On Tuesday the Education Secretary, Arne Duncan, was speaking at a summit in Virginia. In his speech he came out in support of public boarding schools. After offering up the idea he admitted it to be “controversial.” Yes, Mr. Duncan, this is a very controversial topic. The Department of Education website reads “Our mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.” Public boarding schools fit nowhere in this mission.

The public education system should be left up to States to control. Mr. Duncan later went on to assert “There’s just certain kids we should have 24/7 to really create a safe environment and give them a chance to be successful.” Mr. Duncan, are you wishing to adopt our children? The secretary is asserting that the American family isn’t doing its job and that big government should take the role of the family in raising our children.

This sounds like Communist China. Public schools already have our children for eight hours a day, not including the bus ride. If the Secretary wants to improve the education system, how about getting bureaucrats in Washington out of our local schools? Inform Mrs. Obama that her lunch program is in shambles and a complete failure. Tell Mr. Obama that his education department's plan to control our kids from “cradle to career”, as Mr. Duncan has said before, isn’t happening.

Education is clearly nowhere in the Constitution. Therefore, it should be left up to the States to decide how their education system will function. It is not the role of the government to keep our kids “24/7”. Instead of wasting time promoting a socialist education system, Mr. Duncan should’ve spent time encouraging families and parents to continue to provide a solid foundation for the child. Education should start in the home and be practiced in the classroom, not the opposite.

Local government is the best government. Whenever Washington figures that out, America will be a better place.

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