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Happy Independence Day!

by Theresa Fritz Camoriano

          Imagine it is America before the revolution, and King George really cares about children.  In order to ensure that all children receive a good education, he establishes government-controlled schools in the colonies.  These schools will teach the curriculum that King George thinks best, including his version of history, science, sex education, and religion.  Further, he taxes the colonists to pay for these government schools; and he requires the colonists’ children to attend a government school or some other school of which he approves from age 5 to 16. 

          Imagine further that, in order to be sure the colonists have sufficient funds to sustain themselves in their old age, King George taxes the income of the working people, promising to pay money out to old people as he sees fit and when he feels like it, with no binding contractual commitment. 

          Imagine that, in the interest of protecting the colonists, King George requires them to wear safety helmets when riding their horses or else lose the privilege of using the public streets.

          Imagine King George also has a great interest in the health of his colonists, and, in order to protect their health, he establishes a government-run health program, with colonists being taxed to provide medical services and herbal remedies for everyone.  Any doctor who accepts private patients on the side is forbidden from participating in the tax-funded program.

          What do you think the colonists would say? 

            Well, that’s independence in America, in 2001! 

          Happy independence day!