Washington Post columnist Sebastian Mallaby finds an unknown scholar at U.C. Davis, Peter Lindert, whom he says has published a “magisterial” work (apparently, the word “excellent” no longer suffices) justifying “quality” tax and spend programs. Mallaby notes that while Democrats are returning to power, they are collectively reluctant—“with the notable exception of John Edwards“—to endorse tax increases. Unfortunately, education is the first example Mallaby gives of a “quality” spending program justifying a tax hike. If you believe that throwing more money at public education is a “quality” investment, than you are a Democrat, and John Edwards will help you.
More useful to public education’s future: the outspoken opinions of Apple’s Steve Jobs. According to the New York Sun, Jobs told an education reform conference audience:
“I believe that what's wrong with our schools in this nation is that they have become unionized in the worst possible way.” . .unionization, Mr. Jobs argued, [constrains] schools from attracting and retaining the best teachers and from dismissing the less effective ones. This, in turn, deters quality people from seeking to become principals and superintendents. "What kind of person could you get to run a small business if you told them that when they came in they couldn't get rid of people that they thought weren't any good? Not really great ones because if you're really smart you go, ‘I can't win.'" Mr. Jobs. . . concluded by saying, "This unionization and lifetime employment of K-12 teachers is off-the-charts crazy."
Put Steve Jobs in charge, and millions would support hiking taxes to help schools.
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