Matt Miller, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, argues that it is time for the “nationalization of school operating costs.” After all, we have “nationalized the banking, mortgage and insurance industries,” so nationalizing schools funding would be “in tune with the times.” Miller says,
Local control of schooling ? which means local financing of schools ? is an injustice, masked as a virtue, so deeply ingrained in the American mind that no politician in either party dare challenge it. But America?s obsession with local finance, which made perfect sense in the 19th century, is now sinking us morally and economically. To fix it, Barack Obama needs to steal an idea from Richard Nixon.
Those, like Miller, who believe that the federal government will distribute education funding equitably should travel to West Virginia and visit the following attractions: Robert C. Byrd Drive; Robert C. Byrd National Technology Transfer Center; Robert C. Byrd Highway; Robert C. Byrd Federal Correctional Institution; Robert C. Byrd High School; Robert C. Byrd Freeway; Robert C. Byrd Center for Hospitality and Tourism; Robert C. Byrd Science Center; Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center of West Virginia; Robert C. Byrd Cancer Research Center; Robert C. Byrd Technology Center; Robert C. Byrd Hardwood Technologies Center; Robert C. Byrd Bridge; Robert C. Byrd addition to the lodge at Oglebay Park; Robert C. Byrd Community Center; Robert C. Byrd Expressway; Robert C. Byrd Institute; Robert C. Byrd Institute for Advanced Flexible Manufacturing; Robert C. Byrd Visitor Center at Harpers Ferry National Historic Park; Robert C. Byrd Federal Courthouse; Robert C. Byrd Academic and Technology Center; Robert C. Byrd United Technical Center; Robert C. Byrd Federal Building; Robert C. Byrd Hilltop Office Complex; Robert C. Byrd Library and Robert C. Byrd Learning Resource Center; Robert C. Byrd Rural Health Center; Robert C. Byrd Clinical Addition to the veteran’s hospital in Huntington; Robert C. Byrd Industrial Park; Robert C. Byrd Community Center in the naval station, Sugar Grove; Robert C. Byrd Clinic at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine; Robert C. Byrd Biotechnology Science Center at Marshall University; Robert C. Byrd Locks and Dam; Byrd Aerospace Technology Center; and the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope. (List courtesy of Citizens Against Government Waste.)
