It's early and I don't mean to stir the pot...

... but my oldest is challenging a school policy this morning with a little civil disobedience and it brought to mind a couple of thoughts.

First off, the civil disobedience. Turns out my nephew purchased a polo shirt from our last visit to the D-Day Museum (now, of course, the National WWII in New Orleans) that was too small for him and it was left. It found its way here during my move out of my house and Claire stumbled across it in the back of my closet. Turns out it fits her perfectly. It's a nice polo, khaki with the WWII Museum emblem on the left breast. She tells me she can't wear it to school because of a rule stating no references to war or violence can ornate the clothing. To which I told her to wear the shirt and have my cell number handy if any fuss comes from it. More than likely it won't but I'm ready.

I was kind of mumbling to myself about tax dollars supporting revisionism in our schools when it struck me again: What IS the fed's responsibility in education?

Now not all that long ago I would have cried from the mountain in a loud clear voice "EVERYTHING!" But since, and for reasons I cannot fully articulate, I've changed my position. While never a believer that throwing money at a problem makes it get better, the federalization of the American Educational system is just that: throwing money at a problem on a colossal scale. How many federal domestic dollars has G.W. spent with his "Left Behind" policy and done just that? Yet the district I'm most proud of, my Biloxi School District, is a superb example of local funding done right.

Keep in mind, as MS is officially in a recession and budget cuts are falling left and right, my school district is sitting rather well because of:

1) Independent revenue base. This district is not solely dependent on local bond votes, property taxes, or most perilously, state sales tax revenue. The casinos within the city of Biloxi pay a tax directly to the school district. Now the casinos may not be all that happy about it, but let me tell you, it is amazing the difference between my school system and D'Iberville, which happens to be right across the bay, a community with no casino revenue. Night and day difference. Could federal funding help that? No.

I was going to crack out a longer list, but I have to drive the kids to school and I'm pressed for time. Federal money could be far better spent in the form of low interest guaranteed student loans for college students, money the govt would eventually be recouped. I'm not saying a college education is a right, but the opportunity for one is, and an expanded student loan program would go a long way to expand that opportunity base. Then in the greatest American tradition, the individual could sink or swim by their own efforts and designs.

Sorry this post didn't go the way I wanted. I'll try and add more later.