Worst Government Programs

The Military (incl. purpetual war, interventionism, etc)

4 (12.1%)

Public Schools

11 (33.3%)

Trade Restrictions (incl. Licensing)

0 (0%)

Wealth Redistribution

4 (12.1%)

Gun Control (incl. carry rights, self-defense rights)

5 (15.2%)

War on Drugs

5 (15.2%)

Invasions of Privacy

1 (3%)

Federal Reserve, Inflation, Deflation

3 (9.1%)

Foreign Aid

0 (0%)

Other (Not including taxation)

0 (0%)

Total Members Voted: 17

[Zhwazi]

Taxation isn't an option because I think everyone would vote for that if they could, and it's not what I want to know.

I've been reading and listening to stuff by John Taylor Gatto, a multi-teacher-of-the-year award winner for NYC, and teacher-of-the-year for NY State. He wrote "The Six Lesson Schoolteacher", and I recently found more of his stuff on this page. I am now thoroughly convinced that the public schools are the most destructive government program ever. Worse than a standing military and interventionism and purpetual war. Worse than the Federal Reserve.

What do you think? Poll is set so you can change your vote.

[Jason Orr]

Public schools, because they justify through bullying and abuse all of the government's crimes.

[mrapplecastle]

war on drugs

[mikehz]

Man, so many choices; so many choices. I went with "military," simply because the cost is SO huge that it's the number one thing in the federal budget. And, once having a giant military, there is heavy pressure to make use of it. There is nothing more useless than a peace-time military, so some war or other must always be sought out.

But, the disastrous "war" on drug users is another good candidate. It's cause enormous pain and suffering, brought about a gigantic surge in crime, and ruined the lives of countless Americans. It has brought about a police state in this country.

Government schools would also be a good choice as the worst program. (I hesitate to call it "education," since doing so would imply that some educatin' is actually taking place.) These state factories ruin children's minds, with the goal of keeping them stupid and obedient to government. After 12 years of indoctrination, the young person walks out into the world convinced that all things good and wonderful flow from the mouth of the all-powerful state.

[velojym]

Aren't they all merely 'symptoms' of the larger problem anyway?
I can't easily choose just one.

Public schools, I guess, as that's where young ones are taught to accept everything else.

[Lindsey]

All of them? 

[bonerjoe]

All of them? 

[Zhwazi]

Prioritize then. I asked which one was worst, not which ones are really really bad.

[bonerjoe]

Does wealth redistribution inlcude income and profit and school and "essential service" taxes by state and federal governments?

[Caveman]

Gotta go with the military, its the only government program thats specifically designed for destruction and its outrageous.

[AlexLibman]

Public Schools.

An evil that can take away your mind, your very essence of existence, is worse than the evil that merely takes away your life, liberty, or property.

[AbsurdParadox]

I say Federal Reserve, as that allows for the most control, and will ultimately lead to our own demise.

[Porcupine_in_MA]

I chose "public" schools, I prefer government youth propaganda agencies or government schools. They're the ones that keep generations of Americans raised to be obedient to the government and to believe in the government, without them all the other things wouldn't have been possible.

[NHArticleTen]

I'd have to agree that the government indoctrination centers more commonly known as "public schools" are, by far, the worst.

You should have complete control over your child's education...the gooberment should never be involved!

I just became friends with a 30 year veteran of the public school system...
She said that when she started she agreed with compulsory education...
But after all these years she has decided that the bad apples didn't need to be there...

Of course, most of the bad apples were just so bored out of their skulls that they misbehaved just for something to do...

There are millions of horror stories surrounding and involving the public schools...

Pink Floyd had it right...at least as far as government indoctrination centers are concerned...

"We don't need no THOUGHT CONTROL"!

Leave them kids alone!

[laur]

it all starts in the public school system, assuring children these other programs are excellent.