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I am astounded at the lack of support from a big conservative tea party county like Hall County regarding the recent sales tax referendum. What happened? Did everyone go to sleep after last year's elections?
First of all, the supporters of big government get these elections scheduled at a time when there will be less likelihood of a turnout. Why wasn't this issue on the ballot last fall? I'll tell you why: Because it would have failed miserably. Scheduling this vote in March allows the few big government supporters, like the Chamber of Commerce and PTA, to be organized and get their people to the polls.
In spite of that, why were 91.7 percent of the registered voters asleep at the wheel? I am very frustrated that those who worship at the altar of government education had their way in this matter.
The U.S. Department of Education has a proposed $48.8 billion budget for 2012. Think about it folks; that is more than $15 million for every county in our nation. What a waste! Abolish the federal DOE and return the money to the states and get off the taxpayers' backs for a while.
It has been statistically proven that the per student spending, high vs. low, does not equal a good education. The Atlanta Public Schools system cost the taxpayers more than $13,000 per student per year and they turn out a very inferior product compared to the $5,000 per year that it might cost to educate a child in a good Christian school.
Then there are those of us who have never had a child in a government school who continue to pay and pay and pay. Education is a parental matter. I took care of mine; you take care of yours.
Fred Chitwood
Flowery Branch