nearly 150-year public policy, which denies public funds to nonpublic schools. This could drastically change American education.

The 40-year struggle for common schools was won by 1865. These public schools became the melting pot for Americans of all cultures and backgrounds. If they need repair, we have the power to change or fix whatever needs fixing.

Public funds were denied to nonpublic school in most states by 1860, and the schools were to be nonsectarian.

Efforts to re-establish public funds for church schools has continued since 1865. Today, we are witnessing a well-oiled drive to destroy public schools -- a strategy to obtain votes for vouchers.

Since about 95 percent of all private schools are religiously affiliated, such schools exist to teach and promote a sectarian point of view. Of course, they have the freedom to do this. But their sectarian goals should not be supported with tax funds.

Vouchers that provide tax funds to church schools could take us backward in religious freedom. Consider the countries where children attend segregated church schools and where strife and killings have been going on for centuries caused by religious differences.

In the past decade, when school vouchers were on the ballot, they have been defeated by large margins. Vouchers now may be called choice, parental choice or scholarships. Don't be fooled by the new labels.

People are cautious talking about religion, so the voucher issue has been somewhat of a hidden one. It was probably a factor in 1996 presidential race. The candidate who opposed vouchers won.

Contact your federal legislators. Help defeat vouchers. Public schools provide the best guarantee for religious freedom and domestic peace.

GEORGE PARKER

Columbia

Mr. Parker is a former state legislator and a past-executive director of the Missouri Republican Party.