The united States Constitution grants absolutely zero authority in the matter of education to the central government. Article ten of the Bill of Rights states, “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” So, why are so many conservatives cheering the confirmation of Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to the position of an unconstitutional department rather than being outraged that it continues almost 40 years after it was illegally created? Congressman Thomas Massie is taking it sitting down and has introduced legislation to abolish the unconstitutional department, and it only took one sentence to write it.

For starters, let’s listen to whom conservatives champion most, President Ronald Reagan. Just two years after the Department of Education was created, Reagan addressed the nation on September 24, 1981 and said the following.

“As a third step, we propose to dismantle two Cabinet Departments, Energy and Education. Both Secretaries are wholly in accord with this. Some of the activities in both of these departments will, of course, be continued either independently or in other areas of government. There’s only one way to shrink the size and cost of big government, and that is by eliminating agencies that are not needed and are getting in the way of a solution. Now, we don’t need an Energy Department to solve our basic energy problem. As long as we let the forces of the marketplace work without undue interference, the ingenuity of consumers, business, producers, and inventors will do that for us. Similarly, education is the principal responsibility of local school systems, teachers, parents, citizen boards, and State governments. By eliminating the Department of Education less than 2 years after it was created, we cannot only reduce the budget but ensure that local needs and preferences, rather than the wishes of Washington, determine the education of our children.”

It is my opinion that this is why we often lose. We compromise principles we should not. We justify doing what is illegal and lawless for the sake of progressivism or incrementalism. It doesn’t work. The longer something continues, the more comfortable people become with its continuance.

To that end, I’m happy to hear to hear that Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie (R) has introduced legislation to abolish the Department of Education.

“The Department of Education shall terminate on December 31, 2018.”

That is the only sentence in the bill.

“Neither Congress nor the President, through his appointees, has the constitutional authority to dictate how and what our children must learn,” said Massie on the day Betsy DeVos was scheduled to be confirmed by the US Senate as Secretary of Education. “Unelected bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. should not be in charge of our children’s intellectual and moral development. States and local communities are best positioned to shape curricula that meet the needs of their students. Schools should be accountable. Parents have the right to choose the most appropriate educational opportunity for their children, including home school, public school, or private school.”

“For years, I have advocated returning education policy to where it belongs – the state and local level,” said Rep. Walter Jones, an original co-sponsor. “D.C. bureaucrats cannot begin to understand the needs of schools and its students on an individual basis. It is time that we get the feds out of the classroom, and terminate the Department of Education.”

“I’ve always been a proponent of empowering parents, teachers and local school boards who best know our children and their needs,” said Rep. Raul Labrador, another original co-sponsor. “Eliminating the U.S. Department of Education is the most important step we in Congress can take in returning decision making to the local level.”

“Education of our students should lie primarily with parents, teachers, and state and local officials who know how to meet their individual needs best,” said Rep. Andy Biggs. “Since its inception, the Department of Education has grown into an unrecognizable federal beast, and its policies have helped foster Common Core across the country. It is time the one-size-fits-all approach by the federal government is ended and authority is returned to the local level.”

I’m happy to hear there are still some men in office who see this is a huge problem. In fact, I would contest it is one of the largest problems we face in America as a cookie cutter approach to education is a disaster for our children and for the future of the States in the Union. May I suggest that parents begin to exit the public indoctrination centers we call public schools and return to the time tested, God-given means of home and private education?

First, I would highly recommend two books to help you in your understanding of this matter. The first book is a very short read titled On Secular Education. See what one America warned would occur if those in power during the 19th century were allowed to force public education on the States, and take a look around you at how his predictions have been astoundingly accurate. The second book is titled Restoring America One County At A Times an eye opening account of the history of education in America and how we used to be the most literate country on the planet.

Finally, home education is one way you can deal a blow to the central beast without its help. I would highly recommend a home school curriculum that doesn’t cost you anything if your children are K-5. After that, you pay for each course. It’s one way you can say no to the system, and yes to your children’s future.

Written by Tim Brown and published by Freedom Outpost ~ February 9, 2017.

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