Reiner takes leave from commission on children

The San Francisco Chronicle reports:

Director Rob Reiner has taken a leave as chairman of a state children's commission amid concerns that it may have improperly spent public funds to promote the universal preschool campaign he is heading.

In a letter to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Friday, Reiner said he would step down from the First 5 California Children and Families Commission until after the June election on Proposition 82 "to avoid any political distractions."

At issue is $23 million that First 5 spent on television and other ads promoting the value of preschool and parent education between November and January, when the initiative qualified for the ballot. The proposition would tax the state's wealthiest wage earners to provide a free year of preschool to all California 4-year-olds.

If Reiner is so concerned about "the children" he should voluntarily give his wealth away to the state of California.Then he could set a moral example of someone who really believes in public education and egalitarianism.Then maybe his rich Hollywood friends could do the same thing.There could be then a huge wave of liberal elitists pulling their children out of private schools.The question for Reiner is why do you care that many California taxpayers don't want to be coerced into supporting state education?