Tom,

I understand your point, and usually I come across pretty conservative. However, I believe in controls. Remember the discussion we had a few months back about building codes. This one falls into the same category for me. Controls need to be in place so that when the individual really screws up it doesn't endanger more individuals. In the case of the mother who is not teaching her children, she is the individual who screwed up. since there are no controls in Idaho, her children will suffer the damages.

I am not suggesting her parental rights be taken away or anything approaching that. All I would like to see is a court order demanding she either start teaching them or place them back in school. Private, Public, or even the home schooler down the street will do.

It is easy to write off the kids when you don't know them. Tom, I know each one of these kids. I have hiked the Olympic Peninsula with some of them, and taught Sunday School (yes, I'm teaching them about the creation too, gasp) to the others. Unfortunatly the State of Idaho has left these kids without much of a future. Call me a bleeding heart conservative, but I think the lack of controls in Idaho stinks. I don't have to like it, but the laws say I have to accept it.

I don't think the government belongs in our every day lives. I actually agree with you on many of the issues you bring up. On this one however, I don't think we'll find common ground.

Maybe the next subject we will.

regards,

Steve G.