On Saturday, the Ron Paul campaign issued a statement announcing the naming of several new members of the Homeschoolers for Ron Paul coalition. The formation of the group was originally announced in August and since then has been very successful in motivating homeschool advocates to rally to Dr. Paul’s campaign for the White House.
As the statement released on ronpaul2012.com stated:
Today, interest in Ron Paul by this population segment has spilled over to many other states and the national campaign. The campaigns expanded use of the homeschool and other coalitions is proving itself a useful tool in helping to make Barack Obama a one-term president.
The campaign went on to publish a impressive list of influential homeschooling proponents who were joining the advisory board of the the Homeschoolers for Ron Paul coalition.
First, there is Mary Pride. She and her husband, Bill, are the founders and publishers of Practical Homeschooling magazine a publication that boasts 100,000 readers, and which has circulated for more than 27 years.
Mrs. Pride is quoted in the statement saying:
I am for Ron Paul because he is the only candidate who is actually willing to stand for Constitutional government and an end to our breakneck dash towards national bankruptcy, because he is right that America cannot afford to be the worlds policeman, and because any of his currently viable opponents would be disastrous as President.
Next on the list, is the former editor of Homeschooling Today magazine, Jim Bob Howard. Howard offered the following statement as the reasons he supports Ron Paul for President in 2012:
One statesman stands out in stark contrast to this vanity fair of clamoring for offices of public trust. His name is Ron Paul. What I care about is that hes a Godly man of character and conviction, who has made himself a lifelong student of liberty and personal responsibility.
Dr. Paul is a man of principles; hes a brother in Christ; and hes a champion of “liberty with responsibility.” But dont take my word for it, read what he has said, what hell do in office, and why hell do it. If you see a man of principles who will not back down against a sea of opposition, if you see a statesman who has been fighting for your liberty for more than 30 years, if you see a man who sets the personal standard and encourages others to do the same, I hope youll join me in voting for Ron Paul.
Next is Leigh Bortins, a “nationally acclaimed educator, author and commentator” who received praise for her efforts to spearhead the home-centered learning education movement. Bortins echoed the other new board members in her praise for Paul:
In determining which candidate to support, I wondered which candidate would support me the most consistently as I educate myself and my children in the ways of God and the institutions He ordained government, church, and family. I wondered which candidate would acknowledge that the best education raises children that feed the hungry, give sight to the blind, and care for widows and orphans not a candidate who asks for legislation that favors our employment, nor [asks] for others to fund our sports teams, schools, and libraries.
Is there a candidate that trusts me to feed my family, to care for my elderly parents, to keep my yards wetlands healthy, and to purchase insurance if I live in a flood zone? Is there a candidate that believes I am an adult who can make responsible decisions to grow my financial assets, to save for my old age, and to invest in my education? Is there a candidate who believes that if someone who is hungry comes to my attention, I will feed him or her? Yes. Politics doesnt matter to him as much as the truth. He knows it is wrong to ask for money that just doesnt exist and isnt yours. He is a presidential candidate who not only understands thoroughly that ideas have consequences, but I believe has a chance to win. He has been around a very long time. That is why Im endorsing Ron Paul for President.
Martha Robinson is a home education devotee who is lauded in the community for her approach to adding lessons about Austrian economics in homeschool curricula. Said Robinson:
Ron Paul is the only candidate who has shown a consistent record of voting to allow people to make free choices in this country, and he has supported homeschooling with all his heart. As homeschoolers, we have bravely stepped out of the mainstream, leading our children to a better way of life. Now is the time for us to rally behind Ron Paul. His wisdom and experience will allow him to tackle the behemoth our government has become and to restore the liberties that we as Americans want and deserve. I fully endorse Ron Paul as the next President of the United States.
It is little wonder that there is so much support for Ron Paul among those Americans who are actively resisting the federal governments attempts to assume absolute control over the education of the nations children and to concomitantly set one-size-fits-all curriculum standards which denigrate religion, ignore the Constitution, and promote forced acceptance of so-called alternative lifestyles.
In a section of his campaign website devoted to presenting Dr. Pauls position on several important national issues, the candidate declares that he believes no nation can remain free when the state has greater influence over the knowledge and values transmitted to children than the family does. The website adds that, As a congressman, Ron Paul has been a consistent supporter of homeschooling and educational freedom.
As with so many issues, in the matter of his support for homeschooling, Representative Pauls deeds have matched his words. In Congress, Ron Paul has proposed bills which would:
Help parents better educate their children by providing parents with a $5,000-per-child tax credit for tutors, books, computers, and other K-12 related educational needs
Ensure that the federal government treats high school diplomas earned through homeschooling the same as other high school diplomas
The economic impetus for introducing such legislation is provided in the campaign statement on the issue:
In many cases, homeschooling families must forgo the second income of one parent, as well as incur the costs of paying for textbooks, computers, and other school supplies.
And with combined taxes taking almost 50 percent of the average familys income, there is little left over for low- and middle-class parents to even consider other educational opportunities.
Finally, on his website, Ron Paul says he favors giving parents the freedom to choose the best educational options for their children. Ron Paul is the only candidate among the GOP hopefuls making such clear statements of his support for the family and its natural sovereignty.
Should he be elected, Ron Paul promises that he will veto any legislation that encroaches on homeschooling parents rights.
Finally, the seriousness of Ron Pauls policy position on the issue of education is made perfectly clear:
Returning control of education to parents and teachers on the local level is the centerpiece of Ron Pauls education agenda.
Those interested in joining “Homeschoolers for Ron Paul” should visit the official web page.
