For Immediate Release | Thursday, October 13, 2016 |
More than 118 Libertarians running for federal and state office have pledged to work to stop heavy-handed meddling by state and federal governments in local schools.
Specifically, Libertarian federal candidates pledged to sponsor and work diligently to pass legislation to quickly end all federal mandates on state and local schools. This means ending Common Core, and all other Department of Education (D.O.E.) programs, and closing the D.O.E. It also calls for cutting taxes by the amount saved, so that the savings go exclusively to taxpayers, many of whom are parents and grandparents who can use that money to pay for private schooling.
State candidates similarly pledged to work to remove state regulations on local schools and to cut state taxes. Their pledge also aims to reject federal mandates on schools and to deregulate private and home schooling.
“The centrally planned economy of China created widespread poverty and suffering in my home country,” said Lily Tang Williams, Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate in Colorado and immigrant from China, now an American citizen. “Central planning of education doesn’t work either, and has produced dismal results both in China and in the U.S. Too many American kids can’t read, can’t do basic math, and are poorly prepared for life and for making a decent living.
“We must return control of schools to local parents, teachers, and communities who know and love our kids the best,” she continued. “Without centrally planned state and federal government interference, we can provide quality, state-of-the-market education for kids at a fraction of today’s cost.”
“Republican politicians talk about getting rid of the D.O.E, but nothing ever changes—even when they hold the executive branch and both legislative branches,” said Arvin Vohra, vice chair of the Libertarian National Committee. “Libertarians are committed to specific actions they will take if elected. Those actions will return complete control of schools to families and communities. Homeowners will see much lower property taxes, and kids will get a top-notch education that paves the way for a more satisfying, self-sustaining future.”
Click here to see the list of Libertarian federal candidate pledges and here to see the list of Libertarian state candidate pledges. On each page, scroll to “Localize Education” to see the list of candidates who have take the pledge.
