Democrats won't privatize education
Rodrik Brosten | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 10 years, 3 months AGO
Members of the Montana Legislature have to take an oath of office before they can execute their duties: “I do solemnly swear that I will support, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the state of Montana, and that I will discharge the duties of my office with fidelity (so help me God).”
Article V Section 11 Paragraph 5 of the Montana Constitution states: “No appropriation shall be made for religious, charitable, industrial, educational, or benevolent purposes to any private individual, private association, or private corporation not under the control of the state.”
In Article X Section 1, the Montana Constitution says: “Equality of educational opportunity is guaranteed to each person of the state.” and “The legislature shall provide a basic system of free quality public elementary and secondary schools.” and “No person shall be refused admission to any public educational institution on account of sex, race, creed, religion, political beliefs, or national origin.”
Article X Section 6 Paragraph 1 states: “The legislature, counties, cities, towns, school districts, and public corporations shall not make any direct or indirect appropriation or payment from any public fund or monies, or any grant of lands or other property for any sectarian purpose or to aid any church, school, academy, seminary, college, university, or other literary or scientific institution, controlled in whole or in part by any church, sect or denomination.”
Republicans, urged on by the corporate-funded and rabidly right-wing American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) are promoting a bill to privatize public education, and turn it over to the corporate sector.
In this election, you have a clear choice between who believes in the Constitution and those who don’t. Vote for candidates who are knowledgeable educators who believe in fully funded quality public education. Vote for Ruby Dynneson: HD 10, Dan King: SD 5, JoLynn Yenne: HD 9, and Diane Taylor: SD 4. —Rodrik Brosten, Bigfork
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