Education happened before it was mandated by the federal government and literacy rates were higher then.
Incorrect. Historical statistics are
here. Yes, it's from the DOE but these numbers are verifiable from a wide variety of other sources that corroborate that data. In 1870, 20 percent of the entire adult population was illiterate, and 80 percent of the black population was illiterate. By 1980 those figures had dropped to 0.6 and 1.6% respectively. They have not shifted appreciably up or down since then.
That's not enough justification to support the education system we have by the coercion that's used to support it.
Nothing said here today has convinced me that the taxes used to pay for education are any more onerous in either their collection or application than any other taxes that are collected for the general welfare. I consider the minimal levels of education obtained from this worth that cost and justified under the general welfare clause. I understand you do not feel this way but you haven't actually said anything to attempt to persuade me. You've just restated an assertion that
"That's not enough justification to support...." without providing ANY persuasive reasoning. In earlier comments I provided specific reasons why I thought it was justified and the benefits that ALL citizens reap as a result of the system.
I consider the minimal levels of education obtained from this worth that cost and justified under the general welfare clause. Have you seen the dropout rates in cities like Detroit?
Have you seen the abysmal literacy rates that are inversely proportionate to the amount of money spent per pupil?
The state of education today absolutely does not justify the amount of money spent on it.
There are other statistics that contradict yours on supposed literacy rates you posted.
Are you an educator?