Why Not Separate School and State?

by Leonard E. Read, Vision (1978)

Government 'education' includes three forms of coercion: (1) compulsory attendance, (2) government-dictated curricula, and (3) the forcible collection of the wherewithal to pay the enormous bill.

The results of force are bad enough as related to the pocketbook, but are far worse as they affect the educational process. Force is precisely inefficacious in education when applied to religion and for the same reason ... Reflect on this lamentable situation:

• Coercion is a ramming-into procedure. Education is a taking-from process.
• 'Graduation' in many schools requires no more attendance; learning is no longer a criterion.
• To really appreciate the extent of coercion, try to run a private school and observe how your freedom of choice and action is restricted. The power mongers insist that you run your school their way -- no other. This coercion -- backed by physical force, the constabulary -- is rapidly on the increase.

So I ask, why not separate School and State as Church and State are now operated? Leave education to the free market, where the wisdom is. Let organized force -- government -- have no role, none whatsoever, other than to inhibit fraud and misrepresentation.