Keep Private Schools Private – Even in a Hurricane

Is the Institute For Justice always libertarian? J.H.Huebert argues not:

Mr. Bolick also argues that it is "discrimination" for the federal government to provide aid to some children (those who attend government schools) but not others (those at private schools). But of course this is an argument for unlimited government spending, because there will always be people who want government money and, due to some manner of discrimination, do not receive it.

Besides, is it really so invidious to "discriminate" against private schools when deciding how to spend government money? Isn't lack of government money what makes a school private in the first place?


Indeed, there is considerable risk that giving government money – especially federal money – to private schools would fundamentally change their character, effectively killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.

Federal funding for college education, which began in the 1950s and 60s, has shown this to be so, as formerly independent private schools have demonstrated their willingness to do nearly anything to appease the government and retain their funding.

In the 1980s, when two private colleges, Grove City College and Hillsdale College, attempted to assert their independence, Congress passed (over President Ronald Reagan's veto) the Civil Rights Restoration Act, to explicitly declare that any school (including any elementary or secondary school) that enrolls any student who receives federal aid is subject to federal regulation.

It's funny because the federal government might fund something with 1% and want 100% control.Not a good deal.