LETTERS: EDUCATION'S FEATHERBED JOBS

To the editor:

I somewhat agree with Peter Kinder's June 21 column. Kinder stresses the need for Big Education to step out of the way. There is a purpose for education, and it is not to create featherbed jobs in Jefferson City or Washington, D.C. Schools should serve the interests of the students, not the interests of politicians.

Government can, and sometimes does, do well in areas in which force is needed. Government is there to protect property rights, protect lives, invoke justice and protect us from foreign powers -- areas that are the purpose of government under our Constitution. However, in the areas outside the constitutional limits, government fails miserably. Kinder has mentioned education, but I would add that there are many other areas as well, including social behavior such as smoking, sex education, school-to-work and welfare. Kinder mentioned that education needs to get back to basics. I would add that government needs to get back to the basics.

Government cannot fix problems that it has created. It is not in its own best interest. There are thousands of featherbed jobs at risk. Government usually creates more laws and more departments instead of just getting out of the way and letting communities and people figure it out. Please think about the cost of all the government involvement outside of the constitutional boundaries, not only in money, but in the amount of human energy wasted.

JAMES NALL

Marble Hill