<Her "blistering critique of Dutch multiculturalism" included a criticism of an education system which allows Islamic groups to indoctrinate youths in segregated schools, all paid for by fat subsidies from the Dutch taxpayer.

Substitute "American" for "Dutch", and you could have a plausible description of what school vouchers could come to be.



Of course, almost EVERYTHING in Holland is paid for by fat subsidies from the Dutch taxpayer, but that's neither here nor there. The last number I could find gives a total of 30 Islamic schools in Holland, and they have been controversial, with some Dutch authorities calling for them to be shut down when they do not comply with the educational rules of the nation.

As far as vouchers in America, the concern about "oddball" schools popping up, or even schools where anti-Americanism is taught* is a valid one, but I still believe that most parents would choose wisely. I assume schools teaching actual criminality would be dealt with routinely like any other crime.

I'd be a lot more sympathetic about this objection if I thought that the educational establishment honestly had the education of children as their top priority in the political arguments. They're not really concerned about "oddball" schools, and everyone knows it. It's just another scare tactic.

Common culture results from common education.

True, as far as it goes. Of course, the $64,000 question is who gets to decide what the "common culture" is, and what's going to be incorporated in the "common education." I dare say the answers would be a little different depending on who's in charge. A store that only sells one shoe size is going to make a few people very happy, but not most of them.

*...Hold on a minute there.....