[doomtop]

Sure, but would you agree that state run public education is the current default solution, in countries like Australia, the U.S., etc.?

Your point is accurate re: historical perspective, but don't you think you have to take that in context? From a historical perspective, children have been brutally exploited, especially from the poor and middle-class.

[jonathankoren]

The fact that I'm here in 2016 having to defend the 1870s is mind blowing to me. And yet, through out contemporary American politics, it's basically a widespread effort to repeal the 20th Century.

[pnathan]

> The fact that I'm here in 2016 having to defend the 1870s is mind blowing to me. And yet, through out contemporary American politics, it's basically a widespread effort to repeal the 20th Century.

It does get quite amazing, doesn't it. And, thank you. :-S

[doomtop]

I think there might be parallels here to many other political issues where income inequality is involved.

[jonathankoren]

It's also blatant partisan politics. See arguments to repeal the 17th Amendment.

[TrevorJ]

What I am suggesting is that the true context is historical. Public education is relatively new compared to the amount of time humans have required an education. Mathematics, metallurgy, animal husbandry, architecture, construction, trade, language and economics have all required some form of education for thousands of years.

Rational arguments require comparisons, and if we narrow the scope of comparison to the repetitively new era and scope (american public education) then we ignore the preponderance of evidence from human history.