Turn education over to parents

To the editor:

Recently Bob Krone wrote about senior centers. He is correct to point out that "taxpayer-supported senior centers in Missouri openly practice age discrimination while unfairly competing with taxpaying restaurants and social clubs." The problem is that our population has become too dependent upon government. From cradle to grave, we expect the government to care for us. And this is reflected in every aspect of our lives. Government takes on the role of educator and caregiver.

Prior to the Civil War, education was left up to the parents. Those who could afford it sent their children to private academies, or a group of parents hired a teacher to educate their children. The elderly were cared for too. Families and churches took care of the needy and did a better job than government could ever dream of doing.

The problem with anything government subsidizes is the fact that at any given time the government can stop subsidizing. We all know that in times of war and economic hardships, the first thing to always be cut in a government's budget is social programs.

We need to turn education back to parents so students can be taught the value of economics and constitutional law instead of liberal social agendas. We should take responsibility for caring for the elderly. At a time when the dollar is continuing to fall and war is still very much a reality, it only makes sense.

CLINT LACY, Vice Chairman, Missouri League of the South, Marble Hill, Mo.