The Future of Liberty
by
Ron Paul
Recently
by Ron Paul: The
Great Cyprus Bank Robbery
A common feature
of authoritarian regimes is the criminalization of alternatives
to government-controlled education. Dictators recognize the danger
that free thought poses to their rule, and few things promote the
thinking of “unapproved” thoughts like an education controlled
by parents instead of the state. That is why the National Socialist
(Nazi) government of Germany outlawed homeschooling in 1938.
Sadly, these
Nazi-era restrictions on parental rights remain the law in Germany,
leaving parents who wish greater control over their childrenÂ’s
education without options. That is why in 2006 Uwe and Hannalore
Romeike, a German couple who wanted to homeschool their three children
for religious reasons, sought asylum in the United States. Immigration
judge Lawrence Burman upheld their application for asylum, recognizing
that the freedom of parents to homeschool was a “basic human
right.”
Unfortunately,
the current US administration does not see it that way, and has
announced that it is appealing Judge Burman’s decision. If the administration
is successful, the Romeikes could be sent back to Germany where
they will be forced to send their children to schools whose teaching
violates their religious beliefs. If they refuse, they face huge
fines, jail time, or even the loss of custody of their children!
The AdministrationÂ’s
appeal claims that the federal government has the constitutional
authority to ban homeschooling in all fifty states. The truth is,
the Constitution gives the federal government no power to control
any aspect of education. Furthermore, parents who, like the Romeikes,
have a religious motivation for homeschooling should be protected
by the free exercise clause of the First Amendment.
The federal
governmentÂ’s hostility to homeschooling is shared by officials
at all levels of government. Despite the movementÂ’s success
in legalizing homeschooling in every state, many families are still
subjected to harassment by local officials. The harassment ranges
from “home visits” by child protective agencies to criminal
prosecution for violating truancy laws.
Every American
who values liberty should support the homeschoolersÂ’ cause.
If the government can usurp parental authority over something as
fundamental as the education of their children, there is almost
no area of parenthood off limits to government interference.
Homeschooling
has proven to be an effective means of education. We are all familiar
with the remarkable academic achievements, including in national
spelling bees and other competitions, by homeshcooled children.
In addition, homeschooled students generally fare better than their
public school educated peers on all measures of academic performance.
It
makes sense that children do better when their education is controlled
by those who know their unique needs best, rather than by a federal
bureaucrat. A strong homeschooling movement may also improve other
forms of education. If competition improves goods and services in
other areas of life, why wouldn’t competition improve education?
A large and growing homeschooling movement could inspire public
and private schools to innovate and improve.
When the government
interferes with a parent’s ability to choose the type of education
that is best for their child, it is acting immorally and in manner
inconsistent with a free society. A government that infringes on
the rights of homeschooling will eventually infringe on the rights
of all parents. Homeschooled children are more likely to embrace
the philosophy of freedom, and to join the efforts to restore liberty.
In fact, I would not be surprised if the future leaders of the liberty
movement where homeschooled.
I believe so
strongly in the homeschooling movement that I have just announced
my own curriculum for homeschooling families. Please visit this
revolutionary new project at RonPaulCurriculum.com.
April
8, 2013
Dr. Ron
Paul was a Republican member of Congress from Texas.