Public education support

The appointment of Betsy DeVos as secretary of Education by President Trump concerns us greatly. This person, along with her husband, is said to be worth some $4.6 billion. She appears to be completely ignorant of the reality of the lives of ordinary citizens of our country.

For most of us a main bastion of our democracy is public education. No matter our amount of income, religious belief or non-belief public influence or non-influence, there is a good chance to better our lives. That chance is tax supported public education.

On March 11, on "60 Minutes," DeVos stated that we have had zero results with public education after years of support. Obviously, this statement is ludicrous. The real need is to find better ways for the public to support and improve our public schools.

In Missouri we are fortunate to have some excellent private alternatives to public education for those who want and can afford them. This public/private combination supports a strong community and ultimately a strong nation.

Federal support for public education does have a role to fill. This truth is especially obvious now during a period of great confusion created by our President's constant opinion and action reversals.

Our nation's very survival may well depend on its general population having the ability to discern the motives and actions of those who have authority over their lives. A good public school education available to as many children as possible helps to make this discernment possible.

HAROLD AND RUTHELLEN WEINRICH, Perryville, Missouri